TV channels are full of news about death and destruction. Every day we hear and read about a bombing or a shooting that took the lives of an innocent people. If we pay close attention to the headlines we will notice that one theme that seems to be repeated is Islamic Terrorism. It seems that our beautiful religion is blamed for any act of terrorism that takes place in other peoples countries. For example, many Western authorities have blamed Islamic terrorists for the attacks that took place in Paris last month. As Muslims we may feel confused and upset about how we are blamed for so many of these actions. In order conquer these emotions we must first understand the Islamic point of view.
This article mainly focuses on What Islam says about terrorism. Does Islam allow terrorism and spreading of mischief in the land? How do we curb the terrorism? For this and many other misconceptions about Islam and relating the terrorism to it follow this article.
What is Islam?
Islam means, peace. It also means submission, obedience, surrender and compliance with the command and obedience of the commander without objections. Islam is the proper name of a religion that brought by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Islam is the universal religion and it is a symbol of peace. It is the religion of mercy, it revealed on the Prophet of mercy (PBUH) in order to teach the human beings all virtuous and extraordinary qualities, such as: mercy, compassion, tolerance and mutual love among the inhabitants of society. It is the name of a complete system rather than theology. The bright history of Islam has proven its universality by relating us the peaceful events of the beloved Prophet (PBUH) and his Companions by their religious tolerance. Islam guarantees the prevalence of peace globally throughout its teachings.
What is terrorism?
Terrorism is an act or acts of brutality and violence, which are committed by individuals or some groups in many countries in order to achieve their goals and objectives. They usually kill the innocent people of the society, spread terror into their hearts and destroy their private and public properties.
In other words, it is to scare the people with the help of violence. It is a deliberate and systematic use of the means of terror to achieve certain goals. It is an outrageous act of barbarism and the violation of social ethics and human dignity and respect.
What Islam says about terrorism?
Islam and its teachings have consistently condemned the terrorism in all its forms and types, totally rejected it and warned its followers of its dangers and bad consequences. Allah (SWT) says:
“If anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind,” (Al-Maidah 5:32).
Moreover, Allah (SWT) instructs the Muslims to live in peace and deal those who fought not against them on the account of religion. He (SWT) says:
“Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.” (Al-Mumtahanah 60:8).
Moreover, Islam forbids all sorts of spreading mischief on the land. Allah (SWT) says:
“And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order,” (Al-Araf 7:56).
The Sunnah of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also condemns the terrorism and killing the innocent people of the society. The Prophet (PBUH) said:
“A faithful believer remains at liberty regarding his religion unless he kills somebody unlawfully.” (Al-Bukhari 6862).
One of the evil deeds with bad consequence from which there is no escape for the one who is involved in it, is to kill someone unlawfully. The first cases to be decided among the people (on the day of Resurrection) will be those of bloodshed.
Furthermore, the Prophet (PBUH) said:
“It is not permissible for a Muslim to alarm a fellow Muslim.” (Abu Dawud 5004).
How to curb Islamic Terrorism?
The only way to curb terrorism is to spread the actual teachings of Islam, study the events that took place in the history of Islam, study the biography of the Prophet (PBUH) and to avoid the acts of violence by the name of sects.
Conclusion:
It is clear from the above-mentioned evidences and proofs that Islam does not support terrorism at all. The fact is that those who associate themselves to Islam and commit such violence – either of their ignorance or of their evil intention to defame Islam – cannot be related to Islam, because Islam totally condemns such activities and forbids them.
All terrorist acts that target innocent lives and destruction of property, must be condemned and denounced, because they damage and violate the rights of people to live and deprive them from their social rights too.
