Islam is often described as a religion of peace, and this idea comes from important teachings within the religion. The word Islam is connected to the Arabic root associated with peace and submission to God. Muslims believe that a good life involves submitting to Allah while treating other people with fairness, mercy and respect.
The Qur’an contains teachings that encourage Muslims to avoid unnecessary violence and protect human life. One commonly mentioned verse says that taking one innocent life is like killing all of humanity, while saving a life is like saving all of humanity. This reflects the importance Islam places on human life.
Islam also teaches Muslims to forgive when possible and to respond to hostility with peace. The Qur’an says that good and evil are not the same and encourages people to respond to wrongdoing in a better way. These teachings have influenced how many Muslims understand their responsibilities toward other people.
However, saying that Islam is a peaceful religion does not mean that violence has never been committed by Muslims or in the name of Islam. Muslim individuals and groups have committed acts of violence throughout history, just as people from many other religions and ideologies have done. Those actions should be examined in their specific historical and political context rather than automatically being treated as representative of every Muslim.
There are also Islamic teachings concerning warfare, but these are generally discussed alongside rules and restrictions rather than as permission for unlimited violence. Different Muslim scholars and communities have interpreted these teachings in different ways.
For many Muslims around the world, Islam is primarily about their relationship with God and how they live with other people. Their daily lives involve prayer, family, charity, work and community. Judging an entire religion solely through the actions of extremists can therefore create an incomplete picture of what the religion actually teaches and how ordinary believers practise it.