Terrorism - Islam's Viewpoint



The Islamic Fiqh Council, Saudi Arabia.

Source: Muslim World League Journal,
Jumad al-Ula 1423/July 2002 CE

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 (Traditions) of Prophet
Muhammad (peace be on him), would discoverthat 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"
(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). It is such as turn to them in these
circumstances that do wrong." (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.