Islam Is a Religion of Peace

Since this is Round 4, I will have to refute my opponent's arguments and have to defend my own arguments. Attacking My Opponent's Case: I. A Brief Introduction. Yes. The Qur'an does give examples of Allah encouraging fighting, but all examples have to do with self defense. Allah can preach peace and not encourage fighting, but still fight. How? Because the Qur'an does allow Muslims to defend themselves against attackers. If I can prove that Islam does not encourage either aggressive war and violence, nor a breaking of mutual harmony between different groups of peoples and religions, I can win this debate. II. Is War Now Peaceful? "It is for this reason that the Qur'an declares that a believer with understanding is ten times stronger than an unbeliever. For the believer understands the truth and a non-believer does not. It may be remembered, however, that the verse also mentions another important factor in addition to 'understanding' which makes a believer much stronger than an unbeliever, and that is 'patience'."[1] They only think the believer stronger because the non-believer does not understand the truth. Qur'an Verse 8:65 also mentions "steadfast"[2], which means the non-believers attacked first. The call to battle is the call to defend Islam. "In the verse quoted above [8:65] in which Muslims are urged to make ready their "strength to the utmost" of their power, one needs to take into account (a) the context of the entire Chapter, where it deals with treachery, hypocrisy and unilateral abrogation of a treaty that was imposed upon Muslims by their adversaries, and (b) the verse that comes after it."[3] So obviously, this is a war of self-defense. III. Allah Says: Fight for Me. Let's look at the verse in true context: "Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And kill them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for persecution and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, kill them. Such is the reward of those who reject faith. But if they cease, God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in God; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. The prohibited month, for the prohibited month, and so for all things prohibited, there is the law of equality. If then any one transgresses the prohibition against you, transgress ye likewise against him. But fear (the punishment of) God, and know that God is with those who restrain themselves." (Qur'an 2;190-194) [2][4] "However, the Qur'an clearly prohibits aggression. The verses explain that fighting is only for self-defence."[4] Ok, so the Qur'an in the verse and chapter is saying that Muslims may defend their home and fight in the name of self defense, but if the enemy ceases his assault, Muslims should stop since they would be the opressors otherwise. It is peaceful to defend yourself. IV. I Often Smite Those I Disagree With, too. "Recall that your Lord inspired the angels: "I am with you; so support those who believed. I will throw terror into the hearts of those who disbelieved. You may strike them above the necks, and you may strike even every finger." This is what they have justly incurred by FIGHTING God and His messenger. For those who fight against God and His messenger, God's retribution is severe." (Qur'an 8:12-13) [2][4] Also, "And you did not kill them, but it was Allah who killed them. And you threw not, [O Muhammad], when you threw, but it was Allah who threw that He might test the believers with a good test. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing." (Qur'an 8:17) [2] Again, self defense. Also, not the Muslims doing the killing. That is Allah who sends them into hell for disbelief. So, still, Islam does not preach violence. V. A Bit Controversial, huh? Let's look at the before verses: "[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists.So travel freely, [O disbelievers], throughout the land [during] four months but know that you cannot cause failure to Allah and that Allah will disgrace the disbelievers. And [it is] an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage that Allah is disassociated from the disbelievers, and [so is] His Messenger. So if you repent, that is best for you; but if you turn away - then know that you will not cause failure to Allah . And give tidings to those who disbelieve of a painful punishment.Excepted are those with whom you made a treaty among the polytheists and then they have not been deficient toward you in anything or supported anyone against you; so complete for them their treaty until their term [has ended]. Indeed, Allah loves the righteous [who fear Him]." (Qur'an 9:1-4) [2] Now, the verse in question in true context: "But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah. and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge." (Qur'an 9:5-6) [2][4] And the story: "Prophet Muhammad was inspired to use this [peace] period to encourage the combatants to join the Muslim ranks or, if they chose, to leave the area that was under Muslims rule; however, if they were to resume hostilities, then the Muslims would fight back until victorious."[4] So, the verse is taken out of context. The story was about a war that had a peace, and if the enemy ever broke the peace, to resume the fighting until they win, but should not fight otherwise, for Allah liketh not aggressors. Defending yourself is peaceful. Defending My Case: I. What Does Islam Mean? "Arabic salām (سَلاَم‎), Maltese Sliem, Hebrew Shalom (שָׁלוֹם), Ge'ez salām (ሰላም), Syriac šlama (ܫܠܡܐ) are cognate Semitic terms for "peace", deriving from a Proto-Semitic *šalām-."[5] Ok so we've established that Salam means peace. سلام vs. إسلام Salam vs. Islam [5] The two words in letters and in Arabic (especially Arabic, its language) are almost indentical. Islam is clearly derived from Salam. In Arabic, the have the same root, and Islam only adds that last stroke on the left. So we've established that Islam derives from Salam, which means peace. "In a religious context it means "VOLUNTARY submission to God."[6] Forced conversions are not defined as voluntary, thus a peaceful religion." So, Islam means voluntary submission, and derives from a word meaning peace. That is established. II. What Does the Qur'an Say? Ok. I have peaceful verses. I have refuted your violent verses. You have to refute mine. You have conceded here. III.-V. Muhammad, Abu Bakr, and Later Successors of Them. Another concession. Conclusion: Islam is a Religion of Peace that only fights for self defense, and Allah will do the punishing later, not the people themselves. Since we had a forfeit, I will let my opponent choose between a 2500 character max conclusion, or a full round with refutations and defending of own arguments (no new arguments). Please specify in the beginning of your argument which one you want. Sources: [1]:http://www.islamicstudies.info... [2]:http://quran.com... [3]:http://www.islamicity.com... [4]:http://islamnewsroom.com... [5]:http://en.wikipedia.org... [6]:http://en.wikipedia.org...