Double down.

Dubai Mufti reasserts fatwa on one-way trip to Mars – Khaleej Times

Once again the promoting or being involved in a one-way trip to the Red Planet was strongly condemned by the Grand Mufti of Dubai Dr Ahmed Al Haddad on Tuesday. The move has been declared as prohibited in Islam, and is a kind of annihilation for not a single rational benefit or Shariah-compliant reason. Denouncing the trip Dr Haddad called such a trip null, void, baseless, useless, unreasonable, and a rebellion against God’s rules of the universe.

The fatwa is in response to a request raised by Netherlands-based trip organiser, Mars One, for recalling a similar ruling issued by a committee under the General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowment in the UAE.

Late in April 2013, the Dutch company, invited volunteers to fly and live on Mars by 2023, but promised no return ticket because there is no technology so far that would enable a return trip from Mars to Earth. Thousands, including hundreds of Arabs applied for the first-of-its-kind adventure.

“Such a one-way expedition poses a risk to life, and can never be justified,” the committee said. “There is a possibility that an individual who travels to Mars may not be able to remain alive there, and shall be more liable to death.”

Speaking to Khaleej Times, Dr Haddad said humans do not own themselves. Rather, they are owned by Almighty Allah, the Creator who is free to manage their life and death as He wishes, and to Him is the return of all humans for judgment.

“People are not permitted to risk their life even if expecting little harm, as forbidden in verse 195/2 of the Holy Quran that says ‘And do not throw (yourselves) with your (own) hands into destruction’, and verse 29/4 ‘And do not kill yourselves (or one another). Indeed, Allah is to you ever Merciful’.”

Dr Haddad underscored that such an undeniable rule has been agreed upon by all heavenly religions and laws, and is one of the five major top priorities of all faiths.