Question Summary:
Clarification – Political Views

Question Detail:

QUESTION
Dear Mufti
Assalamu Alaykum wa Rahmatullah
I am writing to seek your clarification on a few issues.
I had come across a few issued while you were in Camperdown which indicated that (a) Osama Bin Laden was an upright Muslim, and (b) the Taliban was a legitimate Islamic government. At the same time, I noted that you had condemned the 9/11 attacks.
I was having difficulty reconciling these statements. Al Qaeda has publicly taken responsibility for the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Various websites associated with Al Qaeda have also praised the 9/11 terrorist attacks. More generally, Al Qaeda issued a fatwa in 1998 which stated "The ruling to kill the Americans and their allies -- civilians and military -- is an individual duty for every Muslim who can do it in any country in which it is possible to do it." There does not appear to be controversy surrounding the authenticity of this fatwa. I should also add that American embassies as well as other civilian institutions have been targeted by Al Qaeda.
In light of the above, it may be difficult to reconcile the view of an upright Osama Bin Laden (and for that matter, Taliban) with your general view on terrorism and the killing of civilians.
I wanted to know whether your original view still holds true in this regard? Further, were these views your independent views or that of the Institute? I also noted that you are no longer with the Ina’amiyyah Institute. I wanted to understand whether your departure was a result of your political views? In this regard, were you dismissed or did you resign?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Kindly refer to the below announcement posted on the askimam.org website:
Anouncement
The askimam.org website previously askimam.com, was under a different administration and was not independently run by Mufti Ebrahim Desai. As such, in issues that did not require academic research and was of an administrative nature, such as political related, Mufti Ebrahim Desai had to consider the views of the previous administration in issuing/approval of such rulings. Fatwa # 5756 (removed and now found on Google with the following keywords; Islamic Government and Taliban) and related Fatawa should be understood in the above context.
As of 2011, the askimam.org is under the complete administration of Mufti Ebrahim Desai. All previous Fatawa not in accordance with our ideologies and underlying philosophies have been removed. I condemn the 911 attacks as well as all terrorist attacks. I am completely averse to any act that endangers the lives of civilians irrespective of who perpetrates such acts. Any person who perpetrates inhumane and barbaric acts is not an upright Muslim.
I do not condone any terrorist activities or any such act that is in violation of international law.
The Askimam.org website has a clarification notice that I have resigned from the previous management. The reasons for the resignation are well known to the local public and influential personalities.
While I do not take any independent responsibility for the political related rulings and related articles on any websites whilst at the previous administration, I do take the responsibility of every ruling under the current Administration of the Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah.
You are welcome to observe my philosophy through rulings 27651, 17201 and others which are different from the rulings and influence of the previous administration.
Hereunder are the summaries of the above referred rulings:
1. Ruling 27651 – Paying Taxes to a Non-Muslim State
This ruling emphasises on the importance of fulfilling one’s monetary obligations to a Non-Muslim State. When a Muslim acquires citizenship in a country, he agrees to abide by the laws of that country. A Muslim is bound to honour his agreements which include the laws of taxation. Muslims living in democratic dispensations like Canada where Muslims are given the freedom to act upon their religion should act in a responsible manner.  
2. Ruling 17201 – Voting in a Non-Muslim State
This ruling highlights the importance of participating in the democratic dispensation of a Non-Muslim State in order to further our legitimate objectives and concerns.
3. Public Announcement #64 - The announcement outlines the importance of moderation in Islam in all matters, cautions against extremism and provides guidance on preventing youth from becoming involved in extremism.
 
It is clear from the above that I maintain a moderate and balanced approach in all matters including political related matters.
 
Moreover, my lectures and public discourses are available on many online portals such as www.daruliftaa.net and www.idealwoman.org.
Any notion that I support extremism, terrorism or terrorist organisations is wholly misguided and inconsistent with my beliefs and principles.
 
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah