Page 90 - Only Love Can Defeat Terrorism

Only Love Can Defeat Terrorism

Allah has given mankind both reason and a conscience.
His messengers and the Divine books revealed to them have
shown the true path, and people are responsible for their own
choices. Islamic morality can be lived only by a sincere

decision to do so, by surrendering oneself to Allah and
listening to one's conscience, which always commands one to
do what is right. It is a total violation of Islamic morality to
force anyone to believe, because what matters is an
individual's surrendering himself to Allah with all his heart
and believing sincerely. If any system obliges people to have
faith, then those "converts" will become religious only out of

fear. This means preparing the ground for hypocrisy to
flourish, which is totally undesirable. The only acceptable
way to live by a religion is within an environment that leaves
one's conscience completely free. This is what Allah revealed
to our Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace):
So remind them! You are only a reminder. You are not

in control of them. But as for anyone who turns away
and disbelieves, Allah will punish him with the
Greatest Punishment. Certainly it is to Us they will
return Then their Reckoning is Our concern. (Surat Al-
Ghashiyya: 21-26)
It also needs to be emphasized that Islam leaves people

free to make their own choices regarding religion and
commands them to respect other religions. Even if someone
believes in what the Qur'an describes as superstition, he can
still live in peace and security in Muslim lands and freely

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