What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

slam, 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, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon 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 the mercy and blessings of God be upon 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 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.

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 this page. Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.

[10] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi, #1409.

For You Who Love Islam

Surety of Belief Written by Dr. Bilal Philips Verily the Believers are those who believe in Allaah and His Messenger without harbouring any doubt and they strive with their wealth and persons in Allaah’s path. These are the truthful. (Soorah al Hujuraat 49:15) The second condition for true Eemaan mentioned in the verse is absence of doubt. The belief in Allaah and His Apostle has to be firm and unshakeable for it to benefit one who claims to possess it in this life and in the next. Elsewhere in the Qur’aan Allaah has warned the Muslims in severe terms against unstable and wavering Eemaan, saying, “Verily, those who believe then disbelieve, believe again and then disbelieve and then increase in disbelief will not be forgiven by Allaah nor will he guide them to the path.” (Soorah an-Nisaa 4:137) There is no valid reason for leaving Islaam after entering, except if one entered for reasons other than belief in its principles, for Allaah has made two promises which clearly demonstrate the greatness of divine justice and mercy in exchange for the stability of Eemaan and patience in the face of adversity. First, he said that “Allaah does not burden any soul with more than it can bear.” (Soorah al- Baqarah 2:286). This statement contains the foundation of divine justice. Each soul is tested according to its ability and its own particular circumstances.  A test which is beyond the human soul’s ability would be, of necessity, unjust because failure is guaranteed. Judgement and punishment based on such a test would consequently be totally unfair. Hence, suicide is totally forbidden in Islaam because the one who commits it is, in fact, saying that he or she was unjustly burdened by Allaah with a situation which was beyond their ability to withstand. Secondly, Allaah not only said, “Surely with every difficulty comes ease” (Soorah al-Inshiraah 94:6), but He also repeated the statement for special emphasis, word for word, in the verse following it. This is a divine promise of mercy, wherein, Allaah clearly states that He would never continuously burden an individual. There will always be a time of ease following all periods of hardships, therefore, man is enjoined to have Sabr (patience) at all times. It is man’s impatience which drives him to act impetuously, prematurely choosing what appears to be the easy way out, even though it falls under what has been forbidden. Impatience is a part of man’s nature, for Allaah Himself said, “Man was created hasty.” (Soorah al- Anbiyaa 21:37). Consequently the great reward in store for the righteous can only be attained if patience is exercised and the path of righteousness is followed especially in times of difficulty and temptation.