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3/20/2010 3:29:00 AM
Islam and terrorism
Contemporary discourses on Islam and terrorism often present a tight, inescapable nexus between the two. Islam is mistakenly perceived as supporting, even demanding, that Muslims engage in egregious acts of atrocities against those who oppose them. This perception dominates popular media and often fuels governmental responses and action in regions of high Muslim population, for instance, the Middle East.
Yet those who would argue for a nexus between Islam and terrorism fail to realize that the Islamic legal and moral tradition, as well as the body- politic of a billion Muslims worldwide, distinct from the contemporary practice of Islam by certain violent extremists, condemns terrorism, and even criminalizes terrorist-like actions which prey on the fear and helplessness of their victims.
Islam is a moral imperative that beseeches the believer to be merciful in his or her actions. This moral imperative is evident by the continual references in the Qur'an to God (Allah), as merciful, compassionate, and forgiving. This ethic of mercy further finds its way into Qur'anic and legal limitations on a Muslim's conduct in war and combat. The legal construction of certain Qur'anic verses, over centuries, emphasizes the fact that Islamic law and morality demands that Muslims restrain themselves in the context of aggression.
This moral imperative is made tangible through the juristic discourses on the protected classes of individuals in war, on the impermissible methods of warfare, and on the legal institution of granting safe passage to foreign nationals ('aman). Underlying these Islamic prohibitions and protections is a moral imperative of mercy that is evident
in the Qur'an, and implicit in juridical works of the Islamic tradition.
A cursory reading of the Qur'an will clearly indicate to even the most skeptical reader that the God of Islam is a merciful God. Throughout the Qur'an, God is referred to as merciful (rahim), compassionate (rahman), and forgiving (ghafur). The beginning of every chapter in the Qur'an begins with the formula, "In the name of God, the Most Gracious (rahman), the Most Merciful (rahim)."
The first chapter of the Qur'an states: "Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds, Most Gracious (rahman), Most Merciful (rahim)." Furthermore, it is said in the Qur'an: "Thy Lord is Oft-Forgiving (ghafur), most Merciful (rahim);" "Say 'Call upon Allah or call upon Rahim;" "But your Lord is Most Forgiving, full of Mercy."
These are just a few references to the notion of the God of Islam as a merciful God, seeking the well being of humanity.