Islam does not permit, under any circumstances, the massacre of innocent citizens, terroristic explosions and suicide bombings. The continuous carnage and slaughtering of people, suicide bombings against innocent and peaceful communities, explosions at mosques, shrines, educational institutions and businesses; the destruction of government institutions, buildings, trade centers; attacks on defense training centers, embassies, transports systems and other institutions of civil society; all these acts are grave violations of human rights and constitute kufr, disbelief, under Islamic law. The founder and patron in chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, and Chairman of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri issued his detailed edict (fatwa) today, consisting of 600 pages, while addressing a press video conference from Canada.

Describing the background of his edict he said a terrible wave of terrorism has been maligning Pakistan in particular, and Muslim and non-Muslim nations in general, for the last many years. There is no doubt that, while Muslims as a collective entity condemn, resist and fight terrorism, and do not accept even its remotest possible link with Islam, unfortunately there are some people who remain quiet on the issue, silence taken as a tacit approval of such atrocities.  Indeed there are others, who, instead of opposing and condemning terrorism openly, confuse the issue, merely concentrating upon the politics that cause these atrocities. Dr. Qadri appealed to all Muslim scholars, intellectuals, and opinion-makers not to concentrate on who these people are, who is behind them and why they are committing these acts. Whatever justifications they may give for their actions, they act against the teachings of Islam. They are in clear contravention of what Islam stands for. Their each action is premised on bringing harm to Islam and to the whole of humankind. Their existence is an open danger against the integrity of Pakistan and world peace. The entire nation should dissociate itself from these elements, and condemn them in the strongest possible terms, unequivocally and with one voice. The Pakistani nation is in a state of war. It is the need of the time for Pakistan to form unity among its ranks at every level. The entire nation should stand behind their armed forces busy fighting a war for the protection of the lives of the innocent citizens, and securing national defense by eradicating terrorism.

Those who commit these atrocities claim they are doing so for the preservation of Islam and Muslims.  They claim their heinous acts constitute ‘jihad’, and thus, those who join in their misguided cause will enter paradise.  They justify the killing of innocent civilians by misinterpreting Islam and brainwashing susceptible and often vulnerable individuals.  Dr. Qadri argued it is thus imperative to make Islam’s stance on terrorism precisely evident in the light of the Quran and Sunnah so that the Muslims as well as non-Muslims of the world do not suffer from any misunderstanding and ambiguity.

He explained at length, in the light of the Quranic verses, Prophetic traditions, and expositions by eminent Islamic authorities of faith and jurisprudence that perpetrating terrorism against innocent citizens, massacres of humankind, suicide bombings, the destruction of national assets and property is absolutely against Islam; it amounts to an ‘act of kufr’. Islam does not permit such acts under any excuse, reason or pretext.

Moreover, Islamic teachings do not allow any group of people to take up arms, and wage war against the state and challenge its written authority. This is sheer mischief-mongering and civil war. Islamic law regards it rebellion and insurgency. He clarified that even if Muslims, living within a state, are being persecuted at the hands of foreign non-Muslim powers, and the Muslim government remains silent over such persecution, even then no individual or group of individuals is allowed to take the law into their own hands.  Instead, one should use democratic means of protest and peaceful ways of resolution should be adopted.

Citing various Quranic verses, Prophetic traditions, sayings of the Companions, and renowned jurists and scholars of Hadith, Dr. Qadri made it clear that even in a state of war, and during warfare, Islam strictly prohibits the killing of peaceful citizens, women, children, the sick and the old.  Moreover, during a battle, it is unlawful in Islam to destroy trees, crops, buildings and places of worship of any faith.

Dr. Qadri said the first ever ‘war against terror’ in Islamic history occurred during the Caliphate of Sayyidina Ali (r.a). The Khawarij and Harooria were a rebellious group of people and the first militant terrorists.  They rejected Sayyidina Ali’s (r.a) policy of dialogue, arbitration and peaceful means of dispute resolution.  They were in favor of resolution through armed conflict.  They used Islamic slogans of Jihad and rebelled against the state, and justified human killings according to their extremist theology.  The Khawarij committed acts of terrorism whilst citing Divine law in their defense, arguing they were acting for the dominance of Islam.  However, the Holy Prophet (saw) had already identified the Khawarij in more than fifty Prophetic traditions. He (saw) stated they were outside the ambit of Islam, had no legitimate authority to declare jihad, and instead, were the worst of humankind. Sayyidina Ali (r.a), with his army, himself fought against them in order to stop their atrocities, and eradicated the Kharijite terrorism.

Dr Qadri’s detailed religious edict consists of 200 pages, and clarifies his point of view in the light of dozens of verses from the Holy Quran, Prophetic traditions, countless commentaries of Muslim jurists, etc. This religious edict is in the process of publication, and will be available in the form of a book in Arabic, Urdu and English, later this week.

Farghana Institute (Manchester chapter) hosted historic and prestigious conference in a grand hall of a local hotel in Manchester on August 31, 2008. In addition to Khateeb Jam-e-Mosque Damascus Fazeelat as-Shaykh Muhammad Saeed as-Sagharji, President Supreme Council MQI Sahibzada Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri, as-Shaykh Sakhroof, As-Shaykh Abdur Rahman al-Hamami, Member European Parliament Sajjad Kareem, Counselors Muhammad Afzal Khan, M. Abid, Muhammad Naeem and other distinguished personalities, participated in the conference. Thousands of people especially youth came to attend the programme from across UK including Birmingham, Bradford, Halifax, Nelson and Scotland.

The proceedings of this historic conference got under way with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Hammad Mustafa al-Madani, the grandson of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. The principal of Farghana Institute and young scholar, Allama Muhammad Ramzan Qadri, conducted the proceedings of the programme.

Addressing the audience of the programme, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that fifteen centuries have gone by with the result that vast changes have taken place in economic, social, political and sociological domains, also incorporating individual and family needs. The demands of the contemporary age have engulfed every walk of life. In these circumstances, the question arising in the minds of young people is that why are the teachings of the Holy Prophet (saw) the source of security, stability and direction? He said it is the perfect obedience of the Prophet of Islam (saw) that provides the only way to achieve success and can steer the Umma from its present state of decline.

Throwing light on the reservations and misgivings about Islam and Shariah, Shaykh-ul-Islam said the youth and modernist society are caught in the web of these reservations. These reservations owe itself to the misinterpretation and misconstruction of Islamic teachings in the Western society. This face of Islam has been presented by a group of people called Taliban. The reality is that these people are themselves unaware of real Islamic teachings.

He said the teachings and ideal conduct of the Last Prophet (saw) are the source of inspiration for the Muslims. He said that accepting the Prophetic guidance as final guidance is the preliminary condition of being a Muslim. It warrants a thorough study of the Holy Prophet’s (saw) life, his universal teachings, sayings and the circumstances in which he was raised as a Prophet.

He said the pre-Islamic Arab society was known for extremism, injustice, tribal arrogance, social and moral evils. It was a time when humanity used to be degraded and dishonoured. He said that the mention of Roman civilization can be found at that time along with Greek, Persian and Hindi civilizations but these societies were unaware of the meanings of human values, culture and morality. In these circumstances, the Holy Prophet (saw) was sent with Divine message and he introduced those principles of civilization, morality and tolerance whose source was the Holy Qur’an and Sunna, The touchstone of its authenticity was his own ideal conduct.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the Holy Prophet (saw) said while delivering his address to people after conquest of Makkah: none of you can enter paradise as long as he does not embrace faith and no one can be believer as long as he does not become paragon of good, virtue, peace for one another.

He said the so-called champions of modern-day world have come to know the meanings of extremism today but 15 centuries ago, while founding new civilization, the Holy Prophet (saw) eliminated terrorism, extremism and sectarianism by urging his companions to behave nicely with their neighbours with benevolence. The Companions were so led to feel by his insistence on this command as if the Holy Prophet (saw) eradicated the difference between Muslim and non-Muslim as a human being and neighbour.

Mentioning the rights of the downtrodden and less privileged sections of society, Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the Holy Prophet (saw) emphasized on his followers to worship their Lord, feed those of the needy whom they knew and also those whom they did not know.

He said that the Holy Prophet (saw) gave a special instruction to establish a charity for the poor, talk to them tenderly and not hurt their feelings. He said the instructions about prayer, Zakat and fasting came later on but teachings about individual and familial brotherhood and ideal code of conduct were put into practice first.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the Holy Prophet (saw) gave the first constitution of the world 15 centuries ago. Islam introduced the concept of federal, provincial and local governments at a time when word coming from the mouth of King was a law unto itself and its violation or disobedience invited punishment and even death at times. Islam presented the consultative system and endowed on women their legal and human rights, whereas the fact remains that the so-called torch-bearers gave women the right to vote in 1920s for the first time in history.

He said 15 centuries ago, the Muslim women were appointed on the positions of judge and sent to other countries as diplomats during the days of rightly guided Caliphs. He said the sister of Sultan Saluhuddin Ayubi was the governor of Halab. Whatever the champions of human rights may say today, they cannot present even a semblance of similar human values and rights, which the Holy Prophet (saw) presented while addressing his followers when he said that the protection of the Muslims and non-Muslims in man and material without discrimination, guarantee of freedoms of traditions and culture and their religious rights would be legal and constitutional responsibility of the Islamic state. Islam is a religion of peace and love and its message also denotes the same. No one can be allowed to pass religious edict at personal and sectarian levels in the name of Jihad and Caliphate. Labeling Muslims to be terrorists is nothing but injustice, pure and simple.

Urging all participants especially the youth to carve out their position in their societies and live amicably and peacefully along with other communities, Shaykh-ul-Islam said that Islam does not preach isolation.

Referring to the reconstructive work of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Sheikh Ahmad Dervaish of Egypt said that Shaykh-ul-Islam does full justice to a topic to which he commits his pen. He urged the youth and people living in UK and Europe to join his caravan practically. He also requested all religious scholars to spread the reconstructive and research work of Shaykh-ul-Islam throughout the world. He also appreciated the services of the Principal of Farghana Institute.

Great religious scholar and Hadith-narrator, Shaykh as-Saad Muhammad Saeed as-Sagharji, said in his speech that the meanings of the Holy Quran and Hadith of the Holy Prophet (saw) are revealed upon the heart of Shaykh-ul-Islam like en enlightening light of Allah. That is why his research-based and scholarly speeches compel everyone to ponder and act. He said the passion to learn Hadith and love of Shaykh-ul-Islam attract him to attend such conferences each year. He said he considers his knowledge to be just a particle in comparison to knowledge of Shaykh-ul-Islam. Shaykh Asad Muhammad Saeed said he is a ray of hope in this age of mischief and disorder.

Counselor Afzal Khan said in his talk that it was a matter of fortune for people of Manchester that Shaykh-ul-Islam came here whom we hold in high esteem from the core of our hearts.

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The proceedings of the ceremony got underway with the recitation from the Holy Qur`an by Qari Allah Baksh Naqshbandi followed by recital of Na`t by Muhammad Afzal Nawshahi. Farhat Hussain Shah of Directorate of Training conducted the proceedings of the ceremony. Chairman of Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society and renowned journalist, Wasif Nagi, felicitated Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for undertaking the translation of the Holy Qur`an. He said the Memorial Society felt privileged to organize such a sacred ceremony.

Addressing at the occasion, Secretary-General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, said that MQI had become the leading organization of the Muslim world in its 25-year-long journey. The scholarly contributions of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri would continue to guide the Umma for hundreds of coming years. Irfan-ul-Qur`an is a unique and valuable addition to the history of translations of the Holy Qur`an.

Mufti Muhammad Iqbal Kharal, the Khatib of Hazrat Mian Mir Mosque, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri had a distinguished status among the contemporary intellectuals and scholars. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri had tried to spread the gnosis of the Holy Qur`an in the world by undertaking the translation of the Holy Qur`an. He said Shaykh-ul-Islam was such personality who was uniting Umma on a single platform as well as spreading the Quranic teachings in the modern way.

Dr Jamil-ur-Rahman Chishti of the Chishtia Abad, Kamoki, which is a famous seat of spiritualism, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s translation of the Holy Qur`an enlightens the readers with the real spirit of the Holy Book. The unique and lucid style of translation distinguishes Irfan-ul-Qur`an from the existing body of translations.

Central Amir of Jamat Ahl Hadith, Pakistan, Allama Zubair Ahmad Zaheer said that Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri did full justice to the demands of translation and rendered the translation beautifully by rising above sectarian affiliations. He congratulated Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for doing translation of the Holy Qur`an for the entire Muslim Umma and all sects.

Renowned scholar Dr Tahir Hameed Tanoli said that if the translations of the Holy Qur`an done in the subcontinent were the tree, Irfan-ul-Qur`an, the translation of the Holy Quran by Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was its fruit. This translation had the unique quality of an exegesis in terms of its meaningfulness. Shaykh-ul-Islam’s translation of the Holy Book was a great scholarly feat of the contemporary age from which the Umma would continue to derive benefit for centuries. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has made the reverence for the Holy Prophet (saw) the pivot and no where does the translation go away from this.

Khawaja Muin-ud-Din Koraija of Kot Mitthan said that Irfan-ul-Qur`an would continue to be read till the Day of Judgment. Irfan-ul-Qur`an not only removes the doubts and reservations of the modern mind but also offers remedy for the scourge of sectarianism. Our society is engulfed in terrorism. The Islamic message of peace was the dire need of the hour and Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is known as an ambassador of peace in the entire world. He also declared to hold the inauguration ceremony of Irfan-ul-Qur`an in the annual spiritual celebrations of Kot Mitthan.

Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs of the Punjab, Sa`id-ul-Hasan Gilani, said that there was a need to revive the passion for reading the Holy Qur`an. Irfan-ul-Qur`an is the unique translation, which would surely ignite the fire of getting connected with the Holy Qur`an, and the readers would further be led to develop the understanding of the Holy Qur`an.

Principal of Pakistan Law College, Dr Hamayun Ihsan, said in his talk that undertaking the translation of the Holy Qur`an was the most difficult job of the world. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri deserved felicitation that he did a great favour to the Umma by doing simple, lucid and modern translation of the Holy Qur`an, which is also compatible with the contemporary demands. Dr Ihsan said that if the translations of the quality books were undertaken, it would go a long way in guiding people through a maze of problems. The Umma could regain its lost glory by reading Irfan-ul-Qur`an, for such is its scholarly depth.

Shaykh-ul-Hadith Muhammad Mi`raj-ul-Islam said that there were a few translation of the Holy Qur`an, which did not contain the element of reverence and respect. Irfan-ul-Qur`an is such a valuable treasure as removes all doubts and enhances respect for the holy personages.

Sayyid Ali Ghazanfar Kararwi said that people undertook translations of the Holy Qur`an in accordance with their personal belief system but the Divine and Prophetic demands were kept in view in Irfan-ul-Qur`an. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri stands for unity among sects and Umma. His translation, Irfan-ul-Qur`an, would certainly extinguish raging fires of sectarianism.

Provincial Tourism and Culture Minister of the Punjab, Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, said that Irfan-ul-Qur`an would revive the relationship with the Holy Qur`an which was otherwise getting disconnected. He said that the scholarly contributions of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri were a matter of immense pride for the nation especially Irfan-ul-Qur`an, which had the potential of providing remedy for the spiritual ills. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s efforts were of historical nature so far as conveying of the Qur`anic light to people was concerned.

Shaykh-ul-Hadith of Jamea Nizamia, Lahore Maulana Abdut Tawab Siddique said in his speech that there was dire need of reviving our relationship with the holy Quran. This endeavour of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri really deserves appreciation. His Quranic translation “Irfan-ul-Quran” is a became of light for all Muslims.

Arab scholars, ash-Shaykh Dr al-Farfur, ash-Shaykh Dr Sayyid Mahmud Abu al-Huda al-Husaini and ash-Shaykh As`ad Muhammad Sa`id as-Sagharji also addressed at the ceremony at the occasion. They said that they could not fully benefit from Irfan-ul-Qur`an because of their ignorance of the Urdu language, which they branded as great deprivation.

Concluding the ceremony, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that great scholars undertook translations of the Holy Qur`an but he only made humble effort to translate it in a way as is compatible with the contemporary demands so that doubts and questions facing the youth could satisfactorily be addressed. He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant his efforts.

http://www.irfan-ul-quran.com

Features of Irfan-ul-Quran :

• Imperative Observance of Veneration of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in Irfan-ul-Quran
• Irfan-ul-Quran: A rare and unique addition to the translations of the Holy Quran
• Irfan-ul-Quran and Modern Sciences: A comparative study with other translations
• Reverence and submissiveness for Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet (pbuh)
• Paying of due regards to the status and hierarchy of all personalities
• State of love
• Authenticity of beliefs and gnostic implications of faith
• Compatible with the contemporary demands
• Most modern English translation compatible with the contemporary demands
• Quranic translation of reconstructive value
• Uniformly comprehensible for all levels of understanding
• Fluent, lucid and idiomatic
• Innovative and refined presentation of style
• Authenticity of learning and intellectual depth
• Aspect of rational meditation & practicality
• Scientific research & ideological modernity
• Manifestation of spiritual sweetness and intuitive remembrance
• Description of the Quranic geography
• Description of historical background of the ancient communities

http://www.irfan-ul-quran.com

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