Page 110 - Age of Peace Goodword.indd

Suicide Bombing

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n the present day, suicide bombing is a unique and terrible
Imanifestation of violence. The deadliest instance of such
violence took place in New York, commonly referred to as
9/11, when the famous Twin Towers of the World Trade Centre
(WTC) were destroyed by a group of Muslim militants. They
hijacked four passenger airplanes, two of which were flown
into the towers of the WTC. The attack resulted in the death of
about 3,000 people and brought down the 110-storey buildings,
besides causing severe damage to surrounding buildings and
structures.
It is apparent that Muslims top the list of those using such
deadly methods of suicide bombing. Yet, suicide is completely
forbidden in Islam. According to a tradition recorded in Sahih
al-Bukhari, a Muslim having been badly injured in a battle,
could not bear the consequent pain, so he killed himself with
his own sword. This was the first case of suicide in Islam. The
Prophet said of this person to his companions that he would
be among the people of Hell.
1
According to Islamic texts, suicide is clearly an unlawful
act. This being so, how has it come about that Muslims have
established large organizations which train young people to
carry out such suicide attacks? A great amount of funding is
required for such activities. And, it is Muslims who are funding
them. Thus, in this organized activity the whole Muslim
community is, directly or indirectly, involved. A saying of the
Lebanese-American writer Khalil Gibran (1883 – 1931) applies
in this case:
‘A leaf does not fall without the silent consent of the tree.’ 2

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