Shari'ah (Islamic Law): Difference between revisions

'''Islamic Laws''' are made up of ''[[Shariah|Shari'ah]]'' ('‎شريعة Šarīʿah) and ''Islamic jurisprudence'' (فقه‎ [[Fiqh]]). Shari'ah is seen as sacred and constitutes the [[Qur'an]] and [[Muhammad]]'s [[Sunnah]] (way), which is found in the [[Hadith]] and [[Sira]]. Islamic jurisprudence is a complimentary expansion and explanation of the former by Islamic jurists and scholars.

The Islamic laws on human rights (and their laws in general) are based on the views and actions of a 7^th century warrior 'prophet.' While other systems of law have adapted and changed with the passage of time, Shari'ah has not. Some think that Islamic thought simply has not reached enlightenment yet, and like other religious bodies will eventually adapt to the modern world. Reform, however, is not possible under Islamic law. To reform it would be to replace or rid of it and Islam along with it. Shari'ah (consisting of the Qur'an and Sunnah) are seen as Allah's unalterable holy laws. To attempt to change it would be considered blasphemous, as it constitutes [[Bid'ah]] (innovation in matters of religion), something which was forbidden by Muhammad himself.<ref>"''A'isha reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.''" - {{Muslim|18|4266}}</ref><ref>"''Narrated Aisha: Allah's Apostle said, "If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected.''" - {{Bukhari|3|49|861}}</ref> What can be altered is Islamic jurisprudence, but as that is extracted from, and cannot contradict,<ref>Khalid Baig - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.albalagh.net/general/bidah.shtml|2=2011-11-01}} Sunnah and Bid'ah] - Albalagh, May 5, 2001</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.alahazrat.net/islam/concept-of-bidah-in-islam.php|2=2011-11-01}} Concept of Bidah in Islam] - Alahazrat International Islamic Web</ref> Shari'ah, the results will general outcome cannot vary all that much.

 

The following is an excerpt taken from a fatwa in objection to the [[Universal Declaration of Human Rights]].

In 1981 the Iranian representative to the United Nations declared that "the Universal Declaration of Human Rights represented a secular interpretation of the Judeo-Christian tradition, which could not be implemented by Muslims."<ref>David G. Littman - [{{Reference archive|1=http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ODkzM2Q2NGE5ODQzZWI2Y2QyMzhlYjA4NWRlOWYzMzE=|2=2011-11-01}} Human Rights and Human Wrongs] - National Review, January 19, 2003</ref> Due to this conflict between Islamic and Western, liberal notions of human rights, in 1990, the OIC (Organisation of the Islamic Conference) who represent all 57 Muslim majority nations, created the [[Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam]], using Islamic scripture as its sole source.<ref>Articles 24 and 25 of the [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.religlaw.org/interdocs/docs/cairohrislam1990.htm|2=2011-11-01}} Cairo Declaration on Human Rights in Islam]</ref> This declaration has been severely criticized by many, including; the International Humanist and Ethical Union (IHEU), the Association for World Education (AWE) and the Association of World Citizens (AWC) for its incompatibility with human rights, women's rights, religious freedom and freedom of expression, by "imposing restrictions on nearly every human right based on Islamic Sharia law."<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.iheu.org/node/3162|2=2011-11-01}} The Cairo Declaration and the Universality of Human Rights] - International Humanist and Ethical Union, May 28, 2008</ref>

 

Furthermore, according to the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ):

It is a generally accepted that there nothing in Islam that could be described as the "separation of 'Church' and State".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islam_judaism_christianity.htm |title=Comparison of Islam, Judaism and Christianity |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/comparison_charts/islam_judaism_christianity.htm |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - ReligionFacts</ref> We have already touched upon why Shari'ah is inseparable from the public and the personal aspects of practicing Islam, so once again, we need to look to the example set forth by Muhammad. Islam, unlike many other faiths, was implemented as a theocracy during its founder's lifetime. As the founder and head of the first Islamic state, Muhammad did not differentiate between "rendering unto Caesar what is Caesar's and what is God's unto God", and this is reflected in Muslim thought.

 

The results of a survey<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=8216religion-loves-tolerance-but-is-not-tolerant8217-2009-11-17 |title='Religion loves tolerance, but is not tolerant' |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=8216religion-loves-tolerance-but-is-not-tolerant8217-2009-11-17 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Hürriyet Daily News, November 17, 2009</ref> released in November of 2009 found a massive 67 percent of Turks said 'they would continue acting in accordance with their religious beliefs if the arliament passed a law that contradicted religious laws.' and only 'Twenty-six percent said they would obey the country’s law in this case'. Even in 'secular' nations like Turkey, the majority of the population (in accordance with {{Bukhari|9|89|258}}) refuse to accept the authority of its government when they deem its man-made laws contrary to that which is prescribed in the Shari'ah.

To add to the words by the respected scholar; we see in the United Kingdom, which only has a Muslim population of 2 to 3%, there have already been demands (obscure as they may be) to install full Shari'ah as its default law system,<ref>Martyn Brown - {{cite web |url=http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/134080/Now-Muslims-demand-Give-us-full-Sharia-law |title=Now Muslims demand full Sharia law |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/134080/Now-Muslims-demand-Give-us-full-Sharia-law |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Daily Express, October 15, 2009</ref> and a recent 2009 survey by ''The Equalities and Human Rights Commission''<ref>Emma Wall - {{cite web |url=http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/66597/Ghetto-Britain/ |title=Ghetto Britain |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/66597/Ghetto-Britain/ |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Daily Star, January 21, 2009</ref> revealed that a massive 44% of Muslims in the UK want to create their own communities and remain segregated from British society. Also in Kenya, while Muslims currently constitute only 10% of the total population, in August 2009 they began pushing for Shari'ah law to become a part of the Kenyan Constitution.<ref>[http://www.persecution.org/suffering/ICCnews/newsdetail.php?newscode=10619&title=christians-oppose-musim-push-for-sharia-in-kenya Christians opose Muslim push for Sharia] - Persecution.org, August 7, 2009 </ref> At the moment (like in the UK) there are Shari'ah courts, but they hold little power and only apply to Muslims.

The spread of the Shari'ah is obligatory. Jihad is often employed to force governments into implementing Shari'ah on Muslims and non-Muslims alike, thus expanding the [[Dar al-Islam]] ('house/domain of Islam'). This, once again, is based on the Sunnah of Muhammad. Following the [[The Farewell Sermon|Farewell Sermon]], he sent messengers to foreign leaders including; Negus, Chosroes of Persia, and the Eastern Roman Emperor Heraclius, commanding them to submit to his rulership; submit to Islam.<ref>"''....I [Muhammad] invite you [Emperor Heraclius] to Islam (i.e. surrender to Allah), embrace Islam and you will be safe....''" - {{Bukhari|4|52|191}}</ref> We see the same thing happening today in the modern world (for example) in Somalia<ref>{{cite web |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/28/somalia.sharia/index.html |title=Somali president bends to rebel demand for sharia law |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/africa/02/28/somalia.sharia/index.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - CNN, February 28, 2009</ref> where President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, in February 2009, after two years of fighting gave in to rebel demands to impose Islamic law on the country.

===The Criminalization of Personal Matters===

Islamic laws criminalize, among other things:

(However, the Islamic definition differs from the secular understanding of the word)

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 Islam, the rejection in part of any of the individual pillars or principles of Islam (i.e. apostasy via blasphemy), or discarding the faith as a whole, amounts to apostasy.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.alsunna.org/Questions-about-Apostasy-Blasphemy.html|2=2011-02-25}} Questions about Apostasy (Blasphemy)] - Al Sunna.org</ref> Under Islamic law, it is a crime punishable by death. This punishment was prescribed by Muhammad himself who had said "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him."<ref name="atheist">"''Narrated 'Ikrima: Some Zanadiqa (atheists) were brought to 'Ali and he burnt them. The news of this event, reached Ibn 'Abbas who said, "If I had been in his place, I would not have burnt them, as Allah's Apostle forbade it, saying, 'Do not punish anybody with Allah's punishment (fire).' I would have killed them according to the statement of Allah's Apostle, 'Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.'"''" - {{Bukhari|9|84|57}}</ref>  Apostasy was one of only three reasons given by him where killing a Muslim is permitted (the other two circumstances being the execution of the adulterer and murderer, as well as those "spread corruption", presumably of the religious sort).<ref>"''Narrated 'Abdullah: Allah's Apostle said, "The blood of a Muslim who confesses that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that I am His Apostle, cannot be shed except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam (apostate) and leaves the Muslims."''" - {{Bukhari|9|83|17}}</ref> His wishes were followed by Caliph Abu Bakr, who had many apostates killed during the lengthy “Riddah (apostasy) wars” for their refusal to pay tithe. These people were not rejecting Islam as a whole but only refusing to abide by one of its five pillars ([[Zakat]]). This also attests to the fact apostasy was a serious crime within early Islam and was not a later innovation. Indeed, Abu Bakr referenced on Qur’anic verse in particular (the verse of the sword - Qur'an 9:5) as the reason for his engaging in war. Various hadith record Muhammad's command being followed by his companions, with atheists,<ref name="atheist"></ref> Christians,<ref>"''Ali was informed about a group of Christians who had become Muslims and then became Christians again. Ali arrested them, summoned them before himself and enquired about the truth of the matter. They said: "We were Christians. Then we were offered the choice of remaining Christians or becoming Muslims. We chose Islam. But now it is our opinion that no religion is more excellent than our first religion. Therefore we have become Christians now." Hearing this, Ali ordered these people to be executed and their children enslaved.''" - Quoted from "{{cite web |url=http://www.answering-islam.org/Hahn/Mawdudi/index.htm |title=The Punishment of the Apostate According to Islamic Law |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.answering-islam.org/Hahn/Mawdudi/index.htm |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}", by Abul Ala Maududi</ref> and Jews<ref>"''Mu'adh asked, "Who is this (man)?" Abu Muisa said, "He was a Jew and became a Muslim and then reverted back to Judaism." Then Abu Muisa requested Mu'adh to sit down but Mu'adh said, "I will not sit down till he has been killed. This is the judgment of Allah and His Apostle (for such cases) and repeated it thrice. Then Abu Musa ordered that the man be killed, and he was killed. Abu Musa added, "Then we discussed the night prayers and one of us said, 'I pray and sleep, and I hope that Allah will reward me for my sleep as well as for my prayers.''" - {{Bukhari|9|84|58}}</ref> being put to death for leaving Islam.<ref>For further details, see: [[Qur'an, Hadith and Scholars:Apostasy]]</ref>

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. Contrary to what some may suggest, this is not the result of a latter-day innovation of Islam, but something that is deeply rooted within Islamic scripture and the Sunnah of Muhammad. The Qur'anic verse 5:33 calls for the execution, mutilation, or imprisonment, of those who make "[[Mischief]]" in the land, and 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.

 

Umar bin Al-Khattab's placed the following restrictions on expression and speech:

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>

Homosexuality under Islamic law, is a punishable crime. How it is dealt with differs between the four mainline schools of Sunni jurisprudence, but what they all agree upon is that homosexuality is worthy of a severe penalty. In the Hanafi school of thought, the homosexual is first punished through harsh beating, and if they repeat the act, the death penalty is to be applied. As for the Shafi`i school of thought, the homosexual receives the same punishment as adultery (if they are married) or fornication (if not married). This means, that if the homosexual is married, they are stoned to death, while if single, they are whipped 100 times. Hence, the Shafi`i compares the punishment applied in the case of homosexuality with that of adultery and fornication, while the Hanafi differentiates between the two acts because in homosexuality, anal sex [something that is prohibited, regardless of orientation] may also be involved, while in adultery [and fornication], the penis/vagina (which are reproductive parts) are involved. Some scholars [based on the Qur'an and various ahadith] hold the opinion that the homosexual should be thrown from a high building or stoned to death<ref>”So when Our punishment came upon the people of Lut, We turned the city upside down and showered them with stones of baked clay, one after another.{{Quran|11|82}}</ref> as a punishment for their 'crime', but other scholars maintain that they should be imprisoned until death. <ref>[http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545556 IslamOnline.net - Death Fall as Punishment for Homosexuality] </ref> Another view is that between two males, the active partner is to be lashed a hundred times if he is unmarried, and killed if he is married; whereas the passive partner is to be killed regardless of his marital status.<ref>See the chapter on "hudud" in Sharaya and Sharh Lum'a also al-Khu'i, Takmilah, p. 42-44.</ref> Within the context of Islamic thought, hostility towards homosexuality originated from the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Muhammad had stated, ''“If you find anyone doing as Lot's people did, kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done.”''<ref>{{Abudawud|38|4447}}</ref> He even went so far as to condemn the “appearance” of homosexuality, when he cursed effeminate men and masculine women and ordered his followers to ''"Turn them out of your houses."''<ref>{{Bukhari|7|72|774}}</ref> This ruling on homosexuals was adopted by his successors. The father of Aisha and Muhammad’s first successor, Abu Bakr, had a homosexual burned at the stake. The fourth caliph, Muhammad’s son-in-law Ali, ordered homosexuals to be stoned, and even had one thrown from the minaret of a mosque.<ref>[http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=20145 Islam's Love-Hate Relationship with Homosexuality] - Serge Trifkovic - FrontPageMag, January 24, 2003 </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>

In 2007, Iranian "morals" police arrested 230 in a raid on a "satanist rave".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2d2_1186358824|title=Iranian morals police arrest 230 in raid on 'satanist' rave|publisher=Live Leak|date=August 6, 2007 |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=2d2_1186358824 |archivedate=2012-09-15}}</ref>

Also in 2010, Shiria Khatun, progressive Brit-Muslim woman Councilor, was forced to dress more conservatively after receiving death threats and sexually harassing phone calls. She told the police that callers threatened to kill her and her four young children, and in one call, they warned they would dig up parents' graves and bury her there instead.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.oneindia.in/2010/03/07/britmuslim-leader-forced-to-dress-conservativelya.html |title=Brit-Muslim leader forced to dress conservatively after receiving threatening calls |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://news.oneindia.in/2010/03/07/britmuslim-leader-forced-to-dress-conservativelya.html |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Asia News International - oneindia.in, March 7, 2010</ref>

In 2010, a Saudi woman who filed harassment claims in Saudi Arabia without being accompanied by a male relative was sentenced to 300 lashes and 18 months in jail. Sawsan Salim lodged a series of complaints in 2007 at government offices and in court in the northern region of Qasim in which she alleged harassment by local officials, the New York-based rights group, Human Rights Watch, said. She was sentenced in January on charges of making “spurious complaints” against government officials and appearing “without a male guardian,” the group said in an e-mailed statement.<ref>[http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-03-03/saudi-woman-gets-300-lashes-jail-for-complaints-group-says.html Saudi Woman Gets 300 Lashes, Jail for Complaints, Group Says] - Henry Meyer - BusinessWeek, March 3, 2010 </ref>

Somalia has lashed numerous men for watching pornography.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newstimeafrica.com/archives/9386 |title=Somali Men Get 40 Lashes For Watching Pornography |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.newstimeafrica.com/archives/9386 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}} - Shafii Mohyaddin Abokar - Newstime Africa, December 1, 2009</ref>

The Islamic prohibition on images is well known, hence the lack of imagery in Islamic religious art. Multiple authentic sources record Muhammad's thoughts on images and representations of living beings, and in several he states passionately "The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers."<ref>"''....We were with Masruq at the house of Yasar bin Numair. Masruq saw pictures on his terrace and said, "I heard 'Abdullah saying that he heard the Prophet saying, "'The people who will receive the severest punishment from Allah will be the picture makers."....''" - {{Bukhari|7|72|834}}</ref> In another he says "All the painters who make pictures would be in the fire of Hell. The soul will be breathed in every picture prepared by him and it shall punish him in the Hell."<ref>"''....I am going to narrate to you what I heard from Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him). I heard him say: All the painters who make pictures would be in the fire of Hell. The soul will be breathed in every picture prepared by him and it shall punish him in the Hell....''" - {{Muslim|24|5272}}</ref> Muhammad refused to enter any home which was decorated with images,<ref>"''....Fatimah said to Ali: Follow him [Muhammad] and see what turned him back. I (Ali) followed him and asked: What turned you back, Apostle of Allah? He replied: It is not fitting for me or for any Prophet to enter a house which is decorated....''" - {{Abudawud|27|3746}}</ref> and claimed angels would do the same with any home which contained pictures or dogs<ref>"''....I came to 'A'isha and said to her: This is a news that I have received that Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) had said: Angels do not enter the house in which there is a picture or a dog,....''" - {{Muslim|24|5254}}</ref> He once refused to enter the home of one of his wives (Aisha) when he noticed the decorated cushion she had purchased for him to sit on.<ref>"''....Narrated 'Aisha (the wife of the Prophet): I bought a cushion having pictures on it. When Allah's Apostle saw it, he stopped at the gate and did not enter....''" - {{Bukhari|7|72|844}}</ref> In Aisha's own words "I noticed the signs of hatred (for that) on his face!" She turned to Allah and Muhammad for repentance.<ref>"''....I noticed the signs of hatred (for that) on his face! I said, "O Allah's Apostle! I turn to Allah and His Apostle in repentance! What sin have I committed?" He said, "What about this cushion?"....''" - {{Bukhari|7|72|844}}</ref> On another occasion, Muhammad angrily tore to pieces a carpet, hung by Aisha to screen a door.<ref>"''....I took a carpet and screened the door with it. When he (the Holy Prophet) came back he saw that carpet and I perceived signs of disapproval on his face. He pulled it until it was torn or it was cut (into pieces)....''" - {{Muslim|24|5254}}</ref>

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.

====Domestic violence and rape against wives and slaves====

While domestic violence against women is a serious problem all around the world, none are more vulnerable than the women of Islam. Islamic societies, more often than not, simply refuse to acknowledge such issues as problems. This is due to domestic violence against women being permitted under Islamic law. It is explicitly endorsed by the Qur'an itself. In a 2004 sermon broadcast on Qatar TV, a Muslim cleric had said the following:

The verse being referred to is 4:34. According to this verse, a man may not only beat his wives for 'rebellion,' but also beat them simply for the ''fear'' of 'rebellion.'<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.  

Gender equality is not only an alien concept within Islamic societies, but also completely contrary to Islamic beliefs. For example; in the Islamic Republic of Iran, some women's rights activists have criticised the laws governing women. They say women face difficulties in "getting a divorce and criticize inheritance laws they say are unjust and the fact their court testimony is worth half that of a man's", and they also "cannot run for president or become judges."<ref name="Islamic laws on women">"{{cite web |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSDAH44354320070704 |title=Don't "play" with Islamic law, Iranian women told |archiveurl=http://archive.is/20120915/http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSDAH44354320070704 |archivedate=2012-09-15 |accessdate=2012-09-15}}", ''Reuters'',  Jul 4, 2007</ref> Many female activists have been flogged and given hash jail sentences, numbering several years, for protesting such laws.<ref name="Islamic laws on women"></ref> In mid 2007 Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran, responded to these allegations of discrimination, with the following:

He also indicated that "some Islamic rules regarding women could change if jurisprudence research led to a new understanding."<ref name="Islamic laws on women"></ref> As outlined earlier, Islamic jurisprudence can be revised, but as it is extracted from, and cannot contradict, Shari'a (which consists of Allah's divine laws found within the Qur'an and Hadith), the outcome cannot vary very much, and is effectively set in stone when the Qur'an and Hadith give explicit instruction on something (as is the case with wife-beating). What activists are indirectly trying to reform is not Iranian laws, but Islam itself, as each of these women's rights violations are sanctioned by Islamic scripture.

He further explain that women are not only deficient in intelligence, but also in religion,<ref>"''....Isn't it true that a woman can neither pray nor fast during her menses?" The women replied in the affirmative. He said, "This is the deficiency in her religion."....''" - {{Bukhari|1|6|301}}</ref> and that this has resulted in most of the dwellers of hell being women.<ref>"''....Then he passed by the women and said, "O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)." They asked, "Why is it so, O Allah's Apostle ?"....''" - {{Bukhari|1|6|301}}</ref> In June 2007, Saudi Cleric ''Abd Al-Aziz Al-Fawzan'', in an attempt to counter criticism aimed at these sayings of Muhammad, had said these ahadith highlight the 'fact' that women's "twisted nature" stems from their "very creation".<ref>[Islam: Women are "deficient in intelligence" (video)] - MEMRI</ref> These statements, by both Muhammad and Abd Al-Aziz Al-Fawzan, reflect the Islamic belief that Allah made Eve menstruate, suffer pregnancy and become stupid as a punishment for her transgressions in the garden, therefore all women menstruate (deficient in religion) and are created stupid (deficient in intelligence).<ref>"''His Lord called out to him: Adam, is it from Me that you are fleeing? Adam replied: No, my Lord, but I feel shame before You. When God asked what had caused his trouble, he replied: Eve, My Lord. Whereupon God said: Now it is My obligation to make her bleed once every month, as she made this tree bleed. I also must make her stupid, although I created her intelligent (halimah), and must make her suffer pregnancy. Ibn Zayd continued: Were it not for the affliction that affected Eve, the women of this world wound not menstruate, and they would be intelligent and, when pregnant, give birth easily.''" - Al-Tabari 1:280</ref> Those same authentic sources also record Muhammad condemning women in high social positions (i.e. presidents, judges etc), declaring "Never will succeed such a nation that makes a woman their ruler."<ref>"''....When the Prophet heard the news that the people of the Persia had made the daughter of Khosrau their Queen (ruler), he said, "Never will succeed such a nation as makes a woman their ruler."....''" - {{Bukhari|9|88|219}}</ref>

Islamic law allows, encourages, and even demands<ref>"...it is permissible to lie if attaining the goal is permissible (N:i.e. when the purpose of lying is to circumvent someone who is preventing one from doing something permissible), and obligatory to lie if the goal is obligatory..." - Reliance of the Traveler, p. 746 - 8.2</ref> lying by its followers when done "for the sake of Islam". Lying for Islam is generally (but inaccurately) referred to as ''taqiyya''. Most will accurately point out that this is not an orthodox Islamic, but a  Shi'ite practice. However, while this doctrine is a Shi'ite doctrine (original designed to help Shi'ite's avoid prosecution at the hands of Sunnis), mainstream Islam accepts the many verses in the Qur'an which condone lying and deception for the sake of Islam,<ref>"''A Muslim does not have to maintain his oath (faith) as long as what's in his heart is true''" - {{Quran|2|225}}</ref><ref>"''Let not the believers Take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than believers: if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (To remember) Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.''" - {{Quran|3|28}}</ref><ref>"''Any one who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters Unbelief,- except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith - but such as open their breast to Unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful Penalty.''" - {{Quran|16|106}}</ref> and several classical and contemporary Sunni scholars have validated its place within main-stream Islam, albeit without labeling it as a standalone doctrine called "taqiyya".<ref>"''(unless you indeed fear a danger from them) meaning, except those believers who in some areas or times fear for their safety from the disbelievers. In this case, such believers are allowed to show friendship to the disbelievers outwardly, but never inwardly. For instance, Al-Bukhari recorded that Abu Ad-Darda' said, "We smile in the face of some people although our hearts curse them. Al-Bukhari said that Al-Hasan said, "The Tuqyah is allowed until the Day of Resurre ction. Allah said,''" - [http://www.tafsir.com/default.asp?sid=3&tid=8052 The Prohibition of Supporting the Disbelievers] - Tafsir Ibn Kathir</ref><ref>"''Let not the believers take the disbelievers as patrons, rather than, that is, instead of, the believers — for whoever does that, that is, [whoever] takes them as patrons, does not belong to, the religion of, God in anyway — unless you protect yourselves against them, as a safeguard (tuqātan, ‘as a safeguard’, is the verbal noun from taqiyyatan), that is to say, [unless] you fear something, in which case you may show patronage to them through words, but not in your hearts: this was before the hegemony of Islam and [the dispensation] applies to any individual residing in a land with no say in it.''" - [http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=0&tTafsirNo=74&tSoraNo=3&tAyahNo=28&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=2 Tafsir al-Jalalayn] - Tafsir Al-Suyuti</ref> In the inquisition or miḥna during the Caliphate of al-Ma’mun, a number of Sunni scholars practiced lying, attesting to the Qur’an as having been created despite believing the opposite.<ref>Virani, Shafique. The Ismailis in the Middle Ages: A History of Survival, A Search for Salvation (New York: Oxford University Press), 2007, p.48.</ref> Given these facts, some will go on to attack the strict definition of taqiyya and claim that it is “only allowed to save one's own life” or that its "restricted to its use in war". Consequently, lying outside of trying to save one's life or a war is permitted and even encouraged in Islam (so long as it is for the sake of Islam), but it is not referred to as taqiyya. It is more accurate to simply call it "lying for Islam". In sahih (authentic) hadith, Muhammad admits to being a liar<ref>"''Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported: I came to Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) along with a group of Ash'arites requesting to give us a mount. He (the Holy Prophet) said: By Allah, I cannot provide you with a mount, and there is nothing with me which I should give you as a ride. He (the narrator) said: We stayed there as long as Allah willed. Then there were brought to him (to the Holy Prophet) camels. He (the Holy Prophet) then ordered to give us three white humped camels, We started and said (or some of us said to the others): Allah will not bless us. We came to Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) begging him to provide us with riding camels. He swore that he could not provide us with a mount, but later on he provided us with that. They (some of the Prophet's Companions) came and informed him about this (rankling of theirs), whereupon he said: It was not I who provided you with a mount, but Allah has provided you with that. So far as I am concerned, by Allah, if He so wills, I would not swear, but if, later on, I would see better than it, I (would break the vow) and expiate it and do that which is better.''" - {{Muslim|15|4044}}</ref> and advises its acceptable for Muslims to do likewise,<ref>"''Narrated 'Abdur-Rahman bin Samura: The Prophet said, "O 'Abdur-Rahman! Do not seek to be a ruler, for if you are given authority on your demand then you will be held responsible for it, but if you are given it without asking (for it), then you will be helped (by Allah) in it. If you ever take an oath to do something and later on you find that something else is better, then you should expiate your oath and do what is better.''" - {{Bukhari|9|89|260}}</ref> allowing his followers to use deception to silence critics.<ref>Muhammad permitted a Muslim to “say what he likes” i.e. to lie in order to kill Ka'b ibn al-Ashraf, a Jewish poet who wrote an anti-Muslim poem which offended him. This is a clear case of Lying endorsed by the prophet in order to achieve the objectives of Islam, therefore Muslims are permitted to lie and kill in defense of Muhammad, his character and Islam. {{Bukhari|4|52|271}}, and {{Bukhari|5|59|369}}</ref> One of the 99 "holy names" of the Islamic deity is ''Al-Makir'' (the Deceiver),<ref>Harun Yahya includes ''Al-Makir'' in [[Allah the Best Deceiver#Harun_Yahya|his listing]] of Allah's 99 names ([http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/names/names04.php#16 Names of Allah/ No. 16 (Al-Makir)]). He in this instance mistranslates it to mean "Planner", but more correctly translates the same word in the same verse elsewhere on his site ([http://www.harunyahya.com/books/faith/school/school2.php The School of Yusuf - Harun Yahya]). [[:File:Makr Lane-Lexicon-page Vol 7-pg. 256.jpg|Lane's Lexicon for ''Makr'']] and the [[:File:Hans Wehr dictionary - page 917.jpg|Hans Wehr dictionary]] both confirm the meaning of the term to be "Deceiver".</ref> and in the Qur'an Allah refers to himself as the 'best deceiver',<ref>Qur'an 3:54: "''And they cheated/deceived and God cheated/deceived, and God (is) the best (of) the cheaters/deceivers.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/3/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 3. Ali-Imran - The Family Of 'Imran (سورة آل عمران) - Revealed in Madinah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref><ref>Qur'an 7:99: "''Did they secure God's scheme/deceit ? So no(one) trusts God's scheme/deceit except the nation the losers.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/7/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 7. Al-A'raf - The Heights (سورة الأعراف) - Revealed in Makkah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref><ref>Qur'an 8:30: "''And when those who disbelieved deceive/scheme at you to affix/affirm you, or kill you, or bring you out, and they scheme/deceive , and God deceives/schemes and God (is) best (of) the deceivers/schemers.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/8/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 8. Al-Anfal - Spoils Of War (سورة الأنفال) - Revealed in Madinah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref><ref>Qur'an 10:21: "''And if We made the people taste/experience mercy from after calamity/disastrous distress touched them, then for them (is) cheatery/deceit/schemes in Our verses/evidences . Say: "God (is) quicker/faster (in) cunning/scheming , that Our messengers write what you cheat/ deceive/scheme.''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/10/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 10. Yunus - Jonah (سورة يونس) - Revealed in Makkah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref><ref>Qur'an 13:42: "''And those from before them had cheated/deceived/schemed, so to God (is) all the cheatery/deceit/scheme. He knows what every self gains/acquires , and the disbelievers will know to whom (is) the house's/home's end/turn (result).''" - [{{Reference archive|1=http://iknowledge.islamicnature.com/quran/surah/13/lang/englishliteral/|2=2011-08-25}} 13. Ar-Ra'd - The Thunder (سورة الرعد) - Revealed in Makkah (English: Literal)] - IslamicNature, accessed August 25, 2011</ref> and admits to deceiving Muslims<ref>"''When Allah showed them to you in your dream as few; and if He had shown them to you as many you would certainly have become weak-hearted and you would have disputed about the matter, but Allah saved (you); surely He is the Knower of what is in the breasts. And when He showed them to you, when you met, as few in your eyes and He made you to appear little in their eyes, in order that Allah might bring about a matter which was to be done, and to Allah are all affairs returned.''" - {{cite quran|8|43|end=44|style=ref}}</ref> and creating Christianity through deception.<ref>"''And their saying: Surely we have killed the Messiah, Isa son of Marium, the messenger of Allah; and they did not kill him nor did they crucify him, '''but it appeared to them so (like Isa)''' and most surely those who differ therein are only in a doubt about it; they have no knowledge respecting it, but only follow a conjecture, and they killed him not for sure.''" - {{cite quran|4|157|end=158|style=ref}}</ref>