By Dr Wael Shihab
The terrible act of beheading of US photo journalist James Foley claimed by the Islamic State in Syria is not Islamically justified and its perpetrators should be brought to justice for such an unwarranted crime.
Islam has preceded all world laws in defending innocent 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)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said:
“A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he doesn’t kill another person illegally.”
In fact, journalists are protected by Islamic laws and the world conventions. So, the reported crime of the so-called “Islamic state” is a clear violation to the universals and values of Islam. Such abhorred acts are alien to Islam and its noble teachings.
It is noteworthy that Muslims all over the world don’t recognise 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 the beheading of the US Journalist in Syria 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. May Allah accept your and our good deeds.
