Terrorism versus Islam

I have not done anything significant this past week, except may be go up the Eiffel Tower and enjoy a stunning view of Paris..so I shall use this week's post to speak about something else...the villification of Muslims across the world

Yes, I, a Hindu..a Brahmin..am going to dedicate a post extending my sympathy to the Muslim community...and No, I have not taken leave of my senses..

As the world celebrates the 5th Anniversary of the 9/11 attack on the WTC, various news channels have also covered the change in the way the world now perceives Muslims. They are all looked upon in askance..as if being a Muslim is a sure fire way of identifying a potential terrorist. All Muslims are not terrorists just like all Germans are not Hitler's...all Marathis are not Nathuram Godse's and all Lankans are not Ravanas...

So, everytime we have a terrorist attack, a new wave of scathing comments are thrown at Muslims across the world. No, I most certainly don't condone these acts of terrorism..but I don't think these attacks are a license to attack Muslims..

Terrorism has no religion...no God-fearing person can execute thousands of innocents for no fault of their own. Yes, the terrorists use their religion as their potent weapon…they use the name of God to claim innocent lives…their War on Jihad is part of their plan to destroy all non believers’ of Islam..

Jihad is an Islamic term, which connotes a wide range of meanings: anything from an inward spiritual struggle to attain perfect faith to a political or military struggle to further the Islamic cause. Muslim scholars explained there are five kinds of jihad fi sabilillah (struggle in the cause of God).

1. Jihad of the heart/soul (jihad bin nafs/qalb) is an inner struggle of good against evil in the mind.
2. Jihad by the tongue (jihad bil lisan) is a struggle of good against evil waged by writing and speech, such as in the form of dawah (proselytizing), Khutbas (sermons), and political or military propaganda.
3. Jihad by the pen and knowledge (jihad bil qalam/ilm) is a struggle for good against evil through scholarly study of Islam, ijtihad (legal reasoning), and through sciences (such as military and medical sciences).
4. Jihad by the hand (jihad bil yad) refers to a struggle of good against evil waged by actions or with one's wealth, such as going on the Hajj pilgrimage (seen as the best jihad for women), taking care of elderly parents, providing funding for jihad, political activity for furthering the cause of Islam, stopping evil by force, or espionage.
5. Jihad by the sword (jihad bis saif) refers to qital fi sabilillah (armed fighting in the way of God, or holy war).

It is the last interpretation of Jihad that is the reason behind this holy war. But, even Islam or the Quran does not allow the murder of innocents in Jihad. Physical Jihad relates to the use of physical force in defence of Muslims against oppression and transgression by the enemies of Allah, Islam and Muslims. Allah commands that Muslims lead peaceful lives and not transgress against anyone. If they are persecuted and oppressed, the Qur'an recommends that they migrate to a more peaceful and tolerant land: "Lo! Those who believe, and those who emigrate (to escape persecution) and strive (Jahadu) in the way of Allah, these have hope of Allah's mercy..." (2:218). If relocation is not possible, then Allah also requires Muslims to defend themselves against oppression by "fighting against those who fight against us." 2 The Qur'an states: "To those against whom war is made, permission is given [to defend themselves], because they are wronged - and verily, Allah is Most Powerful to give them victory." (22:39) [4]

Jihad is a supposed to be a fight against those who wrong Muslims or Islam. Being a Christian or a Hindu or a Jew is not a crime against Muslims or Islam. The very base behind this War of Jihad is wrong. The Muslim Jihad has been the compared to the Christian crusade centuries ago, where people were made to convert to Christianity. A person should be allowed to choose his/her own faith. Holding someone at gunpoint and asking him to worship Allah is not a means of converting faith. This War on Jihad is not based on Islam or people who have wronged it. Terrorism and murder as opposed to religion or God are the rules that govern it.

So, basically, I am trying to make a point here, that acts of terrorism, for the most part have no bearing on god-fearing Muslims across the world who have also lost their kith and kin in these attacks. We should not use these attacks to victimize Muslims and possibly alienate them further.

If there are any Muslims reading this blog, then I urge you to ask your community to be more vocal and active in the War against terrorism. The Muslim community should condemn these acts with no if's and buts’. They should not use these acts of Terrorism as a means to ask for upliftment from poverty or better rights to education as is the case in Britain. Poverty and illiteracy are independent of a person's religious background and are not reasons for the Muslims to condone terrorism.

Countries like Lebanon are democracies. The people of these countries can go a long way in fighting the war against terrorism if they elect leaders who will show the world that they are also opposed to Terrorism as opposed to electing to power Terrorist outfits like the Hezbollah. The Muslim community could also go a long way in preaching religious tolerance. Not being Muslim does not make us any less human. This would be the right time to put in Shylock the Jew’s dialogue in Merchant of Venice..

"Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions; fed with the same food, hurt with the same weapons, subject to the same diseases, healed by the same means, warmed and cooled by the same winter and summer as a Christian is? If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge? If we are like you in the rest, we will resemble you in that."

There it was said from a Jew to a Christian..here it is being said from a Hindu to a Muslim. The point remains the same. We are as human as you are. So help us put an end to this madness. Let the world finally become a safe place to live in.

Warning...I know this post will evoke some very strong feelings among my readers...but please remember...this post is only about Islam vis-a-vis terrorism..please dont expand this to other facets of Islam notably their treatment of women etc...