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They have names like ISIL, Al Qaeda, Taliban, etc. But we are told they belong to one group: “Radical or Extreme Islam.” They insist on calling themselves “Islamic,” and many observers concur, but this label is entirely wrong, because killing and hurting innocent people is the total opposite of the true religion of Islam. What is today dubbed “Radical Islam” is in actuality, “Anti-Islam”. These criminals are breaking, disobeying, and doing the opposite of every major moral requirement of the Quran, and therefore, not Islamic whatsoever!
Why are they “anti-Islamic”? Because “Islam” is just an Arabic short-hand for Submission to the will of the Creator. That includes peacefully accepting everyone and everything in the world. Aggression and killing people in the name of religion is unquestionably against the teachings of Submission (Islam).
These groups have entirely invented their own religion. The proof is that they go against God’s own words—the holy Quran. The Quran is an unchanged, consistent sacred manual to religious life for all Submitters (Muslims). It is the same as it was 1400 years ago when revealed to the prophet Mohammad. If one disobeys the Quran, chooses another source besides it, then one’s actions are not “Islamic” (6:19, 6:113-115, 18:27, 42:21, 17:45-46), and are not authorized by God. They represent only that person, not God’s religion, nor our Almighty, Most Gracious, Most Merciful God.
The Quran speaks clearly for itself. Here are 3 Big Reasons “Radical Islam” is in fact “anti-Islam”.
(1) The Quran says, Thou Shalt Not Kill Thyself. Suicide Bombers are inherently un-Islamic. Suicide is hugely taboo in Islam. The Quran is totally clear
[4:29-31] ... You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you. Anyone who commits these transgressions, maliciously and deliberately, we will condemn him to Hell. This is easy for GOD to do. If you refrain from committing the gross sins that are prohibited for you, we will remit your sins, and admit you an honorable admittance.
(2) The Quran says, Thou Shalt Not Kill Innocents & You Shall Fight in Self-Defense Only.
[17:33] You shall not kill any person―for GOD has made life sacred…
[5:87] O you who believe, do not prohibit good things that are made lawful by GOD, and do not aggress; GOD dislikes the aggressors.
Rules of War*
[2:190-191] You may fight in the cause of GOD against those who attack you, but do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors. You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. Do not fight them at the Sacred Mosque (Masjid), unless they attack you therein. If they attack you, you may kill them. This is the just retribution for those disbelievers. If they refrain, then GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.
*2:190 All fighting is regulated by the basic rule in 60:8-9. Fighting is allowed strictly in self-defense, while aggression and oppression are strongly condemned throughout the Quran.
These verses make murder or unprovoked attacks or aggression strictly forbidden. They only permit Submitters (Muslims) to defend themselves if under siege.
(3) The Quran says, on Unbelievers—Live and Let Live. There is no need to provoke a war, instead God says be equitable towards the peaceful who have no desire to fight you (60:8-9).
A dedicated chapter of the Quran tells Submitters (Muslims) to leave disbelievers alone; let each worship what they choose. There is no compulsion in religion. It’s Chapter 109.
[109:0-6] In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Say, “O you disbelievers. I do not worship what you worship. Nor do you worship what I worship. Nor will I ever worship what you worship. Nor will you ever worship what I worship. To you is your religion, and to me is my religion.”
[60:8] GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.
What really is “extreme Islam” if you go by what God says in Quran? Truth be told, a bunch of smiling, happy people, whose lives revolve around peaceful worship of God, prayer, charity, fasting, praise songs, and most of all— practicing Submission. To reiterate, that includes accepting everyone and everything in the world peacefully and equitably (60:8-9). That’s Submission. That’s Islam.
Submitters to God (Muslims) are required to be inherently peaceful because we believe God is in charge (3:109, 6:102, 57:22-23) and thus who are we mere mortals to take away the freedom that God gave to all on Earth (2:256)? Our goal is to be happy, steadfast, truthful, submitting, charitable, and meditate at dawn. We want to advocate righteousness and forbid evil, that includes enjoining people against terrorism and violence. “Extreme Islam” would really be extreme peace through submission to God, to the point of not even opening one’s mouth to complain or object to anything! And there are some in my congregation who totally have this down, accepting everything in life with a happy attitude and appreciation of God. We can stand up for our rights and fight in self-defense, but never aggress or oppress or take innocent lives.