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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON TERRORISM

In the course of our presentations and educational programs, we are frequently asked questions about Islam and its view on terrorism. Here are some of the most common questions and their answers:

1) What is the Islamic stand on terrorist attacks, such as those that took place in London on July 7, 2005, Madrid in 2004, NY on September 11, 2001, and repeated "suicide bombings" in Israel?

Terrorism is highly condemned in Islam. Terrorism, defined as the use of violence and threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes directly contradicts Islamic teachings, which prohibit targeting civilians, even in war. In Islamic law, fighting is to be between armies (combatants), not involving non-combatants, or even infrastructure that affects the lives of non-combatants, such as food sources, water, hospitals, roads, bridges, and other necessities of a civilian population. In fact, "haraba", a Qur'anic term defined as "sowing corruption and chaos on earth", is considered one of the most grievous crimes, subject to severe punishment.

2) Is there anything in the Qur'an, which encourages the terrorists?

Absolutely nothing in the Qur'an encourages terrorism. On the contrary, the Qur'an (Islamic Scripture which Muslims believe is the unchanged word of God) and hadith (Prophet Muhammad's sayings and traditions as recorded by his companions), which are the two primary sources of Islamic law place supremacy on the sacredness of life, security, and peace. Terrorists who base their actions on Islamic law misappropriate Islam, as terrorist anti-abortionists, white supremacists, and certain militia groups misappropriate Christianity.

3) Is there anything in Islam that leads to suicide bombings or terrorism?

Nothing in Islam leads to terrorism or suicide bombings, nor has it ever part of the ethos of Islam's 1400 years of history and traditions. This is a modern day aberration among a few extremists who have taken terrorism as a means for fighting personal wars. Suicide is strongly prohibited in Islam because no one has the right to take away the life that God has given, except God Himself. Committing terrorist acts, which kill innocent civilians, is also prohibited, even during war, especially against women, children, old people, and religious people such as monks and nuns. Even the cutting down of trees, killing animals, and destroying infrastructure are forbidden. In Islam, one can only fight a "just war", which is fought in self-defense, not as an act of aggression and is to be between two groups of military personnel, not with civilians.

4) Where do Muslim extremists get their textual justifications?

Some of the Qur'anic verses which lay out the purpose and nature of war include the following:

To stop oppression: "Victims of aggression are given license because they have been done injustice; and God is well able to help them---those evicted from their homes without reason except that they say, "Our Lord is God." For if God did not parry people by means of one another, then monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques wherein the name of God is much recited would surely be demolished. And God will surely defend those who defend God---for God is powerful, almighty." (Qur'an, Chapter 22:39-40).

Note the mention of all houses of worship, which demonstrates Islam's historical tolerance for other religlions.

In self-defense: "And fight for the sake of God those who fight you; but do not be brutal or commit aggression, for God does not love brutal aggressors." (Qur'an, Chapter 2:190.)

Note that permission is given to fight in self-defense, but not to transgress.

Peace is a desired state: "Now if they incline toward peace, then incline to it, and place your trust in God, for God is the all-hearing, the all-knowing." (Qur'an, Chapter 8:61).

Muslim extremists get their textual interpretations by taking verses in the Qur'an out of their specific-social-historical context, not considering the time, place, and specific circumstances in which these verses were revealed, which out of context are clearly rejected by other parts of the Qur’an. The most commonly quoted verse must be understood in its context – the struggle of the early Muslims against the Makkans who fought and persecuted them first in Makkah, and then after they established a state in Medina, where Muslims fought back for the first time. They cannot be used to justify targeting innocent civilians.

The verse that is often cited by terrorist groups is as follows: “Kill idolaters wherever you find them, and capture them and blockade them, and watch for them at every lookout.” (Qur'an, Chapter 9:5)

What is interesting to note is that this same verse continues as follows below, but is usually omitted by terrorist organizations: "...But if they repent and practice prayer and give alms, then let them go their way; for God is most forgiving, most merciful. And if one of the polytheists asks you for protection, then protect him, until he hears the word of God: then deliver him to a place safe for him. That is because they are people who do not know." (Qur'an, Chapter 9:5)

Note that not only are they given a chance to repent, but also that if they ask for asylum, it must be granted.

It is impossible to analyze this and other verses except in light of the overall moral thrust of the Qur'anic message, which refers to general moral imperatives such as mercy, justice, kindness, or goodness. The Qur'an has a dual nature: one that is specific (particular or transitional) to the occasion, time and place, and another that is universal and permanent in nature, dealing with principles that apply for all times and places. The specific cannot be made to apply universally, while the universal always informs the specific.

5) What is Jihad?

"Jihad" is an Arabic word, which is often mistranslated as "holy war", a concept which does not exist in Arabic. The Arabic words for holy war is "harb muqadasa," not "Jihad". "Jihad" literally means "striving". The "greater jihad" is described as the internal struggle to avoid negative actions and cultivate good character. The "lesser jihad" is described as the external striving for justice, in self defense or against oppression, which is a basic human right shared by all people. One can do this in one's heart, with one's tongue or pen, and if these are ineffective, by physically trying to change an oppressive situation, either in self-defense or to defend others against aggression (like the Revolutionary War by the founding fathers against the oppressive policies of the British; or World War II against the aggression of Hitler.)

It is this last type of jihad that Muslim extremists believe they are fighting, which the media mis-translates as "holy war".

6) Who can declare "Jihad"? Can Osama bin Laden declare "Jihad"?

Islam places a great emphasis on order in its political philosophy. Anarchy and arbitrary acts are greatly condemned. Basic principles relating to war are buttressed by these twin considerations. Islam teaches in the Qur'an: "Believers, obey God, and obey the messenger, and those with authority among you." (Qur'an, Chapter 4:59). Qur'anic commentators mention that those in authority among you means legitimate political authorities and scholars. These are the people who can rightfully declare war. Firstly, legitimate political authorities can make such a call. Secondly, in their absence, those scholars who are universally recognized by the Muslims for their scholarship and piety. As Osama bin Laden is neither a scholar nor a government leader, he lacks the authority to call for war.

7) Do Muslims, particularly those in America, support Osama bin Laden?

The vast majority of Muslims do not support Osama bin Laden and in fact Muslims here and around the world do not know any more about Osama bin Laden than Americans. A few Muslim groups overseas support him because they see him as standing up to America, which they regard as a superpower that they perceive as biased towards the Palestinians, and other Muslim peoples around the world.

8) Does Islam teach hatred for non-Muslims?

Since Islam considers the diversity of people and nature as God's creation, respect for diversity is commanded. Especially noted in the Quran are "People of the Book", namely Jews and Christians, who were always given a special place in Muslim society. Muslims are commanded to safeguard their right to worship and their places of worship, a command that has been historically followed, as is evidenced by the existence of old churches and synagogues throughout the Muslim world in places like Turkey, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, and Bosnia. Contrary to the common stereotype, Islam was not "spread by the sword", nor people forced to convert, a fact again born out by the existence of non-Muslim populations throughout the Muslim world. This same respect and tolerance was extended to people of other faiths.

As Bernard Lewis states in his book, What Went Wrong, "Surely, the Ottomans did not offer equal rights to their subjects, a meaningless anachronism in the context of that time and place. They did however offer a degree of tolerance without precedent or parallel in Christian Europe. Each religious community - the Ottoman term was millet - was allowed the free practice of its religion. More remarkably, they had their own communal organizations, subject to the authority of their own religious chiefs, controlling their own education and social life, and enforcing their own laws, to the extent that they did not conflict with the basic laws of the Empire. While ultimate power - political and military - remained in Muslim hands, non-Muslims controlled much of the economy, and were even able to play a part of some importance in the political process."

9) Are Martyrs guaranteed 70 virgins in Heaven?

This is not an authenticated prophetic tradition (hadith). However, Islam teaches that "martyrs" are promised a great reward from God, just as war heroes are honored in many societies. However, a Muslim who dies commandeering a plane-load of civilians into a building full of civilians, or blowing up innocent people on trains or buses, jeopardizing the safety and security of Muslims & non-Muslims throughout the world, and opening the way for antagonistic forces to slander, denigrate, and vilify Islam is not considered a martyr. Terrorists are mass murderers, not martyrs.

10) Should I be afraid of anyone who is Muslim or from the Middle East?

Just as you should not stereotype, or make assumptions about an entire group of people based on their background, race, or religion, it is wrong to think of all people from the Middle East and those who are Muslim as being terrorists just because a few of them commit terrorism. One-fifth to one-fourth of the world's population is Muslim, but only a handful of criminals commit these deeds. This could be compared to asking if we should be afraid of all white young males because Timothy McVeigh was white, or afraid of all Christians because extremist anti-abortionists are Christian, or Irish people because of terror in Ireland. It is important to remember that there are good and bad people in all countries, races and religions.

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