Does the Islam religion preach violence "jihad" as a way of life or does it preach peace and tolerance?

Question

I've seen so much violence and killings in the name of Islam in the news that I just want to know whether this religion is preaching violence or these people are using their religion as an excuse to justify their behavior? I have seen this with Catholics, Protestants, Bhuddists, and others.

Answer 1

From what I understand, they preach violence to non believers...but that's taken out of context. They preach it in self defense.

There are other passages as well, just like in the bible, that preach violence towards non-believers. Most people just kinda look over passages like that.

Answer 2

This is the biggest misconception in Islam, no doubt resulting from the constant stereotyping and bashing the media gives Islam. When a gunman attacks a mosque in the name of Judaism, a Catholic IRguerrilla sets off a bomb in an urban area, or Serbian Orthodox militiamen rape and kill innocent Muslim civilians, these acts are not used to stereotype an entire faith. Never are these acts attributed to the religion of the perpetrators. Yet how many times have we heard the words 'Islamic, Muslim fundamentalist. etc.' linked with violence.

Politics in so called "Muslim countries" may or may not have any Islamic basis. Often dictators and politicians will use the name of Islam for their own purposes. One should remember to go to the source of Islam and separate what the true religion of Islam says from what is portrayed in the media. Islam literally means 'submission to God' and is derived from a root word meaning 'peace'.

Islam may seem exotic or even extreme in the modern world. Perhaps this is because religion doesn't dominate everyday life in the West, whereas Islam is considered a 'way of life' for Muslims and they make no division between secular and sacred in their lives. Like Christianity, Islam permits fighting in self-defense, in defense of religion, or on the part of those who have been expelled forcibly from their homes. It lays down strict rules of combat which include prohibitions against harming civilians and against destroying crops, trees and livestock.

NOWHERE DOES ISLAM ENJOIN THE KILLING OF INNOCENTS..

The Quran says: "Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190) "If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61) War, therefore, is the last resort, and is subject to the rigorous conditions laid down by the sacred law. The term 'jihad' literally means 'struggle'. Muslims believe that there are two kinds of jihad. The other 'jihad' is the inner struggle of the soul which everyone wages against egotistic desires for the sake of attaining inner peace.

Answer 3

To answer your question, Islam preaches peace. Over the years, however certain Muslims have misinterpreted and perverted a majority of the teachings to benefit their own agendas.

True open-minded Muslims are a dying breed because even mainstream Islam has been controlled by political 'godfathers' and has forgotten the ancient tradition of Ijtihad which means 'free-thinking' and have been bullied and silenced into submission of man.

Jihad itself is a word which signifies 'struggle'. This 'holy war' nonsense is not the actual meaning. I should know, because the name my mentor placed upon me is Jihad Abdur-Rahiym or Struggle, the Slave of the Most Merciful.

And the other answer to your question is yes, a number of so-called 'Muslims' wage war and terror under the guise of Islam. But they merely call themselves that. Sticking feathers up your butt doesn NOT make you a chicken. I DON'T consider these terrorists as my brothers.

True Islam is about Peace. Peace with God and Peace with your fellow man/woman. Only God holds power over Judgement.

I pray that Muslims, Christians, Jews, Atheists, etc. live in Peace and not war.

Knowledge is power; power is freedom; freedom is peace...

Peace be upon you and upon us.

Answer 4

It preaches peace and tolerance. The killings and violence is incited by the political leaders in the Middle East, who pick and choose which parts of the religion to follow.

Answer 5

The people who commit violent acts in the name of Islam are not following true Islam. Islam is a beautiful and peaceful way of life in which Almighty God always comes first and foremost.

Answer 6

I highly recommend you pick up a Quran and study it for yourself although I can tell you that the word jihad as it is used in the Quran is more often referring to an inward struggle of the soul than armed conflict. That said, there is some pretty scary stuff in there such as the parts where it says to cut off the heads of unbelievers etc. but don't take my word for it there is a website where you can get a free Quran sent to you, read it for yourself.

Answer 7

Just like the Bible, it is open to interpretation. Some say it is a religion of peace, others say it is a religion of hate. In reality all are belief systems of followers. If you give a group of followers to a Leader who makes the interpretation for them, they will parrot their leader and do whatever he asks.

It's funny, most adherents act like they discovered their "faith" on their own. But really the fact they belong to a denomination shows that they are following someone else's interpretation not their own. The whole point of a religion is to bring a level of conformity amongst its followers. If you give them a hateful Leader, they will hate. If you give them a tolerant leader, they will be tolerant. If you become their leader...?

Answer 8

The actual passage that the radicals use doesn't say that at all.

What it actually says is that you may use self-defense if you are prosecuted, but it never once says physical or violent self-defense. the whole idea is supposed to be that if you are challenged or persecuted, then you stand up for your beliefs.

sadly there are people who misinterpret this. just like there are christians who misinterpret the bible (i.e. fundamentalists) and use it as an excuse to hurt others. you get the crazies in every religion.

Answer 9

Remember 9/11.

Answer 10

This is the problem with all religion. They all claim to have the one true god. They have their divine books which are purported as the word of god and the absolute power.

Ever heard the phrase Power corrupts and Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Apply this to any religion, and anything can be done in gods name.

ALL Religion is corrupt and corrupted!!!!!