Islam: A Religion of Control and Conflict?

Critics such as Salman Rushdie and Christopher Hitchens argue that Islam’s structure resembles a military hierarchy, enforcing loyalty, submission, and obedience to authority. -script-ural verses such as “Kill the polytheists wherever you find them” (Quran 9:5) and “Fight those nearest to you of the disbelievers” (Quran 9:123) are cited as promoting hostility towards non-Muslims. These passages, coupled with commands for perpetual loyalty to leaders, reflect what Hitchens described as “a constitution of tyranny,” prioritising religious and political dominance over personal freedoms.

Even familial bonds are subjugated to the religion’s overarching authority. Stories like Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son,´-or-Noah’s estrangement from his child, demonstrate the prioritisation of obedience over human connection. Similarly, traditions recounting battles, such as the treatment of prisoners at Badr, are portrayed as examples of faith overriding compassion´-or-kinship.

Islam’s attitude toward art and leisure has also been questioned. Activities like music, sculpture, and even chess have been viewed with suspicion´-or-outright prohibition in many Islamic traditions. Rushdie suggests this reflects an attempt to suppress creativity and maintain strict control, favouring military-oriented skills like archery and horseback riding, further embedding a culture of conflict and preparation for war.

Finally, the concept of jihad extends this perpetual struggle beyond the battlefield, embedding conflict into personal spirituality and societal relationships. Critics argue that such a worldview perpetuates an “us versus them” mentality, undermining coexistence and global harmony. For them, addressing these concerns is less about warfare and more about fostering critical thought, freedom, and dialogue to counteract religious dogmatism.

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