Islam... your opinion?

Question

If Islam is a religion of peace...please tell me how and please quote the Quran...if you don't use thier holy text I can't believe you...also, don't use the word "bigot"...I am trying to learn but if you don't supply me with reliable information why shouldn't I be closed minded on the subject?

Answer 1

From Encyclopedia of Politics and Religion, ed. Robert Wuthnow. 2 vols. (Washington, D.C.: Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1998), 425-426.

Jihad

The Islamic idea of jihad, which is derived from the Arabic root meaning "to strive" or "to make an effort," connotes a wide range of meanings, from an inward spiritual struggle to attain perfect faith to an outward material struggle to promote justice and the Islamic social system. The former meaning was emphasized by Sufis (Muslim mystics), who popularized a tradition describing the inner jihad as greater than the outer jihad. When used in the latter sense, jihad is closely identified with the injunction in the Qur'an, the revelation of God to the prophet Muhammad, to the Muslim community to "command the right and forbid the wrong" (3:104, 110). The close connection of jihad with the struggle for justice is reinforced in the hadith, the sayings and actions attributed to Muhammad. One of the best known states that a Muslim must strive to avert injustice first by actions, and if that is not possible, by words, and if that is not possible, at least by intentions.

During the period of Qur'anic revelation while Muhammad was in Mecca (610-622), jihad meant essentially a nonviolent struggle to spread Islam. Following his move from Mecca to Medina in 622, and the establishment of an Islamic state, fighting in self-defense was sanctioned by the Qur'an (22:39). The Qur'an began referring increasingly to qital (fighting or warfare) as one form of jihad. Two of the last verses on this topic (9:5, 29) suggest a war of conquest or conversion against all unbelievers.

The Medieval Doctrine

In medieval legal sources (compiled roughly between the eighth and eleventh centuries), jihad generally referred to a divinely sanctioned struggle to establish Muslim hegemony over non-Muslims as a prelude to the propagation of the Islamic faith. Islamic legal scholars divided the world into two spheres: Dar al-Islam (land of Islam), where Islamic law applied, and Dar al-Harb (land of war), where the absence of Islamic law presumably fostered anarchy and immorality. The Islamic state's duty was to reduce Dar al-Harb--through peaceful means if possible, through war if necessary--until it had been incorporated into Dar al-Islam. Jurists differed on the possibility and duration of peace between the two spheres. The majority held that jihad could be suspended if the Muslim commander deemed it in the interest of the Islamic state, but usually not for more than ten years. The Qur'anic verses that suggest peaceful accommodation or coexistence with unbelievers (especially 2:193, 8:61) were declared abrogated by the later, more belligerent ones.

V. Full-text of Verses:

Translation used: M. H. Shakir, published by Tahrike Tarsile Qur'an, Inc., 1983, unless otherwise indicated.
The Koran's 164 Jihad Verses
K 2:178-179
Set 1, Count 1+2 [2.178] O you who believe! retaliation is prescribed for you in the matter of the slain, the free for the free, and the slave for the slave, and the female for the female, but if any remission is made to any one by his (aggrieved) brother, then prosecution (for the bloodwit) should be made according to usage, and payment should be made to him in a good manner; this is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy; so whoever exceeds the limit after this he shall have a painful chastisement. [2.179] And there is life for you in (the law of) retaliation, O men of understanding, that you may guard yourselves.
K 2:190-191
Set 2, Count 3+4 [2.190] And fight in the way of Allah with those who fight with you, and do not exceed the limits, surely Allah does not love those who exceed the limits. [2.191] And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from whence they drove you out, and persecution is severer than slaughter, and do not fight with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it, but if they do fight you, then slay them; such is the recompense of the unbelievers.
K 2:193-194
Set 3, Count 5+6 [2.193] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors. [2.194] The Sacred month for the sacred month and all sacred things are (under the law of) retaliation; whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you and be careful (of your duty) to Allah and know that Allah is with those who guard (against evil).
K 2:216-218
Set 4, Count 7-9 [2.216] Fighting is enjoined on you, and it is an object of dislike to you; and it may be that you dislike a thing while it is good for you, and it may be that you love a thing while it is evil for you, and Allah knows, while you do not know. [2.217] They ask you concerning the sacred month about fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is a grave matter, and hindering (men) from Allah's way and denying Him, and (hindering men from) the Sacred Mosque and turning its people out of it, are still graver with Allah, and persecution is graver than slaughter; and they will not cease fighting with you until they turn you back from your religion, if they can; and whoever of you turns back from his religion, then he dies while an unbeliever—these it is whose works shall go for nothing in this world and the hereafter, and they are the inmates of the fire; therein they shall abide. [2.218] Surely those who believed and those who fled (their home) and strove hard in the way of Allah these hope for the mercy of Allah and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
K 2:244
Set 5, Count 10 And fight in the way of Allah, and know that Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
K 3:121-126
Set 6, Count 11-16 [3.121] And when you did go forth early in the morning from your family to lodge the believers in encampments for war and Allah is Hearing, Knowing. [3.122] When two parties from among you had determined that they should show cowardice [about Jihad], and Allah was the guardian of them both, and in Allah should the believers trust. [3.123] And Allah did certainly assist you at [the Battle of] Badr when you were weak; be careful of (your duty to) Allah then, that you may give thanks. [3.124] When you said to the believers: Does it not suffice you that your Lord should assist you with three thousand of the angels sent down? [3.125] Yea! if you remain patient and are on your guard, and they come upon you in a headlong manner, your Lord will assist you with five thousand of the havoc-making angels. [3.126] And Allah did not make it but as good news for you, and that your hearts might be at ease thereby, and victory is only from Allah, the Mighty, the Wise.
K 3:140-143
Set 7, Count 17-20 [3.140] If a wound has afflicted you (at [the Battle of] Uhud), a wound like it has also afflicted the (unbelieving) people; and We bring these days to men by turns, and that Allah may know those who believe and take witnesses from among you; and Allah does not love the unjust. [3.141] And that He [Allah] may purge those who believe and deprive the unbelievers of blessings.[3.142] Yusuf Ali: Did ye think that ye would enter Heaven without God testing those of you who fought hard (in His Cause) and remained steadfast? [3.143] Pickthall: And verily ye used to wish for death before ye met it (in the field). Now ye have seen it [death] with your eyes!
K 3:146
Set 8, Count 21 Yusuf Ali: How many of the prophets fought (in Allah's way) [Jihad], and with them (fought) large bands of godly men? But they never lost heart if they met with disaster in Allah's way [lost a battle], nor did they weaken (in will) nor give in. And Allah loves those who are firm and steadfast [in Jihad].
K 3:152-158
Set 9, Count 22-28 [3.152] And certainly Allah made good to you His promise when you slew them by His [Allah's] permission [during a Jihad battle], until when you became weak-hearted and disputed about the affair and disobeyed after He [Allah] had shown you that which you loved; of you were some who desired this world and of you were some who desired the hereafter; then He [Allah] turned you away from them that He might try you; and He has certainly pardoned you, and Allah is Gracious to the believers. [3.153] Pickthall: When ye climbed (the hill) and paid no heed to anyone, while the messenger, in your rear, was calling you (to fight). Therefore He rewarded you grief for (his) grief, that (He might teach) you not to sorrow either for that which ye missed [war spoils] or for that which befell you. Allah is informed of what ye do. [3.154] Then after sorrow He sent down security upon you, a calm coming upon a party of you, and (there was) another party whom their own souls had rendered anxious; they entertained about Allah thoughts of ignorance quite unjustly, saying: We have no hand in the affair. Say: Surely the affair is wholly (in the hands) of Allah. They conceal within their souls what they would not reveal to you. They say: Had we any hand in the affair, we would not have been slain here [in a Jihad battle]. Say: Had you remained in your houses, those for whom slaughter was ordained [in a Jihad battle] would certainly have gone forth to the places where they would be slain, and that Allah might test what was in your breasts and that He might purge what was in your hearts; and Allah knows what is in the breasts. [3.155] (As for) those of you who turned back on the day when the two armies met, only the Satan sought to cause them to make a slip on account of some deeds they had done, and certainly Allah has pardoned them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Forbearing. [3.156] O you who believe! be not like those who disbelieve and say of their brethren when they travel in the earth or engage in fighting: Had they been with us, they would not have died and they would not have been slain; so Allah makes this to be an intense regret in their hearts; and Allah gives life and causes death and Allah sees what you do. [3.157] And if you are slain in the way of Allah or you die, certainly forgiveness from Allah and mercy is better than what they amass [what those who stay home from Jihad receive—no booty and no perks in heaven]. [3.158] And if indeed you die or you are slain, certainly to Allah shall you be gathered together.
K 3:165-167
Set 10, Count 29-31 [3.165] What! when a misfortune befell you, and you [Muslims] had certainly afflicted (the unbelievers) with twice as much [with Jihad], you began to say: Whence is this? Say: It is from yourselves; surely Allah has power over all things. [3.166] And what befell you on the day when the two armies met ([the Battle of] Uhud) was with Allah's knowledge, and that He might know the believers. [3.167] And that He might know the hypocrites; and it was said to them: Come, fight in Allah's way, or defend yourselves. They said: If we knew fighting, we would certainly have followed you. They were on that day much nearer to unbelief than to belief. They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts, and Allah best knows what they conceal.
K 3:169
Set 11, Count 32 And reckon not those who are killed in Allah's way as dead; nay, they are alive (and) are provided sustenance from their Lord [meaning they are enjoying their 72 virgins in heaven];
K 3:172-173
Set 12, Count 33+34 [3.172] (As for) those who responded (at [the Battle of] Uhud) to the call of Allah and the Apostle after a wound had befallen them, those among them who do good (to others) and guard (against evil) shall have a great reward. [3.173] Those to whom the people said: Surely men have gathered against you [in battle], therefore fear them, but this increased their faith, and they said: Allah is sufficient for us and most excellent is the Protector.
K 3:195
Set 13, Count 35 So their Lord accepted their prayer: That I will not waste the work of a worker among you, whether male or female, the one of you being from the other; they, therefore, who fled and were turned out of their homes and persecuted in My way and who fought and were slain, I will most certainly cover their evil deeds, and I will most certainly make them enter gardens beneath which rivers flow; a reward from Allah, and with Allah is yet better reward.
K 4:071-072
Set 14, Count 36+37 [4.71] O you who believe! take your precaution, then go forth in detachments or go forth in a body [to war]. [4.72] And surely among you is he who would certainly hang back [from Jihad]! If then a misfortune befalls you he says: Surely Allah conferred a benefit on me that I was not present with them [in Jihad].
K 4:074-077
Set 15, Count 38-41 [4.74] Therefore let those fight in the way of Allah, who sell this world's life for the hereafter; and whoever fights in the way of Allah, then be he slain or be he victorious, We shall grant him a mighty reward. [4.75] And what reason have you that you should not fight in the way of Allah and of the weak among the men and the women and the children, (of) those who say: Our Lord! cause us to go forth from this town, whose people are oppressors, and give us from Thee a guardian and give us from Thee a helper. [4.76] Those who believe fight in the way of Allah, and those who disbelieve fight in the way of the Satan. Fight therefore against the friends of the Satan; surely the strategy of the Satan is weak. [4.77] Have you not seen those to whom it was said: Withhold your hands, and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate; but when fighting is prescribed for them, lo! a party of them fear men as they ought to have feared Allah, or (even) with a greater fear, and say: Our Lord! why hast Thou ordained fighting for us? Wherefore didst Thou not grant us a delay to a near end? Say: The provision of this world is short, and the hereafter is better for him who guards (against evil); and you shall not be wronged the husk of a date stone.
K 4:084
Set 16, Count 42 Fight then in Allah's way; this is not imposed on you except in relation to yourself, and rouse the believers to ardor maybe Allah will restrain the fighting of those who disbelieve and Allah is strongest in prowess and strongest to give an exemplary punishment.
K 4:089-091
Set 17, Count 43-45 [4.89] They desire that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved, so that you might be (all) alike; therefore take not from among them friends until they fly (their homes) in Allah's way; but if they turn back [to their homes], then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from among them a friend or a helper. [4.90] Except those who reach a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people; and if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they should have certainly fought you; therefore if they withdraw from you and do not fight you and offer you peace, then Allah has not given you a way against them [Allah supposedly does not allow Muslims to fight people friendly to Muslims]. [4.91] You will find others who desire that they should be safe from you and secure from their own people; as often as they are sent back to the mischief they get thrown into it headlong; therefore if they do not withdraw from you, and (do not) offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them; and against these We have given you a clear authority.
K 4:094-095
Set 18, Count 46+47 [4.94] O you who believe! when you go to war in Allah's way, make investigation, and do not say to any one who offers you peace: You are not a believer. Do you seek goods of this world's life! [Meaning that Muslim ought not say someone is a non-Muslim just to plunder him.] But with Allah there are abundant gains; you too were such before, then Allah conferred a benefit on you; therefore make investigation; surely Allah is aware of what you do. [4.95] The holders back from among the believers, not having any injury, and those who strive hard [Jihad] in Allah's way with their property and their persons are not equal; Allah has made the strivers with their property and their persons to excel the holders back a (high) degree, and to each (class) Allah has promised good; and Allah shall grant to the strivers [i.e., Jihadist] above the holders back a mighty reward:
K 4:100-104
Set 19, Count 48-52 [4.100] And whoever flies in Allah's way [forsakes his home to fight in Jihad], he will find in the earth many a place of refuge and abundant resources, and whoever goes forth from his house flying to Allah and His Apostle, and then death overtakes him [in Jihad], his reward is indeed with Allah and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. [4.101] Rodwell: And when ye go forth to war in the land, it shall be no crime in you to cut short your prayers, if ye fear lest the infidels come upon you; Verily, the infidels are your undoubted enemies! [4.102] And when you are among them and keep up the prayer for them, let a party of them stand up with you, and let them take their arms; then when they have prostrated themselves let them go to your rear, and let another party who have not prayed come forward and pray with you, and let them take their precautions and their arms; (for) those who disbelieve desire that you may be careless of your arms and your luggage, so that they may then turn upon you with a sudden united attack, and there is no blame on you, if you are annoyed with rain or if you are sick, that you lay down your arms, and take your precautions; surely Allah has prepared a disgraceful chastisement for the unbelievers. [4.103] Khalifa: Once you complete your Contact Prayer (Salat), you shall remember GOD while standing, sitting, or lying down. Once the war is over, you shall observe the Contact Prayers (Salat); the Contact Prayers (Salat) are decreed for the believers at specific times. [4.104] And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain, and you hope from Allah what they do not hope; and Allah is Knowing, Wise.
K 4:141
Set 20, Count 53 Sher Ali: Those who await your ruin. If you have a victory [in Jihad] from Allah, they say, ‘Were we not with you?’ And if the disbelievers have a share of it, they say to them, ‘Did we not on a previous occasion get the better of you and save you from the believers?’ Allah will judge between you on the day of Resurrection; and Allah will not grant the disbelievers a way to prevail against the believers.
K 5:033
Set 21, Count 54 The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His apostle and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned [Pickthall and Yusuf Ali have "exiled" rather than "imprisoned"]; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement,
K 5:035
Set 22, Count 55 O you who believe! be careful of (your duty to) Allah and seek means of nearness to Him and strive hard [at Jihad] in His way that you may be successful.
K 5:082
Set 23, Count 56 Certainly you will find the most violent of people in enmity for those who believe (to be) the Jews [compare " with "whenever Jews kindle fire for war, Allah [Muslims] puts it out" (K 005:064)] and those who are polytheists [while they are converted to Islam on pain of death]...
K 8:001
Set 24, Count 57 Pickthall: They ask thee (O Muhammad) of the spoils of war. Say: The spoils of war belong to Allah and the messenger, so keep your duty to Allah, and adjust the matter of your difference, and obey Allah and His messenger, if ye are (true) believers.
K 8:005
Set 25, Count 58 Even as your Lord caused you to go forth from your house with the truth, though a party of the believers were surely averse;
K 8:007
Set 26, Count 59 Yusuf Ali: Behold! Allah promised you one of the two (enemy) parties, that it should be yours: Ye wished that the one unarmed should be yours, but Allah willed to justify the Truth according to His words and to cut off the roots of the Unbelievers;
K 8:009-010
Set 27, Count 60+61 [8.9]When you sought aid from your Lord [at the Battle of Badr], so He answered you: I will assist you [in Jihad] with a thousand of the angels following one another [see K 008:012]. [8.10] And Allah only gave it as a good news and that your hearts might be at ease thereby; and victory is only from Allah; surely Allah is Mighty, Wise.
K 8:012
Set 28, Count 62 When your Lord revealed to the angels: I am with you, therefore make firm those who believe. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them.
K 8:015-017
Set 29, Count 63-65 [8.15] O you who believe! when you meet those who disbelieve marching for war, then turn not your backs to them. [8.16] And whoever shall turn his back to them on that day—unless he turn aside for the sake of fighting or withdraws to a company—then he, indeed, becomes deserving of Allah's wrath, and his abode is hell; and an evil destination shall it be. [8.17] So you did not slay them, but it was Allah Who slew them, and you did not smite when you smote (the enemy), but it was Allah Who smote [Allah gets the credit for Jihad], and that He might confer upon the believers a good gift from Himself; surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
K 8:039-048
Set 30, Count 66-75 [8.39] Shakir: And fight with them until there is no more persecution and religion should be only for Allah; but if they desist, then surely Allah sees what they do. [8.40] Yusuf Ali: If they [unbelievers] refuse [to stop fighting], be sure that God is your Protector—the best to protect and the best to help. [8.41] Shakir: And know that whatever thing [loot] you gain, a fifth of it is for Allah and for the Apostle and for the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, if you believe in Allah and in that which We revealed to Our servant, on the day of distinction, the day on which the two parties met [in a Jihad versus anti-Jihad battle]; and Allah has power over all things. [8.42] When you were on the nearer side (of the valley) and they were on the farthest side, while the caravan was in a lower place than you [the Makkan caravan the Muslims robbed]; and if you had mutually made an appointment, you would certainly have broken away from the appointment, but—in order that Allah might bring about a matter which was to be done, that he who would perish might perish by clear proof [bring success to Muslims engaged in robbing a caravan near Badr against all the odds], and he who would live might live by clear proof; and most surely Allah is Hearing, Knowing; [8.43] When Allah showed them [the Makkans] to you in your dream as few [fighters]; and if He had shown them [the Makkans] to you as many [fighters] you would certainly have become weak-hearted [i.e., hearts. See the similar discussion in K 002:249 about how a smaller army can defeat a larger army] and you would have disputed about the matter, but Allah saved (you); surely He is the Knower of what is in the breasts. [8.44] And when He showed them to you, when you met, as few [fighters] in your eyes and He made you to appear little [few fighters] in their eyes, in order that Allah might bring about a matter which was to be done [a Jihad versus anti-Jihad battle brought on by overconfidence in each side], and to Allah are all affairs returned. [8.45] O you who believe! when you meet a party [in battle], then be firm, and remember Allah much, that you may be successful. [8.46] And obey Allah and His Apostle and do not quarrel for then you will be weak in hearts [demoralized] and your power [to execute Jihad] will depart, and be patient; surely Allah is with the patient. [8.47] And be not like those [Makkans] who came forth from their homes [in an anti-Jihad War on Islamic terrorism] in great exultation and to be seen of men, and (who) turn away from the way of Allah, and Allah comprehends what they do. [8.48] And when the Satan made their works fair seeming to them, and [Satan] said [to the Makkans]: No one can overcome you this day, and surely I [Satan] am your protector: but when the two parties [Muslims versus Makkans] came in sight of each other he [Satan] turned upon his heels, and [Satan] said: Surely I am clear of you [the Makkans], surely I see what you do not see [Allah's angels], surely I fear Allah; and Allah is severe in requiting (evil).
K 8:057-060
Set 31, Count 76-79 Pickthall: [8.57] If thou come on them in the war, deal with them so as to strike fear in those who are behind them, that haply they may remember. [8.58] Khalifa: When you are betrayed by a group of people, you shall mobilize against them in the same manner. GOD does not love the betrayers. [8.59] Shakir: And let not those who disbelieve think that they shall come in first; surely they will not escape. [8.60] And prepare against them what force you can and horses tied at the frontier, to frighten thereby the enemy of Allah and your enemy and others besides them, whom you do not know (but) Allah knows them; and whatever thing you will spend in Allah's way [for Jihad], it will be paid back to you fully and you shall not be dealt with unjustly.
K 8:065-075
Set 32, Count 80-90 [8.65] O Prophet! urge the believers to war; if there are twenty patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a hundred of you they shall overcome a thousand of those who disbelieve, because they are a people who do not understand [in other words, "do not understand totalitarian ideologies like Islam"]. [8.66] For the present Allah has made light your burden, and He knows that there is weakness in you; so if there are a hundred patient ones of you they shall overcome two hundred, and if there are a thousand they shall overcome two thousand by Allah's permission, and Allah is with the patient. [8.67] It is not fit for a prophet that he should take captives unless he has fought and triumphed in the land; you desire the frail goods [i.e., ransom money] of this world, while Allah desires (for you) the hereafter; and Allah is Mighty, Wise. [8.68] Had it not been for a previous ordainment [i.e., the revelation of K 008:067] from God, a severe penalty would have reached you for the (ransom) that you took [or better, "would have taken"]. [8.69] Eat then of the lawful and good (things) which you have acquired in war [war spoils], and be careful of (your duty to) Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. [8.70] O Prophet! say to those of the captives [non-Muslims] who are in your hands: If Allah knows anything good in your hearts, He will give to you better than that which has been taken away from you [in Jihad] and will forgive you, and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. [8.71] Yusuf Ali: But if they have treacherous designs against thee, (O Apostle!) , they have already been in treason against God, and so hath [has] He [Allah] given (thee) power over them. And God so He Who hath (full) knowledge and wisdom. [8.72] Yusuf Ali: Those who believed, and adopted exile, and fought for the Faith, with their property and their persons, in the cause of God, as well as those who gave (them) asylum and aid, - these are (all) friends and protectors, one of another. As to those who believed but came not into exile, ye [you] owe no duty of protection to them until they come into exile; but if they seek your aid in religion, it is your duty to help them, except against a people with whom ye have a treaty of mutual alliance. And (remember) God seeth [sees] all that ye do. [8.73] Yusuf Ali: The Unbelievers are protectors, one of another: Unless ye do this, (protect each other), there would be tumult and oppression on earth, and great mischief. [8.74] Yusuf Ali: Those who believe, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith, in the cause of God as well as those who give (them) asylum and aid, - these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a provision most generous. [8.75] Yusuf Ali: And those who accept Faith subsequently, and adopt exile, and fight for the Faith in your company,—they are of you. But kindred by blood have prior rights against each other in the Book of God. Verily God is well acquainted with all things.
K 9:005
Set 33, Count 91 So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
K 9:012-014
Set 34, Count 92-94 [9.12] And if they break their oaths after their agreement and (openly) revile your religion, then fight the leaders of unbelief—surely their oaths are nothing—so that they may desist. [9.13] What! will you not fight a people who broke their oaths and aimed at the expulsion of the Apostle, and they attacked you first; do you fear them? But Allah is most deserving that you should fear Him, if you are believers. [9.14] Fight them, Allah will punish them by your hands and bring them to disgrace, and assist you against them and heal the hearts of a believing people.
K 9:016
Set 35, Count 95 What! do you think that you will be left alone while Allah has not yet known those of you who have struggled hard [Jihad] and have not taken any one as an adherent besides Allah and His Apostle and the believers; and Allah is aware of what you do.
K 9:019-020
Set 36, Count 96+97 [9.19] What! do you make (one who undertakes) the giving of drink to the pilgrims and the guarding of the Sacred Mosque like him who believes in Allah and the latter day and strives hard in Allah's way [Jihad]? They are not equal with Allah; and Allah does not guide the unjust people. [9.20] Those who believed and fled (their homes), and strove hard [Jihad] in Allah's way with their property and their souls, are much higher in rank with Allah; and those are they who are the achievers (of their objects).
K 9:024-026
Set 37, Count 98-100 [9.24] Say: If your fathers and your sons and your brethren and your mates and your kinsfolk and property which you have acquired, and the slackness of trade which you fear and dwellings which you like, are dearer to you than Allah and His Apostle and striving in His way [Jihad]:, then wait till Allah brings about His command [to go on Jihad]: and Allah does not guide the transgressing people. [9.25] Certainly Allah helped you in many battlefields and on the day of [the Battle of] Hunain, when your great numbers made you vain, but they availed you nothing and the earth became strait to you notwithstanding its....



Bottom line is that muslim extremists do not consider the Crusades over because they have not converted or killed the whole world yet!

Answer 2

The Quran is not peaceful compared to Jesus's example. There are times where figting is not just permissable but required. Still it is a largely peaceful book. The Bible says very little on the subject, and as such Christiandom for much of our history has been one of the biggest war making machines on the planet.

The problem is the actions of some of the early caliphs. Those are not very peaceful. I mean with in 200 years they spread Islam from spain to southeast asia, and they did it though war.

Answer 3

I am an American, so I cannot quote the Quran, but I am learning about the Muslim religion at its core. It is a beautiful religion full of peace and tolerance. It shares parts of the same books as our bible and then continues on. They believe that Jesus was a profit, but the Messiah, so if we look at things Jews, Christan's and Muslims have commons books. Any religion can become radical and Christianity has a long history of that. I was raised in that faith. It is a true embarrassment to see the Christian faith represented that way. When Jesus was such a loving way. So before we are so hard on all Muslim people lets learn about the faith. Lets learn about what they share in common with us and realize that they do share love and compassion in their faith. Lets realize that some people have something in common when the become fundamental and it is hate. It does not matter what their declared faith the have really converted to hate.

I did not come up with this on my own. I came up with this from a personal discussion with a friend of mine from Pakistan. This woman is lovely and kind. She is an an American citizen, and a Muslim. She is the most kind and generous person. She is the easiest person to make friends with. She is always sharing herself and her culture.

I have learned some from her and some from reading and talking to others. All this hatred and unrest has made me disguss the Muslim religion more and realize that Muslims are not bad people and they share many similar values to Christians. What is bad is fundalmentalism which is a rampant problem in the usa. Even our President has that problem. He calls himself a christian and likes to have people killed. He is a conflict in actions. If he really does not like terrorists then why is he friends with the Saudi people especially the Bin Ladins? Why does he attack a country that did not hurt us? Sadam is out yet people in Iraq are getting killed ours and theirs. They say look at the good we are doing in Iraq. Well if it involves the death of people it is not a good thing.

If we were being invaded by a foreingn force in the USA would we have a right to self defense? Yes we would. So do the people of Iraq. Iraq is not a humanitarian mission. We cannot force democracy down the throat of a people who do not want it, so stop trying.

Old history has a bad treatment twords women. How about Christianity. They used to treat women badly. How about america. Women were not going to be able to vote. Let the Muslim countries grow. Perhaps they will be better to their women eventually. Christians and Americans did not have a history of being good to women. How about making a difference here. Domestic Violence in the USA it is still not as much a crime to assalt your wife as it is to assalt a stranger. Women are 2nd class citizens throughout history. It is not unique to the Muslim relgion. America is full of sin. So is the bible read it. Look at Mormon sins that continue today. It is something that continues to need to be worked on for many cultures. Not just Muslims. America is better but not perfect. Better than it was in the past that is.

Answer 4

I really hate to be closed minded about any group of people, but I really have not seen any shining examples of love or tolerance in that religion.

I also don't think any religion that degrades women to the point of wearing a face scarf, walking behind their husband like the family pet and being intolerant to any religion other than their own is a nice group.

I say this not to offend, but if there are any nice, loving, tolerant, peaceful muslims, why not stand up to the nutjobs who are so radical? How can they expect people to understand and listen to their views when they are so intolerant?

My opinion :)

Answer 5

if you are trying to get reliable information why don't you go, out of being willing to see real facts, to Muslim people or a mosque in your area and learn about Islam, i think there they will give accurate information about our religion
i don't know why are you judging religions not the people who act in a wrong way and happened to be Muslims by name
you have priests in USA who rape children and i saw them in Prime time, an American TV show, a priest, should i then say that Christianity is a horrible religion? or i should blame that man for not following his religion?

Answer 6

It seems ANY religion can be perverted. Some folks believe in one course of action or another, then they look for the religious text to support that action. So don't go losing any sleep over this. If the terrorist didn't have Islam to justify their actions they would find something else to justify killing people.

Answer 7

Yes Islam is religion of peace and equality

Answer 8

well i'm muslim, but i'm not religious but i know enough about islam i think,
islam is not a peace religion or a war religion. you can't believe any of these.
islam says for example thet you HAVE TO fight for your brother if he needs your help. it says that you should fight back if you attacked, it says that you have to fight even if you are week!
but by the way islam forbid killing inocents, dont believe the rubish muslim ppl with big beards. it's a very big sin to kill innocents. same like any religion.

Answer 9

It is not at all difficult to search the Quran and find what you want. It does not take a genious!

Answer 10

I do not feel like getting out my Quran but I get the feeling you will hate them anyway even if I did show you

Answer 11

I agree with Crowster..