The Grand Mufti Commends the King`s Speech

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

It is an honor to commend the speech delivered by His Majesty King Abdullah before the UN General Assembly, warning against the danger and terrible effects of terrorism.

Today, the world is in a dire need for love, peace, mercy, justice, tolerance, equality, moderation and harmony. Allah the Almighty says {What means}: "but My mercy extendeth to all things." {Al-A`raf, 156}. These are the demands of His Majesty as an Arab Muslim leader from the Hashemite family and as a custodian of the Muslim as well as Christian holy sites.

I highly value the content of His Majesty`s speech and emphasize the following:

First: Terrorism and extremism can`t be addressed save through achieving justice and equality, ending injustice and transgression, holding the wrongdoers to account and helping the wronged.

Second: Acts of worship were legislated in Islam to acquaint a person with good morality and adherence to that regardless of circumstances. This is because these acts of worship should be reflected as good character that purifies one`s soul and disciplines one`s behavior with Allah and people so as not to stray from the right path. Allah says {What means}: "God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that ye may receive admonition." {An-Nahil, 90}. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, "If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink."[Al-Bukhari].

Third: By virtue of the Hashemite custodianship over Muslim and Christian sanctities, we emphasize the right of the Palestinian people in their land and national soil as well as their independent state with Jerusalem as its capital. We also emphasize respect for peaceful coexistence and humane and ethical treatment between peoples, and reject threats to which the holy sites are subjected.

Fourth: Verbal communication is of great importance as it leads to reaching levels of desired perfection. Moreover, communication by word and deed, at schools and universities and throughout every life aspects, wouldn`t be complete save with good word and eschewing indecency. Ibn Mas'ud (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "A true believer is not involved in taunting, or frequently cursing (others) or in indecency or abusing."[At-Tirmidhi]. Accordingly, upon communication, the good word is a charity.

Fifth: Hatred, rancor, extremism and terrorism are signs of ignorance and enmity towards Islam. Therefore, extremists will not rest until they do mischief, wreak havoc, kill, torture and burn.

Renouncing violence, extremism and Takfir (Accusing Muslims of disbelief) as well as purifying one`s-self from evil words and deeds is the essence of prayer and all acts of worship. A man asked the Prophet, “Which of the Muslims is best?” He replied, “He from whose tongue and hand the Muslims are safe.” {Bukhari}.

We pray that Allah bless our country with safety and security and spare it the scourge of trials and tribulations, be they revealed or concealed. And all perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the worlds.