Does Islam Promote Peace?

 

On this blog, we are going to investigate the two biggest religions in the world, Islam and Christianity. To determine if a religion promote a real Peace and Tolerance towards not only the followers but to all Faiths (religions) & Mankind equally, we have to refer ourselves to the scriptures in context that can be understand by everybody, not just a few.

- In Islam, Muslims follows the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad in the Qur'an.
- In Christianity, Christians follows the teachings of Jesus Christ in the New Testament.

Now, let's have a look at both teachings so we can evaluate if the messages of the Prophets means peace and forgiveness or fear & submission by their actions and how it influences the lives of the peoples who are following these teachings today.

Before we begin this évaluation, it is important to define what we mean by peace. The Merriam-Webster Dictonary define the word peace as: "a state of tranquillity or quietness. Mental or emotional calm". Synonyms of the word "Peace" are: Friendship & Love. Antonyms (Opposite meaning) of the word "Peace" are: a state of Warfare, War, Anger, Terror, Violence and Fighting.

Muhammad's teaching his Followers on how to treat their enemies:

Infidels are your sworn enemies (Sura 4:101)

Be ruthless to the infidels (Sura 48:29)

Make war on the infidels who dwell around you (Sura 9:123, 66:9)

Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day (Sura 9:29)

Strike off the heads of infidels in battle (Sura 47:4)

If someone stops believing in Allah, kill him (al-Bukhari 9:84:57)

Kill the disbelievers wherever we find them (Sura 2:191)

No Muslim should be killed for killing an infidel (al-Bukhari 1:3:111)

The only reward of those who make war upon Allah and His messenger will be that they will be killed or crucified, or have their hands and feet cut off (...) (Sura 5:33)

[…] “I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved (Jews & Christians) so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip." (Surah 8:12) 

 

Jesus' teaching his Followers on how to treat their enemies:
Loveyour enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despitefully use you (Matthew 5:44)
Resist not evil (Matthew 5:39)
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to them the other (Matthew 5:39)
If someone takes your coat, give them your shirt (Matthew 5:40)
Forgive and you shall be forgiven (Matthew 6:14)
But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27)
Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (Luke 6:28)
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. (Luke 6:29)
If someone make you carry something one mile, carry it two (Matthew 5:41)
Judge not, that ye be not judged (Matthew 7:1)
Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9)
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7)
Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt not kill, but I say who ever is angry with his brother is in danger of the judgment (Matthew 5:21-22)
 
A Message Of Peace or War:

Jesus was a religious leader

Muhammad was a religious leader and a Military leader

Jesus never killed anyone

Muhammad killed an estimated 3,000 people, including beheading 700 Jews of the Banu Qurayza tribe in Medina

Jesus never forced followers to continue believing

Muhammad forced follower to continue believing, "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him"

Jesus taught "forgive those who trespass against you"

Muhammad taught to avenge trespasses against your honor, family or religion

 

Jesus Christ is the total opposite of Muhammad:

Jesus never tortured anyone

Muhammad tortured the chief of a Jewish tribe

Jesus' religion is known for forgiveness and love

Muhammad's religion is known for obedience and fear

None of Jesus' Apostles led armies

All of the caliphs who followed Muhammad led armies. Today, it’s Al-Qaeda, Hamas, Pakistan Taliban, Egypt Islamic Jihad, Palestinian Islamic Jihad & More who follows the teaching of Muhammad by carrying since 2001, over 19,879 Islamic terror attacks in the world.
 

Jesus Loves Unbelievers But Muhammad Hate Unbelievers:

Jesus says: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, whatever you do to the very least you have done unto me (Matthew 25:40).

Muhammad says: Never be a helper to the disbelievers (Sura 28:86).

Jesus says: Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy (Matthew 5:7).

Muhammad says: Take neither the Jews nor the Christians for your friends (Sura 5:51, 60:13).

Jesus says: Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9).

Muhammad says: No Muslim should be killed for killing an infidel (al-Bukhari 1:3:111).

 

Jesus Christ Morality vs. Muhammad Morality:

Jesus never owned slaves

Muhammad received a fifth of the prisoners taken in battle, including women. Ex: (Sura 8:41)

Jesus never married

Muhammad, a polygamist, had many wives

Jesus taught God was our Father

Muhammad taught it was blasphemy to call Allah your father

Jesus did not retaliate when violence was committed against him, saying "Father, forgive them."

Muhammad retaliated when violence was committed against him, ordering the death of his enemies.

 

Islam and Christianity are Totally Opposite Religions:

Following Jesus was voluntary, from the inside out

Following Muhammad could be coerced, from the outside in

A martyr in Christianity and Jewish thought is one who dies for his faith. Ex: On June the 8th, 2012, in Maiduguri, Nigeria a church pastor is shot to death in his home by two Islamists.

A martyr in Islamic thought is one who dies for his faith while killing infidels. Ex: Suicide Bomber, the event of 911.

Christianity teaches God wants a personal relationship with each individual.

Islam teaches individuals cannot have a personal relationship with Allah, as he is transcendent and unknowable.

 

A Prophet and A Military Leader:

Fighting is inconsistent with Jesus' example but not Muhammad, as the Sirat Rasul Allah records Muhammad personally led 27 raids, including: "Battle of Badr, 624 AD; Battle of Uhud and expulsion of Banu Nadir, 625 AD; Attack on Banu Mustaliq, 626 AD; Battle of the Trench and killing Banu Qurayza, 627 AD; Battle of Khaybar, 628 AD".

The closer one follows the example of Jesus, the more peaceful is one's motivation.

The closer one follows example of Muhammad, the more militant is one's motivation.