Page 252 - Islam Denounces Terrorism

250 Islam Denounces Terrorism

idea with another's may develop his own or see its deficiencies and
remedy them. Those who defend opposing opinions could have an
exchange of ideas in conversation or engage in a constructive critique.
Only the kind of sincere, forgiving, peaceful and humble person who
conforms to the moral teaching of the Qur'an can develop this
approach.

To kill a person or do him harm because he has different ideas,
believes in a different religion or belongs to a different race is an
immense act of cruelty. For this reason only, throughout history and all
over the world, sons and daughters of the same fatherland have strug-

gled with one another to the death, murdering one another without
pity. Or people of different race or nationality, women and children
included, have been indiscriminately slaughtered. The only person
who could do such a thing is someone who has no respect for a human
being, and who regards the person in front of him just as an intelligent
animal; it is someone who does not believe that he will have to give an
account to God for what he has done.

The best and truest attitude to have towards opposing ideas is
revealed in the Qur'an. Clashes of ideas have arisen throughout histo-
ry and one of the most well-known examples of this is the opposition
between Moses (pbuh) and his contemporary Pharaoh. Despite all

Pharaoh's cruelty and aggressiveness, God sent the Prophet Moses to
invite him to God's religion, and He explained the method the Prophet
Moses was to use:

Go to Pharaoh; he has overstepped the bounds. But speak to him with
gentle words so that hopefully he will pay heed or show some fear.
(Qur'an, 20:43-44)
The Prophet Moses (pbuh) obeyed God's command and explained

true religion to him. In order to stop Pharaoh's denial of God and his
cruelty to people, the Prophet Moses patiently explained every matter.
However, Pharaoh showed a hostile attitude toward the Prophet's