The True Standing of Islam Against Extremism and Terrorism

It is a tragic fact that all over the world the impression of Islam is not a healthy one, and which was once a religion of peace and harmony has now been branded as a religion of extremism and fundamentalism with little tolerance for people of other opinion and belief.

If the teachings and preaching of Islam be observed analyzed with an objective perspective and reading the Quranic verses about terrorism in the Quran then one leads to the conclusion that Islam has nothing to do with aggression, extremism or terrorism, rather it preaches tolerance, forgiveness and patience. The lines below give the non-terrorist perspective of Islam.

In Quran, Allah Almighty says:

“On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land – it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.” (5:32)

This ayah clearly gives the message of Allah Almighty pertaining to the killing. One can only commit murder of someone if someone has already done murder or there is the chance of spreading of mischief in land. There is no other reason for the murder of any person in Islam.

Moreover, from this ayah it also becomes clear that Allah Almighty has regarded the killing of one person as the killing of humanity and the saving of one person as saving of humanity. Therefore, a life of a single person is as precious and as important as is the whole of humanity.

At another instance in Quran, Allah Almighty says:

“Allah forbids you not, with regards to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loves those who are just.” (60:8)

In this ayah of Quran, Allah Almighty forbids fighting with people unless and until they cause a Muslim to leave his or her home or there is a threat to the faith of a Muslim. If these two conditions are not met, then the commendation of Allah Almighty in such regard to Muslims is to deal with them fairly and with justice. Therefore, Islam does not want its followers to initiate violence or any such activity, rather it wants them to live with others with kindness.

In another ayah in Quran, Allah Almighty says:

“O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” (5:8)

In this ayah, Allah Almighty negates and condemns what is the present cause of all the extremism and terrorism. Allah Almighty forbids Muslims from falling prey to the hatred of people and establishing justice. Therefore, if Muslims were to act true to the instructions of Allah Almighty and if the Western media views the same instructions objectively, the ultimate result would be the conclusion that Allah and Islam are both against violence, and it is not the first option available to Muslims pertaining to solution of problems.