Does Quran Promote Terrorism?

Why Islam Has Nothing to Do with Terrorism?

Terrorism is an international problem in todays global community. Many nations are

affected, whether directly or indirectly. Most nations oppose terrorism, while others

condone or even support active, brutal terrorism and terrorist groups. In the midst of

this ongoing discussion about correlation between terrorism and Islam, one

mandatory question arises: Does Islam allow Muslims to be violent? An

unequivocal answer based on the western perspective is, No (Fundacin de

Cultura Islmica, 2017). We see that many people tried to relate the terrorism with

Islam. Lets explore the teachings of Islam about terrorism in the light of Quran and

Hadith.

Terrorism is above all murder and murder is strictly forbidden in the Qur'an (Koran). Allah

says:

This means murder is forbidden, but the death penalty imposed by the state for a crime

is permitted.

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 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)

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

and He advised them: {...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.}ii.

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.}iii

Also, the Prophet Muhammad has forbidden punishment with fire.iv

He once listed murder as the second of the major sinsv, 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.vi}vii

Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are forbidden to hurt them.

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.}viii

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.

In the light- of Quranic Verses and alternative Hadith (Islamic texts), the act of inciting

terror within the hearts of defenseless civilians, the wholesale destruction of buildings and

properties, the bombing and maiming of innocent men, women, and

kids are all impermissible and detestable acts per Islam and the Muslims. Muslims

follow a faith of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the overwhelming majority don't have

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anything to try and do with the violent events some have related to Muslims. If a

private Muslim were to commit a terrorist act, this person would be guilty of violating the

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laws of Islam.

Radicalism- The Root Cause Of Terrorism

While analyzing the multiple causes of terrorism, professionals have highlighted social,

economical, cultural, psychological and political factors. But this correlation between

terrorism and socioeconomic factors has been strongly rejected by the second group of

analysts. Since, most of the terrorists seems to belong to the well off middle class

families. They are neither poor nor uneducated. According to them, political factor can

provide breeding ground for terrorism as every terrorism group has its own political

objective. Omer Taspinar writes in his paper that radicalism being the root cause of

violent extremism, has created extremist to become terrorist (Taspiner, 2009). Terrorism

is not necessarily caused by socioeconomic problems. But there is certainly a

correlation between deprivation and radicalism. Radicalism can be in any religion.

Suppose someone decided to battle "radical Christianity"? Note that whatever

justifications that person offered along the lines of "We don't mean all Christians," they'd

sound a little thin (Mcwhorter, 2016). Similarly, referring that particular group of Muslim

extremists, we call them radical extremists. A considerable lot of the individuals who

denounced radical viciousness did as such for religious reasons, referring to the Koran

as proof. In resistance, not a solitary political radical who supported the assaults of 9/11

referred to the Koran as avocation. Or maybe, they gave politically common reasons

(Fundacin de Cultura Islmica, 2017).

This is how terrorism captured Islam and used it for their benefit. By the presence of

available evidence, it is concluded that Muslim extremists group has direct correlation

with their political agendas. Islam has nothing to do with it.

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Bibliography

Fundacin de Cultura Islmica. (2017, April 24). Radicalism is Political Problem Not an Islamic One.
Retrieved from http://twistislamophobia.org/: http://twistislamophobia.org/en/2017/04/24/radicalism-is-
political-problem-not-an-islamic-one/

Mcwhorter, J. (2016, July 11). The big problem with calling it 'radical Islam'. Retrieved from
http://edition.cnn.com: http://edition.cnn.com/2016/06/14/opinions/dont-call-it-radical-islam-john-
mcwhorter/index.html

Taspiner, O. (2009). Fighting Radicalism, not Terrorism. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu:

https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/summer_fall_radicalism_taspinar.pdf

References
i
Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1744, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3015.
ii
Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi, #1408.
iii
Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3166, and Ibn Majah, #2686.
iv
Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #2675.
v
Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6871, and Saheeh Muslim, #88
vi This means killing and injuring.
vii Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6533.
viii Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.