"Senior Muslim clerics are damning that an Afghan man [Abdul Rahman] on trial be executed...." CNN report: March 24, 2006 - Kabul, Afghanistan (AP)

I presume they find their justification for this in the Koran, especially in Surah IX on Repentance. This is the only Surah which does not begin with "In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful." It encourages harsh treatment of unbelievers. Although Muhammad was kindly disposed toward Christians in the beginning, he increasingly thought of them as infidels as he states in the last Surah: "They misbelieve who say, 'Verily, God is the Messiah the son of Mary;'" (Surah 5:17) So, in their view, by converting to Christianity Rahman became an infidel. Why not let Rahman believe as he wills? Because faith and the way of life in an Islamic nation have become one. The Islamic ideologists seek to reach and impregnate every facet of life with the values of this religion, down to the most trivial aspects of everyday life.

How did all this come about?

Mohammad began by relating his message to the people of Mecca. A few became his followers but Meccans began to persecute them. So, in 622 AD they migrated to Medina where the there were three Jewish tribes and where they found protection. As an increasing number began to accept Allah as the supreme God, they began to call upon Muhammad to settle disputes among the warring tribes. The Jews were cultivators of dates and other fruit trees. The followers of Mohammad had no way of making a living so they began to attack the rich Caravans going to Mecca. Inevitably, this lead to the spilling of blood and retaliations leading Mecca to attack Medina. The preservation of earthly power lead Mohammad to indirectly or directly kill some of the poets who were the propagandists of his day opposing him. Also the beheading of 700-800 Qurayza Jews accused by Muhammad of taking sides in the battle for Medina does not appear to have been justifiable. In any event, Muhammad extended his power over Arabia by means of persuasion, treaties, show of force and military action. He often had to encourage his followers to fight in the Cause of Allah.

"O you who believe! What is the matter with you, that, when you are asked to go forth in the cause of Allah, you cling heavily to earth? Do you prefer the life of this world to the hereafter?" (Surah 9:38)

He encouraged them to fight against those who had broken treaties but with mercy.

"Fight and slay the Pagans wherever you find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful." (Surah 9:5)

The Nature of the God's Kingdom

Unlike Muhammad, God's Kingdom was to take root in another way. At the beginning of his ministry while fasting in the desert Jesus was taken by the devil to a high mountain and shown all the kingdoms of the world.

The devil said to Jesus, "All these shall I give you, if you prostrate yourself and worship me. Jesus replied, "Get away, Satan! It is written: 'The Lord alone shall you worship and him alone shall you serve.'" (Mt. 4:10)
When the temple guards came to arrest Jesus, Peter tried to defend him by cutting off the ear ofMalchus, the slave of the High Priest.

Jesus told Peter, "Put your sword into its scabbard. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father gave me?" (Jn 18:11) As Jesus stood before Pilate he affirmed his Kingship but added, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom did belong to this world my attendants [would] be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jews. As it is, my kingdom is not here." (Jn 18:36)

God's kingdom is not of this world because it is a kingdom based on God' grace (Faith, Hope and Love). It cannot be established by political power but there must be a dialogue between differing political systems and the Church because the destiny of all people is one. The two realms must remain distinct, otherwise, evils will be perpetrated in the name of God and religion.

Martyrdom in Islam and Christianity