Criticisms of Islam

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September 11, 2001 attacks, attributed to Islamic extremists, and have drawn criticisms of Islam from both within the religion, and from outsiders.

Islam has been criticized not only by non-Muslims, but also by Muslim intellectuals, academics and activists.


Human rights

Human rights is a serious issue in Islamic states. According to Leo Igwe, head of the Nigerian Skeptics Society, Islam is inherently opposed to human dignity, justice and equality. Human rights violations in Nigeria started after Islam was introduced in the country. Human rights violations in Islamic regimes include torture, maiming, murder, oppression of women, minors and financially backward people. Freedom of religion has no place in Sharia.[1] After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the new Iranian regime showed hostility to human rights. Non-Muslims, who were opposed to the new regime, were often persecuted.[2] Ann Elizabeth Mayer, legal expert at the Wharton School, describing the character of Islamic regimes writes:[3]

They accord priority to rationalizing governmental repression, protecting and promoting social cohesion, and perpetuating traditional hierarchies in society, which means discriminatory treatment of women and non-Muslims.

Muhammad traded and owned slaves.[4]


Sharia, the Islamic law, is criticized for a variety of reasons. There is no separation between religion and politics in Islam. Author Gregory M. Davis argued that Sharia dictates the everyday life of citizens and thus Sharia code can be classified as a form of totalitarianism.[5] Since the social realm is absorbed into the political realm, it is described as totalitarian.[6] Ayaan Hirsi Ali writes:[7]

In every society where family affairs are regulated according to instructions derived from the Shariah or Islamic law, women are disadvantaged. The injustices these women are exposed to in the name of Islam vary from extreme cruelty (forced marriages; imprisonment or death after rape) to grossly unfair treatment in matters of marriage, divorce and inheritance.

Amnesty International expressed concern over the punishments under Sharia law. Stoning, flogging or amputation, which are considered to be inhuman and degrading treatment by international human rights standards, are major concerns regarding Sharia law.[8]

'Religion of hate'

Italian journalist and former Muslim Magdi Allam believes Islam is inherently violent. He said:

Beyond extremists and Islamist terrorism at the global level, the root of evil is inherent in a physiologically violent and historically conflictual Islam.

According to Allam, this religion is characterized by "hate and intolerance".[9]

"Islam wants to take over the world"

According to Conservative American evangelist Pat Robertson, the goal of Islam is world domination. He said "Islam wants to take over the world and is not a religion of peace". Robertson described radical Muslims as "satanic".[10]


Muslims differentiated themselves from Islamic terrorist organizations with the claim Islam promotes peace. But critics proved that Islam promotes terrorism.[11] James M. Arlandson, Ph.D., writes:[12]

In truth, the Muslim apologists who say that Islam is the religion of peace are misleading the public.

In sura 8:12, Qur'an says to those willing to impose their religious belief on others, "I will cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve. Therefore strike off their heads and strike off every fingertip of them."[13] Sura 9:5 says of non-Muslims, "So when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters, wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush".[11] Sura 8:60 states, "And prepare against them what force you can and horses tied at the frontier, to terrorize thereby the enemy of Allah..."[14]

Conservative Critics

Major conservative critics include Daniel Pipes and Robert Spencer. Pipes argues that “radical Islam is the problem, moderate Islam is the solution.”[15] Spencer is skeptical that a moderate Islam can be established and sustained.[16] In contrast to the critics, Dinesh D'Souza defends Islamic fundamentalists and argues that they are conservatives who are legitimately appalled over the decadence and degradation of modern culture.[17]

Islam about Jews and Christians

Qur'an (5:51) - "O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends; they are friends of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for a friend, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people."[18]


  1. Sharia and Human Rights in Nigeria Islam Watch
  2. Human Rights Oxford Islamic Studies Online
  3. Islam and Human Rights: Tradition and Politics
  5. Islam 101 Jihad Watch
  6. Olivier Roy (1994). The Failure of Political Islam. I.B.Tauris, p10. ISBN 9781850438809. 
  7. Unfree Under Islam The Wall Street Journal
  8. [1]
  9. Pope converts outspoken Muslim who condemned ‘religion of hate’ Times Online
  10. Evangelical broadcaster Pat Robertson calls radical Muslims 'satanic'
  11. 11.0 11.1 The Real Culprit
  12. Did Jesus or Muhammad wield the sword or did both? American Thinker
  14. Quran Teaches
  15. Frances Kraft (April 6, 2005). Radical Islam the problem, moderate the solution, says Pipes. Campus Watch.
  16. Robert Spencer (Mar 17, 2010). Is There a Moderate Islam?. Front Page Magazine.
  17. Dinesh D’Souza. Land of The Free. National Review Online.
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