Did Muslims literally follow Muhmmad's example?

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Aug 10, 2021 at 00:35

Dear Dr Pipes: Thanks for your article "Godless Saracens Threatening Destruction" and for grounding it with strong historical evidence. It is very evident that Muslims created a reign of terror from Europe to Asia during Muhammad's life, and immediately and long after Muhammad lived. I wonder if these Muslims invaders followed Muhammad's example literally.

Your readers will like to know about the massacre of the Banu Quraysh tribe around Medina (ref 1). In this massacre Islamic armies beheaded all men and boys of the tribe because they had failed to fight on Muhammad's side in a previous war. It is acceped by both Muslim and non-Muslim sources that Muhammad personally approved of this massacre and was present not too far from where the murders were committed.

By tradition and by religious doctrine Muslims are instructed to live their lives by 1) quran 2) following examples of Muhammad's life, and 3) (if the first two do not apply) by using their judgment. For example, if a Muslim wants to know how to wash his hands and the instructions are not given in the Quran, he is supposed to find out how Muhammad washed his hands and follow Muhammad's prodedure. If he does not find how Muhammad washed his hands, then he can use his own power of discrimination and thinking.

When I look at the recent and historical Islamic killlers, I ask myself if these killers were just cruel or were following Muhammad's example (because they have been instructed to do so). For example, when bin Laden ordered the demolition of the WTC on 9/11, was Muhammad's example in his mind? Similarly, when ISIS killed thousands of Yezidis in Syria in 2014-15, were they literally copying Muhammad.

Some astute Muslim reader or historian should read this message and clarify my doubts. Or, some apologist should explain away.

ref 1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invasion_of_Banu_Qurayza

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".