INVESTIGATING ISLAM

The Three Real Problems with Islam — And Why They Matter to You

It’s Not About What Muslims Do to Themselves — It’s About What Islam Commands Toward You

What exactly is wrong with Islam?

Since 2001, when Islam exploded onto Western front pages, critics have pointed to all kinds of troubling elements: that it’s patriarchal, intolerant, theocratic, punitive, anti-democratic. But here’s the truth most won’t say out loud:

👉 Those aren’t the real problems.
At least, not for non-Muslims.

If Muslims agree among themselves to cut off thieves’ hands, stone adulterers, or enforce sex segregation — that’s their business. It’s brutal, yes. But it’s internal. It affects them, not you.

The real danger lies in what Islam teaches about non-Muslims — what it believes about you.

🩸 The Three Dark Pillars of Islam That Target Non-Muslims

When you remove the distractions — burqas, bans, and backwardness — three core, non-negotiable doctrines of Islam come into focus. These are the ones that actually affect outsiders, and they’re deeply embedded in Islamic scripture and history:

1. Hatred for Non-Muslims (al-walā’ wa-l-barā’)

2. Jihad Against Non-Muslims

3. Dhimmitude for Conquered Non-Muslims

Let’s break each one down without spin, euphemism, or academic camouflage.

1. Hatred for Non-Muslims: Loyalty and Enmity

The doctrine of al-walā’ wa-l-barā’ (loyalty to Muslims, enmity toward non-Muslims) is foundational. It defines Islam not just by what you believe — but by who you hate.

“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and Christians for friends and allies… Whoever among you takes them for friends, is one of them.”
— Qur’an 5:51

“You will not find any people who believe in Allah… making friendship with those who oppose Allah and His Messenger, even if they be their fathers, sons, or kin.”
— Qur’an 58:22

“We disown you and enmity and hatred shall forever reign between us — until you believe in Allah alone.”
— Qur’an 60:4

This isn’t “radicalism” or “extremism.” It’s straight Qur’an — mainstream, classical, and unambiguous. The Islamic State famously summarized it like this:

“We hate you, first and foremost, because you are disbelievers.”

2. Jihad: Physical Hostility Toward Non-Muslims

This hatred logically spills into action. Enter jihad — not as some inner struggle or spiritual metaphor, but as violent, mandatory warfare against the unbeliever.

“Fight those among the People of the Book who do not believe in Allah… until they pay the jizya with willing submission and feel themselves subdued.”
— Qur’an 9:29

“Fight them until there is no more disbelief and the religion is all for Allah.”
— Qur’an 8:39

As defined in the Encyclopaedia of Islam:

“The spread of Islam by arms is a religious duty upon Muslims in general… Jihad must continue until the whole world is under the rule of Islam.”

This is not fringe ideology. This is textbook Islam — embedded in tafsir, hadith, sira, fiqh, and the life of Muhammad.

3. Dhimmitude: Permanent Humiliation for Non-Muslims

If jihad succeeds and you're not killed, you don’t get peace — you get dhimmitude.

What is that? It’s legalized second-class status for non-Muslims under Islamic rule.

You pay the jizya tax.
You’re forbidden from preaching your religion.
You may not build or repair churches.
You’re publicly humiliated as a warning to others.
You are reminded daily that your life is only tolerated by the mercy of Islam.

As ISIS once made clear:

“Even if you pay jizya and live under Islamic rule, we would continue to hate you — because you are not Muslim.”

It’s not about your behavior. It’s about your existence as a non-Muslim.

🧠 The Critical Distinction: Internal vs. External Doctrines

This is why many Western critics miss the mark. They get stuck attacking what Muslims do to themselves — failing to realize that Islam also has direct, systematic mandates about outsiders.

Theocracy? Muslims can theocratize themselves.
Polygamy? Their choice.
Flogging, veiling, cutting off hands? Barbaric, but internal.

But hate, jihad, and dhimmitude?
Those are about you — your freedom, your religion, your safety, and your sovereignty.

🚨 This Is Not About Interpretation

These doctrines:

Are clearly found in Qur’an, Hadith, and classical tafsir.
Are codified in every major school of Islamic jurisprudence.
Have been practiced for 1,400 years whenever Muslims had the power to enforce them.
Are not marginal. They are central.

They’re not distortions or misreadings. They are what Islam actually teaches about you — when it's honest.

🧱 Final Thought: Dialogue Must Start Here — Or It’s a Lie

If the West wants to have a genuine conversation with Islam, it needs to cut through the noise and focus on the only three doctrines that matter to non-Muslims:

Hatred of the unbeliever
Jihad to subjugate the unbeliever
Dhimmitude to humiliate the unbeliever

Everything else is distraction.

Until these pillars are confronted and renounced, any talk of “coexistence” is premature — or dishonest.