Attack on others, whatever their religions or beliefs are, is prohibited and refused by Islam, mainly due to the openness of Islam to other religions’ followers enough to enter into marriage and live together in one home under the same roof; this is considered Islam’s acknowledgment of family integration; Since Islam urges full citizenship in homelands.
The Extremist armed and sectarian groups distorted the concept of Jihad; they began to kill whomever they wanted, claiming that this was Jihad; and that if they were killed, they would be martyrs in heaven. This is the most heinous mistake in understanding Islamic law. Because Islam legalized Jihad only for self-defense, homeland defense, and religious defense. Needless to say, we memorize from our sheikhs in al-Azhar that the reason for fighting is aggression, not disbelief. Furthermore, the ruler is the one who is responsible for announcing Jihad and practicing it. Individuals or groups are not allowed to take it on in any instance or under any circumstances. Otherwise, it creates chaos, blood-shedding, indecent assault, and stealing of money. This is what we suffer today due to this misconception of these legal rulings.
It is worth mentioning that we are in dire need of directing young people’s efforts at achieving scientific, technical, and cultural progress to catch up with the nations that preceded us in the leadership of the world and influence humanity’s destiny. This process badly requires discipline with the religious and moral controls and the guidance of heaven. So that people’s agony and pains, caused by global policies, may be eased. Since these policies are being carried out in the absence of the prophets’ values, whom Allah sent to guide people and make them happy in the world and the hereafter.
As for the misunderstanding of the caliphate or Imamate issues, it is established by Theology scholars that Imamate is not an Islamic fundamental. Imamate is a subsidiary issue. Thus, there are different views in this regard. In addition, the youngest student in Islamic Theology Faculty at al-Azhar University knows from the book “Al-Mawāqif fī ʻIlm al-Kalām” the saying of its author: “Imamate is not one of the foundations of the religion and creeds, rather it is a subsidiary issue.”
