Critique of Islam

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

It has become a hot topic in west these days after 09/11. Western media is expoliting as well as Muslim fundamentalist.
I would invite some discussion about some critical(controversial) points from Koran and Hadiths, hopefully from a healthy standpoint to learn, analyze and critique.

What is the explanation of this kind of punishment to woman and is it applicable nowadays? What is the punishment for man in this case??

And those of your women who commit illegal sexual intercourse, take the evidence of four witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them (i.e. women) to houses until death comes to them or Allâh ordains for them some (other) way.

2

most of the world dont follow that includes most of the islamic world
the relgious based laws regarding crime and punishment.
religen is for moral guidance not a book of criminal law.

3

Re: Critique of Islam

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by analyze it: *
It has become a hot topic in west these days after 09/11. Western media is expoliting as well as Muslim fundamentalist.

I would invite some discussion about some critical(controversial) points from Koran and Hadiths, hopefully from a healthy standpoint to learn, analyze and critique.

What is the explanation of this kind of punishment to woman and is it applicable nowadays? What is the punishment for man in this case??

And those of your women who commit illegal sexual intercourse, take the evidence of four witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them (i.e. women) to houses until death comes to them or Allâh ordains for them some (other) way.
[/QUOTE]

I think you are refering to the following ayah:

"If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or Allah ordain for them some (other) way." (4:15) as translated by Abdullah Yousuf Ali.

Please note that "lewdness" is a better translation for the arabic word fahisha and not as stated above in your post (refered to as "zina" in the quran)

Furthermore, please note the purely feminine plural "allati" (those of your women); according to some commentators (including Abdullah Yousuf Ali) it refers to unnatural crime between women.

It continues as follows:

"If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for Allah is Oft-returning, Most Merciful."

the words in bold might clear some confusion about the preceding verse too.

Since no punishment for men is mentioned in the second ayah, we can safely presume that the punishment from the preceding verse is followed as Islam makes nod istinction between male and female in matters of the penal law.

Even if it is interpreted as illegal sexual intercourse between man and woman, the punishment of 100 lashes is followed because this specific punishment was revealed chronologically later.

Hope that clears up some confusion. Looking forward to a meaningful discussion...

4

Two women and two men? Are you referring to homosexuality?

What about confining them to house until they die?

5

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by analyze it: *
Two women and two men? Are you referring to homosexuality?

What about confining them to house until they die?
[/QUOTE]

Yup, thats what I am refering to. Give me some time for the second part...

6

I think you are concerned about the harshness of the punishment (as always). I dont see this punishment to be any different from what we call the life term in prison. Bearing in mind the emphasis Islam places on morality, it seems rather lenient.

By the way, homosexuality has always intrigued me. Is it a medical condition? Or a path chosen by the person himself? Please enlighten me on this subject.
I have a very prejudiced idea about it. To me it sounds gross and disgusting. Its just against what nature had intended.

thanks...

7

Islam is still an all-powerful religion with a deepset philosophy that translates itself into practice. If anything, the religion is on the rise DUE TO the 9/11 events. What does 9/11 have to do with religion? Absolutely nothing!

:smokin:

8

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by moona: *
What does 9/11 have to do with religion? Absolutely nothing!
[/QUOTE]

Tell that to the group that attacked America "in the name of religion". It is the same group that has declared war on the US "in the name of religion". And how, pray tell, does that put the religion on the rise?

9

Okay so religion is the problem. Now I must be lynched because those 19 arsewipes and their loony toon brigade were muslims, and so am I.

10

Fraudia,
Religion isn't the problem. It is the interpretation of religion by a vocal (and violent) minority that is the problem.

11

Seminole I hope people understand that. It can get very disappointing at times.

12

Seminole is right.. Fraudia if you're not part of the solution you are part of the problem. The so called 'silent' majority of Muslims who don't rise and condemn such acts in the name of religion are indirectly responsible for any backlash at all Muslims. We can see US flag burnings but we don't see Osama effigy burnings do we?

13

[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Seminole: *
Fraudia,
Religion isn't the problem. It is the interpretation of religion by a vocal (and violent) minority that is the problem.
[/QUOTE]

Seminole, I beg to differ. For example, "Christianity" is not a "thing" by itself independent of how it is interpreted, practised, and vocalized by its adherents. The last 1000 years of Christian history attest to that and also to its "evolution". It is comforting to many christians to rephrase what I have said by saying that it is christians who have evoloved in the last 1000 years to represent "Christianity" better.

The fact remains that there is a large cultural difference amongst the west and the countries that call themselves Islamic. The penalty of blasphemey, apostacy, etc. in Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, iran, etc. is death. Non-muslims are not allowed to practise their religion openly in many of these countries. Saudi Arabia is a prime example. Denying this is just plain silly. Aghajehri was sentenced to death in Iran only couple of weeks ago for merely saying that individuals should read the Quran and try to understand it on their own without having the mullhas to interpret it for them. So it is not only the vocal minority that should be in the loony bin anyway, but the overwhelming silent majority that refuses to speak up. Mr. Fraudia is one of the few who does speak out, and we need to arrive where there are a whole lot more who are willing to speak up and out.