Islam and Terrorism

"Jihad" means struggling or striving and applies to any effort exerted by anyone. In this sense, a student struggles and strives to get an education and pass courses. In work; an employee strives to fulfil 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.

Jihad in Islam is striving in the way of Allah by pen, tongue, hand, media and, if inevitable, with arms. However, jihad in Islam does not include striving for individual or national power, dominance, glory, wealth, prestige or pride. Jihad is not holy war as it is popularly propagated in the media, the Arabic words for "war" are "Harb" or "Qital," which are found in the Quran and Hadith

Islam prescribes universal brotherhood. It rejects the thought that human beings have been created in castes or different levels. Allah, the Exalted describes the Islamic concept of universal brotherhood: ‘O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). (Quran 49:13)

Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins that one deals with the enemy nobly on the battlefield. Islam has drawn a clear line of distinction between the combatants and the non-combatants of the enemy country. As far as the non-combatant population is concerned such as women, children, the old and the infirm, etc., the instructions of the Prophet are as follows: “Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman”, “Do not kill the monks in monasteries” or “Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship. Even property and animals are safeguarded, Prophet said do not destroy the crops and trees, do not slaughter their animals but for food.” Non-combatants are guaranteed security of life even if their state is at war with an Islamic state

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) listed murder as the second of the major sins, and he even warned that on the Day of Judgment, “The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed”. (Saheeh Muslim, Hadith No: 1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Hadith No: 6533)

Islam, like many other religions, allows for armed self-defence, or retribution against tyranny, exploitation and oppression. Allah, the Exalted mentions in the Quran: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not begin aggression, for God loves not aggressors." (Quran 2:190)

“And why should ye not fight in the cause of God and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? Men, women, and children, whose cry is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!” (Qur’an 4:75)

"If they seek peace, then seek you peace and trust in God for He is the Hearer, the Knower." (Quran 8:61) "and let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is next to piety; and fear Allah, for Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do." ( Quran 5:8)

“…if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (Quran 5:32), Quran goes to the extent of saying that killing one person is equivalent to killing the entire Humanity and saving one is as though one has saved the entire humanity

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that the greatest jihad is to struggle with the insidious suggestions of one’s own soul. Thus jihad primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of virtue and submission to God in all aspects of life.

"Ayshah, wife of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, we see Jihad as the best of deeds, so shouldn't we join it?' He replied, 'But the best of Jihad is a perfect Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).'" [Sahih Al-Bukhari #2784]

On another occasion, a man asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): "'Should I join the war and do Jihad?' He asked, 'Do you have parents?' The man said, 'Yes!' The Prophet (PBUH) said, 'Then strive by serving them!'" [Sahih Al-Bukhari #5972]

Yet another man asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him): "'What kind of jihad is better?' He replied, 'A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!'" [Sunan Al-Nasa'i #4209]

Islam considers all life forms as sacred. More so, the sanctity of human life is accorded a special place. The first and the foremost basic right of a human being is the right to live.

“…take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.” (Quran 6:151)

“…if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.” (Quran 5:32), Quran goes to the extent of saying that killing one person is equivalent to killing the entire Humanity and saving one is as though one has saved the entire humanity

The values of the Quran hold a Muslim responsible for treating all people, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, kindly and justly, protecting the needy and the innocent and "preventing the dissemination of mischief". Mischief comprises all forms of anarchy and terror that remove security, comfort and peace. As God says in a verse, "Allah does not love corruption". (Quran, 2:205)