Grand mufti: Terrorists murdering Muslims in name of jihad

Riyadh, Aug 10: Grand Mufti Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh, who is also president of the Council of Senior Scholars, has warned young men against perverting the concept of “jihad” (struggle) and wreaking havoc in Muslim countries by killing innocent civilians in the name of Islam.

Al-Asheikh also urged youth not to fall victim to such rhetoric propagated by terror groups.

“We continuously witness ugly crimes on television that have been perpetrated by the enemies of Islam. These various futile sects shed blood for no reason and kill fellow Muslims in the name of Islam, but what they are doing is nothing but organized terrorism and theft.”

“Indeed, these criminals cover up their crimes under the garb of jihad,” asserted Al-Asheikh.

“Living in peace and security is a natural necessity and a religious interest,” he said. “Murdering innocent people not only distorts the religion’s image, but places great distress on the family of these victims.”

Islamic law abhors bloodshed and encourages followers to fulfill the purpose for which they were created, he said.

Al-Asheikh alluded to the sanctity of human life in the Qur’an and the Sunnah (the sayings of the Prophet, peace be upon him).

“This is reinforced in the Qur’an, which asserts that ‘whoever kills a believer intentionally shall abide eternally in Hellfire’,” he said.

Al-Asheikh urged followers to reread the many verses and sayings to this effect, reiterating the need to stop these barbaric murders.

“God likens unjust killing to polytheism, while the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) included murder in the list of seven deadly sins,” he reminded the faithful.