By Dr. Ahmad Khan
The price that Pakistan has paid with blood and dignity due to extremist violence is huge and unjustified; it is for the sake of Islam, but in the name of falsehood. However, despite decades of sacrifice, figures such as Maulana Abdul Aziz still find a way to twist the noble idea of jihad to become an alibi for terrorism. His recent speech is not misdirected but rather destructive as it undermines the real teachings of Islam, the unity of nations, and the strength of the opponents of faith and state.
By comparing the idea of terrorism to the concept of jihad, Maulana Abdul Aziz promotes the Khawarij, a sect that is known in the history of the Islamic religion because of its cruelty, disobedience, and misinterpretation of Islam. In a very strict way, the Quran supports the sacredness of life: “Whoever kills a soul…it is as if he has killed all of humanity” (5:32). But his story attempts to justify what Islam strictly prohibits, mindless murder and disorder. The distortion gives terrorists a false religious justification for committing violence at the expense of the common people in Pakistan.
His assertion that Khawarij are Mujahedin, goes against Islamic scholarship. The Ulama in Pakistan have unanimously declared them the enemies of Islam through the Paigham-e-Pakistan. The Quran cautions the propagators of corruption on earth: “The punishment of those who wage war against Allah…is execution, or crucifixion” (5:33). Abdul Aziz contradicts this consensus, diminishes the authority of the Islamic jurisprudence, and contributes to the risky illusion that terrorists are working for a genuine cause.
Islam puts a pretty clear boundary between Jihad and terrorism. Jihad is founded on justice, protecting the innocent, and self-control; terrorism destroys communities, kills innocent people, and spreads division. With the statement of terrorism targeting the people of Pakistan being a jihad, Maulana Abdul Aziz is not only going against the Quran, but also affronts the life and sacrifice of security forces who are the true participants of jihad. They protect life and justice. The Quran is a reminder, as it tells us: “Whoever saves a life, it is as if he has saved all of humanity” (5:32). This is what Abdul Aziz consciously disregards.
The most prominent researchers around Pakistan are against his misrepresentations. Mufti Taqi Usmani denounces terrorism as being Khawariji. Abdullah Khalil laments their shameful attacks on mosques and madrasas. Tayyab Qureshi is reminding us that Islam is not a chaotic religion; it is a peaceful religion, and that abusing the name of Islam only makes Islamophobia stronger. Aminullah Peshawari goes a notch higher and says that these are the killers who are not the defenders of Islam but their enemies. This massive level of academic agreement makes the rhetoric of Abdul Aziz what it really is: the fringe ideology in the guise of faith.
The other truth which he intentionally hides is that it is only the legitimate state that can declare jihad. Unilateral incitements to violence are nothing but terrorism, as Tahir-ul-Qadri points out. This obedience to lawful authority is even a command of the Quran in order to maintain the unity of the ummah. The defiance of Maulana Abdul Aziz contravenes this, driving young minds towards disobedience, disunity, and bloodshed.
Pakistan is a country that has been affected more by terrorism than any other country. From the martyred soldier in Waziristan to the school children in Peshawar, the cost has been enormous. But Pakistan has battled back with pride, clarity, and sacrifice. Programs such as Paigham-e-Pakistan, which was sanctioned by hundreds of ulema, reinstate the peaceful nature of Islam and unveil the terrorist misunderstandings. Extremists being defended by Maulana Abdul Aziz are not just dangerous, but, in fact, a betrayal of what the martyrs and the strength of the people, and the honor of Islam itself had to endure.
He is also a source of propaganda to global terror groups, and his words are giving weapons to critics of Islam to equate a whole faith with violence. Distorting jihad, Maulana Abdul Aziz empowers terrorists who murder Muslims. The reality, however, is simple: Islam is about peace, compassion, and justice. He who perverts it is not a reformer: he is its most inveterate foe.
This misinterpretation of jihad by Maulana Abdul Aziz is no mistake, but a calculated plan to put lives at risk, destabilize Pakistan, and betray Islam. Such rhetoric must be opposed with clarity, scholarship, and conviction at a time when Pakistan is struggling to achieve peace, unity, and stability. Heroic jihad is not annihilation of life and justice, but its protection. Anything that is not Islam–it is infidelity disguised in religion.
About The Author
Dr. Ahmad Khan is an independent researcher based in Islamabad, Pakistan, interested in regional security, terrorism, and counter-extremism. His research is based on militancy, radicalization, and counter-terrorism policies in South Asia and the Middle East. He works with think tanks and international organizations, and regularly publishes research and contributes to policy dialogues.
