Islam’s History of Forced Conversions
Finding and connecting similar patterns of behavior throughout Islamic history is one of the most objective ways of determining whether something is or is not part of Muslim civilization.
Consider the issue of forced conversion in Islam, a phenomenon that has a long history with ample precedents. Indeed, from its inception, most of those who embraced Islam did so under duress, beginning with the Ridda wars and during the age of conquests, and to escape dhimmi status. This is a simple fact.
Yet, when one examines today’s cases of forced conversions with those from centuries past, identical patterns emerge, demonstrating great continuity. Consider:
Days ago in Pakistan, two Christian men were severely beaten with iron rods and left for dead by a group of Muslims, simply because they refused to convert to Islam. According to Compass Direct News, they were returning from a church service when they were accosted by six Muslims. After they discovered they were Christian, the Muslims:
then started questioning them about their faith and later tried to force them to recite the Kalma [Islamic conversion creed, “There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger”] and become Muslims, telling them that this was the only way they could live peacefully in the city. They also offered monetary incentives and “protection” to Ishfaq and Naeem [the Christians], but the two refused to renounce Christianity.
“After cajoling the two Christians for some time,” the Muslims pretended to go away, only to ram their car into the Christians: “The Muslims [then] got out of the car armed with iron rods and attacked Ishfaq and Naeem, shouting that they should either recite the Kalma or be prepared to die…severely beating[ing] the two Christians, fracturing Ishfaq Munawar’s jaw and breaking five teeth, and seriously injuring Masih…. [T]he two Christians fell unconscious, and the young Muslim men left assuming they had killed them.”
Contrast this contemporary account with the following anecdote from some 500 years past (excerpted from Witnesses for Christ, pgs.62-64):
In the year 1522, two Christian brothers in Ottoman Egypt were denounced by local Muslims “mostly out of jealousy and envy”; so the emir arrested them and “began flattering them and asking questions about their faith.” The brothers made it clear that they were firm adherents of Christianity. “The Muslims in the audience became enraged with the brothers when they heard their answers, and they began screaming and demanding they must become Muslims.” The brothers responded by refusing to “deny the faith we received from our forefathers, but we will remain unshaken and very firm in it until the end.”
The Muslim judge deciding their case told the Christian brothers that if they simply said the Kalma and embraced Islam, they “would be given many honors and much glory”; otherwise, they would die. At that point, the brothers’ mother came to support them, but “when the Muslims in court noticed her, they fell upon her, tore her clothing, and gave her a thorough beating.”
After rebuking them for their savagery, the brothers reaffirmed that they would never deny Christianity for Islam, adding “behold our necks, do what you wish, but do it quickly.”
Hearing this, one of the Muslims in the audience became so angry that he took out a knife and stabbed Kyrmidoles [one brother] in the chest, while someone else kicked him as hard as possible, and another dropped a large stone on his head. Finally, they plucked out his eyes. Thus Kyrmidoles died. As for Gabriel [his brother] they threw him to the ground and one of the soldiers severed his right shoulder and then proceeded and cut off his head.
Now, consider the near identical patterns in the two accounts, separated by half a millennium:
- The Muslims first begin by talking to the Christians about their religion, suggesting they convert to Islam.
- Failing to persuade the Christians, the Muslims proceed to “cajole” and offer “monetary incentives and protection” (in the modern case) and “flatter” and offer “many honors and much glory” (in the historic case). All that the Christians need do is speak some words, the Kalma, and become Muslim.
- When the Christians still refuse, the Muslims fly into a savage rage, beating and torturing their victims to death (in the modern case, the Muslims assumed they had killed their victims).
Considering the Ottoman Empire and contemporary Pakistan are separated by culture, language, and some 500 years, how does one explain these identical patterns? What binds them together?
Only Islam—Islam empowered, Islam in charge; Muslim majorities governing, and thus abusing their non-Muslim minority. A fact of life, past and present.
Related: Don’t miss Christian Adams at the Tatler, “Iranian Execution of Christian Convert Would Follow Islamic Law.”
Mr. Ibrahim, if he will be executed as an apostate what will happen with his wife and children?
If there’s any justice in the world, they’ll grow up to hunt down and kill his executioners.
And maybe they will if they survive longer than this week.
I’m not very familiar with the Shariah law, and even less with the mad mullahs interpretation of it, but there are a few rules regarding apostasy:
1- Apostates are to be given three days to repent and return to Islam. If (s)he refuses, (s)he is immediately killed. All Sharia books agree unanimously on this point. (Hanafi law in general, Shafi’i law f1.3, Hanbali law (from Al Mughni), Maliki law and Codified Islamic law).
2- It is obligatory for the caliph to ask him to repent and return to Islam. If he does, it is accepted from him, but if he refuses, he is immediately killed.
3- There is no indemnity for killing an apostate (or any expiation, since it is killing someone who deserves to die)
4- Testimony of apostates is not admissible.
5- An apostate does not inherit from Muslim parents.
6- Marriage of an apostate is immediately dissolved if the spouse is and remains Muslim.
So if his sons do not disown their father they will be probably executed as well when they will reach maturity (on the other hand Iran has a long established track of executing juveniles). Same with his wife – will rule #6 will apply?
I’m afraid this execution is actually more than one.
See for yourself:
http://hurryupharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/yousef-nadarkhani351.jpg
Martyrdom, perhaps. If they are permitted to live, but left destitute, let them come to the Church for aid, either in their country or via the internet. Either his wife will remarry, or they will become wards of the Church. They will receive help despite the government’s efforts to interfere.
Most religions recognize that forced conversions do not result in true believers. That anyone could think otherwise is one of the very faces of evil.
I’m pretty sure convert muslims are not considered as true as natural born muslims. for the reason you mentioned, questions of allegiance. now I’m thinking about Obama. wonder why?
I am not religious but I’m interested in these matters and not too shy about asking questions. I once asked a devout Muslim colleague of Egyptian heritage whether Muslims viewed converts to Islam as real Muslims. I think I specifically mentioned the category of African-Americans who had converted to Islam in prison and I may even mentioned either Elijah Mohammed or Malcolm X, who were both prison converts.
He gave me what felt like the “politically correct” answer: that it was not his place or the place of his fellow Muslims to question the sincerity of anyone’s conversion to Islam. His body language, however, gave me the impression that HE had some qualms about accepting converts – or maybe just THESE converts? – as true Muslims.
Of course this is just an anecdote about one Muslim expressing his personal opinion. I don’t imagine he would claim to speak for all Muslims.
I also recall that this same individual was quite dismissive of whole branches of Islam. For instance, on one occasion, I think I mentioned the Shi’ite minority in one of the Muslim-dominated countries and he declared that “those people aren’t even real Muslims”.
My impression is that there is some significant diversity within Islam about many issues. I imagine that the purity of converts is one of them.
Bernard Lewis in an excellent treatise, “Race and Color in Islam”, points out that the Qur’an indicates blacks are not well liked nor treated in Islam – people of colors “for those who know” and that abeed is the term for blacks – check out Twitter under “abeed” – like the “N” word. Sudan means “the blacks”. All early art in Islam makes blacks out to be subservient – the servants, slaves and eunuchs. Early literature points out the curse of being black in Islam (1001 Arabian Nights….etc.,)- it’s the Arabs and the African conquwered kingdoms who kept slavery alive – Arabs to this day – islam is a racist nazi culture, no doubt.
Are there those who are so blind that they WILL NOT see? yup!
Muslims don’t really care if they are devout – they take a long view. The religious police will keep them in line – and their children will be fully indoctrinated.
Muhammad made the god the only god to worship at the kaaba. There was 360, the god being one of them, and called the moon god. Muhammad’s family worshiped the moon god. That is why he never had to explain who the god was. Plus, the moon is still on their Mosques.
A lot of CFR members worship the god, and chat at full moons for his return. Tammuz, the rebirth of Nimrod ruler of the known world system at the time, and Lucifer’s man on earth. Called the Tower of Bable.
Islam, another pagan religion, is of the world, and loved by the world system. See Lucis Trust inside the UN building on how to chant on full moons for the return of the moon god.
There is no fun or humour in Islam and nothing funny about Islam but it is without question the world’s biggest joke.
Mr. Ibrahim,
I feel that your title doesn’t match the content very well. “History” suggests that you will show how Muslims have been forcefully converting non-Muslims since the beginning of Islam, and continuously ever since. But all you have in the article are some anecdotes that go back a couple hundred years.
No other religion has a history of forced conversions early in its history like Islam does. The earliest Jews under Abraham didn’t do that, and neither did Christians for the first 300 years of Christianity. But it’s quite amazing that “all” the city of Mecca submitted to Islam when Muhammad conquered it – No pagans remained. And the women & children of the Banu Qurayza were converted before after their men were all executed, even though those men had never actually even attacked Muslims. They had just entered into negotiations with the pagan Meccans. Furthermore, Muhammad’s disciples continued forcefully converting pagans & Zoroastrians after Muhammad’s death*.
Modern Muslims love pointing out how the earliest Muslims treated Christians and Jews, but they don’t talk about how the earliest Muslims treated pagans & Zoroastrians. Oh yeah, that’s because they forcefully converted them.
* As an aside, it’s interesting how despite Muslims putting so much faith in the Qur’an, Muhammad didn’t have it compiled into an authoritative version before his death. Muhammad didn’t prepare Muslims for how to deal with a succession of authority either, which caused the Shi’a-Sunni split. It seems Muhammad didn’t care much about what happened to Islam after his death – He was only concerned about his own power during his own lifetime. Sounds like a typical cult leader, complete with Muhammad’s own harem. Did Abraham, the OT prophets, or Jesus have harems or political power? With the exception of Moses having political power, the answer’s unequivocally no.
The Zoroastrians,Druze,Buddhist,Jews and Christians survived the muslim invasions,enslavement,persecution and forced conversions only because they had huge followings,histories,property and lands muslims could steal.And they fought back for hundreds of years.
There were many other small religions and tribes that were completely exterminated.The few surviving women and children became slaves and converts and their history and culture destroyed.
Muslims believe the world their g-d given right.The only valuable human life is a muslims and that isn’t even worth much to them,hence honor killings.
The question is can we survive .France isn’t doing well and Norway isn’t far behind.
“Modern Muslims love pointing out how the earliest Muslims treated Christians and Jews…”
The very earliest Muslims (i.e. those in Mohammed’s time) despoiled, enslaved, killed, or exiled virtually all the Jews of Arabia. And Yathrib, a city where many Jews once lived, was renamed … Medina.
My dog mohammed thinks Muslims are funny. If she was a male, she would lift her leg in salute !!
Islam – the religion of peas
It all started with Salman Parsi forcing his ways on Arabs. His teachings inspired Halabi Qureshi (aka Mohammad). Later he managed to rally them to conquer Iran and murder all Iranians and burn the worlds greatest libraries. Art was destroyed. The irony is that he was inspired to proselytize after he walked past a Church. Long story.
Very true indeed. I think Salman Parsi’s story of treachery must be brought up in full for everyone to understand how Islam came out to be a dangerous violent invading force to reckon with.
Islam’s view of non-Muslims like myself, also known as an unbeliever, infidel or kuffer can be summed up in Koran 98:6 where I am described as “the worst of creatures.” It seems rather strange that after being described this way I would still be invited to become a Muslim. It brings to mind a quote attributed to groucho Marx “I wouldn’t belong to club that would have someone like me as a member.”
Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani faces execution for refusing to recant Christian beliefs
Scroll down for information on what to do about this.
Whenever the Barbary Pirates captured western prisoners on board ship around 1800, most of the prisoners were made slaves and endured a horrible “life” until they either died or were bought back by western nations. Some converted to Islam just to escape this barbarity, but most did not and were literally worked to death.
The rich prisoners that were taken were treated better simply because they were held for ransom and the pirates thought that they would get more if the hostages were kept alive and well. But for the poor sailors on board the captured ships, life was filled with pain and cruelty. This was one of the many reasons why president Thomas Jefferson sent our fleet in 1801 to attack the Barbary Pirates. It was not only to get back American hostages, but to teach the pirates a lesson that if they ever attacked American ships again they would have to face American warships with American cannons on them. Interesting how some things NEVER change in the Muslim world.
The only good thing about muslims is that they live in squalor and shit and spend most of their time screwing their ape sisters. The tragedy is when civilized nations let them in.
So long as they stay in their pigsty deserts and don’t bother real humans, I can (just about)tolerate them.
Muslims should write a ‘new testament’. It seems they are stuck in the Dark Ages as Christianity was for so long. Current Christianity doesn’t commit the atrocities of the past. Islam has taken up the slack. Perhaps Islam will change also.
If Islamic reformation happens, they can get out of the rut they are in. Seems like a big task though. Good luck.
It will never happen. The tenant of Islam is way more different even from the old testament. Islam is not a religion, but a deadly cult and there is no doubt about that. It is just the silence, appeasement and urge to pushing the issue under the carpet by the civilized people of the world, that has made it to become such a virulent killing force that it is now.
Civilized nations and their corrupt wimpy leaders have been allowing them to keep marching with no boundaries and no accountability for their deadly acts and deeds. All because of massive economical profits and the shake up of the status quot as the result of their demise.
They are here to stay and that is how we in the free world will get to live with. Damn those who do nothing, say nothing and allow these monstrous force to step all over us.
Read these 2 links for more education on Islam:
http://www.derafsh-kaviyani.org/english/
http://www.amilimani.com
An odd remark, as Christianity IS the New Testament.
Most “Christianity was stuck in the dark ages” remarks are made out of a lack of info. Europeans were stuck in the Dark Ages when they refused to follow Christianity.
The missionaries who Christianized the barbaric European people were up against a formidable obstacle. The Pre-Christian Europeans were vile people who murdered their babies with impunity. One early evangelist remarked on the Irish being “absolutely addicted to incest.” Pagan Europe was sick indeed – I’m sorry if you’ve heard from ridiculous Wicca-nuts that it was some sort of artsy paradise. It was a muddy, evil hell.
Most of that “Christianity was evil” stuff is just the pagan Europeans maintaining their vile ways while posing as Christians. Christianity civilized a disgusting continent, and any failings it had along the way I’m willing to excuse, considering the alternative.
Islam–the world’s largest Satanic cult.
Islam cannot change because Muslims or anyone who tries to change it will get killed by Muslims.
Islam is for barbaric people.
We preach to the choir here – go out and spread the good news!!
OK: go out and spread the alarm!!!
If people think you are crazy or obsessed, so be it – at least they hear the alarm…..now will they listen and move their collective tuchases (french for fat asses!)?
Persecution of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan and Bangladesh and also Christians in Egypt is so severe, they all need to be rescued out of these Muslim countries into America and other Western countries. Unfortunately, they are not rescued and it is mostly Muslims who come in massive numbers to our countries.
G-D help Christians, Hindus and other non-Muslims in Muslim countries. THERE IS NO ONE TO HELP THEM!
Jihad is an obligation in the Koran. The Koran commands ALL nations and ALL peoples are conquered by Muslims.
Once Muslim numbers become large enough in Western countries, the same terrible things will be perpetrated against non-Muslim innocents.
Our leaders have wickedly betrayed us by bringing into our countries a people who seek to conquer us and DESTROY our superior, caring and merciful civilization. Making a mockery of the many brave heroes who fought and died in the world wars so that we could live in freedom and safety.
Conversion to Islam has been always by force. One example is India. When the Moguls invaded India, people were forced to accept Islam. In the Southern State of Kerala, thousands of Hindu families were forced to accept Islam using the muscle power. Governments one after another began giving special treatment to Muslims and they made use of this every time. Millions of dollars are being sent from places like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait etc. for the purpose of conversion. While Christian preachers use the message of love of Jesus, Islamic fundamentalists use money and muscle power. In recent years, hundreds of Hindu girls were victims of Love Jihad, a term used by Muslim youths to destroy Hindu virgins. These youths will pretend to be in real love with the girls and those who fell into the trap will be given lots of promises and once they have had sex with them these youths change their tone. They will demand conversion to Islam. Many were rescued by the parents and social workers with the help of judiciary. Similar things are happening in US also. Parents and young girls should be highly vigilat of the sinister moves by the Islamists. They will be soft as doves in the beginning and later they will show the real wolf in them.
No one is as qualified to speak on Islam like Mr. Raymond Ibrahim. I have been reading him for a while now and can honestly say his observations border between profound and genius. No one has opened my eyes to Islam as much as he. I encourage anyone interested in Islam to visit his websites and read all his articles and books. You will be the better for it. And I hope Pajamas Media posts even more articles from him (the irony is he looks like such a very young man).
If one spends several times searching in history books to select some particular citations in order to constructer a general theory, seriously this person may lack of knowledge to use scientific tools to constructer epistemology differentia the good from the bad premises.
Unfortunately, the author again uses same methodology to build structure of argument to draw generalization judgment. Of course, such citations that occurred either present or past are unacceptable or are less described as barbaric and despicable behavior which all religions that mankind knew it, either monotheistic religion or others, are denied or refused
However, insisting to conclude that such behavior are from Islam or labeled to Islam, unfortunately it indicates how the prejudiced motive the author to shut down the rational thinking to rely on sentiment.
Finally, when I was reading this article, the author reminds me the song Zombie for band Cranberries.
Look at what you say, Mo: “insisting to conclude that such behavior are from Islam or labeled to Islam, unfortunately it indicates how the prejudiced motive the author to shut down the rational thinking to rely on sentiment”
But that’s the whole point of the article — to show that the two examples have nothing in common EXCEPT Islam. As Mr Ibrahim points out, Ottomans and Pakistan have nothing in common, except Islam.
So if it’s not Islam that leads to this behavior, then what accounts for the identical parallels? Economics? Politics? Maybe Israel (which of course didn’t exist in the Ottoman era)??
well Zum,
The point is that any Muslim person Committed silly thing by, the media hasty way claim
from Islam. Certainly, there is no doubt that many my follow Muslims unfortunately failed to comprehend the message of Islam which converged with Christianity and Judaism about the ten commandments (17: 20-39). The essential question is; how many Muslims or Western scholars are aware this truthness. And this is my rebuke to author.
Mr. Mirza, what is the message of Islam? Is it not forcing others to accept the way of life even when you are in the country of others? I have seen all others like Hindus and Buddhists living in Western countries adjusting to the customs and culture of these countries and at the same time practising their beliefs. Why Muslims cannot adopt and live according to the customs of their host countries? Why do Muslims create problems after problems in the society they live by showing their aggressive nature of dress code etc? Is that you call peaceful and loving. No sir. The way Muslims act in all parts of the world where they settle, they are trying to establish supremacy and that is the problem. They are the problem in almost every non Muslim countries because of their arrogant attitude. Unless educated Muslims come out and prove that they are a part of the society and they are against the Jihadists. I have yet to see someone coming out in this way. Talk is easy Mr. Mirza. Action that is we what we need positive brotherly action not aggressive forceful action.
They say they are a peaceful religion? HAHAHA.God never forces anybody to love Him and receive Christ..it is your own choice.God has already loved the World (sinners) so much that He gave His Only Son(Jesus Christ ) or Emmanuel=God with us,so in Him we can be born again and have everlasting life and be forgiven of our sins by the power of His shed Blood Eph.1:7(John3:16 God gave His Son)Plus that Body that God formed was our Once & for all sacrifice 1Cor.5:7 and God Himself was in that Body 2Cor.5:19.Yes God loved us so much that He became flesh for you & me 1Tim.3:16.
Without Christ,you Have No Forgiveness of your sins.Rom.3:25 .
New Jerusalem above is where we go.It is Spiritual and we are spirit in God’s image..All the earth will be destroyed by God.
All the Hate & Violence and killing for their religion is simply of the devil not of God as God forces no one,the devil forces .
So,in these lastdays,we see the 2 brothers Isaac & Ishmael(Good & evil)or if you like use Cain & Able…Good and evil..Jehovah God or Elohim wins in the end.
Our life is not here in this world,it is in New Jerusalem above(Spiritual Jerusalem..God is Spirit John4:24.Oh yes..No sex in heaven.Spirit bodies have no gentitals..God even says no marriages in heaven.No need to procreate in heaven..besides sex without marriage is (Fornication) an abomination to Father God 1Cor.6:9,10…so no virgins for the sinners in heaven or hell.
Yes,without Christ your soul will perish in hell & the lake of fire Mark9:45,46 on and Rev.20:10-14…All serving Religions do not know God or His Word..and will not Enter into His Holy Kingdom See 2Thess.1:7-9 The Lord will destroy all who do not KNOW God(Elohim) and ALL who do not obey His Word…Imagine killing over religious beliefs…THis is not at all of God nor is it Peace.
No one force me to became muslem. Its against the Quoran .