Wednesday, February 22, 2017

Love & Peace in the Koran?

Is Islam a religion of peace and love? KoranAhoy from Amoy! (historic Xiamen, China).

Given all the talk about Islam being a religion of peace, I searched the Koran for places in which Allah told believers to love others.  The Koran does have the word "love" in 83 places, but I did not find one instance of it saying that followers of Islam should love anyone--though it did warn clearly against loving those who do not accept Islam. 

Who does Allah not love? There were many verses on whom Allah does not love.  Allah does not love unbelievers [30.45] or the unjust [42.40] or the arrogant [57. 23], etc.  And 60.1 warns against loving those who reject Islam.

And who does Allah love?  61.4 says, "Surely Allah loves those who fight in His way in ranks as if they were a firm and compact wall.

Peace in the Koran?  Although the Koran seems decidedly militant, it does have the word "peace" 49 times. And to my surprise, a common theme seems to be that, although Muslims should fight infidels, if the enemy asks for peace, the Muslims are to cease fighting them.  Consider this verse:

[4.94] O you who believe! when you go to war in Allah's way, make investigation, and do not say to any one who offers you peace: You are not a believer. Do you seek goods of this world's life! But with Allah there are abundant gains; you too were such before, then Allah conferred a benefit on you; therefore make investigation; surely Allah is aware of what you do.

There are many more uses of the word "fight" than "peace," but overall, it seems that Muslims are told to fight when necessary, but to desist when the enemy does not want to fight:

[2.193] And fight with them until there is no persecution, and religion should be only for Allah, but if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.

I'm no expert on the Koran,= but it seems that the Muslims have not followed their own scriptures--but have we Christians? The Prince of Peace's own disciples weren't that peaceful even when he still walked with them. When Samaritans did not welcome Jesus because he was headed to Jerusalem, James and John asked if Jesus wanted them to  call down fire from heaven to destroy them (Luke 9:52-54).  Hard to imagine that men who knew Jesus that well could have imagined he's want to fry unfriendly folks. Verse 55 notes simply that, "Jesus turned and rebuked them." And in verse 56, "Then he and his disciples went to another village."



Isaiah 9:6,"And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

I don't think that Islam is a "religion of peace," but responding with hatred and violence is like pouring fuel on the fire. 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).

The answer to Islam is not religion but the Prince of Peace himself living in us and through us.

Blessings from Amoy!

Dr. Bill
Jesus Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6

www.amoymagic.com

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