Egypt Church Attack Crime, Muslim Fatwa

As-salamu `alaykum, Scholars of Islam, how do you view the deadly attack on Al-Qidiseen church in Alexandria, Egypt, which has caused the killing and injury of tens of people, most of them are Copts? Jazakum Allah Khayran
http://www.onislam.net/english/ask-the-scholar/fiqh/450391-egypt-deadly-church-attack.html

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.

Thank you for your good question.

The attack on Al-Qidiseen church in Alexandria, Egypt, which took place on Saturday, January 1, 2011, is a heinous crime that cannot be justified under any pretext. Perpetrators of the deadly church attack deserve a severe deterrent punishment.

 Responding to your question, Dr. Wael Shihab, PhD in Islamic Studies, Al-Azhar University, Ex-Head of the Fatwa Unit of IslamOnline.net (English website), and the Shari`ah Consultant to the (English) Shari`ah Dept. of Onislam.net website, stated,

The horrible and deadly attack on Al-Qidiseen church in Alexandria, Egypt, which has led to the killing and injury of tens of innocent people, is a heinous crime and a sinful act. Muslims, in Egypt and all parts of the globe, denounce and condemn such horrible crimes that target the lives of innocent people, irrespective of their faith or ethnicity.

In Islam, the protection of the places of worship of non-Muslims is guaranteed by the well-established principles and proofs of Shari`ah. Islam allows non-Muslims to freely observe their religious ceremonies and rituals. Allah says: 

“To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;- (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).” (Al-Hajj 22: 39-40)

Throughout centuries, Muslims, both governments and peoples, have shouldered the well-established Islamic duty of protecting non-Muslims’ lives, properties, and places of worship. History bears witness to the fact that Muslims, in Egypt and in different parts of the world, accept and apply the Islamic laws that guarantee the protection of non-Muslims’ lives and properties to an extent that has no parallel in the history of mankind.

In Egypt, Muslims and Christians are co-citizens, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, and friends who enjoy good relationship on the basis of brotherhood, sisterhood, kinship, tolerance, justice, benevolence, and mercy. Muslims actually precede others in maintaining good ties with the people of different faiths on the basis of the following Qur’anic instructions: “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just. Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.” (Al-Mumtahinah 60: 8- 9)

It is noteworthy that the recent deadly criminal blast outside Al-Qidiseen church has caused the killing and injury of innocent Muslims as well as Christians. Therefore, both Muslims and Christians have been targeted by this criminal attack, which has been condemned by all Egyptians, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. 

Given the above, the deadly blast that has targeted Al-Qidiseen church in Egypt and led to the killing and injury of tens of innocent people, Muslims and non-Muslims, is nothing but a heinous crime that deserves a severe punishment. Muslim scholars, and even laymen, denounce and condemn such bloody crimes that target peaceful Muslims and non-Muslims in Egypt or any part of the globe. Islam secures people’s beliefs, lives, properties, and criminalizes such illegal attacks on people’s lives and places of worship. 

Allah Almighty knows best.