Until the advent of materialism and 19th c. dogma, Western Civilisation was superior to anything Islam had developed. Islam has not aided in the development of the modern world; in fact civilisation has only been created in spite of Islam. Proof of this resides in the 'modern' world and the unending political-economic and spiritual poverty of Muslim states and regions. Squatting on richer civilisations is not 'progress'. Islam is pagan, totalitarian, and irrational.
Suffering through the Koran, Sura 30, 'The Roman Empire'.
The Arabs-Muslims defeat the Byzantines in 636 A.D. - all thanks to the Moon Guy.
by Ferdinand III
“The Roman Empire has been defeated” [30:2]. This colossal failure – military and economic – of the Greeks' inability to defeat the marauding Arabs at the Yarmuk river in 636 AD fuelled the Arab self concept that Islam was destined to rule not only Constantinople, but Rome and the entire world. History would be much different, and a lot better, if the Byzantines had been ably led, not devastated by a century of wars with the Persian Sassanids and better informed about their Arab adversaries in 636 A.D. An Arab defeat in 636 A.D. would have confined Islam's cult of death to the beggarly and backwards Arab peninsula.
The Koranic scribblers, authors of little talent and education, attributed the success of Muslim arms to of course, the moon guy, Allah. “With the help of Allah. Never does Allah depart from His promise: but most men do not understand.” [30:6]. The 'promise' is that the world will become unified under one ideology – that of Islam: “Those who reject Faith will suffer from that rejection: and those who work righteousness will spread their couch (of repose) for themselves (in heaven).” [30:44] Faith for Muslims means Islam. Anyone who is outside of Islam is damned, “Travel through the earth and see what was the End of those before (you): most of them worshipped others besides Allah.” [30:42]
Thus given the greatness and support of Allah did the Arabs defeat and takeover a large portion of the rich, educated, sophisticated and advanced Christian empire of the Greek Byzantines. No wonder the Koran is so ill-willed towards Christians. For the first 30 years of its existence, the nascent Muslim faith scored nothing but astounding victories against weakened and surprised Christian adversaries.
“Don't they see that Allah enlarges the provision and restricts it, to whomsoever He pleases? Verily in that are Signs for those who believe.” [30:37] The bounty for those who believe in Allah are endless including territorial conquest. The punishment for those outside the 'faith' are terrible including hell fire and damnation.
Allah's cult must become the standard for all of men – including the wayward, Christ-worshipping Byzantines: “So you set your face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind do not understand.” [30:30] Islam thus is the ONLY standard ideology which men can follow. No other 'faith' will be allowed.
Allah will only give sustenance to those who support his cult, “He creates as He wills, and it is He Who has all knowledge and power.” [30:54] Submission to Allah will guarantee success. “So patiently persevere: for verily the promise of Allah is true: nor let those shake your firmness, who have (themselves) no certainty of faith.” [30:60]
Muslims must just be patient. Allah's time is endless. Muslims don't think in months or years, but in centuries. They are convinced that the moon guy's beneficence will ensure an ideological takeover of the planet. Rome will be conquered one day. As surely as Constantinople fell after 800 years of Arab and Turkish attacks.
[Note: This sura is taken from 'The Holy Quran', translated by Abdullah Yusuf Ali, reprinted in 1995, Goodword Books. Regarded as one of the best translations from Arabic to English of the Koran.]