Officer's body burnt in 'Islamic revenge'

I know it's not PC and Mr. Bush is only too ready to tell us that Islam is our friend, but I'm sorry Mr. Bush, Deecups has no interest in being friends with Islam.

These people aren't like us and they never will be.

Yet, Mr. Bush thinks Iraq will blossom into some sort of Democratic nirvana under the watchful eye of the US military?

Mr. Bush must have a screw lose.

The interior ministry said the act of desecration could have been part of "an Islamic rite of revenge".

Mutilation of the body is against the principles of the Quran, against the Islamic beliefs. For those purporting to be Moslem to do this is an embarrassment to the Islamic community. Don't get me wrong. The Quran allows a 'just war' and jihad (holy war) and what a just or holy war might be is subject to interpretation. But the Quran only allows for the killing, not mutilation.

That alone should tell us that the fanatical, Islamic terrorists adhere to no creed but their own murderous ambitions.

Well it's not the 18th century any more.

Foxfyre wrote:

Mutilation of the body is against the principles of the Quran, against the Islamic beliefs. For those purporting to be Moslem to do this is an embarrassment to the Islamic community. Don't get me wrong. The Quran allows a 'just war' and jihad (holy war) and what a just or holy war might be is subject to interpretation. But the Quran only allows for the killing, not mutilation.

That alone should tell us that the fanatical, Islamic terrorists adhere to no creed but their own murderous ambitions.

Oh my goddess I agree with Foxy!

Second, it is permissible to mutilate the dead only in case of retaliation. If anyone cuts the ear of another, his ear is to be cut in return. If he inflicts any physical damage on anyone, he should be retaliated against in the same manner. In case of war, Muslim are allowed to take vengeance for their mutilated dead mujahids (fighters) in the same way it was done to them. Almighty Allah says: "If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient" (An-Nahl: 126).

This verse was revealed when the polytheists mutilated the corpse of Hamzah ibn `Abdul-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) swore to mutilate seventy corpses of the polytheists in retaliation for what they had done with Hamzah's body. Hence, this verse was revealed to indicate that punishment should be done in the same manner without any sort of transgression, so that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was permitted to mutilate only one corpse of the polytheists. However, the verse also shows that patience and refraining from retaliation are better in Allah's Sight. Thereupon, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refrained from it and did not mutilate anybody.”

Title

Mutilating the Dead Bodies in War
Question

As-Salamu `alaykum. Could you please clarify how Islam views the issue of mutilating dead bodies of enemies in times of war?
Date

1/Apr/2004

Mufti


Group of Muftis
Answer
Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear questioner, thank you very much for having confidence in us, and we hope our efforts, which are purely for Allah's Sake, meet your expectations.

First of all, it is to be noted that Islam prohibits torturing living people and mutilating the dead, even if they are non-Muslims. By Islamic Law, people who either of these two things are considered war criminals.

However, if the enemies of Islam keep on doing this to Muslims, then Muslims are permitted to treat the enemies in the same manner. Almighty Allah says: "If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient" (An-Nahl: 126).

Yet, it is better to show patience and forgiveness and never follow the way of our enemy and meet one crime with another crime, for this is not the characteristic of a true Muslim.

Responding to the question, Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, Deputy Chairman of the European Council for Fatwa and Research, states the following:

"First, it is not allowable to torture the living or mutilate the dead, even if they are non-Muslims. In the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), when he was sending Hamzah Al-Aslami on an expedition, he instructed him saying: "If you find so-and-so, kill him. But never kill him by burning, for none uses fire in torturing except the One Who created it (i.e., Allah)" (Reported by Abu Dawud).

In another hadith, Safwan ibn `Assal said: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) sent us on an expedition and said: "Move under the protection of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Fight those who disbelieve in Allah but never mutilate (the dead)" (Reported by Ibn Majah).

Second, it is permissible to mutilate the dead only in case of retaliation. If anyone cuts the ear of another, his ear is to be cut in return. If he inflicts any physical damage on anyone, he should be retaliated against in the same manner. In case of war, Muslim are allowed to take vengeance for their mutilated dead mujahids (fighters) in the same way it was done to them. Almighty Allah says: "If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient" (An-Nahl: 126).

This verse was revealed when the polytheists mutilated the corpse of Hamzah ibn `Abdul-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) swore to mutilate seventy corpses of the polytheists in retaliation for what they had done with Hamzah's body. Hence, this verse was revealed to indicate that punishment should be done in the same manner without any sort of transgression, so that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was permitted to mutilate only one corpse of the polytheists. However, the verse also shows that patience and refraining from retaliation are better in Allah's Sight. Thereupon, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refrained from it and did not mutilate anybody."

Moreover, Dr. Ahmad Abu-Al-Wafa, Professor of International Law, Faculty of Law at Cairo University, adds:

"Mutilating the corpses of the dead is prohibited in man-made international law. It considers it a war crime for which severe penalty is due.

As far as Islamic Shari`ah is concerned, two main points should be stressed:

1. Mutilating corpses is prohibited in the same way torturing the living is forbidden.

2. It is better not to reply to the evil acts of the enemy in the same manner, except if responding in the same way will deter the enemy from exceeding their limits by mutilating corpses. Almighty Allah says: "If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient" (An-Nahl: 126) and "The guerdon of an ill-deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong-doers" (Ash-Shura: 40).

Finally, Sheikh `Ikrimah Sabri, the Mufti of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) and Khateeb of Al-Aqsa Mosque, concludes:

In fact, the principle of reciprocity has well-established rules in Shari`ah, whereby Muslims are warned against embarking on such inhumane attitudes. For instance, if the enemy mutilates the dead bodies of Muslims, the Muslim army is not permitted to act in the same manner.

In all cases, Muslims should not initiate the aggression, for Islam is the religion of mercy. War is not the first option in the life of Muslims; rather, it comes after da`wah (inviting to Islam) and kind advice."

You can listen to the Friday Sermon delivered by Dr. Maher Hathout, at the Islamic Center of Southern California, US, titled: Mutilation of Dead Bodies from an Islamic Perspective, on April 2, 2004 Safar 12, 1425.

Also read:
Islam's Stance on Prisoners of War

War Ethics in Islam

If you have any further comments, please don't hesitate to write back

May Allah guide you to the straight path, and guide you to that which pleases Him, Amen.

Allah Almighty knows best.

I honestly expected better from you.

I honestly expected better from you.

War is not the first option in the life of Muslims; rather, it comes after da`wah (inviting to Islam) and kind advice.

However, if the enemies of Islam keep on doing this to Muslims, then Muslims are permitted to treat the enemies in the same manner. Almighty Allah says: "If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient" (An-Nahl: 126).

Second, it is permissible to mutilate the dead only in case of retaliation. If anyone cuts the ear of another, his ear is to be cut in return. If he inflicts any physical damage on anyone, he should be retaliated against in the same manner. In case of war, Muslim are allowed to take vengeance for their mutilated dead mujahids (fighters) in the same way it was done to them. Almighty Allah says: "If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient" (An-Nahl: 126).

This verse was revealed when the polytheists mutilated the corpse of Hamzah ibn `Abdul-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) swore to mutilate seventy corpses of the polytheists in retaliation for what they had done with Hamzah's body. Hence, this verse was revealed to indicate that punishment should be done in the same manner without any sort of transgression, so that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was permitted to mutilate only one corpse of the polytheists. However, the verse also shows that patience and refraining from retaliation are better in Allah's Sight. Thereupon, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) refrained from it and did not mutilate anybody."

As far as Islamic Shari`ah is concerned, two main points should be stressed:

1. Mutilating corpses is prohibited in the same way torturing the living is forbidden.

2. It is better not to reply to the evil acts of the enemy in the same manner, except if responding in the same way will deter the enemy from exceeding their limits by mutilating corpses. Almighty Allah says: "If ye punish, then punish with the like of that wherewith ye were afflicted. But if ye endure patiently, verily it is better for the patient" (An-Nahl: 126) and "The guerdon of an ill-deed is an ill the like thereof. But whosoever pardoneth and amendeth, his wage is the affair of Allah. Lo! He loveth not wrong-doers" (Ash-Shura: 40).

In all cases, Muslims should not initiate the aggression, for Islam is the religion of mercy. War is not the first option in the life of Muslims; rather, it comes after da`wah (inviting to Islam) and kind advice."

The point is that Islam allows mutilation of dead bodies under some circumstances. Nobody is defending what was done.