Quran Opposes Terrorism

Terrorism is defined as the unlawful use of force and violence against innocent civilians to achieve illicit goals and objectives. The U.S. Code of Federal Regulations defines terrorism as "the unlawful use of force and violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives". [1]  

From these definitions of terrorism, it can be concluded that terrorism is a kind of systematic use of unlawful violence or threat against innocent civilians for achieving illicit objectives. Thus, it is categorically opposed to peaceful co-existence and moral values whereas Islam itself means peace and it is the religion of tolerance, compassion and morality.

According to the three basic and foundational principles of Islam, it is the religion of peace, love, mercy, tolerance, and morality. The word Islam means peace [2] and Muslims believe that the Prophet Mohammad (S) is the promoter of morality and “a mercy for the worlds”. [3] Therefore, his religion (Islam) is the manifestation of God's eternal mercy and compassion in the world. He is sent to the mankind to offer them a life replete with love, peace, morality and modesty.

The Holy Quran commanded Muslims to live peacefully by entering absolutely into peace (Islam) and avoiding evil. [4] Quran explicitly forbids Muslims from intimidating the people saying that "Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment" [5]

According to the aforementioned verse of the Holy Quran killing innocent people and intimidating them is the same as waging war against Almighty Allah (J) and His apostles, that is to say that, immorality, aggressiveness, murder and bloodshed are forbidden in Islam. Islam condemns terror and terroristic attacks against civilians as well as murdering innocent people especially old men and women or children.

Besides all aforementioned points, Quran commands Muslims to be compassionate and merciful toward mankind. “And do not seek to cause mischief on earth. God does not love mischief makers”. [6] “…To be one of those who believe and urge each other to steadfastness and urge each other to compassion. Those are the Companions of the Right”. [7] As it is seen in this verse of the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah (J) orders His servants to "urge each other to compassion". In another verse of the holy Quran it is said that “a good action and a bad action are not the same. Repel the bad with something better and, if there is enmity between you and someone else, he will be like a bosom friend”. [8]

Conclusively, based on the Quranic teachings Muslims have to observe ethical rules and live according to the moral teachings of Islam, otherwise they will be punished on the Day of Judgment or the Day of Reckoning which, according to Muslims, is the third Islamic fundamental principle. In fact, a study of the main sources of Islamic teachings such as Quran, reveals the fact that terrorism has nothing to do with Islam because carrying out horrific and brutal attacks on innocent people in places like gyms, stadiums, bazars, markets etc. are tantamount to Moharebeh (enmity against Allah) and intimidation (terrorization) which are totally forbidden and prohibited in the Islamic Shari'ah.

Notes:

[1] See: 28 C.F.R. Section 0.85.
[2] http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=islam&searchmode=none.
[2] The Prophets: 107. وَمَا أَرْسَلْنَاكَ إِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعَالَمِينَ
[3] Baqara /208. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ ادْخُلُواْ فِي السِّلْمِ كَآفَّةً وَلاَ تَتَّبِعُواْ خُطُوَاتِ الشَّيْطَانِ إِنَّهُ لَكُمْ عَدُوٌّ مُّبِينٌ
[4] Al-Ma'ida: verse 32. إِنَّمَا جَزَاء الَّذِينَ يُحَارِبُونَ اللّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَيَسْعَوْنَ فِي الأَرْضِ فَسَادًا أَن يُقَتَّلُواْ أَوْ يُصَلَّبُواْ أَوْ تُقَطَّعَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَأَرْجُلُهُم مِّنْ خِلافٍ أَوْ يُنفَوْاْ مِنَ الأَرْضِ ذَلِكَ لَهُمْ خِزْيٌ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَلَهُمْ فِي الآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ
[5] Al-Qasas: 77. وَابْتَغِ فِيمَا آتَاكَ اللَّهُ الدَّارَ الْآخِرَةَ وَلَا تَنسَ نَصِيبَكَ مِنَ الدُّنْيَا وَأَحْسِن كَمَا أَحْسَنَ اللَّهُ إِلَيْكَ وَلَا تَبْغِ الْفَسَادَ فِي الْأَرْضِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
[6] Al-Balad: 17-18. ثُمَّ كَانَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالصَّبْرِ وَتَوَاصَوْا بِالْمَرْحَمَةِ أُوْلَئِكَ أَصْحَابُ الْمَيْمَنَةِ
[7] al-Fussilat: 34. وَلَا تَسْتَوِي الْحَسَنَةُ وَلَا السَّيِّئَةُ ادْفَعْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ فَإِذَا الَّذِي بَيْنَكَ وَبَيْنَهُ عَدَاوَةٌ كَأَنَّهُ وَلِيٌّ حَمِيمٌ