Is it Middle East or Islam?

Submitted by B.N.Gururaj (India), May 16, 2009 at 23:38

I do not want to sound like another Islam baiter. But, what little is left of Pagan Arabia shows, they were known to be kind, hospitable and generous to the guests, to a fault. There was a saying that for the sake of feeding his guest, a pagan arab would kill his camel, the most valuable possession in the desert! Dignity of human being and value of human life certainly suffered devaluation under Islam, right from the time of prophet. Example is how Jewish tribe of Banu Khuraiza was massacred ruthlessly under the approving eyes of the Prophet. After the conquest of Quaba, the pagan believers were forced to destroy the idols they worshipped with their own hands. When one of the clans prayed for six months time to do so, the Prophet ruthlessly declined to allow time, as he would not have any idol-worship in Islamic Arabia.

The choice punishments meted out to offenders under Islam also shows utter disregard for human dignity, life and limbs. Whipping in the public, chopping of limbs, death by stoning are examples. Perhaps, these may have been inherited from the pre-Islamic past too. The fact that they continue to be used for inflicting punishment under the Sharia shows the barbaric choice of punishments to the offenders. One has to further look at Indian medieval history, as recorded by the Muslim chroniclers to see the ruthlessness, cruelty and wantonness with which the Islamic invaders destroyed the ancient culture of India. Fortunately it could not be totally destroyed.

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