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What Does Islam Say about
Terrorism?
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 6: 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 5: 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 3: 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 2: 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 49: 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.
The above quotation is excerpted with
some modifications from: www.whyislam.org
In 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.
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