Many Muslims claim Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. It is slowly becoming a part of all our lives. Some may well ask, "Does it matter, for some in Islam are gentle people?" The truth is that while the sensitive Muslim is disturbed by some of the things done in the name of Islam, the expansionists uphold extremes:

‘One Muslim extremist of the Islamic Liberation party reminded his interlocutors just before the scheduled opening of the party’s international rally in London in August, 1994, that “there are 123 verses in the Quran about killing and fighting.” And he added, quite unnecessarily, “Ours is not a passive religion.”’ (Fregosi, P., 1998, p.18, Jihad).

We are told by some politicians, moderate Muslims and sections of the media that this brand of Is-lam is a perversion of the true Islam and that Islam means peace; but many others, who also call themselves Muslims, insist that this is the true Is-lam, classical Islam. (Extremists like Bin Laden quote many verses from the Quran and Islamic traditions in their speeches.) Two of the verses moderate Muslims often quote are Sura 5:32 and Sura 5:82. (A Sura is the equivalent of a chapter in the Quran.) Sura 5:32 says: ‘…if any one slew a person…it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people….’ Hence the killing of the innocent is wrong. Certain extremists, however, are very quick to point out that non-Muslims are not innocent  and some refer to the verse which immediately follows Sura 5:32 (5:33). Sura 5:83 also seems to change the meaning of Sura 5:82.

This is all very confusing. Obviously, a book can be made to sound better or worse than it actually is. Are some Muslims friendly because of the teachings of classical Islam or are they friendly despite it?

Is Islam fundamentally peace loving or have some in our governments lied to us in order to avoid a public reaction? (I don’t need to be convinced that Islam is peaceful; I’m not going to blow up a bus. Islamic extremists are the ones who need to be convinced that only peaceful methods should be used in the name of Islam.)
Would it matter if some of our states adopted Islamic law through the democratic process? And would the face of Islam change once power was obtained? Perhaps there are two faces of Islam?

TO GET THE RIGHT ANSWERS WE MUST BEGIN ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS

Whether one's enemies should be treated differently from those who believe, is one of the most distinctive differences between the world's most read religious books, in particular the Quran and the New Testament. The differences between the two are fundamental differences. (I encourage you to read the Quran for yourself.) When reading the Quran it is important to consider its tone (How does it read?). Does it encourage Muslims to trust and love pagans or treat them with suspicion and hostility? Are there more verses about love and forgiveness or about war and fighting? Do some verses replace others when there seems to be a contradiction? (See Sura 16:101. Suras 9 and 5 are two of the last Suras to be revealed to Mohammed.) Are all means permissible if they advance the cause of Islam? All such questions need to be asked and answered when reading the Quran.

 

WAR IN THE QURAN AND HADITH

Here are two of the 123 verses referred to above. The Muslim Students Association (MSA) of the University of Southern California put the Quran on-line from which these verses are taken. [Note: the numbering of these varies slightly between translations.

‘O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)’ (Sura al-Tawba 9:123).

‘Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, 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’ (Sura al-Tawba 9:29).

Most Muslims would say that extremists are misunderstanding these verses. Misunderstood or not, the history of Islam shows that many Muslim clerics and leaders have used those verses to spread terror. (How are Muslims to stop such ‘misinterpretation’? Can Islam get out of this cursed situation, especially when there seems to be so much support for the extremist's position according to Islam's most respected texts? Samuel Huntington in A Clash of Civilizations believes that the problem for the West is not ‘fundamentalism’ but Islam itself, ‘a different civilisation whose people is convinced of the superiority of their culture and is obsessed with the inferiority of their power.’; see http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/politics/khalifa.html)

The following is an Islamic tradition regarding what Mohammed once said. It comes from Sahih Bukhari (‘Sahih’ is an Islamic word, which means ‘authentic’ or ‘genuine’). Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim (part of the Hadith) are said to be so impor-tant that it is impossible to rightly interpret the Quran without them. The following is taken from the website run by the MSA at the University of Southern California.

Allah's Apostle said, “I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah...'”(Sahih Bukhari, 1:8:387).

After ten years of fighting, Mohammed died in 632 A.D. The pattern had been established, "Invitation first (that is, call them first to embrace Islam). If they refuse, then war." (See Mohammed’s letter to the Omani people. www.answering-islam.org/Muhammad/oman.htm, www.answering-islam.org/Books/Zwemer/alms.htm & www.answering-islam.org/BehindVeil/btv2.html; See also Bukhari, 5:59 & Sura 9:81-89)

After Mohammed’s death Muslim armies spread in all directions, including Europe. ‘The story begins around 650 C.E. with the first, unsuccessful siege of Constantinople, and continues with the invasion and occupation, sometimes for hundreds of years, of many European countries. Italy, Sicily, Portugal, France, Spain, Austria, Bosnia, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Rumania, Wallachia, Albania, Moldavia, Bulgaria, Greece, Armenia, Georgia, Poland, the Ukraine, and eastern and southern Russia were all battlefields where Islam conquered or was conquered in violent conflicts marked by cruelty, bloodlust, and a fearful loss of life, spread over considerably more than a thou-sand years.’

‘For over a century and a half the world had forgotten this fact, since most Muslim countries were politically impotent and ruled mainly as the colonies or protectorates of European powers.’

‘…European history has remained transfixed on the Christian Crusades of the eleventh to the thirteenth century, it has largely ignored these Muslim attacks and invasions...When accusing the West of imperialism, Muslims are obsessed with the Crusades, but have forgotten their own longer and more gruesome Jihad’ (Fregosi, P, 1998, Jihad). [See Timeline. Here is a list of European countries which were occupied by Muslims (either Arabs, Moors, or Ottoman Turks): Spain 800 years, Portugal 600 years, Greece 500 years, Sicily 300 years, Serbia 400 years, Bulgaria 500 years, Rumania 400 years, and Hungary 150 years.]

Why should all this interest us? Fregosi adds, ‘There's an intention to censor what's going on about Islam, more so than for any other religion’ (Jihad, Dig deep; the devil is in the detail. See “The Killing of Ka’b b. al-Ashraf” in The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ibn Ishaq by A. Guillaume;

http://youtube.com/watch?v=SddesLgxzHM, The Myth of Islamic Tolerance by Robert Spencer (editor), www.danielpipes.org/article/2384 & www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2092-2058502,00.html).

Truth must be valued more than our ideologies or beliefs. Unfortunately, many Muslim leaders think their beliefs are more important than truth. Taqiyya. (See www.answering-islam.org/Hoaxes/www.answering-islam.org/Index/L/lying.html and Debunking 9/11 Myths by Dunbar & Reagan )

Sadly, many uneducated western intellectuals are credulous toward Islamic leaders; making us vulner-able to the Islamist agenda. It’s time they opened their eyes (See “The Last Great Islamic Empire” in Efraim Karsh’s book Islamic Imperialism; The Question of Orientalism and Race and Slavery in the Middle East by Ber-nard Lewis; Jihad and the Professors by Daniel Pipes www.danielpipes.org/article/498; Bat Ye’or’s The Decline of Eastern Christianity under Islam and “The Security Debacle” in Londonistan by Melanie Phillips; see also Ref1 & Ref2). “The sword”, said Mohammed, “is the key of heaven and hell… whosoever falls in battle, his sins are forgiven” (Schaff, P., See also Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 4 Book 52 Number 46, 65, 72; Sahih Muslim book 19, book 20 chapters 32, 41, 42; Sura 4:95 and The Life of Muhammad: A Translation of Ibn Ishaq by A. Guillaume).

It is as true today as it was then that Muslims wish to have their sins forgiven. Every Muslim lacks this certainty, and some are willing to do anything to gain it. Thus fighting for Allah (a form Jihad) is the way of many. Such self-sacrifice and devotion to Allah has not unified the Islamic world.

History has shown that Muslims often fight against other Muslims because they cannot accept their interpretation of the Quran or their particular application of the Law. Many Muslim countries regard other Muslim countries as not strict enough when it comes to applying the Sharia (Law based on the Quran & Hadith); and groups such as the Wahabis in Saudi Arabia claim others are not true Muslims. One can expect to see an increase in violence, between Islamic groups, until all are united under the long awaited Mahdi.

And what if a united Islam obtains the technology and military might to challenge western nations? If the world is forced to accept Islamic Law it will not be a more peaceful place.

The few countries that have adopted the Sharia are all disasters. After its adoption in Sudan (1983), many black Africans were enslaved and over 2 mil-lion non-Muslims were murdered in that country. They were regarded as enemies of Allah for the crime of seeking freedom of speech, freedom of religion and democracy. Such is the law of Islam. (For a closer look at extreme Islam see Holy Warriors by Orr-Ewing and Escape from Slavery by Francis Bok.)
 

LIVING UNDER SHARIA (ISLAMIC LAW)

We note also that while Islam is supposed to bring equality between Muslims, in practice this has never occurred. Many believe they are better than other Muslims because of race or birth. And the super rich are able to avoid many of the harsh punishments from which poor people cannot escape.

Sadly, many dream of a world under the Sharia because they believe it is the solution to the problems that plague humanity. “Foreign Correspondent” (Australian TV) has screened some of the atrocities committed publicly by Muslims against Muslims. Unfortunately, these acts were approved by the religious leaders of those communities. See www.abc.net.au/foreign/stories/s403270.htm

Thinking people may ask, “If there are so many problems in the Islamic world why do so many re-main true to Islam?” It is true that many Muslims feel safe within their communities. Also, Muslims are continually told by their peers that Islam is a wonderful religion. But there is one factor which is often ignored by the western media; it is not safe for most Muslims to turn their backs on Islam. To the fanatical Muslim, anyone who gives up Islam must have done it because of insanity. Though Sura 2:256 states there is ‘no compulsion in religion’, many have suffered the death penalty for apostasy.

‘I heard the Prophet saying, “In the last days (of the world) there will appear young people with foolish thoughts and ideas. They will give good talks, but they will go out of Islam as an arrow goes out of its game, their faith will not exceed their throats. So, wherever you find them, kill them, for there will be a reward for their killers on the Day of Resurrection”’ (Bukhari, 6:6:577). (Violence is not always having the desired effect. See www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTg9tvd1CRM and www.the-good-way.com/eng/book/b09 for the stories of two men. For more about the punishment of those who turn their back on (or oppose) Islam see www.answering-islam.org/BehindVeil/btv1.html)

On top of this, moderate Muslims in some countries have to be careful of whom they befriend (see Sura 5:51) and they must not oppose the Sharia as they risk being labeled enemies of Allah (See Sura 5:33).

But what about non-Muslims who live under Sharia law? What is it like for them? In a court of law the testimony of a non-Muslim is considered inferior to that of a Muslim and non-Muslims must pay more tax. These and other injustices are so the ‘infidel’ might convert. See www.answering-islam.org/NonMuslims/index.htm (The book, A People Betrayed, by Patrick Sookhdeo takes an in-depth look into how Pakistan went from being a country that promised equality to one that oppresses minorities.)

Those who fight to implement the Sharia, are not ‘freedom fighters’, but freedom destroyers. See www.answering-islam.org/Terrorism/by_the_sword.html

 

REASON FOR CONCERN?

Should Islam be taken as a serious threat to today's non-Muslim communities? (See Dispatches- Undercover Mosque on www.youtube.com/watch?v=peFQWuk4nuo, the DVD Obsession www.youtube.com/watch?v=vypKSWHlnKA; http://pnews.org/ArT/FrE/HAR.shtml and the list on www.thereligionofpeace.com )

A Cambridge University panel discussion (23rd Jan 2003) was held on the topic "Is Islam a threat to the West?" Some of the so called moderate Muslims who took part in the discussion, refused to share the stage with some of the Islamic extremists who were invited. As the discussion wore on and questions were asked it became apparent that the moderates were not as moderate as they would have liked people to believe. (Appearances can be deceiving.) If they were ‘moderate’ it only seems to reinforce the view that while there are moderate Muslims Islam itself is not moderate. See www.answering-islam.org/Andy/cambridge012303.html, www.answering-islam.org/Silas/islam_test.htm

This raises a very important question. If we lose the war on terrorism, what will it mean for us? Would losing this war be like losing the war in Vietnam where we simply withdrew, licked our wounds but lived in peace? Or would it mean that our society has collapsed; we are no longer able to defend our-selves, have lost democracy and have begun to live under the Sharia? See www.dhimmiwatch.org/archives/009624.php &
www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007760

Fortunately some Muslims are taking steps in the right direction.
See www.ijtihad.org/memo.htm, www.petitionspot.com/petitions/manifesto, http://secularislam.org/ and islam-watch.org/

 

The film Islam vs. Islamists

www.answering-islam.org/Terrorism/muslim_charter.htm, www.danielpipes.org/article/4426, www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciOGS6r97oE, Islam and Science by Pervez A. Hoodbhoy,  Twenty-Three Years: A Study of the Prophetic Career of Mohammed by Ali Dashti

 

WHAT CAN YOU AND I DO TO HELP STOP ISLAMIC TERRORISM?

Islamic extremists claim they are following Mohammed’s example. What can we do?

First, we must find rebuttals that specifically address all the arguments which Islamic extremists use regarding terrorism. The ideal rebuttal would begin as a forceful in-depth argument for terrorism based on verses in the Quran, Hadith and early biographies about Mohammed (as fundamentalists regard these texts as sacred), but end by countering those arguments using those same respected texts. Only then will the arguments of Islamists lose their power amongst those who believe the Quran is the perfect Word of God. (Books written by respected Muslims would be most effective. Unfortunately, I have found no such books.) The world might have been a different place today if those involved in the September 11 attacks had read such rebuttals while they were still moderate Muslims. The lifeblood of Islamic terrorism is the type of propaganda that encourages Muslims to fight in order to spread the domain of Islam. Without recruits terrorist organizations will eventually collapse. (Books have been written which claim Islam is a peace loving religion, however, even the extremists use such books when they wish to win converts for Islam.)

Secondly, we can treat Muslims as equals and encourage Muslims to treat non-Muslims in Islamic countries as equals. Societies should be judged by how they treat minorities and those with dissenting views. (E.g. in Islamic countries, should Jews and Christians be allowed to “produce their proof”? See Sura 2:111.) We must not use a double standard when comparing the Islamic world to the rest of the world. Ignoring oppression to maintain religious harmony is heartless and cruel. See
www.jcpa.org/christian-persecution.htm
www.lewrockwell.com/spectator2/spec575.html 
www.answering-islam.org/Authors/Arlandson/apostasy.htm
www.answering-islam.org/Terrorism/open_letter_to_muslims.htm

Thirdly, we must allow freedom of speech and speak the truth (See www.debunking911.com) in order to condemn that which should be condemned. And whether we like it or not, some morals are better than others. (If you say I’m wrong for making that state-ment it shows you think your moral standards are better than mine. See Relativism [CD] by Greg Koukl) We must not silence the moral voices within our society; history shows that to do so signals the collapse of a society (See Deliver Us From Evil by Ravi Zacharias, Legislating Morality by Norman Geisler, and www.jesus-wept.org/).

IMPORTANT: Don’t believe or disbelieve any-thing which has been written here without investigat-ing it first. This is a very emotional and important sub-ject. Without the truth we are all vulnerable to manipu-lation and strong emotions often mislead (For exam-ples see History on Trial by Deborah Lipstadt; Michael Moore is a big fat stupid white man by Hardy & Clarke; 6 Modern Myths by Philip J. Sampson and The Books the Church Suppressed by Dr Michael Green). We are all entitled to our own opinion; however, no one is enti-tled to misinformation. Go into the links (See the an-swering-islam site policy). Ask the tough questions. You can never dig too deep. Please photocopy this and pass it on. (By Brad and Brother Mark)