ISLAMIC LEGAL PERSPECTIVES ON SUICIDE BOMBING: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE NAIROBI U.S. EMBASSY BOMBING

Abstract

This study examines suicide bombing from an Islamic Shariah perspective through analysis of the 1998 United States Embassy bombing in Nairobi, Kenya. This research attempts to answer the following question: What is the Islamic ruling on suicide bombing during war and peace? Using qualitative doctrine and analytical approaches, the study investigates Islamic legal rulings on suicide bombing by examining the Quran, Sunnah, classical juristic opinions, and contemporary scholarly interpretations. The study further evaluates whether the Nairobi bombing can be justified under Islamic legal principles governing warfare, public interest, and the protection of human life. In analyzing the case study of the US embassy, this study takes into consideration several Islamic legal principles, including the ethics of war (adab al-harb) and public interest (masalih al-ammah), mischief in land (fasad fi al-ardh) among others. The findings reveal that suicide bombing targeting civilians fundamentally contradict the objective of Shariah (maqāṣid al-sharī‘ah), particularly the preservation of life, justice, and public welfare. The study concludes that the Nairobi Embassy bombing violated core Islamic legal and ethical principles and represents a misuse of religious texts to legitimize violence. The findings contribute to contemporary discussion on Islamic law, counterterrorism, and the prevention of extremist interpretations of religion.