Islam and Terrorism

Introduction:

The word Islam means - submission - it is to submit yourself to the will of God (not sacrifice .. just submission!) It is based on the Arabic word 'salam' which means 'peace' and the greeting of the muslims to one another is "As Salamu Alaikum" which means peace be upon you. So its a peaceful religion right from its inception and down to its concept.

Now .. our book, the Qur'an, is what we follow and it outlines and defines every detail of this religion. Mind you, the Qur'an is not the sayings of the prophet Mohammed - those we call 'Hadeeth'; the Qur'an is the book that contains the actual revelations from God Almighty (we call Allah) to his prophet through angel Gabriel. Since Mohammed was an illeterate who couldnt read nor write, he couldn't be handed a book and told 'here you go .. spread your word!' Angel Gabriel had to come down to him through the course of 23 years and teach him the different verses (mostly depending on situations tha require guidance from Allah). Mohammed would learn these verses, by-heart them and then then teach them to his companions and followers. These verses varied from stories of prophets had sent before Mohammed (like Abraham, Moses & Jesus) to the do's and dont's of Islam. Many non-muslims read teh Quran, as it is a guide to living Life, how to treat people and how to face the difficulties and how to defent yourself, just to name a few.

Non-muslims in the Qur'an:

Now, Allah had dedicated a chapter in the Qur'an regarding people who disbelieved in the prophet (they're mentioned all over our book in different verses .. but now I refer to one in particular) .. Al Kafirun (the disbelievers) .. chapter 109.. God says:

1. Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)to these Mushrikûn and Kâfirûn): "O Al-Kâfirûn (disbelievers in Allâh, in His Oneness, in His Angels, in His Books, in His Messengers, in the Day of Resurrection, and in Al-Qadar, etc.)!
2. "I worship not that which you worship,
3. "Nor will you worship that which I worship
4. "And I shall not worship that which you are worshipping
5. "Nor will you worship that which I worship
6. "To you be your religion, and to me my religion (Islâmic Monotheism)."

So He orders the prophet Mohammed to tell them ... you have your religion and I have mine! Its your wish (I'll discuss the subject of fate and choice in another topic). The whole 'Islamic terrorism' theory is based on the belief that muslims attack all those who are non-muslims for no reason other than they're not muslims and that we want to force the into Islam!! This theory is false! There were Jews that lived in Madina (the first Islamic capital) in peace, going about their own business and life and amongst muslims.

Another proof ... all muslims will agree that the greatest verse in the Qur'an is in Chapter 2 .. verse 255, where Allah is glorified ... it says:

Allâh! Lâ ilâha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Ever Living, the One Who sustains and protects all that exists. Neither slumber, nor sleep overtake Him. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him except with His Permission? He knows what happens to them (His creatures) in this world, and what will happen to them in the Hereafter . And they will never compass anything of His Knowledge except that which He wills. His Kursî extends over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. [This Verse 2:255 is called Ayat-ul-Kursî.] (Al-Baqarah 2:255)

* Kursi = throne

The verse immediately after, states:

There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path. Whoever disbelieves in Tâghût and believes in Allâh, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allâh is All-Hearer, All-Knower. (Al-Baqarah 2:256)


Allah Himself says we are not to compel anyone into any religion .. then who are we (normal people who are not even chosen prophets!) to enforce our religion on anyone and disobey Him?? We cannot because it is against the teachings of our Creator! We are to invite people to beleive in what we believe but we cannot compel them.


Conclusion:

Unfortunately, it is the personal ambitions of certain people or groups of people that have put a black stain on Islam, and the Western Media needs to blame somebody, so why not Islam! They have stereotyped Islam to be aggressive and a terrifying and barbarian religion when the truth is the opposite. In the same time, because the Western Media does not allow true information about our religion reach the non-muslim west, they have this stereotype embedded in their thoughts, and most muslims think that they hate us for no reason.

Muslims should make an effort to provide information and explanation to what Islam is, and non-muslims should make an effort to want to know the truth. It is our only route to peace.

As Salamu Alaikum


PS: please feel free to copy, forward and distribute the above if you think it would be of any help to anyone, I am not a scholar in the subject, just someone who believes in the truth and purety of the message of Islam.

** Qur'an translation is from www.thenoblequran.com