Is Islam an inherently violent religion?

Question

I have been doing some research for school, and I have some deep misconceptions about Islam. It started as a project evaluating Christian-Muslim relations in light of the Iraq war, but there is a lot of evidence supporting this. Muhammed himself was a fanatical warrior. Makes you wonder.
Only people who have research this topic reply and it's not meant to be justify anything but only to help me understand.

Thanks guys. Only one person so far has been able to answer seriously.
The most troubling aspect is Jihad, and how Muhmd. himself was a warrior. Dont see how that was insulting, just asking a serious question, equivalent to anyone asking about the Inquisition or the Crusades.

I liked RH response. Nice overview explaining the different points of contention.

Answer 1

YOU ARE SO RIGHT ON THE BUTTON WITH YOUR FACTS !!!

Answer 2

I have been "researching this topic" for a long time. The only way to make your research truly valid is to go inside - not to feed off the opinions of others. Try to "see" from the inside of a Muslim's heart - by that I mean read the Quran - there are a few good sites online.
http://www.muslim.org/engquran/menu.htm (for one.) Also, pose your questions about the wars that happened in Muhammed's time at www.imaanstar.com.
When a journalist does a story on a war - he goes there. When a person makes a statement such as you have (fanatical warrior, etc.) he needs to conduct research that looks at both sides of the equasion, or else he is simply not doing research, just becoming a parrot for someone else's opinions. You want to find the truth - keep looking. It's there. Remember "The Matrix"- the moovie - to an extent, we only see that we are fed to see. Go behind the curtain, down the rabbit hole, and you may be well surprised at what you find.
Muhammed was not a fanatical warrior. In fact, he was a kind and wise leader, reverting to violence only when attacked. I'm not kidding, go look it up with eyes that are open, not shut by what you are being taught to believe.
Obviously if you are evaluating the religions in the light of the Iraq war, you will be awarded higher marks for the answers that coincide with the general "opinion" created by those in power. If you want the truth, the unbiased, pure truth, scratch beyond the surface, beyond the "advised study materials" - google a few muslim websites, ask as many questions as you like. Take it beyond the classroom, or choose to become a robot - seeing only what is fed to you. Somehow I think you wish to know more than what's being told to you. keep looking. The truth will find you.

Answer 3

A research on the internet isn't enough to make a judgment especially when most of the websites you're going through are one-sided.

To generalize a whole spiritual religion and its followers as violent and (in another question)feel that iraqis sort of deserve what they're suffering under this unjustified,violent war is disrespectful.
James, if you're sincere about your research and would further want to discuss this topic to help you understand the true image of islam and the misconceptions surrounding it,then please don't hesitate to contact me if your discussion will be based on mutual respect of both of our religions.I will be more than happy to discuss and clarify any of your questions.

Answer 4

I am NOT a Muslim, and have been troubled by so many suicide bombers and decided to look a little more deeply into Islam to determine for myself whether it was inherently violent. My conclusion: Islam meaning submission to the will of Allah (God) is truly a peaceful and tolerant religion. Allah very specifically forbids suicide and urges Muslims to live in harmony with people of other faiths. In mosques throughout this country, it is the Muslim people who are calling for dialog among the different religions. Although I do not fully understand the reasons for suicide bombers at this point, I can say with conviction that they have nothing to do with the truth of Islam.

BRAVOS TO RH AND SUGAR. for their enlightening and helpfull answers.

Answer 5

Islam does have wars in its past, but so does Christianity and so does Judaism. Islam is an overall peaceful religion - it means peace.
As in history of all things, there are wars in the history of Islam, but there is war in the history of all things, it doesnt make Islam any more violent than another relgion, or anything else.

Answer 6

Mohamed was once troubled by poets who wrote sarcastic verse regarding his divine revelations. He asked his followers "will anyone rid me of these people ?" Three poets were murdered by his supporters. One of them was a pregnant woman. The man who killed her asked Mohamed if he would still be able to get into heaven after murdering a pregnant woman. Mohamed replied that "No one of consequence will miss one such as she".

There is no doubt that Mohamed was a gifted leader who benefited the people who followed his teachings. There is also no doubt that he was more than a little bloodthirsty. Islam claims he is the perfect man. Draw your own conclusions as to what Islam is looking for in the perfect man.

Answer 7

I think you should focus on the difference between Killing in both religions. Christianity justifies killing the "unjust aggressor" and also states "Thou shalt not kill.". Murder will lead an unconfessed man to hell. He must answer to God.

The Koran says "Thou Shalt not kill" but there's a subtle "unless" or catch 22. If you want to know the roots of Islamic violence, it's in the justification to kill. It's solely up to the individual man and if he is just in his act, he'll go to paradise for whatever he did up to the moment of his death.

If you really want to understand, looking at the dogmatic differences between fiahts as regards "thou shalt not kill" is a good place to start. I have researched this in a Theology class in undergrad. I don't have the references but there are MAJOR differences in the faiths.

Good luck!

Answer 8

Yes
http://prophetofdoom.net

Is there or is there not compulsion in religion according to the Qur'an?
"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things," (2:256).
"And an announcement from Allah and His Messenger, to the people (assembled) on the day of the Great Pilgrimage,- that Allah and His Messenger dissolve (treaty) obligations with the Pagans. If then, ye repent, it were best for you; but if ye turn away, know ye that ye cannot frustrate Allah. And proclaim a grievous penalty to those who reject Faith," (9:3).
"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," (9:5).
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," (9:29).

Answer 9

Yes, Muhammad (Peace and blessings of God be upon him), was a warrior as Abraham (pbuh) was a warrior against Pheroh of his time.
Yes, Muhammad (pbuh) was a worrior, as Moses (pbuh), was a worrior against Pheroh of his time and faught for God's true teachings and to liberate Israelies.
Yes, Muhammad (pbuh), was a worrior as Jesus was a worior against those who forgot teachings of Moses(pbuh).
Muhammad brought peace and vlessings of The God Almighty towards Humanity.
He spread truth as Prophets (peace be upon them all ) before him taught. Final testament (Qura'n) revealed on him as Old testament reveived on Moses(pbuh), as New testament reveiled on Jesus (pbuh).
Qura'n invites for universal peace see Chaptor 3:64

Say (O Muhammad ): "O people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians): Come to a word that is just between us and you, that we worship none but Allah* and that we associate no partners with Him, and that none of us shall take others as lords besides Allah* Then, if they turn away, say: "Bear witness that we are Muslims."

*
Allah: Allah is the proper name in Arabic for The One and Only God, The Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It is used by the Arab Christians and Jews for the God (Eloh-im in Hebrew; Allaha in Aramaic, the mother tongue of Jesus, pbuh). The word Allah does not have a plural or gender. Allah does not have any associate or partner, and He does not beget nor was He begotten.

Muhammad (pbuh), has been mentioned in previous scriptures as well:
Song of soloman ( Old testament), Hindu scriptures.

Answer 10

No. There are contradictions in the Quran, just as there are in any other holy text. But at the end of the day, it is up to the individual to have a conscience and to act in accordance with it.

Answer 11

it might be.

christianity is, so i guess others could be, too.

OH YAY. i've been patiently waiting on judith to open her yap and grace us with her opinion on the Iraq war, which i am sure is quite educated. (yawn)