Islamic 'spam'?

Today I received three comments to my piece entitled 'religious tolerance in Pakistan and elsewhere on the Islamic world'. Blogger classified them as 'spam' but I published them anyway. They are clearly boilerplate comments designed to explain how tolerant and recognising of freedom of beliefs Islam is. I have repeated the messages I received below so you can judge for yourselves, but here are my thoughts... I am not an Islamic scholar and my knowledge of the Koran is not great however I believe that the Koran contains many contradictory statements which are resolved by reference to the historically latest being the correct statement. This system of supercession is complicated by the Koran not being ordered chronologically but in order of length of surah (from longest to shortest). It seems that the chronologically earlier surah written/revealed in Mecca are generally more peaceable than the later Medina surah.

Before I publish the comments I thought that some examples of surah from the Koran that illustrate the intolerance for other beliefs might be in order:

'[4:160] Due to their transgressions, we prohibited for the Jews good foods that used to be lawful for them; also for consistently repelling from the path of GOD.
[4:161] And for practicing usury, which was forbidden, and for consuming the people's money illicitly. We have prepared for the disbelievers among them painful retribution.


[9:30] The Jews said, "Ezra is the son of GOD," while the Christians said, "Jesus is the son of GOD!" These are blasphemies uttered by their mouths. They thus match the blasphemies of those who have disbelieved in the past. GOD condemns them. They have surely deviated. 

[9:73] O you prophet, strive against the disbelievers and the hypocrites, and be stern in dealing with them. Their destiny is Hell; what a miserable abode!
[9:74] They swear by GOD that they never said it, although they have uttered the word of disbelief; they have disbelieved after becoming submitters. In fact, they gave up what they never had. They have rebelled even though GOD and His messenger have showered them with His grace and provisions. If they repent, it would be best for them. But if they turn away, GOD will commit them to painful retribution in this life and in the Hereafter. They will find no one on earth to be their lord and master.
[9:75] Some of them even pledged: "If GOD showered us with His grace, we would be charitable, and would lead a righteous life."
[9:76] But when He did shower them with His provisions, they became stingy, and turned away in aversion.
[9:77] Consequently, He plagued them with hypocrisy in their hearts, till the day they meet Him. This is because they broke their promises to GOD, and because of their lying.
[9:78] Do they not realize that GOD knows their secrets, and their conspiracies, and that GOD is the Knower of all secrets?
[9:79] Those who criticize the generous believers for giving too much, and ridicule the poor believers for giving too little, GOD despises them. They have incurred a painful retribution.

[9:101] Among the Arabs around you, there are hypocrites. Also, among the city dwellers, there are those who are accustomed to hypocrisy. You do not know them, but we know them. We will double the retribution for them, then they end up committed to a terrible retribution. 

[5:51] O you who believe, do not take certain Jews and Christians as allies; these are allies of one another. Those among you who ally themselves with these belong with them. GOD does not guide the transgressors.  

[5:57] O you who believe, do not befriend those among the recipients of previous scripture who mock and ridicule your religion, nor shall you befriend the disbelievers. You shall reverence GOD, if you are really believers.  

[5:64] The Jews even said, "GOD's hand is tied down!" It is their hands that are tied down. They are condemned for uttering such a blasphemy. Instead, His hands are wide open, spending as He wills. For certain, your Lord's revelations to you will cause many of them to plunge deeper into transgression and disbelief. Consequently, we have committed them to animosity and hatred among themselves until the Day of Resurrection. Whenever they ignite the flames of war, GOD puts them out. They roam the earth wickedly, and GOD dislikes the evildoers.  

[5:78] Condemned are those who disbelieved among the Children of Israel, by the tongue of David and Jesus, the son of Mary. This is because they disobeyed and transgressed.  

[5:82] (first part) You will find that the worst enemies of the believers are the Jews and the idol worshipers.  '

With the above in mind here are the three comments from 'Anonymous' that I received this morning:

'Tolerance is an inherent part of Islam; as Muslims we are instructed to be tolerant of the faith, beliefs, backgrounds, intellect and race of others around us.

Allah has sent us clear instructions to live peacefully amongst our fellow human beings. There are numerous ayahs imploring us to be tolerant. Our prophet taught us ultimate patience and tolerance by not punishing those who hurt him and his followers in every possible way, following Allah’s word and the Sunnah, it is imperative that we start accepting the differences and let go of our arrogance. Islam teaches us submission and humility, we must be humble and thank Allah for his blessings and accept the fact that Allah has not given us the right to judge others, but that we are here to lead by example.

Verse (2.256 Al-Baqarah) of the Quranheareth and knoweth all things.

It is our job to spread our message with patience and with humility. Our behavior must be beyond reproach so that we may lead by example.

1. Verse (42:48 Ash-Shura) of the Quran. ‘If then they run away, We have not sent thee as a guard over them. Thy duty is but to convey (the Message). And truly, when We give man a taste of a Mercy from Ourselves, he doth exult thereat, but when some ill happens to him, on account of the deeds which his hands have sent forth, truly then is man ungrateful!’
2. Verse (16:125 An-Nahl) of the Quran. ‘Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance’.
3. Verse (16:82 An-Nahl) of the Quran. ‘But if they turn away, thy duty is only to preach the clear Message’.

Islam recognizes the freedom of beliefs and freedom of religion. Believers find cure and solace in patience. In the Quran, Allah has mentioned patience about 70 times, more than any other virtue. Be tolerant of other beliefs, be patient and treat others with respect, no affliction is worse than hardness of the heart. Being tolerant of others and being kind to others is not a weakness but strength of our belief and our religion. Our prophet’s strength of character, his patience, his kindness towards all fellow human beings, his steadfastness and his unrelenting belief in the Truth pulled all who knew him towards him. Even the ones who did not convert trusted him. The Prophet followed Allah’s words and spread his message without punishing the ones who did not accept the message. All humanity belongs to Allah, the sun shines and the rain comes down on the believers and the unbelievers. Allah has given all the same gifts and blessings in this world. He gives each of us the time to come back to him. but has not given us the right to punish anyone for his or her specific beliefs. Punishing the unbelievers or the believers who have opinions that are different from you is against our moral duty. Allah is providing for them and we would be committing a crime against Him if we were intolerant. Tolerance is our religious duty. We must accept that even within the Muslim community, we have various beliefs and we do not have a right to force others to follow our opinions. 4. Verses (22.67-69 – Al-Hajj) To every People have We appointed rites and ceremonies which they must follow: let them not then dispute with thee on the matter, but do thou invite (them) to thy Lord: for thou art assuredly on the Right Way’. If they do wrangle with thee, say, "Allah knows best what it is ye are doing". "Allah will judge between you on the Day of Judgment concerning the matters in which ye differ". 5. Verses (24.54 – An-Nur) Say: "Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and ye for that placed on you. If ye obey him, ye shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message). 6. Verse (86.17 – At-Tariq) Therefore grant a delay to the unbelievers; Give respite to them gently.

When Allah has granted the time and blessings in this world to all, we have absolutely no right to punish our fellow human beings. Allah says ‘Be’ and it is, and it is just as easy for him to take away the blessings and life of his creations. We are going against his will when we take it upon ourselves to make everyone follow our opinions and beliefs. Allah loves humility and does not appreciate arrogance, our Daawa is important but our work is only to spread the message. We must teach our children, the Muslim humility, tolerance and kindness towards all. Muslims and Non Muslims should have the freedom to follow their own beliefs without demeaning the other faiths. It is our responsibility to follow Allah’s words and protect each other’s faith and their places of worship from being attacked by any group. Say ‘No’ to injustice and violence against any group, it is our duty, that each individual must take ownership and responsibility to protect each other from any hostile group. We must stand up for justice and peace, Now! We must not allow internal or external groups to incite us against each other. We must teach our children the importance of respecting each other and accepting the differences. Show the Islamic strength of tolerance so that we may prosper in this world and the hereafter. Verse (5:8) of the Quran. O you who believe, be upright for Allah and (be) bearers of witness with justice. Verse (5:8) of the Quran. O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do. Verse (60:8) of the Quran. Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for Allah loveth those who are just Bibliography: Translation of the Holy Quran – Abdullah Yusuf Ali Tolerance in Islam – Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

In case you are not sure whether my quotations or Anonymous's should be believed, here are a few more extracts from the Koran, first about Jews, second about Christians and third about homosexuals that might make you lean towards my thoughts:

'Ignominy shall be their portion [the Jews'] wheresoever they are found... They have incurred anger from their Lord, and wretchedness is laid upon them... because they disbelieve the revelations of Allah and slew the Prophets wrongfully... because they were rebellious and used to transgress. [Surah 111, v. 112] And thou wilt find them [the Jews] the greediest of mankind....[Surah 11, v. 96] Evil is that for which they sell their souls... For disbelievers is a terrible doom.[Surah II, v. 90] Taste ye [Jews] the punishment of burning.[Surah III, v. 18 1] Proclaim a woeful punishment to those that hoard up gold and silver.... Their treasures shall be heated in the dres of Hell, and their foreheads, sides and backs branded with them. . . . 'Taste then the punishment which is your due. [Surah IX, v. 35] "They [the Jews] are the heirs of Hell.... They will spare no pains to corrupt you. They desire nothing but your ruin. Their hatred is clear from what they say ... When evil befalls you they rejoice." Ibid. [Surah 111, v. 117-120] Those who disbelieve Our revelations, We shall expose them to the fire. As often as their skins are consumed We shall exchange them for fresh skins that they may taste the torment.[Surah IV, v. 56] Because of the wrongdoing of the Jews.... And of their taking usury ... and of their devouring people's wealth by false pretenses. We have prepared for those of them who disbelieve a painful doom.[Surah IV, v. 160, 161] Allah hath cursed them [the Jews] for their disbelief.[Surah IV, v. 46] They [the Jews] will spare no pains to corrupt you. They desire nothing but your ruin. Their hatred is clear from what they say, but more violent is the hatred which their breasts conceal.[Surah III, v. 117-120] In truth the disbelievers are an open enemy to you.[Surah IV, v. 101] And thou seest [Jews and Christians] vying one with another in sin and transgression and their devouring of illicit gain. Verily evil is what they do. Why do not the rabbis and the priests forbid their evilspeaking and their devouring of illicit gain? .... evil is their handiwork.[Surah V, v. 62, 63] O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and Christians for friends. [Surah V, v. 51] The most vehement of mankind in hostility [are] the Jews and the idolators.[Surah V, v. 82] Fight against such of those [Jews and Christians] ... until they pay for the tribute readily, being brought low.[Surah IX, v. 29] Allah fighteth against them [the Jews]. How perverse they are![Surah IX, v. 30] Believers, many are the rabbis and the monks who defraud men of their possessions... Proclaim a woeful punishment to those that hoard up gold and silver and do not spend it in Allah's cause.... their treasures shall be heated in the fire of Hell.... [Surah IX, v. 26-34] They [the Jews] spread evil in the land .... [Surah V, v. 62-66] [The Jews] knowingly perverted [the word of Allah], know of nothing except lies ... commit evil and become engrossed in sin. [Surah II, v. 71-85]' The Jews say Ezra is the son of God, while the Christians say the Messiah is the son of God. Such are their assertions, by which they imitate the infidels of old. God confound them! How perverse they are! —Qur’an 9:30 "Of all the creatures in the world, will ye approach males, And leave those whom Allah has created for you to be your mates? Nay, ye are a people transgressing (all limits)! They said: "If thou desist not, O Lut! thou wilt assuredly be cast out!" He said: "I do detest your doings:" "O my Lord! deliver me and my family from such things as they do!" So We delivered him and his family,- all Except an old woman who lingered behind. But the rest We destroyed utterly. We rained down on them a shower (of brimstone): and evil was the shower on those who were admonished (but heeded not)! Verily in this is a Sign: but most of them do not believe. And verily thy Lord is He, the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful." (Qur'an 26:165-175)'

So Anonymous what say you?