Does Islam allow the use of force or the killing of civilians to spread a certain creedal belief or due to the ideological differences between the parties?

Published on: March 1, 2018

The Answer;

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Islam is a religion of peace and considers the wellbeing of others as a deeply rooted Islamic practise. The sanctity of human life and its protection holds a fundamental place in Islamic law. One is not considered a Muslim until another is safe and protected in their presence. Taking the life of someone is unlawful and forbidden in Islam. Such an act is considered one of the greatest violations of the sacred and divine law of Islam. Furthermore, is classed as one of the acts of infidelity and can take one out of the fold of Islam. Any group or organisation that partake in the mass killing of others act in a manner that is absolutely contrary to the teachings of Islam and will only result in torment in the hereafter.

The Prophet Mohammad(pbuh) stated, ‘my community will not unite upon erroneous claims’. The Islamic world and the religious authorities in each country respectively, have unequivocally and wholly denounced these present day aggressors as violators of Islam. Scores of canonical sources from the sacred texts of Islam, cite verses and prophetic narrations, proving the massacre of Muslims, non-Muslims and terrorism in its entirety, as being wholly unlawful in Islam. Terrorism is in fact considered a blasphemous act, taking one out of the fold of Islam. This has been the unanimous opinion held by Islamic scholars across the Muslim world since its 1400 years of Islamic history.

Terrorism at its very essence, symbolises infidelity and a complete rejection of the fundamental principles of Islamic belief. For this reason, it is grossly abhorrent to prefix the word, “Islamic” to words such as, “state”, “terrorist”, “extremist” and the like, as the media continues to do so time and time again. By using this prefix, the media continues to perpetuate a stereotype that such practices of violence, terror and bloodshed are practises found in Islam. By attempting to legitimise such violations as Islamic practises, the media and its followers, are giving credence to renegades above the authorities of Islam and indeed the sacred texts.   Even with regards to renegades and aggressors, it is Islamic practise to keep the door of discussion open, in the hope that an individual may reform from such evil practises.

However, should no such change be made in the individual or group and the barbarity continue against a community, this is a violation that requires immediate intervention, by military means if necessary. In the first instance, this is the duty of the nation under attack. Failing this, it is the duty of the wider world to intervene by taking a united stance against acts of terrorism. It is imperative that before any intervention, the countries involved have a clear strategy to eliminate the imminent threat and one that outlines a clear exit strategy post operation.

And Allah(swt) alone knows best.