What is the Islamic religious opinion on the 2013 bombing at the Boston Marathon?

Answer 1

The deadly bombing at the Boston Marathon Monday 15 April 2013 has left at least three people dead -- including an 8-year-old boy -- and more than 140 others wounded. Two explosions rocked the Boston Marathon near the finish line, causing multiple casualties and sending the city into chaos. Another explosion occurred at the JFK Library, but authorities were unsure if the incidents were linked.

This terrorist attacks are condemned by all people and all states irrelevant to their faiths and/or ideologies. All God religions; including Islam religion; forbid attacks on civilians.

The largest U.S. Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization issued a statement condemning the attacks at the Boston Marathon and urging Muslims to respond both with prayers for the victims and "concrete" measures of support such as blood donations. Nihad Awad, the Executive Director of CAIR, stated:

"American Muslims, like Americans of all backgrounds, condemn in the strongest possible terms today's cowardly bomb attack on participants and spectators of the Boston Marathon.

We urge people of all faiths to pray for the victims and their loved ones and for the speedy recovery of those injured. We also call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators.

While spiritual measures can serve to comfort those in physical and emotional pain, we also call on Muslims and others in the Boston area to donate blood through the Red Cross as a concrete show of support for the bomb attack victims. Those who were participating in the marathon or were watching the event should contact authorities with any potential eyewitness information they may have."

The Fiqh Council of North America is a group of Islamic religious scholars in the U.S. and Canada who give advice and religious opinions (fatawa) on matters pertaining to the Muslim faith. In response to the growing problem of terrorism in the world, they have issued the following fatwa (Islamic religious ruling):

"The Fiqh Council of North America wishes to reaffirm Islam's absolute condemnation of terrorism and religious extremism.

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 and Sunnah we clearly and strongly state:

• 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.

We issue this fatwa following the guidance of our scripture, the Qur'an, and the teachings of our Prophet Muhammad - peace be upon him. We urge all people to resolve all conflicts in just and peaceful manners.

We pray for the defeat of extremism and terrorism. We pray for the safety and security of our country, the United States, and its people. We pray for the safety and security of all inhabitants of our planet. We pray that interfaith harmony and cooperation prevail both in the United States and all around the globe."

Refer to link and question below.

Refer to link below about the official view of Iran as a shia Islam state regarding 2013 bombing as Boston: