Basic Islamic teachings about warfare can be summarized as follows:

1. Warfare should be avoided; Muslims should not begin wars and should only use warfare as a last resort.
2. Warfare is a limited enterprise. Its purpose is only defensive and it should only be used to stop aggression and oppression.
3. War should be only conducted against those who fight. Non-combatants should never be targeted and every possible precaution should be taken to protect them.
4. Water resources, animals, agricultural lands and other resources should be protected from harm as much as possible.
5. Warfare should stop as soon as the enemy inclines to peace, and negotiations should be used. All treaties and agreements should be fully observed.

These are almost unanimously accepted guidelines concerning warfare in Islam. In the past, and now in the present, some Muslims have violated these guidelines under some situations and conditions. Such aberrations or violations are, however, not a rule but an exception to the rule. Modern Muslim jurists of major schools of thoughts agree with the foregoing Islamic teachings and guidelines about warfare.

Terrorism, suicide bombings or any other kind of bombings, shootings or violence that target civilians are totally forbidden in Islam and there is no justification for these acts. A body of Muslim jurists known as the Fiqh Council of North America has issued a strong Fatwa (religious ruling) against terrorism and suicide bombing. This Fatwa has been endorsed by hundreds of Islamic centers and mosques throughout North America.

The Fatwa said:
1. All acts of terrorism targeting the civilians are Haram (forbidden) in Islam.
2. It is Haram (forbidden) for a Muslim to cooperate or associate with any individual or group that is involved in any act of terrorism or violence.
3. It is the duty of Muslims to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities to protect the lives of all civilians.

Those who invoke Islam to justify any acts of extremism, aggression or violence are not only committing sin but they are also defaming Islam and misrepresenting the majority of Muslims who are peaceful and law abiding. Their acts of violence have brought a lot of harm to many innocent human beings, including many Muslims. These foolish and desperate acts have not done any good to the alleged cause or causes that the perpetrators claim to defend.

HOW DOES ISLAM DEFINE APOSTASY? IS IT PERMISSIBLE FOR A MUSLIM TO CONVERT TO ANOTHER FAITH? HOW CAN LAWS AGAINST APOSTASY AND BLASEPHEMY BE RECONCILED WITH THE KORANIC INJUNCTION OF "NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION"?

The Islamic term for apostasy is “riddah” which means “a Muslim renouncing Islam as his/her faith.” Islam considers itself to be the true faith and it emphasizes that its followers should adhere to this faith fully and sincerely. Renouncing the faith and backsliding are acts of sin and are very much frowned upon in Islam. However, Islam does not teach forcing anyone to become Muslim or to remain Muslim. The Qur’an, the basic source of law in Islam, does not prescribe any specific worldly punishment for those who do not accept Islam or those who renounce faith. Such people are warned of Divine punishment in the Hereafter, but there is no ruling for Islamic courts to take action against such people by human authorities in this world. On the contrary, we find in many places, the Qur’an advocated religious freedom and forbids compulsion and coercion in the matters of religion.

In Prophet Muhammad’s own statements, known as Hadith, we find some instances where he prescribed ‘death sentence’ against those who renounce Islam. Muslim scholars have differed in the interpretation of these statements. Most scholars take these statements (Hadith) to mean punishment for high treason. According to this interpretation, if anyone leaves the faith, becomes rebellious bellicose (muharib) or joins a rebellious group of non-Muslims who want to revolt against the Muslim state, then such person/persons should be tried and may be subject to capital punishment if proved committing high treason. Thus the punishment is not for changing the religion, per se, but for rebellion and treachery. It is comparable to a US citizen renouncing his citizenship and then joining Al-Qaeda. The US government will try him not for renouncing his citizenship, but for joining a rebellious and terrorist group.

As far as blasphemy is concerned, Islam is not against religious debates and dialogues. The Qur’an itself mentions many blasphemous statements of non-believers against God, His Prophets, His scriptures and His rules and laws. Those blasphemies are replied to and criticized, but their advocates are not threatened with any worldly punishment. Freedom of speech is a highly respected principle in Islam. However, the Qur’an teaches that all religious discussion and debates should be decent and civilized. The deities, religious figures and beliefs of other people should not be insulted and abused. Just as people have sentimental attachments to their families, ancestors, races and ethnicities, they also have deep emotions of love and reverence to their sacred and holy figures. In a pluralistic society people should be more conscious of other people’s faith and cultures and if they disagree with any matter then they must express their disagreement in a civilized manner.

WHAT ARE THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN ISLAM? HOW DOES ISLAM'S VIEW OF MALE-FEMALE EQUALITY DIFFER FROM THE WESTERN VIEW?

Islam teaches that males and females are both created by God. They are equal in the sight of God and they should be equal in society. There is no superiority of males over the females or females over the males. Men and women are equal in their humanity, spirituality and in their moral obligations. Women in Islam have full rights to life, honor, ownership, freedom of expression and freedom of choice.

There are, however, some role differences between males and females in Islam. In marriage, the husband is the head of the household and it is his responsibility to take care of his wife’s and their family’s needs. Spouses must manage their family affairs through mutual consultation and cooperation. There must be love and compassion among the spouses.

Regarding polygamy, a man may have more than one wife under Islamic law, but this must not be in secrecy. He must inform his wife and the other woman who he wants to marry. He must treat his wives with equity. The Qur’an recognizes that equity in this matter is very difficult (Qur’an 4:129) and hence it discourages polygamy. Most Muslims in the world do not practice polygamy. In modern time many Muslim countries have adopted additional restrictions on polygamy. There are some other differences in the matter of divorce, child custody, inheritance and testimony. The rules and legislations in these matters are constantly being discussed and reviewed under the changing socio-economic conditions.

Islam is highly sensitive about sexual morality. It frowns upon fornication and adultery. To maintain public morality and honor of women, it emphasizes that women must appear in public in a modest attire and should not display their beauty to strangers. Although there is no bar against women holding positions of religious authority, such as religious scholars (‘alimah), women are not allowed to lead mixed male and female prayers. This is not because of any spiritual deficiency in women, but because of the nature of Muslim formal prayer (salat) where the worshippers stand, bow and prostrate in unison being in straight lines and almost touching each other. In such prayer services men and women remain separate and the Imam is always a male. However, if the congregation consists of all females then a woman can be the Imam for them.