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Towards a definition of terrorism Ayatollah Muhammad Ali Taskhiri Resolution
20/5-P (1.5) of the Fifth Islamic Summit supported the idea of an international
conference to be convened under the aegis of the United Nations in order to
discuss the subject of international terrorism and to differentiate it from the
struggle of peoples for their acknowledged national causes and the liberation of
their territories. This means that we should, at this meeting, take into consideration the following steps: (i)
To refer, first of all, to Islamic sources in order to set the major criteria,
to identify the principles according to which human aims and actions are to be
assessed, and to make such principles the basis of our judgement in the various
cases. (ii)
To examine genuine human nature unblemished by any considerations of narrow
interests, in order to identify human rules that can be put forth at the
international level as a general human criterion. For this purpose, the results
of our studies must cover the various fields of the international scene and
constitute a general action framework. (iii)
From these Islamic and human principles, we deduce a general comprehensive and
exclusive definition, i.e. encompassing all the real attributes of terrorism and
excluding the alleged criteria of terrorism which cannot be treated as such by
lofty principles. (iv) Then, we should apply the criteria set forth to all the national and international instances of alleged terrorism. We should examine each of them closely in the light of the results, then put forward an appropriate and precise judgement which is free from any ambiguity or connivance and to confer on each act its true adjective.
In
the light of this introduction, we shall confine our study to the following
points:
First
Point: It goes without saying that every international bloc, every State or indeed every community has enemies and opponents that seek to eliminate it, and, as the conflict becomes violent, each party tries to undermine the reputation of the other by attributing to it repulsive epithets, such as "anarchist", "criminal", "outlaw", "inhuman", "terrorist", and the like.
We
may even find that each of the two parties indulges in such allegations in order
to carry out a plan which involves the deprival of the other party of its rights
on the pretext of collaborating with the enemy or plotting against lawful
interests. To materialize this process, each party uses its international influence in order to win other parties over to its side either in action or in terms of support in international forums. The issue thus assumes a public character and the victory in a case is a matter of pressure, influence and the power of persuasion rather than a matter of sound logic.
Accordingly,
feelings are influenced and sentiments are exploited for the implementation of
such plans motivated by self-interest, under the banner of
"anti-terrorism" for instance. To be sure, terrorism is humanly
reprehensible (if we disregard its motives and objectives), and no one in his
senses would accept any threat to human dignity, freedom, property, honour,
security, work, etc. This feeling is instinctive, genuine and incontestable.
Second
Point: If we consider the meaning of the word "terrorism" on the one hand, and its fallout and traces left on human life on the other, we note that terrorism may be carried out on different levels. There is a terrorism which threatens security, honour, property and the like; there is a cultural terrorism which tears human identity apart, and leads to the abyss of perdition and aimlessness; there is an information terrorism which deprives man of his freedom to breathe in an unpolluted atmosphere. We can cite other types of terrorism such as economic terrorism, scientific terrorism, diplomatic terrorism, military terrorism, etc.
There
exists, however, a division based on the type of perpetrators, which must be
taken into account. It is the division into official and unofficial terrorism.
Official terrorism - which is the more dangerous - consists of all acts that are
supported by an internationally recognized quarter or State, whether by the army
of that State or individual elements or in the form of an operation for the
benefit of the said quarter. Opposing this type of terrorism is unofficial
terrorism.
Third
Point: We may focus, in any act or conduct, on two determining factors:
1.
The motives of the perpetrator. 2. The human acceptability of the act itself.
These are not inseparable aspects. The personal motives of the perpetrator may look humane to him but not so to the public. Conversely, the perpetrator may have no human purpose in mind or may indeed have a purpose that he perceives to be inhumane but is considered from the public point of view to be a humane act. Therefore, viewpoints may differ in the judgement whether such an act is good or evil (usuli jurisprudents have done a great deal of valuable research on the rational basis of differentiating between good and evil deeds, but this is not the place to go into it). What must be stated here is that neither of the factors, taken separately, is sufficient to determine the acceptability or the reprehensibility of an act or to judge such an act positively or negatively. A positive assessment in regard to both factors must be carried out in order to judge and act. Consequently, we have to ensure objectivity in our investigation in order to find a criterion for identifying the acceptability and humanity of an act from the standpoints of both Islam and mankind in general.
As
regards the Islamic standpoint, we have to refer to the principles, concepts and
judgements which relate to the question of terrorism - in its literal sense - to
give a general definition of condemnable terrorism, i.e. the terrorism that is
rejected by Islam as contrary to the process of the human being's perfection
determined by God Almighty for mankind through human nature and prescribed
through revelation. When referring to Islamic teachings, we find that Islam is very rich in this field, and we notice that Islamic jurists have delved into the various aspects that relate to the subject.
We have the judgements on al-baghy, i.e. armed revolt by a group against a just and legitimate government, intimidation of the general public, and pursuit of divisive political goals that damage national unity.
We
also have the judgements on al-harabah, which is defined as "the use
of weapons, on land or sea, by day or night, to intimidate people, in a city or
elsewhere, by a male or female, strong or weak." God Almighty declares in
the Qur'an: This
is the recompense of those who fight against God and His Messenger, and spread
corruption in the land. they shall be put to death, or crucified, or have their
hands and feet cut off on alternate sides, or be banished from the land. That is
a degradation for them in this world; and in the next awaits them a mighty
chastisement (5:33)
As may be noticed, the verse mentions the subject and the purpose, namely war against society and spreading of corruption in the land. It has also mentioned the severe punishment to be dealt out to the perpetrators, which points to Islam's concern for the subject.
There are also the laws about theft and murder which can be mentioned in this regard. Likewise, we come across in Islamic texts terms which relate to the matter at hand, such as homicide (al-fatk), deceit (al-ghilah), and seditious conspiracy (al-'i'timar). There are also texts which stipulate utmost respect for covenants and treaties even if it is discovered later that they favour the other party. As long as he adheres to their provisions, these must be observed.
Furthermore, we have the requirements of the Islamic ethical system which consists of concepts unknown to positive law yet are deeply-rooted in this system. Lying may, for instance, reach the degree of a major sin and so may calumny. We thus find that Islam seeks earnestly to protect all kinds of true human freedoms, and to defend the dignity of the individual and society, as well as the cohesion of society and integrity of the family, considering any attack on them to be an atrocious crime liable to the sternest punishment which may go as far as execution, crucifixion and the like.
Islam
upholds the principle of personal responsibility and considers any attack on
innocent people as a major crime. It focuses on the defence of the weak, the
humble and the oppressed and enjoins jihad for their protection:
And
why should you not fight for the cause of Allah, and for the helpless old men
and women.... (4:75)
The
Muslim is required to always stand up for the oppressed until they get their
rights. Imam 'Ali (A) gave this advice to his two sons: Be
opponents of the oppressor and defenders of the oppressed. He
also said: To
me the lowly are noble until I get their rights for them, and the powerful are
weak until I get such rights from them. Perhaps
the mention in the Holy Qur'an of the blessing of security "And hath
made them safe from fear" (106:4) is the best proof of the importance
it attaches to security. However, it would take too long to elaborate on all the related matters. Nevertheless we wish to state that the first criterion for identifying humaneness is the intention of the perpetrator and the general acceptability of his act is Din with all its spirit, laws and concepts.
Turning our attention to the second framework, namely the general human framework, we can accept those principles that are unanimously respected by mankind as represented by its official organs, its popular organizations, its conscience and sentiments, as another set of criteria to determine the presence of humaneness or its opposite in the intention of the perpetrator, and of the above-mentioned general acceptability (although we believe the two criteria to be mostly overlapping).
As
an example of the foregoing, we may notice the present unanimity of mankind in
considering the following as inhuman: prostitution
and the disintegration of family relationships; narcotics
and the disintegration of individual's rational personality; colonialism
and the undermining of peoples' dignity and plundering of their resources; racism
and the disintegration of human brotherhood; violation
of all recognized rights and the breaking of covenants: bombardment of populated areas, use of chemical weapons. attacks on civil aviation, national railways, commercial and tourist vessels, and similar methods which are universally condemned in war.
There
is no divergence whatsoever as regards the anti-human nature of the above
instances. Therefore, these and similar violations suggest the acceptable
criteria which should form the basis of our definition, and any act to eliminate
and oppose them is a human act which must be supported if itself not accompanied
by violation of other human values.
Fourth
Point: Definition of Terrorism
In the light of the above, we can arrive at a comprehensive definition of terrorist acts, a definition which is unanimously acceptable and on which we can base our positions. Yet before putting forth our suggested definition, we may recall that we should note therein the following elements: intimidation
and violation of security of any kind; presence
of inhuman intention and motive; unacceptability of the end and purpose and the act itself by humanity.
Accordingly,
our definition may be as follows: Terrorism
is an act carried out to achieve an inhuman and corrupt (mufsid) objective,
and involving threat to security of any kind, and violation of rights
acknowledged by religion and mankind.
For
the sake of clarity, we may add the following points: 1.
We have used the term 'human' instead of 'international' for the sake of wider
consensus, official or otherwise, so as to emphasize the general human character
of the statement. 2.
We have introduced the epithet 'corrupt' (mufsid) to connote the
attribute accompanying inhuman objectives, i.e. the spreading of corruption in
the land, and to include the imperative to avoid such objectives. 3.
We have referred to various types of terrorism with the phrase; "security
of any kind". 4.
We have mentioned the two criteria, i.e. religious and human, first to be
consistent with our belief and then to generalize the criterion. 5. As may be noticed, the fact that an operation is violent does not constitute a condition for considering it a case of terrorism.
In
the light of the above definition, we shall be able to ascertain the nature of
one act or another and determine whether it is a case of terrorism. We shall
confirm that the definition does not apply to the following: a.
acts of national resistance exercised against occupying forces, colonizers and
usurpers; b.
resistance of peoples against cliques imposed on them by the force of arms; c.
rejection of dictatorships and other forms of despotism and efforts to undermine
their institutions; d.
resistance against racial discrimination and attacks on the latter's
strongholds; e.
retaliation against any aggression if there is no other alternative.
Similarly, the definition does not apply to any democratic action unaccompanied by terrorism even if it does not have a humane objective. Nor does it apply to individual destructive acts if they have no social effects.
The
above definition, however, does apply to the following: a.
acts of piracy on land, air and sea; b.
all colonialist operations including wars and military expeditions; c.
all dictatorial acts against peoples and all forms of protection of
dictatorships, not to mention their imposition on nations; d.
all military methods contrary to human practice, such as the use of chemical
weapons, the shelling of civilian populated areas, the blowing up of homes, the
displacement of civilians, etc.; e.
all types of pollution of geographical, cultural and informational environment.
Indeed, intellectual terrorism may be one of the most dangerous types of
terrorism; f.
all moves that undermine adversely affect the condition of international or
national economy, adversely affect the condition of the poor and the deprived,
deepen up nations with the shackles of socio-economic gaps, and chain up nations
with the shackles of exorbitant debts; g.
all conspiratorial acts aimed at crushing the determination of nations for
liberation and independence, and imposing disgraceful pacts on them. The
list of examples that fit in with the suggested definition is almost endless.
Fifth
Point: Although
many meetings have been held and many attempts made to combat terrorism, they
have generally failed because of the following reasons: -
They were not based on international human considerations but were aimed
primarily at achieving narrow interests. - They did not deal with the circumstances that generate terrorism, nor did they seek the real motives of terrorism. It is indeed comical that the United States of America, which is the mother of international terrorism, and the author of all the circumstances of oppression and subjection of peoples, by strengthening dictatorial regimes and supporting occupation of territories and savage attacks on civilian areas, etc. should seek to convene symposia on combating "terrorism", i.e. any act that conflicts with its imperialist interests.
Killing
a person in a forest is an unforgivable sin, At any rate, the real cure of terrorism - acts of individual terrorism in particular - consists, in our view, in removing the conditions that have brought it about.
Islam, in its treatment of all cases of deviation, strongly stresses this aspect. It seeks first to reform the social atmosphere and eliminate all inducements to crime. It also emphasizes self-restraint through education of the innermost soul and through giving the latter a unique human mould that causes it to spontaneously shun any transgression of prescribed human norms and rules by the Shari'ah. In addition, Islam does not omit to lay down a comprehensive, realistic and flexible code of sanctions that deals with facts according to their social effects.
Going back to our current reality, we must seek the prevalence of a just system and prevent aggression and encroachment upon other peoples' rights. Under such circumstances when a person allows himself to be induced to commit terrorism or aggression, the whole of mankind will stand up against him. If, however, we fail to fulfil this standard, all our treatments will be local and palliative; though they may alleviate pain, they will not eradicate the cause of the disease.
Note: This paper was first presented at an international Islamic conference on terrorism held in Geneva in June 1987. It was published in the journal of Islamic thought Al-Tawhid Vol 5, No.1, 1987 and reproduced with due acknowledgement by JUST Response on July 25 2002. Ayatollah Muhammad Ali Taskhiri is Director of the international relations department of the Islamic Propagation Organization. |