Terrorism: The Heart of Blindness?

By now, few of us would not have heard about the bombings in London. It's shocking, chilling and leaves you feeling angry at the inhumanity, of it all.

Some of us have friends and family in London and it's with great relief when we find out that they're okay. (Although I still have not heard from my cousin, Nik Farah - but I'm assuming that no news is good news). Our thoughts go out to all Malaysian students and citizens residing in London too.

And for those of us who have studied in London before, it's difficult to imagine that such a calculated attack was done in all parts of London. Even the IRA bombings, were usually one place at a time. The latest news give begrudging credit to how well-planned the attack was (it's sad when this is one of the few things that the Muslim world is given credit for) and apparently, an Al-Qaeda cell has taken credit for the bombing.

Gandhi used to say: "An eye for an eye, only makes the whole world go blind". It's so apt, when it comes to terrorism. The message is lost, in between the number of civilian casualties.

War is cruel. There used to be a time when civilians, especially women and children, were not regarded as part of the war. Nowadays, that respect is not accorded anymore. Everyone is fair game. Because what's important to them, is the message. The price of their message, exceeds the price of human life.

Women and children are incidentally killed, raped and abused in the course of war - all part of "collateral damage". And sometimes, it's done by the soldiers of the side that claims to fight for democracy and justice. And the weaker and defeated side retaliates in the name of God, religion and defending their land - by taking innocent lives in the countries that have attacked them - or sometimes, just the citizens of those countries, in neutral countries like Indonesia.

The rationale of these terrorists is simple. They're trying to illustrate that there is no more value, accorded to human life. The way those in their home countries have been treated - they shall bring the same horror to the citizens of those governed by their attackers. As if the citizens, are just as accountable for the actions of their political leaders.

The intended effect is that we should ponder these issues and try to go to the roots of the issue. They're trying to make us see that the leaders of some of the developed countries should be stopped from imposing their will and sanction, upon others - on the basis of democracy, unfounded suspicion or sometimes, a collaboration with their antagonists (like in the case of Israel).

And at the very least, if the citizens refuse to speak out, then they shall have to live in fear - of terrorism committed against innocent civilians. At possibly anytime, anywhere. The terrorists are saying - the price of apathy over the fate of others in this world, who your Governments victimize - may be your life.


But the truth is this: there can be no moral message that can be sent through the taking of innocent lives. There can no moral basis under religion - under any religion. It is not the way of God and it is not a jihad. It corrupts the meaning of jihad, actually - of which the greatest of personal jihads is self-restraint against the doing of evil.

There is no prophet that has encouraged the taking of innocent lives - not even to defend oneself or one's religion. As Muslims, we are bound to believe that ultimate justice will come to all - if not in this world, then definitely the next. No one escapes the hisab and the siratul mustaqim. We shall all be accountable for the evil we commit, in this world. And we shall be punished for it, from the Almighty.

That has been promised to us. Victory has been divinely guaranteed for those who remain on the true path.

And if we believe in that promise - it is not for us to punish and decide on their day of reckoning. It is not for us to retaliate on the innocent lives in any country, just to teach them a lesson. It is wrong for us, to play God.


To the terrorists who have bombed London and other places in the world and sacrificing innocent lives - ordinary men, women and children - there is no virtue in your fight and your methods. Whatever your cause, whatever your message - everything will be lost when you commit the crimes of your victimizers - to punish the innocent and cause them death, grief and suffering.

All you have become are cruel murderers, not heroes. Heroes lead their people to a higher path, the moral path - not the road of quiet desperation manifested by evil acts. All you're seen as, right now, are people without humanity.

If you must retaliate at all, retaliate with words, pictures and imagery. Retaliate in way that will raise the compassion of others, not destroy it. Retaliate with dialogue, via media, via publicity - appeal to their reason and humanity. Retaliate via democratic practices, no matter how unfair it may seem, sometimes. Expose the injustices and the hypocrisy of all those who have victimized you, your people and your nation. Retaliate with knowledge and progress, via economic development.

For what moral lessons can be learnt from 2 sides that have become equally evil, in their disregard of human life? How can you teach humanity in the world, when you don't know what it means? In order to teach others to value life - you must first do no harm.

Terrorism does not solve anything - it only creates more hatred, anger and prejudice, which leads to retaliations and counter-retaliations by both parties, which in turn, leads to an increased loss of innocent lives. And yet no lesson shall be learnt. We are just creating more animals, in the form of human beings.

Gandhi was right. The world has gone blind. It has gone blind in the heart - in the name of God, religion, principles and leadership. And the people whom we have betrayed, are the people we lead - for both this world and the next.

I pray that the leaders on both sides will come to their senses and realize that the basis of any religion or principle, is first and foremost, the sanctity of human life. And that must be respected, above all else. There should be no price for that. No price.

My thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of London, especially for those who have lost their loved ones in the massacre. Al-fatihah.