I got the idea about the prophets from reading Allamah Nooruddin's translation of the Quran. After that I did some study and figured it made sense considering that most religions have the same goals, values, and teachings.

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“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois

Jihad comes from the Arabic phrase, "jihad fi sabee Allah" meaning "striving in God's cause." Thus, teaching, preaching about Islam, and fighting corruption or poverty can be considered jihad. If a force tries to eliminate Islam we feel it our duty to resist, even by using arms. The Quran forbids us to engage in un-provoked agression but what is and isnt a threat to Islam is open to interpretation.

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“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois

well first to nonsqtr
islam has no racism unlike judaism and christanity,in judaism u cannot become a jew and if u become one u will be treated like a second class jew and in christanity whites are given preference but in islam any one can become muslim ,rich or poor,black or white and they are given equal status




i respect u and would be glad to answer all your queries

and islam is actually not just a religion but to muslims it is ALLAH's religion.

and now to dial8 yes the muslims who refuse to pay zakat(compulsory tax and not charity on their wealth)have to pay it otherwise they are muslims in name only-zakath is only for rich muslims and it is a poverty eradiction programme in islam
and jihad is not violence in islam but an mechanism to protect the oppressed and stop all violence

Sometimes I hope that you are in Beirut right now. You sound exactly like the people America and Israel are fighting.

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To be free people,in our own land,the land of Zion and Jeruaslem

sorry kaka i dont understand your last statement properly?can u elaborate?

Try to understand, kaka100, that we're trying to bridge a cultural gap here.

Political is not the one you'd be wanting to beat back with military force.

Come on, think about it. He's reaching out halfway around the globe to have a dialog with us (as are you).

Any opportunity to have a dialog like this - should be treated with the utmost of reverence and courtesy, IMO. This stuff is precious - and it's not every day we get opportunities like this.

Self-defense is one thing, but guilt by generalization is entirely another. Cut off the head of a hydra, and two more will grow in its place. Remember that old legend?

Well, you get some leeway 'cause you're in the middle of things right now. But please, let's try to make the most of this opportunity. Please? Thanks.

The hadith I quoted seem to suggest otherwise.

My understanding is that Islamic law requires offensive war against non-Muslims where there is a reasonable chance of success. The aim is to fight people until they (a) convert to Islam, or (b) pay the jizya tax and live under Islamic rule.

Yes, there are peaceful verses in the Quran. However, they have often been understood to have been "abrogated" or otherwise superseded. I believe that Islam has generally interpreted itself such that offensive war is required. And if you want to deny this interpretation you have something of a problem: why did Muhammad wage offensive war? Why did he threaten people into paying the jizya?

And why did the Muslims attack India? That was in self defence was it? What had the Hindu's done? Why were millions of people killed by the Muslims? Why were Hindu temples destroyed? It just doesn't seem like self defence to me...

To inquire that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) ever waged offensive war is blasphemy. He only fought because the Meccan army had attacked him and his followers and he never threatened anyone. Even in current Saudi Arabia the zakat tax is voluntary. I cant take responsibility for what has happened during Indias and Pakistans fight for land, I personally think that who ever is in majority should rule it and share it with the minority. Destruction of temples, churches, and synagogues is forbidden in the Quran and any Muslim who does isnt Islamic. Culture doesnt make something Islamic, to be Islamic or to be Muslim is to do what is taught in the Quran first and fore-most.

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“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois

I have to disagree in this one, polit. Its not racism in Judaism as much as its a cultural bond in the Jewish community. I spoke with a Rabbi and he says that anyone can become Jewish but they wont have the same experience as some one whos grown up in that community their entire life. Also Christianity only has the muscle it does in the US because of how many Afro-Americans there are in the Baptist congregations and the sudden boom of Afro-Americans joining the Mormon Church. Lets also not forget how much the Latino-Americans make up a majority in the Catholic Church. Christianity is very easy to access all depending on the denomonation, the same can be said for Judaism. Its true what you said about equality in Islam except for the problem of many hard-liners in the North American mosques who are going overboard in seperating the men from the women and children.

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“Capitalism cannot reform itself; it is doomed to self-destruction. No universal selfishness can bring social good to all.” —Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois