Hostages
Definition
Hostages are individuals who are seized, detained, or threatened with injury for political considerations. The practice is often employed by guerrilla groups or national liberation movements as a means to secure compliance with their demands.
Etymology
The term “hostage” finds its origins in Old French “ostage,” which in turn came from the Medieval Latin “obsidāticum,” from “obses” (meaning one captured or hostage).
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: رهائن (raha’in)
- Turkish: rehinler
Islamic Perspective on Hostages
Islamic Jurisprudence
Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) holds that captives may not be used to make demands on a third party. Classical Islamic law prohibits harming non-combatants and civilians, and this extends to the concept of holding hostages.
Qur’an 2:190 speaks against transgressing limits in warfare:
<p>“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors.”</p>
Modern Context
Most Muslim-majority states have ratified the Geneva Conventions, which includes a prohibition against hostage-taking. This adherence underscores that the taking of hostages is considered unlawful and unethical by mainstream Islamic thought and international law.
Political Considerations
Despite the religious and legal prohibitions, hostage-taking has persisted as an issue in the Islamic world, primarily driven by political rather than religious motivations. Various non-state actors, including guerrilla groups and national liberation movements, have employed hostage-taking as a strategy to leverage political concessions.
Recommended Books for Further Studies
- “Islam and International Humanitarian Law” by Prof. Dr. Ahmed Abu Maghameh
- “The Shari’a and Islamic Ethics of War and Peace” by Sohail H. Hashmi
- “Islamic Law and International Humanitarian Law” by Omar Shaukat
Conclusion
Hostage-taking in the Islamic world is largely driven by political considerations and is in contradiction with both classical Islamic jurisprudence and modern international legal norms. While most Muslim-majority states adhere to international agreements that prohibit such practices, non-state actors may still engage in hostage-taking for various strategic reasons.
Key Takeaways
- Hostage-taking is primarily a political act, not a religious or legal one in Islamic jurisprudence.
- Islamic law opposes the use of captives to make demands on third parties.
- The Geneva Conventions, observed by most Muslim states, strictly prohibit hostage-taking.
Conclusion
Understanding the practice of hostage-taking within Islamic contexts necessitates recognizing the distinction between religious injunctions and political actions. While traditional Islamic teachings and modern international law both oppose hostage-taking, non-state actors may still engage in such acts for political gains.
