When Fighting Is Permitted, and When Terror Is Never Justified

Any discussion of jihad must inevitably include armed struggle. The questions that need to be answered in this regard are:

  • Why Islamic tradition permits fighting at all?
  • Whether a religious tag can ever justify terror?
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  • What terrorism actually is?

Let’s look at these Qs.

Why Armed Jihad Is Permitted

Islam do not treat fighting as the primary intent. Three reasons which permit fighting, as per Qur’an but with limits, are as below.

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  • Self Defense: Qur'an allows fighting only against those who wage war against you, and in the same breath forbids going beyond the limits. The permission and the restraint arrive together. (Qur’an 2:190)
  • Rescue of the oppressed: Qur'an speaks of men, women and children who cry out for deliverance from a land of oppressors. Here, fighting is framed as a response to people who are asking for help.
  • (Qur’an 4:75)
  • Retention of Freedom of Choice: Qur'an speaks of ending fitnah, meaning persecution, coercion and oppression. The aim is a world where people can choose their faith freely, without compulsion. Its purpose is not to force belief on anyone.
  • (Qur’an 2:193)
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Summary is that permission to fight comes with limits.

Can a Religious Cause Justify Terror?

If an attacker targets a crowded place claiming, "I am serving a religious cause", the people in that market are still civilians. Their lives do not become less valuable because of the attacker's claim.

The Conclusion: Deliberately attacking civilians cannot be justified by a religious label. The label describes what the attacker says about himself. It does not change what he has done unjustifiably to the people.