Much of what the Imam of the Kaaba, Sheikh Abdur Rahman al-Sudais, says below sounds peaceful and moderate. Until you get to the punchline. “Imam-e-Kaaba urges clerics to shun confrontation,” from GulfNews, with thanks to the Constantinopolitan Irredentist:
ISLAMABAD: Imam-e-Kaaba Shaikh Abdur Rehman al-Sudais has ardently appealed to the Lal Masjid administration to give up the path it has adopted for the past few months or the enemy would benefit from anarchy and chaos. “I deeply regret and am surprised over their undertaking,” he said while talking to a group of senior journalists at the Punjab House here. Saudi Ambassador Ali Awadh Asseri was also present on the occasion.
In his brief opening remarks, Asseri said the Muslim Ummah was faced with paramount challenges after 9/11, which should be tackled with wisdom and acumen.
The Imam-e-Kaaba said he was disappointed to note that the Lal Masjid brigade had involved women and children who should not be used (in such activity).
In this he is speaking in accord with Islamic law.
He said that seizing mosques was an act of enemies of Islam and Pakistan. “Being a well-wisher of Pakistan, I request these people to act while remaining within the clearly defined commandments of the religion. Any transgression will only accomplish the objectives of the enemy,” he said.
He said Islam does not allow anybody to make mosques sanctuary this way. This is no wise method, he said, adding that mosques are Houses of Allah Almighty, not meant to show power by any person or group.
“Anybody who likes to enforce Islamic Shariah can’t force it on his own. It can’t be enforced at the individual level. Ulema and those having knowledge of Islam should be approached for this purpose,” he said….
“I counsel these people to compassionately resolve the issue according to the distinguished principles of Islam in consultation with the government, religious scholars and officials,” the Imam-e-Kaaba stressed.
He said Islam does not allow violence, terrorism and use of force. The religion teaches mutual compassion and emphasises on love and affection.
Shaikh al-Sudais said that in an Islamic government, everybody cannot act on his own and has to follow the system and institutions of the state. Anarchy and chaos, he said, are worse than murder, and Muslims must have to act collectively. They are not allowed to adopt an independent path.
The Imam-e-Kaaba said Muslims are protectors of each other while limiting themselves to the confines of the law, and the rules prescribed by the state institutions. Islam prohibits taking any action that divide Muslims.
Al-Sudais said nobody is infallible, and anybody can commit wrongs but there are clear ways provided in Islam to rectify them. Islam specifies resolution of problems through consultation, he said.
The Imam-e-Kaaba said Islam has cut off the roots of violence. The religion has laid immense emphasis on compassion, consideration and care for others. “Wherever violence will creep in, there will be more trouble and problems,” he said.
Quoting the Holy Prophet, al-Sudais said that the “air of heaven would not touch anybody who would kill a non-Muslim covered by an agreement.”
A “non-Muslim covered by an agreement.” That is, a dhimmi.
Islam teaches moderation and abhors extremism and violence, he said.
Answering a question, the Imam-e-Kaaba said sectarianism has no room in Islam. The religion, he said, lays down principles of brotherhood and harmony. Mosques, he said, should not be used to spread mayhem and disarray.
Al-Sudais said there are many misconceptions and misgivings prevailing about jihad, which was the pinnacle of the religion. The first condition, he said, is that the Imam (leader) should lead and organise it according to the true Shariah commandments.
“No individual can or has the right to declare and wage jihad.”The second condition, he said, is that there must be sufficient preparation for launching jihad.
“Jihad is of different kinds relating to one’s own soul, attainment of knowledge, of pen and wealth. It is also a jihad to be guardian of a widow.”
The Imam-e-Kaaba said jihad should be taken in its comprehensive sense when sovereign states exist. “But starting jihad without appropriate preparations is not Islam. When the Holy Prophet did not have power in Makkah, he acted differently and when he had power in Madina, he proceeded in a different fashion.”
Today, al-Sudais said, Muslims don’t possess the requisite power to launch jihad (war) against others. There are specific conditions that must be fulfilled before starting this kind of jihad, he said. “There is no doubt that everyone amongst us cherishes martyrdom.”
So he is saying that peace and moderation is only a temporary condition, until Muslims have the power to act otherwise. Not yet, my brothers!
By the way, this is the same Sheikh of which MEMRI reports:
As the Imam of the Al-Harram mosque in Mecca, Sheikh Abd Al-Rahman Al-Sudais explained in one of his sermons: “Brothers in faith, what do our Koran and our Sunna say? What does our belief say? What does our history prove”¦? They show clearly that the conflict between us and the Jews is one of belief, identity, and existence”¦”
“Read history and you will understand that the Jews of yesterday are the evil forefathers of the even more evil Jews of today: infidels, falsifiers of words, calf worshippers, prophet murderers, deniers of prophecies”¦ the scum of the human race, accursed by Allah, who turned them into apes and pigs”¦ These are the Jews – an ongoing continuum of deceit, obstinacy, licentiousness, evil, and corruption”¦”
“Oh nation of Islam, today our nation is at the height of conflict with the enemies of yesterday, today, and tomorrow – the offspring of [the three Jewish tribes of Al-Madina] Banu Qurayza, Banu Nadhir, and Banu Qaynuqa, upon whom Allah’s curse rests until Judgment Day. Do the sons of our people realize the truth about the nation of wrath and deceit”¦? The insult to and contempt of Arabs, Muslims, and their holy places reaches its height at the hands of the rats of the world, the violators of agreements, in whose minds abide treachery, destruction, and deceit and in whose veins flow occupation and tyranny”¦ They are indeed worthy of the curse of Allah, of the angels, and of all people”¦”