Was Islam spread by the sword? Was the Muslim emblem "The Quran or the sword"? Were the Muslims imperialists after mundane power or loot? Are Muslims violent because of Islam? Some people answer these questions in the affirmative and this would represent some of the common misconceptions of Islam when it comes to the topic of Violence, War or Holy War (Jihad).

The Quran is the final revelation from Allah, The God, sent to the final Prophet, Muhammad (s).

The Quran makes it clear that, whether we want it or not, war is a necessity of existence, a fact of life, so long as there exist in the world injustice, oppression, capricious ambitions, and arbitrary claims. This may sound strange but the reality is that throughout history humanity from the early dawn until now has suffered from local, civil and global wars. And it is also a fact that disputes have been settled through wars and the threats of war.

Therefore, the Quran could not fail to deal with this matter in a realistic and effective manner. That is why Islam has recognised war as a lawful and justifiable course for self-defense and restoration of justice, freedom and peace.

The Quran says: "Fighting is prescribed for you, and you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows and you know not." (Q2:216)

"And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the earth would indeed be full of mischief. And Allah is full of bounty to all of the worlds." (Q2:251)

"And if Allah did not 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 Allah is commemorated in abundant measure." (Q22:40)

Islam never tolerates aggression from its own side nor from any other side, nor does it entertain aggressive wars or the initiation of aggressive wars. Muslims are commanded by Allah not to begin hostilities, or embark on any act of aggression, or violate any rights of others.

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, and do not transgress the limits, for Allah loves not transgressors. And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than killing; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque (Al-Masjid Al-Haram) unless they fight you there. But if they attack you, kill them. Such is the recompense for the disbelievers. But if they stop, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them until there is no more fitnah (persecution or oppression) and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. But if they stop, let there be no transgression except to those who are oppressors." (Q2:190-3)

War is not an objective of Islam nor is it the normal course of Muslims. It is only the last resort and is used under the most extraordinary circumstances when all other non-violent measures fail. This is the actual status of war in Islam.

Islam is a term that connotes two meanings. One is the root Arabic word of salaam, which means peace. The other is its contextual meaning, submission. Submitting consciously and willingly to the Will of Allah. In fact, putting the two meanings together, Islam is the achievement of peace through voluntary submission to the Will of Allah. Peace is therefore the nature, the meaning, the emblem and the objective of Islam. The daily greetings of Muslims is peace: "Assalaamu-alaykum" (peace be with you).

Every being is entitled to enjoy the peace of Islam regardless of religious or geographical or racial considerations, so long as there is no aggression against Islam or the Muslims. If non-Muslims are peaceful with the Muslims or even indifferent to Islam, there is no ground or justification to declare war on them. There is absolutely no such thing as a religious war to force Islam on non-Muslims, because if Islam does not emerge from deep convictions, from within, it is not acceptable to Allah, nor is it of any benefit to its professor.

In fact, Islam forbids compulsion in religion: "Let there be no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clear from error. Whoever rejects Evil and believes in Allah has grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. And Allah hears and knows all things." (Q2:256)

Even in the propagation of Islam a Muslim is not only forbidden to employ force but is also commanded to use the most peaceful methods. To Prophet Muhammad (s), Allah (swt) says in the Quran: "Invite to the Way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful speech; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your Lord knows best who have strayed from His Path and who receive guidance." (Q16:125)

"And dispute you not with the People of the Book except with better means, unless it be with those who inflict wrong. But say: ‘We believe in the Revelation which has come down to us and in that which has come down to you; our God and your God is One, and it is to Him we submit.’" (Q29:46)

Corrupt rule is the root of all evil - oppression, adultery, prostitution, usury, etc. And the lordship of man over man is the root cause of corrupt rule. The ultimate objective therefore, of Islam is to abolish the lordship of man over man and bring him under the Rule of Allah (swt). To stake everything you have - including your lives - to achieve this purpose, is called Jihad.

Jihad is derived from the Arabic word jahd meaning to struggle or strive (in Allah’s cause). Jihad does not necessarily mean resorting to the "sword" and the shedding of blood as is commonly misunderstood. Jihad is comprehensive and includes striving and undergoing hardship while standing firm against evil. The actual words for war in Arabic are harb and qital. In the Quran, the word Jihad as a Military War, is used in respect of waging it for defence against any aggression or offense in unavoidable circumstances when the onslaught of the enemy is imminent.

If Islam is so designated for peace, and if Muslims are so dedicated to peace, and if the Quran is so favorable to peace, why then did Prophet Muhammad (s) launch wars and command battles?

It was only in Madina that the verses on Military Jihad were revealed. For more than thirteen years the Muslims were suffering persecution and oppression without retaliating. Even migrating from Makkah to Madina (under the threat of the Prophet (s) being assassinated) did not stop their enemies pursuing the Muslims.

The first word on Military Jihad was: "To those against whom war is made, permission is given to fight, because they are wronged…" (Q22:39-40) Permission was given for three reasons:

(1) The Muslims were persecuted for the first thirteen years of the Prophet’s mission;

(2) The enemies were bent on destroying the Prophet’s Mosque in Madina and persisted in their tyranny;

(3) So that the Rule of Allah (swt) could be established firmly on earth.

With this permission from Allah (swt) there was no more persecution or oppression to be inflicted on the Muslims. There was resistance from their side to restore tranquility, to regain their peace and freedom, to reunite with their families and take back their belongings they had left behind in Makkah. The Prophet (s) fought several wars and battles against the enemies who flagrantly denied the Muslims peace and freedom. But never was there any aggression from the Muslim side, or any destruction of homes, crops, supplies, etc, or any killing of non-fighting children, women, elders and disabled people. The Muslims observed these rules and remained within the limits of Allah.

The state government has just spent $2.2 M dollars to counter the problem of Lebanese gangs in Sydney. These Middle-Eastern gangs according to the police have also been responsible for raping Caucasian women over several months. When was the last time you could clearly pick out some one of Middle-Eastern appearance?

Are these the only gangs in Sydney? What about the Anglo-Celtic, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and other ethnic backgrounds who are involved in car rackets, drugs, prostitution and other criminal business? What about people like Martin Bryant of the Port Arthur massacre, Lenny McPherson and Neddy Smith - what are they ethnically? Since when were they called anything other than Australian?

A study published in 1999 reviewing the Australian evidence on ethnic crime stated that: "Criminological literature over the last several decades shows that socio-economic disadvantage and disorganised communities contribute substantially to a city’s crime problem … race, ethnicity, country of origin has less to do with crime than the environment and the disorganised communities they live in." (Mukherjee cited in Kebabs, kid, cops and crime).

What was Hiroshima if not absolute terrorism - the indiscriminate murder of thousands to achieve psychological superiority through terror? Who expelled thousands of Muslims from Palestine after World War II so the supposedly chosen people could have a home? Who killed millions of Muslims in Kazakhstan, while it was still part of the Soviet Union, or poisoned them in their homes as part of nuclear experiments? Who slaughtered thousands of Muslims in Northern Cyprus? Who destroyed Iraq during the Gulf War and killed thousands of children through sanctions? Who "ethnically cleansed", no, slaughtered and raped thousands of Muslims in Azerbaijian, Bosnia, Kosovo and Chechnya?

The past century has been extremely cruel to Muslims throughout the world. Muslim blood has become very cheap, and the killing of Muslims continues unchecked. The day must come when this will stop - hopefully soon inshaAllah.

We are a people of peace and Islam calls for peace but this does not mean that we will always be easy targets. When we deepen our faith, strengthen our bonds and make the worship of Allah our main objective, then we will be able to take the permission given to us by Allah to resist the oppression, injustice and humiliation, until finally peace and justice prevails for all of the world’s people.

References:

* Hammudah Abdalati. Islam in focus; 1975.

* Zachariah Matthews. General Islamic Studies: Summary sheets for the dawah worker. 2001.

* Jock Collins et al. Kebabs, kids, cops and crime. 2000

* SALAM magazine, Jan-Feb 1998.

* SALAM magazine, May-Jun 2001.