Sun Sets in a Spring of Water

The clearest scientific error in the Quran is its claim that the Sun sets in a spring of muddy water.

18:86 - Hatta itha balagha maghriba alshshamsi wajadaha taghrubu fee AAaynin hami-atin wawajada AAindaha qawman qulna ya tha alqarnayni imma an tuAAaththiba wa-imma an tattakhitha feehim husnan.

18:86 - Till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring, and found a people thereabout. We said: O Dhu'l-Qarneyn! Either punish or show them kindness.

This verse is alone enough to show that the Quran is falsehood. According to the verse, the Sun has a setting place on Earth that we can reach, where it was found to set in a "muddy spring"

There are two defenses that are offered by Islamic apologists to this:

1). That the verse is talking about reaching the time of sunset - clearly refuted by looking at the context and wording of the verse - "till when he reached the setting time of the sun" has no meaning if the verse meant setting time of sun.

2). That the verse is talking about reaching the westernmost point that he can reach in the direction of sunset - again refuted by the context and wording - "till when he reached the west, he found it setting" - here "it" has no meaning if the words maghriba alshshamsi meant west because the word sun has not even been used to know what "it" refers to.

Besides, this blatant error is confirmed in the authentic (Sahih) hadiths.

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4002 (Sahih) - Narrated Abu Dharr: I was sitting behind the Messenger of Allah who was riding a donkey while the sun was setting. He asked: Do you know where this sets? I replied: Allah and his Apostle know best. He said: It sets in a spring of warm water (Hamiyah).

Every single Tafsir for the first 440 years after Muhammad's death (19 Tafsirs in this period) supported this claim:

Tafsir Mujahid (104 After Hijra), Tafsir Ghareeb al-Quran (120 AH), Muqatil bin Sulaiman (150 AH), Tafsir Sufyan al-Thawri (161 AH), Tafsir AbdulRazaq al-Sanaani (211 AH), Tafsir al-Quran - Al-Tustari (283 AH), Tafsir al-Hibri (286 AH), Tafsir Furat al-Kufi (~300 AH), Tafsir al-Hiwari (~300 AH), Tafsir al-Nisa'i (303 AH), Tafsir al-Tabari (310 AH), Tafsir Nazhat al-Quloub (330 AH), Ta'wilat Ahlul Sunnah (333 AH), Tafsir Bahr el-uloum (375 AH), Tafsir IbnAbi Zamanayn (399 AH), Tafsir Ali Ibrahim al-Qimmi (~400 AH), Haqa'iq al-Tafsir - Al-Silmi (412 AH), Tafsir al-Kashf wal bayan (427 AH), AlHidaya ila bulugh alNihaya (437 AH) - all of them clearly stated that Sun literally sets in a spring of water.

It was only Tafsir Al-Mawirdi written 450 AH which first started suggesting that it could be talking about it being an illusion - as an alternate theory - it didn't dismiss the main theory of Sun setting on a spring. These interpretations developed as a result of scientific knowledge about Sun's size rather than an objective translation of the verse.

And besides, even if we ignore all of this and buy the unlikely claim that somehow Dhul-Qarnain had an illusion of sun setting in a spring, lets take a look at the picture of the largest spring in the world - the Frying Pan Lake in New Zealand:



Clearly, even the largest spring in the world is not large enough to cause this illusion. Humans can clearly see far enough by simply standing up.

Conclusion: This is a clear scientific error in the Quran and the evidence that points to this error is overwhelming not only from the Quran itself, but from the authentic hadiths and earliest tafsirs. To pretend that there is nothing wrong in this passage would be delusional at best.

Gender Segregation and the Hatred of Love

Islam contains extremely backward teachings that call for strict segregation of men and women and thus prevent them from intermingling. This shows a clear, irrational fear and hatred towards love (outside the narrow walls of marriage) between the opposite sex. Islam asks men and women:

(1) Not to spend time together.
(2) Not to touch each other.
(3) Not to look at each other eye to eye.
(4) Not to dress attractively.

Quran 17:32 - And come not near unto adultery. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way.

The Quran doesn't simply ask Muslims not to commit adultery, it asks them not to come close to it. In the following hadith, Muhammad defines the sins that make people come close to adultery (while he also makes it clear that it is impossible to avoid these sins completely, due to human temptation).

Sahih Muslim 2658 - "Allah fixed the very portion of adultery which a man will indulge in. There would be no escape from it. The adultery of the eye is the lustful look and the adultery of the ears is listening to voluptuous (song or talk) and the adultery of the tongue is licentious speech and the adultery of the hand is the lustful grip (embrace) and the adultery of the feet is to walk (to the place) where he intends to commit adultery and the heart yearns and desires which he may or may not put into effect."

Now, let's look at some of the rules prescribed and the examples set by Muhammad in this matter:

Quran 24:30 to 24:31 - Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest. That is purer for them. Lo! Allah is aware of what they do. And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness.

Quran 33:59 - O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. 

Sahih Muslim 1341 - "No person should be alone with a woman except when there is a Mahram with her, and the woman should not undertake journey except with a Mahram."

Sahih al-Jami 5045 - “For one of you to be stabbed in the head with an iron needle is better for him than that he should touch a woman who is not permissible for him.” 

Sahih Muslim 1866 - "By God, the Messenger of Allah never took any vow from women except that which God had ordered him to take, and his palm never touched the palm of a woman. When he had taken their vow, he would tell them that he had taken the oath from them orally."

Sunan Ibn-Majah 2874 - “I came to the Prophet with some other women, to offer our pledge to him. He said to us: ‘(I accept your pledge) with regard to what you are able to do. But I do not shake hands with women.’”

Sahih Muslim 2159 - "I asked Allah's Messenger about the sudden glance (that is cast) on the face (of a non-Mahram). He commanded me that I should turn away my eyes."

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4104 - "Asma, daughter of AbuBakr, entered upon the Messenger of Allah wearing thin clothes. The Messenger of Allah turned his attention from her. He said: O Asma', when a woman reaches the age of menstruation, it does not suit her that she displays her parts of body except this and this, and he pointed to his face and hands."

CONCLUSION: These teachings when taken seriously promote gender segregation or sex segregation and a fear of emotional attachment between the opposite sex, creating an extremely backward society that stops men and women from mingling with each other. Islam builds a giant social division between the sexes, destroying the beauty of the world and suppressing happiness. There is a huge amount of support for sex segregation from within the Islamic culture and these teachings clearly show where everything comes from. Importantly, even if these teachings are not enforced socially, merely teaching and brainwashing people into supporting these ideas is harmful enough. These teachings encourage people to willingly support sex segregation and form the social divide themselves. This is why Islam is a huge problem even if it is kept away from political or social power. By severely suppressing human desires and restricting love, Islam destroys much of the happiness in daily life.

Muhammad's Massacre of a Jewish Tribe

Muhammad and his men - as per the Islamic scripture - mass murdered all male members of a surrendered Jewish tribe Banu Quraiza who reached puberty, and enslaved their women and children. This is shortly referenced in the Quran and explained clearly in the authentic hadiths, tafsirs and the earliest biographies of Muhammad by none other than Muslims.

Quran 33:26 - And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allah brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Quran 33:26 - The Campaign against Banu Qurayzah - Then the Messenger of Allah commanded that ditches should be dug, so they were dug in the earth, and they were brought tied by their shoulders, and were beheaded. There were between seven hundred and eight hundred of them. The children who had not yet reached adolescence and the women were taken prisoner, and their wealth was seized. All of this is stated both briefly and in detail, with evidence and Hadiths, in the book of Sirah which we have written, praise and blessings be to Allah.

Sahih Muslim 1766 - It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Jews of Banu Nadir and Banu Quraiza fought against the Messenger of Allah who expelled Banu Nadir, and allowed Quraiza to stay on, and granted favour to them until they too fought against him. Then he killed their men, and distributed their women, children and properties among the Muslims, except that some of them had joined the Messenger of Allah who granted them security. They embraced Islam. The Messenger of Allah turned out all the Jews of Medina. Banu Qainuqa' (the tribe of 'Abdullah b. Salim) and the Jews of Banu Haritha and every other Jew who was in Medina.

Sunan an-Nasai 3429 - It was narrated that Kathir bin As-Sa'ib said: "The sons of Quraizah told me that they were presented to the Messenger of Allah on the Day of Quraizah, and whoever (among them) had reached puberty, or had grown pubic hair, was killed, and whoever had not reached puberty and had not grown pubic hair was left (alive)."

Sunan Abu-Dawud 4404 - Narrated Atiyyah al-Qurazi: I was among the captives of Banu Qurayzah. They (the Companions) examined us, and those who had begun to grow hair (pubes) were killed, and those who had not were not killed. I was among those who had not grown hair.

Evidence from the earliest two Siras (biographies) of Muhammad:

Ibn Ishaq, A. Guillaume (translator) (2002), The Life of Muhammad (Sirat Rasul Allah), Oxford University Press, p. 464. - Then they surrendered, and the apostle confined them in Medina in the quarter of d. al-Harith, a woman of B. al-Najjar. Then the apostle went out to the market of Medina (which is still its market today) and dug trenches in it. Then he sent for them and struck off their heads in those trenches as they were brought out to him in batches. Among them was the enemy of Allah Huyayy b. Akhtab and Ka`b b. Asad their chief. There were 600 or 700 in all, though some put the figure as high as 800 or 900. 

History of Al-Tabari, Volume 8, Victory of Islam, p. 35-36 - The messenger of God went out into the marketplace of Medina and had trenches dug in it; then he sent for them and had them beheaded in those trenches. They were brought out to him in groups. Among them were the enemy of God, Huyayy b. Akhtab, and Ka’b b. Asad, the head of the tribe. They numbered 600 or 700—the largest estimate says they were between 800 and 900. As they were being taken in groups to the Messenger of God, they said to Ka’b b. Asad, "Ka’b, what do you understand. Do you not see that the summoner does not discharge [anyone] and that those of you who are taken away do not come back? By God, it is death!" the affair continued until the Messenger of God had finished with them.

When presented with overwhelming scriptural evidence, those who defend Muhammad try to claim that Banu Quraiza betrayed Muslims by violating a treaty, so the massacre was justified. While the evidence for the betrayal is scanty at best, I'm not going to argue against that here. What people should simply think over is which decent human being would mass murder and enslave an entire population for their leaders violating a treaty?

A second line of defense is that it was not Muhammad who gave the verdict, but Sad bin Muadh. This is a very silly defense because it was none other than Muhammad who appointed Sad for the verdict. Not only did Muhammad hail his verdict as "Allah's verdict" (Sahih al-Bukhari 3804), he also witnessed and participated in carrying it out.

To conclude, there is nothing that can justify this massacre and enslavement. It was an act of bloody, merciless and collective punishment. It is impossible to consider Muhammad as a role model for humanity in light of this well-documented incident.

Endorsement of Female Genital Mutilation

Female circumcision or Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) seems to be sanctioned in Islam.

Sahih al-Bukhari 5891 - Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits."

And if you are starting to think that circumcision is only applicable to males, then read the following:

Jami at-Tirmidhi 108 - Aishah narrated: "When the circumcised meets the circumcised, then indeed Ghusl is required. Myself and Allah's Messenger did that, so we performed Ghusl."

Sexual contact is referred to as circumcised part of male meeting circumcised part of female, clearly indicating that circumcision is held to be the norm for both sexes. The traditional schools of Islam - Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Hanafi all considered it either as obligatory or as preferred. If you are unaware of the health hazards of female circumcision, all you need is a small research on the internet.

A standing testament to how Islam directly brought in FGM in this world is Indonesia. Before 13th century Islam was not even there and the region had nothing whatsoever to do with female circumcision. Today Indonesia is 87% Muslims. Surveys have found that more than 95% of the Muslim females undergo FGM before the age of 18. If you still think the genital mutilation of females is nothing more than an "African cultural problem", then think again.

Approval for Sex with Prepubescent Girls

The Quran seems to sanction not only child marriage, but also sex with child brides. The following verse talks about "Iddah" or the waiting period that men have to observe before separating from women after claiming divorce:

65:4 - As for your women who have despaired of further menstruating, if you are in doubt, their period shall be three months; and those who have not menstruated as yet. And those who are with child, their term is when they bring forth their burden. Whoso fears God, God will appoint for him, of His command, easiness.

What this verse immediately shows is that the Quran talks about divorce period for immature girls who haven't menstruated yet, clearly sanctioning child marriage. A closer examination of this verse together with the following verse shows that Quran not only approves marriage, but also sex with these girls before puberty. Let's look at this verse:

33:49 - O believers, when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you touch them, you have no period to reckon against them; so make provision for them, and set them free with kindliness.

Thus, it is clear that the concept of Iddah or waiting period arises only if sexual intercourse took place. And yet, the Quran clearly talks about an Iddah for sexually immature girls.

The Tafsirs show the link between these verses - Jalalayn, Ibn-Abbas, Al-Wahidi, Ibn-Kathir - all state that verse 65:4 was revealed because some people specifically had questions about the Iddah for sexually immature girls (and menopausal and pregnant women) who were not mentioned in chapter 33 of the Quran which talks about Iddah. They reference the following hadith:

Ubayy ibn Ka‘b said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, some women of Medina are saying: there are other women who have not been mentioned!’ He asked him: ‘And who are they?’ He said: ‘Those who are too young [such that they have not started menstruating yet], those who are too old [whose menstruation has stopped] and those who are pregnant’. And so this verse (And for such of your women as despair of menstruation…) was revealed”.

To sum it up, it is clear from the Quran alone that sex with prepubescent girls is approved in Islam. The Tafsirs reinforce this claim and show that the verse was revealed specifically to answer the doubts of Muslims including the Iddah for sexually immature girls.

Discrimination and Oppression of Women

Let us look at the position of women in Islam:

1). A woman's testimony is worth half that of a man.
2). A woman inherits half of what a man inherits.
3). Women are places of cultivation for their husbands and can be beaten by them for disobedience.

Let's examine the Quran and the Hadiths:

4:11 - Allah instructs you concerning your children: for the male, what is equal to the share of two females.

2:282 - And bring to witness two witnesses from among your men. And if there are not two men [available], then a man and two women from those whom you accept as witnesses - so that if one of the women errs, then the other can remind her.

2:223 - Your wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your place of cultivation however you wish and put forth [righteousness] for yourselves. 

4:34 - Men are in charge of women by [right of] what Allah has given one over the other and what they spend [for maintenance] from their wealth. So righteous women are devoutly obedient, guarding in [the husband's] absence what Allah would have them guard. But those [wives] from whom you fear arrogance - [first] advise them; [then if they persist], forsake them in bed; and [finally], strike them. But if they obey you [once more], seek no means against them. 

Sahih al-Bukhari 2658 - Narrated Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "Isn't the witness of a woman equal to half of that of a man?" The women said, "Yes." He said, "This is because of the deficiency of a woman's mind."

Sunan Abu-Dawud 2146 - Iyas ibn Abdullah ibn Abu Dhubab reported the Messenger of Allah as saying: Do not beat Allah's handmaidens, but when Umar came to the Messenger of Allah and said: Women have become emboldened towards their husbands, he (the Prophet) gave permission to beat them. Then many women came round the family of the Messenger of Allah complaining against their husbands. So the Messenger of Allah said: Many women have gone round Muhammad's family complaining against their husbands. They are not the best among you.

And if all of these weren't bad enough, here's the final straw. Physical abuse of women happens right in front of Muhammad by his closest companions and guess what he did? He laughed and watched.

Sahih Muslim 1478 - Jabir b. 'Abdullah (Allah be pleased with them) reported: Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) came and sought permission to see Allah's Messenger. He found people sitting at his door and none amongst them had been granted permission, but it was granted to Abu Bakr and he went in. Then came 'Umar and he sought permission and it was granted to him, and he found Allah's Apostle sitting sad and silent with his wives around him. He (Hadrat 'Umar) said: I would say something which would make the Prophet laugh, so he said: Messenger of Allah, I wish you had seen (the treatment meted out to) the daughter of Khadija when you asked me some money, and I got up and slapped her on her neck. Allah's Messenger (mav peace be upon him) laughed and said: They are around me as you see, asking for extra money. Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger which he does not possess. They said: By Allah, we do not ask Allah's Messenger for anything he does not possess. Then he withdrew from them for a month or for twenty-nine days. Then this verse was revealed to him:" Prophet: Say to thy wives... for a mighty reward" (xxxiii. 28). 

Perhaps nothing could sum up Islam's attitude towards women better than Muhammad's "Farewell Sermon", found in the Siras and Hadiths. Women are compared to "domestic animals" men possess. Some other translators translate it is "prisoners with you".

Al-Tabari, Vol. 9, pp. 112-113 - "O people, you have a right over your wives and they have a right over you. You have [the right] that they should not cause anyone of whom you dislike to tread on your beds; and that they should not commit any open indecency (fahishah). If they do, then God permits you to shut them in separate rooms and to beat them, but not severely. If they abstain from [evil], they have the right to their food and clothing in accordance with custom (bi’l-ma‘ruf). Treat women well, for they are [like] domestic animals ('awånin) with you and do not possess anything for themselves. You have taken them only as a trust from God, and you have made the enjoyment of their persons lawful by the word of God, so understand and listen to my words, O people.

NOTE: The above teachings are also found in Sirat Rasulallah by Ibn Ishaq as well as the hadiths - Jami At-Tirmidhi 104 and Sunan Ibn Majah 1851.

Islamic Scripture Shows ISIS is Islamic

Is ISIS Islamic? This is a question that has been fiercely debated within the internet and outside. There is no doubt that the vast majority of Muslims hate ISIS, which they should keep doing. However to know if the ISIS actions are justified according to Islamic scriptures, we have to analyse the content. The popular notion among public who have barely read the Islamic scriptures is that ISIS acts contrary to Islamic teachings. Here are the main arguments people raise to tell that ISIS is un-Islamic followed by my refutation for these arguments.

ARGUMENT #1: ISIS kills innocent people, which is forbidden by Islam.

REALITY: Innocent is a very relative term in religion. This begs the question, who are considered innocent people according to Islam? Let's look at a verse from the Quran:

5:32 - Because of that We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or (and) to spread mischief in the land - it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.

As per the Quran, the Children of Israel were Muslims who were taught Islam by Allah's prophets. This verse commands Muslims not to kill each other except in retaliation for murder or for "mischief in the land". We have to see the other teachings of Islam to see what qualifies as mischief in Islam for which people can be killed. Here is exactly how Muhammad interpreted it:

Sahih Bukhari 9:83:17 - Narrated 'Abdullah: Allah's Apostle said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims."

A point to note is that a Muslim who leaves Islamic religion (through words or actions) can be killed. Such a person is totally innocent according to the definition of a liberal society. This quickly shows us that Islam does NOT forbid killing people who are innocent by a liberal definition. If we go on to analyse the Islamic doctrine, we can see that people were killed for blasphemy, homosexuality and so on.

One of the most well-documented events in Islam's own sources is the massacre of every male who had a trace of pubic hair - of a Jewish tribe Banu Qurayza - which surrendered to Muhammad. There was a massacre of around 700-800 surrendred Jews for the violation of a treaty by their leaders. The women and children were taken captives and distributed among Muslims as possessions.

ARGUMENT #2: ISIS kills mostly Muslims, so it is un-Islamic.

REALITY: There are some simple reasons for this. ISIS wants to establish an Islamic State of their own, which follows Islamic Law to the minute detail. The other Muslim nations and tribes which surround the territory don't recognize that and this obviously leads to a bloody warfare.

However that is not the only reason. Islam teaches people to be harsh against not only disbelievers but also "hypocrites" who are people who claim to be Muslims but don't follow many of the Islamic rules well.

9:73 - O Prophet (Muhammad SAW)! Strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be harsh against them, their abode is Hell, - and worst indeed is that destination.

To give you a context for this verse, chapter 9 of the Quran are the orders to Muslims after Muhammad captured Mecca and Islam became the dominant force in the region. Muslims are asked to be harsh against both disbelievers and hypocrites. Let's look at the hadiths.

Sahih Bukhari 9:84:64 - Narrated 'Ali: Whenever I tell you a narration from Allah's Apostle, by Allah, I would rather fall down from the sky than ascribe a false statement to him, but if I tell you something between me and you (not a Hadith) then it was indeed a trick (i.e., I may say things just to cheat my enemy). No doubt I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "During the last days there will appear some young foolish people who will say the best words but their faith will not go beyond their throats (i.e. they will have no faith) and will go out from (leave) their religion as an arrow goes out of the game. So, where-ever you find them, kill them, for who-ever kills them shall have reward on the Day of Resurrection."

In other words, if Muslims claim to have faith through words and prayers that is not enough. If they leave the religion through practice, they are lawful to be killed. What is worse, the orders are to "kill them wherever you find them", promising those who kill such hypocrites a reward in judgement day.

There are many Muslims who argue that these hadiths actually refer to the terrorist groups like ISIS and calls on Muslims to kill them. But the problem is the criterion here - clearly any Muslims who act un-Islamic can be killed according to the hadith. ISIS and other Muslims can argue all day over who is more Islamic. But the fact remains that these violent calls to be harsh with and kill hypocrites for not being Islamic enough is the very reason the Islamic world is FULL of groups fighting each other, branding each others as un-Islamic.

ARGUMENT #3: Islam forbids the killing of women and children in warfare.

REALITY: Let's check the hadiths again.

Sahih Bukhari 4:52:256 - The Prophet passed by me at a place called Al-Abwa or Waddan, and was asked whether it was permissible to attack the pagan warriors at night with the probability of exposing their women and children to danger. The Prophet replied, "They (i.e. women and children) are from them (i.e. pagans)."

Sahih Muslim 19:4322 - It is narrated by Sa'b b. Jaththama that he said (to the Holy Prophet)" Messenger of Allah, we kill the children of the polytheists during the night raids". He said: "They are from them".

As you can see, killing non-Muslim women and children as collateral damage was fine for Muhammad.

ARGUMENT #4: Suicide is prohibited in Islam and hence suicide attacks are un-Islamic.

REALITY: Suicide or simply ending your life is prohibited in Islam. But martyrdom is not prohibited. On the contrary, martyrdom is highly encouraged with a guarantee of paradise and preferential treatment in paradise.

9:111 - Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah's Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Quran. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success.

4:95 - Not equal are those of the believers who sit (at home), except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame, etc.), and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and their lives. Allah has preferred in grades those who strive hard and fight with their wealth and their lives above those who sit (at home). Unto each, Allah has promised good (Paradise), but Allah has preferred those who strive hard and fight, above those who sit (at home) by a huge reward.

2:216 - Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims) though you dislike it, and it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.

Suicide bombers and attackers see themselves as martyrs who kill others for Allah's cause and get killed with the firm belief in paradise. Islamic paradise entices people with rewards such as virgins to have sex with, extreme sexual potency and lavish lifestyle and food. The promise of paradise upon dying in the battlefield can be very appealing. Here is a great example from the hadiths:

Sahih al-Bukhari 5:59:377 - Narrated Jabir bin `Abdullah: On the day of the battle of Uhud, a man came to the Prophet and said, "Can you tell me where I will be if I should get martyred?" The Prophet replied, "In Paradise." The man threw away some dates he was carrying in his hand, and fought till he was martyred.

ARGUMENT #5: Sexual and general slavery was abolished stage by stage by Muhammad.

REALITY: Muhammad did free many slaves in his life, mainly for being good Muslims. However he also captured unbeliever slaves during battles and even allowed his followers to have sex with slave girls who were considered possessions.

Sunan Abu Dawud 11:2150 (Sahih) - Abu Said al-Khudri said: "The apostle of Allah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of the apostle of Allah were reluctant to have intercourse with the female captives in the presence of their husbands who were unbelievers. So Allah, the Exalted, sent down the Quranic verse, "And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hands possess". That is to say, they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period." [The Quran verse is 4:24]

Sahih al-Bukhari 5:59:459 - Narrated Ibn Muhairiz: "I entered the mosque and saw Abu Khudri and sat beside him and asked him about coitus interruptus. Abu said, "We went out with Allah's messenger for the Ghazwa (attack upon) Banu Mustaliq and we received captives from among the Arab captives and we desired women and celibacy became hard on us and we loved to do coitus interruptus. So when we intended to do coitus interruptus we said "How can we do coitus interruptus without asking Allah's messenger while he is present among us?" We asked (him) about it and he said "It is better for you not to do so, for if any soul (till the Day of Resurrection) is predestined to exist, it will exist."

Sahih al-Bukhari 5:59:637 - Narrated Buraida: The prophet sent Ali to Khalid to bring the Khumus ([one fifth] of the booty) and I hated Ali, and Ali had taken a bath (after a sexual act with a slave girl from the Khumus). I said to Khalid, "Don't you see this (i.e. Ali)?" When we reached the prophet I mentioned that to him. He said, "O Buraida! Do you hate Ali?" I said, "Yes" He said, "Do you hate him, for he deserves more than that from the Khumus."

Muhammad even stopped people from freeing slaves and engaged in slave trade himself:

Sunan Abu-Dawud 30:3944 (Sahih) - 'Imran b. Hussain said: A man who had no other property emancipated six slaves of his at the time of the death. When the Prophet was informed about it, he spoke severely of him. He then called them, divided them into three sections, cast lots among them, and emancipated two and kept four in slavery.

Sunan Abu-Dawud 30:3947 (Sahih) - Jabir b. 'Abd Allah said: A man declared that his slave would be free after his death, but he had no other property. So the Prophet ordered (to sell him). He was then sold for seven hundred or nine hundred (dirhams).

CONCLUSION:

ISIS is clearly Islamic - not because they shout Allah-u-Akbar - but because their actions can be mostly justified by the Quran and the life example of Muhammad. ISIS is a good possibility when you literally interpret the Islamic doctrine and consider Islam to be a total way of life. That is NOT to say that ISIS is the only literal interpretation of Islam. There are a number of ways to interpret Islam in a more peaceful manner than ISIS. Muslims should reject ISIS not because they are un-Islamic, but because they are cruel. Muslims have no need to feel bad because ISIS is Islamic. They have a choice to practice a moderate or reformed version of Islam which is peaceful. They can also leave Islam if they feel so which is what I recommend. There is no need for anyone to keep following what they are taught since childhood. What is most important though is for the world to stop pretending that ISIS has nothing to do with Islam. ISIS has a lot to do with Islam and we have to identify the problem. Islam clearly needs to be reformed and that is not only because actions of ISIS can be justified with its doctrine.

Some Shocking and Evil Teachings

In this article, I'm presenting you some of the shocking and evil teachings that are contained in the books of Islam.

(1) A Muslim is to be executed for leaving Islam, but not for murdering a non-Muslim

Sahih al-Bukhari 6922 - "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."

Sunan ibn-Majah 2761 - “A Muslim should not be killed in retaliation for the murder of a disbeliever.”

It is well-known that the punishment for murdering a Muslim is death. It is interesting to note how less Islam values the life of a non-Muslim. I have covered the Islamic punishment of death for apostasy (leaving Islam) thoroughly here: Death Penalty for Apostasy in Islam

(2) A person gets away with no punishment for murdering someone who speaks against Muhammad

Sunan an-Nasai 4070 - Ibn 'Abbas narrated that: There was a blind man during the time of the Messenger of Allah [SAW] who had an Umm Walad by whom he had two sons. She used to slander and defame the Messenger of Allah [SAW] a great deal, and he would rebuke her, but she would not pay heed, and he would forbid her to do that, but she ignored him. (The blind man said) One night I mentioned the Prophet [SAW], and she slandered him. I could not bear it so I went and got a dagger which I thrust into her stomach and leaned upon it, and killed her. In the morning she was found slain. Mention of that was made to the Prophet [SAW] and he gathered the people and said: "I adjure by Allah; a man over whom I have the right, that he should obey me, and he did what he did, to stand up." The blind man started to tremble and said: "O Messenger of Allah [SAW], I am the one who killed her. She was my Umm Walad and she was kind and gentle toward me, and I have two sons like pearls from her, but she used to slander and defame you a great deal. I forbade her, but she did not stop, and I rebuked her, but she did not pay heed. Finally, I mentioned your name and she slandered you, so I went and got a dagger which I thrust into her stomach, and leaned on it until I killed her. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "I bear witness that her blood is permissible."

In the above story, a blind man stabs his wife to death for repeatedly slandering Muhammad. When Muhammad heard the news he ordered the man to turn himself in. When he did, Muhammad let him away with no punishment.

(3) Genocide of Banu Quraiza - an example of terrorism

In the following hadith, Muhammad boasted "I have been made victorious with terror":

Sahih al-Bukhari 2977 - "I have been sent with the shortest expressions bearing the widest meanings, and I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy)."

Let us see an example act of terrorism that Islam's own books say Muhammad did. Muhammad and his followers massacred 700-800 Jews of Banu Quraiza for the alleged betrayal by their leaders. Every male who reached puberty was beheaded and the women and children were distributed as properties among Muslims, thus collectively punishing an entire community for some decision made by their leaders.

Quran 33:26 - And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allah brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives.

Tafsir Ibn Kathir on Quran 33:26 - The Campaign against Banu Qurayzah - Then the Messenger of Allah commanded that ditches should be dug, so they were dug in the earth, and they were brought tied by their shoulders, and were beheaded. There were between seven hundred and eight hundred of them. The children who had not yet reached adolescence and the women were taken prisoner, and their wealth was seized. All of this is stated both briefly and in detail, with evidence and Hadiths, in the book of Sirah which we have written, praise and blessings be to Allah.

Sahih Muslim 1766 - It has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Jews of Banu Nadir and Banu Quraiza fought against the Messenger of Allah who expelled Banu Nadir, and allowed Quraiza to stay on, and granted favour to them until they too fought against him. Then he killed their men, and distributed their women, children and properties among the Muslims, except that some of them had joined the Messenger of Allah who granted them security. They embraced Islam. The Messenger of Allah turned out all the Jews of Medina. Banu Qainuqa' (the tribe of 'Abdullah b. Salim) and the Jews of Banu Haritha and every other Jew who was in Medina.

(4) The burden of proof is on the raped woman to prove that she didn't commit adultery, else she is punished for adultery

Muwatta Imam Malik 1518 - Malik said, "The position with us about a woman who is found to be pregnant and has no husband and she says, 'I was forced,' or she says, 'I was married,' is that it is not accepted from her and the hadd is inflicted on her unless she has a clear proof of what she claims about the marriage or that she was forced or she comes bleeding if she was a virgin or she calls out for help so that someone comes to her and she is in that state or what resembles it of the situation in which the violation occurred." He said, "If she does not produce any of those, the hadd is inflicted on her and what she claims of that is not accepted from her." Malik said, "A raped woman cannot marry until she has restored herself by three menstrual periods." He said, "If she doubts her periods, she does not marry until she has freed herself of that doubt."

This is what happens if a woman claims that she was raped but fails to produce the required evidence. The Sharia often ends up punishing a woman who makes a rape accusation against a man with the punishment for adultery. And what is the punishment for adultery in Islam? Stoning to death if the person is married and 100 lashes in public if unmarried.

Sahih Muslim 4191 - "When an unmarried male commits adultery with an unmarried female (they should receive) one hundred lashes and banishment for one year. And in case of married male committing adultery with a married female, they shall receive one hundred lashes and be stoned to death."

(5) Islam sanctions sex with girls who haven't reached the age of puberty

Quran 33:49 -  O you who believe! When you marry believing women, and then divorce them before you have sexual intercourse with them, no 'Iddah [divorce prescribed period, see (V.65:4)] have you to count in respect of them. So give them a present, and set them free i.e. divorce, in a handsome manner.

Quran 65:4 - And those of your women as have passed the age of monthly courses, for them the 'Iddah (prescribed period), if you have doubts (about their periods), is three months, and for those who have no courses [(i.e. they are still immature) their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is three months likewise, except in case of death] . And for those who are pregnant (whether they are divorced or their husbands are dead), their 'Iddah (prescribed period) is until they deliver (their burdens), and whosoever fears Allah and keeps his duty to Him, He will make his matter easy for him.

What is clear from these verses? 1) There is no waiting period required for women to remarry if they did NOT have sex with their former husbands. 2) Quran still talks about a waiting period for pre-pubescent girls, thus making it clear that it approves sex with pre-pubescent girls.

(6) Approval for the evil practice of female circumcision

Sahih al-Bukhari 5891 - Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard the Prophet saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the moustaches short, clipping the nails, and depilating the hair of the armpits."

Jami at-Tirmidhi 108 - Aishah narrated: "When the circumcised meets the circumcised, then indeed Ghusl is required. Myself and Allah's Messenger did that, so we performed Ghusl."

It is clear from these hadiths that female circumcision was considered a normal practice in Islam. Sexual contact is referred to as "circumcised part meeting the circumcised part". The traditional schools of Islam - Shafi, Hanbali, Maliki and Hanafi all considered it either as obligatory or as preferred.

(7) Using captive women for sex slavery is approved, even if the women are married

Quran 4:24 - Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath Allah ordained (Prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,- desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agree Mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.

The following hadith explains the context of revelation of the above Quran verse:

Sunan Abu-Dawud 2155 - Abu Sa’id Al Khudri said “The Apostle of Allaah sent a military expedition to Awtas on the occasion of the battle of Hunain. They met their enemy and fought with them. They defeated them and took them captives. Some of the Companions of Apostle of Allaah were reluctant to have relations with the female captives because of their pagan husbands. So, Allaah the exalted sent down the Qur’anic verse “And all married women (are forbidden) unto you save those (captives) whom your right hand posses.” This is to say that they are lawful for them when they complete their waiting period.

Conclusion: I don't write this article to show that Islam has only bad teachings. However, these evil teachings are also a part of Islam and when taken seriously creates a horrible society for us to live in. Just think for a moment - if these teachings are applied to a society would it be good?