I don't mean this to be confrontational, because you're welcome to ask me the same question about the Bible if you wish. But what about the verses that speak to eliminating the non-believers. And what about Muhammad later in life, and his war against Mecca. Those are the things that extremist look to, so how do moderate (or whatever the proper term is) followers of Islam handle them?
Yes, good questions.
I'll only say a few words on them at the moment. I handle extremist Muslims (haven't run into any yet in my 51 years) like I handle any other murderous criminals. I call them out and condemn them!
No such thing as a 'moderate' Muslim. Muslim=one who surrenders to the will of God and worships NONE but God ALONE. He believes in ALL of the prophets and messengers of God. Islam is as old as the universe, not 1400 years old. The sun, moon, stars and planets, plants and animals are in submission to their creator.
1. The ONLY 'non-believers' that the book/verses allows to be "eliminated", are the ones who attempt to eliminate me/us! Also known as self-defense. Yes religious enemies are often called "non-believers"
Trying to force someone to believe in God or accept religion is silly. Killing them for rejecting, is murder! It violates the very tenets of Islam, as God reveals in the following verses.
2:255 Allah — there is no god but He, the Ever-living, the Self-subsisting by Whom all subsist. Slumber overtakes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth. Who is he that can intercede with Him but by His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them. And they encompass nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge extends over the heavens and the earth, and the preservation of them both tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Great.
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion — the right way is indeed clearly distinct from error. So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah, he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing.
2:62 Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, they have their reward with their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve.
18:29 And say: The Truth is from your Lord; so let him who please believe, and let him who please disbelieve.
15:2 Again and again will those who disbelieve, wish that they had bowed (to Allah's will) in Islam.
15:3 Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them).
Reminder: Arabic speaking Christians and Jews use the same name for God.
Allah. It's in their scriptures, which predates the Qur'an.
2. I have blood family members who are Christian, Atheist and Jewish (my brother-in-law is a Jew, so my nieces and nephews are my blood).
3. One of the Holy Prophet's wives,
Safiyyah bint Huyayy (pbuh) was a Jew.
Safiyyah daughter of Huyayy (Huyayy was a chief of a Jewish tribe in Arabia).
4. You (anyone) can take any verse out of context and use that verse to justify their actions.
5. Yes fighting in self-defense IS allowed, otherwise you and your family will be wiped out! However, when the 'non-believers' cease hostilities, Muslims are to do the same....CONTEXT. This is still a violent world, religion or not. Always has been and alway will be, until Christ returns (after his work is completed, I might add. The wicked must be uprooted from power first!).
Matthew 10:34. "
Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."
At first, the early Muslims weren't even allowed to fight back! Muhammad (pbuh) was always seeking a peaceful alternative.
2:190 And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you but be not aggressive. Surely Allah loves not the aggressors.
2:191 And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it; so if they fight you (in it), slay them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
2:192 But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
8:61 And if they incline to peace, incline thou also to it, and trust in Allah. Surely He is the Hearer, the Knower.
8:62 And if they intend to deceive thee, then surely Allah is sufficient for thee. He it is Who strengthened thee with His help and with the believers.
60:7 It may be that Allah will bring about friendship between you and those of them whom you hold as enemies. And Allah is Powerful; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
60:8 Allah forbids you not respecting those who fight you not for religion, nor drive you forth from your homes, that you show them kindness and deal with them justly. Surely Allah loves the doers of justice.
60:9 Allah forbids you only respecting those who fight you for religion, and drive you forth from your homes and help (others) in your expulsion, that you make friends of them; and whoever makes friends of them, these are the wrongdoers.
War against Mecca?
http://insideislam.wisc.edu/2012/04/important-events-the-conquest-of-mecca/
"By this time, the Muslims had become a formidable force and so in 630 C.E. the Prophet Muhammad decided to take an army of 10,000 towards Mecca. Once the Muslims had reached Mecca, the leaders of Quraysh surrendered. As a result the Prophet Muhammad announced:
"Those who shelter in the Ka’ba are safe; those who shelter in the house of Abu Sufyan are safe, and those who remain confined to their houses are also safe.
This day no reproach shall be on you. God will forgive you; He is the Most Merciful of the Merciful. You can go away!"
Many of the Meccans, who were expecting some sort of punishment, were surprised by the Prophet’s statement and some decided to become Muslim. Thus, the conquest of Mecca was bloodless and ended years of warfare and violence between Quraysh and the Muslims.
This event is significant for Muslims because it demonstrates the character of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). He could have exacted revenge, in accordance with the traditions of the Arabs, but instead he showed mercy on the Meccans. This is an important reminder for Muslims even to the present day about how conflict should be addressed. Finally, the conquest was a defining moment because it established Islam on the Arabian Peninsula, from there it spread to become a major world religion."
So, it is pretty clear that Allah (God) does not condone any forced conversion, I don't care what's portrayed in the media!
Jihad: A Misunderstood Concept from Islam - Forced Conversion?
http://www.islamicsupremecouncil.or...misunderstood-concept-from-islam.html?start=3
Forced Conversion?
"So the foundation of Jihad is Islamic propagation (da’wah). The question often asked is whether Islam condones and teaches the forced and armed conversion of non-Muslims. This is the image sometimes projected by Western scholars and as any Muslim scholar will tell you, is seriously flawed. The Qur’an clearly states “There is no compulsion in religion, the path of guidance stands out clear from error” [2:256] and [60:8]. In this verse, the word “rushd” or “path of guidance” refers to the entire domain of human life, not just to the rites and theology of Islam.
There is no debate about the fact that pre-Islamic Arabia was a misguided society dominated by tribalism and a blind obedience to custom. In contrast, the clarity of Islam and its emphasis on reason and rational proofs excluded any need to impose it by force. This verse is a clear indication that the Qur’an is strictly opposed to the use of compulsion in religious faith. Similarly, Allah addressed Sayiddina Muhammad r saying, “Remind them, for you are only one who reminds.” [88:21]
Allah addresses the believers, urging them to obey the injunctions of Islam, “Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and beware (of evil): if you do turn back, then know that it is Our Messenger’s duty to proclaim (the message) in the clearest manner.” [5:92] However, this verse makes it clear that the Messenger’s duty is only to proclaim and preach the message; it remains to each individual to accept and to follow"
I'll end on this note. The prophet (pbuh) rejected all forms of extremism, in all walks of life. He taught people to seek the middle ground in everything from warfare to the volume of our voices in prayer. That is how he lived. He was known as a noble and honorable man even before the call to prohethood at the age of 40.
Peace and blessings be upon him!
"Never! By God, God will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your relatives, help the poor, serve your guests generously, and assist those hit with calamities" ~Khadijah (pbuh), wife.
Moderation and balance in Islam
https://abuaminaelias.com/moderation-and-balance-in-islam/
Does the Quran Really Sanction Violence Against ‘Unbelievers’?
By Kabir Helminski
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kabir-helminski/does-the-quran-really-adv_b_722114.html
