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.
Running totals from Sura 2 to 12.
Total number of verses from Sura 2 to 12: 1700
Total number of verses which preach violence against non-Moslems: 369
Violent verses as a % of total from Sura 2 to 12: 22%
Sura 2 to 12 as a % of the Koran: 36%
[meaning still lots more violence to go....]
Sura 12 [reviewed here] is the only long Sura without a long diatribe of hate and violence. There is a reason for that. Sura 12 is the story of Joseph the son of Jacob, a Jewish Prophet who is appropriated by Moslems to be a key member of the Allah cult. This is of course another exercise in gibberish and irrationality. But this is after all the Koran, a man-made document which is a cult manifesto outlining why Moslems will rule the earth in the name of Hub'Allah or the moon deity of Mecca, who sounds suspiciously the same as Muhammad in the Koran. This chapter has 2 big ideas which the reader cannot miss, since the writers repeat them over and over and over and over again....
First, all of the great Jewish prophets including Joseph were really Moslems. Thus Islam is the logical end-point for monotheistic belief. Joseph was preaching submission to Hub'Allah some 2500 years before Muhammad founded the cult. In this regard the story of Joseph is retold with Joseph the prophet of the Allah-thing. This story and theme comprises almost the whole chapter.
"And I [Joseph] follow the ways of my fathers, - Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and never could we attribute any partners whatever to God: that (comes) of the grace of God to us and to mankind: yet most men are not grateful.” [12:38]
Even Joseph's dreams made famous in the Old Testament account, were of course generated by the Allah-thing:
“My Lord! You have indeed bestowed on me of the sovereignty, and taught me the interpretation of dreams; The (only) Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Wali (Protector, Helper, Supporter, Guardian, etc.) in this world and in the Hereafter, cause me to die as a Muslim (the one submitting to Your Will), and join me with the righteous.” [12:101]
Second, Joseph, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are the followers of Allah. Only the ilah idol may be worshipped. Allah has nothing in common of course with the Hebrew Yahweh, or with Christian monotheism. Such a conflation is not only mendacious but dangerous. Ascribing to the Meccan moon cult any of the attributes of Judeo-Christianity, would be like conflating Chinghis Khan's Sky God theology with Russian Christianity. It is dumb.
The intent is clear. This chapter was written for the benefit of Jews and Christians. If the ancient prophets were really followers of Allah, then shouldn't you just submit to Muhammad and the Meccan cult? From this premise it is a short step away to violence against any who don't believe that Joseph was actually a Moslem:
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And how many a sign in the heavens and the earth they pass by, while they are averse therefrom. |
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And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him [i.e. they are Mushrikun -polytheists - see Verse 6: 121]. |
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Do they then feel secure from the coming against them of the covering veil of the Torment of Allah, or of the coming against them of the (Final) Hour, all of a sudden while they perceive not? |
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Say (O Muhammad SAW): "This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e to the Oneness of Allah - Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah)." |
These verses are implied threats. Most of 'them' namely the Jews and Christians don't believe that Joseph was a Moslem, nor do they want to prostrate themselves to Muhammad's cult [12:105,106]. Allah's torment will be their reward [12:107]. Anyone who follows Muhammad and believes in the oneness and singularity of Allah will be rewarded [12:108].
This entire chapter seems pretty desperate. First steal and plagiarize the story of Joseph. Second, conflate Allah with Yahweh. Third, threaten torment upon those who do not follow the Allah-Muhammad cult. There is of course no expression in this chapter of the Golden Rule, ethics, tolerance or a love of humankind. Just submit, obey and shut up. Sounds like a cult.