Who are the extremists to issue fatwas? They are not practicing Imams, so what right have they?

Question

This is one of many that truly have the right to as evidenced by the Quran, what do you think of this fatwa?

http://theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/fatwa_freedom_of_belief_minority_rights_in_muslim_countries/

As for the second question, minority rights under Muslim rule is summed up in the rule “for them (minorities) are rights like ours and on them are responsibilities like ours.”

Furthermore, the Qur’an clearly protects the freedom of religion (Al-Baqarah: 256). It also protects the right of worship and respects all places of worship (Al-Hajj: 40).

On the outreach issue, the Qur’an does not forbid engagement in respectful and peaceful dialogue with others, especially the People of the Book, provided that neither side exploit the illiteracy or dire financial need of others so as to psychologically manipulate them in the name of outreach.

Moreover, Sheikh Muhammad Nur Abdullah, ISNA President and Member of the Fiqh Council of North America, adds:

In brief, Islam believes in freedom of choice. Faith itself is a choice in Islam. The Qur’an states: [No compulsion in religion…] (Al-Baqarah 2: 256). All have the freedom to practice their own faith without harassment or any kind of threat.

The history of Islam proves this very well when Muslims, Christians, and Jews lived together in dominant Islamic societies. We can contrast this to the Muslims who lived in Christian Spain when they were persecuted and prejudiced against on account of their faith.

Second, anyone has the right to choose to convert to Islam or keep practicing his faith. But once a person converts to Islam, he should practice his faith and never change it. If he changes it, it is a major sin. Whether it is punishable by Islamic law is a debatable matter among Muslim scholars.

Some believe he should be punished because they count this crime as betrayal, while others say that if someone changes his faith and does not challenge the Islamic society, they consider it a private matter between him and Allah and it is not punishable by the Islamic faith according to their view. However, both opinions agree that it is a sin punishable by Allah and that it is the worst form of sin.

Answer 1

Knowing fully well that your good intentions are not going to yield any results from fanatics.

I must appreciate you, being the first muslim on YA to openly condemn terrorism and fanaticism...

keep it up... do it for god not for fanatics

May Allaha be with you for this noble cause

Answer 2

That is true only an authority in an islamic country can issue a fatwa , a person who has been elected as the ppls representetive by the ppl has the right to issue a jugement.

Answer 3

Well I know they do not have the right to issue fatwas, there deen is being blinded by hate/anger. This causes them to lose sight of the true purpose of serving Allah. Regardless, I commend you for your efforts to show the truth of Islam.

Answer 4

I'm not a practicing Imam and I issue fatwas all the time.