Terrorism has surfaced as the biggest menace of the current times, particularly in past few decades. Unfortunately and unjustly, Islam and Muslims are deemed by most of the world population to be the root causes of this upsurge of terrorism all across the world. There is no doubt that this is far from accurate. However, a considerable majority of the world’s population still blames Islam and Muslims. This is mostly because of the “bad press” deliberately being created against Muslims by the big guns of world media. The best way to authenticate or reject this claim for a common person is to see what the actual teachings of Islam are. Is it really a religion that promotes violence and terrorism, or is the reality totally opposite to this misconception? One convenient way of observing and analyzing all this is to learn what the Holy Qur’an, the religious Scripture of Muslims, has to say about this.
On September 11, 2001 the World Trade Center came crashing down due to Al-Qaeda attacks (as per media). Those were the darkest days for the family and friends of the victims and also for Muslims all around the world. Al-Qaeda is a militant Islamist group (denoted by media), also known as extremists, who are calling for a global Jihad. On 15 March, 2019 the recent painful and most condemned attack on Muslims in the New Zealand witnessed this that only Muslim population in the world is being targeted much because this is not only one attack that can be discussed here but a number of attacks had took place in Africa, Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, Palestine etc. Many terrorists may be Muslims but not every Muslim is a terrorist. I am here today to clear the name of Muslims and what Islam’s views are on peace, Jihad and terrorism. The very meanings of Islam are of peace for mankind and submission to Almighty Allah. “The whole mankind is like one community” is a glorious verse in the Quran exhibiting the truth that we should decide our matter and settle our differences like brothers.
The Arabic word Jihad literally means “Holy Struggle”. It is not holy war. War is war. No war can be holy. The Quran says that unjust killing of a man means the killing of the whole mankind. What is just killing and unjust killing? When someone kills a man without any reason or justification is unjust killing. When the judge gives the capital punishment to this murderer and issues the order of his death is just killing. Similarly, when a war is thrust upon you and you become the victim of persecution and aggression, you are permitted to defend yourself and kill the invaders and perpetrators. There are some Muslims who believe in Jihad in the name of aversion and conversion. They are the ones who have aggressive attitude. Such extremists divide the world into two blocs, the House of Peace and the House of War. In Islam Jihad is of three types: The Struggle by Tongue, the Struggle by Pen and the Struggle by Sword. So far a religion is concerned the Quran again announces peaceful preaching through exhortation, love, logic, mercy, and example.
Meaning of “Islam:”
Let us start our conversation with the fact that the word “Islam” is derived from “salaam”, a word meaning peace. It also relates a person submitting himself to the will of The Mightiest in order to seek eternal peace and tranquility. The crux of this observation is that the very origins of Islam are inclined towards peace and harmony.
Islam prohibits violence and promotes peace and justice:
As mentioned earlier, the Quran — the holy words of none other than Allah Almighty — can best bear the witness for Islam’s inclination towards peace, justice, and harmony amongst human beings while negating and discouraging violence, terrorism, and injustice. This becomes very evident if one vows to read the Qur’an and apply it on personal basis. Doing so in modern times is much more convenient as people can read the Qur’an online. Listed below are a few verses that support the claim that Islam is a true religion of peace and tranquility.
“O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” (Surah 4, Verse 135).
“God advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed.” (Surah 16, Verse90).
“And if ye do punish them, punish them no worse than they punished you: but if ye show patience that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient.” (Surah 16, Verse 126).
These are just a few references from the Holy Qur’an. You may find many more of them that promote nothing else but peace and justice.
Historical evidences favoring the peace-loving attitude Of Muslims:
The peace-loving attitude and behavior of Muslims is not a myth. It is an absolute historical truth that is very evident from their deeds when they were in command of different areas of the world where multiple religions were practiced:
Muslims ruled Spain for about eight centuries. No significance evidence is found that suggests Muslims used force or unnecessary means to oppress non-Muslims living there.
India is another place that was once ruled by Muslims for a period of over 1,000 years. Currently, about 80% of the population is comprised of non-Muslims. If Muslims had used force to convert people from other religions, the stats would have been quite different.
Arabia had been under Muslim influence for 1,400 years. Yet there are about 14 million Coptic Christians found in that region. Had Islam used the sword for its propagation, the situation would have been very different.
Islam is a religion of peace and it has lived in peace and harmony with other faiths for centuries and can do so in future as well.
Aadil Gulam Dar a poet, writer, blogger, & debater
