Questions for Muslims

[Muslim-UK]

Was Muhammad a psychopath?

It would explain a lot.

Let's see what non Muslim Scholars in the West, who studied his life had to say to answer this question:

Michael Hart, in the 100: A
Ranking of the Most Influential
Persons in History, 1978.

MUHAMMAD (PBUH), Number. ONE

From the 100, a Ranking of the
Most Influential Persons in
History, by Michael H. Hart

My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most
influential persons may surprise some readers and may be
questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who
was supremely successful on both the religious and secular
levels.

Of humble origins, Muhammad founded and promulgated one
of the world's great religions, and became an immensely
effective political leader. Today, thirteen centuries after his
death, his influence is still powerful and pervasive.

The majority of the persons in this book had the advantage of
being born and raised in centers of civilization, highly
cultured or politically pivotal nations. Muhammad, however,
was born in the year 570, in the city of Mecca, in southern
Arabia, at that time a backward area of the world, far from the
centers of trade, art, and learning. Orphaned at age six, he was
reared in modest surroundings. Islamic radition tells us that he
was illiterate. His economic position improved when, at age
twenty-five, he married a wealthy widow. Nevertheless, as he
approached forty, there was little outward indication that he
was a remarkable person.

Most Arabs at that time were pagans, who believed in many
gods. There were, however, in Mecca, a small number of
Jews and Christians; it was from them no doubt that
Muhammad first learned of a single, omnipotent God who
ruled the entire universe. When he was forty years old,
Muhammad became convinced that this one true God (Allah)
was speaking to him, and had chosen him to spread the true
faith.


No one can study the life of the Final Messenger of GOD and not have admiration and a deep respect for the man, whose legacy will be amongst us for all time.


I'm sure when you meet him in person, you'll be able to decide for yourself.

 

[FearGod]

Since Christ preached love your enemies and turn the other cheek, it is safe to say that violence is unchristian. Since Muhammad was violent, I'd say that behavior is quite Muslim , because the founder of the Religion practiced it.

Do you reject the OT?

 

[FearGod]

So I'm not trying to start a debate, I'm trying to understand a position different from my own. To all the Muslims here how would you defend the claim that Muhammad was a pedophile? Also, if Allah is merciful and loving, then why does he condone the killing of Christians and Jews in the Qu'ran? Why is it okay to spread your religion through conquest like Mohammed?

Different than your own !!!!

The answer is simple, the man Jesus is your God and when he wants to show his love to humans
then he choose more effective weapon such as the gift of Typhoon Harvey.

 

[YmirGF]

Yes this is likely true of some communities in Muslim Countries that are lacking in basic education. Tribal regions of Pakistan/Afghanistan, and parts of Africa. The same can be said of non Muslim communities, and indeed some HIGHLY educated and advanced Countries, One being a Super Power that acts as the World's Policeman no less:

American men are taking advantage of legal loopholes to marry children as young as 12

American men are taking advantage of legal loopholes to marry children as young as 12

"The problem has affected as many as 200,000 children in the the US since 2000."

This is tragic wherever it occurs, but the "Yeah, but you guys do it too" defense is pretty lame. On the Muslims side, you have this huge image problem that the founder of your religion did such an unspeakable thing to a child. You are, in effect, comparing Muhammad to the low lives in present day America. Um, you might want to rethink that. To recap, Muhammad is seen as the perfect human who led an exemplary life that all should emulate. If that is the case, pointing the finger at Americans involved in this disgusting practice is hardly reasonable, as theoretically, Muslims should be exclaiming, "Allahua akbar, baby!"

 

[Mohsen]

Was Muhammad a psychopath?

It would explain a lot.

I believe you have trouble understanding basic English, I was referring to David Wood the psychopath who tried to kill his own father, the very same pseudo-religious islamophobe!

Peace

 

[YmirGF]

I believe you have trouble understanding basic English, I was referring to David Wood the psychopath who tried to kill his own father, the very same pseudo-religious islamophobe!

Peace

To be fair to Mr. Wood, he had a troubled childhood and violently attacked his father when he was 18 and was incarcerated for that crime. He was in jail for about 10 years and it was in jail that he became a Christian and found the inner strength to put his life in order. Other than brief periods, due to his evangelizing, he has avoided more scrapes with the law. In other words, getting arrested for attempted murder is a far cry from nuisance evangelizing (for which, he has been arrested at least once). To use the past of the child against the man is a tiny bit unfair. He has come a long way since he was young even if you do not like his current "mission".

 

[Augustus]

It was non Jews who wrote the NT and what better way to unite a people and make them comply with foreign rulers, than to put in pacifist verses related to turning the other cheek, not picking up arms and giving to Caesar what is due?

What better way to unite a people and make them comply with rulers than by coming up with a 'brilliant' religious conspiracy then instead of promoting it, actively persecuting its followers to prevent it spreading?

Not to mention that, as with most conspiracy theories, it also ascribes near omnipotent power to shadowy hidden forces, and in the pre-modern era this is even less plausible than in the present.

This has to be the worst 'origin of Christianity' theory imaginable.

 

[Augustus]

The Muslims were actually closer to the Jews and Christians in the beginning

Significant numbers who fought in the Arab conquests were Jews and Christians.

ead the first verses of Surih 30 "Ar Rum"

2. The Romans have been defeated.

3. In the nearer land (Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Palestine), and they, after their defeat, will be victorious.

4. Within three to nine years. The decision of the matter, before and after (these events) is only with Allah, (before the defeat of Romans by the Persians, and after, i.e. the defeat of the Persians by the Romans). And on that Day, the believers (i.e. Muslims) will rejoice (at the victory given by Allah to the Romans against the Persians),

5. With the help of Allah, He helps whom He wills, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.

This has similarities with an earlier Byzantine eschatological text:

According to Theophylact, Khosrau II prophesied that “the Babylonian race will hold the Roman state in its power for a threefold cyclic hebdomad of years [591-612]. Thereafter the Romans will enslave the Persians in the fifth hebdomad of years [619-26]. When these very things have been accomplished, the day without evening will dwell among men and the expected fate will achieve power, when the transient things will be handed over to dissolution and the things of the better life hold sway.”66 The similarities of this prophecy to Kor 30, 2-5 are striking (at least according to the most widely accepted vocaliza- tion), particularly when one recalls that “the Command” (or “dominion, reign”: al-amr) is a Qurʾānic term for the eschaton: “The Greeks have been vanquished in the nearer part of the land; and, after their vanquishing, they shall be the victors in a few years. To God belongs the Command before and after, and on that day the believers shall rejoice in God’s help.”6

https://www.academia.edu/7800509/_T..._and_Empire_in_Late_Antiquity_and_Early_Islam

 

[Spiderman]

Do you reject the OT?

Yep. I think it is thoroughly cruel, judgemental, intolerant, and disgusting! It goes against my conscience!

 

[Notanumber]

David Wood was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (sociopathy) and was sentenced to ten years in prison for malicious wounding. If he was still classed as a danger to society he wouldn’t have been released after 5 years.

Wood was arrested outside Dearborn, Michigan, after preaching at an Arab festival and being charged with a misdemeanor of disturbing the peace, but was later acquitted.[23][24] In May 2013, the City of Dearborn was required to post a public apology[25] to be maintained on the City's website for three years and pay $300,000 to Wood and his three compatriots.[26]

David Wood (Christian apologist) - Wikipedia

Dearborn ordered to apologize for arrests of Christian missionaries at Arab Fest

 

[YmirGF]

David Wood was diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder (sociopathy) and was sentenced to ten years in prison for malicious wounding. If he was still classed as a danger to society he wouldn’t have been released after 5 years.

Wood was arrested outside Dearborn, Michigan, after preaching at an Arab festival and being charged with a misdemeanor of disturbing the peace, but was later acquitted.[23][24] In May 2013, the City of Dearborn was required to post a public apology[25] to be maintained on the City's website for three years and pay $300,000 to Wood and his three compatriots.[26]

David Wood (Christian apologist) - Wikipedia

Dearborn ordered to apologize for arrests of Christian missionaries at Arab Fest

And... to the best of my knowledge David Wood has never tried to hide from his past. It's part of what makes his transformation so exceptional. But... because so many hate his message... the disingenuous think they have an easy target and attack the man rather than what he is saying.

 

[Epic Beard Man]

Therefore, Islam is open to interpretation.

Is Sharia Law as flexible?

There is thing called Islamic Jurisprudence that has various schools of thought like the Maliki school of thought and Ashrite etc that have differing interpretation on Shariah Law even prayer (such as whethwr one puts there hands at their sides or stomach).

 

[Epic Beard Man]

The Prophet pbuh predicted Muslims would spilt into many sects, and the Companions asked him, how would they and future generations know which one is following the correct path? He replied it would be the largest group following his way, (Sunnah). Today that is some 85% of the 1.6 Billion Muslims who are Ahl as Sunnah wal-Jamaah (followers of the Sunnah), the Sunni Muslims and our Scholars say, God is a physical entity who resides above His creation.

As much as I respect your opinions Ibn Rushd would disagree. God is incorporeal above all physical matter:

"Vision comprehends him not"
There is no way to know physically God is physical.

 

[Muslim-UK]

This is tragic wherever it occurs, but the "Yeah, but you guys do it too" defense is pretty lame. On the Muslims side, you have this huge image problem that the founder of your religion did such an unspeakable thing to a child. You are, in effect, comparing Muhammad to the low lives in present day America.

In Societies of old it was common for parents to agree in principle to have their children arranged to be married to the children of relatives or families within their local community. It was the norm when the average life expectancy was 20-30 years of age, so get off your high horse. Boys were classed as men when they hit puberty and it was not uncommon for 12 year olds to be the heads of their family, consisting of wife and 1-2 children.

 

[Muslim-UK]

As much as I respect your opinions Ibn Rushd would disagree. God is incorporeal above all physical matter:

"Vision comprehends him not"
There is no way to know physically God is physical.

Most Scholars quote verses in the Qur'an that shows Allah swt has shins, eyes, hands, feet etc, but yes, we can't really comprehend or begin to really understand what His Majesty looks like until we have offloaded these Earthly bodies.

 

[Notanumber]

In Societies of old it was common for parents to agree in principle to have their children arranged to be married to the children of relatives or families within their local community. It was the norm when the average life expectancy was 20-30 years of age, so get off your high horse. Boys were classed as men when they hit puberty and it was not uncommon for 12 year olds to be the heads of their family, consisting of wife and 1-2 children.

Are these situations inspired by Muhammad or can they be explained away as just being cultural?

 

[YmirGF]

In Societies of old it was common for parents to agree in principle to have their children arranged to be married to the children of relatives or families within their local community. It was the norm when the average life expectancy was 20-30 years of age, so get off your high horse. Boys were classed as men when they hit puberty and it was not uncommon for 12 year olds to be the heads of their family, consisting of wife and 1-2 children.

Hey, save your angst. You are the one who compared Muhammad to modern day criminals, not me. For the record, I'm well aware of the history on this topic so you need not waste your time trying to educate me.

 

[Muslim-UK]

Are these situations inspired by Muhammad or can they be explained away as just being cultural?
Cultural, similar to what happens every single year in the Town/City you live in affecting every single community. Some men feel entitled to do as they see fit with the fairer sex. I pray God shows them no mercy when they return to Him for Judgement.

 

[Notanumber]

Are these situations inspired by Muhammad or can they be explained away as just being cultural?
Cultural, similar to what happens every single year in the Town/City you live in affecting every single community. Some men feel entitled to do as they see fit with the fairer sex. I pray God shows them no mercy when they return to Him for Judgement.

Are you sure?

Banaz Mahmod: Chilling video of a young honour killing victim warning police that her life is in danger | Daily Mail Online

 

[Muslim-UK]

Are you sure?

Banaz Mahmod: Chilling video of a young honour killing victim warning police that her life is in danger | Daily Mail Online

Yes read the article for yourself, nothing about religion or Islam. You could just use the Qur'an or authentic Hadiths to show Islam allows men to kill their partners for dishonouring them, but I'm sure you know there is no such allowance in Islam.

Ruling on honour killings - islamqa.info

A questioner asks, "I would like to know what the ruling on Honor killings would be and how it should be punished acording to the Laws of the Shariat."

Published Date: 2007-08-13
Praise be to Allaah.


Killing a Muslim unlawfully is a serious matter and a grave crime. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whoever kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell to abide therein; and the Wrath and the Curse of Allaah are upon him, and a great punishment is prepared for him”

[al-Nisa’ 4:93]

al-Bukhaari (6355) narrated from Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The believer will continue to be encompassed by the mercy of Allaah so long as he does not shed blood that it is forbidden to shed.”



The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has explained to us the reasons for which it becomes permissible to shed this blood. He said: “It is not permissible to shed the blood of a Muslim who bears witness that there is no god but Allaah and that I am the Messenger of Allaah except in three cases: a life for a life (murder), zina of one of who is previously-married (adultery), and the one who changes his religion and forsakes the jamaa’ah.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (6370) and Muslim (3175). From this it is clear that zina on the part of one who is married is one of the reasons that make it permissible to kill a person, but the zaani (adulterer) cannot be killed unless two conditions are met:

-1-

He should be previously-married. The scholars have explained what is meant by previously-married in this case. Zakariya al-Ansaari (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Asna’l-Mataalib (4/128): The previously-married person, whether male or female, is any adult of sound mind who has previously had intercourse within a valid marriage. End quote. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Sharh al-Zaad (6/120): There are five conditions for (being described as) previously-married:

1- Intercourse

2- Within a valid marriage

3- Being an adult

4- Being of sound reason

5- Being free (i.e., not a slave).

End quote.

-2-

The second condition is that it should be proven that the hadd punishment is deserved, by the testimony of four male witnesses who saw the private parts meet, or the person should freely admit to having committed zina, without being forced to do so.

If it is proven that he deserves the hadd punishment, it is not permissible for individuals to carry out this punishment themselves. Rather the matter must be referred to the ruler or his deputy to prove the crime and carry out the punishment, because if individuals carry out hadd punishments, that will lead to a great deal of corruption and evil.

Ibn Muflih al-Hanbali (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Furoo’ (6/53): It is haraam for anyone to carry out a hadd punishment except the ruler or his deputy. This is something on which the fuqaha’ of Islam are unanimously agreed, as was stated in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (5/280): The fuqaha’ are unanimously agreed that the one who should carry out hadd punishments is the ruler or his deputy, whether the punishment is transgressing one of the limits of Allaah, may He be exalted, such as zina, or a transgression against another person, such as slander. End quote.

Concealing one who has committed this evil deed so that he may repent and set his affairs straight before he dies is better than exposing him, let alone killing him. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) turned away from Maa’iz (may Allaah be pleased with him) after he admitted committing zina, and he ignored him until he had repeated his confession several times, then he carried out the hadd punishment on him.

Based on this, that which is called “honour killing” is a transgression and wrongdoing, because it is killing one who does not deserve to be killed, namely the virgin if she commits zina (fornication), but the shar’i punishment in her case is flogging and banishment for one year, not execution, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “(The punishment for zina) of a virgin with a virgin person is one hundred lashes and exile for one year.” Narrated by Muslim. The one who kills her has killed a believing soul whom Allaah has forbidden to be killed, and there is a stern warning concerning that, as Allaah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And those who invoke not any other ilaah (god) along with Allaah, nor kill such person as Allaah has forbidden, except for just cause, nor commit illegal sexual intercourse ___ and whoever does this shall receive the punishment.

69. The torment will be doubled to him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will abide therein in disgrace”

[al-Furqaan 25:68-69]

Even if we assume that she deserves to be executed (if she was previously-married and committed zina), no one should do that but the ruler – as stated above. Moreover, in many cases killing is done on the basis of accusations and speculation, without proving whether the immoral action even took place.

And Allaah knows best.