Islam & concept of  terrorism?
368293
Unfortunately more and more often, Islam has been associated with terrorism and violence due to the actions of a few extreme individuals who’ve taken it upon themselves to do the most heinous crimes in the name of Islam. \n  \n   Tragic events such as the attack on the twin towers in New York, the bombings of Bali, Madrid and London are assumed to be justified by Islam in the minds of some people. This idea has been fueled further by many media channels which defame Islam by portraying these bombers as ‘Islamists’ or ‘Jihadists’, as though they were sanctioned by Islam, or had any legitimate spokemenship on behalf of Muslims. The actions of a few fanatical individuals who happen to have Muslim names or ascribe themselves to the Muslim faith should not be a yardstick by which Islam is judged. For the same reason, that one would not do justice to Christianity if it where perceived as sanctioning the genocide of the Native Americans, the atrocities of world war II or the bombings of the IRA. \n\nTo understand Islam’s stance on terrorism, one must refer to its original sources, the Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him,which are explicit in their prohibition of any form of injustice including that of wanton violence which seeks to instill fear, injury or death to civilians.  \n\nThe Quran turns our attention to the high value of human life, whether it is Muslim or Non-Muslim and makes it absolutely forbidden to take an innocent life unjustly.  The gravity of such a crime is equated, in the Quran, with the killing of all humanity. \n\n“On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one 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 any one 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 ) \n\nNot only is human life sacred in Islam but the property, wealth, family and dignity of all individuals in society are to be respected and protected.  Those who transgress these rights and sow fasad (corruption) as the Quran describes it, incur the wrath of Allah. \n\n"…and seek not corruption in the earth; lo! Allah loveth not corrupters " (28:77) \n\nLikewise in another verse \n\n“The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous” (42:42) \n\nIslam goes further than just prohibiting oppression and safeguarding rights, it commands its faithful to deal kindly and compassionately to all those who seek to live in peace and harmony\n\n"Allah forbids you not, with regard 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) \n\nIn times of war and conflict, where enmity can obstruct an individual’s judgement to act morally, Islam commands that justice be upheld even towards one’s enemies. \n\n"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) \n\nCenturies before the Geneva Convention was drawn up, Muslims were bound by a code of conduct which the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, set.  He forbade the killing of women, children and elderly in war. In an authentic narration the Prophet (pbuh) warned that he who kills anyone who has a covenant of peace with the Muslims will not smell the scent of Paradise. In fact, he taught that justice is not only to humans but must be shown to animals and all living things.  In a narration the Prophet
1022440
Terrorists come from all walks of life.  There are terrorists in every country of the world, including the United States.  They are motivated by religion, politics and cultural/socio-economic backgrounds.  Being that Islam is only the 3rd most popular religion in the world, your information is faulty at best and downright inflammatory and willfully hateful at the worst.
410478
To get a RIGHT answer, you must form a RIGHT question. If you want answers to your questions the first thing you have to learn is "HOW TO FORM A QUESTION"\n\nThis is NOT a RIGHT question. \n\nStill, the answer can be either "YES" or "NO". Both are not RIGHT answers.\n\nSo, no answer.\n\nThe perspective through which the question is asked itself gives a direction to the answer. If people thinks like this then its not a "real thinking" for "real solution".\n\nNo religion (usually the main five religion as ISLAM, CHRISTIANITY, HINDUISM, JUDAISM & BUDDISM) teaches terrorism. Terrorism is NOT connection with religion. It is connected with human behaiviour and the perspective how people thinks. A WAR can form PEACE and a PEACE can be a new platform to start a new WAR. \n\nMuslims, Christians, Hindus, Jews or Buddisht - no one is terrorist. Only terrorist are terorist and they use religion to give their terrorism a name or a cause.
676566
I don't think so.Terrorism based on religion used to be a lot worse in the past(think of what was happening in Europe in Medeaval times).It's just that we feel more secure now from other things and that's why we think this kind of terrorism is increasing.
1164530
Jihad : the concept of Holy War in Islam\n\nThe Quranic term 'Jihad' means, "Holy fighting in the Cause of Allah or any other kind of effort to make Allah's Word (i.e. Islam) superior. Jihad is regarded as one of the fundamentals of Islam." \n\nMuslims refer to a 'greater Jihah' (the personal struggle against sin), and a 'lesser Jihad' (holy warfare against the enemies of Allah and Islam). This distinction is often lost in the media, in part because some Muslims deliberately misrepresent the concept of Islam.\n\nFor Christians:\nMany Christians talk about a "Just War", but the Gospel of Jesus is the Gospel of Peace, there is no way in the New Testament to justify any bloody War... it is difficult to justify even the just, defensive war if one takes seriously the message of the Sermon on the Mount, which is the heart of the Gospel (Mat.5:28-42).\n\n    Jesus changed the whole attitude on warfare:\n    For a Christian, the answer to any war will be to "turn the other cheek"...To Peter, and to you and me, Jesus said: "Put your sword back in its place", because Jesus will bring the sword, Jesus will take care of you, because “vengeance is mine,” says the Lord (Mat.5:39, 26:52, Rom.12:19).\n\n    However, indeed there have been hundreds of wars made by Christians against Christians and against non-Christians... I am sure you are thinking about Ireland, Afghanistan, Iraq, the Crusades... the wars of France, Italy, Spain, Germany, England, USA... all Christian countries, and dozens more... and that's all wrong for Christians, even if it has been done for centuries!.\n\n    Actually, things are changing, even the Pope John Paul II is a pacifist at heart, an activist against war... with 137 documents against war just in the 3 months before the war of Iraq (January to March, 2003)... before the war, the Pope sent a cardinal to Washington to plead with President Bush not to attack, and another cardinal to Baghdad to press Saddam Hussein to cooperate completely with U.N. weapons inspectors.\n\nThis is what Jesus said and did:\n\n   In the Sermon of the Mount:\n    This Sermon, called the Constitution of Christianity, contains in Mat. 5 the "Law of Christ" of Gal.6:2. In it Jesus fulfilled the Law introducing several changes in Matthew 5:17-48.\n    One of them is about aggression, defense and war:\n   You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.'But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Mat.5:33-41).\n    No "eye for eye" in Christianity, but "turn the other cheek"... no revenge, no war... it is difficult to justify even the just, defensive war if one takes seriously the message of the Sermon on the Mount, which is the heart of the Gospel.\n   Just Love!... put the other cheek... he steals your tunic?, give him your cloak as well... it sounds incredible... impossible to follow... it is the Law of Christ, the Prince of Peace and of joy and of love... This is Christianity!.\n\n    At Gethsemane:\n   Jesus is telling us what he told Peter:\n    "Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, "Put your sword back into its place; for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?. But how then should the scriptures be fulfilled, that it must be so?"... "But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him." (Mat.26:50-54, Lk.22:51)...\n   The
649622
Of course not. \nTerrorists can belong to any religion..they can be Muslims, Christians or even Hindus. One must not confuse Islam & terrorism together. These terrorists follow their own ideals & principles, their own logic & explanation for everything they do, that is not Islam- the religion. They may call what they do as 'fighting for Islam & for their Prophet', but again that's not a religion....thats madness of a kind. In no religion scripture will one be able to find an explanation of what these terrorists are doing..they are killing innocent people because of hatred & fear, & these are words and action no God teaches its Followers.
1000882
Yes, but slowly I think. Terrorism has no nationality or religion or race. However, the media has the power to misrepresent events, and when all we hear about are Muslim terrorists, it breeds the myth that Muslim = terrorist. However, some people view the actions of the israeli Gov, or even the British and American Gov. as terrorists actions. So, I dont think that intelligent, well informed members of the public believe that Muslims are terrorists, just that we are living in religious conflicts.
1071562
Islam, as I understand it, teaches that all non-Muslims should be put to death.  While I know that not all Muslims want to kill what you consider "infidels",  unfortunately, terrorists give you a bad name, and you all pay the price for it.
195797
Terrorism is only terrorism, which ever side you remain. Killings  innocents in World Trade Center, At London Railway stations or in Delhi crowded Markets are always terrorism which ever side you are. F-16  are bombing remote villages because terrorist are hiding there.
31846
I think the entire muslim faith must be distinguished from Islamic Fundamentalism, which is as it's name implies is much more fundamentalist in nature. \n\nUnfortunately, I think there are a large number of Islamic fundamentalists who condone the actions of terrorists.\n\nMercifully Islamic Fundamentalism is the credo of only a small percentage of those of the Muslim faith.
897744
How many terrorists have they outsted from Islam.\n\nNONE. They are Jehadis for them. Now the new meaning jehadis is terrorists. Its their own making.\n\nEvery friday prayer, the mullahs in thier speeches appreciate the work done by these terrorists. killing innocent people is what they call God's work for betterment of humanity.\n\nDid they outsted Osama bin Laden, mullah omar, al zarkhawi and host of others whose main aim is to disturbe the civilized society. if they are fighting US imperialism then why do they have to attack innocent people who have nothing to do with US administration - tourists, school children etc are thier favorite targets. they have not killed one top US official till date whose policies are considered harmful or insult to Islam.\n\nNone. Islam seems to be a religion for terrorists. In Bali, they killed tourists, in Kashmir they killed innocent hindus, in mumbai they targetted the hindu diamond merchants & stock brokers and other innocent people from different walks of life. Why the attackers are always muslims. \n\nwhat has the muslims religious leadership done to contain these terrorist activities? None. they are infact encouraging these people to carry out more such attacks. they even collect money from those who attend mosque for prayers. surprisingly most muslims are only willing to fund such acticities liberally. \n\nits upto the muslims to now get rid of this dirty terrorists. else they will get wiped out in the process and become outcasts in a civilized society.
116511
I haven't seen anyone make the "switch".  I hope I don't.  Islam is the religion of hate.  Even the peace loving Muslims can't argue that the teachings in their Quran are filled with hate.  While all Muslims aren't terrorists, all terrorists ARE Muslim.
15569
That was funny. I was thinking of verse 9.11 of the Qu'ran when I realised it was a direct reference to September 11..\nHowever, though it is a tragedy, there have been many more killings sanctioned by religions that aren't necessary Muslim.\nThat is a sad thing, for religion to be used as a basis of war.
118288
"It is a certain fact that not all Muslims are terrorists, but it is equally certain, and exceptionally painful, that almost all terrorists are Muslims." Abdelrahman al-Rashid, columnist for al-Sharq al-Awsat, Saudi Arabia.\n\nI don't think we in the west consider all of the Islamic Ummah to be a threat. For instance, the Muslims of Bosnia tend to be even somewhat fond of us, since it was western countries that liberated the Kosovars and others, and kept the peace. And the west has had good relations with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan.\n\nBut there certainly is a strong militant movement within Islam, and I think we are correct to see in this a threat. Even if there are only a few hundred thousand muslims in the world who think that flying planes into buildings is a noble act, or that the guys who blew up subways with backpacks were heroes, that's still a few hundred thousand people who are willing to use violence to harm us.\n\nWe would be foolish to ignore that threat, sadly.
337874
First of all, do you think terrorists are really truly good muslims?  I mean just ask any muslim guy or gal, like me, and we will condemn whatever they have done.  As a muslim, I believe in peace and tranquility, i believe in diplomacy, and our Prophet always tried to handle things as peacefully as he could.  These so called extremists are NOT supported by majority of the muslims.  Most of the time, they are religously ignorant and you can't blame or stereotype all the muslims to do the same thing.\n\ninin jomo,  i really apppreciate you quoting the quran.  Thank you!
327893
The first thing people in the west need to understand about Islam and the Islamic world is that Islam is a symbol used for exploitation by most of the people calling themselves as Muslims and not taken in the true letter-n-spirit.  The very word Islam means (according to Dictionary)"1. Peace, 2. Submission (To Allah/God). The second meaning is exactly what is the first meaning is if one reads the Quran (The Word of Allah/God) they will understand why some people use the first meaning and the second meaning. Although both the meanings are synonymous for people who are born in a "Muslim" community it becomes a misleading meaning for others who have never read or gone through the Quran. Having said this as far as the question for Muslim leadership is concern the people who claims to be Muslims most of them are themselves not aware of their religion "Islam" as they are divided into a number of sects, similar to those that exist in Christianity. However, since the people who claims to be Christians have learned to co-exist with other sects of their faith (after centuries of inter-faith conflicts and conflicts between the Church and the society) by disassociating their religion from their day to day affairs they are more at peace in other words living more in "Islam" then their counter parts the so-called "Muslims". It is, therefore, that there is no central leadership that exists in the "Muslim" world at present.  In their own countries even their divided leadership does at times issue statements against terrorism (as understood by the other half of the world), however, their statements never found space in your part of the world. This is because of a number of factors the first and the top most is that the very definition of the word ‘Terrorism’ holds different meanings for different people. For example when Hitler committed crimes against humanity to date despite the hatred against Hitler his work was never labeled as terrorism. When the combined allied forces devastated the German cities and cut them into two halves, raping and maiming millions of civilians the act was never seen as terrorism but was considered a response against Hitler's forces atrocities. When the US forces attacked Korean peninsula and killed many civilians in the name of fight against communism the war was neither termed as terrorism nor a fight against terrorism. When the Jews, supported by their European and US allies, carried out attacks and killings of innocent Palestinian people to drive them out of their homeland their campaign was never termed as terrorism. To date I am sure you do get to see a photograph or two of the Israeli atrocities committed both in "Israel" and Lebanon and in the rest of the world like attack on Iraqi Osirock nuclear plant and killing of Palestinian people all around the world are not termed as terrorism but an act of self defense and seen as their right for existence. When Iraq threatened Kuwait it was termed as terrorism when Israel threatened Iran it is termed as right to defend. When defenseless Palestinian children are killed in the arms of their fathers and mothers, as was shown live on TV, despite the fact that no sane person in the West ever acknowledged it as correct, no one even termed as terrorism either. When Indian forces occupies Kashmir and carries out genocide of defenseless Kashmiris it is termed as internal matter. When Kashmiris tries to retaliate it is called terrorism. When during WW-II the French Freedom Movement and the Italian Freedom fighters did the same against occupying Nazi forces it was never termed as terrorism. When Muslims are slaughtered in India during riots it is termed as isolated events of rioting among society and not as terrorism. Isn’t it strange how we use one word of dictionary to term a whole society a whole group of people as bigots, terrorists, un-educated and barbaric lot, whereas, on the other hand all the
1167737
Did you really just say that terrorism doesn't exist? I don't know how to respond to that except to say you are deluding yourself. It most certainly does exist. WAKE UP! Not all Muslims are terrorists, but most terrorists are Muslims. This is why we are suspicious of any Muslims or even just Arab-looking people.