TERRORISM: HOLY OR UNHOLY WAR!

Terrorism I believe is a subject which demands a more dispassionate and an educated response in addition to the use of even more terrifying force. “Smoking them out,” is already happening but I doubt if this can ever be a remedy for the scourge mankind has always suffered.

Is not terrorizing the opponent into submission an objective of war? Were not the atom bombs dropped on the two unfortunate cities of Japan to achieve exactly that? It is a complex issue but the fact remains that when man’s urge and desire to win and posses, cross the boundaries of reason, makes him an extremist.

“Consider the human self and how it is formed in accordance with what it is meant to be and how it is imbued with moral failings as well as consciousness of God!”

(From Holy Qur'an 91/7-8)

All humans are imbibed with the two qualities of good and evil – necessary for the test that life is. It is the failing in this test on a vast scale that produces a situation where terrorism thrives. The same is happening in the Muslim world today.

“We have sent you O Mohammed as a mercy for all the Worlds.”

(From Holy Qur'an 21/107)

It is truly an irony that the Prophet of Mercy – this is how The God describes Prophet Mohammed in the Qur’an, should have amongst his followers brokers of doom. Jihad, which means struggle, can never be synonymous with terrorism. Unfortunately, with the intellectual degeneration of the Muslims, their apathy towards acts of despicable violence by a section of the Muslims in different parts of the world, and at times, more often than not, tacitly approving these heinous acts, has created an impression that Islam permits, condones or even appreciates terrorism.

Right from the onset, the mission of the Prophet teaches the adherents to accept reality and respond to situations in a way that avoid conflict. The migration or ‘Hijrah’ as it is known to the Muslims was the first example in a series of exemplary conduct to be emulated by his followers. The second, being “the Treaty at Hudaibiya”. Here, for the sake of peace, the Prophet signed a document that was entirely one sided. History is witness to the tremendous opportunities that compromise provided to the Prophet and his few followers. It truly changed the course of history of not only Arabia but that of the world.

The life of the Prophet is replete with examples which emphasize on compromise and tolerance. Compromise - meaning to settle for less than due. It was this attitude that contributed to the over all success of his mission. The Muslims who author and those who support terrorism must know that they have deviated from the path of righteousness and nothing shall save them from an ignominious end in this world and eternal suffering in the hereafter. The Muslims must realize that being born in a Muslim family would neither grant them any superiority in this world nor a visa to Paradise. It is only righteous conduct with due humility which can see them through the test of this life.

“…..the Day when certain of the signs of your LORD will appear, believing will be of no avail to any human being who has not believed in them already, nor did good and noble deeds while professing the faith….”

(From Holy Qur'an 6/158-159)