Preamble: Yesterday, I received a message from a Christian friend asking of my explanation on some 12 Verses from the Quran that inspire terrorists; in the wake of the recent killings of CAN Chairman Adamawa State and a Christian UNIMAID student who were both abducted. I also woke up to a post by Civil Right Movement of Nigeria alleging that the killings were done because the victims were Christians, and that Boko Haraam enjoy the support of the Government and their Muslim brothers in carrying out these atrocities.
First; the killings were unjust and I deeply sympathize with the families of the victims, just like the numerous Muslims afflicted by the menance of Boko Haraam.
Second, Islam Never breed terrorists, neither do verses from the QURAN inspire them. Amongst others, some Fundamental principles applicable to True Muslims at ALL TIMES and in ALL SITUATIONS commanded by the QURAN:
1. Be JUST even to your enemies and even if it goes against one’s personal interest
2. Save lives,
3. Do not kill human beings and even animals unjustly.
۞ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُكُمْ أَنْ تُؤَدُّوا الْأَمَانَاتِ إِلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا وَإِذَا حَكَمْتُمْ بَيْنَ النَّاسِ أَنْ تَحْكُمُوا بِالْعَدْلِ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّهَ نِعِمَّا يَعِظُكُمْ بِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ سَمِيعًا بَصِيرًا
Lo! Allah commandeth you that ye restore deposits to their owners, and, if ye judge between mankind, that ye judge justly. Lo! comely is this which Allah admonisheth you. Lo! Allah is ever Hearer, Seer.
( Quran 4: Verse 58)
۞ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا كُونُوا قَوَّامِينَ بِالْقِسْطِ شُهَدَاءَ لِلَّهِ وَلَوْ عَلَىٰ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَوِ الْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ ۚ إِنْ يَكُنْ غَنِيًّا أَوْ فَقِيرًا فَاللَّهُ أَوْلَىٰ بِهِمَا ۖ فَلَا تَتَّبِعُوا الْهَوَىٰ أَنْ تَعْدِلُوا ۚ وَإِنْ تَلْوُوا أَوْ تُعْرِضُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرًا
O ye who believe! Be ye staunch in justice, witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or (your) parents or (your) kindred, whether (the case be of) a rich man or a poor man, for Allah is nearer unto both (them ye are). So follow not passion lest ye lapse (from truth) and if ye lapse or fall away, then lo! Allah is ever Informed of what ye do.
(Quran 4: Verse 135)
مِنْ أَجْلِ ذَٰلِكَ كَتَبْنَا عَلَىٰ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَنَّهُ مَنْ قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِي الْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَا أَحْيَا النَّاسَ جَمِيعًا ۚ وَلَقَدْ جَاءَتْهُمْ رُسُلُنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ ثُمَّ إِنَّ كَثِيرًا مِنْهُمْ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فِي الْأَرْضِ لَمُسْرِفُونَ
For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whosoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. Our messengers came unto them of old with clear proofs (of Allah’s Sovereignty), but afterwards lo! many of them became prodigals in the earth.
( Quran 5: Verse 32)
What Boko Haraam are doing isn’t enjoined by the Quran (rather contradictory) even though they claim otherwise.
Third, as for the Christians; they have special mentions in the Quran.
1. Of all religions, they are the closest to Muslims in faith.
2. Mary (A.S) and Jesus (A.S) who are very much revered in Christianity are even more revered in Islam.
3. Christians are more just and accommodating than Jews and other religion.
4. Even in War, it isn’t allowed to destroy synagogues, Churches, neither is it allowed to kill monks or any Christian who isn’t engaged in war; talk more of in situations that isn’t war (https://abuaminaelias.com/protection-of-non-muslim-houses-of-worship-in-islam/)
Fourth, as for those verses of the Quran allegedly inspiring terrorists; the transliterations are mischievously erroneous and misquoted to suit a certain narrative; those are definitely not the Quran. I will kindly request whoever feels aligned to this allegation to get an e- copy of the Quran (Arabic with English transliteration) and study all the verses you believed you have issues with. For each verse you pick, kindly read at least 5 verses that preceded it and 5 verses after it. I am sure you will come to your own independent realization about the messages in those verses.
Fifth: after the lengthy discussions, my good friend told me that that Justice instructed by the Quran is lost in Nigeria and this breeds widespread corruption and I quite agreed with him on that. I told him if we were to apply Islamic principles on many of our Muslim leaders (politicians, traditional rulers) in Nigeria, many of them should be hanged or jailed for life for their atrocities.
Conclusion: Islam commands Justice and saving lives and prohibits unjust killings. Boko Haraam atrocities are much more detrimental to Islam and Muslims and are NEVER inspired by pristine teachings of Islam
