Islam and Terrorism
In
the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and
peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
Asalam-o-Alikum;
In
the first place, we would like to stress that the study of world history would
show that Islam and terrorism are extreme opposites. There is no meeting point
between Islam and terrorism as practiced by terrorist groups in different parts
of the world. Terrorism involves the indiscriminate use of force to achieve
certain objectives. Whereas, the basis of national and international relations
in Islam is peace and not war as falsely claimed by some
people.
In Islam, the use of force is allowed only in special situations, particularly
when the Muslim community is threatened by hostile forces. This is natural and
logical for any other community indeed. Then again, the use of force in a
campaign of Jihad is determined by the leader of the Muslim community in a very
orderly way.
For a detailed discussion on the Islam’s stance on terrorism, we would like to
cite for you the following:
“One of the distinctive characteristics of the times we live in is the
overwhelming presence of violence in our societies. Whether it is a bomb going
off in a market place, or the hijacking of an aircraft where innocent people are
held at ransom to achieve political ends, we live in an age, where the
manipulation and loss of innocent lives has become commonplace.
Such is the all-pervasive nature of indiscriminate violence, that
“terrorism” is considered as one of the prime threats to peace and security
in our societies.
The word “terrorism” came into wide usage only a few decades ago. One of the
unfortunate results of this new terminology is that it limits the definition of
terrorism to that perpetrated by small groups or individuals. Terrorism, in
fact, spans the entire world, and manifests itself in various forms. Its
perpetrators do not fit any stereotype. Those who hold human lives cheap, and
have the power to expend human lives, appear at different levels in our
societies. The frustrated employee who kills his colleagues in cold-blood is a
terrorist who provokes our anger and revulsion. Ironically however, the
politician who uses age-old ethnic animosities between peoples to consolidate
his position, the head of state who orders “carpet bombing” of entire
cities, the exalted councils that choke millions of civilians to death by
wielding the insidious weapon of sanctions, are rarely punished for their crimes
against humanity.
It is this narrow definition of terrorism that implicates only individuals and
groups, that has caused Muslims to be associated with acts of destruction and
terror, and as a result, to become victims of hate violence and terror
themselves. Sometimes the religion of Islam is held responsible for the acts of
a handful of Muslims, and often for the acts of non-Muslims!
Could it be possible that Islam, whose light ended the Dark Ages in Europe, now
propound the advent of an age of terror? Could a faith that has over 1.2 billion
followers the world over, and over 7 millions in America, actually advocate the
killing and maiming of innocent people? Could Islam, whose name itself stands
for “peace” and “submission to God”, encourage its adherents to work for
death and destruction?
For too long, have we relied on popular images in the media and in Hollywood
films, for answers to these pertinent questions. It is now time to look at the
sources of Islam, and its history to determine whether Islam does indeed
advocate violence.
The Sanctity of Human Life
The Glorious Qur’an says: “…take not life, which God hath made
sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may
learn wisdom.” (Al-An`am: 151)
Islam considers all life forms as sacred. However, the sanctity of human life is
accorded a special place. The first and the foremost basic right of a human
being is the right to live. Allah says in the Qur’an says: “… if
any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the
land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life,
it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (Al-Ma’idah:
32)
Such is the value of a single human life, that the Qur’an equates the taking
of even one human life unjustly, with killing all of humanity. Thus, the
Qur’an prohibits homicide in clear terms. The taking of a criminal’s life by
the state in order to administer justice is required to uphold the rule of law,
and the peace and security of the society. Only a proper and competent court can
decide whether an individual has forfeited his right to life by disregarding the
right to life and peace of other human beings.
The Ethics of War
Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins that one deals with the enemy nobly in the
battlefield. Islam has drawn a clear line of distinction between the combatants
and the non-combatants of the enemy country. As far as the non-combatant
population is concerned such as women, children, the old and the infirm, etc.,
the instructions of the Prophet are as follows: "Do not kill any
old person, any child or any woman.” (Reported by Abu Dawud) "Do
not kill the monks in monasteries" (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal)
During a war, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) saw the corpse of a
woman lying on the ground and observed: "She was not fighting. How
then she came to be killed?" Thus non-combatants are guaranteed
security of life even if their state is at war with an Islamic state.
Jihad
While Islam in general is misunderstood in the western world, perhaps no other
Islamic term evokes such strong reactions as the word ‘Jihad’. The term
‘Jihad’ has been much abused, to conjure up bizarre images of violent
Muslims, forcing people to submit at the point of the sword. This myth was
perpetuated throughout the centuries of mistrust during and after the Crusades.
Unfortunately, it survives to this day.
The word Jihad comes from the root word iahada, which means to struggle.
So Jihad is literally an act of struggling. Jihad primarily refers to the inner
struggle of being a person of virtue and submission to God in all aspects of
life.
Secondarily, Jihad refers to struggle against injustice. Islam, like many other
religions, allows for armed self-defense, or retribution against tyranny,
exploitation, and oppression. The Glorious Qur’an says: “And why
should ye not fight in the cause of God and of those who, being weak, are
ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is: ‘Our
Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us
from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will
help!" (Aal-`Imran: 75)
Thus Islam enjoins upon its believers to strive their utmost in purifying
themselves, as well as in establishing peace and justice in the society. A
Muslim can never be at rest when he sees injustice and oppression around him. As
Martin Luther King Jr. said: “We will have to repent in this generation not
merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling
silence of the good people.”
Islam enjoins upon all Muslims to work actively to maintain the balance in which
God created everything. However, regardless of how legitimate the cause may be,
the Glorious Qur’an never condones the killing of innocent people. Terrorizing
the civilian population can never be termed as Jihad, and can never be
reconciled with the teachings of Islam.
History of Tolerance
Even Western scholars have repudiated the myth of Muslims coercing others to
convert. The great historian De Lacy O'Leary wrote: "History makes it
clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims, sweeping through the world
and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most
fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.” (Islam At
Crossroads, London, 1923, page 8)
Muslims ruled Spain for roughly 800 years. During this time, and up until they
were finally forced out, the non-Muslims there were alive and flourishing.
Additionally, Christian and Jewish minorities have survived in the Muslim lands
of the Middle East for centuries. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine,
Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all have significant Christian and/or Jewish
populations.
This is not surprising to a Muslim, for his faith prohibits him from forcing
others to see his point of view. The Glorious Qur’an says: “Let
there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever
rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold,
that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.” (Al-Baqarah:
256)
Islam: The Great Unifier
Far from being a militant dogma, Islam is a way of life that transcends race and
ethnicity. The Qur’an repeatedly reminds us of our common origin: “O
mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made
you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may
despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he
who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well
acquainted (with all things).” (Al-Hujrat: 13)
Thus, it is the universality of its teachings that makes Islam the fastest
growing religion in the world. In a world full of conflicts and deep schisms
between human beings, a world that is threatened with terrorism, perpetrated by
individuals and states, Islam is a beacon of light that offers hope for the
future.”
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the light of the above, it becomes crystal clear that Islam, the true religion
of Allah, doesn’t permit aggression, violence, injustice, or oppression. At
the same time, it calls to morality, justice, tolerance, and peace.