What is Islam?

Root word – salaam: peace, security and moderation Moderation in every deed, creed, every trait; in everything. This peaceful form of moderation refers to a central point between two extremes – excess, too much & negligence, too little. A person who remains steadfast committing himself to the balance at the middle is described as being the best and being of moderation because it remains pure and free from falling into the two extremes.

The Prophet was once asked, “Which way for Islam is the best?”

The Prophet replied: “The Islam of that individual is best from whose tongue and hands all people (Muslims and non-Muslims) are safe.”

Is Islam being linked with extremism, fanaticism and terrorism today?

Moderation in consumption: “ And eat and drink, and do not exceed

the limits. ” [Quran, 7: 31]

Moderation is the way of the perfect Muslim community

“ And in this way, We have made you the community of moderation. ”

[Quran, 2: 143]

Moderation in worship “ And do not be too loud in you prayer,

and do not be too quiet in it, rather seek a moderate way between these two. ”

[Quran, 17: 110]

Islam condemns every form of oppression:

“ And Allah does not like the oppressors.” [Quran, 3: 57]

“ Listen carefully! The curse of Allah is upon the oppressors. ” [Quran, 11:18]

“ These are the limits of Allah, so do not transgress them. And those who transgress the limits of Allah, they are the ones who are wrongdoers. ” [Quran, 2:229]

“ Make things easy and do not make this difficult. Give glad tidings and do not cause

dislike (of religion) [Hadith]

“ O servant! I have forbidden oppression upon myself and I have forbidden it between you too, so do not commit oppression upon one another. ” [Hadith]

Wrongdoers, law breakers, and extremists are found in all communities, countries and even religions.

Although their number is always small, nonetheless if attention is not directed towards them promptly then they can become fanatics and even terrorists creating

much fear and anxiety in the whole society.

Therefore it is an obligation upon the peaceful majority that they look into the root causes of extremism and then promote a remedy for it.

Nipping evil in the bud in its early stages is easier, but when it has spread, countering it becomes all the

more difficult.

Countering Extremism:

Islam has absolutely no room for terrorism, spreading of corruption and mischief. This

includes all suicide bombings, killing others, aiding in murders etc., all which are

forbidden.

Such verses of the Quran are not restricted to Muslims, rather extends to all of humanity, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.

No individual has the right to take the law into his own hands and carry out

monstrous crimes

Islam and Extremism / Terrorism:

“ If anyone killed a person, it is as if he killed the entire of mankind. And if anyone saved a life, it is as if he saved

the entire of humanity. ” [Quran, 5:32]

“ And do not kill yourselves. Verily Allah is merciful towards you. ”

[Quran, 4:29]

• Islam has endured many malevolent groups, trials and calamities throughout history, and through justice, mercy and kindness, it has prevailed.

• The first generation of Islam provided the most superior and relevant method of spreading Islam by opening a way for humanity to embrace the religion through love and mercy, not by force, compulsion, or means of oppression.

• As time has passed, true faith has become diluted and many of these principles are forgotten, thus paving the way for small fanatical groups which claim a monopoly on the true way of Islam.

• The foundational ethics of Islam are based upon mercy, wisdom and justice. The Messenger was sent with mercy, and Allah is merciful only towards those who show mercy.

Islam and Tackling Terrorism –

ISIS: State of Ignorance

Validity of ISIS ?

• True form of Islam? • ISIS is a crisis! • ISIS is neither Islamic nor State • Islam is used as a disguise

• Deviated from mainstream Islam • Ideology is based upon countless

fallacies that are not from the sacred texts

• Sacred texts have been misinterpreted to satisfy their beliefs

How Islamic is the ‘Islamic’ State?

Muslim leaders across the board have almost unanimously condemned and denounced ISIS as both un-Islamic and anti-Islamic

• “ISIS is acting under the guise of this holy religion in an attempt to export their false Islam”

(Al-Azhar University)

Over 120 world-leading Islamic scholars have co-signed an 18-page open letter to Baghdadi denouncing

his group as un-Islamic (September 2014)

• John L Esposito - conducted 50,000 interviews over six years with Muslims in more than 35 countries

concluded:

“The overwhelming majority of the world’s Muslims reject Isis-style violence”

• The Muslim Caliphate is a public affair linked to the entire Muslim Nation and cannot be settled by foolish

individuals.

• Dignitaries who exert authority within the Muslim Nation are the ones who have sole right to it. And these

dignitaries already chose a king, sultan, or president for their countries to be responsible for their economic and

political affairs.

Is pledging to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Correct?

• Therefore, allegiance to the leader of ISIS known as Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is fundamentally impermissible and ultimately void, bearing no legal consequence, as the

local Muslim authorities were not consulted, neither in Syria nor in Iraq.

• Rather than consultation and counsel, destruction, war and murder is their number one priority.

“O Ummah, indeed the world today has been divided into two camps with no third camp present: the camp of Islam and the camp of kufr (disbelief).” (DABIQ, Issue 1, From Hijra to Khilafa, 1435, Ramadhan, p.40)

“The first priority is to migrate from wherever you are and join the Islamic State, from dar-ul-Kufr to dar-ul-Islam.” (DABIQ, Issue 1, Khilafa Declared, 1435, Ramadan, p.10)

“O Muslims, Islam was never for a day the religion of peace. Islam is the religion of war. Your Prophet (peace be upon him) was dispatched with the sword as a mercy to the creation. He was ordered with war until Allah is worshipped alone.” (DABIQ, Issue 9, 1436 Sha’ban, pp.52-59)

“Either one migrates to the territory of the Khalifa or if he is unable to do so he must attack the crusaders, their allies, the Shiites, apostate forces, wherever he might be with any means available to him.” (DABIQ, Issue 9, An Address from the Khalifa, 1436, Sha’ban, pp. 52-59)

He should not hesitate in doing so nor consult any supposed ‘scholar’ on this obligation. He should attack after declaring his allegiance to the Khalifa so as not to die a death of jahiliyya (ignorance).” (DABIQ, Issue 9, An Address from the Khalifa, 1436, Sha’ban, pp. 52-59)

Al-Baghdadi’s writings and public sermons:

What are the commonly used

tactics to recruit?

1) Search for an identity

2) Search for belonging

3) Search for a purpose in life

ISIS fills that void through

‘empowerment’, offering new recruits the chance to:

“Believe they are special”

“Part of something powerful”

“Path to divine martyrdom”

“The person who aided someone in the murder of a believer by means of even a few words, he will meet Allah in such a state whereby it will be written between his eyes (on

his forehead) this person is in despair of Allah’s mercy.” (Ibn Majah)

What motivates one to join / fight for

ISIS?

• Recruiting the youth by promising dreams of

establishing a supreme authority from East to West

• Path of predecessors

• Promising true martyrdom by dying through their cause – 70

virgins

• The ‘true’ way to live one’s life

• The Khawarij (Outsiders) are a sect which appeared in the first century of Islam and have manifested throughout the centuries ever since

• It deviated from mainstream Islam by revolting against any authority and believed

judgement only belonged to God alone

• The Khawarij (Outsiders) are widely known for killing Muslims under allegations of apostasy

This sect was described on numerous occasions by the Prophet, as “The worst of mankind” due their barbaric behaviour.

• The sect broke into revolt against every authority and even assassinated the fourth

Caliph, Ali.

• The Khawarij developed extreme doctrines that set them apart from both mainstream Sunni and Shia Muslims.

• Although the historical sect of the Khawarij does not exist today, there are clear

proofs in many Prophetic traditions that it would emerge at various times throughout the centuries of Islam.

Who are the Khawarij?

ISIS are modern day Khawarij (Outsiders) and do not represent Islam!

Parallels of Khawarij and ISIS

• “The worst of mankind” (al-Bukhari)

• “They shall call to the Book of Allah though they

do not belong to it.“

• “They are the most hated creation of Allah”(al-Muslim)

• "There shall emerge a people in the end of time,

adolescent, dim-witted, recounting the best words of creation, reading the Quran, but their faith does not pass their throats” (al-Bukhari)

1) Revolting against the Muslim community

2) Anathematizing the

majority of Sunni Muslims

3) Considering the

spread of injustice and destruction permissible

1) Killing innocent humans 2) Christians, Yazidis’, Alawis’, Ismailis’, targeted and hunted 3) Killing foreigners under treaty based upon nationalities – James Foley / Peter Kassig 4) Burning humans alive – is it justified? 5) Islamic “hadd” penalties – applicable today? 6) Torturing / humiliating prisoners resulting death 7) Mutilating corpses and disrespecting deceased bodies 8) Destroying mosques, churches and places of worship

ISIS in action:

Huduud - Islamic Punishment Laws

Hadd rulings are suspended in the following situations:

1) In non-Islamic lands 2) When travelling for military expeditions 3) When the knowledge of their ruling has become obscure and uncommon 4) Preventing harm takes precedence over acquiring benefits” – causing one to leave Islam 5) Presence of doubts surround the circumstances of the crime 6)During the absence of a proper authority

The Infamous “Black Flags”

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“ When you see the black flags, remain in your lands (and do not help these black flags).

Do not move your hand and feet.

From there then shall spear a group of weak people, attention should not be given to them, for their hearts will be rigid and hard like pieces of iron.

They will claim the (so-called Islamic) state. They will not fulfil any covenant or agreement.

They will call towards the truth, but they will not be upon the truth.

Their assumed names will be parental appellations and they will be attributed to towns.

Their hair will be soft and free-flowing like women.” [Kitaab al-Fitan]

“When you see the black flags, remain in your lands”

“They will claim the (so-called Islamic) state”

“Their assumed names will be parental appellations and they will be attributed

to towns”

“Their hair will be soft and free-flowing like women”

2017 Attacks: Turkey – Istanbul nightclub shooting

Pakistan – Sufi shrine suicide bomb

Syria – Car bomb

London – Westminster attack

Egypt – Church bombing

Manchester – Manchester Area bomb

Philippines – Marawi clash

Indonesia – Jakarta bombing

Afghanistan – Suicide blast

Spain – Barcelona attack

Bangladesh – South Surma bombing

Afghanistan – Military hospital shooting

France – Paris police shooting

Estimated civilian deaths amount over 1100 in 2017!

Reports of over 7000 civilian

injured

• ISIS members and their recruits are analogous to Khawarij - NOT MUSLIMS!

• ISIS is not an “Islamic State” rather a Satanic State!

• 1.6 Billion Muslims condemn such a group and monstrous crimes

• 50,000+ fanatic extremists do not represent 1.6 Billion Muslims

• ‘If ever’ considered Muslims then ISIS members amount to 0.00005% of the global Muslim population

• Muslims should not feel they need to apologise for every attack carried out by this militant group as the do not represent Islam in any way

• Safeguarding our families through education in order to protect their honour and dignity and not fall into their trap

In summary: