Major US Islamic group denounces terrorism
Monday, May 01, 2006
By Khalid Hasan
WASHINGTON: "Terrorism is the epitome of injustice because it targets innocent people," according to a declaration issued by the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA).
ISNA, the largest Muslim grouping in the Untied States, which is known for its conservative views, has come out strongly in favour religions tolerance and interfaith bridge-building, while condemning terrorism and extremism as gross violations of the word and spirit of the Quran and the teachings of Islam .
The declaration published by the bi-monthly ISNA publication, Islamic Horizons, says ends do not justify means and innocent civilians should never pay the price for the misdeeds of others or be used as pawns in settling political or military conflicts. Muslims, it points out, are bound by the Quranic prohibitions of taking an innocent life, considered as one of the gravest sins in Islam. The Quran demands that Muslims act justly and impartially, even when dealing with an enemy. "Humanity lives today in an interdependent world where peaceful and fair interaction, including interfaith and intra-faith dialogue is imperative. A grave threat to all of us nowadays is the scourge of religious and political extremism that manifests itself in various forms of violence, including terrorism," ISNA points out.
The declaration says jihad is not to be equated with terrorism, since the word jihad in the Quran does not mean holy war, since there is nothing holy about war, which the Quran at one place calls a hated act. Jihad means to strive or exert effort and as used in the holy book and the hadith in three specific contexts, two of them elating to inward jiahd and social jihad. Only in the third context does it denote to the battlefield. The term used in the Quaran for war in a just cause is "qital" which is to be wages in legitimate self-defence or in the face of unprovoked aggression or in resisting severe repression on religious or other grounds. "Jihad cannot be randomly declared by individuals or groups, but rather by a legitimate authority after due consultation. The intentions of those taking part, Islam enjoins, must be pure, not tainted by personal or nationalistic agendas.
ISNA stresses that the Quran recognises plurality in human societies, including religious plurality as part of the Almighty's plan of creation, which is why He calls for peaceful and respectful dialogue, not forced conversion whether through war of other forms of coercion. "Islamic teachings are to be based neither on the actions of some present or past Mulims, for on past and present misinterpretations, but rather on the moral principles embodied in Islam's primary authentic sources," the declaration asserts. The declaration also emphasises that Islamic teachings are to be used neither on the actions of some present or past Muslims, nor on past or present misinterpretations, but rather on the moral principles embodied in Islam's primary authentic sources. "Islam does not consider people of other faiths as 'infidels' and does not advocate violence against Islam. The Quran stresses that the people of the book believe in the same God as Muslims do. The Quran does not call for violence against anyone merely on the grounds that the person has rejected Islam. "Even if some Muslims have disregarded these clear Quranic limits, Islam provides no justification and cannot be blamed for such actions," the declaration states.
The ISNA declaration calls on Muslims to act as responsible citizens in the nation where they live, regardless of the religious makeup of that environment. Islam, states the declaration, prohibits religious extremism, as it is contrary to the Quranic directive to Muslims to justify balanced community of believers so that through the example of their lives they may "bear witness." ISNA stresses that Muslims are part of the universal human family and are committed to coexisting in peace and justice. Beyond rejecting intolerance and extremism, Islam seeks to bring together people of different races, nationalities and religions, leaving the judgment of theological "correctness" of any person or community to God alone and the Day of Reckoning. The Quran not only speaks of the brotherhood of faith but also of the broader human family.
The declaration calls on all Muslims to uphold and clarify the correct position of Islam on issues such as terrorism and religious extremism. They must take steps to educate fellow Muslims, publicise a fatwa issued earlier in the US against terrorism and extremism, hold leaders responsible for un-Islamic teachings, reach out to the youth, interact with interfaith institutions and forge alliances with national and international Islamic institutions to develop, promote and implement a global, unified Muslim platform and initiatives against terrorism and religious extremism.
The declaration concludes with the appeal that "the vicious cycle of violence in our interconnected world has to be broken, and we must work together to do so through mutual understanding and constructive dialogue, rather than allowing those who would divide us through hate to achieve their goals. It is the only hope for bringing about real and genuine mutual respect, justice and peace.