http://www.middleeast.org/comments/1/3196.shtml

It also can serve as a response to the charges of Muhammad being a terrorist and the many outright lies about Islam in the media. Many of the Quranic verses that are taken out of context and misquoted to demonize Islam and Muslims are addressed in the information below.

Below are a few Christian statements that if practiced by sincere Christians will lead to understanding and harmony instead of discord and hatred when looking at another religion. They are:

"Judge not and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not and ye shall not be condemned."

"However you want people to treat you, so treat them."

If the time is taken to understand from the language and also historic circumstances what is truly meant in the statements of other religions there would be peace, love and an understanding among religious people rather than animosity and hatred. But if the intent is to condemn, belittle and poison the minds of others then even the most noble teachings will be slanted. If one treats others the way they would want to be treated then a lot of care would be taken to truly understand rather than criticize.

The article referenced in the link above, contains a lot of common misunderstandings, partial quotes and outright lies about what Islam teaches. It can be compared to someone taking the quote from Patrick Henry where he said "Give me liberty or give me death!" and running to tell the world that Patrick Henry believes in suicide and only telling the world that he said "give me death!" You will see when I point out what is quoted in the article versus what the Quran actually said that the lies are just that blatant. The verses can be easily verified by going to any good translation of the Quran. There is no secret or hiding of information here.

1. The article starts by quoting one of the most common misstatements about the Quran: "Take not Jews and Christians for friends . . . " If the writers of this had taken the time to study the arabic language they would have come to a better understanding. In arabic the common word for friend is "siddiq". The Quran did not use that word in this verse. The word used is "wali" which means protecting friend or guardian. The Quran is telling Muslims in this verse that they should not look to Jews and Christians to protect their interest in Islam. Why? Because Jews and Christians do not know or are sensitive to the special interest of Muslims that are unique to Islam. Would a Christian go to a Buddhist and say "Mr. Bhuddist here is my Bible I want you to be it's guardian and protect the special interest that the Bible has for Christians." No! That can only be done by a fellow Christian who shares that interest. This was taken totally out of context. There are too many verses in Quran exhorting the friendship between righteous Christians, Jews and people of other faiths with Muslims. Here are a few:

"Of the people of Moses there is a section who guide and do justice in the light of truth." (7:159)

"And there are, certainly, among the People of the Book, those who believe in God, in the revelation to you, and in the revelation to them, bowing in humility to God. They will not sell the Signs of God for a miserable gain! For them is a reward with their Lord, and God is swift in account." (3:199)

"Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant." (5:82)

2. The article states: "). Extreme intolerance is commanded in Sura 5:33 — "[For those who do not submit to Allah] their punishment is . . . execution or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet, from the opposite sides, or exile from the land." This is a total misquote. Sura 5:33 states: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter; Except for those who repent before they fall into your power: In that case, know that Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful."

As you can see there is a big difference between "For those who do not submit to Allah" and "those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land." This is referring to punishment meted out to people who actively engage in doing wrong. There is no reference to anyone of a particular religion. Again this is a deliberate lie and misrepresentation.

3. The article states: "The Koran also expresses an intolerant attitude toward any person who decides to reject the Islamic faith or convert to another religion. Such persons are to be executed (Sura 9:12)."

When you go to Sura 9:12 it states: "But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith - Fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: For their oaths are nothing to them: That thus they may be restrained." This is a totally different meaning than what is in the article.

4. In pushing the idea that Islam is a militant religion the article states "Fighting is prescribed for you, and [some of] you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and that you love a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not (Sura 2:16)." Instead of Sura 2:16 this should be Sura 2:216.

This is a reasonably good translation. But what the writer does not do is put it in context. The previous verses before this was talking about charity and this verse is a continuation. To fight in the cause of Truth is one of the highest forms of charity. What can you offer that is more precious than your own life? This verse is encouraging Muslims that if they need to fight for truth and self defense they should not hesitate. They should consider it as a high form of charity and it should not be something disliked. Again the article mis-informs.

5. The article also uses the following verses to support the idea that Islam condones militancy:

"Fight and slay the pagans wherever you find them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem of war (Sura 9:5).

Fight in the way of Allah . . . and slay them [the unbelievers] wherever you find them and drive them out . . . and fight them until . . . religion is for Allah (Sura 2:190-193)."

The correct translations are:

"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and sieze them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every strategem (of war); But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Sura 9:5)

"Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; For Allah loveth not transgressors.

"And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter;But fight them not in the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; But if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

"But if they cease, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

"And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; But if they cease, let there be no hostility except for those who practise oppression."

Again these verses are not directed towards a specific faith but to people whom the Muslims were at war with. There are historical references to these verses detailing a time when Muslims were being persecuted and brutally mistreated by the pagans of Mecca. These verses show that war is permitted in self-defense and under well defined limits. When undertaken it must be pushed with vigour, but only to restore peace and freedom for the worship of God. In any case strict limits must not be transgressed: women, children, old and infirm men should not be molested nor trees and crops cut down, nor peace witheld when the enemy comes to terms.

In general, it may be said that Islam is a religion of peace, good will, mutual understanding, and good faith. But it will not acquiesce in wrong doing, and its men will hold their lives cheap in defence of honour, justice and the religion which they hold sacred. They know that war is an evil, but they will not flinch from it if their honour demands it and it serves the needs of righteousness and justice.

6. The article states: "Muslims living in Western democracies try to defend their religion by quoting Sura 2:256 which says, "There is no compulsion in religion."...But even more important is the fact that Islamic teachers themselves argue that this verse was later abrogated, either by the words or actions of Muhammad."

The exact verse referred to is: "Let there be no compulsion in religion; Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. And God heareth and knoweth all things."

The statement about this verse being abrogated is an outright lie. The trumped up supposed arguments by Muslim Jurists stated in the article are total lies. There is no plainer way for me to put it. The Quran itself states: "None of Our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten..." (Sura 2:106) This is an old argument used by ungodly Jews and others to nullify the openess of Islam to free __expression of faith. The Quran is quite clear and the Muslims know that none of the verses have been abrogated. The whole book is taken to be the word of God that should be obeyed. There is nothing in the book that states parts are valid and other parts are not! By lying about the abrogation of this verse the enemies of Islam want to push the idea that Islam is a forceful religion that forces people to it and if you read the beautiful verse above about no compulsion in religion in Quran then that verse has no meaning. Can you imagine that? They will have the nerve to go to the Quran, the Muslims Holy book, and tell the world that the verses dealing with religious openess and tolerence have been abrogated. These are really some evil people with a desperate mission to mallign!

The reader should know that the Quran contains 114 chapters with thousands of verses. These verses address all aspects of human life as well as stories about Adam, Eve, Moses, Abraham, Jesus and other Prophets of God. The Quran addresses the moral, rational and spiritual needs of the human being. It also provides guidance for man in all fields of endeavour. To try to discredit Islam the ungodly Jew and Christian Zionists only extract verses related to fighting and war. My addressing these attacks on Islam in no way is an indication that the Quran is only about fighting and war. There is so much more to the Quran and each person should read it for themselves to find out its contents.

The Quran commands the Muslims to protect the sacred places of worship for people of other religions. The history of Muslims is full of examples of where the sacred places of Christians and others were protected. The Church of the Nativity in Bethelehem, the Church of St. George in Syria and others are examples. In dealings with others the Quran endorses, fairness, kindness and being just even to the detriment of ourselves. This is pointed out in the following verse:

"O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for God can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well- acquainted with all that ye do." (4:135)

The Quran recognizes the universal goodness of all people and religions. It also acknowledges that God will reward all good people for their good actions. This is shown in the following verse:

"Those who believe (in the Quran) And those who follow the Jewish (Scriptures) And the Christians and the Sabians, - ANY who believe in God And the Last Day, And work righteousness, Shall have their reward With their Lord: on them Shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve." Surah 2:62

Lastly in Islam we don't have an elitist idea about a segment of humanity. Their are no "chosen ones" in Islam based on race, culture, or religion as there is among the Jews and the christians. Nor is there a caste system designating some human beings to "untouchable class" and others as superior "Brahmins" based on the color of their skin. Muhammad, PBUH, stated on Mount Arafat that there was no such thing as superior or inferior people of whatever race or colour - except in piety and submission to the will of God. His words were, "An Arab was not superior to a non-Arab, A non-Arab is not superior to an Arab, A Black is not superior to a White and a White is not superior to a Black. The superior one among you is he who is most conscious of his duty to God and society."

The world should understand that the attack on Islam by Zionists and Christian Zionists is not only because the Muslim countries have oil. It is for the same reason that the Jews in Christ's day attacked and tried to have him crucified. The real reason is because of the truth Islam exposes. Not all Jews are ungodly and many of them have been outstanding and have shown true humanity by identifying more with truth than with their tribe. Men like Israel Shahak, Israel Shamir, Noam Chomsky, Adam Shapiro, Norman Finkelstein and others have been at the forefront of exposing the wrongs of their own people. We owe them much for their true examples of humanity and the knowledge they have brought us. Our war is against the ugly Zionist who twists the truth to have good people hate and kill each other.

I hope my explanation addresses some of the misconceptions in the article posted on Middle East Realities. What a better world this would be if just the simple truth were told about other people and religions. I am glad that there are people in this world who are still interested in just knowing the plain truth.