<<It’s not a matter of approval…
It was an Islamic duty for the Taliban to have destroyed the idols. >>>
Then people complain why there is a camp X-ray. 
Dear Lajawab,
You need to understand the difference between a Gunah, Hadd & Tazeer.
The ayaat and the ahadith you have mentioned do not suggest any Hadd or 'obstruction' for worshipping or creating idols. It only mentions them as gunah or sin, that is to be solely checked or punished by God himself. After commenting on the references you have given, I will prove it through the Koran that Allah does not allow any Tazeer or 'discretionary punishment' for such acts either, and strictly prohibits such practices as those carried out by the Taleban.
-== The Quotes you Posted ==-
The first verse you posted say that the 'beings that dwells in the presence of God' worship him and do not take false God from the earth. It does not justify breaking statues associated to a religion. The other verses say that the idols are created beings that do not possess the power to create life. Where does it advise the muslims to break the idols? I fail to see any direct or indirect order or advice to break idols.
The ahadith that you posted were mainly about the destruction of idols in the Ka'aba. You can not take that one incident and use it to justify breaking the idols anywhere in the world. Why is there only one major incident of breaking the idols? If God had ordered so, why are the books of hadith not filled with hundreds of such incidents?
And if the quotes from the scriptures that you have posted are taken to mean Islam orders breaking of the idols, why should the buddhists pay jizya to you? To get their gods broken?
-== Should Muslims Respect of Other Beliefs? ==-
For years, non muslims have come on this forum and claimed that Islam doesn't respect other beliefs. Muslims go crazy trying to prove against it. Very recently, people were complaining in a thread that the west is involved in false propaganda against Islam by saying Islam is intolerant. Now, very interestingly, a Muslim has said exactly what the opponents had been saying. Lajawab declares that Islam does not allow respecting other religions and beliefs.
The Koran only says, "For you your religion, and for me my religion."(Koran, 109:6) This is the very definition of Secularism and religious tolerance. If Islam does not allow respecting other beliefs, this verse should've been 'For me my religion, and for you my religion as well.' That however is not the case.
The Koran also warns, "Revile not those whom they invoke besides Allah." (Koran, 6:108) This command means nothing, but respecting the belief of mushrikeen. While the Koran even disallows reviling of the fake gods and idols, it is strange that you are suggesting we should break them!
-== Why Should Muslims Respect of Other Beliefs? ==-
If the opponents are kuffaar and mushrikeen, why should muslims respect their beliefs? The answer has been given clearly in the Koran, in the same verse as the one I mentioned above. Kindly note:
''Revile not those whom they invoke besides Allah, lest they may spitefully revile Allah without knowledge. Thus fair-seeming unto every community We have made their work. Then unto their Lord is their return, and then He will declare unto them that which they were wont to work.'' (Koran, 6:108)
This verse tells us three very strong reasons why we should respect other beliefs:
1- Because it is necessary for mutual religious tolerance with other religions. If we will revile them, they will revile us. This will create an intolerant society.
2- Because God has made human minds in such a way, that their own religions and deeds seem true to them. Reviling their false Gods will hurt their religious feelings, which is not good.
3- Because religious differences and disputes are only allowed to be settled by God. No human can claim that he knows the whole truth and possesses the right to decide who is wrong and who is right.
The message in this verse is very clear.
-== Should Muslims Break Idols? ==-
The verse that I quoted above outrightly disallows hurting the feelings of or reviling the gods of mushrikeen.
- In Chapter 25 of the Koran, this question is asked, "Hast thou seen him who takes his own evil desire for his god? Canst thou be a guardian over them?" (Koran, 25:43)
Explanations:
In the popular book of Tafseer, Roohul Beyan, this verse has been interpretted to mean that God has not appointed the Holy Prophet a guardian who should hold back people from polytheism and from sins. 'Thy business is to tell them that the Unity of God is the foundation of the universe and to furnish them with reasons and signs. It is not thy business to safeguard them against polytheism.' (-Roohul Beyan, Commentry on the Verse 25:43)
Imam Razi in his Tafseer Kabir has said that this verse means: 'Thou hast not been appointed a guardian over such a person to prevent him from following his inclinations. We have not so directed thee, nor have We given thee the power or the authority or made thee a guardian over them. so that thou mayest safeguard them against following their evil desires.' (-Tafseer Kabir, Volume 6: Page 478)
When such an authority has not been given to the holy Prophet, on whom be peace, then a claim by anybody that he or a group of individuals do possess the right, amounts to accute blasphemy in my opinion.
Paaga| |nsaan, you exemplify the Sufi tenet, ‘that he who does not have a peer, his peer is the Shaitaan’. Also it’s even more exemplified by your spelling of the Koran. (Spelled QURAN)
I am not going to split hairs on your post, but your refernce to “For you your religion, and for me my religion.” (I prefer the Yusuf Ali translation over the Pickthal) refers to when non-Muslims tease you or bother about your religion.
And if you still believe that breaking (religious) idols or symbols inside Muslim lands which are out in the open is not giving the ‘right’ impression, well then my man, to you your way and me to mine.
what if somebody retaliates and desrtrcts mosques. remmeber if you justify something others can do the samthing .
how you can protest babro mosque destruction when you justify
destrction of other’s religious symbols.
Dear Lajawab,
I have already read Modoodi's *Tafseer* of the Koran and have serious questions on his view of the Koran. Since this discussion is mainly about breaking the idols, I have quoted only those verses that directly deny this activity. Religious tolerance is another topic, and ou want, you can start a seperate thread on that topic. There is much more in the Koran to promote tolerance than Modoodi can discard.
What does Modoodi say about the other verses that I mentioned? Just a question, will you give preference to Modoodi over Imam Razi? Its just a question I'm wondering about.
I also repeat rvikz' question. If you are allowed to destroy idols in the countries you rule, does that not allow Hindus to break mosques in the land they own? How can you protest the destruction of Babri mosque? Why is it that Islam orders non muslim countries to have religious tolerance for muslim beliefs, and secularism to guard their rights, whereas it disallows respecting other people's beliefs in the Islamic countries? What kind of hypocracy is this?