What is Islam known for?

Question

Besides beheading people on video tape and other terrorist acts.

HUGH - It was a rhetorical question. Don't get your panties all in a wad!

Answer 1

you just admitted to knowing nothing about that which you've criticized----congrats einstein

Answer 2

First, I would like to correct what you are thinking about Islam, as attached to terrorism. I really do not blame you, for the videotapes of beheadinf etc. do not represent Islam: any prisoner in Islam, regardless of his type (an invader, a civilian, etc.) should not be killed. This is a historical fact about Islamic warfare.
Then, I would like to tell you some brief facts about Islam:
1- Worshipping one God (Allah in Arabic), believing in all the prophets.
2- Jesus is a Prophet in Islam, not the son of God
3-praying 5 times a day, with a big sermon on Friday
4- Worship is direct, from the individual to God: there is no priest who tells you ego te absolvo or you are damned, or anything, for their is no priestdom in Islam. The individual is responsible for his/her worship.
5- Contrary to what is disseminated in media, Islam does not exclude the other religions at all. An Islamic state can subsume all faiths (history facts)

Finally, I wish you can read about Islam from an objective viewpoint. Many American scholars have neutrally written about Islam. I recommend John Espositto's books (He is the head of the Christian-Islamic council at George Town University).

I wish my answer is satisfactory

Answer 3

Islam is a religion that makes up roughly 20% of the world's population.

Islamic scholars were responsible for the development of marine navigation in the 1300s that allowed European explorers to cross the Atlantic and later circle the globe.

Islamic artists and writers has created stunning works of art, and architecture, and they have one of the highest literacy rates of any religion their age.

What you are talking about are actions by less than 1/100th of 1% (that's less than 1 out of over 10,000) fanatics.

By that standard, America is known for being child molesters and felons, because 1% (100x as many) of the US population have been convicted of those crimes.

Answer 4

TIslam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism. In the Quran, God has said:


Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion nor drove you out of your homes. Verily, Allah loves those who deal with equity.
Surah (Chapter) Al-Mumtahanah (The Woman to be examined) Qur-an 60:8

The Prophet Muhammad ( may Allah exalt him and grant him peace ) used to prohibit soldiers from killing women and children,1 and he would advise them: {...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.}2 And he also said: {Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years.}3

Also, the Prophet Muhammad ( may Allah exalt him and grant him peace ) has forbidden punishment with fire.4

He once listed murder as the second of the major sins,5 and he even warned that on the Day of Judgment, {The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed.6}7

Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are forbidden to hurt them. Once the Prophet Muhammad ( may Allah exalt him and grant him peace ) said: {A woman was punished because she imprisoned a cat until it died. On account of this, she was doomed to Hell. While she imprisoned it, she did not give the cat food or drink, nor did she free it to eat the insects of the earth.}8

He also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink, so God forgave his sins for this action. The Prophet ( may Allah exalt him and grant him peace ) was asked, "Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?" He said: {There is a reward for kindness to every living animal or human.}9

Additionally, while taking the life of an animal for food, Muslims are commanded to do so in a manner that causes the least amount of fright and suffering possible. The Prophet Muhammad ( may Allah exalt him and grant him peace ) said: {When you slaughter an animal, do so in the best way. One should sharpen his knife to reduce the suffering of the animal.}10

In light of these and other Islamic texts, the act of inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians, the wholesale destruction of buildings and properties, the bombing and maiming of innocent men, women, and children are all forbidden and detestable acts according to Islam and the Muslims. Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the vast majority have nothing to do with the violent events some have associated with Muslims. If an individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism, this person would be guilty of violating the laws of Islam.

_____________________________

(1) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1744, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3015.

(2) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi, #1408.

(3) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3166, and Ibn Majah, #2686.

(4) Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #2675.

(5) Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6871, and Saheeh Muslim, #88.

(6) This means killing and injuring.

(7) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6533.

(8) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2422, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2365.

(9) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466.

(10) Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi, #1409.

Note: From the book of "A Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam" by I.A.Ibrahim

Answer 5

Not eating pork, like the Jewish religion. Circumcision, like the Jewish religion. Fridays as prayer day, like the Jewish religion.