Cont'd
To lots of people, the first images which surface in their mind whenever Islam is mentioned is the bearded figure of Khomeni or, the turbaned figure of Taliban, the Al Queda and numerous acts of terrorism and especially the spectacular collapses of the two towers of the World Trade Centre in 9/11. They are all supposed to be connected in one way or another with what they believe to the Islamic concept of a "jihad" or"holy war". How much truth is there in such a conception. Let's find out.
What is a "jihad"? According to About Islam. com, the word "jihad" comes from the Arabic root word "J-H-D" which literally means "strive" although there are other words of the same root like "effort", "labor" and "fatigue". It refers to a struggle to overcome obstacles in the quest for spirituality, to become whole and holy. What does the Qu'ran have to say about this subject? "David killed Goliath and God gave him kingship and wisdom, and imparted to him the knowledge of whatever He willed. Had it not been for God's repelling some people by means of others, the earth would have been filled with corruption. But God is bountiful to his creatures". (Qu'ran 2: 251). So war was a way God had of correcting the corruption of one people by the justice of another.
In a passage which seems to condone the use of violence, the Qur'an lays down the conditions for doing so "And fight in God's cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit aggression--for surely, God does not love aggressors". (Qu'ran 2: 190). It is clear that war is justified only if it is defensive, not aggressive. He expressly prohibits aggression because that is something that God does not like. What about the passage in the Qur'an that appear to condone "killing the infidel"? This is their official reply: "The Qur'an commands Muslims to stick up for themselves in a defensive battle -- i.e. if an enemy army attacks, then Muslims are to fight against that army until they stop their aggression. All of the verses that speak about fighting/war in the Qur'an are in this context. There are some specific verses that are very often "snipped" out of context, either by critics of Islam discussing "jihadism" or by misguided Muslims themselves who wish to justify their aggressive tactics e.g the verse (in its snipped version) reads: "slay them wherever you catch them" (Qur'an 2:191). But who is this referring to? Who are "they" that this verse discusses? The preceding and following verses give the correct context:"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not
transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever you catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult
and oppression are worse than slaughter... But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful... If they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (2:190-193). It is clear from the context that these verses are discussing a defensive war, when a Muslim community is attacked without reason, oppressed and prevented from practicing their faith. In these circumstances, permission is given to fight back -- but even then Muslims are instructed not to transgress limits, and to cease fighting as soon as the attacker gives up and to fight directly only against those who are attacking them, not innocent bystanders or non-combattants."
Muhammad elaborates further : "Slay them wherever you find them ( ie.those who fight against you), drive them out of the places from which they drove you, for persecution is worse than killing. Do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque unless they fight you there. If they do fight you, slay them--such is the reward for those who deny the truth--but if they desist, then surely God is most merciful. Fight them until there is no more fitna and religion belongs to God alone. If they desist, then let there be no hostility, except towards aggressors." (Qu'ran 2 190-193). It is clear from this passage that one is allowed to kill only to get back to the places which one occupies before having been attacked by one's enemies and once the enemy shows sign of yielding, then mercy should be shown to them. Even if the
attackers refuse to stop, still "no hostility" is counseled because violence is reserved only for "aggressors". Military action is advised only as a last resort. Islam never tolerates unprovoked aggression from its own side; Muslims are commanded in the Qur'an not to begin hostilities, embark on any act of aggression, violate the rights of others, or harm the innocent. Even hurting or destroying animals or trees is forbidden. War is waged only to defend the religious community against oppression and persecution, because the Qur'an says that "persecution is worse than slaughter" and "let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression" (Qur'an 2:190-193). Therefore, if non-Muslims are peaceful or indifferent to Islam, there is no justified reason to declare war on them.
In still yet another passage, the Qu'ran says that those permitted to fight are "those who have been expelled from their homes/in defiance of right, for no cause except that they say, "Our Lord is Allah." Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated in abundant measure..." Qur'an 22:40. It is often thought that Muslims want to wage holy wars to spread its faith and to want to conquer the whole world by military force to compel non-Muslims to convert to Islam. Let's hear what Muhammad had to say about this. , "Let there be no compulsion in religion" (Qur'an 2:256). To a true Muslim, that would be the very opposite of a holy war. What is the point or value about a belief in Allah if that is not truly based on man's free will?
In a third passage which seems to give permission to Muslims to use violence on non-Muslims e.g the verse in Qur'an 9: 5 -- which in its snipped, out of context version could read: "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)." Islam's official position is this: "The preceding and following verses give the context: this verse was revealed during a historical period when the small Muslim community had entered into treaties with neighboring tribes (Jewish, Christian, and pagan). Several of the pagan tribes had violated the terms of their treaty, secretly aiding an
enemy attack against the Muslim community. The verse directly before this one instructs the Muslims to continue to honor treaties with anyone who has not
since betrayed them, because fulfilling agreements is considered a righteous action. Then the verse continues, that those who have violated the terms of the
treaty have declared war, so fight them... (as quoted above) and directly after this permission to fight, the same verse continues, "but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them... for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." The subsequent verses instruct the Muslims to grant asylum to any member of the pagan tribe/army who asks for it, and again reminds that "as long as these stand true to you, stand ye true to them: for God loves the righteous."
What is Islam's official position on terrorism? This is what About Islam. com says: "The entire Qur'an, taken as a complete text, gives a message of hope, faith, and peace to a faith community of one billion people. The overwhelming message is that peace is to be found through faith in God, and justice among fellow human beings. At the time the Qur'an was revealed (7th century A.D.), there was no United Nations or Amnesty International to keep the peace or expose injustice. Inter-tribal violence and vengeance was commonplace. As a matter of survival, one must have been willing to defend against aggression from all sides. Nevertheless, the Qur'an repeatedly urges forgiveness and restraint, and warns believers not to "transgress" or become "oppressors." " They cite some samples of what Muhammad had to say to support their claim:
(a) "If anyone slays a person/ unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land/it would be as if he slew all people./And if anyone saves a life,it would be
as if he saved the life of all people." (Qur'an 5:32)
(b) " Invite all to the way of your Lord/with wisdom and beautiful preaching/And argue with them/in ways that are best and most gracious.../And if you punish,/let
your punishment be proportional/to the wrong that has been done to you./But if you show patience,that is indeed the best course/Be patient, for your patience
is from God./And do not grieve over them,/or distress yourself because of their plots./For God is with those who restrain themselves,/and those who do good."
(Qur'an 16:125-128)
(c) "Oh you who believe!/Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God/even against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin,/and whether it be against rich or
poor/for God can best protect both./Follow not the cravings of your hearts, lest you swerve,/and if you distort justice or decline to do justice,/verily God is well
acquainted with all that you do." (Qur'an 4:135)
(d) "The recompense for an injury/is an injury equal thereto (in degree)/but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation,/his reward is due from God,/for God loves
not those who do wrong./But indeed, if any do help and defend themselves/after a wrong done to them,/against such there is no cause of blame./The blame is
only against those who oppress men/with wrongdoing and insolently transgress/beyond bounds through theland,/defying right and justice./For such there will be
a penalty grievous (in the Hereafter)./But indeed, if any show patience and forgive,/that would truly be an affair of great resolution." (Qur'an 42:40-43)
(e) "Goodness and evil are not equal./Repel evil with what is better./Then that person with whom there was hatred,/may become your intimate friend!/And no one will
be granted such goodness/except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,nonebut people of the greatest good fortune." (Qur'an 41:34-35)
The website concludes thus: "Any verse that is quoted out of context misses the whole point of the message of the Qur'an. Nowhere in the Qur'an can be found support for indiscriminate slaughter, the killing of non-combatants or murder of innocent persons in 'payback' for another people's alleged crimes.The Islamic teachings on this subject can be summed up in the following verses (Qur'an 60:7-8):"It may be that God will grant love (and friendship) between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For God has power (over all things), and God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.God does not forbid you,with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just."
And what about the suicide bombers who lined their bodies with sticks of dynamites and detonate themselves in crowded places with or without the use ofvehicles? What does the "normal" Islamic community have to say about them? They appear to want to stress that even Muslims in their fight must not transgress the bounds of civilized limits and that violence must be proportionate: ""And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you. But do not transgress limits. Truly Allah loves not the
transgressors." (Qur'an 2: 190). Their website says this: "The dangerous escalation of violence in the world is disturbing to all people of conscience, from September 11 to the Middle East battles, and other random acts of violence perpetrated at innocent civilians." They stress that suicide is forbidden e.g. "O ye who believe!... [do not] kill yourselves, for truly Allah has been to you Most Merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice, soon shall We cast him into the fire..." (Qur'an 4:29-30), that killing is must be justified by good reasons e.g. the death penalty for murder but think that forgiveness is better:" "Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause..." (Qur'an 17:33) In pre-Islamic Arabia, it was usual that the victim's tribe would retaliate against the entire tribe of the
murderer in an endless series of "blood vendetta". Muhammad prohibited this. He said: "Believers, retribution is prescribed for you in cases of murder: the free man for the free man, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If the offender is granted some remission by the heir of the slain person, the agreed penalty should be equitably exacted and should be discharged in a handsome manner. This is an alleviation from your Lord and an act of grace. He who transgresses after this shall have a painful punishment." (Qur'an 2: 178-179). Their position is that "no matter what wrong we perceive as being done against us, we may not lash out against an entire population of people.....Harming innocent bystanders, even in times of war, was forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This
includes women, children, noncombatant bystanders, and even trees and crops. Nothing is to be harmed unless the person or thing is actively engaged in an assault against Muslims." For them,"The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice. For such there will be a chastisement grievous (in the Hereafter)" (Qur'an:42:42). They say that in the fight against terrorism of all forms, "it is important to understand who or what is our enemy. We can only fight against this horror if we understand its causes and motivations. What motivates a person to lash out in this violent, inhumane way? ...religion neither causes nor explains suicide terrorism. The true motivation of such attacks is something that all of us -- mental health professionals, politicians, and common people -- need to understand, so that we can address the issues more honestly, prevent more violence, and find ways to work towards lasting peace." They think that "the predominant theme in the Qur'an is forgiveness and peace. Allah (God) is Merciful and Forgiving, and seeks that in His followers." They quote the Qur'an: "O ye who believe! Remain steadfast for Allah, bearing witness to justice. Do not allow your hatred for others make you swerve to wrongdoing and turn you away from justice. Be just; that is closer to true piety."(Qur'an 5:8)
We have enough violence in this world already: physical violence, verbal violence, psychological violence, violence by family members against each other, violence between brothers and sisters, parents and children, colleagues,business competitors, people of different races, cultures, religions and violence between nations, based on our greed for fame, for wealth, for power in the pursuit of which we think we are justified to employ it purportedly in "self-defense"or "legitimate" advancement of our own selfish interest . It has certainly transgressed all reasonable limits when nations and terrorists think of "defense" in terms of so-called "preventive strikes" or "holy wars”. Politicians and terrorists may like to play verbal games and use "euphemisms" to disguise the true nature of their aggressive acts, but they cannot be more wrong if they truly think that the people can thereby be "fooled"!
沒有留言:
張貼留言