Unfortunately, I'd have to go with "terrorism" in this day and age.

Don't get me wrong--I realize that the Muslim extremist groups are no more representative of Islam as a whole than Bible-thumping Fundamentalists are of Christianity, but the current state of world affairs has given Islam a bad name in the West.

Despite my Christian faith (which is extremely important to me, for without God I am nothing), I must confess to feeling a certain sort of deep sorrow, because the 3 great monotheistic religions--Judaism, Chrisitanity, & Islam--are collectively responsible for more human misery than any other religious creeds I can personally think of.  I honestly do not feel that that is what the founders of these faiths intended, but it has happened nonetheless. 

A real shame, actually.

 God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes.  God loves just dealers.  (Quran, 60:8)

The Prophet Muhammad  used to prohibit soldiers from killing women and children,¹ and he would advise them: {...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.}²  And he also said: {Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years.}³

Also, the Prophet Muhammad  has forbidden punishment with fire.⁴

He once listed murder as the second of the major sins,⁵ and he even warned that on the Day of Judgment, {The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed.⁶}⁷

Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are forbidden to hurt them.  Once the Prophet Muhammad  said: {A woman was punished because she imprisoned a cat until it died.  On account of this, she was doomed to Hell. While she imprisoned it, she did not give the cat food or drink, nor did she free it to eat the insects of the earth.}⁸

He also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink, so God forgave his sins for this action.  The Prophet  was asked, �Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?�  He said: {There is a reward for kindness to every living animal or human.}⁹

Additionally, while taking the life of an animal for food, Muslims are commanded to do so in a manner that causes the least amount of fright and suffering possible.  The Prophet Muhammad  said: {When you slaughter an animal, do so in the best way.  One should sharpen his knife to reduce the suffering of the animal.}¹⁰

In light of these and other Islamic texts, the act of inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians, the wholesale destruction of buildings and properties, the bombing and maiming of innocent men, women, and children are all forbidden and detestable acts according to Islam and the Muslims.  Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the vast majority have nothing to do with the violent events some have associated with Muslims.  If an individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism, this person would be guilty of violating the laws of Islam.

About women, what about these ones:

"And all married women are forbidden unto you except those captives whom your right hand possesses. It is a decree of Allah for you. Lawful unto you are all beyond thosementioned, so that you seek them with your wealth in honest wedlock, not debauchery."(Quran: Al Nisa: 4 - 24)
   
"They ask Thee concerning Women's courses. Say to them: 'They are a Hurt and a Pollution: So keep away from women in their courses and do not approach them until they are clean.' But when they are purified, Yee may approach them in any manner, time or place. Ordained for you by Allah, for Allah loves those who turn to him constantly and he loves those who keep themselves Pure and Clean." (Quran: Al Baqarah: 2 - 222)

"Your wives are as a tilth unto you; so approach your tilth when or how ye will." (Quran: Al Baqarah: 2 - 223)

"Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has given the one more than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in absence, what God would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them, refuse to share their beds, & beat them." (Quran: Al Nisa 4 - 34)

"O Prophet! surely We have made lawful to you your wives whom you have given their dowries, and those whom your right hand possesses out of those whom Allah has given to you as prisoners of war, and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts, and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who fled with you; and a believing woman if she gave herself to the Prophet, if the Prophet desired to marry her. Specially for you, not for the believers; we know what we have ordained for them concerning their wives and those whom their right hands possess in order that no blame may attach to you; and Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (Quran: Al Ahzab: 33 - 50)

"As for those of your women who are guilty of lewdness, confine them to the houses until death take them." (Quran: Al Nisa: 4 - 15)

Sorry to say this but when I hear Islam I think of terrorism and especially 9/11.

Originally posted by eaglecap

This creature is shocking. This is no spider it Science Fiction.

I think that the Arabs have left behind a solid foundation for the generations ahead. But FYI Umar (Rathia Allaho Anho) ordered the library of Alexandria burnt to the ground. The Arabs after Islam were great people. But they never learned to form a government and an impire until they moved to Baghdad and adobted many of the persian culture. There they really contributed to humanity