Response

Submitted by salman (United States), Dec 28, 2006 at 19:24

>> If I was a Mushrik (polytheist) in Mecca at that time and Abul Qasim aka Muhammad the caravn raider and Arabian warlord tells me that unless I convert to islam I will be killed, I will for sure convert to islam. <<

Except that you wouldn't have been told that. From what I understand, even after Mecca was conquered by Muslim forces, many polytheist clans still lived there for many years. They weren't forced to convert and were allowed to practice their religions -- they were, however, preached to, I assume, and invited to, voluntarily, become Muslims.

>> Do you think that the threat by Muhammad and his minions to kill the polytheists of Mecca was the reason for their conversion to Islam?

2. And would you agree with me that this is an example where Islam was indeed spread by the sword? <<

See above.

>> 3. Who are really al-mushrikeen in Q9:4? Let me help you they must be the Jews and Christians! Why is that? If you read Q9:30 your Allah and his rasul claim that Jews regard 3Uzair as the son of the God (sic) and the Christians regard Jesus as the son of God therefore both Jews and Christians are indeed Mushrikeen. Do you get it our dear salman? <<

I'm sorry, my knowledge of Judaism is limited. However, from what I understand, a mushrik is someone who would worship someone other than God.

>> 5. And if your allah is really omnipotent why would he asks mere human beings to go out and kill in his name when he can change the hearts of those polytheists without blood shed and mess? Unless your Allah is not omnipotent but in this case your Allah would not be a God. What do you think our dear salman? <<

God isn't asking anyone to kill anyone else (matters of war, self-defense not withstanding). In addition to that, to answer you question about why God doesn't just turn people's hearts, humans have been given free-will for a reason.

>> 6. And do you think that the threat by the likes of Mahmud of Ghazni that unless your ancestors the Hindus convert to islam they will be killed, this is why you are a Muslim now? And is this right? <<

Sorry, I can't speak to the actions of another person. Whether that happened out of ignorance, or malice, I can't say.

>> But like I say: you are out to spread the religion of the Arabs through the medium of the Arabic language that you do not speak, and in the process spread the imperialism of the Arabs that brutalized your ancestors and for this i say: Shame. <<

I'm not out to spread anything. I'm simply attempting to answer and attempt to clarify matters for you about which you appear to be somewhat ignorant.

As for your questions about arabic, I apologise but my arabic skills are just not up to par.

And, lastly, if you'd like for anyone to take you seriously, try to not be so condescending about matters which you do not appear to understand.

---

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".