Surprising but true facts about Islam that are difficult to believe

 by Edward Ulrich, updated March 31, 2020



This article explains many surprising and disturbing aspects of Islam that are very prevalent in its culture yet are seldomly talked about.  Most of the facts here have their roots in the writings of the Quran and other Islamic writings such as the Hadith.

Islam is different than other religions in that its adherents are expected to conform to all aspects of the ideology, and doing so is often enforced with intimidation and violence.  In fact, in many countries where Sharia law is practiced, apostates (people who choose to abandon the religion) often face the death penalty as is explained more in depth later in this article.

Note that peaceful passages do exist in the Quran, however those have been “abrogated,” meaning “canceled” by newer and more hostile writings.  See a summary of the David Wood video “Three Stages of Jihad” that explain the circumstances of why that is the case.

Also note that some people claim that “only the writings in the Quran should be considered to be legitimate instead of other writings such as the Hadith,” however people who espouse that view (“Quranists”) are viewed as “heretics” by both Sunni and Shia Muslims who make up the vast majority of Muslims worldwide.  And in any event even if only the writings in the Quran are considered to be legitimate, there is still an overwhelming amount of passages that show Islam to be an intolerant and violent ideology.

In this article I have summarized each of the issues as points, and included supporting information for each.

This artice is a part of A Summary of Islam Related Issues.








—  Muslims are not permitted to leave their religion (apostasy), and in many countries where Sharia law is practiced the punishment for doing so is the death penalty.


News of Interest.TV: Many Islamic countries outlaw apostasy (abandoning Islam) with the penalty of death


“If somebody [a Muslim] discards his religion, kill him.”  Sahib Bukhara (4:52:260)

“They wish that you should disbelieve as they disbelieve, and then you would be equal; therefore take not to yourselves friends of them, until they emigrate in the way of God; then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them wherever you find them take not to yourselves any one of them as friend or helper.”  Quran (4:89)

[In the words of] “Allah’s Apostle, ‘Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him.’”  Bukhara (84:57)



—  Islam condones CHILD MARRIAGES with adult men, and the practice is still very common in many Islamic countries.  Islam condones child marriages with girls as young as one year old.


New of Interest.TV: The practice of Muslim men with child brides is often allowed in European countries

News of Interest.TV: A News Story About a Six Year Old Afghan Girl Sold as a Child Bride to Cover Her Father’s Debts

OpenMindedRealism.com: Video: A 6 year old girl is married to a 55-year-old Imam in exchange for a goat and cooking oil in Afghanistan

YouTube video: Saudi Officiate Says Okay To Marry One Year Old Girl But Suggests Waiting to Have Sex

YouTube video: Why Yemen Won’t Ban Child Marriage and Rape



—  WOMEN IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES ARE TREATED AS SECOND CLASS CITIZENS, which is reinforced by numerous Islamic writings.


News of Interest.TV: David Wood: The Women’s March and Islam

News of Interest.TV: Farkhunda Malikzada, a 27 year old observant Muslim woman, was killed by a mob in the streets of Afghanistan after falsely being accused of burning a page of the Quran


The Quran likens a woman to a field, to be used by a man as he wills: Quran (2:223)

A woman’s testimony is worth half that of a man: Quran (2:282)

A son’s inheritance should be twice the size of a daughter’s: Quran (4:11)

The male should have equal proportions of two females: Quran (4:11)

Allah allows man to marry up to four women and have sex with slave girls: Quran (4:3)

“...on to those men who fear their wives desiring them or disobedience, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them...”  Quran (4:34)

“Muhammad said, ‘Is not the evidence of two women equal to the witness of one man?’  They replied in the affirmative.  He said ‘This is the deficiency in her intelligence.’”  Bukhara (6:301)

“Maybe, his Lord, if he divorce you, will give him in your place wives better than you, submissive, faithful, obedient, patient, adorers, fasters, widows and virgins.”  Quran (66:5)

“A woman can be likened to a sheep, a cow, or a camel... for all are ridden.”  Tarsier al-qurtubi (page 172 volume 15)

“Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey or a woman if they pass in front of the praying people.”  Sahib al-bukhari (490)

The majority of dwellers in hell are women: Sahib al-bukhari (2:28)



—  Domestic violence is extremely prevalent in Islam because the Quran dictates a rule that a wife should be subservient.  MUSLIM MEN ARE ALLOWED TO BEAT THEIR WIVES.


News of Interest.TV: David Wood: Three Quran Verses Every Woman Should Know

Washington Post article: Pakistani husbands can “lightly beat” their wives, Islamic council says


The Prophet said: “A man will not be asked as to why he beat his wife.”  Abu Dawud (2142)

“Men have authority over women because God has made the one superior to the other, and because they spend their wealth to maintain them.  Good woman are obedient.  They guard their unseen parts because God has guarded them.  As for those whom you fear disobedience, admonish them and send them beds apart and beat them.  Then if they obey you, take no further action against them.  Surely God is most high.”  Quran (4:34)




—  Sexual assault and rape gravitate around Islam.  In Muslim society, A RAPED WOMAN MUST PRESENT FOUR WITNESSES TO THE ACT IN ORDER TO CONVICT HER ASSAILANT, otherwise she will be charged with “adultery,” with her penalty potentially being as extreme as death by stoning or beheading.


News of Interest.TV: The story of Alicia Gali, an Australian who was drugged and raped in Dubai and then imprisoned because of it

OpenMindedRealism.com: A British woman who was gang raped in Dubai is facing a jail term for having extra-marital sex while her attackers have been freed



—  A GROWING NUMBER OF MUSLIM GIRLS IN WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE FORCED TO HAVE FEMALE CIRCUMCISIONS, which is a barbaric medieval act that many Muslims say is an obligation to Islam.  It can cause a lifetime of hurt and medical implications.


OpenMindedRealism.com: There has been a huge increase in girl’s genital mutilation in the U.S. due to Muslim immigration




—  THE QURAN CONDONES BIGAMY AND POLYGAMY, which is allowed in the UK but only for Muslims.  Muslims can have up to four wives, and the practice is taxpayer funded in the UK.  Muhammad had as many as 13-22 wives, which broke his own rules.


OpenMindedRealism.com: Muslim organizations are pushing for legalized polygamous marriages in Italy, child brides are already accepted by many European countries



—  A MUSLIM MAN HAS THE RIGHT TO DIVORCE HIS WIFE BY SAYING “I DIVORCE YOU” THREE TIMES, which gives the woman three months to try to win him back, and after that time the marriage is absolved and the woman is out on the street.



—  HONOR KILLINGS ARE AN ACT OF REVENGE ON A FAMILY MEMBER, usually when a sister or a wife or a daughter brings “shame” to the family, such as if a woman has relations with a man who isn’t a Muslim.


News of Interest.TV: The Sad Story of the Honor Killing of Banaz Mahmod

OpenMindedRealism.com: An Ohio Muslim immigrant murdered his successful daughter in an honor killing while she slept

OpenMindedRealism.com: A pregnant 14-year-old was tortured and killed in Afghanistan in July by being burned alive by her in-laws as revenge for her father eloping with their niece



—  The Quran is a hateful document and a manual for war.  IT IS INSTRUCTED THAT ALL UNBELIEVERS ARE TO BE SLAIN.


NOTE: As mentioned in the introductory section of this article, peaceful passages do exist in the Quran, however they have been “aborgated,” meaning “cancelled” by newer and more hostile passages.  See a summary of the David Wood video “Three Stages of Jihad” for more information about the specifics of that situation.

OpenMindedRealism.com: A Comparison of the History of Islamic Jihad vs. the History of the Christian Crusades


“I have been made victorious with terror”  Bukhari (52:220)

“I have been commanded to fight against people until they testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad is the messenger of Allah”  Muslim (1:33)

“Killing Unbelievers is a small matter to us”  Tabari (9:69)

Talks about cutting heads off while shouting “Allah Akbar”: Ibn Ishaq/Hisham (990)

“I have been ordered to fight the people until they say: ‘None has the right to be worshiped but Allah’.  And if they say so, pray like our prayers, face our Qibla and slaughter as we slaughter, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally.”  Bukhari (8:387)

(When Muhammad was asked if it is permissible to attack pagan warriors at night when women and children are exposed to danger) “They [women and children] are from them [pagans].”  Bukhara (52:256)

“So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them.”  (Quran 9:5)

“Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers, smite them at their necks and when ye have caused a bloodbath among them then bind a bond firmly on them.”  (Surah 47, verse 4)

“But if they turn renegades, seize them and kill them wherever ye find them.”  (Surah 4, verse 89)

“Prepare for them whatever force and cavalry ye are able of gathering, to strike terror, to strike terror into the heart of the enemies, of Allah and your enemies.”  (Sarah 8, verse 60)

“Those who have disbelieved our signs, we shall roast them in fire wherever their skins are cooked to a turn, we shall substitute new skins for them that they may feel the punishment: verily Allah is sublime and wise.”  (Sarah 4, verse 56)



—  THE SEX SLAVERY INDUSTRY IS PREDOMINANT AROUND ISLAM.  Muhammad stated that it is permissible to have as many concubines as one wants— women or child, thus there are instances today where Muslim men gang rape women and kidnap girls to prostitute them out to men.  Specific parts of Sharia law are dedicated to the practice, and Muhammad was a rampant slave trader who also captured slaves in battle.  He raped his slaves and instructed his men to do the same.  There are more verses in the Quran teaching men that they can keep woman as sex slaves than telling them to pray five times a day.


OpenMindedRealism.com: Former ISIS sex slave Jinan narrates her horrible story

OpenMindedRealism.com: ISIS told Yazidi girls: “Once we rape you, you will be Muslim

OpenMindedRealism.com: A Muslim cleric in a British mosque has been recorded preaching to teenagers that it is permissible in Islam to capture women as sex slaves (then he issues a rebuttal but questions remain)

Dailymail.co.uk: The Arabic gang-rape “Taharrush” phenomenon which sees women surrounded by groups of men in crowds and sexually assaulted... and has now spread to Europe

OpenMindedRealism.com: British Pakistani Muslim “grooming gangs” have raped over one million young English girls over the past few decades

OpenMindedRealism.com: Video: Islam had established and has been engaging in the African slave trade for over 1,400 years

OpenMindedRealism.com: Video: “The Forgotten European Slaves of Barbary North Africa and Ottoman Turkey”

TheReligionOfPeace.com: What does Islam Teach about Slavery?


Women and girls captured in war are passed around like party favors: “The apostle gave Ali a girl called Rayta; and he gave Uthman a girl called Zaynab; and he gave Umar a girl whom Umar gave to his son Abdullah.”  Ibn Ishaq/Hisham (878)

“Also (forbidden are) woman already married, except those whom your right hand possess.  Thus has Allah ordained for you.”  Verse (4:24)

“...who abstain from sex, except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess...”  Quran 23:5-6



—  Muhammad organized 65 military campaigns in the last ten years of his life to wipe out any opposition to Islam.  A FAVORITE PASTIME FOR HIM AND HIS MEN BEFORE CAPTURING AND ENSLAVING WOMAN AND CHILDREN FOR THEIR OWN SEXUAL GRATIFICATION WAS TO CUT THE HEADS OFF OF HIS ENEMIES.


News of Interest.TV: Dom Azarel: “Sorry, liberals.  There’s only 1 interpretation of Islam— Muhammad’s”



—  THE QURAN PERMITS LYING through “Taqiyya” which means to “trick” or “deceive” when giving testimony when it involves a non-muslim.


OpenMindedRealism.com: Deception is permissible and even prescribed in Islam through the practices of “Taqiyya,” “Tawriya,” “Kitman,” and “Muruna”



—  THE QURAN IS DISCRIMINATORY, RACIST, AND ANTI-SEMITIC.  It forbids Muslims from making friends with Christians or Jews except in certain circumstances, and marriage outside of the faith is forbidden.  One verse in the Quran specifically singles out Jews and calls for their death.


“Let not the believers take for friends or helpers unbelievers rather than believers: If any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may Guard yourselves from them.  But Allah Cautions you [to remember] Himself; for the final goal is to Allah.”  Quran (3:28)

“If you [Muslims] are under their [infidels’] authority, fearing for yourselves, behave loyally to them, with your tongue, while harboring inner animosity for them.  Allah has forbidden believers from being friendly or on intimate terms with the infidels in place of believers — except when infidels are above them [in authority].  In such a scenario, let them act friendly towards them.”  Tabari (3:23)

“Lo!  Those who disbelieve [in Islam, the Quran, and Prophet Muhammad], [from] among the people of the Scripture [Jews and Christians] and the idolaters, will abide in fire of hell.  They are the worst of creatures.”  Quran (98:6)

“Slay the idolaters, cut off their limbs on opposite sides, take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush.”  Sarah (9:5)

“The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say ‘O Muslim!  There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him.’”  Bukhari (52:177)



—  A “Fatwa” is a decree set fourth by a Muslim cleric to proclaim any law or command, which may result in honor killings, death warrants, or even war.  THE MOST FAMOUS IS THE FATWA WHICH IMPOSED THE DEATH SENTENCE ON THE AUTHOR SALMAN RUSHDIE FOR PUBLISHING HIS BOOK “THE SATANIC VERSES.”


David Wood explains in his video 20 Errors on 20/20: “Fatwas are rulings by Muslim scholars based on Muhammad’s teachings.  They don’t carry any additional weight beyond the quotations from Muhammad and the Quran, but they’re definitely not ‘meaningless’ [as an ABC News ‘20/20’ segment is claiming], they contain the commands of Allah and Muhammad.”



—  In Sharia LAW, MUSLIMS ARE EXEMPT FROM THE SHARIA PUNISHMENT OF A DEATH SENTENCE IF THEY KILL A NON-MUSLIM IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, which comes under the ruling of “self-defense” or “jihad.”



—  WESTERN COUNTRIES ARE SEEN AS “INFIDELS,” AND IN THE QURAN IT IS A MUSLIM’S RIGHT TO EXTERMINATE AND OPPRESS ANYONE WHO IS A NON-BELIEVER.  Muslim clerics are notorious for imposing a Fatwa death sentence on anyone who “insults Islam.”  ISLAM IMPOSES THE DEATH SENTENCE ON THOSE WHO EVEN DEBATE THE TEACHINGS OF THE QURAN.  Such a mindset has led to stonings, beheadings, and international death warrants.

The prophet said that he was Mahi, destroyer of non-believers: “Allah will destroy infidels through me.”  Hadith Malik (594:1831)



—  DOGS IN ISLAM ARE CONSIDERED TO BE “HARAM” (UNCLEAN), AND THUS THEY ARE OFTEN TORTURED AND KILLED IN ISLAMIC COUNTRIES.  Dogs are permitted in Islam for hunting and herding sheep, but in all other cases they are not.  Dogs are not allowed in the homes of Muslims, and black dogs are thought to be “a devil.”

See an extremely disturbing video at this link showing dogs and puppies on the streets of Iran being killed with acid being injected into them.  Instead of using a humane method to euthanize the dogs, in the video they are using an acid that is the least expensive poison and it makes the dogs cry out in horrible agony before they die.

The United States has actually recently banned the transfer of military-trained bomb-sniffing dogs to the Middle East due to such dogs routinely being abused by their Muslim handlers.  See this Breitbart article, and this Judicial Watch article about the topic.

Muslim Cab drivers frequently refuse to drive disabled passengers who have guide dogs. Following are various mainstream news reports of Muslim cab drivers refusing to drive passengers who have guide dogs (all are unique cases and many have videos):  In a 2016 DailyMail UK article;  In a 2018 Leicestershire Live article; in a 2019 Worchester News UK article;  In a 2019 Tampa, Florida local news broadcast;  In a 2019 Swindon Advertiser UK article (It also says that up to 75% of blind customers with dogs in the UK have been refused rides or have been disallowed from shops or restaurants.);  In a 2019 Metro.co.uk article;  In a 2020 Mirror UK article (He said he has been refused rides as many as 20 times, and it was the fifth time he took a cab driver to court for that reason.);  And in a 2020 British Columbia, Canada Surrey Now-Leader article.


Muhammad said: “.. We do not enter a house in which there is a dog or an image.”  Sahih Muslim 5511/81 (2104)

“It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah ordered that dogs be killed.”  Sahih Muslim 4016/43 (1570)

“It was narrated that ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar said: ‘The Messenger of Allah used to order that dogs be killed, and I went throughout Al-Madinah, and we did not spare any dog but we killed it, to such an extent that we would even kill the dog of a woman belonging to the desert people.”  Sahih Muslim describes 4018/45

[Note: After some of Muhammad’s followers complained about the ruling of killing dogs due to their using dogs for hunting and herding sheep, Muhammad gave the following command:]  “It was narrated that Ibn al-Mughaffal said: ‘The Messenger of Allah enjoined the killings of dogs, then he said: “What is the problem with them and dogs?”  Then he granted concession with regard to dogs for hunting and herding sheep.'”

“.. [a man’s] prayer will be interrupted if a donkey, a woman, or a black dog passes in front of him. ... What is the difference between a black dog, and a red or yellow dog?  He said: “O son of my brother, I asked the Messenger of Allah the same question, and he said ‘the black dog is a devil.’ “  Sahih Muslim Hadith 1032



—  ISLAM TEACHES ZERO TOLERANCE AGAINST OTHER RELIGIONS.  “Unbelievers” are frequently put to death.  In Islamic countries people are banned from carrying any religious text that is not the Quran.


OpenMindedRealism.com: Video: A CNN News Report of a Christian Pakistani Woman Being Sentenced to Death for Insulting Islam

Guardian.co.uk: Flight attendant to challenge airline’s Bible ban


The prophet said that anyone who tries to disrupt the unity of Muslims should be killed by the sword: Muslim (767)

“I will install terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them.”  Quran (8:12)



—  Sharia law teaches that Homosexuality is a form of fornication that is punishable by death.  Today in some parts of the world HOMOSEXUALS ARE EXECUTED BY BEING THROWN OFF OF HIGH BUILDINGS WITH THEIR CORPSES THEN STONED BY MOBS OF PEOPLE WHERE THEY LAND.


News of Interest.TV: Homosexuality is punishable by death in many parts of the Islamic world

Dailywire.com: Children Watch ISIS Throw A Gay Man From Roof To His Death



—  MUHAMMAD HAD A CHILD BRIDE named Aisha who he married when she was only 6 years old, and he consummated the marriage with her when she was 9 and he was 54.  Some apologists claim that she was 14 years old when Muhammad started having sex with her, but the Quran makes it clear that she was only 9.

WikiIslam.net: Aisha’s Age of Consummation

“Aisha was taken to the prophet’s house as a bride when she was nine, and her dolls were with her...”  Sahih Muslim (8:3311)

Aisha saying Muhammad had intercourse with her when she was 9 years old: Abu-Dawud (2:2116)



—  It is no secret that MUHAMMAD WAS A PEDOPHILE, which contributes to the frequency of pedophilia surrounding the Islamic religion.  Pedophilia is a way of life in many Muslim countries, especially in areas such as Pakistan and Afghanistan where the practice is technically illegal but the laws are seldomly enforced and the courts turn a blind eye.  An act know as “Bacha bazi” or “boys for pleasure” is practiced by Muslim men, which has been documented in the PBS documentary “The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan” showing young boys being forced to dress up like girls and have sex with grown men.  UNDER ISLAMIC LAW, MUSLIM MEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO HAVE SEX WITH YOUNG BOYS AS LONG AS THE BOYS HAVE NOT YET GROWN A BEARD.  Islamic sources detail the practice of Mohammad sexually assaulting boys and girls.

Wikipedia.org: The Dancing Boys of Afghanistan

Wikiislam.net: Qur’an, Hadith and Scholars:Pedophilia


“While sitting down Muhammed wrapped himself in his garment.  Then he said ‘Where is the little one?  Call the little one to me.’  Hasan (the young boy) came running and jumped on his lap.  Then Muhammed opened the boy’s mouth and put his tongue in his mouth.”  Al-adab al-mufrad, al-bukhari (1183)

“I saw the prophet (Muhammed) sucking on the tongue of al-hassan son of Ali.  For no tongue that the prophet sucked on will be tormented in hell.”  Missed Ahmad — Hadith No. 16245



—  THOSE WHO CRITICIZE ISLAM ARE FREQUENTLY ATTACKED AND KILLED, and during Mohammad’s life any sort of criticism of himself or Islam was met with death in the most violent manner possible.

(Note the following two links contain disturbing images.)

Taslima Nasrin: Bangladesh is a killing field

Taslima Nasrin: Another Blogger was Brutally Killed in Bangladesh