Note: This blog critically examines religious concepts. If you’re not comfortable with differing viewpoints, you might prefer other content. However, for those open to diverse perspectives, feel free to continue. I believe there is goodness in every country, culture, and religion. My intention is not to hurt anyone’s feelings, but rather to share thoughts that I believe are worth expressing. It’s possible that some people may find them offensive, so if you think you might be one of them, I kindly ask that you refrain from reading further.
Note for the readers before they continue reading.
Consider gods as characters shaped by the beliefs of different tribes. Each tribe’s god mirrors their values and behaviors. For instance, if a tribe is known for violence, their god might endorse it. On the flip side, in tribes known for wisdom and calmness, their god is likely benevolent and loving. A mean-spirited tribe may conceive a god with similar traits, while a self-centred tribe may envision a god craving constant worship. In tribes facing scarcity, the imagined god might promise abundance in an afterlife, offering solace.
Cultures worldwide have crafted diverse gods, reflecting their unique beliefs. However, one deity, Allah from the Arabic tradition, has transcended its regional roots to become globally recognized. In this blog, we will explore how Allah achieved this widespread recognition.
The nature of the tribe that created Allah
To understand why Allah (tribal god) became known globally, we need to look at the tribe that introduced this deity – the Quraysh tribe, with a special mention to the Hashemite clan, to which Prophet Muhammad belonged.
The Quraysh tribe, much like other Arabian tribes, had a culture filled with violence, raids, and a strong interest in accumulating wealth and women. They often clashed with other tribes while targeting their caravans.
In their social structure, women held a subordinate role, reflecting the patriarchal setup of the tribe. The exclusivity of the Quraysh tribe also led to conflicts with neighboring tribes, driven by a desire for control over land, power, wealth, and women.
Prophet Muhammad, being part of this tribe, shaped the concept of Allah based on their values. The deity they envisioned was exclusive, inspiring fear, embracing deception, endorsing patriarchy, showing egoism, and having expansionist tendencies.
Understanding the culture of the Quraysh tribe gives us insight into why Allah was portrayed in a certain way – reflecting the values and dynamics of the tribe itself.
Some readers who are still reading might think I am saying incorrect things. Can they explain this Shahada (declaration)?
لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله
La ilaha illallah, Muhammadur rasulullah.
There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah.
This Shahada is broadcast through loudspeakers from mosques worldwide five times each day. Essentially, it proclaims that whatever others believe is incorrect because our faith is the correct one, simply because we assert it. This aspect offers insights into the individuals of the tribe who authored the principles of Islam.
Although this tendency is not unique to Islam, as many religions share it, Islam has taken it to the extreme. While Christianity exhibited similar extremism in the 15th to 18th centuries, Islam continues to display such tendencies today.
How did the Arabic god become global?
Several factors contribute to the global reach of the Arabic god. Let’s explore each reason individually:
1) Belief in the delusions created by the tribe:
The initial factor contributing to the global influence of the Arabic god stems from a historical context where people of that era and tribe unquestioningly accepted the narratives presented to them. Dissent or questioning was met with severe consequences, often leading to the death of those who dared to challenge the established beliefs. The absence of questioning allowed these ideas to gain unchecked authority, fostering widespread belief and acceptance.
2) The Tribal Nature of Islam:
Islam, by its very essence, is characterized by a tribal structure where once you join the community, leaving is not easily tolerated. Those who contemplate leaving may face severe repercussions, both for themselves and their families. Historical instances reveal that individuals attempting to abandon Islam were often confronted by angry mobs, and in some cases, faced fatal consequences. This response was driven by a perception that allowing someone to leave suggested a weakness in the Arabic god’s ability to retain followers. Additionally, the prohibition of alcohol in Islam is believed to prevent individuals from speaking truths about the Arabic god when under its influence, safeguarding the faith from dissenting perspectives.
3) The Animalistic Nature of Men:
A Review of Islamic History reveals that individuals with more primal instincts were drawn to Islam. The initial attraction to Islam was not rooted in aspirations for peace, spirituality, or the profound wisdom it offered; instead, many were enticed by the fulfillment of their animalistic tendencies. The allure lay in the pursuit of wealth and women, often achieved through raids on caravans led by Muhammad.
Desires for sex slaves, multiple wives, money, land and alcohol (later banned) were prevalent motivations for joining Islam. The promise of these indulgences, reinstated in heaven by Allah, included immortality after death, 72 personal sex slaves, unlimited alcohol, and abundant food—all to be experienced in the paradisiacal garden known as Jannat, an oasis unknown in their arid desert surroundings.
4) Insecurity among People:
Islam strategically capitalized on various insecurities individuals faced, leveraging them as tools for conversion. For instance, consider a woman who, having lost her family in a conflict initiated by early Muslims, was persuaded to marry a Muslim man. Subsequently, she converted to Islam, and her offspring inherited the faith.
Furthermore, those haunted by the fear of illness were enticed to convert with the assurance that Allah could heal what their previous faiths couldn’t. The early Muslims deftly manipulated these vulnerabilities to orchestrate conversions, thereby expanding the influence of their Arabic god.
5) Expansionist tendencies:
Islam not only believes that their God is truth and others are false but it goes one step ahead like his big brother Christianity and believes that people who do not believe in Islam must believe in it and for that, they can cross any limits. And indeed they cross the limits of every kind they invaded many countries, destroyed older cultures, and civilisations such as the Yezidi of Iraq, the Zoroastrians of Persia, Hindus, Jains and Buddhists of Asia they destroyed their temples, killed men whom they call kafir, rape their women and sold them as sex slaves and all kind of atrocities that we can’t even imagine.
6) Weaknesses in Other Cultures:
The spread of Islam was significantly influenced by the vulnerabilities present in various cultures and nations. Many of these societies displayed a lack of robust resistance against the encroachment of this assertive religion and its deity. Succumbing one after the other, only a few, like India, managed to endure this period of upheaval.
A pivotal strategy employed by Islamic invaders was the deliberate destruction of temples and non-Muslim places of worship. This initial blow proved so impactful that it expedited the conversion of ancient civilizations, notably Persia, within a matter of decades. The lack of staunch resistance in certain cultures played a pivotal role in the widespread expansion of Islam.
7) Position of Women:
In Islam, a Muslim man is allowed to marry a non-Muslim woman, with the expectation that he can later convert her to Islam, thus bringing a new person into the Islamic faith. Conversely, a Muslim woman is not permitted to marry a non-Muslim man unless he converts to Islam first.
Moreover, women are often treated unfairly and stereotyped as primarily responsible for cooking and giving birth to children. This perception is reflected in countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, and India, where Muslim women, constrained by societal expectations, tend to have larger families, often giving birth to 5-6 children.
Here, I am discussing fundamental Muslims and their views on women and how they treat them. If you disagree with me, you should visit rural areas of Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where you will see exactly what I am expressing on this point.
8) New Muslim:
Throughout history, it has been observed that recently converted Muslims often exhibit more radical and violent tendencies compared to those born into the faith. Many of the most extreme Islamic invaders were individuals who had recently embraced Islam, feeling a strong need to prove their allegiance to Allah, Muhammad, and the caliph of their time.
These newly converted Muslims often believed that by aggressively targeting and destroying the enemies of Muhammad and Allah, they could establish themselves as devout followers and elevate the name of Islam worldwide. Their zeal to erase the names of their adversaries from the planet drove them to engage in violent and destructive actions.
9) Western Interventions in Islamic Countries:
The actions of America and its allies have unintentionally contributed to the global spread of radical Islam. Modern European countries have also been impacted, and you can see that these countries now have some pro-Islamic and Sharia voices. This transformation is, in part, attributed to the policies of woke and left-leaning politicians, particularly their asylum policies.
The sound of mosques echoing the Shahada through loudspeakers in major European cities is a tangible result of the geopolitical blunders made by Western nations in countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Pakistan.
The USA and its allies thought that by killing the dictator, they could bring democracy to these countries and secure great deals after appointing a puppet prime minister or president. However, none of their plans materialized, and instead of solving one problem, they created multiple problems in these countries. Examples include ISIS, increased radicalization, persecution of minorities, ethnic cleansing, mass migration of non-muslims and Muslims, and economic destruction, which left these countries struggling for decades in terms of development. Ironically, even terrorists were granted asylum in these European countries.
Conclusion
The global expansion of the Arabic god, Allah, reflects a complex interplay of historical, cultural, and geopolitical factors. From its tribal origins to its current status as a global phenomenon, the evolution of Allah highlights the intricate dynamics of belief systems, power structures, and human vulnerabilities. As we navigate the diverse narratives that shape our world, fostering open dialogue, understanding, and critical thinking becomes paramount. Through such exploration, we can better comprehend the nuanced dimensions of religious influence and its profound impact on societies across time.
