From the times in the 70's and 80's
when Pan Am and TWA aeroplanes would be
highjacked, to the mid 80's in war torn Lebanon where Americans and Europeans
would be held as hostages for years; all such incidents have come to be
identified with the religion of Islam. Such incidents from past and present
have undoubtedly affected Muslims worldwide and more so in the West. Any
Muslim, who wants to practice his/her religion and expresses the pious desire
to live under the banner of Islam, is labelled a fundamentalist or extremist.
Any Muslim man who walks down a busy street in London or Paris (and Paris
moreso) with a beard and a scarf on his head, is looked upon as being a
terrorist who's probably got an AK47 stashed somewhere on his person. Muslim
women who are veiled can't go anywhere in the Western world without being
taunted as being oppressed or being mad (for covering up). However, are such
beliefs and opinions about Islam really justified?
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
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 22:40)
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 Spain, the
Muslims were even beckoned to come and liberate these lands from the
oppression of their kings. This is the glorious track record of the Muslim
jihad. Compare this with the brutal track record of warfare in the Western
world over the centuries. From the crusades against the Muslims to the days of
colonial warfare, the Western world has killed, destroyed and plundered
everything which has come in its way. Even today this merciless killing goes
on by the Western nations. While claiming to be about world peace and
security, Western nations are ready to bomb innocent civilians at the drop of
a hat. The classic example of this is the recent bombings of Sudan and
Afghanistan. Whilst claiming that Sudan and Afghanistan were havens for
Islamic terrorists, the bombings of these two nations could not have come at a
better time for the American president Bill Clinton. The destruction of
innocent lives which were a result of these bombings clearly seem to have been
an attempt by Clinton to avert attention away from his sexual misdemeanours;
[4] something which he so often gets caught up in. Without doubt this was the
reason for such terror from the American military upon innocent people. This
is the same American military which claims to enter the worlds trouble spots
under the guise of being peace keepers. But
"…
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 2:11-12)
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 Kashmir and the Israeli soldiers in Palestine are left
untarnished for the atrocities they have committed in the name of warfare.
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 Palestine?, a leg here, an arm
there. Massive retaliation by the Israeli's in the West Bank and Gaza. More
Muslims killed and persecuted. How can we be delighted with such an end? What
really hammers the final nail in the coffin of this act, is that it is
suicide; something which is clearly forbidden in Islam. The Messenger of Allah
(saws) said:
"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 Paradise. Once when a man killed himself, the
Prophet (saws) said: "He is a dweller of the
Fire". When the people were surprised at this, the Prophet (saws)
said:
"A
person performs the deeds which to the people appears to be the deeds
befitting the dweller of Paradise, but he is in fact one of the dwellers of
the Fire" [9]
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 5:32)
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 Lebanon and in
the Gulf region, the media in the West portrayed it as a part of Islam.
However, it is known by the heads of the media that the likes of the PLO were
not an Islamic organisation, and that according to Islam, Shi'ites are outside
the fold of Islam [10]. Yet such facts are never portrayed by a media which
seeks to cover the truth of this religion. A number of years ago, when the
Oklahoma City bomb went off, a headline in one of the newspapers, 'Today'
[11], summed up this attitude. With a picture of a fire fighter holding a dead
child in his arms, the headline read: "In The Name of Islam" Time
has of course proven that this bigoted assumption was incorrect, as Timothy
McVeigh, a right wing radical now faces the death penalty for the crime [12].
Likewise the bombs which went off in the Paris metro in 1995, were also blamed
on Muslim fanatics. It has now emerged that the Algerian secret service who
having routinely bribed many European journalists and MPs, were actually
behind it. The desire to throw a veil over Islam is immense by these people:
"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 Southern Lebanon
and its people? [14] And if this media really had nothing against the religion
of Allah, then why does it not inform the people that every day hundreds are
entering the religion of Islam? Such things will never be highlighted in the
Western media, simply because to do so would be against their very interests.
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
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