Terrorism And Misconception Of Islam
AUTHOR LtCol. Taiseer Rahahleh, Jordanian Army
CSC 1989
SUBJECT AREA - General
TERRORISM AND MISCONCEPTION OF ISLAM
Outline
Thesis statement: Most of the time people misunderstand and become
confused between people holding an Islam's name and Islam. Whenever
terrorists conduct one of their shameful actions, Islam is accused, is
that true? The purpose of this paper is to clear the misconception for a
better understanding
1. Terrorism
a. Definition
b. Organization and ideology
2. Islam
a. Definition
b. Islam and terrorism, past, present
c. Moslem and Islamic teachings
3. Conclusion
Terrorism and Misconception of Islam
Often Islam is the target and the subject of accusation, especially
when a terrorist incident happen, mainly if it has some terrorists from
the middle east countries, who, they hold names like Ahman or Mohammad,
etc. Then media for a reason or another rushes and start accusing Islam
and Moslem whether it is due to the lack of knowledge, about what is Islam
or who are the Moslem or on purposed, to distort the image of Islam to the
world in general and the American people in particular. For example, the
Washington Post wrote in its daily edition, Tuesday June 18, 1985 under
the heading "Why No Outcry from Islam". The writer Vick Thimmesch, went
as saying" another plane is hijacked, an innocent passenger murdered and
meanwhile the slaughter continues in Lebanon, all in the name of Islam".
So immediately Islam was attacked with no differentiation. He also
continued to say "the great resurgence of Islam is usually attributed to
Iran's" Ayatollah Khomeini" did the writer take the time to study Islam
before it was accused. Did he study the ideologies of Khomeini?
Apparently not because he keep on going accusing Islam and its ideologies
when he wrote "Islam scholars often argue that their bible, the Koran
expresses the spirit of compassion and tolerance". Had the writer stopped
there and thought about what he wrote for awhile he would have realized
that there is a difference between Islam's idealogy and between people
using the Islam as cover or as a veil to hide the other face of theirs.
Another writer went misunderstanding Islam as saying:
"However , as we have seen, regicide was a familiar phenomenon
from earliest Islam's political history."1
If people fight over different ideas to improve their lives is that called
terrorism? What do we call the Civil War between the states just to unify
them? What do we call the hundred year war between England and France?
So for a better understanding of Islam and to clear the fog and the
doubts that has been imposed on Islam I submit this paper in the Name of
Allah, the most gracious, most merciful.
Terrorism:
1. Definition
A lot of people have struggled to come up with a definition. Walter
Leguaure wrote in his book International Terrorism:
The word "terror" has two meanings. The basic one is an induced state
of fear or anxiety with an individual or group of individuals, it is
sometimes called "subjective terror"..... For frequently "terrorism"
and "terror" are used interchangeable to denote objective terror.2
He also wrote "a large part of the difficulties in discussing terrorism is
due to it's familiarity"3 and about the aspects of terrorism in the use of
extraordinary violence... have goals and objectives beyond the creation
and destruction, injury and death... .the aim of terror is its
psychological impact on individuals4; and went on arguing the definitions
of terrorism and terrorists the ways people looked at them (both terror
and terrorists) were different depending from which angle you are
looking. In a certain time and different groups, organizations and
persons and at their action, causes an circumstances, and what feelings
and emotions people, writers, journalist had toward those people.
"Emotion profoundly affect the response to terrorism, for a large
portion of the audience such violent behavior is beyond their
comprehension, beyond their experience and understanding. For those
people terrorism is abhorrent, abnormal and psychotic.5
For others terrorists are heroes, liberators:
Many of the liberation movements of the post World War I period have
been romanticized in the years since their victories (or defeats).
The success of the movements has overshadowed their violence....the
once feared revolutionary terrorists have become in some cases
"respectable" and in some instances, national heroes and international
cult figures. Menachem Begin of Israel, Che Gueverra of Cuba, and Ho
Chi Menh of Vietnam are cases in point.6
Some are called freedom fighters. The same type of organizations are
called terrorists, depending who is having the biggest and the strongest
lobby. But, they all have something in common, violence, terror, killing,
blood spilling, wasting lives, and it might be for the sake of a small
numbered group. Most of the time they are dictators, looking only for
one's benefits, for idealogies they preach a bright titles that they never
meant and never intend to practice anyway, or they are just puppets doing
what their master wants them to do.
Who are the terrorists and what are their ideologies?
History:
Terrorism is as old as mankind. It started when Adam's sons (peace at
him) killed one another just because one wanted to take the others wife,
that was the first blood shed on earth. "The (selfish) soul of the other
lead him to murder his brother: He murdered him and became (himself) one
of the lost ones" .7 Then people fought with each other ever since,
killing or assassinating each other or even their prophet. "Of the
account, we ordained for the children of Israel, that if anyone slew a
person, unless for spreading mischief in the land it would be as if he
slew the whole people" .8 It extends from prehistory onward, the more
people the more the dispute.
Walter Laguaure wrote "it can be traced down to Greek and Roman
periods, and found to some degree in every man's history" .9
Man is the worst man's enemy. No other creation ever known in history
to be the worst man foe except the man himself. Sometimes he could be his
own enemy. Like our father Adam and we all know his story, man is greedy
and aggressive in nature. Not everyone thought, terror expanded and took
different forms. Walter Laguaurge wrote:
"Terrorism from below has emerged in many different forms and out of
such various motivation, as religious, protest movement, political,
revolts and social uprising" .10
So we almost fight for anything; including ideology. Regarding the middle
east one of the earliest terrorism organizations was the Sicarull (AD
66-73) Jewish anti-Roman movement.(11) In the modern history also we
mentioned earlier that Manchem Begin with his "HAGANA" organization
conducted terrorist action against the British and the Arabs. Since 1968
the PLO floated into the surface with supposing one idea is to liberate
Palestine but later on that organization split in two different
organizations which followed different powers and ideas and that is what
we will take a look at next.
Idealogies
Since the struggle was between the Arabs and the Israelis, the United
States backed Israel of course. The Moderate Arab countries were backing
and still backing the PLO in support of their legitimate rights. The PLO
and other organizations had to turn to the Soviet Union for support and
nothing is given free in this life. They adopt their ideology and started
employing them. Jordan was one of Moderate Arab countries to suffer.
When Jordan discovered that these organizations wanted to take Jordan
instead of Palestine. These organization who adopted Soviet Union's
ideology never were interested in Palestine in any way and started
developing terrorist action in the name of Stalin, Marx and as we know
Marx, Lenin, and Stalin were communist. Is communism anywhere close to
Islam? Aren't they the enemies of Islam and Christianity and any other
faith? Walter Laguaure wrote:
".. the Soviet Union has provided arms, financial aid, military
training, political support to various terrorist groups. .12
These organizations were sponsored by other radical countries..Syria and
Libya whom I will give some of their ideology later on. They are backed
both ideologically and politically by the Soviet Union as well.13 Though
names would appear in the press, TV and books like Ahmad Jebreel. . .Mohamad
etc. they are not whatsoever related to Islam and they do their deeds
according to their beliefs.
"When on May 15, 1974 three Arab guerrillas of Nayef Hawatmeh
Organization centered in Beirut attacked the Maalot School in
Israel. .they did it in the name of Marxism and and Leninism" .14
Not only did Nayef Hawatmeh do it for Marx and Lenin but other people did
it for the same reasons.
"....1972 Lydda airport..Olympic Games done by Black September Group
for Lenin and Marx... 1970 hijacking of American airplane done for Marx
and Lenin" .15
Their dedications to Marx and Lenin were not only against Israel and
America but the fought Jordanian Army in 1970. For the sake of Marx and
Lenin, they hijacked the Jordanian airplanes, assassinated his diplomats
and citizen for Marx and Lenin. Saudis, everyone who didn't believe in
Marx and Lenin, were their targets. Where does Islam fit here, even if I
tell you the Nayef Hawatmeh and Ahmad Jebreel are Christians? Mr. Kadafi
also has nothing to do with Islam. He wanted to change the Quran (the
Holy Book) (God's words). To forget what the prophet has said (the
Sunnah). He is teaching in his book (the Green Book) beside the Quran and
people have to learn it by heart. How close that leader who hides behind
Islam to Islam, the Syrian and their party (Baath) which doesn't recognize
anybody if he is not Arab. Thousands of Moslems were killed in Syria by
that part. Islam is to some extent confined to Mosques. If you are not a
member of the party you are nothing. If you practice your Moslem faith
you are dammed. How close are they to Islam, Mr. Khomeini, who wants to
be another prophet, who massacred thousand and thousands of the Iranian
people. What kind of Islam is that? How close to Islam is he, or they
that does agree and comply with Islam and Islam ideology and teaching.
Where does that put those people from what God said in Quran? "It is part
of the mercy of God that thou doesn't deal gently with them, went thou
severe or harsh-hearted they would have broken away from about thee, so
pass over (their faults) and ask for (God's) forgiveness for them; and
consult them in affairs (of Moment) then, when thou hast taken decision,
put they trust in God" .16
Islam
Definition
a) The root word in the Arabic language, "Silmon" or "slam" means
peace.
b) In religion it means, submission to God, to live in peace with the
Creator, with other people, with the environment and with one's
self, and one of the Gods beautiful names is (the peace).
c) A Moslem, the one who submits to his God, the one who lives in
peace and harmony with all the segments of society. A Moslem
greets other Moslems and other people by saying (Alsalam'
Alayicom). Meaning peace up on you, if he is joining a gathering
or leaving it, entering houses. "Don't fear, all what we mean and
our intent is peace.
d) Moslems and Arabs: Moslem, is a believe, the one who believes in
one God, and Islam (the religion) could be from any nationality or
race, any color or place, Islam is not confined to time place and
people. In the other hand an Arab is a race, language, an Arab
can be Moslem, Christian, Jew or atheist.
Looking at the definition of Islam, it is all peace and peaceful.
Islam and terrorism:
Ever since prophet Mohammad (peace on him) was chosen by God to
deliver his message of peace namely Islam and the prophet started to
preach his message he was the target of the nonbelievers terrorism. He
and his followers were tortured. "Bilal", who was a servant then, and
converted to Islam was severely tortured by his master to bring him back
to Polythiasime. Bilal's master use to put him all day in the intolerable
sun heat of Makkah with a big rock on his chest. The prophet (Mohammad)
(peace on him) was hit by rocks, harassed, thorns spread on his way, and
dirty water spread on him. "Alyasir" were severely tortured, their eyes
were popped out, stabbed, burned and then were murdered in front of each
other and their sons. Moslems were living in fear; hiding their faith and
themselves. They were surrounded, denied food, trade, water and
isolated. They were deprived from their property and at times of their
freedom. They left Makkah into Ethiopia just running away with their
beliefs but were followed by the nonbelievers over there, to persuade the
Ethiopian king not to accept Moslems in his country, and hand the Moslems
back to nonbelievers. The prophet was the target of assassination himself
a lot of times. The night before he left Makkah an assassination team was
formed to go and murder the prophet. He left secretly without being
noticed and was followed by that team but they missed him and his
companion. Many more incidents happened. Terrorism actions were taken
against Moslems. When the prophet conquered Makkah the nonbelievers came
to him and asked him what was it he wanted them to do. The prophet said,
"God forgives you, go you are free" and before entering Makkah the prophet
ordered his armies not to shed a drop of blood. Islam is a peaceful
religion and forgiving. Before starting anything the Moslems say (with
the name of God the merciful the gracious). Therefore, mercy is the
Islam's sign. The prophet said, "The Moslem is the one whom people are
safe from his hand and tongue" even-though people are protected from bad
words in the Islamic society. In other words, you live in peace in that
society. Also the prophet said, "Greet people and feed the hungry and
spread peace..". Peace is the Islam's way. God all mighty, the merciful
who's mercy enshrines all beings and since he has given each man human
dignity and honor; and breathed into him of his own spirit men are
substantially the same, and no tangible an actual distinction can be made
among them. On account of their accidental differences such as
nationality, color or race. Islam mercies and treat non-Moslem equally in
the Islamic state. It even treats it's enemies with mercy during peace
and war. Human rights are sacred in Islamic teaching. God said in Quran,
"Clearly a believer, be you, securer of justice, witness of God. Let not
detestation for people move you not to be equitable; be equitable that is
nearest God fearing" .17 Human blood is sacred, in any case, and cannot be
spilled without justification. Human life is very valuable it was created
and not be killed. If anyone violates this sanctity of human life by
killing a soul, without justification, the Quran equals it to the killing
of the entire mankind. "Who slays a soul not to retaliate for a soul
slain nor for corruption" done in land should be as if he had slain
mankind altogether.18
Before sending out an army prophet Mohammad (peace on him) used to
give them this order or a part of his commanders guidance were as follows:
"Oppress no women, children, old people, the sick or the wounded, cut no
trees." Women's honor and chastity are to be respected under all
circumstances. As mentioned before the hungry people are to be fed, the
naked clothed and the wounded or diseased treated medically irrespective
of whether they belong to Islamic community or are from among it's
enemies. When we speak of human right in Islam we are not talking about
human rights that were legislated, by the human rights bureau, that could
be amended as they wish, nor by dictators or terrorists. They have been
granted to the mankind by the all mighty God. Which are meant to keep
mankind dignity all over the world. All the time they are not for show
and exhibition. They are not philosophical terms and concepts which have
not sanction behind them. Islam laid down the human rights foundation
well before the United Nations resolution or Geneva Convention's. They
are a part and a parcel of the Islamic faith. Every Moslem or
administrators who claim themselves to be Moslem will have to accept,
recognize and enforce them. Quran says: "Those who do not judge by what
God has sent down are the disbelievers. "19
As stated before the human rights apply for Moslem and non-Moslems.
Prophet Mohammad said, "One who kills a man under covenant will not even
smell the fragrance of paradise". Not only that Islam grant everyone a
total freedom as long as it doesn't deny others their freedom. Freedom of
religion, the right to be what you want to be Quran says: "Let their be
no compulsion in religion, truth stands out clear from error, whoever
rejects evil and believes in God has the strongest bond that never breaks
and God knows and hears all things. "20 Quran also says: "The truth from
your Lord, let him who will believe and let him who will disbelieve. "21
But, God didn't stop there he also punishes those who commit crimes
harshly, the Rules of God, to enforce peace, law and order on earth.
Islam left no margin for the "law of the jungle" to take place. To put
human kind in the right prospective and to be up to the level and standard
of humanity Islam prohibits and forbids Moslems to insult other human
beings. Quran commands, "O'believers, let not any people scoff another
people who may be better than they, neither let women scoff at women who
may be better than themselves" .22 Then one can imagine what would be the
penalty for murder of innocent people, hijacking and abduction. Prophet
Mohammad said, the life of Moslem may be taken in three cases. One of
them is killing another human being. The Quran says, "A life for a life,
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a
foot, a burn for a burn, a wound for a wound".23 It is also stated the
same way in the Old Testament. So, that what you would get in the case of
a murder is to be killed. Then those who attack innocent people Quran
says, "and who attack you attack him in the same manner he attacked"24
and said, "The recompensation for an evil deed is a similar evil".25
Islam never put up with crime and criminal and always punishes them; so, a
very healthy society will exist. When real Islamic law was enforced
everyone used to be safe and secure, even Khalifa's never had guards. A
Parisian came to see the Khalifa "Omar" as a messenger from his king.
After asking about him he was led to him. The Khalifa, Omar, was sleeping
under a tree by the street side with his shoes under his head. The
Parisian asked where are the guards? and then said, "fairly you ruled
safely you slept". That is Islam, not everybody or one who hides behind
the veil of Islam is Moslem. Islam is clear straight forward not Kadafi
nor Khomeini or the other organizations represent Islam and Moslem. They
represent their masters ideas and they are far apart as heaven and earth.
But, Moslems are misjudged even in their history. One should be
subjective in his writing. In Terrorist Ideology and Democracy, Noel
O'Sullivan wrote:
"However as we have seen, regicide was familiar phenomenon from
earliest Islamic political history. .. "26
Often brothers fight over an idea. What do we call the Civil War
between the states? "Which in one battle the total lives lost was three
times the lives 16st in the entire war between Ali and Moawya" .27 That
battle was Gettysburg. A lot of civil wars and wars between nations took
place what do we call that?
Conclusion
As we have seen that there is a basic and a major difference between
Islam, real Moslems, and between those who claimed to be Moslems. All
that they are after is to destroy the beautiful image of Islam and due to
the lack of knowledge "maybe" most of the time people misunderstand Islam,
real Moslems condemn all evil deeds. Islam is brave and fights it's
enemies face to face, not kids, women and unarmed people. King Hussien,
in his letter to President Reagan dated June 1985 expressed his deep
outrage over the TWA hijacking. In those words, "We are living the ordeal
of the passengers and crews of Flight 847 of TWA, including the cowardly
murder of American citizen, who flew it....These crimes are crimes against
civilization and humanity....They are crimes perpetrated by those who have
become the scum of the earth.... Is that enough condemnation, by a Moslem
leader, I hope that I made clear some of the misconception of Islam and
remember that Islam the religion of peace even in war time. Islam seeks
peace, but if the enemy incline toward peace do thou also incline toward
peace and trust in God. For he is the one that hearth and knoweth call
things. "28 I finish with this, ".. .and soon will the unjust assailants
know vicissitudes their affairs will take" .29
FOOTNOTES
1 Noel O'Sullivan, Terrorism Ideology and Democracy,p.123
2 Walter Laquaure, International Terrorism,p.26
3 Laquaure,p.27.
4 Laquaure,p.27.
5 Laquaure,p.23.
6 Laquaure,p.22.
7 Quran,5:30.
8 Quran,5:33.
9 Walter Laquaure, Autonomy of Terrorism and Terrorist,p.
10 Jennifer Shaw, Collective Views,p.8.
11 Shaw,p.12.
12 Shaw,p.12.
13 Shaw,p.270.
14 Albert Parry, Terrorism from Robes to Arafat,p.67.
15 Parry,p.67.
16 Quran,3:159.
17 Quran,5:8.
18 Quran,5:32.
19 Quran,5:44.
20 Quran,2:256.
21 Quran,18:29
22 Quran,XLIX:11.
23 Quran,V:45.
24 Quran,II:194
25 Quran,XL:11-40.
26 Noel O'Sullivan,Terrorism Ideology and Democracy,p.123.
27 O'Sullivan, Terrorism Ideology and Democracy,p.123.
28 Quran,VIII:61.
29 Quran, XXVI:227
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