The International Community of Submitters (ICS) / Masjid Tucson offers our sincere condolences to the families of the victims of the terror attacks in Lower Manhattan, New York. We pray that God guides the people of the world to peace and away from violence and bloodshed.
A lone terrorist, apparently acting under the influence of the ISIL/ISIS group killed or injured a number of bicyclists and pedestrians using a pickup truck. The religion of Submission to God (Islam in Arabic) and the Quran, strongly forbids taking life, and never condones aggression nor the killing of innocents. The grossness of murder is strongly brought out in the Quran, and God tells us that life is sacred.
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.
While some extremist elements calling themselves "Muslims" have preached hatred and terror, the fact is, anyone who acts in this manner is categorically NOT in any religion devoted to God. God never advocates sin (Quran 7:28), and God's religion would never tolerate killing of innocents (Quran 6:151). Instead, the Quran teaches peace (Quran 2:126, 10:25, 4:114), justice (Quran 7:29, 16:90), and the freedom of religion (Quran 2:256).
[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.
God tells us in the Quran that He does not love the aggressors (Quran 2:190-193). Submitters to God (Muslims in Arabic) must never aggress, nor be violent or belligerent (Quran 5:87, 7:33, 42:42, 50:25, 22:72, etc.).
[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 7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?"
The Major Commandments
[Quran 6:151] Say, "Come let me tell you what your Lord has really prohibited for you: You shall not set up idols besides Him. You shall honor your parents. You shall not kill your children from fear of poverty―we provide for you and for them. You shall not commit gross sins, obvious or hidden. 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."
God tells us that life is sacred (6:151, 17:33, 25:68). Following the example of the prophet Abraham, we pray for peace (2:126, 14:35).
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, God makes it abundantly clear in the Quran that the taking of innocent life is simply not permissible. A true believer seeks to worship God alone and advocates peace among the people.
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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