adminthe powerful people to frighten the weak.
History is punctuated with terrorist activities which have claimed lots of innocent lives and endangered people. They have deprived human beings from their basic rights and freedoms and have endangered cordial relations among states and jeopardised territorial integrity of countries.
For many reasons, both its (i.e. terrorism) quality and quantity has greatly expanded in modern times and it is now one of the most important concerns of the international community. What differentiates modern terrorism from old versions is that it is currently plaguing all nations and regions of the world. In an age of globalisation and technological advances, terrorism is no more bound to national or regional boundaries.
Nevertheless, being one of the most serious and most dangerous manifestations of threat to international peace and security, terrorism stands condemned at all its forms and manifestations, on the side of anyone, anywhere and for any purpose. In the confrontation between Islam and the West, terrorism is an idea which inspires a sense of mutual siege.
Muslims consider terrorism a ground for the West to treat them violently and feel beleaguered due to the role of some Muslims in certain acts of terror.
On the other hand, the dominant cultural system of the world has simply taken a causative approach to terrorism and tries to make the world believe that the East, especially the Muslim East, is the cradle of terrorism. Therefore, the Orient and anything that does not belong to the Western civilisation is looked upon as being related to terrorism. By so doing, the international system has been consistently avoiding to focus on the root cause of terrorism.
When looking at terrorism as an effect, we would come to realise that the main cause of that effect is not civilisation and cultural backdrop of the Muslim East societies, but incorrect international relations that have taken shape in the past centuries and whose latest manifestation in our time is ”terrorism.” In recent times, terrorism has become an arena for confrontation between Western values and those societies which do not bow to foreign culture and civilisation.
Highlighting the role of religious extremism as the main cause of terrorism, especially that of 9/11, only equates Islam to terrorism. The West was, in fact, trying to make the world believe that Islam in its totality supports terrorism. However, if one carefully studies the sources of the Shari’ah (Islamic law), namely the Book of Allah (the Holy Quran) and the Ahadith (Traditions) of Prophet Muhammad and his progeny (peace be on them), one would discover that they are devoid of any import of extremism, acts of violence or terrorism, which imply carrying out aggression against others without a just cause.
Extremism, violence, and terrorism have no connection whatsoever with Islam. In fact, they are manifestations of perilous acts with dangerous consequences, and an aggression and iniquity against the individual. All these are manifestations of the mischief in the land. God has prohibited Muslims from committing. God says in the Quran: “And seek not occasions for mischief in the land: for God loves not those who do mischief” (28:77) Hence God did not only enact deterrent punishment against terrorism, aggression and corruption, but considers these acts tantamount to waging war against God and His Messenger. Allah says in the Quran:
“The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land . . .” (5:33)
Obviously, in view of the enormity of such acts of aggression, which are viewed by the Shari’ah (Islamic law) as an act of war against the laws and the creatures of God, there is no stricter punishment anywhere in the manmade laws. Moreover, there are various forms of terrorism, which include state terrorism, ideological terrorism, political terrorism and cyber terrorism, and international terrorism, the most conspicuous illustration and the most heinous of which is practised in Palestine today by the Israelis. According to the Islamic idea, state terrorism is the most menacing to security and peace in the world.
In combating terrorism and protecting society against its evil consequences, Islam is a trail-blazer.
Through clear-cut limitations that must not be trespassed, Islam urges the protection of human life, honour, property, religion and intellect. Accordingly, in furtherance of this honour bestowed upon mankind, Islam prohibit(s) man’s injustice to his fellow man, and condemn(s) those who cause harm to people, not only in the Muslim world, but anywhere in the world.
Furthermore, Islam ordered its adherents to keep away from anything that may cause turmoil among the people, and warned at the same time, against its evil consequences. Allah says in the Quran: “And fear tumult or oppression, which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong: And know that Allah is strict in punishment.” (8:25)
In Islam, both the individual and the community are exhorted not only to tow the line of moderation, but likewise, to root out extremism and religious intolerance which are sure to destroy the mankind.
l Mohammed Asadi is the head of the Cultural Centre of Embassy of Iran.
Online Reporter