Terrorists' actions are an attempt to hijack Islam
Besides its other destructive
and detestable effects, terrorism has emerged as a potent and dangerous
threat to Islam as well. Because of Black Tuesday's perceived connection
with Muslims, it has tarnished the image of Islam as a peace-loving
religion. Terrorists, indeed, are attempting to hijack Islam.
The barbarians who wreaked havoc on New York and Washington, D.C., bore
Islamic names, irrespective of whether they were practicing Muslims or
not. For most of the world, Osama bin Laden, a person claiming to be a
Muslim, is the prime suspect. Again, a majority of countries generally
presumed to be associated with terrorism are Islamic countries. Critics
conveniently can argue that a religion is known by the acts and practice
of its adherents. To counter such propaganda, Muslims have to prove
through their deeds and actions that they do not support terrorism in any
of its forms. Before making a value judgment, it is imperative to
understand the true meaning of jihad. It literally means
"striving" or "struggle." By no means it is an
equivalent of a "holy war." At its most basic level, jihad is a
struggle with one's self to avoid indulgence in immorality and sinful
conduct, and to aspire "to enjoin good and forbid evil." In a
broader spectrum, it is a resistance against aggression and oppression.
The Holy Koran says, "what is wrong with you that you do not fight in
the cause of God for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men,
women and children, whose cry is: Our Lord - Rescue us from this town
whose people are oppressors." And there is no
qualification attached as to the religion of the oppressed in whose
support one is encouraged to stand up.
Even in case of a war, lives of innocent civilians are to be protected at
all costs, according to the established Islamic laws of war. During the
first two battles of Islam at Badr and Ohud, which were led by the prophet
Mohammed himself, categorical instructions were given to Muslims not to
harm or attack noncombatants, besides women and children.
Modern day Islamic extremists involved in terrorism clearly are involved
in "crimes against humanity." Muslims all over the world,
especially in the Middle East and south Asia, must seriously consider and
assess what is to be done to counter such tendencies. The silent majority
has not only to speak up but act as well, lest their silence is
interpreted as a sign of acquiescing and consent. To say that it is being
orchestrated by a few does not solve the problem.
Muslims are being oppressed in conflicts around the world, but there is
absolutely no justification available in Islamic teachings that even
remotely supports the use of terrorism as a weapon against
innocent citizens of an enemy state.
Political reformation may provide one effective channel to overcome the
tide. Muslims must distinguish between what is the essence of the religion
they have opted for, and the calls for waging a war against the West from
some terrorists who pose as revolutionary clerics. The rule of dynasties
has no basis in Islam.
The dictatorships in the Arab world, in so many ways, have contributed to
the general disillusionment and disgust of Muslim youth in those lands.
When you discourage dissent in political discourse, crack down on those
who question your illegitimate authority, ban participatory processes,
then there are few channels available to the oppressed to vent their
feelings. Such an environment is ideal for an evil genius to benefit from.
And that is what has happened.
It is high time for all Islamic states to decide where they stand in the
coming war against terrorism. Something must be done to reverse this
course and to make the world a peaceful and safer place. This is the
daunting challenge the leadership, both political and religious, in the
Muslim world must face. It must be realized that time is of enormous
essence in this endeavor.
Hassan Abbas, a former police officer from Pakistan, is a
master's candidate at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts
University.
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