The Dar Al-Ifta of the Basilan Ulama Supreme Council (BUSC) issued a statement yesterday in which it condemned the series of kidnappings in the province, sending of extortion letters to non-Muslims and compelling them to convert to Islam.
The Dar Al-Ifta, being the highest religious policy making body of the Council, said it strongly condemns the series of kidnappings, on the basis that it is an aggression against others, be they Muslims or non-Muslims.
Quoting verse 190 (Al-Baqara) from the Holy Qur'an which reads: "…but transgress not the limits. Truly Allah likes not the transgressors," the Council said the kidnapping is a type of transgression which God has prohibited.
The Council also cited verse 90 (An-Nahl) which reads: "Surely Allah, enjoins the doing of justice and the doing of good to others and giving to the kindred, and He forbids indecency and evil and rebellion."
Ustadz Yusop Alano, BUSC secretary, explained that it is well known that the order to ensure justice, extend kindness and be generous to one's kindred is not limited to Muslims only.
Similarly, Alano said the prohibition of what is shameful, reprehensible conduct and transgression applies to all humanity. "God also makes it clear that religious differences do not justify aggression against any one, even though they may reach the stage of open conflict."
"Let not hatred of a people because they hindered you from the sacred masjid-incite you to exceed the limits (Al-Maidah, verse 2). The succeeding verse also reads: "…and let not enmity and hatred of other make you avoid justice. Be just, that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah (Al-Maidah, verse 8)," he said quoting verses 2 and 8 of Al-Maidah.
The Council also declared that it is un-Islamic to compel non-Muslims to convert to Islam, saying that while it is true that every Muslim is duty bound to propagate Islam and its teaching to fellow Muslim and even non-Islamic faith, it is also a fact that throughout the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he never forced anybody to join Islam.
In a position paper, Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, chairman of BUSC, said the prophet (pbuh) was simply applying the clear statements made by Allah in the Holy Qur'an which can be translated: "Let there be no compulsion in religion (Al-Baqarah, Verse;256)."
Jizyah is an Arabic term which means a compensation collected by Islamic State from non-Muslims residing within its territory. While Muslims were required to pay taxes (2.5 of their annual income) under the name of "Zakah" to the Muslim Financial Institute" or the "House of the Muslim Money" which all goes to provide welfare to the poor and the needy citizens; from both Muslims and non-Muslims, the non-Muslims have to pay a varying amount under the name of "Jizyah", depending on their situation, which is taxes that don't go to help poor and needy Muslims, but instead, it goes to the government to (1) provide protection for them since they are a minority; (2) provide means for them to practice their religions freely by building Temples or Churches for them.
However, Tarason said that it shall be noted that many prominent Muslim scholars stated that the payment of Jizyah (taxes) may only be imposed in an Islamic State or by a duly constituted authorities or government entities with certain conditions and limitations.
"Similar to that, in today's world, non-Muslim citizens living in Muslim countries performing military service and protecting their nation are not obliged to pay jizyah," he added.
Along this predicament, he appealed to every Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the province as well as other neighboring provinces in the region to work hand in hand in fighting any inhumane and violent activities if only to preserve justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence of the peace-loving ummah (citizens).
The Dar Al-Ifta, being the highest religious policy making body of the Council, said it strongly condemns the series of kidnappings, on the basis that it is an aggression against others, be they Muslims or non-Muslims.
Quoting verse 190 (Al-Baqara) from the Holy Qur'an which reads: "…but transgress not the limits. Truly Allah likes not the transgressors," the Council said the kidnapping is a type of transgression which God has prohibited.
The Council also cited verse 90 (An-Nahl) which reads: "Surely Allah, enjoins the doing of justice and the doing of good to others and giving to the kindred, and He forbids indecency and evil and rebellion."
Ustadz Yusop Alano, BUSC secretary, explained that it is well known that the order to ensure justice, extend kindness and be generous to one's kindred is not limited to Muslims only.
Similarly, Alano said the prohibition of what is shameful, reprehensible conduct and transgression applies to all humanity. "God also makes it clear that religious differences do not justify aggression against any one, even though they may reach the stage of open conflict."
"Let not hatred of a people because they hindered you from the sacred masjid-incite you to exceed the limits (Al-Maidah, verse 2). The succeeding verse also reads: "…and let not enmity and hatred of other make you avoid justice. Be just, that is nearer to piety, and fear Allah (Al-Maidah, verse 8)," he said quoting verses 2 and 8 of Al-Maidah.
The Council also declared that it is un-Islamic to compel non-Muslims to convert to Islam, saying that while it is true that every Muslim is duty bound to propagate Islam and its teaching to fellow Muslim and even non-Islamic faith, it is also a fact that throughout the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he never forced anybody to join Islam.
In a position paper, Dr. Aboulkhair Tarason, chairman of BUSC, said the prophet (pbuh) was simply applying the clear statements made by Allah in the Holy Qur'an which can be translated: "Let there be no compulsion in religion (Al-Baqarah, Verse;256)."
Jizyah is an Arabic term which means a compensation collected by Islamic State from non-Muslims residing within its territory. While Muslims were required to pay taxes (2.5 of their annual income) under the name of "Zakah" to the Muslim Financial Institute" or the "House of the Muslim Money" which all goes to provide welfare to the poor and the needy citizens; from both Muslims and non-Muslims, the non-Muslims have to pay a varying amount under the name of "Jizyah", depending on their situation, which is taxes that don't go to help poor and needy Muslims, but instead, it goes to the government to (1) provide protection for them since they are a minority; (2) provide means for them to practice their religions freely by building Temples or Churches for them.
However, Tarason said that it shall be noted that many prominent Muslim scholars stated that the payment of Jizyah (taxes) may only be imposed in an Islamic State or by a duly constituted authorities or government entities with certain conditions and limitations.
"Similar to that, in today's world, non-Muslim citizens living in Muslim countries performing military service and protecting their nation are not obliged to pay jizyah," he added.
Along this predicament, he appealed to every Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the province as well as other neighboring provinces in the region to work hand in hand in fighting any inhumane and violent activities if only to preserve justice, fairness and peaceful co-existence of the peace-loving ummah (citizens).
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