[The Article below was taken from the Saudi Gazette, an English speaking daily newspaper distributed in Saudi Arabia.  Twice a week the newspaper publishes a section called "Questions of Faith".  This section answers readers questions concerning Islam; the answers are provide by Islamic clerics and scholars.  Some of our most entertaining reading comes from this section not only because of some of the questions that are asked, but the answers that follow.  Unfortunately, the article below indicates that the hard-line attitude towards Freemasonry and its supposed linking to the Zionist movement has not changed since the 1970's.  (Reads like James Holly answered it.)
                                  Bro. Jerry McKissack, MPS]


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CURSE OF FREEMASONRY

Reprinted from the Saudi Gazette, Jan. 13, 1995, "Questions of Faith".

PLEASE shed some light on the organization called Freemasonry.   Is it permissible for a Muslim to belong to it or not.
Name withheld, Jeddah

	Our reality in the Islamic world is undoubtedly painful; a word can hardly describe it and a pen cannot sketch its features.  This an incontestable and indisputable truth.
	We nowadays harvest the fruits of colocynth which had been planted in the Islamic society by the enemies of Allah and the enemies of Islam and the Muslims.
	The first step on the road to consciousness and awakening is embodied in the awakening of the inadvertent among us so that they awaken from their deep slumber.  This will not be accomplished unless we unearth the poisonous seeds which the sinful hands have planted, the rancorous hearts have nurtured with the blood of cunning, deception, error and misguidance.
	One of those seeds is Freemasonry, which many of the prominent personalities of the Islamic world have adopted, because it has a veil woven of humanity, brotherhood, cooperation, freedom and virtue with which it conceals its Satanic face and the poison, disbelief and heresy which it radiates.
	Not enough has been written about Freemasonry.  But one such book is Freemasonry, by Muhammad Safwat al-Saqqa Amini and Sa'di Abu Habib.  In this book is contained the decision of the Islamic Jurisprudence College, which we reproduce hereunder.
	This Fiqh decision by eminent scholars answers your question.
	"The College of Islamic Jurisprudence, in its session convened at Makkah on 15th July 1978, examined the issue of Freemasonry, of those affiliated with it and the legal Islamic judgment on it, after adequate study of this dangerous organisation, and the boy of literature on it, inclusive of the College's own published documents, books, and newspaper and journal articles.
	From the totality of writings and texts which the College examined, the following was evinced:
	(1) Freemasonry is a clandestine organisation, which hides as well as reveals it operations as it sees fit.  Its true principles are guarded from all but its most venerated masters, who have, by virtue of their consecration at Freemasonry's highest order degrees, proven worth of this honour.
	(2) It establishes the relation of its members one to another, in all places of the earth, as is the alleged human brotherhood among all entrants in its organisation, without discrimination as to race, religion, and creed.  Such overt misrepresentation of "fraternity" is simple-minded, at best.
	(3)  It attracts persons whose affiliation is practicable for the organisation; its allure is largely of a personally lucrative nature for the individuals sought.  The high-minded principles of  this recruitment entail; pledged assistance to any Freemasonic brother the world over; firm support of any Freemasonic candidacy to public office; and unconditional loyalty in all Freemasonic endeavors, even in those where the individual must compromise his sense of honour, justice, truth and right.  Such lofty appeals often amass considerable financial contributions.
	(4) Admission to Freemasonry is based on the celebration of the new member's affiliation through symbolic and awe-inspiring ceremonies which serve to frighten the initiate if he is at variance with the instructions; the more threatening orders are issued successively with rank.
	(5)  Gullible members are left free in the exercise of their religious beliefs; if they do not choose to benefit from the directives of guidance and the assignment of task appropriate to their status ( they remain in lower degrees.
	As to the heretics, rank is calibrated in relation to individual experience and mastery, as well as demonstrated readiness to serve Freemasonry's purposes, principles, and plans.
	(6)  It has political aims, and in most political and military upheavals, it has a visible, as well as an invisible, role.
	(7)  Its original organisational roots are Jewish; its secret global high administration, Jewish; and its activity, Zionist.
	(8)	In its secret real aims, it is against all religions: in general it seeks to destroy Islam for its Muslim adherents.
	(9)	It strives to select its membership from among positions of influence - financial, political, social or scientific status  ( and to draw to its ranks kings, presidents and ministers, as tools to be manipulated in the forging of its dogma.
	(10)	It has branches which adopt other names to thus misrepresent and divert attention away from activities which encounter resistance to the name of Freemasonry.  Among the most conspicuous branches operating under pseudonym are the Lions and Rotary Clubs; many, under multiple guise, similarly contradict the fundamentals of Islam.
	It has become evident to the College of Islamic Jurisprudence the strong relation of Freemasonry to world Zionist Jewry.  Thus it has been able to dominate many officials in the Arab countries concerning the question of Palestine, and to interfere in the Palestine question on behalf of the Jews and world Zionism.
	Therefore, and for the detailed data on Freemasonry's activity, its considerable danger, its wicked dressing and its cunning aims, the College of Islamic Jurisprudence considers Freemasonry one of the most dangerously destructive organisations to Islam and to Muslims.
	Whoever would associate himself with it while in knowledge of its true nature and aims, would be a non-believer in Islam and uncounted among its adherents."

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I've done my own study of the Koran (or Quran) and find quite a number of verses that apply to Freemasonry and its tenents.  The following are but a few.


HOLY QURAN
Verses with Masonic Applications

'May God guide me and bring me nearer to the Truth.'  (The Cave; 18:25)

His light is found in temples which God has sanctioned to be built for the remembrance of His name.  (Light 24:35)

To God belongs the East and the West.  Whichever way you turn there is the face of God.  He is omnipresent and all knowing.  (The Cow 2:115)

Give full measure when you measure, and weigh with even scales.  (The Night Journey 17:35)

You shall bequeath your widows a year's maintenance without causing them to leave their homes (The Cow 2:241)



