Page 8 - Perpustakaan Lemhannas RI

Thus have we made of you an Ummat justly balanced, that ye might be
witnesses over the nations, and the Apostle a witness over yourselves
(Al Baqara: 143)

The Prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him, said: “Facilitate and don’t
hesitate, augur well and don’t shun away” (Hadeeth Shareef)

This is the faith that made historic* advances in science, scholarship and
intellectual life - achievements that empowered a great civilization, in
whose achievements non-Muslims had their share, and which became the
vehicle to bring knowledge for the West as well.

Islam calls on Muslims to demonstrate tolerance and delight in human life; it
opposes extremism, exaggeration, and intransigence. These phenomena
are veils against right thinking - they conceal the repercussions of one’s
actions, and encourage a reckless disregard for religion, reason, and
civilized behavior. Indeed, Islam rejects extremism as a deviation from true
faith and a form of injustice. Furthermore, it is not a trait that characterizes a
particular nation; it is an aberration that has been experienced by all
nations, races, and religions.

We denounce extremism today, just as our forefathers relentlessly did

throughout Islamic history. Time after time, they insisted on the importance

of one clear truth: the ends do not justify the means. We speak this truth

again today. Islam is a religion of ethics that seeks what is good for people

in the entire world. Its principles are those of honour. The means for

spreading Islam are ethical means. And Islam can only be defended

through ethical means. *^

The foundation of relations between Muslims and others is peace. In Islam,
war is only justified by necessity and challenges. No fighting is permissible
when others pose no aggression. Even then, the duty of Muslims is to treat
others with justice and benevolence:

God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for yo ur Faith,
nor drive you out o f your homes, from dealing kindly and ju stly with them:
For God loveth those who are just (Al Mumtahina: 8)

But if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice
oppression (Al Baqara: 193)

On religious grounds, on moral grounds, we denounce the contemporary
concept of terrorism which is associated with wrongful practices wherever
they come from - including assaults on peaceful civilians, killing prisoners
and the wounded, unethical practices such as the destruction o f buildings,
and ransacking cities. These despotic attacks on human life transgress the
law of God, and we denounce them. As the Qur’an says: