What is Islam?
What does Islam say about Terrorism?
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.
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