LEARN ISLAM, DON'T MISJUDGE IT

DOES ISLAM PROMOTE VIOLENCE?

2008-11-12T22:21:00.000-08:00

A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.
1. Verse from Surah Taubah
The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:
"Kill the mushriqeen (pagans, polytheists, kuffar) where ever you find them."
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]
2. Context of verse is during battlefield
Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context. In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah. It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them. Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:
"But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye 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 practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, Most merciful."
[Al-Qur’an 9:5]
This verse is quoted during a battle.
3. Example of war between America and Vietnam
We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: "Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them". Today if I say that the American President said, "Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them" without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.
4. Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle
Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an says, "Kill the Mushriqs where ever you find them", during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.
5. Shourie jumps from verse 5 to verse 7
Arun Shourie is one of the staunchest critics of Islam in India. He quotes the same verse, Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 in his book ‘The World of Fatwahs’, on page 572. After quoting verse 5 he jumps to verse 7 of Surah Taubah. Any sensible person will realise that he has skipped verse 6.
6. Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer
Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:
"If one amongst the pagans ask thee for asylum,grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure that is because they are men without knowledge."
[Al-Qur’an 9:6]
The Qur’an not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?
This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.
by Dr. Zakir Naik

QUR’AN PLAGIARIZED FROM THE BIBLE :

2008-11-10T20:09:00.000-08:00

by Dr. Zakir Naik.

Many critics allege that Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) himself was not the author of the Qur’an but he learnt it and/or plagiarised (copied or adapted) it from other human sources or from previous scriptures or revelations.

1. MUHAMMAD LEARNT THE QUR’AN FROM A ROMAN BLACKSMITH WHO WAS A CHRISTIAN
Some Pagans accused the Prophet of learning the Qur’an from a Roman Blacksmith, who was a Christian staying at the outskirts of Makkah. The Prophet very often used to go and watch him do his work. A revelation of the Qur’an was sufficient to dismiss this charge - the Qur’an says in Surah An-Nahl chapter 16 verse 103:

"We know indeed that they say, ‘It is a man that teaches him,’ The tongue of him they wickedly point to is notably foreign, while this is Arabic, pure and clear." [Al-Qur’an 16:103]

How could a person whose mother tongue was foreign and could hardly speak little but of poor broken Arabic be the source of the Qur’an which is pure, eloquent, fine Arabic? To believe that the blacksmith taught the Prophet the Qur’an is some what similar to believing that a Chinese immigrant to England, who did not know proper English, taught Shakespeare.

2. MUHUMMAD (PBUH) LEARNT FROM WARAQA - THE RELATIVE OF KHADIJAH (RA)
Muhummad’s (pbuh) contacts with the Jewish and Christian Scholars were very limited. The most prominent Christian known to him was an old blind man called Waraqa ibn-Naufal who was a relative of the Prophet’s first wife Khadijah (r.a.). Although of Arab descent, he was a convert to Christianity and was very well versed with the New Testament. The Prophet only met him twice, first when Waraqa was worshipping at the Kaaba (before the Prophetic Mission) and he kissed the Prophet’s forehead affectionately; the second occasion was when the Prophet went to meet Waraqa after receiving the first revelation. Waraqa died three years later and the revelation continued for about 23 years. It is ridiculous to assume that Waraqa was the source of the contents of the Qur’an.

3. PROPHET’S RELIGIOUS DISCUSSIONS WITH THE JEWS AND CHRISTIANS
It is true that the Prophet did have religious discussions with the Jews and Christians but they took place in Madinah more than 13 years after the revelation of the Qur’an had started. The allegation that these Jews and Christians were the source is perverse, since in these discussions Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was performing the roles of a teacher and of a preacher while inviting them to embrace Islam and pointing out that they had deviated from their true teachings of Monotheism. Several of these Jews and Christians later embraced Islam.

4. THE PROPHET LEARNT THE QUR’AN FROM THOSE JEWS AND CHRISTIANS THAT HE MET OUTSIDE ARABIA
All historical records available show that Muhummad (pbuh) had made only three trips outside Makkah before his Prophethood:
At the age of 9 he accompanied his mother to Madinah.

Between the age of 9 and 12, he accompanied his uncle Abu-Talib on a business trip to Syria.

At the age of 25 he led Khadija’s Caravan to Syria.

It is highly imaginary to assume that the Qur’an resulted from the occasional chats and meetings with the Christians or Jews from any of the above three trips.

5. LOGICAL GROUNDS TO PROVE THAT THE PROPHET DID NOT LEARN THE QUR’AN FROM JEWS OR CHRISTIANS
The day-to-day life of the Prophet was an open book for all to see. In fact a revelation came asking people to give the Prophet (pbuh) privacy in his own home. If the Prophet had been meeting people who told him what to say as a revelation from God, this would not have been hidden for very long.

The extremely prominent Quraish nobles who followed the Prophet and accepted Islam were wise and intelligent men who would have easily noticed anything suspicious about the way in which the Prophet brought the revelations to them - more so since the Prophetic mission lasted 23 years.

The enemies of the Prophet kept a close watch on him in order to find proof for their claim that he was a liar - they could not point out even a single instance when the Prophet may have had a secret rendezvous with particular Jews and Christians.

It is inconceivable that any human author of the Qur’an would have accepted a situation in which he received no credit whatsoever for originating the Qur’an.
Thus, historically and logically it cannot be established that there was a human source for the Qur’an.

6. MUHUMMAD (PBUH) WAS AN ILLITERATE
The theory that Muhummad (pbuh) authored the Qur’an or copied from other sources can be disproved by the single historical fact that he was illiterate.

Allah testifies Himself in the Qur’an In Surah Al-Ankabut chapter no.29 verse 48

"And thou was not (able) to recite a Book before this (Book came), nor art thou (able) to transcribe it with thy right hand: in that case, indeed, would the talkers of vanities have doubted."
[Al-Qur’an 29:48]

Allah (swt) knew that many would doubt the authenticity of the Qur’an and would ascribe it to Prophet Muhummad (pbuh). Therefore Allah in His Divine Wisdom chose the last and final Messenger to be an ‘Ummi’, i.e. unlettered, so that the talkers of vanity would not then have the slightest justification to doubt the Prophet. The accusation of his enemies that he had copied the Qur’an from other sources and rehashed it all in a beautiful language might have carried some weight, but even this flimsy pretence has been deprived to the unbeliever and the cynic.

Allah reconfirms in the Qur’an in Surah Al A’raf chapter 7 verse 157:

"Those who follow the Messenger, the unlettered Prophet, whom they find mentioned in their own (Scriptures) in the Law and the Gospel"

The prophecy of coming of the unlettered Prophet (pbuh) is also mentioned in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 29 verse 12.

"And the book is delivered to him that is not learned."
[Isaiah 29:12]

The Qur’an testifies in no less than four different places that the Prophet (pbuh) was illiterate. It is also mentioned in Surah A’raf chapter 7 verse 158 and in Surah Al-Jumu’a chapter 62 verse 2.

7. ARABIC VERSION OF THE BIBLE WAS NOT PRESENT
The Arabic version of the Bible was not present at the time of Prophet Muhummad (pbuh). The earliest Arabic version of the Old Testament is that of R. Saadias Gaon of 900 C.E. - more than 250 years after the death of our beloved Prophet. The oldest Arabic version of the new Testament was published by Erpenius in 1616 C.E. - about a thousand years after the demise of our Prophet.

8. SIMILARITIES IN THE QUR’AN AND THE BIBLE DUE TO COMMON SOURCE
Similarities between the Qur’an and the Bible does not necessarily mean that the former has been copied from the latter. In fact it gives evidence that both of them are based on a common third source; all divine revelations came from the same source - the one universal God. No matter what human changes were introduced into some of these Judeo-Christian and other older religious scriptures that had distorted their originality, there are some areas that have remained free from distortion and thus are common to many religions.

It is true that there are some similar parallels between the Qur’an and the Bible but this is not sufficient to accuse Muhummad (pbuh) of compiling or copying from the Bible. The same logic would then also be applicable to teachings of Christianity and Judaism and thus one could wrongly claim that Jesus (pbuh) was not a genuine Prophet (God forbid) and that he simply copied from the Old Testament.

The similarities between the two signify a common source that is one true God and the continuation of the basic message of monotheism and not that the later prophets have plagiarised from the previous prophets.

If someone copies during an examination he will surely not write in the answer sheet that he has copied from his neighbour or Mr. XYZ. Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) gave due respect and credit to all the previous prophets (pbut). The Qur’an also mentions the various revelations given by Almighty God to different prophets.

9. MUSLIMS BELIEVE IN THE TAURAH, ZABOOR, INJEEL AND QUR’AN
Four revelations of Allah (swt) are mentioned by name in the Qur’an: the Taurah, the Zaboor, the Injeel and the Qur’an.

Taurah, the revelation i.e. the Wahi given to Moosa (a. s.) i.e. Moses (pbuh).
Zaboor, the revelation i.e. the Wahi given to Dawood (a.s.) i.e. David (pbuh).
Injeel, the revelation i.e. the Wahi given to Isa (A.S.) ie. Jesus (pbuh).
‘Al-Qur’an’, the last and final Wahi i.e. revelation given to the last and final Messenger Muhammad (pbuh).

It is an article of faith for every Muslim to believe in all the Prophets of God and all revelations of God. However, the present day Bible has the first five books of the Old Testament attributed to Moses and the Psalms attributed to David. Moreover the New Testament or the four Gospels of the New Testament are not the Taurah, the Zaboor or the Injeel, which the Qur’an refers to. These books of the present day Bible may partly contain the word of God but these books are certainly not the exact, accurate and complete revelations given to the prophets.

The Qur’an presents all the different prophets of Allah as belonging to one single brotherhood; all had a similar prophetic mission and the same basic message. Because of this, the fundamental teachings of the major faiths cannot be contradictory, even if there has been a considerable passage of time between the different prophetic missions, because the source of these missions was one: Almighty God, Allah. This is why the Qur’an says that the differences which exist between various religions are not the responsibility of the prophets, but of the followers of these prophets who forgot part of what they had been taught, and furthermore, misinterpreted and changed the scriptures. The Qur’an cannot therefore be seen as a scripture which competes with the teachings of Moses, Jesus and the other prophets. On the contrary, it confirms, completes and perfects the messages that they brought to their people.

Another name for the Qur’an is the ‘The Furqan’ which means the criteria to judge the right from the wrong, and it is on the basis of the Qur’an that we can decipher which part of the previous scriptures can be considered to be the word of God.

10. SCIENTIFIC COMPARISON BETWEEN QUR’AN AND BIBLE
If you glance through the Bible and the Qur’an you may find several points which appear to be exactly the same in both of them, but when you analyse them closely, you realise that there is a difference of ‘chalk and cheese’ between them. Only based on historical details it is difficult for someone who is neither conversant with Christianity or Islam to come to a firm decision as to which of the scriptures is true; however if you verify the relevant passages of both the scriptures against scientific knowledge, you will yourself realize the truth.

Creation of the Universe in Six Days
As per the Bible, in the first book of Genesis in Chapter One, the universe was created in six days and each day is defined as a twenty-four hours period. Even though the Qur’an mentions that the universe was created in six ‘Ayyaams’, ‘Ayyaam’ is the plural of years; this word has two meanings: firstly, it means a standard twenty-four hours period i.e. a day, and secondly, it also means stage, period or epoch which is a very long period of time.

When the Qur’an mentions that the universe was created in six ‘Ayyaams’, it refers to the creation of the heavens and the earth in six long periods or epochs; scientists have no objection to this statement. The creation of the universe has taken billions of years, which proves false or contradicts the concept of the Bible which states that the creation of the Universe took six days of twenty-four hour durations each.

Sun Created After the Day
The Bible says in chapter 1, verses 3-5, of Genesis that the phenomenon of day and night was created on the first day of creation of the Universe by God. The light circulating in the universe is the result of a complex reaction in the stars; these stars were created according to the Bible (Genesis chapter 1 verse 14 to 19) on the fourth day. It is illogical to mention the result that is the light (the phenomenon of day and night) was created on the first day of Creation when the cause or source of the light was created three days later. Moreover the existence of evening and morning as elements of a single day is only conceivable after the creation of the earth and its rotation around the sun. In contrast with the contents of the Bible on this issue, the Qur’an does not give any unscientific sequence of Creation. Hence it is absolutely absurd to say that Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) copied the passages pertaining to the creation of the universe from the Bible but missed out this illogical and fantastic sequence of the Bible.

Creation of the Sun, The Earth and the Moon
According to the Bible, Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 9 to 13, the earth was created on the third day, and as per verses 14 to 19, the sun and the moon were created on the fourth day. The earth and the moon emanated, as we know, from their original star, the Sun. Hence to place the creation of the sun and the moon after the creation of the earth is contrary to the established idea about the formation of the solar system.

Vegetation Created on the third day and Sun on the fourth day
According to the Bible, Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verses 11-13, vegetation was created on the third day along with seed-bearing grasses, plants and trees; and further on as per verses 14-19, the sun was created on the fourth day. How is it scientifically possible for the vegetation to have appeared without the presence of the sun, as has been stated in the Bible?

If Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) was indeed the author of the Qur’an and had copied its contents from the Bible, how did he manage to avoid the factual errors that the Bible contains? The Qur’an does not contain any statements which are incompatible with scientific facts.

The Sun and the Moon both Emit light
According to the Bible both the sun and the moon emit their own light. In the Book of Genesis, chapter 1, verse 16 says, "And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night".

Science tells us today that the moon does not have its own light. This confirms the Qur’anic concept that the light of the moon is a reflected light. To think that 1400 years ago, Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) corrected these scientific errors in the Bible and then copied such corrected passages in the Qur’an is to think of something impossible.

11. ADAM (PBUH), THE FIRST MAN ON EARTH, LIVED 5,800 YEARS AGO
As per the genealogy of Jesus Christ given in the Bible, from Jesus through Abraham (pbuh) to the first man on earth i.e. Adam (pbuh), Adam appeared on the earth approximately 5800 years ago:

1948 years between Adam (pbuh) and Abraham (pbuh)
Approximately 1800 years between Abraham (pbuh) and Jesus (pbuh)
2000 years from Jesus (pbuh) till today
These figures are further confused by the fact that the Jewish calendar is currently on or about 5800 years old.

There is sufficient evidence from archaeological and anthropological sources to suggest that the first human being on earth was present tens of thousands of years ago and not merely 5,800 years ago as is suggested by the Bible.
The Qur’an too speaks about Adam (pbuh) as the first man on earth but it does not suggest any date or period of his life on earth, unlike the Bible - what the Bible says in this regard is totally incompatible with science.

12. NOAH (PBUH) AND THE FLOOD
The Biblical description of the flood in Genesis chapter 6, 7 and 8 indicates that the deluge was universal and it destroyed every living thing on earth, except those present with Noah (pbuh) in the ark. The description suggests that the event took place 1656 years after the creation of Adam (pbuh) or 292 years before the birth of Abraham, at a time when Noah (pbuh) was 600 years old. Thus the flood may have occurred in the 21st or 22nd Century B.C.

This story of the flood, as given in the Bible, contradicts scientific evidence from archaelogical sources which indicate that the eleventh dynasty in Egypt and the third dynasty in Babylonia were in existence without any break in civilisation and in a manner totally unaffected by any major calamity which may have occurred in the 21st century B.C. This contradicts the Biblical story that the whole world had been immersed in the flood water. In contrast to this, the Qur’anic presentation of the story of Noah and the flood does not conflict with scientific evidence or archaeological data; firstly, the Qur’an does not indicate any specific date or year of the occurance of that event, and secondly, according to the Qur’an the flood was not a universal phenomenon which destroyed complete life on earth. In fact the Qur’an specifically mentions that the flood was a localised event only involving the people of Noah.

It is illogical to assume that Prophet Muhummad (pbuh) had borrowed the story of the flood from the Bible and corrected the mistakes before mentioning it in the Qur’an.

13. MOSES (PBUH) AND PHARAOH OF THE EXODUS
The story of Moses (pbuh) and the Pharaoh of the Exodus are very much identical in the Qur’an and the Bible. Both scriptures agree that the Pharaoh drowned when he tried to pursue Moses (pbuh) and led the Israelites across a stretch of water that they crossed. The Qur’an gives an additional piece of information in Surah Yunus chapter 10 verse 92:

"This day shall We save thee in thy body, that thou mayest be a sign to those who come after thee! But verily, many among mankind are heedless of Our Signs!"
[Al-Qur’an 10:92]

Dr. Maurice Bucaille, after a thorough research proved that although Rameses II was known to have persecuted the Israelites as per the Bible, he actually died while Moses (pbuh) was taking refuge in Median. Rameses II’s son Merneptah who succeeded him as Pharaoh drowned during the exodus. In 1898, the mummified body of Merneptah was found in the valley of Kings in Egypt. In 1975, Dr. Maurice Bucaille with other doctors received permission to examine the Mummy of Merneptah, the findings of which proved that Merneptah probably died from drowning or a violent shock which immediately preceeded the moment of drowning. Thus the Qur’anic verse that we shall save his body as a sign, has been fulfilled by the Pharaohs’ body being kept at the Royal Mummies room in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

This verse of the Qur’an compelled Dr. Maurice Bucaille, who was a Christian then, to study the Qur’an. He later wrote a book ‘The Bible, the Qur’an and Science’, and confessed that the author of the Qur’an can be no one else besides God Himself. Thus he embraced Islam.

14. QUR’AN IS A BOOK FROM ALLAH
These evidences are sufficient to conclude that the Qur’an was not copied from the Bible, but that the Qur’an is the Furqaan - ‘the Criteria’ to judge right from wrong and it should be used to decipher which portion of the Bible may be considered as the Word of God.

The Qur’an itself testifies in Surah Sajda chapter 32 verse 1 to 3

Alif Laam Meem.

(This is) the revelation of the Book in which there is no doubt – from the Lord of the Worlds.

Or do they say, ‘He has forged it’? Nay, it is the Truth from thy Lord, that thou mayest admonish a people to whom no warner has come before thee: in order that they may receive guidance." [Al-Qur’an 32:1-3]

Resource : http://www.irf.net/irf/faqonislam/index.htm

Jesus? Moslems Love Him!!

2008-11-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

Many non-moslems, especially Christian, has accuse that Islam hate Jesus (pbuh) and disparage him by degrades him from “God Status” to “Prophet Status”.

I will say that many non-Moslems i.e Christians has misjudge us. We do love Jesus (pbuh) by acknowledge him as The Holy Prophet and not as the God or The Son of God. We do honor Jesus (pbuh) with the word alaihissalam which mean “peace be upon him” behind his name. We recognize his miracles: born to the world with no father, cured the lepers, rose the deads, made blinds man saw, etc. But for us, Jesus (pbuh) is nothing more than a Holy Prophet and a servant of Allah.

In a Moslem faith, saying Jesus (pbuh) as A God is a humiliation both to Jesus (pbuh) and God (Allah). Why? It is told in the holy Qur’an. Throughout the Qur‘an, Jesus (pbuh) is identified fundamentally as a Messenger of Allah. In Chapter as-Saff (61):6, God quotes Jesus (pbuh) as follows:

“And [remember] when Jesus, son of Mary, said: ‘O Children of Israel, I am the messenger of Allah sent to you, confirming the Torah [which came] before me.”

There are many verses in the New Testament supporting the messengership / prophethood of Jesus (pbuh). The following are only a few: In Matthew 21:11, the people of his time are recorded as referring to Jesus (pbuh) as a prophet: “And the crowds said, ‘This is the prophet Jesus of Nazareth of Galilee.’ ” In Mark, 6:4, it is stated that Jesus referred to himself as a prophet: “And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.’ ” In the following verses, Jesus (pbuh) is referred to as having been sent as a messenger is sent. In Matthew 10:40, Jesus (pbuh) was purported to have said: “He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.” In John 17:3, Jesus (pbuh) is also quoted as saying: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

Muslims respect and revere Jesus (pbuh). They consider him one of the greatest of Allah’s messengers to mankind. The Qu’ran confirms his virgin birth, and a chapter of the Quran is entitled ‘Maryam’ (Mary).

The Qu’ran describes the birth of Jesus as follows: (Remember) when the angels said, “O Mary, Allah gives you good news of a word from Him (Allah), whose name is the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, revered in this world and the Hereafter, and one of those brought near (to Allah). He will speak to the people from his cradle and as a man, and he is of the righteous.” She said, “My Lord, how can I have a child when no mortal has touched me?” He said, “So (it will be). Allah creates what He wills. If He decrees a thing, He says to it only, ‘Be!’ and it is.” (Quran, 3:45-47)

Jesus (pbuh) was born miraculously by the command of Allah which had brought Adam into being without a father. Allah has said: The case of Jesus (pbuh) with God is like the case of Adam. He created him from dust, and then He said to him, “Be!” and he came into being. (Quran, 3:59) During his prophetic mission, Jesus (pbuh) performed many miracles. Allah tells us that Jesus said: “I have come to you with a sign from your Lord. I make for you the shape of a bird out of clay, I breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah’s permission. I heal the blind from birth and the leper. And I bring the dead to life by Allah’s permission. And I tell you what you eat and what you store in your houses....” (Quran, 3:49)

Muslims believe that Jesus (pbuh) was not crucified. It was the plan of Jesus’ (pbuh) enemies to crucify him, but Allah saved him and raised him up to Him. And the likeness of Jesus (pbuh) was put over another man. Jesus’ (pbuh) enemies took this man and crucified him, thinking that he was Jesus (pbuh). Allah has said: "...They said, “We killed the Messiah Jesus, son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.” They did not kill him, nor did they crucify him, but the likeness of him was put on another man (and they killed that man)..." (Quran, 4:157)

Neither Muhammad nor Jesus (pbuh) came to change the basic doctrine of the belief in one God, brought by earlier prophets, but rather to confirm and renew it.

Islam really love Jesus (pbuh) by place him in his right role. Jesus (pbuh) confess himself as a prophet, not god (John 17:3, Matthew 7:21-23). If you ask which religion who reveals the true words of Jesus (pbuh), then it’s ISLAM.

Misunderstanding Islam

2008-11-02T23:02:00.000-08:00

Q: Question for religious studies professor Vernon Schubel: Disturbing headlines from Iraq to Europe leave many Americans seeing the Muslim world as alien--anti-Western, anti-modern, anti-secular, and violent. Are we heading into a "clash of civilizations"? Has Islam been hijacked by radical fundamentalists who despise Western culture?

A: To my mind, the notion of a "clash of civilizations" is wrong-headed and parochial. The Muslim world has always been intimately connected with cultures of both the "West" and the "East," from Europe and North Africa to Central Asia, China, India, and Indonesia.

There are approximately 1.3 billion Muslims in the world. Yet our media seem to focus only on the very few Muslims whom I would call radical exclusivists, people who define their own particular interpretation of Islam as the only acceptable form of religion and also the only acceptable way to constitute a society.

These exclusivists are in fact relatively marginal. Most Muslims in my experience see their religion in personal and particular ways. They'd like to live in societies where issues of piety are left up to individuals and families. They don't want to force their version of religion down the throats of other people, and they don't want the state to dictate how you have to pray or how your daughter has to dress when she goes out in public.

We have fundamentalist Christians in the United States who are just as exclusionary as the more radical Muslims. The difference is that in our society the exclusivists have a voice through the ballot box, interview programs, letters to the editor. In some of the more authoritarian political environments in the Muslim world, those voices get pushed underground, and in the end the most radical of them resort
to violence.

The exclusivism I'm talking about is not traditionalism; it's nostalgia for a created past, a past that never really existed. Take the idea of "going back" to the time when sharia, Islamic law, was the law of the state. Sharia was never the law of the state. On the contrary, throughout much of history sharia was invoked as a more benign overarching law that could protect you from the capriciousness of a ruler. If the ruler engaged in torture and oppression, there might be some jurist who would say, "That's against sharia, you can't do that to people."

One reason that today's Islamic exclusivists are so virulent is that in many ways the struggle between exclusivism and pluralism has already been decided. Most Muslims want the ability to read whatever they like; many of them want cable television; they want their kids to learn English. They are not always pro-American, but their argument is not primarily with American culture; it's with American foreign policy and American power.

Islam has always been a religion of deep diversity--cultural, linguistic, political, and theological diversity. Islam is dynamic, not static. It's a serious misunderstanding to think that Islam is a timeless, medieval entity clinging to the past and unable to deal with change, or to reduce it to a few visual cues, like minarets, beards, and head scarves.

We have to get past the essentialism that maintains that Muslims and Westerners are fundamentally different kinds of people, that we belong to something called the West, which is normal, and they belong to something "other." We are all part of a shared global human heritage. Plato is part of that heritage. So is Shakespeare. So is the Buddha. So is Muhammad.

Professor of Religious Studies Vernon Schubel teaches a variety of courses about Islam. His research has taken him to Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkey.

http://bulletin.kenyon.edu/x290.xml

There’s only one God, but why Al-qur’an uses the words “we”?

2008-11-02T21:31:00.000-08:00

Islam is a strictly monotheistic religion. It believes in and adheres to uncompromising monotheism. It believes that God is one, and unique in His attributes. It is common to recognize that Islam only worship one God, which is Allah. The glorious Qur’an says in the following verse:

Say (Muhammad): ‘O People of the scripture (jews and christians): come to a word that is just between me and you, that we worship none but Allah, and that we associate no partners with him, and that none of us shall take others as God besides Allah’ Then, if they turn back, say: ’bear witness that we (at least) are moslem (bowing to Allah’s will). Al-qur’an 3:64

The most concise definition and confession of God in Islam is given in four verses of Surah Al-Ikhlas which is chapter 112 of the Qur’an.
[112.1] Say: He is Allah the One and Only
[112.2] Allah is He on Whom all depend.
[112.3] He begets not, nor is He begotten.
[112.4] And there is none like unto Him.

The word “Asshamad” which is on the second verse is difficult to translate. It means “absolute existence” which can be attributed only to Allah. Allah is not dependent on any single thing and everything dependent to Him.

The most disturbing question is: why Al-qur’an use the word “we” when it told the words of Allah? Doesn’t “we” is plural form of person? In the Qur’an, God often refers to Himself using the word ‘We’. But this does not mean that Islam believes in the existence of more than one God. Let’s check it out.

Two types of plural
In several languages, there are two types of plurals, one is a plural of numbers to refer to something that occurs in a quantity of more than one. The other plural is a plural of respect.

a. In the English language, the Queen of England refers to herself as ‘We’ instead of ‘I’. This is known as the ‘royal plural’.

b. Rajiv Gandhi, the ex-Prime Minister of India used to say in Hindi "Hum dekhna chahte hain". "We want to see." ‘Hum’ means ‘We’ which is again a royal plural in Hindi.

c. Similarly in Arabic, when Allah refers to Himself in the Qur’an, He often uses Arabic word 'Nahnu' meaning ‘We’. It does not indicate plural of number but plural of respect. In arabic languange, the word “ ana” mean I or we. In Arabic literature branch called Nahwu, the word “ana” is called dhamir nahnu which mean I, we, us, etc.

I must confess that many moslem doesn’t understand arabic literature very well. This question is often asked by non-moslems who doesn’t understand arabic languange to confuse them. they try convince moslems that God (Allah) it’s not the only God. They try to say that God divide into three, just like Christian.

Tawheed or monotheism is one of the pillars of Islam. The existence and uniqueness of one and only one God is mentioned several times in the Qur’an. For instance in Surah Ikhlas, it says:
"Say He is Allah the One and Only."
[Al-Qur’an 112: 1]

MUSLIMS WORSHIP THE KAABA

2008-11-02T21:20:00.000-08:00

Many Non-Moslem ask question like this one: When Islam is against idol worship why do the Muslims worship, and bow down to the Kaaba in their prayer? They accuse us worship Kaaba.
Kaaba is the Qibla i.e. the direction Muslims face during their prayers. It is important to note that though Muslims face the Kaaba during prayers, they do not worship the Kaaba. Muslims worship and bow to none but Allah.
It is mentioned in Surah Baqarah:
"We see the turning of thy face (for guidance) to the heavens: now shall We turn thee to a Qiblah that shall please thee. Turn then thy face in the direction of the Sacred Mosque: wherever ye are, turn your faces in that direction."
[Al-Qur’an 2:144]

1. Islam believes in fostering unity
For instance, if Muslims want to offer Salaah (Prayer), it is possible that some may wish to face north, while some may wish to face south. In order to unite Muslims in their worship of the One True God, Muslims, wherever they may be, are asked to face in only one direction i.e. towards the Kaaba. If some Muslims live towards the west of the Kaaba they face the east. Similarly if they live towards the east of the Kaaba they face the west.

2. Kaaba is at the Centre of the World Map
The Muslims were the first people to draw the map of the world. They drew the map with the south facing upwards and north downwards. The Kaaba was at the centre. Later, western cartographers drew the map upside down with the north facing upwards and south downwards. Yet, Alhamdullilah the Kaaba is at the centre of the world map.

3. Tawaaf around Kaaba for indicating one God
When the Muslims go to Masjid-e-Haram in Makkah, they perform tawaaf or circumambulation round the Kaaba. This act symbolizes the belief and worship of One God, since, just as every circle has one centre, so also there is only one Allah (swt) worthy of worship.

4. Hadith of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)
Regarding the black stone, hajr-e-aswad, there is a hadith (tradition), attributed to the illustrious companion of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh), Umar (may Allah be pleased with him).
According to Sahih Bukhari, Volume 2, book of Hajj, chapter 56, H.No. 675. Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said, "I know that you are a stone and can neither benefit nor harm. Had I not seen the Prophet (pbuh) touching (and kissing) you, I would never have touched (and kissed) you".

5. People stood on Kaaba and gave the adhaan
At the time of the Prophet, people even stood on the Kaaba and gave the ‘adhaan’ or the call to prayer. One may ask those who allege that Muslims worship the Kaaba; which idol worshipper stands on the idol he worships?

by Dr. Zakir Naik. http://islamicvoice.com

2008-10-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

Is it true that prophet muhammad is a sex maniac?

prophet Muhammad is often imaged as a sex maniac because having 11 wifes. this is very cruel accusation. ten from the eleven women married by the prophet is old widows. The purpose of the prophet by marry them is to teach laws of islam which studying about women’s matter like menstruation, child bed, etc. in other words, to make mistresss in the field of law of syara' which very required by womankind. why? because during the period the woman shy to ask about problem of family and femininity to the prophet. That’s why the women enquiring to his wifes.
The second reason why prophet Muhammad has 11 wifes is to protect them. Most women married by prophet muhammad are impecunious women, old widows, and slave. Abu Jahal and Abu Lahab, two prophet muhammad arch-enemy which none other than his own uncle, have offered beautiful women of noble faction, extravagant riches and properties, and high social status if prophet muhammad willing to discontinue his mission. But prophet muhammad reply: “though the sun put down on my right hand and the moon put down on my left hand, I will not discontinue this mission before I reach the victory or I die as syuhada.”
If prophet muhammad married 11 women which mentioned above just because he wanted their estae, or to fulfill his sex desire, hence he would have accepted the offer Abu Jahal and Abu Lahab. Logically, if you becoming prophet muhammad, you'd accept the offer oh Abu Jahal and Abu Lahab, Don’t you.?
If prophet muhammad married 11 women just to fulfill his sex desire, hence it would not be enough for 11 wifes and the liife of prophet muhammad will only filled with searching new wifes.
If prophet muhammad married 11 women just to fulfill his sex desire, hence islam will never expand like the recent time. Why? Because prophet muhammad woud not had time to spread the taught of islam and his time only filled to sleep and made love with his wifes.
If prophet muhammad married 11 women just to fulfill his sex desire, hence in a short time those women will ask for divorce as they only use as sex slave. In fact, the family of prophet muhammad confessed by many people as the most glorious family.
It is clear that accusing prophet muhammad as sex maniac is non-based and cruel accusation.

2008-10-13T21:09:00.000-07:00

Qur'an Written by Satan / Devil

In reply to a similar allegation put forward by the pagans of makkah, that the prophet (pbuh) received the revelations from satan, the following verses were revealed:
Surah waqiah, chapter 56 verses 77-80
"that this is indeed
a qur’an most honourable,
In a book well-guarded,
Which none shall touch
but those who are clean:

a revelation from the lord
of the worlds."
Kitabim maknoon means a book well guarded or a protected book, referring to lauh-e-mahfooz in the heaven, which none shall touch except the mutahhareen. I.e. Those who do not have any uncleanliness or impurity or evil like sin. This refers to the angels. The satan is absolutely prohobited.
Thus since it is impossible for satan to come anywhere close to it or touch it, the question of him writing the verses of the glorious qur’an does not arise.
It is further mentioned in surah shura, chapter 26 verse 210-212
"no evil ones have brought
down this (revelation):
It would neither suit them
nor would they be able (to produce it).
Indeed they have been removed
far from even (a chance of)
hearing it."
Many people have a wrong concept of satan. They think that satan can probably do everything, except a couple of things that god can do. According to them, satan is slightly below god in power. Since the people do not want to accept that the qur’an is a miraculous revelation, they say that it is satan’s handiwork.
1. If satan would have written the qur’an, he would not have mentioned in the same qur’an in surah nahl, chapter 16 verse no. 98
"when thou does read
the qur’an, seek allah’s protection from satan the rejected one."
Is this how you feel satan would write a book? Does he tell you; "before you read my book ask god to save you from me?"
1. There are several verses in the qur’an which will give enough evidence that satan is not the author of the qur’an.
In surah al aaraf chapter 7 verse 200
"if a suggestion from satan assail your (mind),
seek refuge with allah; for he hears and knows
(all things).
Why would satan tell his followers, that whenever he gives any suggestions to them, they should seek refuge in allah (swt) to whom he is an avowed enemy.
1. In surah baqarah, chapter 2 verse 168
"o ye people!
Eat of what is on earth, lawful and good;
and do not follow the footsteps of the evil one,
for he is to you an avowed enemy."
1. In surah yasin, chapter 36 verse 60
"did i not enjoin on you,
o ye children of adam,
that ye should not worship satan;
For that he was to you an enemy avowed?"
Satan is intelligent, no wonder that he can put this idea into the minds of people that he himself wrote the qur’an. Compared to almighty god, satan is insignificant, and allah (swt) is far more intelligent. He knows satan’s evil intentions and hence no wonder that he has given the reader of the qur’an several proofs to show that qur’an is god’s word, and not satan’s word.
The bible mentions in the gospel of mark, chapter 3, verses 24-26
"and if a kingdom be divided against itself, that
kingdom cannot stand."
"and if a house be divided against itself,
that house cannot stand."
"and if satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end."
by Dr. Zakir Naik. http://islamicvoice.com

Why are you fear islam?

2008-10-13T20:51:00.000-07:00

Why are you fear islam?

People all over the world at the recent times has the same mindset about islam. Islam is the religion of terror, religion that support slavery, degrades women, and many bad things that people may has in their mind. Major Ken Murray, in his speech in Shasta County District, Sacramento, USA, argued that moslems are commanded by his religion to kill, lie, steal, and rob anyone who not believe in Allah SWT.
This speech is only a small piece from the whole black campaign that run by those who hate Islam in nowadays. They told us that Islam is the religion that taught slavery, murder, violence, rape, and discrimination. Islam must be banned.
These black campaign come to it’s peak after the terrorist attack to WTC on September 9th. Even, this phenomenon has come up with endangering level. Company research, Gallup, have conduct a polling which its result indicate that 39 % of US citizen expect Moslem in the country obliged to impose special identity.
The Sites also narrate after WTC event, US citizen named Ahmad Faruk, dissipated from airplane because he prays in Islamic way before the journey. In other opportunity, two passenger of plane of firm of Monarch Airlines which Mid-East appearance is not permitted boarded to fly from Spain to England. The Appearance makes other passenger assume them as terrorist.
At the recent day, Islam still imaged as fearful religion. The survey conducted by Yougov, showing result of concerning. Counted 53 % of English citizen trust Islam represents threat to West world. In consequence, they agree the police should be more focus to pay attention at the Moslem community in the effort preventing terrorism action.
The question is, is Islam truly a bad religion? It is very unfortunate that news on mass media are very not proportional. They tend to see Islam only from terrorist actions who bringing the name of Islam or confess as Moslem. Why they don’t allege catholic as bad religion based on all terrorist actions in Ireland? Or see Buddha as sadistic religion based on the cruelty of Polpot and his Red Khmer?
You should recognize Islam First. Don’t judge the car by its driver.

Islam - The Misinterpreted Religion

2008-10-10T00:14:00.000-07:00

Islam - The Misinterpreted Religion
By Arnold Cafe

Islam generally means peace, but it is the peace more on ones inner self after it has submitted oneself to the will of God Almighty and that is what the noble religion is all about. Islam has taught oneself to live harmoniously with its neighbors whose religion is other than Islam. It taught oneself to treat them with dignity and due respect irregardless of their faith, creed and race. The same way that Islam regards the relationship as mutual, that it is also treated as such in return. God is clear on this issue in dealing with other faiths when He said " There's no compulsion in religion, the truth is distinct from error"
Islam neither tolerates oppression to anyone nor the interferences of the affairs of others. Any transgression to this effect, surely does not emanate from the religion itself because it does not condone it but rather it condemns it. Neither Islam taught oneself to sit back nor allow oneself to be a victim of transgression without an option to retaliation for such wrongdoing which is the very essence of human nature when provoked. Any victim of an inflicted wrongdoing, God gives oneself the discretion whether to retaliate or not when He said " When you do retaliate there's no blame to be put on you, but if you can forgive that is good for you"
The embodiment of Islam is true monotheism, that is none has the right to be worshiped but God Almighty alone. That He has not begotten a son nor He is begotten. That He has no partners nor He is one of two. He is but One, not one in a trinity. It has been known that the message of true monotheism had been corrupted by unscrupulous innovators of their times to suit pagan tradition of polytheism and idolatry which had been gone on and on as history repeating itself since the time of Noah, Abraham, Moses and up to the time of Jesus Christ (peace be upon them). The doctrine of triune god or trinity is an offshoot to that tradition. God has declared to this issue when He said " They do blaspheme who said that god is one of three in a trinity. For there is no god except One God, if they desist not to what they utter, verily a grievous penalty awaits the blasphemers".
The belief of true monotheism is what we are ordained to believe in. It is a way of life that anyone just can't ignore. It has been preached and practiced by all prophets sent by God to mankind long before the advent of prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the prophet of mankind.
Arnold Cafe is an active internet marketer and author of Ideas Galore: http://www.affleap.com/blog/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arnold_Cafe

Universality of Islam

2008-09-22T21:16:00.000-07:00

Islam is a religion only for Arabs

The fastest way to prove that this is completely false is to state the fact that only about 15% to 20% of the Muslims in the world are Arabs. There are more Indian Muslims than Arab Muslims and more Indonesian Muslims than Indian Muslims!
Believing that Islam is only a religion for Arabs is a myth that was spread by the enemies of Islam early in its history. This mistaken assumption is possibly based on the fact that most of the first generation of Muslims were Arabs, the Qur'an is in Arabic and the Prophet Muhammad was an Arab. However, both the teachings of Islam and the history of its spread show that the early Muslims made every effort to spread their message of Truth to all nations, races and peoples. Furthermore, it should be clarified that not all Arabs are Muslims and not all Muslims are Arabs.
An Arab can be a Muslim, Christian, Jew, atheist - or of any other religion or ideology. Also, many countries that some people consider to be "Arab" are not "Arab" at all -- such as Turkey and Iran (Persia). The people who live in these countries speak languages other than Arabic as their native tongues and are of a different ethnic heritage than the Arabs. It is important to realize that from the very beginning of the mission of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), his followers came from a wide spectrum of individuals -- there was Bilal, the African slave; Suhaib, the Byzantine Roman; Ibn Sailam, the Jewish Rabbi; and Salman, the Persian, Since religious truth is eternal and unchanging, and mankind is one universal brotherhood, Islam teaches that Almighty God's revelations to mankind have always been consistent, clear and universal. The Truth of Islam is meant for all people regardless of race, nationality or linguistic background. Taking a look at the Muslim World from Nigeria to Bosnia and from Malaysia to Afghanistan is enough to prove that Islam is a Universal message for all of mankind - not to mention the fact that significant numbers of Europeans and Americans of all races and ethnic backgrounds are reverting to Islaam in greater and greater numbers.
artikel source : http://islam.thetruecall.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=238

Islam is The Religion of Terror

2008-09-22T20:53:00.000-07:00

Islam - Is it a religion of TERROR?
from the 'Invitation to Islam' Newsletter Issue 5, October 1998

A bomb goes off in a marketplace in Jerusalem. A suicide bomber launches himself into a bus full of women and children in Tel Aviv. Foreign tourists get massacred at a holiday resort in Luxor, Egypt. Villages upon villages get annihilated in Algeria. The list of events worldwide which have come to symbolise the 'Islamic terror' are endless. From the times in the 70's and 80's when Pan Am and TWA aeroplanes would be highjacked, to the mid 80's in war torn Lebanon where Americans and Europeans would be held as hostages for years; all such incidents have come to be identified with the religion of Islam. Such incidents from past and present have undoubtedly affected Muslims worldwide and more so in the West. Any Muslim, who wants to practice his/her religion and expresses the pious desire to live under the banner of Islam, is labelled a fundamentalist or extremist. Any Muslim man who walks down a busy street in London or Paris (and Paris moreso) with a beard and a skull cap on his head, is looked upon as being a terrorist who's probably got an AK47 stashed somewhere on his person. Muslim women who are veiled can't go anywhere in the Western world without being taunted as being oppressed or being mad (for covering up). However, are such beliefs and opinions about Islam really justified?
Exploding the myth
One of the many short comings which has arisen in the West, is judging Islam by the conduct of a minority of its people. By doing this, segments of Western society have deliberately played off the desperate actions of many Muslims, and have given it the name of Islam. Such behaviour is clearly not objective and seeks to distort the reality of Islam. For if such a thing was done Judge a religion by the conduct of its people) then we too could say that all Christianity is about is child molesting and homosexuality [1] whilst Hinduism was all about looting and breaking up mosques [2]. Generalising in such a manner is not seen as being objective, yet we find that the Western world is foremost in propagating this outlook on Islam. So what is the reality of Islam? How does one dispel the myths which have been created and spread so viciously? The only way to examine Islam is to simply examine its belief system. Look at its sources, the Qur'an and Sunna, and see what they have to say. This is the way to find the truth about what Islam says about terror, terrorism and terrorists. One who is sincerely searching for the truth, will do it no other way. The very name Islam comes from the Arabic root word 'salama' which means peace. Islam is a religion which is based upon achieving peace through the submission to the will of Allah. Thus, by this very simple linguistic definition, one can ascertain as to what the nature of this religion is. If such a religion is based on the notion of peace, then how is it that so many acts done by its adherents are contrary to peace? The answer is simple. Such actions, if not sanctioned by the religion, have no place with it. They are not Islamic and should not be thought of as Islamic.
Jihad
The word jihad sends shivers down the spines of many Westerners. They readily equate this term with violence and oppression. However, it must be said that the meaning of jihad, as a 'holy war', is something which is totally foreign and not from Islam. If anything, such a description belongs more so to Christianity and its adherents. It was terms like this which were used to justify the slaughter and pillage of towns and cities during the crusades by the Christians. By simply looking into the sources of Islam, one is able to know that the true meaning of jihad is to strive/make effort in the way of Allah. Thus striving in the way of Allah can be both peaceful and physical. The Prophet Muhammed (saws) said: "The best jihad is (by) the one who strives against his own self for Allah, The Mighty and Majestic" [3]. In the Qur'an, Allah also says:
"So obey not the disbelievers, but make a great jihad (effort) against them (by preaching) with it (the Qur'an)" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 25, Verse 52.
By controlling and fighting against ones desires, the Muslims can then also physically exert themselves in the path of Allah. It is this physical or combative jihad which receives so much criticism. Because of the sheer ignorance of this type of jihad Islam is regarded as terror, and Muslims are regarded as terrorists. However, the very purpose of this physical jihad is to raise the word of Allah uppermost. By doing this, it liberates and emancipates all those who are crying out for freedom all over the world. If the likes of the pacifists of this world had their way, then the world would indeed be full of anarchy and mischief. The combative jihad seeks to correct this as Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And if Allah did not check one set of people by means of another, the Earth would be full of mischief. But Allah is full of bounty to the worlds" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 251.
Such would be the corruption on this Earth if there had never been a combative jihad that Allah says:
"For had it not been that Allah checks one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is mentioned much, would surely have been pulled down. Indeed Allah will help those who help His (cause). Truly Allah is All strong, All mighty" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 22, Verse 40.
This combative jihad being both defensive and offensive, is something which is commanded by Allah upon the Muslims. Through this command the oppressed and weak are rescued from the tyranny of the world:
"And what is the matter with you that you do not fight in the cause of Allah and for those weak, ill treated and oppressed among men, women and children whose only cry is; 'Our Lord, rescue us from this town whose people are oppressors and raise for us from you one who will protect and raise for us from you one who will help"' The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 4, Verse 75.
Anyone who knows the early history of Islam, will know that all those nations and empires which came under the fold of Islam were indeed previously oppressed. When the companions of the Prophet Muhammed (saws) went out for the offensive jihad against the Egyptians, the Persians and the Romans, we find that the people did not resist against them at all. Rather, they accepted Islam on such a scale, that it is inconceivable that the jihad of Islam could be anything other then a liberation for these people; a liberation from centuries of tyranny. In fact, with the Byzantine Egyptians and the people of Spain, the Muslims were even beckoned to come and liberate these lands from the oppression of their kings. This is the glorious track record of the Muslim jihad Compare this with the brutal track record of warfare in the Western world over the centuries. From the crusades against the Muslims to the days of colonial warfare, the Western world has killed, destroyed and plundered everything which has come in its way. Even today this merciless killing goes on by the Western nations. While claiming to be about world peace and security, Western nations are ready to bomb innocent civilians at the drop of a hat. The classic example of this is the recent bombings of Sudan and Afghanistan. Whilst claiming that Sudan and Afghanistan were havens for Islamic terrorists, the bombings of these two nations could not have come at a better time for the American president Bill Clinton. The destruction of innocent lives which were a result of these bombings clearly seem to have been an attempt by Clinton to avert attention away from his sexual misdemeanours; [4] something which he so often gets caught up in. Without doubt this was the reason for such terror from the American military upon innocent people. This is the same American military which claims to enter the worlds trouble spots under the guise of being peace keepers. But
"… when it is said to them; 'Make not mischief on the Earth', they say; 'We are only peace makers'. Indeed they are the ones who make mischief, but they perceive it not" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 11-12.
The hypocrisy of the West is indeed astounding.
By looking at the rules and regulations of this combative jihad it will be clear to any sincere person that this is indeed the religion of truth. When fighting an unjust enemy, no matter how unjust they are, it is forbidden by Islam that their retreating forces are mutilated, tortured or slaughtered. The treacherous violation of treaties and carrying out assassinations after a cease fire, are also prohibited. Allah says in the Qur'an:
"And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you. But do not transgress the limits. Truly Allah loves not the transgressors" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 190.
Not transgressing the limits means not to kill women and children, for the Messenger of Allah (saws)"forbade the killing of women and children" [5]. Not transgressing the limits means that the elderly, the sick, monks, worshippers and hired labourers are not attacked. Not transgressing the limits means not killing animals wantonly, burning crops and vegetation, polluting waters and destroying homes, monasteries, churches and synagogues:
"Allah does not forbid you to deal justly and kindly with those who fought not against you on account of religion, nor drove you out of your homes. Indeed, Allah loves those who deal with equity" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 60, Verse 8.
After reading such passages from the Qur'an and knowing about what Islam commands and prohibits in jihad, the rules of warfare are given a new meaning; a meaning of justice. How sad it is then, that whilst Islam is condemned for striking terror into the hearts of the people, the likes of the Serbs, the Indian army in Kashmir and the Israeli soldiers in Palestine are left untarnished for the atrocities they have committed in the name of warfare. So what about suicide bombing, is this too a part of jihad in Allah's path? From what has already been stated above, it can be deduced that this is not from the religion. However, unfortunately many Muslims have taken suicide bombing as being a virtuous act by which one receives reward. This could not be further from the truth. The Prophet (saws) said: "Those who go to extremes are destroyed" [6]. Suicide bombing is undoubtedly an extremity which has reached the ranks of the Muslims. In the rules of warfare, we find no sanction for such an act from the behaviour and words of the Prophet Muhammed (saws) and his companions. Unfortunately, today (some misguided) Muslims believe that such acts are paving the way for an Islamic revival and a return to the rule of Islam's glorious law. However, we fail to bear in mind that the Prophet (saws) said: "Do not be delighted by the action of anyone, until you see how he ends up" [7]. So, for example what is the end of a suicide bomber in Palestine?, a leg here, an arm there. Massive retaliation by the Israeli's in the West Bank and Gaza. More Muslims killed and persecuted. How can we be delighted with such an end? What really hammers the final nail in the coffin of this act, is that it is suicide; something which is clearly forbidden in Islam. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: "He who kills himself with anything, Allah will torment him with that in the fire of Hell" [8]. Some are under the misconception that by killing oneself for an Islamic cause, one commits an act which deserves Paradise. Once when a man killed himself, the Prophet (saws) said:"He is a dweller of the Fire". When the people were surprised at this, the Prophet (saws) said: "A person performs the deeds which to the people appears to be the deeds befitting the dweller of Paradise, but he is in fact one of the dwellers of the Fire" [9]. The taking of ones life which Allah has given as a trust to the human, is a great sin. Likewise the taking of other lives (which is so often the case with suicide bombing) is also forbidden, as human life is indeed precious:
"...If anyone killed a person not in retaliation for murder or to spread mischief in the land, it would be as if he killed the whole of mankind. And (likewise) if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole of mankind" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 5, Verse 32.
Thus, all other types of extremities such as hostage taking, hijacking and planting bombs in public places, are clearly forbidden in Islam.
The Media
By going through the teachings of Islam, it is clear that such a religion has only come to benefit mankind -not to destroy it. So why is there so much hatred for this noble religion in the West? The answer is simple, the media. It is the Jewish influenced media of the West which has portrayed Islam to be something that it is not. During the 70's and 80's when the PLO (Palestine Liberation Organisation) were carrying out daring highjacks on the worlds airways, the media in the West portrayed it as being Islamic. When the Shi'ite suicide bombers of the 80's were causing so much havoc in the Lebanon and in the Gulf region, the media in the West portrayed it as a part of Islam. However, it is known by the heads of the media that the likes of the PLO were not an Islamic organisation, and that according to Islam, Shi'ites are outside the fold of Islam [10]. Yet such facts are never portrayed by a media which seeks to cover the truth of this religion. A number of years ago, when the Oklahoma City bomb went off, a headline in one of the newspapers, 'The Today' [11], summed up this attitude. With a picture of a fire fighter holding a dead child in his arms, the headline read: "In The Name of Islam" Time has of course proven that this bigoted assumption was incorrect, as Timothy McVeigh, a right wing radical now faces the death penalty for the crime [12]. Likewise the bombs which went off in the Paris metro in 1995, were also blamed on Muslim fanatics. It has now emerged that the Algerian secret service who having routinely bribed many European journalists and MPs, were actually behind it. The desire to throw a veil over Islam is immense by these people:
"They intend to put out the light of Allah with their mouths, but Allah will complete His light even though the disbelievers hate (it)" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 61, Verse 8.
Whilst trying to destroy Islam through this instrument of the media, the Jews clearly try to portray an image of themselves as being the oppressed people. Every year, we are reminded as to how many Jews perished under the Nazis in World War II. We are made to feel sorry for these same people who have gone on to commit so many crimes upon the Palestinian people. Some may say that this is a racist and biased viewpoint. But we say; If this media was not run and orchestrated by the Jews and was truly neutral, then why are Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, two former Israeli prime ministers, not held aloft as being terrorists? Anyone who knows about the history of the Palestinian occupation will tell you that these two men were members of the Stem Gang and Irgun, two notorious Jewish terror groups who killed many innocent people [13]. If this media was truly impartial, then why does it not tell about the extent of the Israeli bombardment and illegal occupation of Southern Lebanon and its people? [14] And if this media really had nothing against the religion of Allah, then why does it not inform the people that every day hundreds are entering the religion of Islam? Such things will never be highlighted in the Western media, simply because to do so would be against their very interests.
With such immense pressure against it, it is indeed a blessing from Allah that Islam goes from strength to strength. It continues to grow faster then any other religion in the Western world, conquering the hearts and minds of thousands. All this should not even surprise us though, for Allah has promised us that this religion will prevail:
"It is He who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, so that He may make it victorious over all other religions, even though the disbelievers detest it" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 61, Verse 9.
It is a must that humanity comes towards the religion of Islam. Without it, we will continue to slip down the road of inequity and darkness. With it we can establish a society of justice and peace. Religion of terror? ... no. The way forward? ... yes.
"There is no compulsion in religion. The right path has indeed become distinct from the wrong. So whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah, then he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. And Allah is All Hearing, All Knowing" The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verese 256.
Footnotes
1 By using the many cases of child abuse and homosexuality by priests, Such a generalisation about Christianity could be made
2 By using the incident of the destruction of the Babri mosque in Ayodya, India in December 1992 by Hindu zealots, such generalisations could be made about Hinduism
3 Authentic - Reported by At-Tabaranee
4 Years of sexual liaison with a White House aide, Monica Lewinski, has been proved against Mr Clinton. Since this time, a number of other women have also claimed that they have had affairs with the president. And this is the same man who propagates family values and to whom millions look up to!
5 Reported by Bukhari - Eng. Trans, Vol.4, p. 160, No. 258
6 Authentic - Reported by Ahmed
7 Authentic - Reported by Ahmed
8 Reported by Muslim - Eng. Trans, Vol. 1, p.62, No.203
9 Reported by Muslim - Eng. Trans, Vol. 1, p.64, No.206
10 The beliefs which are contained in the books of the Shi'ites places them outside of the fold of Islam generally. However, upon the individual Shi'ite, the proofs need to be established before one can say that helshe is a disbeliever
11 This newspaper no longer exists
12 It is strange indeed that whilst the Western media criticises Islamic law for being barbaric and harsh, not a word is said about the fact that McVeigh too will be executed just as someone would in an Islamic state
13 These two groups killed Arabs, Jews and the British. They are accredited with the massacre at the village of Deir Yassin, in which many innocent people were butchered
14 Despite the fact that the UN has even made a resolution against Israel for this illegal occupation, no 'democratic peace loving nation' (like the USA!!) has bothered to implement it.
article source : http://islam.thetruecall.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=36

Muslim Should Marry Four Women

2008-09-22T19:55:00.000-07:00

The Misuse Of Polygamy The Abuse Of Women
By Mustafaa Muhammad
Many people when they hear of Muslims, or the religion of Islam automatically think of this religion as a faith that sponsors abuse of women through polygamist relationships. In addition, many Muslim men have not helped in creating this false perception “That Islam is an abusive religion against women.” Since I have become a Muslim many people have come to me, jokingly, asking: “When am I going to get 15 wives”. Many Muslim men, particularly in the East, have taken to entering into multiple marriages as though this is something mandated in the religion of Islam. As I read my Holy Qur’an I have as of yet to find justification for this act. The injunction to have multiple wives is mentioned in The Holy Qur’an only once. And in this instance it is mentioned in a context that doesn’t give any man the liberty to just take wives for the sake of it
The injunction for polygamy is mentioned in Sura(chapter) 4 of The Holy Qur’an called Al-Nisa(The Woman), verses 1-3. This chapter of the Holy Qur’an opens with a command from ALLAH to keep your duties him and to each other(Husband and wife):
“O people, keep your duty to your Lord, Who created you from a single being and created its mate of the same (kind), and spread from these two many men and women. And keep your duty to Allah, by whom you demand one of another (your rights), and (to) the ties of relationship. Surely Allah is ever a Watcher over you.” (Holy Qur’an 4:1) The Qur’an when it was revealed over 1400 years ago to the Prophet Muhammad(Peace be upon him) stressed the oneness of God in response to the polytheist beliefs popular in Arabia. The Holy Qur’an also came as a remedy to standing social ills. The abuse of womenfolk is common among the monotheistic faiths traditions we uphold. ALLAH(God) doesn’t promote these ideas, but some men have used the word of God to fit their own desires. It may be hard to believe by looking at the Muslim world today but The Qur’an and Muhammad’s teachings was a liberating force to women at that stage of history. Women were allowed to own property, vote, considered equal with man, work and allowed the right of divorce. These may be common practices today, however they were revolutionary in a society(and even Europe) which looked down on women.
The married state of one man/one wife is the prescribed setting for family as taught by The Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an says to marry one “is more proper that you may not do injustice.” The question may be asked how did a religion which liberated women and teaches men to marry one wife become synonymous with polygamy in the minds of most? The Qur’an is a solution to situations both normal and ab-normal.
The Battle of Uhud and Polygamy The Holy Qur’an, as a religious text, wasn’t revealed at once but rather was revealed over a 23 year period. During this 23 year period many circumstances came up which ALLAH would reveal a new chapter or verse to address each situation. This compilation has come down to us as the present Qur’an.
History teaches us that once the Muslims left their homeland they had to participate in three major battles Badr-Uhud-Ahzab. These wars stand as triumphs of the smaller party(Muslims) over numerically and militarily stronger opponents.
During the battle of Uhud, in the 3rd year of Hijra, many Muslims died due to an Ambush attack by the Quarish. The odds were 700 Muslims vs. an army of 3000 strong. History teaches us during this war many Muslim women became widows. In response to this tragedy, ALLAH revealed a Quranic verse (Sura 4:3) allowing the Muslim men to take up and maintain more than one wife. Before we go any further let us review this Quranic verse:
“And if you fear that you cannot do justice to orphans, marry such women as seem good to you, two, or three, or four; but if you fear that you will not do justice, then (marry) only one or that which your right hands possess. This is more proper that you may not do injustice.”(Sura 4:3) From reading the above verse it becomes clear, in response to a situation, ALLAH allowed a limited polygamy while at the same time reminding us “One” wife is better.
We must be aware of the social condition of Arabia in the 7th century. During this period a women couldn’t just go get a job or some social welfare. There were few options for the maintenance of women in this society-either marriage or prostitution. So ALLAH made an exception to his normal law to prevent fornication, adultery or prostitution, and allowed men who were spiritually, economically and mentally capable to marry more than one wife to secure maintenance of the female.
Even if you marry more than one wife, according to the Qur’an you must do justice by them all. What does justice mean in this context? It simply means what you do for one wife must be done for the others. If you buy one a house, car, jewelry or other item you must do the same for all otherwise you are being unjust. If we view this in modern day society with the high cost of living-we begin to see how un-practible polygamy can be to a man. It is certainly not just for sex.
It is the mis-use of the institution of polygamy by some, not all, Muslim men that has led to the abuse of women in the world and the disdain that is heaped upon the religion of Islam by our enemies.
And if some want to condemn the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, for resorting to polygamy we only have to look to the Bible and religious history in general to discover that many Prophets of God entered this practice for God’s own wise purposes.
Polygamy today Now that we have reviewed the historical incidents of the practice of polygamy and the moral- spiritual reasons why this practice was allowed, we now come to the 21st century and the modern day practice of polygamy. The picture of a “Muslim man” with his harem or multiple wives is a common image in the mind of many non-Muslims. Some even promote the idea that ALLAH will allow Muslim men to have “70 virgins” in paradise-if slain in battle. I know many may say these are the words of Prophet Muhammad(Peace be upon him). However, I would like to point out the Prophet said: “After my death many false reports(hadiths) will be attributed to me, but you can judge the truthfulness of the reports by the Qur’an.”
I say that to say that somewhere along the line we have misinterpreted our holy book and words of our Prophet for the benefit of our personal pleasures. The heaven described by The Holy Qur’an is not some great sexual orgy of Muslim men chasing virgins. We must understand by them[women] being described as virgins in heaven only means they are pure women and untouched by filth, but it has nothing to do with sex.
Thanks for reading these words!
Copyright2007 Mustafaa Muhammad
http://brothermustafaa.com/
Mustafaa Muhammad is an “African American” who is a follower of the Islamic faith. Through independent religious studies developed an ecumenical view of the world’s religions and the people of God. And while he is devoted to Islam as his faith he is at home in the Church(or other religious institutions) as he is in the Mosque.
He has been featured on the Radio, Newspapers, public speaking events and at Mosques/Churches telling his story and offering his understanding of Almighty God’s plan for salvation.
Mustafaa is involved in community activity. He believes that our faith must inspire us to greater service to humanity or we may be making a mockery of the purpose of faith. Contact him @ http://brothermustafaa.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mustafaa_Muhammad

Islam Was Spread by The Violence

2008-09-22T19:42:00.000-07:00

Was Islam Spread By the Sword?

by Laura Cosse

The idea of Islam being spread by the sword is one of the most common misconceptions among both the Muslims and non-Muslims. Many non-Muslims have written untold volumes of anti-Islamic literature propagating the fallacy of Muslims holding swords above the heads of Christians and forcing them to convert to Islam. This is total nonsense. On the other hand we have some Muslim apologists who, in their great fervor to defend Islam and portray it as the peaceful religion it is, seem reluctant to admit that Muslims did indeed fight wars to expand their territories. So what is the truth of the situation? I would like to begin our quest for the truth on this matter by quoting the Qur'an, the literal word of God and the primary source for Islam: "Say the truth from your Lord, then let whomsoever wills believe and let whomsoever wills reject." 18:29
Let's start with the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and look at his example. He did preach Islam peacefully in Mecca for 13 years without once raising a finger against his enemies even though he and his followers were harshly persecuted, tortured, mocked and sometimes murdered. The first wars with Mecca did not occur until after the hijra to Medina, and those battles were defensive against Abu Sufyan and his amassed troops. After the Treaty of Hudaybiyya, the peace treaty between the Muslims and the Meccans, was unilaterally broken by the Meccans, the Muslims conquered Mecca without any bloodshed. Tribal customs would dictate that the Meccans should then be slaughtered for their transgressions against the victorious Muslims, and indeed the Meccans anticipated this, but Muhammad (PBUH) granted them amnesty on the condition that they cease fighting the Muslims. This was a beautiful act of mercy which led to the majority of Meccans choosing to convert to Islam, though no person was ever forced to do so.
What is conversion to Islam? Converting to Islam is something that has to be done by choice, it is something that you believe in your heart, that there is only one God and that Muhammad is His prophet and messenger. Words without belief are meaningless. Of course God alone knows what is in each and every person's heart, so you won't be able to fool God by meaningless lip service to Islam, and religion is solely for God and the benefit of the individual. So, forced conversion is impossible. The Qur'an attests to this fact in 2:256 where it states: "There is no compulsion in religion."
So how did Islam spread so rapidly across North Africa to the Iberian Peninsula and east across India and Central Asia all the way to Southeast Asia? Primarily it spread by trade. Very often while Muslim merchants were traveling abroad they would impress the people they did business with by their honesty and integrity, so much so that those people would ask questions, learn about Islam, and eventually choose to convert.
However, there were indeed wars as well, most of which were in the times of the first four caliphs. The prophet Muhammad advised his armies of how to approach the non-Muslim governments, he told his armies to call them first to Islam, and if they accept it then leave them alone. If they reject Islam, call on them to submit to the Muslim government and pay the jizyah tax, a poll tax paid by non-Muslims to the Muslim government for their protection and upkeep of the lands and buildings. If they refused both of those options, then they were to fight. But, the fighting itself had many rules, it wasn't just a bloodbath, free-for-all like we've seen in other times, for instance by the Mongols and the Christian Crusaders, rather it was warfare waged only against the armies themselves. It was forbidden to fight civilians and it was forbidden to destroy their agriculture and means of livelihood. There was no raping, pillaging and plundering by the Muslim armies; they fought only the armies sent out by the government until they surrendered and left the innocent civilians alone.
There are numerous hadiths of the prophet (PBUH) where he clearly distinguishes between the combatants and the non-combatants. In a hadith related by Abu Dawud he said, "Do no kill any old person, any child, or any woman," and he said, "Do no kill people sitting in places of worship." Abu Bakr, the first Caliph, gave detailed instructions to his army heading for Syria based on his knowledge of Qur'an and hadiths:
"Stop, O people, that I may give you ten rules for your guidance in the battlefield. Do not commit treachery or deviate from the right path. You must not mutilate dead bodies. Neither kill a child, nor a woman, nor an aged man. Bring no harm to the trees, nor burn them with fire, especially those which are fruitful. Slay not any of the enemy's flock, save for your food. You are likely to pass by people who have devoted their lives to monastic services; leave them alone."
Once a government had fallen into the hands of the Muslims, the citizens paid a poll tax and were free to practice any religion they chose. Christianity and Judaism flourished under Islamic rule since the Muslims protected their churches and synagogues and other holy places, even though they had the power to wipe them out if they had so chosen. Perhaps the most amazing law of all is that if a Christian or a Jew committed a crime and was found guilty, they were tried by their own courts and punished by their own laws, not by the courts and laws of the Muslims. Can you imagine in America today a Muslim being tried in an Islamic court rather than the American system? This was truly progressive governing.
Many of the citizens welcomed the Muslims as their rulers and viewed them as liberators who had rescued them from oppressive kingships, granting them their basic human rights and so much more. Many of the citizens of a conquered land would choose to embrace Islam once they came in contact with the Muslims, and Islam did spread rapidly through these acquired lands. But, individuals were never forced to convert to Islam.
The proof that individuals were not and are not forced to convert to Islam is in the facts of populations. In Egypt there are over 14 million Coptic Christians, in Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and all the other lands ruled by Muslims there have continuously been large populations of Christians and Jews. Muslims ruled over Spain for more than 800 years, yet the Christian and Jewish populations have thrived throughout that time. There are over 450 million Muslims in Indonesia today but there was no war by Muslims that brought the religion there, it was only merchants. And, perhaps the most fascinating, the fastest growing religion in the United States and Europe is Islam. Are Americans and Europeans being forced to convert? Of course not, it's something else. These people see truth and justice in Islam that they don't find in any other religion or way of life. These people choose Islam for themselves, by themselves, just like the Meccans did 1400 years ago. That is the truth about how Islam has spread throughout the world.
Peace be on you and yours.

Laura Cosse' converted to Islam in 1996. She is the author of several Islamic children's books and currently resides in Virginia Beach, VA with her husband and twin sons, Muhammad and Hamza. For more info and articles please visit http://www.advocateislam.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Cosse