After you witness all these strict rules, is it still likely that you would accuse Islam of promoting bombing in public places? If that action is purportedly performed in the name of Islam, that is instead a betrayal to Islam. After Islam had prohibited all these actions, is it reasonable for the western media to still correlate violence with Islam while at the same time they do not equate the cruel acts of the Americans with Christianity or the Indians with Hinduism or the Israelites with Judaism? This is even though the authoritative text in prohibiting violence is not as clear in other religions as compared to Islam.
After acquiring a full understanding of the fact that Islam opposes zealous violence, the West should start asking; if indeed it is true that there are Muslims who are doing it then it only means that they are not able to restrain themselves to adhere to the disciplines of Islam, why is it happening then? I’d like to reiterate that Islam is not responsible for any mass murder.
What has been happening is actually an action that is out of control. This happens when emotion overrules the mind and misconstruction dictates the actions. It can’t be denied that this excessive and irrepressible emotion kicks in due to the evil and violent attitude displayed by some western power towards the Islamic world specifically in Iraq and Palestine nowadays.
When someone who is normally behaving well suddenly becomes violent, we should be asking for the reasons. Islam is unlike those western movies that endorse the violent acts performed by the heroes in the name of revenge but if the world desires a solution for eliminating a disease, we must cure the cause of the disease.
Then they asked me again; why is there a need to have a chapter on Jihad in Islam? This can cause tension between other religions. I said; if you look at Islam as a religion that only manages mosques, surely then it is weird to discuss the topic of Jihad. However, Islam is a complete religion that covers all systems of life.
Being a comprehensive religion that deals with various issues such as the economy, education, administration, education and many more, it is not possible for Islam not to discuss the issue of warfare. If that is so, it demonstrates how inadequate the system of Islam is. In other words, it would mean that Islam purposely lets the splendor of the system it builds to be infringed or destroyed.
We should be aware of the fact that wars have been occurring in the whole of human history. This is because when there is a group who tends to act violently and oppress others, or likes to use violence as a solution for everything then war will definitely set off. Subsequently, the oppressed side will be dragged along into the arena of war that is imposed on them.
For the sake of defending themselves they are forced to endure it as is happening in Iraq and Palestine. Therefore, we can see that every country will form its own military force because it is a basic necessity. Even if it is not for waging war to others, it is for protecting its border and sovereignty.
This is because a congenial attitude and being favorable to all parties are not able to guarantee that a particular country would not get attacked. The sentiment of greed and voracity that exists in other countries will threaten certain countries even though there is a diplomatic fortress being built. For that, each country is establishing its own military training and systems.
Clearly, discussing the issue of war and weaponry does not necessarily depict violent characteristic or terrorism. On the other hand, it is a necessity in living as a community. Furthermore, war that is waged for upholding the truth conforms to human nature.
This is the reason why films on war that depict victory on the side that is considered as truthful are favored by the world community. Therefore, Islam is a comprehensive religion. It comes to resolve the quandary of humans’ life at all levels. Because of that, it is impossible for Islam not to discuss the topic of war or as it is called – in terms of definition – Jihad qitali or Jihad warfare.
Why is it that just because there’s a chapter of Jihad in Islam this religion is convicted as terrorist but the military system established by every country especially the West is not considered as terrorist? Or, why is it that the Hollywood film producers are not convicted as terrorists? I would like to remind that because this chapter of Jihad is clearly stated in al-Quran and al-Sunnah, Muslims are not allowed to deny it. To deny the battlefield of Jihad means denying the authoritative texts of Islam. However, Muslims must clarify to the world in the correct manner the meaning of Jihad in Islam. Is it possible for Islam to discuss the issues of state affairs but suddenly not mention the topic of military?
What have been happening today are merely a few groups of Muslims who are exploiting this chapter of Jihad warfare or are traversing the disciplines stipulated by the religion. The Islam that is authentic objects their actions altogether.
However, to the Muslim countries that are being attacked by the imperial power, will the world then tell the Muslims; you are supposed to just be quiet about it and not to defend yourselves since that is Jihad and Jihad is an act of terrorism? Is this what you call a universal justice?
As the Arabs are saying it, “He hits me but he is the one crying. He insults me but he is the one complaining.”
Written by
Mufti for the State of Perlis, Malaysia
Dr. Mohd. Asri Zainul Abidin
Translation by Ummu Hajar
Minda Mufti - English Section » O world! Islam is not a religion of terrorism