as true muslims, would you support terrorism and suicide bombing?

Question

i'm not saying muslims and islam are related to terrorism and suicide bombing. in fact, i want to see the positive side of islam as a good religion like every religion. everywhere i go here, i see muslims being discriminated and shown in an ugly light, not realizing that they are also human beings like everybody else.

Answer 1

What Does Islam Say About Terrorism?

One of the distinctive characteristics of the times we live in is the overwhelming presence of violence in our societies. Whether it is a bomb going off in a market place, or the hijacking of an aircraft where innocent people are held at ransom to achieve political ends, we live in an age, where the manipulation and loss of innocent lives has become commonplace.

Such is the all-pervasive nature of indiscriminate violence, that “terrorism” is considered as one of the prime threats to peace and security in our societies.

The word terrorism came into wide usage only a few decades ago. One of the unfortunate results of this new terminology is that it limits the definition of terrorism to that perpetrated by small groups or individuals. Terrorism, in fact, spans the entire world, and manifests itself in various forms. Its perpetrators do not fit any stereotype. Those who hold human lives cheap, and have the power to expend human lives, appear at different levels in our societies. The frustrated employee who kills his colleagues in cold-blood or the oppressed citizen of an occupied land who vents his anger by blowing up a school bus are terrorists who provoke our anger and revulsion. Ironically however, the politician who uses age-old ethnic animosities between peoples to consolidate his position, the head of state who orders “carpet bombing” of entire cities, the exalted councils that choke millions of civilians to death by wielding the insidious weapon of sanctions, are rarely punished for their crimes against humanity.

It is this narrow definition of terrorism that implicates only individuals and groups, that has caused Muslims to be associated with acts of destruction and terror, and as a result, to become victims of hate violence and terror themselves. Sometimes the religion of Islam is held responsible for the acts of a handful of Muslims, and often for the acts of non-Muslims!

Could it be possible that Islam, whose light ended the Dark Ages in Europe, now propound the advent of an age of terror? Could a faith that has over 1.2 billion followers the world over, and over 7 million in America, actually advocate the killing and maiming of innocent people? Could Islam, whose name itself stands for “peace” and “submission to God”, encourage its adherents to work for death and destruction?

For too long, have we relied on popular images in the media and in Hollywood films, for answers to these pertinent questions. It is now time to look at the sources of Islam, and its history to determine whether Islam does indeed advocate violence.

SANCTITY OF HUMAN LIFE

The Glorious Qur’an says:
“…take not life, which God hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.”
[Al-Qur’an 6:151]

Islam considers all life forms as sacred. However, the sanctity of human life is accorded a special place. The first and the foremost basic right of a human being is the right to live. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“…if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people.”
[Al-Qur’an 5:32]

Such is the value of a single human life, that the Qur’an equates the taking of even one human life unjustly, with killing all of humanity. Thus, the Qur’an prohibits homicide in clear terms. The taking of a criminal’s life by the state in order to administer justice is required to uphold the rule of law, and the peace and security of the society. Only a proper and competent court can decide whether an individual has forfeited his right to life by disregarding the right to life and peace of other human beings.

ETHICS OF WAR

Even in a state of war, Islam enjoins that one deals with the enemy nobly on the battlefield. Islam has drawn a clear line of distinction between the combatants and the non-combatants of the enemy country. As far as the non-combatant population is concerned such as women, children, the old and the infirm, etc., the instructions of the Prophet are as follows: "Do not kill any old person, any child or any woman"[1]. "Do not kill the monks in monasteries" or "Do not kill the people who are sitting in places of worship."[2] During a war, the Prophet saw the corpse of a woman lying on the ground and observed: "She was not fighting. How then she came to be killed?" Thus non-combatants are guaranteed security of life even if their state is at war with an Islamic state.

JIHAD

While Islam in general is misunderstood in the western world, perhaps no other Islamic term evokes such strong reactions as the word ‘jihad’. The term ‘jihad’ has been much abused, to conjure up bizarre images of violent Muslims, forcing people to submit at the point of the sword. This myth was perpetuated throughout the centuries of mistrust during and after the Crusades. Unfortunately, it survives to this day.

The word Jihad comes from the root word jahada, which means to struggle. So jihad is literally an act of struggling. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the greatest jihad is to struggle with the insidious suggestions of one’s own soul. Thus jihad primarily refers to the inner struggle of being a person of virtue and submission to God in all aspects of life.

Secondarily, jihad refers to struggle against injustice. Islam, like many other religions, allows for armed self-defense, or retribution against tyranny, exploitation, and oppression. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“And why should ye not fight in the cause of God and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)? - Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!"
[Al-Qur’an 4:75]

Thus Islam enjoins upon its believers to strive utmost, in purifying themselves, as well as in establishing peace and justice in the society. A Muslim can never be at rest when she sees injustice and oppression around her. As Martin Luther King Jr. said:

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people.”

Islam enjoins upon all Muslims to work actively to maintain the balance in which God created everything. However, regardless of how legitimate the cause may be, the Glorious Qur’an never condones the killing of innocent people. Terrorizing the civilian population can never be termed as jihad and can never be reconciled with the teachings of Islam.

HISTORY OF TOLERANCE

Even Western scholars have repudiated the myth of Muslims coercing others to convert. The great historian De Lacy O'Leary wrote:

"History makes it clear, however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims, sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated."[3]

Muslims ruled Spain for roughly 800 years. During this time, and up until they were finally forced out, the non-Muslims there were alive and flourishing. Additionally, Christian and Jewish minorities have survived in the Muslim lands of the Middle East for centuries. Countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan all have significant Christian and/or Jewish populations.

This is not surprising to a Muslim, for his faith prohibits him from forcing others to see his point of view. The Glorious Qur’an says:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things.”
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]

ISLAM - THE GREAT UNIFIER

Far from being a militant dogma, Islam is a way of life that transcends race and ethnicity. The Glorious Qur’an repeatedly reminds us of our common origin:

“O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honored of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).”
[Al-Qur’an 49:13]

Thus, it is the universality of its teachings that makes Islam the fastest growing religion in the world. In a world full of conflicts and deep schisms between human beings, a world that is threatened with terrorism, perpetrated by individuals and states, Islam is a beacon of light that offers hope for the future.

Answer 2

I don't know where you go to see that, but in America I see them in all the shopping centers with the robes on (colorful ones, second ONLY to Hindus in color and design) and their veils and their Discovery Cards and American Express Cards and Visa Cards as they buys XBoxes, DVDs, large screen Plama TV sets in HDTV format and have them put into their Lexus or Mercedes and no one bothers them.

But, you see, America is different than any other country on Earth which is why everyone tries to eventually relocate here.

Running hot and cold disinfected water 24/7/365, electricity 24/7/365, nice affordable housing, food stamps if your poor, housing allotments if you're poor, education through grade 14 for everyone at no cost or very low cost ($250 for a 2 year college education per semester or less if you are poor), regultar trash pick up, 99.9% of the homes have a TV set, 98% of the homes have a telephone, 75% of the homes have two TV sets and two telephones, the average person has 1.5 cars per driver, the average age of the car is 5 years old, all the roads are paved, you go to a bug free supermakret to buy your choice of whatever and it's there a pleanty, anyone can become a billionaire here, anyone who is born here can run the country, it's just a matter of what you decide to do with your life and you can do anything you want or know how to do, so long as it isn't violent or anti-social to a major degree.

The Muslims who come here and work or start businesses look, act, dress and live like the King of Saudi ARabia and no one hassels them, including the Hassidic Jews standing in the lines at the checkout with them.

And EVERY Beer and Milk and Bread store is owned and runned by a PErsian or Arab, as is every small food store.

Every small Computer business is run by a PErsian.

Every discount electronics operation in the big cities are run by Arabs, Persians, Mexians or Jews.

Every convience Chain in the big cities (Like Stewarts or 7-11) is franchised, owned and run by a Hindu or Sikh.

And no one gives any of these people problems!

Answer 3

As a Muslim i don't support innocent killings of any description. As a true Catholic did they support the IRA?
As a true Christian do you support Bush and his unjust war?
The same could be asked all over the world or any religion.
Timothy Mcvay was a bomber is that a reflection of his religion or a reflection on him? Each person is responsible for there own action. I am not responsible for what someone of the same religion as me does.....If a christian is found to be a rapist or pedophile is his religion to blame? would other Christians support him? We all stand alone on judgment day.

Answer 4

Islam does not support terroism and suicide bombing is 'haraam' forbidden.

As a Muslim, I would not support terrorism.

Here's the kicker - who is deciding what is terrorism and what is not?

The people of Iraq who are fighting against foreign invaders are labelled terrorists?

One man's terrorist is another man's hero. Remember when the Nelson Mandela was labelled as a terrorist by the US State Department?

Remember when the Mahatma Gandhi was labelled as a terrorist by the British Empire?

We are dignified human beings, just like you bro. Tolerating oppression and aggression is not allowed in Islam.

I fare you well.

Peace.

Answer 5

You want to see the positive side, you say. Yet, you begin by giving a bigoted and not very practical comment. You sound as if you think that Muslims would automatically pick terrorism, and you are forcing them to prove otherwise.

Answer 6

terorism and suicide are huge sins in Islam :(

the entire Quran says two things OVER AND OVER!!

1. Worship none but God.

2. Do not wreck havoc on earth..do not transgress..do not hurt others..etc etc...

And suicide is a major sin :( its akin to murder...

Edit: The word 'ISLAAM' in Arabic comes from the word 'ISTISLAAM' which means submission/letting go to GOD.

Not peace...just a reminder

Answer 7

No muslim supports suicide bombing and terrorism. If they do they are extremely crazy and misguided and praticing Islam incorrectly.

Answer 8

I dont support even to harm an ant. But if somebody gets into my house by force and kills my daddy, momy, husband or children (im not married just assuming) i can suicide bombing and everything against to them like the people in Iraq, Palestine, Afganishtan etc.
Wont you???

Answer 9

Yes we should think logically and unlike many Pakistanis who are against President Musharraf . Well hes the best leader . We cant win war with US and Europe with old age equipments

Answer 10

No i dont support terrorism, suicide bombings or anyother evil act.

Answer 11

If Bin laden did something, why would you blame all Muslims?

We don't want to kill anyone, Islam is peace.

But some people who gave Islam the terrorist mask, are determined to go on. I really wonder why!!

Thanks for your question