Suicide Bombers: Why do they kill themselves and others, and what does Islam say about their actions?
From the Qur'an: "And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you. But do not transgress the limits. Truly Allah loves not the transgressors."
-Surah Al-Baqarah (2:190)
The dangerous escalation of violence in the world is disturbing to all people of conscience. Why do some young people turn in despair to suicide bombing? What circumstances contribute to this environment of hopelessness? That is something that all of us -- mental health professionals, politicians, and common people -- need to understand, so that we can address the issues more honestly, prevent more violence, and find ways to work towards a lasting peace.
In Islam, several things are clear:
· Suicide is forbidden. "O ye who believe!... kill yourselves, for truly Allah has been to you Most Merciful. If any do that in rancour and injustice, soon shall We cast him into the Fire..." (Surah an-Nisaa 4:29-30).
· Fighting oppression is commendable. "And why should you not fight in the cause of Allah, and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated and oppressed? Men, women, and children whose cry is, 'Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors! And raise for us someone who will protect, someone who will help!'" (Surah an-Nisaa 4:75)
· Harming innocent bystanders, even in times of war, was forbidden by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Those who support the suicide bombings claim that it is merely a tactic of war against the unjust Israeli occupation. It is martyrdom, not suicide. It is a jihad against oppression, an "eye for an eye." They see civilians living in Israel as parties to the occupation, and thus valid targets.
Others see these suicide bombings as misguided acts of desperation. They are usually perpetrated by young men who have lived their entire lives under humiliating occupation, who have seen their families and their friends murdered or imprisoned, who have lost their jobs, who have walked in the dusty remnants of what used to be their homes. They don't have AK-47s or F-16 jet fighters, so they lash out in desperation, by any means available.
One thing is certain: Muslims should speak out and stand up against oppression and injustice, but in doing so we should never turn to treachery or indiscriminate slaughter of the innocent.
O ye who believe, remain steadfast for Allah, bearing witness to justice.
Do not allow your hatred for others make you swerve to wrongdoing and turn you away from justice.
Deal justly; that is closer to true piety.
- Surah al-Maidah (5:8)
Unlike previous scriptures that indeed command the indiscriminate killing of men, women and children, Islam has set very strict guidelines for Jihad. Hence:
- Suicide Bombings are not considered suicide, rather they are 'martrydom operation'.
- The muslim is at all times required to not target innocent men, women and children.