What is Fatwa? For those who have heard about Fatwa but are not very clear regarding its meaning - A fatwa is an Islamic religious ruling, a scholarly opinion on a matter of Islamic law.
A fatwa is issued by a recognized religious authority in Islam. But since there is no hierarchical priesthood or anything of the sort in Islam, a fatwa is not necessarily "binding" on the faithful. The people who pronounce these rulings are supposed to be knowledgeable, and base their rulings in knowledge and wisdom. They need to supply the evidence from Islamic sources for their opinions, and it is not uncommon for scholars to come to different conclusions regarding the same issue.
Why is it so that we are hearing the word 'Fatwa' so often? Is it because the Islamic religious scholars are becoming more and more intolerant or are followers of Islam becoming less and less religious? Actually it is neither of the above two reasons. The real reason for issuance's of some many fatwa in recent times according to many Islamic followers is that it is being used as a platform for gaining publicity.
Today issuing a fatwa has become fashionable and in turn it helps them to add ignorant people to their set of followers. Fatwas are issued left, right and center without thinking of its consequences and its effects on the Islam religion. Even though the biggest teaching of Prophet Muhammed is compassion.
And if fatwa is really a religious tool to stop people from wrong doing then how can a true Islamic follower allow terrorists to use this sacred law of Islam. Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians’ life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram – or forbidden - and those who commit these barbaric acts are criminals, not “martyrs.”
The Qur’an, Islam’s revealed text, states: "Whoever kills a person [unjustly]…it is as though he has killed all mankind. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved all mankind." (Qur’an, 5:32)
Prophet Muhammad said there is no excuse for committing unjust acts: "Do not be people without minds of your own, saying that if others treat you well you will treat them well, and that if they do wrong you will do wrong to them. Instead, accustom yourselves to do good if people do good and not to do wrong (even) if they do evil." (Al-Tirmidhi)
God mandates moderation in faith and in all aspects of life when He states in the Qur’an: “We made you to be a community of the middle way, so that (with the example of your lives) you might bear witness to the truth before all mankind.” (Qur’an, 2:143)
In another verse, God explains our duties as human beings when he says: “Let there arise from among you a band of people who invite to righteousness, and enjoin good and forbid evil.” (Qur’an, 3:104)
Islam teaches us to act in a caring manner to all of God's creation. The Prophet Muhammad, who is described in the Qur’an as “a mercy to the worlds” said: “All creation is the family of God, and the person most beloved by God (is the one) who is kind and caring toward His family."
In the light of the teachings of the Qur’an:
All acts of terrorism targeting civilians are haram (forbidden) in Islam.
It is haram for a Muslim to cooperate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
It is the civic and religious duty of Muslims to cooperate with law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.
Today many Islamics have started to understand this fact and are trying to spread the word of compassion, but still there is a lot to do, so that all religions can coexist together with out any fears and this can only restore the world to sanity and help eradicate insanity that leads people to terrorism...
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