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The events in the last decade have brought a constant stream of negative news from Muslim states. Human rights issues in Muslim-majority Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan are held up as examples of how Islam has held back these societies. After all, these states claim to be staunchly “Islamic,” and hence they must speak for the religion Islam itself. Is this true? Can a religion be gauged by the acts of states?
No historian can deny that Islam emerged as the religion of a severely persecuted, small community in seventh century Arabia and ultimately triumphed against fearsome odds under Prophet Muhammad’s leadership. The reason for their persecution was simple: Islam’s message threatened tribal customs and orthodox practices of existing religions in Arabia.
The first Muslim migration to escape persecution was to Abbysinia, whose Christian ruler, Negus, believed in tolerance and permitted the refugees in his kingdom — an act for which the Prophet expressed his deep gratitude.
It is, therefore, ironic and tragic that powerful clerical Muslim states today use the name of Islam to oppress non-Muslims and also Muslims of other denominations. In fact, early Islamic history contradicts the acts of today’s Muslims. A tradition about Prophet Muhammad states he insisted Christian priests from Najran offer their prayers in his mosque. He also debated religion with them openly and went to the extent of granting them the freedom to practice religion however they wished. This contrasts greatly with leadership in modern Islamic states.
It is impossible to imagine today that someone can publicly question an Ayatollah in Iran or a Mufti in Saudi Arabia. An oft-ignored Quranic verse states, “There is no compulsion in religion.” Even less, however, know of its context. Before the Prophet migrated from Mecca to Medina to escape religious oppression, some people of Medina had dedicated their children to be raised as Jews. The parents, who later converted to Islam, objected when the Jewish guardians kept these children with them.
The Quranic verse pertains to this particular event when Prophet Muhammad forbade the parents from forcibly taking back their children or converting them to Islam. This is ironic given how some states today force Islamic injunctions on non-Muslims.
If such Islamic traditions of noncompulsion are authentic, which they are, then how do clerical states justify their position? It’s simple — by keeping these traditions away from the larger public or by creating imagined enemies to emotionally force the public behind them.
Invoking dogma to hide inconvenient truths is not the exclusive practice of Muslim regimes. Indeed all repressive states — religious or secular — rely on similar tools. In fact, moderate Muslims, such as those in the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, have to face stiff persecution in Muslim states because their interpretation of Islam threatens dogma.
Thus, next time one hears a Muslim state claiming to act in the name of Islam, perhaps several pinches of salt can be added.
Syed Ahmad
graduate student
A version of this article appeared in the Feb 2 issue of the Collegiate Times.
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Wonderful article! Thank you Brother. Well said, logical truth. Thank God :)
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You can't make this nonsense up!
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The author isn't making any nonsense. Any sensible Christian or Jew would agree with the author. I have read hate comments which really reflect poorly.
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You can't make this nonsense up!
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You can't make this nonsense up!
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You can't make this nonsense up!
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If they don't speak for Muslims who does? The extremist Muslim next door in non-Muslim countries? The rogue imam that plants the seeds of hate? The family members (in both Muslim and non-Muslim countries) that kill or mame family members for bringing "shame" to the family? The millions of Muslims worldwide that do and say nothing as people are murdered in the name of Islam? Please, do tell: WHO speaks for them?!!
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Each person has an individual voice. Interesting concept, eh? There is no central leadership, or caliphate and there are many sects.
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"The first Muslim migration to escape persecution was to Abbysinia, whose Christian ruler, Negus, believed in tolerance and permitted the refugees in his kingdom — an act for which the Prophet expressed his deep gratitude."
This is simply hogwash.
If one reads the Qur'an, Hadiths and Sunna one discovers Mohammed was a sadistic megalomaniac for whom no amount of power was ever enough. Within 300 years of Mohammed's birth Islam had violently captured all of the Middle East, all of North Africa, Sicily, Spain, large sections of the Persian Gulf and Caucus region and huge sections of Asia.
There was nothing peaceful, tolerant or compassionate about these violent conquests and million lost their lives as Islam's aggressive march moved out from the Arabian Peninsula towards all corners of the world.
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When the scale of lies is of monumental proportions, there really isn't a point in replying to nonsense. Obviously the first batch of Muslims did not have any swords and they survived until 13 years in Mecca against people like you.
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"Islam had violently captured all of the Middle East, all of North Africa, Sicily, Spain, large sections of the Persian Gulf and Caucus region and huge sections of Asia.
There was nothing peaceful, tolerant or compassionate about these violent conquests and million lost their lives as Islam's aggressive march moved out from the Arabian Peninsula towards all corners of the world"
Replace Islam with Christianity and change the necessary locations and you will see why your comment is so offensive.
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This article is entirely deceptive.
If one reads the Qur'an, Hadiths and Sunna one thing above else is obvious and that is the fact that Mohammed was a sadistic megalomaniac. He raped women, enslaved men, stole from non-Muslim villages and caravans, led battles that resulted in thousands of deaths and urged his men to follow his example.
It is no wonder that the history of Islam is littered with the genocide and ethnic cleansing of all who get in its path. For Islam wiped out the Zoroastrians of Persia, the Berbers of North Africa, the Assyrians of Syria, the Copts of Egypt and Chaldeans of Mosul, the Buddhists of Afghanistan and Hindus of Pakistan and Bangladesh and is doing more of the same today throughout northern Africa, southern Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere.
There is an Arabic word that Mohammed used to use called Taqiyya. Its meaning is to deceive non-Muslims and that is what this article is really about, in my humble opinion.
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There is no such thing as Taqiyya in Islam - it only exists in your head if you have one.
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By your own admission, Islam managed to spread despite all these flaws. How then are 1 billion Muslims managing to stay Muslim?
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"How then are 1 billion Muslims managing to stay Muslim?"
1) Threat of Apostasy or death for leaving Islam.
2) Brainwashing. While people in the West are taught to question, Muslims are punished for questioning.
3) Brute force. As seen today is Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalis, Nigeria, Egypt, Libya, Iran and elsewhere Muslims and soon-to-be Muslims are pressured to remain Muslims through raw intimidation against them and their family.
Brute force can be a pretty powerful motivater.
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I guess the author is arguing for a peaceful interpretation of Islam which he discusses from a historical perspective. By your logic, the barbarity of Crusaders is because of Jesus. No Christian would accept that Jesus brought discord between people yet there are extremists who believe that we should use violence to spread the word of the Bible. Same problem with some Muslims I guess
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Christians have committed sins on an unimaginable scale just as Muslims have.
The difference is when Christians do so they are committing sins and acting the opposite of how Jesus would have them behave. When Muslims commit sins they are promised virgins in Paradise and are acting in accordance with the behavior Mohammed illustrated when he was alive.
So, yes, the crusades were horrific and, yes, they were contrary to the teachings of Christ.
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Taqiyya, deception and Islam:
http://www.thereligionofpeace.com/Quran/011-taqiyya.htm
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I think that the author is arguing that the
"threat of Apostasy or death for leaving Islam", "brainwashing"and "Brute force" are precisely the opposite of Islam's teachings in its early days.
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Mohammed started the Islamic supremacist ball rolling. When Muslims today read versus from the Qur'an as they decapitate humans it is not as if the verses they read were not coined by Mohammed. When Mohammed and his men beheaded 700 Jews at Qurayza it is not as if Mohammed told his men to do it nicely. It is not as if Jihad came about AFTER Mohammed's death.
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".....Can a religion be gauged by the acts of states?....."
This question raised by the author, is the most pertinent one. During the Second World War, was Germany representing the Creed of the Christ? Were Germany and U.S.A. both representing Christianity, and yet, at war with each other? Will Christianity be gauged by the acts of the State of Germany or the actions of U.S.A.? The simple answer is, and very evidently so, that a religion can not and must not be gauged by the actions of states. A state - any state - represents nobody but its own political existence.
The very term "Islamic State" is, in my humble opinion, a misnomer. You can have a "Muslim-majority State", but that does not make the state an "Islamic" one. In fact, "Islam" has nothing to do states and republics. Islam is a path, that claims to convey those who tread it, to God's love. This, obviously has very little to do with politics and statecraft.
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Christ said, "Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's and unto God that which is God's" and in so doing drew a line in the sand separating church and state. Jesus had no interest in Earthly power.
In stark contrast to this Mohammed's lust for power was insatiable. He ruled not unlike the Muslim leaders of today. It is obvious Mohammed IS their role model for in Islam Mohammed is considered the perfect man.
Islamic states are a true reflection of Islam, no different than they were 1,400 years ago when Mohammed led not entirely unlike Omar al-Bashirdoes today.
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As someone who has read about Islam I concur that the Islam 1400 years ago was very different from the statecraft of Muslim countries today. I think you should cease from spreading hate and bigotry.
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As someone who has read about Islam I concur that the Islam 1400 years ago was very different from the statecraft of Muslim countries today. I think you should cease from spreading hate and bigotry.
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May I respectfully point out that in Muhammad's 23 years of life as the Messenger of God, 13 years were without any temporal authority whatsoever. In fact, his 13 years of Prophethood in Mecca comprise a period of persecution and patience. Muhammad and his followers, not only had no temporal power, but also were exposed to the worst and most fierce form of persecution at the hands of his oppressors. When, upon Divine direction, he finally migrated to Medina after 13 years, the people of Medina unanimously chose Muhammad to serve as the Chief Arbitor and Chief Judge of the multi-tribal and multi-communal society of Medina. The authority that thus came to him, was not part of his office as Messenger of God, but the result of a multi-tribal treaty known commonly as "Meesaq al Madina". As Prophet and Messenger of God, he remained a spiritual leader.
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Will the real Mohammed please stand up?
www.thereligionofpeace.com/Muhammad/myths-mu-home.htm
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