1. Jihad, properly understood, is the effort made by Muslims fully to implement their faith, regardless of the obstacles subjectively or objectively encountered. Thus, the use of force is a special eventuality of jihad. It is justified in two cases only:

a) to defend the Muslim community against aggression from without and
b) to resist tyranny from within.

Suicide is unconditionally forbidden by the Qur`an (4: 29), regardless of circumstances.

2. Islamically, there is no penalty for apostasy in this world. In fact, the Qur`an describes several cases of apostasy without sanctions here and now. This implies that Muslims are not prevented by the Shari´ah to convert to other religions. The exclusion of compulsion in religion (2: 256) is so fundamental that it must be applied not only towards non-Muslims but between Muslims as well. During Muslim history this issue was frequently obscured by the confusion of apostasy with rebellion. The latter is punishable in all systems of law.

3. In Islam, women theologically have the same dignity, the same
metaphysical destination and religious duties like men. However, their function is different as much as needed by their unique ability to bear and raise children.

This does not exclude women in principle from being active in life, also in public life, in other respects, including politics, the military, business and science - a ideal modeled by ´A`isha, the Prophet`s wife.

The vast discrimination of women practiced in the Muslim world is pre-Islamic and not even typically Muslim, but to be found in China, India, and South America as well.