In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Defaming The Term “Islamic” By Associating It With Militancy and Radicalism

Allaah [The Most High] said:

يُرِيدُونَ أَنْ يُطْفِئُوا نُورَ اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ

They want to extinguish Allaah’s Light with their mouths [i.e. the Qur’an, the pure Islamic monotheism, and the guidance Allaah sent Muhammad with] but Allah will not allow it except that His Light should be perfected even though the disbelievers hate (it). [Soorah At-Tawbah: Ayah: 32]

Imaam Ibn Katheer [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: They wish to destroy the guidance and religion of truth that Allah gave His Messenger through their arguments and fabrications, so their example in this is that of someone who attempts to put out the light of the sun or the moon by blowing at them, but this (person) can never succeed in doing so. (1)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: When the evidence for the truth emerges and the person attempting to refute it is unable to do so, he refrains from mentioning the evidence and turns into a silent devil, or distorts it at other times. There are two types of distorting words and meanings. The first involves the usage of a word in a way that is inconsistent with the truth. To do this, the word may be expanded upon, have something subtracted from it, or be altogether replaced. The result is that the listener is led to believe one thing when the speaker actually means to convey another. The second involves altering the phrasing by giving it a meaning that was not meant by the speaker while acting as though they were unaware of it, or by omitting other interpretations that were intended. Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَإِن تَلْوُۥٓا۟ أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا۟ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا

And if you distort your witness or refuse to give it, verily, Allah is Ever Well-Acquainted with what you do. [Surah An-Nisa. Ayah 135] (2)

Allaah [The Most High] said:

وَلَا تَلْبِسُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ بِٱلْبَٰطِلِ وَتَكْتُمُوا۟ ٱلْحَقَّ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

And mix not truth with falsehood, nor conceal the truth while you know (the truth). [Surah Al-Baqarah. Ayah 42]

Imam Ibnul Qayyim said [may Allah have mercy upon him] said: Allah forbids us from fusing truth with untruth because doing so would cause the truth to be hidden. The two are combined until one of them is mistaken for the other, which is when truth and falsehood are mixed. This is tantamount to fraud and dishonesty since what is made evident is the complete opposite of what is true. Similarly, when falsehood and truth are mixed together, the offender presents falsehood as though it were true and uses language that has both a true and false meaning, giving the listener the impression that the speaker is trying to convey the true meaning when, in fact, he is trying to convey the corrupt meaning. (3)

Journalist Jason Burke used the terms “Islamic Militant,” “Radical Islamist Groups,” and “Islamic Militant Factions” in a piece he wrote about the Khaarijites of Mali. It is crucial that these authors either acquire the expertise to cease guessing or at the very least refrain from displaying their reprehensible ignorance of this subject. First of all, why did this person refer to Islam with the terms “Militant” and “Radical,” especially when discussing the Khaarijites’ situation? He is either unaware of what Islam is or purposefully trying to misrepresent it in a desperate or haphazard manner.

The meaning of “militancy” and “radical”

Radical is defined as “Believing or expressing the belief that there should be great or extreme social or political change,” while Militancy is defined as “The use of confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause.” Let’s take a quick look at what Islam says about using violence to advance a political or social purpose because Jason was discussing the affair of a mad Khaarijite. It is generally known that the Mali Khaarijite lunatics overthrew Muslim governments, which is strictly prohibited in Islaam. Imaam al-Barbahaaree (d. 329H) said, “Whoever rebels against a Muslim ruler is one of the Khawaarij, has caused dissent within the Muslims, has contradicted the narrations, and has died the death of the days of ignorance”. [Sharhus-Sunnah. page 42. Translation by Salafipublications]

The Khawaarij are a group that first appeared in the time of  Alee. They split from his army and began the grave innovation of takfeer [declaring Muslims, rulers, or the ruled, in their view guilty of major sins, to be unbelievers]. The Prophet warned against them in many authentic narrations, “They are the dogs of Hellfire”. He also informed us that they would continue to appear until the end of this world, saying, “A group will appear reciting the Qur’an, it will not pass beyond their throats, every time a group appears it will be cut off until the Dajjaal appears within them”.

Imaam Al-Barbahaaree (d.329H) also said, “It is not permissible to fight the ruler or rebel against him even if he oppresses. This is due to the saying of the Messenger of Allaah to Aboo Dharr al-Ghifaaree, “Have patience even if he is an Abyssinian slave”, and his saying to the Ansaar, “Have patience until you meet me at the Pool”. There is no fighting against the ruler in the Sunnah. It causes destruction of the Religion and worldly affairs. [Sharh-us-Sunnah. page. 43. Translation by Salafipublications]

Abu Bakr al-Aajurree (d.360H) said in ash-Sharee’ah (p. 28): “It is not fitting for the one who sees the uprising of a khaarijee who has revolted against the Imaam [leader], whether he is just or oppressive – so this person has revolted and gathered a group behind him, has pulled out his sword and has made lawful the killing of Muslims – it is not fitting for the one who sees this, that he becomes deceived by this person’s recitation of the Qur’aan, the length of his standing in the prayer, nor his constant fasting or his good and excellent words in knowledge when (it is clear to him that) this person’s way and methodology (madhhab) is that of the Khawaarij”.

It is authentically reported from the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]wasallam) in the hadeeth of ‘Iyaad ibn Ghunum who said, “The Messenger of Allaah said, ‘Whoever desires to advise the one with authority then he should not do so openly, rather he should take him by the hand and take him into seclusion (and then advise him). And if he accepts (the advice) from him then (he has achieved his objective) and if not, then he has fulfilled that which was a duty upon him’”. [Reported by Ahmad (3/403) and Ibn Abee ‘Aasim (2/521) with a saheeh isnad]. [Translation by Salafipublications]

Also read: https://www.abukhadeejah.com/the-tyranny-of-the-rulers-a-reason-for-rebellion/

No sane person will therefore consider the actions of these individuals – the Kharijite lunatics of Mali – to be Islamic in any way after providing Jason Burke with the aforementioned authentic Prophetic texts and the statements of the upright scholars of Islam. Instead, whoever purposefully associates their militancy with the word Islam is nothing more than a slanderer or an ignoramus in this particular subject. Since silence “beautifies a scholar and conceals the ignorance of an ignorant person,” as some Muslim scholars put it, such a person either chooses to remain silent or continuously gives in to arrogance and say things that would expose their falsehood. Many of these authors adhere to the diabolical teachings of King Louis IX, who was captured in 1250 while on a crusade against Egypt’s Muslims, imprisoned, and ultimately freed after paying a hefty ransom. Shaytaan inspired him with the following schemes since he used his time while he was imprisoned to plan ways to undermine Islam and the Muslims: First of all, a war fought over ideas and cultures should take the place of the physical conflict between Muslims and Christians in the West. Second, prepare the West to pervert Islam’s reputation around the world and damage Muslims’ religious beliefs. (4)

Second, there is no question that the definition of the word “Radical” is ambiguous because not everyone who “Believes or expresses the belief that there should be Great social or political change” is to be accused of extremism. Indeed, the Prophets and Messengers of Allah [peace and blessings of Allah be upon them], including Nooh, Ibraaheem, Musa, Eesa, and Muhammad, brought about significant change despite the defamation, mockery, and plotting against them by their foes. Even though no sane person agreed with their nonsensical statements, those hostile opponents viewed the significant changes that these noble Messengers sought to implement based on the commands and prohibitions of their Lord as being unpraiseworthy. Since there must be a distinction between an individual’s actions and what Islam stands for, it would have been appropriate to distinguish between ignorant actions and what the authentic texts command and prohibit. As a result, the term “radical” cannot be applied to the term “Islaam.” The perfect change was brought about by the Prophets and Messengers, free from the deeds of the Mali-based Kharijite lunatics and people like them. http://www.kharijites.com/kj/index.cfm

Music: Jason Burke needs to realize that music is prohibited in Islaam, regardless of whether the khaarijite lunatics of Mali despise it or not. This is true even though they had no legal authority under Islaam to overthrow the Muslim ruler, seize control of those regions, and enact laws. Abu Amir or Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari [may Allah be pleased with him] reported that he heard the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] saying, “From among my followers there will be some people who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the wearing of silk (i.e. for men), the drinking of alcoholic drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful. And there will be some people who will stay near the side of a mountain and in the evening their shepherd will come to them with their sheep and ask them for something, but they will say to him, ‘Return to us tomorrow.’ Allah will destroy them during the night and will let the mountain fall on them, and He will transform the rest of them into monkeys and pigs and they will remain so till the Day of Resurrection”. [Sahih al-Bukhari 5590]

Forcing Women to Wear The Burqa: Jason should be reminded once more that neither the Mali Kharijite lunatics nor any other Muslim organisation has the authority to overthrow a Muslim government, seize control of territory, or enact Islam. If you’re interested in learning more about the proper attire for Muslim women, read this instead:

Understanding the Muslim Dress Code: Modesty for Men and the Hijāb for Women (Islam 4.5 and 4.6)

Preventing girls from attending school: If what Jason said about the Khaarijite lunatics is correct, then truly it is nothing but complete folly; they cannot cite a single verse from the Qur’an or an authentic Sunnah that forbids girls from attending school. Read here:

The Middle Path That Is Free From Extremism, Negligence and Sinful Suggestions With Regards to Women’s Education

Demolishing Saints Graves: Indeed, neither the Mali Kharijite lunatics nor any other group of Muslims has any legal authority under Islam to overthrow a Muslim government. Nevertheless, the Shariah forbids building graves and tombs and invoking the dead in them, regardless of whether a Muslim ruler has the power to stop these evil practices. Jaabir [may Allaah be pleased with him] said, “The Messenger of Allaah [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] forbade plastering over graves, sitting on them, and erecting structures over them”. [Reported by Muslim 970].

Shaikh Saaleh Aala Shaikh [may Allaah preserve him] said: Touching graves and tombs to ask for blessings, and hoping to gain benefits from it – both in this life and the next – resembles how the idolaters of the pre-Islamic era treated their (false deities). Whoever expects (reward, benefits, help, etc.] from performing (these acts of worship at the graves) has elevated something that Allah has not commanded to be elevated. Abee Waaqid Al-Laythee [may Allah be pleased with him] said: “We went out with Allah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] to the [military] campaign to Hunayn, while we were new converts from disbelief to [Islam]. The idol worshippers had a lote tree in [whose vicinity] they used to stay and hang their weapons, and it [i.e. this lote tree] was called Dhaat Anwaat. So when we went past a tree, we said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Set up a Dhat Anwat for us just as they have a Dhaat Anwaat’. So, Allah’s Messenger said, ‘Allaah is the Greatest! This is a path that has proceeded [from the people of the past]. By Allaah in whose Hand my soul is! You have stated just as the children of Israel stated to Moosaa [alayhis-salaam], ‘O Moosaa! Make for us an ilaahan (a god) as they have aalihah (gods)’. He (Moosaa) said: ‘Verily, you are a people who know not (the Majesty and Greatness of Allah and what is obligatory upon you, i.e. to worship none but Allah Alone, the One and the Only God of all that exists)’”. [Reported by Ahmad and Tirmidhee and it is a sound hadeeth.]

Those (new Muslims) wanted to engage in that act of worship in that specific location and (also) sought blessings; therefore, Allah’s Messenger described what they desired as worship of a god other than Allah. The (act they intended) is a means for committing Shirk, but after Allah’s Messenger made clear the situation to them, they turned to repentance and submission. Seeking blessings from graves, circumambulation around them, and stroking them are greater (acts of shirk and sin) than what those (new Muslims) intended. (5)

[Ref 1: End of quote: See Al-Misbaah Al-Muneer Fee Tahdeeb Tafseer Ibn Katheer]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim. Vol 1, page 124]

[Ref 3: Badaa’i At-Tafseer Al-Jaami Limaa Fassarahu Al-Imaam Ibnul Qayyim’ Vol 1, page 124]

[Ref 4:  خطة لويس التاسع  – page 6]

[Ref 5: An Excerpt from ‘Al-Min’dhaar Fee Bayaani Katheer Minal Akhtaa Ash-Shaa’i’ah page: 11]