Muslim
Code of
Honor signed on July 11, 2007
by
representatives
of over one dozen Muslim American organizations
Preamble
Reports of sectarian tension overseas, particularly in aftermath of the
American invasion of Iraq, have prompted the Muslim American leadership
to
speak out against communal divisions and all sectarian violence. Such
expressions of sectarianism, if unchecked, may add fuel to the fire,
engulfing
the community in historical grievances that magnify theological
differences and
minimize the common “Pillars of Faith” on which all Muslims agree,
irrespective
of their school of thought (madhhab).
As Muslim Americans who live and struggle for a dignified existence for
Islam
and Muslims in a spirit of peaceful coexistence and respect for all, we
believe
that the practical challenges of the future supersede the ideological
differences
of the past. Moreover, in recognition of our communal duty to promote
goodness
and peace, we remain eager to offer any help we can and to join hands
with all
those who wish well for the Family of Believers (Ummah) in stopping the
senseless, inhumane violence in Iraq and elsewhere in the world.
In our view, we must begin by preventing such tragic sectarianism from
spilling
over into our Muslim communities in the United States. As a first step
toward
this goal, we agree to live in peace and respect each other in
accordance with
a ‘Muslim Code of Honor.’ We remain committed to this Muslim Code of
Honor not
only during times of agreement and ease but, more importantly, when
faced with
contentious issues and in times of mutual disagreement.
Muslim
Code of
Honor
- No group or individual should use,
spread, or tolerate the rhetoric of branding others nonbelievers
(takfir) against anyone who believes in the oneness and supremacy of
God, the prophethood of Muhammad Ibn Abd Allah, peace be upon him, as
the last God’s messengers, and in the reality of the Last Day, and
agreeing on the authenticity of the Holy Qur’an.
- Muslims should respect one another and
the people, places and events that any Muslim group or individual holds
in esteem, even when they disagree about the relative importance of
such people and events. Such disagreements, moreover, should only be
expressed in a respectful manner, avoiding inflammatory language and
insulting verbiage.
- As to differences in the performance
of worship (‘ibadat’), we agree to respect the rules in effect and the
authority of the leadership that endorses them in the particular mosque
or religious institution where they are the norm.
- We agree the steps should be taken to
protect the general Muslim population in America from the distribution
of divisive, inflammatory or irrelevant literature, primarily from
overseas, in order to maintain the integrity and protect the future of
Islam in America and curb the spread of harmful and misleading
propaganda.
- We support the establishment of
objective, scholarly study groups (halaqas) to examine Muslim history,
creed and law, in an effort to increase our knowledge and understanding
of one another and to aid in mutual reconciliation, in the event,
however, that problems should arise in this regard, a joint body of
Muslim scholars from both Shia and Sunni traditions should be consulted
in order to prevent schism.
- Finally, we encourage all Muslims in
the United States to work to emphasize their commonality, in accordance
with God’s statement:
“And hold fast, all together, to the rope of God, and be not divided
among yourselves. And remember with gratitude God’s favor upon you, and
you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love. Thus, by His grace
you became brethren. And you were on the brink of the fire, and He
saved you from it. Thus, doth God make His signs clear to you, that you
may be guided. So let there arise out of you a band of people inviting
to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is
wrong. They are the ones to attain felicity. And be not like those who
are divided amongst themselves and fall into disputations after
receiving clear signs. For them is a dreadful penalty.” (3:103-05)
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