Now, if a resourceful person or group initiates a campaign that results in murder and mayhem and insists that it isjihad, should we accept the claim simply because this man is able to hog media attention due tothe enormity of his crime and the damage caused? When he claims that it is jihad, he is aware of the sanctity and piety that is associated with this term in Islamic religious tradition. He knows there cannot be a better subterfuge to deceive a sizeable number of people and win their sympathy and support.
If without subjecting his claim to critical scrutiny we start describing him asa jihadi and his campaign as jihad then we are falling into his trap. Logically speaking, ajihadi, if killed, shall be described as a martyr at least by those who subscribe to that religious tradition. On the other hand, if his claim is tested andhe is shown to be a pure and simple killer who is using religion to further his personal agenda or to cover his crimes, then the rightQuranic term to describe him shall be fasadi, the mischief maker. As the Quran says: "Do no mischief on the earth after it has been set in order but call on Him with fear and longing: for the mercy of God is near to those who do good" (7.56)
When someone claims to be spearheading an Islamic cause, then that claim must be subjected to Quranic scrutiny because the Book clearly says that: "God lays evil (filth) on those who will not use their reason" (10.100). In fact, a careful reading of the verses of Quran shows that human life is inviolable except in case of murder or for causing mischief. Quran says: "If anyone slew a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief(fasad) in the land it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if anyone saved a life it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people." (5.32).
The sanctity of human life has been upheld to the extent that even justified action was not permitted due to apprehension of loss of innocent lives. On the occasion of Hudaibiya,when Muslims refused to fight against the Quraysh despite adequate provocation,the Quran said: