Reply to Edward: Salman Rushdie is still alive.

Submitted by Nuray (Portugal), Nov 7, 2005 at 17:06

Dear Edward,

You wrote that
"Why is it that all islamists always quote the same aya "there is no compulsion in religion" when the world knows that islam is the most intolerant religion? "
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Why not? Allah says so in Quran. We Muslims believe so. That verse continue "Verily, the Right Path has become distinct from the wrong path."(2:256) Allah wants individuals to understand with their own mind. No gun should be pointed to someones head to urge him/her to accept Islam. This is completely forbidden. This verse is generally applied when a new country is invaded in the past.

Then, Why does Islam not tolerant Non-Muslim people like Salman Rushdie? This has different context. The protection of society from baseless publications is crucial. Don't you see how Christian society is spoiled? Every Muslim may not get all necessary information about Islam to protect his religion/her. Can you blame a victim of drug user of buying drugs from a drug dealer? Those victims need all kind of protection to keep themselves away from deadly addiction. Similarly, Muslims keep the purity of religious society as if their jewellery. I can accept that they are overreacting. Death penalty is too much.

The book of Salman Rushdie "Al-Ayat ash-Shataniya" is not a big deal. The false claim was belong to pagan Arabs at the 6th century. He just retyped it. The answer to the allegations was already given by Allah in Quran. Muslims should have worried about it at all. Perhaps it was an internal political show of Khomeini at that time that's why Rushdie is still alive. I am sure all people against Islam bought his book. He must have been made a lot of money by selling old sayings of pagan Arabs who used to bury baby girls alive at 6th century to non-Muslim modern, civilized, educated people at 21st century. Clever guy, indeed. What else I can say about him.

You wrote that
"If Allah said "there is no compulsion in religion then why did he also say the following and many ayas like it. "
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Islam brought new law and orders to violent pagan Arabs at the life time of Muhammed, peace upon him. Battle of Badr,Uhud, etc were well documented in Quran to show how an Islamic stated was established. Islam is the religion of liberation. Therefore, it is common to find verses related to punishment of unbelievers during the war and /or after life.

All religions claim that their followers go to heaven, others to hell. Isn't it logical? If one follows the true path, the others should be on the opposite wrong path. As a Muslim I believe that Islam is the right path. Any way, all religions accept the day of resurrection. After life we will see who is wrong or right.

Nuray

---

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".