Thursday 16 June 2011

Islam, a religion of terror?

Islam, a religion of terror?

A bomb goes off in a crowd marketplace in Jerusalem. A suicide
bomber launches himself into a bus full of women and children in
Tel Aviv. Foreign tourist get massacred at a holiday resort at Luxor,
Egypt. Villages upon villages get annihilated in Algeria. The list
of events worldwide which have come to symbolize the 'Islaamic terror'
are endless. From the times in the 70's and 80's when Pan Am and
TWA airplanes would be high jacked, 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 Islaam.

Such incidents from past and present, have undoubtedly affected
Muslims worldwide, and more so in the West. Any Muslim who wants
to practice his or her religion, and express the pious desire to
live under the banner of Islaam, is labeled a fundamentalist or
extremist. Any Muslim man who walks down a busy street in London
or Paris (and Paris more so) with a beard and a scarf on his head
is looked upon as being a terrorist who's probably got an AK-47
stashed somewhere on this person. Muslim women who are veiled cannot
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 Islaam really justified?

EXPLORING THE MYTH

One of the many shortcomings which have arisen in the West, is
judging Islaam 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
Islaam. Such behavior is clearly not objective and seeks to distort
the reality of Islaam. For if such a thing was done (judge a religion
by the conduct of its people) then we too could say that all Christianity
is about is child molesting and homosexuality (1) while Hinduism
was all about looting and break up mosques (2).

Generalizing in such a manner is not seen as being objective, yet
we find that the Western world is foremost in propagating this outlook
on Islaam. So what is the reality of Islaam? How does one dispel
the myths which have been created and spread so viciously? The only
way to examine Islaam is to simply examine its belief system. Look
at its sources, the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and see what they have to
say. This is the way to find the truth about what Islaam says about
terror, terrorist. One who is sincerely searching for the truth,
will do it no other way.

The very name Islaam comes from the Arabic word 'salama' which
means peace. Islaam is a religion which is based upon achieving
peace through the submission to the will of Allaah. 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 Islaamic and should not be thought of as Islaamic.

JIHAAD

The word Jihaad 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 Jihaad, as "holy war"
is something which is totally foreign and not from Islaam. If anything,
such 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 Islaam, one is able to know
the true meaning of Jihaad is to strive or make effort in the way
of Allaah. Thus, striving in the way of Allaah can be both peaceful
and physical. The Prophet Muhammad said: "The best Jihaad is
(by) the one who strives against his own self for Allaah, The Mighty
and Majestic" (3).

In the Qur'aan, Allaah also says (which means): "So obey not
the disbelievers, but make a great Jihaad (effort) against them
(by preaching) with it (the Qur'aan)" (Al-Furqaan 25:52).

By controlling and fighting against one's desires, the Muslims
can then also physically exert themselves in the path of Allaah.
It is this physical or combative Jihaad which receives so much criticism.
Because of the sheer ignorance of this type of Jihaad, Islaam is
regarded as terror, Muslim are regarded as terrorist. However, the
very purpose of this physical Jihaad is to raise the Word of Allaah
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 pacifist of this world had their way, then the world would
indeed be full of anarchy and mischief. The combative Jihaad seeks
to correct this as Allaah says in the Qur'aan (which means): "And
if Allaah did not rectify one set of people by means of another,
the Earth would be full of mischief. But Allaah is full of favors
for the worlds." (Al-Baqarah 2:251)

Such would be the corruption on this Earth if there had never been
a combative Jihaad, than Allaah says (which means): "For had
it not been that Allaah rectifies one set of people by means of
another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, wherein
the name of Allaah is mentioned much, would surely have been torn
down. Indeed Allaah will help those who help His (cause). Truly
Allaah is All-Powerfull, All-Mighty." (Al-Hajj 22:40).

This combative Jihaad being both defensive and offensive, is something
which Allaah commanded the Muslims. Through this command the oppressed
and weak are rescued from the tyranny of the world. Allaah says
(which means): "And what is the matter with you that you do
not fight in the cause of Allaah 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.'" (An-Nisaa' 4:75)

Anyone who knows the early history of Islaam, will know that all
those nations and empires which came under the fold of Islaam were
indeed previously oppressed. When the companions of the Prophet
Muhammad went out for the offensive Jihaad against the Egyptians,
the Persians and the Romans, we find that the people did not resist
against them at all. Rather, they accepted Islaam on such a scale,
that it is inconceivable that the Jihaad of Islaam 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 Jihaad.

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 claming
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 the Islaamic
terrorist, 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 ot avert attention away
from his sexual misdemeanors (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 world trouble spots
under the disguise of being peace keepers. But Allaah says (which
means): "...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." (Al-Baqarah
2:11-12)

Not transgressing the limits means not to kill women and children,
for the Messenger of Allaah "forbade the killing of women and
children." (5)

Not transgressing the limits means that the elderly, the sick,
monks, worshippers, and hired laborers 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. Allaah said (which means): "Allaah
does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought
not against you on account of religion, nor dove you out of your
homes. Indeed, Allaah loves those who deal with equity." (Al-Mumtahinah
60:8)

After reading such passages from the Qur'aan and knowing about
what Islaam commands and prohibits in Jihaad, the rules of warfare
are given a new meaning; a meaning of justice. How sad it is then,
that while Islaam is condemned for striking terror into the hearts
of the people, the likes of the Serbs, the Indian army in Kashmire
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 Jihaad in
Allaah's path? From what has already been stated above, it can be
deduced that this is not part of 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 said: " Those who go to extremes are destroyed"
(6)

Suicide bombing is undoubtedly an extremity which has infiltrated
the ranks of the Muslims. In the rules of warfare, we find no sanction
for such an act from the behavior and utterances of the Prophet
Muhammad or his blessed companions. Unfortunately, today some of
the less-knowledgeable Muslims believe that such acts are paving
the way for an Islaamic revival and a return to the rule of Islaam's
glorious law. However, we fail to bear in mind that the Prophet
said: "Do not be delighted by the actions of anyone, until
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 Islaam. The Messenger of Allaah said:
"He who kills himself with anything, Allaah will torment him
with that in the fire of Hell" (8).

Some are under the misconception that by killing oneself for an
Islaamic cause, one commits an act which deserves Paradise. Once
when a man killed himself, the Prophet said: "He is a dweller
of the fire". When the people were suprised at this, the Prophet
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 dweller of the fire." (9)

The taking of one's life, which Allaah has given as a trust to
the human, is a great sin. Likewise, the unwarranted taking of other
lives (which is so often the case with suicide bombing) is also
forbidden, as human life is indeed precious. Allaah clarifies (which
means): "..If anyone killed a person not in retaliation for
murder or for his spreading evil 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 mankind." (Al-Maa'idah
5:32)

Thus, all other types of extremities such as hostage taking, hijacking
and bombs in public places, are clearly forbidden in Islaam.

THE MEDIA

By going through the teachings of Islaam, 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 nobel religion in the West?
The answer is simple, the media. It is the media of the West which
has portrayed Islaam to be something that is not. During the 70's
and 80's when the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) carried
out daring high jacks on the world's airways, the media in the West
portrayed it as being Islaamic. When the Shi'ite (a deviated group
who is far from Islaam) 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 Islaam. However, it is known
by the heads of the media, that the likes of the PLO were not an
Islaamic organization, and that Shi'ites do not represent Islaam.
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 British newspapers,
'The Today' (10), 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 Islaam", Time has often proven that this bigoted
assumption was incorrect, as Timothy Mcveigh, a right-wing radical
now faces death penalty for the crime. (11) 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 journalist and MPs, were actually
behind it. The desire of such people to throw a veil over Islaam
is immense. Allaah says (which means): "They intend to put
out the light of Allaah with their mouths, but Allaah will complete
His light even though the disbelievers hate (it) (AS-Saff 61:8).

Whilst trying to destroy Islaam through this instrument of the
media, they 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. Why are Menachem Begin and Yitzhak
Shamir, two former Israeli prime ministers, considered terrorist?
Anyone who knows about the history of the Palestinian occupation,
will tell you that these two men were members of the Tem Gang and
Irgun, two notorious Jewish terror groups, who killed many innocent
people (12). 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? (13). And if this
media really had nothing against the religion of Allaah, then why
does it not inform the people that everyday hundreds are entering
the religion of Islaam? Such things will never be highlighted in
the Western media, simply because to do so would be against their
interest.

With such immense pressure against it, it is indeed a blessing
from Allaah that Islaam goes from strength to strength. It continues
to grow faster then any other religion in the Western world, embracing
the heart and minds of thousands. All of this should not suprise
us, for Allaah has promised us that this religion will prevail:
"It is He who has sent His Messenger with guidance and the
religion of truth, so that He may make it victorious over all other
religion, even though the disbelievers detest it." (AS-Saff
61:9)

It is a must that humanity embrace religion of Islaam. 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. Allaah says (which means):
"There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has indeed
become distinct from the wrong. So whoever rejects the falsely worshipped
and believes in Allaah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy
hand-hold, that will never break. And Allaah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing."
(Al-Baqarah 2:256)

 

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