The Final Statement of the General Iftaa' Department`s Conference on
(Nullifying Extremism and Takfeer)
Amman-Jordan.
Date: 10-11/Sha'ban/1437 AH, corresponding to 17-18/5/2016 AD.
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of Worlds, and may His peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.
Based on the historical responsibilities shouldered by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in highlighting the bright image of Islam and ending false claims and suspicions made against it, the Amman Message " the tolerant message of Islam" was launched by his Majesty King Abdullah the Second on the eve of the twenty Seventh of Ramadan, 1425 AH, corresponding to November 9th, 2004, Amman. The message aims at displaying the higher objectives and intents of Islamic Sharia as well as standing up to whoever tries to distort the beautiful image of Islam, be they enemies or inpiduals pretending to be Muslims and committing unspeakable acts in its name.
In continuation of the above spirit, the General Iftaa' Dept. held this conference wherein some of the prominent Muslim scholars have participated. They have agreed on adopting a methodology that reflects the moderate and tolerant nature of Islam, defends its principles and values of mercy and justice as well as stands up to weird and unorthodox ideas which led to labeling Muslims as disbelievers and shedding their blood. It is based on the following verse: "Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right, and forbidding what is wrong: They are the ones to attain felicity."{Al-Imraan/104}.
Moreover, the Muslim nation is united by having the same Lord, Prophet and teachings, as indicated in the following verse:" Verily, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher: therefore serve Me (and no other)."{Al-Anbia`/92}.
This unity is achieved by firmly establishing brotherhood among Muslims on basis of having faith in Allah and following His true method, as shown in the following verse:" The Believers are but a single Brotherhood."{Al-Hujurat/10}.
As believers are tied by obligatory rights stemming from their belief in Allah, adhering to them equals their adherence to performing various acts of worship.
In the Noble Quran, Allah Has blessed His believing slaves by bringing their hearts together, so they became brothers by His grace after they were enemies. This brotherly relationship calls for avoiding all forms of conflict, dispute and disunity among Muslims through performing Jihad against one's ego and observing patience to achieve ultimate happiness in the life of this world as well as the Hereafter.
Its prohibited to tag a Muslim, who has professed the testimonies of faith, as a disbeliever unless he committed acts that contradict them, as indicated in the following Hadith:" Allah's Messenger (PBUH) said, 'If anyone says to his brother, 'O disbeliever! Then surely, one of them is such." {Bukhari and Muslim}.
In Islam, the state is the one entitled to run all the affairs and implement the higher objectives of governance to achieve security and stability that lead to justice. It is prohibited for any group to take control of governance and declare a Caliphate in disassociation from the Muslim Ummah.
The comprehensive message of Islam, which rests on founding the principles of justice, mercy, tolerance and peace among people, qualifies it to organize the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims in accordance with solid Islamic principles based on peace and helping one another to righteousness and piety. As far as war is concerned, it is an exception that has its legal conditions, rules and ethics, so the ruler is the one entitled to declare it in line with his assessment to benefits, harms, as well as international treaties and conventions.
In Islamic terms, Jihad is not restricted to fighting per se; rather, it includes inviting people to the righteous path with wisdom and fair exhortation, as indicated in the following verse:" Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and fair exhortation, and reason with them in the better way. Lo! thy Lord is Best Aware of him who strayeth from His way, and He is Best Aware of those who go aright."{An-Nahil/125}.
The brutal acts committed by these extremist groups-such as destruction of cities and other aspects of civilization, encouraging the young to kill themselves, their families and to undermine the stability of their nation-is not considered Jihad. Rather, it is considered injustice, aggression, brutality and corruption. Therefore, joining, fighting for, or supporting these groups is prohibited, because they fight for a cause that is not clear. "The Messenger of Allah [PBUH] said: 'Whoever fights for a cause that is not clear, advocating tribalism, getting angry for the sake of tribalism, then he has died a death of Jahiliyyah."{an-Nasa`i}.
Islamophobia, although refers to some weird and corrupt practices committed those who pretend to be Muslims, mostly stems from racism and enmity towards Islam and Muslims; therefore, we warn against the growth of this phenomenon which will lead to more terror and extremism-oriented thought.
It is imperative to reiterate that the Palestinian question is the key concern of all Muslims and that the Israeli occupation of this Muslim country and usurpation of al-Aqsa mosque, Muslim`s first Qibla and most sacred of sanctities, is one of the key reasons for the unrest that the world is witnessing.
Moreover, Muslim scholars are obligated to fulfill their religious duty, which lies in the following: uniting the Muslim Ummah(nation), fighting weird and unorthodox thoughts, exposing the falsehoods of extremists` suspicions and clarifying the right way to understanding true Islam. This can be achieved through the following: First, adherence to the Noble Quran and the authentic Sunnah. Second, sound understanding of Sharia texts within the higher objectives and intents of Sharia, disassociated from falsifying and steering them (texts) to serve certain thought or legal school or to justify certain acts. Third, nullifying thoughts that aren`t based on sound understanding of the true nature of Islam in relation to life. Fourth, propagating dialogue, moderation, tolerance, goodwill and accepting the other.
"Say: ‘O God! Originator of the heavens and the earth!, Knower of the Unseen and the visible, You will judge between Your servants concerning that wherein they used to differ’."{Az-Zumar/46}. And all perfect praise be to the Lord of the Worlds.
