Fatwa no. 19402 All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family and Companions and whoever follows them in righteousness until the Day of Judgment. To continue:The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' has reviewed the inquiries submitted to it to discuss the opinions and essays propagated in the mass media concerning the "Call for the Unification of Religions" i.e. Islam, Judaism, and Christianity, and has studied the call's requests to: Build a Masjid (mosque), a Church, and a Jewish temple in one area, especially in universities, airports, and public squares ...Etc. Print the Noble Qur'an, the Tawrah (Torah), and the Injil (Gospel) in one book. Other consequences of such a call include holding conferences, symposiums, and establishing societies both in the East (Part No. 12; Page No. 275) and the West.

After conducting a comprehensive study of the issue, the committee resolves the following:- First: One of the fundamental articles of faith in Islam, which is regarded as an essential part of the religion and upon which all Muslims have agreed, is that there exists no true religion on earth except Islam, and that as a final religion it abrogates all previous religions and creeds. Therefore, no religion other than Islam remains on earth through which Allah may be worshipped. Allah (Exalted be He) says: Truly, the religion with Allâh is Islâm. Allah (Exalted be He) also says: This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islâm as your religion. Allah (Exalted be He) also says: And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. Second: Another fundamental article of faith in Islam is to believe that the Qur'an is the last Book revealed by the Lord of all creation. It abrogates all the preceding Books revealed by Allah, such as the Tawrah (Torah), the Zabur (Psalms), and the Injil (Gospel), and as such no Book other than the Qur'an has been left through which Allah can be worshipped. Allah (Exalted be He) says, And We have sent down to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) the Book (this Qur’ân) in truth, confirming the Scripture that came before it and Muhaymin (trustworthy in highness and a witness) over it (old Scriptures). So judge among them by what Allâh has revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging away from the truth that has come to you. (Part No. 12; Page No. 276)  Third: It is our belief that both the Torah and the Gospels are abrogated by the Qur'an, and that they were changed by means of additions or deletions committed by their followers. This is indicated in some Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) of the Noble Qur'an. Allah (Exalted be He) says: So because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them. Allah (Exalted be He) also says, Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, "This is from Allâh," to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby. Allah (Exalted be He) says, And verily, among them is a party who distort the Book with their tongues (as they read), so that you may think it is from the Book, but it is not from the Book, and they say: "This is from Allâh," but it is not from Allâh; and they speak a lie against Allâh while they know it. Accordingly, whatever is considered correct in these Books, has been abrogated by Islam. The remaining parts are either distorted or altered. This is proved by the following incident. It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) (Part No. 12; Page No. 277) got angry when he saw `Umar Ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) holding a sheet containing some verses from the Torah and he said to him, O Umar! Are you in doubt? Have I not brought it (i.e. the Message of Islam) to you white and clear? If my brother Musa (Moses, peace be upon him)) had been alive, he would but have followed me. Narrated by Ahmed, Al-Darami and others. Fourth: Another fundamental article of faith in Islam is that our Prophet and Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the seal of all prophets and messengers. Allah (Exalted be He) says, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allâh and the last (end) of the Prophets. As such, no other messenger is left to be followed except Muhammad (peace be upon him). If any of Allah's prophets and messengers had been alive, they too along with their followers would but have followed Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah (Exalted be He) says, And (remember) when Allâh took the Covenant of the Prophets, saying: "Take whatever I gave you from the Book and Hikmah (understanding of the Laws of Allâh), and afterwards there will come to you a Messenger (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) confirming what is with you; you must, then, believe in him and help him." Allâh said: "Do you agree (to it) and will you take up My Covenant (which I conclude with you)?" They said: "We agree." He said: "Then bear witness; and I am with you among the witnesses (for this)." When Jesus (peace be upon him), the Prophet of Allah, (Part No. 12; Page No. 278) comes at the end of time he will follow Muhammad (peace be upon him) and will rule according to the Shari`ah (Islamic Law) brought by Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah (Exalted be He) says, Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet who can neither read nor write (i.e. Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) whom they find written with them in the Taurât (Torah) (Deut, xviii 15) and the Injeel (Gospel) (John xiv, 16), - he commands them for Al-Ma‘rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained); and forbids them from Al-Munkar (i.e. disbelief, polytheism of all kinds, and all that Islâm has forbidden); he allows them as lawful At-Tayyibât (i.e. all good and lawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons, foods), and prohibits them as unlawful Al-Khabâ’ith (i.e. all evil and unlawful as regards things, deeds, beliefs, persons and foods), he releases them from their heavy burdens (of Allâh’s Covenant with the children of Israel), and from the fetters (bindings) that were upon them. So those who believe in him (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), honour him, help him, and follow the light (the Qur’ân) which has been sent down with him, it is they who will be successful. In addition, one of the basic pillars of faith in Islam is that Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent to all of mankind. Allah (Exalted be He) says, And We have not sent you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) except as a giver of glad tidings and a warner to all mankind, but most of men know not. Allah (Exalted be He) says, Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "O mankind! Verily, I am sent to you all as the Messenger of Allâh There are other Ayahs on the same subject. Fifth: Another fundamental article of faith in Islam is that any Jew or Christian who does not embrace Islam should be considered and designated as a Kafir (disbeliever) as well as an enemy of Allah, His Messenger and the Mum'minun (believers), and as such will dwell in Hell Fire in accordance with the Ayah which reads, Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence. (Part No. 12; Page No. 279) Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: Verily, those who disbelieve (in the religion of Islâm, the Qur’ân and Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and Al-Mushrikûn will abide in the Fire of Hell. They are the worst of creatures. Allah (Exalted be He) further says, ...this Qur’ân has been revealed to me that I may therewith warn you and whomsoever it may reach. Allah (Exalted be He) says, This (Qur’an) is a Message for mankind (and a clear proof against them), in order that they may be warned thereby It is authentically narrated in the Sahih (authentic book of Hadith) of Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, By Him in whose Hand my soul is, every Jew or Christian of this Ummah (nation) who hears about me and dies while not believing in me will be of the inhabitants of Hellfire. Based on the above, anyone who does not charge the Jews and Christians with Kufr (disbelief) will be a Kafir himself according to the Shari`ah principle which states: (Anyone who does not charge the Kafir with Kufr will be regarded as Kafir himself). Sixth: Adulterating the fundamentals of Islamic Faith and the facts of Shari`ah (Islamic Law ) to serve the call (for the unification of religions), by mixing them together and casting them into one mould is but a wicked call. It aims at mixing Truth with Falsehood, destroying Islam, undermining its very foundations and inviting all Muslims to clear Riddah (apostasy). Allah (Exalted be He) says, And they will never cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion (Islâmic Monotheism) if they can. (Part No. 12; Page No. 280) Allah (Exalted be He) also says, They wish that you reject Faith, as they have rejected Faith, and thus that you all become equal (like one another). Seventh: The inevitable consequences of such evil calls include the cancellation of differences between Islam and Kufr, Truth and Falsehood, complete negation of propagation of virtue and prevention of vice, breaking of barriers of alienation between Muslims and Kafirs so that no loyalty nor Jihad (fighting in the cause of Allah) nor struggle for the sake of elevating Allah's Word may take place. Allah (Exalted be He) commands, Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allâh and His Messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued. Allah (Exalted be He) says, ...and fight against the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh) collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allâh is with those who are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). Allah (Exalted be He) further says, O you who believe! Take not as (your) Bitânah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends) those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites) since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made plain to you the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses) if you understand. (Part No. 12; Page No. 281) Eighth: Were this call for unification to emanate from a Muslim, it would be considered explicit Riddah from Islam as, conflicting with the principles of the Islamic faith, it declares disbelief in Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He). This call annuls what the Qur'an proves to be true, and denies the fact that the Qur'an abrogates all preceding Scriptures and religions. Based on this, the notion that advocates unification of religions is rejected according to Shari`ah and is strictly prohibited on the basis of all the proofs mentioned in the Qur'an, Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) and Ijma` (consensus of scholars). Ninth: Based on what has been said above, it is not permissible for any Muslim who believes in Allah as the only true Lord, chooses Islam as a religion, and Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a Prophet and Messenger, to call to this abominable belief, or encourage others to join it, or spread it among other Muslims, let alone accept it, attend conferences or symposiums held for such purposes. It is prohibited for any Muslim to print the Torah and the Gospel even independently. So how could it be permissible to print them with the Qur'an in one book? Accordingly, whoever does that, or calls for it, has far strayed from the Straight Path, as such an act will be viewed as combining the Truth (the Noble Qur'an) with the altered or abrogated books of the Torah and the Gospel. Moreover, it is prohibited for any Muslim to respond to the call for building (a mosque, a church, or a temple) in one complex, as this would imply a confession that there are religions other than Islam through which Allah may be worshipped. (Part No. 12; Page No. 282) This would also involve denial that Islam is the purest of all the other religions. It would also imply a serious admission that there exists three true religions for people to adopt whichever they wish and that Islam has not abrogated all the preceding religions. Undoubtedly, approving, believing, or accepting this call is considered Kufr (disbelief) and manifest error as it plainly contradicts the Noble Qur'an, the Purified Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), and the Muslim Ijma`(consensus of scholars). It would also imply an agreement that the alterations made by the Jews and Christians are from Allah (Exalted be He). Moreover, it is not permissible to call churches Allah's houses as the acts of worship practiced by Christians are in contradiction with the principles of Islam and are thus not accepted by Allah. Allah (Exalted be He) says, And whoever seeks a religion other than Islâm, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers. Rather they (churches) are houses where Kufr in Allah is practiced. We seek refuge with Allah from Kufr and those who belong to it. Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (may Allah be merciful with Him) stated in "Majmu` Al-Fatawa" (collection of Islamic Fatwas) 162/22, as follows:- "Churches and Synagogues are not Allah's houses, but Allah's Houses are the Masjids (mosques). Rather, they (churches and synagogues) are houses of Kufr even though Allah's Name is mentioned therein. Houses are appreciated according to their inhabitants' degree of faith. These people rejected Allah's last Prophet (peace be upon him) and as such they are considered Kafirs (disbelievers), hence theirs are but houses designated for the worship practiced by the Kaffirs." Tenth: It is noteworthy that calling the Kaffirs in general and the People of the Book in particular to Islam is incumbent upon all Muslims as per the explicit (Part No. 12; Page No. 283) texts of our Noble Qur'an and Sunnah. However, a response may not be achieved except through kind words and sound arguments. It should, nonetheless, be done on the condition that none of the rules and principles of Islam be compromised, so that they might either be convinced to embrace Islam or reject it and die after a clear warning had been given to them. Allah (Exalted be He) says, Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم): "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allâh (Alone), and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allâh. Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims." However, debates, meetings, and dialogue held with them in order to enable them to achieve their desires and fulfill their objectives through breaking the bonds of Islam and undermining the very foundations of Islamic Faith are all considered invalid, which is rejected by Allah, His Messenger (peace be upon him), and the Mu'minun (believers). Allah (Exalted be He) says: but beware of them lest they turn you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) far away from some of that which Allâh has sent down to you. The committee, in resolving and issuing this verdict for all people also seeks all Muslims in general and scholars in particular, to fear Allah and to protect Islam and preserve the Muslim `Aqidah (creed) from error, and from Kufr and its people. It also urges them to take precautions against this obvious call for disbelief and against falling into its traps. We seek refuge with Allah lest any Muslim should become (Part No. 12; Page No. 284) a reason for bringing such an error to the Muslim nations and spreading it among them. We ask Allah with His Most Beautiful Names and Lofty Attributes to protect us all from these devious afflictions, guide us to the Straight Path, make us a source of guidance to others, and make us protectors of Islam who continue to follow the light and guidance of their Lord until they meet with Him while He is pleased with them.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.