I hope that those who are truely interested in Islam will have the patience to read my whole article slowly as it has unique view points and I have tried to be a subtle as possible realizing sensitivities. The introduction goes thus and the link to the article follows:
Prologue
The Qur'an contains a very complex number of verses because it was purported to have been written in the 7th Century scribes of that time and has altered little since that time. It was not arrenged in a chronologival manner but by the lengths of the verses. Hence there is no real logical sequence. The Qur'an has been further complicated by the fact that The Prophet Mohammed altered or updated (abrogated) his views as circumstances changes in his life and expereinces. Unfortunated several of the abrogated verses were not removed from the original Qur'an but left behind without any reference to the abrogation except in a general way and this has caused even further ambiguities.
The verses seem to have been thrown together without much organization, and thus different implications can be manipulated or interpreted to mean different concepts , dependent upon the skill of the reader and their intentions. We will attempt to look at some of these ambiguities to make sense of the verses and the intention of the Prophet Mohammed when he had them transmitted to his followers. Furthermore, the original text was written on clasical Arabic that refer to the diction used in the 7th Century. Often Arabic words are based upon the root symbols and can mean different things, dependent upon where the "accent marks are placed of if they are missing due to errors or ineptitudes." This makes for the need for great skills in attempting to analyse the intent of the verse.
Islam Means Peace
That is what we are constantly told by most Muslims. In fact most Muslims believe that that is what Islam means and stands for, but is this so according to the roots of the word?
Islam is derived from the Arabic aslama, which means 'surrender' (to the will of Allah). Muslim means 'one who has surrendered to the will of Allah'. And unfortunately, violence, under certain conditions, is a legitimate means to affect that surrender.
"The argument that Islam means peace is based on a three-fold interpretive error.
1. Arabic is based on consonantal roots. Islam is derived from the root SLM. Arabic is also a poetic language that uses words derived from the same root as similes that are used to deepen the meaning of other words. SLM is also the root for the words salim, which means 'safe', saleem, 'perfection', sallama, 'salvation', salama, 'blameless' and salaam, 'wellbeing'. Using all of these words gives an expanded meaning to the word Islam: 'when one surrenders to the will of Allah (as revealed by His Prophet) one will find salvation, perfection, safety and wellbeing.'
2. The word salaam is often translated as 'peace', but this is only one of several meanings. It's primary meaning is actually 'wellbeing'. It can also mean health, soundness, wholeness, safety and serenity. A common Arabic greeting is as-sallam alaykum, which is usually translated as 'peace be upon you', but it's extended meaning is 'may wellbeing, wholeness and tranquility be upon you'.
3. The English word 'peace' has two meanings. The first and primary meaning is derived from its Latin root pax. This is translated as 'cessation of conflict'. The term pax Romana described the peace secured by surrendering to Roman law. The second meaning of peace is derived from the Latin serenus, meaning serenity/tranquility - when one is serene one can also be said to be peaceful. The word salaam is actually synonymous with the second meaning of peace, serenity. The first meaning is better served by the Arabic word sulh (root SLH), from salaha, meaning; reconciliation, to make peace, or peace treaty.
In saying that Islam means peace Islamic apologists are simply indulging in word play in order to put as positive a spin on things as they can. It is an attempt to argue that Islam promotes non-violence. As we will see such a peace is only available to one who has first surrendered to Allah and it is denied to those who refuse to surrender. Mohammed would sign his treaty offers with the words, aslem taslam, 'surrender and you will be safe'." [1]
http://knol.google.com/k/mbp-lee/quranic-ambiguities-analyzed/1l23x9udotn1a/8#[ftp]http://knol.google.com/k/mbp-lee/quranic-ambiguities-analyzed/1l23x9udotn1a/8#/ftp]
Topic: QUR'ANIC AMBIGUITIES ANALYZED BY ELLE