Islam - Facts and Myths: May 2021

❓ ISLAM - Fastest Growing Religion? No More!... RISE of APOSTACY.

❓ If Muslims can't answer your critical questions about Islam, the Quran and Muhammad, that's how they usually respond. "Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world" - therefore it should be the truth!?

NOT ANY MORE; No, That is a MYTH! #Islam_not_Fastest_Growing_Religion

Why Muslims are the world’s fastest-growing religious group? Remember to look to this information of Pew Research... https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/06/why-muslims-are-the-worlds-fastest-growing-religious-group/

BUT...More and more Muslims just turn their backs on Islam in search for the truth. Many became Atheists. Some discover and accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord.

Look to this video and decide for yourself.

RISE OF APOSTACY; Yes, That is a FACT!

https://youtu.be/_-pYPWc26Gk

Here is one such testimony: that of Abdullah Sameer.

He also turned his back on Islam, after propagating it for so many years.

https://youtu.be/998BYtflacs

Why are you not rethink the traditions you keep up so long?

Why not start searching for the truth as Abdullah and many others did.

Why not pray to Almighty God and ask that He reveals the TRUTH to you; The REAL TRUTH!

Jesus Christ once said “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

John 14:6 NET

https://bible.com/bible/107/jhn.14.6.NET

How can I get saved?

*How can I get saved?*

Salvation is deliverance from sin and its consequences.
You might have this question, what should I do to be saved, probably you might have heard of the consequences of sin and desperately want to change, or perhaps you're tired of life.
Let's read Acts 16:30-31, this verse shows us the secret to being saved, it is believing the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why Jesus?
Acts 4:12 tells that the name Jesus is the only Name by which men are saved, so what do you do when you believe? We confess what we believe, Romans 10:9.

Some important things to note about salvation: 
1.salvation is freely given and not earned (Ephesians 2:8-9) 
2. When you get the free gift of salvation, you are a new man (2 Corinthians 5:17)

If you feel like you should give your life today to Jesus and get Born Again, this could be your last chance; just read this verse
Revelation 3:20 "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."
If you feel like today is your day, not tomorrow, not the other day but today, pray this prayer with me; (Prayer is actually the way that we can speak to God, telling Him what you want to say to Him)
Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness.
I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead.
I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life.
I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior.

[If you want to read more about how can you be saved, follow this link https://www.gotquestions.org/how-can-I-be-saved.html]

36 REASONS FOR REJECTING M0HAMMAD

(Source: https://doctrineapologetics.wordpress.com/)

Or https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=519488062104883&id=211677026219323

1. M0hammad was the prophet of war; Christ is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7).

2. M0hammad’s disciples killed for the faith; Christ’s disciples were killed for their faith (Acts 12:2; 2 Timothy 4:7).

3. M0hammad promoted persecution against the “infidels”; Christ forgave and converted the chief persecutor (1 Timothy 1:13-15).

4. M0hammad was the taker of life; Christ was the giver of life (John 10:27-28).

5. M0hammad and his fellow warriors murdered thousands; Christ murdered none but saved many (compare John 12:48).

6. M0hammad’s method was COMPULSION; Christ’s aim was voluntary CONVERSION (Acts 3:19).

7. M0hammad practiced FORCE; Christ preached FAITH (John 6:29,35).

8. M0hammad was a WARRIOR; Christ is a DELIVERER (Col. 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:10).

9. M0hammad conquered his enemies with the sword; Christ conquered his enemies with another kind of sword, the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God (Hebrews 4:12; Acts 2:37).

10. M0hammad said to the masses, “Convert or DlE!”; Christ said, “Believe and live!” (John 6:47; 11:25-26).

11. M0hammad was swift to shed blood (Romans 3:15-17); Christ shed His own blood for the salvation of many (Ephesians 1:7).

12. M0hammad preached “Death to the infidels!”; Christ prayed “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

13. M0hammad declared a "H0LY" war (JlHAD) against infidels; Christ achieved a holy victory on Calvary’s cross (Colossians 2:14-15) and His followers share in that victory (John 16:33).

14. M0hammad constrained people by conquest; Christ constrained people by love (2 Corinthians 5:14). Modern TERR0RlSTS derive their inspiration from M0hammad and carry out their despicable atrocities in the name of his god; Christians derive their inspiration from the One who said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). Modern day disciples of M0hammad respond to the terrorist attacks by cheering in the streets; Modern day disciples of Christ are deeply grieved at past atrocities carried out by those who were “Christians” in name only (the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, etc.).

15. Many MusIims are peaceful and peace-loving because they do not strictly follow the teachings of their founder; Many Christians are peaceful and peace-loving because they do strictly follow the teachings of their Founder (Romans 12:17-21).

16. M0hammad said the Koran is authoritative only in Arabic, and only in his dialect; The Bible is authoritative in many languages around the world, for God knows all things and can inspire His Word in more than one language.

17. M0hammad hated music; Jesus and His disciples sang hymns, and the Apostle commanded the Lord’s Church to sing. (Matthew 26:30, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16)

18. M0hammad allowed that a Mullah, Imam, or Mufti of Islam can be a TERR0RlST and moral animal like the late Osama bin Laden or Al-Baghdai; The Bible requires that a leader in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ must be above reproach, and when this is not true, Christians demand such a fallen leader be removed from leadership. (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 5:19-20)

19. Islam calls on its followers to observe Five Pillars, while all other aspects of life can be vulgar and not affect the MusIim’s prospects in Paradise. The Bible calls on the Christian to submit to the total change of his life by the Spirit of God– NO area of life and thought is the choice of the follower. (Romans 12:1-2)

20. MusIims looks forward to eternity in Paradise where there will be virgins who are used for eternal perpetual copulation. The Bible believing Christian looks forward to being with Jesus Christ and is delighted with that. (2 Corinthians 5:8)

21. M0hammad said the witness of a woman was half the value of the witness of a man; and M0hammad said a women goes to Paradise because she satisfies her husband sexually; The Bible teaches that a husband is to love his wife and be willing to die for her. (Ephesians 5:25)

22. M0hammad called upon his servants to fight; Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world; if My kingdom were of this world, then would My servants fight . . .but now is My kingdom not from here” (John 18:36)

23. M0hammad ordered death to the J€WS (see A. Guillaume, The Life of M0hammad, Oxford University Press [1975], p. 369); Christ ordered that the gospel be preached “to the J€WS first” (Romans 1:16).

24. The Koran says, “FlGHT in the cause of Allah” (Qur'an 2.244); The Bible says, “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” and “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal” (Ephesians 6:12; 2 Corinthians 10:4).

25. The Koran says, “FlGHT and sIay the Pagans wherever ye find them” (Qur'an 9.5); Christ said, “Preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

26. The Koran says, “I will inspire TERR0R into the hearts of unbelievers” (Qur'an 8.12); God inspires His TERR0R into the hearts of believers (Isaiah 8:13).

27. The K0RAN is a TERR0RlST manual which condones fighting, conflict, TERR0R, sIaughter, and GEN0ClDE against those who do not accept lsIam; The Bible is a missionary manual to spread the gospel of peace to all the world (Romans 10:15).

28. M0hammad’s Mission was to conquer the world for AIIah; Christ’s mission was to conquer sin’s penalty and power by substitutionary atonement (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 3:18).

29. M0hammad considered Christ a good prophet; Christ pronounced M0hammad to be a false prophet (John 10:10; Matthew 24:11).

30. M0hammad claimed that there was but one God, AIIah; Christ claimed that He was God (John 10:30-31; John 8:58-59; John 5:18; John 14:9).

31. lsIam is geocentric, that is, the whole universe is centered on the Kaaba in the Grand mosque in Mecca in Arabia, and all MusIims pray facing that direction; Jesus Christ is the center of all Christian worship and fellowship, for He is “in the midst” where his saints meet anywhere on earth. (Matthew 18:20, John 4:22-23)

32. M0hammad’s Tomb: OCCUPIED! Christ’s tomb: EMPTY!

33. lsIam must be received, or you can be kiIIed for rejecting it: The Faith offered by Jesus Christ is for “whosoever will” to receive, and all men are permitted to reject it. (Revelation 22:17, John 3:16)

34. Those who leave lsIam are kiIIed in most lsIamic nations; Those who leave the true Church of Jesus Christ are allowed to do so with no revenge.

35. Now, is a MusIim submitted to AIIah and lsIam because he loves AIIah? NO! He dare not leave lsIam, and he is loyal purely out of fear. The true Bible believer is loyal to Jesus Christ purely out of love. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love him, because he first loved us.

36. M0hammad invented his cult to enrich himself and only the rich M0hammadans (1% of M0hammadan’s 1 billion population) and those ready to spent all their life’s savings can fulfill the requirements of 5 pillars, especially the Hajj (Pilgrimage to the pagan shrine Kaa’ba in Mecca). The other pillar the poor can’t fulfill is #Zakat (compulsory charity). The other pillar than the rich can be exempt from is #Fasting by feeding the poor. Jesus preached the Good News (Gospel) to all across the social-economic divide and no one is exempt from following His commandments.

Who is Bart Ehrman (that scholar that Muslims like so much)?

WHO IS BARTH EHRMAN?

In my conversations with Muslims, I found many times how they quote Ehrman as he said exactly what they want to hear to proof their Islamic religion against Jesus Christ as our only Saviour and degrade the Bible as a "corrupt" book. Therefore it's necessary to look into his story...

According to GOOGLE, he is "an American New Testament scholar focusing on textual criticism of the New Testament, the historical Jesus, and the origins and development of early Christianity. He has written and edited 30 books etc..."
After listening to some of his presentations, I experienced that his conclusions is mostly very provocative against the Christian faith.
Take note: he is definitely not a Christian only because his topics cover the New Testament (he himself can't decide if he is an agnostic or an atheist).
According to my he is only a very confused Bible scholar that became very popular among like minded people that left the Christian faith behind and now look for any person to provide  information to confirm and support their mostly atheistic viewpoints. 
Ehrman said: "Jesus was not mentioned by anybody in the entire first century..."  
Is this true or a blatant lie? What about the many reports of Jesus' crucifixion? (see the picture).
Flavius Josephus was born ad 37/38 in Jerusalem and died ad 100 in Rome. 
Cornelius Tacitus  (AD 56 – c. 120) was a Roman historian and politician

As I am for many years now busy with Muslim Evangelism I saw many times how they quote Ehrman as he said exactly what they want to hear to proof their Islamic religion against Jesus Christ as our only Saviour and degrade the Bible as a "corrupt" book.

I think Ehrman is tremendously used by Satan to attack the Christian faith and the Good News of Jesus Christ. 

I read somewhere... "Often atheists like to quote atheist and liberal scholar, Bart Ehrman in an attempt to say Jesus never existed." 

Why not also quote Ehrman's professor at Princetown - Bruce Metzger - more often " Today no competent scholar denies the historicity of Jesus"

Therefore I was so glad to discover this very useful Blog "Ehrman Project" (https://ehrmanproject.com/) where numerous Christian Biblical scholars, who profoundly disagree with his findings, make it their goal to provide responses to Dr Ehrman's mostly provocative statements about the Christian faith. 

One example is his claim that the Bible Manuscripts have "thousands" of errors and can therefore not be trusted - see a response in the video at the following link https://youtu.be/EicA4gik6FI

A List of Material available on the Ehrman Project's website: 

VIEW ALL - ACADEMIA - EARLY CHURCH - ERRORS - GOSPELS - MORALITY -

OLD TESTAMENT - RELIABILITY - SUFFERING - VARIANTS

Recommend sites in search for Biblical truth

RECOMMENDED SITES

Where Did Jesus Say, “I Am God, Worship Me”?

The Question always asked by Muslims...

Where Did Jesus Say, “I Am God, Worship Me”?

May be some of them really want to know that answer?

Most of them just repeat the question as #Parrot_Muslims as taught by there masters, their Imams, that again repeat it as taught by their Quran scholars.

If you really want the answer, you can download a pamphlet here, explaining this question in detail.. Out of the Bible.

Deity of Christ Tract to DOWNLOAD HERE

https://acts17.org/2019/05/20/deity-of-christ-tract/

A SIMPLE REASON WHY THE QUR’AN CANNOT BE THE WORD OF GOD

The Islamic religion claims that the Qur’an, revealed allegedly by the angel Gabriel to the prophet Muhammad beginning in 610 A.D., is the inspired and inerrant word of God.

Such an assertion, however, is highly problematic, and many, many arguments could be given to convincingly refute it. In this article, I am going to offer one of those reasons, which I perceive to be the most damning. In future articles, we will consider some other serious difficulties with the idea that the Qur’an represents the revealed words of God. My argument here can be summarized in syllogistic form as follows:

Premise 1: Either the Bible is the Word of God or it is not.

Premise 2: If the Bible is the Word of God, the Qur’an is not.

Premise 3: If the Bible is not the Word of God, the Qur’an is not.

Conclusion: Therefore, the Qur’an is not the Word of God.

Read the full article here...

https://crossexamined.org/simple-reason-quran-word-god/

To conclude, the argument developed above represents a formidable challenge to the Islamic religion, and I challenge any Muslim to show me where I have erred.

In order to maintain his Islamic faith, a Muslim must reject one or more of the Premises of the syllogism given. at the start of this article. If he cannot do so, the conclusion follows necessarily and inescapably.

CAN MUSLIM'S GOOD DEEDS OUTWEIGHT THEIR BAD DEEDS

DO MUSLIMS REALLY BELIEVE THAT THEIR GOOD DEEDS WILL OUTWEIGHT THEIR BAD DEEDS?

From the book "How Muhammad Stole the Judeo-Christian Tradition" by a former Muslim Dr. Michael Ignatius Muluk

"So every good deed, no matter how small, and every bad deed, no matter how small, will be added up and weighted against each other. If the scales tip towards the side with the good deeds, you’re golden, and you can enter into Paradise. If the scales tip the other way, you’re doomed to hell.
That sounds pretty straightforward, right? But when you think about it, above system is highly flawed and not just at all!
Let me illustrate it to you with a couple of examples: Let’s say I killed a person. But before I got caught by the police, I rescued an old lady from a burning building and saved another poor soul who was about to take his own life by jumping off a bridge. In other words, I killed a person but saved two other people. Could that get me out of jail? Could I tell the judge, “Yes, your Honor, I realize that I murdered a person in cold blood, but you see, in his stead, I also rescued two other people, who would’ve been dead if it weren’t for me! That’s one versus two, so I think, your Honor, I actually deserve a medal instead of the electric chair!”
Would any judge of this world let my case slide? I don’t think so!
What about smaller offenses? Let’s say I rob a guy at gunpoint and get 100 dollars from him. But then I see a homeless man, and I give him 200 dollars. Could I go before the Judge and ask to get a good citizen’s award for my deeds? After all, I spent more on charity than what I have robbed form the first guy?
No! Of course not! Crimes have to be paid. And sin is not much different in God’s eyes. We can’t be sure if it was out of ignorance that Muhammad came up with his understanding of sin, or whether he had some other reasons.
But we can confidently claim that Allah and the God of the Bible are oceans apart in how each one treats the problem of sin.

The Bible explains how God treats the problem of sin...Romans 3:21-25
 21 But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. 

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a] Christ Jesus our Lord.

Testimonies of Millions of Muslims that encounter God

There are an increasing number of Muslims that accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and God.

You can read or listen to many of such testimonies on this Page, like the one of Youssef from Morroco.

OR CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK...

https://www.prayercast.com/testimonies-landing.html

There are 1.8 billion Muslims in the world today. And every single man, woman, and child has a unique story.

For millions, that story now includes a decision to follow Jesus Christ.

These millions of former Muslims who now follow Jesus represent every part of the world. Men and women of all ages. Rich and poor. Individuals and families. Urban and rural.

Some are part of thriving networks of churches. Some are so isolated they know few other believers.

Their journeys to Jesus were as diverse as the people themselves. They include things like:

Talking with a believer
Reading the Injil (New Testament)
Asking big questions
Receiving visions and dreams
Experiencing God’s power and love
Witnessing amazing miracles
And so much more!

But every one of these former Muslims has this in common:

God loves them.
God pursued them.
God saved them.

As we WATCH each one of these incredible stories of transformation and hope, take time to PRAISE God, who is revealing Himself to Muslims around the world every day!

Then PRAY that millions more – hundreds of millions more – would experience that same forgiveness, freedom, joy, and hope that is only available through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Click here for a Page with many more Testimonies 👇 👇 👇

https://islam-factsandmyths.blogspot.com/p/testimonies.html

How Muhammad Inverted the Judeo-Christian Tradition

How Muhammad Inverted the Judeo-Christian Tradition by Mike Muluk...

I think you might like this book – "How Muhammad Inverted the Judeo-Christian Tradition (Mike Muluk's Muhammad Series Book 2)" by Dr. Michael Ignatius Muluk.

"In this book, we will talk about the claim that Islam is an Abrahamic Faith. We will explore the real origins of Muhammad’s religion, and why it claims to be the only inheritors of Abraham’s beliefs.

It is then followed up by the book How Muhammad Inverted the Judeo-Christian Tradition.

I think you might like this book – "How Muhammad Inverted the Judeo-Christian Tradition (Mike Muluk's Muhammad Series Book 2)" by Dr. Michael Ignatius Muluk.

Start reading it for free: https://a.co/3PcAYIz

In the book we will discuss how Muhammad created an Anti-Theology to the Judeo-Christian tradition, by inverting and turning upside-down all of our Judeo-Christian values and teachings....

I am confident that my books will be able to provide you with an inside look at the Islamic Faith, that you just won’t get from the safety of a university’s theology department. Having lived the faith since birth, and having been intimately familiar with both moderate Muslims and Caliphate supporters, I can give you a real-world picture of what Islam represents today. After all, an understanding of what Islam is—without the filter of political correctness, intentional misinformation, omission, or propaganda—has never been more critically needed than in our time and age.

Read more about the Author here... https://www.quora.com/profile/Mike-Muluk

The Religion of Peace

A very informative website researching Islam's claims to be a Religion of Peace. A wide range of topics are covered with good researched factual information that let one think

(if you can and want to think?)

Study it and give your comments.

http://TheReligionofPeace.com

#TheReligionOfPeace

Short testimony of a friend about his Ramadan experience.

One thing I still clearly remember growing up as an active Muslim.

I could hardly wait for the month of Ramadan, among many reasons such as having great foods, more fellowship with relatives, exchanging gifts, and buying quality clothes, but the main reason for waiting was that, in this month, Allah becomes more merciful. One good deed brings 70 x more blessings. I would always try to take full advantage and do as much good acts as possible and seek forgiveness for my sins.

Even after doing all of this, to be honest, I never felt or experienced the peace and satisfaction that my good deeds had been accepted and that I was forgiven. In addition, the more that I tried to do well, the more I realised that I am failing. Living life with uncertainty had much effect on my life and I began to look for other ways to experience forgiveness and assurance of eternal life. For example, I tried to give more to charity, pray more and share Islam with others, but still no assurance of being forgiven.

On the last Friday of Ramadan, called “Jumma tul Wida” (farewell of Ramadan), almost every concerned Muslim would cry at the thought that the next 11 months will not bring them 70 X times blessings, and pray that Allah should rather give them death on this day, in order that they may experience less judgment and less punishment in grave.

Even in the last 10 days of Ramadan, many Muslim men go to mosque and stay there, away from everything, to get as much blessings as possible. Woman do the same at home. What I mean is that Muslims try to do their best to be forgiven and to be as close to heaven as they can get.

The sad thing, in my personal experience and in discussion with hundreds of Muslims, is that not a single Muslim could ever claim that he/she is forgiven and certain of eternal life.

The reason that I am sharing this with you is that as a son and daughter of Most High God, we know where we belong, we are sure of being forgiven by Christ's atonement made possible on the Cross, we know that we cannot do enough good deeds to surprise God, and we don’t need to do that as God has made a way. But Muslims need to know the same message of Grace and have the same assurance of eternal life that we have, by believing exclusively in Christ the Messiah and for what HE has done. We are privileged to have a Heavenly Father who is not only merciful in a certain month or a selected day, but HE is gracious everyday, waiting for people to put their trust in His Son.

Therefore I am inviting you to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people who do not know HIM, to help those new believers with a Muslim background to grow in the knowledge of Christ through discipleship, so that they can be more like Christ. Let us pray to God to put more doubt and uncertainty in Muslims' hearts, so as to seek the true God and HIS provision of eternal life, through Christ Jesus the Lord.

Blessings

Rehan

Listen to this Testimony of Safiya from Kuwait

Speaking Truth in Islam... BUT WHAT ABOUT "TAQIYYAH"? ❓❓❓

Speaking Truth in Islam - Power of Truth...

See article ...

https://www.quranexplorer.com/blog/Education-In-The-Light-Of-Sunnah-And-Qura%27an/Speaking_Truth_in_Islam

[BUT WHAT ABOUT "TAQIYYAH"? ❓❓❓see response at the end...]

This article claims...

Speaking truth is the most important and powerful aspect of Islam. God has instructed the Muslims to speak the truth in every situation no matter what the situation is.

In Islam, God rewards Muslims for speaking the truth. Muslims have to build the courage and power to speak the truth to get enter into Paradise

What Quran says about the reward of Truth?

“‘This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness.’ For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment,” (Al-Ma’idah: 119).

In the following verse, God has ordered Muslims that God is with people who speak the truth with others. In the Quran, God has clearly said that people who speak the truth He will definitely reward them, and people who speak lie to others than He will definitely punish them. “That Allah may reward the truthful for their truth and punish the hypocrites if He wills or accept their repentance,” (Al-Ahzab: 24).

We need to speak the Truth no matter what...

*********************************

[BUT WHAT ABOUT TAQIYYAH?]

In Islam, Taqiya or Taqiyya is a precautionary dissimulation or denial of religious belief and practice in the face of persecution. A related term is Kitmān, which has a more specific meaning of dissimulation by silence or omission. Wikipedia

Read this article by...

Sam Shamoun & Jochen Katz

Sunni Muslims and Taqiyyah -

Exposing One Muslim’s Blatant Distortions of the Facts...

https://answering-islam.org/Responses/Menj/taqiyyah.htm

Islam... A RELIGION of PEACE... But what about these verses?

Is Islam a Religion of Peace? An issue debated already since the beginning of Islam.

The most well known Quran verse, always used by Muslims to proof that Islam is a Religion of Peace, is... Surah 5:32

That is why We ordained for the Children of Israel that whoever takes a life—unless as a punishment for murder or mischief in the land—it will be as if they killed all of humanity; and whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.1 ˹Although˺ Our messengers already came to them with clear proofs, many of them still transgressed afterwards through the land.

— Dr. Mustafa Khattab, the Clear Quran

But... What about the other Surahs with very different tones?

Quran (2:244) - "Then fight in the cause of Allah, and know that Allah Heareth and knoweth all things." (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (2:216) - "Fighting is prescribed for you, and ye dislike it. But it is possible that ye dislike a thing which is good for you, and that ye love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knoweth, and ye know not." Not only does this verse establish that violence can be virtuous, but it also contradicts the myth that fighting is intended only in self-defense, since the audience was obviously not under attack at the time. From the Hadith, we know that this verse was narrated at a time that Muhammad was actually trying to motivate his people into raiding merchant caravans for loot. (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (3:56) - "As to those who reject faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help." (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (3:151) - "Soon shall We cast terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers, for that they joined companions with Allah, for which He had sent no authority". This speaks directly of polytheists, yet it also includes Christians, since they believe in the Trinity (ie. what Muhammad incorrectly believed to be 'joining companions to Allah'). (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (4:74) - "Let those fight in the way of Allah who sell the life of this world for the other. Whoso fighteth in the way of Allah, be he slain or be he victorious, on him We shall bestow a vast reward." The martyrs of Islam are unlike the early Christians, who were led meekly to the slaughter. These Muslims are killed in battle as they attempt to inflict death and destruction for the cause of Allah. This is the theological basis for today's suicide bombers. (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (4:76) - "Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who disbelieve, fight in the cause of Taghut (Satan, etc.). So fight you against the friends of Shaitan (Satan)" The Arabic for the word "fight" is from qital, meaning physical combat.

Quran (4:89) - "They but wish that ye should reject Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): But take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of Allah (From what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks." (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (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 " This passage criticizes "peaceful" Muslims who do not join in the violence, letting them know that they are less worthy in Allah's eyes. It also demolishes the modern myth that "Jihad" doesn't mean holy war in the Quran, but rather a spiritual struggle. Not only is this Arabic word (mujahiduna) used in this passage, but it is clearly not referring to anything spiritual, since the physically disabled are given exemption. (The Hadith reveals the context of the passage to be in response to a blind man's protest that he is unable to engage in Jihad, which would not make sense if it meant an internal struggle). (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (4:101) - "And when you (Muslims) travel in the land, there is no sin on you if you shorten your Salat (prayer) if you fear that the disbelievers may attack you, verily, the disbelievers are ever unto you open enemies." Mere disbelief makes one an "open" enemy of Muslims.

Quran (4:104) - "And be not weak hearted in pursuit of the enemy; if you suffer pain, then surely they (too) suffer pain as you suffer pain..." Is pursuing an injured and retreating enemy really an act of self-defense? (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (5:33) - "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger and strive to make mischief in the land is only this, that they should be murdered or crucified or their hands and their feet should be cut off on opposite sides or they should be imprisoned; this shall be as a disgrace for them in this world, and in the hereafter they shall have a grievous chastisement" (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (8:12) - "(Remember) when your Lord inspired the angels... "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them" No reasonable person would interpret this to mean a spiritual struggle, given that it both followed and preceded confrontations in which non-Muslims were killed by Muslims. The targets of violence are "those who disbelieve" - further defined in the next verse (13) as those who "defy and disobey Allah." Nothing is said about self-defense. In fact, the verses in sura 8 were narrated shortly after a battle provoked by Muhammad, who had been trying to attack a lightly-armed caravan to steal goods belonging to other people. (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (8:15) - "O ye who believe! When ye meet those who disbelieve in battle, turn not your backs to them. (16)Whoso on that day turneth his back to them, unless maneuvering for battle or intent to join a company, he truly hath incurred wrath from Allah, and his habitation will be hell, a hapless journey's end."

Quran (8:39) - "And fight with them until there is no more fitna (disorder, unbelief) and religion is all for Allah" Some translations interpret "fitna" as "persecution", but the traditional understanding of this word is not supported by the historical context (See notes for 2:193). The Meccans were simply refusing Muhammad access to their city during the pilgrimage. Other Muslims were allowed to travel there - but not as an armed group, since Muhammad had declared war on Mecca prior to his eviction. The Meccans were also acting in defense of their religion, as it was Muhammad's intention to destroy their idols and establish Islam by force (which he later did). Hence the critical part of this verse is to fight until "religion is only for Allah", meaning that the true justification of violence was the unbelief of the opposition. According to the Sira (Ibn Ishaq/Hisham 324) Muhammad further explains that "Allah must have no rivals." (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (8:57) - "If thou comest on them in the war, deal with them so as to strike fear in those who are behind them, that haply they may remember."

Quran (8:67) - "It is not for a Prophet that he should have prisoners of war until he had made a great slaughter in the land..."

Quran (8:59-60) - "And let not those who disbelieve suppose that they can outstrip (Allah's Purpose). Lo! they cannot escape. Make ready for them all thou canst of (armed) force and of horses tethered, that thereby ye may dismay the enemy of Allah and your enemy." As Ibn Kathir puts it in his tafsir on this passage, "Allah commands Muslims to prepare for war against disbelievers, as much as possible, according to affordability and availability." (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (8:65) - "O Prophet, exhort the believers to fight..."

Quran (9:5) - "So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them." According to this verse, the best way of staying safe from Muslim violence at the time of Muhammad was to convert to Islam: prayer (salat) and the poor tax (zakat) are among the religion's Five Pillars. The popular claim that the Quran only inspires violence within the context of self-defense is seriously challenged by this passage as well, since the Muslims to whom it was written were obviously not under attack. Had they been, then there would have been no waiting period (earlier verses make it a duty for Muslims to fight in self-defense, even during the sacred months). The historical context is Mecca after the idolaters were subjugated by Muhammad and posed no threat. Once the Muslims had power, they violently evicted those unbelievers who would not convert. (See also: Response to Apologists)

[Note: The verse says to fight unbelievers "wherever you find them". Even if the context is a time of battle (which it was not) the reading appears to sanction attacks against those "unbelievers" who are not on the battlefield. In 2016, the Islamic State referred to this verse in urging the faithful to commit terror attacks: Allah did not only command the 'fighting' of disbelievers, as if to say He only wants us to conduct frontline operations against them. Rather, He has also ordered that they be slain wherever they may be – on or off the battlefield. (source)]

Quran (9:14) - "Fight against them so that Allah will punish them by your hands and disgrace them and give you victory over them and heal the breasts of a believing people." Humiliating and hurting non-believers not only has the blessing of Allah, but it is ordered as a means of carrying out his punishment and even "heals" the hearts of Muslims.

Quran (9:20) - "Those who believe, and have left their homes and striven with their wealth and their lives in Allah's way are of much greater worth in Allah's sight. These are they who are triumphant." The Arabic word interpreted as "striving" in this verse is the same root as "Jihad". The context is obviously holy war.

Quran (9:29) - "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." "People of the Book" refers to Christians and Jews. According to this verse, they are to be violently subjugated, with the sole justification being their religious status. Verse 9:33 tells Muslims that Allah has instructed them to make Islam "superior over all religions." This chapter was one of the final "revelations" from Allah and it set in motion the tenacious military expansion, in which Muhammad's companions managed to conquer two-thirds of the Christian world in the next 100 years. Islam is intended to dominate all other people and faiths. (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (9:30) - "And the Jews say: Ezra is the son of Allah; and the Christians say: The Messiah is the son of Allah; these are the words of their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved before; may Allah destroy them; how they are turned away!" (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (9:38-39) - "O ye who believe! what is the matter with you, that, when ye are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with the Hereafter. Unless ye go forth, He will punish you with a grievous penalty, and put others in your place." This is a warning to those who refuse to fight, that they will be punished with Hell. The verse also links physical fighting to the "cause of Allah" (or "way of Allah"). (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (9:41) - "Go forth, light or heavy (some translations read "armed") and strive with your wealth and your lives in the way of Allah! That is best for you if ye but knew." See also the verse that follows (9:42) - "If there had been immediate gain (in sight), and the journey easy, they would (all) without doubt have followed thee, but the distance was long, (and weighed) on them" This contradicts the myth that Muslims are to fight only in self-defense, since the wording implies that battle will be waged a long distance from home (in another country and - in this case - on Christian soil, according to the historians). (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (9:73) - "O Prophet! strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites and be unyielding to them; and their abode is hell, and evil is the destination." Dehumanizing those who reject Islam, by reminding Muslims that unbelievers are merely firewood for Hell, makes it easier to justify slaughter. It explains why today's devout Muslims generally have little regard for those outside the faith. The inclusion of "hypocrites" (non-practicing) within the verse also contradicts the apologist's defense that the targets of hate and hostility are wartime foes, since there was never an opposing army made up of non-religious Muslims in Muhammad's time. (See also Games Muslims Play: Terrorists Can't Be Muslim Because They Kill Muslims for the role this verse plays in Islam's perpetual internal conflicts).   (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (9:88) - "But the Messenger, and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper." (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (9:111) - "Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Quran: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah? then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme." How does the Quran define a true believer? (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (9:123) - "O you who believe! fight those of the unbelievers who are near to you and let them find in you hardness." (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (17:16) - "And when We wish to destroy a town, We send Our commandment to the people of it who lead easy lives, but they transgress therein; thus the word proves true against it, so We destroy it with utter destruction." Note that the crime is moral transgression, and the punishment is "utter destruction." (Before ordering the 9/11 attacks, Osama bin Laden first issued Americans an invitation to Islam).

Quran (18:65-81) - This parable lays the theological groundwork for honor killings, in which a family member is murdered because they brought shame to the family, either through apostasy or perceived moral indiscretion. The story (which is not found in any Jewish or Christian source) tells of Moses encountering a man with "special knowledge" who does things which don't seem to make sense on the surface, but are then justified according to later explanation. One such action is to murder a youth for no apparent reason (v.74). However, the wise man later explains that it was feared that the boy would "grieve" his parents by "disobedience and ingratitude." He was killed so that Allah could provide them a 'better' son. [Note: This parable along with verse 58:22 is a major reason that honor killing is sanctioned by Sharia. Reliance of the Traveler (Umdat al-Saliq) says that punishment for murder is not applicable when a parent or grandparent kills their offspring (o.1.12).] (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (21:44) - "...See they not that We gradually reduce the land (in their control) from its outlying borders? Is it then they who will win?"

Quran (25:52) - "Therefore listen not to the Unbelievers, but strive against them with the utmost strenuousness with it." - The root for Jihad is used twice in this verse - although it may not have been referring to Holy War when narrated, since it was prior to the hijra at Mecca. The "it" at the end is thought to mean the Quran. Thus the verse may have originally meant a non-violent resistance to the 'unbelievers.' Obviously, this changed with the hijra. 'Jihad' after this is almost exclusively within a violent context. The enemy is always defined as people, rather than ideas.

Quran (33:60-62) - "If the hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease (evil desire for adultery, etc.), and those who spread false news among the people in Al-Madinah, cease not, We shall certainly let you overpower them, then they will not be able to stay in it as your neighbors but a little while Accursed, wherever found, they shall be seized and killed with a (terrible) slaughter." This passage sanctions slaughter (rendered as "merciless" and "horrible murder" in other translations) against three groups: hypocrites (Muslims who refuse to "fight in the way of Allah" (3:167) and hence don't act as Muslims should), those with "diseased hearts" (which include Jews and Christians 5:51-52), and "alarmists" or "agitators - those who speak out against Islam. It is worth noting that the victims are to be sought out, which is what today's terrorists do.

Quran (47:3-4) - "Those who disbelieve follow falsehood, while those who believe follow the truth from their Lord... So, when you meet (fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause), those who disbelieve smite at their necks till when you have killed and wounded many of them, then bind a bond firmly (on them, i.e. take them as captives)... If it had been Allah's Will, He Himself could certainly have punished them (without you). But (He lets you fight), in order to test you, some with others. But those who are killed in the Way of Allah, He will never let their deeds be lost." Holy war is to be pursued against those who reject Allah. The unbelievers are to be killed and wounded. Survivors are to be held captive for ransom. The only reason Allah doesn't do the dirty work himself is to to test the faithfulness of Muslims. Those who kill pass the test. (See also: 47:4 for more context) (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (47:35) - "Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when ye should be uppermost (Shakir: "have the upper hand") for Allah is with you," (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (48:17) - "There is no blame for the blind, nor is there blame for the lame, nor is there blame for the sick (that they go not forth to war). And whoso obeyeth Allah and His messenger, He will make him enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow; and whoso turneth back, him will He punish with a painful doom." Contemporary apologists sometimes claim that Jihad means 'spiritual struggle.' If so, then why are the blind, lame and sick exempted? This verse also says that those who do not fight will suffer torment in hell.

Quran (48:29) - "Muhammad is the messenger of Allah. And those with him are hard (ruthless) against the disbelievers and merciful among themselves" Islam is not about treating everyone equally. This verse tells Muslims that two very distinct standards are applied based on religious status. Also the word used for 'hard' or 'ruthless' in this verse shares the same root as the word translated as 'painful' or severe' to describe Hell in over 25 other verses including 65:10, 40:46 and 50:26..

Quran (61:4) - "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His cause" Religion of Peace, indeed! The verse explicitly refers to "rows" or "battle array," meaning that it is speaking of physical conflict. This is followed by (61:9), which defines the "cause": "He it is who has sent His Messenger (Mohammed) with guidance and the religion of truth (Islam) to make it victorious over all religions even though the infidels may resist." (See next verse, below). Infidels who resist Islamic rule are to be fought. (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (61:10-12) - "O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment. That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and that you strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! (If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwelling in Gardens of'Adn- Eternity ['Adn(Edn) Paradise], that is indeed the great success." This verse refers to physical battle waged to make Islam victorious over other religions (see verse 9). It uses the Arabic root for the word Jihad.

Quran (66:9) - "O Prophet! Strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern with them. Hell will be their home, a hapless journey's end." The root word of "Jihad" is used again here. The context is clearly holy war, and the scope of violence is broadened to include "hypocrites" - those who call themselves Muslims but do not act as such.   (See also: Response to Apologists)

Quran (2:191-193) - "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] is worse than killing... but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah] and worship is for Allah alone. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun(the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)" (Translation is from the Noble Quran) The verse prior to this (190) refers to "fighting for the cause of Allah those who fight you" leading some to claim that the entire passage refers to a defensive war in which Muslims are defending their homes and families. The historical context of this passage is not defensive warfare, however, since Muhammad and his Muslims had just relocated to Medina and were not under attack by their Meccan adversaries. In fact, the verses urge offensive warfare, in that Muslims are to drive Meccans out of their own city (which they later did). Verse 190 thus means to fight those who offer resistance to Allah's rule (ie. Muslim conquest). The use of the word "persecution" by some Muslim translators is disingenuous - the actual Arabic words for persecution (idtihad) - and oppression are not used instead of fitna.  Fitna can mean disbelief, or the disorder that results from unbelief or temptation. A strict translation is 'sedition,' meaning rebellion against authority (the authority being Allah). This is certainly what is meant in this context since the violence is explicitly commissioned "until religion is for Allah" - ie. unbelievers desist in their unbelief. [Editor's note: these notes have been modified slightly after a critic misinterpreted our language. Verse 193 plainly says that 'fighting' is sanctioned even if the fitna 'ceases'. This is about religious order, not real persecution.] (See also: Response to Apologists)

Other verses calling Muslims to Jihad can be found here at AnsweringIslam.org

Category Headings