The Severe Hatred for Unbelievers

Islam inspires tremendous hatred towards unbelievers for Muslims who take its commands seriously. Let us have a look at the Quran and Sahih hadiths to see the extent of this hatred.

(I) Commands from the Quran:

48:29 - Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves.

60:4 - There has already been for you an excellent pattern in Abraham and those with him, when they said to their people, "Indeed, we are disassociated from you and from whatever you worship other than Allah. We have denied you, and there has appeared between us and you animosity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone"

5:51 - O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends one to another. He among you who taketh them for friends is (one) of them. Lo! Allah guideth not wrongdoing folk.

9:23 - O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers.

58:22 - Thou wilt not find folk who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His messenger, even though they be their fathers or their sons or their brethren or their clan.

8:55 - Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are those who have disbelieved, and they will not [ever] believe

98:6 - Lo! those who disbelieve, among the People of the Scripture and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell. They are the worst of created beings.

9:73 - O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites! Be harsh with them. Their ultimate abode is hell, a hapless journey's end.

9:123 - O ye who believe! Fight those of the disbelievers who are near to you, and let them find harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him).

3:151 - We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve because they ascribe unto Allah partners, for which no warrant hath been revealed. Their habitation is the Fire, and hapless the abode of the wrong-doers.

22:19 to 22:22 - These are two adversaries who have disputed over their Lord. But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water. By which is melted that within their bellies and [their] skins. And for [striking] them are maces of iron. Every time they want to get out of Hellfire from anguish, they will be returned to it, and [it will be said], "Taste the punishment of the Burning Fire!"

4:56 - Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses - We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.

33:64 to 33:66 - Indeed, Allah has cursed the disbelievers and prepared for them a Blaze. Abiding therein forever, they will not find a protector or a helper. The Day their faces will be turned about in the Fire, they will say, "How we wish we had obeyed Allah and obeyed the Messenger."

(II) Disbelief is a bigger crime than murdering an unbeliever:

For a Muslim, leaving Islam is considered a crime punishable with death. To add insult to injury, murdering a non-Muslim will not ever warrant a death penalty.

Sahih al-Bukhari 6922 - "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."

Sunan ibn-Majah 2761 - “A Muslim should not be killed in retaliation for the murder of a disbeliever.”

(III) How Muhammad dealt with unbelievers:

Muhammad, the role model of mankind in Islam ordered the expulsion of every single non-Muslim from the Arabian peninsula.

Sahih Muslim 1767 - "I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula and will not leave any but Muslim."

Sunan Abu Dawud 3029 - “Expel the polytheists from Arabia, reward deputations as I did”.

Muwatta Imam Malik 1618 - "Two deens shall not co-exist in the Arabian Peninsula."

He pursued an all-out warfare to get rid of unbelievers from his territory if they refused to accept Islam.

9:5 - Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Sahih al-Bukhari 25: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity."

CONCLUSION: The above is just a small (but significant) sample of the hateful commands and examples shown in Islam towards unbelievers. The Quran is littered with verses condemning unbelievers to tortures in hell and preaching hatred towards them. The authentic hadiths portray Muhammad as a bigoted warlord who was obsessed with spreading Islam by force.

Usage of Girls for Sex Slavery

The Quran makes it very clear it is permitted for men to have sex with "those whom your right hands possess" or in other words - women used as sex slaves, outside marriage. Slavery itself is unacceptable because slaves are obliged to obey their masters, being considered their "possessions". With this in mind, it is very clear that using slave women for sex effectively amounts to rape.

4:24 - Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath Allah ordained (Prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,- desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agree Mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

23:5-6 - Who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame.

70:27-30 - And those who are fearful of the punishment of their Lord, indeed, the punishment of their Lord is not that from which one is safe - And those who guard their private parts, Save with their wives and those whom their right hands possess, for thus they are not blameworthy.

The hadiths describe this clearly, referencing Muhammad's words:

1). Permission to use female captives for sex slavery, even if they are married:

Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2150 - Abu Said al-Khudri said: "The apostle of Allah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of the apostle of Allah were reluctant to have intercourse with the female captives in the presence of their husbands who were unbelievers. So Allah, the Exalted, sent down the Quranic verse, "And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hands possess". That is to say, they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period." [The Quran verse is 4:24]

2). Muhammad advises men to stop withdrawing their penis during the sexual act (coitus interruptus) and instead complete the sexual act:

Sahih Bukhari 5:59:459 - Narrated Ibn Muhairiz: "I entered the mosque and saw Abu Khudri and sat beside him and asked him about coitus interruptus. Abu said, "We went out with Allah's messenger for the Ghazwa (attack upon) Banu Mustaliq and we received captives from among the Arab captives and we desired women and celibacy became hard on us and we loved to do coitus interruptus. So when we intended to do coitus interruptus we said "How can we do coitus interruptus without asking Allah's messenger while he is present among us?" We asked (him) about it and he said "It is better for you not to do so, for if any soul (till the Day of Resurrection) is predestined to exist, it will exist."

3). Muhammad supports Ali who obtained a slave girl from "khumus" or war-booty: 

Sahih Bukhari 5:59:637 - Narrated Buraida: The prophet sent Ali to Khalid to bring the Khumus ([one fifth] of the booty) and I hated Ali, and Ali had taken a bath (after a sexual act with a slave girl from the Khumus). I said to Khalid, "Don't you see this (i.e. Ali)?" When we reached the prophet I mentioned that to him. He said, "O Buraida! Do you hate Ali?" I said, "Yes" He said, "Do you hate him, for he deserves more than that from the Khumus."

CONCLUSION: Needless to say this is absolutely unacceptable. One might wonder why would a religion like Islam which normally strictly forbids sex outside marriage allows for this despicable practice. But when we look at things closely, sex in Islam follows a pattern:

1). Men are allowed to marry upto four wives while women are allowed only one husband.

2). Men who lead normal lives are restrained by the strict rules prohibiting sex outside marriage.

3). Men who take part in battles can obtain any number female captives who can be used for sex.

4). Men who are martyred in battles are promised paradise and extreme sexual pleasure in afterlife.

What do we see here? Islam was a religion made for men which entices men to take part in battles and get martyred to get the ultimate sexual pleasures on earth and paradise. If we cannot see through this, can we see through anything? It is good that Muslims don't mostly follow all of this today, but that doesn't change the fact that when the Islamic fundamentalist groups do it, their actions are well-justified scripturally.

The Flat Earth Theory

The Quran clearly endorses the age old theory that Earth is flat.

15:19 - And the earth We spread out, and placed therein firm mountains, and caused to grow therein all kinds of things in due proportion.

20:53 - Who has made earth for you like a bed (spread out); and has opened roads (ways and paths etc.) for you therein; and has sent down water (rain) from the sky. And We have brought forth with it various kinds of vegetation.

43:10 - Who has made for you the earth like a bed, and has made for you roads therein, in order that you may find your way.

79:30 - And after that He spread the earth.

These and other verses repeatedly mention that Allah spread the Earth like a bed - which implies that the Earth is flat. The Muslim defense comes mainly through interpreting 79:30 to mean that Earth is shaped like an ostrich egg. The justification for this is that 79:30 uses the arabic word "dahaha" which is derived from the word "duhiya" (every word in arabic is derived from its root word). They argue that duhiya means ostrich egg.

There are two big problems with this argument. Firstly duhiya does not mean ostrich egg but the place in sand where an ostrich lays its egg. Secondly even if we accept that it can somehow mean ostrich egg, the fact is that Earth is not shaped like an ostrich egg at all. Earth is roughly an oblate spheroid - which is the shape we get if we DECREASE the curvature of a sphere at its poles. Ostrich egg is roughly a prolate spheroid - which is the shape we get if we INCREASE the curvature of a sphere at its poles. A prolate spheroid never looks like an oblate spheroid no matter which angle we view it from. This is basic 3D geometry. Read this to get a basic idea on oblate and prolate spheroids.

Additionally, there is one more interesting verse that confirms the flat earth theory in the Quran.

2:144 - Verily! We have seen the turning of your (Muhammad's SAW) face towards the heaven. Surely, We shall turn you to a Qiblah (prayer direction) that shall please you, so turn your face in the direction of Al-Masjid- al-Haram (at Makkah). And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. Certainly, the people who were given the Scriptures (i.e. Jews and the Christians) know well that, that (your turning towards the direction of the Ka'bah at Makkah in prayers) is the truth from their Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what they do.

The above verse asks Muslims to turn their faces in the direction of the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca, wherever they are during prayer time. Obviously since the Earth is curved, people living far away from Arabia will have their faces pointed at the outer space when they attempt to face Mecca (unless of course they are facing the ground). Again, this verse further substantiates the ignorance of the author of Quran of Earth being spherical. Ultimately, the Quran fails to explain the shape of Earth correctly no matter how you twist the verses.

Creation of Universe and Miracle Claims

It is often claimed by Islamic apologists that Quran explains the "creation" of Universe in a miraculously correct manner. Muslims often claim that Quran explains the Big Bang theory correctly despite being written over 1400 years ago. This is one of the most commonly cited "Scientific miracles of the Quran". However, a careful look at the verses of the Quran shows something entirely different. Apart from the fact that it doesn't explain the big bang, the Quran also appears to contradict it, and makes claims that go against basic scientific knowledge of the universe.

The following verse is the base of the Islamic claim:

21:30 - Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?

This is allegedly referred to as an explanation of the big bang. The fact is though that apart from claiming that Earth and "heavens" (it is claimed that the heavens refers to the rest of the universe) were together, there is nothing that remotely matches big bang here. The verse also inaccurately claims that the Earth was "separated" or "parted" from the heavens. This is a troublesome claim because the Earth didn't even exist until BILLIONS of years after the big bang. Imagine how grossly inaccurate the verse is. But of course the apologists don't give up just like that. They say that the verse doesn't really claim the Earth existed in its current form when the separation happened. This doesn't sound convincing at all and if that was a description of the big bang, then it is the worst possible description I have ever read. Let's look at another part of the Quran to see some more claims it makes about the universe.

41:9 - Say (O Muhammad SAW): "Do you verily disbelieve in Him Who created the earth in two Days and you set up rivals (in worship) with Him? That is the Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all that exists).

41:10 - He placed therein (i.e. the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers) in four Days equal (i.e. all these four 'days' were equal in the length of time), for all those who ask (about its creation).

41:11 - Then He Istawa (rose over) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: "Come both of you willingly or unwillingly." They both said: "We come, willingly."

41:12 - Then He completed and finished from their creation (as) seven heavens in two Days and He made in each heaven its affair. And We adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment as well as to guard (from the devils by using them as missiles against the devils). Such is the Decree of Him the All-Mighty, the All-Knower.

Look at the order of creation here. First Allah made the Earth, then he placed mountains and things for sustenance of life. Then he rose towards the heaven when it was nothing but a puff of smoke. Then he shaped them into seven heavens and made stars to decorate and "guard" the lowest heaven. These verses clearly claim that the Earth was formed before the stars, no matter how you look at it. This is in direct conflict with science. Science tells us that stars were formed billions of years before the formation of Earth.

CONCLUSION: The Quran makes huge scientific errors in its verses describing the universe and the claim of "scientific miracle" is an absolute joke. These are things that should become clear to anyone who has a basic understanding of what big bang and science tells us about the timeline of universe.

Religious Warfare and Promise of Paradise

The emphasis that Islam places on religious warfare, killing and getting killed in the battlefield to attain paradise makes it dangerous when these commands are taken seriously. What makes things worse is that the violent verses of the Quran are said to be revealed later on, compared to the relatively peaceful verses earlier on. The chapter 9 for example is the second last chapter of the Quran (and the last major chapter), and filled with violent commands.

9:5 - Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (9:5) - In the Two Sahihs, it is recorded that Ibn `Umar said that the Messenger of Allah said, (I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, establish the prayer and pay the Zakah.) This honorable Ayah (9:5) was called the Ayah of the Sword, about which Ad-Dahhak bin Muzahim said, "It abrogated every agreement of peace between the Prophet and any idolator, every treaty, and every term.'' Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas commented: "No idolator had any more treaty or promise of safety ever since Surah Bara'ah was revealed. The four months, in addition to, all peace treaties conducted before Bara'ah was revealed and announced had ended by the tenth of the month of Rabi` Al-Akhir.''

Here is the hadith referenced by the Tafsirs:

Sahih al-Bukhari 25: Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Messenger said: "I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight against the people until they testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger, and offer the prayers perfectly and give the obligatory charity, so if they perform that, then they save their lives and property from me except for Islamic laws and then their reckoning (accounts) will be done by Allah."

9:29 - Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture - [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.

The verses that follow 9:29 explain the reason for fighting:

9:30 to 9:32 - The Jews say, "Ezra is the son of Allah", and the Christians say, "The Messiah is the son of Allah." That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded? They have taken their scholars and monks as lords besides Allah , and [also] the Messiah, the son of Mary. And they were not commanded except to worship one God; there is no deity except Him. Exalted is He above whatever they associate with Him. They want to extinguish the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah refuses except to perfect His light, although the disbelievers dislike it.

The Tafsirs confirm the purpose of the Jizyah tax - humiliation, degradation and disgrace of the unbelievers.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (9:29) - Allah said, (until they pay the Jizyah), if they do not choose to embrace Islam, (with willing submission), in defeat and subservience, (and feel themselves subdued.), disgraced, humiliated and belittled. Therefore, Muslims are not allowed to honor the people of Dhimmah or elevate them above Muslims, for they are miserable, disgraced and humiliated. Muslim recorded from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said, (Do not initiate the Salam to the Jews and Christians, and if you meet any of them in a road, force them to its narrowest alley.) This is why the Leader of the faithful `Umar bin Al-Khattab, may Allah be pleased with him, demanded his well-known conditions be met by the Christians, these conditions that ensured their continued humiliation, degradation and disgrace.

8:38 to 8:39 - Say to those who have disbelieved [that] if they cease, what has previously occurred will be forgiven for them. But if they return [to hostility] - then the precedent of the former [rebellious] peoples has already taken place. And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah. And if they cease - then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.

2:192 to 2:193 - And if they cease, then indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Fight them until there is no [more] fitnah and [until] worship is [acknowledged to be] for Allah. But if they cease, then there is to be no aggression except against the oppressors.

The meaning of the word "Fitnah" in context is disbelief and polytheism according to some translators and persecution according to some others. What is clear anyway, is that the polytheists are to be fought until two things are achieved: (1) Fitnah is no more (2) Religion is for Allah alone. Looking at the Tafsirs, it seems that the earliest scholars and companions understood Fitnah as "Shirk" meaning polytheism. It seems to be a never ending war that is not to be stopped till Islam triumphs over the whole world.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (2:193) - Allah then commanded fighting the disbelievers when He said: (...until there is no more Fitnah) meaning, Shirk. This is the opinion of Ibn `Abbas, Abu Al-`Aliyah, Mujahid, Al-Hasan, Qatadah, Ar-Rabi`, Muqatil bin Hayyan, As-Suddi and Zayd bin Aslam. Allah's statement: (...and the religion (all and every kind of worship) is for Allah (Alone).) means, `So that the religion of Allah becomes dominant above all other religions.' It is reported in the Two Sahihs that Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari said: "The Prophet was asked, `O Allah's Messenger! A man fights out of bravery, and another fights to show off, which of them fights in the cause of Allah'. The Prophet said: (I have been ordered (by Allah) to fight the people until they proclaim, `None has the right to be worshipped but Allah'. Whoever said it, then he will save his life and property from me, except for cases of the law, and their account will be with Allah.)

We have already seen the repeated calls to engage in warfare for the sake of Islam. Let's examine a few more Quran verses:

9:111 - Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah, so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.

4:74 - So let those fight in the cause of Allah who sell the life of this world for the Hereafter. And he who fights in the cause of Allah and is killed or achieves victory - We will bestow upon him a great reward.

4:95 - Not equal are those believers remaining [at home] - other than the disabled - and the mujahideen, [who strive and fight] in the cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred the mujahideen through their wealth and their lives over those who remain [behind], by degrees. And to both Allah has promised the best [reward]. But Allah has preferred the mujahideen over those who remain [behind] with a great reward.

2:216 - Fighting has been enjoined upon you while it is hateful to you. But perhaps you hate a thing and it is good for you; and perhaps you love a thing and it is bad for you. And Allah Knows, while you know not.

And the following is how Muslims are encouraged to act in the battlefield:

8:12 to 8:13 - [Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, "I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip." That is because they opposed Allah and His Messenger. And whoever opposes Allah and His Messenger - indeed, Allah is severe in penalty.

According to these verses:

1). The best way to attain paradise is to kill and get killed in warfare for the sake of Islam.

2). Even if you attain paradise by other means, it is those who die in religious warfare who get the best treatment by far in paradise.

3). Religious warfare is something Muslims should engage in even if they dislike it, because God has ordained it.

The puzzle is not complete without a look at what Islam offers the pious Muslims in paradise:

78:31 to 78:34 - Verily, for the Muttaqun, there will be a success (Paradise); Gardens and grapeyards; And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age; And a full cup (of wine).

In other words, Islam offers Muslims in afterlife the pleasures that it forbids in the real life. It is a well-engineered ideology to control human minds and direct it to achieve religious supremacy.

Sun Revolves Around the Earth

The author of the Quran clearly seems unaware of the fact that Sun doesn't actually orbit the Earth, and the apparent orbit is an illusion caused by Earth's rotation.

36:37 to 36:40 - A token unto them is night. We strip it of the day, and lo! they are in darkness. And the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. And for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.

As you can see, Quran mentions the orbit or course of the Sun in context with the onset of night. It never mentions the fact that Earth rotates - which is the actual cause of night. This leaves us with only one logical explanation: The Sun orbits the Earth according to Quran. We can also note the weird motion of the sun which involves a resting place during night time. Muslims defend these verses arguing that Sun’s rotation about its own axis or its revolution around galaxy is being talked about here. However this is logically absurd as there is no need to mention the day and the night in context with Sun’s rotation or its revolution around galaxy. The statement: "It is not allowed for sun to overtake the moon" would be meaningful only if the orbits are in a similar path and is a clear proof for the scientific error.

But if that's not enough evidence for you, check out this Sahih Hadith for Muhammad's statement which again clearly proves that the motion of the Sun mentioned here is neither about Sun's rotation nor its revolution around galaxy - but about sunset and sunrise - which are related to the apparent orbit of sun around earth. The silly story about sun taking rest at night is seemingly supported here as well.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3199 - Narrated Abu Dharr: The Prophet asked me at sunset, "Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates Itself underneath the Throne and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted and then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west. And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah (36.38): And the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise.)

Sun Sets in a Spring of Water

The clearest scientific error in the Quran is its claim that the Sun sets in a spring of muddy water.

18:86 - Hatta itha balagha maghriba alshshamsi wajadaha taghrubu fee AAaynin hami-atin wawajada AAindaha qawman qulna ya tha alqarnayni imma an tuAAaththiba wa-imma an tattakhitha feehim husnan.

18:86 - Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness.

This verse is alone enough to show that the Quran is falsehood. According to the verse, the Sun has a setting place on Earth that we can reach, where it was found to set in a "muddy spring"

There are two defenses that are offered by Islamic apologists to this:

1). That the verse is talking about reaching the time of sunset - clearly refuted by looking at the context and wording of the verse - "till when he reached the setting time of the sun" has no meaning if the verse meant setting time of sun.

2). That the verse is talking about reaching the westernmost point that he can reach in the direction of sunset - again refuted by the context and wording - "till when he reached the west, he found it setting" - here "it" has no meaning if the words maghriba alshshamsi meant west because the word sun has not even been used to know what "it" refers to.

Besides, this blatant error is confirmed in the authentic (Sahih) hadiths.

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4002 (Sahih) - Narrated Abu Dharr: I was sitting behind the Messenger of Allah who was riding a donkey while the sun was setting. He asked: Do you know where this sets? I replied: Allah and his Apostle know best. He said: It sets in a spring of warm water (Hamiyah).

Every single Tafsir for the first 440 years after Muhammad's death (19 Tafsirs in this period) supported this claim:

Tafsir Mujahid (104 After Hijra), Tafsir Ghareeb al-Quran (120 AH), Muqatil bin Sulaiman (150 AH), Tafsir Sufyan al-Thawri (161 AH), Tafsir AbdulRazaq al-Sanaani (211 AH), Tafsir al-Quran - Al-Tustari (283 AH), Tafsir al-Hibri (286 AH), Tafsir Furat al-Kufi (~300 AH), Tafsir al-Hiwari (~300 AH), Tafsir al-Nisa'i (303 AH), Tafsir al-Tabari (310 AH), Tafsir Nazhat al-Quloub (330 AH), Ta'wilat Ahlul Sunnah (333 AH), Tafsir Bahr el-uloum (375 AH), Tafsir IbnAbi Zamanayn (399 AH), Tafsir Ali Ibrahim al-Qimmi (~400 AH), Haqa'iq al-Tafsir - Al-Silmi (412 AH), Tafsir al-Kashf wal bayan (427 AH), AlHidaya ila bulugh alNihaya (437 AH) - all of them clearly stated that Sun literally sets in a spring of water.

It was only Tafsir Al-Mawirdi written 450 AH which first started suggesting that it could be talking about it being an illusion - as an alternate theory - it didn't dismiss the main theory of Sun setting on a spring. These interpretations developed as a result of scientific knowledge about Sun's size rather than an objective translation of the verse.

And besides, even if we ignore all of this and buy the unlikely claim that somehow Dhul-Qarnain had an illusion of sun setting in a spring, lets take a look at the picture of the largest spring in the world - the Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand:



Clearly, even the largest spring in the world is not large enough to cause this illusion. Humans can clearly see far enough by simply standing up.

Conclusion: This is a clear scientific error in the Quran and the evidence that points to this error is overwhelming not only from the Quran itself, but from the authentic hadiths and earliest tafsirs. To pretend that there is nothing wrong in this passage would be delusional at best.

Gender Segregation and the Hatred of Love

Islam contains extremely backward teachings that call for strict segregation of men and women and thus prevent them from intermingling. This shows a clear, irrational fear and hatred towards love (outside the narrow walls of marriage) between the opposite sex. Islam asks men and women:

(1) Not to spend time together.
(2) Not to touch each other.
(3) Not to look at each other eye to eye.
(4) Not to dress attractively.

Quran 17:32 - And come not near unto adultery. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way.

The Quran doesn't simply ask Muslims not to commit adultery, it asks them not to come close to it. In the following hadith, Muhammad defines the sins that make people come close to adultery (while he also makes it clear that it is impossible to avoid these sins completely, due to human temptation).

Sahih Muslim 2658 - "Allah fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in. There would be no escape from it. The adultery of the eye is the lustful look and the adultery of the ears is listening to voluptuous (song or talk) and the adultery of the tongue is licentious speech and the adultery of the hand is the lustful grip (embrace) and the adultery of the feet is to walk (to the place) where he intends to commit adultery and the heart yearns and desires which he may or may not put into effect."

Now, let's look at some of the rules prescribed and the examples set by Muhammad in this matter:

Quran 24:30 to 24:31 - Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness.

Quran 33:59 - O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. 

Sahih Muslim 1341 - "No person should be alone with a woman except when there is a Mahram with her, and the woman should not undertake journey except with a Mahram."

Sahih al-Jami 5045 - “For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than that he should touch a woman who is not permissible for him.” 

Sahih Muslim 1866 - "By God, the Messenger of Allah never took any vow from women except that which God had ordered him to take, and his palm never touched the palm of a woman. When he had taken their vow, he would tell them that he had taken the oath from them orally."

Sunan Ibn-Majah 2874 - “I came to the Prophet with some other women, to offer our pledge to him. He said to us: ‘(I accept your pledge) with regard to what you are able to do. But I do not shake hands with women.’”

Sahih Muslim 2159 - "I asked Allah's Messenger about the sudden glance (that is cast) on the face (of a non-Mahram). He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes."

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4104 - "Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to his face and hands."

CONCLUSION: These teachings when taken seriously promote gender segregation or sex segregation and a fear of emotional attachment between the opposite sex, creating an extremely backward society that stops men and women from mingling with each other. Islam builds a giant social division between the sexes, destroying the beauty of the world and suppressing happiness. There is a huge amount of support for sex segregation from within the Islamic culture and these teachings clearly show where everything comes from. Importantly, even if these teachings are not enforced socially, merely teaching and brainwashing people into supporting these ideas is harmful enough. These teachings encourage people to willingly support sex segregation and form the social divide themselves. This is why Islam is a huge problem even if it is kept away from political or social power. By severely suppressing human desires and restricting love, Islam destroys much of the happiness in daily life.

Muhammad's Massacre of a Jewish Tribe

Muhammad and his men - as per the Islamic scripture - mass murdered all male members of a surrendered Jewish tribe Banu Quraiza who reached puberty, and enslaved their women and children. This is shortly referenced in the Quran and explained clearly in the authentic hadiths, tafsirs and the earliest biographies of Muhammad by none other than Muslims.

Quran 33:26 - And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allah brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Quran 33:26 - The Campaign against Banu Qurayzah - Then the Messenger of Allah commanded that ditches should be dug, so they were dug in the earth, and they were brought tied by their shoulders, and were beheaded. There were between seven hundred and eight hundred of them. The children who had not yet reached adolescence and the women were taken prisoner, and their wealth was seized. All of this is stated both briefly and in detail, with evidence and Hadiths, in the book of Sirah which we have written, praise and blessings be to Allah.

Sahih Muslim 1766 - It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Jews of Banu Nadir and Banu Quraiza fought against the Messenger of Allah who expelled Banu Nadir, and allowed Quraiza to stay on, and granted favour to them until they too fought against him. Then he killed their men, and distributed their women, children and properties among the Muslims, except that some of them had joined the Messenger of Allah who granted them security. They embraced Islam. The Messenger of Allah turned out all the Jews of Medina. Banu Qainuqa' (the tribe of 'Abdullah b. Salim) and the Jews of Banu Haritha and every other Jew who was in Medina.

Sunan an-Nasai 3429 - It was narrated that Kathir bin As-Sa'ib said: "The sons of Quraizah told me that they were presented to the Messenger of Allah on the Day of Quraizah, and whoever (among them) had reached puberty, or had grown pubic hair, was killed, and whoever had not reached puberty and had not grown pubic hair was left (alive)."

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4404 - Narrated Atiyyah al-Qurazi: I was among the captives of Banu Qurayzah. They (the Companions) examined us, and those who had begun to grow hair (pubes) were killed, and those who had not were not killed. I was among those who had not grown hair.

Evidence from the earliest two Siras (biographies) of Muhammad:

Ibn Ishaq, A. Guillaume (translator) (2002), The Life of Muhammad (Sirat Rasul Allah), Oxford University Press, p. 464. - Then they surrendered, and the apostle confined them in Medina in the quarter of d. al-Harith, a woman of B. al-Najjar. Then the apostle went out to the market of Medina (which is still its market today) and dug trenches in it. Then he sent for them and struck off their heads in those trenches as they were brought out to him in batches. Among them was the enemy of Allah Huyayy b. Akhtab and Ka`b b. Asad their chief. There were 600 or 700 in all, though some put the figure as high as 800 or 900. 

History of Al-Tabari, Volume 8, Victory of Islam, p. 35-36 - The messenger of God went out into the marketplace of Medina and had trenches dug in it; then he sent for them and had them beheaded in those trenches. They were brought out to him in groups. Among them were the enemy of God, Huyayy b. Akhtab, and Ka’b b. Asad, the head of the tribe. They numbered 600 or 700—the largest estimate says they were between 800 and 900. As they were being taken in groups to the Messenger of God, they said to Ka’b b. Asad, "Ka’b, what do you understand. Do you not see that the summoner does not discharge [anyone] and that those of you who are taken away do not come back? By God, it is death!" the affair continued until the Messenger of God had finished with them.

When presented with overwhelming scriptural evidence, those who defend Muhammad try to claim that Banu Quraiza betrayed Muslims by violating a treaty, so the massacre was justified. While the evidence for the betrayal is scanty at best, I'm not going to argue against that here. What people should simply think over is which decent human being would mass murder and enslave an entire population for their leaders violating a treaty?

A second line of defense is that it was not Muhammad who gave the verdict, but Sad bin Muadh. This is a very silly defense because it was none other than Muhammad who appointed Sad for the verdict. Not only did Muhammad hail his verdict as "Allah's verdict" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3804), he also witnessed and participated in carrying it out.

To conclude, there is nothing that can justify this massacre and enslavement. It was an act of bloody, merciless and collective punishment. It is impossible to consider Muhammad as a role model for humanity in light of this well-documented incident.

Endorsement of Female Genital Mutilation

Female circumcision or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) seems to be sanctioned in Islam.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5891 - Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits."

And if you are starting to think that circumcision is only applicable to males, then read the following:

Jami at-Tirmidhi 108 - Aishah narrated: "When the circumcised meets the circumcised, then indeed Ghusl is required. Myself and Allah's Messenger did that, so we performed Ghusl."

Sexual contact is referred to as circumcised part of male meeting circumcised part of female, clearly indicating that circumcision is held to be the norm for both sexes. The traditional schools of Islam - Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Hanafi all considered it either as obligatory or as preferred. If you are unaware of the health hazards of female circumcision, all you need is a small research on the internet.

A standing testament to how Islam directly brought in FGM in this world is Indonesia. Before 13th century Islam was not even there and the region had nothing whatsoever to do with female circumcision. Today Indonesia is 87% Muslims. Surveys have found that more than 95% of the Muslim females undergo FGM before the age of 18. If you still think the genital mutilation of females is nothing more than an "African cultural problem", then think again.

Approval for Sex with Prepubescent Girls

The Quran seems to sanction not only child marriage, but also sex with child brides. The following verse talks about "Iddah" or the waiting period that men have to observe before separating from women after claiming divorce:

65:4 - As for your women who have despaired of further menstruating, if you are in doubt, their period shall be three months; and those who have not menstruated as yet. And those who are with child, their term is when they bring forth their burden. Whoso fears God, God will appoint for him, of His command, easiness.

What this verse immediately shows is that the Quran talks about divorce period for immature girls who haven't menstruated yet, clearly sanctioning child marriage. A closer examination of this verse together with the following verse shows that Quran not only approves marriage, but also sex with these girls before puberty. Let's look at this verse:

33:49 - O believers, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you touch them, you have no period to reckon against them; so make provision for them, and set them free with kindliness.

Thus, it is clear that the concept of Iddah or waiting period arises only if sexual intercourse took place. And yet, the Quran clearly talks about an Iddah for sexually immature girls.

The Tafsirs show the link between these verses - Jalalayn, Ibn-Abbas, Al-Wahidi, Ibn-Kathir - all state that verse 65:4 was revealed because some people specifically had questions about the Iddah for sexually immature girls (and menopausal and pregnant women) who were not mentioned in chapter 33 of the Quran which talks about Iddah. They reference the following hadith:

Ubayy ibn Ka‘b said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, some women of Medina are saying: there are other women who have not been mentioned!’ He asked him: ‘And who are they?’ He said: ‘Those who are too young [such that they have not started menstruating yet], those who are too old [whose menstruation has stopped] and those who are pregnant’. And so this verse (And for such of your women as despair of menstruation…) was revealed”.

To sum it up, it is clear from the Quran alone that sex with prepubescent girls is approved in Islam. The Tafsirs reinforce this claim and show that the verse was revealed specifically to answer the doubts of Muslims including the Iddah for sexually immature girls.

Discrimination and Oppression of Women

Let us look at the position of women in Islam:

1). A woman's testimony is worth half that of a man.
2). A woman inherits half of what a man inherits.
3). Women are places of cultivation for their husbands and can be beaten by them for disobedience.

Let's examine the Quran and the Hadiths:

4:11 - Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females.

2:282 - And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her.

2:223 - Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. 

4:34 - Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. 

Sahih al-Bukhari 2658 - Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind."

Sunan Abu-Dawud 2146 - Iyas ibn Abdullah ibn Abu Dhubab reported the Messenger of Allah as saying: Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Messenger of Allah and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Messenger of Allah complaining against their husbands. So the Messenger of Allah said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you.

And if all of these weren't bad enough, here's the final straw. Physical abuse of women happens right in front of Muhammad by his closest companions and guess what he did? He laughed and watched.

Sahih Muslim 1478 - Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) came and sought permission to see Allah's Messenger. He found people sitting at his door and none amongst them had been granted permission, but it was granted to Abu Bakr and he went in. Then came 'Umar and he sought permission and it was granted to him, and he found Allah's Apostle sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He (Hadrat 'Umar) said: I would say something which would make the Prophet laugh, so he said: Messenger of Allah, I wish you had seen (the treatment meted out to) the daughter of Khadija when you asked me some money, and I got up and slapped her on her neck. Allah's Messenger (mav peace be upon him) laughed and said: They are around me as you see, asking for extra money. Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger which he does not possess. They said: By Allah, we do not ask Allah's Messenger for anything he does not possess. Then he withdrew from them for a month or for twenty-nine days. Then this verse was revealed to him:" Prophet: Say to thy wives... for a mighty reward" (xxxiii. 28). 

Perhaps nothing could sum up Islam's attitude towards women better than Muhammad's "Farewell Sermon", found in the Siras and Hadiths. Women are compared to "domestic animals" men possess. Some other translators translate it is "prisoners with you".

Al-Tabari, Vol. 9, pp. 112-113 - "O people, you have a right over your wives and they have a right over you. You have [the right] that they should not cause anyone of whom you dislike to tread on your beds; and that they should not commit any open indecency (fahishah). If they do, then God permits you to shut them in separate rooms and to beat them, but not severely. If they abstain from [evil], they have the right to their food and clothing in accordance with custom (bi’l-ma‘ruf). Treat women well, for they are [like] domestic animals ('awånin) with you and do not possess anything for themselves. You have taken them only as a trust from God, and you have made the enjoyment of their persons lawful by the word of God, so understand and listen to my words, O people.

NOTE: The above teachings are also found in Sirat Rasulallah by Ibn Ishaq as well as the hadiths - Jami At-Tirmidhi 104 and Sunan Ibn Majah 1851.

Islamic Scripture Shows ISIS is Islamic

Is ISIS Islamic? This is a question that has been fiercely debated within the internet and outside. There is no doubt that the vast majority of Muslims hate ISIS, which they should keep doing. However to know if the ISIS actions are justified according to Islamic scriptures, we have to analyse the content. The popular notion among public who have barely read the Islamic scriptures is that ISIS acts contrary to Islamic teachings. Here are the main arguments people raise to tell that ISIS is un-Islamic followed by my refutation for these arguments.

ARGUMENT #1: ISIS kills innocent people, which is forbidden by Islam.

REALITY: Innocent is a very relative term in religion. This begs the question, who are considered innocent people according to Islam? Let's look at a verse from the Quran:

5:32 - Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.

As per the Quran, the Children of Israel were Muslims who were taught Islam by Allah's prophets. This verse commands Muslims not to kill each other except in retaliation for murder or for "mischief in the land". We have to see the other teachings of Islam to see what qualifies as mischief in Islam for which people can be killed. Here is exactly how Muhammad interpreted it:

Sahih Bukhari 9:83:17 - Narrated 'Abdullah: Allah's Apostle said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims."

A point to note is that a Muslim who leaves Islamic religion (through words or actions) can be killed. Such a person is totally innocent according to the definition of a liberal society. This quickly shows us that Islam does NOT forbid killing people who are innocent by a liberal definition. If we go on to analyse the Islamic doctrine, we can see that people were killed for blasphemy, homosexuality and so on.

One of the most well-documented events in Islam's own sources is the massacre of every male who had a trace of pubic hair - of a Jewish tribe Banu Qurayza - which surrendered to Muhammad. There was a massacre of around 700-800 surrendred Jews for the violation of a treaty by their leaders. The women and children were taken captives and distributed among Muslims as possessions.

ARGUMENT #2: ISIS kills mostly Muslims, so it is un-Islamic.

REALITY: There are some simple reasons for this. ISIS wants to establish an Islamic State of their own, which follows Islamic Law to the minute detail. The other Muslim nations and tribes which surround the territory don't recognize that and this obviously leads to a bloody warfare.

However that is not the only reason. Islam teaches people to be harsh against not only disbelievers but also "hypocrites" who are people who claim to be Muslims but don't follow many of the Islamic rules well.

9:73 - O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell, - and worst indeed is that destination.

To give you a context for this verse, chapter 9 of the Quran are the orders to Muslims after Muhammad captured Mecca and Islam became the dominant force in the region. Muslims are asked to be harsh against both disbelievers and hypocrites. Let's look at the hadiths.

Sahih Bukhari 9:84:64 - Narrated 'Ali: Whenever I tell you a narration from Allah's Apostle, by Allah, I would rather fall down from the sky than ascribe a false statement to him, but if I tell you something between me and you (not a Hadith) then it was indeed a trick (i.e., I may say things just to cheat my enemy). No doubt I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "During the last days there will appear some young foolish people who will say the best words but their faith will not go beyond their throats (i.e. they will have no faith) and will go out from (leave) their religion as an arrow goes out of the game. So, where-ever you find them, kill them, for who-ever kills them shall have reward on the Day of Resurrection."

In other words, if Muslims claim to have faith through words and prayers that is not enough. If they leave the religion through practice, they are lawful to be killed. What is worse, the orders are to "kill them wherever you find them", promising those who kill such hypocrites a reward in judgement day.

There are many Muslims who argue that these hadiths actually refer to the terrorist groups like ISIS and calls on Muslims to kill them. But the problem is the criterion here - clearly any Muslims who act un-Islamic can be killed according to the hadith. ISIS and other Muslims can argue all day over who is more Islamic. But the fact remains that these violent calls to be harsh with and kill hypocrites for not being Islamic enough is the very reason the Islamic world is FULL of groups fighting each other, branding each others as un-Islamic.

ARGUMENT #3: Islam forbids the killing of women and children in warfare.

REALITY: Let's check the hadiths again.

Sahih Bukhari 4:52:256 - The Prophet passed by me at a place called Al-Abwa or Waddan, and was asked whether it was permissible to attack the pagan warriors at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger. The Prophet replied, "They (i.e. women and children) are from them (i.e. pagans)."

Sahih Muslim 19:4322 - It is narrated by Sa'b b. Jaththama that he said (to the Holy Prophet)" Messenger of Allah, we kill the children of the polytheists during the night raids". He said: "They are from them".

As you can see, killing non-Muslim women and children as collateral damage was fine for Muhammad.

ARGUMENT #4: Suicide is prohibited in Islam and hence suicide attacks are un-Islamic.

REALITY: Suicide or simply ending your life is prohibited in Islam. But martyrdom is not prohibited. On the contrary, martyrdom is highly encouraged with a guarantee of paradise and preferential treatment in paradise.

9:111 - Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah's Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Quran. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success.

4:95 - Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward.

2:216 - Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.

Suicide bombers and attackers see themselves as martyrs who kill others for Allah's cause and get killed with the firm belief in paradise. Islamic paradise entices people with rewards such as virgins to have sex with, extreme sexual potency and lavish lifestyle and food. The promise of paradise upon dying in the battlefield can be very appealing. Here is a great example from the hadiths:

Sahih al-Bukhari 5:59:377 - Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: On the day of the battle of Uhud, a man came to the Prophet and said, "Can you tell me where I will be if I should get martyred?" The Prophet replied, "In Paradise." The man threw away some dates he was carrying in his hand, and fought till he was martyred.

ARGUMENT #5: Sexual and general slavery was abolished stage by stage by Muhammad.

REALITY: Muhammad did free many slaves in his life, mainly for being good Muslims. However he also captured unbeliever slaves during battles and even allowed his followers to have sex with slave girls who were considered possessions.

Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2150 (Sahih) - Abu Said al-Khudri said: "The apostle of Allah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of the apostle of Allah were reluctant to have intercourse with the female captives in the presence of their husbands who were unbelievers. So Allah, the Exalted, sent down the Quranic verse, "And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hands possess". That is to say, they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period." [The Quran verse is 4:24]

Sahih al-Bukhari 5:59:459 - Narrated Ibn Muhairiz: "I entered the mosque and saw Abu Khudri and sat beside him and asked him about coitus interruptus. Abu said, "We went out with Allah's messenger for the Ghazwa (attack upon) Banu Mustaliq and we received captives from among the Arab captives and we desired women and celibacy became hard on us and we loved to do coitus interruptus. So when we intended to do coitus interruptus we said "How can we do coitus interruptus without asking Allah's messenger while he is present among us?" We asked (him) about it and he said "It is better for you not to do so, for if any soul (till the Day of Resurrection) is predestined to exist, it will exist."

Sahih al-Bukhari 5:59:637 - Narrated Buraida: The prophet sent Ali to Khalid to bring the Khumus ([one fifth] of the booty) and I hated Ali, and Ali had taken a bath (after a sexual act with a slave girl from the Khumus). I said to Khalid, "Don't you see this (i.e. Ali)?" When we reached the prophet I mentioned that to him. He said, "O Buraida! Do you hate Ali?" I said, "Yes" He said, "Do you hate him, for he deserves more than that from the Khumus."

Muhammad even stopped people from freeing slaves and engaged in slave trade himself:

Sunan Abu-Dawud 30:3944 (Sahih) - 'Imran b. Hussain said: A man who had no other property emancipated six slaves of his at the time of the death. When the Prophet was informed about it, he spoke severely of him. He then called them, divided them into three sections, cast lots among them, and emancipated two and kept four in slavery.

Sunan Abu-Dawud 30:3947 (Sahih) - Jabir b. 'Abd Allah said: A man declared that his slave would be free after his death, but he had no other property. So the Prophet ordered (to sell him). He was then sold for seven hundred or nine hundred (dirhams).

CONCLUSION:

ISIS is clearly Islamic - not because they shout Allah-u-Akbar - but because their actions can be mostly justified by the Quran and the life example of Muhammad. ISIS is a good possibility when you literally interpret the Islamic doctrine and consider Islam to be a total way of life. That is NOT to say that ISIS is the only literal interpretation of Islam. There are a number of ways to interpret Islam in a more peaceful manner than ISIS. Muslims should reject ISIS not because they are un-Islamic, but because they are cruel. Muslims have no need to feel bad because ISIS is Islamic. They have a choice to practice a moderate or reformed version of Islam which is peaceful. They can also leave Islam if they feel so which is what I recommend. There is no need for anyone to keep following what they are taught since childhood. What is most important though is for the world to stop pretending that ISIS has nothing to do with Islam. ISIS has a lot to do with Islam and we have to identify the problem. Islam clearly needs to be reformed and that is not only because actions of ISIS can be justified with its doctrine.

Some Shocking and Evil Teachings

In this article, I'm presenting you some of the shocking and evil teachings that are contained in the books of Islam.

(1) A Muslim is to be executed for leaving Islam, but not for murdering a non-Muslim

Sahih al-Bukhari 6922 - "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."

Sunan ibn-Majah 2761 - “A Muslim should not be killed in retaliation for the murder of a disbeliever.”

It is well-known that the punishment for murdering a Muslim is death. It is interesting to note how less Islam values the life of a non-Muslim. I have covered the Islamic punishment of death for apostasy (leaving Islam) thoroughly here: Death Penalty for Apostasy in Islam

(2) A person gets away with no punishment for murdering someone who speaks against Muhammad

Sunan an-Nasai 4070 - Ibn 'Abbas narrated that: There was a blind man during the time of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] who had an Umm Walad by whom he had two sons. She used to slander and defame the Messenger of Allah [SAW] a great deal, and he would rebuke her, but she would not pay heed, and he would forbid her to do that, but she ignored him. (The blind man said) One night I mentioned the Prophet [SAW], and she slandered him. I could not bear it so I went and got a dagger which I thrust into her stomach and leaned upon it, and killed her. In the morning she was found slain. Mention of that was made to the Prophet [SAW] and he gathered the people and said: "I adjure by Allah; a man over whom I have the right, that he should obey me, and he did what he did, to stand up." The blind man started to tremble and said: "O Messenger of Allah [SAW], I am the one who killed her. She was my Umm Walad and she was kind and gentle toward me, and I have two sons like pearls from her, but she used to slander and defame you a great deal. I forbade her, but she did not stop, and I rebuked her, but she did not pay heed. Finally, I mentioned your name and she slandered you, so I went and got a dagger which I thrust into her stomach, and leaned on it until I killed her. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "I bear witness that her blood is permissible."

In the above story, a blind man stabs his wife to death for repeatedly slandering Muhammad. When Muhammad heard the news he ordered the man to turn himself in. When he did, Muhammad let him away with no punishment.

(3) Genocide of Banu Quraiza - an example of terrorism

In the following hadith, Muhammad boasted "I have been made victorious with terror":

Sahih al-Bukhari 2977 - "I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy)."

Let us see an example act of terrorism that Islam's own books say Muhammad did. Muhammad and his followers massacred 700-800 Jews of Banu Quraiza for the alleged betrayal by their leaders. Every male who reached puberty was beheaded and the women and children were distributed as properties among Muslims, thus collectively punishing an entire community for some decision made by their leaders.

Quran 33:26 - And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allah brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Quran 33:26 - The Campaign against Banu Qurayzah - Then the Messenger of Allah commanded that ditches should be dug, so they were dug in the earth, and they were brought tied by their shoulders, and were beheaded. There were between seven hundred and eight hundred of them. The children who had not yet reached adolescence and the women were taken prisoner, and their wealth was seized. All of this is stated both briefly and in detail, with evidence and Hadiths, in the book of Sirah which we have written, praise and blessings be to Allah.

Sahih Muslim 1766 - It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Jews of Banu Nadir and Banu Quraiza fought against the Messenger of Allah who expelled Banu Nadir, and allowed Quraiza to stay on, and granted favour to them until they too fought against him. Then he killed their men, and distributed their women, children and properties among the Muslims, except that some of them had joined the Messenger of Allah who granted them security. They embraced Islam. The Messenger of Allah turned out all the Jews of Medina. Banu Qainuqa' (the tribe of 'Abdullah b. Salim) and the Jews of Banu Haritha and every other Jew who was in Medina.

(4) The burden of proof is on the raped woman to prove that she didn't commit adultery, else she is punished for adultery

Muwatta Imam Malik 1518 - Malik said, "The position with us about a woman who is found to be pregnant and has no husband and she says, 'I was forced,' or she says, 'I was married,' is that it is not accepted from her and the hadd is inflicted on her unless she has a clear proof of what she claims about the marriage or that she was forced or she comes bleeding if she was a virgin or she calls out for help so that someone comes to her and she is in that state or what resembles it of the situation in which the violation occurred." He said, "If she does not produce any of those, the hadd is inflicted on her and what she claims of that is not accepted from her." Malik said, "A raped woman cannot marry until she has restored herself by three menstrual periods." He said, "If she doubts her periods, she does not marry until she has freed herself of that doubt."

This is what happens if a woman claims that she was raped but fails to produce the required evidence. The Sharia often ends up punishing a woman who makes a rape accusation against a man with the punishment for adultery. And what is the punishment for adultery in Islam? Stoning to death if the person is married and 100 lashes in public if unmarried.

Sahih Muslim 4191 - "When an unmarried male commits adultery with an unmarried female (they should receive) one hundred lashes and banishment for one year. And in case of married male committing adultery with a married female, they shall receive one hundred lashes and be stoned to death."

(5) Islam sanctions sex with girls who haven't reached the age of puberty

Quran 33:49 -  O you who believe! When you marry believing women, and then divorce them before you have sexual intercourse with them, no 'Iddah [divorce prescribed period, see (V.65:4)] have you to count in respect of them. So give them a present, and set them free i.e. divorce, in a handsome manner.

Quran 65:4 - And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the 'Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubts (about their periods), is three months, and for those who have no courses [(i.e. they are still immature) their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise, except in case of death] . And for those who are pregnant (whether they are divorced or their husbands are dead), their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is until they deliver (their burdens), and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.

What is clear from these verses? 1) There is no waiting period required for women to remarry if they did NOT have sex with their former husbands. 2) Quran still talks about a waiting period for pre-pubescent girls, thus making it clear that it approves sex with pre-pubescent girls.

(6) Approval for the evil practice of female circumcision

Sahih al-Bukhari 5891 - Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits."

Jami at-Tirmidhi 108 - Aishah narrated: "When the circumcised meets the circumcised, then indeed Ghusl is required. Myself and Allah's Messenger did that, so we performed Ghusl."

It is clear from these hadiths that female circumcision was considered a normal practice in Islam. Sexual contact is referred to as "circumcised part meeting the circumcised part". The traditional schools of Islam - Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Hanafi all considered it either as obligatory or as preferred.

(7) Using captive women for sex slavery is approved, even if the women are married

Quran 4:24 - Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath Allah ordained (Prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,- desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agree Mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

The following hadith explains the context of revelation of the above Quran verse:

Sunan Abu-Dawud 2155 - Abu Sa’id Al Khudri said “The Apostle of Allaah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of Apostle of Allaah were reluctant to have relations with the female captives because of their pagan husbands. So, Allaah the exalted sent down the Qur’anic verse “And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hand posses.” This is to say that they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period.

Conclusion: I don't write this article to show that Islam has only bad teachings. However, these evil teachings are also a part of Islam and when taken seriously creates a horrible society for us to live in. Just think for a moment - if these teachings are applied to a society would it be good?

Death Penalty for Leaving Islam

Islam presents a unique and severe problem in the modern world because of one dangerous rule. The punishment prescribed for apostasy (a Muslim leaving the religion of Islam) is death. Let's see what the Islamic books have to say.

(I) QURAN:

18:65 to 18:80 - Then found they one of Our slaves, unto whom We had given mercy from Us, and had taught him knowledge from Our presence. Moses said unto him: May I follow thee, to the end that thou mayst teach me right conduct of that which thou hast been taught? ... So they twain journeyed on till, when they met a lad, he slew him. (Moses) said: What! Hast thou slain an innocent soul who hath slain no man? Verily thou hast done a horrid thing. He said: Did I not tell thee that thou couldst not bear with me? ... And as for the lad, his parents were believers and we feared lest he should oppress them by rebellion and disbelief.

The situation here is Moses (Moses is considered in Islam as a Prophet) getting some Islamic moral lessons from his guide Al-Khidr (name is not spelled out in the Quran). When Al-Khidr killed a boy who hadn't murdered anyone, Moses immediately questioned him with the Islamic rule against unlawfully shedding blood (5:32). Al-Khidr explains the death penalty citing two reasons - the boy's parents being Muslims and his disbelief in Islam and rebellion against parents.

Given the fact that the boy was born to Muslim parents, the reasons cited for the punishment are:

(1) Disbelief in Islam - is clear apostasy as the boy comes from a Muslim family.
(2) Rebellion against parents - disobedience to believing parents' teachings amounts to apostasy.

Let's examine the Tafsir of ibn Kathir to verify:

Tafsir Ibn Kathir (18:80) - Ibn `Abbas narrated from Ubayy bin Ka`b that the Prophet said: "The boy Al-Khidr killed was destined to be a disbeliever from the day he was created." It was recorded by Ibn Jarir from Ibn `Abbas. He said: "His parents were believers, and we feared he would oppress them by rebellion and disbelief". Their love for him might make them follow him in disbelief.

(II) HADITHS: 

If you are not convinced by what is written in the Quran on apostasy, let's check the authentic hadith collections to see how Muhammad dealt with apostasy.

Sahih al-Bukhari 6922 - "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."

Sahih Muslim 1676 - "It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim who bears testimony (to the fact that there is no god but Allah, and I am the Messenger of Allah), but in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for life, and the deserter of his Din (Islam), abandoning the community."

Muwatta Imam Malik 36:1419 - "If someone changes his deen - strike his neck!"

Jami At-Tirmidhi 1458 - "Whoever changes his religion then kill him."

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4352 - "The blood of a Muslim man who testifies that there is no god but Allah and that I am the Messenger of Allah should not be lawfully shed but only for one of three reasons: married fornicator, soul for soul, and one who deserts his religion separating himself from the community."

Sunan Ibn-Majah 20:2632 - “Whoever changes his religion, execute him.”

Sunan An-Nasai 4059 - "Whoever changes his religion, kill him."

As we can clearly see, all the major hadith collections unanimously agree on death penalty for Muslims who leave Islam.

To make matters worse, claiming to be a Muslim by words is not enough. Even if you act un-Islamic through actions you may be eligible for death penalty.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3611 - Narrated `Ali: I relate the traditions of Allah's Messenger to you for I would rather fall from the sky than attribute something to him falsely. But when I tell you a thing which is between you and me, then no doubt, war is guile. I heard Allah's Messenger saying, "In the last days of this world there will appear some young foolish people who will use (in their claim) the best speech of all people (i.e. the Qur'an) and they will abandon Islam as an arrow going through the game. Their belief will not go beyond their throats (i.e. they will have practically no belief), so wherever you meet them, kill them, for he who kills them shall get a reward on the Day of Resurrection."

If you ever wondered why are tens of Islamic groups fighting and killing each other over who represents the true Islam, this is why. This principle of declaring a Muslim as an apostate is known as Takfir. ISIS and some other Islamist groups take Takfir very seriously.

If we analyze the hadiths, Muhammad's clear command to kill whoever leaves Islam is mentioned in atleast 33 independent saheeh (authentic) graded chains of hadiths from Islam's 7 main hadith collections, repeated at least twice in each of these. The references (arabic reference numbers) are below:

Sahih al-Bukhari 3017 

Sahih al-Bukhari 4344 

Sahih al-Bukhari 6878 

Sahih al-Bukhari 6922 

Sahih al-Bukhari 6923 

Sahih al-Bukhari 3611 

Sahih al-Bukhari 5057 

Sahih al-Bukhari 6930 

Sahih al-Bukhari 7157 

Sahih Muslim 1676 a 

Sahih Muslim 1676 c 

Sahih Muslim 1733 d 

Sunan Ibn-Majah 20:2630 

Sunan Ibn-Majah 20:2631 

Sunan Ibn-Majah 20:2632 

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4351 

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4352 

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4354 

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4355 

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4356 

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4502 

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4767 

Muwatta Imam Malik 36:1419 

Muwatta Imam Malik 36:1420 

Sunan An-Nasai 4059 

Sunan An-Nasai 4060 

Sunan An-Nasai 4063 

Sunan An-Nasai 4064 

Sunan An-Nasai 4065 

Sunan An-Nasai 4066 

Sunan An-Nasai 4102 

Jami At-Tirmidhi 1458 

Jami At-Tirmidhi 2158

(III) Counter Arguments:

Let's check three passages in Quran which are often quoted by Muslims to save the face of Islam and argue that it guarantees freedom of religion.

2:256 - There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break.

18:29 - Say: (It is) the truth from the Lord of you (all). Then whosoever will, let him believe, and whosoever will, let him disbelieve.

109:1 to 109:6 - Say: O disbelievers! I worship not that which ye worship; Nor worship ye that which I worship. And I shall not worship that which ye worship. Nor will ye worship that which I worship. Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.

However, these passages only forbid forced conversion of people to Islam. They don't deal with the case of Muslims leaving Islam, as shown by the Tafsirs. The first verse was revealed to forbid the forced conversion of a Jew to Islam (ironically when a Jewish tribe was being expelled from Medina). The second and third passages were during Muhammad's early days in Mecca when he was preaching Islam to the disbelievers, conveying them that he was not forcing them to join Islam. The moral example set by the Moses-Khidr story still stands all the same. As Muhammad conquered Mecca and became the only power in the region, he eventually gave an ultimatum to all polytheists to leave the Islamic territory, submit to Islam or die.

9:5 - Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

However, when Muslims were to conquer outside the "holy" territory of Islam, unbelievers were given the additional option of paying a tribute tax called Jizya if they wanted to remain non-Muslims. People familiar with Islamic history would know two more facts:

(1) When some tribes which had accepted Islam during the time of Muhammad declared apostasy, Muhammad's successor Caliph Abu-Bakr immediately launched the famous Apostasy (Riddah) Wars against them.
(2) Every single school of Islamic jurisprudence which followed the time of Muhammad - the Sunni schools of Shafi'i, Hanafi, Hanbali and Maliki as well as the Jafari (Shia) schools - all prescribed death penalty for apostasy.

All this clearly shows that the so called freedom of religion given by Quran is not absolute and has exceptions. As can be clearly seen, apostasy is one of those exceptions.

(IV) What if Islam is not the Law

Those who defend Islam often argue that this is only an issue if the state is governed by the Shariah (Islamic Law). So, what happens when Islam hasn't become powerful enough to govern the Laws of the state or the country is secular for whatever reason?

9:23 - O ye who believe! Choose not your fathers nor your brethren for friends if they take pleasure in disbelief rather than faith. Whoso of you taketh them for friends, such are wrong-doers.

58:22 - Thou wilt not find folk who believe in Allah and the Last Day loving those who oppose Allah and His messenger, even though they be their fathers or their sons or their brethren or their clan.

Muslims are commanded to disown fellow family members and discard friendship with them for choosing to disbelieve in Islam. Those who are obsessed with Islam may also try to implement Islamic Law by murdering apostates, which is not uncommon in Islam where religion is considered larger than life. As is often the case, apostates from Islam can have to live the rest of their lives in fear simply for choosing to leave the religion and openly expressing their views even if they are not living under a country governed by Islamic Law.

CONCLUSION: Islam does not demand forced conversion of unbelievers. However a Muslim who leaves Islam is given the death penalty in Islamic Law. Muslims are asked to disown fellow family members if they choose to disbelieve. The intolerance shown by Islam towards apostasy presents a huge problem for basic human rights and liberal values. This is something we have to be aware of and speak honestly about.