Religious Extremism Discourse and Its Critique from the Perspective of the Holy Quran (with Emphasis on Contemporary Afghanistan)

The phenomenon of religious extremism in the Islamic world is an unfortunate issue that, through its violent actions against followers of other Islamic denominations, has caused extensive social harm and consequences. The harmful effects of these actions are now clearly visible in human societies, especially in Islamic communities. Undoubtedly, the spread of divisions and the intensification of conflict within the Islamic Ummah, particularly in the Middle East and Afghanistan, are direct consequences of religious extremism. For several decades, religious extremist groups have been active in Afghanistan. Prolonged internal conflicts and wars in Afghanistan have made it a safe haven and breeding ground for these extremist groups. Their actions in Afghanistan have led to the portrayal of Islam as a violent religion opposed to coexistence, peace, and human kindness. Today, as a result of these groups' activities, Afghanistan faces various social problems such as insecurity, displacement, poverty, misery, and destruction. This study aims to examine the discourse of religious extremism in contemporary Afghanistan and critique it based on Quranic teachings. The research is applied in nature and uses documentary and library-based data, analyzed through critical discourse analysis. The findings indicate that religious extremism, particularly in the Islamic world and Afghanistan, arises from the ideological principles of these groups, particularly their understanding and interpretation of " Monotheism in worship," which is critiqued in this research based on Quranic teachings.