Haram to try to topple Muslim gov't, says Mecca cleric

A member of the Masjidil Haram fatwa council has said that it is forbidden in Islam (haram) for Muslims to support groups that intend to oust a Muslim country's government.

Utusan Malaysia today quoted Sulaiman Saloomi (right) as saying that demonstrations are forbidden even if the leadership had gone against Islamic teachings, and that the leader should be "advised" instead. 

Sulaiman, who serves at the mosque that surrounds the holy Ka'abah in Mecca, reportedly said that toppling a Muslim government was wrong, especially if the replacement brought greater danger to society. 

Utusan quoted Sulaiman as citing the Prophet Muhammad while speaking in Kuala Terengganu on the topic of Islamic unity and saying that those who tried to divide Muslims should be killed. 

The prophet was narrated by the authority of 'Arfaja to have said: "Different evils will make their appearance in the near future.

"Anyone who tries to disrupt the affairs of this ummah (Muslim community) while they are united, you should strike him with the sword whoever he be. (If remonstrance does not prevail with him and he does not desist from his disruptive activities, he is to be killed.)"