Why Are Most Terrorists Muslim

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Question:

Why are most terrorists Muslims, and why do they shout Allahu Akbar during attacks? - A discussion on why many recent terrorists identify as Muslims, and whether terrorism is inherently linked to Islam. :::

Answer:

Just by shouting Allahu Akbar does not make a person muslim OR islamic. In fact the characteristics of the khwaariji terrorists was foretold by prophet saws more tha 1400 years ago and in the words of prophet saws:

From their (khwaarijis/terrorists) attributes is their outward portrayal of righteousness and piety while concealing corruptive beliefs inside. [The Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said:] One of you would belittle his own prayer when compared to their prayer and his fasting compared to their fasting. They will recite the Qur`an, but it will not go beyond their throats. They will pass through the religion as an arrow passes through a target.

Some other narrations of prophet saws with respect to khwaarijis/terrorists are mentioned below:

Many authentic hadeeth from the prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) condemning them have come in ten different forms of narration like what al-Khalal narrated from Imam Ahmad that he said: “The Khawaarij are wicked people, and I don’t know of any people on earth more evil than they.”

From the attributes of the Khawaarij are their ignorance of the Book and the Sunnah and their wicked interpretations of their meanings just as the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: They read the Qur`an, thinking it is in support of them while it is actually against them.

Another attribute of the Khawaarij is that they are as the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) described them: Young in age, having reckless and deficient intellects.

Imam Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim recorded a Ḥadith from Ibn Abi Awfa, and Ahmad and al-Hakim also recorded it from Abu Umamah that the Prophet (salallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: The Khawaarij are the dogs of Hell.

FYI, the khwarijis appeared during the time of 3rd caliph and They (Khawaarij) collectively [declared] that both ‘Uthman and later ‘Alee (the 3rd and 4th caliphs of Islam) were disbelievers as [they declared] other companions. [Aoodhoobillaah!]

So this is their height of ignorance - so no sane person can attribute these khwaarijis/terrorists with Islam based upon the proofs and references mentioned above.

There is a sher (poetry) by Allama Iqbal (poet in indian subcontinentt 60–70 years back) which seems apt :

Allah se kary dor to taleem bhi fitna, amlak bhi aulad bhi jageer bhi fitna na haq ke liye uthe to shamsheer bhi fitna shamsheer hi kia narae takbeer bhi fitna