The International Community of Submitters (ICS) / Masjid Tucson strongly condemns the terror attack in Paris including at the office of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo that killed and injured many.
The responsible terrorists (supposedly acting in the name of "Islam") have committed a gross offense. God teaches us in the Quran that life is sacred (Quran 6:151, 17:33, 25:68), and there should be maximum freedom for all people, including the freedom of religion and the freedom of expression (Quran 2:256, 10:99, 88:21-22).
Grossness of Murder
[Quran 5:32] ... 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. Our messengers went to them with clear proofs and revelations, but most of them, after all this, are still transgressing.
[Quran 2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.
The extremists claimed they were avenging insults (i.e., offensive content published by the satirical newspaper) to the prophet Muhammad. Nowhere in the Quran does it say to kill those who insult God or any of His messengers. Instead, if people speak out of ignorance, God says to disregard them and utter peace (Quran 7:199, 25:63, 33:48). Countering the bad with good is a consistent theme in the Quran (13:22, 28:54). How is someone supposed to learn the truth about Submission if we do not give them a chance to hear the message of God and instead kill them or oppress them? Will that not repel people from God's religion? Terrorism is not only unQuranic but also illogical.
[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.
[Quran 25:63] The worshipers of the Most Gracious are those who tread the earth gently, and when the ignorant speak to them, they only utter peace.
God does not advocate any form of sin (Quran 7:28), and the religion of Submission to God (Islam in Arabic), never condones such senseless attacks nor any form of aggression. God tells us in the Quran that He does not love the aggressors (Quran 2:190-193). Submitters to God (Muslims in Arabic) must not aggress, nor be violent or belligerent (Quran 5:87, 7:33, 42:42, 50:24-25, 22:72, etc.).
The example we learn from the prophets of God is to pray for peace (2:126, 14:35), and we ask that God may grant us righteousness in this world and the Hereafter (Quran 2:201, 14:40, 1:5-7, 46:15, 27:19, 3:104, 26:83, 37:100, 2:286, 21:90).
Abraham
[Quran 14:35] Recall that Abraham said, "My Lord, make this a peaceful land, and protect me and my children from worshiping idols.
To summarize, the true religion of Islam (Submission) forbids the killing of innocent people (regardless of the provocation) and advocates peaceful coexistence. The focus is on worship of God and seeking God's approval in our daily lives. 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 recommend each reader find out what God says in the Quran by reading it themselves and verifying the information it contains.
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