When the Muslim declares that Islam is a religion of
peace, he is either ignorant of the Koran or is extending this
‘‘peace’’ only to those within the Muslim community,
without telling you that is the way he means it. According to
the Koran, ‘‘Muhammad is the Apostle of Allah. Those who
follow him are merciful to one another, but ruthless to
unbelievers’’ (Sura 48:29). Muslims are to greet and treat
other fellow Muslims in a manner promoting peace within
the Umma, or worldwide Muslim brotherhood. In Islam,
there exists no true concept of peace between the non-
believer and the devout Muslim. Peace can only exist for
those who follow Islam.
- Are suicide attacks by terrorists in the name of
Islam justified by the Koran?
Opinions on this point differ among Muslim scholars.
Some condemn suicide attacks on the basis of Sura 4:29:
‘‘O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among
yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you traffic
and trade by mutual goodwill: Nor kill (or destroy)
yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most
Merciful!’’
However, other Muslim authorities justify suicide
bombing, pointing out that numerous other verses promise
Paradise to someone who is killed while fighting for Allah.
Indeed, this is the only guarantee of Paradise given in the
Koran:
Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks;
At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on