Associating Islam with Terrorism Is Unfair Because They Are Poles Apart
By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New
Age Islam
27 August 2022
In Islamic Sources, If Combat
Is Mentioned, It Is Always in the Context of Putting an End to Oppression; So
No way to link Islam with terrorism
Main Points:
1. Islam,
a religion that upheld human rights, fostered peace and security, defined the
rights of Muslims and non-Muslims worldwide, and even acknowledged the rights
of animals, is now associated with terrorism.
2. The
media primarily emphasises the acts of terrorism committed by the so-called
Muslims, rather than stressing the peaceful teachings of Islam presented by
Muslims worldwide.
3. We
cannot exclude the potential that some Muslims may be persuaded to engage in
terrorism as a result of departing from the correct Islamic teachings.
4. Our
Ulama should carefully direct the attention of their religious services toward
this subject in order to stop terrorism that is carried out in the name of
Islam.
5. Islam
and terrorism are fundamentally opposed; so, linking them would be unfair.
6. If
there is a fundamental conflict between Islam and terrorism, you might be
questioning why it is mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah to engage in combat
with non-believers and polytheists.
7. Just
bear in mind that any time fighting is referred to in the Quran or the Sunnah,
it is always in the context of ending oppression and cruelty.
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I was still in primary school
when the World Trade Centre attack, commonly known as the 9/11 attack; suddenly
became a hot topic in news outlets and magazines. I turned to glance around
when I heard some strange noises. Everybody was using the word
"terrorism." I kept thinking about terrorism and asking myself,
"What is this terrorism?" What objectives do terrorists have? They,
who?
Since then, it has become
common knowledge that terrorism carried out under the banner of Islamic words
is referred to as “Islamic terrorism”. It is undisputed that even if a
non-Muslim commits acts of terrorism 1,000 times, they will not be regarded as
terrorist activities. But regrettably, even if a terrorist is a nominal Muslim,
when he acts terrorism and, in your and our views, does so in contravention of
Islamic teachings, others still regard it as Islamic terrorism.
It's possible that some of
those other people don't have the same level of intelligence as you and our
great scholars to clearly distinguish right from wrong. However, how can those
who harbour animosity, venom, jealousy, enmity, and hypocrisy toward Islam miss
out on such opportunities? Therefore, they do not even wait to admit that they
need to rid themselves of these negative characteristics before asserting that
Islamic terrorism is at play.
Not to speak of others, even
self-described Muslims have started referring to terrorism as “Islamic”. Among
them are certain educated people who appear to maintain Islam and terrorism on
separate fronts, as if two sizable armies were preparing for a direct
confrontation, while simultaneously calling terrorism Islamic and doing so
without any hesitation. Their current level of anxiety appears to be out of
control, which has disrupted the balance of their fair and serious nature.
If you are an Islamic scholar,
you can deliver addresses, write articles, and issue fatwas for guiding
the people. You should keep attempting to persuade people through these methods
that what is being misrepresented as terrorism committed in the name of Islam
is actually against Islamic teachings. There will inevitably be a very small
percentage of people who listen to and take you at your word. But don't stress
over it.
Even while you are aware that
those who harbour enmity, wrath, jealousy, and hypocrisy will not be able to
hear, see, or grasp the truth or give it a place in their hearts and minds
unless they rid themselves of these negative characteristics, you should
nonetheless carry out your obligation. If you persist, you will surely succeed
in persuading people that there is a deep hatred between Islam and terrorism.
But now that I have extensively
studied Islamic history, the Quran and Sunnah, I have come to understand
from the arguments that Islam promotes peace and harmony and that its true
adherents have both historically and currently set good examples of this. Is it
not odd that Islam, which established human rights, promoted peace and
security, defined the rights of Muslims and non-Muslims around the world, and
even recognized the rights of animals, is now linked to terrorism? How did it
all happen?
If you look at the truth
through the lens of history, you will discover that people who are attempting
to connect Islam with terrorism today have a long history of committing black
crimes while dressed in white. Particularly, those who accuse Islam of
supporting terrorism on a regular basis have waged more than 25000 battles
throughout the course of their 400-year history, yet they continue to label
Islam as a terrorist religion. This really shocks me!
People from all walks of life
are now familiar with the word "terrorism." This word instantly
conjures up a dreadful image in our thoughts. This concept does not stand for a
serene and happy valley, nor does it stand for any party or court; rather, it
stands for the savagery of human dignity and the sanctity of life, as well as
the blood on the streets, bomb blasts, oppression and unjustified violation of
the rights of innocent children and women and the most extreme acts of brutality
committed in Iraq, Burma, Afghanistan, Syria and Palestine. Furthermore, the
world witnessed such heart-breaking acts of brutality and compulsion first-hand
in this toxic environment of terrorism that even people with hearts as hard as
stones sobbed. Those whose hearts beat for compassion and love of humanity can
of course hear the tears of humanity through the ears of feeling.
The human mind can observe the
destruction of homes and property of people in the terrorist attacks as they
are sacrificed on a stage of death in a naked dance of brutality, as well as
the corpses withering in the blood and dust. At that point, the horrifying
picture of what actually occurred starts to emerge in people's minds: the
arrest of numerous Muslims, especially educated and pious teenagers from Muslim
and non-Muslim countries, the imprisonment in notorious prisons, and their
physical, sexual, mental, and intellectual torture. The execution of such
heinous acts and the invention of such methods of torture and humiliation
during these incidents made the globe scream for human rights and utterly
destroyed the human conscience.
In a similar vein, armed riots
by so-called Muslim terrorists, the murder of unarmed civilians, suicide
bombings of mosques, shrines, educational institutions, markets, governmental
structures, trade centres, defence training facilities, embassies, vehicles,
and other heinous, inhumane acts like bombings in public places have all become
common. By associating Islam with the indiscriminate killing of hundreds of
thousands of people and other forms of human harm, these folks continue to
misinterpret the entirety of the Islamic concept of peace and safety. Since the
perpetrators of these acts call themselves Muslims and quote Islamic
narratives, participate in Islamic rites and worship, and have an outwardly
Islamic look, they confound many simple-minded Muslims in general and the
younger generation in particular.
Additionally, rather than
emphasizing the actual peaceful teachings of Islam, or its compassionate
philosophy and behaviour, the media predominantly focuses on the acts and
episodes of terrorism and extremism perpetrated by the so-called Muslims. The
hate, condemnation, and hostility of Islam and Muslims for terrorism are not
even mentioned. As a result, Islam, extremism, and terrorism have been
adversely associated with one another. Consequently, whenever people hear the
word ‘Islam’, an image of terrorism immediately comes to mind. Due to this, the
youth of the entire Islamic world is being rocked and mentally disturbed in
terms of belief, thought, and practice, in addition to the young Muslim
generation who are highly concerned, reluctant, and apprehensive in the
non-Muslim majority countries.
The majority of Muslims today
are moving away from religious education. Therefore, it is possible that they
could become attracted to terrorism or learn to hate Islam as a result of
terrorist crimes committed in its name. Therefore, I believe that our competent
Ulama should carefully direct the attention of their religious services
toward this subject and persuade as many people as they can, using compelling
arguments in order to stop terrorism done in the name of Islam. In addition to
ending violence, it is possible to dispel the doubts of young Muslims who are
disenchanted with Islam.
The fact that I do not think
all terrorists are Muslims should be mentioned here. Anyone who has killed
humanity by their activities is a terrorist in my eyes. That killer is a
terrorist whether he is a Muslim or a non-Muslim, regardless of whether people
take a discriminatory attitude toward Muslims and non-Muslims when it comes to
naming those terrorists. However, I object to connecting terrorism with any
particular religion because no religion promotes it.
It is also a reality that
non-Muslim terrorists do not use their faith as an excuse for their crimes.
However, the tragedy of a small number of Muslims using the cover of Islam to
conduct terrorism cannot be expressed in anything except hidden pain. By doing
this, they become fierce enemies of Islam in addition to enemies of humanity.
For a Muslim, especially one who is aware of the reality of the situation, it
is difficult to communicate this anguish. But without realising this, everyone
from a few non-Muslims to some Muslims who consider themselves to be
progressive has done their best to link Islam to terrorism.
Allah has made it abundantly
clear in the Holy Qur'an that Satan is the one who instigates interpersonal
conflict between Muslims and Non-Muslims. Satan occasionally causes Muslim
rivalries to break out. On occasion, Satan stirs up sibling rivalry. Every now and then, Satan will provoke a
brawl between two non-Muslims. Satan will occasionally incite a non-Muslim to
engage in combat with a Muslim. Sometimes a country will get into a war with
another. Satan fulfils his objective by inciting conflicts between human beings
over land, property or religion. This occurs when people disobey the
illuminating teachings of their God and fail to remember that Satan is their open
enemy. When you attempt to explain Surah Israa verse 53, do you not
understand all of these things?
Allah Almighty says in this
verse:
“And tell My servants to say
that which is best. Indeed, Satan induces [dissension] among them. Indeed Satan
is ever, to mankind, a clear enemy.” (Surah Isra, 17:53)
You might be wondering why it
is stated in the Quran and Sunnah to battle the unbelievers and
polytheists if there is a fundamental clash between Islam and terrorism. I have
frequently provided the answer in my earlier writings, links to which I will
provide below. Just keep in mind that whenever fighting is mentioned in the
Quran or the Sunnah, it is always in the context of putting an end to
oppression and cruelty.
In these publications, I've
argued in-depth and provided evidence that warfare was only required to stop
persecution inflicted upon Muslims. Muslims in Arab were subjected to religious
persecution just because they had accepted Islam. Since the oppressors and
persecutors had given in to Satan's temptation and gone beyond all limits of
oppression and persecution, it was challenging for Muslims to live peacefully
on earth. Therefore, Muslims in the Arab world were forced to defend themselves
against the polytheists and disbelievers who served as the oppressors and
persecutors. So, in order to halt
religious persecution without transgressing the limits, the Muslims were urged
to battle against these oppressors.
Allah Almighty says in the
Quran, “And fight (in defence) in the cause of Allah against those who
impose war on you. (Yes,) but do not exceed limits. Surely, Allah does not like
those who exceed limits.” (2:190)
There should be no reason to
question the fact that the goal of this combat lesson was presented to
eradicate persecution and bring about justice and peace. After persecution
ended and Makkah was taken over, the Prophet (peace be upon him) set a
precedent unlike any other in human history by making peace with all of his
enemies. He did this after reaching several peace accords with non-Muslims in
Medina.
After reading this succinct
summary and the articles to which the links are provided below, it is
impossible for a fair reader to dispute that Islam and terrorism are poles
apart and that someone who truly practises Islam will never commit acts of
terrorism.
Links
to the articles that are recommended for readers:
1. 'Kill Them Wherever You Find
Them (2:191)': What Quran Actually Means By This Command?
3.
Rights
of Non-Muslims Living In Minority – Part 1 – Freedom of Religion
4.
Rights
of Non-Muslims Living In Minority – Part 2 – Protection of Their Lives
5.
Refuting
the Claim of ISIS ‘Islam Was Never for A day the Religion of Peace’
7.
The
Concept of God’s Sovereignty (Hakimiyyah): Extremist Islamists Vs Mainstream
Muslims
10.
Refuting
ISIS Concept of Caliph and Caliphate [Khalifa and Khilafah] – Part 1
12.
Debunking
ISIS Concept That Their Fatwas and Commands Are Issued By a Recognised Legal
Body – Part 3
13.
The
Jihadists' Suicide Attacks or Martyrdom Operations Strictly Forbidden in Islam
15.
What
Is The Meaning of The Quranic Verse 2:191 ‘Fitna Is Worse Than Killing’?
18.
Refutation
of Extremist Ideology Inimical to Patriotism (Hubbul Watani) is urgently
Required
19.
Terror
Attacks in a Nuclear Age – Jihad or Transgression? Global Muslim Community
Should Introspect
22.
Does
Islam Justify Rebellion Perpetrated by Modern Terrorist Groups?
23.
Islamic
Teachings of Mercy, Kindness and Compassion towards All Creations of Allah
24.
Has
the Ayat La Ikraha fid Deen (There is No Compulsion in Religion) been
Abrogated?
26.
The
Terrorist Acts of ISIS Are Categorically Forbidden—Evidences from the Quran and
Hadith
27.
Had
The Hadith Already Asked Muslims 1400 Years Ago Not To Join ISIS?
29.
ISIS:
The Knife That Slaughters Islam And Muslims
30.
Unmasking
Ideological Origins of ISIS; Refutation of Its Deviant Theology Alone Can
Defeat This Evil
31.
ISIL
Militants Killing Muslims in Iraq will Taste the Hellfire
35.
Refuting
Talibani Fatwa on Islam And Democracy: Are They Incompatible With Each Other?
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A regular Columnist with
NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar
with a Sufi background and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator.
URL: https://newageislam.com/radical-islamism-jihad/associating-islam-terrorism-radicalism/d/127812
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