Islam is not equal to Terrorism

By Zaheema Eckbaull

If anyone says he does not need the sympathy of his fellows, he is not true to himself or to humanity, for the whole structure of society rests upon sympathy among individuals. If it were not so, then society as it exists today would be impossible. Even the strongest of us requires sympathy. Our natures are certain to call for it, and if it is refused, that which is best in us becomes distorted. As unsympathetic nature is like the biting Arctic winds, but a sympathetic disposition is like the balmy breezes of the south. The survival of this universe depends upon mutual care and love of individuals towards one another.

Islam is such a religion which respects all humans and faiths as long as there is no religious oppression, forbidding Muslims from serving Allah, preventing others from learning about Islam and disrespect of treaties. Islam is a religion of mercy, unity and most importantly peace with one's self and others.

Allah said in the Quran: "If they seek peace, then seek you peace and trust in God for He is the Hearer, the Knower." (Quran 8:61)

The relations of Muslims with others are based primarily on peace, mutual respect and trust. Islam believes in Judaism and Christianity, the religions that preceded it. It believes in the same God and promotes the very same values and living in peace. The theme in the Quran is peace as long as there is no oppression or injustice that cannot be resolved by all the peaceful means available.

The religion of Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, irrespective of the cause - religious, political or social. One of the by-products of the terrorist attacks has been that more and more people are inquisitive to know about Islam.

It is known, for centuries, various acts of terrorism have been carried out in different parts of the world by different groups for a variety of purposes. Communist organizations, fascist, radical and separatist factions assume responsibility for these acts. While countries like America often became the target of attacks by racist and marginal terrorist groups, the European countries have been centre stage for violent acts carried out by terrorist groups.

RAF (Red Army Faction), Neo-Nazis in Germany , ETA in Spain , Red Brigades in Italy and many other organizations seek to make their voices heard through terror and violence by killing innocent and defenseless people. The nature of terrorism changes with changing world conditions and increases its impact and power with the new means made possible by developing technology. The barbaric and tumultuous war of Israel on Lebanon few days ago is another facet of terrorism which, we can call aggressive attacks.

Terrorist attacks are carried out by these groups in all corners of the world. Sadly, the fact that the perpetrators of various terrorist acts carry Christian, Muslim or Jewish identities cause some people to put forward claims which do not concur with divine religions. The truth is that even if terrorists have Muslim identities, the terror they perpetrate cannot be labelled "Islamic terror", just as it could not be called "Jewish terror" if the perpetrators were Jews or "Christian terror" if they were Christians. That is because; murdering innocent people in the name of a divine religion is unacceptable. We need to keep in mind that, among those who were killed in New York and Washington , there were people who loved Prophet Jesus (Christians), Prophet Moses (Jews) and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (Muslims). Unless forgiven by God, murdering innocent people is a great sin that leads to torment in Hell. No one who is religious and fears God would do such a thing.

"... and let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is next to piety; and fear Allah, for Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do." (Quran 5:8)

"But (remember that an attempt at) requiting evil may, too, become an evil: hence whoever pardons (his foe) and makes peace, his reward rests with Allah- for, verily He does not love transgressors." (Quran 42:40)

Those who kill the innocent people in the name of their religion or the name of God, who think of themselves as martyrs should think twice. Their act is strongly condemned by God in the verses of the Quran.

The Quran declares;

"... You shall not kill - GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you that you may understand." (Quran 6:151)

These people are disobeying God's commandments. Instead they blindly follow the opinion of their corrupted leaders. When they commit an act of terrorism, they are guilty of violating the basic tenants of Islam. It is not a surprise that God has not granted them victory. Quite the contrary they have been the most humiliated, defeated and oppressed people on earth. Worse, they are oppressed by their own rulers.

This being the case, it is obvious what great sins are the murders, massacres and attacks, popularly known as "suicide attacks", committed by terrorists. God informs us how this cruel face of terrorism will be punished in the hereafter in the following verse:

"There are only grounds against those who wrong people and act as tyrants in the earth without any right to do so. Such people will have a painful punishment." (Quran, 42:42)

The Muslim must even respect his adversaries. Mere brutal and barbaric fighting is condemned in Islam. During military activities, the killing must not include civilians, provided they do not attack or provoke or share directly in the war. The enemies, even when at war, must be treated justly. If victory is achieved in any war for justice, then there is to be no oppression, enslavement or injustice to the enemy or people. Nor must there be control over source of wealth of the nation or people or colonial regimes. The division of people, putting one against the other is also forbidden. Justice and freedom must be established. The cooperation and acceptance of other cultures and people is compulsory too.

"God advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed." (Quran16:90)

All these reveal that organizing acts of terror against innocent people is utterly against Islam and it is unlikely that any Muslim could ever commit such crimes. On the contrary, Muslims should be responsible for stopping the mischief makers, removing "mischief on earth" and bringing peace and security to people all over the world. Islam cannot be reconciled with terror. Just the contrary, it should be the solution to and the path to the prevention of terror.

"You shall not kill any person - for God has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. ....." (Quran 17:33)

"The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he between whom and thee there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a bosom friend. (Quran 41:34)

A Muslim is someone who abides by the commands of God, tries scrupulously to live by Quranic morality, peace and harmony, which make the world a more beautiful place and lead it to progress. His aim is to lead people to beauty, goodness and well-being.

The Quran says: “... And do good as God has been good to you. And do not seek to cause corruption in the earth. God does not love corrupters”. (Quran, 28:77)

The true justice described in the Quran commands man to behave justly, making no discrimination between people, to protect peoples' rights, not to permit violence no matter what the circumstances, to side with the oppressed against the oppressor and to help the needy. This justice calls for the rights of both parties to be protected when reaching a decision in a dispute, assessing all aspects of an incident, setting aside all prejudices, being objective, honest, tolerant, merciful and compassionate.

"O you who believe! Be upholders of justice, bearing witness for God alone, even against you or your parents and relatives. Whether they are rich or poor, God is well able to look after them. Do not follow your own desires and deviate from the truth. If you twist or turn away, God is aware of what you do." (Quran, 4:135)

If one is looking for the cause of an act of terrorism, one must look for its source in anti-religious ideologies. Religion enjoins love, compassion, forgiveness, peace and living according to high moral standards. Terrorism, on the other hand, is on the side of cruelty and violence, causing pain, bloodshed and committing murder.

This is what Islam has always been working for, and the relations of Muslims with others are primarily based on peace and confidence. Islam refuses the killing of people merely because they embrace a different faith, and it doesn't allow Muslims to fight against those who disagree with them on religious questions.

S ome people who say that something is done in the name of religion may, in fact, misunderstand that religion and as a result, practice it wrongly. For this reason, it would be wrong to form ideas about a religion by taking people as an example. The first thing that needs to be done to rid the world of the present-day scourge of terrorism is to use education to do away with deviant irreligious beliefs that are put forward in the name of religion, and to teach people true Quranic morality and fear of disobeying God.

The best way of understanding a religion is to study its divine source. This presents an opportunity for Muslims to communicate Islam in its true and accurate form. It is incumbent upon Muslims, women and men, not only to state but, more importantly, to demonstrate that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance, love, compassion and mercy. May Allah bless us all and purify our hearts from all misunderstanding, malice, hate & anger. Amen.