ISLAM AND TERRORISM

First Part taken from http://www.islam-usa.net/terror_1.htm (by Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi)

It is important that we study the religious texts in their proper context. When these texts are not read in their proper textual and historical contexts they are manipulated and distorted

Please read The Quran on War, peace and Justice

http://www.islam101.com/terror/quranWPJ.htm

But this is not only with Islamic texts, it is also true with the texts of other religions. I can quote dozens of verses from the Bible which seem very violent, if taken out from their historical context

These Biblical texts have been used by many violent Jewish and Christian groups. Crusaders used them against Muslims and Jews. Nazis used them against Jews. Recently Serbian Christians used them against Bosnian Muslims. Zionists are using them regularly against Palestinians

Let me mention just a few verses from the Old Testament and New Testament and tell me what do you say about them

“When the LORD your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you. And when the LORD your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. (Deutronomy 7:1-2)

“When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace. If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you. However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword. Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you… Only in the cities of these peoples that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, you shall not leave alive anything that breathes (Deuteronomy 20:10-17)

Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves. (Numbers 31:17-18)

Even in the New Testament we read the following statements attributed to Jesus saying to his disciples:

“I tell you that to everyone who has, more shall be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. But these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slay them in my presence. (Luke 19:26-27)

"Do not think that I have come to send peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword. I am sent to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law" (Matthew 10:34-35)

Muslims believe in all Prophets sent by Allah, and so do not misuse or misinterpret the religious texts of other faiths in order to defame them. Even in recent times, Muslims have and are facing genocidal campaigns in Bosnia, Kosova, Chechnia, Kashmir, and Palestine - but they have not questioned Judaism and Christianity. Such spirit needs to be reciprocated

What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

Islam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism. In the Quran, God has said:

[Quran, 60:8] 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 7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?"

Like all the other religions of God, Islam (Submission in English) promotes peace, love and harmony among the people. Actually the word "Islam" in addition to meaning submission (to God), is also derived from the Arabic word Salam (peace). The Muslims (Submitters) greet other people by saying Salaam (Peace be upon you).

[Quran 49:13]"O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant. "

The religion of Islam (Submission in English), advocates freedom, peace and mutual agreement and admonishes aggression

[Quran 5:87] ... and do not aggress; GOD dislikes the aggressors

[Quran: 7:199] ......You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant

The relations of Muslims (Submitters) with others are based primarily on peace, mutual respect and trust. The theme in the Quran is peace as long as there is no oppression or injustice that cannot be resolved by all the peaceful means available

The religion of Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, irrespective of the cause - religious, political or social beliefs.

Quran, the Muslims' holy book and scripture declares;

[Quran 6:151] "...... You shall not kill - GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand."

[Quran17:33] "You shall not kill any person - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. ....."

The laws of the previous scriptures that applied to previous generations and current generation are repeated and emphasized for the Muslims (Submitters) in the Quran. Muslims (Submitters) are commanded to follow such laws. Quran reiterates

[Quran 5:32] "......we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. .............."

The religion of Islam condemns the killing or even the persecution of people merely because they embrace a different religion. The Quran mandates the absolute freedom of religion in a society. It does not allow Muslims to fight except for self defense and to enforce peace. It does not allow restrictions on those who disagree on religious matters. It urges the Muslims to treat such people kindly and equitably

[Quran 2:256] "There shall be no compulsion in religion...".

[Quran 60:8]"GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable."

[Quran 8:61]"If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient."

[Quran 4:90]"...... Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them."

Terrorism as an act of violence has been committed by people from all religious and political backgrounds. Terrorists who happened to be Christians ( e.g. in Bosnia, England, Ireland, Germany, Spain...etc.) and those who happened to be Jewish (e.g. in Israel, Palestine and Lebanon) used their religious beliefs to claim legitimacy for the violence and terrorism they commit. Thousands of women, children and men, young and old have been killed in attempts to achieve or hold on to special interests whether political, social or "religious"

Those who do not comprehend Islam and those who have an interest in distorting the truth about the religion of Islam, have been trying to make the word terrorists and terrorism synonymous to the religion. A mistake that had been common in the media in the West

Attacks on the civilians and the least expecting people around the world by these groups is the kind of strife that cannot be justified by any religion or under any cause and is strongly condemned in all religions including Islam as clarified by the words of God in the Quran, the Final Testament

“Strive for peace and justice for all!”

The Holy Quran: "Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression."(5:2).

"And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness" (5:8).

The Koran specifically declares:

"If anyone murders an (innocent) person, it will be as if he has murdered the whole of humanity. And if anyone saves a person it will be as if he has saved the whole of humanity."

The Koran that our young people learn is full of stories and lessons from the history of humanity as a whole. The Gospels and the Torah are referred to; Jesus and Abraham are mentioned. In fact there is more mention in the Koran of the prophet Moses than of any other. It acknowledges the coexistence of other faiths and in doing so acknowledges that other cultures can live together in peace.

2.190. “Fight against those who fight against you in the way of Allah, but do not transgress, for Allah does not love transgressors.”

But what if one is indeed willing to fight against Muslims…

2.191. Kill them whenever you confront them and drive them out from where they drove you out. (For though killing is sinful) wrongful persecution is even worse than killing. Do not fight against them near the Holy Mosque unless they fight against you; but if they fight against you kill them, for that is the reward of such unbelievers”

and non-believers use this sentence as :

2.191. Kill them whenever you confront them and drive them out …….

…… kill them, for that is the reward of such unbelievers…….

What does Prophet Muhammad PBUH says About Terrorism:

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Ruined are those who insist on hardship in faith," and, "A believer remains within the scope of his religion as long as he doesn't kill another person illegally." Such knowledge and words of guidance are desperately needed at this time, to separate fact from falsehood, and to recognize the Last Prophet's own definition of that which makes a person representative, or otherwise, of the faith he lived and the one we try to teach”

The Prophet Muhammad PBUH used to prohibit soldiers from killing women and children,

⁽ Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1744, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3015⁾

and he would advise them: {...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.}

(Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi, #1408⁾

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.}

(Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3166, and Ibn Majah, #2686)

Also, the Prophet Muhammad PBUH has forbidden punishment with fire (Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #2675)

He once listed murder as the second of the major sins,

⁽ Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6871, and Saheeh Muslim, #88⁾

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…}

( Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6533)

Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are forbidden to hurt them. In the Times of Prophet Muhammad PBUH

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.

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2422, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2365

He also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink, so God forgave his sins for this action. The Prophet PBUH 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.}

(Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.)

for more details about this..

http://www.islam-guide.com/ch3-4.htm#kindness

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.}

Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi, #1409

Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) sent a message to the monks of Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai:

"This is a message written by Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, far and near, we are behind them. Verily, I defend them by myself, the servants, the helpers, and my followers, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be changed from their jobs, nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they (Christians) are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them. If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, this is not to take place without her own wish. She is not to be prevented from going to her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation is to disobey this covenant till the Day of Judgment and the end of the world."

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 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.

A recent series of disparaging remarks about Islam by the Rev. Jerry Falwell and other evangelical Christian leaders have sparked riots in India, helped religious parties win elections in Pakistan and undermined public sympathy in Islamic countries for the U.S. war on terrorism, experts said yesterday…

"Jerry Falwell makes a statement, he pleases his constituents, then he says he's sorry and apparently thinks that's the end of it," said Akbar Ahmed, chairman of Islamic studies at American University. "What Americans don't realize is that remarks like this are flashed all over the Muslim world, and they are doing very serious damage to U.S. interests..."

Shortly after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President Bush visited a mosque and said the U.S. war on terrorism was not a war against Islam, which he called a "religion of peace." Bush's approach quieted the evangelical community for a few months, but "it wasn't very long before I began to pick up rumblings in the grass roots -- sermons saying not all religions are equally correct, evangelicals saying the president may have gone a little too far," said John Green, a professor at the University of Akron who closely follows the Christian right.

"Once some prominent people stepped forward, like Franklin Graham, that made it easier for others," Green added. "I suspect that it's just become more and more acceptable for evangelical leaders to speak out against Islam…"

http://www.islam101.com/terror/christianExtremists.htm

I suggest u all who claim Islam to be religion of terror…..should read here..

http://www.islam-guide.com/more/#Islam-on-Terrorism

and to have a more clearer picture…:

http://groups.colgate.edu/aarislam/response.htm

http://www.islam101.com/terror/

http://www.islam101.com/terror/quranWPJ.htm

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