You cant be serious

Submitted by Vicky (United States), Mar 29, 2006 at 11:57

I disagree with you when you say that Islam is a religion, because Islam cannot be reduced to a religion. Rather, Islam is a way of life, the best way of life, since it was revealed to humans by God. It is only logical that our Creator knows more about us then ourselves, and a result we should always try to live by His laws.

It might be true that peope who brutally enforce Sharia Law miss the mark, since they inappropriately interpret God's Laws. Prophet Jesus was so hard on the Jews of his day because they had perverted the Law of God to suit their own needs. All people need to stop changing God' Laws, and begin living by the principles God has revealed to us.

I will also agree with you, when you say that Islam has gone deeper into darkness. However, this is not because Muslims understand their religion more; rather, it is because Muslims have lost tough with religion; Muslims today no longer live by God's laws, and as a result, have gone deeper into darkness. Some extremists interpret some laws, and ignore others, to suit their own ends.

How can you be so certain about God's laws? Your words reek of hubris; you are just a human being, and it would be good if you refrain from claiming to know the Divine Law. As for executing someone who converts out os Islam, there is a matter of disagreement amongst scholars as to whether that law is always applicable. Covering a head of a woman is something the woman herself does. If this is forced upon her, this is not to my knowledge part of an Islamic precepts, since the Qur'an itself states "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:256). This verse is also a refutation for the execution of someone who converts to another faith. The actions of those in Afghanistan can be considered questionable.

And finally, Islam forbids the killing of all people, unless one is an enemy combatant. Moreover, even in the time of war, Islam forbids killing women, children, and old men who are not able to fight. Always. It seems as if you are using the actions of some misguided, extremist Muslims, and you are using their actions of this overwhelming minority (less than 3% of the 1.5 billion Muslim population) to judge Islam. This is illogical, wrong, and false. You should not judge Islam by the actions of Muslims, but rather by the Islamic texts and rules and regulations.

Let me just end with one of my favorite Hadeeth, or saying of the Holy Prophet (may God's peace and blessings be upon him):
"None of you truly believes until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself." Imam Nawawi commented in his compilation of 40 Prophetic Traditions that, "the brotherhood referenced is that of humanity."

---

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".