The Qur’anic Justification for Terrorism
The majority of Muslims are peaceful, and just as there are many denominations in Christianity, there are many schools of thought within Islam.
However, Islamists and terrorist groups are able to justify their actions based on their interpretation of the Qur’an and the example of Muhammad.
These are a few of the passages in the Qur’an that not only have been used in the past to support violence, but are being used today. The RelgionofPeace.com reports that the Qur’an contains at least 109 verses that call Muslims to war with nonbelievers for the sake of Islamic rule. Answering Islam gives a list of some of the most prominent passages. Here are a few:
2:190-191 “Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you…And kill them wherever you overtake them. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknoledged to be] for Allah.”
4:101 “… The disbelievers are ever to you a clear enemy.”
4:74 “So let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allah and is killed or achieves victory – We will bestow on him a great reward.”
9:29 “Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture – [fight] until they give the jizyah (religious tax) willingly while they are humbled.”
Unlike the Old Testament of the Bible, which does contain passages that are violent, the Qur’anic passages are open-ended which means they can be applied to situations today whereas the Old Testament passages address a specific historical event. Further, Christians who commit acts of violence are betraying the teachings and example of Jesus.
The Qur’an of Islam supports violence against those who do not follow their religion. Based upon the teachings, the violent believe they are doing the service of Allah. However, Almighty God, through Jesus Christ, is a God of love, and He loves every human being and we were all created in His image.
Pray that Muslims will receive a revealtion of the Almighty God of love and be drawn to know the one who died for their sins, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Progression of Jihad
Mirriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines jihad as “a holy war waged on behalf of Islam as a religious duty; also: a personal struggle in devotion to Islam especially involving spiritual discipline.” The infographic below shows the progression of the concept of jihad in the Qur’an.
Love in the Qur’an
Please note that “love” in the Qur’an is quite different than the unconditional love of God in the Bible. Because the Qur’an says Allah loves not unbelievers, his love is only for good, righteous, just Muslims. Allah’s “love” is completely conditional on obedience to his laws even for Muslims.
Your Prayers Are Making a Difference
Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, has been filled this year with multiple terror attacks killing over 1,600 people in 31 nations around the world. Fear and anger are normal reactions, but as Christians we must respond to Muslims from God’s perspective, separating the Muslim people from the system of Islam. The prayers that we pray corporately have the ability to speak God’s life, light, truth and love over horrendous situations. As the body of Christ, may we all seek Him so that we may change the atmosphere of terror and threats and advance God’s Kingdom on the earth as we speak His life and send forth His light in the midst of this darkness.
God is moving despite the darkness of Islam. Open Doors reports Muslims in the Middle East are turning to Jesus in unprecedented numbers. David Garrison, author of A Wind in the House of Islam, says, “we are living in the midst of the greatest turning of Muslims to Christ in history.” Some estimates say that there are now more than 1 million Christians in Iran. CBN quotes Heidi Baker of Iris Ministries regarding African Muslims, “Many people are having dreams. They see Jesus appear to them. Probably half our pastors were leaders, imams in Moslem mosques. They were leaders in these mosques, now they’re pastors.”
As we conclude this series, we thank you for all your prayers during the Ramadan 30-days of prayer for the Muslim people. It is important to remember that James 5:16b (NLT) tells us, “When a believing person prays, great things happen!” Please continue throughout the year to pray and declare scriptures over the lives of Muslims. As we co-labor with God in prayer, we believe He will remove spiritual blindness, bring them signs and wonders to reveal His heart, and bring them to salvation in Christ.
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