Atman
Member
Before I begin I want to note I don't have any ill will towards Islam, and certainly not towards Muslims. I view some Islamic mystics like Mansur Al Hallaj, Haji Bektash Veli, and (of course) Rumi in very high standards. In their writings I find a reflection of my own panentheistic/monistic religious beliefs, which I very much admire. Having made that note I want to discuss an aspect of the prophet Muhammad's life that many find controversial or criticize, and of which I am unsure of the historical accuracy.
Based on most of the english biographies I have read of Muhammad, the only major military conflict mentioned after Muhammad's conquest of Mecca, is with the city of Ta'if. However through reading I have found mention of Muhammad ordering Khalid to commit a siege against the city of Dumatul Jandal in order to destroy the idol and temple of Wadd (mentioned in Hisham Ibn Al-Kalbi's "Book of Idols"), Muhammad ordering the new convert Surad Ibn Abdullah to fight pagan tribes in the Yemeni city of Jurash (mentioned by the hadith collector Al Tabari, and earlier by the Muslim historian and scholar Ibn Sa'd Al Baghdadi), and Muhammad ordering the destruction of the pagan shrine in Yemen of Dhul Khalasa, which lead to the death of 300 Yemeni pagans attempting to defend their temple (mentioned by Ibn Al Kalbi in his "Book of Idols" as well as by Al Bukhari in his "Sahih al-Bukhari" hadith collection.)
Based on the sources I have given above do the Muslim members here generally acknowledge these expeditions and the reasons given for them as being historical in nature? Do Islamic scholars? Do secular scholars of Islam? I understand Sahih al-Bukhari is considered to be rather authoritative in nature, but what about the other sources mentioned? What do these incidents say about the nature of how Islam should be spread? About religious tolerance? About how muslims should conduct themselves today?
Again I realize the sensitive nature of these questions, but I ask them not to attempt to slander Islam, Muslims, or even Muhammad that matter, but to grasp at what the beliefs and actions of the historical Muhammad were in regards to issues like religious tolerance, and how Islam should be propagated.
Based on most of the english biographies I have read of Muhammad, the only major military conflict mentioned after Muhammad's conquest of Mecca, is with the city of Ta'if. However through reading I have found mention of Muhammad ordering Khalid to commit a siege against the city of Dumatul Jandal in order to destroy the idol and temple of Wadd (mentioned in Hisham Ibn Al-Kalbi's "Book of Idols"), Muhammad ordering the new convert Surad Ibn Abdullah to fight pagan tribes in the Yemeni city of Jurash (mentioned by the hadith collector Al Tabari, and earlier by the Muslim historian and scholar Ibn Sa'd Al Baghdadi), and Muhammad ordering the destruction of the pagan shrine in Yemen of Dhul Khalasa, which lead to the death of 300 Yemeni pagans attempting to defend their temple (mentioned by Ibn Al Kalbi in his "Book of Idols" as well as by Al Bukhari in his "Sahih al-Bukhari" hadith collection.)
Based on the sources I have given above do the Muslim members here generally acknowledge these expeditions and the reasons given for them as being historical in nature? Do Islamic scholars? Do secular scholars of Islam? I understand Sahih al-Bukhari is considered to be rather authoritative in nature, but what about the other sources mentioned? What do these incidents say about the nature of how Islam should be spread? About religious tolerance? About how muslims should conduct themselves today?
Again I realize the sensitive nature of these questions, but I ask them not to attempt to slander Islam, Muslims, or even Muhammad that matter, but to grasp at what the beliefs and actions of the historical Muhammad were in regards to issues like religious tolerance, and how Islam should be propagated.