Muhammad democratic? Islam/submission democratic?

Submitted by trans-parere (Canada), May 20, 2008 at 19:12

Dear Khawla

Muhammad sent letters to the tribal chiefs telling them basically that if they want to hold onto their clan authority they had best join him or he will send his army. They had a very clear choice and no options. Join Islam and submit to his authority or die.

Of course this was his second method. His first method of letting people choose for themselves brought few converts and a lot of hostility from the local tribes who didn't think of him as one of theirs. In fact Muhammad and his few followers were treated harshly and had to flee the area about Mecca and take refuge in Medina, a place of Jews. No one wanted Islam and the tribes only accepted Muhammad's authority and Islam as a way to stay alive after he had amassed an army of converts based on robbery, rape and pillage of the lesser tribes, local pagans and some Jews.

P.S. I loved your redefining of the nature of democracy and Islam. An authoritative democracy. Like imprisoned freedom.

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