There’s a tragic irony when words meant for compassion and mercy are distorted into rallying cries for destruction. In today’s world, the misuse of sacred slogans like Allah-o-Akbar during violent acts not only distorts Islamic teachings but also maligns the image of Islam globally. When bombs explode or missiles are launched with cries invoking Allah’s name, the very essence of Islam — peace, mercy, and compassion — is betrayed.
Allah is not a symbol of terror; He is Al-Rehman (The Most Compassionate) and Al-Raheem (The Most Merciful). These names speak of infinite mercy, not of wrathful vengeance at the whims of men. By raising the slogans of Allah-o-Akbar while unleashing devastation, those responsible twist divine words for ungodly purposes, alienating billions of Muslims from the true message of their faith.
It is critical for the intellectual and scholarly community to dissect this dangerous trend with honesty and courage. Misappropriating divine phrases for personal or political gains is not just an act of violence — it is a theological betrayal of the core principles of Islam. As the 20th-century scholar Maulana Abul Kalam Azad said, “True strength lies in reforming the soul, not in shedding blood.” Let us now examine this matter with clarity, scholarship, and responsibility.
1- Misinterpretation of Sacred Words
Religious slogans carry immense emotional weight and spiritual significance. However, when misused for violent purposes, they become tools of manipulation. The phrase Allah-o-Akbar was revealed as an expression of Allah’s greatness over worldly matters, not as a drumbeat for war. Unfortunately, radical groups and misguided individuals have hijacked this divine utterance, transforming it into a slogan of terror in the public imagination.
Islamic scholar Dr. Fazlur Rahman, in his seminal work Islam and Modernity, emphasizes the need to interpret Islamic terms within their historical and ethical contexts. To use Allah-o-Akbar while committing atrocities is not just an act of violence but a deliberate distortion of Islamic doctrine. For those wishing to explore this topic further, The Islamic Ethics of War and Peace by Sohail Hashmi offers a scholarly exploration.
2- Allah’s Mercy: The Forgotten Message
While militant voices raise slogans of God’s greatness in violence, they conveniently forget the two most repeated attributes of Allah in the Qur’an: Al-Rehman (The Most Compassionate) and Al-Raheem (The Most Merciful). These names are recited in Bismillah at the start of almost every chapter of the Qur’an, underscoring mercy as the foundation of divine governance.
Renowned Islamic theologian Imam Al-Ghazali asserted in Ihya Ulum al-Din that mercy is the heart of faith, while cruelty is its antithesis. Launching missiles while invoking God’s name is thus not an act of piety but blasphemy cloaked in religious jargon. Any sincere believer must reflect: would the Merciful authorize senseless bloodshed in His name?
3- Distorting the Global Image of Islam
Every act of violence committed under the guise of religious fervor tarnishes Islam’s global image. For the vast majority of Muslims who live peaceful, compassionate lives, hearing sacred phrases being broadcast during acts of terror becomes a source of deep anguish and embarrassment.
Karen Armstrong, in her influential book Islam: A Short History, describes how extremists misrepresent Islam by taking Qur’anic verses out of context. This distortion fuels Islamophobia and widens the chasm between Muslims and non-Muslims. By abandoning slogans during violence, believers can work to reclaim Islam’s rightful image as a religion of mercy and peace.
4- Political Hijacking of Religious Symbols
Many groups who shout Allah-o-Akbar during bombings are not fighting for faith but for political gains disguised as religious motives. Religion becomes a tool in the arsenal of those seeking power, resources, or revenge. This hijacking of divine names for political objectives is not only deceptive but a grave betrayal of Islam’s apolitical spirituality.
Professor John Esposito, in Unholy War: Terror in the Name of Islam, explains how religion has been manipulated historically for geopolitical ends. Those who weaponize sacred words blur the lines between faith and fanaticism, making it harder for sincere religious reformers to untangle truth from falsehood.
5- True Martyrdom vs. False Heroism
True martyrdom in Islam is grounded in defending the oppressed and preserving justice, not in spreading terror. Yet those launching missiles while shouting religious slogans often paint themselves as heroes or martyrs. This is a tragic misunderstanding of Islamic heroism, which celebrates selflessness, not mass destruction.
Ibn Taymiyyah, often misquoted by extremists, actually stressed that “Islam does not permit killing innocents, even in war.” For further exploration, Radical Reform by Tariq Ramadan addresses how contemporary Muslims must reinterpret their understanding of martyrdom in line with true Islamic teachings.
6- Islamic Ethics of Warfare
The ethics of warfare in Islam are strictly defined and rigorously humane. Civilians, non-combatants, and even the environment are protected under Islamic jurisprudence. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) strictly forbade harming women, children, and the elderly in battle.
In The Study Quran by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, the principle of proportionality and justice in warfare is highlighted with rigorous detail. Launching bombs with cries of divine slogans violates every ethical framework in Islamic jurisprudence, making such actions doubly reprehensible — both morally and spiritually.
7- Psychological Impact on Believers
The misuse of divine slogans in acts of terror generates a psychological crisis for ordinary believers. Hearing sacred phrases associated with violence produces cognitive dissonance, undermining faith and sowing confusion within Muslim communities.
Dr. Umar Faruq Abd-Allah, in his lectures on The Crisis of Representation, explains that such acts not only distort public perception but corrode the internal harmony of religious identity. Healing this psychological wound requires reclaiming religious symbols for their rightful, peaceful meanings.
8- Qur’anic Warning Against Corruption
The Qur’an sternly warns against spreading corruption (fasad) on Earth, an act strongly condemned repeatedly. Using divine phrases to commit violence directly contradicts this principle. It is a betrayal of divine commands rather than obedience to them.
In Tafsir al-Qurtubi, it’s explained that fasad encompasses all forms of destruction, injustice, and wrongdoing. Associating God’s name with such actions, therefore, places perpetrators in direct rebellion against divine guidance.
9- The Prophet’s Legacy of Mercy
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known for his unwavering mercy, even in times of conflict. The Conquest of Makkah, often cited as one of his greatest military victories, was marked by unprecedented forgiveness toward former enemies.
In Muhammad: His Life Based on the Earliest Sources by Martin Lings, this profound legacy of mercy is recounted with vivid detail. Invoking Allah-o-Akbar to justify cruelty is not just a theological mistake — it’s an outright rejection of the Prophet’s living example.
10- Historical Abuse of Religion for Violence
History is replete with examples of religious slogans being manipulated to incite violence. From the Crusades to modern extremist groups, faith has too often been used as a cover for power struggles.
Karen Armstrong’s Fields of Blood: Religion and the History of Violence is an excellent resource tracing these patterns. Understanding this history helps us remain vigilant against similar abuses today and work toward preventing future distortions of Islam’s peaceful message.
11- Disconnect with Classical Scholarship
Those who misuse divine slogans often act outside the framework of established Islamic scholarship. Their actions reflect personal or political ideologies rather than orthodox Islamic jurisprudence.
For further reading, The Shariah by Abdur Rahman Doi gives clear guidelines on lawful conduct according to classical jurists. Ignoring these teachings for political or emotional aims is not rebellion against the West; it’s rebellion against Islamic civilization itself.
12- Ethical Responsibility of Scholars and Preachers
Scholars and religious preachers bear a profound ethical responsibility in countering the misuse of divine phrases. Silence in the face of such distortions is complicity.
Imam Ibn al-Jawzi in Talbis Iblis warned that religious figures can be led astray by pride or misguided zeal. Today’s scholars must use their influence to clarify the merciful, balanced teachings of Islam and publicly reject the sloganizing of violence.
13- Role of Media in Propagating Misinterpretations
The global media often magnifies the misuse of slogans like Allah-o-Akbar, reinforcing negative stereotypes about Muslims. Violent images paired with sacred phrases create a subconscious link that’s hard to break.
Edward Said’s Covering Islam remains a groundbreaking text in analyzing how Western media frames Islam and Muslims. By ending the misuse of religious slogans in violence, Muslim communities can reclaim control over their narrative.
14- Damage to Interfaith Relations
Such distortions make dialogue between Muslims and followers of other faiths increasingly difficult. Invoking God’s name during violent acts creates suspicion and alienation, widening the divide between religious communities.
Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in Not in God’s Name, passionately argues that faith should never be a tool of violence but a bridge for compassion and understanding. Muslims must exemplify these values by aligning words with mercy, not with violence.
15- Quranic Emphasis on Peaceful Preaching
The Qur’an consistently advocates peaceful persuasion, not coercion. “There is no compulsion in religion” (Qur’an 2:256) remains one of its foundational principles. Violence dressed in religious language is thus a grotesque violation of Islam’s core teaching.
For a deeper exploration of peaceful dawah (invitation), read The Message of the Qur’an by Muhammad Asad. Raising bombs in God’s name contradicts the very logic of inviting others to Islam through beauty and reason.
16- Need for Educational Reform
Education systems in parts of the Muslim world often lack critical engagement with classical Islamic teachings, leaving room for distorted interpretations. Without proper education, divine slogans can be weaponized by demagogues.
Reform in Higher Islamic Education by Ebrahim Moosa discusses in detail how educational reform is essential to prevent such misuse. Education is not a luxury; it is the frontline defense against theological distortion.
17- Social Media and Radicalization
Digital platforms amplify extremist voices, spreading distorted religious slogans to vulnerable audiences. The virality of religious slogans during violence deepens misunderstanding and facilitates recruitment by radical groups.
Dr. Peter Neumann’s Radicalized explores this digital phenomenon comprehensively. Combatting this requires coordinated educational, theological, and technical responses by Muslim scholars and communities alike.
18- The Concept of Aman (Sanctuary)
Islam emphasizes Aman — the granting of safety even to enemies — as a noble act. Violating this by attacking civilians while invoking God’s name is not only inhumane but a direct contradiction of Islamic teachings.
Classical Islamic law texts such as Al-Muwatta by Imam Malik provide case studies of how sanctuary must be respected. Returning to these principles can restore dignity to Islamic discourse and practice.
19- Youth Engagement and Guidance
Younger generations are often targeted by those who manipulate divine phrases for violent purposes. Providing them with proper religious education and ethical grounding is key to preventing radicalization.
Tariq Ramadan’s Western Muslims and the Future of Islam outlines practical strategies for engaging youth in meaningful, peaceful religious discourse. Mosques, families, and community leaders all have roles to play.
20- Restoring the Sanctity of Divine Names
Ultimately, divine names must be restored to their rightful, sacred context. Allah-o-Akbar should be reserved for prayers, for awe in moments of reflection, and for joyous proclamations of faith — never for violence.
99 Names of Allah by Daniel Thomas Dyer explores the richness and beauty of Allah’s attributes. As believers, we must reclaim this beauty, ensuring that sacred names evoke mercy, not mayhem.
Conclusion
Religious slogans are not weapons — they are windows into divine mercy and compassion. The misuse of sacred phrases like Allah-o-Akbar during violent acts is not just a theological crime but a betrayal of Islam’s merciful essence. Scholars, intellectuals, and ordinary believers alike have a responsibility to challenge this distortion, reaffirming Islam as the religion of peace that the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) so clearly teach. In the words of Imam Ali (RA): “Your silence in the face of oppression makes you an accomplice.” Now is the time to break that silence.
By Amjad Izhar
Contact: amjad.izhar@gmail.com
https://amjadizhar.blog
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