Islam Teaches Hatred of Non-Muslims: A Hard Truth Westerners Must Confront

Islam is often hailed in the West as a religion of peace, but this narrative doesn't align with the reality outlined in its core texts. While there are undoubtedly peaceful Muslims who strive for kindness and goodwill, the teachings of Islam itself, particularly the Quran, foster a deep-seated hostility towards non-Muslims. This is not a fringe belief; it is a central doctrine that has shaped the history and practice of Islam. For many Westerners, this is a difficult truth to confront, but it’s a truth that must be faced to understand the full scope of Islamic teachings.

The Quran’s Clear Hostility Toward Non-Muslims

Unlike the Bible, which is often more descriptive and historical in its teachings, the Quran is prescriptive. It gives direct commands on how Muslims should treat non-believers, and those commands often involve violence or enmity. Several Quranic verses make it clear that non-Muslims are to be treated as enemies unless they convert to Islam or submit to its rule.

• Quran 60:4 sets the tone of hostility with a command to disassociate from non-Muslims:

  "Indeed, we (are) disassociated from you and from what you worship from besides Allah. We have rejected you, and there has arisen between us and you enmity and hatred forever until you believe in Allah alone."

  This is not a call for temporary politeness or diplomacy. It’s an instruction for Muslims to harbor permanent enmity toward non-Muslims unless they convert to Islam.

• Quran 9:5, known as the "Verse of the Sword," escalates this enmity with an explicit command for violence:

  "When the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush."

  This verse, directed at polytheists, historically abrogated earlier, more peaceful verses, meaning that later verses like this one were considered more authoritative. The implications have been clear throughout history, leading to widespread violence against those who refuse to convert to Islam.

• Quran 9:29 instructs Muslims to fight Jews and Christians:

  "Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day… from among the People of the Book [Jews and Christians], until they pay the jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."

  This verse calls for violence against Jews and Christians unless they pay a tax (the jizyah) in a state of submission and humiliation. It’s not about self-defense; it’s about religious subjugation.

Al-Walaa w-al-Baraa: The Doctrine of Hatred

Central to the hostile attitude Islam teaches toward non-Muslims is the doctrine of al-walaa w-al-baraa (loyalty and disavowal). This doctrine mandates that Muslims love what Allah loves (other Muslims) and hate what Allah hates (non-believers). It’s not just a casual stance; it’s a fundamental part of Islamic theology.

• Quran 5:51 reinforces this:

  "O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as allies. They are allies of one another."

  This doctrine has been applied by mainstream Islamic scholars and clerics to promote separation from non-Muslims. It teaches that Muslims must avoid any relationship of loyalty or friendship with non-believers. This teaching is not an extremist view but a mainstream belief that is taught in Islamic schools and widely embraced in certain Islamic countries.

Islam’s Violent Legacy

The Quran’s hostile teachings are not just theoretical; they have been acted upon throughout history. The Islamic conquests from the 7th century onward spread the teachings of the Quran by force, subjugating non-Muslims and spreading the religion through violence.

• The Islamic State's 2014 genocide of the Yazidis is a direct application of the teachings in Quran 9:5. Thousands of Yazidis were murdered or enslaved as a result of the group’s interpretation of these verses.

• Today, Boko Haram in Nigeria continues to target Christians, inspired by Quran 9:29, demanding they either convert or pay the humiliating jizyah tax. This is not a perversion of Islam; this is Islam as it is written in the Quran.

• In Afghanistan, the Taliban’s executions of apostates reflect the logic of Quran 9:5, further illustrating how these teachings are being applied in the modern world.

These examples show that the violent doctrines found in the Quran are not merely historical curiosities; they are still in practice today.

Why This is Hard for the West to Accept

The idea that Islam teaches hostility toward non-Muslims is difficult for many Westerners to accept because it contradicts the values of tolerance, equality, and universal love that are central to Western civilization. The Judeo-Christian tradition, which has heavily influenced Western thought, emphasizes love for all people, even those who disagree with us. Christianity’s message of love is epitomized by Jesus’ teaching, “love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

In contrast, Islam’s Quranic injunctions like those found in Quran 9:29 and the doctrine of al-walaa w-al-baraa create a stark contrast, framing non-believers as enemies to be fought, subjugated, or avoided.

Westerners are often hesitant to face this truth because Islam is labeled as an “Abrahamic faith,” leading many to believe it is somehow aligned with Judaism and Christianity. However, the Quran’s frequent hostility toward Jews and Christians shows that Islam is far from an extension of these religions. It’s a belief system that actively positions non-Muslims as adversaries.

The Consequences of Denial

The refusal to confront the uncomfortable truths about Islam’s doctrine only delays necessary conversations about the threat posed by these teachings. Denying the connection between Islamic texts and acts of violence perpetuates the cycle of misunderstanding and inaction. History and current events alike show that these teachings have led to widespread persecution, war, and oppression.

From the 9/11 attacks to the ongoing violence in Syria and Africa, the actions of groups like the Islamic State, the Taliban, and Boko Haram are not isolated cases but rather examples of Islamic doctrine being enacted in real life. These groups are not twisting Islam; they are applying its teachings as they are written.

Confronting the Truth

To move forward, we must confront the truth: Islam’s core texts promote violence and hostility toward non-believers. The Quran’s verses and the doctrine of al-walaa w-al-baraa are central to understanding the threat Islam poses, both historically and in the modern world.

This truth is uncomfortable, but it is essential for understanding the full nature of the challenge posed by Islamic teachings. Denial will only delay our ability to address the very real issues stemming from these doctrines. Now is the time to face the truth and understand what we are truly up against.