Praise be to Allah, Lord of
the Worlds, and may Peace and Blessings be upon our
Messenger Muhammed, and on his family and companions.
Much has been said in an effort to define terrorism.
The opinions and understandings expressed so far have
been contradictory with respect to the concept, and
despite the many definitions and terms which have
been placed for the meaning of terrorism, we have
not come across a comprehensive definition to the
reality of terrorism. Every definition of a reality,
if it is not consistent and reflective of the truth,
can not be considered a correct definition. Despite
many researchers in this field mentioning over one
hundred definitions, all of them lack in one way or
another, a correct and meticulous definition that
we can use to differentiate between acts of terrorism
and other acts.
A few examples of definitions of terrorism that have
been voiced are:
Terrorism is an act that
naturally causes one to feel insecure and frightful.
Terrorism results in the
gathering of fear within people, by way of violence.
Terrorism is the use of
intentional and organized means that naturally stir
fear, to attain particular objectives.
Terrorism is a barbaric
horrific act.
Terrorism is an act that
contradicts societal modes, and violates of the
honour of man.
If
you were to analyze these definitions, and study the
level of specification, and the degree to which one
can rely upon them to declare if an act is terrorism,
you would conclude that all of these descriptions
fail to make a clear categorical explanation of the
concept of terrorism. These definitions are either
too broad or too precise, or not broad or precise
enough, and the differences in the definition of terrorism
stem from the different views, interests and ideologies
that exist in different countries. Every country explains
terrorism in a way that agrees with its policies and
interests, regardless of whether the definition agrees
with the correct meaning of terrorism or contradicts
it. This is the reason that you'll find an act carried
out by a group of persons or individuals described
as a "terrorist act" in one instance and
you'll find another similar act, perhaps even more
barbaric conducted by others that is not considered
terrorism.
Aprime example is the issue of
Palestine. For more than fifty years, the envious
Zionists have been giving our Palestinian brothers
a taste of the severest punishment. From killing,
expulsion, destruction and the devastation of Palestinian
homes by those who occupy Palestinian land, this torture
is considered an act of self defense by the occupiers
and the crusading masters in America and Europe. What
the suppressed people of do with the stones is called
violence and terrorism!
The
correct definition of terrorism is based on two
factors:
-
Defining terrorism according to the Arabic language
-
Defining terrorism according to the Sharee'ah texts
As
for language, the derivatives of the word terror are
terrorise, terrorised and terrorism, which comes from
the root word rahiba (to cause fear). Terrify, scare,
intimidate, horrify, frighten and affray are all synonymous
words and all lead to fear. Some of these words are
deeper in meaning than others, and if we were to follow
up on this subject in the Noble Qur'an, we will find
that rahiba means extreme fear.
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Allah, the Majestic says: "And have fear of Me",
and He said, "They call upon us, in hope and
fear", and He said, "And prepare for them
what you can, from the power and steeds of war, to
terrorise the enemy of Allah and your enemy,"
i.e. to scare them.
Ibn Jareer says: "It is said, 'I panicked the
enemy', in that I terrorized them, with terror.
And from it, is the statement of Tufayl al-Ghanawi
“Woe to the Mother of Hayy, you struck in their cores,
The People of Kulaab, the mornings of panic and terror
- you struck fear in them.”
Ibn Jareer says: "Bishr narrated to us, Yazeed
mentioned, Sa'eed mentioned, from Qataadah, "and
draw your hand close to your side to be free from
ar-ruhb" i.e. from fear. This is the tafseer
explanation of ar-ruhb (terror) and ar-ru'b (fear),
proving that ar-ru'b is synonymous with ar-ruhb, and
its meaning is extreme fear. This is supported by
his statement, sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam, "I
have been given victory through striking fear (ru'b)
in the enemy, equivalent to the distance of one month
(in battle)".
This is a brief summary of the meaning of terrorism
in the language of the Arabs.
As for the concept of terrorism in Sharee'ah, it consists
of two categories:
Firstly, the concept of terrorism in Islam is that
of the detested and forbidden, being of the major
sins and those who do it deserves punishment and criticism,
be it at the level of the state, groups or individuals.
It manifests in reality as an attack against calm
people through plundering undertaken by a criminal
state or group or individuals. This occurs by stealing
wealth and property, taking the prohibitions and making
the pathways outside the cities not secure and by
oppressive governments overcoming its citizens by
suppressing freedom, and ruling by whims and desires,
and the like.
Secondly,terrorism
that is legislated by Allah for us, commanded by Him,
is sufficiently preparing to fight the enemies of
Allah and His Messenger, Allah says, "And prepare
for them what you can from power and the steeds of
war to terrorize the enemies of Allah and your enemies."
In this noble passage, explicit words are used concerning
the obligation to exert effort to terrorize the enemy,
by becoming acquainted with weaponry and the training
of armies, so that the enemy may fear them and reconsider
a thousand times before going forth against the Muslims.
I say that the obligation of preparation for fighting
is an issue upon which all Muslim scholars have agreed
upon, whether this fighting is defensive or offensive.
It should be pointed out that
physical and financial preparation is not sufficient
for victory - it must be backed up by morale strength.
This is found through developing a strong belief in
Allah, relying upon Him, increasing in good deeds
and staying far from what displeases Him. The one
who studies history realizes the truthfulness of this.
The Most High says: "Truly Allah has given you
victory on many battle fields, and on the Day of Hunain
(battle) when you rejoiced at your great number but
it availed you naught and the earth, vast as it is,
was straitened for you, then you turned back in flight."
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