ISLAMIC VIEW ON TERRORISM, VIOLENCE AND AGGRESSION

Authored by Yusuff Ademola A.

Many people nowadays view Islam as a violent and aggressive religion. This negative view has been strengthened by the actions of terrorists, who in no way represent the true colour of the religion.  They have hijacked the religion, and consequent media attention, for their own selfish and evil goals. Hence, the world opinion tends towards viewing Islam as a violent religion.

However, Islam is a religion that forbids all forms of aggression, violence and terrorism. The religion permits fighting only in self-defence. Allah says:

“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight against you but do not transgress. Indeed, Allah does not like transgressors.” (Q2:190)

All forms of aggression, violence and terrorism are forbidden in the Quran. Muslims are permitted only to fight those who fight them in self-defence and they are commanded to stop once the other party refrains from fighting and offers peace. The Quran says:

“And kill them [in battle] wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and fitnah is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al-Haram [the Grand Mosque in Makkah] until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] religion [i.e., worship] is [acknowledged to be] for Allah but if they cease, then there is to be no aggression [i.e., assault] except against oppression.” (Q2:191-3)

Allah commands in these verses that Muslims should fight those who wage war against them until there is not more fitnah and to avoid aggression. The meaning of Fitnah in this context include disbelief and its imposition on others, discord, dissension, civil strife, persecution, oppression, injustice, seduction, terrorism, trail and torment. (Saheeh International, The English Meaning of the Quran. P.39, footnote 58)

Islam is a peaceful religion; it commands Muslims to be kind and just to people who do not fight them. The Quran says:

“Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes – from being righteous toward them and acting justly toward them. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.” (Q60: 8)

In addendum, even though Islam permits fighting for self- defence, it as well regulates fighting with some rules which are commanded by the Prophet Muhammad [PBUH]. He ordered the Muslim army not to kill children, women and old people and also instructed them not to destruct farms and animals.  

The Prophet (pbuh) said:

“…do not betray, do not be excessive, and do not kill a new-born child.” (Saheeh Muslim, No 1731)

“Do not kill any child, any woman, or any elder or sick person.” (Abu Dawood)

“Do not destroy the villages and towns, do not spoil cultivated fields and gardens, and do not slaughter the cattle.” (Sahih Bukhari) 

“Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years.” (Saheeh Bukahri, No 3166)

Islam teaches that everyone is accountable for his sayings and actions. It teaches that ultimate possession belongs to Allah; our body and soul belong to Allah and it is a trust from Allah. Therefore, we shall be held accountable for it. This is the reason Islam prohibits self-destruction. Allah says:

“…and do not throw [yourselves] with your [own] hands into destruction…” (Q2:195)

Islam does not only warn against self-destruction but also forbids killing others – except in case of justice.  The Quran says:

“Say, “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason.” (Q6:151)

Even when engaging in legal killing – such as a case of soul for soul, Allah still warns the Muslims not to transgress the limit set by the law. Allah says:

“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden, except by right. And whoever is killed unjustly – We have given his heir authority, but let him not exceed limits in [the matter of] taking life. Indeed, he has been supported [by the law].” (Q17:33)

“And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers.” (Q42:40)

Furthermore, Islam is a religion of peace and it protects the basic individual rights which include freedom of religion. Islam treats freedom of religion as a matter of right. Every individual has the right and free to choose his religion either Islam or any other religions that he likes. This is unconditional freedom granted by Islam for He says:

“And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed – all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?” (Q10:99)

“There shall be no compulsion in [acceptance of] the religion...” (Q2:256)

Nonetheless, it is noteworthy that, though Islam gives the right and freedom of religion but not absolutely. Once an individual is a Muslim, the right and freedom of religion is no more absolute.

A review of the above discussion will lead to the conclusion that Islam is not a terrorist, violent or aggressive religion, but rather it is a religion that seeks for peace, kindness, love and compassion among people. Muslims are commanded several times in the Quran to be kind and generous to their parents, their family members, their neighbours, the orphans, the travellers and the entire people in general. The Quran says:

“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and to parents do good, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbour, the neighbour farther away, the companion at your side, the traveller, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.” (Q4:36)

Allah encourages man to always seek for safety of himself and others and not to contribute to his own self-destruction, cause harm to others or kill others. Killing a soul is similitude to killing the human beings entirely and saving a soul is similitude to saving the human beings entirely. The Quran says:

“…whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land – it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved mankind entirely…” (Q5:32)

Finally, on account of the aforementioned verses of the Qur’an and Ahadith, a conclusion could be reached that Muslims are not terrorists and a terrorist cannot be called a Muslim. This is for the fact that such a person – the terrorist – is not adhering to the commandments of Allah and His beloved Messenger. However, if the terrorists claimed they are Muslims, hence, they should be asked for the evidence of their actions. In fact, the Qur’an confirms them as hypocrites. The Qur’an says:

“And of the People are some who say, “We believe in Allah and the Last Day,” but they are not believers.” (Q2:8)

“And when it is said to them, “Do not cause corruption on the earth,” they say, “We are but reformers.” Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters...” (Q2:11-12)

“And when they meet those who believe, they say, “We believe”; but when they are alone with their evil ones, they say, “Indeed, we are with you; we were only mockers.” (Q2:14)

Perfection belongs to Allah alone; I acknowledge any mistake or error in this article as mine.