How Islam Fought Terrorism

While Caesar had sleepless nights, Umar (RA) slept under a tree without anyone
guarding him.

The U.S. method of fighting terrorism by force, injustice, pre-emptive strikes,

unilateral action and "regime change" only adds fuel to the fire. As witnessed by
the recent world events.

The Bush administration has released a new National Security Strategy document
which has been likened by the Moscow Times to Hitler's Mein Kampf, and
described by the New York Times as Bush's "how I'll rule the world" blueprint.

This method which is used by Israel has only been devastating to both sides if
measured in human cost, loss of freedom, psychological trauma and economic
loss. The U.S. and the rest of the World will be expected to suffer similar losses
when it mirrors the method used by Israel and Hitler as shown by the following
statement from the Bush administration, "the only path to peace and security is
the path of action". That is, the U.S. must wage a perpetual war, because without
war there can be no peace.

If we compare this attitude with that of the Early Muslims who are considered the
best generation, we find the following example of Caliph Omar.

The Caliph Omar was the governor or president of the Islamic Empire, which
included Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Syria, Egypt, North Africa and Spain.

One day Caesar wanted to know how Omar lived and how he treated his people.
He sent a person to Al Medina where Omar lived.

When this man entered Al Medina he asked the people, "where is your king?" The
people replied, "we have no king but we have an Amir similar to a president."
This man asked, "where is he?" They told him, " he is outside Al Medina."

He went to find him. What did this man see? He saw Omar sleeping alone on the
sand holding a little stick with no guards around him.

When he saw him like that he became very impressed and ashamed of himself
and said, "A man all the kings in the world are scared from, sleeps that humble
without any guards? You governed your people with justice and honesty so you
became safe and slept. Our king is unjust and dishonest. That is why he is always
scared and awake most of the night surrounded by guards inside a fortress.

Fighting terrorism is only by spreading justice and education, but not by force as
what is happening now.

In the Qur'aan, Surah Al Nahl (16) verse 90, " Allah commands justice, the
doing of good and looking after our relatives. Allah forbids all shameful
deeds, injustice and rebellion. Allah instructs you so you may
comprehend."

However, spreading only justice is not enough because some ignorant people
may do acts of terrorism.
In Surah Al Nahl (16) v. 125, " O Mohammed, invite to the way of your
Lord, which is Islam, with wisdom and fair preaching, and argue with
them in a way that is better. Truly, you Lord knows best who has gone
astray from his path, and he is the best aware of who are guided."

This was the character of the Early Muslims which allowed Islam to spread
throughout the whole World. Allah said that the most honorable to Allah is the
most fearful of Allah and not the richest, strongest or those who belong to a
certain group or nationality as shown in Al Hujurat (49) v. 13. "O mankind;
we have created you from a male and a female, and made you into
nations and tribes that you may know one another. Verily the most
honorable of you to Allah is that who is most faithful, pious and fearful of
Allah."

There are numerous historical examples in the Qur'aan showing the eventual
outcome of oppressive tyrants such as Pharaoh compared to those who are
righteous. The Qur'aan teaches us the morality, wisdom and meaning behind
these events.

Unfortunately in Schools and Universities, history is only taught in a factual

manner only showing the consequences of military conquests where morality,
responsibility and accountability are considered irrelevant. It is no wonder that we
can never learn from our previous mistakes. Particularly if the Christians insist on
believing the Paulian idea that "the means justifies the aims". That is, it does not
matter how evil your actions are as long as your intentions are good.

Whereas, for a good deed to be accepted in Islam, it must be sincere, with good
intentions and done according to the Sunnah of our Prophet.