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Pope and Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh: “The fact that people are forced to adhere to a certain religion must be rejected”

Feb 6, 2019 12:00 pm By Robert Spencer

Pope Francis and the Grand Sheikh of al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, have published “A Document On Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together.” Here is another of its statements that raise questions about el-Tayeb’s sincerity:

Freedom is a right of every person: each individual enjoys the freedom of belief, thought, expression and action. The pluralism and the diversity of religions, colour, sex, race and language are willed by God in His wisdom, through which He created human beings. This divine wisdom is the source from which the right to freedom of belief and the freedom to be different derives. Therefore, the fact that people are forced to adhere to a certain religion or culture must be rejected, as too the imposition of a cultural way of life that others do not accept…

Great. But el-Tayeb said this as recently as 2016:

Contemporary apostasy presents itself in the guise of crimes, assaults, and grand treason, so we deal with it now as a crime that must be opposed and punished….Those learned in Islamic law and the imams of the four schools of jurisprudence consider apostasy a crime and agree that the apostate must either renounce his apostasy or else be killed.

Has el-Tayeb renounced this view? Doubtful, since it is standard Islam. The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law. It’s based on the Qur’an: “They wish you would disbelieve as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper.” (Qur’an 4:89)

A hadith depicts Muhammad saying: “Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him” (Bukhari 9.84.57). The death penalty for apostasy is part of Islamic law according to all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence.

This is still the position of all the schools of Islamic jurisprudence, both Sunni and Shi’ite. Sheikh Yusuf al-Qaradawi, the most renowned and prominent Muslim cleric in the world, has stated: “The Muslim jurists are unanimous that apostates must be punished, yet they differ as to determining the kind of punishment to be inflicted upon them. The majority of them, including the four main schools of jurisprudence (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi’i, and Hanbali) as well as the other four schools of jurisprudence (the four Shiite schools of Az-Zaidiyyah, Al-Ithna-‘ashriyyah, Al-Ja’fariyyah, and Az-Zaheriyyah) agree that apostates must be executed.”

Qaradawi also once famously said: “If they had gotten rid of the apostasy punishment, Islam wouldn’t exist today.”

So has el-Tayeb departed from Islamic orthodoxy, or is he deceiving Pope Francis and trying to deceive the world?

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Filed Under: Apostasy, Catholic Church, Featured, Taqiyya, War is deceit Tagged With: Ahmed el-Tayeb, Pope Francis


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Comments

  1. mortimer says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 12:40 pm

    WERE YOU LYING TO ME IN 2016 or ARE YOU LYING TO ME NOW, GRAND IMAM?

    Grand Sheikh el-Tayeb is the Grand Imam of Al Azhar University and thus the leading authority in Sunnite Islam. He cannot have misspoke himself in 2016 when he said: “Those learned in Islamic law and the imams of the four schools of jurisprudence consider apostasy a crime and agree that the apostate must either renounce his apostasy or else be killed.”

    El-Tayeb’s bald-faced lie is CLEARLY ON DISPLAY. It will be surprising if any Islamic scholar calls him on it. It’s a conspiracy against the DIRTY KUFAAR.

    Pope Pollyanna is thoroughly naïve.

    • Terry Gain says

      Feb 6, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      Therefore, the fact that people are forced to adhere to a certain religion or culture must be rejected, as too the imposition of a cultural way of life that others do not accept…

      Well it seems that GAAS ( Grand Al- Azar Sheik) is lying until you realize that the certain religion referred to in the above statement is Christianity. Or Judaism. Or Buddhism. Or Hinduism.

      • gravenimage says

        Feb 8, 2019 at 4:20 pm

        *Exactly*, Terry. It is when Muslims talk about “freedom of religion”, and realize that they are just talking about Islam.

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 7, 2019 at 11:13 pm

      Good post, Mortimer.

  2. Buraq says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 12:41 pm

    But …. but …. but, Islam doesn’t use force! You can *choose*; apostasy and death, or remain a Muslim!
    Ahmed el-Tayeb is a clown!

    • Terry Gain says

      Feb 6, 2019 at 1:17 pm

      I demur. It is the Pope who is the clown.

  3. mortimer says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 12:48 pm

    IF THE GOAL IS TO HOODWINK THE POPE and ROMAN CATHOLICS ABOUT ISLAMIC SUPREMACISM, THEN TAQIYYA IS OBLIGATORY. (derived from Sharia law)

    – “Speaking is a means to achieve objectives. If a praiseworthy aim is attainable through both telling the truth and LYING, it is unlawful to accomplish through lying because there is no need for it. When it is POSSIBLE to achieve such an aim by LYING, but NOT telling the truth, IT IS PERMISSIBLE TO LIE if ATTAINING THE GOAL is PERMISSIBLE … and OBLIGATORY TO LIE if the goal is OBLIGATORY.” source: Abu Hammid Ghazali

    – Allah is the greatest deceiver – “Allahu khayru al-makireena” – K. 3:54; cf. 8:30

    – “Taqiyya permeates almost all the activities and dealings of Muslims with non-Muslim societies…”- a retired sheikh Sam Solomon

  4. somehistory says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    This moslim creep cannot, and should not, be trusted. he is a liar like his father satan.

    One is not free to leave islam unless they are ready to take a long dirt nap after being murdered by the hands of moslims.

    Those “agreements” one must sign to receive service…medical, technical, or otherwise, taking away ones ability to live freely without a sense of loss of freedom of choice, to sue, etc, are nothing to what islam demands. If one is a moslim, one must remain a moslim or face death constantly.
    If one is not a moslim, there is still the threat of death at the hands of moslims intent on forcing everyone to consent, to “sign” with islam and give up rights and freedoms, or take a long dirt nap.

    Being a willing moslim is to be on a path to destruction. Everyone who can escape, should do so as quickly as possible.

  5. Tony Naim says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 1:56 pm

    For a Christian who was once kidnapped in Beirut and who saw many friends killed at the hands of Muslims, I am no friend of POLITICAL ISLAM.
    But I find it strange how this forum is getting derailed from its intended objectives, turning into a Catholic bashing forum.
    I deeply admire , support and respect the work of Robert Spencer. I would like to remind him though that he is on the same side of history as the Pope.
    For the first time in Islamic history, the biggest gathering of people takes place in the UAE for a Christian mass. That is not an easy task to achieve.
    The document signed by the Pope and AlTaib, implicitly rejects and denounces many fundamental Islamic concepts, mostly , prejudices against non Muslims. This one , too, was not an easy task to achieve.
    Maybe the next document will see all demands met. Until then, I sincerely hope Mr Spencer will continue unabashedly to expose Potical Islam for what it is. I also hope President Trump will continue to carry a big stick. While the Pope will continue to play his role to assist and undermine political Islam from within.

    Shlomo Damshiho<——peace of Christ(Aramaic)

    • don vito says

      Feb 6, 2019 at 4:48 pm

      I respect your opinion, buuut people that object to the pope’s actions and words, see working with Al Azar functionaries from the kufr point of view. Therefore, people who object to agreements with these functionaries know the history behind agreements with islamic believers. and kufrs. You call it “Catholic bashing”, this characterization would be accurate if the “bashing” were false. Bashing by truth is to be applauded. Agreements between kufrs and islamic believers means nothing to believers, it is highly unlikely that anything the pope agrees to with Altaib will undermine political islam from within, more likely visa-versa.

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 7, 2019 at 11:49 pm

      Tony, I agree that the Christian mass in the UAE was a good thing–but the pontiff should not have to whitewash Islam in order to have accomplished that.

      And Robert Spencer is not bashing Catholicism–he himself is a devout Catholic. Criticizing the Pope for pandering to Islam is not anti-Catholic. Acting the dhimmi is not a part of Catholic doctrine.

      I am *very* glad that you survived your kidnapping. You certainly got a close look at the ugliness of Islam.

  6. underbed cat says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 6:12 pm

    I caught a glimpse of this and started to worry about what will happen to the Christians once the camera’s are turned off. The Pope has taken criticism for his reiterating the peaceful nature of Islam. I was quite nervous for his safety and all who gathered. I only saw a brief report but they focused in on his signing a document that I thought I heard from someone near that he was confirming he was a “brother”. It was brave of him to visit, and joyful for the audience, however it appears to me to be a splendid deception that will be used to confuse or confirm a peaceful nature. I know that the Quran cannot be changed and that is the danger to spread a deception to spread an intolerant doctrine and get the seal of approval from the Pope. This is not bashing the Pope or Catholic church. The deception is very clever and they are experts who use the peaceful verses for dawah and the “special section” for terror all connected by the doctrine. Trump has to know that any agreements only last for their effectiveness and vanish when it is no longer weak.

  7. R. Spanier (Catholic Canadian) says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 6:14 pm

    Hasn’t the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar put his life at great risk by declaring (with Pope Francis) that “Freedom is a right of every person:…. Therefore, the fact that people are forced to adhere to a certain religion or culture must be rejected, as too the imposition of a cultural way of life that others do not accept;”? And especially so given that, according to Wikipedia, “he is considered by some Muslims to be the highest authority in Sunni (85% of Muslims) Islamic thought and Islamic jurisprudence”? Hasn’t the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar exhibited great courage and justice in making that declaration? I pray that God will richly bless Ahmad Al-Tayyeb on his life journey.

    • Terry Gain says

      Feb 6, 2019 at 7:01 pm

      Catholic Canadian

      His life would only be in danger if he is considered an apostate. If he was being honest then he has amended the Koran. If this is what he is perceived to have done, he will be done away with. It was a fine piece of Taqiyya.

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 7, 2019 at 11:52 pm

      R. Spanier, have you never heard of Taqiyya?

      Despite what you appear to believe, this does *not* mean that Al Azhar is changing their position on the death penalty for leaving Islam.

  8. underbed cat says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 6:16 pm

    Also the caliphate in not ( only part of ), it is the whole ummah.. Better to worry about our problem of the invasion at home as they prepare in our country and the strong hold they have on our national security.

  9. underbed cat says

    Feb 6, 2019 at 6:17 pm

    Correction the caliphate is not just Syria just a part

  10. KJW says

    Feb 7, 2019 at 3:40 am

    Verse 4:89 doesn’t have to do with apostasy, it’s just about not taking non-believers (in this case the bedouins) as friends. (Uqtuluhum…have nothing to do with them.) There is nothing in the Qur’an that specifies death for apostates, just that it’s bad to stray from the path of Allah and you’ll go to the hellfire.

    They rely on the Hadith to justify killing Muslim apostates. Not even the Sunni Salafist Q&A fatwa cites the Qur’an. They generally agree you have three days to change your mind and return to Islam without being punished. Minors aren’t killed either…one has to pass puberty. If you “wage war” against Allah physically or verbally, you might not get those three days to repent.

    5:54 days that those believers who turn away from Islam will bring forth a people He will love and who will love Him. Not even 68:44 applies to apostates.

    Life would be easier for Muslims without the ahadith, though not for non-Muslims since there’s more than enough hatred of them in there.

    Anyway, this Pope is a fool and he doesn’t speak for Christians, just those who see him as a Catholic figurehead. It’s like when Ayatollah Khomeini was speaking as if he represented Islam like he was a figurehead and it ticked off a lot of Sunnis who said “He’s not speaking for all of us.”

    Documents between them mean nothing. They don’t think they have to keep paths and treaties with the kuffar.

  11. UNCLE VLADDI says

    Feb 7, 2019 at 4:26 am

    This pope is a traitor.
    Nobody is that stupid – or, with so many advisers t that level, that ignorant.

  12. Marigold says

    Feb 7, 2019 at 5:34 am

    Pope Francis has a duty to support and sustain Catholics in countries where they are in the minority by saying a papal Mass for them.To do this he has to remember he is a guest in the country and abide by certain protocols the host country insists on.However,signing documents with a grand sheik who is known to have said certain things in direct opposition to Christian beliefs is very unwise in my opinion.The shiek can’t contradict or change what is in the Koran.If he did it would be blaphemy.Pope Francis should know that

  13. Tony Naim says

    Feb 7, 2019 at 9:03 am

    To cast doubt on the true intentions of Sheikh El-Tayeb makes no sense.Let’s put them to the test.The Pope has been able to extract an advanced position related to political reform within Islam. Let’s seize the opportunity to advance it further. All western leaders, with the US at the helm, must adopt this document to press for constitutional reforms in Islamic countries in conformity with it.
    The abolition of political Islam at its source is critical in the backdrop of growing Muslim communities in the west.
    If such reform proves impossible, then President Trump’s stick would remain the last and final option to deal with this savage threat.

    • don vito says

      Feb 8, 2019 at 4:05 pm

      What would “reform proves impossible”, look like? I can’t imagine what scenario would prove reform impossible. How much time and how much oppression would kufrs have to endure? How many lives and how much treasure would kufrs have to lose to prove reform is impossible? Why not look at the 1400 year history to get clues that reform proves impossible? How much freedom and liberty, would kufrs have to lose, to prove the point made countless times, that moslems are motivated by their scriptures? During the proposed time kufrs are waiting to find out if islam can reform, would anyone be able to criticize both islam and the vile prophet? And also criticize sharia law and the very word of allah, without having a fatwa issued against them?

    • gravenimage says

      Feb 8, 2019 at 4:23 pm

      Tony–with all respect–this from Al Azhar is *not* about “reform”. it is window dressing for the civilized world.

  14. gravenimage says

    Feb 7, 2019 at 11:12 pm

    Pope and Al-Azhar Grand Sheikh: “The fact that people are forced to adhere to a certain religion must be rejected”
    ……………………

    Uh…right. Never mind that Al-Azhar agrees with the murder of apostates.

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