Combating terrorism from the Islamic perspective: towards a sustainable security of human kind in the 21st century

• Main Author: Adam Sa'ad, Auwal
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English; English
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: JC49 Islam and Politics; KBP Islamic Law; KBP173.25 Islamic law and other disciplines or subjects
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/85378/1/85378_Combarting%20Terrorism.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85378/2/85378_Combarting%20Terrorism_program%20Book.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/85378/; https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gF3_rSJvB9t76x5Nq6f2MDAf_rQKgaRg/view

A sustainable security is one of the most important factors for human development, therefore combatting terrorism if among the building blocks for peaceful co-existence in the world. Shari’ah has come to sustain human security, actualize a sustainable harmony for the humanity at large and maintain the security of Muslims in particular. The Qur’an has made available sufficient injunctions and measures to protecting human dignity and security for sustainable development. Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him had also introduced many traditions that help every society prosper and stayed in harmony. Relatively, companions of the prophet Peace be upon him leaved in a very harmonious and tranquil Islamic society; where both leaders and the followers live together without any hesitations or fear. And any security challenges that happened will be dealt with immediately. The holy Qur’an as the primary source of Islamic law, is also the main guide for combating terrorism. The Qur’an highlighted that “whoever kills a soul unless for a soul, or for corruption done in the land, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely” (Qur’an, 5/32). The Qur’ah also brought few incidences in which it described some features of terrorism and violence to human-kind as an unacceptable and punishable act. The Qur’an gave the example of Al-as’hab-alukhdud, they were terrorized to the extent that they were put into a grave and burnt to death, the Almighty Allah Said: “Indeed those who have terrorized and tortured the believing men and women and then have not repented will have the punishment of Hell, and they will have the punishment of the Burning fire.” (Qur’an’ 85/10). The Act of terrorism in our time has a different dimension, it shows how unsustainable and dangerous is the future of the affected communities. Terrorism is an act driven from an error in believe, thinking or conduct, couple with having no intention of understanding the present or building the future. Terrorism has no religion or faith, it is a barbaric act that could be a result of a worldly related needs, such as wealth and other material desires or having no confidence in life at all or it may be a result of an unwelcome revenge. The aim of this paper is to identify the Islamic contributions towards preserving security of human kind, and deliberate on how Shariah handled and arrest the act of terror across the Islamic history.