Terror And Suicide Attacks

By Alperen Ozalp February, 14, 2005 DIALOGUE INTERNATIONAL DISCUSSION GROUP TERROR AND SUICIDE ATTACKS: An Islamic Perspective

DEFINITION:
An attack on people or property, committed by a person who knows the explosion will cause his or her own death.
This term came into popular usage
in the Western Media in the Second
World War to describe the actions of
desperate Japanese kamikaze pilots
to cause damage by flying their
aircraft into targets.
Suicide Bombing

Overview of History
Suicide bombings have taken various forms:
During the Crusades, The Knights Templar destroyed one of their ships, killing 140 Christians in order to kill ten times as many Muslims.
Knights Templar: The first military order, the Poor Knights of Christ and the Temple of Solomon was founded in 1118 against Muslims.
‘ Kingdom of Heaven’ Director Ridley Scott’s comment…

Overview of History-2
During the Belgian Revolution , when the Dutch Lt. Jan van Speijk detonated his own ship in the harbor of Antwerp to prevent being captured by Belgians.
In World War II , kamikaze pilots acted as "human missiles" by flying their planes, heavily loaded with explosives, directly into enemy warships.
Following World War II, Viet Minh "death volunteers" were used against the French colonial army. The Viet Minh was formed by Ho Ngoc Lam and Nguyen Hai Than in 1941 to seek independence for Vietnam from France.

Overview of History-3
In the Middle East, during the last few decades, Palestinian suicide bombers have attempted to kill Israelis . Palestinians often consider this to be a war of national liberation against foreign occupation, whereas Israelis consider it to be a terrorist campaign.
After the U.S. -led invasion of Iraq in 2003 , waves of suicide bombings were carried out. The suicide bombers attacked United States military targets, although many civilian targets were also attacked:
Mosques
International offices of the UN
Red Cross
Iraqi men and women waiting to apply for jobs

Jihad and Terrorism
The invocation of some Islamic Values – principally jihad – by terrorist organizations has resulted in people suspecting a relationship between terror and Islam .
WHAT IS JIHAD?
“ Jihad is the name of all effort, exertion, and endurance that each Muslim demonstrates for a righteous life and growth in his/her relationship with God Almighty”
“ Jihad is using all physical, intellectual, and spiritual resources for God”

Greater and Lesser Jihad
Greater Jihad
To overcome the carnal desires and inclinations
Lesser Jihad
Every action for the sake of God
Effort of a student to get education and gain knowledge.
Effort of a person taking care of his parents when they are old. (Hadith)
Effort of a scientist to solve the problems of the community/humanity.
Effort of parents raising their kids in the most righteous way.
Effort of a judge to establish and protect justice in the society
Effort of a soldier to protect his/her country…etc.
“It is the greatest jihad to speak words of justice and truth to an oppressive ruler.” (Prophet Muhammad – from Abu Dawud )

Concept of War in the Quran
The verse that encourage Muslims toward a military act was revealed concerning an unpreventable war that had already started in 624 AC.
And fight in the way of God with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely God does not love those who exceeds the limits. (2:190)
And fight them on until there is no more oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. (2:193)
More limitations in Prophet Muhammad’s teachings ->

Rules Concerning War
Other Rules:
Not damaging to plantation or animals.
Treating the captives with mercy and ban on torture.
After the Battle Badr in 624 BC.
Humanitarian Aid to the enemy : Helping the enemy in moments of dire need.
War as the last resort: Has to be declared officially by state, not by individuals or groups.
In a war situation, Islamic law clearly prohibits any damage to property. As the Prophet himself said (concerning wars):
"Do not burn a plant, nor cut a tree, nor kill an older man, a young child, or a woman... nor monastery dwellers in the territory of combatants." - Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
"God will not show mercy to him who does not show mercy to others." - prophet Muhammad (PBUH)

A Muslim Cannot Be a Terrorist
And if you have to respond to any wrong, respond to the extent done to you; but if you endure patiently this is indeed better for he who endures. (16:126)
Whoever kills a soul, is like one who killed the whole mankind (5:32)
The Muslims are those from whose tongues and hands other Muslims are safe and sound. The emigrants are those who leave behind and abandon those things God has prohibited. (Prophet Muhammad - PBUH)
And the servants of God are those who move on the Earth in humility, when the ignorant address them, they say: “Peace” (25:63)

Islam: Religion of Peace and Tolerance
“ Those who believe (in the Qur'an), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Christians and the Sabians, - any who believe in God Almighty and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve (2:62)”

Call for Dialog to the People of the Book
“Say: -O people of the Book! Come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but God; That we associate no partners with Him; That we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God”
(3:64)

Call for Human Perfection
The aims of the Quran are to provide a barrier against the appetites of man thus encouraging him to engage in higher pursuits, giving satisfaction to his higher aspirations and directing him towards the achievements of human perfection.”
(Beziuzzaman Said Nursi)

Osama Bin Laden's Terror on One Side, Quran’s Love, Dialogue, and Understanding on the Other?

Osama Bin Laden's Terror on One Side, Quran’s Love, Dialogue, and Understanding on the Other?-2 “Kill polytheists wherever you see them”  “to punish those who have accepted you and become part of you, and who have then rebelled and betrayed the nation in hostility.” Every State protects itself from such treachery, and punishes the traitors. This verse is followed by, “if they return, say their daily prayers, fast during Ramadan, and find their original paths, release them.” The interpretations of Bin Laden and others like him come out if the arguments are based upon one single word that is taken out of context. Historical Roots: Colonialism, resistance and revivalists movements Social Situation: Lack of Education, Poverty, Fragmentation

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Terror And Suicide Attacks

by DialogueInternational on Dec 15, 2007

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