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Name
Naima
- Pakistan
Profession
Question
As-Salamu Alaykum,
Muslims know for sure that Islam doesn't teach terrorism. But the non-muslims are being made to believe that Islam is a religion of terrorism and calls for the killing of all the non-muslims, by so many extremist muslims. We have been constantly seeing such muslims airing video tapes with the Holy Quran in one hand, and their weapons in the other, thus further solidifying the minds of non-muslims with the falsified fact that Holy Quran incites violence and preaches terrorism. Can't such radical and extremist muslims be stopped? Isn't there any body who could help them understand that what they are doing is totally abhorred and sinful in Islam?
Thank you.
Answer
Hello Naima,
Assalamu alaikum,
Thank you very much for your question.
It is clear that Islam does not teach terrorism. Because, terrorism usually targets "soft targets" or the innnocent people to draw the attention of the world to some grievance or injustice. Maybe there is some genuine atrocity or injustice that has been for a long time ignored by the world; which they want to put an end to. Yet, it is not right from the point of view of Islam to target innocent people.
Another point is that it is not necessary that all those video tapes that show some person holding the Qur'an in one hand and a weapon in the other are always made by Muslims; they could very well be made by the enemies of Islam, for the purpose of exploiting the situation to target the Muslims to more atrocities. In fact, some video tapes have been clearly proved to have been made in this way to mislead the world about Islam.
There more and more reasons that are coming up for many of the so-called "extremists" to exploit Muslims is another deplorable fact. One way to solve the problem is to educate the Muslims True Islam. But it is also important that the Muslim rulers take particular care to see that the grievances of Muslims are addressed and proper solutions are arrived at; so that there is not much scope for extremism to grow.
Certainly, the scholars and leaders of Muslims do have a great role here. As for stopping the people from making and showing such videos: It is not easy--as there is the internet which has no border and practically obeys no law. But Muslims can do more by taking more interest in presenting Islam properly to the world; so that there is little scope for misrepresentation.
And Allah knows best,
Name
Muhamed
-
Profession
Student
Question
Asalamu aleykum wa rahmatu'lahi wa barakatu,
My question is about this vers: ''Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which has been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of truth, [even if they are] of the People of the Book, until they pay the jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued''(9:29).
Some muslims use this verse for support when supporting terroristactions.
What is this verse about and could you please give me references so I can prove to them.
Answer
Hello Muhammad,
Assalamu alaikum.
The verse you have mentioned is from Surah At-Tawbah. It says:
"Fight those who believe not in God nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which has been forbidden by God and His Apostle, nor acknowledge the religion of truth, [even if they are] of the People of the Book, until they pay the jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." (At-Tawbah 9:29)
To truly grasp the significance of this verse, we need to understand the context of the revelation of this verse. Revelations came to the Prophet, when Guidance was actually needed concerning a specific situation. The above verse, among others, is an example of this. For this reason, knowledge of the context of revelation is absolutely necessary for the proper understanding of this verse or any verse in the Qur’an.
Surat At-Tawbah was revealed to the Prophet in a situation when the pagans were at war with the newly organized Muslim Ummah (nation); and the Muslims were fighting them for survival. One of the issues dealt with in this verse is how to treat those who break existing treaties. The Muslims, specifically, are asked to fight those who break treaties, until they were thoroughly routed or they repented and agreed to follow the conditions imposed on them, which will ultimately be for the good of all.
Jizyah (tribute) is a much misunderstood tax the non-Muslims were asked to pay to the government in lieu of the Muslims’ payment of zakah. By paying the jizyah non-Muslims were guaranteed protection and rights including the right to worship as they chose--as long as they did not conspire against the Islamic authority. This can be equated nowadays to ‘nationality’, or ‘citizenship’. It is important to note that many times throughout Islamic history Christians and Jews opted to pay the jizyah and live under Muslim authority rather than the other options available to them under the various empires and ruling bodies. They knew that under Islam their humanity, rights and so on were respected and protected, as long as they fell in line with the boundaries established by Islam.
Under an Islamic government, Muslim and non-Muslim citizens are free to practice their religion and both should obey the laws of the land. If the government levied a tax only on its Muslim subjects, it would be unjust, as all are equal under the Muslim administration. At the same time, it would certainly be unjust to impose zakah on the non-Muslims; so a new tax called jizyah was introduced to balance the situation. All of us know that any government can legitimately ask its citizens to obey its laws; and a rebellious defiance of the laws of the land is not condoned by any government.
We should remember that the Muslims were a small band of people facing total annihilation. So, the Prophet was compelled to fight for existence; for survival. He was a model for his followers even in fighting a last-ditch battle. Those who believe in “the Son of God who was betrayed, bound, beaten, and crucified” obviously have difficulty in accepting a fighting prophet - a prophet who, with righteous indignation, stands up for truth and justice. Islam does not believe in a God Who was tortured, killed and left helpless to be defeated by his enemies! Where is the mercy of God, when He demands the sacrifice of an innocent person to atone for the sins of others? Can He not choose to forgive mankind Himself without exacting retribution?
Islam is a very practical religion that encompasses all aspects of human life then and now. Therefore, when the Muslims were organized for the first time into a community in those lawless times, there had to be laws governing matters of social organization, and even rules for battle. We cannot imagine a situation where fighting is completely ruled out either.
The immediate context of the above verse is that of a “war in progress” and not a general directive. It was an attempt to motivate Muslims to defend themselves. It was in view of the extreme danger the Muslims were facing, that they were permitted to fight in the first place. The Qur’an says:
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given [to fight], because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;- [They are] those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- [for no cause] except that they say, "our Lord is Allah”. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his [cause];- for verily Allah is Full of strength, Exalted in might, [Able to enforce His will]" (Al-Hajj 22:39-41).
"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter..." (Al-Baqarah 2:190-191).
It is clear from the above verses that when Muslims fight, it must be for the sake of truth and justice. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) instructed his followers to maintain the utmost discipline even in battles, including avoiding injury to the innocent and using only the minimum force needed.
Even a cursory study of the Qur'an must convince an objective student, that Islam does not permit, condone or promote violence. On the contrary, it abhors violence and allows it only in self-defense, and certainly not to obtain oil and other forms of material wealth.
May Allah help and guide us in presenting the Truth of Islam to the world!
Thanks,
Name
HaBiB
-
Profession
Question
Salaam, what is the tafsir on Qur'an 9:05?
Answer
Hello Habib,
Assalamu alaikum.
Holy Qur'an, surah 9, verse,5 reads: "But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and pay Zakat, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.”
This is a verse taken from Surah Bara’at, or At-tawba. This surah (chapter) of the Qur’an was revealed in the context when the newly organized Muslim Ummah (society) was engaged in defending themselves against the Pagans. The major question dealt with here is, as to how the Muslims should treat those who break an existing treaty at will.
The first clause in the verse refers to the time-honored Arab custom of a period of warning and waiting given to the offenders, after a clear violation. That is, they will be given four-month time to repair the damage done or make peace. But if nothing happens after the expiry of these forbidden months, what should be done? This is what the present verse says. According to this verse, fighting must be resumed until one of the two things happen: either the enemy should be vanquished by relentless fighting {that is what is meant by “then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war)) or, they should “repent, establish prayers and pay zakat” etc.
This is one of those verses of the Qur’an which are likely to be misunderstood, if quoted out of context. We must remember that the Prophet and his companions were forced to leave not only their own homes but all their property and even their hometown of Makkah to Madinah.
Once the Muslims were organized into a community in Madinah, in those lawless times, the rules to be followed by the Muslims were clearly laid down, even in the matter of war. Since Islam is a comprehensive system, no human activity could be ignored. And given the nature of man, we cannot imagine a situation where fighting is completely ruled out either.
Hope this answers your question; and Allah knows best,
Name
Abdur Rahman
- United Kingdom
Profession
Project Manager
Question
The topic of discssion only goes to serve the anti-Islamic propoganda. Even the enemies of Islam realise that Islam has nothing to do with terrorism. What you should be discussing is the terrorism of America and the West against the Muslims in the world today. A few Muslims are only reacting to the tyranny against them. Discuss issues that realy matter instead of non issues. Here are few for you to think about: America is a savage nation established by anhialating the natives of that land the same can be said of Canada, Australia, New Zealand etc.
America supports the most powerful and illegal terrorist entity in the world, Israel.
Discuss Hindu terrorism against Muslism in India.
Dont forget Christian terrorism against Muslims in Bosnia and Russin savagery in Chechnya.
Address the real problems and the violence against Muslims instead of some apologetic discussion about Islam.
Answer
Hello Abdur Rahman,
Assalamu alaikum,
We do not accept your criticism that we are discussing a non-issue here. On the other hand, we are trying to deal with the same problem you have in mind from a more positive angle. We need to first convince ourselves and then others, why we as Muslims cannot resort to terrorism?
Instead of retaliating on those who actually massacre innocent men, women and children, some of us commit the same atrocity as the real terrorists do. If so, what moral right have we to blame them?
In most cases the terrorists who kill Muslims are aided and abetted by "our own people." This means that we need to begin at home. Those who indirectly pave the way for the aggressors are as guilty as the perpetrators.
When we recite the Holy Qur'an or repeat the hadiths of the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam and explain the meaning, we are not being apologetic: We are doing actual da'wah. And Allah Subuhana huwa Taala has decreed it to be our duty to do da'wah.
May Allah guide us and help us!
Name
Nafees
-
Profession
Question
Assalamu Alaikum Professor,
How is the best way for Muslims when doing dawah to non-Muslims to differentiae the legitimate fight against the oppressors from illegitimate actions of the few (without seeming to criticise the wider struggle).
JazakAllah,
Answer
Hello Nafees,
Assalamu alaikum,
You know, war has always been a complex subject for objective study or analysis. Given the nature of man, one cannot imagine a world without wars. The best we can strive for is to have a code of rules for war. It is the merit of Islam that it does provide such rules, which remain ever nobler and more realistic than any other code existing for the conduct of war.
Concerning the rules of combat as outlined in Islam, the following points are important to note:
In war as in peace, the injunctions of Islam are to be strictly observed. Worship does not cease during times of war. Islamic jurisprudence maintains that whatever is prohibited during peace is also prohibited during war.
Allah says in the Qur’an what means:
*{Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loves not, aggressors.} (Al-Baqarah 2:190)
The above permission to fight clearly lays down the following conditions:
(1) Never commit aggression; fighting is allowed only for self-defense.
(2) Fighting must never be against non-combatants or non-fighting personnel.
The Prophet used to instruct his followers during battles and tell them not to be embittered or inclined to commit treachery. He asked them to spare non-combatants, particularly children and hermits. Caliph Abu Bakr gave the following instructions to the commander who led the campaign to Syria:
“Do not betray, be treacherous or vindictive. Do not mutilate. Do not kill children, the aged or women. Do not cut or burn palm trees or fruit trees. Do not slay a sheep, a cow, or camel except for your food. And you will come across people who stay in hermitages for worship; leave them alone to what they devote themselves to.”
Justice is highly valued in Islam and no Muslim is allowed to violate it even in times of war against their bitterest enemies.
This is in sharp contrast with the behavior of the crusaders, for instance. When they entered Jerusalem on July 15, 1099, they slaughtered seventy thousand Muslims, including women, children, and the elderly: “They broke children's skulls by knocking them against the wall, threw babies from roof tops, roasted men over fires and cut open women's bellies to see if they had swallowed any gold.” (Edward Gibbon).In modern warfare, this example is paralleled by the atrocious behavior of the Serb army in Bosnia, to quote just one instance.
For the first time in the history of warfare, it was Islam that adopted an attitude of mercy and caring for the captured enemy. Unprecedented by previous legal systems, and long before the Geneva Convention, Islam set the rule that the captive is to be sheltered by his captivity and the wounded by his injury. Islam made it obligatory to feed prisoners.
Islam clearly prohibits subjecting of captives to ill treatment by denying them food, drink, or clothing. According to Islamic law, the captive belongs to the state and not to his captor. The ruler has the ultimate option, as he sees fit, to grant him freedom immediately or at a later time, as he sees fit.
Islam never fought civilian populations, but only fought despotic rulers. Islamic war was one of liberation and not one of coercion.
One of the major shortcomings of modern international politics is its scant regard for moral obligation. Time and again, treaties and agreements are flouted. From the outset, Islam has emphatically prohibited breach of trust and treachery. Recent examples of signing a pact with a nation with a hidden intent to attack it are diametrically opposed to the rules of combat Islam has laid down. The Qur’an tells us what means:
"O you who believe! Fulfill your undertakings…" (Qur'an,5:1)
From the foregoing, one can clearly see how Islam differentiates betweeen legitimate fight and illegitimate fight.
The fact is that there are no rules of war more humane and realistic, than the rules of Islam.
And Allah knows best,
Name
Raihanah
- Jamaica
Profession
student
Question
Asalamualaikum!
i know for sure that Islam does not preach terrorism. However living in the West where non-muslims are highly influenced by the media and thus believes what they see and hear about Islam being in support of terrorism. My question is, how does a Muslimah convince them otherwise? i have tried on numerous attempts, even citing Quranic ayahs to solidify my points but that was only effective to a point.
Answer
Hello Raihanah,
Assalamu alaikum,
Thank you very much for your question.
I have answered the same question, just now. Please see my answer to Nafees above.
May Allah help us and guide us!
Name
Ahsen
- United States
Profession
Businessman
Question
Qur'an does have many ayahs which instruct us Muslims to "fight against disbelievers" and to "do actions to anger the disbelievers."
Isn't Al-Qaeda doing the fighting part of Islam? Why are we scholarlt Muslim become afraid of fighting and say jihad is only in the inner self? Didn't Prophet Mohammad (peace abd blessings of Allah be upon him) fight in real wth real blood bleeding?
There are many ahadith encouraging Muslims to fight. There is one hadith in Bukhari which says that Islam will spread through terror. Just like it is now.
Why are we shying away from the truth and apologizing to the disbelievers?
I am confused, so if you Allah has given you more knowledge, help me brothers and sisters.
Answer
Hello Ahsen,
Assalamu alaikum,
It is true that Allah Subuhanahu wa Taala permits Muslims to fight. {As I have just now given the relevant verses and the explanations, please refer to them above. For instance: the answer to Nafees}, The permission to fight given in the Holy Qur'an, lays down the following conditions:
(1) Never commit aggression; fighting is allowed only for self-defense.
(2) Fighting must never be against non-combatants or non-fighting personnel.
And you should understand that Justice is highly valued in Islam and no Muslim is allowed to violate it even in times of war against their bitterest enemies.
Any group of Muslims who on their own undertake the task of fighting for Islam, as they visualize it, cannot be legitimate, unless all the norms laid down by the Holy Qur'an and the Sunnah are scrupulously observed.
The first question is one of authenticity: How are their actions validated, that they are actually promoting the Cause of Islam? Are they able to observe Islamic justice during the fighting and after the fighting? The so-called Al Qaeda, to my understanding does not exist, except as a convenient media construct, very convenient for our enemies who want to denigrate Islam.
Some of the things you have said above arise from a terrible misreading of Islam and from a misunderstanding of the undercurrents of what is happening in the world now.
Please study, observe and above all seek Allah's guidance and help in all matters.
May Allah help us and guide us!
Name
Aisha
-
Profession
Question
Why is it that non-Muslims are pointing their fingers at Muslims and calling them terrorists when the non-Muslims are the ones who are committing more terrorist acts? One only needs to look at Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, and so on, for examples. Muslims are the victims these days in many places and we are made to be the criminals. Could you comment on that.
Answer
Hello Aisha,
Assalamu alaikum,
It is a sad fact that the Muslims of today are at the receiving end of the worst atrocities we can imagine. The sad state of affairs is the result of many factors, including the following:
1. The corrupt and/or inept governments in Muslim lands
2. The ignorance of Muslims and their misunderstanding and misreading of Islam
3. The disunity of the Ummah.
One non-Muslim friend said that the problem with the Muslims is that they have no PR department for Islam, meaning that we do not know how to tell the world and convince them of the facts you mentioned, among other things.
As has already beeen said elsewhere, the cure for these ills should begin at home.
If real liberty and democracy come to the Muslim lands,half the battle is won, I suppose. But the west that speak so much about liberty and democracy will not allow that to happen, at any rate in the immediate future. We need to learn a couple of lessons, which (I believe) Allah Almighty is teaching us in these troublous times.
Only Allah knows.
May He guide us and help us to learn the right lessons!
Name
Usamah
-
Profession
Question
As-Salamu `alaykum. Is not the Qisas a terrorism act?
Answer
Hello Usamah,
Assalamu alaikum
There is a lot of difference between the punishments given by a court of law and the unlawful violence committed on people by a person or a group, which is terrorism.
Qisas, according to Islamic legal terminology, is "specified punishment imposed by the Shari’ (Allah) as an obligation to be implemented in order to carry out the right of mankind" (and it is to be distinguished from "hudod", . In implementing the hudud punishment, the right of Allah is stressed whereas in administering the qisas, it is the rights of man that are more emphasised.
Allah Almighty has said: "O you who believe! Al-Qisas (The law of equality in punishment) is prescribed for you in case of murder."
Murder is an offence for which the punishment prescribed is death. The authorities in an Islamic country have to resort to the proper proceedings before sentencing a person to death.
I don't think any sensible person would call a judge in a court a terrorist, simply, for the reason that he sentences a murderer to the death penalty.
Hope you understand.
