In this concluding part of the series on Jihad in Islam, the focus shifts to addressing the common objections raised by critics who claim that certain hadith (prophetic teachings) justify indiscriminate violence. When these narrations are examined in their full context, they reveal a consistent pattern of proportionate justice applied only against those who committed the most heinous crimes — not the random violence that Islam’s enemies would have the world believe.
Hadith in Context: The Case of the Treacherous Killers
Critics frequently cite narrations where the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ordered his companions to pursue and punish certain individuals. What they deliberately leave out is that these individuals had pretended to be Muslims, accepted the benefits and protection of the Muslim community, and then went out and slaughtered innocent Muslim teachers and memorizers of the Quran for sport. These were not peaceful people who were punished for their beliefs — they were psychotic murderers who betrayed the trust of an entire community.
“Islam does not teach us to build institutions to house psychotic people who can never be changed. It teaches us to give them rehabilitation — and if they continue to kill people, then you put them out of their misery. This is not against common sense.” — Yusuf Estes, explaining proportionate justice in Islamic law.
Islam vs. Oppression: A Divine Declaration
Allah declared before creating anything that He forbids oppression upon Himself and between all of His creation. This is not a minor principle — it is foundational to everything Islam teaches. Whether the oppressed are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, or of any faith, Islam demands that their rights be protected. Any Muslim who oppresses another person and that person raises their hands to Allah in supplication will see their prayer answered immediately.
“Say: The truth has come, and when truth comes it destroys the falsehood. Verily, the truth will always destroy falsehood.” — Quran, Surah Al-Isra (17:81), the divine guarantee that truth will always prevail over lies and distortion.
The Real Message of Islam
- Even the Bible, in the books of Deuteronomy and Leviticus, prescribes punishments that are harsher than what the Quran mandates — yet Islam alone is accused of being violent
- No real scholar of Islam has ever called for oppression — those who do are misrepresenting the faith for their own political or social agendas
- Muslims have the responsibility to know the truth, speak the truth, and stand against oppression wherever they see it — even against other Muslims
- The prayer of Islam and the prayer of the Bible are the same: “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” — this is the very meaning of the word Islam
The truth about Islam is available to every sincere person who is willing to look beyond the headlines. Learn from authentic sources, speak to knowledgeable Muslims, and judge this religion by its actual teachings — not by the actions of those who violate them. Allah’s promise stands: truth will always destroy falsehood, and those who seek it with open hearts will never be disappointed.
