What Does Islam Say about
Terrorism?
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Islam, a religion 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 
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 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 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.
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Footnotes:
(1)
Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1744, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari,
#3015.
(2)
Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi,
#1408.
(3)
Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3166, and Ibn Majah,
#2686.
(4)
Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #2675.
(5)
Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6871, and Saheeh Muslim,
#88.
(6)
This means killing and injuring.
(7)
Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari,
#6533.
(8)
Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2422, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari,
#2365.
(9) This saying of Muhammad
has been mentioned in more detail on Narrated
in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.
(10) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi,
#1409.
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