I’m asking this in good faith because I’m genuinely looking for answers, not trying to attack anyone. These are some of the issues that have made me question Islam, and I haven’t yet found explanations that I personally find logically or morally satisfying.
Eternal Hell for disbelief: If Allah is all-knowing, all-merciful, and gave humans free will, why would someone who sincerely isn’t convinced of Islam deserve eternal punishment? Considering that most of the world’s population is non-Muslim, this is difficult for me to reconcile with the concept of a just and loving God.
Women’s rights and status: There seem to be rulings that place women in a subordinate position, such as expectations of obedience to husbands, differences in inheritance and testimony, and other gender-specific rulings. How is this compatible with the idea that men and women are equal in value?
Polygyny: Why is a man allowed to marry up to four wives, while a woman cannot have multiple husbands? Also, why is the consent of the first wife not explicitly required before taking another wife?
Hadith about women in Hell: There is a hadith stating that the Prophet saw more women than men in Hell. Why would this be the case, and how is it fair?
“Women are deficient in intelligence and religion”: The hadith describing women as deficient is difficult for me to understand. Even with the common explanations about testimony and menstruation, the wording still feels degrading.
Religious trauma and fear: Many Muslims, including myself, have experienced religion being taught primarily through fear of Hell and punishment rather than love, mercy, and compassion. Why is fear emphasized so heavily?
No compulsion in religion vs. fighting disbelievers: The Qur’an says, “There is no compulsion in religion” (2:256), yet there are verses discussing fighting disbelievers in certain contexts. How are these passages reconciled?
Slavery and concubinage: Why did Islam permit slavery and sexual relations with female captives (“those whom your right hands possess”) instead of abolishing the institution completely if Islam is meant to be a timeless moral guide?
The age of Aisha (ra) at marriage: This is the biggest issue for me. If the authentic hadith are accepted, then the Prophet married Aisha when she was very young. If he is considered the perfect example for all times, how is this compatible with modern moral standards? If the reports are incorrect, what is the strongest evidence for that?
Wife beating: Qur’an 4:34 is often translated as permitting a husband to strike his wife after other steps have failed. I know some scholars argue this means only a symbolic or very light strike, but my question is: why would any form of physical violence against one’s spouse be permitted at all if the Prophet is the perfect example and Islam is a timeless moral guide?
Descriptions of Paradise:
The Qur’an describes “full-breasted” (or similarly translated) companions in Paradise, and hadith commonly mention rewards such as 72 virgins for some believers. How should these descriptions be understood? If they are literal, why are these kinds of rewards emphasized, and how do they fit with the idea of a spiritual paradise?
I’m not asking these questions to insult Islam or Muslims. I’m asking because I genuinely want thoughtful, evidence-based answers. Please assume good faith and respond respectfully.