Why We Question

WHY WE QUESTION

            Several years ago I heard an imam who had converted to Christianity being interviewed about the true nature of Islam. This interview caused me to find a Qur’an and discover for myself if what he said were true. He spoke of many things but the one idea that is emblazoned in my brain is that Muslims are allowed to lie to “unbelievers” under certain circumstances and to “believers” if it serves their purpose of smoothing over differences.

            Today we hear much conversation about religious freedom and that anyone who opposes the mosque at Ground Zero is a religious bigot! I do not think I have heard of a Christian church being built on any Muslim land, but I have heard reports of Holy Bibles being ripped apart or even burned if they are discovered. I have found no examples of Muslim “tolerance” toward Christians.

            Here is what I have discovered: There are two forms of lying to non-believers that are permitted – taqiyya and kitman. This is allowed to advance the cause of Islam by drawing out vulnerability in order to defeat the enemy.

            Taqiyya means to say something that is not true.

            Kitman is lying by omission.

            Here are some examples of verses in the Qur’an:

Qur’an (16:106) – certain circumstances can “compel” a Muslim to tell a lie.

Qur’an (3:28) - warns Muslims not to take those outside the faith as friends, unless it is             to “guard themselves.”

Qur’an(9:3) – “Allah and His Messenger are free from liability to the idolaters...”.

Qur’an 40:28) – A man is introduced as a believer, but one who must “hide his faith” among those who are not believers

Qur’an (2:225) – “Allah will not call you to account for thoughtlessness in your oaths, but for the intention in your hearts.”

Qur’an (66:2) – “Allah has already ordained for you, (O men), the dissolution of your oaths.”

            From the Hadith:

Bukhari (49:857) – “He who makes peace between the people by inventing good information or saying good things is not a liar.”

Burhari (84:64-65) -   Speaking from a position of power, Alah confirms that lying is permissible in order to deceive an “enemy.”

            So any rationally thinking individual who has only a slight understanding of Islam would certainly wonder about the motives behind building this mosque at Ground Zero. Islam is spread by jihad and Christianity is spread by evangelism - one by fear and terror and the other by “renewing the mind”.

            All I ask is for any Muslim to simply state clearly what he believes and why he believes it. If Islam is such a wonderful thing, then people will be attracted to it.

(published in Marietta Daily Journal - letters to editor - Sunday, September 5th, 2010)