*Before I go any further, Please don't take this article as your only source of information about the matters discussed below, refer to credible and proper sources available on internet and books. I am not a cleric or a preacher of Islam, therefore if I have made any mistake in this article feel free to point it out and correct it.
Out of all the misleading articles on this site, one article stood out, for me. Ten Reasons Why Islam is NOT a Religion of Peace. It's quite interesting how this guy(s) goes on and on about Muslims being terrorists and Islam being a religion of violence, yet doesn't really seem to care to show the two sides. So, I'll try my level best to counter his arguments.
1. According to the site, Muslim terror groups have conducted 18,000 terrorists attacks.
First, I'll stop here and take the time to explain the difference between a terrorist and a muslim. According to the Oxford English Dictionary a terrorist is a person who uses terrorism in the pursuit of political aims. A muslim is a follower of the religion of Islam (still according to Oxford Dictionary). Islam does NOT advocate Islam; proof you say? here it is!In the Holy Quran Allah orders Muslims NOT to spread religion by force.
There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong (Ch.2: V.257)
Allah ordered Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) to spread Islam through good exhortation and NOT through force!
Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation and argue with them in a way that is best. Surely, thy Lord knows best who has strayed from His way; and He also knows those who are rightly guided.(Ch.16: V.126)
This verse from the Quran clearly states that Muslims are only to advice the Kafir or non Muslims and NOT to use violence as a mean of spreading Islam.
But if they turn away We have not sent thee as a guardian over them. Thy duty is only to convey the Message (Ch.42: V.49)
Another crystal clear proof that Islam doesn't advocate violence is that in Islam the murder of one innocent man, is equivalent to that of killing the whole mankind.
…whosoever killed a person - unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land - it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one , it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. [Holy Qur'an Ch.5: V.33]
Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) said in the authentic Hadith that murder is among the great sins.
‘The biggest of Al-Kaba'ir (the great sins) are (1) to join others as partners in worship with Allah, (2) to murder a human being, (3) to be undutiful to one's parents (4) and to make a false statement, or said, to give a false witness.’(Ref. Bukhari, Vol. 9, Bk. 83, No. 10)I hope that's enough proof on that, but if you're still not satisfied, visit islamicfaq.org or islamqa.info for further readings. (Also, I can not make someone change their mind, unless they are willing to think and look at this from a neutral view point rather than that of an Islamophobe.)
Also, interesting fact, Crusaders, killed thousands in the name of Christianity. They were supported by the Holy Roman Empire. But, NO, they are not terrorists. Everyday thousands of innocent women and children die in Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan and all over Mid East thanks to drone attacks from USA and Israel. But, NO, they aren't terrorists. They are heroes.
First of all, from Historical literature we know that Prophet Mohamed and his supporters in the early days of the spread of Islam were mercilessly tortured by the people in Mecca at the time. This included his own uncle. Yet, he never fought them, he spent 13 years (if my information is correct) is Mecca, preaching Islam, but never ordered anyone to fight against the Kuffar. Not even when they murdered a woman by sticking a spear up her lady parts.
Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) said;
"The Muslim who mixes with the people and bears patiently their hurtful words, is better than one who does not mix with people and does not show patience under their abuse."
(Mishkat, Book: Ethics, ch. 'Gentleness, modesty and good behavior')
now why would he say so, if he wanted to kill anyone and everyone that criticized Islam and the Prophet?
In the Holy Quran Allah says;
"You will certainly hear much abuse from the followers of previous books and from the idol-worshiping people. And if you are patient and keep your duty -- this is surely a matter of great resolution." (3:185)
Accurately predicted, no? (Proves that Allah is the one true god, but that's not the topic of this post, so..)
Allah also says in the Quran;
"Many of the followers of previous books wish that they could turn you back into disbelievers after you have believed, but you should pardon and forgive." (2:109)
Allah orders the Prophet and the Muslims in the Quran;
"Obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and disregard their hurtful talk." (33:48)
In the Quran, Allah says of people such as the Editor(s) of the site I'm yapping about;
"And if you invite them to guidance, they hear not; and thou seest them looking towards thee, yet they see not. Hold fast to forgiveness and enjoin goodness and turn away from the ignorant." (7:198-199)
But if they turn away We have not sent thee as a guardian over them. Thy duty is only to convey the Message (Ch.42: V.49)
Another crystal clear proof that Islam doesn't advocate violence is that in Islam the murder of one innocent man, is equivalent to that of killing the whole mankind.
…whosoever killed a person - unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land - it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one , it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. [Holy Qur'an Ch.5: V.33]
Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) said in the authentic Hadith that murder is among the great sins.
‘The biggest of Al-Kaba'ir (the great sins) are (1) to join others as partners in worship with Allah, (2) to murder a human being, (3) to be undutiful to one's parents (4) and to make a false statement, or said, to give a false witness.’(Ref. Bukhari, Vol. 9, Bk. 83, No. 10)I hope that's enough proof on that, but if you're still not satisfied, visit islamicfaq.org or islamqa.info for further readings. (Also, I can not make someone change their mind, unless they are willing to think and look at this from a neutral view point rather than that of an Islamophobe.)
Also, interesting fact, Crusaders, killed thousands in the name of Christianity. They were supported by the Holy Roman Empire. But, NO, they are not terrorists. Everyday thousands of innocent women and children die in Palestine, Afghanistan, Pakistan and all over Mid East thanks to drone attacks from USA and Israel. But, NO, they aren't terrorists. They are heroes.
2. The site claims, Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) had some poet killed for defaming him.
In all my 17 years, I have never, NEVER heard of such a story. Not even from the most critical critics of Islam. But, I believe this is proof that such an event would NOT have happened.First of all, from Historical literature we know that Prophet Mohamed and his supporters in the early days of the spread of Islam were mercilessly tortured by the people in Mecca at the time. This included his own uncle. Yet, he never fought them, he spent 13 years (if my information is correct) is Mecca, preaching Islam, but never ordered anyone to fight against the Kuffar. Not even when they murdered a woman by sticking a spear up her lady parts.
Prophet Mohamed (P.B.U.H) said;
"The Muslim who mixes with the people and bears patiently their hurtful words, is better than one who does not mix with people and does not show patience under their abuse."
(Mishkat, Book: Ethics, ch. 'Gentleness, modesty and good behavior')
now why would he say so, if he wanted to kill anyone and everyone that criticized Islam and the Prophet?
In the Holy Quran Allah says;
"You will certainly hear much abuse from the followers of previous books and from the idol-worshiping people. And if you are patient and keep your duty -- this is surely a matter of great resolution." (3:185)
Accurately predicted, no? (Proves that Allah is the one true god, but that's not the topic of this post, so..)
Allah also says in the Quran;
"Many of the followers of previous books wish that they could turn you back into disbelievers after you have believed, but you should pardon and forgive." (2:109)
Allah orders the Prophet and the Muslims in the Quran;
"Obey not the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and disregard their hurtful talk." (33:48)
In the Quran, Allah says of people such as the Editor(s) of the site I'm yapping about;
"And if you invite them to guidance, they hear not; and thou seest them looking towards thee, yet they see not. Hold fast to forgiveness and enjoin goodness and turn away from the ignorant." (7:198-199)
3. Jihad. The Big J!
Yeah, so the site is mostly about how Islam is violent because Islam advocates Jihad. What they forgot to didn't tell you was the motives and rules of Jihad.Conditions for Jihad
1. The battle can only be defensive and not an offensive one.(2:191- And fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight against you, but do not transgress. Surely Allah loves not the transgressors.)
2. Muslims should have faced oppression in the practice of their religion and a threat to their life.
3. Muslims should have been driven out of their homes; the teaching is to initially leave from where the oppression is taking place, and if the oppressor attacks the Muslims to stop them from practice of their religion in the new abode and also threaten their lives, only in these circumstances are the Muslims allowed to take up arms in a defensive battle.
[Source:http://www.islamicfaq.org/jihad/index.html#Q1]
Rules of Jihad
- Civilians who are not fighting against Muslims are not to be attacked or killed at all.
- Crops or other sources of food and water and cattle or other animals are not to be destroyed.
- Hospitals, orphanages and other places of safety and refuge are not to be destroyed.
- Mosques, churches, synagogues or other places of worship are not to be destroyed.
- Women, children, old and disabled are to be left untouched.
- If the aggressor stops the aggression or offers a treaty it should be accepted and the fighting stopped forthwith.
- Fleeing oppressors need not be pursued to any unnecessary length and should be allowed to return to their home.
- Prisoners of War should be treated with respect and their basic needs be fulfilled and they should be freed or ransomed as soon as possible after the battle.
4. Rest of the minor arguments
- Islam doesn't consider Non-Muslims as less than Humans, if that was the case, Non-Muslims wouldn't exist, right?- Quran is not the only context to look at if you want to judge Islam. The Prophets Sirat( the way he lived, what he said, etc) is also as important.
- Allah Akbar (Allah (God) is Great).. I see nothing wrong with that. Oh wait, the Western Media has made it the slogan of all terrorists.
I hope this clarified some doubts about Islam and hopefully the editor(s) of the site will see the right passage and become a Muslim. If not, well, we'll see who was right when dooms day comes and judgement day is over. Cheers!
