What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

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 yourhomes. God loves just dealers.” (Quran 60:

The Prophet Muhammad, may the
mercy and blessings of God be upon
him, used to prohibit soldiers from
killing women and children, and he
would advise them: “...Do not betray,
do not be excessive, do not kill a
newborn child.” 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.”
Also, the Prophet Muhammad has
forbidden punishment with fire.
He once listed murder as the second
of the major sin 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.

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.”

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.”
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.”
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.