Islam is against terrorism and political violence against civilians

The following is a reposting of message from September 7, 2006:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

Terrorism, the unlawful or threaten use of force or violence against a group of people or government that is driven by an ideological or political aspiration, is strictly forbidden in Islam. In the Qur’an and Prophetic traditions (ahadeeth), there is no formal term called terrorism. However, prohibition of aspects of the modern term called terrorism, are addressed.

Aspects of Terrorism addressed in the Qur’an and ahadeeth:

Vigilantism is prohibited:

The Qur’an (6:151) - … Do not kill a person/soul, which G’d has made sacred except by what is right [and just].
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا النَّفْسَ الَّتِي حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ

Killing of civilians is prohibited:

The Qur’an – (2:190) - And fight in the way of G’d with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely G’d does not love those who exceed the limits.
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

In Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim, Musnad Ahmad and Sunan Abi Dawud, it is recorded that that the Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) came across a deceased woman at a battle, and he communicated his disdain for the killing of women and children.
وَجَدْت اِمْرَأَة فِي بَعْض مَغَازِي النَّبِيّ - صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - مَقْتُولَة فَأَنْكَرَ رَسُول اللَّه - صَلَّى اللَّه عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - قَتْل النِّسَاء وَالصِّبْيَان

Torture is prohibited:

As-Seerah by Ibn Hishaam - `Umar said to the Messenger of G’d (SAAS), Oh Messenger of G’d! Let me pull out the front teeth of Suhayl; his tongue will stick out, and he will not be able to speak against you again. The Messenger of G’d (SAAS) said: No, I will not multilate him, so G’d will not multilate me, even though I am a prophet.
فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : لا أمثل به فيمثل الله بي ، وإن كنت نبياً

Kitaab Al-Kharaaj by Abu Yusuf - From Sa`eed ibn Zayd that he passed by a people who were being coerced to stand in the sun in some part of Syria [Shaam]. He said, What is the matter with them? It was said to him, they have been made to stand in the sun for non-payment of the tax [jizyah]. He said that he disliked that and went to their leader and said, surely I heard the Messenger of G’d (SAAS) say: Whoever tortures people, G’d will punish him.
من عذب الناس عذبه الله

Suicide including suicide bombing is prohibited:

The Qur’an (4:29) – Do not kill yourselves.
وَلَا تَقْتُلُوا أَنْفُسَكُمْ

Physical jihad differs from terrorism. Jihad means exertion or struggle, which can include, but is not limited, taking up arms.

Jihad for self-defense:

The Qur’an (2:190) - And fight in the way of G’d with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely G’d does not love those who exceed the limits.
وَقَاتِلُوا فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ الَّذِينَ يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ وَلَا تَعْتَدُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُعْتَدِينَ

Jihad to liberate the oppressed:

The Qur’an (4:75) – And how should you not fight in the path of G’d and of the weak among men and of the women and the children who say: Our Lord! Bring us forth from out this town of which the people are oppressors! And give us from your presence a protecting friend! And give us from your presence a helper!
وَمَا لَكُمْ لَا تُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ وَالْمُسْتَضْعَفِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ وَالنِّسَاءِ وَالْوِلْدَانِ الَّذِينَ يَقُولُونَ رَبَّنَا أَخْرِجْنَا مِنْ هَذِهِ الْقَرْيَةِ الظَّالِمِ أَهْلُهَا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ وَلِيًّا وَاجْعَلْ لَنَا مِنْ لَدُنْكَ نَصِيرًا

And surely G'd knows best.