Ibn Warraq addresses several misconceptions regarding the cause of Islamic terrorism. Many scholars refuse to take into account the beliefs of the terrorists, and many seem to think that “Islamic terrorism” has emerged only in the last forty years or so. Many analysts believe that the United States was targeted because of its foreign policy, while others opine that we have to dig out the root causes which are essentially socioeconomic, with poverty as the favorite explanation. Ibn Warraq, on the other hand, argues that we must take the beliefs of the jihadists seriously. The acts of ISIS or the Taliban or any other jihadist group are not random acts of violence by a mob of psychopathic, sexually frustrated, impoverished vandals, but carefully and strategically planned operations that are a part of a long campaign by educated, affluent Muslims who wish to bring about the establishment of an Islamic state based on the Shari‘a, the Islamic Holy Law derived from the Koran, the Sunna and the Hadith. Nor did Islamic terrorism emerge, ex nihilo, in the past forty years or so. From its foundation in the seventh century, violent movements have arisen seeking to revive true Islam, which its members felt had been neglected in Muslim societies, who were not living up to the ideals of the earliest Muslims. Thus, the answer to the cause of Islamic terrorism, according to Ibn Warraq, lies in Islamic theology (especially the concepts of jihad and Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong), and Islamic history, both of which he examines closely. This is borne out by what the Islamists themselves tell us, hence Ibn Warraq’s detailed examination of the writings of key Islamic thinkers of the past, such as Ibn Taymiyya, and modern activists, from Mawdudi to Khomeini.
Steven
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March 22, 2021
This is a wonderful book that deals with the history and percussions of Islam in the present. Though heavy with names , the author makes it easy to understand and know the names of significant Arab peoples and words in Arabic.
I have heard of some readers and pundits not to read this book, because first the author is not an Arab, but an Asian Indian. Also, the book does not put Islam in a favorable light. I heard both these pieces of information mid-read, and I'm glad I didn't listen. I really got a lot out of the book, and a sharper, if not less dull view of Islam.
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madhu
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September 18, 2022
Ibn Warraq an ex-Muslim himself who has wrote a book, “Why I am Not a Muslim”, is the author of this book. Ibn Warraq addresses several misconceptions regarding the cause of Islamic terrorism. Many scholars refuse to take into account the beliefs of the terrorists, and many seem to think that Islamic terrorism has emerged only in the last forty years or so. This book that deals with the history and percussions of Islam in the present.
The main argument of the author is that,
“the acts of ISIS or the Taliban or any other jihadist group are not random acts of violence by a mob of psychopathic, sexually frustrated, impoverished vandals (or ex nihilo), but carefully and strategically planned operations that are a part of a long campaign by educated, affluent Muslims who wish to bring about the establishment of an Islamic state based on the Shari‘a” ( Location 55-58 ), the Islamic Holy Law derived from the Koran, the Sunna and the Hadith. But in reality,
“it is not as the journalistic cliché has it, a simple matter of “a few bad apples.” There is something immanent in Islam that engenders radicals willing to kill and be killed in the name of Allah. Appeasing or attempting to negotiate with the “bad apples” will not work.” (Location 8705-8707) but the flaws are at the fundamental level of religious scriptures. This will not be changed till Muslims believe that Koran is not ipsissima verba, the very words of God and has to be followed word by word no matter what.
The other argument of the author is, if Islamic terrorism refers to terrorist acts with religious motivations carried out by fundamentalist militant Islamists and Islamic extremists, this religion cannot be reformed to make it less violent if not 'religion of peace'. For this, author takes a historical approach to prove, giving examples from history to show that every time these reformers who believed unacceptable innovations (bida‘) had been introduced and they had to be removed to establish pristine Islam of the ancestors, they go back to more violent face of Islam. This is evident from the reform of
a) Qādīzādeli Movement for Istanbul during 7th Century
b) Ibn ‘Abd Al-Wahhāb from Saudi Arabia in 8th Century
c) Sahl ibn Salāma, Barbahārī, and Bid‘a from Baghdad in 9th - 10th Century
d) Hasan al-Banna who created Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt in 18th century
e) Syed Ahmad Barelwi from India in 19th century
Thus, to conclude just like,
"It was implausible to suggest that Marxism had nothing to do with the Soviet systems. (And) it is similarly argued that Islamic terrorism has nothing to do with Islam" ( Location 1025-1027 ). This religion cannot be reformed because the Quran which is the mother of all books (Q85:22, umm al-kitab) is very clear (Q43.2) and it is easy to understand (Q54.17) hence should not be questioned (Q6.114) nor there can be any change (Q6.115), closing the doors of reformation.
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/35135448-the-islam-in-islamic-terrorism#CommunityReviews
