Opinion: The Pilot, the Extremist, and the True Meaning of Islam

By Dr. Farida Khanam

(Editor’s note: A slightly different version of this article first appeared in Times of India)

The recent attack aboard flydubai Flight FZ073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv has caused widespread shock. Despite being seriously injured by the co-pilot, Indian captain Smit Machchhar managed to heroically unlock the cockpit door, allowing others to intervene and avert what could have been a major tragedy. While still under investigation, some officials have alleged radical Islamist indoctrination. This incident has revived an important question: What does Islam teach about violence and extremism?

Whatever the investigation ultimately establishes, one distinction must remain clear: an act committed by a Muslim is not necessarily an Islamic act. Islam must be understood and judged by its authentic teachings, not by the actions of an individual who violates those teachings.

The Prophet Muhammad gave a simple description of a true believer: “The believer is one whom people trust with their lives and their wealth” (Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, 2627). This teaching provides an important standard. Faith should make others feel secure. If one’s actions make innocent people fear for their lives, those actions contradict this prophetic standard.

The principle becomes particularly significant in the context of air travel. When passengers board an aircraft, they place their lives in the hands of the pilots and crew. They cannot control the aircraft or leave in an emergency. The pilot therefore carries an extraordinary responsibility of amanah, or trust.

The Qur’an says: “Do not betray God and His Messenger, and do not knowingly violate your trusts” (8:27).

To accept responsibility for human lives and then deliberately endanger those lives would be a grave betrayal of that trust. No political grievance, religious sentiment or ideological argument can transform such a betrayal into an Islamic act.

Islam’s position on innocent human life is equally unequivocal. The Qur’an says: “Do not take a life which God has made inviolate, except by legal right” (17:33). The Quran also says: “Do not let your enmity toward any people turn you away from justice. Clearly, that is nearer to being God-fearing (5:8).”

This is especially relevant when political and religious emotions run high. The real test of religious character is how a person treats those they deeply disagree with.

The Prophet Muhammad also warned explicitly against religious extremism. He said, “Ruined are those who go to extremes.” He repeated it three times (Sahih Muslim, 2670).

Extremism begins when religious teachings are converted into an ideology of hatred. Terrorism goes further: it makes innocent human beings targets for grievances with which they may have no connection. It is unfair to take an act that violates these principles and use it to define the perpetrator’s religion.

A Muslim must be judged by what he or she does. Islam must be judged by what it teaches. And the prophetic standard could hardly be clearer: a true believer is someone who makes other human beings feel secure in their lives and their possessions.

(Dr. Farida Khanam is chairperson of India-based Center for Peace & Spirituality International. Khanam has spent over 25 years teaching Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi)