Islam discourages tribalism

Submitted by Ahmad (United States), Jan 29, 2008 at 19:34

Ali,

WOW! Where should I start? I consider myself fairly knowledgable about islam and Mohammad PBU. I thank god for giving me that knowledge and pray to learn more. Since responding to your email will take at least an hour and I am studying for an exam, I will respond for now to a couple of points and make it brief.

1. Non muslims are the worst beasts and lowest creatures (8.55,58.20): Nob believers in god are non thinkers(otherwise they would have beleived that someone created all this) and so are compared to non-thinking mammals(animals). Jews and Christians are people of book and thus believe in god.

2.Slay the infidels wherever you find them unless they convert (9.5). Response: There is no compulsion in religion. Certain surahs were talking about certain events(in response to) that happened and it is not general in nature.

Ali, the key is education.Don't make assumptions about sentences in the Quran. try to see in what context the surah is. There are multiple other surah about forgiveness.I can talk about multiple parts of the bible and Torah that have similar meanings. example: Jesus PBU saying I came to the world not for peace but with the sword!!

take care.

Ahmad

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