Although Islam is promoted as a religion of peace, its roots contain elements of violence, aggression, and terrorism, which are clearly proven from Muhammad’s biography, his directed actions, and Islamic texts. In this article, I will prove why Muhammad can be identified as a terrorist, because his actions fully match the definition of terrorism, such as using violence for political or religious purposes to create fear, suppress opponents, and attack innocents. In support of this claim, I will present examples from Islamic sources such as the Quran, Hadith, Sirat (Muhammad’s biography), and modern historical analyses, which are historically recognized and reviewed from various perspectives.
Definition of Terrorism and Its Connection to Muhammad
First, the definition of terrorism needs to be clarified. Terrorism is violent actions carried out on innocent individuals for political, religious, or ideological purposes, in order to create an environment of fear and control society. According to modern definitions, it includes not only armed attacks but also assassinations, massacres, looting, and suppression of religious minorities. There are many incidents in Muhammad’s life that fully match this definition. While in Mecca, he preached peacefully, but after moving to Medina (after the Hijra), as his power increased, he adopted the path of war, killing, and looting. These were not defensive wars, but aggressive and terroristic, conducted for economic gain and to establish religious dominance.
Let’s see what quran says about this
Surah Al-Ma’idah, Ayat 33: Those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive to spread disorder in the land, their punishment is that they shall be killed or crucified, or their hands and feet shall be cut off from opposite sides, or they shall be exiled from the land. This is their disgrace in this world, and in the Hereafter, they shall have a severe punishment.
The Quran’s Surah At-Tawbah, Ayat 5 states: “When the sacred months have passed, kill the polytheists wherever you find them, capture them, besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush.” This is a clear directive for surprise attacks on non-Muslims, which matches the tactics of modern terrorist groups.
Surah At-Tawbah, Ayat 29: “Fight those who do not believe in Allah… until they pay the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.” This is an instruction to impose a tax on non-Muslims (especially Jews and Christians) to subjugate them, an example of economic control through terrorism.
Surah Al-Imran, Ayat 151: “We will cast terror into the hearts of the unbelievers,” which incites hatred and violence against non-Muslims.
Muslims often claim that these verses are contextual and only for defensive wars, but historical evidence shows that Muhammad’s campaigns were aggressive, conducted for the purpose of propagating the religion. This argument can be refuted by saying that if these were only defensive, then why were non-Muslim tribes attacked preemptively? It is clear that these directives are the inspiration for modern Islamic terrorist groups, who attack non-Muslims in imitation of Muhammad.
Massacres and Assassinations: Description of Direct Evidences of Terrorism
Shatim-e-Rasul (meaning “Insult to the Messenger”) according to Islamic law (Sharia) means directly or indirectly insulting Muhammad, mocking him, or saying bad things about him. Islamic scholars (such as Ibn Taymiyyah in his book “As-Sarim al-Maslul ala Shatim ar-Rasul”) interpret it as equivalent to kufr (disbelief) or apostasy. For example, composing poetry to criticize or questioning Muhammad’s actions is also included in it. This is a symbol of Islam’s intolerance, which suppresses freedom of expression in the name of protecting Muhammad’s “honor.”
Punishment for Shatim-e-Rasul
According to the consensus (Ijma) of Islamic scholars, the punishment for Shatim-e-Rasul is the death penalty, which is considered as Hadd (fixed punishment). It applies to both Muslims and non-Muslims, although there are some differences for non-Muslims:
For Muslims: A Muslim who insults Muhammad is considered an apostate (Murtad) and his punishment is the death penalty. Scholars say that even if he repents (Tawba), it cannot be avoided. For example, scholars of the Hanafi, Shafi’i, Maliki, and Hanbali madhhabs agree on this. Ibn Taymiyyah says in his book that it is a Hadd crime and the death penalty is inevitable.
For Non-Muslims: If a non-Muslim living in Dar al-Islam (Islamic state) insults Muhammad, his punishment is the death penalty or other severe punishments (Ta’zir). It does not apply in Dar al-Kufr (non-Muslim country), but some scholars say that Muslims can kill spontaneously.
Some such murder incidents during Muhammad’s lifetime
Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf’s murder
Ka’b ibn al-Ashraf, a Jewish poet from Banu Nadir, composed poetry criticizing Muhammad after the Battle of Badr. According to Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 3032, 4037), Muhammad asked, “Who will kill Ka’b?” because he “has hurt Allah and His Messenger.” Muhammad ibn Maslamah deceived him and killed him at night, then threw the severed head in front of Muhammad; Muhammad praised with takbir (Ibn Sa’d, Fath al-Bari 7/340; Sirah Ibn Ishaq pp. 364-368; Al-Tabari Vol. 7, pp. 94-97).
Asma bint Marwan’s murder
Asma bint Marwan, a Jewish female poet, composed poetry criticizing the Battle of Badr and the murder of Abu Afak. According to Sirat al-Mustafa, Sirah Ibn Ishaq (pp. 675-676), Waqidi’s Maghazi, Ibn Sa’d (Vol. 2, pp. 30-31), the blind companion Umayr ibn Adi entered her house at night, moved aside her infant child, and thrust a sword into her chest to kill her. Muhammad said, “There is no penalty for this” and praised it.
Murder of a pregnant slave woman
According to Sunan Abu Dawud (Hadith 4361), when a blind man’s pregnant slave woman (Umm Walad) insulted Muhammad, he stabbed her in the stomach with a knife, killing her along with the fetus. Muhammad said, “Her blood went in vain” means no punishment.
Abu Rafi’s murder
Abu Rafi (Sallam ibn Abul Huqayq), a Jewish merchant and poet from Khaybar, opposed Muhammad. According to Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 2813, 4039, 5:59:370-372), Sirah Ibn Ishaq (pp. 482-483), Al-Tabari (Vol. 8, pp. 17-18), on Muhammad’s order, Abdullah ibn Atik’s group deceived their way into the fortress and killed him.
Abu Afak’s murder
Abu Afak, a 120-year-old Jewish poet, composed poetry criticizing Muhammad’s wars. According to Sirah Ibn Ishaq (p. 675), Ibn Sa’d (Vol. 2, p. 30), Waqidi’s Maghazi, on Muhammad’s order, Salim ibn Umayr killed him while he was sleeping.
Murder of the blind shepherd
A Bedouin from the Banu al-Dil tribe composed a general poem against Islam and Muslims, criticizing Muhammad’s actions. As described in Sirat Rasul Allah (Ibn Ishaq, pp. 673-675), one of Muhammad’s companions, al-Damri (or Amr ibn Jihash), entered his cave at night. While the shepherd was sleeping, he inserted the end of his bow into his healthy eye and pressed it out through the back of his neck. Later, when al-Damri returned to Muhammad, Muhammad blessed and praised him because the shepherd “had insulted Islam.”
Umm Qirfa’s murder
Umm Qirfa (Fatima bint Rabia bin Badr), an elderly female leader and poet from the Fajara tribe, opposed Muhammad, and her tribe engaged in battle with Muslims. As described in Sirat Rasul Allah (Ibn Ishaq, p. 980), Muhammad’s adopted son Zayd ibn Harithah raided her tribe and captured her. Later, on Zayd’s order, Qays ibn al-Musahhar tied her two legs to two camels with ropes and drove the camels in opposite directions, tearing her body apart. This incident is also documented in Al-Tabari’s Tarikh (Vol. 8, pp. 95-97) and other Islamic sources.
Muhammad’s Military Campaigns: A Brief History of Looting and Attacks
During Muhammad’s lifetime, he participated in or ordered at least 86 military campaigns, of which he was personally present in 27. Most of these were aggressive, such as looting caravans, attacking tribes, and eliminating opponents. These campaigns were conducted not only to establish religious dominance but also for economic gains, which is a classic example of terrorism.
The first notable example is the Nakhla Raid (624 AD): On Muhammad’s orders, Muslims attacked a Quraysh caravan, killing one person and capturing two. This occurred during the sacred month, which traditionally prohibited warfare, and loot was collected through plundering. This event shows that Muhammad’s campaigns were conducted by breaking rules, with the purpose of creating fear.
Battle of Badr (624 AD): Muhammad attacked with 314 warriors intending to loot a Quraysh caravan, resulting in 70 Quraysh killed and 30-47 captured. This was a terrorist attack for economic gain, where ransom was collected for the release of captives. Muslim scholars claim it was defensive, but historical evidence shows it was a preemptive attack.
In the Battle of Uhud (625 AD), Muslims fought against Quraysh under Muhammad’s leadership, with casualties on both sides, but even though it was a reaction to previous attacks, it was part of Muhammad’s military expansion. In the Battle of the Trench (627 AD), Medina was defended, but immediately after, more brutal actions occurred.
Attack on the Banu Qurayza tribe (627 AD): In the Battle of the Trench, this Jewish tribe allegedly committed treason, for which on Muhammad’s orders, 600-900 men were beheaded, women and children were enslaved, and their property was looted. This is an example of genocide, which by modern standards is a war crime. Muslim scholars claim it was punishment according to Jewish law, but historical evidence shows that although the numbers and brutality may be exaggerated, the event is true, and it aligns with terrorism.
Khaybar Expedition (628 AD): Muhammad attacked the Jews with 1500 warriors, conquered forts, killed two leaders, and collected jizya. Here, Jewish leader Kinana was tortured and killed, which is evidence of suppression of religious minorities.
These campaigns show that Muhammad’s military strategy was aggressive, using terrorism for the spread of Islam. Muhammad’s actions, murders, lootings, genocide prove that he was a terrorist. His directives inspire modern Islamic terrorists, such as Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Propagating Islam as a religion of peace is a lie; it is founded on violence. From a rational perspective, opposing Muhammad is essential for humanity. Muslim defenses give contextual excuses, but historical facts show that these were aggressive.
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