Islam is a religion of mercy. It does NOT permit terrorism. The messenger of God has listed murder as the second of the major sins and warned that: “On the day of Judgment the first cases to be adjudicated between people will be those of bloodshed.

Quran says: “Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just”. (Quran 60:8).

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prohibited soldiers from killing women and children (Muslim).

He also said: “Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of paradise” (Al-Bukhari).

Jihad means to strive or struggle against the weaknesses in oneself, to be virtuous and moral, and make serious efforts to do good deeds and help to reform the society. Depending upon the circumstances in which one lives, it can also means fighting injustice and oppression, defending Islam and creating a just society through preaching, teaching, and, if necessary, armed struggle.

In Islam, committing suicide and killing innocent people is NOT jihad. In fact, it is a grave sin.

From the earliest times, it was forbidden in Islam to kill noncombatants as well as women and children and monks and rabbis, clearly, all of them were given the promise of immunity. Islamic law sets clear guidelines for the conduct of war and rejects the acts of terrorism, The Quran provides detailed guidelines and regulations regarding war: who should fight (Quran 48:17, Quran 9:91), when fighting should end (Quran 2:192), how to treat prisoners (Quran 47:4). It also emphasizes proportionality in warfare: “whoever transgresses against you, respond in kind” (Quran 2:194).

Other verses provide a strong mandate for making peace: “If your enemy inclines toward peace, then you too should seek peace and put your trust in God” (Quran 8:61) and “Had God wished, He would have made them dominate you, and so if they leave you alone and do not fight you and offer you peace, then God allows you no way against them” (Quran 4:90).