How Islam Fought Terrorism

How Islam Fought Terrorism

While Caesar had sleepless nights, Umar (RA) slept under a tree
without anyone guarding him.

The U.S. method of fighting terrorism by force, injustice, pre-emptive
strikes, unilateral action and "regime change" only adds
fuel to the fire. As witnessed by the recent world events.



The Bush administration has released a new National Security Strategy
document which has been likened by the Moscow Times to Hitler's
Mein Kampf, and described by the New York Times as Bush's "how
I'll rule the world" blueprint.



This method which is used by Israel has only been devastating to
both sides if measured in human cost, loss of freedom, psychological
trauma and economic loss. The U.S. and the rest of the World will
be expected to suffer similar losses when it mirrors the method
used by Israel and Hitler as shown by the following statement from
the Bush administration, "the only path to peace and security
is the path of action". That is, the U.S. must wage a perpetual
war, because without war there can be no peace.



If we compare this attitude with that of the Early Muslims who are
considered the best generation, we find the following example of
Caliph Omar.



The Caliph Omar was the governor or president of the Islamic Empire,
which included Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, North Africa
and Spain.



One day Caesar wanted to know how Omar lived and how he treated
his people. He sent a person to Al Medina where Omar lived.



When this man entered Al Medina he asked the people, "where
is your king?" The people replied, "we have no king but
we have an Amir similar to a president." This man asked, "where
is he?" They told him, " he is outside Al Medina."



He went to find him. What did this man see? He saw Omar sleeping
alone on the sand holding a little stick with no guards around him.



When he saw him like that he became very impressed and ashamed of
himself and said, "A man all the kings in the world are scared
from, sleeps that humble without any guards? You governed your people
with justice and honesty so you became safe and slept. Our king
is unjust and dishonest. That is why he is always scared and awake
most of the night surrounded by guards inside a fortress.



Fighting terrorism is only by spreading justice and education, but
not by force as what is happening now.



In the Qur'aan, Surah Al Nahl (16) verse 90, " Allah
commands justice, the doing of good and looking after our relatives.
Allah forbids all shameful deeds, injustice and rebellion. Allah
instructs you so you may comprehend."



However, spreading only justice is not enough because some ignorant
people may do acts of terrorism.



In Surah Al Nahl (16) v. 125, " O Mohammed, invite
to the way of your Lord, which is Islam, with wisdom and fair preaching,
and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, you Lord knows
best who has gone astray from his path, and he is the best aware
of who are guided."



This was the character of the Early Muslims which allowed Islam
to spread throughout the whole World. Allah said that the most honorable
to Allah is the most fearful of Allah and not the richest, strongest
or those who belong to a certain group or nationality as shown in
Al Hujurat (49) v. 13. "O mankind; we have created
you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes
that you may know one another. Verily the most honorable of you
to Allah is that who is most faithful, pious and fearful of Allah."



There are numerous historical examples in the Qur'aan showing the
eventual outcome of oppressive tyrants such as Pharaoh compared
to those who are righteous. The Qur'aan teaches us the morality,
wisdom and meaning behind these events.



Unfortunately in Schools and Universities, history is only taught
in a factual manner only showing the consequences of military conquests
where morality, responsibility and accountability are considered
irrelevant. It is no wonder that we can never learn from our previous
mistakes. Particularly if the Christians insist on believing the
Paulian idea that "the means justifies the aims". That
is, it does not matter how evil your actions are as long as your
intentions are good.



Whereas, for a good deed to be accepted in Islam, it must be sincere,
with good intentions and done according to the Sunnah of our Prophet.