Approaching the West — Page 89
A pproaching the West—89 Thus, he gave a clear verdict that to kill innocent people in the name of Jih ā d is forbidden in Isl ā m. Anyone who wages war on false pretext is an enemy of God. Furthermore, he predicted that those who engage in terrorist acts in the name of Jih ā d shall be utterly humiliated and defeated in the end! Sanctity of Life: The Holy Qur’ ā n teaches sanctity of human life and reaffirms the Biblical teachings that whosoever unjustly kills a single person, it shall be as if he slaughtered all mankind; and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had protected the life of all mankind (5:33). “You kill not the life which God has made sacred” (6:152). Killing of the innocent and committing suicide both are grievous sins in Islam. The Quran forbids suicide (4:30), and it is an unforgivable sin in Islam. The Qur’ ā n gives comprehensive instructions against all evil thoughts and plans, all kinds of abusive behavior and every form of cruelty and inequity. The Qur’ ā n gives injunctions to protect the person, property, honor or good name of another person. The Qur’ ā n declares it in unambiguous words, God does not love those who create disorder on earth (5:65) and (28:77); He does not love who are unjust (3:57); and does not love those who exceed the limits (2:191) and (5:88). What is the true meaning of Jih ā d? Jih ā d does not mean “Holy War. ” It means striving, contention and taking action dedicated to a noble cause: In Arabic language, Jih ā d is a verbal noun derived from the root jahada, which is defined as exerting one’s utmost power, effort, endeavor, or ability in