As cited above, the Quran preaches moderation and balance. The Prophet,too, exhorted us to moderation in all things. He warned against excessive observance of ritual, telling his followers not to pray too many hours or fast too many days in a week. He told us to be moderate in eating and drinking. And while war is not ruled out, both the Qur'an and the Prophet place strict limits upon the conduct of warfare.

Some of the verses which talk about warfare and retribution include:

Fight in God's cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit aggression, for, verily, God does not love aggressors (2:190)

But if they desist, behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace. So fight against them until there is no more oppression and all worship is devoted to God alone, but if they cease fighting, then all hostility shall cease, save against those who continue to do wrong. (2:192-193)

"God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you over religion and have not driven you out of your homes, indeed you should show them kindness and deal justly with them. God loves just dealers." (Qur'an 60:8)

"… and let not the hatred of others make you avoid justice. Be just: that is next to piety; and fear Allah, for Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do." (Qur'an 5:8)

"But remember that requiting evil may, too, become an evil: hence whoever pardons his enemy and makes peace, his reward rests with Allah- for, verily He does not love transgressors." (Qur'an 42:40)

"The good deed and the evil deed are not alike. Repel the evil deed with one which is better, then lo! he with whom you had enmity will become as though he were a bosom friend. (Qur'an 41:34)

Thus, warfare is to be just, defensive only, and a last resort. Better than fighting is to repel malice and hostility with good deeds. Peace is to be restored as soon as the combatants sue for it. and in the case where no aggression was committed, it should never be breached.

The Prophet stipulated more rules. He expressly forbade the killing of women and children in warfare. Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Hadith 257 and 258 read "A woman was found killed during one of the Apostle of God’s battles, so the Apostle of God forbade the killing of women and children." In other hadiths he said that orchards, farmlands, and religious sites were to be left unharmed.

He also said we should not desire warfare. Again from Sahih Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 266: The Prophet said: "Do not wish to meet the enemy, but when you face them, be steadfast."

And he stressed that warfare is not the greatest jihad, putting many other acts above it:

"Aisha, wife of the Prophet asked, 'O Messenger of Allah, we see jihad as the best of deeds, so shouldn't we join it?' He replied, 'But the best of jihad is a perfect Hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah).'" (Sahih Al-Bukhari, No. 2784)

One man asked "Should I join the jihad?' The prophet asked, "Do you have parents?" The man said, "Yes." The Prophet(s) said, "Then make jihad by serving them." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, No. 5972)

Another man asked the Prophet "'What kind of jihad is better?' He replied, "A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler!" (Sunan Al-Nasa'i , No. 4209)

The Messenger of Allah(s) also said: "...the one who carries out jihad is he who strives against him base desires for the sake of Allah, and the emigrant is he who abandons evil deeds and sin." (Sahih Ibn Hibbanm, No. 4862)

Finally, for would-be suicide bombers, I would have them revisit the Qur'anic verse that says:

Do not kill yourselves, for Allah is compassionate towards you. Whoever does so in transgression and wrongfully, We shall cast them into the fire, and that is an easy matter for Allah. (4:29-30)

How then, can they hope for heaven for such horrible deeds as 9/11. Either they are woefully ignorant, purposefully negligent, or put their political goals above the religion they claim to be fighting for.