Collateral Damage!!

by Ibrahim Rashid Mohamed Tuesday, April 28, 2009 I believe Allah Subhanahu Wa Tala is the creator of everything including the free will given to human beings. He is the giver and taker of lives. At the same time the greatest sin is the killing innocent people. Indeed, saving people's lives is one of the foremost goals in Islam and will be rewarded in hereafter. It's repugnant to attack your enemy if you know group of Muslims are living among them. My evidence in this case is in Surat Al-Fath "Victory" Section 25. "They are the ones who denied Revelation and hindered you from the Sacred Mosque and the sacrificial animals, detained from reaching their place of sacrifice. Had there not been believing men and believing women whom ye did not know that ye were trampling down and on whose account a crime would have accrued to you without (your) knowledge, ((Allah) would have allowed you to force your way, but He held back your hands) that He may admit to His Mercy whom He will. If they had been apart, We should certainly have punished the Unbelievers among them with a grievous Punishment.". Allah "Almighty" knew few Muslims were living in Mecca surrounded by unbelievers at the time that Sahaba Army leading by Rasoolulah attacked to liberate Mecca. Respecting and saving the lives of those few families, Allah prevented any war or damage caused by unsuspecting Sahaba. Otherwise Allah would have sent grievous punishment onto the non-believers. The few Muslims were not considered collateral damage justifying the big cause of liberating Mecca. As far as I remember, I have never come across any incident happened for mankind history that Allah punished unbelievers while Muslims living in that particular spot or city. Look at all Prophets' history, from Noah to Rashoolulah Mohamed S.A.W. Warnings have been issued to Prophets to emigrate and evacuate believers far from non- believers place. Why? It's obvious that any war or punishment, damage will follow and side effect will result accordingly. In modern history we called it "Collateral Damage". "Collateral Damage" is unintentional or incidental injury or damage to persons or objects that would not be lawful military targets in the circumstances ruling at the time. But what about if the attackers knew and have the intention that their key element in the target selected among them are MUSLIMS?  Isn't that moral theory which holds the consequences of a particular action form the basis for any valid moral judgment about that action? In other words "Anything is acceptable if it leads to a successful result" no matter if it is law or unlawful. !! How we justify as Muslims to practice Greek Theory "End Justify Means" and this is exactly what is happening in Mogadishu; but the question is who are the enemy in this case? And who can be considered as Collateral damage? My point view is that collateral damage now-a-days is: ·         Poor women having business down in the middle of streets. ·         Young children polishing shoes or going to schools. ·         Drivers serving in public. ·         Elder citizens having coffee in front of restaurants. And the list goes on. When we are about to die as the result of an enemy attack or a stray of miss-targeted bullets, we consider them insha Allah SHAHEED.  The cause for which they die will be remembered by the nation. What we experienced in Somalia is totally against that goal, starting from the day "USC" tried to overcome the existing regime to this moment where Islamist groups fighting and killing innocent people because "End Justify Means".  How we justify hundreds of women, men and children passing away because they are just collateral damage!  It's truly sad and the price is high.  After all the perpetrators will be held accountable for the collateral damage victim. "Demolition of the Kaaba stone is lesser sin in front of God than a man who shed the blood of a Muslim". * Another version; "The disappearance of this world is lesser sin in front of God than the murder of a Muslim "which means, Allah will let go and make disappear this entire world in order to safe and protect Muslim's soul. Subhana Allah. That shows the value of our Souls? * * Source: Sahih Ebn Majeh Book, V. # 2 Page 92. Hadith # 2609 and authenticated by Sheikdh Nasir Al_deen Al-Albani Conclusion: In Surat Al-Maida, section 30: Allah Subhanahu said: One of the two brothers and sons of Adam attempted and killed his brother. "The (selfish) soul of the other led him to the murder of his brother: he murdered him, and became (himself) one of the lost ones." What about if I saved a life? What type of effort I shall make and contribute to this world? Look at the next section of same Surat: "On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if h e saved the life of the whole people. Do you think those claiming, calling to practice and implement Sharia would be the right people to be responsible our lives? Just wondering what is the worst thing could be happen if it so? Ibrahim-Rashid Mohamed Elmi ibrahim-mohamed@elmi-buraale.com