Tuesday 9 July 2013

“In Islam theological rebuttal of violence does not exist”

If you’re wondering why Jihad Watch blogger Robert Spencer was barred from entering Britain by government bureaucrats, it’s because he says things like this:

… there is no theological system in Islam, there is no sect, there is no group within Islam that has formulated a comeback, an understanding, a construction of Islamic theology based on the Koran that makes a case to reject violence and supremacism and the subjugation of unbelievers. It doesn’t exist.

Search the Koran all you like—what you will find there expounded is not the framework for a religion of peace.

4 comments:

Paranormal said...

The whole 'religion of peace' thing is a mistranslation.

The correct translation, that both the handwringers and Islamists don't want let out, is 'the religion of submission'. A subtle but telling difference.

UglyTruth said...

Submission to Allah, not to muslims:

Let there be no compulsion in religion. Surah 2:256

The theological rebuttal of violence comes from the Qur'an itself, in that violence is limited to those who attack or oppress Muslims:

Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors. Surah 2:190

But if they desist, then lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. Surah 2:192

And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrong-doers. Surah 2:193

Terry said...

Ugly Truth -

You wrote, appeasingly and ignorantly, "The theological rebuttal of violence comes from the Qur'an itself, in that violence is limited to those who attack or oppress Muslims".

The first of the five pillars of Islam is belief, which involves swearing loyalty to Allah and all that is written in the Qur'an, without exception, as confirmed by Surah 33:36 : "It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair. And whoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into clear error."

The most "peaceful" interpretation of the Qur'an instructs Muslims to only fight against those who resist Muslims practicing (and spreading) Islam, per the surahs you have posted. The more violent interpretations, based on the earlier more peaceful surahs being abrograted and superseded by the later more violent ones, instruct Muslims to fight against all infidels/non-believers until they have submitted to Islam and that there is glory in dying in the process of doing so.

Assuming the "peaceful" approach to Islam, when there are verses like the 3 that follow (which represent only a small taste of what is found in the Islamic Holy book), how in the 21st century, in any rights respecting society, can a Muslim NOT encounter resistance against their practicing Islam, let-a-lone proselytizing of it:

Surah 4:34 commands how women are to be treated: "Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted and Grand."

Then Surahs 33:57-61 command that the religion of Islam may not be insulted, on pain of death, and for women to be covered: "Indeed, those who abuse Allah and His Messenger - Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter and prepared for them a humiliating punishment. And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin. O Prophet, tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to bring down over themselves [part] of their outer garments. That is more suitable that they will be known and not be abused. And ever is Allah Forgiving and Merciful. If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease and those who spread rumors in al-Madinah do not cease, We will surely incite you against them; then they will not remain your neighbors therein except for a little. Accursed wherever they are found, [being] seized and massacred completely."

Surah 65:4 confirms that marrying pre-pubescent girls is permitted under Islam, since the verse concerns the waiting period before *re-marriage*: "And those who no longer expect menstruation among your women - if you doubt, then their period is three months, and [also for] those who have not menstruated. And for those who are pregnant, their term is until they give birth. And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him of his matter ease." Mohammed set the precedent of Islam condoning paedophilia by his marrying a 6 year old girl and having sex with the child by age 9.

thor42 said...

Good on you, Terry - you're correct.

The *huge* amount of hatred in Islam's texts, the amount of time (and pages) that they spend talking about non-Muslims,
and the things like the apportioning of the "spoils of war" proves beyond any doubt that Islam is an *ideology*, not a "religion".