A Message to Muslims of France

Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.

Introduction: The French Charter for the Islamic Religion

Esteemed guests, last week, members of what is known as the French Council for the Islamic Religion issued a charter for the Muslim imams in France. Before we read some of its texts, it is worth mentioning that the French presidency and official media quickly considered this charter representative of Muslims in France. Although it was drafted by a limited number of individuals, and although three bodies within the Council of Islamic Religion rejected it and considered it to infringe on the honor of Muslims.

Nevertheless, the news headlines are being circulated, such as: "Macron praises the issuance of a charter of principles against extremism by the French Council for the Islamic Religion." And France 24 says: "It seems that the French Council for the Islamic Religion has turned the page on internal disputes after it announced on Saturday that it had reached a charter of principles on Islam in France." And it says: "On Saturday, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin praised the significant progress made during his meeting with three prominent officials in the organization."

Therefore, they are dealing with this charter as if it represents the entire Council of Islamic Religion, and they assume that it therefore represents all Muslims. And all of this, of course, is incorrect. You can imagine what this charter is that they are welcoming in this way. Listen to some of its texts, and recall His saying, may He be exalted: {Until you follow their religion}. Listen so that you know what Islam France wants.

Analysis of the Charter's Clauses

Clause One: Elevating Republican Values Over Religion

One of the clauses states: "We officially declare our adoption of this charter, which aims to define the foundations of our mission related to republican values. At the outset, we affirm that neither our religious beliefs nor anything else can make us deviate from the principles that are the basis of the law and constitution of the republic."

Someone might say: "So what's wrong with that? Why do you object? Do you want them to defy French laws against the French government? Do you want them to tell the French judiciary: 'We won't listen to you because Allah, may He be exalted, has said, and because His Prophet, peace be upon him, has said, so we won't follow this law'?"

It is very important, my brothers, that you know that the issue is not about defying laws, but they want Muslims to elevate the principles of the republic over the religion of Allah, may He be exalted. It is known that a Muslim is forbidden to defy the law of Allah, even if it is out of compliance with the law. Let us assume that there is a case of a political refugee, for example, who cannot actually emigrate to another country, and his violation of the law in a matter exposes him to danger. Here, the matter is studied jurisprudentially, and we see if he is compelled to preserve himself.

For Muslims to adopt the principle that the law of Allah is governed and not governing, worldly and not superior, and that the reference is to the principles of the republic, and to instill this in the generations that the principles of the republic are the truth and justice, and whatever contradicts them from the law is criminal and illegal, and the values of the republic become instead of "Allah has said and His Messenger has said," and Islam becomes a distorted, disfigured thing that has no relation to the life of people. The matter is not about necessity, but about canceling a right and establishing falsehood.

This clause simply means: We declare that the word of Islam is inferior to us, and the values of the republic are superior. And remember, my brothers, that among the values of the republic is the freedom to mock Islam and display caricatures mocking your Prophet in schools, and it is forbidden to show displeasure, nor to open your mouth, nor to demand that the teacher not show that to your children, as said by the interior minister who is pleased with the charter.

Among the values of the republic is the permission of adultery and multiple lovers and forbidden relationships and the criminalization of polygamy, as said by the Minister of Citizenship. And as Dr. Muhammad Yasser Ibrahim said: "In this signature, there is opposition to the satisfaction with Allah as a Lord, and with Islam as a religion, and with Muhammad, peace be upon him, as a Prophet and Messenger."

Clause Two: Equality Before the Law and the Priority of General Rules

Also, my brothers, in the second clause: "The principle of equality before the law obliges us to respect the general rules and prioritize them over all controls and rules, even if they are taken from our religious beliefs and interpretations, even if they are taken from our religious beliefs and interpretations."

Someone might say: "So what's wrong with that? Do you want them as a minority to tell the French state: 'We will impose our religion on you and make France Islamic'?" We say: Did the Muslims ever impose anything on the French people? Of course not. But they had some space to practice the rituals of their religion in their personal affairs. And this space is intended to be withdrawn from them under the banner of republican values.

Tomorrow, if the French state says to the Muslims who adhere to the remnants of their religion: "You are distorting the values of the republic in the hearts of your children," then they want to withdraw the children so that they are raised under the eyes of the state on the values of the republic, no Muslim will object, because the values of the republic are superior. And the children of Muslims will be treated as they are treated in the communist camps in China.

Clause Three: Excessive Religious Invitation and Leaving Islam

Also, in the third clause: "Excessive religious invitation that harms consciences contradicts the freedom of mind and heart that distinguishes the honor of man." Also, in the third clause: "The signatories to this charter pledge not to criminalize leaving Islam and not to describe it as apostasy, let alone speak negatively about those who choose to leave a religion."

Therefore, in the end: It is forbidden to invite to your religion excessively, and if we mock your religion and distort it and fabricate against it and alienate your children from it, it is forbidden to object. And if one of the Muslims, including your son or daughter, leaves Islam, it is forbidden to disapprove of him, and you must acknowledge that the values of the republic are above Islam.

Media Handling of the Charter and Its Implications

These are some of the clauses of the charter that Macron and his interior minister praised, and it is intended to become the standard by which Muslims in France are now measured. Those who agree are moderate, and those who oppose it are extremists. {We will expel you from our land or you will return to our religion}. And now the charter is written with the names of Islamic gatherings to demand it and demand that the imams of the mosques sign it.

How does Alhurra channel, for example, present the news? It says: "President Emmanuel Macron on Monday praised French Muslim leaders" - the three who wrote the charter have become leaders of Muslims - "after they agreed on a charter of principles, a charter of principles aimed at combating extremist teachings attributed to the rise of jihadist attacks in France in recent years. The issuance of the charter of principles comes with the parliament on Monday discussing a draft law to combat malicious Islamic extremism."

Look at the expression: "A draft law to combat malicious Islamic extremism." May Allah's curse be upon the malicious. Look at how they present the news to frighten the Muslims of France and force them to sign it, otherwise, the canned charges are ready to describe you with all evil and that you are connected to the outside and promote political Islam and support malicious extremism. While all the talk now is about preserving Muslims' practice of their private rituals. No one said they harm the French people or frighten them, but their invitation to the religion of Allah, may He be exalted, with wisdom and good preaching and good character and honesty in dealing with them is not pleasing, and it is intended to deprive Muslims of it.

Of course, if the French experiment succeeds in severing Muslims from their religion, it may be an example for many countries, and therefore Alhurra and others celebrate it.

The Required Islamic Stance from Muslims

What is the required stance from Muslims? It is very clear: rejecting this pact and declaring that it does not represent us. Several bodies have already begun this, and they should abandon their differences because the matter now is bigger than all minor disputes.

Dealing with the Option of Expulsion from France

What if we are expelled from France after that? We say to our brothers in France: We urge you to utilize the available spaces to the fullest, unite, seek Allah's help, and do not surrender. If the only choice left is to abandon your religion or leave French territory, by Allah, my brothers, these lands are not to be regretted at all. Because staying there while accepting these conditions means severing yourselves from the religion for you and future generations in a clearer and stronger way.

Remember Allah's words: {Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while they are wronging themselves [say], "In what [condition] were you?" They say, "We were oppressed in the land." [The angels] say, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell - and wretched is the destination.} (Quran 4:97)

Ruling on Residing in Non-Muslim Lands

Scholars have differed on residing in non-Muslim lands into two opinions: some have ruled it completely impermissible, while others say it is permissible for a Muslim to reside wherever he wishes with two conditions: upholding Allah's command and manifesting the religion. This pact means literally deviating from Allah's command and not manifesting the religion, but rather manifesting a distorted, disfigured version that has no relation to Islam. Therefore, it is obligatory upon the Muslim not to remain in a place where he knows he cannot uphold Allah's command and manifest the religion.

We are talking here, my brothers, about a religious ruling, not an option. {And it is not for a believing man nor a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error.} (Quran 33:36)

Responding to the "Religious Scholars" Objection

Are these not the religious scholars who drafted the pact? Why don't we put it around their necks and be done with it? No, you are a Muslim who does not entrust your religion to anyone, otherwise you would be like {those about whom Allah said, "They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah."} (Quran 9:31) Why does Allah inform us about the condition of the People of the Book so that we do not do like them?

Does this mean that there is now a country that rules by Allah's law so that we can go to it? No, but there are countries where you can practice your religion without subjecting yourself and your children to these inquisitional courts and these humiliating, degrading conditions. And remember: {O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones.} (Quran 66:6)

Conclusion and Remembrance of the Hereafter

And remember in the end, my brothers, that {And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out. And will provide for him from where he does not expect.} (Quran 65:2-3) And remember that this world is a temporary abode and the Hereafter is better and more enduring. We ask Allah to guide our brothers and sisters in France to what He loves and is pleased with, and to repel from them evil and establish them upon their religion. Peace be upon you and the mercy of Allah.