Brussels carnage: this madness must be stopped

The shocking and painful sight of the recent incidents at Brussels airport and Metro, so soon after the Paris bombing, are a forceful reminder that international jihadists need to be brought under control. What kind of khilafah politics is this? Who is it that decides to carry out such appalling acts in the name of the Muslim nation? This is the politics of ruthlessness and delivers only the indiscriminate destruction of amenities and public services and the mindless murder of innocent people. It is made even more outrageous when the people who commit these acts claim to be Muslims and even worse, seek to falsely justify their crimes by claiming them as 'being in the interest of Islam'. 

Particularly disturbing is the fact that international Jihadists are able to recruit young people so readily from within so many Muslim communities and to persuade them into carrying out these destructive bombings. They have recruited and used them in the same manner in London, in Paris and now in Brussels. They do the same in India, in Saudi Arabia and elsewhere in the world. These Jihadist strategists, purposely and mindlessly, are destroying the fabric of Muslim communities all over the world. Even al-qaedah's reputation has been eclipsed in terms of perceived destructive ability.

Faced with these facts, how can any Muslim now be trusted by their neighbours? Because of the spotlight, now being focussed on these particular young Muslims, many people have developed and many others are developing a false image of Islam.

When such carnage is carried out by those claiming to be Muslims we always condemn the perpetrators.  We also routinely react by saying 'Islam has nothing to do with it'. While acknowledging that it is certainly true that Islam bears no responsibility for the mindlessly destructive actions of those falsely claiming to be its followers, we must also bear in mind the words contained in a hadith of the prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon them, which says: ‘A Muslim is one from whose hands and tongues other Muslims are in safety’.

These young Muslims may be all too ready to discard the honour and dignity of others because their opinions differ from theirs, but Islam is a religion that reminds us of our individual accountability for our actions. No one is spared by God if they violate the rights of another. In his last sermon, the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, said: ‘indeed your blood, your wealth, your honour is as sacred as that Day (the Day of Hajj), and that month, (the month of Hajj), and that city, (the city of Makkah).’’

But the politics of Khilafah do not walk this true path. They follow only the path of their twisted political ambitions, and actively seek to counteract and destroy any role that Islamic institutions and religious centres may play in the guidance of Muslim youth.

Now is the time for all major Islamic institutions to show their power and credibility to act by giving proper guidance to Muslims. They must all come together to find and introduce a solution to these continuing, politically inspired, acts of carnage, that are so badly affecting the Muslim community and its youth in particular.

Muslim communities are an integral part of the wider community, wherever they reside. They should play a positive role in the building of the country in which they live, contributing to its stability and economic progress. As members of the Muslim Ummah we should continue to embrace true Islam, so that we may progress and contribute towards the welfare of humanity. Sadly, today, our politics are filled only with violence and destruction, as demonstrated by many slogans. Why don’t we have any positive goals and uplifting slogans to raise the morale and prospects of our Muslim youth?

Islam is full of positive teachings and guidance as to what Muslims can do to achieve a better nation. Allah, SWT, says in the Quran: ‘You are the best nation brought forth for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah’. S3 V110

The Quran also remind us about the justice and fairness that we all should demonstrate in all our actions by saying: ‘Believers! Be upholders of justice and bearers of witness to Truth for the Sake of Allah, even though it may be against yourselves, or against your parents and kinsmen, or the rich or the poor, for Allah is more concerned with their well-being than you are. Do not then follow your own desires lest you keep away from justice. If you twist or turn away from (the Truth), know that Allah is well aware of all that you do’. S4 V135

It is the duty of all Muslims to ensure that the teachings of their religion are not violated by their children or loved ones. Islam contains beautiful lessons and is a perfect guidance from Allah, who ‘does not love those who spread mischief and corruption in the earth’. He does not want us to be among those that are corrupted or have corrupting nature. The Quran places considerable emphasise on this fact.

All Muslim nations need to rapidly enter a mode of awareness and action. If people of positive thinking do not come forward from among the religious intelligentsia and from among those who have taken up the role of leadership in any field, education, politics, social and economic etc, we will all be affected, adversely, by these continuing events. These same people must coordinate with each other and act together for the common cause and to serve the interest of the Muslim Ummah as a whole.

The Quran says: ‘And guard against the mischief that will not bring punishment only to those who are wrongdoers among you. Know well that Allah is severe in punishment’. S8 V25

Muslims have, for many years, played the role of underdogs in modern politics. We now need to build strength if we want to achieve a more positive position. We must become strong serving nations, able and willing, to contribute towards the welfare of others and not bringing pain and destruction.

Our thoughts are with those affected by these abhorrent bombings and hope that people of all faiths, or no faith, will work together to heal their wounds and help create a more harmonious society