9/11: A Lesson to Muslims

I remember the day of September 11 ten years ago. I was sitting in my room watching Armageddon on television. My attention was directed towards something else for a moment and when I turned my head around to continue watching the movie I remember seeing two planes crashing into a building. I flinched. I didn't know it was the World Trade Center.  Is this part of a movie scene or what? I soon realised that it was actually a news bulletin when a Malaysian news reader appeared on the screen right after the horrendous clip I had just seen. At that point in time I had no idea what that tragedy meant for the rest of the world. 

The next day I went to school and everybody was talking about it. Our English teacher even made us discuss the terrorist attacks during class. A student said some nasty things about Muslims and I couldn't believe my ears. Really? This guy in my class has a problem with Muslims? I was surprised. I mean, he was born and raised in a Muslim country all his life. Surely he would know that what happened the day before was out of the ordinary. But he didn't. And I'm pretty sure what he said was a repeat of whatever he had heard in his home. 

The truth of the matter is, prior to September 11, Islam was not related to violence and terrorism. I don't think the West really thought anything in particular of Muslims. But all of a sudden, Muslims were dangerous people and anyone who matched a certain profile were terror suspects. Ten years later, this hasn't really changed. In some countries, Islamophobia is continuing while in others people are starting to realise that terrorism has nothing to do with Islam.

As a Muslim I know and believe Islam cannot be attributed to September 11. I know someone has to be accountable for it, and as brothers and sisters in humanity we should mourn the loss of innocent lives, but let it be attributed to those who committed the crime, and not the rest of us who are trying to be good, practicing Muslims. Call me biased but I know my faith better than a non-Muslim would and people have to respect that.

“Indeed God calls for justice, a high standard of virtuous interaction, and preserving the rights of kinship. He forbids ugly immorality, sin and aggression. He reminds you so that perhaps you will be mindful.” (Quran 16: 90) 

The acts of 9/11 were completely in contrast to this authoritative definitive verse of the Qur’an, so we will not accept the horror of 9/11 as being related to Islam. The burden now rests on the shoulders of every Muslim to understand their faith correctly and how to properly relate it to our neighbors. In doing this, we can promote the truth of Islam and dispel the lies and anti-Islam rhetoric. (Yahya Ederer, 10th Anniversary of 9/11)

So how can I explain the existence of Islamist terrorist organisations such as Al Qaeda? I may be oversimplifying it but I think they are a result of the combination of a political agenda and a misguided interpretation of Islam. 

Misguidance. 

That's how problems begin in this world, doesn't it? When people lack the right knowledge to help them decide the difference between right and wrong that's how trouble starts brewing. That's how violence begins and spirals into hate, fear and injustice. As a Muslim, I don't support violence, hate and injustice, and I will not justify the acts of Muslims who carry out actions that are in any way related to these things. However, I will say that as a global community we do have a problem and the only way to address it is by starting a wave of guidance to lead Muslims to the right path.

The path of peace, activism and brotherhood. 

Somewhere along the way I think we have become complacent, apathetic and distracted. We stopped remembering about our responsibilities towards our Muslim and non-Muslim families, friends and neighbours and instead we neglected what Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has preached about being a global community, an ummah.

None of you [truly] believes until he loves for his brother that which he loves for himself. {Sahih Bukhari and Muslim}

But as Yahya Ederer wrote in 10th Anniversary of 9/11, if we can say anything positive has emerged from the terror attacks it is that Muslims and Islamic centres have woken up from their complacency and are slowly rising to mould a better future for Muslims and non-Muslims by increasing tolerance and understanding between one another. Let 9/11 be a lesson to all of us. Like it or not, as Muslims we have a positive part to play in this world because that is the purpose to our creation. We have been given a trust to guide people away from the bad and enjoin them to take part in what is good and beneficial for all.

"It is He Who hath made you (His) agents, inheritors of the earth: He hath raised you in ranks, some above others: that He may try you in the gifts He hath given you: for thy Lord is quick in punishment: yet He is indeed Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."  

{Surah al-An'am, verse 165}

Some Muslims may take this trust or amanah too lightly but it's important to know that for those who are making an effort to set things right in this world, God is well aware of their good works.

"On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the deeds that they (had done). Then shall anyone who has done an atom's weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom's weight of evil, shall see it."

{Surah al-Zalzalah, verses 6-9}