From: islamic-study.org
Does the Islamic Faith order Muslims to kill Westerners or Christians and Jews?
Absolutely not, this is a myth. Islam does not in any way approve of the killing of innocent people, weather they are Christians, Jews or of any faith or philosophy. Prophet Muhammad said:
"Whoever kills a person of the People of Covenant (such as Jews, and Christian or people of others creeds or philosophy) with whom there is a covenant between them and Muslims, he or she will not enter Paradise." Bukhari, Tradition # 2930
This myth about Muslims entering Paradise by killing Christians or Jews or Westerners, may have been a misinterpretation of the saying of Prophet Muhammad "All those who die today will enter Paradise," during the Battle of Badr. Let me shed some lights surrounding this matter.
The Battle of Badr was the first battle to take place between the Muslims and the Pagans. The battle took place in the first year after the Prophet migrated to Medina, 623 AD, escaping the torture and execution of Muslims by the Pagan Quraysh tribes. In Medina, the Prophet joined his followers, who were similarly driven out of Mecca leaving behind their families, homes, and belongings, much of which was confiscated by Quraysh. The Muslims learned about a caravan of goods belonging to Quraysh coming from Syria into Mecca. The Prophet and his companions decided to intercept the caravan and disallow it to reach Quraysh. The Prophet and three hundred of his people left the city to intercept the caravan. The Prophet had no intention to enter into a battle of any kind. The Meccans learned about the Muslim's intention of intercepting the caravan, summoned themselves and made an army of one thousand people to go and save the caravan from the Muslims. Meanwhile, the leader of the caravan, Abu Sufian learned of the Muslim's move, therefore changed the route of the caravan and escaped the Muslims into Mecca safely. Quraysh with its might force of one thousand men and women refused to return to Mecca before they fight the Muslims and parish them.
It was here, where Muslims were few and were not equipped to go into war, the Prophet said: "All those who die today will enter Paradise." Although, the saying can take several different interpretations, but none of them can be interpreted as saying, "if you kill a Christian or a Jew or a Westerner you will enter Paradise."
First, the Prophet was facing the Pagans of Mecca, not Christians or Jews or Westerners. Second, the Prophet's word "today" limits the act of entering Paradise by dieing to those who would die that day only. Thirdly, the words of the Prophet are in defense, not for attack. The Prophet said: "All those who die (in self defense) will enter Paradise." He did not say , 'all those who kill will enter Paradise'. This is in line with the philosophy of Islam regarding prevention of bloodshed and war.
How can this quotation of the Prophet be twisted to mean the killing of Westerners? On the contrary, the Muslims and the Jews joined each other few months earlier and formed an alliance to defend the city of Medina against the Pagans. Furthermore, prior to this, Prophet Muhammad had sent his followers to Abyssinia, escaping Quraysh's execution and to be protected by its Christian King, Negus. Nine years before this Battle and for many more years to come, the Muslims and Christians were allied. This was and still is the policy of Islam regarding the People of the Book, Christians and Jews.
Second, the Islamic philosophy of martyrdom entering paradise is no different than the concept of martyrdom in Christianity. This philosophy too cannot be interpreted as a permission to kill Christians, Jews, Westerners or any humanbeing. |
