Islam: Peace Through Understanding
... religions. They are intolerant of the differences among various religions and think that what they believe is superior. But in reality, these actions are not supported by the religion of Islam. Islam denounces the killing or discrimination of people simply because they embrace a different religion (Killing 2). The Qur’an commands the complete freedom of religion in a society. It does not place limits on those who differ on religious issues. It encourages Muslims to treat such people impartially and with kindness. As it says in the Qur’an, "God does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. God loves the equitable." (Violence 2). In general, Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, irregardless of the cause, whether it be religious, political or social beliefs (Violence 1). It is true that Islam calls for its followers to be strong. This call, however, is to use their belief to provide freedom for their society and to maintain peace but never to fight unless aggressed upon. The Qur’an states that Muslims should defend themselves but tells them never to act with violence when unprovoked. Basically, the Qur’an says that God created all. It says that the God of the Muslims is the same God as the God of the Jews and the Christians and all other religions, and that that God does not permit one group to kill innocent people from ...