Praise be to Allah. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, Companions, and whoever follows his guidance.
"Al-Musawwir" magazine has published in its issue No. 2166 on Friday April 15, 1966 A.D./1385 A.H., page 15 under the title:
The imported principles by Ahmad Baha' Al-Din
News from Saudi Arabia declares that the vice president of the Islamic University there published an article two months ago in all newspapers in which he deemed lawful to kill anyone who says that the earth is round or that the earth circulates around the Sun and not the opposite. To announce such an opinion in 1966, seems bizarre, especially in the age of space. The holder of that opinion has only one merit counted for him; that this opinion seems to be reasonable in light of the thoughts and opinions spreading in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia nowadays. The rulers of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have nothing to worry about but the imported ideologies and ideas. They only call for Islamic Alliance on the claim of guarding Muslims against the danger of the extrinsic ideas, while, for sure, they intend Socialism. They do not bother themselves to study the concept of Socialism or Social Equity; rather, they adamantly refuse it on the grounds of being imported...and so on. (End quote.)
In reply to this, I say that this is a great lie; for the article referred to by the author was published and read by all in all local newspaper in Ramadan 1385 A.H. and there were no mention of the earth's roundness or that it is lawful to kill whoever holds this. The quotation I cited from the speech of the great scholar Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to him) includes proof that the earth is round. Thus, how on earth could Ahmad Baha' Al-Din or those who have transmitted this news to him propagate such falsehood and attribute it to an article that was published and read by people everywhere, may Allah be Glorified. I wonder how brazen-faced is that slanderer! However, there is no wonder that such a lie is being woven by an advocate of apostasy and destructive ideologies. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says:
It is only those who believe not in the Ayât (proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) of Allâh, who fabricate falsehood, and it is they who are liars.
Three are the signs of a hypocrite: when they speak they tell lies, when they promise they do not fulfill, and when they are entrusted they betray
I only deemed it lawful to kill whoever claims that the Sun is static and refuses to repent of this after clarification. This is because denying the circulation of the Sun includes disavowal to Allah (Glorified be He), His Great Book, and His Honorable Messenger. It is well established in the Din (religion of Islam) by way of decisive evidence and Ijma` (consensus) of scholars that whoever refutes Allah, His Messenger or His Book is Kafir (disbeliever) and their blood and wealth become violable, except if they repent (of this), otherwise they must be killed. Thanks to Allah that this issue is not debatable among scholars.
As regards the author's saying: "To announce such an opinion in 1966, seems bizarre, especially in the age of space...and so on." I say that undoubtedly, spreading Al-Haqq (Truth) in this age and calling people to it has become bizarre at a time when Islam is suffering from desolation;
callers to truth are a few while tempters of falsehood are so many. This goes in line with what our Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) told us in the Sahih (authentic) Hadith:
Islam began as something strange and will be back strange as it began so give glad tidings to the strangers.
It was said: "O Messenger of Allah! Who are the strangers? He replied: Those who perform righteous deeds when others make mischief.
Those who mend what others have ruined of my Sunnah.
Accordingly, this honorable Hadith makes it clear to men of understanding that calling to Al-Haqq (the Truth) and refuting falsehood woven by people when Islam is strange is the core of "reform" which the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged and praised those who undertake it. It is also apparent in this great Hadith that people of Haqq must exert great effort therein to clarify the rulings of Islam, call to it, spread virtue, and prohibit vice. They should set themselves aright to be of those who abide by righteousness when people are depraved and fix them when they are perverted. Allah (Glorified be He) is the One Who grants success.
As for the criticism the author made of those who oppose the imported ideologies and ideas