I was interested in the letter What makes God happy . I wish to give an Islamic viewpoint on the matter. In Islam, God requires of mankind certain obligations. The first requirement is faith. The Quran requires mankind to take an oath: 'Say - we believe in God and that which was revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and to the tribes and that which was given to Moses and Jesus and to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them and to God we submit'.

The second requirement is charity. The Quran states: 'Righteousness is he who believes in God and the 'Last Day' and the angels and the prophets and gives his wealth for the love of God to kinsfolk and orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and to those who beg and ask. And also those who set slaves free and observe proper worship and the paying of alms. And those who keep their promise and treaty when they make one and are patient in tribulation and adversity and in times of stress. Such are those who are sincere'.

The third requirement is knowledge. The Quran states: 'For those who possess knowledge, we will raise their status by one notch'. The Hadis also states: 'Seek knowledge even as far as to China'. The Hadis also says: 'God created no illness without a cure, except for old age' and that 'Seeking knowledge is mandatory for every believer'.

The fourth requirement is jihad and tolerance. The Quran states: 'Fight in the cause of God only against those who attack you and stop fighting as soon as they stop but never transgress limits for God does not like transgressors'. Also the Quran asks, 'Why aren't you fighting in support of the men, women and children who finding helplessness and repression, pray - Oh God, liberate us from this habitation which is ruled by tyrants'.

However in Islam, war is a last resort as the Quran states: 'Unless they declare war against you because of your religion or drive you out of your homes, deal kindly and justly with them for God loves those who are just' (Surah 60 : 8).

I feel that understanding each other's religions will help promote mutual peace whereas ignorance, bigotry and fear-mongering only exacerbates the hatred and enmity which results in an endless cycle of war and terrorism. Let us spread love and goodwill as well as generosity and compassion to make this world a better place for all to live.