Terrorism Is Not ISLAM 2ND EDITION

ISLAM The Religion of Peace Terrorism is not ISLAM 2ND EDITION

Birmingham (UK) Mosques response to ISIS

1 Is Islam a religion of Peace? and subsequently massacre them ruthlessly. They must know the sanctity and honour of a believer’s life in the sight of God and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is greater Islam than the sanctity of the kaba. Abdullah is the most misinterpreted bin Umar (may God be pleased with religion of him) said, the world. ‘Once, I saw the Messenger of God (peace and blessings be upon him) circumambulating the Ka’ba and he Islam is a religion of peace and security, was addressing it, “How excellent and it urges others to pursue the path you are and how sweet your smell is! of peace and protection. The most How grand you are and how grand significant proof of this is that God has your sacredness is! By the One in named it as Islam. The word Islam is Whose Hand is Muhammad’s soul, the derived from the Arabic word salama inviolability of a believer’s property or salima. It means peace, security, and blood is greater in the sight of God safety and protection. As for its literal than your sacredness. We must think meaning, Islam denotes absolute peace. only well of a believer”.’ As a religion, it is peace incarnate. It It is a grave sin to even point a weapon encourages humankind to be moderate, towards a believer, what to talk of peaceful, kind, balanced, tolerant, killing people with explosives or other patient and forbearing. weapons, and the one who does it If we look for the definition of a Muslim is cursed. Abu Hurayra (may God be or mu’min [believer] mentioned in pleased with him) reported that the the Qur’an and hadith, it will become Messenger of God (peace and blessings evident that, in the sight of God and be upon him) said, His Messenger (peace and blessings ‘None of you should point a weapon at be upon him), a Muslim is someone his brother, for he does not know, for who embodies peace and security, and perhaps the devil may draw it out while a mu’min is the one who is endowed it is in his hand, resulting in his falling with love, affection, peace, tranquillity, into a pit of Hell.’ tolerance and coexistence, and upholds the cause of human dignity. Everyone Islam not only outlaws the mass is protected and safe from him at all killing of Muslims but the whole of levels, individually and collectively. Abu humanity, without any discrimination Hurayra (may God be pleased with him) on the basis of caste, colour, race or reported that the Messenger of God religion. One can appreciate the value (peace and blessings be upon him) said, and inviolability of human life in Islam by realising that the act of killing a ‘The Muslim is he from whose tongue human being has been equated with and hand all people are safe’. slaughtering the entire human race. In The Messenger (peace and blessings be connection with human dignity, God upon him also said, says in the Qur’an, ‘The best of the believers is he from ‘Whoever kills a person [unjustly], it is whose tongue and whose hand the as if he killed all of humanity’. Muslims are safe’. This verse highlights the sanctity of He (peace and blessings be upon him) human life in general. The sanctity also said, of a man or woman, the old or the young, the rich or the poor has not “The true believer [mu’min] is he been specified. The point being that whom people trust with regard to their the Qur’an has not only prohibited lives and their properties’. killing man without any justification, but has also declared that it is akin to the murder of humanity in its entirety. What does Islam say on the As for the law of retribution, which sanctity of the lives of Muslims & authorizes capital punishment for a non Muslims? murderer, or indeed those who ‘spread disorder’ i.e. commit terrorism, it has There are some people who would been legislated for safeguarding the target Muslims on account of political, sanctity of human life. ideological or religious differences,

2 The Messenger of God (peace and thirteen years of his stay in Makkah, the blessings be upon him) also said, discussion will be limited to the period which commenced with the migration of ‘Killing a believer is a more serious the Prophet to Madina, and specifically matter in the sight of God than the once the constitution was set. destruction of the entire world’. The best example of the tolerance The humiliating punishment of a shown by the Prophet to other religions murderer who intentionally kills a may be the constitution itself, called believer can be understood from the the by early historians. When verses wherein God mentions the ‘Saheefah’ the Prophet migrated to Madina, his punishment of Hell for these sinners role as a mere religious leader ended; with phrases such as ‘abide for ages’, he was now the political leader of a ‘His wrath’, ‘curse him’ and ‘dreadful state, governed by the precepts of torment’. God says, Islam, which demanded that clear laws ‘But he who kills a Muslim deliberately, of governance be laid out to ensure his recompense will be Hell, wherein harmony and stability in a society which will he shall abide for forever. God will once had been distraught by decades afflict him with His wrath and will curse of war, one which must ensure the him. And He has prepared for him a peaceful coexistence of Muslims, Jews, dreadful torment’. Christians and polytheists. Due to this, the Prophet laid down a ‘constitution’ which detailed the responsibilities of all The Tolerance of the Prophet parties which resided in Medina, their P.B.U.H towards other Religions - obligations towards each other, and certain restrictions which were placed Religious Autonomy and Politics. on each. All parties were to obey what was mentioned therein, and any breach of its articles was regarded as an act of treachery. The first article of the constitution was that all the inhabitants of Medina, the Muslims as well as those who had entered the pact from the Jews, Christian, and idolaters, were “one nation to the exclusion of all others.” All were considered members and citizens of Medina society regardless of religion, race, or ancestry. People of The dealings of the Prophet, may the other faiths were protected from harm mercy and blessings of God be upon as much as the Muslims, as is stated in him, with other religions can best be another article, “To the Jews who follow described in the verse of the Quran: us belong help and equity. He shall not “To you be your religion, to me be be harmed nor his enemies be aided.” mine.” Previously, each tribe had their alliances and enemies within and without Medina. The Arabian Peninsula during the time The Prophet gathered these different of the Prophet was a region in which tribes under one system of governance various faiths were present. There which upheld pacts of alliances were Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, previously in existence between those polytheists, and others not affiliated individual tribes. All tribes had to act with any religion. When one looks into as a whole with disregard to individual the life of the Prophet, one may draw on alliances. Any attack on other religion or many examples to portray the high level tribe was considered an attack on the of tolerance shown to people of other state and upon the Muslims as well. faiths. The lives of the practitioners of other In order to understand and judge religions in the Muslim society was also this tolerance, one must look into the given protective status. The Prophet period in which Islam was a formal said: state, with the specific laws laid down by the Prophet in accordance with “Whoever kills a person who has a the tenets of religion. Even though truce with the Muslims will never smell one can observe many examples of the fragrance of Paradise.” (Saheeh tolerance shown by the Prophet in the Muslim)

3 Since the upper hand was with the articles of the constitution, a pact which Muslims, the Prophet strictly warned took into account the greater benefit of against any maltreatment of people of the peaceful coexistence of the society. other faiths. He said: There are many other examples during “Beware! Whoever is cruel and hard on the lifetime of the Prophet, may the a non- Muslim minority, or curtails their mercy and blessings of God be upon rights, or burdens them with more than him, in addition to the Saheefah that they can bear, or takes anything from practically portray the tolerance Islam them against their free will; I (Prophet shows for other religions. Muhammad) will complain against the Given consent by the constitution, person on the Day of Judgment.” the Jews had the complete freedom (Abu Dawud) to practice their religion. The Jews in In another article, it states, “the Jews Medina at the time of the Prophet had have their religion and the Muslims their own school of learning, named have theirs.” In this, it is clear that Baitul- Midras, where they would anything other than tolerance would recite the Torah, worship and educate not be tolerated, and that, although themselves. all were members of a society, each The Prophet emphasized in many had their separate religion which could letters to his emissaries that religious not be violated. Each was allowed to institutions should not be harmed. Here practice their beliefs freely without any in a letter addressed to his emissary to hindrances, and no acts of provocation the religious leaders of Saint Catherine would be tolerated. in Mount Sinai who has sought the protection of the Muslims: “This is a message from Muhammad  Islam - love, mercy and peace. ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we  Terrorism is the total opposite of Islam. are with them. Verily I, the servants, the  Terrorists are disbelievers. helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and (Hadith) by God! I hold out against anything There are many other articles of this that displeases them. No compulsion is constitution which may be discussed, to be on them. Neither are their judges but emphasis will be placed on an to be removed from their jobs nor their article which states, “If any dispute monks from their monasteries. No one or controversy likely to cause trouble is to destroy a house of their religion, should arise, it must be referred to to damage it, or to carry anything God and His Messenger.” This clause from it to the Muslims’ houses. Should maintained that all inhabitants of the anyone take any of these, he would state must recognize a higher level spoil God’s covenant and disobey His of authority, and in those matters Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and which involved various tribes and have my secure charter against all that religions, justice could not be meted they hate. No one is to force them to out by individual leaders; rather it travel or to oblige them to fight. The must be adjudicated by the leader of Muslims are to fight for them. If a the state himself or his designated female Christian is married to a Muslim, representatives. It was allowed, it is not to take place without her however, for individual tribes who approval. She is not to be prevented were not Muslims, to refer to their own from visiting her church to pray. Their religious scriptures and their learned churches are declared to be protected. men in regards to their own personal They are neither to be prevented from affairs. They could though, if they opted, repairing them nor the sacredness of ask the Prophet to judge between them their covenants. No one of the nation in their matters. God says in the Quran: (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world).” “…If they do come to you, either judge between them or decline to As one can see, this Charter consisted interfere...” (Quran 5:42) of several clauses covering all important aspects of human rights, including such Here we see that Prophet allowed each topics as the protection of minorities religion to judge in their own matters living under Islamic rule, freedom of according to their own scriptures, as worship and movement, freedom to long as it did not stand in opposition to appoint their own judges and to own

4 and maintain their property, exemption from God. The blessing of life serves as from military service, and the right to a basis for all other blessings. It is for protection in war. this reason that Islam directs people to safeguard their lives and forbids On another occasion, the Prophet suicide. Islam does not allow any human received a delegation of sixty Christians being to take his or her own life. On from the region of Najran, then a part the contrary, the teachings of Islam of Yemen, at his mosque. When the emphasize the safety and security of time for their prayer came, they faced one’s life and body. These teachings aim the direction of east and prayed. The at preserving human life and ensuring Prophet ordered that they be left in the continuation of humanity. As their state and not harmed. mentioned earlier, the real owner of life There are also examples in the life of and death is God. So just as murdering the Prophet in which he cooperated a person is akin to murdering all of between with people of other faiths in humanity, so too is suicide considered a the political arena as well. He selected despicable act. God says, a non-Muslim, Amr-ibn Umaiyah-ad- Damri, as an ambassador to be sent to ‘And do not cast yourselves into Negus, the King of Ethiopia. destruction with your own hands—and adopt righteousness. Verily, God loves These are only some of the examples the righteous’. of the Prophet’s tolerance of other Interpreting verse 30 of Sura al- faiths. Islam recognizes that there are a Nisa’, Imam al- Baghawi cited the plurality of religions on this earth, and aforementioned verse and said, ‘It is gives the right to individuals to choose said that He intended the Muslim who the path which they believe to be true. kills himself ’. Religion is not to be, and was never, forced upon an individual against their God also revealed, ‘O you who believe! own will, and these examples from the Do not devour one another’s wealth life of the Prophet are an epitome of unlawfully amongst yourselves unless the verse of the Quran which promotes it is a trade by your mutual agreement, religious tolerance and sets the and do not kill yourselves. Surely, God guideline for the Muslims’ interaction is kind to you. But whoever does that with people of other faiths. God says: through transgression and injustice, we shall soon throw him into the Fire [of “…There is no compulsion in religion…”

(Quran 2:256) Hell] and that is easy for God’. The Prophet (peace & blessings be upon him) said, ‘Indeed, your body has a Are suicide attacks lawful in right on you and your eyes also have a Islam? right on you’. Suicide attacks are being used as a This hadith prescribes that we safeguard means to spread bloodshed. These life and limb and observe the rights of are completely forbidden in Islam. The our bodies. Therefore, killing oneself one who commits suicide defies God and others through suicide bombing is a and becomes a resident of Hell. Before grievous sin. examining the revealed texts that These aforementioned hadith reports forbid suicide, let us consider why it is forbid suicide in general; however, forbidden. Human life is neither owned some hadith reports particularly forbid nor acquired; it is a gift and trust unlawful obedience to authorities, as that may cause detriment to the lives of others. We hear many youth in their self-made online ‘martyrdom videos’ describe their leader’s command as the motivation for taking their own lives. They are well-grounded in obedience to their leaders and commanders, but they are unaware of the confines, limits and restraints of obedience. It is extreme foolishness, ignorance and absurdity to destroy the lives of common people in obedience to a leader’s command. According to another hadith: ‘The Messenger of God dispatched a military

5 force and appointed one of the Ansar Islam guarantees the protection of life, as its leader. He then started a fire property and honour for all members and said [to them], “Enter it”. Some of society, without any discrimination of them were about to enter it, while on the basis of caste, colour, race and others amongst them said, “We have religion. There are numerous verses and only sought to free ourselves from hadiths which are sufficient to establish it [by embracing Islam].” When they that the protection of the life, honour submitted the episode to the Prophet and property of non-Muslim citizens (peace and blessings be upon him) he living in any Islamic state or any non- said to those who had intended to enter Muslim country is a binding duty upon the fire, “If they had entered it, they the Muslims in general and the Islamic would have remained in it until the Day state in particular. On the occasion of of Resurrection”. Then he said to the his Last Sermon, the Prophet (peace others, “There is no obedience in that and blessings be upon him) said, which is disobedience. Obedience is guaranteeing the protection of life, only in that which is right.” property and honour of the whole humankind, The masterminds of terrorism who groom and brainwash young people for ‘Indeed your blood and your property suicide bombings and encourage them and your honour are inviolable, like with dreams of Paradise by means of the inviolability of this day of yours ‘martyrdom’ should realize that God has and this month of yours and this land decreed a permanent torment in Hell of yours until the day you meet your awaiting those who commit suicide. Lord’. Jundub bin reported that Abdu Allah Following this principle, killing Muslim the Prophet (peace and blessings be and non- Muslim citizens—wherever upon him) said, ‘Amongst those before they reside—is strictly prohibited on the you was a man who was wounded. basis of equality. Unable to bear the pain, he took a knife, sliced his wounded hand and died The non-Muslim citizens of a true due to excessive blood loss. God Most Islamic state enjoy the same rights High said, “My slave decided to hasten and safeguards as their Muslim his own demise, so I made Paradise counterparts. The first right endowed forbidden for him.” upon them by the true Islamic state is that of protection against external The Messenger of God (peace and aggression and domestic oppression blessings be upon him) did not offer and encroachments, so they can live the funeral prayer over those who their life peacefully, inwardly and committed suicide. Its seriousness can outwardly. Abu Bakr (R.A) reported be further inferred from the fact that that the Prophet (peace and blessings the Prophet (peace and blessings be be upon him) said ‘Any Muslim who upon him) would supplicate even for unjustly kills a non-Muslim with whom his worst enemies and offer the funeral there is a peace treaty, God will make prayer over avowed hypocrites, until the Paradise forbidden for him’. Divine order was revealed, commanding him to abandon that practice—but he Just as the humiliation and violation would not offer the funeral prayer over of a Muslim’s dignity is forbidden in the one who committed suicide. Imam Islam, it is also forbidden to disgrace Muslim reported from Jabir bin Samura and dishonour a non-Muslim citizen. (may God be pleased with him) who No Muslim is allowed to abuse a non- said, Muslim, or slander or attribute falsehood to him or her. Islam also restrains its ‘Someone who killed himself with a followers from making mention of any spear was brought to the Prophet flaw in the person of a non-Muslim, (peace and blessings be upon him) and which may be associated with his or her he did not pray over him’. self, family or lineage. Once, the son of Does Islam protect the lives, Amr b. al-As, the Governor of Egypt, property and honour of Non- punished a non-Muslim unjustly. When a complaint of this injustice reached Muslims? Caliph Umar (may God be pleased with him), he made the non-Muslim Egyptian publically exact the same punishment upon the Governor’s son, and uttered the historic sentence, which according to some researchers characterized the struggle during the French Revolution: 6 ‘Since when have you regarded people punishment for his or her crime cannot as your slaves, while their mothers gave be awarded to his or her family, friends birth to them as free men?’ or tribe. God says, The Prophet (peace and blessings be ‘And whatever [sin] each soul earns [its upon him) provided a constitutional and evil outcome] falls back upon it. And legal status to this protection through no bearer of burden will bear another’s his agreements, accords, contracts and burden. Then you are to return to your commands. The agreement worked Lord alone, and He will inform you of out with the people of Najran is a that wherein you used to differ’. notable example in which all their rights Islam does not allow anyone to punish and freedoms—in particular religious common people for the oppressive freedoms—were guaranteed. Imam Abu actions of oppressors. The Prophet Ubayd al-Qasim bin al-Sallam, has cited (peace and blessings be upon him) said, a hadith in which the Prophet (peace ‘No man amongst them [the peaceful and blessings be upon him) dictated, non- Muslim citizens] shall be punished ‘Indeed, Najran and her allies are as a penalty for the injustice of a under the protection of God and the coreligionist’. guarantee of the Messenger of God. Many people are killed in non-Muslim They are to be protected in their countries, in addition to Muslim wealth, lives, lands and religion. This countries, in what is seemingly an includes their priests, monks, those unending wave of terrorism. The who are present amongst them and terrorists invoke what are deemed those who are absent and others as oppressive actions of non-Muslim amongst them, and their delegations countries to justify their terrorism, and and the like. They shall not be forced to contend that since these governments change that (faith) which they are upon play a role in either killing Muslims or and no right of theirs is to be forfeited. getting them killed through different No monk, priest or attendant amongst means, they are justified in killing their them should lose that which is in his citizens in retaliation. This argument is possession, be it plentiful or scarce, contrary to the fundamental teachings and no fear or danger will threaten of Islam and contravenes the character them.’ of Islam. Islam does not allow the killing of peaceful non-Muslims even in times of war—much less in times of peace. Islam’s jurisprudential tradition has articulated what is called in the West, the Just War Theory, and has detailed regulations that guide the conduct of its soldiers during war. Thus, for example, the killing of women during war is prohibited. Abdullah bin Umar (may God be pleased with him) said, ‘A woman was found slain in one of the Does the foreign policy of the expeditions. Upon this the Messenger West or other grievances justify of God (peace and blessings be upon killing non-Muslims? him) forbade the killing of women and children’. Political grievance is one of the factors which leads people towards violent This protection of non-combatants not extremism and terrorism. One of the only applies to women but to other arguments of those who become sections of society: Imam Abu Dawud involved in terrorism, is: “They are narrates on the authority of Anas b. killing our brothers and sisters in Iraq, Malik (may God be pleased with him) Afghanistan and in other parts of that the Prophet (peace and blessings the World.” This argument is purely be upon him) said, and simply unislamic. According to ‘Do not kill any feeble old man, or any the Qur’an and Sunna, every person infant or young child or woman’. is responsible for his or her actions. According to this rule, only the Imam Muslim narrated on the authority doer of an act of injustice is liable of Abu Hurayra that the Messenger to punishment, and no one else can of God (peace and blessings be upon be held responsible for that. The him) said on the day of the conquest of Mecca,

7 ‘Whoever enters Abu Sufyan’s house ‘He is the One Who has revealed to is safe, and whoever lays down his you the Book comprising some firm weapon is safe and whoever shuts his and solid verses [i.e., literally clear door is safe’. and precise in meaning]; they are the foundation of [commandments] of the Who are the ‘Kharijites’ and are Book. And other verses are figurative they the modern day terrorists? [i.e., containing abstract and allusive meaning]. So, those who have deviation in their hearts follow only its figurative verses [just] under the urge to create disruption and with the motive to supply them self-seeking interpretation instead of their true interpretation. But none knows its true interpretation apart from God. And those who are perfectly firm in knowledge say: ‘We believe in it. The whole (Book) has been revealed by our Lord’. And The people who have started violating direction and guidance is the share of the teachings of the Qur’an and the only those who possess wisdom and Prophet (peace and blessings be upon insight’. him) openly by killing Muslims and non-Muslims indiscriminately are called Interpreting this verse, ‘Abu Umama Kharjities. Imam al-Nawawi said, ‘The reported that the Messenger of God Kharijites are a group of blameworthy (peace and blessings be upon him) said, innovators who believe that a person “They are the Kharijites.” Ibn Kathir who commits a grave sin falls into cited a hadith in which the Prophet disbelief and will eternally reside in (peace and blessings be upon him) Hell. For this reason, they defame the said, ‘As for those who possess rulers and do not participate in the deviation in their hearts, they seek to congregational prayers or the Friday follow what is unclear thereof ” are prayers with them’. none else but the Kharijites’. Ibn Taymiyya stated, ‘Since they God says in the Qur’an, ‘And those who were armed and inclined to fight, spread corruption on the earth; for their opposition to the community them is the curse and the worst abode’. manifested when they started killing the people. However, as for today, most This verse refers to the Kharijites, as people [due to their religious garb and evidenced by the interpretation of the appearance] do not know of them . . . . great companion, Sa’d b. Abi Waqqas and their ‘passing through the religion’ (may God be pleased with him) who is their leaving it because of their having said, ‘By the One besides whom there declared lawful the blood and wealth of is no other god, they are the Haruriyya the Muslims’. (i.e., Kharijites). The phrase ‘corruption on the earth’ implies the killing of Ibn Hajar states, ‘The word “Kharijites” peaceful citizens and the destruction of is the plural of kharija [“he who went wealth and property. out”], which means a faction. They are a group of blameworthy innovators, Abu Hafs al-Hanbali reported: ‘As for and are called rebels because of their His statement “. . . and those who leaving the religion and rebelling spread corruption on the earth”: that against the best of the Muslims’. The is either by inviting to something other Qur’an has strongly rejected them in than God’s religion or committing numerous places, the heinous act of oppression, such as taking lives, murder, especially murder on a mass destroying wealth and laying waste the scale that spreads terror and mischief land’. on earth. According to the Qur’an, those The turmoil of the Kharijites began who commit such deeds are considered during the time of the Prophet (peace brigands and rebels, upon whom severe and blessings be upon him). Abu Sa’id punishment is due. A thorough study of al- Khudri (may God be pleased with the Qur’an will shed light on the many him) said, ‘When the Prophet (peace signs and blameworthy innovations of and blessings be upon him) was the Kharijites. Here we present some of apportioning the war booty, Dhu al- these Qur’anic verses. God says in the Khuwaysira, a man from Banu Tamim, Qur’an, said, “O Messenger of God! Be just!”

8 The Prophet (peace and blessings be ‘A people shall appear from the east; upon him) said, “Woe to you! Who they shall recite the Qur’an but it will will be just if I am not just?” Umar Bin not pass their throats. They shall pass al-Khattab (may God be pleased with through the religion just as an arrow him) said, “[O Messenger of God!] passes through a hunted game, never Give me permission to strike his neck!” to return until an arrow returns to its The Prophet (peace and blessings be bowstring’. upon him) said, “Leave him, for he has Abdu Allah bin ‘Umar reported that the compatriots; and you will belittle your Messenger of God (peace and blessings prayers and fasting in comparison to be upon him) said, theirs, but they shall pass through the religion just as an arrow passes through ‘Every time a generation of them a hunted game. appears it will be cut down—this will Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani mentioned a occur over twenty times—until the Anti- report from Abd al-Razzaq al-San’ani Christ appears in their last remnant’. who said, ‘Dhu al- Khuwaysira’s real If we gather all of hadith reports and name was Hurqus bin Zuhayr and he statements of the Companions and was the founder of the Kharijites’. Thus, scholars concerning the Kharijites, the latter-day Kharijites have had the we can develop a composite image same mindset as their founder. and comprehensive description of them. They will be young in age, be Ali (may God be pleased with him) brainwashed, have thick and unkempt said, ‘O people! Indeed, I heard the beards, wear their lower garments high Messenger of God (peace and blessings upon their legs, merge from east [of the be upon him) say, “There shall be a folk sanctuaries] , continue to appear until that comes from my Umma and they the last of them appears with the Anti- will recite the Qur’an —your recitation Christ, will not be comparable to theirs, or your prayers or fasting to theirs. They Their faith will not pass their throats will recite the Qur’an and believe it [which implies that their faith is shallow supports them but [in reality] it is and skin-deep], and that the qualities of against them. Their prayers will not go true faith will not be visible from their past their throats. They will exit from conduct]; the religion just as an arrow exits from They will be extremists in religious a hunted game”.’ matters, The Kharijites will pay lip service to The believer will consider his own the religion and raise ‘Islamic’ slogans, prayers and fasting insignificant in but their intentions will be evil. No one comparison to theirs [i.e., Kharijites]. should be fooled by their pro-Islamic rhetoric and outward appearance; their They will: Recite the Qur’an but the aim will be to create disunity within the believers’ recitation will not resemble Muslim Umma, spread misconceptions theirs, and foment turmoil. The Messenger Speak the words of the best of people of God (peace and blessings me upon [which implies that they will raise him) said, ‘They will speak the words religious slogans and make Islamic of the best of people [just to mislead demands]. people]’. Their slogans and pretentious talks will What did the Prophet (peace be better than others’ and moving; they and blessings be upon him) will be extremely oppressive, blood- foretell about the Kharijites? thirsty and violent. The Prophet (peace and blessings be They will: Be the most evil of the upon him) mentioned that the Kharijites creation, would be young in age and use Defame their rulers and charge them brainwashed youth to carry out their with misguidance, evil designs. Will appear during a time, in which there The Prophet (peace and blessings is disunity, be upon him) also prophesied that the Kharijites would emerge from the Will shed blood that is inviolable east. Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may God be [which implies that they will believe it pleased with him) reported that the is permissible to kill Muslims and non- Prophet (peace and blessings be upon Muslims]. him) said,

9 Will block the roads, shed blood remain of Islam but its name, nothing of without any authorization from God, the Quran but its word, and that many and they will declare lawful the blood of “Mosques would be splendidly furnished the non-Muslim citizens. but destitute of guidance” (Mishkatul Masabih). In these latter days, the true Did Prophet Muhammad (peace spiritual essence of Islam would be lost, and blessings be upon him) and religion, for the most part, would warn Us of ISIS? be reduced to a ritualistic compulsion. He foretold that the clergy would be ISIS has demonstrated an unflinching corrupt and be a source of strife during determination to take out anyone who these times. dares to disagree with it. Its members have slaughtered Yazidis and Christians, How true this is of the extremist clerics but the vast majority of its victims in parts of the Muslim world that abuse have been Muslims who resist it and the pulpit to preach division and hate. refuse to acknowledge its authority. ISIS He also went on to describe terrorist has even executed Sunni clerics who groups such as ISIS that would try to refused to swear allegiance to it, and hijack the Islamic faith. At this time of Muslim women who did not submit to dissension, he said there would appear its worldview. “a group of young people who would This feature is shared across all terrorist be immature in thought and foolish.” groups operating in the name of Islam. They would speak beautiful words but The vast majority of the victims of the commit the most heinous of deeds. Taliban, for instance, are also Muslims. They would engage in so much prayer Hundreds of Shia Muslims have been and fasting that the worship of the killed just in the last few years. Many Muslims would appear insignificant in have lost close friends in similar comparison. They would call people to attacks in Pakistan, Belgium, Indonesia, the Quran but would have nothing to Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, do with it in reality. The Quran would Yemen, Libya, France, Spain and even in not go beyond their throats, meaning America. they wouldn’t understand its essence at all, merely regurgitating it selectively. So when some anti-Islam critics keep The Prophet then went on to describe doggedly associating the faith of us these people as “the worst of the Muslims with the acts of our tormentors, creation.” we call them out for their insensitivity. As if this outline wasn’t clear enough, I do not disagree that part of the another tradition in the book Kitaab Al motivation for religious extremism Fitan reported by Caliph Ali, the fourth is rooted in perverted interpretation successor to Prophet Muhammad, of scripture by radical extremists. describes these people as having long However, it is dishonest to label the hair and bearing black flags. Their vast majority of Muslims who reject “hearts will be hard as iron,” and they such interpretations as nondevout or would be the companions of a State “nominal.” (Ashab ul Dawla). Interestingly, ISIS An honest study of the Quran shows refers to itself as the Islamic State or that groups like ISIS act in complete Dawla. The tradition further mentions defiance of the injunctions of Islam. The that they will break their covenants, not Quran, for instance, equates one murder speak the truth and have names that to the elimination of the whole human mention their cities. The ISIS caliph, Abu race (5:32), and considers persecution Bakr al Baghdadi, comes to mind. and disorder on earth as an even worse Prophet Muhammad furiously and offense (2:217). It lays emphasis on painfully described these evildoers, peace, justice and human rights. It and admonished Muslims to beware of champions freedom of conscience and their evil and fight it.“Whoever fights forbids worldly punishment for apostasy them is better to Allah than them,” he and blasphemy. proclaimed. A study of the traditions of the Prophet Reflect on this critical point. Whenever Muhammad also demonstrates that ISIS kills in the name of Islam, claims to he warned us of the rise of religious follow the Quran, or uses the Holy month extremism in this age in astonishing of Ramadan to spread anarchy across the detail. globe, know that Prophet Muhammad 1,400 years ago, he prophesized that a explicitly warned us of these imposters, time would come when nothing would and entrusted us to root them out.

10 The only people who refuse to reflect on this point are ISIS, ISIS sympathizers and anti-Islam extremists who want the world to believe that ISIS is legitimate. Intelligent people, meanwhile, see Prophet Muhammad’s prophetic wisdom and thus remain united against both ignorance and extremism. Conclusion To conclude, Islam is a religion of peace, safety and protection. It ensures that the believers must safeguard all individuals including men women and children irrespective to their religious, cultural or racial background. It is unlawful in Islam to take a life of any individual. Islam categorically condemns violent extremism and its manifestations but rather inspires the Muslim armies to wage a war against those who commit terrorism and spread chaos in society.

Muhammed’s (PBUH) commands in Wars

Don’t cut a tree Don’t kill a woman

Don’t kill a child Don’t kill a Sick person

Don’t kill a monk or a Don’t kill old people priest

Don’t destroy a temple or Don’t disfigure the dead a church

Don’t kill an animal Don’t destroy a building except for eating

Don’t kill those who Be good to the prisoners surrendered and feed them

Don’t kill who ran away Don’t enforce Islam

11 List of Mosques which supported and endorsed this document.

• Birmingham Central Mosque. • Jami Masjid Aston. Belgrave Middleway, Highgate, Birmingham. Trinity Rd, Aston, Birmingham.

• Al Mahdi Institute. • Jamia Masjid Ghausia. Weoley Park, Selly Oak, Birmingham. Albert Rd, Aston, Birmingham.

• Ar-Rahma Masjid. • Jamia Masjid Rahmania. Whitmore Rd, Small Heath, Birmingham. Charles Road, Small Heath, Birmingham.

• Masjid Ali Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. • Daar Attarbiya. Aston Church Road, Saltley, Birmingham. Garrison lane, Bordesley Green, Birmingham. • Masjid And Madrassa Faizul Islam. • Faizul Quran Jamia Masjid. The Broadway, Aston, Birmingham. Lozells Rd, Lozells, Birmingham. • Masjid-e-Noor. • Faiz-Ul-Quran Masjid. Victoria Road, Aston, Birmingham. Dudley Road, Winson Green, Birmingham. • Masjid Noor Ul Uloom. • Central Jamia Masjid, Ghamkol Sharif. St. Oswald’s Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. Golden Hillock Rd, Small Heath, Birmingham. • Minhaj-ul-Quran International. • Green Lane Masjid. Naseby Road, Alum Rock, Birmingham. Green Lane, Small Heath, Birmingham. • Netherton Islamic Trust (Dudley). Cinder Bank, Dudley, West Midlands. • Green Masjid & Madrassa. Yardley Wood Rd, Billesley, Birmingham. • Nimab Welfare Trust. Great Francis Street, Nechells, Birmingham. • Hamza Masjid. Church Rd, Moseley, Birmingham. • Qadria Trust. Alfred Street, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. • Hazrat Sultan Bahu Trust. Ombersley Rd, Moseley, Birmingham. • Shaporan Islamic Centre. Dixon Road, Small Heath, Birmingham. • Huda Centre & West Midlands Somali

Association (WMSA). Huda Community • Sparkbrook Islamic Centre. Centre, Unett Street, Newton, Birmingham. Anderton Road, Sparkbrook, Birmingham. • Zia Ul Quran Jamia Masjid & Madrassah. • Idar Maurif-Islam, Hussainia Masjid. St Saviours Rd, Alum Rock, Birmingham. Herbert Rd, Small Heath, Birmingham. • Zia Ul Ummah Centre. • Jamia Mosque and Islamic Centre. Victoria St, Bordesley Green, Birmingham. Coventry Road, Small Heath, Birmingham.

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