Islam and violence
By David Vaughn
Introduction:
In the French media we have constantly heard one phrase more than any other since the terrorist attacks of Sept.11: «Il ne faut pas faire l’amalgame», that it, one mustn’t make an “amalgam” in one’s way of looking at the situation of present Islamic extremist violence. Those who use this phrase mean to warn against any generalizations that would put every Muslim into the same category as Osama bin Laden.
Though we must go on to challenge something that seems to be implicit in this cry of the media, it still contains a crucial truth which the Bible itself underline with great force.
The Christian must never judge a person for a specific crime or wrong on the sole basis of his nationality or religious adherence. God’s law requires that we do unto others as we would have them do unto us. And in the matter of specific wrongs and crimes, we want to be judged ourselves, not on the basis of the reputation of the group that we might belong to or a certain part of it, but on the basis of the real facts concerning us as individuals.
There are in fact many Muslims (I hope it is most Muslims) that do not believe that violence should be used to spread and defend Islam and to destroy other religions from the earth.
For this reason, I trust that you will understand that in the remarks that follow I will not be dealing with such individuals and their personal behavior and position. I will rather be examining Islam as a system, a religious system which teaches and enforces certain beliefs and practices.
From the start we thus make a distinction between Islam and those who call themselves followers of Islam but who may or may not be in agreement with all that Islam teaches.
Finally, though we may be led to attack a system of thought or religion, it is not our intention to attack or do harm to people, even people who hold to that system. As Christians, our motive in attacking the error and falsity of a system of belief is always to help people who hold it to be delivered from it and to come to the truth as God has revealed it in Jesus Christ, his only Son and the only Savior given by Him to the world. Our desire must be for their good and for the glory of God.
The last introductory remark is that the subject under consideration today is not Islam in general, but a more specific and confined topic, a topic of burning and urgent interest to people at the present hour: the relationship between Islam and violence.
Of course what we find in examining this topic will have far reaching implications for any evaluation of Islam as a whole, but our topic of direct inquiry has first to do with Islam as a religious system of belief and violence.
I.Defining the question: Is the source of the present «Islamic terrorist violence» a fringe movement characterized by a fanaticism and spirit that is foreign to the real teaching and spirit of Islam or is this movement in fact putting into practice of Islam’s true teaching and thus acting as a true reflection of the spirit and character of Islam? In the latter case, Islam would be responsible, at least in part, for the terrorist violence we have seen in recent years and days, since in its teaching would be found at least part of the inspiration, direction and motivation for these actions.
Both the secular media and certain voices from the Muslim world have constantly told us during the last 6 weeks that Islam is a religion of peace and that what is being termed «Islamic terrorism or violence» is in fact the actions of a lunatic fringe who are misrepresenting the true message and spirit of Islam.
My thesis today is that this affirmation that Islam is a “religion of peace” is one of the most incredible instances of misinformation in our century. The fact that it could be taken seriously for one moment by intelligent men and women shows at least their complete ignorance of the historical facts of the 14 century expansion of Islam as well as their complete ignorance of the facts of what is actually taught in the Koran. The willingness of people to entertain this misinformation also reveals something about man’s incredible sinfulness (John 5:43; 8:45; 2 Cor.11:19-20) but we will get to that later. First we must discover if my thesis is true. Is Islam a religion of violence rather than a religion of peace?
- What is the proper approach to answering the question?
We cannot find out the relationship between Islam and violence by simply looking at the lives of a few Muslims around us that are our friends, that have perhaps been very kind to us, and who are anything but violent. We love them and are thankful for their kindness and friendship. But we will have to look elsewhere in order to have a fair and accurate basis for answering our question.
Nor is the proper approach to take a poll of all Muslims and find out the attitude of the majority of them toward violence as a means of propagating their religion. This would not necessarily give us the answer to the question of what the relationship between Islam itself and violence.
Why? Because Islam is not defined, nor is any other religious or philosophical system defined, by the actions of those who claim to adhere to it and do adhere to it with more or less faithfulness and accuracy. After we look at the lives of some people who claim to be Christians and may even be true Christians, we may be far from discerning what sort to life and character Christianity teaches, for our Christian friends may model at least certain aspects of it very imperfectly. In fact, they may model these aspects so imperfectly that we might not, by simply taking note of their lives and character even guess that Christianty teaches some of the things that it does. The same principle holds for evaluating Islam and its relationship to violence. After noticing the lives and characters of certain of our Muslim friends and comparing them with Muslims who advocate violence we are simply still left with the question: Which ones are the true representatives of the real system of Islam, the moderate group or the violent group? It just might be this peaceful section of Islam is the one which has veered far away from the actual teaching and spirit of Islam!
The right and proper approach to answering the question about the relationship between Islam and violence is to go directly to the sacred texts of Islam which define this religion, its norms and beliefs and practices. This is the authoritative source, as any Muslim, be he extremist or moderate, would affirm to you in the strongest manner. Every Muslim would say, and must say (because the Koran obliges him to do so) that Islam is an unchangeable religion because Allah inspired and defined it and once and for all in the writings of the prophet Mohammed in the Koran and in the example given by the life of the prophet Mohammed recorded in the Hadith (or as it is sometimes called, the Sunnah).
In order words, men cannot define Islam according to our evolving whims. Basic to its system of thought is its immutability. It cannot be changed from its original “inspirted” teachings. We may accept or reject these teaching but we cannot define Islam without them. Let us then look to the sacred writings that define Islam as a system of religious belief and practice.
- What are the sacred books of Islam which define its teaching, beliefs and practices?
- The Koran
The Koran is the primary source for Muslim belief and practice. It claims to be the final and perfect revelation of God to mankind. It is about the same size as the New Testament of the Bible, though that is where the similarities stop.
- The Hadith (or Sunnah)
Hadith means tradition. It is a compilation of the accounts of different supposed witnesses of the acts and words of Mohammed, which for the Muslim are considered t o be the perfect example of life as Allah intended. The Hadith, in giving this account of Mohammed’s exemplary life, is necessary to every Muslim who must learn and pattern himself after it.
The Hadith is an equally inspired, or as least in some presentations, inspired maybe at a lower level. But they are usually presented as the dual sources of Islamic belief.
Muslim scholar, Dr. Muhammed Hammadoulah, in his book, Introduction to Islam, «The custodian and repository of the original teachings of Islam are found above all in the Koran and the Hadith… The teachings of Islam are primarily based on the Koran and the Hadith, and as we shall presently see, both are based on divine inspiration.»
- What do the Sacred Books of Islam say about Holy War or Jihad?
- The sacred books of Islam speak very frequently about Jihad.
This is not a minor theme in the Koran or the Hadith.
- If Jihad is so frequently discussed in the Koran and the Hadith, how can some Muslims claim that Islam does not teach violence?
- They claim that «Jihad» is a term that refers uniquely to the spiritual and interior battle that the individual wages against temptation and sin.
Keep this idea in mind as we read the actual quotes from the Koran and the Hadith so that you can see of these quotes would actually permit such an interpretation of the term «jihad».
- They cite 2 or 3 verses from the Koran that seem to militate against physical violence in the propagation of religion. The most important of these verses is Surah 2:256:
Surah 2:256.
“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects Taghut (evil) and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.”
Remarks on Surah 2:256:
We must first remember that there are scores of verses in the Koran (which is about the size of the New Testament) that speak about and promote violence and killing in the name of Islam. This lonely verse, and one or two others, cannot erase the more constant and dominate testimony of these many other passages. If you read the Koran you will easily conclude that Surah 2:256 does not represent at all the dominating spirit and orientation of its teaching.
Secondly, this verse says that violence must not be used to convert. But the goal of Jihad is not to convert. It is to punish those who oppose Islam and refuse to convert. Hence the teaching of this verse really has nothing to do with the Jihad and in no way contradicts it. The summary of the Islamic teaching that harmonizes this verse and the scores of verses on Jihad could be paraphraszed by saying: “Don’t try to force people to convert to Islam by force, but if they don’t convert and rather oppose Islam, kill them if need be.”
Finally, it must be said that historically, Islam has never really applied the teaching of Surah 2:256, but has rather used constraint, threat and violence consistently to «convert» peoples and nations to Islam and to make them fear departing from Islam.
- Quotes from the Koran concerning the Jihad, or Holy War.
Surah 2:190-193
«Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for persecution and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more persecution or oppression, and the religion becomes Allah's. But if they cease. Let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.»
Surah 3:166-170
«What ye suffered on the day the two armies met, was with the leave of Allah, in order that He might test the believers,- And the Hypocrites also. These were told: "Come, fight in the way of Allah, or (at least) drive (the foe from your city)." They said: "Had we known there would be a fight, we should certainly have followed you." They were that day nearer to Unbelief than to Faith, saying with their lips what was not in their hearts. But Allah hath full knowledge of all they conceal. (They are) the ones that say, (of their brethren slain), while they themselves sit (at ease): "If only they had listened to us they would not have been slain." Say: "Avert death from your own selves, if ye speak the truth." Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord; They rejoice in the bounty provided by Allah. And with regard to those left behind, who have not yet joined them (in their bliss), the (martyrs) glory in the fact that on them is no fear, nor have they (cause to) grieve.»
Comment on the promise in Surah 3:166-170 that those who are martyred in Jihad go to Paradise
«As recently as the 80's of this century we had the example of the 8 year war between Iran and Iraq when the Ayatollah Khomeini sent many of his youth into battle arming them with a wooden key which represented their sure entry into paradise should they die as martyrs in that holy war against Iraq. This is part of the Islamic tradition and cannot be relegated to a "terrorist" element.» » (Bassam and Shirley Madany, «Your Muslim Neighbor»)
Surah 4:88-90
«…They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): So take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks;- Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you or fighting their own people. If Allah had pleased, He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (guarantees of) peace, then Allah Hath opened no way for you (to war against them).»
Surah 5:33-34
«The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter; Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.»
Surah 8:65,67
«O Prophet! Rouse the Believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred, they will vanquish a thousand of the Unbelievers: for these are a people without understanding…. It is not fitting for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he hath thoroughly subdued the land. Ye look for the temporal goods of this world; but Allah looketh to the Hereafter: And Allah is Exalted in might, Wise.»
Surah 9:4-5
«(But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Pagans with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfill your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous. But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and pay Zakat, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft- forgiving, Most Merciful.»
Surah 48: 16
«Those who lagged behind (will say), when ye set forth to acquire booty (in war): "Permit us to follow you." They wish to change Allah's word: say: "Not thus will ye follow us: Allah has already declared (this) beforehand": then they will say, "But ye are jealous of us." Nay, but little do they understand (such things). Say to the desert Arabs who lagged behind: "Ye shall be summoned (to fight) against a people given to vehement war: then shall ye fight, or they shall submit. Then if ye show obedience, Allah will grant you a goodly reward, but if ye turn back as ye did before, He will punish you with a grievous Chastisement."»
Surah 61:4
“Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure.”
- Quotes from the Hadith (or Sunnah) concerning the Jihad, or Holy War
- The second best deed is to participate in Jihad
Volume 1, Book 2, Number 25, Narrated Abu Huraira: