Source: St. Louis Islam Examiner | December 12, 2009
By Basiyr Rodeny | St. Louis, MO
Five Muslim American men were recently arrested in Sarghoda Pakistan. The five men aged 19 to 25, from the suburbs of Washington D.C., made their way to Pakistan after family members reported them missing in November. According to FBI and Pakistani police reports, the young men travelled to Pakistan with the intention to join a militant group to fight in Afghanistan. It is further reported that the men had made contact with a mysterious militant in Pakistan. However upon their arrival they were unable to locate the contact. Pakistani police arrested them on Friday following a tip from one of the men's father who was visiting Sarghoda at the time when the men showed up at the family home.
Although we cannot hasten to judgement about this case, it is clear from the facts present, that militancy and the radicalisation of our youth is becoming all too common among in the Islamic community. Despite being a small voice in the community, some of our children have strayed away from the path of the Qur'an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.
Radicalism promotes non Qur'anic vices
If the allegations against these young men prove to be true, then the real tragedy would be their own low understanding of Islam. Consider the number of vices they would have perpetuated in order to carry out these actions thus far. Firstly, their intention to kill or maim others would garner no rewards. Secondly, their intent to kill their fellow countrymen - American troops, many of whom are themselves Muslim - is truly sinister. Thirdly, their engaging in secret pacts and covert communication is in direct opposition to the Qur'an which enjoins no secret compacts. Human dealings should be open and transparent. At this stage of the case the authorities have not pressed charges but in the moral court of Islam the five already stand convicted. The general Muslim leadership as well as families in America and elsewhere have a responsibility to act decisively against radicalisation of our Muslim youth. In this particular case, families were quick to notify local imams. They intern contacted the authorities and the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR). It was this series of communication and tips that ultimately led to the arrest of the five men in Pakistan.
Self-Purification
The first Muslim scholar of the 20th century to speak out vehemently against militancy in Islam was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (1835-1908). In his work The British Government and Jihad written in 1900, he issued an order to Muslims that "jihad with the sword has ended from this time forward, but the jihad of purifying your souls must continue." Ahmad like many scholars before him stands rejected by the general body of Muslims. Yet his community of more than 100 million continues to grow and flourish. One would not find such stories of radicalism amongst the Ahmadiyya Muslims. This revivalist community is growing in the body of Islam, their stated aim is to change minds and hearts towards the true teachings of peace and tolerance as enjoined by the Islamic faith. One finds however that many Muslims today have adopted Ahmad's position on Jihad at least in their public discourse.
Faith not violent
At this time in our history, we as a nation have a great deal of anxiety about the radicalisation of Muslim youth. We should be clear however, that no matter the outcome of this case, whether the court of law finds these men guilty or not, their actions should not be associated with the Islamic faith. Islam in no way enjoins believers to seek to spread disorder in society or become militant in their activities nor does it allow them to act violently against nations or individuals.
Read more: The myth of the radical Muslim
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