The Ruling on Aggressing Against a Guest Under Safe Conduct: A Response to Those Who Permit the Blood of a Tourist in Muslim Lands, and Advice to Him

Question:
Your Eminence the Shaykh! This questioner says: He asks about the legitimacy of carrying out actions against foreign tourists, such as what happened in Egypt recently, and whether the one who did so interprets it as these people not coming except to corrupt the lands of the Muslims and spread immorality, and is there any advice if these actions are not permissible?

Answer:
Yes, taking action against the disbelievers or against the disbelievers in any country by fighting, and the like of that, is wrong and not permissible. This is corruption, and one of the causes of disorder, and one of the causes of people killing one another. This is not permissible. However, if there is found in the country what contradicts the Shari'ah, the matter is raised to the rulers, and they are advised, and they cooperate with them in righteousness and piety until the evil is removed. As for transgressing against tourists or non-tourists and killing or beating them, this is a mistake. This is great corruption and a serious evil. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) remained in Makkah for thirteen years and did not transgress against anyone, nor did his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). He only said, "Fear Allah and worship Allah," and he advised them. And likewise, when he migrated from Makkah, for a period in al-Madinah, he was not ordered to fight. Then he was ordered to fight. He fought those who disbelieved in Allah. The point is that it is not permissible for a group in the country, in any country, to transgress against tourists or other people or against a sinner. No, this is not permissible. This is corruption and a great wrong. But enjoining good and forbidding evil is different from this. He says, "O so-and-so, fear Allah." The disbeliever is invited to Islam. He says, "Islam is the religion of Allah. We invite you to Islam." He explains Islam to him in his language. He clarifies it for him. He invites him to Islam. Committing these wrongs is not permissible in Islam. He clarifies this to the people. He raises the matter to the responsible parties, to the prince. If there is an authority, to the authority, to the sultan. This is the way. As for intentionally beating the disbelievers or killing them, or beating the sinner or killing him, this is a mistake. It is wrong. These are multiple signs. Every region has a prince. Every region has a sultan. Every region has a sultan and a prince who kills and inherits. This is a great wrong and great corruption. It disrupts security, and what cannot be counted of corruption occurs because of it. Therefore, by the sins...