MEMRI (h/t: Malcolm Nance) has posted an interview, with close caption translation into English, with Saudi Arabian cleric Sheikh Abd al Azziz Moussa. He definitively declares the use of suicide attacks (shahadat) as forbidden actions (haram) and makes it clear that attacks on peaceful non-Muslims are also forbidden.
Saudi Cleric Abd Al-Aziz Moussa: Suicide Operations Are Forbidden in Riyadh as Well as Tel Aviv pic.twitter.com/ADloUMpDh6
— MEMRI (@MEMRIReports) January 1, 2017
ETA: In comments, Cervantes asked an important question: why is this noteworthy? Especially as other Muslim clerics and authorities have often and repeatedly made similar points. Its noteworthy because we’ve got a Saudi cleric doing it definitively. Given that ISIL’s doctrine of radical tawheed (the unitary understanding of the Deity) is a violent, extremist offshoot of Saudi theology rooted in Wahhabist doctrinal concepts, its important. Its one thing for a non-muwaheedun* (adherent of the radical unity of the Deity) cleric, such as the head of al Azhar to declare these things haram. That’s important for a lot of non-Muwaheedum Muslims (the vast majority of Sunni Muslims), but its not important for those who have accepted/adopted the radicalized notions of tawheed promoted by ISIL. Having a Saudi cleric do condemn these actions is important. Especially as he would not do so unless he had the approval of the Saudi religious authorities.
* All Muslims accept the concept of tawheed/the unity of the Deity, however, this concept was elevated by Sheikh Abd al Wahhab and holds a central place within the theology and doctrine that he taught and that his descendants and their followers espouse. In and of itself this elevation of tawheed does not have to be a negative or destructive thing. However, it forms the basis for part of Bin Laden’s theology/doctrine and is the central underlying theological/doctrinal concept for ISIL.
Saudi Cleric Abd al Azziz Moussa on Jihad & ShahadatPost + Comments (45)