By
Nabeela Ali
Bureau Chief Nawa-I-Jang
Newcastle upon Tyne
In today’s Europe, it is being widely misunderstood that all Muslims are silent supporters of ISIS and their religion teaches them violence and terrorism in the shape of Jihad.
They believe Muslims are lying that Islam is a peaceful religion, as they don’t speak against terrorism.
People widely yet wrongly believe Muslim don’t endorse other religions and classify them as “Kafir” and Muslims are encouraged and forced in their Holy book to kill these people until they accept Islam.
Isn’t this amazing that despite all of these misconceptions the vast majority of Muslims appear to be moderate and friendly with their neighbourhood and workplaces?
These misconceptions are promoting community segregation rather than integration. Muslims are being looked down on for their beliefs and cultural values. The Media has wrongly endorsed certain extremist ideologies as the command of Allah.
Extremists have misinterpreted those holy verses of the Quran to justify the killing of people which were limited to the holy prophet, for instance; Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“So, when you meet (in fight – Jihad in Allah’s Cause) those who disbelieve, smite (their) necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives). Thereafter (is the time) either for generosity (i.e. free them without ransom), or ransom (according to what benefits Islam), until the war lays down its burden. Thus [you are ordered by Allah to continue in carrying out Jihad against the disbelievers till they embrace Islam and are saved from the punishment in the Hell-fire or at least come under your protection], but if it had been Allah’s Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight) in order to test some of you with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost.”
(سورة محمد, Muhammad, Chapter #47, Verse #4)
Whoever reads this verse would imagine this is very cruel and violent, but to me, it’s just like all previous prophets were ordered in their holy books, for instance, the Holy Bible says the same.
“Kill People Who Don’t Listen to Priests”
Anyone arrogant enough to reject the verdict of the judge or of the priest who represents the LORD your God must be put to death. Such evil must be purged from Israel. (Deuteronomy 17:12 NLT)
Death to Followers of Other Religions
Whoever sacrifices to any god, except the Lord alone, shall be doomed. (Exodus 22:19 NAB)
Kill Nonbelievers
They entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their fathers, with all their heart and soul; and everyone who would not seek the Lord, the God of Israel, was to be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman. (2 Chronicles 15:12-13 NAB)
Now it’s time to ask those who believe Islam is a religion of violence and that its followers are extremists. Is Islam the only religion that allows violence?
If I accept the extremist ideology that Muslims are allowed to kill disbelievers and Allah has a great reward for them, does this mean if the followers of the holy Bible start killing the people of other religions because they have the same command from God and probably the same offer as well.
This wouldn’t be insane as they are performing their religious duties, just like ISIS, aren’t they?
Neither the followers of the holy Bible nor the Quran are allowed to kill anyone based on the above mentioned verses because these verses were meant explicitly for the messengers of Allah and for that specific period of time when the prophets were there physically. These verses are not to be practiced by the followers of either religion.
Allah says in the Quran: “do not kill yourselves (nor kill one another). Surely, Allah is Most Merciful to you.
(سورة النساء, An-Nisaa, Chapter#4, Verse#29)
According to extremist ideology killing of disbelievers is allowed and disbelievers mean those who are not Muslims. I totally disagree with the extremist ideology and have a firm belief that it is based on the distortion of the true Islamic teachings. The above said holy verse clearly explains the status of suicide bombing in the name of Jihad.