Ayaz Kazi

Compiled by
Ayaz Kazi
 © Ayaz Kazi

Afreen Arts
Designers & Printers
Cell : +91 9819189965
afreen.arts@gmail.com

This book is also available at :

Subai Jamiat Ahle Hadees, Mumbai

Block No. A/1 Ashiyana Co.op. Hsg. Soc., L.B.S. Marg,
Kurla (West). Mumbai 400 070 lTel : 2503 2555

Taleemul Islam
Shop No. 2, 25/27, Matiwala Building, Piru Lane,Pathanwadi,
Mumbai - 400 009. Tel. : 2372 6450 / 2372 6551.
islamicpreach@gmail.com l www.islamicpreach.com

Markazud-Dawatul Islamiyah Walkhairiyah

Islami Compound, At Post Savnas, Taluka Khed, Dist. Ratnagiri.
Maharashtra - 415 727 . Tel : 02356-262555
 Contents
1. Introduction............................................................. 5
2. Exploding the myth................................................ 7
3. What is Jihad?.......................................................... 8
4. Jihad : An Islamic perspective............................... 11
5. What is terrorism?................................................... 15
6. Do religions sanction terrorism?.......................... 17
7. Why people resort to terrorism?........................... 19
8. Are Muslims terrorists? ......................................... 20
9. Then who are the terrorist? .................................. 21
10. Can terrorism be compared to Jihad?.................. 25
11. Misconception : Was Islam spread by the sword?..... 26
12. Misconception : Is Islam a militant religion?............ 28
13. Conclusion................................................................ 30
14. Bibliography............................................................. 32
The good deed
and the evil deed
cannot be equal.
Repel (the evil) with
one which is better,
then verily! He,
between whom and
you there was enmity,
(will become) as though
he was a close friend.
(The Noble Qur'an, 41:34)
 1Introduction
The world today is suffering from waves of organized
terrorism that have cast mankind into a fiery furnace of problems
and catastrophes. Hardly a day passes without news in various
media about some kind of terrorist act until the recent attack by
terrorists in Mumbai.
Threats, acts and campaigns of terrorism remain a central
concern for those responsible for domestic, regional and
international security. Moreover, immediately after each incident
the public feels more vulnerable and uncertain, as new threats
impact the perception of their security as individuals, families,
friends and communities. While people will naturally seek to
return to a sense of normalcy after an attack, the next bombing,
hostage taking or other form of terrorist violence will add yet
another sense of physical and mental vulnerability to the next
potential victims of terrorism. Terrorists also have continued to
enhance their ability to intimidate a global audience.
Since after September 11, 2001, religions, in particular
Islam, has received a great deal of criticism due to the extremists
in their midst. In reality, though for every ideology or thought,
there are extreme adherents - extremists who are often violent and
terrorize common masses. But the size of the problem of
terrorism among the Muslims is greatly exaggerated beyond its
true size by the media.
Terrorism is to transgress upon people by way of unjustly
striking or killing them, with no proof (to justify these actions);
rather (these actions are committed) upon ignorance and dearth
of insight. Thus, they change peoples (state of) security, and they
cause problems between them and between their countries.
Islam recognizes terrorism as a disease. It is something that
the teaching of Islam cautions against. Indeed, from an Islamic
5
perspective, it is something that should be purged from society.
The Muslims in every place feel sorry and sad when they
hear about the affairs of these criminal activities no matter where
they occur or happen upon the earth, wether done by Muslims or
non-muslims, whether it takes place in the Muslim world or
whether it takes place in other than the Muslim world. The
Muslim scholars have clarified and clearly explained, with clear
clarifications which are strong and emphatic, that these types of
acts are not from Islam.
This book maintains that the source of terror that we
condemn is definitely not from any divine religion. On the
contrary, terror (i.e. killing of innocent people) is a great sin, and
Muslims are responsible for preventing these acts and bringing
peace and justice to the world.
Islam is established upon mercy, justice, mutual love and
concern with rectifying the earth and its people. As Muslims, we
strongly condemn the terrorist attacks taking place every now and
then in different parts of the world.
Today there is hardly any place on earth where Islam is
totally unknown. More and more people have become curious
enough to find out something about this much publicized
religion; more often they have been pleasantly surprised.
Today Islam is the religion and way of life of about one
fifth of the world's population. Muslims are of diverse
nationalities and cultures, but their religion teaches that all
humanity is essentially equal.

Ayaz Kazi
March 2009 /Rabbiul Awwal 1430 Hijri
ayazkazi.islam@yahoo.com

6
 2 Exploding
the myth
One of the major shortcomings which has arisen in the
West, is judging Islam by the conduct of a minority of its
followers. By doing so, sections of the Western society have
deliberately played off the misguided actions of a few Muslims,
and have labeled it Islam. Such behavior only seeks to distort the
purity of Islam. For if such a thing was done - judge a religion by
the conduct of its people - then no religion would be safe from
blame of the mistakes of its ignorant followers. Then how could a
religion be blamed when its teachings are pure and clear from the
actions of its ignorant followers? Would one blame the car for the
mistake of its driver? No, yet we find that the Western world is
foremost in propagating this outlook on Islam. So what is the
reality of Islam? How does one dispel the myths which have been
created and spread so viciously?
The only way to examine Islam is to simply examine its
belief system. Look at its sources, the Qur’an and Sunnah
(Prophetic Guidance), and see what they have to say. This is the
way to find the truth about what Islam says about terror, terrorism
and terrorists. One who is sincerely searching for the truth, will do
it no other way.
The very name Islam comes from the arabic root word
‘salama’ which means peace. Islam is a religion which is based
upon achieving peace through submission to the will of Allah.
Thus, by this very simple linguistic definition, one can ascertain as
to what is the nature of this religion. One may ask if such a
religion is based on the notion of peace, then how is it that some
acts done by its adherents are contrary to peace? The answer is
simple. Such actions, if not sanctioned by the religion, have no
place in it. They are un-Islamic and should be disassociated with
Islam.

7
 3J i h a d ? W hat is

The word Jihad sends shivers down the spines of many

non-muslims and mostly the Westerners who readily equate this
term with violence and oppression. Perhaps no other Islamic
term evokes such strong reactions as “Jihad”.
The Arabic word “Jihad”, which is almost always
mistranslated as "holy war", simply means "to struggle" or "to
exert one’s utmost effort". It is incorrect to imagine that Jihad is
synonymous only with fighting or war, for this is but one
particular aspect of the term. Jihad is a struggle to do good and to
remove injustice, oppression and evil from oneself and from
society. This struggle is spiritual, social, economic and political.
So, the concept of Jihad is vast and not limited only to
armed conflict. In the Qur’an one finds the mention of
Jihad by means of the Qur’an, meaning invitation to the truth,
evidence, clarification and presenting the best arguments.
“Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the way of your
Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the divine
inspiration and the Qur'an) and fair preaching, and argue
with them in a way that is better.
[The Noble Qur’an 16:125]
Jihad of the soul, which means striving to purify the soul, to
increase its faith and incline it toward good while keeping it from
evil and from unlawful desires and temptations.
“And I free not myself (from the blame). Verily, the
(human) self is inclined to evil, except when My Lord
bestows his mercy (upon whom He wills). Verily, My Lord
is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.”
[The Noble Qur’an 12:53]

8
Jihad through wealth, which means spending it in various
beneficial ways, including charities and welfare projects. And the
Jihad through the self, which comprises of all good works done
by a believer, such as propagation, teaching and finally, lawful
armed struggle against aggression and oppression on the weak.
“...Strive hard and fight in the cause of Allah with your
wealth and your lives, that will be better for you,
if you but know!”
[The Noble Qur’an 61:11]
In the name of Jihad, Islam endeavors to teach belief in
Allah, the One Supreme God, and worship of Him alone and to
spread good values, virtue and morality through wise and proper
methods. Allah has commanded:
“Invite to the way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom
(i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur’an) and fair
preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better.
[The Noble Qur’an 16:125]
In the name of Jihad, Islam calls for social reform and the
elimination of ignorance, superstition, poverty, disease and racial
discrimination. Among its main goals is the protection of rights
for weaker members of society against the impositions of the
powerful and influential.
Islam prohibits injustice, even toward those who oppose
the religion. Allah says,
“and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you
avoid justice. be just: that is nearer to piety”
[The Noble Qur’an 5:8]
And Allah told the believers regarding those who
prevented their entry to the Sacred Mosque in Makkah:
“and let not the hatred of some people in (once) stopping
you from Al Masjid Al Haram (Sacred mosque)
lead you to transgression.”
[The Noble Qur’an 5:2]

9
 Enmity toward any people or nation should not provoke
Muslims to commit aggression against them, oppress them or
disregard their rights.
As mentioned in a hadith on the authority of Abu Dharr
al-Ghifari (may Allah be pleased with him) Prophet (Peace be upon him)
said that Allah said “O My servants, I have forbidden oppression for
Myself and have made it forbidden amongst you, so do not oppress one
another...” (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
Anyone who knows the early history of Islam, will know
that all those nations and empires which came under the fold of
Islam were indeed previously oppressed. When the companions
of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) went out for Jihad
against the Egyptians, the Persians and the Romans, we find that
people did not have resistance against them at all. Rather, they
accepted Islam on such a scale, that it is inconceivable that the
Jihad of Islam could be anything other than liberation for these
people; a liberation from centuries of tyranny.
This is the glorious track record of the Muslim Jihad.
Compare this with the brutal track record of warfare in the
Western world over the centuries. From the crusades against the
Muslims to the days of colonial warfare, the Western world has
killed, destroyed and plundered everything which has come it’s
way. Even today this merciless killing by the Western nations goes
on. While claiming to maintain world peace and security, Western
nations are ready to bomb innocent civilians at the drop of a hat.
The best example of this is the recent bombings of Afghanistan
and Iraq, whilst claiming that were haven for Islamic terrorists.
Allah says about their likes in the Qur’an:

“..when it is said to them; ‘Make not mischief on the

earth’, they say; ‘We are only peace makers’.
Verily! they are the ones who make mischief, but they
perceive it not”
[The Noble Qur’an 2:11-12]

10
 4 Jihad
An Islamic Perspective
Islam emerged at a time when the entire world was
governed by the law of the jungle. The strong would kill the weak,
the armed would steal from the unarmed and war was a legitimate
means that was recognized by all religions, nations and people,
with no limits of restrictions, with no distinction made between
just and unjust war. Everyone who was able to overpower a
nation, would force it to give up beliefs and enslave its men and
woman. But with the coming of Islam, it did not approve of this
unjust way which had reduced mankind to the level of savage
beasts; rather it declared that the basic principle governing the
relationships between nations was mutual respect and
cooperation. But unfortunately this Jihad has been very much
criticized by non-muslims and the media due to their ignorance
about it.

War In Islam
Jihad on the battlefield, in the Islamic perspective, is the
last resort, and is subject to stringent conditions. It can only be
carried out by an Islamic state under a Muslim leader (not
individuals or groups) to defend freedom, which includes
freedom of faith. As Allah 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…”
[The Noble Qur’an 22:39-40]

11
Moreover, Allah says in the Qur’an:
“and what is wrong with you that you fight not in the
cause of Allah, and for those weak, ill -treated and
oppressed among men, women, and children, whose cry
is: “Our Lord! Rescue us from this town whose people are
oppressors; and raise for us from you one who will protect,
and raise for us from you one who will help.”
[The Noble Qur’an 4:75]
Thus the Qur’an clearly defines the conditions of Jihad.

Rules Of Engagement
With the permissibility of Jihad on the battlefield under the
conditions mentioned above, the rules of engagement reflect
Islam’s inherent inclination towards peace:

Personal behaviour
In war, as it is in peace, the instructions of Islam are to be
observed. Worship does not cease in war. War is also no excuse to
misbehave with troops. The prophet (peace be upon him) said
“Beware of the prayer of the oppressed; for there is no barrier
between it and Allah.”

No aggression towards civilians

Military conflict is to be directed only against fighting
troops and not against civilians, as Allah says:
“and fight in the way of Allah those who fight you,
but transgress not the limits. Truly,
Allah likes not the transgressors. ”
[The Noble Qur’an 2:190]
As far as the non-combatant population is concerned such
as women, children, the old and the infirm, etc., the instructions
of the Prophet are as follows: “Do not kill any old person, any
child or any woman.” “Do not kill the monks in
monasteries” or “Do not kill the people who are sitting in
places of worship.”
12
Upholding Justice
The ravages of war are not an excuse for Muslims to
engage in any form of cruelty or violation of human rights. As
Allah says:
“O You who believe! stand out firmly for Allah and be just
witnesses and let not the enmity and hatred of others make
you avoid justice. Be just: that is nearer to piety, and fear
Allah. Verily, Allah is well acquainted with what you do.”
[The Noble Qur’an 5:8]
It is forbidden under Islamic law, to ill-treat prisoners of
war or to deny them the essentials of life, including medical
treatment.
.

Respect for religious freedom

Jihad cannot be waged with the objective of compelling
people to embrace Islam. Allah says:
“there is no compulsion in religion”
[The Noble Qur’an 2:256]
“had your Lord willed, those on earth would have
believed, all of them together. So, will you
(O Muhammad ) then compel mankind, until they
become believers.”
[The Noble Qur’an 10:99]

Accept peace
If the enemy offers peace, it should be accepted even at the
risk of possible deception. Allah says:
“but if they incline to peace, you also incline to it,
and (put your) trust in Allah. Verily, He is the
all-Hearer, the All-Knower.”
[The Noble Qur’an 8:61]
These are the principles of Jihad in Islam and this is our
attitude in war : Justice, mercy and fulfillment of treaties.
But this is not sufficient to prove the superiority of Islam’s

13
peaceful ways in war. Principles alone are not a sign of a nations
nobility and humanity, because how often do we see nations
which proclaim the loftiest principles to people when they
themselves treat in the cruelest , cheapest manner and totally lack
in humanity and mercy.

During the Battle of Uhud we see Prophet Muhammad

who had laid the foundation and laws of Islam emerging from the
battle wounded and his molar broken. Prophet Muhammad
prayed “’O’ Allah, guide my people, for they do not know”

Such were the words of justice and truth.

Even when Makkah was conquered and Prophet

Muhammad (Peace be upon him) entered it after the Makkans had
resisted their entry for twenty one long years. He said to them
“No reproach on you this day; may Allah forgive you, and
He is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy”
[The Noble Qur’an 12:92]
Go you are free.

This was the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), the one
who taught mankind good and not a murderous leader striving for
his own glory and power. This is the noble Jihad that Islam permits
so as to bring peace and harmony amongst the people on this
earth. Unlike those wars that have been declared on poor and
weak Muslim countries under the banner of “War against Terror”.
The arrest of Muslims and their torture in the prisons of Abu
Gharib and Guantanamo. The world has seen those wicked
treatment on the prisoners of war by the so called peace loving
nation.

14
 5 Terrorism?
What is

According to The American Heritage Dictionary

terrorism means, “the unlawful use or threatened use of force or
violence by a person or an organized group against people or
property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies
or governments, often ideological or political reasons”. Therefore
terrorism is the terror that is caused by those groups or individuals
who resort to killing and wreaking havoc and destruction.
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) mentioned with
regards to the signs of the end of time, the spread of ‘al-Harj’ .
The meaning of ‘al-Harj’ is killing and the increase of the spilling
blood, which is all from the signs of the end of time. To the extent
that the one killing will not know why he is killing and the one that
was killed will not know why he was killed.
Terrorism is established upon destruction of properties
such as factories, farms, places of worship, train stations, airports
and the likes; Islam is clearly free from such actions that are based
upon corruption and not upon rectification.
Terrorists usually go against the state in which they are
based within. This is like the mafia or other criminal organizations
that are based on killing people, causing fear and taking their
wealth. Such criminal organizations have leaders, deputies and
individuals that are responsible for establishing regulations for the
organization and individuals responsible for carrying out attacks,
and all of them are terrorists causing corruption on the earth.
Unfortunately one of the major problem with the word
terrorist is that one mans freedom fighter could be another mans
terrorist. So one should be very careful in labeling a person a
terrorist. It depends upon an individuals perception.

15
It was during the British rule in India Bhagat Singh gave the
British a tough time by his revolutionary ways and was labeled as a
terrorist by the British while he was considered a freedom fighter
by the Indians. One man but two different labels.
Nelson Mandela spoke against Racism in South Africa and
he too was in the terrorist list of the United States of America
until recently when he was cleared from all allegations about
terrorism. The reason is easy to understand. If you have become a
friend of United States and fit into their policies then you are not a
threat to the world peace otherwise you are.

Menachem Begin was called terrorist no. 1 by British

Government. Later on after a few years he becomes the Prime
Minister of Israel and few years later gets the Nobel Prize of
Peace.

It’s the double standards of the West that they on one

hand, previously when Afghan Jihad was going on - they were
projected as heroes and now projected as terrorists.

So one can see how this word could be easily played by

those who are powerful and with media support.

I wonder why people fail to see the innocent men, women

and children dying every single day in Afghanistan, Iraq and
Palestine etc. and if they fought back to protect themselves, their
lands and their families, then they are labeled as terrorists.

16
 6 Terrorism? Do Religions sanction

The ugliest face of terrorism is that which is established in

the name of religion, All prophetic religions are free from such
terrorism. The terrorists are in need of proofs for their
methodology especially those who attribute themselves to the
Prophets (Peace be upon him), they claim that the Prophets ordered
them to commit such terrorism.
Many of those who commit acts of terrorism from those
who attribute themselves to the religion of the Jews claim that
Moses (Moosa) commanded them to do terrorism or that the
other Prophets from the children of Israa’eel ordered them to do
terrorism yet this is a lie. As Moses (Peace be upon him) and all of the
Prophets from the children of Israa’eel (Peace be upon them) never
ever ordered people to commit terrorism.
Likewise, those who commit acts of terrorism and
attribute themselves to Jesus (Eesaa) claim that the gospel
sanctions terrorism and the use of it over the enemy. The best
example of this were the crusaders. The crusaders were European
Christians who undertook the expedition to recover the Holy land
(the area around Palestine) from the Muslims. They set out with a
so-called religious goal, yet they laid waste each acre of land they
entered with fear and violence. They subjected civilians to mass
executions and plundered many villages and towns.
Their conquest of Jerusalem, where Muslims, Jews and
Christians lived under Islamic rule in peace, became the scene of
immense bloodshed. They violently killed almost all Muslims and
Jews. They broke children’s skulls by knocking against the wall,
threw babies from roof tops, roasted men over fire and cut up
women’s bellies to see if they had swallowed gold.
No doubt, all this barbarism was utterly against Christian
doctrine. That is because, Christianity, in the words of the Bible, is
17
a “gospel of love”. In the Gospel according to Matthew, it is said
that Jesus said to his followers:
“ Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you”
[Matthews 5:44]

In the Gospel according to Luke, it is said that Jesus said

“ If someone strikes you on one cheek,
turn to him the other also” [Luke 6:29]

The important matter for us to mention is that Jesus was

sent with mercy like all of the Prophets, Peace be upon them, and it is
not possible that they ordered people to commit acts of terrorism.
Similarly those so called Muslims who have committed acts
of terrorism giving it the name Jihad and attribute it to Prophet
Muhammad (Peace be upon him) then it can be said that they are
miserably mistaken in understanding the true concept of Jihad in
the Qur’an and Sunnah as explained before. In fact they commit a
more severe crime because they malign the true teachings of
Islam. Islam by no means is the source of violence or terror and
that violence and terror has no place in it.
Even those Hindus who by using violent means terrorise
people for their personal gains in the name of religion have
nothing to do with the teaching of Hinduism. In fact the Bhagwad
Gita prescribes fighting but for self defense or fighting against
oppression and for justice. It says: When Arjuna prefers to be
killed unarmed rather than fight his cousins Kauravas, Krishna
replies to Arjun by saying “how this impure thoughts has come
to you which prevent you from entering heaven. Give up this
degrading impotence and weakness of heart and arise, O
defeater of enemy.”(Bhagwad Gita chapter 1 verse 43-46 and
chapter 2 verse 2-3. )
Imagine If someone were to say that the Bhagwad Gita
encourages the killing of family members to attain paradise?
Won’t such a deliberate attempt sound devilish out of context?
But within the context if it was said that for truth and justice
fighting against evil is compulsory, even if it be against your
relatives, it makes sense.

18
 7 Terrorism? Why people resort to

The more the adherents of an ideology are uncivilized,

intellectually underdeveloped and “ignorant”, the more likely they
are to resort to violence. This also holds true for ideologies that
have nothing to do with religion.
While Christianity is a religion based on love that
accommodates no violence, how did Christians carry out the most
violent acts of History? The major reason for this is that,
Crusaders were mainly made up of ignorant people who knew
almost nothing about their religion. They were completely
unaware of the moral values of the Bible, which led them into
barbarism under the conditioning of crusaders’ slogans as “God
wills it”.

Similarly we find people of such nature among other

religions too - Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism etc. - who
have no comprehension whatsoever the true essence of their
religion be, but distorted and misinterpreted its teachings and
resorted to brutality. It was their ignorant, unrefined, uncultivated
nature that led them to violence which resulted from their social
structure, rather than the religion to which they adhere.
The other reasons that lead to terrorism are the unresolved
political disputes of the world, and where Muslims are also
involved. No effort has been made to resolve these issues. e.g.;
Kashmir, Palestine, Chechnya, Afghanistan and Iraq.

It is also the ineffectiveness of UNO (formed after the

second word war) to avert any other international war. It has
utterly failed in doing that. The disputes if resolved in UNO, then
terrorism would not prevail as it is.
Globalization, another reason as it is suited to Western
19
interests than the third world countries. It seeks the occupation of
countries by multinational corporations (MNC's). Thus spreading
poverty and unemployment in the third world countries.
Lastly the Universal law of cause-and-effect “like cause
will produce like effects”. If countries go about combating
terrorism with terrorism, it will produce obviously much more
terrorism.
History shows that indiscriminate killing and destruction
of innocent life only breeds anger, revenge and more killing. The
‘collateral damage’ caused by ‘weapons of mass destruction’ being
dropped on the homes and children of innocents only fuels the
terrorists cause, a cause that lacks direction, justice and the
guidance of Islam. The question is, would you be thinking straight
if it was your home or your children who were destroyed?

Muslims
8 Are
Terrorists?
After “9/11 attacks”, Islam has unfortunately become
synonymous to terrorism and Muslims with terrorists. Let us
analyze how true is this accusation.
A simple question to ask here is, what does the terrorist do?
The most simplest answer that one could give is that the terrorist
terrorizes people, kills innocent men, women and children,
destroy towns and cities and even nations.
Keeping this in mind if we take a look at the world scenario
today, we without any hesitation can conclude that Muslims are
not terrorists. This is because if it were Muslims who were the
terrorists then it would be the Hindus who would be fighting for
freedom and dying, not Muslims in Kashmir; The Christians
would be fighting for freedom and dying in America, not Muslims
in Afghanistan and Iraq; the Jews would be fighting for freedom in
Israel now, and not Muslims of Palestine.
20
 All Muslims are being accused of terrorism. Although
there have been Muslim names that have popped up but no solid
evidence has been proved against them as yet. And even if they
have been proved guilty they nowhere represent Islam and
Muslims, because Islam prohibits killing of the innocent and
causing terror and destruction of properties. Just as all the
Christians will not be blamed for the barbarism of the crusaders
and other Christian terrorist organizations and all the Hindus for
looting, raping, arson and destruction of places of worship,
because you cannot blame a religion for the incorrect action of its
ignorant followers. Just like you wont blame a car for the mistake
of the driver.
Islam is truly the religion of peace, the bombing and brutal
killing of innocent Muslim men, women and children around the
world clearly shows that Muslims are not terrorists. If the
Muslims weren’t peaceful, they wouldn’t be dying in their own
lands, they would be killing non-muslims in their countries. This
clearly shows that its not the Muslims who are terrorists, but they
are victims of cruel terrorism instead.

who
9
Then are the

Terrorists?
“Terrorist” has been linked with Muslims, Middle East,
Afghanistan, Iraq etc…but never refers to the western world nor
any other religion although we have terrorists that claim to profess
certain religion. We have Christian terrorists, Jewish terrorists,
Hindu terrorists, Buddhist terrorists, Sikh terrorists and terrorists
professing various other different faiths. Then why only Islam
alone is linked and blamed for the action of a few that too because
they retaliate to the atrocities that is committed against them or
they are being driven out of their homes?
With this I do not intend to prove that terrorists who
21
profess some religion were really practicing it. In fact they were
not, otherwise they would not have done these criminal activities.
It is really interesting to ask a question here, who are the terrorists?
When we take a look at history to find out the people who
have killed the maximum human beings profess which religion?
We see that the man who is famously known to have killed
the maximum number of human beings was Hitler. He is said to
have incinerated 6 million Jews. He wasn’t a Muslim. He was a
Christian by faith. So did we call him a Christian terrorist?
Joseph Stalin (Uncle Joe) Killed 20 million human beings
Including 14.5 million who were starved to death. Was he not a
Christian?
Mao Tse Tsung of China Killed 14 to 20 million human
beings. He was a Communist.
Benito Mussolini of Italy killed 400,000 human beings.
Maximilin Robespierre, during French Revolution starved
and tortured to death 200,000 people and executed 40,000 people.
19th April 1995, Federal building bombing, Oklahoma
City (Oklahoma bombing). 166 innocent people died and more
than 100 injured. Done by 2 Christians, Timothy & Terry.
20th March 1995, Aum Shinrikyo, a Buddhist cult used
Nerve Gas in the Tokyo subway. It killed 12 people and more than
5000 injured and wounded.
In UK, since hundreds years IRA, The Irish Republican
Army are conducting terrorist attacks. They are Catholics, but
they are not called as Catholic Terrorists, but as IRA.
In Sri Lanka, LTTE, Tamil Tigers is the most notorious
organization who are experts in suicide bombing. They are none
else but Hindus.
ULFA in 16 years between 1990-2006 conducted
successfully 749 terrorist attacks in India.
Maoists in Nepal in 7 years conducted 99 terrorist attacks.
22
Out of 600 districts in India, they are present in 150 districts.
Maoists terrorists attacks in 1/3rd part of India!
The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre, in Amritsar, Punjab (India)
where, on April 13, 1919, while Indians doing a peaceful
demonstration, British Indian Army soldiers under the command
of Brigadier-General Reginald Dyer opened fire on an unarmed
gathering of men, women and children killing thousands.
How could one justify such killing of innocent unarmed people?
This clearly shows how people professing other faiths have
shed so much blood and caused fear and panic in the hearts of
millions but still their acts are not labeled with their religion unlike
how the media has done with the Muslims.
From the above statistics it can be seen that even if it is
proved (although no solid evidence is yet proved, instead many
think that the 9/11 attacks is an inside job)that Muslims were
behind 9/11 attacks or those attacks that have been blamed upon
Muslims is still nothing compared to the millions killed by
terrorists that profess other religions.
Although the reasons for Muslims who resort to
extremism and take arms is the atrocities and injustice committed
against them in different parts of the world say it be Palestine,
Iraq, Afghanistan, Chechnya etc. But this still cannot be a
justification for a Muslim resorting to killing innocents, because
Islam condemns such acts. For example if a non Muslim man
rapes a Muslim woman a Muslim man cannot rape a non-muslim
Woman in retaliation, because Islam prohibits such acts.
A flashback to the year 1945 near the end of world war II
the nuclear attacks on the two cities of Japan by the United states
of America is one of the greatest destruction that was ever done.
On Monday the 6th of August 1945 the nuclear weapon “Little
Boy” was dropped on the city of Hiroshima followed on the 9th of
August 1945 by detonation of the “Fat Man” nuclear bomb over
Nagasaki.

23
 The nuclear bomb killed as many as 140,000 people in
Hiroshima and 80,000 in Nagasaki and since then thousands
more have died from injuries or illness attributed to exposure of
radiation released by the nuclear bombs.
The superpower countries shouting about maintaining
peace but themselves have stained their hands with blood of
thousands of innocent people. Creating terror and insecurity
around the globe, making the world an unsafe place to live.
In the name of hunting down the terrorist they have
bombarded poor countries and killed thousands of innocent
human beings. But even after doing so they were unable to find
the No. 1 terrorist on their list.
To settle scores with a dictator, the specter of “WMD” was
raised and against the U.N opinion brute force was employed on
Iraq, killing innocent citizens, causing anarchy and ruining lives.
After so much destruction and forceful illegal occupation they say
that it was a mistake and they found no WMD’s. But they still
shamelessly justify their act.
Are these killings and illegal occupation justified? Or is this
the terrorist disguise as peace makers?
A Muslim poet rightly said :

When we had power over the world,

Forgiveness was our characteristic.
When they had power, blood flowed freely.
This difference comes as no surprise,
For every vessel leaks the substance that is in it.

24
 Can

Terrorism
10 Jihad?
be compared to

No. Certainly not. As we see from what has been

mentioned in the previous pages, it is clear that terrorism has no
place in the noble concept of Jihad. Even Jihad that involves
physical conflict is the very antithesis of terrorism, as is clear from
the following differences:
1. Jihad can be launched only by an established authority as
a policy in order to deter aggression. Terrorism, on the other
hand, is committed by individuals or groups that have no
legitimacy to speak for the majority. When terrorism is committed
by states, it usually depends on misleading the masses.
2. Jihad is limited to combatants while terrorism involves
indiscriminate killing of civilians.
3. Jihad is a fight for truth and justice while terrorism is for
materialistic and personal gains.
4. Jihad, when the need arises, is declared openly, while
terrorism is committed secretly.
5. Jihad is bound by strict rules of engagement while
terrorism is not bound by any rules.
What the experts say: All Muslim scholars reject terrorism and speak out against it.
Council of Saudi 'Ulama', fatwa of February 2003 : "What is happening in some countries
from the shedding of the innocent blood and the bombing of buildings and ships and the
destruction of public and private installations is a criminal act against Islam. Those who carry out
such acts have the deviant beliefs and misleading ideologies and are responsible for the crime. Islam
and Muslims should not be held responsible for such actions. (http://www.dawn.com/2003/02/08/top17.htm)
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Aal ash-Shaykh, Saudi Arabia’s grand mufti, said Islam, which calls for
the protection of a man's life, family, wealth, honor and intellect, totally rejects terrorism.
He also said terrorists who cause corruption on Earth by carrying out killings and destruction
deserve tough punishment as the Holy Qur'an directs.
Saturday 31 January 2004, delivering his annual sermon to nearly two million pilgrims who had
assembled on the plain of Arafat he emphasized that terror and violence must be "mercilessly"
crushed.

25
 11 Misconception
Was Islam spread by the sword?
Many non-Muslims, when they think about Islam, picture
religious fanatics on camels with a sword in one hand and a Qur’an
in the other.
This myth, which was made popular in Europe during the
Crusades, is totally baseless.
First of all, the Noble Qur’an clearly says “Let there be no
compulsion in religion”.
In addition to this, Islam teaches that a person's faith must
be pure and sincere, so it is certainly not something that can be
forced on someone. In debunking the myth that Islam was
“spread by the sword”, the (non-Muslim) historian De Lacy O’
Leary wrote: “History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical
Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the
sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that
historians have ever accepted.” (Islam at the Crossroads, London,
1923, p. 8.).
In september 2001 Yvonne Ridley a British Journalist was
captured by the Taliban in Afghanistan whilst working for the
Sunday Express. She was held captive for 11 days. She promised
that she would read the Qur’an after her release. She was
impressed by the way she was dealt with during her stay in Taliban
captivity. She explained that the Taliban looked after her very well.
She said, “I was horrible to my captors. I spat at them and was
rude and refused to eat. It wasn’t until I was freed that I became
interested in Islam.” She converted to Islam in the summer of
2003. All praise be to Allah.
Thousands of such examples of non-muslims accepting
this peaceful religion Islam as their choice and not by sword or
force.
26
 It should also be known that Muslims ruled Spain for
roughly 800 years. During this time, and up to when they were
finally forced out, the non-Muslims there were alive and
flourishing. Additionally, Christian and Jewish minorities have
survived in the Muslim lands of the Middle East for centuries.
Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and
Jordan all have Christian and Jewish populations. In India,
Muslims ruled for more than 1000 years but still today we
Muslims are a minority here. If Islam taught that all people are
supposed to be killed or forced to become Muslims, how did all of
these non-muslims survive for so long in the middle of the
Islamic Empire? Were non-muslims forced to accept Islam? No.
The existence of non-muslims in the Muslim empire is the biggest
proof of Islam’s tolerance towards other religions.
Additionally, if one considers the small number of
Muslims who initially spread Islam from Spain and Morocco in
the West to India and China in the East, one would realize that
they were far too few to force people to become converts of a
religion against their will.
.

Today, the fastest growing religion in America and Europe

is Islam. The Muslims in most of these lands constitute a minority.
The only sword they have in their possession is the sword of truth.
It is this sword that is converting thousands to Islam.
It is also interesting to note that when the Mongols invaded
and conquered large portions of the Islamic Empire, instead of
destroying the religion, they adopted it. This is a unique
occurrence in history - the conquerors adopting the religion of
the conquered! Since they were the victors, they certainly could
not have been forced to become Muslims! Ask any of the over one
billion Muslims alive in the world today whether they were forced!
The largest Muslim country in the world today is Indonesia -- and
there were never any battles fought there! So where was the
sword? How could someone be forced to adhere to a spiritually
rewarding and demanding religion like Islam?

27
12 Misconception
Is Islam a militant religion?
In Islam, the use of force is allowed only in special
situations, particularly when the Muslim community is threatened
by hostile forces. This is indeed natural and logical for any nation.
Then again, the use of force in a campaign of Jihad is determined
by the leader of the Muslim community in a very ordered and
ethical way.
Islam considers all life forms as sacred, but particularly
emphasizes the sanctity of human life.
Allah says in the Qur'an:
“And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be
killed] except by [legal] right.”
[The Noble Qur’an 6:151]
Allah says:
“Whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption
[done] in the land – it is as if he had slain all mankind.
And whoever saves one – it is as if he had saved
mankind entirely.”
[The Noble Qur’an 5:32]
Such is the value of a single human life, that Allah equates
the taking of even one human life unjustly with killing all of
humanity.
It is important to understand that in Islam, war is only
permitted in specific and dire circumstances. It is despised and
only permitted as a last resort when all other attempts at peace
have been made. It keeps warfare at a level of mercy and respect
for the enemy such as none other has been able to reach. The
Prophet (Peace be upon him), sometimes had to fight for the mere
survival of his mission, but once security was ensured, he
immediately reverted to peace and diplomacy.
28
 Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins that armies deal with
the enemy justly in the battlefield. Islam has drawn a clear line of
distinction between the combatants and the non-combatants of
an enemy country. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) told his armies,
"Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman.”
And he said: "Do not kill the monks in monasteries.”
Upon seeing the corpse of a woman on a battlefield,
Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) angrily asked his
companions why she had been killed, and he strongly condemned
the atrocious act. For those enemies active in combat and those
taken as prisoners of war, the list of rights is lengthy. There should
be no torture; no killing of the wounded or defenseless, no
mutilation of enemy bodies and return of corpses to the enemy
must be honored. In light of the aforementioned, it becomes
crystal clear that Islam does not permit aggression, violence,
injustice, or oppression. At the same time, it calls for morality,
justice, tolerance, and peace.
Far from being a militant dogma, Islam is a way of life that
transcends race and ethnicity. The Qur'an repeatedly reminds us
of our common origin:
“O mankind, indeed We created you from male and
female, and made you peoples and tribes that you may
know one another. Verily the most noble of you in the
sight of Allah is the most righteous of you.”
[The Noble Qur’an 49:13]
It is the universality of its teachings that makes Islam the
fastest growing religion in the world. In a world full of conflicts
and deep schisms between human beings, a world that is currently
plagued with terrorism, perpetrated by individuals and by states,
Islam is a beacon of light that offers hope for the future.

29
 Conclusion
Terrorism has no religion while Jihad is a struggle for the
cause of Allah alone and must never violate Islamic principles.
Terrorism is clearly rejected by Islam and can never be called Jihad.
Islam is clean and pure from the terrorism that the westerners and
the media portray it to be. And if what the westerners and the
media say about Islam were true, then why is Islam the fastest
growing religion in the world especially in the west? Why are
people chosing Islam as their way of life? The answer is simple,
that Islam is free from what they blame it for. This in itself is a
reply to those who try to distort the true image of Islam.
Islam condemns all forms of violent acts which kill
innocent human beings, whether it is 9/11, 7/7/93 (Mumbai
serial blast), 26/11 or any other. We also condemn the
1000’s of people that have been killed in Afghanistan.
1000’s of innocent people that have been killed in Iraq.
1000’s of people that have been raped and killed in Gujarat.
1000’s of people that have been killed in Palestine.
Any terrorist activity, no matter who does it and for what
purpose, is the greatest blow to all religious and humanistic values.
For this reason, no one - and certainly no true Muslim - can
approve of any terrorist activity. A true Muslim is not treacherous,
and he is not deceitful, and he does not lie, and he does not
oppress. This is what Islam teaches and this is something that is
clear from the Sharee’ah (Qur’an and Sunnah).
As for terrorism, it distorts the true image of Islam and it
ascribes to it that which in reality is not from it. Verily the true
Muslims, those who understand the reality of Islam, in every
place, they hate, reject and they criticize these criminal acts and
they warn against those people who call to these acts. Terrorism is
nothing but evil and the act of the devil.

30
 Islam means to submit ones will to Allah. It is the way of
life for anyone who chooses to accept that there is One God only,
and none is worthy of worship but Him. This world is temporary
and no more than a trial for us, after which we will all die, and life
of the hereafter is forever.
Allah, for the guidance of mankind, sent us Prophets:
Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Muhammad, all Prophets of Islam (Peace
be upon them). Allah chose Muhammad (Peace be upon him) as His
final Prophet and honored him with the privilege of revealing the
Qur’an through him. The Qur’an is the speech of Allah, not the
word of Muhammad (Peace be upon him). Allah has Preserved the
Qur’an with its teachings for the whole of mankind.
Islam has five fundamental pillars:
1. To bear witness that there is no deity worthy of Worship except
Allah, without any partner and that Muhammad is His servant and
His Messenger. (Shahadah)
2. To pray five times a day (Salaah)
3. To Pay the Zakah (yearly Alms )
4. To Fast during the month of Ramadhan(Saum)
5. To Make a pilgrimage to Makkah (Hajj)
Islam offers a complete legal code for humankind. It
eliminates and corrects the human errors that found their way into
previous religions in the realm of both belief and practice. Just as
any new revised law supersedes and nullifies what came before it,
Islam naturally abrogates all earlier religions.
Without doubt, one will find in every religion, especially
those of divine origins, such as Judaism, Christianity and Islam,
noble teachings, good moral values, encouragement toward good
deeds and warnings against evil.
However, what distinguishes Islam from other faiths is that
Islam goes beyond simply urging people to be upright and honest.
Islam diagnoses illnesses and prescribes the treatment. It gives
practical solutions to mans problems and provides the means of

31
achieving righteousness and eliminating evil from individual and
collective lives. Islam is guidance for mankind from the Creator
who knows what is best and most suitable for His creation. That is
why Islam is called the natural religion of man.
Finally, I call upon all Muslims as well as non-muslims to
never rely on second hand information, but to study and know
Islam from authentic sources. And not to get carried away by
words of politicians and antisocial elements who for their own
personal benefit want to cause disharmony and hatred among
human beings and disrupt peace on earth by dividing us in the
name of religion.
Islam is a beautiful religion which teaches that each human
being has a right to live in this world peacefully, regardless of their
faith and beliefs.

Bibliography
Extremism : Its Cause,Effects and Cure, Shaykh, Dr Baasim bin Faisal al Jawaabirah.
Islam against Terrorism, www.fatwaonline.com
Is Terrorism a Muslim Monopoly, Dr. Zakir Naik (DVD)
Jihad According to the Qur’an and Sunnah, www. muttaqun.com
Jihad for Allah’s sake, Muhammad Saeed al-Qahtani.
Muhammad’s Prophethood Reality or Myth, Abdur Radhi Muhammad’Abul
Muhsin.
Religious Extremism In the lives of contemporary Muslims Dr. Abdur
Rahmaan ibn Mualaa al-Luwaihiq al-Mutairi
Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaymeen on Terrorism & Related
Issues , AuthenticTranslations.com
Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz on Terrorism & Related Issues,
AuthenticTranslations.com
The Evils Of Terrorism, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahhaab al-’Aqeel
The Freedom Of Opinion In Islam, Abdus Salam al-Basuni.
With which inntellect and Religion can Suicise Bombings and Destruction be
Considered Jihad? , Shaykh Abdul Muhsin Ibn Hamad Al-’Abbaad.

32