Islam - A Religion of Terror ?
Invitation to Islam, Issue 5, October 1998
Jerusalem
. A suicide bomber launches
himself into a bus full of women and children in Tel Aviv. Foreign tourists get
massacred at a holiday resort in
Exploding the myth
One of the many short comings which has arisen in the West, is judging Islam by
the conduct of a minority of its people. By doing this, segments of Western
society have deliberately played off the desperate actions of many Muslims, and
have given it the name of Islam. Such behaviour is clearly not objective and
seeks to distort the reality of Islam. For if such a thing was done - judge a
religion by the conduct of its people - then we too could say that all
Christianity is about is child molesting and homosexuality [1] whilst Hinduism
was all about looting and breaking up mosques [2]. Generalising in such a manner
is not seen as being objective, yet we find that the Western world is foremost
in propagating this outlook on Islam. So what is the reality of Islam? How does
one dispel the myths which have been created and spread so viciously? The only
way to examine Islam is to simply examine its belief system. Look at its sources,
the Qur'an and Sunna, and see what they have to say. This is the way to find the
truth about what Islam says about terror, terrorism and terrorists. One who is
sincerely searching for the truth, will do it no other way. The very name Islam
comes from the Arabic root word 'salama' which means peace. Islam is a religion
which is based upon achieving peace through the submission to the will of Allah.
Thus, by this very simple linguistic definition, one can ascertain as to what
the nature of this religion is. If such a religion is based on the notion of
peace, then how is it that so many acts done by its adherents are contrary to
peace? The answer is simple. Such actions, if not sanctioned by the religion,
have no place with it. They are not Islamic and should not be thought of as
Islamic.
Jihad
The word jihad sends shivers down the spines of many Westerners. They readily
equate this term with violence and oppression. However, it must be said that the
meaning of jihad, as a 'holy war', is something which is totally foreign and not
from Islam. If anything, such a description belongs more so to Christianity and
its adherents. It was terms like this which were used to justify the slaughter
and pillage of towns and cities during the crusades by the Christians. By simply
looking into the sources of Islam, one is able to know that the true meaning of
jihad is to strive/make effort in the way of Allah. Thus striving in the way of
Allah can be both peaceful and physical. The Prophet Muhammed (saws) said:
"The
best jihad is (by) the one who strives against his own self for Allah, The
Mighty and Majestic"
[3]
In
the Qur'an, Allah also says:
"So
obey not the disbelievers, but make a great jihad (effort) against them (by
preaching) with it (the Qur'an)"
(Surah Al-Furqan
25:52)
By
controlling and fighting against ones desires, the Muslims can then also
physically exert themselves in the path of Allah. It is this physical or
combative jihad which receives so much criticism. Because of the sheer ignorance
of this type of jihad Islam is regarded as terror, and Muslims are regarded as
terrorists. However, the very purpose of this physical jihad is to raise the
word of Allah uppermost. By doing this, it liberates and emancipates all those
who are crying out for freedom all over the world. If the likes of the pacifists
of this world had their way, then the world would indeed be full of anarchy and
mischief. The combative jihad seeks to correct this as Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And
if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the Earth would be
full of mischief. But Allah is full of bounty to the worlds"
(Surah Al-Baqarah
2:251)
Such
would be the corruption on this Earth if there had never been a combative jihad
that Allah says:
"For
had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another,
monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is
mentioned much, would surely have been pulled down. Indeed Allah will help those
who help His (cause). Truly Allah is All strong, All mighty"
(Surah Al-Hajj
This
combative jihad being both defensive and offensive, is something which is
commanded by Allah upon the Muslims. Through this command the oppressed and weak
are rescued from the tyranny of the world:
"And
what is the matter with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for
those weak, ill treated and oppressed among men, women and children whose only
cry is; 'Our Lord, rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors and
raise for us from you one who will protect and raise for us from you one who
will help"
(Surah An-Nisa 4:75)
Anyone
who knows the early history of Islam, will know that all those nations and
empires which came under the fold of Islam were indeed previously oppressed.
When the companions of the Prophet Muhammed (saws) went out for the offensive
jihad against the Egyptians, the Persians and the Romans, we find that the
people did not resist against them at all. Rather, they accepted Islam on such a
scale, that it is inconceivable that the jihad of Islam could be anything other
then a liberation for these people; a liberation from centuries of tyranny. In
fact, with the Byzantine Egyptians and the people of
"�
when it is said to them; 'Make not mischief on the Earth', they say; 'We are
only peace makers'. Indeed they are the ones who make mischief, but they
perceive it not"
(Surah Al-Baqarah
The
hypocrisy of the West is indeed astounding.
By looking at the rules and regulations of this combative jihad it will be clear
to any sincere person that this is indeed the religion of truth. When fighting
an unjust enemy, no matter how unjust they are, it is forbidden by Islam that
their retreating forces are mutilated, tortured or slaughtered. The treacherous
violation of treaties and carrying out assassinations after a cease fire, are
also prohibited. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And fight in the way of Allah those who fight
you. But do not transgress the limits. Truly Allah loves not the
transgressors"
(Surah Al-Baqarah
2:190)
Not
transgressing the limits means not to kill women and children, for the Messenger
of Allah (saws) "forbade the killing of women and children" [5]. Not
transgressing the limits means that the elderly, the sick, monks, worshippers
and hired labourers are not attacked. Not transgressing the limits means not
killing animals wantonly, burning crops and vegetation, polluting waters and
destroying homes, monasteries, churches and synagogues:
"Allah
does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against
you on account of religion, nor drove you out of your homes. Indeed, Allah loves
those who deal with equity"
(Surah Al-Mumtahinah
60:8)
After
reading such passages from the Qur'an and knowing about what Islam commands and
prohibits in jihad, the rules of warfare are given a new meaning; a meaning of
justice. How sad it is then, that whilst Islam is condemned for striking terror
into the hearts of the people, the likes of the Serbs, the Indian army in
So what about suicide bombing, is this too a part of jihad in Allah's path? From
what has already been stated above, it can be deduced that this is not from the
religion. However, unfortunately many Muslims have taken suicide bombing as
being a virtuous act by which one receives reward. This could not be further
from the truth. The Prophet (saws) said: "Those who go to extremes are
destroyed" [6]. Suicide bombing is undoubtedly an extremity which has
reached the ranks of the Muslims. In the rules of warfare, we find no sanction
for such an act from the behaviour and words of the Prophet Muhammed (saws) and
his companions. Unfortunately, today (some misguided) Muslims believe that such
acts are paving the way for an Islamic revival and a return to the rule of
Islam's glorious law. However, we fail to bear in mind that the Prophet (saws)
said:
"Do
not be delighted by the action of anyone, until you see how he ends up"
[7]
So,
for example what is the end of a suicide bomber in
"He
who kills himself with anything, Allah will torment him with that in the fire of
Hell" [8]
Some
are under the misconception that by killing oneself for an Islamic cause, one
commits an act which deserves
"A
person performs the deeds which to the people appears to be the deeds befitting
the dweller of
The
taking of ones life which Allah has given as a trust to the human, is a great
sin. Likewise the taking of other lives (which is so often the case with suicide
bombing) is also forbidden, as human life is indeed precious:
"...If
anyone killed a person not in retaliation for murder or to spread mischief in
the land, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind. And (likewise) if
anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole of mankind"
(Surah Al-Maaida
Thus,
all other types of extremities such as hostage taking, hijacking and planting
bombs in public places, are clearly forbidden in Islam.
The Media
By going through the teachings of Islam, it is clear that such a religion has
only come to benefit mankind - not to destroy it. So why is there so much hatred
for this noble religion in the West? The answer is simple, the media. It is the
Jewish influenced media of the West which has portrayed Islam to be something
that it is not. During the 70's and 80's when the PLO (Palestine Liberation
Organisation) were carrying out daring highjacks on the worlds airways, the
media in the West portrayed it as being Islamic. When the Shi'ite suicide
bombers of the 80's were causing so much havoc in the
"They
intend to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will complete
His light even though the disbelievers hate (it)"
(Surah As-Saff 61:8)
Whilst
trying to destroy Islam through this instrument of the media, the Jews clearly
try to portray an image of themselves as being the oppressed people. Every year,
we are reminded as to how many Jews perished under the Nazis in World War II. We
are made to feel sorry for these same people who have gone on to commit so many
crimes upon the Palestinian people. Some may say that this is a racist and
biased viewpoint. But we say; If this media was not run and orchestrated by the
Jews and was truly neutral, then why are Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, two
former Israeli prime ministers, not held aloft as being terrorists? Anyone who
knows about the history of the Palestinian occupation will tell you that these
two men were members of the Stern Gang and Irgun, two notorious Jewish terror
groups who killed many innocent people [13]. If this media was truly impartial,
then why does it not tell about the extent of the Israeli bombardment and
illegal occupation of
With such immense pressure against it, it is indeed a blessing from Allah that
Islam goes from strength to strength. It continues to grow faster then any other
religion in the Western world, conquering the hearts and minds of thousands. All
this should not even surprise us though, for Allah has promised us that this
religion will prevail:
"It
is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, so
that He may make it victorious over all other religions, even though the
disbelievers detest it"
(Surah As-Saff 61:9)
It
is a must that humanity comes towards the religion of Islam. Without it, we will
continue to slip down the road of inequity and darkness. With it we can
establish a society of justice and peace. Religion of terror? ... no. The way
forward? ... yes.
"There
is no compulsion in religion. The right path has indeed become distinct from the
wrong. So whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah, then he has
grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All
Hearing, All Knowing"
(Surah Al-Baqarah
2:256)
Footnotes
[1]
By using the many cases of child abuse and homosexuality by priests, Such a
generalisation about Christianity could be made
[2] By using the incident of the destruction of the Babri mosque in Ayodya,
India in December 1992 by Hindu zealots, such generalisations could be made
about Hinduism
[3] Authentic - Reported by At-Tabaranee
[4] Years of sexual liaison with a White House aide, Monica Lewinski, has been
proved against Mr Clinton. Since this time, a number of other women have also
claimed that they have had affairs with the president. And this is the same man
who propagates family values and to whom millions look up to!
[5] Reported by Bukhari - Eng. Trans, Vol.4, p. 160, No. 258
[6] Authentic - Reported by Ahmed
[7] Authentic - Reported by Ahmed
[8] Reported by Muslim - Eng. Trans, Vol. 1, p.62, No.203
[9] Reported by Muslim - Eng. Trans, Vol. 1, p.64, No.206
[10] The beliefs which are contained in the books of the Shi'ites places them
outside of the fold of Islam generally. However, upon the individual Shi'ite,
the proofs need to be established before one can say that he or she is a
disbeliever
[11] This newspaper no longer exists
[12] It is strange indeed that whilst the Western media criticises Islamic law
for being barbaric and harsh, not a word is said about the fact that McVeigh too
will be executed just as someone would in an Islamic state
[13] These two groups killed Arabs, Jews and the British. They are accredited
with the massacre at the village of Deir Yassin, in which many innocent people
were butchered
[14] Despite the fact that the UN has even made a resolution against Israel for
this illegal occupation, no 'democratic peace loving nation' (like the USA!) has
bothered to implement it
