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{{QualityScore|Lead=1|Structure=2|Content=3|Language=2|References=3}}
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==Definition==
==Definition==


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===Forbidding things which are permitted in most secular countries today===
===Forbidding things which are permitted in most secular countries today===


Islamic laws criminalize, among other things:
Islamic laws criminalize or do not accept, among other things:


====Adultery====
====Adultery====
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(However, the Islamic definition differs from the secular understanding of the word)
(However, the Islamic definition differs from the secular understanding of the word)
====Intoxicants and Recreational Games====
Intoxicants such as [[alcohol]], marijuana etc.<ref>"''....The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied: "Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram."....“Khamr is what befogs the mind.” These are the words spoken by 'Umar ibn al-Khattab from the pulpit of the Prophet (PBUH),....Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opium, and the like are definitely included in the prohibited category of khamr. It is well known that the use of such drugs affects the sensory perceptions, making what is near seem distant and what is distant seem near; that their use produces illusions and hallucinations, so that the real seems to disappear and what is imaginary appears to be real; and that drug usage in general impairs the faculty of reasoning and decision-making....''" - [Alcohol and Intoxicants in Islam] - Muslim Bridges</ref> and recreational games of chance, such as board games<ref>"''....the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever plays games of dice has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger."....''" - {{Muwatta|52|2|6|}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> (including chess),<ref name="chess">"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine....''" - {{Muslim|28|5612}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> card games and other forms of gambling are forbidden under Islamic law. Surprisingly, this was not always the case. Intoxicants (namely, alcohol) was permitted during the early phase of Islam. Muhammad even drank it.<ref>"''....The messenger (Peace Be Upon him) asked:”Have you fermented it, even with one piece of ferment?” He (Gaber) said "yes" and he (Muhammad) drank....He answered that he had wine in a pot. Mohammed said: Pour me some to do ablution and he did....''" - [[Muhammad Drank and Performed Ablution with Wine|Sahih Muslim - Hadith #3753]]</ref> In the Qur'an, wine is even praised<ref>"''....and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees.... Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand!....''" - {{Quran|13|4}}</ref> and is described as being an aspect of heaven.<ref>"''....[in the Garden which the righteous are promised are] rivers of wine, a joy to those who drink; and rivers of honey pure and clear.....''" - {{Quran|47|15}}</ref> However, what we now know as the Qur'an was allegedly revealed over a period  of twenty-three years.<ref>Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths, Mary Pat Fisher, 1997, page 338, I.B. Tauris Publishers,</ref> As it stands, the Qur'an is arranged roughly from the longest surah (chapter) to the shortest. But if we read it in a chronological order, we can see the gradual shift in attitude towards intoxicants and such. Verses were 'revealed' as the situation in Muhammad's life demanded. Followers were attending prayer at the mosque while intoxicated, so {{Quran|4|43}} was revealed warning against such behavior. Later on we find {{Quran|2|219}}, which tells us that there is some good and some bad in intoxicants and games of chance. The hadith record that Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, in a drunken state, mutilated two camels, chopping of their humps and taking out their livers.<ref>"''....the humps of my two she-camels cut off and their flanks cut open and some portion of their livers was taken out. When I saw that state of my two she-camels, I could not help weeping. I asked, "Who has done this?" The people replied, "Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib....''" - {{Bukhari|4|53|324}}</ref> When rebuked by Muhammad, he insulted him to his face, saying "Aren't you but the slaves of my father?"<ref>"''....Hamza looked at Allah's Apostle and then he raised his eyes, looking at his knees, then he raised up his eyes looking at his umbilicus, and again he raised up his eyes look in at his face. Hamza then said, "Aren't you but the slaves of my father?" Allah's Apostle realized that he was drunk, so Allah's Apostle retreated....''" - {{Bukhari|4|53|324}}</ref> Muhammad then banned the consumption of intoxicants. Even going so far as to refer to alcohol (something which is found in heaven) and games of chance as "Satan's handwork" in {{cite quran|5|90|end=91|style=ref}}. Commenting on chess, he said "He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine."<ref name="chess"></ref> After this revelation, Muhammad ordered beatings<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) gave a beating with palm branches and shoes [for drinking wine],....''" - {{Muslim|17|4226}}</ref> and flogging<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him). He gave him forty stripes with two lashes.....''" - {{Muslim|17|4226}}</ref> for anyone who broke these laws. Repeat offenders were ordered by him to be put to death.<ref>"''....The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If he is intoxicated, flog him; again if he is intoxicated, flog him; again if he is intoxicated, flog him if he does it again a fourth time, kill him....''" - {{Abudawud|38|4469}}</ref> Later, Umar ( the second 'rightly guided' Caliph) would order eighty stripes as the mildest punishment.<ref>"''....Thereupon Abd al-Rahman b. Auf said: My opinion is that you fix it as the mildest punishment. Then 'Umar inflicted eighty stripes.....''" - {{Muslim|17|4228}}</ref>
In modern times, these laws still stand. There are out-right bans or severe restrictions put on the sale, purchase, and drinking of alcohol by adults in many Islamic majority countries, including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/20/malaysian-model-seeks-public-flogging-drinking.html |title=Malaysian model seeks public flogging for drinking |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/20/malaysian-model-seeks-public-flogging-drinking.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The Associated Press, August 20, 2009</ref> The Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, and The United Arab Emirates.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prohibition&oldid=332586583 Prohibition]</ref> Punishments vary according to country, but many are consistent with the Sunnah of Muhammad. They range from weeks to months of imprisonment, public flogging, and (in the case of Iran) the death penalty. This prohabition, in many cases, does not exclude the non-Muslim. For example; in June 2009, Catholic chef Sapon D Costa was jailed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for possession of alcohol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15493&size=A |title=Catholic chef has a “really rough time in Dhaka’s central jail” |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15493&size=A |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Asia News, June 11, 2009</ref>


====Apostasy (rejection of Islam)====
====Apostasy (rejection of Islam)====
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{{Main|Islam and Freedom of Speech|List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad}}
{{Main|Islam and Freedom of Speech|List of Killings Ordered or Supported by Muhammad}}


It is a criminal offense in Islam to speak ill of the faith, its Prophet Muhammad, and its holy Scriptures (Qur'an and Hadith). To do so is considered blasphemy, and blasphemy is punishable by death. If a Muslim is doing the criticizing, their actions would constitute apostasy, therefore they too would be liable for the death penalty. For classical scholars, this was deeply rooted within Islamic scripture and the Sunnah of Muhammad, though the reliability of these is questioned by modern academic scholars. According to the sirah literature and hadiths, Muhammad himself had asked his Muslim followers to kill several individuals who were guilty of blaspheming Islam and its Prophet. Muhammad asked Muslims to kill someone named 'Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) for making "evil" statements about him.<ref>"''....So, on that day, Allah's Apostle got up on the pulpit and complained about 'Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) before his companions, saying, 'O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have blamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.' Sad bin Mu'adh the brother of Banu 'Abd Al-Ashhal got up and said, 'O Allah's Apostle! I will relieve you from him....''" - {{Bukhari|5|59|462}}</ref> He asked Muslims to kill Abu `Afak for making negative remarks about him and Islam.<ref>"''....The apostle said, "Who will deal with this rascal [Abu `Afak] for me?" Whereupon Salim b. Umayr, brother of B. Amr b. Auf, one of the "weepers", went forth and killed him.....''" -  "Sirat Rasul Allah" by Ibn Ishaq page 675</ref> He asked Muslims to kill both Ka’b bin Ashraf<ref>"''....Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Who would kill Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf as has harmed Allah and His Apostle? Muhammad bin Maslama (got up and) said, ‘I will kill him.’....''" - {{Bukhari|3|45|687}} </ref> and Asma Bint Marwan<ref>"''....When the apostle heard what she had said he said, "Who will rid me of Marwan's daughter [Asma Bint Marwan]?" `Umayr b. `Adiy al-Khatmi who was with him heard him, and that very night he went to her house and killed her.....''" -  "Sirat Rasul Allah" by Ibn Ishaq page 675, 676</ref> for writing inflammatory poetry about him and Muslims. Additionally, when Muhammad learned that one of his followers had stabbed and killed his slave women (other sources refer to her as a freed concubine: ''Umm walad'', she was also the mother of a blind man) for making derogatory remarks about Muhammad, he declared that "'''no retaliation is payable for her blood.'''"<ref>"''....So I took a dagger, put it on her belly and pressed it till I killed her. Thereupon the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Oh be witness, no retaliation is payable for her blood.....''" - {{Abudawud|38|4348}}</ref> This has effectively set the precedent for all Muslims to follow with such retaliation. No higher authority than ones-self is needed for permission to kill blasphemers. The state of free speech under the reign of the prophet himself is what ultimately formulates Islamic law.  
It is a criminal offense in Islam to speak ill of the faith, its Prophet Muhammad, and its holy Scriptures (Qur'an and Hadith). To do so is considered blasphemy, and blasphemy is punishable by death. If a Muslim is doing the criticizing, their actions would constitute apostasy, therefore they too would be liable for the death penalty. For classical scholars, this was deeply rooted within Islamic scripture and the Sunnah of Muhammad, though the reliability of these is questioned by modern academic scholars. According to the sirah literature and hadiths, Muhammad himself had asked his Muslim followers to kill several individuals who were guilty of blaspheming Islam and its Prophet. Muhammad asked Muslims to kill someone named 'Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) for making "evil" statements about him.<ref>"''....So, on that day, Allah's Apostle got up on the pulpit and complained about 'Abdullah bin Ubai (bin Salul) before his companions, saying, 'O you Muslims! Who will relieve me from that man who has hurt me with his evil statement about my family? By Allah, I know nothing except good about my family and they have blamed a man about whom I know nothing except good and he used never to enter my home except with me.' Sad bin Mu'adh the brother of Banu 'Abd Al-Ashhal got up and said, 'O Allah's Apostle! I will relieve you from him....''" - {{Bukhari|5|59|462}}</ref> He asked Muslims to kill Abu `Afak for making negative remarks about him and Islam.<ref>"''....The apostle said, "Who will deal with this rascal [Abu `Afak] for me?" Whereupon Salim b. Umayr, brother of B. Amr b. Auf, one of the "weepers", went forth and killed him.....''" -  "Sirat Rasul Allah" by Ibn Ishaq page 675</ref> He asked Muslims to kill both Ka’b bin Ashraf<ref>"''....Allah’s Apostle said, ‘Who would kill Ka’b bin Al-Ashraf as has harmed Allah and His Apostle? Muhammad bin Maslama (got up and) said, ‘I will kill him.’....''" - {{Bukhari|3|45|687}} </ref> and Asma Bint Marwan<ref>"''....When the apostle heard what she had said he said, "Who will rid me of Marwan's daughter [Asma Bint Marwan]?" `Umayr b. `Adiy al-Khatmi who was with him heard him, and that very night he went to her house and killed her.....''" -  "Sirat Rasul Allah" by Ibn Ishaq page 675, 676</ref> for writing inflammatory poetry about him and Muslims. Additionally, when Muhammad learned that one of his followers had stabbed and killed his ''Umm walad'' (concubine with whom he had fathered a child) for making derogatory remarks about Muhammad, he declared that "'''no retaliation is payable for her blood.'''"<ref>"''....So I took a dagger, put it on her belly and pressed it till I killed her. Thereupon the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Oh be witness, no retaliation is payable for her blood.....''" - {{Abudawud|38|4348}}</ref> This has effectively set the precedent for all Muslims to follow with such retaliation. No higher authority than ones-self is needed for permission to kill blasphemers. The state of free speech under the reign of the prophet himself is what ultimately formulates Islamic law.  


Siraj Khan writes regarding traditional Islamic jurisprudence, "Many instances from the hadith corpus are cited in support of the punishment for blasphemy", giving examples such as Abu Rafi' and Ka'b ibn Ashraf. A handful of hadith were used to qualify the specific circumstances when blasphemy was punishable, in particular those narrating Muhammad's approval (as it was usually interpreted) of a blind man who killed his umm walad (freed concubine who bore him children) and a man who killed a Jewish woman, in both cases for insulting Muhammad.<ref>Siraj Khan. "Blasphemy against the Prophet", in Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture (editors: Coeli Fitzpatrick and Adam Hani Walker). ISBN 978-1610691772 pp. 62-63</ref><ref>These two killings involve a repeated topos as mentioned in the section below on modern scholarship.</ref> It is common even in modern times for Islamic scholars to discuss the legitimacy of blasphemy laws by citing the killings of poets and others who had insulted Muhammad,<ref>For example Iffat khalid & Shamana Munawar, [https://jiscnet.com/journals/jisc/Vol_3_No_1_June_2015/7.pdf Blasphemy law of Islam-Misconceptions and Fallacy], Journal of Islamic Studies and Culture (2015), Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 48-57 DOI: 10.15640/jisc.v3n1a7</ref> though there are also those who urge a more critical view of the sources as well as raising issues of legal methodology.<ref>For example the al-Mawrid institute of reformist scholars in Pakistan [https://www.al-mawrid.org/Question/60a204a3923f0b12074d877f/punishment-of-blasphemy-based-on-a-hadith-narrative Punishment of blasphemy based on a hadith narrative] - al-mawrid.org, August 2020</ref> What is not in doubt, though, is that these narratives, taken together as the sirah, have traditionally formed the most authoritative biographical source available on the life of the prophet.
Siraj Khan writes regarding traditional Islamic jurisprudence, "Many instances from the hadith corpus are cited in support of the punishment for blasphemy", giving examples such as Abu Rafi' and Ka'b ibn Ashraf. A handful of hadith were used to qualify the specific circumstances when blasphemy was punishable, in particular those narrating Muhammad's approval (as it was usually interpreted) of a blind man who killed his umm walad (concubine who bore him children) and a man who killed a Jewish woman, in both cases for insulting Muhammad.<ref>Siraj Khan. "Blasphemy against the Prophet", in Muhammad in History, Thought, and Culture (editors: Coeli Fitzpatrick and Adam Hani Walker). ISBN 978-1610691772 pp. 62-63</ref><ref>These two killings involve a repeated topos as mentioned in the section below on modern scholarship.</ref> It is common even in modern times for Islamic scholars to discuss the legitimacy of blasphemy laws by citing the killings of poets and others who had insulted Muhammad,<ref>For example Iffat khalid & Shamana Munawar, [https://jiscnet.com/journals/jisc/Vol_3_No_1_June_2015/7.pdf Blasphemy law of Islam-Misconceptions and Fallacy], Journal of Islamic Studies and Culture (2015), Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 48-57 DOI: 10.15640/jisc.v3n1a7</ref> though there are also those who urge a more critical view of the sources as well as raising issues of legal methodology.<ref>For example the al-Mawrid institute of reformist scholars in Pakistan [https://www.al-mawrid.org/Question/60a204a3923f0b12074d877f/punishment-of-blasphemy-based-on-a-hadith-narrative Punishment of blasphemy based on a hadith narrative] - al-mawrid.org, August 2020</ref> What is not in doubt, though, is that these narratives, taken together as the sirah, have traditionally formed the most authoritative biographical source available on the life of the prophet.


Umar bin Al-Khattab's placed the following restrictions on expression and speech:
Umar bin Al-Khattab's placed the following restrictions on expression and speech:
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In the modern-world, harsh punishments for blasphemy (including death) are still applied in many Islamic nations including; Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. Accusations of blasphemy are becoming more and more frequent in the East, and almost always lead to mob-violence (sometimes by thousands of Muslims) against non-Muslim minorities. For example, this was seen in the August 2009 riots against Christians in Gojra, over an alleged desecration of a Qur'an. Many Christian men, women and even children were burnt alive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15943&size=A |title=Eight Christians burned alive in Punjab |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15943&size=A |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Asia News, August 2, 2009</ref> In addition to this, Bibles were burnt and more than a hundred churches and Christian-owned homes were looted and destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15941&size=A |title=Muslims burn 75 Christian homes and 2 churches in Punjab |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15941&size=A |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Asia News, August 1, 2009</ref><ref>[http://jubileecampaign.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/50-more-homes-burned-in-gojra/ 50 More Homes Burned in Gojra] - Jubilee Campaign, August 5, 2009 </ref> While there are [[Islam and Freedom of Speech#Practical_Application_in_Islamic_Countries|numerous examples]] of individuals being sentenced by Islamic courts to death or imprisonment for blasphemy, they are rarely publicised by Western media outlets. There are, however, more well known examples like the Jyllands-Posten Danish cartoons and the [[Islam and Freedom of Speech#The_Muhammad_Cartoons_Controversy|resulting uproar]]. These cartoons, once again, sparked violence and murder against the minority Christians in the East.<ref>"[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=vn20060208033427794C349514 Murder of priest 'religious revenge']". Independent Online. 2006-02-08 </ref> By the end of February 2006 more than 40 people had died<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/25734739/JOURNALISM-FOR-INTEGRATION-THE-MUHAMMAD-CARTOONS |title=JOURNALISM FOR INTEGRATION - THE MUHAMMAD CARTOONS |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/25734739/JOURNALISM-FOR-INTEGRATION-THE-MUHAMMAD-CARTOONS |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> as a result of the angry reaction from Muslims, and its continued republication has resulted in more than 200 deaths and hundreds of injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547572,00.html |title=Yale Removes Cartoons of Prophet Muhammad From Forthcoming Book, Citing Fears of Violence |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547572,00.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Fox News, September 08, 2009</ref> The November 2007 "[[Islam and Freedom of Speech#The_Muhammad_Teddy_Bear_Blasphemy_Case|Muhammad Teddy bear]]" blasphemy case likewise led to a protest in Khartoum, Sudan. A protest where ten thousand Muslims<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-498689/Teddy-teacher-Lawyer-expects-pardoned-visit-British-Muslim-peers.html |title=Teddy teacher: Lawyer expects her to be pardoned after visit from British Muslim peers |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-498689/Teddy-teacher-Lawyer-expects-pardoned-visit-British-Muslim-peers.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Mail Online, December 01, 2007</ref><ref name="teddy bear protest">{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/nov/30/uk.schoolsworldwide |title=Jailed teddy row teacher appeals for tolerance |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120801/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/nov/30/uk.schoolsworldwide |archivedate=2012-08-01 |accessdate=2012-08-01}} - Allegra Stratton - Guardian, November 30, 2007</ref> carrying swords, knives, and sticks, after Friday prayers, called for the execution<ref name="Calls in Sudan for Execution">{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/world/africa/01sudan.html |title=Calls in Sudan for Execution of British Teacher |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/world/africa/01sudan.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The New York Times, November 30, 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newser.com/story/12982/armed-mob-wants-british-teacher-dead.html |title=Armed Mob Wants British Teacher Dead |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.newser.com/story/12982/armed-mob-wants-british-teacher-dead.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Sam Gale Rosen - Newser, November 30, 2007</ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071130/ap_on_re_af/sudan_british_teacher Calls in Sudan for execution of Briton] - Mohamed Osman - Associated Press, November 30, 2007  </ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071130/wl_uk_afp/sudanbritainreligiondiplomacydemo Khartoum demo calls for teacher to be shot] - Charles Onians - Agence France Press, 30 November 2007 </ref> of a British teacher for allowing her students to name a teddy bear 'Muhammad.' And also the "[[Islam and Freedom of Speech#The_Satanic_Verses_Controversy|Satanic Verses]]" controversy, which led to thirty-eight deaths<ref>Dr. Koenraad Elst - {{cite web |url=http://koenraadelst.voiceofdharma.com/articles/misc/rushdie.html |title=Afterword: The Rushdie Affair's Legacy |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120710/http://koenraadelst.voiceofdharma.com/articles/misc/rushdie.html |archivedate=2012-07-10 |accessdate=2012-07-10}}</ref> and nationwide bombings of book-stores in the U.K<ref>Pipes, (1990) p.169-171</ref> and U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/09/arts/riverdale-press-to-be-honored.html |title=Riverdale Press To Be Honored |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/09/arts/riverdale-press-to-be-honored.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - New York Times - Tuesday, May 9, 1989</ref>
In the modern-world, harsh punishments for blasphemy (including death) are still applied in many Islamic nations including; Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan. Accusations of blasphemy are becoming more and more frequent in the East, and almost always lead to mob-violence (sometimes by thousands of Muslims) against non-Muslim minorities. For example, this was seen in the August 2009 riots against Christians in Gojra, over an alleged desecration of a Qur'an. Many Christian men, women and even children were burnt alive.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15943&size=A |title=Eight Christians burned alive in Punjab |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15943&size=A |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Asia News, August 2, 2009</ref> In addition to this, Bibles were burnt and more than a hundred churches and Christian-owned homes were looted and destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15941&size=A |title=Muslims burn 75 Christian homes and 2 churches in Punjab |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15941&size=A |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Asia News, August 1, 2009</ref><ref>[http://jubileecampaign.wordpress.com/2009/08/05/50-more-homes-burned-in-gojra/ 50 More Homes Burned in Gojra] - Jubilee Campaign, August 5, 2009 </ref> While there are [[Islam and Freedom of Speech#Practical_Application_in_Islamic_Countries|numerous examples]] of individuals being sentenced by Islamic courts to death or imprisonment for blasphemy, they are rarely publicised by Western media outlets. There are, however, more well known examples like the Jyllands-Posten Danish cartoons and the [[Islam and Freedom of Speech#The_Muhammad_Cartoons_Controversy|resulting uproar]]. These cartoons, once again, sparked violence and murder against the minority Christians in the East.<ref>"[http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=24&art_id=vn20060208033427794C349514 Murder of priest 'religious revenge']". Independent Online. 2006-02-08 </ref> By the end of February 2006 more than 40 people had died<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/25734739/JOURNALISM-FOR-INTEGRATION-THE-MUHAMMAD-CARTOONS |title=JOURNALISM FOR INTEGRATION - THE MUHAMMAD CARTOONS |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/25734739/JOURNALISM-FOR-INTEGRATION-THE-MUHAMMAD-CARTOONS |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Encyclopedia Britannica</ref> as a result of the angry reaction from Muslims, and its continued republication has resulted in more than 200 deaths and hundreds of injuries.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547572,00.html |title=Yale Removes Cartoons of Prophet Muhammad From Forthcoming Book, Citing Fears of Violence |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,547572,00.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Fox News, September 08, 2009</ref> The November 2007 "[[Islam and Freedom of Speech#The_Muhammad_Teddy_Bear_Blasphemy_Case|Muhammad Teddy bear]]" blasphemy case likewise led to a protest in Khartoum, Sudan. A protest where ten thousand Muslims<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-498689/Teddy-teacher-Lawyer-expects-pardoned-visit-British-Muslim-peers.html |title=Teddy teacher: Lawyer expects her to be pardoned after visit from British Muslim peers |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-498689/Teddy-teacher-Lawyer-expects-pardoned-visit-British-Muslim-peers.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Mail Online, December 01, 2007</ref><ref name="teddy bear protest">{{cite web |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/nov/30/uk.schoolsworldwide |title=Jailed teddy row teacher appeals for tolerance |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120801/http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2007/nov/30/uk.schoolsworldwide |archivedate=2012-08-01 |accessdate=2012-08-01}} - Allegra Stratton - Guardian, November 30, 2007</ref> carrying swords, knives, and sticks, after Friday prayers, called for the execution<ref name="Calls in Sudan for Execution">{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/world/africa/01sudan.html |title=Calls in Sudan for Execution of British Teacher |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/01/world/africa/01sudan.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The New York Times, November 30, 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newser.com/story/12982/armed-mob-wants-british-teacher-dead.html |title=Armed Mob Wants British Teacher Dead |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.newser.com/story/12982/armed-mob-wants-british-teacher-dead.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Sam Gale Rosen - Newser, November 30, 2007</ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071130/ap_on_re_af/sudan_british_teacher Calls in Sudan for execution of Briton] - Mohamed Osman - Associated Press, November 30, 2007  </ref><ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071130/wl_uk_afp/sudanbritainreligiondiplomacydemo Khartoum demo calls for teacher to be shot] - Charles Onians - Agence France Press, 30 November 2007 </ref> of a British teacher for allowing her students to name a teddy bear 'Muhammad.' And also the "[[Islam and Freedom of Speech#The_Satanic_Verses_Controversy|Satanic Verses]]" controversy, which led to thirty-eight deaths<ref>Dr. Koenraad Elst - {{cite web |url=http://koenraadelst.voiceofdharma.com/articles/misc/rushdie.html |title=Afterword: The Rushdie Affair's Legacy |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120710/http://koenraadelst.voiceofdharma.com/articles/misc/rushdie.html |archivedate=2012-07-10 |accessdate=2012-07-10}}</ref> and nationwide bombings of book-stores in the U.K<ref>Pipes, (1990) p.169-171</ref> and U.S.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/09/arts/riverdale-press-to-be-honored.html |title=Riverdale Press To Be Honored |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/09/arts/riverdale-press-to-be-honored.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - New York Times - Tuesday, May 9, 1989</ref>


====Fornication between consenting adults====
====Sexual relations between unmarried consenting adults====
{{Main|Zina|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Stoning}}
{{Main|Zina|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Stoning}}


====Homosexuality====
====Homosexual activity====
{{Main|Islam and Homosexuality}}
{{Main|Islam and Homosexuality}}


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Exact figures are hard to determine, due to the political turmoil in many of the Islamic states, but homosexual relationships, acts or behaviour are currently forbidden in approximately thirty-six Islamic countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Sharia areas of Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen, with punishments including anything from a fine up to life imprisonment. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_issues_and_Islam#Homosexuality_laws_in_Muslim_countries WikiPedia - Homosexuality laws in Muslim countries]</ref> <ref name="IL">{{cite web |url=http://www.iranian.com/Letters/1999/September/gay.html |title=The Iranian Letters - The New Dark Ages |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.iranian.com/Letters/1999/September/gay.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}</ref> Ten of those countries out of the thirty-six impose the death penalty for homosexuals. They are Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi-Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and some states in Malaysia.<ref> [http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/malaysia/mynews033.htm Malaysian State Legislature Passes Bill on Strict Islamic Criminal Code] </ref>  According to the Iranian gay and lesbian rights group Homan, the Iranian government alone has put to death an estimated 4,000 homosexuals since the Islamic revolution of 1979.<ref name="IL" /> In the 'secular' nation of Turkey, persecution and violence against homosexuals [along with Persecution of Non-Muslims|non-Muslim minorities] is on the rise, with eleven gays being killed within the first half of 2009 .<ref>[http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/[email protected] homosexuals in turkey: istanbul week for gay rights] </ref>
Exact figures are hard to determine, due to the political turmoil in many of the Islamic states, but homosexual relationships, acts or behaviour are currently forbidden in approximately thirty-six Islamic countries including Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritania, Morocco, Sharia areas of Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Yemen, with punishments including anything from a fine up to life imprisonment. <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_issues_and_Islam#Homosexuality_laws_in_Muslim_countries WikiPedia - Homosexuality laws in Muslim countries]</ref> <ref name="IL">{{cite web |url=http://www.iranian.com/Letters/1999/September/gay.html |title=The Iranian Letters - The New Dark Ages |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.iranian.com/Letters/1999/September/gay.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}</ref> Ten of those countries out of the thirty-six impose the death penalty for homosexuals. They are Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi-Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and some states in Malaysia.<ref> [http://www.sodomylaws.org/world/malaysia/mynews033.htm Malaysian State Legislature Passes Bill on Strict Islamic Criminal Code] </ref>  According to the Iranian gay and lesbian rights group Homan, the Iranian government alone has put to death an estimated 4,000 homosexuals since the Islamic revolution of 1979.<ref name="IL" /> In the 'secular' nation of Turkey, persecution and violence against homosexuals [along with Persecution of Non-Muslims|non-Muslim minorities] is on the rise, with eleven gays being killed within the first half of 2009 .<ref>[http://www.ansamed.info/en/news/[email protected] homosexuals in turkey: istanbul week for gay rights] </ref>
====Interfaith Marriage====
{{Main|Women in Islamic Law}}
The Quran forbids believers from marrying those who associate partners with Allah (mushrikun), though after the conquest of Mecca believing men were permitted to marry believing women or women from the People of the Book (Jews and Christians). There is no similar verse explicitly permitting the same for believing women, and they had been explicitly forbidden to marry disbelieving men (Kuffar) in a verse about the treaty of Hudaybiyyah. These verses led scholars to conclude that Muslim women may only marry Muslim men. The relevant verses are {{Quran|2|221}}, {{Quran|60|10}}, and {{Quran|5|5}}. Another justification given by scholars was that a non-Muslim husband may compell his believing wife to compromise her faith or their children's faith. The prominent reformist scholar, Dr. Abou El Fadl, a professor of law at the University of California, Los Angeles, notes, “I am not aware of a single dissenting opinion on this, which is rather unusual for Islamic jurisprudence because Muslim jurists often disagreed on many issues, but this is not one of them". Today, there are some discenting opinions among Islamic modernists, arguing that there is some ambiguity in the relevant verses and using arguments such as that women have greater legal protections in the modern world, though this is very much a minority view. Such marriages are considered void under Islamic law. Moreover, if in a married non-Muslim couple the wife but not the husband converts to Islam, the marriage in annulled. It is also annulled if the husband becomes Muslim but the wife is neither Christian nor Jew. If a Muslim husband abandons his faith, his marriage to his Muslim wife is similarly annulled, and perhaps vice versa.<ref>Alex B. Leeman [https://ilj.law.indiana.edu/articles/84/84_2_Leeman.pdf Interfaith Marriage in Islam: An Examination of the Legal
Theory Behind the Traditional and Reformist Positions] Islamic Law Journal, Vol. 85, pp. 756-759</ref>
====Intoxicants and Recreational Games====
Intoxicants such as [[alcohol]], marijuana etc.<ref>"''....The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) replied: "Every intoxicant is khamr, and every khamr is haram."....“Khamr is what befogs the mind.” These are the words spoken by 'Umar ibn al-Khattab from the pulpit of the Prophet (PBUH),....Drugs such as marijuana, cocaine, opium, and the like are definitely included in the prohibited category of khamr. It is well known that the use of such drugs affects the sensory perceptions, making what is near seem distant and what is distant seem near; that their use produces illusions and hallucinations, so that the real seems to disappear and what is imaginary appears to be real; and that drug usage in general impairs the faculty of reasoning and decision-making....''" - [Alcohol and Intoxicants in Islam] - Muslim Bridges</ref> and recreational games of chance, such as board games<ref>"''....the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Whoever plays games of dice has disobeyed Allah and His Messenger."....''" - {{Muwatta|52|2|6|}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> (including chess),<ref name="chess">"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine....''" - {{Muslim|28|5612}}, See also {{Muwatta|52|2|7|}}</ref> card games and other forms of gambling are forbidden under Islamic law. Surprisingly, this was not always the case. There was not an outright ban on intoxicants (namely, alcohol) during the earliest phase of Muhammad's career. The Qur'an was allegedly revealed over a period  of twenty-three years.<ref>Living Religions: An Encyclopaedia of the World's Faiths, Mary Pat Fisher, 1997, page 338, I.B. Tauris Publishers,</ref> As it stands, the Qur'an is arranged roughly from the longest surah (chapter) to the shortest. When read in a chronological order, there is a gradual shift in attitude towards intoxicants and such. Verses were 'revealed' as the situation in Muhammad's life demanded. In {{Quran-range|37|45|47}} wine is described as being an aspect of heaven, though non-intoxicating<ref>"''...No bad effect is there in it, nor from it will they be intoxicated....''" - {{Quran-range|37|45|47}}</ref> A few later surahs give a mixed impression on alcohol. {{Quran|2|219}} tells us that there is some good and some bad in intoxicants and games of chance. On one occasion, followers were attending prayer at the mosque while intoxicated, so {{Quran|4|43}} was revealed warning against drunkeness before prayer.  In {{Quran|13|4}}, vineyards are praised.<ref>"''....and gardens of vines and fields sown with corn, and palm trees.... Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who understand!....''" - {{Quran|13|4}}</ref> The hadith record that Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib, in a drunken state, mutilated two camels, chopping of their humps and taking out their livers.<ref>"''....the humps of my two she-camels cut off and their flanks cut open and some portion of their livers was taken out. When I saw that state of my two she-camels, I could not help weeping. I asked, "Who has done this?" The people replied, "Hamza bin Abdul Muttalib....''" - {{Bukhari|4|53|324}}</ref> When rebuked by Muhammad, he insulted him to his face, saying "Aren't you but the slaves of my father?"<ref>"''....Hamza looked at Allah's Apostle and then he raised his eyes, looking at his knees, then he raised up his eyes looking at his umbilicus, and again he raised up his eyes look in at his face. Hamza then said, "Aren't you but the slaves of my father?" Allah's Apostle realized that he was drunk, so Allah's Apostle retreated....''" - {{Bukhari|4|53|324}}</ref> Muhammad then banned the consumption of intoxicants. Even going so far as to refer to alcohol and games of chance as "Satan's handwork" in {{Quran-range|5|90|91}}, one of the last surahs, chronologically. Commenting on chess, he said "He who played chess is like one who dyed his hand with the flesh and blood of swine."<ref name="chess"></ref> After this revelation, Muhammad ordered beatings<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) gave a beating with palm branches and shoes [for drinking wine],....''" - {{Muslim|17|4226}}</ref> and flogging<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him). He gave him forty stripes with two lashes.....''" - {{Muslim|17|4226}}</ref> for anyone who broke these laws. Repeat offenders were ordered by him to be put to death.<ref>"''....The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: If he is intoxicated, flog him; again if he is intoxicated, flog him; again if he is intoxicated, flog him if he does it again a fourth time, kill him....''" - {{Abudawud|38|4469}}</ref> Later, Umar ( the second 'rightly guided' Caliph) would order eighty stripes as the mildest punishment.<ref>"''....Thereupon Abd al-Rahman b. Auf said: My opinion is that you fix it as the mildest punishment. Then 'Umar inflicted eighty stripes.....''" - {{Muslim|17|4228}}</ref>
In modern times, these laws still stand. There are out-right bans or severe restrictions put on the sale, purchase, and drinking of alcohol by adults in many Islamic majority countries, including: Afghanistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/20/malaysian-model-seeks-public-flogging-drinking.html |title=Malaysian model seeks public flogging for drinking |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2009/08/20/malaysian-model-seeks-public-flogging-drinking.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The Associated Press, August 20, 2009</ref> The Maldives, Morocco, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, and The United Arab Emirates.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Prohibition&oldid=332586583 Prohibition]</ref> Punishments vary according to country, but many are consistent with the Sunnah of Muhammad. They range from weeks to months of imprisonment, public flogging, and (in the case of Iran) the death penalty. This prohabition, in many cases, does not exclude the non-Muslim. For example; in June 2009, Catholic chef Sapon D Costa was jailed in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for possession of alcohol.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15493&size=A |title=Catholic chef has a “really rough time in Dhaka’s central jail” |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15493&size=A |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Asia News, June 11, 2009</ref>


====Lack of hijab/un-Islamic dress====
====Lack of hijab/un-Islamic dress====
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During the Taliban rule of Afghanistan between 1996 and late 2001, all forms of music and Television (i.e. moving pictures) were banned. TV sets, radios, etc were confiscated and burnt, and anyone caught with cassettes in their possession was jailed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rawa.org/music.htm |title=The censorship of music in Afghanistan |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120630/http://www.rawa.org/music.htm |archivedate=2012-06-30 |accessdate=2012-06-30}} - RAWA, April 24, 2001</ref> In early 2001, they destroyed the historic 1,400 year old giant (175 and 120 feet tall) Buddha Statues which were located in the Bamyan Valleys.<ref>[http://www.hazara.net/hazara/geography/Buddha/buddha.html A Profile On Bamyan Civilization] - Ishaq Mohammadi </ref> While their actions may be called 'extreme', they were only adhering to a somewhat accurate interpretation of Islamic law based on the Sunnah of their prophet. Just as Muhammad had done before them, when he conquered Mecca and destroyed the 360 pagan idols which were housed at the Ka'aba, the Taliban were only destroying Afghanistan's offensive (to Muslims) pre-Islamic 'pagan' heritage and art. If the Taliban's actions are denounced by apologists as 'un-Islamic', then they must also denounce Muhammad's. The truth of the matter is that their actions were very Islamic.
During the Taliban rule of Afghanistan between 1996 and late 2001, all forms of music and Television (i.e. moving pictures) were banned. TV sets, radios, etc were confiscated and burnt, and anyone caught with cassettes in their possession was jailed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rawa.org/music.htm |title=The censorship of music in Afghanistan |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120630/http://www.rawa.org/music.htm |archivedate=2012-06-30 |accessdate=2012-06-30}} - RAWA, April 24, 2001</ref> In early 2001, they destroyed the historic 1,400 year old giant (175 and 120 feet tall) Buddha Statues which were located in the Bamyan Valleys.<ref>[http://www.hazara.net/hazara/geography/Buddha/buddha.html A Profile On Bamyan Civilization] - Ishaq Mohammadi </ref> While their actions may be called 'extreme', they were only adhering to a somewhat accurate interpretation of Islamic law based on the Sunnah of their prophet. Just as Muhammad had done before them, when he conquered Mecca and destroyed the 360 pagan idols which were housed at the Ka'aba, the Taliban were only destroying Afghanistan's offensive (to Muslims) pre-Islamic 'pagan' heritage and art. If the Taliban's actions are denounced by apologists as 'un-Islamic', then they must also denounce Muhammad's. The truth of the matter is that their actions were very Islamic.


===Permitting things that forbidden in most secular countries today===
===Permitting things which are forbidden in most secular countries today===


Islamic law permits:
Islamic law permits:


====Domestic violence and rape against wives and slaves====
====Domestic violence====
{{Main|Wife Beating in Islamic Law|Rape in Islamic Law}}
{{Main|Wife Beating in Islamic Law}}


While domestic violence against women is a serious problem all around the world, some of the most vulnerable are Muslim women. Authorities in some Muslim majority countries have been reluctant to acknowledge such issues as problems though efforts have also been made to reduce the problem. It is explicitly endorsed by the Qur'an itself. In a 2004 sermon broadcast on Qatar TV, a Muslim cleric had said the following:
While domestic violence against women is a serious problem all around the world, some of the most vulnerable are Muslim women. Authorities in some Muslim majority countries have been reluctant to acknowledge such issues as problems though efforts have also been made to reduce the problem. It is explicitly endorsed by the Qur'an itself. In a 2004 sermon broadcast on Qatar TV, a Muslim cleric had said the following:
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{{Quote||"We must know that [wife] beating is a punishment in Islamic religious law,....No one should deny this because this was permitted by the Creator of Man, and because when you purchase an electric appliance or a car you get instructions – a catalogue, explaining how to use it. The Creator of Man has sent down this book [the Quran] in order to show man which ways he must choose....We shouldn't be ashamed before the nations of the world who are still in their days of ignorance, to admit that these [beatings] are part of our religious law,....We must remind the ignorant from among the Islamic Nation who followed the [West] that those [Westerners] acknowledge the wondrous nature of this verse,"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40276 |title=Muslim cleric: Some wives need to be beaten |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40276 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - WorldNetDaily, September 03, 2004</ref>}}
{{Quote||"We must know that [wife] beating is a punishment in Islamic religious law,....No one should deny this because this was permitted by the Creator of Man, and because when you purchase an electric appliance or a car you get instructions – a catalogue, explaining how to use it. The Creator of Man has sent down this book [the Quran] in order to show man which ways he must choose....We shouldn't be ashamed before the nations of the world who are still in their days of ignorance, to admit that these [beatings] are part of our religious law,....We must remind the ignorant from among the Islamic Nation who followed the [West] that those [Westerners] acknowledge the wondrous nature of this verse,"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40276 |title=Muslim cleric: Some wives need to be beaten |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=40276 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - WorldNetDaily, September 03, 2004</ref>}}


The verse being referred to is 4:34. According to this verse, a man may not only beat his wives in certain circumstances but also beat them simply for the ''fear'' of such.<ref>"''....and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them....''" - {{Quran|4|34}}</ref> Whilst there are a few restrictions in regards to the practice of wife-beating (''try'' to avoid the face,<ref>"''....you should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, do not strike her '''on the face'''....''" - {{Abu Dawud|11|2137}}</ref> breaking bones,<ref>"''....that you should not break her bones or leave a bruise....''" - al-Tabari, 5:68-69</ref> and not sleep with them after beating them),<ref>"''.... The Prophet said, "None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day."''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|132}}</ref> they hardly offer comfort to a women who is abused with the blessings of her god. The mere fact that the husband is allowed to physically abuse his wives (very often with impunity from the law) inevitably leads many to go beyond simply 'beating' them.  
The verse being referred to is 4:34. According to this verse, a man may not only beat his wives in certain circumstances but also beat them simply for the ''fear'' of such.<ref>"''....and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them....''" - {{Quran|4|34}}</ref> Whilst there are a few restrictions in regards to the practice of wife-beating (beating should be "without severity"<ref>"Fear Allaah regarding women for you have got them under Allah’s security and have the right to intercourse with them by Allaah’s word. It is a duty from you on them not to allow anyone whom you dislike to lie on your beds but if they do beat them, but not severely. You are responsible for providing them with food and clothing in a fitting manner." - [https://sunnah.com/abudawud/11/185 Sunan Abu Dawud 10:1900]</ref>, should avoid the face,<ref>"''....you should give her food when you eat, clothe her when you clothe yourself, do not strike her '''on the face'''....''" - {{Abu Dawud|11|2137}}</ref> breaking bones,<ref>"''....that you should not break her bones or leave a bruise....''" - al-Tabari, 5:68-69</ref> and husbands should not sleep with them after beating them),<ref>"''.... The Prophet said, "None of you should flog his wife as he flogs a slave and then have sexual intercourse with her in the last part of the day."''" - {{Bukhari|7|62|132}}</ref> they hardly offer comfort to a women who is abused with the blessings of her god. The mere fact that the husband is allowed to physically abuse his wives (very often with impunity from the law) inevitably leads many to go beyond simply 'beating' them.  


Wife beating has been an accepted part of Islam since its inception. In Aisha's own words "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!"<ref>"...''so when Allah's Apostle came, 'Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!"...''" - {{Bukhari|7|72|715}}</ref> The indifference to her words displayed by Muhammad proved its legitimacy within the laws of Islam. Muhammad declared "A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife."<ref>"''The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife.''" - {{Abu Dawud|11|2142}}</ref> Moreover, he not only allowed Abu Bakr to beat his own child-bride Aisha,<ref>"''....Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which he does not possess....''" - {{Bukhari|1|7|330}}</ref> but he also beat her himself,<ref>"''...He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?...''" - {{Muslim|4|2127}}</ref> and according to Aisha it was not something 'symbolic' or a 'gentle tap' on the body; it was painful.  
Wife beating has been an accepted part of Islam since its inception. In Aisha's own words "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!"<ref>"...''so when Allah's Apostle came, 'Aisha said, "I have not seen any woman suffering as much as the believing women. Look! Her skin is greener than her clothes!"...''" - {{Bukhari|7|72|715}}</ref> The indifference to her words displayed by Muhammad proved its legitimacy within the laws of Islam. Muhammad reportedly declared, "A man should not be asked why he beats his wife"<ref>"It was narrated that Ash'ath bin Qais said: "I was a guest (at the home) of 'Umar one night, and in the middle of the night he went and hit his wife, and I separated them. When he went to bed he said to me: 'O Ash'ath, learn from me something that I heard from the Messenger of Allah" A man should not be asked why he beats his wife, and do not go to sleep until you have prayed the Witr."' And I forgot the third thing."" - {{Ibn Majah||3|9|1986}}</ref> Moreover, he not only allowed Abu Bakr to slap his own child-bride Aisha,<ref>"''....Abu Bakr (Allah be pleased with him) then got up went to 'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) and slapped her on the neck, and 'Umar stood up before Hafsa and slapped her saying: You ask Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) which he does not possess....''" - {{Bukhari|1|7|330}}</ref> but he also struck her in the chest himself,<ref>"''...He said: Was it the darkness (of your shadow) that I saw in front of me? I said: Yes. He struck me on the chest which caused me pain, and then said: Did you think that Allah and His Apostle would deal unjustly with you?...''" - {{Muslim|4|2127}}</ref> and according to Aisha it was not something 'symbolic' or a 'gentle tap' on the body; it was painful.  


The effects can be easily seen in the Islamic world. A 2009 survey carried out by the ''United Nations Development Fund for Women'' found that nearly 90% of Afghan women suffer from domestic abuse.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/23/afghanistan.women.abuse/index.html |title=Afghan women hiding for their lives |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/23/afghanistan.women.abuse/index.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - CNN</ref> According to the director of ''Women for Afghan Women'' (WAW) "Their mothers are beaten by their fathers. They're beaten by their fathers, by their brothers. It's a way of life." The Pakistan Medical Association found in a 2006 study, that 80% of Pakistani women reported being subjected to some kind of abuse within marriage, and the Progressive Women's Association (PWA) believe up to 4,000 Pakistani women are burnt each year by husbands or in-laws as 'punishment'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stopvaw.org/PAKISTAN_Domestic_violence_endemic_but_awareness_slowly_rising.html |title=PAKISTAN: Domestic violence endemic, but awareness slowly rising |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.stopvaw.org/PAKISTAN_Domestic_violence_endemic_but_awareness_slowly_rising.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The Advocates for Human Rights</ref> And also in 2006, the Refugee Workers Association Woman’s Group (GIK-DER) found that up to 80% of Turkish women were victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment in 'moderate' Turkey.<ref>http://www.toplumpostasi.net/index.php/cat/9/news/9633/PageName/English </ref>
The effects can be easily seen in the Islamic world. A 2009 survey carried out by the ''United Nations Development Fund for Women'' found that nearly 90% of Afghan women suffer from domestic abuse.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/23/afghanistan.women.abuse/index.html |title=Afghan women hiding for their lives |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/23/afghanistan.women.abuse/index.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - CNN</ref> According to the director of ''Women for Afghan Women'' (WAW) "Their mothers are beaten by their fathers. They're beaten by their fathers, by their brothers. It's a way of life." The Pakistan Medical Association found in a 2006 study, that 80% of Pakistani women reported being subjected to some kind of abuse within marriage, and the Progressive Women's Association (PWA) believe up to 4,000 Pakistani women are burnt each year by husbands or in-laws as 'punishment'.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.stopvaw.org/PAKISTAN_Domestic_violence_endemic_but_awareness_slowly_rising.html |title=PAKISTAN: Domestic violence endemic, but awareness slowly rising |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.stopvaw.org/PAKISTAN_Domestic_violence_endemic_but_awareness_slowly_rising.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The Advocates for Human Rights</ref> And also in 2006, the Refugee Workers Association Woman’s Group (GIK-DER) found that up to 80% of Turkish women were victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment in 'moderate' Turkey.<ref>http://www.toplumpostasi.net/index.php/cat/9/news/9633/PageName/English </ref>
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In the East, girls far below the age of puberty are forcibly married to older persons (sometimes in their 50s and later) for various personal gains by the girls' guardian. Pedophilic Islamic marriages are most prevalent in Pakistan and Afghanistan, followed by other countries in the middle east and Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=1631 |title=America Magazine: Child Marriage in Afghanistan and Pakistan, by Andrew Bushell; March 11, 2002 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=1631 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americansforunfpa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=630 |title=Americans For UNFPA: Virtual Slavery: The Practice of “Compensation Marriages” by Net Community of AfUNFPA; last retrieved Monday, 08 December 2008 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.americansforunfpa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=630 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}</ref> This practice may also be prevalent to a lesser extent amongst other Muslim communities, and occurs on a much smaller scale among some Muslim communities in Western countries, such as the United Kingdom (where, according to 2009 government figures in the UK, forced teen marriages have seen a ten-fold rise in just four years)<ref name="Ten-fold rise in forced marriages in just four years">{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196955/Ten-fold-rise-forced-marriages-just-years.html |title=Ten-fold rise in forced marriages in just four years |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196955/Ten-fold-rise-forced-marriages-just-years.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The Daily Mail July 2, 2009</ref> and the United States.<ref>Christine Vendel - [http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1557578.html?pageNum=2&mi_pluck_action=page_nav#Comments_Container Man charged with statutory rape in ‘marriage’ to 14-year-old girl] - The Kansas City Star, November 8, 2009 </ref>
In the East, girls far below the age of puberty are forcibly married to older persons (sometimes in their 50s and later) for various personal gains by the girls' guardian. Pedophilic Islamic marriages are most prevalent in Pakistan and Afghanistan, followed by other countries in the middle east and Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=1631 |title=America Magazine: Child Marriage in Afghanistan and Pakistan, by Andrew Bushell; March 11, 2002 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.americamagazine.org/content/article.cfm?article_id=1631 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.americansforunfpa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=630 |title=Americans For UNFPA: Virtual Slavery: The Practice of “Compensation Marriages” by Net Community of AfUNFPA; last retrieved Monday, 08 December 2008 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.americansforunfpa.org/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?pid=630 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}</ref> This practice may also be prevalent to a lesser extent amongst other Muslim communities, and occurs on a much smaller scale among some Muslim communities in Western countries, such as the United Kingdom (where, according to 2009 government figures in the UK, forced teen marriages have seen a ten-fold rise in just four years)<ref name="Ten-fold rise in forced marriages in just four years">{{cite web |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196955/Ten-fold-rise-forced-marriages-just-years.html |title=Ten-fold rise in forced marriages in just four years |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1196955/Ten-fold-rise-forced-marriages-just-years.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - The Daily Mail July 2, 2009</ref> and the United States.<ref>Christine Vendel - [http://www.kansascity.com/105/story/1557578.html?pageNum=2&mi_pluck_action=page_nav#Comments_Container Man charged with statutory rape in ‘marriage’ to 14-year-old girl] - The Kansas City Star, November 8, 2009 </ref>
====Rape====
{{Main|Rape}}


====Religious discrimination====
====Religious discrimination====
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Dhimmitude}}
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Dhimmitude}}


====Slavery====
====Slavery and concubinage====
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Slavery}}
{{Main|Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Slavery|Rape in Islamic Law}}


Under Islamic laws, slavery is explicitly permitted.<ref>"''....I married a virgin woman in her veil. When I entered upon her, I found her pregnant. (I mentioned this to the Prophet). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: She will get the dower, for you made her vagina lawful for you. The child will be your slave....''" - {{Abudawud|11|2126}}</ref> As Saudi Sheikh ''Saleh Al-Fawzan'', a member of the Senior Council of Clerics had said in 2003, those who argue that slavery is abolished are "ignorant, not scholars. They are merely writers. Whoever says such things is an infidel."<ref>Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan's "affirmation of slavery" was found on page 24 of "Taming a Neo-Qutubite Fanatic Part 1" when accessed on February 17, 2007 http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/downloads/pdf/GRV07000</ref> Muhammad himself was a slaver. Muhammad owned many male<ref>{{cite web |url=http://answering-islam.org./BehindVeil/btv5.html |title=Slavery in Islam: Chapter 5 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://answering-islam.org./BehindVeil/btv5.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Answering Islam</ref><ref>"Zad al-Ma'ad" by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya Part 1, Pages 114-116</ref> and female<ref>"Zad al-Ma'ad" by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya Part 1, Pages 114-116</ref> slaves, and also sold, captured, and had raped<ref>"''....Waqidi has informed us that Abu Bakr has narrated that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) had sexual intercourse with Mariyyah [his Coptic slave] in the house of Hafsah....''" - Tabaqat v. 8 p. 223 Publisher Entesharat-e Farhang va Andisheh Tehran 1382 solar h ( 2003) Translator Dr. Mohammad Mahdavi Damghan</ref> his slaves. His wives owned slaves as well. Muhammad generally had no animosity towards slavery,<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle sent someone to a woman telling her to "Order her slave, carpenter, to prepare a wooden pulpit for him to sit on."....''" - {{Bukhari|1|8|439}}</ref> and at times even discouraged the freeing of slaves.<ref>"''...."Do you know, O Allah's Apostle, that I [Maimuna bint Al-Harith] have manumitted my slave-girl?" He said, "Have you really?" She replied in the affirmative. He said, "You would have got more reward if you had given her (i.e. the slave-girl) to one of your maternal uncles.''" - {{Bukhari|3|47|765}}</ref> He once exchanged two black slaves for one Arab.<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Sell him to me. And he bought him for two black slaves,....''" - {{Muslim|10|3901}}</ref> Whatever else may be the case, Muhammad's actions played a clear role in perpetuating slavery in the Middle East and North Africa by institutionalizing it within Islam, ultimately creating one of the largest trans-continental slave trades in history. The Eastern Islamic slave trade is the longest yet least discussed of the two major trades. Many people, unfortunately are unaware that the Arab slave trade ever existed, even though it began around 650 AD (pre-dating the European slave trade by over a thousand years and, according to most estimates, involved millions more living slaves than the shorter-lived Trans-Atlantic trade - and the death count was astronomically higher as described below). It was only officially abolished (due largely to pressure from the West,<ref>Brunschvig. [http://www.brill.nl/m_catalogue_sub6_id7560.htm 'Abd; Encyclopedia of Islam] </ref> ) in the 1960's. However, the slave trade still exists in the Islamic East. As of July 2009,<ref>Nick Meo - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/ghana/5805113/Half-a-million-African-slaves-are-at-the-heart-of-Mauritanias-presidential-election.html|2=2011-04-05}} Half a million African slaves are at the heart of Mauritania's presidential election] - Telegraph, July 12, 2009</ref> there were over half a million slaves in Mauritania alone. In Pakistan, the labor minister of Punjab had said in early 2009 that there are "millions of forced laborers in 'private prisons' across the country",<ref>E. Benjamin Skinner - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1932723,00.html|2=2011-04-08}} Pakistan's Forgotten Plight: Modern-Day Slavery] - TIME, October 27, 2009</ref> and the town of Hajja, Yemen, in 2010 is home to another 300 slaves.<ref>Jamal al-Jaberi - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hqh_clC3ngbax_X84fY4c7uGQihw|2=2011-04-05}} 'Slaves' in impoverished Yemen still dream of freedom] - AFP, July 20, 2010</ref> Unlike the Europeans who were primarily interested in male slaves for use as  agricultural workers, the Islamic slave marker preferred female slaves to use for sexual exploitation as concubines. Similarly unique to the Islamic slave trade were the large number of male slaves who were castrized and sold as eunuchs. Furthermore, putting aside the 1.25 million white Europeans Christians who were captured and sold into the Muslim slave trade between the 16th and 19th century,<ref>Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters:  White Slavery in the Mediterranean; the Barbary Coast and Italy 1500 - 1800, by Robert Davis, Palgrave MacMillan, 2004</ref> the number of innocent Africans who were taken (or died in the process of being taken) as slaves over the last fourteen centuries of Islamic slavery is estimated to be higher than 140 million.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.christianaction.org.za/articles_ca/2004-4-TheScourgeofSlavery.htm|2=2011-03-20}} The Scourge of Slavery] - Christian Action, 2004 Vol 4</ref> This figure dwarfs the numbers that were taken at the hands of Europeans. And unlike in the West, male slaves (blacks in particular) were commonly castrated,<ref>Islam's Black Slaves, by Ronald Segal, Farrar, New York, 2001</ref> hence the lack of surviving descendants of black slaves in the Middle-East.
In the Quran, hadiths and under Islamic laws, slavery is explicitly endorsed.<ref>"''....I married a virgin woman in her veil. When I entered upon her, I found her pregnant. (I mentioned this to the Prophet). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: She will get the dower, for you made her vagina lawful for you. The child will be your slave....''" - {{Abudawud|11|2126}}</ref> Islamic scholars today generally hold that slavery is not permitted in the modern context, although not all agree. Saudi Sheikh ''Saleh Al-Fawzan'', a member of the Senior Council of Clerics had said in 2003, those who argue that slavery is abolished are "ignorant, not scholars. They are merely writers. Whoever says such things is an infidel."<ref>Shaikh Salih al-Fawzan's "affirmation of slavery" was found on page 24 of "Taming a Neo-Qutubite Fanatic Part 1" when accessed on February 17, 2007 http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/downloads/pdf/GRV07000</ref> Muhammad himself was a slaver. Muhammad owned many male<ref>{{cite web |url=http://answering-islam.org./BehindVeil/btv5.html |title=Slavery in Islam: Chapter 5 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://answering-islam.org./BehindVeil/btv5.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Answering Islam</ref><ref>"Zad al-Ma'ad" by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya Part 1, Pages 114-116</ref> and female<ref>"Zad al-Ma'ad" by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya Part 1, Pages 114-116</ref> slaves, and also sold, captured, and had raped<ref>"''....Waqidi has informed us that Abu Bakr has narrated that the messenger of Allah (PBUH) had sexual intercourse with Mariyyah [his Coptic slave] in the house of Hafsah....''" - Tabaqat v. 8 p. 223 Publisher Entesharat-e Farhang va Andisheh Tehran 1382 solar h ( 2003) Translator Dr. Mohammad Mahdavi Damghan</ref> his slaves. His wives owned slaves as well. Muhammad generally had no animosity towards slavery,<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle sent someone to a woman telling her to "Order her slave, carpenter, to prepare a wooden pulpit for him to sit on."....''" - {{Bukhari|1|8|439}}</ref> and at times even discouraged the freeing of slaves.<ref>"''...."Do you know, O Allah's Apostle, that I [Maimuna bint Al-Harith] have manumitted my slave-girl?" He said, "Have you really?" She replied in the affirmative. He said, "You would have got more reward if you had given her (i.e. the slave-girl) to one of your maternal uncles.''" - {{Bukhari|3|47|765}}</ref> He once exchanged two black slaves for one Arab.<ref>"''....Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: Sell him to me. And he bought him for two black slaves,....''" - {{Muslim|10|3901}}</ref> Whatever else may be the case, Muhammad's actions played a clear role in perpetuating slavery in the Middle East and North Africa by institutionalizing it within Islam, ultimately creating one of the largest trans-continental slave trades in history. The Eastern Islamic slave trade is the longest yet least discussed of the two major trades. Many people, unfortunately are unaware that the Arab slave trade ever existed, even though it began around 650 AD (pre-dating the European slave trade by over a thousand years and, according to most estimates, involved millions more living slaves than the shorter-lived Trans-Atlantic trade - and the death count was astronomically higher as described below). It was only officially abolished (due largely to pressure from the West,<ref>Brunschvig. [http://www.brill.nl/m_catalogue_sub6_id7560.htm 'Abd; Encyclopedia of Islam] </ref> ) in the 1960's. However, the slave trade still exists in the Islamic East. As of July 2009,<ref>Nick Meo - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/ghana/5805113/Half-a-million-African-slaves-are-at-the-heart-of-Mauritanias-presidential-election.html|2=2011-04-05}} Half a million African slaves are at the heart of Mauritania's presidential election] - Telegraph, July 12, 2009</ref> there were over half a million slaves in Mauritania alone. In Pakistan, the labor minister of Punjab had said in early 2009 that there are "millions of forced laborers in 'private prisons' across the country",<ref>E. Benjamin Skinner - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1932723,00.html|2=2011-04-08}} Pakistan's Forgotten Plight: Modern-Day Slavery] - TIME, October 27, 2009</ref> and the town of Hajja, Yemen, in 2010 is home to another 300 slaves.<ref>Jamal al-Jaberi - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hqh_clC3ngbax_X84fY4c7uGQihw|2=2011-04-05}} 'Slaves' in impoverished Yemen still dream of freedom] - AFP, July 20, 2010</ref> Unlike the Europeans who were primarily interested in male slaves for use as  agricultural workers, the Islamic slave marker preferred female slaves to use for sexual exploitation as concubines. Similarly unique to the Islamic slave trade were the large number of male slaves who were castrized and sold as eunuchs. Furthermore, putting aside the 1.25 million white Europeans Christians who were captured and sold into the Muslim slave trade between the 16th and 19th century,<ref>Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters:  White Slavery in the Mediterranean; the Barbary Coast and Italy 1500 - 1800, by Robert Davis, Palgrave MacMillan, 2004</ref> the number of innocent Africans who were taken (or died in the process of being taken) as slaves over the last fourteen centuries of Islamic slavery is estimated to be higher than 140 million.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.christianaction.org.za/articles_ca/2004-4-TheScourgeofSlavery.htm|2=2011-03-20}} The Scourge of Slavery] - Christian Action, 2004 Vol 4</ref> This figure dwarfs the numbers that were taken at the hands of Europeans. And unlike in the West, male slaves (blacks in particular) were commonly castrated,<ref>Islam's Black Slaves, by Ronald Segal, Farrar, New York, 2001</ref> hence the lack of surviving descendants of black slaves in the Middle-East.


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