Page 93 - The Winter of Islam and the Spring to Come

HARUN YAHYA (ADNAN OKTAR)
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tice requires one to face a decision by protecting the rights of both parties,
to evaluate events objectively, and to think without bias. It requires jus-
tice, honesty, mercy, and compassion.
It is obvious that attacks such as these against civilians cannot be ex-
cused. As explained above, such a method is absolutely inconsistent with
Islam. When we examine the Qur'anic verses and the actions of the
Prophet (saas), it is clear that there is no place in Islam for attacks against
civilians. Whether during the conquest of Mecca or during other wars,
the Prophet carefully protected the rights of innocent and unarmed peo-

ple, and prevented them from being harmed. He reminded believers in
this regard on various occasions, commanding them to "Set out for war in
the name of Allah and for the sake of Allah. Do not lay hands on the old
verging on death, on women, children and babies. Do good, for Allah
loves the virtuous and pious" (Muslim) Muslims oppose tyranny and bar-
barism, the unnecessary use of weapons, and all unjust practices.
In any discussion of the attacks on Israeli citizens, another topic
which must be examined is the place of suicide in Islam. Some circles are
gravely misinformed about Islam, believing that this religion of peace
permits the practice of suicide attacks; nothing could be further from the
truth. The fact is that Islam forbids the taking of one's own life, just as it
forbids the taking of another's. Allah condemns suicide explicitly when
he says, "do not kill yourselves." (Surat an-Nisa': 29). No matter what his
reason, it is forbidden in Islam for anyone to kill himself. The Prophet
(saas) also condemns suicide in one of the hadiths, indicating that those
who choose this path will suffer eternal damnation:
Whoever purposely throws himself from a mountain and kills him-

self, will be in the (Hell) Fire falling down into it and abiding therein per-
petually forever; and whoever drinks poison and kills himself with it, he
will be carrying his poison in his hand and drinking it in the (Hell) Fire
wherein he will abide eternally forever; and whoever kills himself with
an iron weapon, will be carrying that weapon in his hand and stabbing
his abdomen with it in the (Hell) Fire wherein he will abide eternally for-
ever. (Muslim)