Press Release
Speak Good or Remain Silent
(Translated)

The head of the religious administration of Stavropol region, Muhammad Rakhimov had participated on 28^th November 2014, in the global Stavropol Forum of Russian people, made a statement unfit for a mufti. The RIA Novosti news agency quoted the Mufti saying, "Muslims take part alongside the Ukrainian Russians. We help our brothers to protect the Russians in the Eastern regions of Ukraine. I know that there are many Muslim youths from Chechnya, Dagestan, Karachay-Cherkessia, Kabardino-Balkaria, and even from the Stavropol territory".

He added that the decision to join the fighters from the Russian origins in Ukraine came upon the awareness of Muslim believers, reasoned that by saying: "We all need a strong Orthodoxy", "Why? I will say, as a Muslim cleric, when there is a strong Orthodoxy, it will protect us, that is it protects the traditional Islam", as described by the Mufti.

Muslims of Russia have long understood the minor errors that the representatives of the religious administration fall in, and understand the extent of pressure exerted on them by the existing governance and security agencies. However, for the Mufti Rakhimov to make statements that contradict with Islam, this is unacceptable and necessitates the strongest condemnation and bitterly criticism. Muhammad Rakhimov does not have the right to speak on behalf of Islam and on behalf of the Muslims of Russia at all, and his words are not justified to us.

Since when has the Russian - Ukrainian conflict, or say the US - European conflict and rivalry over the Russian territory of Ukraine, became a struggle for Islam? Did not Islam forbid the shedding of any blood unjustly? Is not it the duty of the Mufti to show the people that Muslims' participation in any of the parties in the conflict is forbidden in Islam? Or is it the duty of the Mufti to implement the orders of the rulers, striving hard to give them a legitimate basis for their actions? The Messenger of Allah (saw) says:

«من أرضى الناس بسخط الله، سخط الله عليه وأسخط عليه الناس. ومن أرضى الله بسخط الناس، رضي الله عنه وأرضى عنه الناس»

"Whoever pleased the people by angering Allah then Allah will be angry on him and will make people angry on him, and whoever pleased Allah and angered the people then Allah will be pleased with him and will make people pleased with him". (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi).

Moreover, since when has Islam become in need of the Orthodox protection? History is the witness that Christians were looking for Muslims' protection fleeing the Inquisition in medieval Europe. It is apt for a pious Muslim to call for the re-establishment of the Islamic Khilafah "Caliphate" Rashideh State on the method of the Prophethood, which will be once again a model of justice in relationship to the humanity as a whole. However, the Mufti instead of that he has looked at the (traditional) Islam, so looking forward to the satisfaction of those in his town, Stavropol, who have prevented Muslim women from wearing the Khimar (veil).

So heed oh Mufti Rakhimov, that shame and humiliation awaits you until you become upright in obedience to Allah alone. He (swt) says:

( أَفَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِبَعْضِ الْكِتَابِ وَتَكْفُرُونَ بِبَعْضٍ فَمَا جَزَاءُ مَنْ يَفْعَلُ ذَلِكَ مِنْكُمْ إِلا خِزْيٌ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَى أَشَدِّ الْعَذَابِ وَمَا اللَّهُ بِغَافِلٍ عَمَّا تَعْمَلُون)

"So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do." [Al-Baqara: 85]

In conclusion, we remind all Imams and Muftis of Russia of the words of the Master of Prophets, Prophet Muhammad (saw), when he said: «من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فليقل خيراً أو ليصمت» "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day let him speak good or remain silent." [Bukhari and Muslim]

And remind them also of the words of Allah Almighty:

(أَتَأْمُرُونَ النَّاسَ بِالْبِرِّ وَتَنسَوْنَ أَنفُسَكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَتْلُونَ الْكِتَابَ ۚ أَفَلَا تَعْقِلُونَ)

"Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?" [Al-Baqara: 44]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Russia