What does Islam Say about Terrorism? [Archives:2001/51/Law & Diplomacy]

Bakr Hamud Al-Junid
Dept. Of English
Faculty of Arts
Sanaa University
Islam, a religion of mercy, does not allow terrorism. In the Quran, God has said: God does not forbid you from sharing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes.
The prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) prohibited soldiers from killing women and children and advised them: Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newly born child.
He said: whoever has killed a person having a treaty with Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of paradise. He also forebode punishment with fire.
He once listed murder as the second of major sins and even warned that on the day of judgment the first cases to be adjudicated among people would be those of bloodshed.
Muslims are encouraged to be kind to animals. Once the Prophet Mohammed said a woman was punished because she imprisoned a cat until it died. On account of this, she was doomed to Hell because she did not feed it or free it. Additionally, while killing animals for food, Muslims are commanded to do so in a manner that is causing the minimum of fright and suffering. The prophet Mohammed ordered his followers to sharpen their knives in order to reduce the suffering of the animal.
In light of these and other Islamic texts, the act of inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians, the destruction of buildings and properties, the bombing of innocent men, women and children are all forbidden and detestable acts according to Islam and Muslim belief.
Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy and forgiveness, and the vast majority of them have nothing to do with the violent events that 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.
Our sympathy goes to the families of the innocent victims of this heinous acts and to the people of New York city and the United states.

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