New Fatwas Permit Killing Tourists, Attacking Coca-Cola and McDonald's

A jihadist website has posted fatwas that permit the killing of tourists and targeting of "infidel" companies like Coca-Cola and McDonald's, according to the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI).

The fatwas on the website Al-Minbar Wal-Tawhid came in response to a posting by a member named "Abu Sayyed Qutub," which included the following questions:

· "What is the ruling regarding companies that distribute Jewish and American products, such as Coca-Cola and McDonald's?"

· "Is it permissible to receive help from gangsters in order to carry out jihad operations, as they say the jihad in Algeria is doing?"

· "Is a group of fewer than 10 young people without military or organizational experience permitted to target tourists in countries with apostate [Muslim] governments, where no known jihad group operates?"

Sheikh Abu Walid al-Maqdisi, a Gaza-based cleric, replied that according to Sharia, it is forbidden to harm Muslim lives and possessions but permissible "to target infidel and polytheist lives and possessions."

"If the owners of these companies are Muslims, it is forbidden to harm or steal from them, even if they distribute or sell goods produced by the Jewish and Christian enemies of Allah, as long as the essence of the commerce and of the goods is permissible according to sharia," Maqdisi said. "However, if these companies are controlled by infidels, their property may be taken as booty, since the infidels of today are considered combatants."

Kidnapping and killing tourists was permissible so long as it was done by "people who are reliable, knowledgeable in Sharia, and have organizational and military experience" and are acting for the benefit of Muslims, he said. If a Muslim lives where no organized jihadist group exists, he should establish one, Maqdisi said.

Muslims are prohibited from obtaining help from infidel gangsters (although they may purchase weapons from them), he added. While Sharia doesn't bar Muslims from receiving help from Muslim criminals, the assistance should be rejected "if it is likely to harm the reputation of the mujahideen, or their jihad plan," according to Maqdisi.

Reader comments on this item

O RLY?

Nov 24, 2010 18:30

All bold emphases are my own.

"Indeed, those who believed and those who were Jews or Christians or Sabeans [before Prophet Muhammad] - those [among them] who believed in Allah and the Last Day and did righteousness - will have their reward with their Lord, and no fear will there be concerning them, nor will they grieve." - Sura 2:62, Sahih International

"And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful." - Sura 9:5, Sahih International

The Sahih International uses the term "polytheists." I can't read Arabic, so perhaps this is a trustworthy translation. But wait, how does a different translation use that term?

"Then when the Sacred Months (the Ist, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikun (see V.2:105) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." - Sura 9:5, Muhsin Khan

Verse 2:105? Okay, what does that say?

"Neither those who disbelieve from the People of the Scripture nor the polytheists wish that any good should be sent down to you from your Lord. But Allah selects for His mercy whom He wills, and Allah is the possessor of great bounty." - Sahih International

"Neither those who disbelieve among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) nor Al-Mushrikun (the disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah, idolaters, polytheists, pagans, etc.) like that there should be sent down unto you any good from your Lord. But Allah chooses for His Mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the Owner of Great Bounty." - Muhsin Khan

How does one reconcile Christian and Islamic theology, when the latter considers the Trinity to be identified as polytheism? What do we say to Muslims who believe Christians are essentially polytheists?

I figured this all out simply by actually looking up the verses mentioned by the above poster. I recommend whoever reading this to maintain a health dose of skepticism and make clear and careful examination of scriptures.

They just don't want to pay for junk food

Submitted by chascates, Nov 24, 2010 17:10

So it's OK to steal Quarter-pounders as booty? I may try that excuse myself. And I'll take a large Coke to go.

Is this from The Onion?

Nov 24, 2010 15:04

Yes, by all means we wouldn't want Muslim gangsters giving Muslim jihadists a bad name.

The real infidels are the ones who don't follow the Quran.

Nov 23, 2010 08:31

Someone should tell these so-called Muslim scholars that Surah 2:62 in the Quran states that Jews and Christians are believers whose redemption [salvation] is from God [Allah]. Also, 2:190 requires that one must first be attacked in order to wage war, and 9:5 states that one may attack only "idol worshippers," which by 2:62 excludes Christians and Jews. Just how has Coca Cola and McDonalds attacked those of faith? Does the management of these companies worship a statue of something? [Okay, they probably do have a big bottle of Coke at their headquarters that may look like a phallic symbol, but I doubt that anyone bows before it.]

Where are the true leaders of the Islamic community? Why are they not condemning people who misuse the religion to spread their beliefs of hate?

Remember, "Allah hates agressors." (2:190) Unless you give proof that you have been attacked by a given tourist or company, GOD hates those who promote these activities.

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