Enduring the Challenging Times of ISIS Era as a Muslim

It’s challenging times for Muslims indeed. It’s challenging when Islam is not referred to for the acts and practices of the majority of its adherents. But rather for the acts of a small proportion of its hijackers. In such challenging times, an ordinary Muslim may find himself needing to explain again and again what the real essence of Islam is. In some other situations, he may be confused, not knowing what to do, since we live the times of fitnah, where the grey area is larger than the black and white areas. This article is a quick guide on how to endure the challenges of such challenging times as a Muslim.

The Relationship of ISIS with Islam

By default, Islam condones not the killing of innocent lives, regardless of their faith of choice. To that effect, Muslims and non-Muslims had a peaceful time in the guided Islamic State, under the leadership of the Prophet ṣallā Allāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam. This extended through the leadership of Sayyidunā Abū Bakr, Sayyidunā ‘Umar, Sayyidunā ‘Uthmān, and Sayyidunā ‘Ali raḍiya Allāhu ‘anhum and the leadership of ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Azīz, raḥimahullāh.

Historically, Non-Muslims had the right to stay and live in the Islamic State, for as long as they wished, so long as they didn’t break laws and were willing to be part of the nation. That was the safety citizens cherished in the real Islamic State. Moreover, in times of war, Muslim warriors were prohibited from harming children, women, the elderly and unarmed persons in the lands of their enemies. Additionally, animals were not to be killed unless for consumption. Trees and houses of worship, i.e., churches and temples were not allowed to be touched.

These have been the practices in the subsequent Islamic States, practised by Muslim rulers so long as they remained true to Islam and its teachings.

There have been times, however, when some Muslim rulers and groups deviated from the teachings of Islam and then engaged in killing innocent lives. The victims of such injustice included Muslims and non-Muslims. This means, individuals and groups who engage in killing of innocent lives have, evidently, been from different religious background. Unfortunately, those who happen to be from among Muslims are classified as ‘terrorists', and the rest are labelled with less demeaning labels to justify their acts.

To the surprise of all, amidst the Arab uproar (Arab Spring) that erupted in 2011 in the Middle-East, a violent group emerged and it's shortly known as ISIS. Barack Obama calls it ISIL. The Arabs call it Daesh. According to media reports, ISIS' main goal is to establish an Islamic caliphate. With this objective, it has successfully lured a significant number of “excited” Muslim youths to join it or support its ideology.

We don’t know whether ISIS' claim is true and genuine, with regards to its objectives, since we don't know the factory where it was ‘brewed.' However, a real Islamic caliphate will certainly put an end to the control of imperialism on Muslims' lands and resources.

In the light of the above and based on authentic Islamic teachings, ISIS is a deviant group, even if it claims Islam. For that, ISIS is an enemy of the majority in the Muslim communities around the world.

The Common Enemy of Muslims and Non-Muslims

Having “declared” war against the West and its allies in the Middle-East and elsewhere, it's therefore not surprising, to see the world, led by the US, has declared war and has been launching attacks against ISIS and it's possible linked-groups.

With that, ISIS has emerged to be a common enemy for the East and the West, Muslims and non-Muslims alike. Ironically, since ISIS claims Islamic state (or caliphate), its recruit and ground support, naturally, have to come from Muslim communities around the world. Media reports indicate, that they've succeeded in gaining some support in the US, the UK, Europe, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Indonesia, and elsewhere. The sad part is its members are mostly ‘excited’ youth, who are usually lacking grounded understanding of Islamic knowledge. Therefore, their actions are driven by emotions more than by rational thinking. Lack of grounded Islamic knowledge or wrong interpretation of Islamic texts or scholars’ teachings may land one in the hands of the likes of ISIS, otherwise, a significant number of ISIS’ front liners are highly secularly educated.

To curb its influence and threats, governments are now on heightened security alert, hunting for ISIS supporters. This comes, intensively, in the wake of the Paris attacks, and very recently Jakarta bombings which was followed by a failed (foiled) suicide attempt in Kuala Lumpur and the arrest of 27 Bangladeshi (Muslim) workers in Singapore, who were reported as planning attacks back in their home country.

Implications on the Ordinary Muslim

As the brutality of ISIS widens, more Muslims are becoming aware of its danger, and have therefore denounced it and its practices. However, they (the majority of Muslims) have fallen to victims of suspicion of terrorism and for that matter, they are subject to experiencing all sorts of discriminating practices by government agencies and others on ground of tightening security to prevent terror threats.

Since the global media is focused in creating more fear among the masses, some “excited” individuals from the masses find it justifiable to wage attacks on ordinary Muslims in the streets, in the neighbourhoods or at workplaces.

Furthermore, in situations like this, majority of Muslims, who by far and large denounces ISIS and its likes, can’t help it, but to be provoked, whenever they are made to feel they've been suspected or doubted, and for that matter been subjected to humiliation or discrimination. All that as a result of the acts of the ‘supposed' common enemy of theirs and their dubious non-Muslim countrymen.

The truth is, it's difficult to change mindset, especially when people are made to feel their security is at stake. Since ISIS and its sympathizers are Muslims (that’s what they claim), it's common sense, therefore, that you and I, the ordinary Muslims will be subjected to thorough and additional checks at boarders, ports and checkpoints. We shall continue to be randomly picked up from any crowd, for further checks and, possibly, questioning.

Evident to this, is the closure of all schools in Augusta County, Virginia, US, over Islam homework, when a teacher assigned her class to draw the Arabic version of “Lā ilāha illā Allāh Muḥammad Rasūlullāh” written in a beautiful Arabic calligraphy. Also a 10-year-old child was interrogated by the UK Police for misspelling “terrorist house” instead of “terraced house” in a classroom exercise. Of course, he has been hearing and reading ‘terrorist’ very often that he can’t differentiate between it and ‘terraced’-house which he’s living in one. If Muslim women (and only Muslim women) face deportation, should they fail English test in the UK, why then should you be surprised if stopped or detained because of your Muslim name or because your facial features resemble “an ISIS member?”

How to Endure These Challenging Times?

Let's accept the fact that an unimaginable amount of fear has been successfully permeated among the masses. Therefore, we should expect to be stared at in public places. Such staring may not necessarily carry evil intentions, though. But it will certainly be uncomfortable ones. Remember that there’re “excited” individuals in every community and religion. Thus, don’t respond to vulgarities with vulgarities. Do call the police if you’re physically attacked. Also lodge a police report, if your scarf is pulled or you’ve spit on. Always remember that whatever you may encounter is almost nothing compared to tests encountered by various chosen Messengers of God. Some of them were at times beaten till they bleed.

These are challenging times indeed. Only God knows; maybe more challenging times lie ahead. Therefore, for as long as you are not doing anything wrong, and for as long as you're innocent, you have no reason to worry or wary. It's, however, crucial to strengthen our du‘ā, that one is not mistaken for the wrong person, or not purposely accused for what he never do or thought of.

It's challenging times indeed, and it may be more challenging in the future. Expect the rewards of enduring such challenges from your Lord. Simply put, if you want salvation when you meet Allah, this is the price you have to pay today. Harassment, hatred, abuse, discrimination and humiliation.

Yes. I'm sure you're innocent. You've done no wrong. But the masses out there, who have been horrified and filled with fear don't know that you're innocent and have done nothing wrong. They don’t know you have nothing to hide.

“Do people think that once they say, “We believe,” they will be left alone and not be put to the test? We certainly tried those who have gone before them, so Allah will certainly distinguish between those who are truthful and those who are lying” (Quran, 29:2-3).

Where to Run to?

Where to run to? I think ISIS and its likes carry out their brutalities against their enemies, so to mainly provoke the non-Muslim world. When the latter are provoked, the “excited” ones among them will retaliate by waging attacks against Muslims and their interests. When Muslims are put to uneasiness, due to being subjected to raids, interrogations and surveillance, in addition to street harassment and abuse, they’ll feel oppressed. When they feel oppressed, they’ll think of migration, and the only place they’ll probably think of will be ISIS’ state, for which they were oppressed in the first place. When this happens, ISIS has succeeded in achieving its objective from its brutalities

Where to run to? The youths of the cave ran to the cave. Where can you find such a cave today? Your heart. Create a virtual cave in your heart. Run to it, and Allah shall spread for you from His mercy and will guide you along. Let’s read Sūrah al-Kahf and ponder on its meaning. In order for the cave to sustain in the heart, it has to be emptied. By that I mean it has to be purified. A purified heart is ready to be truthful. A clean heart accepts the truth even when it’s against its initial desires or leanings.

In the end, believe in the authenticity of the Islam you embrace, Don’t resort to extremism and violence, Learn about your religion from real, sincere and genuine scholars. A real, sincere and genuine scholar in Islam has to be a Muslim. Be a Muslim!

Allah knows best.
Allahu Hafiz 🙂