nonchalant murder

I don't watch the news nor read it. For a variety of reasons, but that's its own post for another day.

I somehow this last week, though, did stumble across the recent situation involving a Muslim man in Afghanistan who was to be killed for abandoning Islam. This apparently raised a big brew-ha-ha that made national press.

What was most amazing was the media's nonchalance about the Islamic practice of killing those who leave the Islamic faith. Did a little digging to see how black and white this "murder for apostacy" stance is.

The tenet upon which Afghanistani clerics were stating they were going to kill this man was based upon "Islamic Shariah Law".

Specifically:

“Muslim clerics had threatened to incite Afghans to kill Rahman if the government freed him. They said he clearly violated Islamic Shariah Law by rejecting Islam.”
(http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060326/ap_on_re_mi_ea/afghan_christian_convert)

So, the first thing was to look at Shariah Law.

According to al-islami.com, is:

“The Islamic Shariah is the Islamic law which applies to all aspects of the life of a Muslim. The Shariah includes all aspects of life, from daily activities, ibadah (worship), criminal law and everything else. It is obligatory on every Muslim to respect and follow the Islamic Shariah in every aspect of their life. It is also obligatory on Muslim nations to implement the Islamic Shariah, and make it the source of all law and legislation.

The Islamic Shariah represents the will of Allah (swt) and His messenger Mohammad (pbuh). As Muslims, we must go about all matters according to the will of Allah (swt). In the holy Qur'an, Allah (swt) has revealed to humanity many verdicts and solutions to many of the problems faced by us. In order to be a true beleiver in Allah (swt), and in order to worship Allah (swt) only, we must follow the guidance of Allah (swt)." (from http://www.al-islami.com/islam/shariah.php)

With that foundation of what Shariah Law is, here further is the logic/justification that the man who left the Muslim faith was rightfully to be killed for having done so:

1)
“Islamic Sharia law proposes the death sentence for Muslims who abandon the religion.” (http://jmm.aaa.net.au/articles/17051.htm)

2)
“Prophet Muhammad did kill a number of people who deserted Islam and so the punishment is Sunnah (actions and sayings of Muhammad) and hence Shariah, Islamic Law.”

"Muslim 623 The Prophet said: 'It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim except in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for a life (if the person is Muslim), and the deserter of Islam.'"

"Bukhari 9:89:271 A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism Mu'adh said: 'I will not sit down unless you kill him as it is the verdict of Allah and His Apostle.'"

"Bukhari 4:52:260 Ali burnt some people (Zanadiqa, atheists 9:84:57) although the Prophet had said, 'Don't punish anybody with Allah's punishment (Fire). If a Muslim discards his religion, kill him.'"

"Abu Dawud 38:4357 When the Apostle of Allah cut off the hands and feet of those who had stolen his camels and apostacised and had their eyes put out by fire, Allah reprimanded him and revealed: 'The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Apostle and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is execution or crucifixion. (38A359)...or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides or exile from the land' This was 'revealed about polytheists and if any of them repent before they are arrested it does not prevent from inflicting on him the prescribed punishment which he deserves'"
(http://www.yahoodi.com/peace/apostacy.html)

3)
“All aspects of a Muslim's life are governed by Sharia.”

Sharia is "often associated with the amputation of limbs, death by stoning, lashes and other medieval punishments”

“In the Islamic tradition Sharia is seen as something that nurtures humanity.”

“Sharia frees humanity to realise its individual potential.”
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/beliefs/sharia/index.shtml)


Finally, as pertains to general Islamic beliefs about Allah:

"Allah has no shape or form.
Allah can't be seen.
Allah can't be heard.
Allah is neither male nor female.”
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/beliefs/index.shtml)

Which raises the question: if Allah cannot be heard, how have Islamic prophets been able to hear "It" and know what "It" says, aside from the written text (Quran) Muslims follow? (refer to "It" since Islam says Allah is neither male nor female, otherwise I'd refer to "hearing Him", etc.)

The tenets of the Muslim faith, and the Islam Shariah Law to kill apostates, are pretty straightforward. Interesting then, but by no means surprising, the passive apologetics by the U.S. media with regard to this.

What is also not surprising is the U.S. media doesn't blink an eye about it being "obligatory for Muslim nations to implement the Islamic Shariah, and make it the source of all law and legislation".

In none of the articles I read on this was there any comment about incorporating tenets of religion into the laws of the land. (This same religion which says it's okay to kill people for leaving that faith.)

Not one hint of the foaming-at-the-mouth objectionism to 'legislating morality' as in the United States (which Followers shouldn't be rabid about either, imo).

Classic double-standard of the U.S. media.