The Prophet (SAW) said, “Religion is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded; and gain strength by worshipping in the mornings, the nights,” Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA); Bukhari |
What does Islam say about Terrorism?
Muslims, along with people of all other faiths, pray for all victims of hate, terror and injustice, and we are sad and grieve just as anyone else does when we hear about people being hurt.
I must call attention the irony of calling someone a "Muslim" terrorist or an "Islamic" terrorist"; this is really an oxymoron (like “halal pork”); These two terms contradict each other. One can simply not be considered a Muslim and carry out such acts as killing innocent people. The very word Islam means “peace” and Muslims are peaceful people who abhor violence and strive in every way to do good and shun evil.
Unfortunately, it is now common for Islam to be associated with terrorism and violence due to the actions of a few extreme individuals. In fact, as we see in the mainstream media, acts of extreme violence such as mass shootings are not even given a label of “terrorism” unless they have a “Muslim” hand in it! As if someone on a murderous rampage is not creating terror!
The mass media plays a huge role in molding and shaping the ideas and understandings of the public and it is irresponsible and manipulative of them to portray Muslims in such undeserved negative light; the media has a direct hand in casting a dark shadow in the minds of people in regards to their view of Islam and Muslims. Time and again when we see an injustice committed by “Christian” or “Jew”, they are seldom if ever labeled as a “Christian” or “Jewish” criminal. Why should "Muslim" be used as a label for criminals?
People who commit violence against the innocent are acting outside of the parameters of Islam. While Islam is perfect, Muslims are not. Any ill-actions a “Muslim” commits should not be used as a barometer for the entirety of the Muslim ummah.
The Qur’an and Hadith are very clear in the prohibition of any form of injustice including violence with an aim to injure, kill or create fear. The Holy Qur’an says in :
- “Because of that, We decreed upon the Children of Israel that 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.”
Even in times of war and conflict, where feelings of hatred or hostility can often cloud one’s judgement, Allah SWT commands us to uphold justice towards one’s enemies. Qur’an says:
- "O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do."
From the hadiths (the recorded words, deeds, and actions of the Prophet SAW), the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:
- ‘The grievous things are: shirk (polytheism); disobedience to parents; the killing of breathing beings,’ (Bukhari and Muslim).
In another Hadith, the Prophet SAW said:
- ‘There is no man who kills a sparrow or anything beyond that, without its deserving it, but God will ask him about it,’ (Ahmad and al-Nasai).
Please see the following link(s) for further reading on this subject:
- “ is 600-page Islamic decree against terrorism and suicide bombings released in March 2010. This fatwa is a direct refutation of the ideology of Al-Qaeda and Taliban. It is one of the most extensive rulings, an "absolute" condemnation of terrorism without "any excuses or pretexts" which goes further than ever and declares terrorism as kufr (it makes you a disbeliever in Islam) under Islamic law.” (Wikipedia)