Terrorist attacks have been in headlines around the world. Nobody likes the attacks! Terrorists have set off bombs, kidnapped children, and killed many innocent people. Here are some of the recent attacks:
22 March 2016 – There were three coordinated nail bombings in Belgium. Two were at the Brussels airport, and one at Mallbeek metro station. There were 32 victims and three attackers killed.
14 January 2016 – Terrorists attacked Sarinah shopping mall and Starbucks in central Jakarta. Four victims were killed, as well as all of the attackers.
13 November 2015 – A series of coordinated terrorist attacks occured in Paris, attacking the Stade de France and the Bataclan theatre. These were deadliest attacks in Paris since World War II.
7-9 January 2015 – Terrorists attacked Charlie Hebdo satirical magazine and a kosher grocery store.
Islam On Terrorism
Most Muslims are frustrated by the fact that so many terrorists are Muslim. Many people blame Islam as the cause of the attacks. But Muslims claim that Islam doesn’t teach terrorism!
So, why are there more than 100 verses in the Quran that support jihad (religious war)? Here are two to consider:
Qs 4:74 – “Those who want to buy the life hereafter with this life should fight for the cause of God. We will give them a great reward whether they are killed or whether they are victorious.”
Qs 9:5 – “When the sacred months are over, slay the pagans wherever you find them. Capture, besiege, and ambush them. …”
True Religious People Obey Their Religions
Historically, terrorists came from different religious backgrounds. There are Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, and even Atheist terrorists. So Islam is not the only background. It’s wrong to say that Islam is the only religion that carries out terrorist acts.
It’s good to be religious. But it’s much better if we obey our religion. For example, Isa commands His followers, Christians, to, “Love your enemies …”, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. …”, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Injil, Apostle Matthew 5:44, 7:12, 22:39). Do all Christians obey Isa’s teaching? No! But one thing is for sure, Isa’s true followers would never be involved in a terrorist attack. Christians who happen to be terrorists are not true Christians. And they have sinned.
Conclusions
Christians should be ashamed when they don’t obey Isa’s teaching. They need to ask themselves, “Why don’t I love my neighbors? Why don’t I love my enemies?”
Likewise, Muslims need to ask themselves, “If Islam doesn’t support terrorism, why does the Quran have so many verses about jihad?”
Finally, both Muslims and Christians need to consider the character of Isa Al-Masih. When He was being killed, He still loved His enemies, and He even forgave them. Isa made a way for all of us to be forgiven. This is the way to be forgiven: accept Isa’s sacrifice for the bad things you’ve done!
[We invite you to visit us at https://www.isaandislam.com/way-of-salvation to learn more about God’s gift of Salvation. God loves you and waits to hear from you. Isa clearly said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (Injil, John 14:6). For a deeper understanding of Isa we suggest you subscribe to “Isa, Islam, and Al-Fatiha” at this link.]
SOME QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW
We encourage our readers to comment on the article above. Comments that don’t directly relate to the topic will be removed. Please start a dialogue with us by focusing on one of the following questions:
1. Why are there so many verses about Jihad in Quran?
2. Why does Isa give so much focus on forgiveness and the need to love the enemies?
3. What can be done by religious people to obey Isa’s commandment to love the enemies? Why?
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“Those who want to buy the life hereafter with this life should fight for the cause of God. We will give them a great reward whether they are killed or whether they are victorious” (Qs 4:74).
“When the sacred months are over, slay the pagans wherever you find them. Capture, besiege, and ambush them…” (Qs 9:5)
Yes I know a lot what the quran says about jihad. But I also know that it says to defend ourselves first before we fight in the cause of Allah. I also know that there are people who blow themselves up, and this is not any martyr, because that person will go to hell. So in conclusion. A Muslim greets another Muslim and says “Salam” ( which means peace).
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Thank you for your comment in response to the article. I’d like to ask you a question. You wrote that “A Muslim greets another Muslim and says ‘Salam'”. What about to a non-Muslim? Will he also greet “Salam?”
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# Aila 2015-02-01 15:31
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Thank you for your comment in response to the article. I’d like to ask you a question. You wrote that “A Muslim greets another Muslim and says ‘Salam'”. What about to a non-Muslim? Will he also greet “Salam?”
Dear Aila,
Normally the Christians greet each other by saying “Peace be with you.”
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Dear Pamela,
You are right that Christians normally greet each other by saying “Peace be with you.” They won’t greet by saying “Salam.” But some of them greet Muslims by saying “Salam.”
Blessings.
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I am very glad to read such kind of this post.
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We are glad that the article benefits you. If you have questions, you are welcome to post some that relate with the article above.
Blessings.
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There are evil people in every religion. When they attacked whether by guns or bomb, they believed that they are doing it in the name of their god.