[MAKnight]

The following are the verses of Surah 109, "Al-Kafiruun", i.e. the Unbelievers.

1. Say: O disbelievers!
2. I worship not that which ye worship;
3. Nor worship ye that which I worship.
4. And I shall not worship that which ye worship.
5. Nor will ye worship that which I worship.
6. Unto you your religion, and unto me my religion.

This is one of the first Surahs ever revealed in the Qur'an to Muhammad (S.A.W.) in Makkah and so it came before the verses you quoted. However, notice Surat Al-Kafiruun's position in the Qur'an. It is one of the very last, it's position reflecting the Prophet's own arrangement of the Surahs in the Qur'an. One of the last lessons (that of tolerance) you take with you upon finishing reading the Qur'an.

Much of what you wrote are less permanent commandments for Muslims for all time than they were what was needed to be done at a particular time. Understand that Islam does not advocate helpless martyrdom and strongly approves of self-defense. We do not turn the other cheek when we know another slap is coming. Back then, Muslims were captured, tortured and executed without mercy and there was much need for aggressive self-defense measures, including pre-emption. So in katana's words, the "instances where Muslims are directed to lay waste are specific to certain peoples and times."

Much of the rest only describes what befalls a man in Hell. And as for the verse regarding Christians and Jews, know that Muslims are explicitly allowed to marry Christians and Jews and consider them fellow "peoples of the book" (i.e. "Ahlul Khitab") to be treated with every courtesy and kindness (the same applies to all other peoples). I ask you, how can we also be supposed to hate them if we can marry them?

There are lots of things I think you're ignorant of. But I cannot blame you. But I ask you to remember that Torquemada was considered by the vast majority of Christendom to be doing "God's work" when he was murdering and torturing his way through the Spanish Inquisition. Unlike Christianity, Islam has no established priesthood but we do have scholars. All Muslims are supposed to pursue a high level of scholarship in the Qur'an. And this means that we have to rely on those who are already scholars.

Unfortunately, a lot of these scholars seem to have come down with Torquemaditis ... which is why I cannot blame you. And it would take a while before this situation is rectified. And unfortunately, insults and demonization (like yours) are really not helping.

Assalamu Alaikum

[FredZarguna]

Regarding your manifest love for other "people of the book",

What are the rights of Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians under Sharia? Especially in disputes that involve Muslims? Are those practices, or are they not regarded as justified in Islam?

What is dhimmitude? What is its justification in Islam?

I am an agnostic. For 48 years I have lived in peace and security in the United States of America, an essentially Christian nation.

How many microseconds would I be permitted to live in my beliefs under Islam?