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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[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
