Title Is it Betrayal to Turn the Terrorists in to the Authorities?[1]
Original Title هؤلاء المفجرين لا شك أنهم خوارج
Author Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān
Translated by Abu az-Zubayr Harrison (rahimahullaah)
Question: Honorable Shaykh, some of the youth come sometimes and ask about this issue: if I find someone who defends these people (the Khawārij, terrorists, etc.) and their plots, should I turn them in and inform (the authorities) of them? Some people consider this to be a form of betrayal on the part of the authorities, and that it is impermissible to do this. We hope your eminence will explain this.
Answer: The prophet (صلّى الله عليه وسلّم) said:
الدِّينُ النَّصِيحَةُ
“The religion is sincerity (giving sincere advice).”
He repeated this three times. We (the companions) asked, “To whom, messenger of Allah?” He answered:
لِلَّهِ وَلِكِتَابِهِ وَلِرَسُولِهِ وَلأَئِمَّةِ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَعَامَّتِهِمْ
“To Allah, His book, His messenger, to the leaders of the Muslims and their common people.”[2]
So, anyone who falls into these issues, he should be sincerely advised and explained the reality of these matters. If he desists (from holding these beliefs), then thanks are due to Allah. If he does not desist yet he keeps quiet and does not actually do anything, then leave him – his sin is upon himself. But if he actually and outwardly does something to deceive other Muslims or always talks about it, spreading this filthy ideology, then it is an obligation to turn him in. This is a part of being sincere to Allah, His book, His messenger, to the Muslim leaders and the common people.
Footnotes
[1] This question was answered by Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān verbally and the audio clip can be found at: http://www.fatwa1.com/anti-erhab/Irhabion/Irhabion.html. This particular audio clip is no. 20 in the list and contains three questions answered by the Shaykh; this is the third one.
[2] Recorded by Muslim (no. 55).