The fatwa — a formal message — issued by an association of North American Islamic scholars last week is welcome clarification in the ongoing battle to fight terrorism.

Not only does it clearly state Islam denounces the terrorism that killed more than 3,000 people in the 9/11 attacks, but it helps clarify the societal debate for non-Muslims tempted to jump to conclusions. Almost four years after the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and a month after the four London bombings that killed dozens, the enemy in the war on terrorism still remains murky. It is too easy to define the enemy by what we know about the culprits: the 9/11 attackers and the London bombers all are Muslim men.

"There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram — or forbidden — and those who commit these barbaric attacks are criminals not 'martyrs.' ." Fiqh Council of North America

But they are more than that. They are fundamentalist radicals, an aberration, but a formidable one. They do not represent Muslims in general. That has been the consistent message of many American Muslims and Islamic scholars.

Last week, the Fiqh Council of North America issued a ruling formalizing that view. The fatwa carries the weight of an opinion issued by a recognized religious authority. The ruling reads, in part:

"Islam strictly condemns religious extremism and the use of violence against innocent lives. There is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism. Targeting civilians' life and property through suicide bombings or any other method of attack is haram — or forbidden — and those who commit these barbaric attacks are criminals not 'martyrs.' "

The fatwa further forbids Muslims from cooperating with terrorists and affirms it is their duty to cooperate with law enforcement to protect innocent civilians. As of Thursday, 163 imams, mosques and Muslim organizations endorsed the fatwa.

This is not a new position for the council, or most Muslims. It follows a similar ruling by the Muslim Council of Britain. But it is an important and responsible affirmation of their faith's principles, which have been obscured by the terrorists who insist they are something different.