The misinterpretation of hadith texts by extremist groups to justify their terrorist acts: An analysis
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Abstract
This paper seeks to analyze the hadith texts which have been misinterpreted by various extremist groups to justify their terrorist acts. There were several narrations in the hadith that mention extremist acts in the past, such as the beheading of Abu Jahal by Ibn Mas'ud, the burning of enemies alive by Caliph Ali, and the presentation of the beheaded head of al-Aswad al-'Ansi to the Prophet PBUH. Unfortunately, these narrations were manipulated by extremist groups as their arguments to justify their extremist acts, without examining in depth the reasons why they occurred. This article aims to investigate the legitimacy of the stories, and find justification for the actions if they actually occurred. This paper uses qualitative research methodology by discussing hadith scholars' views and their interpretations of the jihad texts. The findings of the study show the extremist groups' dependency on the literal meaning of the hadith texts, and ignoring the context of the hadith. They also depend on weak hadiths that have been rejected by hadith scholars. Finally, this study outlines various ideas and suggestions to overcome confusion due to the misinterpretation of hadith texts by extremist groups.
Keywords
hadith texts, extremist, jihad, literal, context, misinterpretation
Divisions
Hadith
Publication Title
Al-Bayan: Journal of Qur'an and Hadith Studies
Volume
16
Issue
2
Publisher
Brill Academic Publishers