Approaching the West — Page 75
A pproaching the West—75 are killed by enemy weapons, the religious law of retaliation is brought to the forefront! The enemy, by their aggressive action, thus provides the radical religious leaders and militants “justification” to kill noncombatant civilians, including children, women and elderly, among the hostile people. If Jih ā d cannot be conducted in a conventional manner, and most often it is not, then some specific targets are selected and suicidal bombers are sent to eliminate the enemy by blowing themselves up. Taking one’s own life is considered Ḥ ar ā m (forbidden) in Isl ā m, therefore, it is an unforgivable sin; but it has been twisted and is being taught as a means of instantly gaining the highest spiritual status of a martyr—a 'Shah ī d'. Fortunately, there are many Isl ā mic scholars, political leaders and legislators who are now willing to condemn violence and terrorism done in the name of Isl ā m. The good news is that this trend is gaining momentum. But many may not be aware of the fact that there is one vibrant international movement in Isl ā m that has been preaching and practicing non-violence and peaceful use of Jih ā d over 100 years. The A ḥ mad ī Muslims do not condone acts of violence and do not acknowledge terrorism as Isl ā mic Jih ā d. The founder of the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community, Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirz ā Ghul ā m A ḥ mad, made it very clear, more than hundred years ago, that mutual differences should not be settled through the use of force, and that Jih ā d as a military struggle—as a Holy War—was not needed in this day and age to protect the religion of Isl ā m!