Is Islam the Religion of Terrorism?

Hassan Farhat NDU University ENL 105 Dr.

Saiid Rajha December 26,2012 Thesis statement: In fact, Islam is the religion of love and peace and the concept of Jihad is far from terrorism. I. Islam is the religion of love and peace. A. Allah is the source of love and peace. B.

Quran. C. Mohammad the prophet. II. The concept of Jihad. A.

Types of Jihad. B. Why and when to use Jihad. C. Where and how to use Jihad.

IS ISLAM THE RELIGION OF TERRORISM?Since the events of 11/9/2001 paste the charge of terrorism to the Islamic religion although there is neither an academic nor an international legal consensus regarding the definition of the term “Terrorism”, but it is commonly known as the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims. Therefore it impact on the life of Muslims, especially those living in western countries. Perhaps Islam is really a religion of terrorism because of the concept of Jihad where most of people define it as a war or struggle against unbelievers.In fact, Islam is the religion of love and peace and the concept of Jihad is far from terrorism.

According to the holy Quran Allah is the source of love and peace; Allah is the source of mercy and goodness, based on that the actual Muslim cannot be a terrorist, On the contrary, the Muslim person competes with his counterparts in treating others well and spreading peace. The holy Quran is the constitution of Muslims and it calls Muslims clearly to prefer peace to war whenever their enemy tends to it “And if they incline to peace, then incline to it [also] and rely upon Allah.Indeed, it is He who is the Hearing, the Knowing” (Quran 8:61). Mohammad the prophet of Islam is the leader and all Muslims have to follow him and copy what he used to do in his life, Mohammad was very peaceful person even before the Islam, He was an example of mercy visiting Jewish neighbor while he is ill, surpassing all the harm that was caused by him. ““The highest form of Jihad is to speak the truth in the face of an unjust ruler”, reads an impeccably authenticated saying of Prophet Mohammad” (Noorani, 2002).

There are two types of Jihad, the greater Jihad and the lesser Jihad.Greater Jihad is fighting one’s evil procedure and curbs the immoral animal instincts and behavior. The lesser Jihad is the defense of the community and people when subjected to any attack or aggression. Therefore Jihad is not a desire someone could have to do it; it got reasons to take such a decision. Jihad is for defending and only defending if the community got attacked by enemies and killing innocent people is totally forbidden in Islam, Mohammad used to tell his soldiers before going to the battle: don’t kill an old man, boy or woman, and don’t cut a tree! (Al-Kafi).In the end not all what you hear about Islam is true, and not everyone speaks in the name of Islam is a Muslim, we can’t judge religions for what believers do, it is unfair! , we can’t say Judaism is the religion of terrorism according to Zionism manner and we can’t say Christianity is the religion of terrorism according to US army manner.

All divine religions calls for peace, but there are who misunderstand and misinterpreting them intentionally or unintentionally. References Al-kafi. Noorani, A. G. A. M.

(2002). Islam & jihad: prejudice versus reality. London: Zed books. Quran.