Book
Fatwa on Terrorism
📖 Overview
Fatwa on Terrorism and Suicide Bombings is a comprehensive 512-page Islamic legal ruling authored by scholar Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. Published in London in 2010, the book presents extensive religious evidence from the Quran and Sunnah to address modern terrorism.
The text serves as a direct Islamic legal response to extremist ideologies, particularly those of Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. Drawing from classical Islamic sources, Tahir-ul-Qadri systematically examines religious texts and principles to establish clear positions on violence and terrorism.
The fatwa received recognition from international media outlets, government bodies, and security experts. The US State Department acknowledged it as a significant document, while various scholars and analysts cited its potential impact on terrorist recruitment.
The book represents a watershed moment in Islamic scholarly discourse on terrorism, establishing a framework for understanding the relationship between Islamic law and modern political violence. Its comprehensive analysis of religious texts creates a foundation for discussions about peace, security, and religious interpretation in contemporary times.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate the book's detailed Islamic legal arguments and extensive citations from religious texts to counter extremist interpretations. Many note the value of its 500+ footnotes and scholarly approach in addressing terrorism from within Islamic jurisprudence.
Positive reviews highlight:
- Clear refutation of terrorist ideology using Quranic evidence
- Comprehensive examination of classical Islamic texts
- Accessibility for both Muslim and non-Muslim readers
Critical reviews mention:
- Dense academic language that can be difficult to follow
- Length and repetition of certain arguments
- Some readers wanted more contemporary examples
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.4/5 (41 ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (38 ratings)
Notable reader comment from Amazon: "This is the most thorough repudiation of terrorism using Islamic sources I have encountered. The footnotes alone are worth the price."
Several Muslim readers noted the book provides needed theological arguments for countering radicalization in their communities.
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🤔 Interesting facts
🔹 The fatwa contains specific religious evidence from over 60 verses of the Quran, demonstrating that terrorism and violence against civilians violate core Islamic principles
🔹 Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri founded Minhaj-ul-Quran International, a worldwide organization working in over 90 countries to promote peace and counter extremist ideologies
🔹 The book was launched in London in 2010 and has since been translated into multiple languages including Arabic, Urdu, Norwegian, and Turkish
🔹 Prior to writing the fatwa, the author personally visited thousands of Islamic seminaries across Pakistan and South Asia to research classical Islamic texts and interpretations
🔹 The work received unprecedented attention, being the first fatwa against terrorism to be endorsed by Western governments and security agencies like Scotland Yard