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In today’s world, a man donned in a Muslim attire with beard and a cap or turban is profiled a terrorist or an extremist. Should it actually be so? While some people dread to be in a gathering with anyone in such dressing, others immediately call security. Why has the symbol for peace, love and compassion been misconstrued for a symbol of violence?
Are the activities of ISIS, Taliban, Al-Shabaab, Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, Hezbollah and so on the true representation of the Islamic teachings? Although the media played a significant role in distorting the true image of Islam but the activities of these extremist groups cannot be justified and do not represent the true teachings of Islam.
Let’s take the activities of Boko Haram as a case study. “Boko Haram’s insurgency has resulted in over 350,000 fatalities, encompassing both direct violence and indirect consequences such as famine and illness. More than 2.5 million individuals displaced, both within Nigeria and across borders into neighbouring countries like Chad, Cameroon, and Niger. Thousands of children were left orphaned, with many being coerced into child soldiering or radicalized. Extensive devastation of homes, markets, agricultural lands, and essential public infrastructure.
Boko Haram has been responsible for some of the deadliest terrorist attacks in Nigeria’s history. Some of such attacks include the 2011 UN Headquarters Bombing in Abuja when a suicide bombing at the UN building killed at least 23 people and injured over 80. Another was the 2014 Chibok Schoolgirls’ Abduction where over 270 girls were kidnapped from their school in Borno State, sparking global outrage and campaigns. Some were rescued, but many remain missing. The 2015 Baga Massacre in which Boko Haram attacked the town of Baga, killing over 2,000 people is one of the deadliest single attacks. Not only that but also the 2018 Dapchi Schoolgirls’ Kidnapping; more than 100 schoolgirls were abducted, though most were later released. Some of these attacks, especially the Chibok schoolgirl’s abduction, stirred campaigns both nationally and internationally. The most popular of such campaigns being the #BringBackOurGirls campaign.
US President Donald Trump declared Nigeria as a “country of particular concern” with the reason that it is guilty of Christian genocide but experts say otherwise. “The claim has been rejected by the Nigerian government and many independent experts, who say the country’s security crises claim the lives of Christians and Muslims, often without distinction.” For instance, between 2011 and 2020, Boko Haram attacked 72 mosques.
Recently, one of these so-called “Islamic militants” attacked Woro, a Muslim-majority village in Kwara state, Nigeria and a neighbouring town on Tuesday, 3rd of February 2026. About 200 people were massacred and many others were abducted. “The victims were ‘local Muslims massacred for refusing to surrender to extremists preaching a strange doctrine.’” Naturally, the question that arises is who are they fighting for? It is definitely not Muslims because they are also victims of their attacks.
These acts of terrorism, by the extremist groups, are typically to instil widespread fear and cause instability in order to coerce governments into adopting their ideologies, either political or religious. Violence is their tool to intimidate weak citizens thereby creating a pervasive sense of insecurity and thus compelling the decision-makers to alter their behaviour. The question now is, ‘is this the true teaching of Islam?’ The answer is a resounding ‘no’.
Islam is a religion of peace and violence has been condemned by Islam. Allah says clearly in the Holy Qur’an:
“Allah loves not disorder” (2:206)
Orderliness promotes peace and harmony in society. To foster orderliness in the society, Islam preaches obedience to authority and condemns lawlessness outright. In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says:
“O ye who believe! obey Allah, and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority among you.” (4:60)
Obedience to authority and abiding by the law of the land is a fundamental Islamic teaching. However, if a government does not allow you religious freedom, you can migrate to another country where you are free to worship as you please.
Human lives are invaluable and sacred in Islam. Everyone’s life is held sacred in Islam, whether rich or poor, powerful or weak. Allah the Almighty has categorically stated:
“… whosoever killed a person — unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land — it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind…” (5:33)
One murder equals the extermination of humanity. Thus, this verse unequivocally proves that the indiscriminate killings of the extremists can never be justified by Islam.
In matters of religion, Islam emphasizes freedom. Allah declares in the Holy Qur’an clearly:
“There should be no compulsion in religion”. (2:257)
Elsewhere He says:
“For you your religion, and for me my religion.” (109:7)
These and many other verses of the Holy Qur’an preaches absolute freedom of religion and forbids compulsion in matters of faith. How can anyone possibly say that the violent activities of these extremist groups are justified by Islam!
A true Muslim is actually someone who should be a source of comfort and security for others. The Holy Prophet (sa) of Islam taught us that:
“The (true) Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom the people’s lives and wealth are safe.” (Sunan An-Nisai, Hadith No. 4995)
Islam abhors the violent activities of extremists and does not support them.
The psychology of these transgressors is not hidden from Allah the Almighty, who has described the condition of extremists as follows:
“And when it is said to them: ‘Create not disorder on the earth,’ they say: ‘We are only promoters of peace.’ Beware! it is surely they who create disorder, but they do not perceive it.” (2:12-13)
Identifying the wrongdoers has been made easy and thus Islam has fortified Muslims against falling into the error of claiming to promote peace through violent acts. It is therefore not the fault of Islam if any Muslim is ignorant of true Islamic teachings and do not abide by them.
These Islamic teachings of love, peace and harmony do not just dwell in the scriptures but exist in practice even in this era. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been a proponent of peace since its establishment in 1889 by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian. His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), the Fifth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has been promoting this message of peace for many years. He has delivered many public addresses, to the world leaders and the general public, explaining the true and beautiful teachings of Islam. In his address at the 12th Annual Peace Symposium UK held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in South London on 14 March 2015, His Holiness said:
“if we turn towards Africa, terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and Al-Shabab are acting entirely against the teachings of Islam by perpetrating the most barbaric cruelties. The ramifications and effects of this will not remain confined to these African countries, but rather will be felt in the wider world.”
His Holiness further stated:
“…wherever in the world there is conflict and violence – whether conducted in the name of Islam or not – the truth is that the perpetrators are never motivated by any religion but only by their own desire to attain power. If we reflect upon all of these points it compels any sensible person to question the direction the world is moving towards in order to pursue and fulfil materialistic desires. As far as Islam is concerned, we see that in this era, Islam’s teachings are being constantly misrepresented and distorted. It is claimed that Islam promotes a violent Jihad and bloodshed. However, nothing could be further from the truth.”
On another occasion, His Holiness says:
“Our sect is the standard bearer for peace, reconciliation and harmony, which is why our motto is ‘Love for All, Hatred for None.’ …let me make it clear that we Ahmadi Muslims believe that, in this era, the concept of a violent ‘Jihad by the sword’ is completely wrong and is to be rejected…”.
We therefore live up to our motto, ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’, by following the true teachings of Islam.
About the author: Hafiz Ayyuba Abdul-Mujeeb Oluwatobi is a Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He currently serves as the Coordinator for The Review of Religions in Nigeria.
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