Every time there is a terrorist attack, we wonder if Islam condones murder. Does the Quran teach this? Is this just a handful of radicals that take an extreme view of the teaching of Islam? Do all Muslims secretly support them in these attacks?
What do Muslims think of us, Western civilization, and why? What do Muslims think of Christians? What do Muslims think of the Jews?
There are 114 Surahs (chapters) in the Quran separated into verses. The shortest Surah is three verses. The longest surah is 286 verses.
It is not necessary to read the whole book to get the answers to all of these questions. I found the answers in the first five Surahs.
"We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve." (Surah Ale-Imran 3:151)
Jesus said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know. (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:216)
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:9-12)
Let those (believers) who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter fight in the Cause of Allah, and whoso fights in the Cause of Allah, and is killed or gets victory, We shall bestow on him a great reward. (Surah An-Nisa' 4:74)
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. (Luke 6:27-28)
