TOWARDS GLOBAL PEACE

American writer Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) applies in this case: ‘A leaf does not fall without the silent consent of the tree.’ The root cause is that the Muslim community thinks of the world as being divided between Muslims and kafirs (non-believers); that, besides Muslims, everyone else is kafir; that the countries ruled by Muslims are dar as-salam (Land of Islam) while countries ruled by people other than Muslims are dar al-kufr (Land of Disbelief). This mindset makes Muslims think that any heinous act may be perpetrated with impunity against supposed disbelievers. It is because of this negative mentality of the present day Muslims that the ulama, or Muslim scholars, have become emboldened to publicly declare suicide bombing as lawful—an act which has always been unlawful in the absolute sense. Moreover, there are certain Muslim scholars who have gone to the extent of openly issuing fatwas, or verdicts, claiming that suicide is lawful. They have coined a new term—istishhad (to seek martyrdom)— justifying suicide bombing. Such fatwas are undoubtedly wrong. And it is strange that the entire community of religious scholars has not openly condemned this patently wrong fatwa. The method of suicide bombing—known as hara-kiri—was first adopted in a big way by Japan. Traditionally practiced in that country, it was a ritual form of suicide carried out by slashing one’s abdomen. Japan adopted hara-kiri during the Second World War which turned out to be ineffective, and was subsequently abandoned. The practice of suicide bombing by Muslim militants has likewise become totally ineffective. By such attacks, they end several innocent lives, and eventually have nothing positive to show as results. Then why does this deadly suicide bombing still continue? Muslims have developed a baseless belief that a believer killed in a battle becomes a martyr, and therefore goes straight to heaven. This is a false belief. Islamic teachings clearly show that, Muslims who kill themselves in suicide bombing will die an unlawful death. No heaven is waiting to welcome them. According to Islamic texts, suicide is absolutely unlawful.