Page 32 - Islam Denounces Terrorism

30 Islam Denounces Terrorism

O mankind! We created you from a male and female, and
made you into peoples and tribes so that you might come to
know each other. The noblest among you in God's Sight is
that one of you who best performs his duty. … (Qur'an, 49:13)

The understanding of justice recommended by God in the Qur'an

calls for equal, compassionate and peaceable treatment of everyone,
regardless of their faith or ideas, with no discrimination between them.
For example, hatred and anger are the major sources of evil, and are
likely to prevent people from making just decisions, thinking soundly

and conducting themselves rationally.
People in societies where hatred and anger prevail worry that they

can fall victim to someone else at any time. Having lost their sense of
mutual trust, they also lose their human feelings such as compassion,
brotherhood and co-operation and start hating one another.

However, the feelings someone holds in his heart towards a per-
son or community should never influence a believer's decisions. No

matter how evil or hostile the person he is considering may be, the
believer sets all these feelings aside and acts and makes his decisions
justly. His feelings towards that person cast no shadow over his wis-

dom and conscience. His conscience always inspires him to comply
with God's commands and advice, and never to abandon good man-
ners, because this is a command God gives in the Qur'an. In Surat al-
Ma'ida, it is related as follows:

O you who believe! Show integrity for the sake of God, bearing wit-
ness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not
being just. Be just. That is closer to faith. Heed God (alone). God is
aware of what you do. (Qur'an, 5:8)

As is related in the verse, displaying a just attitude is what most

complies with having fear of and love for God. A person of faith knows