Answers to "Harsh Questions" Against Islam

Before we begin, it is important to begin with the name of Allah and send the prayers and blessings on His last prophet, Muhammad, peace be upon him. (Bismillah Rahman Raheem, was salat was salam ala rasoolulah).
Then it is equally important to mention that it is only Allah who has all Knowledge. (Allahu 'Alim).
First thing you do is download the Quran from our site at:
http://www.islamtomorrow.com/downloads/noblequran.exe
Then go to the verse in question and read the Arabic, then the English, then the transliteration (making the sounds with English letters).
Then compare the meaning to what you have said.

Now here is an example of how you might answer those folks with the harsh questions:

Thank you for your interest in Islam and the Muslims. It is our duty and privilege to present the truth and proof about Islam and what it represents. We desire to clear up misconceptions and misunderstandings about Islam to help others see the true message that came with all of the prophets from Adam, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad, peace be upon them all.

The message is: Laa elaha illa lah (none has the right to be worshipped except Allah).

And before we begin to answer the question, we would like ask a question ourselves. If while listening to the answer you find yourself saying something like, Gee, I didn't know that or That sounds pretty good or I like that for me, then are you prepared to accept the message of worshipping your Lord without any partners? After all, that is what Islam is really all about anyway.

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Now let us begin to answer by correcting some mistakes in the 'question' itself:

The word used most often in Quran, that is so often mistranslated as kill; slay; or slaughter is not jihad, it is qital and if you look to the Arabic, you will quickly understand this word in today's usage would clearly be combat.

Naturally, just as here in the U.S. we must stand up for righteousness and strive to prevent oppression, aggression and tyranny. This is the proper usage and understanding for this term, as you will discover while passing through the tafseer and explanations by top scholars today.

Scholars of Quran tell us the verses dealing with this topic are specific and not intended to imply a general meaning for just anyone to decide to go around combating non-Muslims. The early Muslims had been driven out of their homes and turned out into the desert to starve. After finally, relocating in Medina, verses came in Quran instructing them to make hajj (pilgrimage) back to Makkah. Finding their way blocked and after several years of making agreements and treaties that the others continually broke, the Muslims were at last, told they could now fight in combat against the tyrants who had so horribly mistreated and abused them in the past. However, this would only be acceptable to Allah if they remained within very specific limitations. The word "qital" in Arabic in this instance refers to "combat" rather than what some have used "kill" because the word "kill" is far to general, while the word "combat" appropriately describes what is intended by the usage in this passage. Allah Knows Best.

It should also be noted the usage of the word "fitnah" in the same verse denotes a horrible condition, not unlike what we find today when there is terrorism and tyranny against the moral and just society at large. It would be easy to properly understand the meaning as, "Engage them in combat, even killing them, until the state of "fitnah" (terrorism) no longer exists in the society and people are free to worship Allah by their choice."

We can see these verse are not designed to promote terrorism, but rather these are very orders from Above to the Muslims to be the first of those who stand out aggressively against all forms of terrorism and oppression.

Once this is in place, there really isn't a question anymore, due to the necessity as we see today, to prevent and subdue enemies of freedom, liberty and justice. In other words, we could easily say Allah ordered believers in the Quran to wage combat against terrorism - 14 centuries ago. And the "struggle against oppression, terrorism and tyranny" in the Arabic language, it is called, "Jihad."

You might even say, "Islam declared the WAR ON TERRORISM over 1,400 years ago!"

 [details: read explanation of Quran for verses, 2:189-193 at: www.QTafsir.com ]

>> Thanks so much for your kind question and may Allah guide all of us to the straight path to be with Him in the Next Life, ameen.