No Terrorism In Islam
By Maulana Wahiuddin Khan
29 September, 2013
Countercurrents.org
Terrorism has no place whatsoever in Islam. It is not acceptable or justifiable under any circumstances.
Terrorism is a form of violence undertaken by non-state actors. Using violence is the prerogative only of duly-established state authorities, and that, too, if the need so arises and under certain conditions. It is improper and wholly impermissible for non-state actors, including both individuals and groups, to take to violence. This is illegitimate, according to Islam, under all conditions, and there can be no legitimate pretext or excuse for it whatsoever. If an individual or group has a grouse of complaint, he or it can seek to address it using only peaceful means, such as approaching the governmental authorities or going to court.
These days, the media often uses the term ‘Islamic terrorism’. No doubt this term is wrong, because Islam, if understood rightly, has no link with terrorism. But the actual culprit in this regard is not the media but those Muslims who give the media the opportunity to report their actions as exemplifying what the media characterize them as.
These days, Muslim non-state actors have triggered off violent conflicts and wars in various parts of the world. It is beyond dispute that all these wars are essentially about Muslim worldly concerns—conflicts over power and pelf or Muslim communal interests. But the Muslims who are behind these violent conflicts have given them the name of ‘Islamic jihad’. Now, the task of the media is to report things. And so, the media link these violent activities with Islam in precisely the same manner as some Muslims do. Obviously, when these Muslims seek to bless their own violence in the name of Islam and call it ‘Islamic’, the media, too, will link it with Islam itself.
This behaviour of these Muslims has given Islam a terrible name. As a result, the image of Islam across the world has been greatly distorted, with Islam now coming to be thought of as religion of hatred and violence, and one that is fundamentally opposed to peace and humanity.
There is only one way in which Islam can be rescued from this slander: and that is if Muslims cease to give their communal conflicts an ‘Islamic’ label. They can attribute their actions to their community, but not Islam, so that whatever they do can be seen for what it truly is—activities for the sake of their worldly or communal interests, and not Islamic or religious activities.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan heads the New Delhi based Centre for Peace and Spirituality. He can be contacted on [email protected] A prolific writer, many of his writings can be accessed on http://www.cpsglobal.org/articles/mwk
Comments are moderated