ISLAM RISING : From the Koran

* On men being the guardians of women:

“Men are appointed guardians over women, because of that in respect of which Allah has made some of them excel others, and because the men spend of their wealth. So virtuous women are obedient and safeguard, with Allah’s help, matters of knowledge of which is shared by them with their husbands. Admonish those of them on whose part you apprehend disobedience, and leave them alone in their beds and chastise them.”

* On the punishment for adultery:

“Flog the adulteress and the adulterer, each one of them, with a hundred stripes, and let not pity for them restrain you from executing the judgment of Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. Let a party of the believers witness their punishment. . . . Such conduct is forbidden to the believers.”

* On the mercy of Allah:

“Convey to them: O my servants who have committed excesses against your own selves despair not of the mercy of Allah, surely Allah forgives all sins; he is most forgiving, ever merciful.”

* On doing good deeds:

“Whoso does good shall have ten times as much, and whoso does ill shall be requited with the like thereof; and they shall not be wronged.”

* On zakat and prayer:

“Observe prayer and pay the zakat and obey the messenger that you may be shown mercy. Imagine not that the disbelievers can frustrate our design in the earth; their abode is hell, and an evil resort it is.”

* On jihad:

“Fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but transgress not. Surely, Allah loves not the transgressors. Once they start the fighting, kill them wherever you meet them, and drive them out from where they have driven you out; for aggression is more heinous than killing.”

* On martyrdom:

“Do not account those who are slain in the cause of Allah as dead. Indeed, they are living in the presence of their Lord and are provided for.”

* On the state and obeying authority:

“O ye who believe, obey Allah and obey his messengers and those who are in authority among you. Then if you differ in anything, refer it to Allah and his messenger if you are believers in Allah and the Last Day.”

* On international relations:

“Allah does not forbid you to be kind and to act equitably toward those who have not fought you because of your religion, and who have not driven you forth from your homes. Surely, Allah loves those who are equitable. Allah only forbids you that you make friends with those who have fought against you because of your religion, and have driven you out of your homes and have aided others in driving you out. Whoso makes friends with them, those are the transgressors.”