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| 9-11- Aftermath at Ground
Zero: An American Perspective…
An Islamic Voice Faiz Khan M.D. Preface: “Who so ever taketh the life of an innocent, it is as if killing entire humanity; who so ever saves a life, it is as if the saving of all humanity”. Quranic verse echoing earlier Judeo-Christian Scriptural tradition I’d like to share with you an elaboration
of Islamic paradigms as they relate to these recurrent cycles of violence
and suffering that have plagued human civilization since the dawn of
recorded history. These unfortunate incidents are almost always an outcome
of corrupted politico-ideological, economic, or social agendas. Those of
us who have formally studied history know that this type of perversion is
no stranger in the panoramic march of time. Our brief flash here on this planet is
perhaps different only because we possess skills of mass communication,
technology and industry, which enable us to manipulate minds and inflict
suffering on an unprecedented quantitative scale. The Qur’an itself defines Islam as the
Perennial Way of Peace through submission of the individual and collective
human ego to Divinity. This Islam began with the primordial couple, Adam
and Eve. The missions of the Prophets Noah and Abraham, who are named in
the Qur’an as Muslim, expressed this Way. To be Muslim is to be at Peace
with or in submission to Divinity. In post-modern secular humanistic
English, or the vernacular of western academia, this implies maintaining a
state of peace with one’s own psyche, domestic relations, society as a
whole, and of course the environment. The Qur’an reveals that there were many
model Muslims sent to all civilizations. It highlights those in the
biblical traditions such as Lot, Isaac and Ishmael, David, Solomon, Jacob,
Joseph, Job, Jonah, Moses, Aaron, John, The Exalted Virgin Mary, and The
Spirit of God, Jesus – son of Blessed Mary. These same sentiments are also expressed in
the words of Zarahustra and The Buddha. This way of Submission and Peace
also underlie much of Hindu scripture. So the Qur’an qualifies itself as
a Reminder, Direct Revelation and Recitation (among other things) from
Divinity. This Qur’an was received in the sixth century by a highly
purified and saintly figure, Muhammad. Hence, Muhammad’s mission was to
rejuvenate and crystallize the way of the Muslim, and those who claim to
follow his precedents and rituals adopted the title Muslim in the
historical context as a proper name – the parochial definition with
which most are familiar. It historically followed then, that Muhammad’s
disciples referred to this way of life as Al-Islam (The Way of Submissive
Peace) – this title also being a reflection of a Qur’anic injunction
stating that merit accrues only when the entrustment of earthly life is
spent in sincere attempt (allowing of course for human shortcomings and
frailty) to mould it in accordance with Submissive Peace toward The
Divine. It cannot be overstated that authentic understanding of the
Islamic religion requires realization of an exegetic axiom that highlights
the shifting definitions of the terms Islam and Muslim between their
Qur’anic and parochial contexts – both of which are valid in their
respective levels – the former of which is often overlooked in today’s
mental habit of compartmental rigidity and pathologic over-parochialism. Explicitly and implicitly, this Qur’an
and this way of Muhammad embrace all that is authentically an echo of
Divine inspiration in all religious tradition. The Muslim feels at home
with all who believe in God and an eventual meeting with Divinity. The
ways of Holiness, Mercy, and Justice cannot be monopolized; they are not
the sole right of any believer. The Qur’an asks believers to come
together in what is common and good. Now it is categorically clear that no
authentic way of life grounded upon submission to Peace and Divinity
allows indiscriminate slaughter. This includes massacre and pillage,
extermination of entire societies, executing policies that starve entire
countries, atomic incineration, and employing weapons of mass destruction.
Indiscriminate violence during armed conflict has reached an abhorrent
stage. The past 75 years or so is a shame upon humanity. One can label it
modern warfare or hide behind the term collateral damage, or call it
terror. The final common denominator leaves us with horrific suffering and
bitter anger, resentment, and scars in the collective consciousness of
entire societies. Such actions have nothing to do with Islam;
such abhorrent behavior is explicitly forbidden in many areas of the
Qur’anic scripture; this forbidding of conflict with any non-combatant
is also re-iterated in the personal injunctions of the Prophet Muhammad
(known as the Hadith accounts). To ask if acts of terror are justified in
Islam just because perpetrators pay lip service to religion and ritual, or
dress a certain way is ludicrous to Muslims. To get a sense of this, it is
akin to asking a Christian if genocide is allowable in Christianity since
Hitler often made reference to his role with Divine Providence. It is like
asking a Jew if authentic Judaism justifies slaughtering praying
worshippers of another faith since Dr. Baruch Goldstein, in the name of
Judaism and claiming the spirit of Purim, gunned down innocent people as
they prayed in a Mosque, or if Judaism allows wars of aggression and
bulldozing homes and appropriating land of innocent civilians. These acts
have nothing to do with authentic practice of any religion; rather, it is
absence of authentic religious practice that permits humans to sink so
low. This has nothing to do with Islam,
Christianity, Judaism or any other authentic tradition. Muslims from North
Africa, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have asked me, “Why does
America hate us? Why do they directly or indirectly work for our
slaughter? Why do they bankroll and support draconian regimes in our own
lands?” [Many from Latin America pose the same question to Americans of
Latino culture]. And now more American non-Muslims are
asking, “why do the Muslims hate us? Why is it open season on America?
“ I of course, in the middle, feel like sitting both sides down,
quieting the air and just having them listen. First I’d tell both to use
proper terms. America is a nation founded on the ideals of a republic
centered on principles of democracy – period. A Muslim is one who
follows the religion of Islam - a global religion centered on submission
to the ways of Peace and Divinity-period. There is nothing inherently
un-Islamic or anti-Muslim about the ideal of America – a ‘Nation that
stands Under God, Indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ There
is nothing inherently un-American about being a Muslim or Islam – which
defines itself as simply ‘authentic religion’ and is reported by most
American sources as the fastest growing religion within the United States
despite the ‘un-American spin’ most media outlets place upon it. I
don’t mention this to proselytize, (there is no such thing as a
missionary zeal to ‘save souls’ in the Islamic heritage), but simply
to underscore the idiocy of throwing the concepts of religion and nation
state into a competitive arena; it makes no sense…the apples - oranges
discordance analogy barely scratches the illustrative surface in this
context. Unfortunately, sloppy buzzwords and mediocre use of language and
terms are the mark of the day and lead to false understanding and subtle
emotive hysteria. Next I’d turn to my fellow foreign
Muslims and tell them America is not a monolithic entity. I watch their
jaws drop as I replay for them how American non-Muslim women in Detroit
donned the orthodox Muslim head covering as a sign of solidarity with
Muslim women to confuse the ignorant few who would target Muslim women
with harassment. I watch the eyes of my foreign fellow Muslims widen as I
recount how church groups would keep watch on grounds of Mosques to
protect Muslims on days of worship, or as I tell them of the many
Americans who stopped in on an Afghani restaurant one evening to ask if
things were OK or if there was anything they could do to help, or the
desperation many American civic and religious groups are in to let the
authentic voice of Islam be heard. I tell them of the tears that I’ve
seen roll down the faces of American non-Muslims when they learn that
foreign policy originating from Washington is starving entire nations and
leading to infanticide by the thousands. Then sternly, I reprimand them
for their ignorance – How dare they insult my fellow Americans? I tell
them not to confuse foreign policy initiated in geographically Western
corridors of power, (which could not possibly sustain itself without
accomplices within their own nations and communities), with the term
‘America.’ I would remind them not to confuse terms and not to
whitewash everything with the term ‘America,’ since these agendas
violate the very principles of the American ideal. I tell them it hurts me
to see the label ‘American’ attached to these agendas, which betray a
clear Orwellian transformation in terms of foreign policy. “No, there is
nothing American about it, and Americans don’t hate you,” I would
declare. How do I know? Because - I am an American. I would turn to my fellow Americans that
are not Muslim and declare with the same passion that Muslims are not some
monolithic entity. Just as I reprimanded my fellow foreign Muslims for
lumping together concepts and terms, I would do the same to my American
brethren from other faith traditions. These cycles of violence have
nothing to do with Islam or Muslims, just as cruel foreign policy that
employ acts of brutality and terror in various third world nations have
nothing to do with being American or the American public. My fellow
American non-Muslims are relieved upon understanding that acts of terror
and harming of innocents unequivocally violate the principles, spirit, and
letter of Islam in the grandest of all fashions. Many even claim they
intuitively knew this to be true since such a popular religion could not
be predicated upon violence, but they still appreciated and even needed to
hear explanations from an American. I note the amazement as I tell them of
the sadness and shock I witnessed by those Pakistani or Egyptian Muslims
when told details of the events of September 11th, or the vigils that were
held in the streets of Iran. When I am asked why certain foreign Muslims
were celebrating at the destruction of the twin towers, I remind them of
the ignorance that abounds all over the world. I tell them of the
perception of American policy as tyrannical and responsible for scores
more destruction. These ignorant folk equate The World Trade Center as a
symbol of a policy that has brutalized their families and societies.
Finally I tell them blows during conflict are always celebrated by the
misguided masses…it was not so long ago that the killing of more than
200,000 Iraqi civilians were met with waving flags, parades, and full
fledged marketing as missile after missile flew. “Happy Ramadan” is
sarcastically written across shells and missles that fly into Afghanistan
and slaughter thousands of very simple folk who don’t even know what The
World Trade Center is, while the public cheers as if this was something
akin to a WWF contest. Millions more are starving through the weather as a
result of years of embargo and intensification of sanctions... all being
celebrated with tough talk and glorifying rhetoric. Quite frankly, it is
the idiots who celebrate conflict – idiot defined by those who lack
understanding of what actually happens when missiles land, when people
watch their loved ones starve, or when the World Trade Center crushes
thousands …yes, only idiots celebrate these things, and idiocy is more
common than one might imagine. Idiocy is not a trait of any religion or
nationality, again – let’s not confuse terms. My American friends of other faiths are
even more intrigued to learn that the lines in “Muslim” nations for
gaining visas to America are endless since Muslim citizens of all nations
will be the first to praise America’s espousal of domestic fairness and
dignity. They know it’s a place where, despite ones’ religion and
ethnicity, hard work and merit will still give you an honest return
relative to anywhere else. Compared to their own nations, bribery,
corruption, extortion, privileged connections and nepotism are at an all
time low. Nope, there is nothing Islamic about
activity that is criminal - like bombing the world trade center or
targeting American civilians; There is nothing Islamic about activity that
is non-criminal - such as weaving rugs, or making Baklava, or playing
Cricket; as there is nothing Christian about apple pie or playing baseball
– which is obviously true since I love apple pie and led my men’s
baseball league in hitting last season – and alas… I am a Muslim. Next I turn back to my fellow Muslim
foreigners and urge them to accurately attach blame to those factions that
employ exploitation, oppression and terror and hijack American patriotic
expressions for justification. Likewise I turn to my American friends of
differing religion and urge them to attach blame to those splinter groups
that employ terror and then hijack Islamic rhetorical terms for
justification. I cry to my foreign Muslims, “please
believe me, no matter how nifty the suits and clean cut and civilized the
appearance of those who speak for the guilty factions appear on T.V. No
matter how often the words ‘freedom,’ ‘national interest,’
‘democracy,’ ‘ America’, or ‘justice’ emerge from their
lips.” With the same vehemence I turn to my
American non-Muslims and beg, ”please believe me, no matter how long the
beards, how regal the turbans and caps, and how flowing the robes of those
who pose for the perpetrating groups. No matter how eloquently the term
‘Allah’, ‘jihad’, and other religious phraseology emerge from
their lips.” By this time the reciprocity is clear. The
common denominator is this: Wolves hide best in sheep’s clothing; indeed
it is necessary for the insidiousness of the agendas – as is maintaining
an ambience of fear, distrust, hatred and insecurity. It is devilish
savagery in the guise of religion, political sophistry and patriotic
slogans, which is easily marked and uniformly condemned by the sincere of
all faiths. When I initially watched the inciting events of this current
mess, as an American Muslim many things came to mind. But it was when the
insults and accusations flew from one side to the other and the finger
pointing was at its’ height that I was reminded of a Qur'ânic passage
which talks about a certain type of hypocrisy which lay in the human
psyche. It claims that when we are on the receiving end of an exchange we
demand justice, fair play, leniency, and immaculate compliance to accepted
standards. But when we are on the giving end, we seldom find the
discipline or desire to mete out the same. Conversely speaking, how
profound then, is the playground taunt, which is prompted by the eventual
defeat and protesting cries of the toppled bully – “you can dish it
out, but you can’t take it.” The hypocrisy of the entire situation now
is blinding. Both sides are delusional and the innocents of the world are
hostage. Speaking of both sides is not entirely
accurate because on a deeper level, the polarization of conflict is
misleading. In reality, it is a dark component of the collective human
psyche at war with itself in a horrific dance melee of devastation. To
appreciate this one needs to look past externals, the numbers and the
endless violent episodes of these past couple of centuries. This is no
easy task. September 11th is hard enough to get past, let alone all of the
other tragedies. Yet again, as in my own profession as a physician, it is
poor practice to solely chase symptoms. No cure is possible if that route
is taken. The Qur’anic verse opening this essay hints at this. By likening the slaughter of one innocent soul to all of humanity, the Qur’anic verse implies a few things. For one, it is underscoring the value of just one human life – so how much more horrid the loss of many. This is a meaning most draw from this verse. But at the same time, the verse is de-emphasizing quantitative judgments on loss of life by likening just one to the billions of humanity. Many now are unfortunately solely responsive to quantitative loss of life. So when it comes to terror, victimization,
and massacre, externals include numbers, venue, race, religious labeling,
rhetoric, modus operandi, etc. Externals are symptoms and no doubt
important, but it is the cause, or etiology we must boldly face. It is a
behavioral cancer and barbaric viciousness recessed in the human psyche; a
darkness that when unleashed makes any sane individual ashamed at being a
member of this human species. It is a suffocating and constricting egoism
whose manifestations the great spiritual traditions warn against. These
ways include fanaticism, extremism and rigidity in approach to any
ideology or religion. Also included are the ways of reactionary hysteria
and automatism of decision and action. Then we have good old fashioned
hypocrisy in its many flavors; we must also mention the ways of arrogance
and elitism. Arrogance and elitism have their root in
another tendency– that is denying others the sacred and inviolable or
inalienable (depending on your outlook) rights inherent in the human
make-up while reserving those only for one’s self or select group. To
assume this view, one must fall prey to a fanaticism that calls for a
reductionist view of other human beings – a view that reduces the human
being to an expendable creature. One example of reductionism is today’s
dominant corporate culture that seeks to reduce the human being to a
sexless unit of consumption and production – period. Value in this scope
is economic viability regarding the degree one can consume and produce
materially - period. Unfortunately, reductionism breeds further
reductionism in a downward spiraling fashion. We are told in the Qur’an
that one of Satan’s defining characteristics was his unwillingness to
recognize the human being; instead, he saw only a beast made of clay –
this is the ultimately secularized reductionist view of life-which denies
the spiritual essence of the human that gives rise to the very notion of
being. It is easy then, to exploit the labor of a beast of clay, to starve
entire nations of clay beasts, to oppress and disregard the lives and even
indiscriminately kill beasts of clay. It is hard to do such to a fellow
human being – if that is what we believe one another to be. In mentioning today’s corporate culture,
let us not forget the way of obsessional acquisitiveness that plagues the
human psyche. This of course includes the propensity to hoard wealth and
resources and arrange flow of such in an exploitive, one-way manner –
some conscientious and thoughtful people utilize the term predatory
capitalism, which is the predominant form practiced these days. I assure
you Adam Smith is turning over in his grave with disgust at what
postmodern humanity has attributed to his insightful perspectives. When these above ways manifest and overcome
the practices of an individual or collectivity, I promise you agendas that
promote terror, oppression, exploitation and brutality as a means to a
given end. It has been the precedent of the Prophets,
Saints and sages of all the great world spiritual traditions to combat
these barbaric tendencies. The emphasis of all religions lay on this and
this alone. On a cursory level, the Islamic tradition
contains bodies of exoteric injunctions and even legislation. The
following can be concluded about military action from the Qur’an and the
Islamic traditions. First, that taking up of arms will be a hateful thing
to many, but at times where defense from hostility, violence and brutality
threaten lives, it may be truly indicated and hence permissible. In
addition, it is worse to live in an abject and wretchedly oppressed state
as opposed to taking measures to correct and struggle against agents of
oppression, exploitation, and brutality. It was the American Senator
Patrick Henry of Virginia in the late 1700’s who echoed this very
sentiment as he turned to the British Crown and exclaimed, “Give me
liberty or give me death” and recall that some state flags read “Live
free or die” and “Don’t tread on me.” The much celebrated slogans
of the French revolution, unbeknownst to most, were initially Liberte’,
Egalate’, Fraternite’, OU LA MORT (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity, OR
DEATH). The Qur’an also states that had human
beings not been given the capacity for armed resistance, surely
oppression, corruption or chaos would overwhelm the planet and that
Mosques, Synagogues, Churches and any place where Divinity is remembered
would be destroyed – this implies a kinship between sincere followers of
all religions in their mutual commitment to check the darkness of
injustice, exploitation, and corruption. The Qur’an also prompts that
those who are able should dedicate themselves in rallying to aid those
that are being victimized and oppressed regardless of the religion of the
victimizer or victimized – this being done fi-sabeelillah (in the way of
God), which implies the aid be given selflessly with no strings attached
and no intent of political leverage or gain. Furthermore, the Qur’an qualifies rules
of engagement. Arms can never be used in aggression, or for any other
purposes save defense. The enemy is defined as those who initiate and
employ violence, aggression, or oppression toward the victim. Extending
action to non-combatants is strictly prohibited. When the enemy is
engaged, the Qur’an exhorts to firmness and valor. Once the instigating
situation is corrected, arms must be abandoned, and any call for diplomacy
and truce must be immediately respected – even if insincerity in a call
for peace or respite is obvious! Other Islamic traditions mandate that any
other factors such as greed, aggrandizement of any form, and ego or
“hype” can never pollute one’s intention to take up arms. Traditions
further dictate to never desire an encounter with the enemy. We are told
of Ali, The Prophet Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law who in the heat of
an engagement in the 7th century was spat upon by an enemy soldier. Ali
immediately sheathed his sword and withdrew. When his enemy confronted him
after that day and enquired as to why the withdrawal, Ali stated that
after being spat upon, he felt the burning of his own ego and pride and
hence withdrew so as not to be guilty of fighting for the sake of personal
insult. Islamic tradition also tells us of those “martyrs” who will
earn condemnation by God since they were false in their struggle as they
fought not for the sake of selfless good, but for their own hidden
agendas, pride, or ambitions. There are no reported instances of any of
the Islamic models of conduct ever seeking retribution for personal
attacks or insults. Hence, Islamic tradition dictates that armed
resistance is a check meant for safeguarding the welfare of a people; it
is not an instrument of personal or collective agendas (this concept
resonating with the notion of Just Conflict found in Hindu, Buddhist,
Jewish, and Christian traditions) To drive home the point that armed struggle
is a last resort after all diplomacy has failed, we are told of
instructions given to the battalions in the early days of Islam when war
was carried out only by combatants and in places away from civilian
infrastructure. Not only were any non-combatants off limits, but also so
were farms, trees and other infrastructure. Upon engagement, the Muslims
were instructed to allow the enemy the first strike and then ask for a
respite. At that point, the Muslims were instructed to bring out their
slain or wounded for display to the opposition and ask for the last time
regarding resolution of the conflict…”is there no other way?” Around these and scores more similar
traditions, injunctions and exhortations, grew a code of conduct during
conflict that easily rivals the Geneva Convention regarding rules of
engagement and even handling of prisoners, who in accord with the Islamic
tradition are to be fed and clothed with the identical food and clothing
used by their captors. Failure to do so and failure to offer safe haven to
captors is considered an insult to Divinity and the Prophet Muhammad
himself. But it’s obvious that you can only
legislate so much, you can only police and enforce so much. The truth is
that the ideal is what it is, and people are what they are – Muslim or
not. History is probably full of more examples of non-compliance with
these injunctions than it is with honoring them. Legislation and policing
are one of the lowest and least effective forms of behavioral
induction…in my opinion just above use of lobotomy and pharmacotherapy.
This is why the great spiritual figures of the world pay far more an
emphasis on the transformative effect of spiritual growth and purification
and no authentic religion stops at mere “boy scout” rules and
legislative enforcement. As one matures, the impetus prompting to
honorable behavior should eventually stem from within - through proximity
to Divine Grace and bonding with the great spiritual masters in the
respective world faith traditions. This is crucial, since the perennial
wisdom of all great faith traditions define the human primarily through
possession of a willful soul, hence adding a spiritual identity (above but
not in conflict with a rational one), as the quintessential factor in the
human envelope. It makes sense then that it is proper care, evolution, and
healthy development of this element which leads humanity to reach the
great heights of existence…conversely, neglect of this, even with
existing ‘exoteric’ and legal injunctions in place, induces
devastation and destruction since either the injunctions or their
enforcement can be circumvented or even neutralized. Love, respect, forbearance, patience,
compassion, generosity, selflessness, insight, wisdom, honor, duty,
courage – these qualities and other beautiful ones sorely lacking today
cannot be legislated and enforced – these come about with adherence to
religion in it’s completeness. In the Islamic tradition, actualization
of these qualities against hostile forces internal to one’s soul as well
as from external stimuli is known as the greatest struggle or The Greatest
Jihad. The term Jihad is a most misused and
misunderstood term. It does not mean ‘Holy War’…there is no phrase
such as ‘Holy War’ in the Islamic tradition – the origins of this
phrase likely date back to European origin during the Crusading Era. Jihad
literally means struggle or effort/exertion. My parents will claim that
their most intense Jihad was dealing with me and trying to keep me on the
straight and narrow as an adolescent growing up in New York. To care for a
sick person is considered a Jihad. Engaging in the pursuit of knowledge is
considered a Jihad- we are told that the ink of a scholarly master is
holier than the blood of a martyr. And of course, in the occasions as
mentioned, armed resistance against agents that seek to harm or brutalize
is a form of Jihad. The preceding words are not meant to
minimize the role of law-enforcement or exoteric injunction. Exoteric and
legal injunctions and enforcement are essential as a starting point,
always as a common denominator, and in their safety-net role, similar to
guard rails on the highway journey all souls travel – they should never
be abandoned. Those who somehow think that through their exaltedness or
self-justification, rules don’t apply to them suffer from a great naïveté
and delusion. The greatest of all spiritual masters in the world religious
traditions were meticulous in their adhering to certain outward forms and
injunctions, and always abided by law as long as letter and form coincided
with intent and spirit. The last message I’d like to leave you
with is that the handling of this conflict in the lay media borders on
buffoonery. The dialectic in which the events are presented is extremely
simplified and even false at times; a complete detailing of factors that
have contributed to the 9-11 attacks and the current bombing of
Afghanistan has hardly been touched upon. Last, the devastation of that
region prior - by various imposed regimes and now the destruction of the
country by this illegal war has set new standards in disregard of human
life. I ask that you please not delude yourselves into believing that you
are informed by watching CNN’s clips, bytes, and spins. This only leads
to compound ignorance, that irremediable state whereupon the afflicted are
ignorant of the fact that they are ignorant - this is due to a naïve
presumptuousness and faith in a childlike fantasy that media technology
somehow effaces incompetence, lack of human objectivity, censorship, and
even frank bias, which are very much alive in modern media. Compound
ignorance naturally dulls any sense or desire to broaden a perspective or
opinion. So I implore all of you who consider yourselves “informed” to actively read the alternative and independent/investigational press as well. In addition, I ask all of you to delve into your respective faith traditions and find that spark which eternally ignites a will to promote compassion, truth and justice - in whatever context that you may encounter.
With permission of the author Published in 'The American Muslim'
Jan-Feb 2003 issue |