Author: Ali Sina
Publication: Faith Freedom International
Date:
URL: http://www.faithfreedom.org/Articles/sina/why_i_left_islam.htm
I am often asked, Why I left Islam?.
As absurd as it may be, some Muslims cannot even allow themselves to think
that leaving Islam is an option, or even possible. They rather think that
those who leave Islam are paid Jewish agents than accept the fact that
people have freedom to think and some may even think that Islam is not
for them. The following are my reasons.
Not until few years ago I used to
think that my faith in Islam was not based on blind imitation but rather
was the result of years of investigation and research. The fact that I
had read a lot of books on Islam, written by people whose thoughts I approved
of and delving into philosophies that were within my comfort zone, emphasized
my conviction that I had found the truth. All my bias research confirmed
my faith. Just like other Muslims I used to believe that to learn about
anything one has to go to the source. Of course the source of Islam is
Quran and the books written by Muslim scholars. Therefore, I felt no need
to look elsewhere in order to find the truth, as I was convinced that I
have already found it. As Muslims say "Talabe ilm ba'd az wossule ma'loom
mazmoom". The search of knowledge after gaining it is foolish
Of course, this is a foolish idea.
What if we want to learn the truth about one of these dangerous cults?
Is it enough to depend only on what the cult leader and his deluded followers
say? Wouldn't it be prudent to widen our research and find out what other
people have to say about them? Going to the source makes sense only in
scientific matters, because scientists are not "believers". They do not
say something because they have blind faith. Scientists make a critical
analysis of the evidence. It is very much different from religious approach
that is based entirely on faith and belief.
I suppose it was my acquaintance
with the western humanistic values that made me more sensitive and whet
my appetite for democracy, freethinking, human rights, equality, etc. It
was then that when I read again Quran I came across injunctions that were
not al par with my newfound humanistic values, I was distressed and felt
very uncomfortable to read teachings like these.
Q.3: 5
"But those who reject Faith after
they accepted it, and then go on adding to their defiance of Faith,- never
will their repentance be accepted; for they are those who have gone astray".
Q.16: 106
"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."
One may think that the dreadful
penalty mentioned here pertains to the next word. But Muhammad made sure
that these people received their penalty in this world as well. See the
following:
Sahih Bukhari Volume 6, Book 61,
Number 577:
I heard the Prophet saying, "In
the last days (of the world) there will appear young
people with foolish thoughts and
ideas. They will give good talks, but they will go out of Islam as an arrow
goes out of its game, their faith will not exceed their throats. So, wherever
you find them, kill them, for there will be a reward for their killers
on the Day of Resurrection."
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 63,
Number 260:
Ali burnt some people and this news
reached Ibn 'Abbas, who said, "Had I been in his place I would not have
burnt them, as the Prophet said, 'Don't punish (anybody) with Allah's Punishment.'
No doubt, I would have killed them, for the Prophet said, 'If somebody
(a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.' "
Sahih Bukhari Volume 4, Book 63,
Number 261:
Eight men of the tribe of 'Ukil
came to the Prophet and then they found the climate of Medina unsuitable
for them. So, they said, "O Allah's Apostle! Provide us with some milk."
Allah's Apostle said, "I recommend that you sh ould join the herd of camels."
So they went and drank the urine and the milk of the camels (as a medicine)
till they became healthy and fat. Then they killed the shepherd and drove
away the camels, and they became unbelievers after they were Muslims. When
the Prophet was informed by a shouter for help, he sent some men in their
pursuit, and before the sun rose high, they were brought, and he had their
hands and feet cut off. Then he ordered for nails, which were heated and
passed over their eyes, and they were left in the Harra (i.e. rocky land
in Medina). They asked for water, and nobody provided them with water till
they died.
And from Partial Translation of
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 38, Number 4339
Narrated Aisha, Ummul Mu'minin:
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him)
Said: The blood of a Muslim man who testifies that there is no god but
Allah and that Muhammad is Allah's Apostle should not lawfully be shed
except only for one of three reasons: a man who committed fornication after
marriage, in which case he should be stoned; one who goes forth to fight
with Allah and His Apostle, in which case he should be killed or crucified
or exiled from the land; or one who commits murder for which he is killed.
The following is very disturbing.
I dare to say any man who read it and is not taken aback with disgust has
a long way to go to become a human.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 38, Number
4348
"Narrated Abdullah Ibn Abbas:
A blind man had a slave-mother
who used to abuse the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and disparage him. He
forbade her but she did not stop. He rebuked her but she did not give up
her habit. One night she began to slander the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him)
and abuse him. So he took a dagger, placed it on her belly, pressed it,
and killed her. A child who came between her legs was smeared with the
blood that was there. When the morning came, the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him)
was informed about it.
He assembled the people and said:
I adjure by Allah the man who has done this action and I adjure him by
my right to him that he should stand up. Jumping over the necks of the
people and trembling the man stood up.
He sat before the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him)
and said: Apostle of Allah! I am her master; she used to abuse you and
disparage you. I forbade her, but she did not stop, and I rebuked her,
but she did not abandon her habit. I have two sons like pearls from her,
and she was my companion. Last night she began to abuse and disparage you.
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".
I felt the above story was a manifest
injustice. Muhammad condoned a man killing a pregnant mother and his own
unborn child just because he said that she insulted him!?
(Arabs used to sleep with their
maid slaves. Quran perpetuates this tradition Q.33: 52 "It is not lawful
for thee (to marry more) women after this, nor to change them for (other)
wives, even though their beauty attract thee, except any thy right hand
should possess (as handmaidens): and Allah doth watch over all things."
Muhammad himself slept with Mariyah the maid slave of Hafsa his wife without
marrying her.)
Forgiving someone for killing another
human being just because he said she insulted Muhammad is unacceptable.
What if that man was lying to escape punishment? What dose this story say
about Muhammad's sense of Justice? Imagine how many innocent women, were
killed by their husbands during these 1400 years who escaped punishment
accusing their murdered wives of blaspheming the prophet of God and this
Hadith has made them get away with it.
Here is another one.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 38, Number
4349
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
A Jewess used to abuse the Prophet
(peace_be_upon_him) and disparage him. A man strangled her till she died.
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) declared that no recompense was
payable for her blood.
It was not easy to read these stories
and not be moved. There is no reason to believe that all these stories
were fabricated. Why should believers, who have tried to depict their prophet
as a compassionate man fabricate so many stories that would make him look
like ruthless tyrant?
I could no more accept the brutal
treatment of those who chose not to accept Islam. Faith is a personal matter.
I could no more accept that the punishment of someone who criticizes any
religion must be death.
See how Muhammad dealt with the
unbelievers.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 38, Number
4359
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
The verse "The punishment of those
who wage war against Allah and His Apostle, and strive with might and main
for mischief through the land is execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting
off of hands and feet from opposite side or exile from the land...most
merciful" was revealed about polytheists. If any of them repents before
they are arrested, it does not prevent from inflicting on him the prescribed
punishment, which he deserves."
How could a messenger of God maim
and crucify people on the account that they resist accepting him? Could
such person be really a messenger of God? Wasn't there a better man with
more moral an ethical fortitude to bear this mighty responsibility?
I could not accept the fact that
Muhammad slaughtered 900 Jews in one day, after he captured them in a raid
that he started. I read the following story and I shivered.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 38, Number
4390
Narrated Atiyyah al-Qurazi:
I was among the captives of Banu
Qurayzah. They (the Companions) examined us, and those who had begun to
grow hair (pubes) were killed, and those who had not were not killed. I
was among those who had not grown hair
Also I found following story shocking.
Sunan Abu-Dawud Book 38, Number
4396
Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah:
A thief was brought to the Prophet
(peace_be_upon_him). He said: Kill him. The people said: He has committed
theft, Apostle of Allah! Then he said: Cut off his hand. So his (right)
hand was cut off. He was brought a second time and he said: Kill him. The
people said: He has committed theft, Apostle of Allah! Then he said: Cut
off his foot.
So his (left) foot was cut off.
He was brought a third time and
he said: Kill him.
The people said: He has committed
theft, Apostle of Allah!
So he said: Cut off his hand. (So
his (left) hand was cut off.)
He was brought a fourth time and
he said: Kill him.
The people said: He has committed
theft, Apostle of Allah!
So he said: Cut off his foot. So
his (right) foot was cut off.
He was brought a fifth time and
he said: Kill him.
So we took him away and killed
him. We then dragged him and cast him into a well and threw stones over
him.
Seems that Muhammad passed judgment
before hearing the case. Also by cutting a thief's hand he is left with
no other means to earn his bread except begging, which would be difficult
since he is defamed as a thief and so hated by people. Therefore re-offending
becomes his only means of livelihood.
After living many years in the West
and being received kindly by people of other religions or of no religion,
who loved me and accepted me as their friend; who let me into their lives
and their heart. I could no more accept the following mandates of Quran
as the words of God.
Q.58: 22
"You will not find any people who
believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose
Allaah and His Messenger."
Q.3: 118-120
"O you who believe! Take not as
(your) bitaanah (advisors, consultants, protectors, helpers, friends, etc.)
those outside your religion (pagans, Jews, Christians, and hypocrites)
since they will not fail to do their best to corrupt you. They desire to
harm you severely. Hatred has already appeared from their mouths, but what
their breasts conceal is far worse. Indeed We have made clear to you the
aayaat (proofs, evidence, verses), if you understand. Lo! You are the ones
who love them but they love you not, and you believe in all the Scriptures
[i.e., you believe in the Tawraat and the Injeel, while they disbelieve
in your Book (the Qur'aan)]. And when they meet you, they say, 'We believe.'
But when they are alone, they bite the tips of their fingers at you in
rage. Say: 'Perish in your rage. Certainly Allaah knows what is in the
breasts (all the secrets).' If a good befalls you, it grieves them, but
some evil overtakes you, they rejoice at it."
And
Q.5: 51
"O you who believe! Take not the
Jews and the Christians as awliya' (friends, protectors, helpers, etc.),
they are but awliya' to one another."
I also found the above statement
false. The evidence is in the Bosnia and Kosovo crisis; where Christian
countries, waged war against another Christian country, to liberate Muslims.
Many Jewish doctors volunteered to help the Kosovar refugees, despite the
fact that during the WWII, the same Albanian Muslims took side with Hitler
and helped him in his holocaust against the Jews.
It became obvious to me that Muslims
are accepted by all the people of the world yet our prophet wants us to
hate them, to disassociate ourselves from them, to force them into our
way of life or kill them, subdue them and make them pay Jizya. How silly!
How pathetic! How inhumane! No wonder there is so much inexplicable hate
of the West and of the Jews among Muslims. It was Muhammad who inseminated
the hate and the distrust of the non-believers among his followers. How
Muslims can ever integrate with other nations while holding these hateful
massages of Quran as the words of God?
There are many Muslims who immigrate
to non-Muslim countries and are received with open arms. Many of them get
into politics and become part of the ruling elite. We suffer no discrimination
in the non-Islamic countries. But see how our holy prophet tells us to
deal with non-Muslims were we are the majority.
Q.9: 29
"Fight those who believe not in
Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden
by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even
if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing
submission, and feel themselves subdued."
I also find the following verses
completely against my conscience. I love all humanity and wish everyone
to be happy in this world and forgiven in the next. But my holy prophet
bade me not to seek forgiveness for the unbelievers even if they are my
parents and beloved ones.
(Interpretation of the meaning by
Muhsin Khan):
Q.9: 113
"It is not (proper) for the Prophet
and those who believe to ask Allaah's forgiveness for the mushrikeen, even
though they be of kin, after it has become clear to them that they are
the dwellers of the Fire (because they died in state of disbelief)."
Quarn and Ahadith are full of outrageous
verses like these that to me are clear proof that Muhammad was not a prophet,
but a cult leader. To force people to denounce their own family is what
cults do. He was an impostor who lied so loudly and so forcefully that
the ignorant people of his time believed in him. Then the following generations
echoed this lies passing it to the next. Philosophers and writers were
born in this atmosphere of lies and elaborated on it, embellished it, and
made it credible. But when you go to the core of it, when you read Quran
and study the Ahadith you see it is nothing but lie.
I know my words can be upsetting.
But I urge you, to take control of your anger, read my other articles and
mull on them.
As you see my rejection of Islam
is not based on the bad deeds of Muslims but on the bad deeds of its author.
All the cruelties and heinous acts of violence, perpetrated by Muslims
throughout the centuries were inspired by Quran and Sunnah (the example
of the prophet) That is why I condemn Islam for the bad things that Muslims
do. I know any effort to humanize the Islamic community is a waste of time.
The enemy is Islam and that is the target of my attacks. I do that, despite
knowing that I have become the magnet of the hatred of all fanatical Muslims.
There is no gain in this for me. The only reason I am so adamant against
Islam is to liberate the world from the claws of this satanic cult and
restore peace and prosperity, love and amity amongst the children of man.