Some Paradoxes of Islam

“Islam clearly prohibits all kinds and forms of aggression and violence against anyone, except in self-defense. Islam is a practical religion, meant to be implemented in every aspect of our life. Therefore, it realizes the fact that a person who commits aggression and violence against others will not cease these actions unless they are deterred by similar actions taken against them.” (Source)

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, and do not transgress; for Allah loveth not transgressors." (2:190).

"But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust   in Allah: for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all things)." (8:61).

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever ejects Evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things." (2: 256).

“The holy Qur'an reminds us that there must not be compulsion in religion. It states that the truth stands out clear from error, and that those who reject error and believe in God are the saved ones.

“This means that Muslims are not allowed to force people to convert to Islam. Muslims should only seek to make the truth clear to others, and talk to them about Islam, then let them decide for themselves.” (Source)

Khan was asked about his journey out of Islam.   Islamic wars were a crucial issue for  him.

Khan: I liberated myself from Islam after studying some of the canonical Islamic texts. But I couldn’t stop; my curiosity grew further. Over the past few years, I have done extensive research on Islamic theology, as well as history: from Prophet Muhammad to modern times. The more I read, the more I became shocked. It has been a harrowing tale of inhuman brutality of innocent people: forced conversion, brutal imperialism and devastating slavery. It’s a saga of great human tragedy and all these were perpetrated by Muslim invaders and rulers over the centuries in the name of Islamic holy war or Jihad, the foundational creed of Islam. This tragic tale is the subject of my new book.

I assert: “Violent Jihad is the heart of Islam; without it, Islam would, most likely, have died a natural death in the seventh century itself” (p. 79).

“I also demonstrate that Allah’s doctrine for Jihad entails three cardinal commands:

1) Forced conversion of non-Muslims, especially of idolaters (Hindus, Buddhists, Animists etc.),
2) Imperial expansion for the establishment of global Islamic rule, which involves humiliating subjugation of dhimmi subjects and their mindless exploitation, and
3) Slavery.” (Exposing Islam from the Inside Out By: Jamie Glazov FrontPageMagazine.com | Tuesday, March 03, 2009; M. A. Khan, author of the new book Islamic Jihad: A Legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism and Slavery; source)

"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). " (Surah 9:123, Pickthal translation)

"Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued." (Surah 9:29)

“One of the earliest great Muslim … scholars, Al-Tabari (838-923), explained that Surah 9:5 commanded the death of infidels if they would not embrace Islam, lest they should enter Mecca.  (Source)

DAVOS: Islam is the "most misunderstood" and "misrepresented" faith in the world, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said today and acknowledged that illiterate and irresponsible people have been allowed to take the religion in their hands.

"In my mind Islam is the most misunderstood and misrepresented religion in the world. For example, Islam is the one religion that reinforces respect for women but we, the entire world must take responsibility because we have let Islam to be misrepresented," Khar said during a debate on Democracy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here. (Jihad Watch, January 27, 2012 2:35 PM)

(1)  “Equality before the Law: Both genders are entitled to equality before the Law and courts of Law.  Justice is genderless (see the Quran 5:38, (As for the thief, both male and female, cut off their hands. It is the reward of their own deeds, an exemplary punishment from Allah. Allah is Mighty, Wise) (24:2-The adulterer and the adulteress, scourge ye each one of them (with) a hundred stripes. And let not pity for the twain withhold you from obedience to Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a party of believers witness their punishment.) And 5:45,( And We prescribed for them therein: The life for the life, and the eye for the eye, and the nose for the nose, and the ear for the ear, and the tooth for the tooth, and for wounds retaliation. But whoso forgoeth it (in the way of charity) it shall be expiation for him. Whoso judgeth not by that which Allah hath revealed: such are wrong-doers.)

(2)  Women do possess an independent legal entity in financial and other matters.”     

“The Quran is quite clear about the issue of the claimed superiority or inferiority of any human, male or female.  The sole basis for superiority of any person over another is piety and righteousness not gender, color, or nationality (see the Quran 49:13 (O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.).”  (Islam-Guide)

“Islam encourages marriage and prohibits any deviated forms of sexual gratification. Marriage helps men and women to develop along natural lines and head towards development and success through mutual co-operation. Marriage prevents immorality licentiousness and irresponsibility. The spouses in marriage agree to share rights and responsibilities to develop a happy family. In this regard it is a contract entered upon by both participants who vow to be ruled by the established law of Allah. The consent of the girl is essential for the completion of the marriage.” 

If, by chance, a woman becomes a widow or is divorced, Islamic law reverts her back to the paternal home where she may looked after with love and affection…..Islam draws out the complete code of conduct and provides for maintaining the honour and dignity of the women through a modest dress code.” (Source)

It is not the veiling women but veiling men’s heart should protect chastity of a woman.     We all know that, no country on earth can claim that women are absolutely safe. But I can tell it for sure, in all third World countries (Muslim and non-Muslim) women are more often oppressed by men then western world, even though those countries have more conservative dress system. We all have seen the recent horrible picture of ‘Unruly youths tried to strip a woman of her cloths in Dhaka University campus on the 31^st night (Independent photo). UN report says: 47 percent women assaulted by their male partners in Bangladesh.  This type of assault on women was only 22 percent in U.S.A., even though, women in USA, wear mini-skirts, walks alone freely during dead of night, and where hundred percent of cases are usually reported. This assault in Bangladesh, doesn’t include rape.   Institute of Democratic Rights (IDR) reports that 730 women, children raped across the country (Bangladesh) last year. It is obvious, percentage of rape will be much higher if every case was disclosed/reported by victims in Bangladesh. Will veil alone can protect women ?  I don’t think so !

Here in USA , one Muslim wife (who is fairly beautiful and young) can get out alone with her new car, drive 50 or 70 miles far away , shopping in Malls, eating lunch in a restaurant and, safely return home without any disturbance at all.    Could this same Muslim lady do the same at the Dhaka city, or in big city of any Muslim countries?  Even Burkha will not be able to save her from molestation or else. (Source)

"Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great" (4:34)

"According to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in 2002, over 90% of married women surveyed in that country reported being kicked, slapped, beaten or sexually abused when husbands were dissatisfied by their cooking or cleaning, when the women had ‘failed' to bear a child or had given birth to a girl instead of a boy, or had an illicit affair" (Wikipedia)

"And call two witness from among your men, two witnesses. And if two men be not at hand, then a man and two women" Qur'an (2:282)

"Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: Once Allah's apostle went out to the Musalla (to offer the prayer) of Id-al-Adha or Al-Fitr prayer. Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's apostle?" He replied, "You curse frequently are ungrateful to your husbands. I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you. A cautious sensible man could be led astray by some of you". The             women asked, "O Allah's apostle! What is deficient in our intelligence and religion?" He said, is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?" They replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in your intelligence. Isn't it true that a women can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said: "This is the deficiency in your religion." Bukhari, volume 1, #301, and vol. 3, #826:

"And they (women) have rights similar to those (of men) over them in kindness, and men are a degree above them. (2:228)  

"Allah chargeth you concerning (the provision for) your children: to the male the equivalent of the portion of two females" (4:11)  

"…Who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess..." Qur’an (23:5-6) 

"Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them..." Qur'an (33:59)

Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will." Qur'an (33:59)

KABUL — The Afghan child bride who was tortured in an attempt to force her into prostitution is slowly recovering but is still hardly able to speak, a nurse told AFP during a visit to the girl's bedside Thursday.

Sahar Gul, 15, who was burned and beaten and had her fingernails pulled out was found last month in the basement of her husband's house in northeastern Baghlan province, where she had been locked in a toilet for six months.

"Since the past few days, Gul can walk very slowly, she can eat and talk in a frail voice," said nurse Latifa Mirzad at the Wazir Akbar Khan hospital, as the bruised and battered girl looked on silently.

"She is hardly able to speak of her ordeal but sometimes she says in a weak voice 'my father in-law and mother-in law have beaten me'." (Jihad Watch)

“O mankind! Lo! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations and tribes that ye may know one another. Lo! the noblest of you, in the sight of Allah, is the best in conduct. Lo! Allah is Knower, Aware.”  (49:13)

“And (We sent) Lut when he said to his people: Most surely you are guilty of an indecency which none of the nations has ever done before you;
What! do you come to the males and commit robbery on the highway, and you commit evil deeds in your assemblies? But nothing was the answer of his people except that they said: Bring on us Allah's punishment, if you are one of the truthful.” (29:28-29)

“Surely We will cause to come down upon the people of this town a punishment from heaven, because they transgressed.  And certainly We have left a clear sign of it for a people who understand.” (29:34-35)

These Verses make clear that same sex relationships, of a sexual nature, are not allowed in Islam. (Source)

The following verses are about Gays and Lesbians:

“Let us look at Ayat (verses) 4:15-18  "(15). If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way.

(16). If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and mend, Leave them alone (do not annoy them in other words after they were punished); for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.

(17). Allah accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and repent soon afterwards; to them will Allah turn in mercy: For Allah is full of knowledge           and wisdom.

(18). Of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil, until death faces one of them, and he says, "Now have I repented indeed;" nor of those who die rejecting Faith: for them have We prepared a punishment most grievous." (Source)

“Islam 'recognizes homosexuality'

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 03/28/2008 1:38 AM

Homosexuals and homosexuality are natural and created by God, thus permissible within Islam, a discussion concluded here Thursday.

Moderate Muslim scholars said there were no reasons to reject homosexuals under Islam, and that the condemnation of homosexuals and homosexuality by mainstream ulema and many other Muslims was based on narrow-minded interpretations of Islamic teachings.

Siti Musdah Mulia of the Indonesia Conference of Religions and Peace cited the Koran's al-Hujurat (49:3) that one of the blessings for human beings was that all men and women are equal, regardless of ethnicity, wealth, social positions or even sexual orientation.

"There is no difference between lesbians and nonlesbians. In the eyes of God, people are valued based on their piety," she told the discussion organized by nongovernmental organization Arus Pelangi. (Source)

“Pedophilia is a widely-accepted practice in southern Afghanistan, where “boys are given to older men for the sexual gratification of the older and the sexual education of the child,” say many returning U.S. troops.

“Afghans say pedophilia is most prevalent among Pashtun men in the south who comprise Afghanistan's most important tribe. 

“Apologists say that Bacha Bazi or 'Boy Play' is a very old cultural practice in Afghanistan and part of that nation's mainstream…. 

“In a country that is considered overly repressive due to its adherence to the precepts contained in the Muslim religion’s Koran, it’s difficult for American service members and diplomats to understand the fact that a large portion of the Afghan male population are pedophiles (adults who enjoy sexual contact with prepubescent children) or pederasts  (adults who enjoy sexual relations with pubescent or post-pubescent children.

“While Muslims in Iraq have on several occasions stoned homosexuals for their sexual activities, not all Muslims believe pedophilia is a violation of Sharia law. Those who believe in the sacredness and infallibility of the Koran adhere to the teaching that    women are sub-human and quasi-slaves, and therefore Muslim men will look for relationships -- even sexual relationships -- with others of their own gender. 

“According to Reuters, there is a lot of homosexuality going on in Afghanistan, but those engaging in it don't think of themselves as gay, so that makes it okay since Islam officially disapproves of the gay and lesbian lifestyle.

“They regard themselves as non-gay because they don’t “love” the sex object so Allah is happy. These are the men who avoid their wives as unclean. Apparently there is little love of any kind in Afghanistan, which explains a lot,” according to Reuters.

“Sociologists and anthropologists say the problem results from a perverse interpretation of Islamic law. Women are simply unapproachable. Afghans cannot talk to an unrelated woman until after proposing marriage. Before then, they can't even look at a woman, except perhaps her feet. Otherwise she is covered, head to ankle, according to columnist Joel Brinkley, a professor of journalism at Stanford University, and a former Pulitzer Prize-winning foreign correspondent for the New York Times. 

“In Kandahar, a city with a population of about 500,000, and other towns, dance parties are a popular -- often weekly -- pastime. Young boys dress up as females, wearing makeup and bells on their feet, and dance for a dozen or more leering middle-aged men who throw money at them and then take them home.

“A recent State Department report called “dancing boys” a “widespread, culturally sanctioned form of male rape.” If women dressed and behaved in such a way, they would surely be punished by Muslim men.”

“Even after marriage, many men keep their boy-lovers, according to former U.S. military personnel who served in Afghanistan. That helps explain why women are compelled to wear clothing that hides their faces and bodies and if they "sin" they are stoned to death in accordance with Islamic law. That same law also forbids homosexuality, but the pedophiles explain that it's not homosexuality since they aren’t in love with their boys only fulfilling a bodily need. 

“Paradoxically, the Taliban frown on sexual relations between men and boys and enforce Sharia law to the letter. Are the followers of Islam, who adopt a more "liberal" approach to practicing their religion, perhaps responsible for the widespread rape of male children in Afghanistan? 

“So, why are American military forces fighting and dying to protect pedophiles and pederasts in a country considered by many to be the pedophilia capital of Asia?” (Afghan Pedophilia: A way of life, examiner.com, 19 January 2012)