Originally posted by mahasattva
The people are not terrorists just because they are born in an Islamic country and they think they are Muslims. Terrorists are those who follow the teachings of Muhammad. Quran is a book that inspires its followers to hate the non-believers, to kill them, subdue them and treat them as second-class citizens. But not all Muslims follow what Quran teaches. The majority of Muslims are not even aware of what Quran teaches or how Muhammad lived.Take your own example. You say that you are not a fanatical violent person, you believe in peace, love and tolerance. Did you learn these qualities by reading Quran or are they part of your own family and society values? Let us see what Quran say:
3:28, Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah
Is this how you think about your Christian, Hindu or atheist neighbors? Do you really reject the friendship of good people just because they are not Muslims? If you answer in negative then you are not really following the teachings of Quran even though you call yourself a Muslim.
How about this teaching:
2:216, Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you
What do you say about this? Did you pack to go to Afghanistan to fight in the Jihad called by the Taliban? Do you think those who did that were wrong? Don’t you think teachings such as these motivate some people to become Jihadis and kill innocent kafirs? How can you reconcile your love for humanity with teachings these teachings?
What about this one?
4:84, Then fight in Allah’s cause - Thou art held responsible only for thyself - and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment.
Do you think this verse teaches tolerance?
Quran is replete with verses such as these. Don’t you think the Islamic terrorists get their inspirations from these verses?
Great to know this thread is alive again. I was surprised! Haven't visited in ages.
That is a very bold statement you are making there by declaring that the followers of Muhammad and Quran are the terrorist. However, we'll get back to that one later, let's focus on the quotes you have provided in your response which give a classic example of taking things out of context. I am not here to defend Islam, but to provide a rationale of some sort since I am trying to approach this objectively for the sake of inquisitive and seeking people like yourself.
The full verse is:
3:28 Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may guard yousrelves from them. But Allah cautions you (to remember) himself; for the final goal is to Allah.
If you go back to the beginning of this section, beginning from 3:21, you will come across this statement, "As to those who deny the Signs of Allah, and in defiance of right, slay the prophets and slay those who teach just dealing with mankind, announce to them a grievous penalty." And if you carry those people described above throughout the rest of the section, you will see that it is those people who are the Unbelievers in this sense (or at least that's how I interpret it, but based on logical understanding). Basically, it is saying that those who, to defend themselves, "slay the prophets and those who teach just dealing with mankind," do not acquaint yourself with them. It is said, that your company will display your character or another saying would be "evil communications corrupt good manners." Would you like your children to befriend a murderer?
The full verse is:
2:216, Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not.
If you know anything about the Quran, it is to not separate little sections and make them stand out for themselves. Quran works as a whole body. For example, you can take a verse of a Bible and it stands out on its on (I give this example, but I know more about the Bible than any other I could think of), but Quran, it's a unified text. That in mind, this Surah that you are citing encompasses the entire religion into the longest chapter in the Holy Book. If you read, it talks about the pilgrimage, women, charity, inheritance... and deals with it in small quantity here and there. Quran talks about charity here, and does so in many other verses. Further on from this verse, we read "they ask thee ...." What it is stating is a mere summary of the entire act itself - and because it's a summary, there are many instances in which the act is further described. (because we all know that the chapters were not necessary revealed in the order you see it written)Regardless, if you would follow me to to 2:190 (the entire passage might intrigue you, to be honest, but I shall cite whatever suits my purpose)
2:190 onward: Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not trangress limits; for Allah loveth not trangressors. [it describes how to deal with those trangressors which contains the infamous passage "And slay them wherever ye catch them" etc etc] But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah, but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression.
I think this verse is quite self explanatory - the strife is against those who oppress and transgress - kinda like what the US did against Iraq because of Saddam Hussein who was oppressive, "so let's eliminate the danger and rid of him altogether" was the thought that led all there.
The full verse is:
4:84, Then fight in Allah’s cause - Thou art held responsible only for thyself - and rouse the believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the fury of the Unbelievers; for Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment.
Good finding, like many other that are very easy to find since people have a tendency to take everything and make it stand on its own in the Quran. However, let's start with a verse not too far behind, please take the time to read for it is a bit long,
4:81 onwards: They have "obedience" on their lips; but when they leave thee, a section of them meditate all night on things very different from what thou tellest them [hypocrites are being referred here]. But Allah records their nightly (plots): so keep clear of them, and put thy trust in Allah, and enough is Allah as a disposer of affairs. Do they not consider the Quran (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therin much discrepancy. When there comes to them some matter touching (public) safety or fear, they divulge it. If they had only referred it to the Messenger or to those charged with authority among them, the proper investigators would have tested it from them (direct). Were it not for the Grace and Mercy of Allah unto you, All but a few of your would have followed Satan. Then fight in Allah's cause - thou art herd responsible Only for thyself - and rouse the Believers. It may be that Allah will restrain the furty of the Unbelievers; For Allah is the strongest in might and in punishment. Whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden: And Allah hath power over all things."
Who are being talked about here? Hypocrites, as I mentioned, and those who do wrong. It is clearly stated, and I would like to emphasize, "whoever recommends and helps a good cause becomes a partner therein: and whoever recommends and helps an evil cause, shares in its burden." Who are bad? Those who do bad things. Who are good? Those who recommend and help a good cause. This is a theme carried throughout the Quran.
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And because you had stated that followers of the Quran and Prophet's teachings are terrorist, I will provide you with some example (of course, not all, that's a big book to cite verses from) that teach good things.
4:86 When a (courteous) greeting is offered you, meet it with a greeting still more courteous, or (at least) of equal courtesy. Allah takes careful account of all things.
Note, it is not said "when a courteous greeting is offered you by a fellow muslim brother, only then meet it with a greeting still more...." it is very general in stating: Deal with courtesy all who deal with you nicely. Simple and plain as that.
2:277 Those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and establish regular prayers, and regular charity, will have their reward with their Lord: on them shall be no fear, not shall they grieve."
And,
2:254 Oh ye who believe! Spend out of (the bounties) we have provided for you, before the Day [of judgment] comes when no bargaining (will avail), not friendship nor intercession. Those who reject Faith - they are wrongdoers."
I would like to note, that here it is talking about Day of Judgment in which each individual's dealings will be with God and God alone including all - wrongdoers and those who do right.