What does Islam say about Terrorism?
…Those who make mischief in the earth: theirs is the curse and theirs
the ill abode.
{Qur’an 13:25}
"Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression." {Qur’an
5:2}.
"And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve
from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness"
{Qur’an
5:8}.
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 or the oppressed citizen
of an occupied land who vents his anger by blowing up a school bus are
terrorists who provoke 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 million 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.
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-Qur’an
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. The Glorious 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-Qur’an 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.
ETHICS OF WAR
Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins that one deals with the enemy
nobly on 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"[1].
"Do not kill the monks in monasteries" or "Do not kill the people who
are sitting in places of worship."[2] During a war, the Prophet 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 jahada, which means to struggle.
So jihad is literally an act of struggling.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that “the greatest jihad
is to struggle with the insidious suggestions of one’s own soul. Thus
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!" [Al-Qur’an 4:75]
Thus Islam enjoins upon its believers to strive utmost, in purifying
themselves, as well as in establishing peace and justice in the society.
A Muslim can never be at rest when she sees injustice and oppression
around her. 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."[3]
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-Qur’an 2:256]
ISLAM - THE GREAT UNIFIER
Far from being a militant dogma, Islam is a way of life that transcends
race and ethnicity. The Glorious 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-Qur’an 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.
Prohibitions on Terrorism,
and Exhortations to Living with Mercy, Compassion and Patience in the
Qur'an
Whosoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be as if he has killed
all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he
had saved the life of all mankind. (5:32)
Be
quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and in the race for a
garden wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous-
(the righteous are) those who spend whether in prosperity or adversity,
who restrain anger and who pardon all people. For God loves those who do
good. (3:133 –134)
Invite all to the way of your God with wisdom and beautiful preaching.
And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your
God knows best who have strayed from his path and who receive guidance.
And if you do respond to an attack, respond no worse than they did. But
if you show patience, that is indeed the best course. Be patient- for
your patience is from God . . . Indeed, God is with those who restrain
themselves and those who do good. (16:125-128)
O You
who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as
against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be
against rich or poor, for God can best protect both. Follow not the
cravings of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or
decline to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with all that you
do. (4:135)
To
those who persevere in doing good is a reward more than in measure. No
darkness nor shame shall cover their faces. They are companions of the
garden where they will live forever. But those who have earned evil will
have a reward like evil. Humiliation will cover their faces. They will
have no defender from God. (10:26-27)
The
recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree), but if
a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God,
for God does not love those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and
defend themselves after a wrong done to them, against such there is no
cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men with
wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land,
defying right and justice, for such therewill be a penalty grievous.
(42:40-43)
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[1] Narrated in the collection of traditions of Abu Dawud
[2] Narrated in the Musnad of Imam Ibn Hanbal
[3] Islam At Crossroads, London, 1923, page 8
Courtesy: Why Islam Organization