IUMS welcomes Al-Azhar document, underscores unity, solidarity and peacefulness in Egypt
All praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon Muhammad, God’s messenger, his family, companions, and followers;
The International Union of Muslim Scholars has been following with deep concern and grief, the tragic situation in Egypt - the country glorious by its people, and dear to our Arab and Muslim nation – where incidents have taken a chaotic and criminal turn far from the nature of the civilised Egyptian people and resulted in wounds and deaths among a number of protestors and the police.
To help reverse this serious situation, a number of initiatives and constructive documents were proposed while the Al-Azhar Document was met with acceptance and satisfaction from all sides. Before this situation, the IUMS views and affirms the following:
First: the IUMS praises the all-inclusive Al-Azhar Document, proposed by young people who have the best interest of their people and country in their hearts, which was welcomed by all sides and categories. The union also demands all sides; the presidency, and opposition, to show complete commitment to the content of this document.
Second: the IUMS asserts that Allah, exalted He be, loves mildness and hates violence, and grants for mildness what He doesn’t grant for violence. Whenever mildness is added to anything, it will adorn it, and whenever mildness is taken from anything it will leave it defective, as the prophetic sayings narrate [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Moreover, Allah has told his prophet that {It is part of the Mercy of Allah that you deal gently with them, were you severe or harsh-hearted, they would have broken away from about you: so pass over (their faults), and ask for ((Allah)'s) forgiveness for them; and consult them in affairs (of moment).} [Quran 3:159] and reminded to {Say to My servants that they should (only) say those things that are best: for Satan does sow dissensions among them: For Satan is to man an avowed enemy.} [Quran 17:53].
Third: the IUMS condemns strongly the adoption of a criminal course of action, of violence, killing, as well as assault on persons, personal possessions, and public and private facilities since such acts are a form of mischief in the land and struggle against Allah that were mentioned in the verse: {The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;} [Quran 5:33].
Fourth: the IUMS warns the dangerous situation, and the possibility that Egypt’s internal and external enemies may take advantage of the situation to undermine its power, status, and rank. The union also warns that former regime agents and criminals may infiltrate into the lines of protesters to tamper with Egypt’s security and facilities. These hazards and others require everyone, particularly opposition, to place Egypt’s best interest above all party interests and accept unruffled dialogue that aims at reaching a safe shore and solving problems peacefully.
The charged ambient in Egypt, and the economic and social problems were not born overnight but are the legacy of dictatorship, tyranny, corruption and systematic stubbornness that lasted for more than 50 years. The problems that cumulated over half a century can not be solved in months, nor a year or more. They require a strategic plan implemented within tranquil and stable atmosphere. Thus, we urge everyone to be keen on Egypt, its security and stability as the security and power of Egypt are the security and power of all Arabs and Muslims.
Fifth: we urge all those having a sincere will among opposition and supporters to stand in one line for the sake of Egypt and to protect the revolution and its purposes. You are all the owners of the revolution, so do not fall into disagreement because the continuation of chaos, tensions, and assaults on public and private institutions will drain what remains of Egypt’s resources, prevent investments and thus cause the situation to be aggravated. It only remains to inquire about who would benefit from such a sequence? {and fall into no disputes, lest you lose heart and your power depart; and be patient and persevering: For Allah is with those who patiently persevere:} [Quran 8:46].
And our last call is all praise be to Allah!
Doha: 21st Rabea Al-Awwal, 1434 H
Dated: 2nd February, 2012
Dr. Ali Al-Qarradaghi Dr. Yusuf Al-Qaradawi
IUMS Secretary General IUMS President