Islam is often presented as a religion of peace, yet a closer examination of its foundational texts reveals a troubling reality. The Qur’an and Hadith, the core sources of Islamic teaching, contain passages that endorse practices harmful to society and morally questionable. Particularly concerning are the ways these texts address issues such as theft, property rights, and the treatment of non‑Muslims. In this article, we will analyze these teachings directly, using clear examples and verses, to demonstrate how they undermine justice and human dignity.
In Islam, stealing from fellow Muslims is a serious crime. The punishment is brutal, cutting off the thief’s hand. This comes straight from the Qur’an and the actions of Muhammad, the founder of Islam. For example:
This harsh rule applies only to Muslims stealing from each other. But when it comes to non-Muslims, the story changes completely. Islam allows, and even encourages, taking property from unbelievers, sometimes including their wives and children, as long as it’s done under the banner of war or conquest.
The Qur’an and Hadith openly say that stealing from non-Muslims is not only okay but a reward from Allah. Muslims who fight unbelievers are promised their land, wealth, and possessions. Here are some examples:
The Hadith backs this up with real examples from Muhammad’s life:
One shocking case is in Ibn Ishaq (764). Muhammad attacked the Jewish farming town of Khaybar, who weren’t even at war with him. He took their possessions, tortured their treasurer Kinana to find hidden treasure, then beheaded him. Afterward, he “married” Kinana’s widow, Safiyya, who was passed around among his men first. This shows how Islam justifies stealing and violence against non-Muslims.
After being forced out of Mecca, Muhammad and his followers settled in Medina. To survive, he started raiding caravans traveling between Syria and Mecca. He took their goods and killed or captured anyone who fought back. This wasn’t just about survival, it set a pattern. The Hadith says Muhammad kept a fifth of all loot from conquered people for himself, building his wealth this way. His eleven widows got none of it after he died, even though they couldn’t remarry.
As author Wafa Sultan explains, Bedouin culture feared raiding but also depended on it. Islam took this brutal practice and made it holy. This laid the groundwork for Islamic terrorism, where violence and theft against non-Muslims are seen as righteous.
For centuries, Muslim empires lived off “Maal-e-Ghanimat” (war booty) and “jizya” (a tax forced on non-Muslims). Today, some radical Muslims in Western countries, like Anjem Choudary in Britain, live off public benefits, essentially taking from “infidels” legally. Why wouldn’t they? Their religion says it’s fine.
A modern preacher, Abu Ishak al Huweini, bragged about this in a sermon. He said jihad could make Muslims rich by capturing slaves, women, and children to sell. He called it a “profitable business” and a way to fix poverty, proof that Islam’s immoral ideas still thrive.
Even Anwar al-Awlaki, once called a “moderate” Muslim, taught that income from stealing from non-Muslims is “purer” than honest work. He said their property doesn’t really belong to them because they don’t believe in Islam. Taking it by force is just “returning” it to Muslims.
The Qur’an warns against selective belief in its rules. Surah 2:85 threatens punishment for those who accept some parts but reject others, while Surah 66:9 labels such people hypocrites, deserving chastisement from “true believers.” This means that Muslims who question practices such as hand‑cutting or restrictions on non‑Muslims risk being branded as false believers, even facing hostility from within their own community.
Such teachings foster division: Muslims versus everyone else. Property rights, fairness, and basic decency are denied to non‑Muslims, creating a framework that breeds conflict, justifies violence, and excuses exploitation so long as the victims are outside the faith. Rather than promoting peace or justice, this system sustains greed and domination. The evidence is clear in the Qur’an and Hadith — Islam’s own words reveal a troubling reality that cannot be ignored.