Open questions to Muslims...violence in the Qur'an?

Question

First off, I am an athiest. On to my questions...

Numerous verses in the Qur'an seem to promote violence (i.e. "Slay the unbelievers wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war," 9:5; and "For the Unbelievers are open enemies to you," 4:101). Other examples are verses 8:12, 9:29, 2:216, 4:74, 8:60, 4:34, etc. The apologetic argument is to claim that these verses are taken out context, and do not mean what they appear to mean. If this is your contention, then by which authority does the correct context derive? It seems obvious that many Muslims take these scriptures at face value. Who's to tell them that they are wrong? Does the Qur'an itself not claim to be a "clear book" (5:15) that is "easy to understand" (44:58)? Are the actions of Muslims acting in the name of their faith not evidence of a violent theme in Islam? Finally, does any other religion need such an enormous PR campaign to deflect criticism?

Answer 1

I am not a Muslim, (actually I am a Jew), but I am familiar with the verses you cite. However, have you considered all the violence that is in the bible. Think of all the violent verses in the old testament, which is part of the Jewish and Christan faith. God has the Jews slay entire cities of men, women, and children just because they were non believers. I think it is just a matter of violent Muslims with Political agendas using the religion as a tool to get what they want. What you may not know is that the Qur'an also preaches fair war and speaks out against hurting women and children and is very clear that people who kill themselves (suicide bombers) will go to "hell". So there are contradictions, just like there are contradictions in the bible. I recommend a book called "The Chrisis of Islam, Holy War, Unholy Terror", it is explains everything pretty good.

Answer 2

Well you are saying to sisters only, what is no sister did not give you the correct reply, will like to continue to live your ramadan duirng your period in IGNORANCE......... Ilm (knowledge) is given from Allah to both man and woman equally and as to your question, it is haraam for a man to touch the qur'an without the Wazou performed so now just ask yourself if you do not have the wazoo you cannot touch the qu'ran what about being without Ghusl. It is not permitted for a man as well for a woman who is in the state of without ghusl to touch the quran nor to read even if you use a big cloth it will still remain the same that the person is without Ghusl. Hope that i have not offense you but your question is here and i know i can answer it so just want to share. @ Abdulmalik عبد الملك You need to stop only reading what some people has put on the net to make life easy, we are talking of the Qu'ran here my dear so go and search well before you misguide people here, for a woman as well for a man in the state when their is not ghusl meaning here for a woman during bleedin she is not allowed to touch the quran nor read but she can do zikruallah or recite daroud shareef.

Answer 3

the problem with trying to interpret islam is that its hard to place a 7th century context into a 21 century time. There were many enemies against Islam.. and God sent a message to Muhammed saying to kill those who oppose you because if you didnt, the message of Islam will be lost. It was more of a matter of religious survival ... also unbelievers does not always mean Jews or Christians ... at the time the Meccan people were idol worshippers (they would create their own idols and worship them), these were the unbelievers. Atleast that is how I interpret the quran.

Answer 4

im a 14 y old muslim
you forget that it also has verses that say that we should treat any unmuslim eaqully and with respect
some muslims are out of control and misuse what is written in quran and kill by the name of god wich is ever so wrong
dont think u know alot about it just because you read it , quraan to me doeant make much sence in english anyway only u can understand in arabic, words have deeper meanings we have scintists that explian quraan it is writen in godly way and is hard to understand
when terrorists killed ppl they would say by the name of god witch should be said when killing a animal for eating later so you should know that terrorists just make a bad name for us
in that first verse you worte i cant remeber it of course but the last word says in war and war only, quraan speaks in many ways and our god is of corse mad at others for their blindness but he loves everyone , dont you know how kind the muslims are to everyone? becasue god told us to be, islam teaches peace not war , the word ISLAM means surrunder, and please dont pretend you know alot more than the real muslims if you want answers talk to a shiekh dont think ur so smart quraan needs an expert to tell u the real meaning behind the words.
of cousrse no non arabic speaking person can ever know the miricle of the way quraan was written bec you cant speak arabic , no arab can ever rewirte it , it is the miricle of poems ,
i cant get the quraan now and start giving u lessons casue i have hw and im no expert in thses things all i know is that quraan is a book of peace , and quraan isnt like any book you read and understand, geta sheikh to help you dont think uve figured it out becasue u read it.
and honestly, america used to hate black ppl for no good reason and kill them , christians too wht do u say about that? and whats with the ppl with burining cross and wearing white gowns?

Answer 5

You should read "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)" by Robert Spencer for a comprehensive discussion of the points raised by your question.

Answer 6

Well the reason of that violence is because when our prophet was trying to spread the word of Islam him and his followers had to go through lots of violence. It is written in the Qur'an so the prophet wouldn't feel like he was going against his religion. But is against our religion to try to promote violence today because Islam is a religion of peace

Answer 7

All religions that come out of the desert are like that. For a lovely if somewhat graphic telling of the famous Bible stories check here:
http://www.thebricktestament.com/

Answer 8

You can quote any book and make it say what you want. People do that all the time. I'm not defending Islam, I'm just saying your "question" and its statements are completely invalid and useless.

Or did you read the Qur'an and after fully comprehending its message, you compiled these yourself? I thought so.

Answer 9

Have you read the Bible? Violence and rape and incest and everything else is in there, too. You can take any book and pull out of it what you want. Read the whole Qur'an-and Bible-do not take things out of context.

Answer 10

My friend ! if those are really your qustions so listen .
first of all i invite you to read verses before en after the parts you mentioned above. do you really know what Quran meant by "Unbelievers" in those parts you wrote? i think you do not .

here Quran explains better :

And fight in the way of god with the those who fight with you but do not exceed the limits , surely lord does not love those who exceed the limits ( 2:190 )

you see , quran says just fight to protect yourself but do not start a war.Islam treated unbeliever like others. they were all the same .if you've read Islam history .in the first days of Islam atheists painfuly tortured muslims en force them to live their city en then pillaged their properties . Quran's talkin about this group of people not all atheists en unblievers

read this :

It may be that god will establish friendship between you and those whom ye (now) hold as enemies. For god has power (over all things); and god is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. . ( 60:7 )

God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for god loveth those who are just.( 60:8 )

god only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.( 60:9 )

you see Quran's talkin about peace not war or killing unbelievers . Islam advises to treat unbelievers in a very nice way :

And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of God, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know. (9:6)

Quran does not want anyone to select Islam be force :

There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in god he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and god is Hearing, Knowing.(2:256)

read this :

And do not dispute with the followers of the Book (Bible) except by what is best, except those of them who act unjustly, and say: We believe in that which has been revealed to us and revealed to you, and our God and your God is One, and to Him do we submit. ( 29:46 )

Say: Do you dispute with us about god, and He is our Lord and your Lord, and we shall have our deeds and you shall have your deeds, and we are sincere to Him.(2:139)

Quran learns muhammad how to talk to idolaters not how to war against them :

Say: O unbelievers!
I do not serve that which you serve,
Nor do you serve Him Whom I serve,
Nor am I going to serve that which you serve,
Nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve,
You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion.(109-1-6)

so what do you say my friend ? Quran orders us to kill unbelievers ?

read this to understand quran's view of killing a man :

For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men; and certainly Our apostles came to them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them certainly act extravagantly in the land. ( 5:32 )

and more and more ...

do not look at terrorists who do what they like in the name of Islam and God . open your eyes to the truth .