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British terrorist attack: against the teachings of Submission to God (Islam)

Masjid Tucson condemns the terror attack in London, United Kingdom. Terrorists supposedly swearing by God (Allah in Arabic) and speaking in the name of "Islam" ran over a young soldier in South-East London with their car and proceeded to brutally attack him.

The terrorists claimed they were following the principle of "an eye for an eye" (law of equivalence) by ambushing a soldier in London. This itself shows their ignorance of the Quran and their lack of reason. The attack was an evil act, and completely barbaric.

The religion of Submission to God (Islam in Arabic) and the Quran forbids all kinds of aggression and never permits murder.

The law of equivalence in the Quran is a life-saving law, not grounds for murder (please see the Quranic views on: Criminal Justice ). To summarize, the principle of equivalence discourages capital punishment even in the case of murder (Quran 2:178-179). It encourages due process of law and justice. Unless one is acting in self-defense with no other option, there is no justifiable grounds for harming another person. Certainly, this was not the case in the terrorist attack.

God tells us in the Quran that He does not love the aggressors (Quran 2:190-193). Terrorists are not Submitters to God (Muslims in Arabic). The Quran informs us that a righteous person must never aggress, nor be violent or belligerent (Quran 5:87, 7:33, 42:42, 50:25, 22:72, and many more verses).

[Quran 5:87] O you who believe, do not prohibit good things that are made lawful by GOD, and do not aggress; GOD dislikes the aggressors.

[Quran 3:104] Let there be a community of you who invite to what is good, advocate righteousness, and forbid evil. These are the winners.

Discouraging Capital Punishment*

[Quran 2:178] O you who believe, equivalence is the law decreed for you when dealing with murder--the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If one is pardoned by the victim's kin, an appreciative response is in order, and an equitable compensation shall be paid. This is an alleviation from your Lord and mercy. Anyone who transgresses beyond this incurs a painful retribution.

[2:179] Equivalence is a life saving law for you, O you who possess intelligence, that you may be righteous.

*2:178 The Quran clearly discourages capital punishment. Every kind of excuse is provided to spare lives, including the life of the murderer. The victim's kin may find it better, under certain circumstances, to spare the life of the murderer in exchange for an equitable compensation. Also capital punishment is not applicable if, for example, a woman kills a man, or vice versa.

Murder, Suicide, and Illicit Gains Prohibited

[Quran 4:29] O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly-- only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you.

To summarize, the religion of Islam (Submission) forbids murder and terrorist attacks in all forms. The Quran teaches absolute freedom of religion (2:256, 18:29), and God makes it clear that life is sacred (6:151, 17:33, 25:68). The focus is on worship of God and seeking God's approval in our daily lives. Our worship is best attained in peace (2:126, 14:35). Submission (Islam) recognizes that salvation can be attained by anyone who believes in God, believes in the Hereafter and leads a righteous life (5:69).

We suggest readers see what God says in the Quran by reading it themselves.

References:

• Terrorism forbidden
• Terrorism cannot be justified by any religion
• True Islam, Religion of Peace, Justice and Freedom
• Introduction to the Quran (and Submission)

Editorial, May 2013