Thank you for responding
to my request. I have been told by
Muslim neighbors that the Koran teaches it is the duty of those who practice
Islam and follow the Koran to put to death all who are
not followers of Islam. I want to know
how I can learn more about this aspect of Islam, and how can I learn more about
the Koran. I am healing from a trauma
and lengthy hospitalization, and am restricted to my home and my computer. I am unable to drive to a library for
research. If you can direct me to a
reliable source of translation on this topic, I would be grateful, and perhaps
enlightened as to what the Koran has to say on this subject.
Teri Hamilton Richards
Dear Ms. Teri Richards:
First of all let me wish
you a quick and full recovery from your ailment!
Secondly, let me tell you
that your Muslim neighbor who says that Koran tells Muslims to put all
non-Muslims to death either does not know Koran or is not a Muslim himself.
NOW TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION:
The Koran (Qur'an) says in
verse No. 256, chapter 2, "There is no compulsion in religion."
Moreover the Koran says, "Allah does not prohibit you with regard to
those, who do not fight you because of your faith, nor drive you out of your
homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. Indeed
Allah loves those who are just" (Chapter 60, verse 8). Also, it declares
that good Muslims are "Those who invoke not, with Allah, any other god,
nor put to death a life which Allah has made sacred, except for just cause, nor
commit adultery. One who does this meets punishment." My book "Moral
and Social Life in Islam" is available from ICNA Bookstore,