Norhani Hassan

Blood is not Halal for You to Shed

According to the ISIS published article “The kafir’s blood is halal for you, so shed it”, the blood of the kafir or the non-believer is ‘cheap, filthy, and permissible to shed’. Utilizing verses from the Holy Qur’an and perverting its meaning, these violent extremists continue to provide misleading and often erroneous justifications on the permissibility of killing those they perceive as their enemies. Contrary to their belief that all people who do not adhere to Islam must be fought brutally because it is right to shed their blood, we are here to redirect the attention of these violent extremists to the correct teachings of Islam based on proper and carefully studied life and traditions of Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Prophet Muhammad was known as the kindest of men in the same way as he excelled all others in courage and valor. The Prophet showed us, in his best way, how to deal with people from all walks of life. Yet, some who claim to be his followers and proudly say that they emulate the Prophet are doing exactly the opposite. There are those who declare to be following in his footsteps but their actions are contrary to the tenderness, kindness, and mercy  shown by the Prophet. They commit heinous atrocities in the name of Allah and the Prophet. They manifest the faith through the prisms of hate and enmity.

Perhaps, the very reason for this is that some Muslims today have forgotten what the Prophet himself taught. Allah said “And we have not sent you O Muhammad except as a mercy to the worlds” (Al-Anbiya 107). The verse is evident that the Prophet was sent as a mercy to the whole world - not only to Muslims but to the whole world.

It is not true that the Prophet was sent to kill all those unbelievers until the din or faith is for Allah alone. He was sent as a mercy to the world. Abu Huraira reported that when Allah’s Prophet was asked to invoke a curse on the polytheists he replied, “I was not sent as one given to cursing; I was sent only as a mercy.” (Muslim). The Prophet never taught his companions to be violent to others. If even a simple curse was never tolerated, how much more if a Muslim kills innocent non-Muslims? The Prophet said “He who harms a non-Muslim harms me, and he who harms me harms Allah” (At-Tabarani).

When Allah said “So when the sacred months have passed, then kill the mushrikin wherever you find them and take them, surround them, and wait for them at every outpost” (At-Tawbah 5). However, we have not seen the Prophet and his companions kill all non-believers in their time. When he conquered Makkah without bloodshed, he asked the Makkan unbelievers who were awaiting his decision about them: “How do you expect me to treat you?” They responded unanimously: “You are a noble one, the son of a noble one.” He announced to them this decision: “You may go free! No reproach this day shall be in you; may Allah forgive you.

Remember that those people were the Prophet’s major enemies who tortured him and his companions and yet He neither announce to kill all of them nor force them to convert in Islam. The abuse he suffered from the polytheists of Makkah was brutal. They spared no opportunity to demonize him, starving his entire clan for three years. He was physically abused by Uqba  Abi Mu’ayat strangling him from behind when he was praying in public, Abdu Jahl ordered camel intestines to be dumped over him while he was prostrating, Utayba Abi Lahab spat at him, and others beat him unconscious. Despite this, you will not read in the history of the Prophet that he indefinitely killed non-believers and these people.

Let us place in our sound minds that to justify killings by merely listening to a normal person puts us in grave danger on the Day of Judgement. When the Prophet saw a sparrow in her nest lamenting the loss of her chicks which had been stolen by someone, he said: “Who has caused her grief over her chicks”. The Prophet said: “No sparrow is killed without cause except that it complains to Allah about it on the Day of Judgement.” (Muslim). This is just a small bird crying for the loss of his chicks and we saw the  Prophet’s anger. Imagine if you killed children of a non-believer’s mother in the context that it is permissible to slay anyone without justifiable reasons. What face will you show to your creator on the Day of Judgement?

This is also understood in the words of the Prophet when Zayd Su’na, a great Jewish Rabbi of Madinah, was disrespected. He said “O Umar, go with him, pay off his loan, and give him an additional 32 kilos of dates because you frightened him (Ibn Hibban). A non-believer’s dignity was disrespected but the Prophet paid so much respect to his honor. Shedding his blood will put more anger to the Prophet. Following the Battle of Badr, Umar asked the Prophet to take revenge, and requested permission to remove Suhayl Ibn Amr’s front teeth, a chief of Quraysh and a vocal adversary of Islam, so that he could never preach against the Prophet. However, the Prophet responded, “I will not mutilate him, lest Allah mutilate me--even if I were a Prophet. Muhammad highlighted in his statement that no authority, not even a Prophet, would escape accountability for torturing those under their custody.  This is despite the fact that those captives had specifically intended to assassinate him and had prepared to celebrate over his corpse with wine.

This is the life of Prophet Muhammad who is a role model of Muslims around the world. We have said again and again that it is not right to put the law of Islam into your hands and this is what Prophet Muhammad has exemplified. When choosing between violence and peace, Prophet Muhammad would always select the righteous path as shown by his tenderness and kindness.

To the violent extremists, if you continue justifying and killing innocent non-Muslims, expect the anger of Prophet Muhammad and our lord, Allah.

by Norhani Hassan

Misinterpretation of Islamic Injunctions

There has been a steady growth of extremist movements/militant outfits across the Muslim world. Some are internally-directed against their rulers; others target the West. Some do both. Some of these groups are called the Al-Qaeda, al-Nusrah, al-Shabab and Daesh.

In its history, the Taliban has established their ‘model’ of rigid Islamic rule and turned Afghanistan into a haven for Arab/ Islamic extremists affecting neighboring countries. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda and the Daesh have emerged as the focal terrorist networks targeting Western interests and pro-Western countries.

The misinterpretation of selective Quranic verses and Hadith by these obscurantists, without reference to the context, promotes religious hatred and violent extremism against non-Muslims and rival Muslim sect. We can see that there is emphasis on the militant or extremist interpretation of Jihad and justification for use of terrorism against civilian targets in its name

More importantly, Quranic verses and Hadith preaching religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence with other religions or promoting the cause of humanity are deliberately ignored.

What are the Quranic verses used by these violent extremists to promote their ideology? Here are some of their widely used verses which they exploit and give perverted interpretations that promote hate and anger.

1.) Al Imran (The Family of Imran) – 3: 28 

“Let not the believers take the unbelievers for friends, guardians, and councilors in preference to the believers. Whoever does that is not on a way from God and has no connection with Him, unless it be to protect yourselves against them and take precautions (against the danger of being persecuted and forced to turn away your Religion or betray your community, or of losing your life). And God warns you that you beware of Himself; and to God is the homecoming.”

This verse is used by extremists to encourage Muslims not to befriend anyone who is not Muslim (kafir). They say that Muslims are not allowed to be friends or ‘friendly’ with non-Muslims. However, the prohibition of Muslims not being allowed to be friends with non-Muslims is only in war, making alliances with the enemy over the Muslims. That is what the passage is speaking about. There is no prohibition against Muslims having cordial friendly, everyday relations with non-Muslims. Moreover, ‘to guard’ themselves is only allowed when the enemy is capable of hurting the Muslims.

2.) Al Baqarah (The Cow) – 2: 193

“(But if they persist in causing disorder, continue to) fight against them until there is no longer disorder rooted in rebellion against God, and the religion (the right for worship and the authority to order the way of life is recognized) for God. However, if they desist, then there is no hostility except to the wrongdoers.”

The context clearly shows that the condition of society when this verse was revealed was not safe and free for adoption of the way of Allah. That is why the Muslims have been exhorted to continue the fight to change this state of affairs and to restore peace and freedom. The aim of war in Islam is to establish Allah's way so as to enable people to live as servants of Allah in accordance with the Divine Law. Today, the terrorists are the ones who spread fear and panic and they are the ones who do not adopt the way of Allah.

3.) Al Anfal (Gains of War) – 8:60

“(Believers:) make ready against them whatever you can of force and horses assigned (for war), that thereby you may dismay the enemies of God and your enemies and others besides them, of whom (and the nature of whose enmity) you may be unaware. God is aware of them (and of the nature of their enmity). Whatever you spend in God’s cause will be repaid to you in full, and you will not be wronged.”

This generally means that Muslims should be equipped with military resources and should have a standing army in a state of preparedness to be used when needed. Never should it happen that the Muslims are caught unaware and have to hurriedly look around right and left to build up their defenses and collect arms and supplies. For extremists, this is already a call to start a war against the non-believers. However, Allah only calls for Jihad when the religion of Islam is being challenged, meaning non-Muslims are disallowing them to practice their beliefs or even persecuting them. Today, religious freedom is being practiced around the world with respect.

Violent extremists promote dualism or the constant battle among the believers and non-believers; painting the picture of urgency to rise up and defend the Muslim community which is allegedly being oppressed and corrupted; urging for the dismantling of man-made laws and leadership; and to establish a caliphate that truly enforces the puritanical Islamic Laws.

However, does Islam promote violent extremism? No. Islam, recommends moderation and balance in everything: in belief, ibadah, conduct, and legislation. This is the straightforward path that Allah (SWT) calls al Sirat al mustaqim, one distinct from all the others which are followed by those who earn Allah's anger and those who go astray.

by Norhani Hassan

Conscious Carnage

We continue to see indiscriminate killings and deliberate destruction of properties by violent extremists not only in the Philippines but also in other parts of the globe. These people have succumbed to the belief that violence is the only way to achieve their goal and they do not care about the collateral damage because these are all part of their so-called jihad. They have perpetually used Islam and justified all their acts using the verses from the Holy Qur’an. However, we do not tire of saying that these people are not Muslims and that despite their hateful ways and insidious acts, we do not stop from educating them and all our fellow human beings that Islam is a religion of peace.

This is a clear and strong response to the violent extremist article “Collateral Carnage” which twists and utilizes Islam to justify the killing of innocent people. 

Sharia was sent to people as a mercy to mankind. Subsequently, it is the responsibility of mankind to solve rather than create more difficulties and problems. Indiscriminate killing certainly creates chaos and burns fire on both fighting sides. That is why the Holy Qur’an clearly forbids it when Allah said “That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity. Although, Our messengers already came to them with clear proofs, many of them still transgressed afterwards through the land”[1]

If there is a war, it has to be within the way of Allah, which implies that divine principles and duties must be followed and respected. This is the core principle of the conduct of Jihad. War should be waged with this principle and therefore, the requirements of war that respects human lives is of paramount importance.

Abu Bakr, the first caliph after Muhammad’s death, formulated an in-depth  set of rules for Islamic conduct during war. He gave the subsequent instructions to a Muslim army setting out for Syria:

“Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy’s flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone.”

This set of rules were observed during his lifetime and even the Caliphs after him. This only means that Muslims should only fight the combatants who participated within the war. It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah that a woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of God. He disapproved of the killing of women and children[2].

However most intellectuals accept the fact of war and casualties among civilians because it is sort of impossible to wage a war without accidents. However, it seems that violent extremists treat women and children as if they are combatants. 

We have observed that there is little to no left mercy upon violent extremists as they treat non-combatants like animals who die in the middle of a crossfire. Yes, the Prophet peace be upon him used catapults in one of his wars, but when asked by the Muslim fighters about this, he advised them to aim at the combatants only.

Remember that when Prophet Muhammad came across a slain woman while riding in battle, and he frowns with anger? Imagine if the Prophet is alive today, and came across to innocent women and children you killed as result of your suicide bombings and your indiscriminate killings, would he be happy? If he frowns with anger at a single woman, how much more so to such a huge number of innocent people consciously killed by these violent extremists? 

To the violent extremists, don’t you fear that on the day of judgement when the prophet will disown you? Fear Allah!!

Lastly, the use of military force is only permissible if required by military necessity. The practice of the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was to make a clear distinction between combatants and non-combatants. Many armies used to build forts for their protection in times of war. They would use children as human shields by holding them over the walls of the fort so that the enemy would stop shooting them with arrows, but the wanton destruction of enemy property, killing of innocent women and children are not covered by this condition; such acts instead constitute a crime of Al-fasad (destruction, damage) in the land. Allah said “The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land[3].

With the evidence placed above, it is clear and undeniable that human life should be treated with respect and importance. Human life is a gift from Allah and taking it away should never be in your hands. Collateral carnage is not acceptable in Islam and killing women and children should not be justified as acceptable. What you have been doing is conscious and deliberate killing of innocent lives.

To the people behind the violent extremist ideology, don’t you fear Allah and his punishments? We are here to remind you to repent and return to Allah. Only then will you be saved. 

[1] Al-Maida 32

[2] Muslim Book 19, hadith No. 4319

[3] Ibn Jarir recorded that `Ikrimah and Al-Hasan Al-Basri said that the verse was revealed about the idolaters. But this verse does not save a Muslim from punishment if he kills, causes mischief in the land or wages war against Allah and His Messenger.

by Norhani Hassan

Why We Love You and Why We Fight You

Our country has been struggling to achieve lasting peace for decades now. It has been a long and challenging journey but we continue to persevere. It is a sad reality that some of our countrymen have fallen blind into the deceitful statements and hateful messages of violent extremists. These violent extremists say that they are Muslims but they would rather choose brutal retaliation and barbaric acts because of their self-perceived victimization. The anger of these violent extremists to the West and the so-called “enemies of Islam” who are the non-Muslims and democratic governments, coupled with their twisted interpretation of Qur’anic verses and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, has been received by a small number of like-minded individuals here in our country, triggering a series of terroristic acts and senseless deaths.

These violent extremists, in their published online article “Why We Hate You and Why We Fight You” clarified why they hate the West and the enemies of Islam. They have focused on discussing the reasons why they are doing these acts of violence that they see as justifiable in the eyes of Allah. However, we would like to focus on the ambiguity of their narratives and gear towards the other end - the reasons why we love them and why we fight them.

1. You say that you hate the disbelievers because they reject the Oneness of Allah.By saying, Muslims have been commanded to fight the disbelievers until they submit to the authority of Islam and living in humiliation under the rule of the Muslims. However, this contradicts the teachings of Islam. We would like to help you refocus, remember, and look into the real message of Islam which is kindness.

The Qur’an said: “Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion and did not drive you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity. [Quran  60:8]”

Ibn Katheer  said: "Allah does not forbid you from those who do not fight you because of religion and do not expel you from your homes; means, those who did not have a role in your expulsion. Therefore, Allah does not forbid you from being kind to the disbelievers who do not fight you because of the religion, such as women and weak disbelievers, from being righteous toward them; from being kind; and acting justly toward them, being fair with them; Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Asmaa' bint Abu Bakr said, “My mother, who was an idolatress at the time, came to me during the Treaty of Peace, the Prophet peace be upon him conducted with the Quraysh. I came to the Prophet and said, 'O Allah's Messenger! My mother came visiting, desiring something from me. Should I treat her with kindness?' The Prophet  said, 'Yes. Keep good relation with your mother.'" This Hadeeth was reported by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim."

2. You say you hate secular liberal societies because of their policies allowing Haram. However, we see that you yourselves do not hate killings, suicide bombings, torture, kidnapping, and extortion, which are all clearly forbidden by our religion. Let us help you be guided on what truly is allowed and forbidden in Islam.

Muslims living in a non-Muslim country implementing liberal policies may be forgiven because Muslims living in this society has no full control of policies and the government. But the so-called Muslims killing innocent lives are accountable on the day of Judgement.

When Allah said “Allah does not charge a soul except its capacity”, Allah only burdens a person with actions that he is able to do. Allah’s religion is based on ease and not difficulty. If any person does good, he will receive the reward for it in full. If any person does evil, he will receive the punishment for the sin he committed and no one will carry it for him.

Therefore, thoughts that enter the heart without one's intention and control and are not translated into action, stand all excused in the sight of Allah Almighty. Deeds that are undertaken with choice and volition will be the only ones apprehended and called to account. As far as non-voluntary deeds are concerned, man is neither obligated nor constrained therein, and certainly, there is no thawab (reward) or adhab (punishment) on them.

It is irrational that you hate secular liberal policies but you do not hate killings and suicide bombings which are clearly and evidently Haram. All of these violent actions are mentioned in Qur’an and Hadith which clearly state that these are all prohibited.

3.   You wage war on innocent atheists without knowing that it is not permissible to kill innocent lives. You have been putting the law into your own hands without proper authority. Together, let us rediscover the true narratives of our religion and not rely on our own interpretations.

Al-Qurtubi said: Based on that, kind treatment of neighbors is enjoined and is recommended, whether they are Muslim or not. And this is the right thing to do. Kind treatment may be in the sense of helping or it may be in the sense of being kind, refraining from annoyance and standing by them. Al-Bukhaari narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that the Prophet peace be upon him said: “Jibreel kept urging me to treat neighbors kindly until I thought that he would make them heirs.”

And it was narrated from Abu Shurayh that the Prophet peace be upon him said: “By Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe; by Allah, he does not believe.” It was said: O Messenger of Allah, who is that? He said: “The one whose neighbor is not safe from his annoyance.”

This is general in meaning and applies to all neighbors, and the Prophet peace be upon him affirmed that the neighbor should not be annoyed by swearing three times and stating that the one who annoys his neighbor is not a believer in the complete sense. So the believer should avoid annoying his neighbor and refrain from doing what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden; he should strive to do that which pleases Him and encourage others to do likewise.

In other words, Allah does not forbid you to be kind, uphold ties, return favors and be fair towards the atheist, whether they are relatives and others, so long as they are not fighting you because of your religion or seeking to drive you out of your homes. So there is nothing wrong with you upholding ties with them, because upholding ties with them in this case does not involve anything that may lead to negative consequences. It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amrthat the Prophet peace be upon him said: “Whoever kills a mu‘aahid (a non-Muslim living under Muslim rule) will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, although its fragrance may be detected from a distance of forty years.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2995

4. By saying we will continue to retaliate, not with slogans and placards but with bullet and knives, you clearly misrepresent Islam. Reacting in this emotional manner and engaging in senseless violence destroys the peaceful message of our religion. Islam has been, and always will be, geared towards peace, kindness and patience.

Allah records on multiple occasions how prophets were insulted, how they were made fun of, how they were rejected in the most obscene ways and how even the prophets themselves felt the pain of those disbelievers making fun of them. Prophet Noah complains about how people found him disgusting and that they would plug their ears with their fingers and walk away from him and pull their clothes back as a show of insult to him and Prophet Muhammad is no exception. The Holy Quran honors and at the same time, records the most hurtful words that were said to the Prophet. And the Prophet himself would have to recite and remind himself of the words that were said about him such as “magician” “insane” “perpetual liar”. There were so many accusations made against our Prophet and they're all recorded in the Quran and yet he responded in the most beautiful way. Allah said “be patient over whatever they say”.

The special instructions for those who are engaged in calling others towards Allah commenced from here. The gist of these instructions is not to repay evil with evil, but to be patient and to be obliging. “Repel evil with what is best” means that the habit of those people who are engaged in calling others towards Allah should be to reply to the evil behavior of the addressees in the best possible manner. No doubt, it is much better to do some good to the evil-doer after forgiving him.

Ibn Abbas has said that the instruction in this verse is to be patient with the one who is expressing his anger with you, to be tolerant and forbearing with the one who is being ignorant with you and to forgive the one who has made you suffer.

5. We should put an end to blaming all the non-Muslims for crimes against Muslims because there are still many who are engaging in good relations with Muslims. Sometimes, you do not have to look far. Check your own backyards where you may possibly find crimes against Allah and his Messenger. All of us are victims of corrupt politicians and people with selfish interests.

6. Hate should not be generalized. Not all non-Muslims are fighting Muslims. Not all non-Muslims are invading Muslim lands. Not all non-Muslims are disrespecting Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. In reality, most of them respect and maintain good relations with Muslims. Be aware - Jihad is not meant to engage anyone.

‘Beware, if anyone wrongs a mu`ahid [i.e. a non-Muslim enjoying the protection of Muslims], or diminishes his right, or forces him to work beyond his capacity, or takes from him anything without his consent, I shall be his adversary on the Day of Judgment” (Abu Dawud).

Narrated by `Abdullah ibn `Amr: The Prophet said, “Whoever killed a mu`ahid  shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise though its fragrance can be smelt at a distance of forty years (of traveling).” (Al-Bukhari).

All of these perverted narratives have been disseminated and read across the globe. We are certain that there are those who are already influenced by these narratives because you have captured and exploited their emotions with valid, real-life challenges and experiences. However, we do not blame you because we know that you have been lost and misguided.

It is at this point that we remind you why we love you and why we fight you. We love you because you are our brothers and you share our experiences, both the good and the bad. We love you because we believe that the storms in your hearts will be calm and peaceful one day as you open your eyes to the destructive effects of violence in our world. We love you because we know that you did not want to kill others but were forced to do so. And as long as there is goodness in humanity, we continue to love you and wait for you to return and fulfill your promise to Allah - to worship and to love him and follow his commands towards peace.

And the only way for you to return is to fight you. We fight you and your narratives because this is taking a toll on you and to innocent people. We fight you because only the truth can set you free and you have been imprisoned by this false sense of heroism. We fight you because if you continue what you are doing, we may never achieve lasting peace. We fight you because we want you to surrender and accept the fact that you are wrong, in all sense, in all your narratives. And we will continue to fight you, no matter how hard and how long it takes.

by Norhani Hassan