Maroof Asudemade

The attempt to portray Islam as a religion that promotes banditry, kidnapping, terrorism and wanton bloodshed is not only unfair but also intellectually dishonest. It is a conclusion reached by isolating certain verses of the Qur’an and Hadith from their historical and textual contexts, while deliberately ignoring the broader teachings and objectives of Islam.

Like every major religious scripture, the Qur’an contains passages that were revealed in specific circumstances. Many verses relating to warfare were revealed during periods when the early Muslim community was under attack, persecuted, expelled from their homes, or engaged in legitimate self-defence. To extract such verses from their contexts and apply them indiscriminately to modern society is to distort their intended meanings.

The same principle applies to other religious texts. For instance, Deuteronomy 13:6-10 contains instructions concerning the punishment of those who sought to lead others away from the worship of God. Deuteronomy 13:6–10 is a strict biblical law dictating that any Israelite who secretly entices others to worship foreign gods must be executed by stoning, even if the offender is a close family member or best friend. My belief is that there is a context to the verses quoted which only Bible scholars can explain. And for any Christian who may cite that Deuteronomy is in the Old Testament of the Bible, let him or her remember Jesus’s words in Matthew 5 verse 17 that he did not come to abolish the old law but to fulfill them.

Those who cite the criminal activities of bandits as evidence against Islam conveniently ignore the fact that the overwhelming majority of the victims of banditry in Nigeria are Muslims themselves. Bandits kidnap, rob, torture and kill people regardless of their religious affiliations. Entire Muslim communities have been devastated by their attacks. If the actions of criminals are to define a religion, then every religion would be unfairly judged by the worst conduct of some who claim association with it.

Furthermore, Islam is unequivocal in its condemnation of murder and terrorism. The Qur’an declares that whoever kills an innocent person unjustly is as though he has killed all humanity, while whoever saves a life is as though he has saved all humanity. This powerful teaching underscores the sanctity of human life in Islam.
Islamic law prescribes severe punishments for crimes such as armed robbery, banditry, kidnapping and the spreading of terror in society. Such crimes fall under what Islamic jurisprudence describes as acts of corruption and violent disorder against society. Rather than encouraging such behaviour, Islam seeks to eradicate it and protect the lives, property and dignity of all people.
It is therefore important to distinguish between Islam and the actions of those who merely invoke Islamic slogans while violating Islamic teachings. A criminal does not become righteous because he shouts “Allahu Akbar” before committing a crime. By that logic, every criminal who invokes God’s name would automatically become a representative of his religion, which is clearly absurd.

History is replete with examples of individuals and groups who have committed atrocities while claiming religious, political or ideological justifications. Their actions should be judged by the standards of their respective faiths and ideologies, not by their own distorted interpretations.

Those who have abandoned Islam because of allegations made by its detractors should reflect carefully. The truth of a religion is not determined by the misconduct of some who claim to belong to it. Rather, it should be judged by its authentic teachings, principles and values. The question is not what criminals say, but what Islam itself teaches.

Islam’s fundamental objectives include the protection of life, religion, intellect, family and property. Its moral vision seeks to establish justice, peace, compassion and social order. Any act of kidnapping, terrorism, banditry or unlawful killing stands in direct contradiction to these objectives.
In the end, sincere dialogue, proper scholarship and honest engagement with religious texts are far more productive than prejudice, stereotypes and selective quotations. Islam, like every great faith tradition, should be understood through its authentic teachings and not through the actions of those who violate them.

It is wrong and spurious to judge Islam by the actions of bandits and even Muslims themselves. You may leave Islam for all I care. Islam is Oyingbo market which feels not anybody’s absence.