Common Questions About Islam and Islamic Middle Eastern Terrorists Issues

In the name of God Most Gracious Most Merciful

Archives: Monthly Feature

May 2006:

1. DEAR ABE: Of all the different groups of people in the whole world, why is it this particular region- the Middle East- that the terrorists are coming from? I read once that their high poverty rate and radical Islamic educators combine to produce the terrorist mentality, do you believe these to be the factors? – GATUT, CANADA

DEAR GATUT: God only knows all of the reasons that we see a large portion of terrorists from this group. Many groups have used terrorist methods throughout history almost all of them feeling disempowered through some combination of poverty, a lack of open media communication, poor educational opportunities, years of oppressive governments and their leaders placing the blame of their condition on others (in this case the Western countries). The prevalence of these tactics throughout several groups in the Middle East is a sign of their deviation away from God’s words in the Quran. If the general population in these places were to disregard the false religious indoctrination and go back to full reliance on God’s Scripture, it is God’s system that their provisions would increase and they would once again be blessed with prosperity and peace [1]. They would also find no Scriptural support for terrorist activities.[2]

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 10:98, 34:19, 7:163, 42:12; [2] Appendix 36 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.

2. DEAR ABE: God IS Love and is about forgiving, and in the Christian religion it is a sin to kill yourself and others. Why do some Muslims support blowing themselves up along with innocent bystanders, does the religion support a lowered value of life? --PEACE BOY, KANSAS CITY

DEAR PEACE BOY: God tells us in the Quran that He has made life sacred, and we shall not kill except in the course of justice [1]. Any confusion causing the lowered value of life comes from instruction outside of the Quran, mainly from certain leaders and Hadith –or the Prophet’s sayings [2]. These actions are not performed or supported by people who follow God’s true religion since it goes against what God prescribes for us in His Scripture.

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 6:151; [2] 39:29, 7:185, 12:111, 7:3, 10:35, 4:60, 9:31 .

3. DEAR ABE: Do I have to convert to marry my Muslim boyfriend if he proposes?--LORI C., SEATTLE

DEAR LORI : Your Muslim boyfriend (this applies also to a Muslim girl) is not required to limit himself to potential spouses only in his community [1]. The requirements for marriage are mutual attraction, tranquility and contentment in the relationship, care towards each other, dowry, chasteness, absence of idol-worship, and of course absence of incest [2]. One who follows God’s scripture, the Quran, will understand the importance of not marrying an idol-worshipper and will avoid that choice in marriage [3]. [4]

Relevant Quran Verses: [1] 5:5; [2] 2:221, 30:21, 4:24, 4:22-23, 23:5-6, 24:32, 24:3; [3] 2:221; [4] Appendix 34 of the Quran translation by R. Khalifa.

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The answers provided by Abe and friends represent the understanding of the
writers, and should not be taken as the only acceptable approach. The reader is encouraged to research the topics further using the Quran.

Disclaimer: Abe and friends condemn all acts of violence, suicide bombings, and terrorism enacted under the banner of Islam.