Islam and terrorism

[Muslims Are Good Folks]

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.