Holy war, suicide bombings, fighting for faith, and killing in the name of
God — from Crusaders to terrorists, from sacred shrines to New York City,
history is tainted by a grave disease afflicting humankind. While all the known
religions of the world call for LOVE, PEACE, TOLERANCE, FREEDOM OF BELIEF AND
MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING, many of the terrorists’ acts are committed in this
world by people who call themselves religious, and attribute their horrendous
and evil acts to the religion. However, God condemns their acts in the scripture.
The true religion of Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, irrespective
of the cause—religious, political or social beliefs. This is stated in
the Quran, the holy book of Muslims.
[Quran 6:151] “...You shall not kill — GOD
has made life sacred — except in the course of justice. These are His
commandments to you, that you may understand.”
The laws of the scriptures that apply to the Christians and Jews are repeated
and emphasized for the Muslims also.
[Quran 5:32] “...we decreed for the Children of
Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous
crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares
a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. ...”
All Religions Condemn Terrorism
The religion of Islam should not be confused with what these terrorists have
done. The terrorist organizations such as Al-Qaida who kill innocent people
are actually, by the definition of the Quran, not Muslims, but plain murderers.
Who would like to describe Hitler or the likes of Ku Klux Klan as good Christians?
We should not let our emotions overcome our logic and understanding. There is
no religious scripture that does not condemn terrorism. Every righteous person
in any religion would condemn such actions regardless of terrorist’s race,
country or religious background.
True Islam
What is the ideal of Islam? Islam is not a name that defines you as better
than your neighbor or rewards you a special status with God. The name itself
is an Arabic word derived from the meaning to surrender or submit. Islam is
submission to God’s will. It is a way of life that guides your actions
and forms your character. Islam is a state of awareness and appreciation of
God’s boundless attributes. As your soul submits, you are able to practice
the meaning of peace, compassion, love, forgiveness, and charity that originate
from one Source. The shades of superiority, prejudice and judgment fade as the
world comes into focus with the eyes of your soul. In Islam, the best among
us in the sight of God is not the white or the black, the male or the female,
a person who calls himself or herself Christian, Jew, or Muslim, but rather,
the one who is the most righteous.
Islam or Submission to God alone is a way of life encouraged from the time
of Abraham by Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad, messengers who have followed Abraham.
The one who is able to surrender the soul is called a Muslim in Arabic, or Submitter.
There are Submitters to the Creator in every faith. They are those who place
no limits on their belief in the Unseen and impose no judgments on the different
forms of striving towards attaining God’s mercy. This common striving
encourages unity within a diverse group of people who advance their personal
strides by learning from one another.
Righteous People in All Religions
Thus, the love of God is not reserved for people of religious sects or denominations
that cling to an exclusive belief of guaranteed “salvation.” God’s
infinite love flows to the charitable, righteous, benevolent, equitable, and
the just: Those who recognize their accountability and work towards being good.
[Quran 2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are
Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who believes in GOD, and believes
in the Last Day, and leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from
their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
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