Extremism 1 UNIT 1 LESSON 3 Ms Zahra

Extremism 1 UNIT 1 – LESSON 3 Ms. Zahra Sabbagh

Learning Outcomes 2 � Explain what is meant by extremism � Explain the attitude of Islam towards extremism � Deduce the wisdom behind forbidding extremism � Identify the causes of extremism � Explain the consequences of extremism � Prove the fallacy of the suspicions adhered to by extremism � Reject extremism and its advocates

Introduction 3 Imam Bukhari & Muslim reported that Anas bin Malik said: “Three companions came to the houses of the wives of the Prophet [PBUH] to inquire about how much the Prophet [PBUH] worshiped. When the men were informed, they considered the amount of worship to be insufficient and said: "Where are we in comparison with the Prophet [PBUH] while Allah [SW] has forgiven his past sins and future sins. " One of them said: "As for me, I shall offer prayer all night long. " Another said: "I shall observe fasting continuously and shall not break it. " Another said: 'I shall abstain from the woman and shall never marry. " The Prophet [PBUH] came to them and said, "Are you the ones who said such things? By Allah, I fear Allah more then you do, and I am most obedient and dutiful among you to Him, but still I fast (some days) and I don't fast (other days), I pray at night and I also sleep (meaning he does not pray all night), and I married, and whoever does not follow my Sunnah (way of life) does not belong to me. “

1. Ignorance 2. Lack of religious knowledge 3. Pursuit of personal goals (personal interests) 4. Hatred 5. Working for suspicious entities/ people 4

5 Arabic word of Extremism Tatarruf” Root of the word + meaning It is derived from Taraf ﻑ which means ‘edge’ English: something away from the middle Linguistic meaning Distancing oneself from the middle and rooting oneself at the edge. Figurative meaning Getting out of moderation and mildness in certain matters

Question: How can a Muslim protects himself from extremism? Ans. Knowledge is an important mean of protection against fanaticism and extremism. The Prophet [PBUH] said: “… for he has companions who pray and fast in such a way that you will consider your fasting negligible in comparison to theirs. They will the recite Qur'an but it does not go beyond their throats (i. e. they do not act on it) and they will pass through religion as an arrow passes a game animal…” Significance of this hadith: Ibn-ul-Jawzi draw attention: 1. The honor attached to knowledge, 2. How some people devoted themselves to worship rather than knowledge 6

Cause-to-effect relationship Perfection in the acts of worship + devotion to Allah 7

Why is there Hadith on extremism and intolerance? 8 Extremism existed through the ages: 171 : ( ﺳﻮﺭﺓ ﺍﻟﻨﺴﺎﺀ. . . ﺍﺍ ﺍ ﻭﺍ ﻱ ﻳ ﺍ ﻭﻭﺍ ﻯ ﺍﻟ ﺍ ﺍ )ﺍ “People of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion, and attribute to Allah nothing except the truth…” [An-Nisaa’: 171] So, Allah [SW] forbade Muslims from: 1. Excessiveness in responses, 2. Overstepping the mark set by Shari’ah, 3. Instruct them to abide by what is right in words and deeds.

What does Extremist believe/ how does he think? 9 �They believe that they draw near to Allah by adopting extreme measures in matters pertinent to religious rulings �They believe they alone are right �Accuse anyone who disagrees with them �Accuse people of disbelief ‘takfir’ �Allow the forbidden “bloodshed, dissent, rebelling against ruler” �Forbid the lawful “food, drinks, clothing & pursuing acquisition of knowledge (for women). ”

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Terrorism is one of the tools of extremism; used to achieve its evil goals. 1. Expose its real intention and evil goals 2. Cutting off funding sources 3. Warning the youth – awareness campaigns 4. Provide the needs of young people 11

Position of Islam towards intolerance and extremism 12 Islam PROHIBITS extremism in beliefs or acts of worship

Example 13

Forbidden (Haram) and it contradicts the purposes of Shari’ah, its manners and principles. 14

Reinforcements of moderation and reasonableness in society 15 1. Easiness and mitigation help enhancement of moderation and staying away from constraint on people.

2. Exerting efforts on worshipping Allah as much as possible 3. Give one’s self and family their due rights, happiness and well-being. 16

The 1 st Hadith about prolonging the prayer The 2 nd Hadith about worship Allah as much as possible The 3 rd Hadith about Giving one’s self and family its rights 17

Aspects of Extremism 18 1. Extremism of views/ group, rejecting others and alienating oneself from them 2. Focusing on ancillary issues and judging people according to it 3. Mistrusting, accusing and suspecting others 4. Resorting to violence to impose views

Other aspects of extremism: �Isolation from society �Bloodshed and loot people’s money �Libel scholars and underestimate them 19

Danger of Extremism 20 1) Contradicting the commands of Allah and the Sunnah of His messenger [PBUH]. E. g. make the lawful Haram & vice versa. 2) Alienating people from religion, as Muslim extremists reflect a repulsive image of Islam and Muslims 3) Spreading conflict among people and cause lack of social cooperation

4) Freezing development and cause retraction in production cover all fields; economic, scientific, cultural & structural. 5) Lack of security and spread of terror and violence among people. 6) Bring hardship and troubles on Muslims to no avail nor benefit A man came to the Prophet [PBUH] and said, “My sister took a vow on herself to go on pilgrimage on foot”. The Prophet said, “Allah will not gain anything by the hardship of your sister. Let her ride to Hajj and expiate her oath. ” (Aby Dawood) 7) Make Muslims suspect their creed and accuse one another of disbelief and ignorance. 21

Bloodshed & denial that Allah is the Forgiving, The Most Merciful Separation, depression and absence of social interaction Neglecting acts of worship and default in doing tasks and duties 22

Causes of intolerance and extremism 23 1. Ignorance of Qur’anic science, Sunnah and Islamic rulings 2. Blind imitation by disabling mind and thought, especially when an idea conforms with one’s whims and desires.

3. Employing personal whims that lead to misinterpretation of texts; Qur’anic and Sunnah 4. Lack of insight as regards the purposes of Shari’ah, reality, life and laws of the universe. 5. People do not learn about Shari’ah from qualified scholars. 24

Ignorance of the real meaning of worship Ignorance of the Creator and His qualities 25

Remedy of intolerance and extremism 26 1. Correct understanding of the Qur’an and the Sunnah

2. 3. Sincerity and obedience to Allah Recourse to Allah and pray to Him 27

4. Consult (refer) the guardian & the great scholars in unknown matters 5. Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil 6. Non-interference in the competence of specialists, and seeking knowledge from them. 28

1. Shortening and combining prayers during travel 2. Fast (some days) and break his fast (other days) 3. Hajj only once in life time [only those who are able financially and physically] 4. Zakat [only when reaching Nisab + passage of one year] 29

1. Food & drinks: The Messenger of Allah ( )ﷺ say: "No man fills a container worse than his stomach. A few morsels that keep his back upright are sufficient for him. If he has to, then he should keep one-third for food, one-third for drink and onethird for his breathing. " 2. Clothing & spending money – The Messenger of Allah ( )ﷺ said: “Eat and drink, give charity and wear clothes, as long as that does not involve any extravagance or vanity. ” 3. Wives– 'Aisha said: “Whenever Allah's Messenger [PBUH] intended to set out on a journey he cast lots amongst his wives and he took one with him in whose favor the lot was cast. ” 30

Disbelief If sins were lead its doer to disbelief, so, sin and apostasy would be one thing, and that a sinner is considered as an apostate who must be punished by being killed (punishment of apostasy). Also, there would not be variety of legitimate punishments such as adultery, slander, theft, etc. 31

Muslim countries don’t considered lands of Kufr; because it is a place where prayers are established and rites of Islam are performed. Thus, if sins are committed, it don’t destroy a Muslim’s faith. 32

oderation m f o t u o g in tt e G certain and mildness in matters Forbidden (Haram) and it contradicts the purposes of Shari’ah, its manners and principles. The extrem ist thinks th at he is getting closer to All ah by his extre me opinion s and that he alone is righ t Slide 18 Slides 23, 24 Slides 26, 27 Slides 20, 21 , 28 33

34 Student Activity Page 50

Moderation/ Mildness Extremism/ Intolerance it shows the patience and mercy of Allah [SW] towards His disobedient servants, who he does not make quick judgments on the sinners, but gives them many chances till they repent. It indicates sincere intention, continuity and consistency of work 35

Because correct understanding of religion reveals its truth, which is moderation and mediation, thus, it keeps us away from extremism and intolerance Because it is a very serious issue; it transforms man into an enemy of his homeland, society and relatives Slides 20, 21 Slide 18 36

It stops development and scientific progress, cultural and constructional, and thus the inability of production and cause regression of prosperity It stands against creativity, and considers it contrary to Shari’ah. Also, it judges on its owner [innovator] as a violator of religion 37