Woolwich Attack

RS News Story: Woolwich Attack

On May 22 2013, a British Army soldier named Drummer (Private) Lee Rigby of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers was killed by two men in Woolwich, southeast London. Rigby was off duty whilst walking down Wellington Street at the time of the attack. At first he was run down with a car, then the attackers used knives and a cleaver to stab him which resulted in his death. They then dragged him onto the road and waited for police to arrive. Five minutes after the attack, armed police arrived at the scene and the attackers, who were armed with a gun and a cleaver, charged at the police. They fired two shots which wounded them both. After this series of events they were swiftly apprehended and taken to separate hospitals.

One of the main motives of the attackers was that it was an act of revenge as this man had served in Afghanistan. This likely led to the belief that, because he was in the army, they thought he killed fellow Muslims thus making his death an act of revenge. The men justified their killings by using the name of Islam and stated that it was permitted. However, an interpretation of the Quran shows that that murder of any person (Muslim or non-Muslim) is haram (forbidden) and should not be done. The Quran states,“…whosoever killeth a human being [note: not limited to Muslims only]… it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind…” This quote from the Quran clearly shows that killing is wrong - Muslim or not. Whereas if you save a life, you will be granted Ajar (spiritual reward) which will benefit you in later life. Fighting/killing is permitted in certain circumstances such as self-defence of yourself or a fellow Muslim. As one Surah states:

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors" (2:190-193).

This Surah teaches that if a Muslim is attacked without reason or oppressed and prevented from practicing their faith, then they are given permission to fight back. However, as soon as the opposing side stops their aggression - the muslim combatant must also cease. Muslims are only allowed to fight those who attack them, not civilians or anyone not participating in the fighting as this may be seen as transgressing limits. However, many do argue that it is halal (permitted) because it is within the limits of the current war as there have been certain incidents in which civilians have suffered in countries such as Afghanistan and Iraq. Nonetheless, including innocents in warfare is not only immoral and illegal but also goes against the Quran's general teachings in regards to warfare.

Nowhere in the Quran does it support indiscriminate killing of innocent people(s) as a form of revenge for other peoples crimes, "God does not forbid you, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just." In other words, one should deal justice in a proper form and target those responsible for the aggression.

Islam sets down very clear rules as to when war should be waged and whether doing so is ethically right. In brief, war is permitted if:
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In self-defence;

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When other nations have attacked an Islamic state; and/or

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If another state is oppressing its own Muslims.

There is also a method as to how war should be conducted:
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In a disciplined way;

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So as to avoid injuring non-combatants;

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With the minimum necessary force;

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Without anger;

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With humane treatment towards Prisoners of War.

Muslims must only wage war in accord with Allah's justice (i.e. in line with the Quran's teachings): "Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the way of the Shaitan (Devil)" (4:76)

Ultimately, murder is wrong, no matter what religion you are in. This could lead to the possibility that this attack was because of politics. Islam is seemingly being used to justify aggression because of Western intervention in countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya (etc.). The Quran is clear about killing which makes it more likely that this attack was politically fuelled using a distorted version of Islam to legitimise it. One of the attackers indicates this as he states, "Remove your governments, they don’t care about you." People with different views and ideologies will argue on both sides and say that it was either a murder or an act of self-defence. This truly depends on one's interpretation of Islam and the concept of self-defence and whether it can be applied in this situation as a way of justifying the attack.

In conclusion, it was undoubtedly an act of extreme violence and once again, Islam was negatively projected. It is a religion of peace and tolerance (The word Muslim itself means to submit) of all others, as God created everyone, not just Muslims. The attackers seem to have a political agenda but then they use religion for more backing in order to persuade the Muslim audience. This analysis shows a different side to the Quran than that they quoted, which is very clear in that it does not condone these actions.