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] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.
[10] Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi, #1409.
