Jihad Is Muslim’s Battle to Become Better; but
Terrorism Is Always Directed Against Innocent Civilians
By M Khan Chishti
December
23, 2013
Jihad
is one of the pillars of Islam that elucidates Muslims’ obligation towards the
religion whereas terrorism takes into account ferocious tactics employed by an
individual or a group to impart feelings of scare and terror amongst
wide-ranging audience. Nowadays, the notion of terrorism has been associated
with Jihad by extremists, who attempt to corroborate their activities with
Jihad. Abysmal acts orchestrated by terrorists and their misinterpretation of
Islamic teachings have distorted the factual image of Islam, resultantly making
it imperative to discuss the discrimination between Jihad and terrorism.
The
word Jihad stems from the Arabic language which means “to strive”. As per
Islam, Jihad is epitomized as the struggle to defend one’s religion, country,
family, or hoard a human life. Jihad can even be one’s battle against his
personal tribulations to make himself a better human being. There is no
reference in Islam where the term Jihad is used to justify the killing of
innocent people or impairment to their possessions. However, contrary to Jihad,
terrorism is always directed against innocent civilians. Terrorism is basically
the illicit use of force or violence by a person or an organised group against
people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or
governments often for ideological or political reasons. The sole purpose of
terrorism is to cause adequate impairment, pain and suffering to others by
making them feel frightened and apprehensive.
A
statement issued by a group of scholars affiliated to the Muslim World League
defined terrorism as an act of hostility or intimidation that is designed to
terrorise people or endanger their lives that is strictly forbidden in Islam.
They also affirmed that damaging public or private facilities and endangering
natural resources is equally an act of terror. Religious scholars also
prohibited the killing of non-combatants and innocent women, children and
elderly men as well as the fighters who surrender. Moreover, it has been interpreted
unanimously in every age and by all schools of thought that no one can compel
anybody to convert from one faith to another or impose his version of Islam
upon others. This is the very creed of Islam.
As
far as Holy Quran is concerned, it delineates the essential principle of
preaching in the famous verse of Surah Baqura “Let there be no compulsion in
religion” (2:256). It is not only replete in the Holy Quran but has so
abundantly been displayed by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the four caliphs that
it is irrefutable for any Muslim to chastise others merely for their divergent
views on religion. The Holy Prophet (PBUH) was time and again reminded in the
Surah Al Shura in Holy Quran that “If they then turn we did not send you as a
supervisor, there is no responsibility upon you but to preach” (42:48).
Islam
is the religion of peace and harmony that teaches virtues of goodness and
humanity. It never tolerates unprovoked aggression as Quran strictly prohibits
Muslims from commencing hostilities, embarking on any act of belligerence,
violating the rights of others or harming the innocents. Even, hurting or
destroying animals or trees is forbidden in Islam. The entire Quran gives an
overwhelming message of optimism, faith and harmony to human beings. It repeatedly
urges clemency, restraint and warns believers not to transgress or become
oppressors as Allah says in Quran: “If anyone slays a person - unless it be for
murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew all
people. And if anyone saves a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all
people” (5:32).
Nevertheless,
the terrorists exploit the religious association of Muslims to substantiate
their fierce activities as ‘Jihad’. Sermons and Fatwas of religious scholars
are also used to provoke anti-Western sentiments of Muslims to intense their
aversion against the West and non-Muslims. In addition, these terrorists
proclaim that any Muslim who does not wage Jihad or rejects the ideology of
Mujahideen deserves to be eliminated or penalised. Muslims supporting global
war against terrorism, whether they are government officials or security
personnel, are portrayed as infidels. Resultantly, Muslims with diminutive
understanding of Jihad get motivated to render their physical and material support
to terrorist groups. These groups misinterpret verses from the Holy Quran,
quote them out of context as bait for the less-knowledged and under-privileged
Muslim youth to indoctrinate them for carrying out suicide bombing that is
absolutely against the teachings of Islam as Allah says in Quran:-”O ye who
believe, do not kill yourselves, for truly Allah has been to you Most Merciful.
If anyone does so in rancour and injustice, soon shall We cast him into the
Fire” (4:29-30).
The
discussion leads to a logical conclusion that terrorists today who are waging
war in the name of Jihad will be questioned in their graves. Groups like
Al-Qaeda and Taliban are undoubtedly terrorists of the present era, who are
pursuing their political and personal agendas for which they are declaring
their brutal and inhuman terrorist activities as Jihad.
The
mere aim of these vicious groups is to make money and trade barbarism under the
garb of a holy war. Terrorism and extremism is a curse and cancer for the
society. That is precisely why almost all the Muslim governments have joined
hands to wipe out this menace.
All
segments of the society are required to work in collaboration to deny
recruitment for terrorist organisations. Renowned religious scholars should be
involved to launch anti-extremism campaigns for preaching the correct teachings
of Islam and shunning the radical ideology of terrorists. Anti-extremism
campaigns should be financed by international community to thwart the youth
from accepting militants’ beliefs.
Intelligentsia and the media should devise a comprehensive strategy aimed at
rejecting terrorism in all its forms and manifestation, which would help in
creating a homogenous stance among the people and persuading them to deny moral
and material support to the terrorists.
Source:
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-222014-Jihad-and-terrorism:-Striking-a-difference
1 comment:
nice post, i like it
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