Islam and Terrorism: Islam a Religion of Peace?

[keeper]

Is Islam truly a religion of peace? why is the religion of peace full of hatred? Is Islam doing enough to spread peace and love? what is the difference between Jihad and terrorism? Islam encourages terrorism? IS ISLAM A "CRAZY" RELIGION?

I know Islam does not permit terrorism and terrorist activities but why doesn't Islam openly disown those terrorists such as Osama Bin Laden?

If Islam doesn't openly disown these criminals then in my opinion Islam in some ways encourages these criminals all in the name of Jihad.

Do you think Islam is a crazy religion? If the Quran encourages Jihad then do you think the Holy Quran encourages people to engage in terrorist activities (killing the infidels for Allah)?

Does the Holy Quran encourages terrorism in the name of Allah?

Also, if you are a Muslim, what are the core principles of Islam?

What does Islam teach? why are you a Muslim and what makes you a Muslim?

"There is so much hatred to the point where people are willing to risk their own lives not for the sake of Allah but for the sake of 'hatred'."

NB: edited

There are extremists in every religion and the fact that those extremists engage in terrorist activities does not mean everybody in the religion is a terrorist.

Islam instead is a religion of Peace and love. "Jihad" and Mujihad (the one who carries out Jihad) are two important words in Islam that have been given several meanings. There are several forms of Jihad including Personal Jihad, Verbal Jihad, Physical Jihad. In fact when asked which of these Jihads is the best? Muhammed answered " A word of truth in front of an oppressive ruler" not the use of "AK47" or "suicide bombing" .

Through out history, many wars have been caused in the name of Christianity as well. for example between Catholics and the Protestants. However, the same Bible says "love your neighbor as thyself" not "kill your neighbor for my sake"

[LydiaB]

I don't think Islam has the market cornered on killing in the name of the God of Abraham. They are the most recent and the most obvious incarnation of killing in the name of the God of Abraham.

There have been so many arguments over the meaning of "Jihad", or holy war, that it is impossible to determine if the act actually follows any basic Islamic beliefs, when people blow themselves up along with several others who don't deserve to die just yet.

Jihad does feed on human frustration unfairly, though, when young men with hormones blazing, are promised that their being splattered all over the sidewalk will bring them untold numbers of virgins all ready to be deflowered.


I think that Jihad is a great illustration of what can happen when civil law is shunned in favor of theocracy, and extremists are given the opportunity to influence a population that has no concept of anything other than tribal conflict.

Islam probably doesn't condone suicide bombers, but the people interpreting it do.

[DaughterUK]

I'm going to have to say YES. Don't get me wrong, I know that most Muslims don't have any intentions of blowing themselves up in crowded areas, but lets have a look at what the Koran has to say.

FIGHTING:

Qur'an:8:39 "Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah."

Qur'an:9:5 "Fight and kill the disbelievers wherever you find them, take them captive, harass them, lie in wait and ambush them using every stratagem of war."

Qur'an:9:112 "The Believers fight in Allah's Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed."

Qur'an:8:65 "O Prophet, urge the faithful to fight. If there are twenty among you with determination they will vanquish two hundred; if there are a hundred then they will slaughter a thousand unbelievers, for the infidels are a people devoid of understanding."

Qur'an:4:95 "Not equal are believers who sit home and receive no hurt and those who fight in Allah's Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a grade higher to those who fight with their possessions and bodies to those who sit home. Those who fight He has distinguished with a special reward. "

Sorry, that isn't at all peaceful. The last verse I quoted says that Allah prefers those to go out and fight to those who do not. The intolerance towards 'infidels' (non-muslims) in the Koran is overwhelming. Not hard to see why the terrorists do as they do.

WOMEN

Qur'an 4:11 "Allah directs you in regard of your Children's (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females.... These are settled portions ordained by Allah."

Qur'an 4:43 "Believers, approach not prayers with a mind befogged or intoxicated until you understand what you utter. Nor when you are polluted, until after you have bathed. If you are ill, or on a journey, or come from answering the call of nature, or you have touched a woman, and you find no water, then take for yourselves clean dirt, and rub your faces and hands. Lo! Allah is Benign, Forgiving."

Qur'an 33:59 "Prophet! Tell your wives and daughters and all Muslim women to draw cloaks and veils all over their bodies (screening themselves completely except for one or two eyes to see the way). That will be better."

Qur'an 4:15 "If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, take the evidence of four witnesses from amongst you against them; if they testify, confine them to houses until death claims them."

Qur'an 24:31 "Say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty except what (must) appear; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display them except to their husbands..."

Qur'an 24:34 "Force not your slave-girls to whoredom (prostitution) if they desire chastity, that you may seek enjoyment of this life. But if anyone forces them, then after such compulsion, Allah is oft-forgiving."

Women are clearly dirty creatures who aren't worth as much as men. That's why women in Muslim countries have such hard lives. Allah might prefer that slave girls aren't forced into prostitution, but he also forgives the pimps after... marvelous.

THEFT

Qur'an 59:6 "What Allah gave as booty to His Messenger He has taken away from them. For this you made no raid. Allah gives His Messenger Lordship over whomsoever He wills. Whatever booty Allah has given to His Messenger and taken away from the people of the townships, belongs to Allah and to His Messenger.... So take what the Messenger assigns to you, and deny yourselves that which he withholds from you."

Qur'an 8:40 "If people are obstinate, and refuse to surrender, know that Allah is your Supporter. And know that one fifth of all the booty you take belongs to Allah, and to the Messenger, and for the near relatives (of the Messenger)."

Qur'an 8:68 "Had it not been for a previous agreement from Allah, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that you took as booty."

Qur'an 8:69 "So enjoy what you took as booty; the spoils are lawful and good."

Clearly raids are seen as a good thing.

INTOLERANCE AND DOWNRIGHT NASTINESS

Qur'an 8:59 "The infidels should not think that they can get away from us. Prepare against them whatever arms and weaponry you can muster so that you may terrorize them."

Qur'an 4:168 "Those who reject [Islamic] Faith, Allah will not forgive them nor guide them to any path except the way to Hell, to dwell therein forever. And this to Allah is easy."

Qur'an 33:60 "Truly, if the Hypocrites stir up sedition, if the agitators in the City do not desist, We shall urge you to go against them and set you over them. They shall have a curse on them. Whenever they are found, they shall be seized and slain without mercy - a fierce slaughter - murdered, a horrible murdering."

Qur'an 5:51 "Believers, take not Jews and Christians for your friends."

Qur'an 60:4 "We reject you. Hostility and hate have come between us forever, unless you believe in Allah only.'"

Qur'an 4:90 "If they turn back from Islam, becoming renegades, seize them and kill them wherever you find them."

Qur'an 8:12 "I will terrorize the unbelievers. Therefore smite them on their necks and every joint and incapacitate them. Strike off their heads and cut off each of their fingers and toes."

Surely I cannot be the ONLY person here who finds these verses disgusting, intolerant and downright nasty. It's divisive, hostile and murderous.

In short, I feel sorry that Muslims are trapped in this hellish religion. Of course people should be free to believe in Islam if they want to, but Islam doesn't return that tolerance.

Piracy, murder and rank intolerance is IMO no basis for a religion. So no, I don't think we can put Islam on the same platform as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism... etc.

For the truth about Islam one only needs to look at the Koran has to say. Here is a link to an online book that explains Islamic belief far more eloquently than I can:
prophetofdoom.net
If this guys sources are right (his sources being various translations of the Koran and the accompanying books chronicling Mohammeds life), Mohammed was a terrorist, a megalomanic, a mass murderer, a thief, a liar, a misogynist, a bigot, a rapist, a slave trader and a pedophile.

Based on what I've learned about Islam and the Koran, I would advise anybody who is a Muslim to read this book AND CHECK IT VS YOUR COPY OF THE KORAN FOR ACCURACY. I'm not saying this to be spiteful or mean, I just believe that people are better off getting their spiritual inspiration from somebody other than Mohammed.

For the record I do not hate Muslims, but I am shocked and horrified at what the Koran has to say.

I think it's really pretty ignorant to call Islam an 'evil religion'. The faith itself isn't even so different from Christianity or Judaism but, like every religion, there are extremists who are capable of twisting scripture into a violent portrayal. It's unfortunate when this is the depiction that so many seem to be taking of Islam and Muslims in general recently.

RFL is correct. Islam, at base, is as peaceful a religion as Christianity . We need to remember that Islam, Christianity, and Judaism all sprout from the same seed.
Islam is a religion that has been sidetracked and appropriated by radicals, warmongers, and big business (mainly oil). Christianity has been sidetracked by the exact same elements. How can Christians feel superior to Islam is a mystery to me.

I find it amazing that these two religions, that are really no longer religions but political movements, still get tax exempt status in the USA.

Any religion that seeks to influence or change civil law should be taxed.

That's another excellent point to bring up in a discussion. Really, when we think of the American 'War on Terror' it really is a battle of extremist religious groups only the West have been able to conceal it a little better.

I am a Muslim, I would first of all ask you to respect other religions more than to call another religion "crazy", especially when you dont have the facts right. Islam is a religion that promotes Peace and Love, When people blow themselves up, that is not what Jihad is, Infact, Acccording to Islam, No matter how good a person you are, Suicide will get you into hell, No questions asked ! Infact the people who blow themselves up are NOT muslims, Even if they say they are, because killing innocent people, there can be no bigger sin ! So buy killing other people and blowing yourself up.. You are not a muslim, They are Brain Washed Extremists ! Jihad means spreading Islam, Not by force, But by peace, Taking messages to other people. Whenever the Holy Prophey (pbuh) took messages to other people, he used to respect their religion and would speak in a very suitable manner, the people these days have been mis directed, they have never read the Quran, And hence, are following what other people are telling them to do so, this is called "Shirq" meaning, You sway from the path given to you and indulge in wrong doings such as these.

I'm glad you chipped in to the discussion AliRafi. This is exactly the kind of point I was trying to make when discussing how extremists create a false understanding of religion while they're not even following the doctrine properly in the first place. It's not dissimilar to Israeli soldiers committing atrocities in the name of Judaism; these faiths are essentially peaceful ones and just because some individuals or groups promote the religion in a violent fashion doesn't mean that's what it's really about.

Not that I am an atheist but I do not trust any religion.. why? .. not that all religions are fake but they are making things rather too fake for my understanding.. as Gloria said, many wars have been caused in the name of Christianity, suicide bombing is just a child play in Islam, do this and do that or else, heaven and hell.. what do you think? .. are we leaving in heaven or in hell.. ?

[keeper]

Thanks for clearing that out!

I have the impression that it is promoting killing because of Osama Bin Laden saying something that they are doing the killings for their beloved Islam. I really thought that this is what you call Jihad.

I do agree with Gloria,Islam isn't a crazy religion.In the name of Jihad, muslim religious heads are motivating their people in a wrong way.It's not written in holy Koran to kill people.Religious heads are taking the advantage of the faiths of muslims on their religion.

Everybody should take a note on what AliRafi has replied in this post.Give respect to other religions otherwise your own religion will be disrespected.

This question sounds weird and amateurish. Will you call Christianity a crazy religion just because George Bush declared war on Iraq? Islams are branded as terrorists - i can't simply make out why. See, Qu'ran, the sacred religious text clearly states that an Islam must strongly believe in non violence policy. The prophet Muhammed Nabi, too spreaded the message of peace. A true muslim believes strongly in peace and harmony. So please don't write unless you know something about Islam.

This is false! This is absolutely untrue.

I am not a Muslim, I am Christian I believe in God as the Muslim believe with Allah. Christian's has a bible the Muslim has the Koran.

Those Muslim brothers that does suicide bombings a Fanatical Believers or extremist of their religion same us the KKK or better known Ku Klux Klan brotherhood.

The Islam religion is a very religious! Muslim does abstinence they don't eat meat. They pray every morning and before the sunsets.

We all have differences that is why we need to do is compromise and understand each other.

Islam is not a crazy religion.
I think you should not call any rreligion crazy because god created religions or say some useless historians created them for there purposes or for there selfishness.

But now a days these torrorists are making Islam look like its really crazy.

Despite that I like islam and many religions in the world.

It is not a crazy religion.
But terrorists are making it look like it is crazy.
It is one of the most respected religions in the world.

First of all i would like to clarify to you all that Islam dosen't say to kill people.There are some people who are creating this misconceptions in people in the name of jehad.Islam says one should respect other human being.

First off, thanks to everyone who has posted already. The only way we will ever achieve peace is by open, honest communication with eachother. In fact, it's the best way to do away with many of the misconceptions we may have.

Thanks, especially, to AliRafi for being so clear with explanations. I've never thought Islam was "crazy". And, as a citizen of the United States, which is a predominantly Christian country, I can read news articles every day where there are Christians persecuting their own brothers, sisters, and neighbors for being "different" than themselves-- and misquoting the Bible as justification. Who's crazy now?!

who's crazy now??.. well that is a very big question. Honestly I don't think I have ever heared of an "Imam" involved in a rape case but sexual molestation is not a new invention especially in the Catholic church. The Fathers and Sisters who have dedicated themselves to God go to the extreme of molesting little children which I think is nothing less than "craziness". There are many Muslims but the truth is that not every Muslim has ever been to the Mosque. Most people use the title "Muslim" just to do their evil deeds. On the other hand, not all who call themselves Christians really go to Church. They cover their shameful deeds with the title of a "Christian". May God have mercy upon us..

It is crazy to call Islam a crazy religion because there is absolutely no other religion like Islam. Islam is the true religion of Allah and anybody who insults Islam insults Allah. Remember Allah will punish anyone who insults Islam.

[DarkTimes]

It's not the religion itself that's the problem, it's evil people who abuse it.

They use it as an unfair means of justifying violence. This happens in every religion really, it's just that lately the media has been putting the blame on Islam in specific, but it's not due to their religion being bad or anything.

[XknightX]

First of all: you can't call a religion crazy.
Islam is the most popular religion currently, and that makes a question mark "?" is all the world going crazy??
of course not, so Islam isn't that bad as many people thinks.
Islam has stated that killing people and using violence for no reason is forbidden, and stated that forcing people to be Muslims is forbidden too, but some people don't understand... and that what made people think that Islam is bad

[world]

I am a Muslim.. and not to be bias.. i think no religion in the world permitted killing other human being and permitted adultery as example. religion should leads us to peace, love and harmony. and it is wrong to said Islam permitted killing other human just for the sake of Islam... that is crap.... what happen now is extremist that didn't understand the 5 pillar of Islam. they just using religion to justify their action and this is not allowed in Islam. i live work and hang out with christian, Buddha, Hindu and also free thinker here in Malaysia and no prob. this is because we understand each other believe and respect it.

No. Plain and simple. There are some crazies in it, but thats gonna happen with any religion. For the best explanation, try reading The Crisis of Islam: Holy War and Unholy Terror by Bernard Lewis. It's a little dated (2003, I think) but it still gives a great history lesson up until then.

First of all, i don't know what you mean by "crazy".

I am a Muslim and have been growing up in an Islamic country. I can tell you that many non-Muslims, especially those from the West, misunderstand Islam. If it's true that Islam promotes terrorism and violence, show me where in the Holy Quran it says that. I've studied in a fully Islamic school for six years and they never taught us to kill non-Muslims, in fact we were told to respect everyone despite their belief.

Islam, like all religions, preaches peace and intolerance.
If you ever come across a Muslim you would find him to be very polite and respectful.
What you are talking about is about the extremists.
But then every religion has such sect of people who are over zealous. They don't understand the whole meaning and just pick one word and glorify it.
Jihad does not mean attacking and killing innocent people.

[andre2410]

In my country, which filled with Muslim people, Non-Muslim people can be their crime target easily.
There were too many churches blew up and break down because Muslim people attack.
They do it with many reason, and what's disappointing is, government don't act wisely, they just let this over like a wind passing by.
It's because my country is in the Muslim territory. How can Non-Muslim live with peace?

You can't simply assume Islam is crazy just because you guess so. Or you heard so. Instead why don't you try to study more about the religion from inside. What I mean by from inside is from sources that are written by Muslims themselves. I know many people misunderstand Islam. They just believe what they hear or read from their own people.

[flaco]

Islam is not a crazy religion. However, it is a commonly misunderstood one. While some people view Islam as a "crazy" religion for including Jihad and other activities they are actually some of the calmest and most rational people you can interact with. Islam teaches enlightenment and peace. They do not want people to be upset or angry at anyone, Islam in a way is a perfect religion.