SHAFAQNA – The execution of the Jordanian pilot, Mouath al-Kasaesbeh, sent a wave of shock in the world. Media was overwhelmed with photos and scenes of burning the pilot, who was captured by ISIL militants after his plane crashed over Syria while on a bombing mission against the group in December.
The horrific method that the so-called Islamic State (IS) used has triggered storms of condemnation and denunciation within the Muslim world. Below are a number of scholars’ comments on the ISIL’s burning of al-Kasaesbeh alive:
Dr. Yasir Qadhi: I Question Their Humanity
“Every time ISIS is criticized for their barbarity and depravity, their supporters always bring up the evils that all of us also have criticized: Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians; Guantanamo; drone attacks by the US; and the list goes on.
It is interesting that in their hatred of Israeli and American policy, they have began to mimic and at times even exceed the barbarity of those whom they oppose. Instead of following the Quran and Sunnah, and taking lessons from our Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who said, ‘No one should use fire to punish – other than the Lord of the fire!’, they take lessons from Israel and America.
Let them. For in reality these people have nothing to do with the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet salla Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and more to do with the ways of the very enemies they claim to fight.
They do not need to be refuted anymore. No one who agrees with them after seeing what they have done can possibly be reasoned with.
People question their Islam. I question their humanity.”
Dr. Khaled Hanafy: Tarnishing the Message of Mercy
“This act is a blatant crime against morals, religion and humanity. What is worse is that it is committed in the name of Islam.
I see no justification for supporting such an act by evoking cases of Muslim victims burnt alive such as in Myanamar because the preptrators of such crimes are not good examples to follow. We should not respond to the wrong with a graver wrong. A Muslim is commanded to abide by the limits set by Allah in all situations: in war, peace, governance and judgment.
The message of humanity and universal mercy has been tarnished by this act. The messenger of Allah has not sent but as a mercy to all worlds.
I have no doubt that the main goal of ISIL and its act to damage the image of Islam and to scare people from Muslims. The Prophet refrained from executing people who were legally deserving of this punishment to avoid the negative propaganda of Quraish against the message; “lest the people say Muhammad kills his Companions,” as he said.
O Allah, I distance myself from what these people did. To Allah we belong and to Him we will return.”
Dr. Wael Shihab: A Barbaric, Horrible Crime
“The terrible, barbaric act of burning the Jordanian hostage Muadh al-Kasasbeh claimed by the Islamic State in Syria is NOT Islamically justified and its perpetrators should be brought to justice for such an unwarranted, horrible crime.
It is Islamically forbidden to burn a human, whether dead or alive. Allah Most High says, {Truly We have honored human beings} (Al-Isra’ 17: 70); burning a human being is a blatant disregard of the honor owed him or her as per the Divine will. In one of his hadiths, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “No one is entitled to punish with fire except the Creator (God) of the fire”. (Abu Dawud, Sunan, No. 2673)
Islam has preceded all world laws in protecting and honoring people. Islamic law even considers the unjust killing of a single person as horrible and punishable as killing all people. Allah says,
{Whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if be had killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had: saved the life of all mankind.} (Al-Ma’idah 5: 32)
Islamic Shari`ah (Law) never justifies or teaches violence or injustice. In this context, Ibn al-Qayyim says,
Shari`ah is based on wisdom and consideration of people’s interests both in this world and the world to come. It is all about justice, mercy, and welfare. Therefore, any case that brings about injustice, cruelty, evil, and disorder is not of Shari`ah, even if some people may interpret it to be so; Shari`ah signifies Allah’s mercy and justice among His servants.Shari`ah reflects Allah’s wisdom, which does prove, beyond any shadow of doubt, His existence and the truthfulness of His Messengers. (Ibn al-Qayyim,I`lam al-Muwaq`in, vol. 4: p. 337)
It is noteworthy that Muslims all over the world don’t recognize the so-called “Islamic state” in Syria or Iraq. Its illegal and irresponsible practices are widely denounced by Muslim communities.
Given the above, it becomes clear that burning the Jordanian pilot alive by IS is an unwarranted punishable crime. It clearly goes against Islam’s universals and laws. Therefore, it is not acceptable to blame Islam itself for the illegal acts of the so-called “Islamic state” that Muslims all over the world don’t accept.”
Dr. Tariq Ramadan: Caught Between Two Types of of Madness
“These violent extremists kill, burn alive, torture, rape… Westerners, Japanese, Jordanians, Muslims and people of other faiths… While some States imprison, rape, torture and kill.
Muslims are caught between these two madnesses. Now the silent majority – full of spirit, moderation and courage -, must speak up against these two objective allies of their historical failure. We cannot play the victims anymore and we must confront both the extremists and the despots at the same time. If we are serious, and ready to stop being apologetic.”
Sheikh Omar Suleiman: Out of Context Justification
“As you continue to quote verses of the Quran, sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the great companions and scholars (may Allah have mercy on them), out of context to justify your satanic actions, you continue to show the world how ugly and far away from Islam you really are. #ISIS
PS. The video looks fake like many others. But to see all the justifications is nauseating. Don’t know who these people really are, but I despise them.”
Source:Onislam.net
www.shafaqna.com