The Misinterpretation of Islamic Concepts: Bai'at, Martyrdom, and Jihad

In the Islamic tradition, certain concepts have become subjects of intense interpretation and debate, where extremist groups often attempt to manipulate them to further their agendas. Unfortunately, among these, the concepts of bai'at (pledge of allegiance), shahadah (martyrdom), and jihad stand out as particularly susceptible to misinterpretation and abuse.

The recent case of a Singaporean youth pledging allegiance to ISIS arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA) serves as a stark example of how these misunderstandings can lead individuals down a path of radicalisation.

Read: How Does Social Media Influence Online Radicalisation?

Image source: Channelnewsasia

The Concept of Bai'at

Bai'at, an Arabic term denoting a pledge of allegiance, alliance, and loyalty, was practised since pre-Islamic Arabia. In early Islamic history, it was used to establish security and unity in the absence of state power. Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. himself engaged in several instances of bai'at with his followers, setting a precedent for its use in Islamic governance and social organisation. However, today's extremist groups often misuse this idea, twisting it far from its original meaning.

Read: Addressing Misconceptions: Governance in Islam

In Islamic teaching, there are two kinds of bai'at. The first is an unbreakable pledge called al-bay'at al-mutlaqah. This special type was only ever meant for Prophet Muhammad. Why? Because as Allah's messenger, he was protected from sin (ma’sum) and always guided rightly.

Masjid Al-Bay’ah (Mosque of the Pledge) or Masjid Al-’Aqabah (Mosque of Al-Aqabah) is located at the site where Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. met the locals of Madinah (the Ansar) who pledged allegiance to him before the Hijrah. Image source: https://hajjumrahplanner.com/masjid-al-bayah/

The second type is al-bay'at al-muqayyadah, which means a conditional pledge. This is the kind that applies to everyone else. It's important to understand that any pledge made to a person other than the Prophet s.a.w. falls into this category.

This distinction is crucial because it means that any pledge made to a contemporary leader or group, including terrorist organisations like ISIS, is revocable. The hadith clearly states that:

لَا طَاعَةَ فِي مَعْصِيَةٍ

"There is no obedience to anyone if it is disobedience to Allah."

(Muttafaqun ‘Alayh)

Therefore, when a bai'at leads to actions that violate Islamic principles, such as indiscriminate violence, it becomes not only permissible but necessary to revoke that pledge.

The youth's pledge, as disclosed in the reports, demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding of this concept. By swearing unwavering allegiance to an ISIS leader and committing to "jihad of victory or martyrdom," the youth has fallen prey to a distorted interpretation of bai'at that contradicts its true purpose in Islamic tradition.

Read: Addressing Misconceptions: Jihad and Martyrdom

Martyrdom in Islam

The concept of martyrdom (shahada) in Islam is another area frequently misunderstood and exploited by extremist groups. In its true Islamic context, martyrdom is not primarily about dying in battle but about living and, if necessary, dying in testimony to one's faith.

Read: Shaheed (Martyr) Meaning and Its Relevance Today

The Quran mentions various types of martyrs, including those who die defending their property, those who die in childbirth, and those who die of plague while patiently enduring their illness. This broad definition emphasises that martyrdom is more about the state of one's faith and the circumstances of one's death rather than actively seeking death in conflict.

Read: Islamic Quotes On Death: The Idea of Mortality in Islam

The extremist narrative, however, often portrays martyrdom exclusively in terms of dying while fighting ‘perceived enemies of Islam’. This narrow and violent interpretation ignores the broader Islamic emphasis on preserving life and seeking peace. The Quran clearly states,

مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا

"Whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity" 

(Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:32)

The detained youth's reference to "jihad of victory or martyrdom" in his pledge reflects this unfortunate distorted understanding. True martyrdom in Islam is not achieved through acts of terrorism or violence against civilians, innocent people, religious others or even sinners but through living a life of faith and standing up for justice.

The Authority to Declare Jihad

Another critical misunderstanding relates to the authority to declare jihad. In Islamic tradition, the declaration of jihad, particularly in its military form, is not a right accorded to individuals or non-state groups. Historically, this authority rested with the caliph or the head of state.

The Imperial Throne of the Ottoman Caliph in the Topkapi Palace

In the absence of a universally recognised caliphate in the modern world, the majority of Islamic scholars agree that the authority to declare jihad lies with legitimate Muslim governments or a consensus of qualified Islamic scholars (ulama). This understanding is based on the Islamic principle of preventing chaos and disorder (fitna) and ensuring that military actions are undertaken for just causes and with proper constraints.

Extremist groups like ISIS, however, self-ascribed this authority, declaring jihad without a legitimate religious or political mandate. They often justify this by claiming to have established a caliphate, as ISIS did in 2014. However, this claim is rejected by the vast majority of Muslims and Islamic scholars worldwide.

The detained youth's pledge to engage in jihad under the banner of ISIS demonstrates a failure to understand this crucial aspect of Islamic law, as shown in the works of past jurists and scholars. By accepting the authority of a self-proclaimed "caliph" to declare jihad, the detained youth has fallen into the trap of extremist ideology that contradicts established Islamic principles of governance and jurisprudence.

ISIS logo painted by their fighters on the walls of Aleppo, Syria, 2017

The Exploitation by Extremist Groups

Islamist terrorist groups exploit concepts like bai'at, martyrdom, and jihad to trap members within their organisations and ensure compliance. These groups often use a combination of religious manipulation, psychological pressure, and the threat of divine retribution to maintain control over their followers.

In the case of bai'at, terrorist groups like ISIS and Jemaah Islamiyah have used it as a tool to compel absolute obedience, even when their commands violate basic Islamic principles. They often warn that breaking the bai'at will result in severe divine punishment, creating a powerful psychological barrier to leaving the group.

Similarly, the promise of martyrdom is used as a recruitment tool, appealing to individuals' desire for meaning, purpose and divine reward. By presenting a distorted view of martyrdom that glorifies violence and death, these groups manipulate vulnerable individuals into committing acts of terrorism.

The concept of jihad is perhaps the most widely exploited. While jihad in Islamic tradition encompasses a broad range of efforts to improve oneself and society, extremist groups narrow it down to violent conflict against perceived enemies of Islam. This misinterpretation ignores the many Quranic verses and Prophetic traditions that emphasise peace and coexistence.

Read: The Prophet’s Beautiful Compassion Toward Other Faith Communities

Conclusion

The misinterpretation and exploitation of Islamic concepts like bai'at, martyrdom, and jihad pose a significant challenge to Muslim communities worldwide. The recent case of the Singaporean youth pledging allegiance to ISIS serves as an important reminder to stay vigilant and how these distortions can lead susceptible individuals down a path of radicalisation and violence.

To counter this threat, it is crucial to promote a nuanced and contextual understanding of these concepts. Muslims must learn about the conditional nature of bai'at to non-prophetic figures, the true meaning of martyrdom in Islam, and the proper authority for declaring jihad. This learning should emphasise that any interpretation of these concepts that leads to violence, especially against the innocents, is fundamentally flawed and un-Islamic.

Furthermore, it is essential to address the underlying factors that make individuals vulnerable to extremist ideologies. These may include social, economic, and political grievances, as well as a lack of proper religious education.

Ultimately, countering the misuse of Islamic concepts requires a multifaceted approach involving family support, religious leaders, educators, community organisations, and government agencies.

By promoting authentic Islamic knowledge, critical thinking skills, and a sense of belonging to the community, we can hope to inoculate vulnerable individuals against the lure of extremist ideologies and preserve the true peaceful and just essence of Islam.

Read: How to Seek Knowledge as a Muslim

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