Israel Demolishing Islamic Cemetery to Build Museum

I agree with where Mathloom is coming from. The thought is that though the demolition is insensitive, there are bigger crises in the world.

I also agree with him that there is a serious problem with most Muslims and their approach to grave visitation and veneration. There is a very fine line when it comes to idol worship, and the veneration that takes place at the Prophet's pbuh grave is extremely problematic. I was just there a few months ago, and even with the whole 2 cops 1 shaykh thing, there is no serious impediment when it comes to people directing prayers toward the grave and doing things that contradict the essence of monotheism.

The larger issue is one of expansionism and distinguishing territories. The fact that they are demolishing a cemetary is just a microcosm of this, and I feel that the 'demolishing graveyards' outrage is more of an emotive response than it is a substantive one.

 

Are they just out of land?

DD

 

But you don't HAVE to give this dua. You can do dua for anyone, anytime, anywhere.

So you believe that humans created a book with no significant errors which is so accurate you can follow it blindly? Sounds oddly familiar, doesn't it?

You don't think the Prophet PBUH would be worried that he's in a shrine? Do you know how many times radicalist Islamists who invented your theology have tried to demolish the grave and mosque?

I don't know why you think it's Palestinian land. Historically, the Jewish were in Jerusalem first. Muslims later took it over. Israel later won it back. Muslims would take it back again today if they could. The only issue today IMO is the terrible state of Palestinian rights and how they are treated and the absense of self-determination. Land can belong to anyone. Mecca used to belong to non-Muslims, Saudi Arabia used to belong to non-Saudi families, America used to belong to Native Indians, and so on and so forth.

The significance of Al Aqsa mosque is overblown as it is. When the Israa w miraaj was done (if it was in fact a physical journey), there was no mosque there. It is an important site, but not worth the life of millions of humans. The Prophet PBUH did not like valuing objects over humans. A human's life, when taken, is worth the lives of all humans. As far as I'm concerned, the important thing is that the mosque is maintained. I don't insist that it exists within a Palestinian-governed state, which has rarely been the case in its history. The Ottomans and the British governed Palestine for the longest time. The mosque is a significant historical site which needs to be maintained, full stop.

Land that's in Israel belongs to Israel. It's not uncommon for a government to take land away from its citizens for official purposes.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think this is a good reason for Israel to demolish a cemetary with significant historical value. I also believe this this is a really pathetic move from the Israeli government. But let's focus on the core issue - a government taking a cemetary for stupid reasons. Let's not irrationally attach the baggage of "this is Palestinian land!!" to the argument.

 

good post.

 

Mathloom, you sound so reasonable.

 

I understand what you're saying, and I'm in agreement that Bukhari and subsequent scholars did the best job humans of that time and age and of this time and age could possibly do. I don't think any of them were bad people and I don't think they were necessarily deceptive people.

However, to think that the authentic ones are 100% authentic defeats the meaning of a human as per the Islam you and/or I practice. There are mistakes in there. There have to be. Because it's a man-made book.

Ok, I'm done !

 

This can't be good. Now I have to review what I said!! :grin: