Islam and terrorism

“Whoever sees a vice should stoi it by hand, if not by tongue or should hate it – but this is the lowest”

Islam has been given a false image by especially the west and ironically more so, by the some of the Muslims themselves. Terrorism, war, killing and bloodshed are nothing close to Islam. ‘Islam’ means ‘peace’ both literarily and spiritually. Islam is derived from the word salaam which also means peace. Salaam is the way in which Muslims great each other. Assalamu Alaikum means “May peace be with you”

Many intellectuals, movies, newspapers and periodicals demonstrate Islam as an evil creating a false impression for those who blindly believe. The sword symbol of KSA has almost no relationship to Islam which did not spread by the sword.

Jihad or Islamic war is only allowed for self defence or if taken over by a tyrant. But this war need not even be physical. Jihad means “striving” and this striving is not only in the use of weapons. Patience is greater jihad. The Prophet (PBUH) said “Powerful is not he who knocks the other down but the one who controls his anger”.

What we see around is nothing like jihad. Many Muslims tend to practice Islam in manners that are far from it and hence the reason for wrong impression and misinterpretation. The Prophet was a peaceful man who lead Islam by example. In many countries like Singapore, China and even India (most parts) and Sri Lanka Muslims are considered to be a peaceful community that harms no one and hates no one. In Sri Lanka, Muslims are known to have been playing a more or less passive role except at certain extreme situations. Muslims in the north and east of Sri Lanka have been the innocent victims of a war that was fought between two other communities.
It all boils down to one thing – we are all human and the bottom line is that no one man by nature hates another. All children are born pure and free of sins. If the sahabis or friends of the prophet were around during this moment of terror, torture and war they would never have fought in such a way that harmed the unarmed – the women, the old, the children, plants and animals. (May peace be with them)