Is Islam truly the religion of peace?

Question

If so, please cite examples.

I think it would be impossible for me to pick any answer to this question without upsetting someone (not what I set out to do), so I am going to go the safe route and put it to a vote. May the best answer win!

Answer 1

What a religion of peace, I think not... I read in my local paper a week or so ago, about some poor journalist being be-headed by a 14 year boy with a pocket knife... How happy those who claimed responsibility were about it... Absolutely sickening....Their day is almost up, "The Shift" is almost here.. Love and Light... BB.. )O(

Answer 2

Indeed Islam is the religion of peace. In Quran all Muslims are rewarded by Allah for respecting other religions and being helpful and thoughtful for the community : their own family, friends and neighbours...etc, what you see in media about Islam is mostly not well reported, because of racism of the west against Muslims and becasue of their biase. If we follow the western logic , then Christians and Jews are also criminals and their religions are not peaceful because during crusade the christians killed thousands of Muslims in the name of their religion! and in the dark ages many people were killed in Europe for religion issues. Moreover, in our recent time , Christian Serbs killed thousands of Muslim Bosnians!! and the Israelis Jews are killing many civilian Palestinians on daily bases! What would you do if a gunman broke into your house and killed your family member and stole your house ??? you will not say : hi, welcome, I love peace and I m not going to kill you!!! sure you will kill him!! I am not encouraging killing of any human being BUT I want you to be in other's shoes and consider their feelings!When a muslim kills for any reason all the media mention his /her religion, but when a person from any other religion kill nobody mention his religion...you have a good example of the masacar that happend in Virginia Tech ... nobody mentioned the killers religion!!! BUT what if he was a Muslim!!!!!!???

Answer 3

Yes, of course and if you want the prove, go and read the Koran and you will find out that the Koran tells us to never kill a human being ,but in some cases , like if you are defending for your self then you have to do something.

And to kill someone in Islam is a very big sin.

Answer 4

I'm from Pakistan, living in the province of Sindh. It was previously inhabitated by Hindus before tha advent of Muhammad Bin Qasim, a Muslim expeditionist. How do you think Islam spread in the Indian sub-continent, among the people who were following another set of beliefs for the past many centuries?

There is a difference between Islam and its followers. Just by declaring yourself as Muslims is not a dvine decree that you're the perfect and staunch follower of Islam.

In Quran, you can find a multitude of verses that stress on peace, tranquility and the vitality of forgiving the one you hate most.

Just saying that Islam is a barbaric religion does not change the facts. Why is Islam spreading so rampantly around the world? The people who are REALLY interested in studying Quran know that Quran is a book of set of laws. Hanging or beheading a murderer is not a barbaric way. It is a lesson for those who might lose their temper and may harm another human life. Secondly, it is a natural compensation to the bereaved's family.

How did Islam spread in Arabia? A land, belonging to a people so ignorant and strong-headed when it came to their religion, tribes or land disputes, how did a single man change the face of Arabia in less than 30 years? Some ignorant souls say that he was used to loot trade caravans, invaded cities etc. But can you imagine a single person, having no royal connections or affiliation to warrior tribes but just belonging to a noble family, could have gathered a following by denouncing their revered gods? What was the order of the day when he returned to Makkah, a city where he spent his childhood and was forced to leave due to a series of attacks on him? Muhammad asked the people of Makkah what did they expect from him. Their unanimous reply was "You're a good brother, the son of a good brother. We expect only kindness from you." His next statement was "Today, all of you are forgiven". Only 70 people were executed who were found to be involved in heinous crimes against Muslims. And I say MUSLIMS, not Muhammad. He never executed any person whom he had personal differences with.

Otherwise, if he chose to seek vengeance from ALL those who had maltreated him, probably a frew people would've had been spared.

When the first battle of Badr took place, the Muslims were very few in number, 313 to be precise while the non-believers numbered more than a 1000. When the Muslims won the battle and 70 of the non-believers were imprisoned, what do you expect was Muhammad's treatment towards those?

He declared that the affluent POWs were supposed to pay a thousand dinars, the less affluent but educated were asked to educate 10 Muslims to read and write; and those of them who were poor and uneducated were set free. POWs were not kept in any cages or cells, rather they were told to stay as guests at Muslims' homes, most of whom were por themselves and had nothing to eat when they had presented all of their food to the POW. Such were the measures that embarrassed the POWs and this tactic proved fruitful when they returned to their people.

It's true that Muslims invaded different lands to establish a Muslim empire. But wherever they went, they showed kindness and expressed a profound act of statesmenship by asking the enemies either to study and accept Islam, or to pay tax to the government. But none of the non-Muslims was forced to accept Islam as it would've proved to be devastating to Islam itself, having Muslims who didn't believe in the teaching of the Holy Prophet. It's that simple!

These terrorist acts you see nowadays is carried out by people who have been unjustly oppressed by invading countries. The west has the habit of interfering in other nations' affairs, toppling their governments, creating civil unrest through their own agents, and then declaring that the US is entering that country to stabilise that country. How many people did Genghis Khan killed during all of his conquests? Only a few thousands. And what if I ask the same question in regards to present world situation in Bush's government. you know the figures better than myself. And we know that Bush is a die-hard \christian.

So why shouldn't we think that Christianity is a religion of barbaric beliefs, coz Bush is a Christian and his actions have destroyed the lives of millions of innocent people.

Likewise, terrorists who follow ISlam and carry out terrorist activities can be blamed for their actions only, Islam can not be blamed.

Answer 5

1)
men and women have equal rights.
2)
it teaches brotherhood.
3)
quran is the best book wich teaches the best way of living.
4)
it teaches peace.
5)
it is growing rapidly when people come to know the proper meaning of islam.
6)
it teaches humanity
and many more . plase refer quran it is the best exampe.

Answer 6

No, it is a false peace forced upon followers by death threats, and a false peace for the changed nervouse system of those within it...

False peace to them brought upon by deadly fear, which changes the chemicals of the brain and the body. I would dare to say, have any other religious people go to medina, and see if they are not murdered on the spot, by many.
Is that TRUE peace ??

Answer 7

yea, theres proof as well.

there were many scientific discoveries that had been made and the quran already had it written in.

there is also another scientific discovery written in the quran about the solar system having 11 planets. we need to find two more! it hasnt happened yet but like the other discoveries its going to take time for scientists to find.

Answer 8

I did a very comfortable research before my conversion got many questions about Islam, but not much answers. I confirm that Jesus Christ is the only answer and the way to eternal Life. Also I confirmed that Islam is a false religion and Qu’ran has been partly copied from HOLY BIBLE. I am very much impressed with the LOVE & COMPASSION of Jesus Christ, which is not visible in Mohammed.

Answer 9

In principle Islam, Judaism and Christianity are all religions of love and peace. In practice they all have incredibly savage, bloody histories.

Answer 10

A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.

1. Verse from Surah Taubah
The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:

"Kill the mushriqeen (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) where ever you find them."
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]

2. Context of verse is during battlefield
Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:

"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 practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful."
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]

This verse is quoted during a battle.

3. Example of war between America and Vietnam
We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: "Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them". Today if I say that the American President said, "Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them" without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.

4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle

Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an says, "Kill the Mushriqs where ever you find them", during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.

5. Shourie jumps from verse 5 to verse 7
Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same verse, Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 in his book ‘The World of Fatwahs’, on page 572. After quoting verse 5 he jumps to verse 7 of Surah Taubah. Any sensible person will realise that he has skipped verse 6.

6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer
Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:

"If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum,grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge."
[Al-Qur’an 9:6]

The Qur’an not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?

This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.