Azadre's Thread on Islam (aka you have questions, I have answers)

azadre --

you're doing a good thing here. it's good to seek to understand and to be understood.

 

Why would you ask this of Muslims? This is true of all religions. And why are you surprised to hear different answers? Again, true for all.

 

What spurred on OBL in the first place? The Palestinian cause? Is it because you read that or just your assumption about what seems like a logical reason for obl?

The fatwah declaration in 1998 was clearly designed to boot America from Suadi Arabia and to stop meddling in Arab nations. There was no mention of Palestine other than mentioning our support of 'the Jews' petty state'.

http://www.ict.org.il/articles/fatwah.htm


As for the last 50 years, both sides have done deplorable things in this ongoing fighting. To blame one side only for the atrocities is to show one's ridiculous bias.

To many Americans it appears that there is a good side and a bad side. It's not that simple...but suicide bombing families at restaurants and in buses is not viewed in the same light as 'collateral damage' from military actions nor even assassination of terrorists. Some things that Israel does escapes me. Why build the wall outside '67 lines...sometimes destroying Palestinian farms? Deplorable, but it's not suicide bombing.

My own belief is that if Palestinians and Israelis are at war, they both have every right to attack military and infrastructure, but not target civilians.

 

Why bother. Does anyone even take those seriously? They've become a joke.

 

Back on track...

I think one thing that concerns many people is how harsh the Koran...or at least one translation...addresses infidels and how they should be treated. The passages are at the very start of the Koran that we have. I purchased it many years ago but never read past what sounded like hateful verbiage.


What's you're interpretation of this?



This was discussed years ago, and someone had an excellent response abut how the translation was severely lacking and left a very intended impression, but I cannot recall who provided it. (Ottomoton, was that you?)

 

The thing that stands out to me from the Koran is how harsh it is towards the Jews.

 

Alright well I am a Muslim myself and am personally bothered by the misconceptions created by many people of what the Quran actually says.
So, I wanted to redirect you to a few sources that explain this.

HTML:

 Myth: Islam is intolerant of other religions because

        * the Qur'an condemns the other religions as false

    The Creator has taught us in the Qur'an and Sunnah that all other `religions' and ways of life are unacceptable to Him if a person is aware of Islam. The Qur'an states (translation),

        [3:85] And whoever desires a religion other than Islam, it shall not be accepted from him, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers.

    However, even though the Creator has clearly specified that no other way of life is acceptable to Him except Islam (i.e. submission to Him as embodied in the Qur'an and Sunnah), He has also commanded the Muslims to be tolerant of people who espouse other creeds. From the Sunnah, specifically in the study of the Sunnah called Al-Awsat by Al-Tabarani, we find regarding those non-Muslims living in the Islamic state,

        The Messenger of Allah (saas) said, "One who kills a non-Muslim person under protection (Arabic: dhimmi) will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."

    Also from the Sunnah, specifically in a report from Al-Khatib, we find that the Messenger of Allah (saas) also said:

        Whoever hurts a non-Muslim person under protection, I am his adversary, and I shall be an adversary to him on the Day of Resurrection.

    In short, Islam is intolerant of false ideas, however it is tolerant of the people who hold to those ideas. One historical example of Muslims living up to the standard of Islam can be found from the time of the Spanish Inquisition. During that disaster sprung by misguided Catholics, some Spanish Jews fled to Muslim Turkey and to this day, there is a community of Spanish-speaking Jews in Turkey. Another example may be found during one of the Crusader invasions from Western Europe. Some of the the Catholic Western European knights were so likely to rape, murder, and pillage the Jews and Orthodox Christians, that when the Muslims won, they were treated as a liberating force by those non-Muslims.

Also, check this out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_other_religions#The_Qur.27an_on_other_faiths

 

Do Muslims ideally want the world to be ruled by Sharia law?

 

Really? I don't recall the part that I read treating Jews any differently from other 'infidels'. What do you refer to?

Omer, thanks, Wikipedia's 'The Qur'an on other faiths' is an interesting read. I wish the article had addressed the Quran verses that it quoted under 'Robert Spencer'.

 

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/...nglish-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaEAskTheScholar

Fatwa Question Details
Name Samara - United Kingdom
Title Islam & Unity of Humanity
Question Dear Sheikh! I have a question to raise. I would like you to enlighten me on the concept of unity in Islam and the effect of the lack of this concept in our modern world?
Date 26/Jan/2006
Mufti IOL Shari`ah Researchers
Topic Morals & Values
Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.



All thanks and praise are due to Allah and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.


Dear questioner! Thanks a lot for your interest in understanding the teachings of Islam and warding off all fake ideas that befog the minds.

In the first place, the important fact we would like to stress here is that Islam is the religion that lays a great emphasis on unity. It makes it crystal clear that all human beings, being the children of one father, constitute a single brotherhood that places certain rights on each member of the family. However, these rights are not the same between all members; some members are entitled to greater rights. This is just a normal case whereby you find that your relation with your brother is to some extent stronger than your relation with your cousin. However, all of you still constitute one family.



In his Farewell Sermon, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) declared: “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black, nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Know that every Muslim is the brother of another Muslim, and that Muslims constitute one brotherhood.”

The late Dr. Hammudah `Abdul-`Atti recorded the following in his book Islam in Focus:



Another fundamental element in the value system of Islam is the value of human brotherhood. This value also is founded on the same principles which have been discussed in connection with freedom and equality. Besides those foregoing principles, human brotherhood in Islam is based on an unshakable belief in the Oneness and Universality of Allah, the Worshipped, the unity of mankind, the worshippers, and the unity of religion, the medium of worship. For a Muslim, Allah is One, Eternal and Universal. He is the Creator of all mankind, the Provider for all human beings, and the Judge of all people. To Him, social status, national supermanship, and racial origin are insignificant. Before Him, all people are equal and brothers of one another.

The Muslim believes in the unity of mankind with regard to the source of creation, the original parentage, and the final destiny. The source of creation is Allah Himself. The original common parentage is that of Adam and Eve. To this first parentage, every human being belongs and of it he partakes. As for the final destiny, there is no doubt in the Muslim’s mind that it will be to Allah, the Creator, to Whom all people shall return.


The Muslim believes in the unity of Allah’s religion. This means that Allah does not confine His religion or favors to any particular nation, race, or age. It further means that there can be no contradiction or fundamental differences in the Religion of Allah. When all this is interpreted properly, it will leave no ground for pretended supremacy or presumptuous exclusivity. And when it is imparted into the human mind, it will provide man with a clear concept and a solid basis of human brotherhood. Because the Muslim believes in the Oneness of Allah, the unity of mankind, and the unity of religion, he believes in all the Messengers and Revelations of Allah without discrimination.

Excerpted, with slight modification, from: www.wamy.org



Shedding more light on the issue of unity, we would like to cite the following:



A man's struggle to fulfill his unnecessary wishes and desires are turning his life into hell. That is, man has become a slave of his personal desires. Material benefits have become his identity, wealth has become his race, social status has become his color and love of money has become his creed. In short, we can say that materialism has become the faith of a man.


Social status built on materialistic basis have become very popular and will soon demolish all the positive and moral human values from the society. Materialistic people forget the values of the family system. Their pride in their caste makes them so selfish that they feel no need for permanent friends either, and continuously change friends on behalf of their benefits.

Roots of the Social Problems



One's pride in material identity and misunderstandings about the social human status are the main roots of the social problems. This confusion about the material limitation and identities leads the society to a condition of a deep social conflict, anarchy and destruction of the real culture and religion.



Islam demolishes all material limitations and equalizes the different social status to maintain a peaceful social order in the society.



The Basis of Collective Unity



The foremost requirement of the individuals is the provision of a basis for collective unity which links all the individuals into a single entity.



Different concepts shape the collective unity in different communities. For example:



a) Concept of Racial Unity: Individuals are unified because they belong to a particular race or tribe, and consider themselves distinct from other individuals and communities on account of this common binding factor.



b) Concept of Linguistic Unity: Individuals are woven into a unity because they speak a common language and carve out a distinct identity for themselves on the basis of linguistic loyalty and affinity.


c) Concept of Geographic Unity: Individuals are forged into a unity because they live in a particular area and crave for a separate status on the basis of this geographical affiliation.



d) Concept of Economic Unity: Individuals are linked into a unity on account of common economic conditions and regard themselves as an independent group on the basis of their economic conjugation.



e) Concept of Intellectual, Ideological Unity: Individuals are galvanized into a unity on account of their intellectual and ideological convictions, and on the basis of these views regard themselves as a separate ideological group. Their particular convictions distinguish them from other groups and confer on them a special identity of their own.



Islam rejects all constricted concepts of unity. It patronizes only the intellectual and ideological concepts of unity and transforms its followers into a unity on the basis of their adherence to this concept. All other concepts do provide some basis for stringing individuals into a unity. This initial provision is the beginning of transforming a collection of individuals into a nation. Individuals cannot own guise of national life unless they are electrified by a unifying concept. Therefore, their allegiance to a particular concept of unity is essential for threading them into a well-knit community.


Unity of Human Race and Sanctity of Humanity



Islam believes that the collective struggle of human beings should lead to the creation of a social setup that is primarily based on the concept of the unity of the human race and the sanctity of human life. The Qur’an refers to the unity of the human race at various places, at different places in different contexts:



1) (O mankind, be mindful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from the two created and spread many men and women. ) (An-Nisaa’ 4: 1)



2) (He it is Who created you from a single soul and made from it its mate that you might incline towards her and find communities comfort in her. ) (Al-A`raaf 7: 189)



In these Qur’anic verses Almighty Allah invests the concept of the unity of human race with fundamental significance. It is repeatedly emphasized that Allah has created human beings from a single source. Just as we cannot associate partners with Allah and entertain any notion of duality or think of an ensemble company who can challenge His exceptional and solo status, similarly it is equally perverse to conceive of the human race in terms of essential duality or plurality. As a matter of fact, the unity of the human race is recognized through what He has created. The Oneness of Allah is a transparent reflection of the oneness of humanity. This concept is clearly articulated in the Qur’an: (These people of yours are one people and I am your Lord, so worship me alone. ) (Al-Anbiyaa 21: 92) Almighty Allah also says: (Surely, this community of yours is one and I am your Lord, so fear me. ) (Al-Mu’minun 23: 52)



These verses express the unity, divinity and suzerainty of Allah with special reference to the unity of the human race. The concept of “One Nation” serves as the foundation stone in Islamic society and also asserts its own distinctive configuration.

Excerpted, with slight modification, from: www.westernviews.com

You can also read:

Does Islam Have Anything to Offer Humanity?
Unity Among Muslims
Uniting Humanity
Islamic Stand Towards Humanism

 

excellent online lecture regarding this issue http://www.emanrush.com/broadcasting.htm

also
http://www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/spot_full_story.asp?service_id=771

Women's liberation through Islam
6/30/2004 1:05:00 PM GMT


Islam was the most revolutionary liberalization of women's rights the civilized world has ever seen.

Unlike feminism movements, women's liberation in Islam wasn't started by women but was revealed by Allah to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in the seventh century. The Qur'an and the Hadith or Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH) are the sources from which every Muslim woman derives her rights, responsibilities and duties.

Men and women are equaled in front of Allah; this is in terms of worshiping, obeying, and glorifying Him. Nevertheless they're equally punished when committing any sin. For instance when committing adultery, the man and the woman share the same punishment.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord who created you from a single soul and from it its mate and from them both have spread abroad a multitude of men and women. Be careful of your duty toward Allah in whom you claim (your rights) of one another, and towards the wombs (that bore you)! Allah has been a Watcher over you." Qur'an (4:1)

Since men and women both came from the same essence, they are equal regarding their human rights. Women cannot be considered evil by nature (as some people may think) or then men would be evil also. Similarly, neither gender can be superior because it would be a contradiction of equality.

Islam also granted women many civil rights; a Muslim woman has the basic freedom of choice and expression based on recognition of her individual personality. First, she is free to choose her religion. The Qur'an states:

"There is no compulsion in religion. Right has been made distinct from error."Qur'an (2:256)

In Islam, women's role is balanced but fair. She has been removed from the burden of supporting herself. Instead men take this responsibility, a woman's father and or brother and even the government, if the other two are not available a responsible to take care of the woman and support her financially. If she does not want to work, she does not have to. She has the freedom to decide to stay at home and spend her time raising her children and tending to her family, social and religious life. However, if she wants to work, she is not forbidden to do so. Actually Islam has encouraged the woman to educate herself and to know Allah and know her duties, so that she can educate her children. She is discouraged from leaving her children without guidance and example. Moreover she is given the most honorable and important job in the universe, she is more encouraged to be a mother.

Muslim women have the right to choose their husbands and keep their names after marriage. Islam also encourages women to contribute their opinions and ideas; there are many examples of women who offered their opinions concerning religion, economics and social matters to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Also, a Muslim woman’s testimony is valid in legal disputes.

Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Seeking knowledge is a mandate for every Muslim (male and female)."

This includes learning the Qur'an and the Hadith as well gaining knowledge in science and many other fields. Since both men and women have the capacity for learning and understanding, Muslim women must acquire the appropriate education in order to promote good behavior and condemn bad behavior in all spheres of life.

While maintenance of a home, supporting husbands, breading and teaching children are regarded as the priorities for a woman, if she has the skills to work outside her house for the good of the family, then she may do so as long as she doesn't ignore her main family duties.

Moreover Islam gives high respect to motherhood, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:

"Heaven lies under the feet of mothers."

This implies that the success of a society is traced to good mothers. Therefore, a woman must be educated and conscientious in order to be a skillful parent.

Fourteen hundred years ago, Islam started giving women the right to vote .On any public matter; Muslim women may vote their opinion and participate in politics. This established the right of women to select their leader and publicly declare so.

For example, Abdurrahman Ibn Auf consulted many women before he recommended Othman Ibn Affan to be the Caliph.

While guardianship and greater financial responsibility is given to men in Islam, a Muslim woman has the privilege to earn money, the right to own property, to enter into legal contracts and to manage all of her assets in any way she pleases. She can run her own business and no one has any claim on her earnings including her husband.

Allah says in the Holy Qur'an:

"And in no wise covet those things in which Allah hath bestowed His gifts more freely on some of you than on others; to men is allotted what they earn, and to women, what they earn; but ask Allah of His bounty, for Allah hath full knowledge of all things." Qur'an (4:32)

Islam liberated women by giving them rights and duties 1400 years ago that most women do not enjoy up till now, even in the West. These duties and rights were given by Allah and are designed to keep balance in society; what may seem unjust or missing in one place is compensated for or explained in another place because Islam as is a complete way of life.

Allah says:

"And it not of a believing man or a women, when Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad) have declared a matter, for them to have any choice in that matter. And anyone who disobeys God and His Messenger has indeed gone astray into open error." Qur'an (33:36)

 

Hey Azadre thanks for you answer. A followup. Someone else here suggested that Christian leaders are just as guilty as the Muslim clerics in question. Every group has a few wackos, but here's the question:

I"m not sure who to start with but let's say Pat Robertson and Jerry Falwell... does the Muslim community worldwide (broad question I know) consider them to be the inspiration behind the war on terrorism?

 

I think the world needs strong parallel models of political isolationism and rampant tourism to survive...

 

Because there is no Caliphate anymore, Muslim infighting and disunity is commonplace these days. When the European powers (Britain, France, Germany, Italy, etc.) came into prominence (around the 17th-18th century or so), they were smart enough to understand that the only way they can expand their respective empires is if they break the Caliphate into pieces, they especially needed to accelerate the downfall of the Ottomans, who were acting as a huge barrier and a hegemon in the Mediterranean against European ambitions; so in short it was more geopolitics than anything else.

Another reason as to why there is little real unity amongst Muslim states is simple: greed. Every prince of sultan or king would rather have his own little piece of land that he and his family can exploit to their own ends. Having a Caliphate from West Africa to SE Asia would mean losing their power altogether or having to answer to a higher authority (in Islam called the Calipha).

So it's a combination of outside powers setting the agenda for the Muslim world (a world order built around the nation-state/ethnicity/tribalism) and greed and corruption on the part of Muslims themselves, the likes of which has never been seen before throughout the history of Islam.

That's a good example of how there is very little that Muslims the world over agree about anymore. Those mercenaries to begin with are the 'dedicated', hardcore Islamists who firmly believe that all Muslims are 'in the same boat', so to speak; they're in the minority.

Funny thing is, the difference between Sunnis and Shi'ites isn't nearly as radical as -- say -- the Catholic/Protestant situation. The biggest difference between the two is of a political/historical nature, but it has created a lot of bad blood between the two sides and it's done Islam and Muslims as a whole a HUGE disservice (God will have a just reward for those who have been responsible for this growing divide over the years).

You sometimes hear about Shi'ite mosques, for example, getting bombed in Pakistan or Iraq or somewhere else (most likely by Sunni radicals), and it's absolutely sickening to think what must go through the mind of those attackers, who claim to be Muslims, and yet have absolutely no qualms about bombing a house of Allah, where the faithful gather to give Him glory and read the same verses from the same Koran the Sunnis use. At this point, you can only throw your hands up in disgust and blame ignorance and bigotry for their actions.

However, the overall theme is the same: Muslims have collectively abandoned the true teachings of their religion. Their current plight is of their own doing, they've been for the most part their own worst enemy. This is the price Muslims as a whole have to pay for it, and justly so.

 

Just a minor correction, you're talking about 'Banu Isra'eel', not necessarily Jews. Banu Israel (or Israelites, as I believe they're referred to) were a tribe of people who rejected the prophets of God numerous times and were punished for it. They were not always Jewish, if I am not mistaken.