We offer our condolences to the family of Samuel Paty. Mr. Paty, a teacher in France, was killed in a terrorist attack. The terrorist appeared to be acting in the name of Islam (but was in fact going against God's teachings).
The members of the International Community of Submitters (ICS) / Masjid Tucson strongly denounce all acts of terrorism. God teaches us in the Quran that He has made life sacred (Quran 6:151, 17:33, 25:68) and strongly condemns murder and violence.
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.
Mr. Paty had apparently shown his class a caricature of the prophet Muhammad published by the Charlie Hebdo magazine. We are taught in the Quran to respect all of God's messengers. At the same time, God also teaches us that His law is one of maximum freedom for all people including freedom of religion and expression (Quran 2:256, 10:99, 88:21-22). Thus, if someone shares a cartoon of any of God's prophets or messengers (whether it is Moses or Jesus or Muhammad), there is simply NO excuse to kill or injure such a person. We must remember that life is sacred.
[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.
While it does not appear that Mr. Paty's objective was to offend or insult, let us take the hypothetical situation where someone were trying to insult a prophet of God. In fact, let us look at even worse offenses, i.e., if someone disrespects God Almighty or His revelations. God says to disregard such people:
[Quran 7:180] To GOD belongs the most beautiful names; call upon Him therewith, and disregard those who distort His names. They will be requited for their sins.
[Quran 6:68] If you see those who mock our revelations, you shall avoid them until they delve into another subject. ...
God also encourages us to invite people with wisdom and kind enlightenment (16:125). And to respond in the best possible manner and leave the judgement to God (Quran 7:199, 25:63, 33:48, 41:33-34). Countering bad with good is a consistent theme in the Quran (13:22, 28:54). People are more responsive when we explain with wisdom and logic. We would like to remind those with religious anger in their hearts that acting in anger or harming or killing others will only repel people from God's religion. Thus, terrorism is not only unQuranic but also completely 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.
In summary: all acts of aggression are forbidden by God in the Quran. Unlike what the fanatics and terrorists would like the world to believe, Submission to God (Islam in Arabic) like all religions from God, promotes peace, love and harmony among the people. It is an inclusive religion open to anyone who observes three minimum requirements for salvation: belief in God, belief in the Last Day, and leading a righteous life (Quran 2:62, 5:69).
[Quran 2:190] ... do not aggress. GOD does not love the aggressors.
[Quran: 7:199] ...You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant.
[Quran 8:61] If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient.
[Quran 10:25] GOD invites to the abode of peace, and guides whomever He wills in a straight path.
[Quran 2:62]
Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts;
anyone who
(1) believes in GOD, and
(2) believes in the Last Day, and
(3) leads a righteous life,
will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor
will they grieve.
May God bless us with peace and allow us to turn to Him alone and avoid those who promote fanatical misguided teachings instead of God's teachings of righteous living. If anyone would like to study the matter further, we invite readers to see what God says by reading the Quran for themselves and verifying the information it contains.
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