Your editorial (Radiance Viewsweekly, 7th June 2025) “India’s Response to Pahalgam Attack” is well written combining with the Nation’s strength and need to check to avoid the factors which weaken this Himalayan strength. Military might and economic empowerment will get stronger only when India travels along with all sections of society without any discrimination, upholding the democratic values as emphasised in our Constitution like social solidary and mutual respect as mentioned in the editorial. It is high time to raise beyond petty political gains and march forward to make India a real powerful, prosperous Nation.
Nazeer Ataullah
Chennai, Tamilnadu
Un-Islamic and Condemnable
Mr. Umer Ahmed Iliyasi, Chief Imam of All India Imam Organisation (AIIO) has issued a Fatwa (edict) that no Imam in the country should lead the funeral prayers (Janazah Namaz) for any terrorist killed on Indian soil. The Indian Sufi Foundation (ISF) has also supported the said Fatwa. (Source: The Western Times, Ahmedabad Edition, dated: 07 June 2025)
Both these organisations bearing Islamic names have issued un-Islamic (rather anti-Islamic) orders. Terrorism is of course a condemnable act. But a person who has faith in Allah and His Last Messenger is a Muslim. After the death of a Muslim notwithstanding his good or bad deeds, no person or organisation can stop the deceased’s funeral prayers. Actions of the deceased will be judged by Allah on the Day of Judgement. AIIO and ISF have no right to issue such bogus Fatwas.
Both these organisations’ orders are politically motivated. Their orders are for cheap publicity. Orders of AIIO and ISF should be condemned in the strongest possible terms as they are not only un-Islamic but also anti-Islamic.
Such people and organisations damage Islam enormously and belittle the prestige of Islam.
Muftis and Ulama associated with eminent institutions like Nadwatul Ulama should come forward with their opinions on this issue.
Farooq AbdulgafarBawani
Rajkot, Gujarat, India
A Million Dollar Question to Banking Executives and Religious Scholars
Millions and millions of Muslim bank employees serving in commercial banks worldwide believe that bank interest is not forbidden (Haraam) in Islam, as per fatwa from Grand Mufti of Egypt. Therefore, they believe that interest, which is a substantial source of income for banks, is not Riba, which is Haraam as per the Holy Quran. Accordingly, they firmly believe that they are earning permissible (Halaal) income from banks and not putting Haraam income in their bellies and not feeding their families with Haraam income.
This fatwatends to prove that the existing banking system is not un-Islamic i.e. banks are not involved in generating Haraam income and therefore, their operation and their income is 100% Halaal in Islam.
If this is 100% correct, then million dollar question arises: why Shariah Boards have been formed and “Islamic” banking divisions have been opened by many banks, segregating their operation from existing conventional banking? These banks have appointed an army of “qualified” religious scholars (muftis) to get fatwa that their separate “Islamic” divisions are marketing 100% Halaal banking products, and these “Islamic” divisions are urging public to avail the facility of “Islamic” banking instead of existing conventional banking. This is un-Islamic banking generating Haraam income!
What is truth? Which of the above statements is true? And which statement is false and misleading? Who can explain the truth? Shariah Boards? Million maker “qualified” muftis? Or Bank Officers?
Qasim Abbas, FCA, FCMA
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada