IS ISLAM A RELIGION OF PEACE?

Islam – a Religion of Peace?

Most people realize that Islam is of the world’s major religionIslamic Militantss, but very few know much about it. Since September 11 it has received a lot of media attention, and there has been a major campaign to paint it as a religion of peace. As individuals, many Muslims may be peace loving people, but is it true of the ideology and doctrines of Islam itself?

Islam is a religion, but the core of Islamic teaching, is that religion is not a part of life, but life is a part of religion. Thus everything in life is dominated by religion. As such, Islam is a socio-political, socio-religious, socio-economical, educa­tional, legislative, judicial, and militaristic system clothed in religious terminology. Islam grants radical Muslims a mandate to change the existing society into an Islamic dominated society. How is this achieved? History proves it is by violent aggression and severe oppression, fueled by religious zeal.

Jihad – The Way to Paradise
The familiar term Jihad -- often translated holy war; literally means struggle. Many Muslims will say that jihad is about struggling against evil and, only if necessary, defending one's homeland and religious heritage. Militant Muslims will point to numerous Qur'anic texts where Muhammad (as Allah's spokesman) commands his followers to fight and subdue all who resist Islam. What leads young men to volunteer to die for the privilege of killing others “for the cause of Allah?” It may have much to do with the fact that Islam offers no certain hope of heaven, with one exception -- dying in the cause of jihad. Martyrdom is the only assured path to Paradise and acceptance into the "Gardens of Sensual Delights." A person may do many kind deeds during his life, he may even scar himself in brutal self-mutilation ceremonies for Allah, but he may only hope that he will attain heaven. These works don't guarantee success like martyrdom in the 'cause of Allah.'

The Qur’an and the Hadith
The Qur'an is the Muslim 'holy book' dating from the 6th century AD, believed by Muslims to have been given by revelation to Muhammad, "the last prophet' in the line from Abraham through Ishmael -- who is believed to be the true child of promise. The Hadith is the narrative, and record of individual sayings, actions and approvals of Muhammad, taken as the model of behavior by Muslims. Both books contain an abundance of accounts and directives of brutality and domination, and a clear call to war. Consider a few verses from the Qur'an and the Hadith:

"As for those who are slain in the cause of God... He will admit them to the Paradise He has made known to them.” (47:8)
"Let those who would exchange the life of this world for the hereafter, fight for the cause of God; whether he dies or triumphs, we shall richly reward him. . .(47:8)
"Slay the idolaters wherever you find them. lie in ambush everywhere for them." (9:5)
"Those that make war against God and His apostle and spread disorder in the land shall be put to death or crucified or have their hands and feet cut off on opposite sides..." (5:34)
"Fight against such of those to whom the Scriptures were given... and do not embrace the true Faith, until they pay tribute out of hand and are utterly subdued.” (9:29)
From the Hadith: lbn Haban in his Sahih, vol.14, p.529, narrates: Muhammad said, "I swear by Him who has my soul in his hands, I was sent to you with nothing but slaughter."

Islam Around the World
The concept of jihad is rooted in another concept -- Shari'a (Islamic law.) More than forty of the world's countries with a majority of Muslim population, have embraced Shari'a, and those that have not are under relentless pressure to do so. For example, over the past nine years in Algeria, some 100,000 moderate Muslims have been slain by militant Muslims. The reason? The militant Muslims want political control of the nation. This is a growing trend in the Islamic world.

Islam claims to be a religion that has the answers for society, a religion that offers peace and wholeness. So where should we look for an example of true Islam in practice? Iran? Afghanistan? Pakistan? Libya? Turkey? Egypt? Indonesia? How about Saudi Arabia? While many Muslims may decry the kingdom of Saudi Arabia as corrupt, it is the "keeper of Islam" and the religious center toward which more than one billion Muslims face five times a day as they repeat their prayers. In Saudi Arabia, freedom of religion is nonexistent. It is illegal to read a Bible or vocalize a non-Muslim prayer in the privacy of one's own home.

Under Islamic law, conversion to Christianity by a Saudi citizen is punishable by beheading. We have heard it said by Christian leaders in this country that the Muslims are our brothers. How can this be when one considers the persecution Christians suffer around the world under Islam?

According to Amnesty International, the persecution of Christians in Saudi Arabia has increased dramatically since the Gulf War. More than a thousand cases have been documented in which Christian foreign workers have been arrested, imprisoned and/or beaten for participating in private worship meetings. Islam teaches that Jesus cannot be the Messiah because he is of the blood line of Isaac, whereas (Islam teaches) the promises of Abraham flow through Ishmael and onto Muhammad. Written on the outside of the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem are the words: "The God Who Has No Son."

The harsh reality is that in every country where Shari'a is embraced, non-Muslims face, at best, discrimination, social ostracism and harassment, and at worst, prison, torture, and death for their religious beliefs. A horrifying example of Shari'a and Jihad in combination can be seen in Sudan, where since 1983, the Muslim Arab North has killed an estimated two million non-Muslim blacks in the South. Another five million have been displaced. Slavery, rape, torture, forced Qur'anic indoctrination of children, and bombings of churches are regular events. In Indonesia, the Laksar Jihad, a well-organized and well-armed Islamic militia is waging a war to annihilate the Christian population. Over the past several years, thousands of Indonesian Christians have been butchered for the crime of not converting to Islam. If Islam is for "peace and harmony," then where is the widespread outrage from Muslims over these ongoing atrocities committed in the name of Allah? As of October, of 30 wars raging in the world, 28 Involved Muslim aggression.

The Qur'an teaches that Muslims are not to initiate war. But Islam has a way around this. For example, Muslims are supposed to offer non-Muslims an 'opportunity' to embrace Islam. If they refuse, Muslim thought is that they have committed aggression against Allah and Islam. Therefore, the Muslim is allowed to fight these 'aggressors against Allah and Islam' until they become Muslims or are killed. The Qur'an also teaches that Muslims do not owe honesty to 'infidels,' therefore even world leaders can lie in high level negotiations without conscience. And their words are often doublespeak. When Arafat says, "We deplore the killing of innocent people!" He is speaking honestly. However, according to Qur'an, only very strict adherents to Islam are "innocent." Americans, Christians and Jews are not "innocent people" by Muslim standards.

Again we ask: "is Islam a religion of peace?" Consider this passage from Qur'an 4:89: "If anyone wants to leave Islam he is to be put to death." No, Islam is a religion of fear and oppression, not peace. The Islamic concept of peace is making the whole world Muslim, which is actually a mandate for war. Islam represents the greatest spiritual threat the world faces today. Arm yourself with truth and pray according to knowledge.

From information submitted anonymously by former Muslims In-Depth Research