Islam does not in any way approve of harming people through acts of terrorism and unlawful violence. There is no message in the Quran or even in the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessing be upon him) to imply that terrorism is permissible.
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) uses the following expressions when describing his followers: “A Muslim is a person whose tongue and hands do not harm anyone.” [1] There is a very clear criterion in this regard in the Quran: “whoever kills a soul, it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one ,it is as if he had saved mankind entirely.”[2]
The main reason why Islam does not allow terrorist acts is the possibility of harming innocent people in such acts. In Islam, legal rules have been set forth even for the conditions of war and it has been ordered to protect the safety of civilians (those who do not participate in the war, women, children, the elderly, the disabled, clergy, farmers), animals and plants even during war.[3] For this reason, the weapons of mass destruction and suicide bombers emerging today are not accepted by the religion of Islam. Because weapons of mass destruction can cause uncontrolled destruction.
In the Quran, it is emphasized that Allah values human. The principle of ensuring the safety of people’s lives in Islam derives from this respect in the Quran. When the words and practices of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are examined, it can be perceived that a Muslim does not aim to eliminate non-Muslims, but to meet them and invite them to religion. What is essential in this invitation is an environment of persuasion that will lay the groundwork for peaceful and free thought. For this reason, environments where terrorist acts are experienced are environments that hinder the basic goals of Muslims.
[1] Tirmidhi, Iman 12, (2629)
[2] Al-Ma’idah,32
[3] Bukhari, Jihad,148 ; Muslim, Jihad 3,24,25