_WAS PROPHET MUHAMMAD (sallalLaahu Alaihi Wasallam) A TERRORIST WHO KILLED INNOCENT PEOPLE? LET'S CLEAR THIS MISCONCEPTION.
DAILY ISLAMIC REMINDERS. Yaum Ath-thalaatha, 16th day of Swafar (Tuesday 15th October, 2019).
*_WAS PROPHET MUHAMMAD (sallalLaahu Alaihi Wasallam) A TERRORIST WHO KILLED INNOCENT PEOPLE? LET'S CLEAR THIS MISCONCEPTION. BismilLaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.
This topic requires some detailed explanations so please bear with me about the length. Perhaps the most challenging issue for Muslim communities today is the spectre of terrorist violence afflicting many places in the world and the false perception of Islam this creates in the minds of people. Terrorism has been defined by some authorities as follows:
Any act of violence or threat perpetrated to carry out a criminal plan with the aim of terrorizing people or threatening to harm them or imperiling their lives, honor, freedom, security, or rights.
According to this definition, terrorism includes the unlawful and random killing of women, children, and non-combatants as a means of political change. Such acts are completely forbidden and condemned by Islam. Muslims are only allowed to fight hostile forces who initiate aggression against us and innocent people.
ALLAH says:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
Fight in the way of ALLAH THOSE WHO FIGHT YOU BUT DO NOT TRANSGRESS. Verily, ALLAH does not love TRANSGRESSORS. Qur'an 2:190.
“Do not transgress,” means a firm prohibition against killing women, children, and civilians.
This concern was addressed directly by the Prophet himself when he explicitly forbade and condemned the killing of women, children, and civilians. People who commit such crimes in the name of religion are guilty of a glaring hypocrisy, strictly adhering only to part of the scriptures and ignoring the values expressed in other passages.
For these reasons, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the United Nations issued the following statement:
The tenets of the tolerant Islamic Law rejects all forms of violence and terrorism, and in particular especially those based on extremism, and it calls for protection of human rights, whose provisions are paralleled by the principles and rules of international law founded on cooperation between peoples for the establishment of peace.
Some verses of the Quran are taken out of context by some Muslims and non-Muslims alike to argue that Islam justifies acts of terrorism. One verse in particular refers to ALLAH and the angels casting fear into the hearts of the unbelievers who, at the time, were waging a war of aggression and extermination against the early Muslim community.
ALLAH says:
Remember when your Lord inspired to the angels, saying: I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike them upon their necks and strike their every fingertip. Surah Al-Anfal 8:12.
Often quoted but rarely contextualized, the verse refers to a miraculous event in which the enemies of Islam were confronted by the angels. It does not command Muslims to terrorize other communities through bombings and acts of random violence.
Ibn Kathir explains the meaning of this verse, saying:
You – the angels – support the Muslims and strengthen their resolve against their enemies, thus implementing My command. I – ALLAH – will cast terror, disgrace, and humiliation upon whoever defies My command and rejects My messenger. Source: Tafseer Ibn Kathir 8:12.
In the aftermath of the battle, there were signs that the angels had supported the Muslims in their defensive struggle against the persecuting army. Ar-Rabi’ ibn Anas said:
In the aftermath of the battle of Badr, the people used to recognize whomever the angels killed by the wounds over their necks, fingers and toes, because those parts had a mark as if they were branded by fire.
Therefore, the verse refers to divine intervention by angels in support of the Muslims who were defending their city from aggression. The terror thrown into the unbelievers’ hearts was upon their realization that ALLAH was supporting the Muslims with angels and miracles. It does not mean Muslims have been commanded to spread terror and violence in society as a means of political change. Muslims are only permitted to take up arms against those who have declared war against them, never as a means to force people into Islam.
Ibn Taymiyyah writes:
The unbelievers are only fought on the condition that they declare war according to the majority of scholars, as evident in the book and prophetic tradition. Source: An-Nubuwwat 1/140.
Ibn Al-Qayyim writes:
The Prophet never forced the religion upon anyone, but rather he only fought those who waged war against him and fought him first. As for those who made peace with him or conducted a truce, then he never fought them and he never compelled them to enter his religion. Source: Hidayat Al-Hayara 237
In conclusion, terrorism, political violence, and spreading religion by force is forbidden in Islam. Killing women, children, and non-combatants as well as initiating wars of aggression are major sins in Islam. Historically, the Prophet only fought battles in self-defense and to repel aggression against the Muslim community.
Success comes from ALLAH, and ALLAH knows best. May ALLAH keep guiding us all and increases us in beneficial knowledge. Aameen.
*_WAS PROPHET MUHAMMAD (sallalLaahu Alaihi Wasallam) A TERRORIST WHO KILLED INNOCENT PEOPLE? LET'S CLEAR THIS MISCONCEPTION. BismilLaahir Rahmaanir Raheem.
This topic requires some detailed explanations so please bear with me about the length. Perhaps the most challenging issue for Muslim communities today is the spectre of terrorist violence afflicting many places in the world and the false perception of Islam this creates in the minds of people. Terrorism has been defined by some authorities as follows:
Any act of violence or threat perpetrated to carry out a criminal plan with the aim of terrorizing people or threatening to harm them or imperiling their lives, honor, freedom, security, or rights.
According to this definition, terrorism includes the unlawful and random killing of women, children, and non-combatants as a means of political change. Such acts are completely forbidden and condemned by Islam. Muslims are only allowed to fight hostile forces who initiate aggression against us and innocent people.
ALLAH says:
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ
Fight in the way of ALLAH THOSE WHO FIGHT YOU BUT DO NOT TRANSGRESS. Verily, ALLAH does not love TRANSGRESSORS. Qur'an 2:190.
“Do not transgress,” means a firm prohibition against killing women, children, and civilians.
This concern was addressed directly by the Prophet himself when he explicitly forbade and condemned the killing of women, children, and civilians. People who commit such crimes in the name of religion are guilty of a glaring hypocrisy, strictly adhering only to part of the scriptures and ignoring the values expressed in other passages.
For these reasons, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation at the United Nations issued the following statement:
The tenets of the tolerant Islamic Law rejects all forms of violence and terrorism, and in particular especially those based on extremism, and it calls for protection of human rights, whose provisions are paralleled by the principles and rules of international law founded on cooperation between peoples for the establishment of peace.
Some verses of the Quran are taken out of context by some Muslims and non-Muslims alike to argue that Islam justifies acts of terrorism. One verse in particular refers to ALLAH and the angels casting fear into the hearts of the unbelievers who, at the time, were waging a war of aggression and extermination against the early Muslim community.
ALLAH says:
Remember when your Lord inspired to the angels, saying: I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike them upon their necks and strike their every fingertip. Surah Al-Anfal 8:12.
Often quoted but rarely contextualized, the verse refers to a miraculous event in which the enemies of Islam were confronted by the angels. It does not command Muslims to terrorize other communities through bombings and acts of random violence.
Ibn Kathir explains the meaning of this verse, saying:
You – the angels – support the Muslims and strengthen their resolve against their enemies, thus implementing My command. I – ALLAH – will cast terror, disgrace, and humiliation upon whoever defies My command and rejects My messenger. Source: Tafseer Ibn Kathir 8:12.
In the aftermath of the battle, there were signs that the angels had supported the Muslims in their defensive struggle against the persecuting army. Ar-Rabi’ ibn Anas said:
In the aftermath of the battle of Badr, the people used to recognize whomever the angels killed by the wounds over their necks, fingers and toes, because those parts had a mark as if they were branded by fire.
Therefore, the verse refers to divine intervention by angels in support of the Muslims who were defending their city from aggression. The terror thrown into the unbelievers’ hearts was upon their realization that ALLAH was supporting the Muslims with angels and miracles. It does not mean Muslims have been commanded to spread terror and violence in society as a means of political change. Muslims are only permitted to take up arms against those who have declared war against them, never as a means to force people into Islam.
Ibn Taymiyyah writes:
The unbelievers are only fought on the condition that they declare war according to the majority of scholars, as evident in the book and prophetic tradition. Source: An-Nubuwwat 1/140.
Ibn Al-Qayyim writes:
The Prophet never forced the religion upon anyone, but rather he only fought those who waged war against him and fought him first. As for those who made peace with him or conducted a truce, then he never fought them and he never compelled them to enter his religion. Source: Hidayat Al-Hayara 237
In conclusion, terrorism, political violence, and spreading religion by force is forbidden in Islam. Killing women, children, and non-combatants as well as initiating wars of aggression are major sins in Islam. Historically, the Prophet only fought battles in self-defense and to repel aggression against the Muslim community.
Success comes from ALLAH, and ALLAH knows best. May ALLAH keep guiding us all and increases us in beneficial knowledge. Aameen.
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