A Spanish newspaper is accusing our website of fanaticism and extremism

You should understand that the issue, for those Westerners
who are hostile towards Islam and its people, is not the issue of any
specific website or approach. Rather the issue is Islam in and of itself. If
a person is Muslim then — in their estimation — he is an extremist and
terrorist. This is an ancient element of European culture, since the time of
the mobilisation for the crusades against Islam and Muslims. You should
realise that the aim of this enmity and hatred is not to make us give up our
approach or even to shut down websites — not at all. Rather the aim is that
we should give up our  religion altogether and follow their religion. Allaah
says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Never will the Jews nor the Christians be pleased with
you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) till
you follow their religion. Say: ‘Verily, the Guidance of Allaah (i.e.
Islamic Monotheism) that is the (only) Guidance. And if you (O Muhammad
صلى الله عليه وسلم) were to follow their
(Jews and Christians) desires after what you have received of Knowledge
(i.e. the Qur’aan), then you would have against Allaah neither any Wali
(protector or guardian) nor any helper’”

[al-Baqarah 2:120]. 

There are some points that we may note concerning this
issue: 

1.What is the definition of
fanaticism or extremism and terrorism according to that writer and others
such as politicians, leaders and media figures? The world cannot agree on
the meaning of each of these words. Everyone looks at these words and
assumes that its meaning is what he himself understands from it, based on
his religion or ideas or country or party. So how can we debate these
matters when their definition is so unclear?!

2.We are commanded to adhere to
the religion of our Lord, may He be exalted, by entering into the religion
of Allaah completely, and clinging strongly to it. Of course, this approach
is not going to be liked by those Muslims who take the matter if religion
lightly, so how do you expect the kaafir and mushrik to like it? Can such
people be expected to help the Muslims to adhere to the religion of Allaah
or to encourage them not to be heedless with regard to matters of their
religion?

3.We — if Allaah wills — on
this website of ours and our brothers on the other fatwa websites of Ahl
al-Sunnah, do not make it our aim when answering any question to please any
state, party or group that belongs to Islam, so would we take into account a
kaafir’s approval of what we say and issue fatwas on that basis concerning
the religion of Allaah? We do not rejoice in their praise of what they think
is in accordance with their reason and principles, and we will not be harmed
either — if Allaah wills — by their criticism of what we say. They have
their religion and we have our religion; they have their Lord and we have
our Lord.

“We are pleased with what we have and you are pleased with
what you have and our opinions differ.”

4.If they are really fair-minded
and sincere, then what is their opinion of blind fanaticism and hateful
extremism that is widespread in more than one country, to the extent that
their extremists and ignorant people slandered our Prophet Muhammad
(blessings and peace of Allaah be upon him) and our religion, on the basis
of ignorance and whims and desires. If they were truly fair-minded, they
would have taken a stance against ideas of fanaticism and extremism that are
propagated by their popes and rabbis and the leaders of their parties
concerning the Muslim minorities and the symbols of our religion, such as
hijab. But we see them overlooking all of that and looking for slips on the
tongue on the part of some overenthusiastic Muslims so that they can use
that as a means to attack our religion itself.

5.If this article was really
fair-minded, then what is its attitude towards the state terror that is
practised against the Muslims, those who are in the right, the people of the
land in Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan and other
Muslim countries? What is their attitude towards the shedding of blood, the
transgression of sacred limits and the plunder of resources?

6.If this article is fair-minded,
then let him look at the history of his own country in the colonisation of
peoples, the plundering of their resources, what they did to the Native
Americans and other indigenous peoples whom they colonised and plundered
their resources.

7.If this article is fair-minded,
let him look at the history of the Inquisition and think long and hard, how
much time and effort he will need in order to apologize for this history.

The present and the past alike need a fair-minded approach! 

You need to adhere to the right path and keep away from that
which will provoke trouble where you live, and to call people to Allaah with
wisdom and beautiful preaching, in accordance with what your circumstances
and resources will allow. Let your knowledge, your words, your attitude and
your deeds be a true testimony to the soundness of your approach and true
proof of the lie of those who accuse you falsely.  

You should realise that pleasing the people is an aim that
cannot be reached! 

We ask Allaah to foil the plans of those who want to harm
this religion and make their plots backfire, and to help you to be callers
to the way of the Qur’aan and Sunnah. 

And Allaah is the source of strength.