No Religion, Not Even Islam, Supports Terrorism, Then Why Blame Islam?

By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 28 June 2023 Terrorism Stems From Corrupt Minds and Behaviours, Not Religion Main Points: 1. Islamophobic movies and dramas attempt to portray Islam as supporting terrorism. 2. Intelligence professionals recognize religion doesn't fuel terrorism; it's caused by depraved minds, corruption, and haughtiness. 3. The Quran and Hadiths condemn oppression, stating it is destructive, offensive, and prohibited, prohibiting persecution of non-Muslims under Muslim protection. 4. Islam forbids discrimination against non-Muslim minorities, but political officials frequently ignore Muslim persecution. 5. False accusations can brainwash communities, lead to wars, and create tension and hatred, which are detrimental to the nation. ------ No religion, not even Islam, supports the practice of terrorism. Every religion has historically had its share of followers who have used their beliefs to support extremism and bloodshed, but no religion has ever been held accountable for that. But why is Islam held accountable for the actions of a select few? Today, there are deliberate attempts to portray Islam as supporting terrorism through dramas and films. As a result, the Islamophobic agenda is supported; non-Muslims develop a negative opinion of Muslims, which inflames tensions between the two groups. While chanting ‘Jihadis’, some of them frequently target ordinary Muslims, many of whom do not even understand what jihad is. This situation is true despite the fact that intelligence professionals are well aware that religion does not fuel terrorism. Terrorism is a result of depraved minds, hardened hearts, and inflated egos as well as corruption, destruction, and haughtiness. However, this can only be understood by individuals whose hearts are in tune with the right humane thinking free from the clutches of prejudice and hatred. Islam promotes tolerance and harmonious coexistence with all people, both as individuals and as groups. Islam treats all people equally, regardless of their faith, race, or skin tone. Allah Most High says, “Indeed, We honoured the progeny of Adam, and bore them across land and sea and provided them with good things for their sustenance, and exalted them above many of Our creatures.” [17:70]. For interactions between Muslims and non-Muslims who coexist in the same community, Islam has established the following rules: Allah does not forbid you from dealing kindly and fairly with those who have neither fought nor driven you out of your homes. Surely Allah loves those who are fair. [60:8] In this verse, God instructs us to treat non-Muslims kindly and not to hurt them. It's as if God is ordering us to work with non-Muslims on all fronts for good and stating that this is better. Islamic desire for world peace is known to everyone who fully understands Islam because it makes peace one of its guiding principles. Al-Salam, the Arabic word for "peace," is one of the names of God Most High and one of His qualities. [59:23] Allah greeted His servants with the word "Salaam" (peace) and commanded them to do likewise. Muslims greet each other by saying "Assalam Alaikum" (peace be upon you). They can be recognised in the mosque, school, factory, and market thanks to the words of peace. The Quran contains several verses that speak about peace, one of which refers to Paradise as the Abode of Peace (6:127). Since the beginning of Islam to the present, peace has been the defining characteristic of Muslims in both the East and the West. The phrase "Peace be upon you" is used as a greeting between Muslims when they first meet and when they separate ways. This tranquilly and safety is not simply available to Muslims. Muslims hold that everyone has the right to live in peace and security in Muslim-majority countries, regardless of their religious beliefs. Islam prevents Muslims from injuring or harbouring enmity towards those who are in their care, either in words or deeds. Islam deems it crucial to protect citizens against injustice within one's borders. Allah Almighty neither loves nor gives guidance to oppressors; rather, He either exacts vengeance upon them in this life or enables them to suffer double punishment in the Hereafter. Numerous verses of the Quran and Hadiths emphasise that oppression is destructive, offensive, and prohibited in all forms. Several Ahadith expressly forbid oppression or persecution of any non-Muslim who lives under Muslim protection or with whom a peace pact has been signed. The Prophet said, "On the Day of Judgement, I am that person's enemy, who wrongs someone with whom the Muslims have a treaty, denies them their rights, and burdens them beyond what they can bear, or takes something from them against their will." Islam does not remain mute when it comes to concerns of non-Muslim minority discrimination, yet there are political leaders who do so even if they are aware that Muslim minorities are subject to religious persecution. The current state of affairs is so dire that anyone speaking out in defending rights of minorities runs the possibility of being detained or having their voices stifled. But Islam's lessons on patience and tolerance are what make it so beautiful. Islam teaches us to be tolerant clearly. Islam has built a number of arguments for the growth of tolerance and humanity that strive to instil in people a sense of treating others with honesty and working for their benefit, as is seen from a study of the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's hadiths. The concept of tolerance in Islam is that people with different views have equal rights. Tolerance requires respecting others' feelings and abstaining from critiquing them in a way that would offend those who hold divergent opinions. Never use coercion to convince someone to give up their religious beliefs and practises or to prevent them from doing so. Tolerance is a virtue with global implications that transcends national boundaries. If a country promotes tolerance on a national level, it is simple to promote healthy international and interreligious relations. This process not only improves moral and human values but also rebuilds international trust and strengthens the economy of the country. Whether on a local, regional, or global level, social behaviour that is characterised by a spirit of tolerance does not encourage antagonism and resentment among individuals but rather opens up new possibilities for societal prosperity and a stable democratic system. Thus, from an Islamic viewpoint, tolerance is the cornerstone of society, but when it is widely practised, it encourages a culture of attachment and love among people, which is today the most urgent need and desire. Gustav Le Bon, a well-known French scholar, stated: "We have seen from the Quranic verses mentioned earlier that Muhammad's magnanimity towards Jews and Christians was most great; something that was not said by the founders of the religions that predated him like Judaism and Christianity in particular." It is incorrect and unreasonable to presume that Islam is to blame for terrorism just because it is carried out by organisations that link themselves with Islam. Let me give an example here. We all know that Christianity promotes love. But its adherents experienced oppression when they were vulnerable. Should we thus assume that the persecution and torture of Muslims and Jews in Spain carried out by the Church was a direct outcome of the teachings of Christianity? When Ibn Rushd's thinking and philosophy gained popularity, particularly among Jews, the Church took its ire out on both Jews and Muslims. The Church ruled that any Jews who refused to submit to baptism would be banished from the nation. They could sell their property if they so desired. They were not permitted to take any gold or silver with them as they departed, though. So, individuals were forced to accept trade items in exchange for their property. Jews fled Spain, abandoning their valuables in order to escape with their lives, despite the fact that many of them were overcome by hunger and the hardships of their journey because of their poverty. In addition, the Church decreed in 1052 CE that any Muslims who refused to submit to baptism would be expelled from Spain and its neighbouring regions. When they left, they were required to not take a road going to a Muslim country; anyone who disobeyed this command was put to death. In order to avoid associating the Crusades with Christian teaching, we also attempt to make a distinction between the Christians and the behaviour of some Christian radicals and terrorists. Just as we distinguish between those who lynch someone while chanting "Jai Shri Raam" and those who actually practise Hinduism, we also need to distinguish between those who murder innocent civilians while claiming to be Muslims and those who actually practise Islam۔ We vehemently denounce the extremists and radical organisations, recognizing that their actions are inconsistent with Islam and that their crimes of terrorism are the product of warped minds, desolate hearts, and conceit. If we wish to promote tranquilly and peace on a national and international scale, we must play a constructive role and adopt reality rather than making false allegations. If one religion is falsely accused of supporting terrorists on a regular basis, other communities will be brainwashed by your words, a war between one community and another will break out, and the nation will be filled with tension and hatred, neither of which are beneficial to the nation in any way. ----- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/religion-terrorism-blame-islam/d/130093 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism