Terrorism: What's Islam got to do with it?
TERRORISM aims to spread fear in society by killing innocent people, and threatens peace and security in an individual's life, societies, as well as countries around the globe.
In 1794, Robespierre, who carried out the French revolution, first used terrorism by sending thousands of people to guillotines. From 1870, the racist Ku Klux Klan (KKK) in the United States ruthlessly used terrorism to oppress African Americans and other religious, social or ethnic groups. Racist terrorism came to Nazi Germany in the 1930s. The Nazis implemented a bloody policy of terror against all those who they thought was opposed to their ideology, beginning with Jews. Some new organisations were formed that encouraged terrorism and justified it to draw strength for their political mission.
Some deviated individuals and groups have adopted the method of destruction just to achieve political motives by using the name of the great religion of Islam, thereby blackening Islam in the eyes of many people. They might have Muslim identity, but this dreadful act cannot be labeled as Islamic terrorism just as it cannot be called Jewish terrorism if the perpetrators are Jewish or Christian terrorism if the perpetrators are Christian. That is because murdering innocent people in the name of religion is absolutely unacceptable. Religion preaches love, peace and mercy while terrorism is cruel and merciless, and brings bloodshed as well as misery.
There is no room for terrorism in Islam as it is stated in the Holy Quran (3:140) “God does not love wrong doers.” In another verse, those who resort to terrorism are referred to in this way (13:25) “As for those who cause corruption in the earth the curse will be upon them. They will have evil abode.” God commands all the Muslims to bring peace, harmony and brotherhood to the world. The word Islam came from the same Arabic root as the word peace. The fundamentals characteristics of Islamic morality are virtues such as love, compassion, sacrifice, tolerance, forgiveness and justice. In the Quran God orders Muslims to treat all people well and fairly. In Verse (41; 34), God tells Muslims to respond to evil with goodness.
In Islam, life is considered to be very sacred. The first and the foremost basic right of a human being is the right to live. It has been stated in the Holy Qur'an (Ch5, V.32) that if someone kills an innocent person, it would be as if he had killed the whole of mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole of mankind. The Holy Qur'an prohibits murder in clear terms. Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins that one deal kindly with the enemy 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 infirm, the instructions of the Prophet (pbuh) are as follows: “Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman. Do not kill the monks in monasteries. Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship.” Thus, in Islam non-combatants are guaranteed security of life even when their state is at war.
Terrorism in the name of Islam is not only unislamic and unholy, it is also foolish and unwise. It is foolish because those people who are committing terrorism in the name of religion to draw strength for their political purposes have turned out to be counterproductive. Every time some so-called Muslim individuals or groups commit terrorism, they not only fail to achieve any political gain but also put the lives of millions of innocent Muslims in danger and tarnish the very good image of the great religion of Islam.
So there is no justification in Islam for extremism or terrorism by targeting civilians' lives and property. The condemnation of violence is deeply rooted in true Islamic values based on the Qur'anic instructions and the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Regardless of how legitimate the cause may be, the Qur'an never condones killing of innocent people. Terrorising defenseless civilians, and the bombing and maiming of innocent men, women, and children are all detestable acts according to Islam. The misinterpretation of Islamic teachings has taken toll on the Muslims and has strengthened a misplaced perception that Islam is symbol of obscurantism, a religion of intolerance. Islamic Scholar Ibn Qayyim al Jawziyya said: “Islam is a mercy. If you see it's opposite, cruelty, then know that is not Islam. Islam is wisdom. If you see it going to foolishness and stupidity, then know that is not Islam. Islam is justice. If you see it going to oppression, then know that is not Islam.” So, a true follower of Islam must therefore stand up against all sorts of terrorism and violence; and instead propagate peace, mercy and forgiveness.
The writer teaches in the College of Business at Delaware State University, USA.
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