BOKO HARAM: THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
Whether
it is a bomb going off in a market place, school, religious centres, or
the hijacking of an aircraft where innocent people are held at ransom
to achieve political ends, we live in an age, where the manipulation and
loss of innocent lives has become common place.
Such is the all-pervasive nature of indiscriminate violence, that
“terrorism” is considered as one of the prime threats to peace and
security in our societies.
Rightly or wrongly, majority of
Nigerians today are not happy with the bombimbs in the country. For
sure, anyone who understands the teachings of Islam will not relate the
distinctive characteristics of the times we live in - the overwhelming
presenceof violence in our societies to an islamic mission. But,
surprises to read that the Boko Haram sect had allegedly claimed
responsibility of several bombings, in an attempt make the non-muslims
accept islam.
However, the word terrorism came into
wide usage only a few decades ago. One of the unfortunate results of
this new terminology in Nigeria is that it limits the definition of
terrorism to that perpetrated by small groups or individuals mistaken to
be fighting for the course of a religion that against their practices.
It is this narrow definition of
terrorism that implicates only individuals and groups, that has caused
Muslims to be associated with acts of destruction and terror, and as a
result, to become victims of hate, violence and terror themselves.
Could it be possible that Islam, whose
light ended the Dark Ages in Europe, now propound the advent of an age
of terror? Could a faith that has over 1.2 billion followers the world
over, and over 7 million in America, actually advocate the killing and
maiming of innocent people? Could Islam, whose name itself stands for
“peace” and “submission to God”, encourage its adherents to work for
death and destruction?
For too long, have we relied on popular
images in the media and in Hollywood films, for answers to these
pertinent questions. It is better to look at the sources of Islam, and
its history to determine whether Islam does indeed advocate violence.
The religion in its preachings of
santity of human life says, “…take not life, which God hath made sacred,
except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may
learn wisdom.” [Al-Qur’an 6:151]
Islam considers all life forms as sacred. However, the sanctity of human life is accorded a special
place. The first and the foremost basic
right of a human being is the right to live. The Qur’an says: “…if any
one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in
the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one
saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”
[Al-Qur’an 5:32].
Such is the value of a single human
life, that the Qur’an equates the taking of even one human life
unjustly, with killing all of humanity. Thus, the Qur’an prohibits
homicide in clear terms.
Wonder where the Boko Haram sect gets
their backings from, because relating their actions to common law, the
taking of a criminal’s life by the state in order to administer justice
is required to uphold the rule of law, and the peace and security of the
society. Only a proper and competent court can decide whether an
individual has forfeited his right to life by disregarding the right to
life and peace of other human beings.
Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins
that one deals with the enemy nobly on the battlefield. It has drawn a
clear line of distinction between the combatants and the non-combatants
of the enemy country.
As far as the non-combatant population
is concerned such as women, children, the old and the infirm, etc., the
instructions of the Prophet is that: “Do not kill any old person, any
child or any woman. Do not kill the monks in monasteries and Do not kill
the people who are sitting in places of worship.”
Unfortunately, Islam in general is
misunderstood in the western world, perhaps no other Islamic term evokes
such strong reactions as the word ‘jihad’. The term ‘jihad’ has been
much abused, to conjure up bizarre images of violent Muslims, forcing
people to submit at the point of the sword. This myth was perpetuated
throughout the centuries of mistrust during and after the Crusades.
Unfortunately, it survives to this day.
Thus, Islam enjoins upon its believers
to strive utmost, in purifying themselves, as well as in establishing
peace and justice in the society. A Muslim can never be at rest when she
sees injustice and oppression around her. As Martin Luther King Jr.
said: “We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the
hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling
silence of the good people.”
However, regardless of how legitimate
the cause may be, the Qur’an never condones the killing of innocent
people. Terrorizing the civilian population can never be termed as jihad
and can never be reconciled with the teachings of Islam.
Even Western scholars have repudiated
the myth of Muslims coercing others to convert. The great historian De
Lacy O’Leary wrote: “History makes it clear, however, that the legend of
fanatical Muslims, sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the
point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically
absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.”
Muslims ruled Spain for roughly 800
years. During this time, and up until they were finally forced out, the
non- Muslims there were alive and flourishing. Additionally, Christian
and Jewish minorities have survived in the Muslim lands of the Middle
East for centuries. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine,
Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all have significant Christian and/or Jewish
populations. This is not surprising to a Muslim, for his faith prohibits
him from forcing others to see his point of view.
The Qur’an says: “Let there be no
compulsion in religion:Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever
rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy
handhold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.”
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]
Far from being a militant dogma, Islam
is a way of life that transcends race and ethnicity. The Qur’an
repeatedly reminds us of our common origin: “O mankind! We created you
from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations
and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each
other).Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is)
the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well
acquainted (with all things).” [Al-Qur’an 49:13]
Truly, Islam permits fighting in
self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have
been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of
combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against
destroying crops, trees and livestock. This is just to avoid injustice
to be triumphant in the world.
The Qur'an says: “Fight in the cause of
God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does
not love transgressors (2:190)
“If they seek peace, then seek you
peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all
things (8:61),” it emphasised.
Islam also stipulates that the life and
property of all citizens in an Islamic state are considered sacred
whether a person is Muslim or not. Racism is incomprehensible to
Muslims, for the Qur'an speaks of human equality saying, “We made you
into nations and tribes, so that you may come to know one another.
Truly, the most honored of you in God's sight is the greatest(49:13)”
Oyeleke, is a student of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
Written by NEWSTRAWL ONLINE UPDATE
Sodiq Oyeleke is a Media, Human Resources, Project Management and Public Relations Practitioner
0 comments:
Post a Comment