authentic islam v modern Islam spin

Submitted by leigh thomson (New Zealand), Jan 4, 2006 at 01:06

It is essential to understand that the Wahhabi extremist ideology(which bin laden and other terrorists espouse whether=r tacitly or openly) is quite consistent with authentic Islam. However unpalatable it may be the fact is modern Islam does not represent authentic Islam.

Modern Islam is simply a response to the reality that a religion that calls for the demise, if necessary by force, of alternative religions can' t survive the legitimate human rights of non-believers. The United Nations at least can attempt to maintain this protection for non believers. The key point here to note that Islamic countries do not accept the UN Charter of human rights, but would only accept a charter that was not inconstant with sharia (Islamic) law.

Muslims often cites a single verse from the Koran to claim that Islam "tolerates" other religions (said to be in contrast to the Wahhabbi ideology) but ignores the context of that verse and the contradictory pattern that emerges from the later (Medinan) revelations of the Koran.

Thus the Koranic verse must be placed in proper context. It was "revealed" during a period when Mohammad was politically weak in Mecca and at the time was a minority group (unremarkably for minority groups) "tolerant" of others. This changed later when he gained power both politically and militarily, and had been unable to persuade the Jews he was a prophet.
The following verses are representative of the exhortations in the later Median surahs. The doctrine of abrogation invented to explain the contradictions with earlier verses means that the apparentl\y tolerant verse quoted is overruled by the later verses. More important historically the later verses reflect accurately the context of violence and subjugation by Mohammad that is portrayed as an inherent part of Allah's objective. This is clearly taken from the context of early Islam as recorded by early Islamic authors such Ishaq in his Life of Mohammad.

The following verses indicate that modern Islam does not represent authentic Islam: Note they are chronically near the end of the Medina period. The numbers are simply the numerical order of the original compilation of the Koran

Invite not the infidels to peace when you have the upper hand (surah 11)
He (Allah) will make it (Islam) victorious over other religions(s 61)
Take not infidels for friends other than believers, would ye furnish God with a clear right to punish you (s4)
Take not infidels for friends showing them kindness; If you do you have gone astray from the even way (s 60)
Only the faithful (Muslims) are brethren- make peace between your brethren (s 49)
Don't take Christians or Jews as friends, if you do God won't guide you and you are evildoers. (s5)
Believers. Wage war against such of your neighbours as are infidels and let them find you rigorous. (s93)

The best kept secret of the modern world and of Islam is that the Wahabbi approach is perfectly consistent with how Mohammad practised and developed Islam. He was tolerant when the community was weak in Mecca, and violent when he and the community subsequently became strong in Medina.
Fledgling Muslim communities in Western countries as minorities (as in Mecca when Mohammad first claimed revelations from Gabriel) accordingly are peaceable. As they grow they challenge existing secular laws and seek privileges and exemptions designed to introduce elements of sharia law.
They may well claim to be tolerant of other religions, but see Islam as a complete system that will dominate and overcome other religions politically as well as religiously. Although they then say other religions are adequately protected under sharia law the "protection" is oppressive and curtails freedoms. The public demonstration of alternative religions is suppressed. Conversion of Muslims to another religion is usually a crime as is criticism of Islam or its prophet Mohammad and also raises the risk of injury or death by defenders of Islam.

This is consistent with Mohammad's teaching about the fate of apostates and with the violence towards those who dared to criticise or mock Islam and Mohammad. Poets were murdered at the bequest of Mohammad. The refuge of the holy kaba (when Muhammad conquered Mecca, after his exile to Medina from Mecca) was denied to apostates and opponents whom Mohammad wanted killed.
The claim about Christians being violent presupposes they acted with the support of their role models. The role models for Christians are Jesus and the teachings of the New Testament. These so not support forceful conversion or state sanctioned vilence against other faiths. So the Crusaders were either sincere and mislead by their leaders, or were simply hypocrites.The Koran and Moahmmad support violence in the name of their religion.. It's that simple. At least Mohammad was embarrassed when his worse henchman Khalid killed non believers (after being sent out by Mohammad following the conquering of Mecca).But it didnt stop the violence.

Authentic Islam then is the underlying problem. This is because modern Islam is based on selected parts of the Koran that are taken out of context (a) with the actual pattern of teachings in the later revelations that make up the Koran and (b) the historical actions of and teachings of Mohammad.
So Islam needs to be reformed, but how do you reform the claimed "word" of God?

Ultimately, as the Muslim presence in Europe grows ever stronger by demographic means the chickens will come home to roost for future generations, as the Medinan modus operandi of authentic Islam flexes its intolerant muscles.

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