PageTunisie.com - A Criminal or a Martyr?

A Criminal or a Martyr?

Thursday, 14 July 2005

Having grown up as a Muslim and having read the Holy Koran cover to cover as well as many other esteemed publications, I do not recall coming across even a suggestion that intentionally taking one's life is authorized in Islam... under no circumstances and under no pretense. So, how come there are Muslims who describe as martyrs those who strap a belt of explosives around their waists and detonate them in a crowd? Where did they make this leap and perverted the religion of a billion people? In fact, since the time of Prophet Mohamed, for over 1400 years, did Muslims ever adopt suicide attacks as a tactic of war?

Taking one’s life is a crime against one’s self and then against all the victims. It is a crime punishable by eternal hellfire. No matter what the motivation, no matter what the circumstances and no matter the size of injustice one can feel in this world, taking one’s life is the beginning of one’s eternal hell!

The Western media call these fanatics suicide bombers while most media in the Muslim world call them martyrs! Then, Muslims are surprised by all the negative stereotyping of Islam and Muslims. Let’s first call things by their names: someone who intentionally kills himself did commit suicide NOT martyrdom.

I read many articles written by Muslims whining about the Patriot Act or how Islam is being depicted in the West. They forget that their actions, or lack thereof, may have contributed to that treatment. They also forget that state and independent media in Muslim countries, if there is such a thing, present perverted concepts of Islam thereby adding to the confusion of their populations.

Some say the right of self-defense is sacred, or that those methods are the only available alternative, or that there must be a distinction between terrorism and the right to self defense. Well, there are many differences between terrorism and self defense but the most important difference, I would say, is in the methods. Two wrongs never make a right. It is time for Muslims to stop fanatics and conspirators from speaking in their name and twisting their faith. It is not too late but it is obvious the start has to be to make a stop to these perversions.

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