Radical implies something well beyond the norm; something extreme. So to start my analysis it was important for me to understand what is the norm in Islam. What standards did Muhammad set by his preaching and practices? What are the limits of acceptability? Are aggressive wars against innocent civilians acceptable? How about genocide, terrorism or suppressing woman as inequals?
The term 'Radical Islam' suggests a deviation from the orthodox standard of Islam.
Quite frankly, I must admit that some time ago I believed the PC (politically correct) driven comments that Islam is a peaceful religion being hijacked by a small minority of extremists. However, having since lived in the Muslim world and having taken the time to review the Qur'an (aka Koran), I'm now under the sad realization that the minority is not so minor.
Islam is clearly unique among the world's religions as its doctrine, theology and legal system all mandate warfare against unbelievers. The Koran is clear that the peace that Islam envisions will only come “when everyone is a Muslim or at least subject to the Islamic state … to establish that peace, Muslims must wage war.” The Koran’s numerous and consistent violent passages call upon Muslims of all times to fight unbelievers with impunity and spread Islam with the sword. I think the passages can speak for themselves.
Several statements taken from from the Hilali & Khan translation of the Qur’an as Allah’s words, and which seem to demonstrate a theme are illustrated below. The Surah:Ayat numbers are linked to the source for verification and access to the entire document. Bracketed references are to Ibn Kathir’s Tafsir, which explains the meaning of the ayat. Muhammad’s words come from Khan’s translation of Sahih Bukhari, the most accepted and trusted hadith collection.
While I continue to believe that most people, including people of Islamic relegion, are inherently good and recognize the evil of terrorism, Allah’s words taken from the Hilali & Khan translation of the Qur’an give me reason for continued analysis.
8:67 It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war (and free them with ransom) until he had made a great slaughter (among his enemies) in the land. You desire the good of this world (i.e. the money of ransom for freeing the captives), but Allâh desires (for you) the Hereafter. And Allâh is All-Mighty, All-Wise.
Abu Dawud Book 38, Number 4390: Narrated Atiyyah al-Qurazi: I was among the captives of Banu Qurayzah. They (the Companions) examined us, and those who had begun to grow hair (pubes) were killed, and those who had not were not killed. I was among those who had not grown hair.
The scripture purports to tell a story where Muhammad took approximately 800 captive men of the Banu Qurayzah, dug a trench in Medina, decapitated the men and barried them into the trench. Then he did the same to their adolescent sons.
Is aggressive Jihad standard or radical? How did Muhammad teach?
2:190 And fight in the Way of Allâh those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allâh likes not the transgressors. 2:191 And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Harâm (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers. 2:193 And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allâh) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allâh (Alone). But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zâlimûn (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.) 2:195 And spend in the Cause of Allâh (i.e. Jihâd of all kinds, etc.) and do not throw yourselves into destruction (by not spending your wealth in the Cause of Allâh), and do good. Truly, Allâh loves Al-Muhsinûn (the good-doers). 2:216 Jihâd (holy fighting in Allâh’s Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allâh knows but you do not know. 8:39 And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allâh) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allâh Alone [in the whole of the world ]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allâh), then certainly, Allâh is All-Seer of what they do. 9:29 Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allâh, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allâh and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islâm) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
Sahih Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Number 387: Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah’s Apostle said, “I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.’ And if they say so, pray like our prayers, face our Qibla and slaughter as we slaughter, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally and their reckoning will be with Allah.” Narrated Maimun ibn Siyah that he asked Anas bin Malik, “O Abu Hamza! What makes the life and property of a person sacred?” He replied, “Whoever says, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah’, faces our Qibla during the prayers, prays like us and eats our slaughtered animal, then he is a Muslim, and has got the same rights and obligations as other Muslims have.”
Sahih Bukhari Volume 5, Book 59, Number 512: Narrated Anas: The Prophet offered the Fajr Prayer near Khaibar when it was still dark and then said, “Allahu-Akbar! Khaibar is destroyed, for whenever we approach a (hostile) nation (to fight), then evil will be the morning for those who have been warned.” Then the inhabitants of Khaibar came out running on the roads. The Prophet had their warriors killed, their offspring and woman taken as captives. Safiya was amongst the captives, She first came in the share of Dahya Alkali but later on she belonged to the Prophet. The Prophet made her manumission as her ‘Mahr’.
The phrase “Whenever we approach a nation” seems to suggest a quest for supremecy and Jihad appears part of the Islamic Deen. If you follow the link to that ahadith (which I highly recommend), trace it back to the Sunnah page and read the entirety of Books 52 & 53 in order to better understand Muhammad's regular practices.
Islam intolerance, or perhaps construed as uncompromising adherence, demonstrates a strong theme of self riotousness and absolute power of religious interpretation. It is not an overstatement or the words of a racist or hatemonger to when I say that Islam threatens America.
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