Islamabad — Senior Pakistani religious scholars and clerics have strongly condemned recent remarks by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mullah Naseem Haqqani, who described terrorist attacks in Pakistan as “jihad.”
In statements over the weekend, scholars said Haqqani’s position grossly contradicts the fundamental teachings of Islam and distorts the concept of jihad for violent purposes.
Quoting the Quran, clerics pointed to the verse: “Whoever kills a person unjustly … it is as though he has killed all mankind” (Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:32). They stressed that terrorism and bloodshed inside Pakistan cannot be equated with religious struggle.
‘Paigham-e-Pakistan’ Fatwa
More than 1,800 scholars across Pakistan have already endorsed Paigham-e-Pakistan, a landmark consensus fatwa declaring terrorism in any form an act against Islam. Citing another verse, they warned: “Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified” (Surah al-Ma’idah, 5:33).
Clerics Reject TTP’s Ideology
Grand Mufti of Pakistan Muhammad Taqi Usmani earlier told Afghan Taliban leader Noor Wali that those carrying out militant attacks in Pakistan were Khawarij, rebels, and that rebellion against the state is unequivocally forbidden in Islam.
Similarly, Maulana Abdullah Khaleel highlighted that the history of the Khawarij is marked by attacks on mosques, madrasas, and scholars, placing Haqqani’s remarks in the same extremist tradition.
Mufti Tayyib Qureshi stressed that Islam is a religion of peace and security, and fueling terrorism in its name distorts its true image. Salafi scholar Aminullah Peshawari went further, stating that those involved in bombings and killings in Pakistan are enemies of Islam, walking the path of disbelievers. Maulana Raheem reiterated that rebellion against an Islamic state cannot be called jihad and is nothing but misguidance.
The clerics also invoked the Quranic command from Surah An-Nisa (4:59): “O you who believe, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you.” They noted that Haqqani’s position represents a clear violation of this principle.
Wider Religious Consensus
Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri has similarly issued a fatwa ruling that in the modern era no individual can unilaterally declare jihad, branding such self-proclaimed wars as terrorism. He noted that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strictly prohibited the killing of women, children, the elderly, and non-combatants even in battle.
Scholars agreed that extremist groups like the TTP manipulate Quranic verses out of context to justify violence. Under Paigham-e-Pakistan, Haqqani’s position has been rejected as a gross misinterpretation and distortion of Islam.
Afghan Interim Government Angle
While the Afghan government has distanced itself from Haqqani’s recent remarks, clerics and officials in Pakistan point out that Afghan soil continues to provide space for encouragement of attacks against Pakistan, with no meaningful action taken by Afghan authorities so far.
Haqqani’s attempt to justify the Khawarij’s terrorist acts as jihad is a direct violation of Islamic principles that strictly prohibit the killing of innocents. Pakistan’s religious scholars have reached an overwhelming consensus in rejecting such claims, denouncing these militants as Khawarij who distort Islam to advance their violent and extremist agenda.
For many in Pakistan’s religious community, Haqqani’s remarks highlight the continuing challenge of extremist groups seeking religious justification for violence.
