Does the Quran promote terrorism?
This is a partial reading of the Quran from an outsider's perspective who do not have any background in Islamic education. But it is a genuine pursuit to seek clarity and understanding of the revelations of Allah's messages in the Quran to reflect on the actions of some groups who declare to enforce strict Islamic interpretations in their own community as well as on those whom they call the infidels. Hence, it is the writer's of this article personal exploration of some parts of the Quran published in English to find out the answer to the following question: Does the Quran truly promote and justify the acts of terrorism be it against believers and non-believers?
The Quran expressly forbids the shading of 'each other's blood' as stated in the following verse:
"You shall not shade each other's blood and you shall not expell your people from your homes." (Al-Baqara 2:84)
Perhaps, this may be interpreted by some extreme groups as referring to only Muslim brothers excluding non-Muslims usually referred to as infidels. Such interpretation may perhaps be used to justify the killings of other people who are not considered Muslims. However, is this interpretation in line with other verses in other parts of the Quran?
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The Quran condones those who expect others to do good deeds whereas they themselves do not actually do as stated below:
"How is it that you enjoin others to do good and neglect your ownselves while you recite the Scripture? Do you not even (after reading the Scripture) abstain (from evil)?" (Al-Baqara 2:44)
Unless what is good or not becomes debatable and subject to various interpretations, it is apparent that the Quran does not approve doing evil deeds which also appear to include shading the bloods of other fellow human beings, among other things.
"And make not Allah an excuse through your oaths, that you may (thereby) abstain from doing good and from becoming secure against evil and from setting the affairs right and from making peace between various people." (Al-Baqara 2:224)
The verse above clearly forbid to use the name of Allah as an excuse not to do good or not to do the right things. It expressly states that Allah should not be used as a reason not to make peace among 'various people'. Here, it refers to different groups of people without any clear demarcation between what is called the believers and what is regarded as non-believers or infidels by some extreme readings of the Scripture.
Accordingly, the Holy Quran gives strong warnings to anyone who presents one's own thoughts or words as the words of Allah to advance their own selfish interests and promote their evil intentions or deeds in the name of Allah as dectated below:
"And (some) among them are illitrate, who do not know the Scripture except cramming it up, and are doing nothing but making conjectures."
"Woe, therefore, to those who write the Scripture with their own hands and then say, 'This is from Allah.' They do so that they may thereby acquire some paltry gains. Woe to them for what their hands have written (to give them out as words of God). Again (We say), woe to them for what they do (of evil deed)." (Al-Baqara 2:79)
Hence, the Quran noted that not all those who proclaim themselves to be the followers of Islam are not genuine believers.
"There are some people who say, 'We believe in Allah and the Last Day', while they are no believers at all." (Al-Baqara 2:8)
But the Quran reveals that they are hypocrites and they are breaking the peace of the land in the pretext of doing the right things to promote peace among people.
"When it is said to them, 'Do not disturb the peace of the land (by hypocritical tactics),' they say, 'We are simply setting things (and so helping the cause of peace).'
Beware! They alone are the peace breakers, but they do not perceive (its evil consequences)." (Al-Baqara 2:11-12)
And yet these people consider themselves special and strong and do not want to identify themselves with other believers whom they consider weak-minded. But the Quran says they are but weak-minded themselves:
"And when it is said to them, 'Believe as (other) people (-Companions of the Prophet) believed,' they say, 'Shall we believe as the weak-minded have believed? Beware! It is they only who are weak-minded, but they do not know (this fact)." (Al-Baqara 2:13)
And the Quran also says, "Allah will bring down disgrace upon them and will let them continue in their (ways of) transgression. They are blindly wandering." (Al-Baqara 2:15)
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The Holy Quran is also critical of those believers who say one thing but who do another thing in practice.
"O you who believe! Why should you say what you do not do.
It is very hateful in the sight of Allah that you should profess what you do not practice." (Al-Saff 61:2-3)
The Quran declares that such believers use their words to hide their evil intentions:
"They take shelter behind their oaths (to hide their evil design). Thus they keep people back from the way of Allah. Surely, evil is the practice they follow." (Al-Munafiqun 63:2)
According to to the Holy Quran, the responsibility of the Messenger is only to convey the messages sent from Allah. Therefore, it is not the duty of the Messenger to punish those who transgress the words of Allah as the Messenger was sent only to convey the messages from Allah.
"Obey Allah and obey the Messenger. But if you turn away (paying no heed) then (bear in mind that) Our Messenger is responsible only for the plain conveying (of the messages)." (Al-Taghabun 64:12)
Instead, the Quran clearly states that the duty of the messengers even to those who disbelieve is not to carry out punitive actions of their own but to just convey the message of a woeful punishment that awaits them.
"On the contrary, these disbelievers cry lies (to the Quran).
And Allah knows best all that they keep hidden (in their hearts).
So (do not bother about them, rather) give them the news of a woeful punishment." (Al-Inshiqaq 84:22-24)
In line with the above verse, the Quran clearly declares that it is not the duty or responsibility of anyone to force others to accept the words of Allah, but it is the role of Allah to punish those who disbelieve, and to hold them accountable:
"You are not (appointed) a keeper, stern and hard, to (compel) them.
But as to him who turns away and disbelieves,
Allah shall punish him with the greatest punishment.
Verily, to Us is the ultimate return;
Then it is surely for Us to call them to account." (Al-Ghashiyah 88:22-26)
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It is indeed the clear message stated in the Quran that believers are expected to make similar favours to other human beings to show their gratitude to Allah who has given them all the blessings and who has done to them favours in their lives.
"Then as to the blessings and favours of your Lord, keep on proclaiming (your gratitude by doing similar favours to your fellow beings)." (Al-Dhuha 93:11)
Since the Holy Quran is considered a perfect book with no harmful and destructive intentions, on what basis then the radicals advocate terrorism and bloodshed in the pretext of defending Islam from attacks from infidels?
Even though the above analysis and interpretation is not based on a complete readings of the whole Scripture, one cannot expect that other parts of the Quran should contain contradictory messages as the Quran declares that:
"This is the only perfect Book, wanting in naught, containing nothing doubtful, harmful or destructive, there is no false charge in it. It is a guidance for those who guard against evil." (Al-Baqara 2:2)
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