Let me start by saying that I have seen a lot of Islam bashing through the media and lately by missionaries on the net to try to defame Islam and try to show errors in the Quran and Hadiths. Here is a message that I responded to on a newsgroup most recently. The author of this message has his statements preceded by a > and I have answered his questions below the >s.

I don't know where these misconceptions come from. Usually these people just take one line out of context without looking at the preceding or following lines. It's time to set the record straight.

In article <33E3B733.4ED9@anywhere.edu>,

spamfree@anywhere.edu wrote:

>

> In surah 73:10 God tells Mohammed to be patient with his opponents "Be

> patient with what they say, and part from them courteously." While in

> surah 2:191 God orders him to kill his opponents "Kill them wherever you

> find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out..."

>

> In surah 2:256 God tells Mohammed not to impose Islam by force "There is

> no compulsion in religion." While in verse 193 God tells him to kill

> whoever rejects Islam "Fight (kill) them until there is no persecution

> and the religion is God's."

>

Let's take a look at what Surah 2:190 to 2:193 really say:

190. Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.

191. And slay them wherever ye catch them and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

192. But if they cease Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

193. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.

So what the Quran is saying to to fight those that attack you first. Tsk, tsk, tsk, how you distort the truth.

> In surah 29:45 God tells Mohammed to speak nicely to people of the Book

> (Christians and Jews) "Argue with people of the Book, other then evil

> doers, only by means of what are better! and say, we believe in what has

> been sent down to us and sent down to you. Our God is the same as your

> God, and we are surrendered to him." While in surah 9:29 God tells him

> to fight the people of the Book, "Fight those who do not believe in God

> and the last day...and fight People of the Book, who do not accept the

> religion of truth (Islam) until they pay tribute by hand, being

> inferior."

>

Surah 9:29.

Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His apostle nor acknowledge the religion of truth (even if they are) of the People of the Book until they pay the Jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.

Jizya is a tax payed by non-muslims in muslim countries. It is used as

money for protection and freedom of religion. Those that do not pay it

in muslim countries face a penalty, sort of like income tax evasion here.

> To justify this sudden change in the Quran's mood from peaceful to

> militant, conciliatory to confrontational, Mohammed claimed that it was

> God who told him so. It was God who abrogated the peaceful verses and

> replaced them by harsh ones.

Change? What change? The Quran said to fight those that fight you first. Doesn't your book say do unto others as they would do unto you?

> If you are the kind to disregard the lessons of History, consider some

> facts about the Quran:

>

> * Men are superior to women (surah 2:228).

Surah 2:228

228. Divorced women shall wait concerning themselves for three monthly periods nor is it lawful for them to hide what Allah hath created in their wombs if they have faith in Allah and the Last Day. And their husbands have the better right to take them back in that period if they wish for reconciliation. And women shall have rights similar to the rights against them according to what is equitable; but men have a degree (of advantage) over them and Allah is Exalted in Power Wise.

Men and women have different roles in. No one is superior. This "superior" word is not used.

> * A man may punish his wife by beating her (surah 4:34).

Surah 4:34

34. Men are the protectors and maintainers of women because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct admonish them (first) (next) refuse to share their beds (and last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience seek not against them means (of annoyance): for Allah is Most High Great (above you all).

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2138 Narrated by Mu'awiyah ibn Haydah

As defined by the Hadeeth, it is not permissible to strike anyone's face, cause any bodily harm or even be harsh. What the Hadeeth qualified as light beating was interpreted by early jurists as a (symbolical) use of the miswak (a small natural toothbrush). They further qualified permissible "beating" as beating that leaves no mark on the body.

Sahih Muslim Hadith Hadith 4078 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar

True following of the Sunnah is to follow the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who never resorted to that measure regardless of the circumstances.

> * Women have half the rights of men: in court witness (surah 2:282) and

> in inheritance (surah 4:11).

First of all, this applies ONLY to FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS where a

debt contract is being put together in writing.

Two men are required as the witnesses. But if they're not

available then one man and two women, so that

if one woman FORGETS something, the OTHER may REMIND HER,

not because she's inferior, or her witness is less wrothy

of a man.

Enemies of Islam abuse the meaning of this verse to try to

harrass Muslims and defame Islam by saying, "This means

one man, is equal to two women." Or they say, " In all

Islamic courts, women's witnesses are worth half of a man's."

Both of the above allegations are false. If the woman

as a witness was worth half that of a man, the verse

would have STATED so clearly. But obviously that is

not the case. Instead, the reason for 2 women and 1 man

as witnesses is that if one woman FORGETS, the other may

remind her.

Another issue in which the Quran and the Bible disagree is the issue

of women bearing witness. It is true that the Quran has instructed the

believers dealing in financial transactions to get two male witnesses

or one male and two females (2:282). However, it is also true that the

Quran in other situations accepts the testimony of a woman as equal to

that of a man. In fact the woman's testimony can even invalidate the

man's. If a man accuses his wife of unchastity, he is required by the

Quran to solemnly swear five times as evidence of the wife's guilt. If

the wife denies and swears similarly five times, she isn't considered

guilty and in either case the marriage is dissolved (24:6-11).

On the other hand, women were not allowed to bear witness in early

Jewish society. Women in today's Israel are not allowed to give

evidence in Rabbinical courts because the Talmud says:

"Women are temperamentally light-headed"

The Rabbis, also, justify why women can't bear witness by citing

Genesis 18:9-16, where it is stated that Sara, Abraham's wife had

lied. The rabbis use this incident as evidence that women are

unqualified to bear witness. It should be noted here that this story

narrated in Genesis 18:9-16 has been mentioned more than once in the

Quran without any hint of any lies by Sara (11:69-74, 51:24-30).

If a man accuses his wife of unchastity, her testimony will not be

considered at all according to the Bible. The accused wife has to be

subjected to a trial by ordeal (Numbers 5:11-31). In this trial, the

wife faces a complex and humiliating ritual which was supposed to

prove her guilt or innocence. If she is found guilty after this

ordeal, she will be sentenced to death. Also, if a man takes a woman

as a wife and then accuses her of not being a virgin, her own

testimony will not count. Her parents had to bring evidence of her

virginity before the elders of the town. If the parents couldn't prove

the innocence of their daughter, she would be stoned to death on her

father's doorsteps. If the parents were able to prove her innocence,

the husband will only be fined one hundred shekels of silver and he

must not divorce his wife as long as he lives (Deuteronomy 22:13-21).

Why should the poor woman live with the man who slandered her in

public for the rest of his life?

> * A man may marry up to four wives at the same time (surah 4:3).

Surah 4:3

Yes provided he can treat them fairly! The purpose of this was during times of war so women wont resort to prostitution cause many of the men will be wiped out by war.

> * Muslims must fight until their opponents submit to Islam (surah 9:5).

Surah 9:1, 4-5

1. A (declaration) of immunity from Allah and His apostle to those of the pagans with whom ye have contracted mutual alliances.

4. (But the treaties are) not dissolved with those pagans with whom Ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught nor aided anyone against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for Allah loveth the righteous.

5. But when the forbidden months are past then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them and seize them beleaguer them and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

> * Christians and Jews are cursed according to the Quran (surah 9:30).

9.30. The Jews call Uzair a son of Allah and the Christians call Christ the son of Allah. That is a saying from their mouths; (in this) they but imitate what the unbelievers of old used to say. Allah's curse be on them: how they are deluded away from the truth!

Yep, this is blasphemy to say that God has sons. Although this is a whole other debate on the doctrine of the Trinity and how Jesus (which according to Christains has died for your sins [how can God die?])

> * A Muslim must not take a Jew or a a Christian for a friend (surah

> 5:54).

The arabic word used in here is "awliya" which has a meaning beyond friends and really means "protectors", "allies". Being friends is fine and being nice is enjoined by islam

> * A Muslim apostate must be killed (surah 9:12).

Surah 9:11-9:12

11. But (even so) if they repent establish regular prayers and practice regular charity they are your brethren in faith: (thus) do We explain signs in detail for those who understand.

12. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant and taunt you for your faith fight ye the chiefs of unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained.

Hmmm, once again your understanding is wrong

> * Stealing is punished by the amputation of the hands (surah 5:41).

Surah 5:41-43

41. As to the thief male or female cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example from Allah for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in Power.

42. But if the thief repent after his crime and amend his conduct Allah turneth to him in forgiveness; for Allah if Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful.

43. Knowest thou not that to Allah (alone) belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth? He punisheth whom He pleaseth and He forgiveth whom He pleaseth: and Allah hath power over all things.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 8.783

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Narrated 'Aisha:

The hand of a thief was not cut off during the lifetime of the Prophet except for stealing something equal to a shield in value.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 8.785

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Narrated 'Aisha:

A thief's hand was not cut off for stealing something cheaper than a Hajafa or a Turs (two kinds of shields), each of which was worth a (respectable) price.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 8.787

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Narrated Ibn 'Umar:

Allah's Apostle cut off the hand of a thief for stealing a shield that was worth three Dirhams.

So we see that the cutting off of the hand was not done unless it was for stealing something equal to a shield in value.

> * Adultery is punished by public flogging (surah 24:2).

100 lashes for unmarried people and stoning to death of married ones. Good deterrent if you ask me of all the pre-marital sex going on and cheating husbands and wives.

Sahih Bukhari Hadith 3.860

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Narrated Abu Huraira and Zaid bin Khalid Al-Juhani:

A bedouin came and said, "O Allah's Apostle! Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." His opponent got up and said, "He is right. Judge between us according to Allah's Laws." The bedouin said, "My son was a laborer working for this man, and he committed illegal sexual intercourse with his wife. The people told me that my son should be stoned to death; so, in lieu of that, I paid a ransom of one hundred sheep and a slave girl to save my son. Then I asked the learned scholars who said, "Your son has to be lashed one-hundred lashes and has to be exiled for one year." The Prophet said, "No doubt I will judge between you according to Allah's Laws. The slave-girl and the sheep are to go back to you, and your son will get a hundred lashes and one year exile." He then addressed somebody, "O Unais! go to the wife of this (man) and stone her to death" So, Unais went and stoned her to death.

> * Resisting Islam is punished by death, crucifixion or the cutting off of the hands and feet (surah 5:36).

Surah 5:36.

The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution or crucifixion of the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter.

Once again those that are the agressors must be punished.

> * Fate decides everyone's eternal destination (surah 17:13).

Surah 17:13-14

13. Every man's fate We have fastened on his own neck: on the Day of Judgment We shall bring out for him a scroll which he will see spread open.

14. (It will be said to him:) "Read thine (own) record: sufficient is thy soul this day to make out an account against thee."

Every person is responsible for their own actions and will be held accountable on the day of resurrection

> * Heaven in Islam is the place where a Muslim will be reclining, eating meats and delicious fruits, drinking exquisite wines, and engaging in

> sex with virgins (surah 55:54- 56) & (surah 52:17,19).

Surah 55:54-56

54. They will recline on Carpets whose inner linings will be of rich brocade: the Fruit of the Gardens will be Near (and easy of reach).

55. Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?

56. In them will be (Maidens) Chaste restraining their glances whom no man or Jinn before them has touched

Surah 52:17-19

17. As to the Righteous they will be in Gardens and in Happiness

18. Enjoying the (Bliss) which their Lord hath bestowed on them and their Lord shall deliver them from the Penalty of the Fire.

19. (To them will be said:) "Eat and drink ye with profit and health because of your (good) deeds."

Sounds like a great place to me. I see no problem here. Also, the wines in heaven do not have the intoxicating properties that they have on earth.

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