MYTH OF
WAR
Among the famous factors created by the media are that Muslims are terrorists, engaging in `holy wars' (jihaad) and that Islam, which was spread by the sword, has a harsh and cruel judicial system. These are few of the most widely known misconceptions about Islam today. And yet in the Noble Qur'an, the Creator unambiguously States,
"Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand retaliation or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life, for he is helped (by the Law)". [Al-Israa': 33]
Based on this verse, it is Islamically unlawful to murder anyone who is innocent. It is well to remember that at this point, in the distinction made above between Noble Qur'an and Sunnah, and the Muslims -- only the Noble Qur'an and Sunnah are guaranteed to be in accordance with what Allah SWT Desires, whereas the Muslims may deviate. Hence, if any Muslim kills an innocent person or committed a grave sin certainly cannot be claimed to have been done 'in the name of Islam'.
It should be clear, then, that 'Muslim terrorist' is almost an oxymoron: by killing innocent people, a Muslim is committing an awesome sin, and Allah SWT is Justice personified. This phrase is offensive and demeaning of Islam, and it should be avoided. It is hoped that as the general level of public awareness and understanding of Islam increases which would initiate the public to keep 'terrorism' and 'Islam' separate from each other, not to be used in the same phrase.
Another reason advanced in support of the misconception is that the Creator has imposed `jihaad' on us. The term 'holy war' is from the time of the Crusades and originated in Europe as a rallying cry against the Muslims in Jerusalem. Jihaad is an Arabic word meaning struggle, but in the context of many verses in the Noble Qur'an, it carries the meaning of military struggle, or war. Allah SWT gradually introduced the obligation of military struggle to the Muslim community at the time of the Messenger SAW. The first verse ever revealed in that connection is as follows,
"To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged; and verily God is most powerful for their aid". [Al-Hajj: 39]
Historically, Islam spread by peaceful means. The Message of the Creator was conveyed to Africa and to Southeast Asia by trading Muslims, and today the largest Muslim country in the world is Indonesia. The military expeditions that led to the conquest of large swathes of territory in Europe and central Asia were all marked by understanding and respect of other creeds and faith.