Introduction
It is not strange that some prominent politicians and opinion leaders do not differentiate between ‘terrorism’ and ‘violence’ and between oppressive terrorism and defensive terrorism. Neither do they consider fanaticism as a relative matter.
There is a clear distinction between violence and terrorism. Violence is confined to using physically violent means such as beating, physical torture, and using weapons to express a feeling, an opinion or to achieve a special or a public goal. Terrorism, on the other hand, includes physical and non-physical means. It includes verbal abuse and non-verbal threats, enforcing economic siege, voting against, or using the veto against. These resolutions punish or condemn the aggressor in the UN General Assembly and the Security Council.
How to Regulate ourselves in a Battle between Good and Evil?
Terrorism can take the form of oppressive press campaigns that propagate hatred and disdain against a group or a nation. Terror may not kill instantly, but it may kill in the long run, after a long-suffering of hunger and pain.
We also must recognize that terror is not pure evil or goodness. It is a means, which is not designated to evil or goodness. It can be used to defend the truth, to defeat an oppressor, or to defend a victim. It can also be used to cause injustice to the innocent, rob people of their properties and money, deprive them of their rights, and occupy their lands.
In other words, we can distinguish between two kinds of terrorism: oppressive terrorism, and defensive terrorism. However, offensive terrorism is uncontrolled, but defensive terrorism is usually controlled by the natural disposition of man or by-laws.
It is a common fact among the adherents of religions of divine origin that this life is a test to distinguish between the good that deserves rewards and the bad that deserves punishment, especially in eternal life. Thus, the struggle between the followers of the truth and the followers of falsehood, and the battle between the supporters of justice and the supporters of injustice is vital. Allah SWT says:
“Did Allah not check one set of people employing another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure”. (Holy Quran 22:40)
Terrorism sometimes occurs unintentionally or even against the will of the person who causes it. But if he is reminded of what he is doing and persists in doing it, he is considered an aggressor, and so is the one who knowingly helps him. Because Islam invites comprehensive peace in this life and the Hereafter, it condemns using terror to cause injustice to any person. It assigns an appropriate punishment for it, but after making sure that it has been unjustly used as a means of aggression.
However, Islam considers it a necessary means to remove aggression and to help the helpless innocent people. This is what Muslims call ‘Jihad’ or “fighting in the cause of Allah”. Allah Almighty says:
“Permission to fight is given to those who are oppressed.” (Holy Quran 22:40)
“And what stops you from fighting in the cause of Allah and for those weak, ill-treated and oppressed among men, women and children.” (Holy Quran 4:75)
“O my servant! I have forbidden injustice to Myself, and I have forbidden it among you.” (Sahih Muslim)
In other words, ‘Jihad’ in Islam is not an oppressive act but a legal defensive act, which is approved by all laws, including those of the ‘democratic countries’ and others. It is the legal justification for building strong armies and developing highly destructive weapons. In general, those who use terror could be classified into the following three categories:
A person who uses it for aggression, regardless of whether he believes in Eternal Life or not. And by doing so, he violates the natural disposition, the man-made law, and the Divine teachings, including the Islamic teachings.
A person who uses it to defend his own life, dignity, and properties or to defend the innocent who are oppressed, even though he may believe in Eternal Life. This person is usually motivated by their natural disposition.
A person who uses it to defend his own life, dignity, and properties or to defend the innocent who are oppressed, and he believes in Eternal Life. This person is usually motivated by both the natural disposition and the Divine teachings, which promise a great reward for doing so.
The last category is the most courageous of all and ready to sacrifice his own life, because it considers this life as a means, not as a goal by itself. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons behind suicidal operations carried out by oppressed religious persons. Muslim scholars’ opinion about these operations is divided between two legal opinions:
Those who approve it and encourage it if it is a legal defensive operation. In their opinion, all soldiers in all types of systems are required to do their best in a defensive situation, even though they may have to sacrifice their own lives.
Those who prohibit that because they consider this a kind of intentional suicide which is forbidden in Islam even for a legal cause although this differs from the personal cause like taking one’s own life out of despair, which is forbidden.
In all cases, Islam forbids killing the innocent, the aged, women, and children unless they engage in aggressive terrorism.
What is the Difference between Oppressive and Defensive Terrorism?
We have already mentioned that both the oppressor and the oppressed use terror, but how can we distinguish between the two cases: the one who uses it for aggression and the one who uses it for defense? The basic criterion between the two types is: Who used it first against the other?
The first one who used it is the one who is using it for aggression, and the second is the one who is using it for defense. And whoever supports and helps the aggressor is an aggressor himself, and whoever supports or helps the oppressed holds the status of the oppressed.
Sometimes, it is difficult to tell who started it. Therefore, we need another criterion. The second criterion is to try to bring reconciliation and the one who rejects a fair judgment is the oppressor. Allah SWT says:
“And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both; if one of them outrages against the other, then fight you all against the one that outrages till it complies with the command of Allah.” (Holy Quran 49:9)
Terrorism could appear in other forms such as to punish a person without sufficient evidence or to exceed the limits of reasonable punishment. The punishment for a specific crime should be fixed in terms of severity. We cannot be lenient with a friend or someone from whom we expect benefits and be harsh on someone whom we consider an enemy.
“O you who believe, stand out firmly for Allah as just witnesses; and let not the enmity and hatred of others make you avoid justice.” (Holy Quran 5:8)
Therefore, Islam completely rejects the violation of the independence of a member of the UN under any unproven accusation. It is natural that despite the clear teachings of Islam, some Muslims may violate them and use terror for aggression. It is also natural that all nations try to bring up their citizens to behave correctly, yet their prisons are full of criminals.
It was reported that there were 175 incidents of terrorism in the USA between 1982 and 2001, and 143 out of them were committed by Christians. Can we say that Christians are terrorists? It is certainly unfair to generalize or attribute the bad acts of a few to all or even to the majority.
If some democratic governments that call for justice supported a country, that was established on pure religious fanaticism by driving the original inhabitants out of their lands and homes, can we say that all democratic regimes encourage oppression? And if some democratic governments claiming to fight terrorism by waging war against some poor countries continuously support a state based on oppressive terrorism, can we conclude that democracy is a hypocritical system?
How does Islam deal with Offensive Terrorism?
Islam treats offensive terrorism by three means. Firstly, it provides good discipline from childhood and instills the principles that prohibit aggression and oppression and encourage justice and fairness. Secondly, it removes the causes of offensive terrorism by protecting human rights, providing fair trials, securing just treatment, encouraging cooperation in the ways of goodness, and securing decent means of living. Therefore, no wonder if the second-guided Caliph Omar put a halt to the punishment of cutting the hand of the thief during the year of famine.
It is wiser for us to find out the reason behind terrorism and to remove it than rush to condemn it and punish people for it. Sometimes, we blame the oppressed for engaging in defensive violence, but we forget to condemn the oppressive violence that causes thousands of innocent victims to face humiliation, hunger, and death after long-suffering.
Some countries may blame some defensive terrorism against them but fail to remove the cause, which is in their hands. Instead, they agitate terrorism more by committing more atrocities against the oppressed or continue supporting the oppressor. It is noteworthy that some decision-makers in some countries base their decisions on misleading information provided by prejudiced or ignorant sources of information.
The term "fake news" began to surge in popularity in November 2016 and peaked in 2018. Searches have declined globally since March 2019, but it remains a query. U.S. survey found that most American adults believe most news on social media is biased. In the 2018 survey on perceived bias in the news on social media, 66% of U.S. consumers stated they believed 76% or more of the news on social media to be biased. https://redline.digital/fake-news-statistics/
In light of this fact, the decision-makers should be more careful to try to verify the information from several first-hand sources as much as possible. This is not to exclude the fact that some of the decision-makers may forge some information to realize personal goals. And here comes the role of the wise opinion leaders of the nation and the dedicated honest media men and women.
Thirdly, Islam assigns suitable punishment for offensive terrorism, but after ensuring proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, which authorizes the judge to reject some suspicious confessions. This is so, because punishing innocent people out of negligence and insufficient investigation or revenge-like punishment, will only agitate more offensive, random terrorism.
Does Establishing Quranic Schools Instil Hatred and Fanaticism?
As it was made clear by the above quotations from the Holy Quran, Islam invites all humans and the jinn to comprehensive peace and felicity, not only on the level of this temporary life but also on the level of Eternal Life. The Holy Quran also makes it compulsory for Muslims to respect other’s rights, regardless of the difference in faith.
The Holy Quran encourages everyone who reads it with comprehension to stick to the highest moral values and to treat all people kindly, even to do favor to them and to care for their happiness in both temporary life and Eternal Life.
Allah SWT says: “Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion. Verily, Allah loves those who are just and fair. It is only as regards to those who fought you on account of your religion and have driven you out of your homes and helped to drive you out that Allah forbid you to take them as guardians.” (Holy Quran 60:8-9)
The Holy Quran, for instance, encourages observing the rights of the guests, the neighbors, the kinships, and the parents, even if they are non-Muslims. Allah SWT says: “And we have enjoined on man to be good and dutiful to his parents; but if they strive to make you join with Me in worship anything as a partner, then do not obey them.” (Holy Quran 29:8)
Islam is concerned with the dignity and the honor of people, and it encourages self-esteem, without arrogance, and praises strength, without oppressing others.
It also includes the history of the struggle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), the description of those who took a hostile position against him and his preaching as well as his tolerance of the harassment of his enemies for about fourteen years, till he was finally granted the permission to defend himself and fight back.
We all know that many wars have occurred in the world between the various races, religions, and states. Both sides in these conflicts have utilized different types of terrorism: violence, psychological, spiritual, and mental suppression. Can we say that all parties in these conflicts are oppressive terrorists? Or it depends on the actual motivation of each, whether it is oppressive or defensive?
All countries have armies and military academies, and pay a great deal of attention and spend great fortunes to train their soldiers to use their destructive weapons efficiently. The most technically developed democratic countries are the most advanced in developing the most destructive weapons in the whole world. Not only that but they are the sellers of these weapons to the lesser-developed countries. And they are the ones who brag about having the most advanced and capable armies and having the most advanced facilities to develop the most destructive weapons.
Can we say that these countries encourage oppressive terrorism and train their citizens to be more efficient in carrying out oppressive terrorism? The answer is certainly no because a wise person should prepare himself within his capabilities to defend himself against injustice and oppressive terrorism. This is why all laws of the whole globe legalize self-defense, regardless of whether these laws are divine, or man-made. They all grant permission to defend oneself, properties, and honor.
Some Western politicians claim that teaching the constitution of the Muslims, the Holy Quran, instills hatred and fanaticism because it includes the history of parts of the struggle between the Muslims and some of the non-Muslims. Using the same logic, we should say: “We have to forbid all nations to teach their histories because they agitate hatred and fanaticism even between the various groups in the same country. There is a great deal of documentaries about the world, regional or civil wars that are full of the bloodiest fighting. Should we forbid them or not?
In addition to that, there are many texts in the Bible if taken out of their proper contexts they would seem to be very violent. For example, in the following verses, the Bible reads:
“So now kill every boy and kill every woman who has had sexual intercourse but keep alive for yourselves all the girls and all the women who are virgins.” (Numbers 31:17-18)
“The Lord, your God will bring you into the land that you are going to occupy, and He will drive many nations out of it. When the Lord your God places these people in your power and you defeat them, you must put them all to death. Do not ally with them or show them any mercy. Do not marry any of them, and do not let your children marry any of them.” (Deuteronomy 7:1-2)
“Now as for those enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and kill them in my presence.” (Luke 19:27)
Should we take these verses as encouraging offensive terrorism? A wise person will say: No. These verses and similar holy texts should be understood within their proper contexts.
Conclusion
Oppressive and defensive terrorism are two distinct types of violence that can take many forms. Islam combats aggressive terrorism by imparting excellent discipline from birth and principles that prevent aggression and tyranny. It eliminates the reasons for offensive terrorism by ensuring human rights, fair trials, just treatment, cooperation, and a decent standard of living.
Well picked topic. Concept is very realistic . Thought provoking ideology.