[size=14pt]Does Islam promote violence?[/size]


Written by azeez ishaq oladimeji
Friday, 26 August 2011


IT is unfortunate and sad that the charged at-mosphere engendered by the Boko Haram sect’s unjust kill-ings of people in the northern part of Nigeria, September 11th tragedy, prevalent suicide bombings and general crisis in Muslim-dominated regions of the world prompted both people and media opinions that Islam indeed, preaches violence. The perception of an average non-muslim is that Islam is a violent religion, which mean that muslimas, therefore, are violent.

There are a lot of comments on this from non-muslim, such as “it is our conviction that although various political social-economic and cultural factors have significantly contributed to the rise of violence and terrorism in comtemporary fundamental, of Islam, yet we cannot ignore the religious dimension of this violence that goes back to the very heart and origin of Islam.”

Further, “muslims who commit acts of violence and terror in the name of God, can find ample justification for their action, based on the teachings of the Quran and the saying and examples from Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) himself! On the other hand, Muslims, who take upon themselves to destroy or kill people in the name of God, can rightly claim to be following the commands of God in the Quaran and imitating their prophet as their role model.

In addition to this, another non-muslim writes, “violence in Islam, whether in form of terrorism, or the persecution of non-muslims and other minorities in the muslim world are not simply some isolated incidents or aberrations from the true and peaceful religion of Islam. Such violence, in fact, goes to the very roots of Islam, as found in the Quran and the actions and teachings of the prophet of Islam himself.”

However, all these perceptions are wrong. Islam is a religion of peace. Islam condemns any kind of violence and extra-judicial killings of the people. In fact, there are lot of verses in the Quran that buttress this. Allah says in Quran chapter 5 vs 32: “Because of that, we ordained for the children of Israel that if anyone killed a person, not in relatiation of murder, or (and) be spread mischief in the hand, it would be as if he killed all mankind. And if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. And indeed, there came to them our messenger with clear proofs, evidences and signs, even them after that many of them continued to exceed the limit.”

When we take a critical look to the verse quoted above, we should conclude that Allah detests violence. This quotation implies that, if someone kills a person unlawfully, it is like destroying a whole nation and if someone saves come not near to Alfewahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse) whether committed openly or secretly; and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a justice and the law. This He has comanded you that you may understand.

In another verse, Allah says: “And do not kill anyone whose killing Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. And whoever is killed wrongfully (intentionally with hostility and oppression and not by mistake), we have given his heir the authority to demand the law of equality in punishment or to forgive, or to take blood-money. But let him not exceed the limits in the matter of taking life.”

Verily, he is helped by the Islamic law (Q17v33)
With the above little verses I have quoted, it is glaring without any form of skepticism that Islam abhors violence. Islam does not allow or sanctify the killing of any innocent person regardless of his or her religion, tribe or country.

http://tribune.com.ng/index.php/eyes-of-islam/27222-does-islam-promote-violence