Answer
Salam (Peace) Dear Adrian,
Thank you very much for your sincere inquiry about Islam.
Please find the second part of the answer to your question below. Find the first part at the link here and the third and final part at the link here.
It is true that God in His Book permits fighting, but only as a last resort. This is in the cases of:
- Fighting in the case of self-defense.
- Fighting to defend the right of everyone to believe in God and practice His religion.
- Fighting against brutal oppression and injustice.
In the time of the prophet, we find that he and his people were ruthlessly persecuted and forced out of their homes to flee their beloved town of Makkah.
When the prophet (peace be upon him) and his followers were accorded a grand welcome in Madinah, by the people there, his enemies wanted to destroy the new religion that was taking root in the deserts of Arabia, even by eliminating Muhammad and his followers.
It was in this context that the verses permitting fighting were revealed. It was here that fighting against the kuffar (non-believers) is mentioned. Here, the meaning is clear: the non-believers mentioned are those who sought to kill the prophet and his followers, only. This is because, the Holy Quran clearly says:
{Say: “The Truth is from your Lord” – Let him who will, believe, and let him who will, reject [it…]} (Quran 18:29)
The Quran also says:
{There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the false deities and believes in Allah, he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.} (Quran 2:256)
So, the stand of Islam here is very clear. Islam does not approve the use of force in the propagation of religion. Since God commands not to use any kind of compulsion in religion, it is obviously ridiculous to argue that the Quran commands Muslims to kill non-Muslims. You can also read more about how Islam guarantees religious freedom.
As for your following point about the moon and relating it to paganism and Islam, nothing could be more absurd than this charge. Any one who has a cursory knowledge of Islam knows about its uncompromising stand against paganism.
In actual history, we can read how Muhammad, on the occasion of his conquest of Makkah, cleaned the Kaaba of all the vestiges of paganism there. As for the moon, Muslims do not worship it; nor do they worship any gods or idols.
Nor does any Muslim believe that the reason for their using the crescent as a symbol on their flag is that Muhammad (peace be upon him) had cut the moon in half with his sword.
That is a pure fabrication, a blatant lie about Muhammad and Islam. The moon, or the crescent is simply a symbol, related to the lunar calendar Muslims use.
The next criticism you have quoted is: “Love is a completely foreign concept in Islam. Allah is destined to rule the world. That is the basis of Islam. Everything else is related to this goal.”
The question that arises here is: Do these critics want to say that Muslims are not humans, but another species or aliens?!
Is it possible for a human being to live without love?
In fact, we can endure painful diseases or brutal tortures; but the thought that there is nobody in the world for us to love, and to love us, is probably the most painful experience.
So to argue that love is alien to Islam is at best … a strange idea! If this were true, missionaries would have been spared the trouble of parading all these false charges against Islam! Because, Islam would then have died a natural death long ago!
It is funny to hear many people trying to hold a monopoly of all the love in the universe. Some speak of “Christian charity”, “Christian love” etc. as if there is nobody else who has charity or love!
In the Holy Quran, God asks the Prophet:
{Say: “If you do love Allah, follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.} (Quran 3:31)
Also God says:
{And hold fast, all together, by the rope [the covenant] which Allah [stretches out for you], and do not be disunited; and remember with gratitude Allah’s favor on you; for you were enemies and He joined your hearts in love, so that by His Grace, you became brethren; and you were on the brink of the pit of fire, and He saved you from it. Thus does Allah make His signs clear to you that you may be guided.} (Quran 3:103)
Then:
{On those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, will the Most Gracious bestow love.} (Quran 19:96)
Also:
{And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between you [your hearts]: verily in that are signs for those who reflect.} (Quran 30:21)
Also read the following sayings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
- “The Compassionate One has mercy on those who are merciful. If you show mercy to those who are on the earth, He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you.”
- “None of you becomes a believer until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself.”
- “Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.”
- “Our Lord descends each night to the earth’s sky when there remains the final third of the night, and He [God] says: Who is saying a prayer to Me that I may answer it? Who is asking something of Me that I may give it to him? Who is asking forgiveness of Me that I may forgive him?”
Please continue reading the third part at the link here.
And please continue feeding your curiosity, and find more info in the following links: