It is difficult to define the word 'terrorism', as there are various definitions of this term; but there is no internationally agreed definition of the word 'terrorism'. However, with the more heinous face of terrorism that we are seeing today, one can put it as 'those acts which are intended to create fear (terror), deliberately targeting common non-combatant civilians, with a certain ideological goal'. It is rather unfortunate that such crimes generally get associated with religions, and the religion which has suffered such attributes and blames the most is, Islam.
Let us see, that does Islam really promote terrorism? The word 'Islam' is derived from two Arabic words 'Salam' and 'Silm', whose root word is 'س - ل - م' [S-L-M]. The word Salam or Salaam means Peace, whereas Silm means to submit or surrender ones will and wishes willing to the Will and Wish of Almighty God. Thus, Islam means acquiring Peace by submitting or surrendering ones will and wishes to Almighty God. It is a paradox that this religion, whose name itself is derived from the Arabic equivalent for Peace, is many a times associated with terrorism!
But then, the fact remains that today many of the terrorists in the world are allegedly 'Muslims'. Firstly, such people aren't Muslims, however much they may claim. A person cannot be a Muslim just by having a Muslim name. A person is a Muslim by submitting, by surrendering his will and wishes willing to the Will and Wish of Almighty God. A person is a Muslim by following Islam properly... and Islam does not allow such barbaric acts. Secondly, the religion can't be blamed for the deeds of a few. It is these people who are wrong and not the religion! So it is these people who are to be blamed and not the religion!! It would be absurd to base a conclusion about the teachings of any religion just by mere observation of a few people who claim to be following that particular religion. To know about any religion one should study the Holy Scriptures of that religion and see what do the Scriptures say. The most authentic Scripture of Islam is the Noble Qur'an, which is the Final Book from God Almighty to mankind. And Allaah says in the Noble Qur'an, Chapter 5, Verse 32:
"...if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind."
The Noble Qur'an says that if anyone kills an innocent (irrespective whether he is a Muslim or a non-Muslim), it is equivalent to the killing of the entire mankind! And it further says that if anyone saved a life, it is equal to saving the life of entire mankind!
JIHAD MISUNDERSTOOD
Today one of the most misunderstood term, in the world, most probably is the Arabic word 'Jihad'. Today, the moment someone hears this word, immediately the word 'terrorism' comes to mind. He starts thinking of violence, fighting, killing etc. Not only among non-Muslims, but also among Muslims, there is a great deal of misunderstanding regarding the word and the concept of Jihad. The most common translation of this word is 'Holy War'. However, Jihad does not mean Holy War. The term for Holy War in Arabic is 'Harb-um-Muqaddas'; Harb means war and Muqaddas means Holy. So the correct expression for Holy War actually is Harb-um-Muqaddas; an expression which is nowhere to be found in any of the authentic scriptures of Islam - neither in the Qur'an nor in any Authentic Ahadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
The word Jihad, derived from Arabic word 'Jahada', simply means to exert effort, to strive, to try hard. There are many forms of Jihad, the best of which is against ones own evil inclination i.e. to strive against ones own evil desires, to try hard in restraining oneself from doing wrong.
One of the forms of Jihad is fighting in a battle in self defense against enemies. And for that Allaah says (in the Noble Qur'an, chapter 2, verse 190):
"And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors."
'Fight those who fight you' is what is allowed in Islam and that too without transgressing any limits. What are those limits? When the Noble Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) took part in battles he set rules which were strictly to be adhered to, which included: One should not attack any female or child, one should not attack an elderly person or a sick person, one should not attack someone working in field, one should not harass a person involved in worship, one should not cut down trees or destroy crops, fight only those who fight you, AND IF THE ENEMY WANTS PEACE, GIVE IT TO HIM.
And this is also ordered by Allaah in the Qur'an at several places including Chapter 9, Verse 6, where Allaah says that if the enemy wants peace, grant it to him AND ESCORT HIM TO A PLACE OF SECURITY!!!
Fighting is allowed in Islam only as a last resort and that too only in self defense, maintaining the limits and if there is any possibility of peace, then peace is better. Even if some Muslim has been wronged or has faced any injustice, he is bound to follow the Qur'an and the examples laid by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), which extensively preaches to be patient and to forgive. One should recall the example set by the Noble Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) at the time of conquering Makkah. Firstly, Makkah was conquered without shedding a single drop of blood, without any war. Secondly, when the Muslims conquered the city the enemy had nowhere to go and were expecting a serious action to be taken against them by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for the tortures and atrocities they did against him and his followers forcing them to leave Makkah and migrate to Madinah. But to their surprise, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "This day there is no blame on you. You all are free." He forgave them all. He let go everyone of them, even the lady who had killed his dear uncle Hamza (may Allaah be pleased with him) and then ripped his body and chewed a piece of his lung. There are many more such examples in the life of the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Furthermore, any Muslim involved in any such act, even in the slightest of violence anywhere in the world should realize that he is defaming Islam, earning the anger of Allaah by hurting innocent people, and booking a sure seat in Hellfire! Hence, each and every Muslim should see to it that he does not hurt anyone, but rather live as an ambassador of peace!
Furthermore, any Muslim involved in any such act, even in the slightest of violence anywhere in the world should realize that he is defaming Islam, earning the anger of Allaah by hurting innocent people, and booking a sure seat in Hellfire! Hence, each and every Muslim should see to it that he does not hurt anyone, but rather live as an ambassador of peace!
FINAL WORDS
Dear reader, Islam is a religion of peace, mercy, giving and forgiving. There is no place for any kind of violence whatsoever in Islam. Islam denounces every form of terrorism. The Noble Qur'an and the Authentic Ahadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) denounce and strongly condemn such acts. In addition, numerous Fatwas have been issued throughout the world making clear that terrorism has no place in Islam and any such act is purely un-Islamic. ISLAM SURELY DOES NOT PROMOTE TERRORISM! Not only does Islam not promote terrorism, Islam does not even support terrorism!!!