DOHA: Noted Qatar-based Islamic scholar and President of the International Union of Muslim Scholars, Dr Yusuf Al Qaradawi (pictured), has called on Egyptian soldiers and policemen to defy orders by senior officers to shoot innocent Muslim and Christian demonstrators.
He, however, said it is not necessary for them to quit their jobs following the bloody military crackdown on demonstrators.
In a fatwa (religious edict) issued yesterday, Dr Al Qaradawi said: “Allah has forbidden killing innocent people. The Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) has explained that not only killing, but also pointing guns or other weapons at innocent people is forbidden.”
By obeying orders to kill innocent people, Muslim soldiers and policemen (in Egypt) are defying the commands of Allah as well as the principles of Shariah, said Dr Al Qaradawi. “Such acts could bring on them the wrath of Allah in this world and the hereafter,” he added.
The scholar was asked if the Egyptian soldiers, officers and policemen should quit their jobs after the killing of thousands of innocent people following the military takeover.
To this, he replied that it is not necessary for them to leave their jobs since they are responsible for maintaining law and order.
“The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior in Egypt are owned by the Egyptian people. The job of those working with these ministries is not to obey politicians and kill innocents,” he added. The Peninsula
