“Who so ever kills a soul unless for a soul (i.e. for legal retribution for murder) or for corruption done in the land (i.e. that requiring death penalty), it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and who so ever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind,”
(Qur’an: 5:32)
The Birmingham Islamic Society affirms and reiterates clearly that those who commit acts of terror, murder and cruelty in the name of Islam are not only destroying innocent lives, but are also betraying the values of the faith they claim to represent. No injustice towards Muslims can ever justify the massacre of innocent lives, and no act of terror will ever serve the cause of Islam.
We repudiate and dissociate ourselves from any Muslim group or individual who commits such brutal and un-Islamic acts. We refuse to allow our faith to be held hostage by the criminal actions of a small minority of Muslims acting outside the teachings of both the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the prophets who came before him, peace be upon them all.
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm in justice, witnesses for God, even if it be against yourselves or parents and relatives. Whether one is rich or poor, God is more worthy of both. So follow not [personal] inclination, lest you not be just. And if you distort [your testimony] or refuse [to give it], then indeed God is ever, with what you do, Acquainted.
(Qur’an 4:135)
