The world has witnessed the treacherous bombings that targeted St. George's Church in Tanta and the Church of St. Mark in Alexandria and claimed the lives of innocent and peaceful people who were performing prayers. This ached the hearts of Muslims and Christians alike, breeding unforgettable pains and sorrows in them, as a brutal crime that harms not only Egyptian Christians, but also Islam and the Muslims around the world. The heavenly religions are primarily messages of peace to humans, and also to animals, plants and the entire world of nature. We must know that Islam - as a religion - does not allow Muslims to draw weapons except in the single case of defending one’s life, property and homeland and warding off aggression. It never happened that Muslims fought others to force them into Islam. In fact, Islam does not look at non-Muslims, Christians and Jews, from the perspective of hostility, tension and conflict, but rather from the perspective of affection and human brotherhood. No religion based on such clear-cut texts forbidding aggression, like Islam, can be described as violent or terrorist. It is quite incorrect and unjust to blame religions for the transgression of the ignorant few individuals among their followers who are misguided by misconceptions, and are misguiding others. It is inevitable to raise the voice of true understanding inherited by the Muslims over long centuries, and scholars should deal with reality on the ground and hold the reins of Fatwa. Muslim scholars should live up to their responsibility of clarifying the true essence of this religion and its clear call for acquaintance and peace among humanity in the East and the West, its forbiddance of shedding blood and plundering the property of others. Islam uniquely dictates severe worldly punishment in case of murder, besides the more severe punishment in the Hereafter.

This brings up the following question: How would people portray the religion of mercy, in essence and objective, as a religion of violence, killing and terrorizing peaceful humanity!

This upright religion is only given this untrue description due to the recent crimes committed by some deviants who affiliate with it. They have committed murder, cremation, and mutilation of the bodies of Muslims and non-Muslims, thinking that in this criminal way they are striving in the way of Allah and reviving the Islamic state. They even hurled accusations of disbelief at other Muslims who did not embrace their anomalous views, which are in fact denounced in Islam.

The concept of Jihad has been distorted by these extremist and sectarian armed organizations that kill at will. They claim that this is Jihad, and that if they are killed, they shall be martyrs and shall go to Paradise. This is one of the worst misconceptions of Islamic Sharia for several reasons. First, Jihad is only prescribed in Islam in case of self-defense, and defense of one’s faith, religion and homeland. We have been taught by our Sheikhs in Al-Azhar that, “Fighting is justified only when repelling aggression.” Second, declaring and initiating Jihad is permissible only for the ruler, and not for individuals or sectarian groups, regardless of the conditions or circumstances. We suffer today as a result of this misunderstanding of these legal rulings. Hence, Islam forbids aggression against humans regardless of their religion or faith. Allah Almighty says, “That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.” (Qur’an 5: 32) Accordingly, Islam has been open to the followers of other religions to the extent of mingling with them through marriage and coexistence under the same roof, which is an acknowledgement of the coexistence of religions and familial entwining among the followers of different faiths.

Al-Azhar Ash-Sharif, within its responsibility of conveying and explaining the religion, spares no effort in constantly warning of these deviant ideologies as totally dissociated from Islam, the Qur’an and the Sharia. Those promoting such ideologies are missing the guidance of Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) and - wittingly or unwittingly - are doing more harm to Islam than its enemies. They have distorted its pristine tolerant image as a religion and presented it in a false image that is exploited by the enemies of the religion. Al-Azhar still calls out to the innocent young men who have been deceived by such terrorist organizations in the name of religion. The Prophet (pbuh) warns us, commanding “Beware of excess in the faith; those who were before you were destroyed due to their excess in religion.” He also says, "The zealots shall perish," meaning those radical enthusiasts who are excessive in word and deed.