How The Web Radicalizes And Liberates Muslims
~ Amir Ahmad Nasr
[Editor: It is unfortunate that not only radicalized Muslims but also educated Muslims pick up a verse from Qur'aan without giving any reference from where it was copied. The writer says, "One of those passages was read by my friend Nasser Weddady at an interfaith memorial in Boston after the bombings. It reads, in part: Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he killed mankind entirely. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind. One could ask, why didn’t Tamerlan Tsarnaev abide by an interpretation of Islam that places value on these verses rather than those related to war?"
But this gentleman, Mr.Amir Ahmad Nasr has done the same trick which many Muslims do to show how Islam denounces killing and equates the slaying of one human life to that of genocide against the entire mankind. But, even if you try very hard, you will not be able to find it in Qur'an, regardless of whether or not you're reading it in its original Arabic or in one of its many authentic English translations available today. The reason for this is quite apparent, the verse in question does not exist. In fact what is actually presented by Muslims is a distorted, out-of-context and wholly misleading paraphrasing of the following verse: "That is why We decreed for the children of Israel that whosoever kills a human being, except (as punishment) for murder or for spreading corruption in the land, it shall be like killing all humanity; and whosoever saves a life, saves the entire human race. Our apostles brought clear proofs to them; but even after that most of them committed excesses in the land.[Qur'aan: Al-Mâ'idah: 5:32: Ahmed Ali]. This verse has been made so popular by the Islamic apologists, that it appeared on (among others) The American Muslim, CNN, and Wisdom Today websites, and was quoted by the US Congressman Keith Ellison on the "Real Time With Bill Maher" TV show and even by the current President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, in his speech delivered at Cairo University in June 4, 2009.
Analysis of Verse, Qur'aan: 5:32: Firstly, this verse is written in past tense (Ordained, not Ordain) and clearly does not apply to Muslims but to "the Children of Israel" i.e. the Jews who, according to Islam, received an earlier set of scriptures. In fact, it's mistakenly referencing a rabbinical (Related to Jews) commentary found in the "Talmud" as if it were the words of God. Secondly, when the clause which allows killing is reinserted and we read it in context with the following two verses from Qur'aan, directed at Muslims (observe the reference to Allah's messenger and the switch to present tense), what first appeared on the surface to be a peaceful message, is in actual fact a chilling warning to non-believers:
(i) ""The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement". [Qur'aan: Al-Mâ'idah: 5:33: Shakir]
(ii) "Except for those who (having fled away and then) came back (as Muslims) with repentance before they fall into your power; in that case, know that Allâh is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Qur'aan: Al-Mâ'idah: 5:34: The Noble Qur'an]
Therefore, now we know that verse 5:32 (Qur'aan) is not condemning the killing of a non-Muslim, and that a Muslim must not murder another Muslim, but what of the non-believers? What is the worth of their lives? For more elaborate view on this verse please CLICK HERE]
But this gentleman, Mr.Amir Ahmad Nasr has done the same trick which many Muslims do to show how Islam denounces killing and equates the slaying of one human life to that of genocide against the entire mankind. But, even if you try very hard, you will not be able to find it in Qur'an, regardless of whether or not you're reading it in its original Arabic or in one of its many authentic English translations available today. The reason for this is quite apparent, the verse in question does not exist. In fact what is actually presented by Muslims is a distorted, out-of-context and wholly misleading paraphrasing of the following verse: "That is why We decreed for the children of Israel that whosoever kills a human being, except (as punishment) for murder or for spreading corruption in the land, it shall be like killing all humanity; and whosoever saves a life, saves the entire human race. Our apostles brought clear proofs to them; but even after that most of them committed excesses in the land.[Qur'aan: Al-Mâ'idah: 5:32: Ahmed Ali]. This verse has been made so popular by the Islamic apologists, that it appeared on (among others) The American Muslim, CNN, and Wisdom Today websites, and was quoted by the US Congressman Keith Ellison on the "Real Time With Bill Maher" TV show and even by the current President of the United States, Barack Hussein Obama, in his speech delivered at Cairo University in June 4, 2009.
Analysis of Verse, Qur'aan: 5:32: Firstly, this verse is written in past tense (Ordained, not Ordain) and clearly does not apply to Muslims but to "the Children of Israel" i.e. the Jews who, according to Islam, received an earlier set of scriptures. In fact, it's mistakenly referencing a rabbinical (Related to Jews) commentary found in the "Talmud" as if it were the words of God. Secondly, when the clause which allows killing is reinserted and we read it in context with the following two verses from Qur'aan, directed at Muslims (observe the reference to Allah's messenger and the switch to present tense), what first appeared on the surface to be a peaceful message, is in actual fact a chilling warning to non-believers:
(i) ""The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement". [Qur'aan: Al-Mâ'idah: 5:33: Shakir]
(ii) "Except for those who (having fled away and then) came back (as Muslims) with repentance before they fall into your power; in that case, know that Allâh is Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Qur'aan: Al-Mâ'idah: 5:34: The Noble Qur'an]
Therefore, now we know that verse 5:32 (Qur'aan) is not condemning the killing of a non-Muslim, and that a Muslim must not murder another Muslim, but what of the non-believers? What is the worth of their lives? For more elaborate view on this verse please CLICK HERE]
The first thought was, I hope Nasser and Sam are safe, (they are friends of mine) and that the number of casualties, if any, was low.
The second was please don’t let the perpetrator be Muslim.
Fortunately, Nasser was safe, and Sam, who was at the race, escaped injury. Three people died—which was heartbreaking, but it could have been far worse.
Unfortunately, my second wish didn’t come true. I wasn’t surprised.
Nor was I surprised that the older of the two brothers implicated in the attack, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was radicalized partly through militant jihadist content on the Internet.
After all, I was a fundamentalist once, influenced by a Salafi teacher during my childhood in my neighborhood mosque in Qatar in the mid-1990s. I am familiar with the power of divisive religious dogmatism to steal one’s mind and plant hatred in one’s heart toward the Other. As a veteran blogger and digital activist, I’m also familiar with the power of the Internet.
Although social media give voice to many thoughtful crowds, it also provides a venue for a hateful few who are bent on stirring up violence and trouble.
The Internet connects us with all kinds of like-minded individuals. For someone discontented, disgruntled and alienated from the surrounding community, the Web becomes a refuge, providing a powerful sense of belonging.
Online Disaffection
At one time, I might have been susceptible too. But by the time I ventured online in 2006 and accidentally discovered the secular Egyptian blogosphere, I had already begun questioning my traditionalist upbringing as I wrestled with the fundamentalist beliefs my former Salafi teacher had taught me. I also wasn’t as discontented; my personal grievances were shifting and became directed at the rigid traditionalists and bearded authoritarians around me who wanted to confine me within narrow mental boundaries.
In my case, the Web liberated me. It helped free my mind from the dark, stinking and suffocating dungeons of religious dogmatism and intolerance.
Lucky for me, online and far away from those I resented, I found a growing tribe that was driven by the ideals of liberty: liberal Arab and Muslim bloggers, some of whom helped instigate, report via Twitter and facilitate the youth-led Arab Spring uprisings in Tunisia and in Egypt, demanding freedom and dignity.
Through my new online tribe, I discovered interpretations of Islam that were more rational, spiritual and humanistic. I later traveled around the world and met many of my online comrades. The result, after a lengthy and messy process of critical thinking, has been profound.
Had my original personal grievances and temperament been different when I arrived online, however, I might have directed my attention to harmful, destructive content.
And here is where we need to look closer at what could have driven the Tsarnaev brothers toward their heinous act.
The role of religious belief can’t be pinpointed as the sole motivating cause. We need to go deeper and explore the issue of the interpretation of religious texts, something that too many pundits ignore.
Quran’s Verses
Yes, the Koran contains verses calling for violence against the unbelievers, though these ought to be placed within the appropriate historical context. Nevertheless, it also includes passages that encourage peace and compassion toward fellow human beings.
One of those passages was read by my friend Nasser Weddady at an interfaith memorial in Boston after the bombings. It reads, in part: Whoever kills a soul, it is as if he killed mankind entirely. And whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of mankind.
One could ask, why didn’t Tamerlan Tsarnaev abide by an interpretation of Islam that places value on these verses rather than those related to war?
The answer is that interpretation is ultimately a choice. And when Tsarnaev ventured online, it looks as if he did so with established personal grievances.
The Tsarnaev brothers bear responsibility for their criminal act. But let’s not forget the sick demagogues who lure them in and poison their minds.
Amir Ahmad Nasr, author of the forthcoming book My Isl@m: How Fundamentalism Stole My Mind and Doubt Freed My Soul, is a digital activist and entrepreneur. The opinions expressed are his own.
Courtesy: Live Mint
