Question

Misconceptions About Islam ,Terrorism, Violence, and Jihad

Answer 1

Amidst the frenzy of Islamophobia in Western countries, an understanding of the original tenets of Islam is extremely important.
In spite of the escalating prejudice against Islam and Muslims, very few people have actually read a verse in the Quran or delved into the Islamic teachings to have a thorough idea of what true Islam is before passing judgments on such a divine religion.
This article will highlight some common misconceptions about Islam that are often based on misinterpreted or taken-out-of-context Islamic texts, and provide clear-cut evidence from the Quran and Hadith (Prophet Muhammad's sayings) that refute them completely.


Islam is a Violent Religion?


In fact, Islam is a religion of peace, love and forgiveness. The Quran and Hadith prohibit the unjustified use of violence and force against any human being.“You shall not take life, which God has made sacred, except by way of justice and law.” (Quran 6:151). Muslims are forbidden from killing others unless it is for a legal and just cause.

Another verse that forbids unjust killing of others says: “Nor take life, which Allah has made sacred, except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas [retribution] or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law).” (Quran 17: 33). Human life is sacred in Islam and should never be taken wrongfully by anyone.






Islam Condones Attacking non-Muslims and Disbelievers::


Islam strictly outlaws killing or causing harm to innocent people - regardless of their religion and beliefs. Manipulating certain verses in the Quran as well as quoting them out of their historical and textual context, by both Muslim extremists and anti-Muslims, are the major causes behind the ongoing controversy in understanding some Islamic principles.
Killing innocent people is a grave sin in Islam. Allah and the Prophet (PBUH)* warn Muslims who commit heinous killings of severe punishment.“Whosoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind.” (Quran 5:32). The sin of killing one human being in Islam is considered equal to killing all mankind.
Prophet (PBUH) prohibited killing innocent non-Muslims and emphasised the grave consequence of such action. “Anyone who kills a non-Muslim will not smell the fragrance of the Paradise, even though its fragrance can be experienced at a distance of forty years.” (Al Bukhari).

The prophet also warned Muslims of hurting or offending non-Muslims in Muslim states. “He who hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state, I am his adversary, and I shall be his adversary on the Day of Judgement." (Al Bukhari). According to Islamic teachings,non-Muslims should feel safe and secure in Muslim countries and should not be hurt or threatened by any means.
Moreover, a true Muslim is not the one who terrorises people and spreads fear and insecurity among them."By God, he is not a true believer, from whose mischief his neighbours do not feel secure."Prophet Muhammad (Al Bukhari, Muslim).Even in his last sermon, the Prophet (PBUH) ordered Muslims not to hurt others."Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds." Islam prohibits causing any kind of harm to other people whatever their religion or beliefs are.








Muslims are Required to Fight Non-Muslims::


According to Quran, Muslims can only resort to war in order to defend themselves against oppression, or fight back against transgressors if their lands and property are attacked and they are driven out of their homes.“Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors. And kill them wherever you overtake them and expel them from wherever they have expelled you, and persecution is worse than killing. And do not fight them at al-Masjid al- Haram until they fight you there. But if they fight you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.” (Quran 2:190-191).
Waging a war is decreed in Islam for self-defence so as to ward off aggression, but not to initiate hostilities and violate others' rights.“Permission [to fight] has been given to those who are being fought, because they were wronged. And indeed, Allah is competent to give them victory.” (Quran 22:39)






Jihad Means Declaring a Holy War Against Non-Muslims::::


Jihad, falsely translated as Holy War in Western media, is the most common misunderstood term nowadays. Jihad is an Arabic word that means striving hard. The physical jihad refers to combat waged in defending Muslim communities against oppression and transgression by their enemies.However, jihad is not merely confined to the warfare.
Contrary to the widespread belief, the highest form of jihad in Islam is not the physical jihad. It is jihad al nafs ( jihad against one's self), which requires the Muslim to struggle against immoral worldly temptations, purify his soul of evil desires and refrain from the wrongdoings.
Moreover, war in Islam is restricted to the battlefield, as it should never reach non-combatants. In his article entitled " Islam and Ethics of War and Peace," Dr. Abdul Jalil Sajid presents a comprehensive overview of the issue of war and the rules of conduct in the battlefield from the perspective of Islam. Islam has set strict guidelines for Islamic conduct during war. These rules can be summed up in the following instructions given by Abu Bakr; Islam’s first Caliph after the Prophet (PBUH):"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone".
The stereotype of Muslims being violent and aggressive is not based on the objective interpretation of the true Islamic teachings. Unfortunately, it tars all Muslims with the same brush by simply judging a whole divine religion according to the actions of a handful of people who commit atrocious terrorist acts under the name of Islam. Such actions are totally forbidden by Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Answer 2

The taking of life except by justice and law actually depends on the system your under. In the U.S. lawful killing is done by the State by way of execution or by law officers in protection of a person or property. Justified private killing is self defense, in some States intrusion into ones home is considered an attack and self defense in warranted. I know a person who shot and killed another while committing rape, he was considered innocent and released. Generally though lawful killings are done by the State and judged by the State, and the general populace should not engage in such practice unless well prepared and willing to suffer any consequence.

Answer 3

There should be a book that has all the Quran chapters, and tells the interpretation of it behind historical events. Sort of like a scholarly book. That would be a decent thing to do to help ignorant people. Also, it would make it easier for anyone to understand the Quran better than throwing fallacies from wikiIslam.

Answer 4

@Zale101 that would ruin the fun of figuring out islamic hadith science :P jk but it would be nice to see some scholarly book like that. The closest thing I can think of is of a sufi interpretation ebook given to me by @Opcode but if I think properly there are just normal translated ones too i think it was called a tasfir or something

@KenLJW how is any killing lawful I understand it depends on the system but how do you weigh one person's life against another?(which is why I'm against the death penalty)

Answer 5

@inspiredatheist , hello there! Welcome back, It's been awhile :)
Btw, there's tafsirs "interpretations" books of hadiths and quran. Tafsir is a really broad term and it determines etymological, methodological, historical, and sciences. The scholarly book i suggested can also be referred as tafsir (to explain), but with of a more in depth of history. There might be one, tho.

Ibn Kathir has interesting tafsir book, called "Tafsir al Quran al-Adhim." He uses hadiths and mohammed's sayings to explain the quran.
He also wrote another book called "Albidaya wa n nihaya" translated as "From beginning to the end" and it refers to the islamic history.

Yet, separate books.

There could be a book as i suggested, but i'm not aware of it.

Answer 6

I was speaking of the U.S. system as is, I am personally against the death penalty also. As for Zale's question the same thing exist within the Judaic Christian system too. The King James Bible, 1611, has no annotation or outside guidance within it, while the Douay, English Roman Catholic Old Testament 1610, and Rheims New Testament 1582 is full of annotations and their guidance of the teaching. Over time you'll find many different versions and interpretations. the question is do you just accept another's interpretation or delve into the matter and come to an understandings. There's a principle called "Group Think" which is where everyone within a group are under the same misconception and lead astray. I live by individual responsibility requiring study, practice, and help from my Lord's. I have not always done so and lived a secular life and committed many wrong doings whether my fault or not. InspiredAtheist life is not a "game", just full of fun and games, and for those that think this way game over.

Answer 7

"In fact, Islam is a religion of peace, love and forgiveness."

Have you actually read the Quran, in Arabic? Or any biographies of Muhammad from early historians and scholars?

After moving to Medina Muhammad commanded his followers to kill any and every Jew that fell under their power. These is the same dude that allowed his followers to bang any women or girls captured during their raids, even if they were already married. What's even worse, is they were allowed to sleep with little, prepubescent children. Hell, not only could they bang kids, they could marry them. But I'm sure a Islam scholar such as yourself is well aware of this, and well aware of Islams rules for divorce and where it openly discusses divorcing prepubescent kids.

ISIS, Boko Haram, Hamas, etc are following their perceived view of the Quran, whether you like it or not they are Muslim.

Where are all these peaceful tolerant Muslims you speak of? 27% of UK Muslims agreed with, and sympathized with the Charlie Hebdo attackers, 86% of Palestinian Muslims agree with random attacks of civilian Israeli's, 41% of Muslims Pakistanis that support attacks against unarmed Americans, and so on. I can do this all day.

Answer 8

Historically Christian do not do better, just in this country where the colonies first got their religious charter from the king of England. They imported slaves from Ireland and then Africa, conqurred the indigenous populace and confined them. Christian are supposed to be "more than conquerers" which means "additional to conquerers", the sense is they are supposed to bring healing not futher damage. This sense Christain, if they ever were, seem to have lost in turning into conquerers themselves. In the spread of any religion they should eventually bring healing to those conquered and the ones doing the conquering. Christ said you can not defeat evil with evil, which means the conquerer always needs salvation.

Answer 9

Do you not remember when it says kill all infidels? Islam is not a peaceful religion. Muhammad himself killed and raped women and children. So don't tell me that Islam is a peaceful religion.

Answer 10

*killed and raped women and children*
show me where it says that
PROVE IT!

Answer 11

but seriously are you really talking about ` prophet Muhammad (PBUH)*** ???

Answer 12

@beeyahman

If you could provide sources for your argument, then that would be great.

Answer 13

All that I know that if they kill someone or themselves (e.g. suicide bombing) for Allah, they are guaranteed of heaven.

Answer 14

That's not true. if that's the case then every Muslim can start killing innocent people
Islam doesn't teach us selfishness we are NOT allowed to kill innocent people just to go in heaven
killing any people isn't guaranteed of heaven

Answer 15

2nd )*kill themselves(suicide )*
which is also *haram*(forbidden ) by Islamic rules

Answer 16

feel free to ask any question or plz share your thoughts :=))

Answer 17

@zale101

Answer 18

@shredder477
Muhammad once stood up in respect of a jewish funeral passing in front of the mosque and when his companions said this is the funeral of a jew oh prophet. the prophet responded "was he not a human being?"
how can yu say that he killed all jews in medina if years after living there he still had alliance withthe jews against the pagans. The jews where his allies in the battle of the trench when pagans wantd to attack the city. obviously he didnt order for them to be killed as soon as he got there. ask me any questions I can tell you I am British and Muslim by CHOICE. so I will be able to help.