The learned analysts know that you cannot look at the scriptures of a religion in order to understand that religion. After all, you can find violent passages in all scriptures, right? And all scriptures are subject to interpretation and reinterpretation, emphasis and de-emphasis, etc. Religions, we are told, are what their believers make them to be.
Very well. The Islamic State leaders say they are Muslim believers. They claim to be following the teachings of the Qur’an. Are they? Watch David Wood’s video and see. Are they misunderstanding or misinterpreting these passages? So far no Muslim spokesman in the West, not one, has taken up these Qur’an passages and argued that. All they have done is proclaim the Islamic State to be un-Islamic, without confronting its Islamic case for itself.
Why does this matter? Because the Qur’an isn’t owned by the Islamic State. Muslims the world over read it. The Muslims in the West claim to reject and abhor the Islamic State. Very well. What are they doing to teach against its understanding of Islam, so that more Muslims from the West don’t go to Iraq and Syria to join it?
Champ says
Brilliant! Bravo, David Wood! What an awesome “spot on” video!! Woot!
Yes, ISIS are indeed *devout* muslims. Period.
And I love the bit of humor you added by pointing to the unholy ==> quran <== …nice touch 😀
mariam rove says
This guy is brilliant to say the least. M
Champ says
Indeed, Mariam! 🙂
Neil Jennison says
Yes, it should be compulsory viewing for everyone in the west. especially our spineless leaders.
duh_swami says
David has this habit of being right. He and Pat Condell, have similar styles. I keep telling calcified kuffar that ISIS is playing by the book. They call me a racist, and say I don’t know what I’m talking about, and then tell me that Christianity is just as bad if not worse. These dhimmi Kuffar don’t have taqiyya, what they do have is tu quoque, logical fallacies, obfuscations, distractions, deflections, out right lies, and personal insults…To what end, I’m not sure, none of them are going to get virgins. But because Allah appreciates their efforts in his behalf, he may let them sit in the bleachers and watch the activities as a celestial spectator sport..
Beagle says
Maybe useful idiots for Islam get jobs as some of the 72 virgins or pearls. Nothing like spending eternity servicing Khalid Shekih Muhammad.
GP says
aka Joe Million Hair
Beagle says
In the order presented:
(All from the Sahih International translation)
3.32 (Allah does not favor bad Muslims)
Say, “Obey Allah and the Messenger.” But if they turn away – then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.
48.29 (Islamic moral duality, kindness for Muslims, harshness for non)
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah ; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking bounty from Allah and [His] pleasure. Their mark is on their faces from the trace of prostration. That is their description in the Torah. And their description in the Gospel is as a plant which produces its offshoots and strengthens them so they grow firm and stand upon their stalks, delighting the sowers – so that Allah may enrage by them the disbelievers. Allah has promised those who believe and do righteous deeds among them forgiveness and a great reward.
4.24 (Sex slavery, even of married captives)
And [also prohibited to you are all] married women except those your right hands possess. [This is] the decree of Allah upon you. And lawful to you are [all others] beyond these, [provided] that you seek them [in marriage] with [gifts from] your property, desiring chastity, not unlawful sexual intercourse. So for whatever you enjoy [of marriage] from them, give them their due compensation as an obligation. And there is no blame upon you for what you mutually agree to beyond the obligation. Indeed, Allah is ever Knowing and Wise.
5.33 (The ayat after the famous “no compulsion in religion”)
Indeed, the penalty for those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and strive upon earth [to cause] corruption is none but that they be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from opposite sides or that they be exiled from the land. That is for them a disgrace in this world; and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment,
9.5 (The Verse of the Sword)
And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
9.29 (Abrogates peaceful treatment of non-Muslims)
Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of truth from those who were given the Scripture – [fight] until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled.
9.73 (Jihad against bad Muslims)
O Prophet, fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them. And their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination.
9.111 (Paradise for those who kill and are killed in Allah’s cause)
Indeed, Allah has purchased from the believers their lives and their properties [in exchange] for that they will have Paradise. They fight in the cause of Allah , so they kill and are killed. [It is] a true promise [binding] upon Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah ? So rejoice in your transaction which you have contracted. And it is that which is the great attainment.
47.35 (Muslims must fight when they are strong)
So do not weaken and call for peace while you are superior; and Allah is with you and will never deprive you of [the reward of] your deeds.
2.106 (Later violent suras abrogate earlier peaceful ones which contradict)
We do not abrogate a verse or cause it to be forgotten except that We bring forth [one] better than it or similar to it. Do you not know that Allah is over all things competent?
All very important and good choices, but I think 8.12 and 47.4 should be on the honorable mention list.
8.12 (A famous strike terror verse featuring dismemberment and beheading)
[Remember] when your Lord inspired to the angels, “I am with you, so strengthen those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved, so strike [them] upon the necks and strike from them every fingertip.”
47.4 (In case 8.12, 9.5, or 9.111, etc., didn’t make it clear)
So when you meet those who disbelieve [in battle], strike [their] necks until, when you have inflicted slaughter upon them, then secure their bonds, and either [confer] favor afterwards or ransom [them] until the war lays down its burdens. That [is the command]. And if Allah had willed, He could have taken vengeance upon them [Himself], but [He ordered armed struggle] to test some of you by means of others. And those who are killed in the cause of Allah – never will He waste their deeds.
David Wood says
Beagle, some additional honorable (dishonorable?) mentions are: 3:110, 98:6, 9:123, 9:30, 5:51, and 3:28.
Wellington says
Thank you, David Wood, for being a light of truth in the new (and very strange) Dark Age the West presently finds itself in. People like you, Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer are the Erigenas of our time.
Mirren10 says
” People like you, Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer are the Erigenas of our time”
I do love it, Wellington, when you drop little nuggets like the above, because it always inspires me to google an unfamiliar name or concept, and so I learn something I didn’t know. Thank you ! 🙂
Hrothgar54 says
Channeling Wm. F. Buckley, eh? Good choice.
gravenimage says
Yes—lights in the darkness.
There are all too few of them—but they are all the more precious for that.
Jovial Joe says
A trivial matter certainly David but I couldn’t help noticing in your last few videos the Tin Man on your bookcase. Is this a little talisman of your’s or are you trying to find your heart? 😉 I jest of course, a bigger heart than yours which promotes truth and justice it would be hard to find. Just curious like I said.
David Wood says
Patience, Joe, and you’ll see what it means.
Jovial Joe says
Intriguing. I’ll keep watching then (which I would anyway:)
Mo says
@ Jovial Joe
“A trivial matter certainly David but I couldn’t help noticing in your last few videos the Tin Man on your bookcase.”
I hadn’t noticed that until now! Now his cryptic comment has me curious as well. He’s a funny one, that David, and wickedly clever. (In the best possible way! So glad he’s one of the good guys.)
He and Robert should do a tour together. They’re both hilarious!
Hm. That’s actually a good idea. Maybe addressing such a serious issue as Islam/jihad/sharia while incorporating humor would make this difficult topic more palatable. Humor helps to lower defenses and hostility. Maybe the truth would get through to more people that way!
Jovial Joe says
I can imagine Robert saying ‘put ’em up, put ’em up!’ to his debate opponents 😀
Mo says
Ha!
Jovial Joe says
Not wishing to stretch the analogy too far but if David is the Tin Man and Robert the Lion (not at all cowardly of course), Pamela can be Dorothy and, I don’t know, who would the Scarecrow be? Pat Condell! All of them setting off on their journey to expose the fake prophet who feigns death and doom behind that silk curtain. (This is all your fault David! 🙂
Mo says
Hilarious!
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!
(This is especially amusing, as the past few days I was watching some clips.)
Champ says
Maybe addressing such a serious issue as Islam/jihad/sharia while incorporating humor would make this difficult topic more palatable. Humor helps to lower defenses and hostility. Maybe the truth would get through to more people that way!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Great point, Mo! Plus, those that defend islam–in any capacity–are such a JOKE that they deserve to be made fun of. 😀
Mo says
@ Champ
“Great point, Mo! Plus, those that defend islam–in any capacity–are such a JOKE that they deserve to be made fun of. :-D”
Absolutely. Ridicule is a powerful tool when used wisely.
(And heaven knows they’d never run out material!)
Beagle says
Dishonorable mention, agreed.
3.110
You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah . If only the People of the Scripture had believed, it would have been better for them. Among them are believers, but most of them are defiantly disobedient.
98.6
Indeed, they who disbelieved among the People of the Scripture and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding eternally therein. Those are the worst of creatures.
9.123
O you who have believed, fight those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness. And know that Allah is with the righteous.
9.30
The Jews say, “Ezra is the son of Allah “; and the Christians say, “The Messiah is the son of Allah .” That is their statement from their mouths; they imitate the saying of those who disbelieved [before them]. May Allah destroy them; how are they deluded?
5.51
O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are [in fact] allies of one another. And whoever is an ally to them among you – then indeed, he is [one] of them. Indeed, Allah guides not the wrongdoing people.
3.28
Let not believers take disbelievers as allies rather than believers. And whoever [of you] does that has nothing with Allah , except when taking precaution against them in prudence. And Allah warns you of Himself, and to Allah is the [final] destination.
I would add two “strike terror” verses to round out this collection:
3.151
We will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve for what they have associated with Allah of which He had not sent down [any] authority. And their refuge will be the Fire, and wretched is the residence of the wrongdoers.
7.004
How many a township have We destroyed! As a raid by night, or while they slept at noon, Our terror came unto them.
Thus we can see that “terror” is related to actual physical conflict, not some metaphysical terror due to piety or whatever dissimulation du jure.
Anon says
Great presentation. This could easily be an hour-long video. Islam has never had a reformation and there is nothing in the Quran or peripheral texts that teaches that the violent verses were only spoken to the followers of that day. Unlike the Old Testament, which contains instructions of war (or other so-called ‘violent verses’) to followers of THAT DAY, the Quran speaks instructions of war and conquest to current-day followers. Is that a threat? How many followers would that be?
There are about 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide.
http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html
Using a cautious value of seven percent which is much lower than what experts tell us (http://www.danielpipes.org/blog/2003/10/how-many-islamists), that calculation gives us a result of 105 million muslims that are probably either militant or militant-leaning or militant supportive in some manner.
Shouldn’t all the militant/jihad awareness type sites on the internet be run by “moderate” Muslims? THEY ARE NOT!
voegelinian says
It could be an hour long video; or 10 or 100 — but it’s important to keep it short for the attention spans of all the Westerners too busy to spend time with such a trifling matter as an existential threat to their civilization. David Wood combines so many qualities that are expert: brief, concise, crystal clear, informative, a personable manner and presentation, avoiding buzz words that may become hot potatoes for the hypersensitive, and a wry sense of humor. This high quality package is not the only useful mode in our battle space of the war of ideas theater of this war (still the most important theater only because of the ongoing myopia of the West about the problem of Islam) — for a war of ideas should mix it up with different styles; but it definitely is a crucial one for the vanguard.
Fred says
Actually there appears to be only 30000 radicalized thug Muslims in the world .. not 100m .. and sound they will be bombed into submission and body parts.
Neil Jennison says
Fred,
Even presuming there are “only” [ notice use of the word “only”] 30 000 radicalized thug Muslims in the world, the important question is “how big is their support network?”
It doesn’t take every Muslim to fight, others may offer support in terms of harbouring the fighters, making excuses and obfuscating the message and providing cash support. If most of the rest believe in cause and support the cause then there will be plenty of replacements available.
Then of course, Sharia can also be brought about by simple numbers.
ECAW says
David Wood is spot on showing how ISIS follow Mohammed’s teachings and example but I think if we want to understand what ISIS are doing and why, it’s also important to acknowledge the example of Abu Bakr the first caliph:
http://ecawblog.wordpress.com/2014/08/31/isis-whats-not-to-like/
Old African lady with no teeth says
He should open University or some kind of school teaching the Koran. The Westerns know better this religion then even Muslim people. I have a feeling some moderate Muslims never ever read the Koran or study or anything. Well done David, educate them and if you open a school I be the first person to enrol then I hope Obama, Cameron and Pope Francis. I will probably get better grades then those people because they are in denial.
dumbledoresarmy says
Are you really an African lady?
If so, which country?
These videos of Mr Wood’s need dubbing and subtitling into French (to reach Francophone Africa) and then also into key African vernaculars – e.g. Xhosa, Zulu, Swazi, Ndebele in South Africa, Swahili for east Africa, Amharic for Ethiopia, and so on.
Tom W Harris says
Speaking of verses, I wrote a little poem to honor Mo.
Ode to Moohammed
Hickory dickory dock
Why don’t you suck
Tom W Harris says
I deleted the obscenity from the above poem, as this is a family blog.
Talal says
Read the whole Quran. Online in English at http://www.ClearQuran.com
ECAW says
This site does indeed provide a clear, easily navigable version of the Koran but look at verse 4:3 for instance, first from Sahih International:
And if you fear that you will not deal justly with the orphan girls, then marry those that please you of [other] women, two or three or four. But if you fear that you will not be just, then [marry only] one or those your right hand possesses. That is more suitable that you may not incline [to injustice].”
All the other main translations also use the phrase “those your right hand possesses”.
This is the ClearQuran version:
“If you fear you cannot act fairly towards the orphans-then marry the women you like-two, or three, or four. But if you fear you will not be fair, then one, or what you already have. That makes it more likely that you avoid bias.”
So, any unfortunate reference to sex-slavery has disappeared. I don’t intend to delve further but it seems clear that this is a whitewash job.
Nina says
Marry the women you like two, or three, or four, this is where all the problems is coming from. Marrying to many wives and having so many children they can’t afford to feed or discipline. All this jihadists become the way they are maybe their dads didn’t discipline them because they had too many children and wives to look after.
hammar says
islam creates the slavery state and allows murder, terror and thief. It is complete opposite of the Bible. The Bible is the only word of God.
mohammed was not a man with wisdom or virtues. He is not a man to follow nor glorify. Only Jesus Christ is Savior and Lord. Salvation comes only through Him.
Pray without ceasing.
Fred says
They both share the same passages. Boy you are stupid and gullible all at the same time. There is little difference between the GOP American Taliban and ISIS.
Neil jennison says
The Bible is composed of the Old and New testaments. For Christians, the OT is the old agreement between God and the Jews it is superceded by the NT which does not encourage violence at all. The OT is read to put the NT in context.
Further as RS has pointed out, the violence in the OT is a historical record and explanation of what happened rather than an instruction manual of how to behave.
Mo says
@ Fred
“They both share the same passages. Boy you are stupid and gullible all at the same time. There is little difference between the GOP American Taliban and ISIS.”
You blasphemous liar. That’s not name calling for the sake of it. That’s what you are.
The Bible has ZERO open ended commands for either Jews or Christians to commit violence against anyone. That’s why there are no Jews or Christians committing such acts, all over the world, on a regular basis, all over the world, in obedience to those commands.
They don’t exist. And you know it.
The GOP are beheading people? And under the tenets of their platform?
Vile liar.
Be gone, troll.
Fred says
I suggest to simply review what your CHRISTIAN BUSCH LITE did by invading a sovereign country and killing scores of innocent citizens . you and your gullible likes are the liars.
Fred says
What a crock of feces.
gravenimage says
Ah—right. Because the GOP is engaged in sex slavery, genocide, and the beheading of journalists. Oh…wait…
All in all, more disgusting apologia from “Fred”.
Fred says
What a crock of feces.
Fred says
All those same passages can be find in the BIBLE .. We should be happy the mosssslums are murdering Christians for their past despicable hate and actions. What does around comes around.
ISIS thugs are playing Americans like the stupid dogs they are. Whack off a couple of heads of numbnuts who were wandering around a civil war zone and we immediately play the victims and call in the troops … but they will scatter to the wind and back into their caves and won’t be there when the calvary arrives.
Of you want to see how this plays out .. look no further than Gaza and Israel … 60 years and they are still picking off each other … America will have a standing force in Iraq for decades now.
Neil jennison says
Do you really believe that if Hamas put their weapons down and stopped fighting that Israel would attack them?
gravenimage says
The appalling “Fred” wrote:
All those same passages can be find in the BIBLE .. We should be happy the mosssslums (sic) are murdering Christians for their past despicable hate and actions. What does (sic) around comes around.
…………………………………….
What repulsive apologia for *genocide*. And what “despicable hate and actions” have Syrian and Iraqi Christians ever been engaged in? And how about Yazidis?
Moreover, he does not seem to care that oppressive and violent *Muslims* don’t appear to be experiencing any of that ‘instant karma’.
But then, this isn’t really about any sins or shortcomings of Christians—but just about the enabling of vicious Islam.
More:
ISIS thugs are playing Americans like the stupid dogs they are. Whack off a couple of heads of numbnuts who were wandering around a civil war zone…
…………………………………….
Apologia for *beheading journalists and aid workers*. Just vile.
More:
Of you want to see how this plays out .. look no further than Gaza and Israel … 60 years and they are still picking off each other …
…………………………………….
More apologia for Jihad—this against the civilized Israelis.
What a nasty piece of work.
Fred says
Your Christian fool Busch Lite murdered 100000 of thousands of innocent Iraq’s … you are a hypocrite.
Mo says
@ Fred
“All those same passages can be find in the BIBLE ..”
Liar. (Notice how you didn’t provide any.)
There are zero open ended commands in the Bible for either Jews or Christians to commit violence against unbelievers or anyone else. That’s why there are no Jews or Christians committing such acts all over the world, on a regular basis, in obedience to those commands.
” We should be happy the mosssslums are murdering Christians for their past despicable hate and actions. What does around comes around.”
How I long for the day when you still stand before this Christ you hate and give account for your lies and blasphemy.
gravenimage says
More excellent stuff from the inimitable David Wood.
Mo says
@ Fred
“They both share the same passages. Boy you are stupid and gullible all at the same time. There is little difference between the GOP American Taliban and ISIS.”
You blasphemous liar. That’s not name calling for the sake of it. That’s what you are. The Bible has ZERO open ended commands for either […]
What a crock of feces.”
The usual response of someone who knows they have zero evidence to back up their false statements.
Show me where the GOP are beheading anyone. Show it to me, you vile liar.
When you’re done providing that evidence, show me the open-ended commands for either Jews or Christians to commit violence against anyone.
When you’re done providing that evidence, show me where there are Jews or Christians committing such acts, all over the world, on a regular basis, all over the world, in obedience to those commands.
You’re a liar and a slanderer and a blasphemer.
And you KNOW it.
BEN says
do you have the the text version of this