As American liberals/leftists continue to portray Donald Trump’s immigration ban on seven Muslim nations in the worst possible terms — from “racist” to “Islamophobic” — and as Muslim activists continue to claim “shock and trauma,” a lone Egyptian man has asked some relevant questions that few Muslims care to face.
Dr. Ahmed ‘Abdu Maher is a researcher and political activist who regularly appears on Arabic language television and who has a long record of exposing Islamic institutions like Al Azhar for using texts and curriculums that promote terrorism in the name of Islam. On February 6, he posted a brief video of himself speaking in Arabic, relevant portions of which I translate below:
Friends, in regards to the presidential victory of Donald Trump, we wanted to ask our brothers—the fuqaha [jurists of Islamic law] and the ulema [scholars of Islam]—a question: if this man who has on more than one occasion announced that he doesn’t want Muslims … were to coerce, through the power of arms, the greater majority of Muslims living in America … to become Christians, or pay jizya, or else he takes over their homes, kills their men and enslaves their women and girls, and sells them on slave markets. If he were to do all this, would he be considered a racist and a terrorist or not? Of course, I’m just hypothesizing, and know that the Bible and its religion do not promote such things, but let’s just assume: Would he be a racist or not? Would he be a terrorist or not? How then [when one considers] that we have in our Islamic jurisprudence, which you teach us, and tell us that all the imams are agreed that the Islamic openings [i.e., conquests] are the way to disseminate Islam? This word “openings” [futuhat]—we must be sensitive to it! The Islamic openings mean swords and killing. The Islamic openings, through which homes, castles, and territories were devastated, these … [are part of] an Islam which you try to make us follow. So I wonder, O sheikh, O leader of this or that Islamic center in New York, would you like to see this done to your wife and daughter? Would you — this or that sheikh — accept that this be done to your children? That your daughter goes to this fighter [as a slave], your son to this fighter, a fifth [of booty] goes to the caliph and so forth? I mean, isn’t this what you refer to as the Sharia of Allah? … So let’s think about things in an effort to discern what’s right and what’s wrong.
To those unacquainted with the subject matter, Maher is referring to history’s Islamic conquests, which in Muslim tradition are referred to in glorious terms as altruistic “openings” (futuhat) that enabled the light of Islam to break through to mankind. For centuries, Muslim armies invaded non-Muslim territories, giving the inhabitants three choices: convert to Islam, or else pay jizya (tribute money) and accept third class status as a “humbled” dhimmi (see Koran 9:29), or else face the sword, death, and slavery. Most saw the light and the “Muslim world” was born.
Not only is this how Muslims behaved vis-à-vis non-Muslims for nearly 1,400 years, but Islamic law, believed to be based on the transcendent, unchanging will of Allah, still prescribes this approach to non-Muslims.
In this context, what are Muslims complaining about, asks Maher. All that Trump has done is banned immigration from Muslim nations closely associated with terrorism. What if he actually treated Muslims in America the way Muslims have always treated non-Muslims under their authority — the way Islamic law, Sharia, demands — that is, in a manner far worse than simply banning immigration from terrorist nations in the interest of self-preservation?
It should be noted that if Maher is among the minority of Muslims who openly expose the hypocrisy and double standards of their coreligionists, most of the world’s Muslims — including if not especially those in America currently feigning trauma at Trump’s “hurtful” words — know precisely what he is talking about.
Kay says
Brave man, this Dr. Maher.
Informative article.
I never cease to be amazed at the Mohammeden way of twisting language. “Openings.” Ha!
Lia Wissing says
I admire you most sincerely, Mr Maher. Go with God.
jewdog says
Encouraging to see that once in a while the Golden Rule shines through in places where it is generally ignored.
mortimer says
I hear, JD, but he is not even speaking about the Golden Rule, which doesn’t appear in Islam. K.48.29 is the REVERSE of the Golden Rule. He is asking Muslims to use logic instead of emotion. Trump is using the entry ban as diplomatic pressure on a few delinquent countries that are not doing anything to stop the jihadists. Hopefully, this diplomatic pressure will bring those countries to their senses.
JIMJFOX says
Islam using logic? That really is very funny.
Pastor C says
I hope and pray this author’s article, and logic, finds wide distribution in America, in as many homes and schools as possible.
Thank you, again, Dr. Spencer for articles such as this! They are critical to the counter-Islamic terrorism efforts of those of us who see, clearly, our Republic being sabotaged and undermined before our very eyes day by day.
762x51FMJ says
The secret to maintaining a strong Islam has always been to make life so miserable for everyone that they beg for suicide vests…to escape the cruel world of Sharia compliance. Islam collapses under its own weight, it cannot maintain itself without taking someone elses freedom and finances away, it can only grow through conquest… It is the very reason that Islamic countries collapse into anarchy when fully blockaded..
Had Russia and China not illegally purchased oil from Iran since 1977 Iran would have most likely collapsed…
mortimer says
Most Muslims prefer to live in the free West, rather than in a Sharia dictatorship.
gravenimage says
Actually, many Muslims in the West are working to turn the West into more Islamic hell holes.
Daniel Triplett says
Starts with a block. Then a neighborhood. Then an enclave. Then a city. Then a province. Then the nation.
Vic says
Excellent article. Thank you, Mr. Ibrahim.
We need to repost.
Cara Dewitt says
thank you for saying things I did not know how to say . still looking for the light at the end of a long , dark tunnel.
Jerry says
This particular blog goes right to the heart of the issue for me. Trump puts a sensible, temporary ban on travel from 7 high risk nations and he’s called a Nazi. Islam, however, is the world’s most racist, hateful ideology on the planet and they call it a “religion of peace.” This is the world we live in, where evil is good, black is white. Trump makes a remark about the crime certain illegals bring to our nation and suddenly he’s a racist. Islam, however, can crush human rights by oppressing women, enslave captives, murder for religion, and rape or sexually mutilate little girls, but it’s all a constitutionally protected religion that we’re supposed to respect.
The left has only encouraged this islamic madness in their desperate attempt to make peace with islam’s devil god. I think we have all grown weary of being treated like classroom children who need calming down by their headmaster. So when Trump came along and spoke our thoughts we collectively pooped our pants in support. Those of us who have grasped the dangers of islam know Trump is right, islam is filled with hate for “infidel” America. The islamic religion teaches hatred and murder against unbelievers, Christians, and Jews. But of course America is filled with these people of all faiths–or no faith–and always will be. That is why Islam is no friend to America, because it teaches murder against our people and their right to be free.
Muslims are the flesh and blood representation of the ideas that threaten our lives and freedoms. That’s why I don’t want any more muslims in America, that’s why I speak against islam.
dsinc says
Good one Jerry. Spot on.
overman says
Brilliant article.
‘Openings’ – nice euphemism for murder, rape, torture, slavery, pillage etc..lol
Can’t we make ‘Trumpophobia’ a crime, like they’ve just made ‘lslamaphobia’ illegal in Canada. At least calling Trump ‘hitler’ should be outlawed – hitler killed over 12 million. To my knowledge Trump has never killed anyone..
Kepha says
While I would have much preferred to vote Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas into the White House, in the end, I rather reluctantly voted for Trump in November. I have defended his executive order in the Teachers’ Lounge of my school and to students in myclassrooms, who believe the c–p about Trump wanting to throw out all immigrants and keep out all Muslim (fine “Muslim Ban” that leaves out Indonesia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, and the Muslim minority in India).
But I will never advocate making GOPPDS (GOP President Derangement Syndrome) a crime. I love the First Amendment too much for that. I would, however, urge a concerted effort to impeach and remove any US judge who defends making “Islamophobia” (as defined by the Left) or “Hate Speech” a crime on the grounds of perjury. These guys vowed to uphold our Constitution, including the First Amendment.
mortimer says
Dr. Ahmed ‘Abdu Maher is making a remarkable admission, namely, that Islam teaches CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY as a normative part of jihad.
He is calling out Muslims on a moral question. In effect, Dr. Maher asks, ‘SINCE we in Islam believe in JIZYA, we believe in sex slaves, we believe in executing prisoners of war, we believe that women are ‘prizes’ or ‘booty’ in war… Since we believe all that, WHY do we object if our enemies do to us what we wish to do to them? Moreover, Pres. Trump has not called for a jihad similar to the Islamic jihad with its war crimes. Trump has merely asked for a moratorium from a few countries that support terrorists. That is hardly an aggressive act. It is diplomatic pressure.”
anno nimus says
how dare this apologist for infidels, this traitor, this despicable man dare to compare the glorious and conquering Islam with the leader of infidels?! Does he not realize that all the world and its inhabitants were given by Allah to Muhammed and his followers as booty and slaves? How dare he hold Islam and Muslims to the same standard with the rest of them low life scam! He will pay for this crime! Did they not teach him from early age that muhammed being prophet of islam can do anything he pleases and that his followers can do the same according to the great example he set? if muhamed did it then it was right!
(how REAL muslims really think)
no_one says
Let’s not forget that the muslims think their the best people on earth. This is a racist view to begin with. I know they are dishonest. And dhimmi is not always an option even for people of the book. Sometimes the only two options are accept islam or die. I know this from history of certain nations that had to endure islam for centuries.
Mark Spahn (West Seneca, NY) says
What’s with these Mahers? This Dr. Ahmed Maher and his show-biz cousin Bill are both hostile to Sharia.
(Side thought: Hey, what would happen if the President mentioned — merely mentioned, without explaining — the word “jizya”? Would the media explain how benign and loving this concept is?)
medaber_emet says
what a brave and honest man.
I hope they will not kill him
he is asking the phony muslims to look in the mirror
he is actually putting the mirror in front of their faces
if the christians in the west where treating the muslims half as bad as the muslims treat the christians in muslim countries i think the muslims would have scream and make tantrum that their rights are compromised
you stupid gullible westerns think that if the muslims live in your countries thay will be loayal and greatful
you have no idea how dead weong you are
once the muslims will have enough confidence in their power they will annihilate the host culture.
have no doubt about this
you can feed the crocodile for many years but if you fall into its cage it will eat you
islam is the crocodile
JIMJFOX says
A great many westerners DO know what Islam + Sharia are but thank you for your comments anyway.
“Islamophobe”– any ‘najis kafir’ who knows too much about Islam”
gravenimage says
I’m afraid Jihadists are not “phony Muslims”–they are the genuine article.
Daniel Triplett says
Exactly.
ISIS are perfect Muslims, role models for all to emulate. They’re just doing exactly what their source texts tell them to do, to the word.
gravenimage says
Very true, Daniel.
Daniel Triplett says
Fascinating article Raymond.
One has to wonder: If Dr. Maher truly understands the hypocrisy and evils of Islam, why is he still Muslim? I believe he’s sincere with his words, so why doesn’t he apostatize?
If I walked into my Church, as he does in his mosque, and my pastor spoke as his Imam does, I’d stand up, walk out, and never return to that house of evil again.
Why does he continue attendance?
They either buy into it or they don’t. You’re in the Ummah, or you’re not. Islamic source texts require an “All-in” submission commitment from adherents of Islam.
Why, out of 1.7 Billion Muslims, are there just a handful of adherents (50 or less) who publicly criticize their faith honestly?
I believe the vast majority truly buy into it.
Angemon says
Dr. Maher, unlike the likes of antifa, has some big brass ones…
Christianblood says
(..Trump to American Muslims — Become Christian, Pay Jizya, or Die?..)
That would be the ultimate expression of justice and righteous reciprocity but don’t expect it to happen in this age of political-correctness.
gravenimage says
Christianblood, our behaving like savage Muslims would not be justice. We do not have to act like Mohammedans to defend against Islam.
Christianblood says
gravenimage
Get down from your high horse! The only way to defeat islamic terror is to terrorize the terrorists!
gravenimage says
We have defeated Islam before, and it was not by throwing out our values and imposing dhimmitude.
Christianblood says
gravenimage
(..We have defeated Islam before, and it was not by throwing out our values and imposing dhimmitude..)
Graven, there was NO political-correctness or liberalism at that time.
That is the difference. Now, let alone, defeating islamists the West cannot even name the enemy today!
Angemon says
Christianblood posted:
“Graven, there was NO political-correctness or liberalism at that time.
Pffft. Stop trying to murk the water. “Political correctness” is a relic that originated from your neck of the woods. Liberalism predates it, and it was what gave us the end of slavery, secured personal rights and freedoms, etc. They’re far from being one and the same, as you like to pretend.
President Donald Trump during the inaugural Address: “We will (…) unite the civilised world against radical Islamic terrorism which we will eradicate completely from the face of the earth”.
Putin: “I would prefer Islam not to be mentioned in vain alongside terrorism”.
Who is the “politically correct” one of those two?
Christianblood says
RCH posted
(..U have a very valid point here in the sense, there were none of these insidious libs during those days of history and hence the battle with Islam was a very straightforward one. I personally would launch the war both on these Jehaadi pests as well as their dhimmi friends, with a warning to the dhimmis to get out of the way or face colat damage. Other than that, there is no other foreseeable way out of this self inflicted mess of the libs..)
Very true indeed! Thank You!
gravenimage says
Some *have* begun to name the enemy as Islam–but you are right that all too many are still hobbled by “political correctness” and denial.
Angemon says
Christianblood posted:
“Get down from your high horse!”
Lol! Are you channelling your inner Obama? How about you get off from your high horse, which is deep down the Mariana Trench, for a change?
Angemon says
Christianblood posted:
“(..Trump to American Muslims — Become Christian, Pay Jizya, or Die?..)
That would be the ultimate expression of justice and righteous reciprocity”
Really? Upholding islamic tenets would be ” the ultimate expression of justice”?
gravenimage says
Raymond Ibrahim: Trump to American Muslims — Become Christian, Pay Jizya, or Die?
………………………….
Powerful stuff. Thanks.
gravenimage says
Very true, RCH.
Matthieu Baudin says
“… if Maher is among the minority of Muslims who openly expose the hypocrisy and double standards of their coreligionists, most of the world’s Muslims — including if not especially those in America currently feigning trauma at Trump’s “hurtful” words — know precisely what he is talking about…”
That’s right, we don’t have to accept the two faced behaviour and antics of this backward looking herd.
Christianblood says
RCH posted
(.. The more benign and tolerant the host society the more virulent and vicious the Islamic parasite..)
You are right. To followers of islam being benign and tolerant is seen as being very weak and ready for dhimmitude. Muslims only respond positively to resolve and strength. Benign-ness and tolerance will only embolden them to assert their supremacist jihadist will on the weak “infidel” societies.
gravenimage says
True.
Fr. Samuel M. Water says
I find it interesting that the title of this article is the quote that Islam has quoted to millions of Catholics all over the Arabian lands for hundreds of years. Before Islam killed, raped and enslaved the non Muslims wherever they have taken over those are the choices that they give the non Muslims to choose from. They are doing it today with the threat to kill or the threat to take over still non Muslim land. The Muslim in this article is appalled because the quote they quote is being quoted back to them. Interesting reflection. Fr. Samuel M. Waters, Roman Catholic Priest.
Dacritic says
So why the hell is Maher still a Muslim?
david says
He’s a dead man…….
tbb says
Every MSM outlet should show this.
Like that would ever happen.
They have the balls of an insect.