Dr. Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt
One of the most respected religious figures in the Muslim world, Dr. Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt, dismisses "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" as a "fictitious book" that "has no truth to it".
Web site editor's note: One of the latest versions of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, entitled The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and their Biblical and Talmudic Roots, was published in Arabic in Egypt and has been widely distributed not only throughout the Arab world, but among Arab and Muslim communities in many countries. The book contained a foreword attributed to Dr. Ali Gomaa, the Grand Mufti of Egypt and Lecturer of Islamic Jurisprudence Sources in Al-Azhar University. Carrying the name of a pre-eminent Islamic scholar, the foreword provided that edition with an air of Islamic religious dignity and authority. Once the issue was brought to the attention of the Grand Mufti, he issued a stern and categorical denial that was first published in Egypt 's popular daily Al-Ahram. The Grand Mufti's public denunciation of the Protocols in a widely-read Arabic language newspaper is a significant event, at a time when the book continues to be a best-seller across the Muslim world.
Unfortunately, I was forced to stop writing a series of articles about the sources of Islamic legislation; the reason is that I am very saddened by the grave situation of several publications, which in no way represent what is happening in the field of Arabic-language publishing - not in Egypt and not in the Arab world. I am referring to publications that contain lies, fabrications, and false attribution.
I am talking from personal experience, for I was surprised to find a book titled The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, and even more surprised to discover my name on it, with my original title of lecturer in the esteemed university of Al-Azhar.
Seeing my name in the book made me wonder; so I lifted my eyes to read what it said above my name, and came across the word "foreword". I was even more surprised when I saw the year of publication, the year 2003, and the name of a publishing house called Maktabat al-Nafidha. The book's main title also included the sub-heading, "and their Biblical and Talmudic Roots". It was noted on the first page that the authors are Dr. Ahmad Hijazi al-Saqa and Hisham Khadr.
I do not remember writing a foreword to that fictitious book, which has no truth to it. Likewise, I recalled the meetings I had with the lecturer Dr. Abd al-Wahab al-Masiri, who specializes in Jewish studies and relevant subjects, and the long, extensive evidence he presented to prove that the document, or the book, has no truth to it; and I have for long believed that the book is devoid of truth.
I asked myself, "Am I becoming amnesic all of a sudden? Could I have written such a foreword to this book and forgotten about it? And what did I say in it? Did I criticize the book and dismiss it, as is etched in my memory?"
Well, I started reading the foreword, and was surprised at how poorly-written it was, surprised by the weak arguments and citations, which cannot be attributed to me. What is more, it is inconceivable that I should use such statements, for I am no expert on the Torah to be quoting such things from it, and it is not my custom to seek the aid of the residents of the world, as written on page 13 by the deceitful author of the foreword, "O residents of the world, these are the Jews, be sure to notice: they are a people cursed by Allah, their Maker. They help the corruptors corrupt the land and the wicked spread wickedness in the world. But we Muslims want nothing from them except for them to convert to Islam, for 'If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter He will be in the ranks of those who have lost' [the Quran, Surat Aal 'Imran, verse 85.
At that point, I became aware that these were not my words and that the name Ali Gomaa, which appeared on the cover of the book, could not be mine but was probably somebody else's. Then I saw at the end of these falsehoods, on page 14: Dr. Ali Gomaa Muhammad Abd al-Wahab, Lecturer of the Sources of Islamic Law in the University of Al-Azhar.
I contacted the University of Al-Azhar, which I know well, to look for my "double", the possibility of whose existence is a billion to one; impossible odds, in light of my acquaintance with all those well versed in Islamic law in the entire world, not just in the University of Al-Azhar.
I established through my enquiries that I was being the victim of a criminal act since the year 2003, that criminal act being the illicit use of my name on those fabrications, something I did not know up until now. Well, what could those responsible be preparing for us? Why are they doing this? They only do damage; they do no good. All I can say on this occasion is: "Allah is enough for us; He is the best protector" and Allah and His Messenger are enough to protect me.
I sent a legal warning to the publishing house, demanding it to immediately remove the foreword from the books it has, and not publish it again in that book or in any other book which includes the foreword attributed to me, without my knowledge. I would also like to note that each foreword that I write bears my signature and stamp and is written on documents bearing my name, in Arabic and in English. After assuming the mantle of the Grand Mufti, I also added the emblem of Dar al-Ifta' [the official institution responsible for issuing binding religious edicts] and its official seal. Therefore, that foreword, of which I knew nothing until now, and into which I am trying to inquire, is a false one.
All this reminds me of Abd al-Wahab al-Sha'arani's old complaint about the falsification of some of his books by some ill-wishers. I also remembered what Imam Al-Suyuti had to say about that, particularly in his book Al-Tahadduth bi-Ni'mat Allah [Glorifying Allah's Virtues]. I also remembered the words of [other Islamic] religious scholars about attributing words to a person who did not say them, likening it to attributing a child to another father. It seems that these religious scholars imply that such acts can be described as "a criminal act of intellectual prostitution", for "we belong to Allah and it is to Allah that we return."
Perhaps the words of Allah can be of some consolation in light of the disaster that has afflicted us, "And those who do not give false testimony, even when they pass by idle talk, they pass by with dignity"--[Surat Al-Furqan, verse 72]. Indeed, the Prophet attributed considerable importance to this criminal act of false testimony. Al-Bukhari [one of the authorized collectors of Prophet Muhammad's sayings] quotes the prophet as telling his companions, "Do you want me to tell you what the three greatest wrongs are?" They answered, "Indeed, O Prophet of Allah." Then he answered, "Idolatry, disobeying one's parents"--he said that while leaning, and then he sat up straight and continued, "and telling fabrications." [The storyteller of that tradition] said: He [Prophet Muhammad] repeated those things over and over again, until we said: "We wish he would be silent."
The Prophet considered lying in public to be one of the future signs of corruption which herald the Day of Judgment. He was quoted as saying that among the signs of the Day of Judgment are the breaking up of family relations and perjury in public. (Quoted by Al-Hakem, in his book Al-Mustadrak).
As the poet says:
So many wretched people spread lies
For they dread no God and fear no shame
So eager are they to kill innocent lives
They embrace none but evil and sins.