Is terrorism allowed in Islam?

No. Terrorism, meaning deliberately killing or terrorizing civilians for a cause, is forbidden in Islam. The Quran compares killing one innocent person to killing all of humanity, and the Prophet ﷺ banned harming women, children and people living under a treaty. Muslim scholars worldwide have condemned terrorist groups and their attacks.

One life is like all of humanity

مَن قَتَلَ نَفْسًۢا بِغَيْرِ نَفْسٍ أَوْ فَسَادٍ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَتَلَ ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا وَمَنْ أَحْيَاهَا فَكَأَنَّمَآ أَحْيَا ٱلنَّاسَ جَمِيعًا "...whoever kills a soul unless for a soul or for corruption [done] in the land - it is as if he had slain mankind entirely. And whoever saves one - it is as if he had saved mankind entirely." Quran 5:32

Scholars note that terrorism is itself a form of "corruption in the land," the very crime this verse condemns. The Prophet ﷺ also said a believer remains in a sound state of faith until he kills someone unlawfully (Sahih al-Bukhari 6862).

Even war has strict limits

Islam allows legitimate self-defense by a state, but it puts firm rules on it. The Quran says: "Fight in the way of Allah those who fight against you but do not transgress" (Quran 2:190). Terrorism breaks every one of these limits:

No killing women and children: when a woman was found killed after a battle, the Prophet ﷺ forbade the killing of women and children (Sahih al-Bukhari 3015).
No treachery: he instructed his commanders not to break their pledge, not to mutilate and not to kill children (Sahih Muslim 1731).
No harming protected people: whoever kills a person who has a treaty with the Muslims "shall not smell the smell of Paradise" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3166). Scholars apply this to non-Muslims living peacefully alongside Muslims, including in Western countries.
No harming worshippers: classical rules of war, reported from the early caliphs, also protected monks, the elderly, and even trees and buildings.

Living in a country on a visa or as a citizen is itself a covenant of safety. Attacking the people around you betrays it. See How do I understand the verses about fighting in the Quran?

What scholars say

Condemnation of terrorism isn't a fringe view. The Fiqh Council of North America issued a fatwa against terrorism in 2005, and in 2014 more than 120 Muslim scholars signed an open letter refuting the ideology of ISIS point by point. Major institutions across the Muslim world have done the same. Muslims are also, by far, the largest group of victims of terrorist attacks worldwide.

If you're worried about someone

Take it seriously: talk of violence, glorifying attacks or sudden secrecy are warning signs.
Speak to a trusted imam: many mosques have experience with this.
Contact the authorities: in an emergency, call 911 (USA), 999 (UK) or 112 (EU). Reporting a real threat protects lives, which is exactly what Quran 5:32 asks of you.

And if you face suspicion just for being Muslim, you aren't alone. See Can I hide that I'm Muslim at work?

Key points

Terrorism is forbidden in Islam, without exception.
Killing one innocent soul is like killing all humanity.
Civilians, women, children and treaty-protected people are off-limits.
Report real threats to the police: saving lives is an Islamic duty.

Tip: If a friend asks whether Islam allows terrorism, share Quran 5:32 and the hadith on women and children. Calm facts answer the question better than defensiveness.

Is terrorism allowed in Islam?

One life is like all of humanity

Even war has strict limits

What scholars say

If you're worried about someone

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