Criticism of Muhammad

[SimplyForgiven]

A person from another website stated this about text that are written in the Quran.
is this true?

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“I know some things about Muhammad. I know he married a girl at six years old and consummated the marriage when she was nine. I know he lead an army around converting people at the tip of a sword. I know he killed some of his own friends and took their wives as his own. These things are all in YOUR sacred texts. Maybe you don’t think anything’s wrong with that, but I sure do. I just think you should wish peace upon someone who was actually…you know…peaceful”

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I actually feel a little sorry for Mohammad. He was influenced by Christianity and even included parts of certain apocryphal books in the Koran. He started out as a very peaceful individual who relied on negotiation, but eventually became frustrated with how ineffective it was and resorted to violence.

Here is what wiki says. than again we cant always believe wiki.

Mohammed marriages.

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Muhammad’s marriages See also: Muhammad’s wives One of the popular historical criticisms of Muhammad in the West has been his polygynous marriages, according to American historian John Esposito.[19][20] Esposito states that the Semitic culture in general permitted polygamy (for example, its practice could be found in biblical and postbiblical Judaism); it was particularly a common practice among Arabs, especially among nobles and leaders.[19] Muslims have often pointed out that Muhammad married Khadija (a widow whose age is estimated to have been 40 though most scholars believe her to have been about 29 based on the number of children she bore to Mohammed), when he was 25 years old, and remained monogamous to her for more than 25 years until she died. Critics have countered that Khadija was a rich widow, much older than Muhammad, who financed his religious group, and that being disloyal to her would have cost him dearly.[19] Esposito holds that most of Muhammad’s 11 marriages had political and social motives. It was customary for Arab chiefs to use marriage for cementing political alliances, while it was difficult for widows to remarry in a society that forbade premarial sex.[19]

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Aisha From the 20th century onwards, a common point of contention has been Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha, who was six or seven at the time of her marriage,[24] and nine when the marriage was consummated.[12][24][25][26][27][28] American historian Denise Spellberg states that “these specific references to the bride’s age reinforce Aisha’s pre-menarcheal status and, implicitly, her virginity.”[24]’Narrated Aisha: The Prophet married her when she was six years old and he consummated his marriage when she was nine years old Sahih al-Bukhari, 7:62:64[29] The age of Aisha is cited by some critics who denounce Muhammad for having had sex with a pre-pubescent child. Radical Baptist pastor Jerry Vines called him a “demon-possessed pedophile”.[30] Colin Turner, a professor of Persian language and Islamic history, states that since such marriages between an older man and a young girl were customary among Bedouins, Muhammad’s marriage would not have been considered the least improper by his contemporaries.[31] Sahih al-Bukhari and Quran both known as the most authentic books in Islam however contain verses that sound like sexual assault as well as child abuse by today’s moral standards. Narrated ‘Abdur-rahman bin al-Aswad: …(on the authority of his father) ‘Aisha said: “Whenever Allah’s apostle wanted to fondle anyone of us during her periods (menses), he used to order her to put on an izar and start fondling her.” ‘Aisha added, “None of you could control his sexual desires as the prophet could.”Sahih al-Bukhari, 1:6:299[32] Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will; but do some good act for your souls beforehand; and fear Allah. And know that ye are to meet Him (in the Hereafter), and give (these) good tidings to those who believe.[Qur’an 2:223] The following verse from Sahih al-Bukhari shows how virgins were forced into child marriage. Even if the virgins were given right to nullify the marriage, a child does not have maturity at the age of six to chose and is likely to remain silent. The Prophet said, ‘A virgin should not be married till she is asked for her consent.’ ‘O Apostle! How will the virgin express her consent.’ He said, ‘By remaining silent.’ Some people said, “If a virgin is not asked for her consent and she is not married, and then a man, by playing a trick presents two false witnesses that he has married her with her consent and the judge confirms his marriage as a true one, and the husband knows that the witnesses were false ones, then there is no harm for him to consummate his marriage with her and the marriage is regarded as valid.” Sahih al-Bukhari, 9:86:98[33]

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Zaynab bint Jahsh A common criticism of Muhammad by non-Muslim sources includes his marriage to Zaynab bint Jahsh, the wife of Zayd ibn Harithah, an ex-slave whom Muhammad had adopted as his son.[34] The story goes that [35] “One day Muhammad went out looking for Zayd. There was a covering of haircloth over the doorway, but the wind had lifted the covering so that the doorway was uncovered. Zaynab was in her chamber, undressed, and admiration for her entered the heart of the Prophet. After that Allah made her unattractive to Zayd.'”Muhammad was so bewitched by her beauty that he asked Zaid to divorce her so that he can marry her. Muhammad had known Zaynab all her life. She was Muhammad’s first cousin. The marriage between Zayd and Zaynab was arranged by Muhammad himself. Zaynab, however, was not happy marrying a former slave. She wanted to marry someone with higher status and the marriage turned out to be unhappy one. Muhammad felt responsible for the failed marriage and offered to marry her after her divorce.

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Murder of Asma bint Marwan Muhammad had a number of people killed in Yathrib (Medina). One of them was Asma bint Marwan. According to a narrative from Ibn Ishaq’s “Sirah Rasul Allah”, Asma wrote poems attacking Muhammad for having another man murdered named Abu Afak. In these poems, she encouraged murdering the Islamic prophet and supposedly also attempted to poison him. In his displeasure towards her, Muhammad asked his followers to murder her as well.Mohammad sent Umayr bin Adiy al-Khatmi to kill her. The next morning Umayr bin Adiy al-Khatmi came to the apostle and told him what he had done and he [Muhammad] said, “You have helped God and His apostle, O `Umayr!” When Umayr asked if he would have to bear any evil consequences the apostle said, “Two goats won’t butt their heads about her”, so `Umayr went back to his people.[36]

Slaves

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Ownership of slaves Main article: Islam and slavery Rodney Stark argues that “the fundamental problem facing Muslim theologians vis-à-vis the morality of slavery is that Muhammad bought, sold, captured, and owned slaves.” Although he does admit that Muhammad “advise(d) that slaves be treated well,” he contrasts Islam with Christianity, implying that Christian theologians wouldn’t have been able to “work their way around the biblical acceptance of slavery” if Jesus had owned slaves like Muhammad did.[51]Some western orientalists and Christian evangelicals criticize Muhammad for apparently having had a child (Ibrahim, who died in infancy) by a slave girl called Maria or Mariyah, one of the Prophet’s concubines who was a present from the Christian Byzantine ruler of Egypt. Some Muslims regard her as a wife of the Prophet and therefore name her “Mother of the believers”.[52] Western orientalists allege that Muhammad did not marry her because she would not convert to Islam.[citation needed] However this is unconvincing, as in Islam a man can marry non-Muslim women, it is only Muslim women who are required to marry within Islam.[53] Muhammad made it legal for his men to have sex with their slave girls and with the girls that they captured in war (even if their husbands were still alive). It is referred to in the Qur’an as ma malakat aymanukum (“what your right hands possess”), and has been a target of criticism as some critics see it as giving permission to rape women in war. [54][55] He also discouraged his men from practicing coitus interruptus with slave girls. Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri: that while he was sitting with Allah’s Apostle he said, “O Allah’s Apostle! We get female captives as our share of booty, and we are interested in their prices, what is your opinion about coitus interruptus?” The Prophet said, “Do you really do that? It is better for you not to do it. No soul that which Allah has destined to exist, but will surely come into existence. Sahih al-Bukhari, 3:34:432

Psychology

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Psychological and medical condition Muhammad is reported to have had mysterious seizures at the moments of inspiration. Welch, a scholar of Islamic studies, in the Encyclopedia of Islam states that the graphic descriptions of Muhammad’s condition at these moments may be regarded as genuine, since they are unlikely to have been invented by later Muslims. According to Welch, these seizures should have been the most convincing evidence for the superhuman origin of Muhammad’s inspirations for people around him. Others adopted alternative explanations for these seizures and claimed that he was possessed, a soothsayer, or a magician. Welch states it remains uncertain whether Muhammad had such experiences before he began to see himself as a prophet and if so how long did he have such experiences.[56]According to Temkin, the first attribution of epileptic seizures to Muhammad comes from the 8th century Byzantine historian Theophanes who wrote that Muhammad’s wife “was very much grieved that she, being of noble descent, was tied to such a man, who was not only poor but epileptic as well.”[57] In the Middle Ages, the general perception of those who suffered epilepsy was an unclean and incurable wretch who might be possessed by the Devil. The political hostility between Islam and Christianity contributed to the continuation of the accusation of epilepsy throughout the Middle Ages.[57] In 1967, The Christian minister, Archdeacon Humphrey Prideux gave the following description of Muhammad’s visions:[57] He pretended to receive all his revelations from the Angel Gabriel, and that he was sent from God of purpose to deliver them unto him. And whereas he was subject to the falling-sickness, whenever the fit was upon him, he pretended it to be a Trance, and that the Angel Gabriel was come from God with some Revelations unto him. Some modern western orientalists also have a skeptical view of Muhammad’s seizures. Prideux, Frank R. Freemon says, thinks Muhammad had “conscious control over the course of the spells and can pretend to be in a religious trance. He sees epilepsy as related to malingering.”[57] During the nineteenth century, as Islam was no longer a political or military threat to Western society, and perceptions of epilepsy changed, the theological and moral associations with epilepsy was removed; epilepsy was now viewed as a medical disorder.[57] Nineteenth century orientalist, D. S. Margoliouth claims that Muhammad suffered from epilepsy and even occasionally faked it for effect.[58] Sprenger attributes Muhammad’s revelations to epileptic fits or a “paroxysm of cataleptic insanity.”[6] The most famous epileptic of the 19th century, Fyodor Dostoevsky (d.1881) wrote that epileptic attacks have an inspirational quality; he said they are “a supreme exaltation of emotional subjectivity” in which time stands still. Dostoevski claimed that his own attacks were similar to those of Muhammad: “Probably it was of such an instant, that the epileptic Mahomet was speaking when he said that he had visited all the dwelling places of Allah within a shorter time than it took for his pitcher full of water to empty itself.”[57] In an essay that discusses views of Muhammad’s psychology, Franz Bul (1903) is said to have observed that “hysterical natures find unusual difficulty and often complete inability to distinguish the false from the true”, and to have thought this to be the “the safest way to interpret the strange inconsistencies in the life of the Prophet.” In the same essay Duncan Black Macdonald (1911) is credited with the opinion that “fruitful investigation of the Prophet’s life (should) proceed upon the assumption that he was fundamentally a pathological case.”[59] Modern western scholars of Islam have rejected the diagnosis of epilepsy.[57] Tor Andrae rejects the idea that the inspired state is pathological attributing it to a scientifically superficial and hasty theory arguing that those who consider Muhammad epileptic should consider all types of semi-conscious and trance-like states, occasional loss of consciousness, and similar conditions as epileptic attacks. Andrae writes that “f epilepsy is to denote only those severe attacks which involve serious consequences for the physical and mental health, then the statement that Mohammad suffered from epilepsy must be emphatically rejected.” Caesar Farah suggests that “[t]hese insinuations resulted from the 19th-century infatuation with scientifically superficial theories of medical psychology.”[60] Noth, in the Encyclopedia of Islam, states that such accusations were a typical feature of medieval European Christian polemic.[61] Maxime Rodinson says that it is most probable that Muhammad’s conditions was basically of the same kind as that found in many mystics rather than epilepsy.[62] Fazlur Rahman refutes epileptic fits for the following reasons: Muhammad’s condition begins with his career at the age of 40; according to the tradition seizures are invariably associated with the revelation and never occur by itself. Lastly, a sophisticated society like the Meccan or Medinese would have identified epilepsy clearly and definitely.[63] William Montgomery Watt also disagrees with the epilepsy diagnosis, saying that “there are no real grounds for such a view.” Elaborating, he says that “epilepsy leads to physical and mental degeneration, and there are no signs of that in Muhammad.” He then goes further and states that Muhammad was psychologically sound in general: “he (Muhammad) was clearly in full possession of his faculties to the very end of his life.” Watt concludes by stating “It is incredible that a person subject to epilepsy, or hysteria, or even ungovernable fits of emotion, could have been the active leader of military expeditions, or the cool far-seeing guide of a city-state and a growing religious community; but all this we know Muhammad to have been.”[64] Frank R. Freemon (1976) thinks that the above reasons given by modern biographers of Muhammad in rejection of epilepsy come from the widespread misconceptions about the various types of epilepsy.[57] In his differential diagnosis, Freemon rejects schizophrenic hallucinations,[65] drug-induced mental changes such as might occur after eating plants containing hallucinogenic materials,[66] transient ischemic attacks,[67] hypoglycemia,[68] labyrinthitis, Ménière’s disease, or other inner ear maladies.[69] At the end, Freemon argues that if one were forced to make a diagnosis psychomotor seizures of temporal lobe epilepsy would be the most tenable one, although our lack of scientific as well as historical knowledge makes unequivocal decision impossible. Freemon cites evidences supporting and opposing this diagnosis.[70] In the end, Freemon points out that a medical diagnosis should not ignore Muhammad’s moral message because it is just as likely, perhaps more likely, for God communicate with a person in an abnormal state of mind.[71] From a Muslim point of view, Freemon says, Muhammed’s mental state at the time of revelation was unique and is not therefore amenable to medical or scientific discourse.[57] In reaction to Freemon’s article, GM. S. Megahed, a Muslim neurologist criticized the article arguing that there are no scientific explanations for many religious phenomena, and that if Muhammad’s message is a result of psychomotor seizures, then on the same basis Moses’ and Jesus’ message would be the result of psychomotor seizures. In response, Freemon attributed such negative reactions to his article to the general misconceptions about epilepsy as a demeaning condition. Freemon said that he did plan to write an article on the inspirational spells of St. Paul, but the existence of such misconceptions caused him to cancel it.[72]

Any more info to add?
True info.

[bodhitharta]

What did he say?

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught many important principles and morals, and even set forth rules for combat setting the precedent and still exceeding the rules of war set forth by the Geneva Convention.

Consider the following:

All innocent life was sacred and as such none could be harmed, except those who were engaged against them in active combat. Saving one life was as if one had saved the entire world, while taking an innocent life was as if one had taken the lives of the entire world.

There was to be no genocide of any tribes even up until some had committed genocide against some Muslims. He offered mutual protection and forgiveness to the all even after certain ones broke their covenants with him many times. He did not allow them to be attacked until it was clearly proven they were traitors during time of war and tried to bring down the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and the Muslims at any cost. Retaliation was only to those Jews who had turned traitor and not others.

Slaves were common in those days for all nations and tribes. It was Islam that encouraged freeing of the slaves and the great reward from Allah for those who did so. Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave the example of this by freeing slaves and encouraging all of his followers to do the same. Examples include his own servant (who was actually considered like a son to him) Zaid ibn Al Haritha and Bilal the slave who was bought by Abu Bakr only for the purpose of freeing him.

While there were many attempts of assassination made on Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, (most famous was the night that Ali took his place in bed while he and Abu Bakr escaped to Madinah), he did not allow his companions to slaughter any of those who had been involved in these attempts. Proof for this is when they entered Makkah triumphantly and his first words were to command his followers not to harm such and such tribes and so and so families. This was one of the most famous of his acts of forgiveness and humbleness.

Military combat was forbidden for the first thirteen years of prophet hood. The desert Arabs did not need anyone to tell them how to fight or do combat. They were experts in this area and held feuds amongst tribes that lasted for decades. It was not until the proper method of warfare was instituted by Allah in the Quran, with proper rights and limitations according His Commandments, that any retaliation or combat was sanctioned. Orders from Allah made it clear who was to be attacked, how and when and to what extent fighting could take place.

Destruction of infrastructures is absolutely forbidden except when it is ordained by Allah in certain instances and then only according to His Commands.

Cursing and invoking evil actually came to the prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, from his enemies, while he would be praying for their guidance. Classic example is that of his journey to At-Taif where the leaders would not even hear him out nor offer so much as the normal courtesy called for and instead they set the children of the street against him, throwing rocks and stones at him until his body was bleeding so much, blood filled his sandals. He was offered revenge by the angel Gabriel, if he would give the command, Allah would cause the surrounding mountains to fall down upon them destroying them all. Instead of cursing them or asking for their destruction, he prayed for them to be guided to worship their Lord alone, without any partners.

Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, claimed every person who is born is born in a state of ISLAM (submission to God on His Terms in Peace), as a Muslim (MU-Islam means; “one who does ISLAM” i.e.; submits to God's Will and obeys His Commandments). He further stated, God has created each person in the image that is His according to His plan, and their spirit is His. Then as they grow older they begin to distort their faith according to the influence of the prevailing society and their own prejudices.

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught his followers to believe in the God of Adam, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, David, Solomon and Jesus, peace be upon them all, and to believe in them as true prophets, messengers and servants of Almighty Allah. He insisted on ranking all the prophets up at the highest level without any distinction between them, and ordered his followers to say the words, “peace and blessings be upon him” after mentioning their names.

He also taught the Torah (Old Testament), Zabur (Psalms) and Enjil (Gospel or New Testament) were originally from the very same source as the Quran, from Allah to the angel Gabriel. He asked the Jews to judge according to their own Book, and they tried to cover up some of it to hide the correct judgment, knowing he, peace and blessings be upon him, could not read.

He prophesied, predicted and foretold of events to come and they happened just as he had said they would. He mentioned so many things that people of his time could not have known, yet we have seen the evidences manifest over and over throughout the centuries in science, medicine, biology, embryology, psychology, metrology, geology and many other disciplines and even space travel and wireless communications, all of which we take for granted today. He even predicted something from the past that would come true in the future, and it has..

The Quran states pharaoh was drowned in the Red Sea while chasing after Moses and Allah said He would preserve Pharaoh as a sign for the future. Dr. Maurice Bucaille in his book, “Bible, Quran and Science” makes it clear this has happened and the very person of Pharaoh has been discovered in Egypt and is now on display for all to see.
This event took place thousands of years before Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, and it came true in the last few decades, many centuries after his death.

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, or his followers never at any time claimed that he was a son of God or the God-incarnate or a man with divinity – but he always was and is even today considered as only a Messenger chosen by God. He insisted people praise Almighty God, alone and not to celebrate him or his companions in any way. While most people do not hesitate to raise to divinity and even make 'gods' out of other individuals whose lives and missions have been lost in legend. Historically speaking, none of these legends achieved even a fraction of what Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, accomplished.

Uniting mankind together for the purpose of worshipping the One God of Adam and all the other prophets, peace be upon them all, was his main motivating cause and his striving was for the sole purpose having everyone to understand and follow the codes of moral excellence set forth by Allah in His Revelations.

Today after a lapse of fourteen centuries, the life and teachings of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, have survived without the slightest loss, alteration or interpolation. They offer the same undying hope for treating mankind's many ills, which they did when he was alive. This is not a claim of Muhammad’s, peace and blessings be upon him, followers, but the inescapable conclusion forced upon by a critical and unbiased history.

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, claimed to be a servant, messenger and prophet of the Almighty God; the same God of Adam, Abraham, Moses, David and Solomon and of Jesus, the Christ, son of Mary (peace be upon them all). He claimed he was receiving revelation from Almighty God (Allah) through the Arch Angel Gabriel, calling it the Recitation (Quran).

He ordered people to believe in God as One, without partners, and to follow the Commandments of Almighty God to the best of their abilities.

He forbade himself and his followers from evil practices and filthy habits, showing them the proper ways to eat, drink, use the toilet and proper behavior in all relations
hips. This he claimed was all from Allah.

http://prophetofislam.com/what_did_muhammad_say.php

What did he do?

Almost everyone on the earth today is discussing Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. People want to know, “Who was he exactly?” “What did he teach?” “Why was he loved so much by some and hated so much by others?” “Did he live up to his claims?” “Was he a holy man?” “Was he a prophet of God?” “What is the truth about this man – Muhammad?”

How can we discover the truth and be totally honest in our judgment?

We will begin with the very simple historical evidences, facts as narrated by thousands of people, many of whom knew him personally. The following is based on books, manuscripts, texts and actual eyewitness accounts, too numerous list herein, yet all have been preserved in original form throughout the centuries by both Muslims and non-Muslims.

Muhammad ibn (son of) Abdullah ibn (son of) Abdul Mutalib, was born in the year 570 C.E. (Christian Era) in Makkah, Felix Arabia (today: Saudi Arabia) and he died in 633 C.E. in Yathrib (today: Madinah, Saudi Arabia).

A. His names: When he was born, his grandfather, Abdul Mutalib, gave him the name Muhammad. And it means “praised one” or “praising one.” He was later called “As-Saddiq” (the Truthful) by all of those who knew of his truthful and honest nature. He always said only the truth. He was also called “Al-Amin” (the Trustworthy) due to his integrity and always upholding any trust given to him. When the tribes were battling against each other, both sides would entrust him with their possessions during the fighting, even if it might be against some of his own tribesmen, because they knew he would always uphold any trust given to him. All of his names indicated the very nature of a man who was praised for his honesty, integrity and trustworthiness. He was also well known for advocating the reconciliation of kinship and relationships. He ordered his followers to always honor the “ties of the wombs” (siblings and other close relatives).

This fits right in with the prophecy mentioned in the Bible in the Book of John in chapters 14 and 16, as the coming of a prophet known as the “Spirit of Truth” or “Comforter” or “Advocate.”

B. Born as a descendent of Abraham, peace and blessings be upon him, through his first born son, Ishmael (Ismail in Arabic), peace and blessings be upon him, to the noble tribe of the Quraish who were the leaders of Makkah in those days. Muhammad's blood line traces directly back to Abraham, peace and blessings be upon him.

This could certainly point to fulfillment of Old Testament (Torah) prophecies in Deuteronomy (chapter 18:15) of a prophet, like unto Moses from “their brethren.”

C. He kept the Commandments of Almighty God, just as his great grandfathers and prophets of old had done in the past (peace be upon them). Here is a statement from Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, while the Quran was being revealed to him by the angel Gabriel;

“Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your PARENTS; do not kill your children because of poverty – (Allah) provide sustenance for you and for them; do not come near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause. This He has commanded you that you may understand.”
[Holy Quran 6:151]

D. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, lived in total commitment to his Belief in One God, and as such, he worshipped God alone, without any other “gods” beside Him. This is the very first commandment in the Old Testament (Exodus chapter 20 and Deuteronomy, chapter 5) and in the New Testament as well (Mark, chapter 12, verse 29).

E. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered his followers to obey Allah Almighty. He ordered following the Commandments as were revealed to him by the angel Gabriel from Almighty Allah. Read below, one of many similar statements from the Quran:

Surely, Allah Commands absolute justice and steadfast commitment to performing your duties to Almighty Allah, in total sincerity and giving help to relatives: and He forbids evil, and disobedience and all that is prohibited by Allah (such as; illegal sexual acts, disobedience of PARENTS, polytheism, to tell lies, to give false witness, to kill a life without right, etc.), and (He Forbids) any evil (i.e. all that is prohibited by God's Law, such as: polytheism of every kind, disbelief and every kind of evil deeds, etc.), and all kinds of oppression, He admonishes you, that you may take heed.
[Holy Quran 16:90]

F. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, never fell into the common practice of his tribesmen to worship statues, idols or man-made “gods.” He forbid his followers to ever engage in worship outside of the One True God (Allah) of Adam, Abraham, Moses and all the prophets, peace be upon them all.

And the people of the Scripture Jews and Christians did not differed amongst themselves until after there came to them clear evidence.
And they were commanded only to worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (no gods beside God), and perform prayers and give charity: and that is the right religion.
[Holy Quran 98:4-5]

He despised false worship to any man-made gods or images or anything in creation as a god. He hated all of the complexities and degradation to which it leads.

This is in direct obedience to the second commandment in the above mentioned verses, “Thou shalt not make any graven images.”

G. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, always held the Name of God (Allah) in the highest of reverence and never took God's Name in vain or for any vainglorious purpose.

He forbid his followers for ever doing anything like this and encouraged them to use names such as “Servant of Almighty God” (Abdullah).

H. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, upheld the proper worship and ceremonies of his grandfathers, Abraham and Ishmael, peace be upon them. Here is something from the second chapter of the Quran. Read closely;

“Recall when Abraham's Lord (Allah) tested him with Commands, that he fulfilled. Allah said, “Surely, I am going to make you a leader (prophet) of mankind. (Abraham said) “And my offspring, too.” (Allah) said, “My Covenant (prophethood, etc.) does not include wrong-doers (thalimun).
“And recall when (Allah) made the House (ka'bah in Bakkah, which later was called “Makkah”) a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. And it is your place of prayer, and (Allah) commanded Abraham and Ishmael to purify (God's House at Makkah) for those who are circling it, or staying there or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in worship).
“And when Abraham said, 'My Lord, make this city (Makkah) a place of security and provide its people with fruits, for them that believe in Allah Almighty and the Last Day.' (Allah) answered, “As for him who doesn't believe, I shall leave him in contentment for a while, then I shall compel him t the torment of the Fire, and worst indeed is that destination!”
“And when Abraham and Ishmael were raising the foundations of the Sacred House (Ka'bah in Makkah), saying, 'Our Lord! Accept from us. Certainly! You are the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.'”
“Our Lord! And make us submissive unto You and of our offspring a nation submissive unto You, and show us our Manasik (all the ceremonies of pilgrimage – Hajj and 'Umrah, etc.), and accept our repentance. Truly, You are the One Who accepts repentance, the Most Merciful.
“Our Lord! Send amongst them a Messenger of their own (and indeed Allah answered by sending Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him ), who shall recite unto them Your Verses and instruct them in the Book (this Quran) and full knowledge of (Allah'
s) Laws and jurisprudence, and sanctify them. Verily! You are the All-Mighty, the All-Wise.”
And who turns away from the religion of Abraham (Monotheism) except him who fools himself? Truly, (Allah) chose him in this world and verily, in the Hereafter he will be among the righteous.
When his Lord said to him, “Submit (“Islam” means “submission”)!” He said, “I have submitted myself (“Muslim” means “one who submits”) to the Lord of all that exists.”
And this (submission to Allah) was ordered by Abraham upon his sons and by Jacob; saying, “O my sons! Allah has chosen for you the (true) religion; then die not except in the Faith of Submission (like those in true submission to God's Will).”
[Holy Quran 2:124-132]

I. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, performed these same ceremonies in worship to what we find the prophets doing before him, bowing to toward the ground and prostrating (falling on the face) while praying and worshipping. He would face Jerusalem for his devotionals and commanded his followers to do the same (until Allah sent down the angel Gabriel with revelation to change the direction (Qiblah) mentioned in Quran).

J. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, advocated rights for all members of the family and especially ties to the parents, both mother and father, also rights for infant girls, orphaned girls and certainly for wives, as well.

It is known from the Quran, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered his followers to be kind and respectful to their parents. They were told not to even say, “Ooh” to them while caring for them in their old age. Read from the Quran:

And your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him. And that you be dutiful to your parents. If one of them or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word of disrespect, nor shout at them but address them in terms of honor. [Holy Quran 17:23]

K. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was the defender of the orphans and even the newborn children. He ordered the care of orphans and feeding of the poor as the means to enter Paradise and if anyone held back the rights of those who were destitute, they could forget about ever seeing Paradise. He also forbade the killing of new born girls, as was a custom of ignorance according to primitive Arab traditions. This is referred to in the Quran; when, on the Day of Judgment those who practiced the evil deed of terminating the life of their own infant daughters, will have it exposed, the Quran says:

“And when the female (infant) buried alive (as the pagan Arabs used to do) is going to be asked; about what sin could she (as an infant) have possibly committed.” [Holy Quran 81:8]

Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's Cause) by night and day, in secret and in public, they shall have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. [Holy Quran 2:274]

L. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered men not to “inherit women against their will,” and not to marry them accept by mutual consent and never to touch their wealth or inheritance in order to improve their own financial conditions.

O you who believe! You are forbidden to inherit women against their will, and you should not treat them with harshness, that you may take away part of the Mahr you have given them, unless they commit open illegal sexual intercourse. And live with them honorably. If you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing and Allah brings through it a great deal of good. [Holy Quran 4:19]

We also notice from this verse, He forbid the common practice of wife-beating and abuse, (his own wife said he never once hit her).

He never once engaged in sex outside of marriage, nor did he ever approve of it, even though it was very common at the time. His only relationships with women were in legitimate, contractual marriages with proper witnesses according to law. His relationship to Ayesha was only that of marriage. He did not marry her the first time her father offered her hand to him in marriage. He married her only after she reached the age of puberty and could decide for herself. Their relationship is described in every detail by Ayesha herself in the most loving and respectful manner as a match truly made in heaven. Ayesha is considered as one of the highest scholars of Islam and lived out her entire life only having been married to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. She never desired any other man, nor did she ever utter a single negative statement against Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

M. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, ordered men to “provide and protect” women, whether it was their own mother, sister, wife or daughter or even those of others, whether they were Muslims or not.

“Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has made one of them to excel the other, and because they spend (to support the women) from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient (to Allah and to their husbands), and guard in the husband's absence what Allah orders them to guard (e.g. their chastity, their husband's property, etc.).
As to those women on whose part you see ill­conduct, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, startle them (set forth a clear example or parable for them, to make clear the point of what is going on before divorcing them) so if they return to proper obedience (to Allah and their husbands), do not annoy them any further. Surely, Allah is Ever Most High, Most Great.” [Holy Quran 4:34]

N. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, prohibited killing of children for fear of poverty and also forbade killing any innocent people.

Say (O Muhammad peace and blessings be upon him): “Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited you from: Join not anything in worship with Him; be good and dutiful to your parents; kill not your children because of poverty – We provide sustenance for you and for them; come not near to Al-Fawahish (shameful sins, illegal sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, and kill not anyone whom Allah has forbidden, except for a just cause (according to Law). This He has commanded you that you may understand. [Holy Quran 6:151]

O. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, never committed adultery, and he required his followers to engage only in lawful marriage relationships with women, and forbid sex outside of Almighty God's Ordinance.

Satan (the devil) threatens you with poverty and orders you to commit Fahsha (evil deeds, illegal sexual intercourse, sins etc.); whereas Allah promises you Forgiveness from Himself and Bounty, and Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures' needs, All-Knower. [Holy Quran 2:268]

Say (O Muhammad SAW): “(But) the things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are Al­Fawahish (great evil sins, every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse, etc.) whether committed openly or secretly, sins (of all kinds), unrighteous oppression, joining partners (in worship) with Allah for which He has given no authority, and saying things about Allah of which you have no knowledge.” [Holy Quran 7:33]

And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a Fahishah , and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him). [Holy Quran 17:32]

The adulterer marries not but an adulteress or a Mushrikah and the adulteress none marries her except an adulterer or a Muskrik [and that means that the man who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan or idolatress) or a prostitute, then surely he is either an adulterer, or a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater, etc.) And the woman who agrees to marry (have a sexual relation with) a Mushrik (polytheist, pagan or idolater) or an adulterer, then she is either a prostitute or a Mushrikah (female polytheist, pagan, or idolatress, etc.)]. Such a thing is forbidden to the believers (of Islamic Monothe
ism).
[Holy Quran 24:3]

Verily, those who like that (the crime of) illegal sexual intercourse should be propagated among those who believe, they will have a painful torment in this world and in the Hereafter. And Allah knows and you know not.
[Holy Quran 24:19]

O Prophet! When believing women come to you to give you the pledge, that they will not associate anything in worship with Allah, that they will not steal, that they will not commit illegal sexual intercourse, that they will not kill their children, that they will not utter slander, intentionally forging falsehood (i.e. by making illegal children belonging to their husbands), and that they will not disobey you in any Ma'ruf (Islamic Monotheism and all that which Islam ordains) then accept their Bai'a (pledge), and ask Allah to forgive them, Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Holy Quran 60:12]

People committed fornication and adultery in most places around the word in Muhammad's time, yet he never once did so, and he forbade all of his followers from this evil practice.

P. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade usury and interest on money lending, as Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, had done centuries before him. It can be easily shown how usury eats away at wealth and destroys the economic systems throughout history. Yet, just as in the teachings of the prophets of old, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, held that such practices were most evil and must be avoided in order to be at peace with the Creator (Allah).

Those who eat usury (deal in interest) will not stand (on the Day of Resurrection) except like the standing of a person beaten by Satan leading him to insanity. That is because they say: “Trading is only like usury,” whereas Allah has permitted trading and forbidden usury. So whosoever receives an admonition from his Lord and stops eating usury shall not be punished for the past; his case is for Allah (to judge); but whoever returns to dealing in usury, such are the dwellers of the Fire – they will abide therein.
Allah will destroy Riba (usury) and will give increase for charity, alms, etc. And Allah likes not the disbelievers, sinners. Truly those who believe, and do deeds of righteousness, and perform Salat, and give Zakat, they will have their reward with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve.
You who believe! Be afraid of Allah and give up what remains (due to you) from usury, if you are believers.
And if you do not do it, then take a notice of war from Allah and His Messenger but if you repent, you shall have your capital sums. Deal not unjustly, and you shall not be dealt with unjustly. [Holy Quran 2:275-279]

Q. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, never gambled and did not allow it. Like usury, gambling takes away wealth but at an even faster pace.

“People ask you (Muhammad) about alcohol and gambling. Say, 'There is great sin in both of them and (some benefit) for humans, but the sin is greater than any benefit from them.' And they ask you what they should spend (for charity, etc.). Say, 'Whatever is above your basic needs.' So, Allah makes it clear to you His Laws in order for you to give thought.”
[Holy Quran 2:219]

Gambling had not been viewed as so evil until the time of Muhammad, peace be upon. Today, it is well established the damage gambling causes to families and even mental health. The idea of getting something for nothing is not the proper way of life prescribed by the teachings of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him.

R. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, never drank alcohol or strong drink, even though it was a very normal thing for people of his time and place.

“O you believers! Intoxicating drinks, gambling, fortune telling, etc. is the hated work of the devil. So stay away from all of that horrible stuff, that you will be successful.”
“The devil only wants to create hatred between you with intoxicants (alcoholic drinks, etc.) and gambling and to keep you from the remembrance of Allah and from your proper worship (prayers). So, why won't you away from them?”
[Holy Quran 5:90-91]

The Arabs, like most other cultures at his time, drank alcohol without concern for their health or for their altered behavior while intoxicated. Many of them were alcoholics.

In today's world there is little need to present long discussions on the evil and dangers of drinking alcohol. Besides causing diseases and ruining a person's health, alcohol is often attributed to be the cause of many traffic accidents resulting in property damage, injuries and deaths. The first order was for the followers of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, to leave off drinking while engaged in worship, then came stronger orders to leave drinking all together. Thus, offering a time for the early Muslims to break off from their addiction to strong drink.

S. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, did not engage in gossip or backbiting and he always turned away from hearing anything related to it.

O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance, and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done.
[Holy Quran 49:6]

O you who believe! Do not allow one group scoff at another group, it may be that the latter are better than the former; nor let (some) women scoff at other women, it may be that the latter are better than the former, nor defame one another, nor insult one another by nicknames. How bad is it, to insult one's brother after having Faith? And whosoever does not repent, then such are indeed wrong-doers.
O you who believe! Avoid much suspicions, indeed some suspicions are sins. And spy not, neither backbite one another. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his dead brother? You would hate it (so hate backbiting) . And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is the One Who accepts repentance, Most Merciful.
[Holy Quran 49:11-12]

Certainly, these teachings would be well appreciated in today's world where we find almost everyone engaging in the worst of gossiping and insulting of others, even the closest of relatives and loved ones.

T. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was most generous and encouraged others to be the same way in their dealings with others. He even asked them to forgive the debts of others with hope of receiving a better reward with their Lord (Allah).

And if the debtor is in a hard time (has no money), then grant him time till it is easy for him to repay, but if you remit it by way of charity, that is better for you if you did but know.
And be afraid of the Day when you shall be brought back to Allah. Then every person shall be paid what he earned, and they shall not be dealt with unjustly.
[Holy Quran 2:280-281]

S. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded the payment of charity to the poor and he was the defender and protector of widows, orphans and the wayfarers.

“Therefore, do not oppress the orphan, nor repulse the beggar.” [Holy Quran 93:9-10]

Charity is for the poor, who in Allah's Cause are restricted (from travel), and cannot move about in the land (for trade or work). The one who knows them not, thinks that they are rich because of their modesty. You may know them by their mark, they do not beg of people at all. And whatever you spend in good, surely Allah knows it well. [Holy Quran 2:273]

U. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught people how to deal with the most extreme difficulties and tests that occur to us throughout our lives. He held that only through patience and a humble attitude would we find true resolution and understanding of life's complications and disappointments. He the most patient of all and was exemplary in his own humbleness. All who knew him had to admit to these virtues.

O you who believe! Seek help in patience and the prayer. Truly! Allah is with the patient ones. [Holy Q
uran 2:153]

He explained this life was a test from Allah:

And certainly, Allah shall test you with something of fear, hunger, loss of wealth, lives and fruits, but give glad tidings to the patient ones. [Holy Quran 2:155]

Who, when afflicted with calamity, say: “Truly! To Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return.” [Holy Quran 2:156]

V. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, fasted for days at a time to be closer to Almighty God and away from the narrowness of worldly attractions.

O you who believe! Observing the fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become pious. [Holy Quran 2:183]

W. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, called for an end to racism and tribalism from the beginning to the end of his mission. He was truly the peacemaker for all times and all people.

O mankind! (Allah) has created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Verily, the most honourable of you with Allah is that (believer) who is one of the pious. Verily, Allah is All-Knowing, All-Aware [Holy Quran 49:13]

And in another verse of the Quran:

O mankind! Have piety and be most dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All­Watcher over you. [Holy Quran 4:1]

X. Regarding keeping up good relationships and bringing people back together after a falling out, the Quran says:

And if two parties or groups among the believers fall to fighting, then make peace between them both, but if one of them rebels against the other, then fight you (all) against the one that which rebels till it complies with the Command of Allah; then if it complies, then make reconciliation between them justly, and be equitable. Verily! Allah loves those who are equitable.
The believers are nothing else than brothers to each other. So make reconciliation between your brothers, and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.
[Holy Quran 49:9-10]

Y. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, taught that Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, was the immaculate conception and miracle birth of Mary, and that she was the best creation of Almighty God. He insisted even to the Jews of Madinah, that Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, was the Messiah, the Christ, the one predicted to come in their Torah (Old Testament). He also taught that Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, did many miracles by the permission of Almighty God, curing the lepers, restoring sight to the blind and even bringing a dead man back to life, and he was not dead, rather Almighty God had raised him up. He also predicted Jesus, peace and blessings be upon him, is going to return again in the Last Days to lead the true believers in a victory over the evil and unrighteous people, and he will destroy the Anti-Christ.

Z. Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade any killing, even when his followers were being killed, until the orders for retaliation came from Allah. Even then the limits were clearly spelled out and only those engaged in active combat against the Muslims or Islam were to be fought in combat. And even then, only according to very strict rules from Allah.
http://prophetofislam.com/what_did_he_do.php

What others say about him?

His complete biography has been authenticated and circulated amongst scholars around the world starting while he was still alive and continuing up until today. One of the first examples we quote from is from the Encyclopedia Britannica, as it confirms:

(Regarding Muhammad) “… a mass of detail in the early sources shows that he was an honest and upright man who had gained the respect and loyalty of others who were likewise honest and upright men.” [Vol. 12]

Another impressive tribute to Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him is in the very well written work of Michael H. Hart, “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History.” He states that the most influential person in all history was Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, with Jesus second. Examine his actual words:

“My choice of Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned by others, but he was the only man in history who was supremely successful on both the religious and secular level.”
[Michael H. Hart, THE 100: A RANKING OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL PERSONS IN HISTORY, New York: Hart Publishing Company, Inc., 1978, page. 33.]

According to the Quran, Prophet Muhammad was the most excellent example for all of humanity. Even non-Muslim historians recognize him to be one of the most successful personalities in history. Read what the Reverend R. Bosworth-Smith wrote in “Mohammed & Mohammedanism” in 1946:

“Head of the state as well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but, he was pope without the pope's claims, and Caesar without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue. If ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by a Right Divine, it was Mohammad, for he had all the power without instruments and without its support. He cared not for dressing of power. The simplicity of his private life was in keeping with his public life.”

While we are reviewing statements from famous non-Muslims about Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, consider this:

“Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, of a cult without images; the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may well ask, is there any man greater than he?”
[Lamartine, HISTOIRE DE LA TURQUIE, Paris, 1854, Vol. II, pp. 276-277.]

And then we read what George Bernard Shaw, a famous writer and non-Muslim says:

“He must be called the Savior of Humanity. I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness.”
[The Genuine Islam, Singapore, Vol. 1, No. 8, 1936]

Then we found that K. S. Ramakrishna Rao, an Indian (Hindu) professor of Philosophy, in his booklet “Muhammad the Prophet of Islam” calls him the “perfect model for human life.” Professor Ramakrishna Rao explains his point by saying:

“The personality of Muhammad, it is most difficult to get into the whole truth of it. Only a glimpse of it I can catch. What a dramatic succession of picturesque scenes. There is Muhammad the Prophet. There is Muhammad the Warrior; Muhammad the Businessman; Muhammad the Statesman; Muhammad the Orator; Muhammad the Reformer; Muhammad the Refuge of Orphans; Muhammad the Protector of Slaves; Muhammad the Emancipator of Women; Muhammad the Judge; Muhammad the Saint. All in all these magnificent roles, in all these departments of human activities, he is alike a hero.”

What should we think about our prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, when someone with the worldly status such as Mahatma Gandhi, speaking on the character of Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, says in 'Young India':

“I wanted to know the best of one who holds today undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind… I became more than convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme of life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust
in God and in his own mission. These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle. When I closed the 2nd volume (of the Prophet's biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of the great life.”

English author Thomas Carlyle in his 'Heroes and Hero Worship', was simply amazed:

“How one man single handedly, could weld warring tribes and wandering Bedouins into a most powerful and civilized nation in less than two decades.”

And Diwan Chand Sharma wrote in “The Prophets of the East”:

“Muhammad was the soul of kindness, and his influence was felt and never forgotten by those around him”
[D.C. Sharma, The Prophets of the East, Calcutta, 1935, pp. 12]

Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was nothing more or less than a human being, but he was a man with a noble mission, which was to unite humanity on the worship of ONE and ONLY ONE GOD and to teach them the way to honest and upright living based on the commands of God. He always described himself as, 'A Servant and Messenger of God' and so indeed every action of his proclaimed to be.

Speaking on the aspect of equality before God in Islam, the famous poetess of India, Sarojini Naidu says:

“It was the first religion that preached and practiced democracy; for, in the mosque, when the call for prayer is sounded and worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam is embodied five times a day when the peasant and king kneel side by side and proclaim: 'God Alone is Great'… I have been struck over and over again by this indivisible unity of Islam that makes man instinctively a brother.”

In the words of Professor Hurgronje:

“The league of nations founded by the prophet of Islam put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations.” He continues, “the fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islam has done towards the realization of the idea of the League of Nations.”
Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockley, on the profession of ISLAM, writes in “History of the Saracen Empires”:

“I BELIEVE IN ONE GOD, AND MAHOMET, AN APOSTLE OF GOD' is the simple and invariable profession of Islam. The intellectual image of the Deity has never been degraded by any visible idol; the honor of the Prophet have never transgressed the measure of human virtues; and his living precepts have restrained the gratitude of his disciples within the bounds of reason and religion.”
[History of the Saracen Empires, London, 1870, p. 54]

EWolfgang Goethe, perhaps the greatest European poet ever, wrote about Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. He said:

“He is a prophet and not a poet and therefore his Koran is to be seen as Divine Law and not as a book of a human being, made for education or entertainment.”
[Noten und Abhandlungen zum Weststlichen Dvan, WA I, 7, 32]
http://prophetofislam.com/what_do_others_say.php

he is NOT the object of worship for Muslims, Only ALLAH is worthy of worship.

I simply posted this because of all the misinformation

[Stu]

Reading this, I am now more convinced than ever that mohammad (deserves no peace at all) was a nasty piece of work, using equivocation to justify the violence that he visited on most of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula at the time.

Thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding BD.

Stuart

[bodhitharta]

Quote (Stu @ Jan. 30 2010,09:09)

Reading this, I am now more convinced than ever that mohammad (deserves no peace at all) was a nasty piece of work, using equivocation to justify the violence that he visited on most of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula at the time. Thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding BD. Stuart

Yes, your welcome as you were sorely confused and did talk without having any knowledge

[TimothyVI]

Hi BD,

The problem that I had reading this was that all of the things that Mohammad said that should not be done unless allah commanded it,
are done by muslims now. Things like killing people and destroying infrastructure. Their justification is that allah has commanded it.
So basically anything is acceptable if you are deluded enough to believe that allah commanded it.

Tim

[Stu]

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 30 2010,12:25)

Quote (Stu @ Jan. 30 2010,09:09) Reading this, I am now more convinced than ever that mohammad (deserves no peace at all) was a nasty piece of work, using equivocation to justify the violence that he visited on most of the inhabitants of the Arabian Peninsula at the time. Thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding BD. Stuart Yes, your welcome as you were sorely confused and did talk without having any knowledge

Yes, I knew he was an impulsively violent man, but I had not quite realised how systematic he had been in his wanton slaughter. From this I think he was more deluded than he was calculating, at least more so than I had imagined.

Stuart

[bodhitharta]

Quote (TimothyVI @ Jan. 30 2010,22:54)

Hi BD, The problem that I had reading this was that all of the things that Mohammad said that should not be done unless allah commanded it, are done by muslims now. Things like killing people and destroying infrastructure. Their justification is that allah has commanded it. So basically anything is acceptable if you are deluded enough to believe that allah commanded it. Tim

To be honest with you, I would have no way of knowing what specifics you are talking about. When Russia invaded Afghanistan and they defended themselves everyone was like “God bless them” America supplied them with arms to fight the “Evil Empire” America trained “Al-queda”

Now as far as suicide bombers are concerned it is forbidden in Islam to kill oneself and a Martyr is not someone who kills himself a martyr is someone who dies while defending his people or his religion being violently attacked.

Now wars and such are more complex than one side is this way and another that way because you have many facets involved. Even in Hitlers Germany you had Germans plotting to kill him knowing he was evil, so we should not assume all people believe or follow all things all the time.

There is religion, there is politics, there is culture, there is history.

Mahatma Ghandi was a peaceful and beautiful person but in the long run it did not prevent violence in India and in cashmere where India and Pakistan have been fighting over.

As far as what ALLAH did or didn't command I can not say other than what He would not say.

In America we had a Civil war between the north and the south, the south wanted to continue to enslave Africans well, in order to free the slaves guess what? People had to die, had to be killed 620,000 had to be killed to end the oppression.

Do you not think at that time in the civil war this quote would not have applied?:

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 at 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.
( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #191)

Do you think America would have been the same without the sacrifices of those who fought for justice and those who were slaves who became free they have fought oppression all over the world as well, including nearly a fifth of the fatalities among U.S. troops in the current war in Iraq are black

[TimothyVI]

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,04:29)

TimothyVI,Jan. wrote: Hi BD, Now as far as suicide bombers are concerned it is forbidden in Islam to kill oneself and a Martyr is not someone who kills himself a martyr is someone who dies while defending his people or his religion being violently attacked.

Of course all Muslims are not terrorists or suicide bombers, but
those that are believe that Allah comanded it.

Have not all of the terrorist suicide bombings been committed
by people practicing the Muslim religion.
When they strap a bomb to their back, or their car or a plane do they not intend to destroy both lives and infrastructure along with themselves.

These may very well have been good people, but if they were, then Allah can convince good people to do terrible things.

If it is forbidden in Islam to kill oneself, then why do they do it in the name of Allah?

Tim

[karmarie]

Hi Timothy,

I know that question was directed to Bd,  but I think that because there is so many Muslims in the world (millions/billions?), I think the root of the problem half the time is a type of Post traumatic stress disorder, grief, caused by war and invasion. I watched on CNN as the children saw their family, mums, dads, brothers sisters friends being killed innocent, just family people, and psychologists questioned what is going to become of those young ones, they join up with fighting groups, they get taught these things, the ones who teach them they trust, as they suffer in what they witnessed,  and become angry, they believe they are fighting because of their hurt, I mean, whenever one of their countries is invaded and this happens, they are defensless, they are powerless to do anything, but then they later become angry,

I think alot of it is in the bible too, I can see alot of prophecy in Revelations 9- the 5th and 6th trumpets, eg it says the 'locusts' or men of war, were told not to harm any green thing, well in the Quran or another Muslim book, it says in war they are not allowed to harm any green thing, see the connection. It says in Revelation 9 they are instructed only to harm those without the seal of God on their forehead, wel it also says in Islams teachings to not harm any woman or child or aged person, or any person dedicating their life in a Monastry or similar thing. In revelations it says that despite all that happens 'the rest of the world still did not repent ' and it says of their idols, sorceries, thefts etc, well in Islam these things are strictly forbidden, so I can see a connection there. An Angel is mentioned, people are undecided if the angel is good or bad, JWs even believe it is Jesus, Abaddon (or destruction) is King over them.

These are just my thoughts.

[Ed J]

Quote (karmarie @ Jan. 31 2010,10:36)

Hi Timothy, I know that question was directed to Bd,  but I think that because there is so many Muslims in the world (millions/billions?), I think the root of the problem half the time is a type of Post traumatic stress disorder, grief, caused by war and invasion. I watched on CNN as the children saw their family, mums, dads, brothers sisters friends being killed innocent, just family people, and psychologists questioned what is going to become of those young ones, they join up with fighting groups, they get taught these things, the ones who teach them they trust, as they suffer in what they witnessed,  and become angry, they believe they are fighting because of their hurt, I mean, whenever one of their countries is invaded and this happens, they are defensless, they are powerless to do anything, but then they later become angry, I think alot of it is in the bible too, I can see alot of prophecy in Revelations 9- the 5th and 6th trumpets, eg it says the 'locusts' or men of war, were told not to harm any green thing, well in the Quran or another Muslim book, it says in war they are not allowed to harm any green thing, see the connection. It says in Revelation 9 they are instructed only to harm those without the seal of God on their forehead, wel it also says in Islams teachings to not harm any woman or child or aged person, or any person dedicating their life in a Monastry or similar thing. In revelations it says that despite all that happens 'the rest of the world still did not repent ' and it says of their idols, sorceries, thefts etc, well in Islam these things are strictly forbidden, so I can see a connection there. An Angel is mentioned, people are undecided if the angel is good or bad, JWs even believe it is Jesus, Abaddon (or destruction) is King over them. These are just my thoughts.

Hi Karmarie,

No your defending criminal homicides? You're straying farther and farther from “The Truth”.
Come back to the Living GOD. Drop the satanic garbled nonsense!

Ed J

[bodhitharta]

Quote (TimothyVI @ Jan. 31 2010,09:35)

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,04:29) TimothyVI,Jan. wrote: Hi BD, Now as far as suicide bombers are concerned it is forbidden in Islam to kill oneself and a Martyr is not someone who kills himself a martyr is someone who dies while defending his people or his religion being violently attacked. Of course all Muslims are not terrorists or suicide bombers, but those that are believe that Allah comanded it. Have not all of the terrorist suicide bombings been committed by people practicing the Muslim religion. When they strap a bomb to their back, or their car or a plane do they not intend to destroy both lives and infrastructure along with themselves. These may very well have been good people, but if they were, then Allah can convince good people to do terrible things. If it is forbidden in Islam to kill oneself, then why do they do it in the name of Allah? Tim

First of all some of these people are misled by their “teachers” But if to understand the Quran is to understand that one should study the scriptures themselves and “Not lean to ones own understanding” but to do what the scripture says.

Some suicide bombers are threatened with the death of their families or told that their families will be taken out of poverty and greatly enriched. But what you must keep in mind is that there are over a billion muslims so taking a small slice and judging the whole is very dangerous.

In America when Gangster Rap music was all over the airways it led to a host of injustices against innocent black youth because police did just that.

There are white militia and terrorist in America who have labeled themselves Christian and they have wreaked much more havoc collectively than any Muslims have ever done including the world trade center.

The terrorist group called the Ku Klux Klan who considers themselves a Christian group have been responsible for the burnings and lynchings and bombings of so many Blacks and other minorities and todaythese types of racist terror grousp are still active.

I think thay are Ignorant “Christians” who have not studied for themselves but got involved in the rantings of mad men.

Also, you really won't find Muslims(even misguided ones) saying that ALLAH commanded it because they will only say “God Willing” or “May ALLAH guide my plan” To my knowledge no Muslim not even the worst example will tell you that God told them do it without saying “God willing”

No one who kills especially those who kill fellow believers and their infrastructure is a believer and that is stated in the Quran

[Ed J]

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,11:10)

one should study the scriptures themselves

Their NOT taught to read “The Bible”.

[bodhitharta]

Quote (Ed J @ Jan. 31 2010,12:50)

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,11:10) one should study the scriptures themselves Their NOT taught to read “The Bible”.

Yes they are, I thought you knew that.

If you spend just a little more time actually reading what the Quran says you would understand pefectly.

[Ed J]

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,14:44)

Quote (Ed J @ Jan. 31 2010,12:50) Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,11:10) one should study the scriptures themselves Their NOT taught to read “The Bible”. Yes they are, I thought you knew that. If you spend just a little more time actually reading what the Quran says you would understand pefectly.

If what you are saying were true it wouldn't be a death sentence to convert to Christianity.
They would also be in harmony with each other, which of course they are NOT!
The Bible is from GOD, while the other is from the 'accuser'.

[karmarie]

Quote (Ed J @ Jan. 31 2010,15:08)

They would also be in harmony with each other, which of course they are NOT!

fighting amongst themself is all part of Islam prophecy regarding the end days, just as there is Christian prophecy about love growing cold, men being lovers of themselves etc, so there is with Islam.

http://www.jesuswillreturn.com/
(after the animation then click on the pictures at the top about the last days)

[karmarie]

Quote

Hi Karmarie, No your defending criminal homicides? You're straying farther and farther from “The Truth”. Come back to the Living GOD. Drop the satanic garbled nonsense! Ed J

Revelations chapter 9,  look at the clues, see the connection:

1 Then the fifth angel sounded: And I saw a star fallen from heaven to the earth. To him was given the key to the bottomless pit.

  (star=angel-ring any bells)

—————————–

4 They were commanded not to harm the grass of the earth, or any green thing, or any tree, but only those men who do not have the seal of God on their foreheads.

—————————

The Prophet Muhammad gave the following instructions during all wars;  

“…. Do not kill children, the aged or women. Do not cut or burn palm trees or fruit trees or any green tree. ….. And you will come across people who take refuge in places of worship (synagogues and churches); leave them alone to what they devote themselves to.”

——————–

15 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths

20 But the rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, that they should not worship demons, and idols of gold, silver, brass, stone, and wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk. 21 And they did not repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts.

———————–

Who is this army of horsemen who dont do those things?  

Islam:Forbidden:
       to associate any partner with God
       to innovate anything in Islam
       to forbid what is lawful or declare anything lawful forbidden
       divination
       magic
       to seek omens
       to own a charm or amulet
       to follow superstitions
       to artificially manipulate prices
       to hoard
       to waste
       to exploit
       to be cruel to animals
       to mutilate
       to hunt for pleasure rather than need.
       to practice fraud
       to deceive (except in open warfare
                    or to reconcile husband and wife)
       to bribe or take bribes
       to backbite, slander, or gossip
       to call people by offensive nicknames
       suspicion
       to spy
       to take oaths often (your spoken word should be enough)
       to steal
       to steal by withholding full measure
       to deal in stolen property
       share cropping for fixed amounts (by percentage is lawful)
       to excessively praise the Prophet (PBUH) as the Christians did to
          Isa (AS) first they gave him attributes he never claimed,
          then they made him an intercessor, then the made
          him a god. Say instead “He was the Slave (servant) of Allah,
          and His messenger.)
Foods forbidden:
       carrion
           except for a) sea food (only what washes up, not what floats)
                      b) locusts
       blood poured forth (what adheres to internal organs is lawful)
       pork
       anything dedicated a false god (or false partner associated with god)
       anything with fang or talon            
       intoxicants in all forms (even in small amounts)
Personal effects forbidden:
       silk and/or gold personal ornaments (for men)
       gold and/or silver eating utensils (for all)
       tattoos
       cutting the teeth
       cosmetic surgery (corrective is permitted)
       plucking the eyebrows (this is what prostitutes do)
       wigs and hair pieces
Things in the home forbidden:
       to own statues
       to own paintings/drawings of living things
         (photographs not prohibited)
       to own dogs
         (unless they are to protect the home or livestock)
Personality traits forbidden:
       begging
       to grow crops forbidden to consume
       to work as a prostitute or erotic dancer
       to be a fortune teller
       to gamble or play lotteries
       to play games of chance such as backgammon (chess is lawful)
       to take interest from money (usury)
       fornication outside of marriage (masturbation is lawful)
       adultery
       suicide
       casual unsupervised social mixing of men and women
            “A look then a smile then a nod of the head…
             then a talk, then a promise, then the warmth of a bed.”
       to look at another's private parts regardless whether
         they are same gender or not, regardless if it is with
         or without desire.
       to go to public baths
               (men are permitted as long as they don't expose themselves)
       to imitate the opposite gender in manners or dress.

—————————–
Revelations 19

11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had[e] a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean,[f] followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp[g] sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

     KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.

[karmarie]

Bear in mind that in todays Eastern Orthodox Church, they believe the chapters of Revelations were NOT written in Chronological order. But rather as if a person was standing in a room and on the walls all around were scenes of something occuring and they turn around and view each scene but in no particular order. (if that makes sense?)

[TimothyVI]

Quote (karmarie @ Jan. 31 2010,10:36)

Hi Timothy, I know that question was directed to Bd,  but I think that because there is so many Muslims in the world (millions/billions?), I think the root of the problem half the time is a type of Post traumatic stress disorder, grief, caused by war and invasion. I watched on CNN as the children saw their family, mums, dads, brothers sisters friends being killed innocent, just family people, and psychologists questioned what is going to become of those young ones, they join up with fighting groups, they get taught these things, the ones who teach them they trust, as they suffer in what they witnessed,  and become angry, they believe they are fighting because of their hurt, I mean, whenever one of their countries is invaded and this happens, they are defensless, they are powerless to do anything, but then they later become angry, I think alot of it is in the bible too, I can see alot of prophecy in Revelations 9- the 5th and 6th trumpets, eg it says the 'locusts' or men of war, were told not to harm any green thing, well in the Quran or another Muslim book, it says in war they are not allowed to harm any green thing, see the connection. It says in Revelation 9 they are instructed only to harm those without the seal of God on their forehead, wel it also says in Islams teachings to not harm any woman or child or aged person, or any person dedicating their life in a Monastry or similar thing. In revelations it says that despite all that happens 'the rest of the world still did not repent ' and it says of their idols, sorceries, thefts etc, well in Islam these things are strictly forbidden, so I can see a connection there. An Angel is mentioned, people are undecided if the angel is good or bad, JWs even believe it is Jesus, Abaddon (or destruction) is King over them. These are just my thoughts.

Thank you for your thoughts Karmarie,
I do appreciate them. However no indescriminate, random
murder of innocent people should ever be excused because of the prior trauma of the perpetrator.

Tim

[TimothyVI]

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,11:10)

Some suicide bombers are threatened with the death of their families or told that their families will be taken out of poverty and greatly enriched. But what you must keep in mind is that there are over a billion muslims so taking a small slice and judging the whole is very dangerous.

You will notice that I did not judge the whole of Muslims.
I merely pointed out that all of the recent terrorist bombings were pertetrated by Muslims.

Tim

[TimothyVI]

Quote (bodhitharta @ Jan. 31 2010,11:10)

The terrorist group called the Ku Klux Klan who considers themselves a Christian group have been responsible for the burnings and lynchings and bombings of so many Blacks and other minorities and todaythese types of racist terror grousp are still active. I think thay are Ignorant “Christians” who have not studied for themselves but got involved in the rantings of mad men.

I agree. There are ignorant religious fanatics in all branches of the Abrahamic faith that use there interpretation of their holy words to carry out their own missguided brutal agendas.

Why did not God inspire a a more easily understood book.
Too many lazy, illiterate, and even moderately literate individuals are left to depend on the rantings of mad men to decipher their holy book for them.

Tim

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