Download The Concept of Jihad and Terrorism in Islam

ISLAM & THE CONCEPT OF JIHAD AND TERRORISM
T
he buzzword being bandied about in the Middle East today is reform, in
response to the 9/11 attacks. It has become clear that this region suffers from a
lack of both freedom and opportunity. Reform in the Muslim world is an oftheard refrain in speeches of leaders, particularly western. The world has come to
understand that given the monetary & economic obscurity in most third world and more
precisely Muslim countries today, if it chooses to sit idly by and allow the violation of
human rights and suppression of basic freedoms to continue unchecked, trouble will
ensue. The so-called Intellectuals, clergymen, and state controlled media have swayed
Muslim youth in the region that the west is the sole cause of their miseries, including
their lack of basic human rights.
Nevertheless, the demon of terrorism has reared its ugly head again. Moreover, this time
it has struck in the heart of Spain-a major member of the US-led coalition that took part
in the attack in Iraq. Conversely, Spain is not new to terrorism. It has a festering terrorism
problem-the Basque separatist movement of its own for many decades. Yet, synchronized
bomb blasts on trains at Madrid railway stations, which claimed 198 lives and left some
1400 injured is unprecedented. As expected, the outlawed ETA has been named as the
prime suspect. However, the claim of responsibility by a group in the name of Al-Qaeda
is also being explored.
Even so, for some reason, a number of people are looking into religion for answers,
specifically Islam. Many people are turning to the Holy Quran. Unfortunately, this has
led many to misapprehend a number of verses about the Islamic conduct of jihad.
In the linguistic sense, the Arabic word "jihad" means struggling or striving and applies
to any endeavor exerted by anyone. In this sense a student struggles and strives to get an
education and pass course work; an employee strives to fulfill his/her job and maintain
good relations with his/her employer; a politician strives to maintain or increase his
popularity with his constituents and so on. The term strive or struggle may be used for/by
Muslims as well non-Muslims; for example, Allah, One and Only True God says in the
Holy Qur'an: “We have enjoined on people kindness to parents; but if they strive
(jahadaka) to make you ascribe partners with Me that of which you have no knowledge,
then obey them not...” Al-Ankaboot verse 8 & Luqman verse 15.
In the above two verses of the Holy Qur'an, it is non-Muslim parents who strive (jahada)
to convert their Muslim child back to their religion.
In the West, "jihad" is generally translated as "holy war,” a usage the media has
popularized. According to Islamic teachings, it is unholy to instigate or start war;
however, some wars are inevitable and justifiable. If we translate the words "holy war"
back into Arabic we find "harbun muqaddasatun,” or for "the holy war", "al-harbu almuqaddasatu". I challenge any researcher or scholar to find the meaning of "jihad" as
holy war in the Qur'an or authentic Hadith collections or in early Islamic literature.
Unfortunately, some Muslim writers and translators of the Qur'an, the Hadith and other
Islamic literature translate the term "jihad" as "holy war,” due to the influence of
centuries-old Western propaganda. This could be a reflection of the Christian use of the
term "Holy War" to refer to the Crusades of a thousand years ago. However, the Arabic
words for "war" are "harb" or "qital,” which are found in the Qur'an and Hadith.
by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected]
For Muslims the term “jihad” applied to all forms of striving and has developed some
special meanings overtime. The sources of this development are the Qur'an (the Word of
God revealed to Prophet Muhammad
) and the Hadith (teachings of Prophet
Muhammad
). The Qur'an and the Hadith use the word "jihad" in several different
contexts, which needs further elaboration and explanation.
It is human nature, to love what is seen with the eyes and felt with the senses more than
the unseen reality. The Creator of the Universe and the One God is Allah. He is the
Unseen Reality, which we tend to ignore and not recognize. The Qur'an addresses those
who claim to be believers: “O you who believe! Choose neither your fathers nor your
brethren for protectors if they love disbelief over belief; whoever of you takes them for
protectors such are wrongdoers. Say: if your fathers, and your children, and your
brethren, and your spouses, and your tribe, and the wealth you have acquired, and
business for which you fear shrinkage, and houses you are pleased with are dearer to you
than Allah and His Messenger and striving in Hi sway: then wait till Allah brings His
command to pass. Allah does not guide disobedient folk” At-Tawba verse 23, 24.
It is indeed a struggle to put Allah ahead of our loved ones, our wealth, our worldly
ambitions, and our own lives. Especially for a non-Muslim who embraces Islam, it may
be a tough struggle due to the opposition of his family, peers, and society.
Allah says in the Qur'an:“And strive (jahidu) for Allah with the endeavor (jihadihi) which
is His right. He has chosen you and has not laid upon you in the deen (religion) any
hardship ...” Al-Hajj verse 78. “And whosoever strives (jahada), strives (yujahidu) only
for himself, for lo! Allah is altogether independent of the universe” Al-Ankaboot verse 6.
As for those who strive and struggle to live as true Muslims whose lives are made
difficult due to persecution by their opponents, they are advised to migrate to a more
peaceful and tolerant land and continue with their struggle in the cause of Allah. Allah
says in the Holy Qur'an:“Lo! As for those whom the angels take (in death) while they
wronged themselves, (the angels) will ask: in what you were engaged? They will say: we
were oppressed in the land. (The angels) will say: was not Allah's earth spacious that you
could have migrated therein? ...” An-Nisa verse 97. “Lo! Those who believe and those
who emigrate (to escape persecution) and strive (jahadu) in the way of Allah, these have
hope of Allah's mercy ...” Al-Baqara verse 218.
Under adverse conditions, it takes great courage to remain a Muslim, declare one self to
be a Muslim and call others to Islam. We read in the Holy Qur’an, “The (true) believers
are only those who believe in Allah and his messenger and afterward doubt not, but strive
with their wealth and their selves for the cause of Allah. Such are the truthful” Al-Hujjrat
verse 15.
Allah tests the believers in their faith and their steadfastness: “Or did you think that you
would enter Paradise while yet Allah knows not those of you who really strive (jahadu),
nor knows those (of you) who are steadfast” Aal-E-Imran verse142. “And surely We
shall try you with something of fear and hunger, and loss of wealth and lives and fruits;
but give glad tidings to the steadfast” Al-Baqara verse 155. When we are faced with two
competing interests, it becomes jihad to choose the right one, as the following Hadith
exemplifies.
by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected]
A man asked the Prophet Muhammad
“Should I join the jihad? He asked: Do you
have parents? The man said: Yes! The Prophet said: then strive by (serving) them! (Sahih
Al-Bukhari #5972).
Allah declares in the Holy Qur'an:“ To those against whom war is made, permission is
given (to defend themselves), because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most
Powerful to give them victory - (they are) those who have been expelled from their homes
in defiance of right - (for no cause) except that they say, 'Our Lord is Allah....”
Al-Hajj verse 39-40.
The Qur'an permits fighting to defend the religion of Islam and the Muslims. This
permission includes fighting in self-defense and for the protection of family and property.
The early Muslims fought many battles against their enemies under the leadership of the
Prophet Muhammad
or his representatives. For example, when the pagans of Qura’ish
brought armies against Prophet Muhammad
, in the battle of Badr. The Muslims
fought to defend their faith and community. However, Islamic Shari’ah laid emphasis on
the fact that extremism, violence, and terrorism have no connection whatsoever with
Islam. In fact, they are manifestations of perilous acts with dangerous consequences, and
an aggression and iniquity against the individual.
Whosoever carefully studies the two sources of the Shari'ah (Islamic
law), namely the Book of Allah [the Qur'an] and the Sunnah (Traditions) of Prophet
Muhammad
, would discover that they are devoid of any import of extremism, acts of
violence or terrorism, which imply carrying out aggression against others without a just
cause. Nevertheless, terrorism is an outrageous attack carried out either by individuals,
groups, or states against the human being (his religion, life, intellect, property, and
honor). It includes all forms of intimidation, harm, threatening, killing without just cause
and everything connected with any form of armed robbery, hence making pathways
insecure, banditry, every act of violence or threatening intended to fulfill a criminal
scheme individually or collectively, so as to terrify and horrify people by hurting them or
by exposing their lives, liberty, security or conditions to danger; it can also take the form
of inflicting damage on the environment or on a public or a private utility or exposing a
national or natural resource to danger. All these are manifestations of the mischief in the
land; Allah has prohibited Muslims from committing. Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:
"And seek not occasions for mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do
mischief" Al-Qasass verse77.
Hence, Allah did not only enact deterrent punishment against terrorism, aggression, and
corruption, but considers these acts tantamount to waging war against Allah and His
Messenger.
Allah says in the Holy Qur'an: "The punishment of those who wage war
against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through
the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides,
or exile from the land: That is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is
theirs in the hereafter” Al-Maeda verse 33.
by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected]
Obviously, in view of the enormity of such acts of aggression, viewed by the Shari'ah
(Islamic law) as an act of war against the laws and the creatures of God, there is no
stricter punishment anywhere in the manmade laws. Moreover, there are various forms of
terrorism, which include state terrorism, the most conspicuous illustration and the most
heinous are practiced in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Kashmir, & Chechnya today by the
US, Israel, India, and Russia respectively.
According to the Islamic Shari’ah, state terrorism is the most menacing to security and
peace in the world, and, therefore, standing up against it is tantamount to self-defense and
striving in the cause of Allah. In combating terrorism and protecting society against its
evil consequences, Islam is a trailblazer. Through clear-cut limitations that must not be
trespassed, Islam urges the protection of human life, honor, property, religion, and
intellect. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are; shameful
deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or
reason." Moreover, "When he turns his back, his aim everywhere is to
spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and progeny. However,
Allah loves not mischief. When it is said to him 'Fear Allah,' he is
led by arrogance to (more) crime. Enough for him is Hell - an evil
bed indeed to lie on" Al-Araf verse 33 & Al-Baqara verses 205-206
In Islam, Jihad is ordained to uphold right, repel injustice, and establish justice, peace,
security, and clemency, with which the Prophet
was sent to take humanity out of
darkness unto light. More specifically, “Jihad” as been ordained to eliminate all forms of
terrorism, and to defend the homeland against occupation, plunder, and colonialism.
Jihad is waged against those who support others in driving out people out of their homes,
as well as against those who are in breach of their covenants. Jihad is meant to avoid
tempting away Muslims from their faith or restricting their freedom to conduct peaceful
propagation of their religion. Allah said: "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who
fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and
justly with them: For Allah loveth those who are just""Allah only forbids you, with
regard
to
those
who
fight
you
for
your
faith,
and drive you out of your homes, and support others in driving you
out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them in
these circumstances that do wrong." Al-Mumtahina verses 8-9
Islam has crystal clear rules and provisions that forbid the killing of non-combatants,
innocent persons, such as the elderly, women and children; pursuit of fleeing persons,
slaying persons who have surrendered, injuring prisoners, or mutilating the bodies of the
dead, or destroying structures and buildings that have no connection with combat.
Thus it is illogical to equate violence committed by usurpers, tyrants and dictators who
violate human decorum, defile sanctuaries and plunder wealth, with the right of
legitimate self-defense, exercised by the oppressed in asserting their legitimate right of
self-determination. It is, indeed, the need of the hour, to call the attention of all nations,
peoples and organizations of the world to the necessity of drawing a distinction between
legitimate “Jihad” against aggression or oppression designed to establish truth and
justice, and the act of violence, which aims at occupation of land, trespassing on national
dominion and terrifying civilian populations and turning them into refugees.
by Farooq Ali Khan email: [email protected]