What
Does Islam Say about Terrorism?
Islam,
a religion(Way of Life) of mercy, does not permit
terrorism. In the Quran, God has said:
God does not forbid you from showing kindness and
dealing justly with those who have not fought you
about religion and have not driven you out of your
homes. God loves just dealers.(Quran
60:8)
The
Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, used to prohibit
soldiers from killing women and children,[1]
and he would advise them: ...Do
not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn
child.[2]
And he also said: Whoever has killed a person
having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the
fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found
for a span of forty years.[3]
Also,
the Prophet Muhammad has forbidden punishment with
fire.[4]
He
once listed murder as the second of the major sins,[5]
and he even warned that on the Day of Judgment, The
first cases to be adjudicated between people on the
Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed.[6][7]
Muslims
are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are
forbidden to hurt them. Once the Prophet Muhammad
said: A woman was punished because she imprisoned
a cat until it died. On account of this, she
was doomed to Hell. While she imprisoned it, she did
not give the cat food or drink, nor did she free it
to eat the insects of the earth.[8]
He
also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink,
so God forgave his sins for this action. The
Prophet, may God praise him, was asked, Messenger
of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?
He said: There is a reward for kindness to every living
animal or human.[9]
Additionally, while taking the life of an animal for
food, Muslims are commanded to do so in a manner that
causes the least amount of fright and suffering possible.
The Prophet Muhammad said: When you slaughter an animal,
do so in the best way. One should sharpen his
knife to reduce the suffering of the animal.[10]
In
light of these and other Islamic texts, the act of
inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians,
the wholesale destruction of buildings and properties,
the bombing and maiming of innocent men, women, and
children are all forbidden and detestable acts according
to Islam and the Muslims. Muslims follow a religion(Way
of Life) of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and
the vast majority have nothing to do with the violent
events some have associated with Muslims. If
an individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism,
this person would be guilty of violating the laws
of Islam.
(For
more articles on Islam on terrorism, please refer
to the links at
More on Islam on Terrorism.)
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