Q. In our world today, much is said about terrorism. Would it be terrorism if a group of people embrace Islam and buy a plot of land where they build a mosque and a school, despite a government ban? In such a case, are they allowed to fight against those who try to prevent them from doing so?
T. Ahmad
A. Terrorism is a word that has acquired a very loose meaning. Unfortunately, we do not have any definition of it, neither at the international nor at the popular level. When some Muslim countries called for a convention to be held on terrorism, objections were raised by the US and other governments, because such a convention would inevitably have to define terrorism, and perhaps include state terrorism which is practiced by Israel and condoned by Israel’s friends who are never tired of speaking about their respect for human rights, though their actions belie their statements.
If terrorism means an attack on civilian population, taking them unaware, and intending to cause damage and loss of life in order to promote certain aims and objectives, then Islam condemns such actions. The Prophet made it clear to the commanders of Muslim armies that they must never kill a woman, child, elderly person, priest or anyone who is not engaged in fighting them. Islam is not after scoring victories against enemies.
It aims to make God’s message known to mankind and explain to them that it is a message of guidance that fulfills their aims and achieves their happiness when they implement it properly. Islam does not wish to kill anyone.
It only fights those who wage a war against it, or kill its advocates. This has been the case throughout history.
The reader asks about a specific action probably in his own country. He has not explained the details of the situation. He simply cites one case of buying a piece of land in order to build a mosque and a school.
This should be a very legal matter that a government should support. When the reader says that the government bans it, there must be something special about this case, which means that we cannot make a judgment on it.
It is always the case that a ruling is given on the basis of the situation. If I were to give a judgment on the basis of the information supplied by the reader only, my judgment is bound to be erroneous.
What is important to realize is that fighting in Islam is always undertaken against a well-identified enemy who is the aggressor. Islam is never the aggressor against any people, regardless of their beliefs. Some Muslims may resort to aggression, but that is their action, and it cannot be supported by Islam.