KavkazCenter - The fight for proper terminology between the West and Islam

The fight for proper terminology between the West and Islam

For many years, the Western world has been struggling to influence the Islamic world in regards to how it should use certain terminologies of classification. Unfortunately, it has won in its endeavor of influencing the mindset of the majority Muslim world into believing its own classifications of the Muslims.

Their struggle against changing the meanings, however, did not face much difficulty and obstacles as there were very few in the world that challenged them; and challenging them seemed illogical for anyone to do. Recently, we saw that Tony Blair will be giving a large sum of money to the Islamic Institutions of Britain in order to make it clear to the minds of the people who the "truly moderate" Muslims are; it is a tactic employed for the purpose of seeking the destruction of the "moderation" of those whom they call the "terrorists." The four words that the Western world has been struggling to win over are as follows: 1. Terrorist 2. Extremist 3. Moderate 4. True Muslim Our attempt here is to compare the Western definitions of such words to the authentic Islamic definitions which are based on the Islamic texts; it is then for our brothers and sisters to accept the Western view or the Islamic view. The purpose of such an attempt is to verify the ground that our fellow believers should be standing on. In the end, for those who choose the Islamic view, glad tidings for them as the path will become difficult; and the lessons from the stories of Ibrahim (‘alayhis salam), the boy and the king, the people of the ditch, and the persecution of the Sahabah in the Makkan era are all fruitful truths that prove: if you want to stand for the Haqq (truth), then prepare to battle Batil (falsehood) because it will never give in peacefully.

These stories will suffice for the believers in their endeavor to have Sabr upon this Millah (path, religion). Sadly, the majority of the Muslims in the West have the mentality that if they want the Haqq to prevail, then they should refrain from standing up for it at this moment since we are in the "Makkan Stage."

Ironically, this understanding is in complete contradiction to what actually happened in the Makkan era since the Sahabah were persecuted for standing up for the Haqq (al-Walā') and exposing Batil (al-Baraah) even though they were in small numbers and they were the earliest of the earliest (in Islam). From the Western point of view, here are their definitions: 1. Terrorist - This has 3 main categories: a) One who kills "innocent civilians" (Notice the Quotation marks). b) One who makes or made Jihad against the West and is with a group of Mujahideen and openly supports them. c) One who desires Jihad in any part of the world.

And the last one was added on after 9/11 for the purpose of unifying the effort on the "war on terrorism" with the various nations so that the "Islamic Terrorists" would be rooted out and would have no chance to rest. 2. Extremist - This has 3 main categories: a) One who is a "Terrorist" and adheres to the belief of establishing an Islamic State. b) One who adheres to the ideology of the Salafi Jihad (i.e., following all 3 generations, showing respect for the Salaf and make [and inciting] Jihad purely for Allah's sake). This also includes one who shows love and respect for the Sheikh, Muhammad ibn ‘Abdil-Wahhāb (rahīmahullāh). c) One who openly shows al-Walā' wal Barā'ah (loyalty and disavowal) even if they know that it frustrates the inhabitants of that land. This also includes those who make Takfir (declares those to be outside the folds of Islam) of the Apostates and Muslim Governments (of today). 3. Moderate Muslim - This is the one who: a) Does not openly support the Jihad fi Sabilillah (whether it is by inciting it, spreading its news, recruiting etc.). b) Has interest in integrating into the non-Muslim societies and showing them love, and allegiance; he will almost never show his hatred openly, and if he does, it won't be something that will shake the non-Muslims and their Country. Rather, his (type of) Islam seeks the pleasure and approval of the non-Muslims. c) Supports Muslim Scholars that respect the Muslim Governments of today. d) Emphasizes tolerance with almost everything; they put special emphasis on tolerance with all Religions and their people, and the Governments. At the same time, they have elements of disavowal and enmity towards the Mujahideen. 4. True Muslim - This is the same as the Moderate Muslim Category; however, there are some Muslims of that category that are more active than the others. In the eyes of the West, true Muslims are people like Hamza Yusuf, Zaid Shakir, Keith Ellison, Mahdi Brey, Habib ‘Ali al-Jafri, Hisham Kabbani, Shamsi ‘Ali, Jamal Badawi and thousands of more. From the Islamic Point of View, these are the definitions with their respective evidences: 1. Terrorist - One who terrorizes the enemies of Allah Taala. Allah says, And make ready against them All You can of power, including steeds of war to terrorize the enemy of Allah and Your enemy, and others besides whom, You may not know but whom Allah does know. (Al-Anfal: 60) This is not only permitted but this is greatly preferred by Allah in warfare. Some might look at this and say, "Well, you are taking this out of context... there is no terrorism in Islam," but the problem with such an argument is that their mindset is already fixed on what terrorism is. If we were to start with a clean slate, we would see that in Islam, terrorism is to instill fear and terror into the hearts of the enemies and this is exactly what we are referring to.

As long as the method is within the limits of the Shariah, then this terrorism is lawful and loved by Allah; however, if it is not sanctioned by the Shariah - such as killing the Mu'ahad (the one who has a covenant with the Muslims) or a Dhimmī intentionally - then this is not loved by Allāh since the blood of such people is protected and therefore sacred. 2. Extremist - There are three types of extremist in this Din: a) One who goes beyond the boundaries that have been set by the Shariah. For example, claiming to be a Prophet or making Halal what Allāh made Haram. There are 3 types of extremists of this category, and the last one is the worst of them: - ‘Isyān (disobedience) - Fusūq (defiance) - Kufr (disbelief) This is based from the Ayah, And know that among you is the Messenger of Allāh. If he were to obey you in much of the matter, you would be in difficulty, but Allāh has endeared to you the faith and has made it pleasing in your hearts and has made hateful to you disbelief, defiance and disobedience. Those are the [rightly] guided. (Al-Hujurat: 7) And the worst of the extremists are the Murtaddin (Apostates) that wage war against the Muslims whether directly (by fighting) or indirectly (by speaking). The example of this is the wars of Riddah (Apostasy) during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (radiyallāhu ‘anhu); all the Murtaddin were put to the sword - after being warned by the Muslim Army general (and neglecting his warning) - and not a single of them was tolerated by the Muslims nor were there any dialogue of tolerance or "understanding" between the Muslims and the Murtaddin. b) One who thinks that more needs to be done than what the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi Wasallam) did in ‘Ibadah. The example here is the famous incident where three Sahabah tried to do more than what the Prophet did himself by fasting more, praying more (in Tahajjud) and refraining from marriage.

Also in this category that's included are the people of bidah (innovation) since they (who commit bidah) believe that more needs to be done in the Religion; if this wasn't the case, then they would have never committed bidah. An example of bidah is worshipping graves, celebrating the holidays of al-Kafir, calling on the Scholars that have passed away, practicing magic and so on. The Messenger of Allāh (sallallahu ‘alayhi Wasallam) said, "Every innovation is misguidance and going astray." [Reported by Abu Dawud (no. 4607), at-Tirmidhi (no. 2676) and it is sahih. Ibn Hajr authenticated it Takhrij Hadith Ibn ul-Hājib (1/137)] Those who help, support, or befriend the people of innovation will also fall under this category of extremism since the Messenger of Allāh (sallallahu ‘alayhi Wasallam) said, "Whoever innovates or accommodates an innovator then upon him is the curse of Allāh, His Angels and the whole of mankind." [Reported by Bukhari (12/41) and Muslim (9/140)] c) The Khawarij and their Kharji mentality which was mentioned by the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alayhi Wasallam) in various Hadith. Some of their qualities include being harsh against the Muslims and humble with the disbelievers, fighting and killing the Muslims and sparing the disbelievers. Their likeliness of today are those of the Rulers that govern the Muslim lands; they take the disbelievers as their Awliya (supporters, guardians) to fight and kill all the Mujahideen who desire the Shariah on the land. 3. Moderate Muslim - One who follows the middle path as it was said in the Hadith of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi Wasallam). Contrary to what the Muslims who are labeled as "moderate" by the Kuffars and the Governments, this includes having strong and unyielding Imaan in Allāh and the Hereafter, being harsh against the Kuffars and showing them hatred and enmity until they become Muslim like how Ibrahim (‘alayhis salam) showed us, befriending the true believers (which we will mention next) and being humble with them, waging Jihad against the Kuffars and Murtaddin with the sword, and following all the commandments of Allāh and His Messenger to the best of one's ability. All of these evidences will be mentioned under the next category of the True Muslim. 4. True Muslim - It is the same as the moderate Muslim and there is absolutely no difference. The best of Muslims amongst the Sahabah were the best of moderate Muslims. He is a Mu'min who desires to give his soul to Allah ‘Azza wa Jall whilst knowing that in return, he will be promised Jannah. The descriptions of such a person are so numerous that it cannot be detailed here. We will give the following ayah and Hadith as examples: Indeed, Allāh has purchased from the Mu'minin their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allāh? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which the great attainment is! (At-Taubah: 111) And He Ta'ala says, O you who have believed, whoever of you should revert from his religion - Allāh will bring forth [in place of them] a people He will love and who will love Him [who are] humble toward the believers, powerful against the disbelievers; they make Jihad in the cause of Allāh and do not fear the blame of a critic. That is the favor of Allāh; He bestows it upon whom He wills. And Allāh is all-Encompassing and Knowing. (Al-Maidah: 54) And He Ta'ala says, Verily, Allāh loves those who fight in his Cause In rows (ranks) as if they were a solid structure. (As-Saff: 4) And He Ta'ala says, Indeed there has been an excellent example for You In Ibrāhīm (Abraham) and those with him, when they said to their people: "Verily, we are free from You and whatever You Worship besides Allāh, we have rejected you, and there has started between us and you, hostility and hatred forever, until You believe In Allāh Alone..." (Al-Mumtahinah: 4) And the Messenger of Allāh (sallallahu ‘alayhi Wasallam) said, "Whosoever dies without participating in an expedition (i.e., Jihad), nor has the intention to do so, dies on a branch of hypocrisy." [Sahih Muslim] And in another Hadith: Saburah bin al Fakah narrated: I heard the Messenger of Allāh say, "Certainly, Shaytan has intercepted the son of Adam on his path towards Islam and told him: "Are you going to become Muslim and leave your heritage and the religion of your forefathers?" But the son of Adam disobeyed him and became a Muslim and was forgiven. Then Shaytan sat for him on his path to hijrah and told him: "Will you make hijrah and leave behind your home and land?"

He disobeyed him and made hijrah. He then sat for him on his path towards Jihad and told him: "Are you going to fight when it is an exhaustion of yourself and wealth? You would go to kill and would be killed and then your wife would be taken and your wealth divided." The son of Adam disobeyed him and went on Jihad." The Messenger of Allāh then said: "Whoever does that, it is incumbent upon Allāh to admit him to Paradise! Or if he dies by his animal striking him he would go to Paradise." [Musnad Ahmad (3/473), an-Nasai (6/21-22) and al-Bayhaqī (2/95); and the Hadith is sahih] So where do such people that are known as "moderates" in the eyes of the Kuffar go with such ayat and Hadith? Which alley or building can protect them from these miraculous yet forthright verses and traditions? As is apparent, the Western view and the Islamic view of these terminologies are in total cahoots with each other. For those who attempt to build a bridge between the two worlds, let them know that their wastage of time and effort will always meet with failure and confusion. Such people will always be failures in the sight of Allāh because of their abandonment of al-Walā' wal Barā'ah (loyalty and disavowal); and such people will be in confusion because of their inner-heart conviction with the texts would be rejected by their own selves for the "betterment" of Western society and the "understanding" between the two cultures.

Source: theunjustmedia

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