Terrorism
Islam's Viewpoint
Reprinted from the Muslim
World League Journal
Jumad AI-Ula 1423 - July
2002
During its sixteenth
session, which was held between 21-27 Shawwal 1422 H (5-10 January
2002), the Islamic Fiqh Council 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 (Traditons) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him),
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.
Therefore, in order to draw an Islamic definition
of terrorism that unites the vision and attitudes of all Muslims; and in
order to clearly state this fact and highlight the danger of associating
Islam with extremism and terrorism, the Islamic Fiqh Council
presents the following definition of terrorism and Islam's attitude toward
it both to the Muslims and the world at large.
Definition of Terrorism
Terrorism is an outrageous attack carried
out either by individuals, groups or states against the human being (his
religion, life, intellect, property and honour). 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 fulfil 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 Qur'an:
"And seek not occasions for mischief
in the land: for Allah loves not those who do mischief. " (28:77)
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 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. " (5:33)
Obviously, in view of the enormity of such acts of aggression,
which are 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, according to the Islamic Fiqh
Council, there are various forms of terrorism, which include state
terrorism, the most conspicuous illustration and the most heinous of which
is practiced in Palestine today by the Israelis, and by the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina
and Kosovo.
According to the Islamic Fiqh Council,
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.
Islam's Remedy for Extremism & Terrorism
In combating terrorism and protecting society
against its evil consequences, Islam is a trail-blazer. Through clear-cut
limitations that must not be trespassed, Islam urges the protection of human
life, honour, property, religion and intellect.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
"If any do transgress the limits
ordained by Allah, such persons wrong themselves as well as others. "
(2:229)
Accordingly, in furtherance of this honour bestowed upon
mankind, Islam prohibit[s] man's injustice to his fellow man, and condemn[s]
those who cause harm to people, not only in the Muslim world, but anywhere
in the world.
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." And: "When he turns his back, his aim
everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and
progeny. But 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." (7:33 & 2:205-206)
Furthermore, Islam ordered its adherents to keep away from
anything that may cause turmoil among the people, and warned at the same time,
against its evil consequences.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And fear tumult or oppression,
which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong: And know
that Allah is strict in punishment." (8:25)
In Islam, both the individual and the community are exhorted
not only to tow the line of moderation, but likewise, to root out extremism
and religious intolerance which are sure to destroy the mankind.
The Prophet (peace be on him) said in a report
by Imams Ahmad and Al-Nissaie:
"Beware
of excesses in matters of religion. For, as a matter of fact, those before
you were destroyed by religious immoderation."
Islam also addressed the issue of evil tendencies that are
apt to lead to intimidation, terrifying, horrifying and killing without any
just cause.
The Prophet (peace be on him) said:
"A Muslim
must not terrify a fellow Muslim."
And:
"Whoever
points an iron rod towards his brother, the angels shall go on cursing him
until he stopped, even if he (the victim) happens to be his full brother
(from the sides of his father and mother)." (Sahih Muslim)
With regard to the Dhimmis (Non-Muslims living under
Muslim protection), Islam ordered that they must be treated justly. It gave
them rights and imposed duties on them. It gave them security in the Muslim
world, and imposed blood-money and expiation for an act of killing committed
against anyone among them.
Allah says:
"If he belonged to a people with
whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, blood-money shall be paid to his
family, and a believing slave be freed. " (Qur'an 4:92)
Furthermore, in conformity with the saying of the Prophet
(peace be on him), Islam prohibits the slaying of a Dhimmi living in
the Muslim world.
"Whoever
kills a person under the contract of protection shall never smell the scent
of Paradise." (Ibn Majah)
Moreover, Islam does not forbid its followers from being
charitable towards those who do not fight them or expel them from their homes.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
"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 loves those who are just.
" (60:8)
And:
"And let not the hatred of others
to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is
next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that
you do." (5:8)
In view of the foregoing, therefore, the Islamic Fiqh
Council would like to make it public that the felony of taking away
one life without a just cause is tantamount to killing all people, whatever
the faith of the murdered or the murderer; and that punishments and retributions
are solely the prerogative of the ruler, not of individuals or groups.
Jihad is not Terrorism
In Islam, Jihad is ordained to uphold
right, repel injustice and establish justice, peace, security and clemency,
with which the Prophet (peace be on him) was sent to take mankind out of
darkness into light. More specifically, Jihad has 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. "
And:
"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). !t is such as turn to them in these circumstances that do
wrong." (Qur'an 60:8-9)
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 and tyrants who violate human dignity, defile sanctuaries and
plunder wealth, with the right of legitimate self-defense, exercised by the
oppressed in asserting their legitimate right of self-determination.
In view of the above, the Islamic Fiqh
Council would like 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, encroaching on national sovereignty and terrifying civilian populations
and turning them into refugees.
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