North Carolina imams condemn Islamic State atrocities

“And we have not sent you, [O Muhammad], except as a mercy to the Worlds.” (Holy Quran 21:107)

“You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah. (Holy Quran 33:21)

“Whoever kills a person [unjustly] … it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he has saved all mankind.” (Holy Qur’an, 5:32)

“There is no compulsion in religion. Surely the right course is distinct from the wrong. And whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows (all things).” (Holy Quran 2:256)

“Allah commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition.” (Holy Qur’an 16:90)

We, the members of the Imams’ Consultative Body of North Carolina, join other members of the civilized world in strongly condemning the inhumane, barbaric, cowardly murder of innocent life and the countless acts of extreme violence against humanity perpetrated by ISIS (ISIL) and other terrorists groups who claim to do so in the name of Al- Islam. War crimes cannot be condoned or overlooked.

No words can describe the horror, disgust and sorrow felt by true Muslims in America and worldwide at these unconscionable and un-Islamic violent actions and methods that are completely opposed to the teachings of the Qur’an and the life practices of Muhammad, the Prophet. Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) showed human decency and respect for life even in war. He ordered that prisoners of war not be mistreated; that the soldiers not harm women, children, the elderly, the sick or infirm, and non-combatants. In the words of our Prophet (PBUH), do not even harm a tree if it can be avoided. Our Prophet’s teachings tell us that we are to respect and protect religious freedom; to protect the life and houses of worship of Christians, Jews, and others. We are taught to never be the aggressor and to always seek peace over aggression. We are not to let the hatred of others cause us to swerve from just behavior to criminal behavior.

The terrorist groups are comprised of the worst among us. They have been separated from their innocent good healthy human sentiments and have become hardened, insensitive, apathetic, void of love and kindness for and toward humanity. They have lost their human identity as well as their religious identity, with the worst being the loss of our common identity (human identity).

These heinous criminal acts perpetrated in the name of religious rhetoric are a shameful veil on the true beauty of our religion, Al-Islam, the Qur’an and the life example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As Muslims, we have a responsibility to exhibit the best of our human and religious identity. We challenge all G_d conscious Muslims to join us in speaking out against these atrocities. Our greatest instrument in this endeavor is the Qur’an. We must do more than just recite its beauty, we must accept to live it and give a clear explanation of its beauty.

As we denounce these actions, we also understand the history and complexity of this conflict and pray that people of faith and good will can find a way to work together towards building bridges of understanding, mutual respect, cooperation, and peace.

The Imams’ Consultative Body of North Carolina is an association of Imams (Islamic leaders) across North Carolina. This group consists of Masajid (Mosques) and Islamic Centers that are constituent members of Community of Muslims of the late leader, Imam W. Deen Mohammed who led the largest indigenous group of Muslims in the U.S.