Auschwitz – a brief dialogue with Hagay Hacohen
In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Abdullah Ibn Amr, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “Whoever would love to be delivered from Hellfire and admitted into Paradise, let him meet his end while believing in Allah and the last day, and let him treat people as he would love to be treated”. [Ṣaḥiḥ Muslim 1844]
Hagay Hacohen’s article touches on the harrowing history of Auschwitz, therefore, we say without any reservation that those events represent a profound tragedy. The victims of such atrocities deserve our deepest sympathy. As Muslims, we are guided by the teachings of the seal of the Prophets, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that we treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves. None of us would wish for our loved ones to endure the horrors faced at Auschwitz. The perpetrators of these crimes, the Nazis, must be condemned for their actions until the end of time. It is also crucial to remember that such atrocities echo in the current suffering of the Palestinian people, who have faced Zionist brutality for over seven decades. Just as we denounce the Nazis for their violence against innocent civilians, we must also speak out against those Zionists as well as any group of Muslims when they harm non-combatants. In our pursuit of justice and fairness, we should reflect on the wise words of Prince Turki Al-Faisal, may Allah protect him, which remind us of our duty to reject excess and injustice. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3-cWyFcK5w
We understood from Hacohen’s mention of antisemitism that it highlights its role as a driving force behind the persecution of Jews that took place in Germany and beyond. As Muslims, we unequivocally assert that antisemitism is strictly prohibited in the final revelation, and we must actively fight against it, leaving no space for those who perpetrate such hatred. [Footnote a] We equally denounce the extreme violence and land theft perpetrated by Zionists for over 70 years. [Footnote b]
Hagay Hacohen noted in the article:
Comment: It is essential to confront fear, hate speech, rising nationalism, and those who seek to eliminate any group, regardless of their faith—be they Muslims, Jews, Christians, or others. Just as we firmly reject and condemn any non-Jew who advocates for the eradication of any race, we also stand against any Jew who makes statements promoting genocide. This condemnation applies universally; no individual, whether Jew or non-Jew, is exempt. There have been notable Zionist figures, including Netanyahu, whose rhetoric mirrors that of those who incite extreme violence and injustice. We have provided examples of such statements made by certain Zionist leaders in the following links:
https://abuiyaad.com/a/amalekite-genocide-doctrine-gaza
https://abuiyaad.com/a/slaughtering-children-holy-war/print
https://www.abuiyaad.com/a/pharoah-slaughtering-babies
Must take a look at what is happening in their own backyard first
When we commit to the important task of addressing any speech that suggests the destruction of a race, it is essential that we hold accountable all those who make such remarks or encourage others to do so. Our condemnation must be impartial and not self-serving; we should not prioritise our own interests over the rights of others, regardless of whether we can evade consequences through manipulation, concealment, or downplaying the struggles of others to promote our agenda. It is crucial that we do not become overly focused on our own emotions at the cost of others’ rights. We must consistently evaluate our priorities to avoid falling into arrogance or a sense of entitlement that disregards the rights of others, as this can warp our perception of reality and diminish our awareness, open-mindedness, and empathy. Such an attitude only exacerbates violations, conflicts, misunderstandings, and distrust among individuals. This is why the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, remind us to treat others as we wish to be treated ourselves. The events that transpired at Auschwitz are well known and will be constantly condemned. In a parallel vein, the ongoing plight in Palestine, marked by over 70 years of Zionist brutality, will similarly face relentless condemnation. The link provided offers a brief overview of certain atrocities perpetrated by Zionists, both in the past and last year.
We unequivocally denounce the atrocities that occurred at Auschwitz, as well as all who seek to oppress the servants of Allah. Our stance on this matter is unwavering. Allah said:
مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا
If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. [Al-Ma’idah. 32]
Imam As-Sadi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
If a person is bold enough to kill someone who does not deserve to be killed, this implies that he does make a distinction between the one he killed and other than him; rather he would commit this act whenever his evil calls him to that. Therefore, his bold attitude that led him to kill is as if he has killed all humankind. On the other hand, if a person saves a life and does not kill – whilst his soul calls him to do so – due to fear of Allah, this is as if he has saved the lives of all humankind because the fear of Allah he possesses stops him killing one who does not deserve to be killed. [1]
Abdullah Bin Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said that Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “The first (thing) that will be decided among people on the Day of Judgment will pertain to bloodshed”. [2]
Imam An-Nawawi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:
This hadith shows the severity of bloodshed and that it will be the first thing that will be judged between people on the Day of Resurrection because of its greatness and extreme danger. This hadith does not contradict the well-known hadith in the Sunan that the first thing a person will be questioned about is the prayer because this hadith is about a matter between Allah and the person, whereas the first hadith (i.e. judgement in matters related to bloodshed) is an affair between the people. [3]
As for those who question why participation in events commemorating historical occurrences is not legislated in the pure Shariah, they may find clarity in the words of Imam Abdul Aziz Bin Baz, may Allah have mercy upon him, as stated below:
Indeed, it has become the custom of many Islamic countries in this era to specify – by way of an order- a period of three days of mourning, or less or more, for the kings and leaders together with the cessation (of work) in government departments and flags flown at half-mast. There is no doubt that this act is contrary to Muhammad’s Shariah… It has been reported in the authentic hadiths – transmitted from Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that prohibit specifying days of mourning and cautioning against it, except in the case of a wife because she mourns her husband for four months and ten days. As for other than this in relation to specifying days of mourning, it is not allowed by the Shariah, and there is nothing in the perfected Shariah that allows it to be done for a king, leader, or other than them.
Indeed, during the lifetime of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, his son Ibrahim, his three daughters and other individuals died, but he did not specify days of mourning for them. During his time, leaders were killed, but he did not specify days of mourning for them, such as Zaid Bin Haritha, Jafar Bin Abi Talib and Abdullah Bin Rawahah.
Then the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, died- and he was the most honorable of the creation, the best of the Prophets, the master of the children of Adam, and the calamity that afflicts humankind because of his death is the greatest of calamities, but the Companions did not specify days of mourning for him. Then Abu Bakr As-Siddiq died – and he is the best of the Companions, and the most honorable of creation after the Prophets, but days of mourning were not specified for him. Then Umar, Uthman and Ali were killed, and they are the best of creation after the Prophets and after Abu Bakr, but days of mourning were not specified for them. And likewise, all the Prophet’s companions passed away, but days of mourning were not specified for them. The Imams of Islam and the leaders of guidance amongst the scholars of the Taabi’in and those after them died, such as Sa’eed Ibn al-Musayyib, Ali Ibn Al-Husayn Zain Al-Aabideen and his son Muhammad Bin Ali, Umar Bin Abdil Azeez, Az-Zuhree, Imaam Abu Haneefah and his two companions, Imaam Maalik Bin Anas, Al-Awzaa’ee, Ath-Thawree, Imaam Ash-Shaafi’ee, Imaam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Ishaaq Ibn Rahaawayh and other than them amongst the Imaams of knowledge and guidance; but days of mourning were not specified for them. (4)
It is essential to recognise that engaging in events that lack Shariah endorsement and denouncing the offenses perpetrated by either Muslims or non-Muslims are fundamentally distinct matters. Furthermore, abstaining from commemorative events does not imply a rejection of the heinous acts committed; our condemnation of the offenders remains unwavering and unequivocal. However, we refrain from participating in any activities that contradict Shariah principles. Additionally, we are instructed to coexist with non-Muslims in a manner characterised by exemplary conduct. Please refer to the information below.
Click to access Living-with-Non-Muslims.pdf
http://www.shariah.ws/articles/duviqgl-shaykh-salih-al-fawzan-the-islamic-shariah-provides-security–for-muslims-and-non-muslims-and-those-who-violate-it-are-kh257rijites-who-are-to-be-fought-and-severely-punished.cfm
http://www.shariah.ws/articles/szsumlh-the-foundation-of-muslim-relations-with-non-muslims-who-do-not-show-aggression-and-hostility.cfm
http://www.shariah.ws/articles/nmsdfkp-islam-and-the-muslims-are-free-and-innocent-of-the-kharijite-extremists.cfm
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Footnote a:
https://abuiyaad.com/sn/muslims-antisemitism
https://abuiyaad.com/w/antisemitism-ernest-renan
https://abuiyaad.com/a/muhammad-semitic-prophet
Footnote b:
The Promised Land: A Brief Examination from a Religious and Historical Perspective
(1) Tafsir As-Sadi
(2) Sahih Muslim 1678
(3) Sharh Sahih Muslim 11/139
(4) Majmu Fatawa 22/229