Questioning Islam: Tough Questions & Honest Answers About the Muslim Religion

Questioning Islam is the first book about Islam that I have read that was not meant as either an apologetic for the excesses of Islam and its adherents, but neither is it an unabashed hit piece on Islam, that relies on selective quotation, which could be done as a "hit piece" on ANY religion.No, this book is very different in that it lets the Quran, and ultimately Mohammed, speak for themselves within their correct respective context, and THAT is the most valuable part of this book, for both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.For those that have taken the time to have read not only the Quran, but both major categories of Hadiths (Kutub al-Sittah - Sunni) and the "four books" (Shia Islam), you will find no significant errors of context or attribution within "Questioning Islam" as its scholastic value stands on a very firm footing that is well researched and clearly attributed. This is "Questioning Islam's" greatest value for the rest of us.Reading the Koran as it is written in a very challenging task as it is not presented in a coherent chronological order, nor are many aspects well explained without resorting to reading numerous hadiths whose value is dependent upon whatever sect of Islam you happen to be an adherent of, be it Sunni or Shia. Questioning Islam really does clear away the clouds of doubt that seemingly allow any number of Islamic scholars to say anything they wish and have it be scripturally correct as per the Quran, but not necessarily accurate in the real world.Is Islam a "religion of peace", or is it a bloodthirsty religion bent on conquest by the sword and world domination? The simple answer to that question is that it is both, depending on which section of the Quran you wish to quote. The part that make sense of this seemingly contradictory interpretation depends on your knowledge of the Quranic concept of abrogation. The knowledge of the Quranic concept of abrogation is key to correctly understanding Islam and the Quran.Earlier chronological verses in the Quran are superseded, or are replaced (abrogated), by later chronological verses. The earlier verses tend to be the peaceful verses (that in some cases are plagiarized verbatim from earlier Hebrew sources) while the later "sword" verses in the Quran take precedence, or are considered more authoritative.Keep this in mind the next time you hear any Islamic scholar, expert, or politician supposedly quoting the Quran with the phrase "If anyone slays a person, it would be as if he slew the whole world: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole world." That is a misquotation of the Quranic verse 5:32 which actually says "On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if anyone slew a person - unless it be in retaliation for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew all mankind: and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all humanity."As you can see there is a considerable amount of difference between the actual second verse and the first 'edited' or "fake" Quranic verse.You should also note that verse 5:32 DOES NOT APPLY TO MUSLIMS, but instead is directed toward Jews and Christians (AKA: People of the book).The relevant verse for Muslims is 5:33-34 which states:"The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger (Mohammed), and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter; except for those who repent before they fall into your power: in that case, know that Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful."Islam is most defiantly NOT a religion of peace. I say this not to be offensive to any Muslims, but to explain the true concept of Islam that no knowledgeable Muslim can disagree or take offence.In that light, al Qaeda and The Islamic States (IS, ISIS/ISIL) are actually following almost exactly, if to a severe degree, the exact and precise Quranic teachings as set forth in the "sword verses" (the most authoritative and later part) of the Quran. They are not perverters of Islam, but in fact the ultimate expression of an observant Muslim that is practicing righteous jihad against the infidel or unbelievers.

Understanding Islam by Peter TownsendThe blind spot of the West in regards to Islam has been going on since the rise of the Muslim invaders in the 7th century. Muslims attacked and captured Jerusalem from the Byzantines even while they debated whether they were, in reality, a new cult of Christianity. There is little doubt that the ambivalence and uncertainty of the West has served Islam well in its many military campaigns over the last 1400 years.Peter Townsend is attempting to arm us, protecting us from the misinformation and disinformation which have plagued our political institutions, most recently, from the fall of the last caliphate in Istanbul over a century ago. The Ottomans fell, probably more of a century long dwindle, when the sultan retreated from the path demanded by the prophet: conquer until all submit.Questioning Islam is a valuable tool in the education of the culture. Townsend, rather than engaging in a polemic for the West, examines the claims and the basic documents of the Muslim faith itself. Without reference to other belief systems he looks at what teachings are basic to Islam and how the Muslim believer formulates his world view.It is not pretty. The Qur’an is held out to be the faithful as the very words of the creator deity, pure and “perfect in (its Arabic) language,” complete in its conceit and execution, and unsullied in its transmission. However, despite an empire-wide effort to burn all deviant copies in the eighth century, the fundamental document of Islam is revealed to be a hodge-podge of plagiarized sentiments (primarily Jewish), self-serving and convenient “revelations” to benefit only Mohammad in his venereal pursuits, and a high degree of plain old-fashioned bloody-mindedness. It is enough to make an Arab blush, and apparently did. There are multiple examples where the companions of Mohammad wished to reduce, or at least limit, the rapine only to be urged back into the carnage by Mohammad.Rather than being in the “purest Arabic” there are many words taken from the patois of seventh century trade. Some words are completely indecipherable, yet supposedly sent from God via Mohammad as the end and culmination of all wisdom. Whole sections are known to be missing due to the dietary indiscretions of a family goat. Instead of being the highest form of literature the Qur’an amounts to a rag-tag assemblage of political and self-serving edicts. It documents not so much eternal verities as it does the rise of Islam from a despised minority, requesting tolerance, to a military Ponzi scheme demanding submission or blood.The hadiths, traditions, providing the basic framework of what is now Islam, are obviously critical in understanding the faith. It is an inconvenient fact that none of the hadiths were written down within two hundred years of Mohammad’s death. Moreover by that time, the great schism had occurred, dividing Islam into the Sunni and Shi’a traditions. Hadiths conflict with each other both with and without each community. Mohammad, held out to be a “perfect example of conduct,” can only be glimpsed via these hadiths and what is shows of him is grasping, vacillating, and sanguinary religious tyrant.Questioning Islam is extensively documented, with long passages from the original documents reproduced within the endnotes. Author Townsend has done a remarkable job in organizing a difficult subject topically. This leads to some redundancies which may, at time, strike readers are being overdone. Despite that, it is a very fast read. This should be required reading for anyone who is exposed to Islam. Today, that includes us all.

I have read the Koran, and Hadiths many times to see if I could get an idea on what the Islamic faith is about. This book is by far the best way to understand Islam and the threat it poses to our culture, laws, and existence.This is a factual book, based total on the Koran, hadiths, and on Islamic texts.I found the book to by worrying to the extent I now view what Islamic extremists speak of as being a standard view of islam. Quiet terrifying when you comprehend the depth of deception taking place.

This is an excellent book that looks at aspects of Islam that many people who have an issue with Islam would not have thought of. I think a lot of what he points out one could also say about other religions, ( inconsistencies and contradictions within text supposedly written by God) however if you want to arm yourself in terms of discussing Islam then this is definitely worth studying. I would be very interested to see what Islamic scholars would make of a lot of the points made.

Read the book in one day and spent a week in further research. Could find no error historical or theological in the text. II notice almost all one star reviews are ad hominem attacks on the author or the hoary old comment " he has taken things out of context".

Just what I was looking for. Few books satisfy but this one does. It contains concise, clear, usable information. It is factual, to the point, with no wasted words. It is clear, simple, detailed and to the point. After reading half of it I ordered further copies for friends. Everyone should read it.

Thoughtful, respectful, considered and thoroughly researched using Islamic sources. My conclusions: Islam is a political ideology, littered with plagiarism, contradictory statements, half-truths and lies used for personal gain by Muhammed to increase his wealth and stature. A totalitarian regime expanded through, deceit, violence, indoctrination and intimidation. I know of no other 'Religion' that treats its followers that way.