Qur'anic Ambiguities Analysed (Revisi...
Prologue
The
Qur'an contains a very complex number of verses because it was
purported to have been written in the Seventh Century scribes of that
time and has altered little since that time. It was not arranged in
a chronological manner but by the lengths of the verses. Hence there is
no real logical sequence. The Qur'an has been further complicated by
the fact that The Prophet Mohammed altered or updated (abrogated) his
views as circumstances changed in his life. Unfortunately several of
the abrogated verses were not removed from the original Qur'an but left
behind without any reference to the abrogation except in a general
manner and this has caused even further ambiguities.
The verses
seem to have been thrown together without much organization, and thus
different implications can be manipulated or interpreted to mean
different concepts , dependent upon the skill of the reader and their
intentions. We will attempt to look at some of these ambiguities to
make sense of the verses and the intention of the Prophet Mohammed when
he had them transmitted to his followers. Furthermore, the original
text was written in classical Arabic and referred to the diction used
in the Seventh Century. Often Arabic words are based upon the root
symbols and can mean different things, dependent upon where the "accent
marks are placed of if these accent marks were missing due to errors or
ineptitudes. This makes for the need of great skills in attempting
to analyse the intention of the verses.
A major pitfall when
either Muslims or non-Muslims discuss Islamic beliefs is to forget that
there are many sects in Islam that have differences in interpretation
of Islamic ideology. However the two major sects in Islam are the Shia
who number 218 million-15%, and the Sunni who number 1,237
million-85%, world wide, (mid-2005 census). [21]
It is also evident that because of the divergence of ideologies, that
often Shia Muslims are not familiar with Sunni concepts and vice versa,
adding to further contention and misunderstandings. Such differences
often make it difficult to cover all aspects of these ambiguities, but
can be critical in a discussion, if these subtleties are not recognized.
Islam Means Peace
That
is what we (non-Muslims) are constantly told by most Muslims. In fact
many Muslims believe that that is what Islam means and stands for, but
is this not so according to the Arabic roots of the word?
Islam is derived from the Arabic aslama, which means 'surrender' (to the will of Allah). Muslim
means 'one who has surrendered to the will of Allah'. And
unfortunately, violence, under certain conditions, is a legitimate
means for Muslims to affect this surrender to Allah.
The argument that Islam means peace is based on a three-fold interpretive error.
- Arabic is based on consonantal roots. Islam is derived from the
root SLM. Arabic is also a poetic language that uses words derived from
the same root as similes that are used to deepen the meaning of other
words. SLM is also the root for the words salim, which means 'safe,' saleem, 'perfection,' sallama, 'salvation,'salama, 'blameless' and salaam,
'well being.' Using all of these words gives an expanded meaning to the
word Islam: 'when one surrenders to the will of Allah, as revealed by
His Prophet, one will find salvation, perfection, safety and well
being.' - The word salaam is often translated as 'peace' but
this is only one of several meanings. Its primary meaning is actually
'well being'. It can also mean health, soundness, wholeness, safety and
serenity. A common Arabic greeting is as-sallam alaykum, which
is usually translated as 'peace be upon you,' but it's extended meaning
is 'may well being, wholeness and tranquillity be upon you'. - The English word 'peace' has two meanings. The first and primary meaning is derived from its Latin root Pax. This is translated as 'cessation of conflict'. The term Pax Romania described the peace secured by surrendering to Roman law. The second meaning of peace is derived from the Latin serenus,
meaning serenity/tranquillity --- when one is serene one can also be
said to be peaceful. The word salaam is actually synonymous with the
second meaning of peace, serenity. The first meaning is better served
by the Arabic word sulh (root SLH), from salaha, meaning; reconciliation, to make peace, or peace treaty.
In saying that Islam means peace Islamic apologists are simply
indulging in word play in order to put as positive a spin on things as
they can. It is an attempt to argue that Islam promotes non-violence.
As we will see such a peace is only available to one who has first
surrendered to Allah and it is denied to those who refuse to surrender.
Mohammed would sign his treaty offers with the words, aslem taslam, 'surrender and you will be safe'." [1]
The Root of SLM
Lissan al-Arab, one of the most authoritative lexicons of the Arabic language, mentions that the word 'Islam' is derived from the root verb istaslama (استسلاما); which means 'to submit' or 'give in' or 'surrender,' while the term salam (سلام) means peace, a truce, or a non-warring state.
The word Islam derives from the Arabic triconsonantal root sīn-lām-mīm (SLM [ س ل م ]).
Many different words are created from this root word by inserting
different vowels between the three root consonants. Many English
speakers wrongly assume that if two Arabic words share the same root
word then their meanings are related when in reality the fact that some
words share the same root word does not imply a relationship between
the meanings of the words. For instance, all of these words are derived
from the root S-L-M:
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| Many people have wrongly attempted to equate the word Islam with peace by showing that Islam, meaning 'submission,' shares a root word with Salaam, meaning 'peace'. But if such relationships between the meanings of Arabic words can be created then that would imply that there is a relationship between one of the derivations of the infinitive Salama, meaning the stinging of the snake or tanning the leather, and Salam, meaning peace; a relationship which obviously does not exist. It can be clearly seen that the "Arabic Islam" is definitely the root from the "Arabic word Aslam" rather than to "Salam." To imply that it could be related to the root of "Salam" requires some feat of conjuring. [2] Opinion Anyone who has studied the Qur'an and the many verses with all its intent, as well as the criteria of the basic Pillars of Islam would see that Islam means "Submission to the Will of Allah." There is no other interpretation. But as the Arabic language, written with the imprecise root words of SLM which is the basis of "Aslam"(To submit) was well as "Salam" (Well being/Peace) the exact intention of that meaning must be derived from the rest of the verses in the Qur'an and its intention and significance as a whole to Islamic philosophy. But either out of ignorance or misguidance or intended obfuscation, it has been convenient to alter the true meaning of "Islam" to mean the word "Salam" which interprets into "well-being or Peace." By so doing they accomplish the effect of portraying Islam as a religion of Peace thus obfuscating the true intent of the Prophet who meant it to mean "Submission to the Will of Allah." This misleads both Muslims and non-Muslims alike and promotes a benign impression of Islam in line with the other peaceful major religions practised today. It is a misinterpretation that would easily convince both Muslims as well as uninformed non-Muslims. Therein lies intentional or unintentional obfuscation and thus creating a misconception. A misconception because it does not comply with the other basic doctrines of Islam as will be touched upon later. This is for creating a favourable image of Islam. But if the Imams choose to portray a dressed up image of Islam in order to confuse both Muslims and non-Muslims, we owe it to the freedom of information to highlight the facts and for you to assess it. Definitions based on the roots of SML, Islam (for authentication) The above showing the root of SML from the Arabic [2] should be convincing enough but the limited list that follows indicate that reputable sources also subscribe to this interpretation. (1) "Islam: Submission to Allah's Will." Islamic Dictionary. [3] (2) "Islam: Ar:Surrender (to Allah) from "aslama" to surrender." Collins English Dictionary & Thesaurus. [4] (3) "Islam:Arab=Surrender. n.f. aslama. he surrendered." The Concise Oxford dictionary. [5] (4) "Islam C19. Ar. surrender (to Allah), aslama to surrender." Collins Concise english dictionary. [6] There Is No Compulsion in Religion Qur'an 2:256 This phrase, (out of context) has been used repeatedly to convince non-Muslims that Muslims are free to worship any religion that they wish. But Qur'an 2:256 should be read completely as a couplet and not quoted out of context. We should also reflect upon the rest of the verse as well as the following accompany and relevant verse. [2.256] There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Satan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing. [2.257] Allah is the guardian of those who believe (in him.) He brings them out of the darkness into the light; and (as to) those who disbelieve (an infidel), their guardians are Satan who take them out of the light into the darkness; they are the inmates of the fire, in it they shall abide. Firstly, the first phrase of 2:256 by itself is clearly out of context and is definitely misleading. But reading the two verses as a couplet as it should always be, we can see that Mohammed meant that either you believe in Allah who will bring you into the "Light" or you may follow "Satan" who will lead you into darkness. In other words those who are not Muslims are not compelled to become Muslims if they prefer to follow Satan. It is very similar to the Christian doctrine of: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die…" (John 11:25-26) or John 5:24 "King James Bible "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life." However, it does not imply that there are No Compulsions for religion on Muslims. When it is read in conjunction with other verses in the Qur'an and the Hadiths, the restrictions become clear. Contradicting Q:2:256 are other verses in the Qur'an that in no way complies with "There is No compulsion in religion" such as: |
| Bukhari:V4B52N220 | "Allah's Apostle said, 'I have been made victorious with terror.'" (A tactic used by today's Jihadists, emulating their Prophet Mohammed.) |
| Qur'an:8:12 | "I shall terrorize the infidels [non-Muslims]. So wound their bodies and incapacitate them because they oppose Allah and His Apostle." |
| Qur'an:8:57 | "If you gain mastery over them (Infidels) in battle, inflict such a defeat as would terrorize them, so that they would learn a lesson and be warned." (A tactic used today by Jihadists.) |
| Ishaq:326 | "If you come upon them(infidels), deal so forcibly as to terrify those who would follow(them), that they may be warned. Make a severe example of them by terrorizing Allah's enemies." |
| Qur'an:8:67 | "It is not fitting for any prophet to have prisoners until he has made a great slaughter in the land."(Brutality is a way with Jihadists to instill fear.) |
| Ishaq:588 | "When the Apostle Mohammed descends on your land none of your people,Jews and Christians, will be left when he leaves." |
half a dozen verses from the Qur'an and Hadiths do not indicate that
Islam is tolerant of any religion other than Islam. So how can it be
possible that Muslims can possibly accept, "There is no compulsion if
religion" within Islam? The above shows that there is no tolerance of
infidels (non-Muslims). In fact there is overt animosity
against Kafirs. The phrase, "There is no compulsion in Religion" is a
myth and is disinformation to disarm those not familiar with the
teachings of Islam.
ISLAMIC ATTITUDES TOWARDS APOSTASY
Most
Muslims will tell us that there is no command in the Koran regarding
the treatment for apostasy. One verse that is applicable is:
[4.89]
"They desire that you should disbelieve (in Islam, become apostates) as
they have disbelieved (infidels), so that you might be (all) alike;
therefore take not from among them (apostates) friends until they fly
(their homes) in Allah's way; but if they (apostates) turn back, then
seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take not from
among them a friend or a helper."
However, the Qur'an is supplemented by the Hadiths and therein lies many of Mohammed's views and statements on apostasy.
(1) Bukhari, Volume 4, Book 52, Number 260:
Narrated Ikrima:
Ali burnt some people alive (former Muslims), Prophet had said, 'If somebody (a Muslim) discards his religion, kill him.' "
Ishaq:550:
The reason that Allah's Messenger (Prophet Mohammed) ordered Abdullah
Bin Sad slain was because he had become a Muslim and used to write down
Qur'an Revelation. Then he apostatized (rejected Islam) after becoming
suspicious of some verses which the prophet changed after his
suggestions.
(2) Ishaq:551 The Messenger (Prophet Mohammed) ordered Miqyas' assassination because he became a renegade by rejecting Islam.
(3)
Bukhari, 5-59-632 Once Muadh ( one of the six trusted scholars by
Mohammed called Kutab al-Wahi) paid a visit to Abu Musa and saw a
chained man. Muadh asked, "What is this?" Abu Musa said, "[He was] a
Jew who embraced Islam and has now turned apostate," Muadh said, "I
will surely chop off his neck!"
(4) Bukhari Volume 9, Book 83, Number 17:
Narrated Abdullah:
Allah's
Apostle (Prophet Mohammed) said, "The blood of a Muslim cannot be shed
except in three cases: In Qisas for murder, a married person who
commits illegal sexual intercourse and the one who reverts from Islam
(apostate) and leaves the Muslims." [7]
Despite
deceHtful Muslims who attempt to misinform kafirs that there is no
penalty for leaving Islam, Qur'an 4:89 and the above Hadiths speak
otherwise. As the Sharia Law is based on the Qur'an as well as the
Hadiths, the death penalty for apostasy applies in several Islamic
nations. For example:
"Mohammed: You are ignorant of the Qur'an,
the Hadiths, and Sharia. I am a Muslim living in Pakistan. We have
Sharia laws here in accordance with Qur'an and Sunna. In our
country apostasy and blasphemy is punishable with death. [7]
Saudi Arabia
Section I. Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Religion does not exist (in Saudi Arabia). Islam
is the official religion, and all citizens must be Muslims. The
Government prohibits the public practice of other religions. Private
worship by non-Muslims is permitted.
The
Government has declared the Islamic holy book the Koran, and the Sunna
(tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad, to be the country's Constitution.
The Government bases its legitimacy on governance according to the
precepts of a rigorously conservative form of Islam. Neither the Government nor society in general accepts the concept of separation of religion and state.
Conversion
by a Muslim to another religion is considered apostasy. (To Muslims)
public apostasy is a crime under Shari'a (Islamic law) and is
punishable by death.
Islamic practice generally is limited to that of the Wahhabi order, which adheres to the Hanbali school of the Sunni
branch of Islam as interpreted by Muhammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahab, an
eighteenth century religious reformer. Practices contrary to this
interpretation, such as visits to the tombs of renowned Muslims, are
discouraged." [8]
Attitudes towards Apostasy in some other Muslim Countries
(1) The Saudi Arabia views are express above. Death for apostasy.
(2)
In 1980 Pakistan incorporated making any disparaging remark against any
personality revered in Islam (Prophet Mohammed or Allah) into the penal
code as an offence. In 1990, the Federal Shari'a Court (FSC) ruled that
"The penalty for contempt of the Prophet Mohammed is death and nothing
else." This covers any blasphemy and apostasy is part of this contempt.
But this wide ruling has allowed Muslim to harass and persecute
suspected apostates, Christians, Ahmadis, and others.
(3)
Afghanistan, a clear case in 2006 when Abdul Rahman was charged with
apostasy for becoming a Christian and could have faced the death
sentence but with International Appeals Rahman was allowed on health (mental) grounds to seek asylum in Italy.
(4) Iran has the death penalty for Apostasy.
Baha'i sect are considered heretics in Iran. Her followers are persecuted in orthodox Islamic countries.
Ahmadi sect are considered heretics for altering the precepts of
the Koran by several countries including Pakistan the nation of their
Origin. Her followers are mercilessly persecuted in orthodox Islamic countries.
(5) Algeria anyone proselytizing anything but Islam faces 2-5 years in jail and a fine of 5,000 to 10,000 Euros.
(6) Turkey does not implement the death penalty for apostasy.
(7) Islamic Vigilantes: have killed, beaten, threatened converts out of Islam in Pakistan, Palestinian territories, Turkey, Nigeria, Indonesia, Somalia, and Kenya. [9]
There are many Muslims who do not want to face the realities of
apostasy and are in denial that most ordinary Muslims feel very
strongly about betrayal of their faith. This is because the doctrines
of Islam, based upon the Qur'an and the Hadiths, have been so instilled
into most Muslims even from the age of understanding at 2 or 3 years of
age. Islam is a part of a Muslim and they are totally integrated with
every aspect of Islam, from the adoration of Allah, to living the 5 (or
6) Pillars of Islam, to their personal habits and rituals, to their
hygiene and food intake, to their family codes of conduct, to Sharia
Law, to their dress codes, to their political allegiances, to their
financial and banking laws and codes, even to the ritualism's of death
ceremonies. It is like no other religion. It is complete!
The Five (or Six) Pillars of Islam
(The popular
belief that there are only Five Pillars of Islam is because that is the
official view of Sunni Muslims who constitute 85 % of the worlds Muslim
Population. Many Sunnis are not aware that other sects observe the six
Pillars of Islam. However Sunnis do not dispute the following as a
command of Allah, i.e.
Qur'an:2:216
"Jihad
(holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for you (Muslims), though
you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is
good for you, and like a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows,
and you know not." [Another translation reads:] "Warfare is ordained
for you."
Here is a quotation of the beliefs of the Kharijite Muslim sect:
"Originally,
Kharijites were Shiites, partisans of Ali, but they rejected him, too,
when Ali submitted to arbitration: Men, they argued, had no right to
decide what Allah had already resolved in Ali's favour and what could
be determined on earth only through battle. In their fanatical
idealism, they became anarchists, opposing both Muawiyah and Ali, Sunni
and Shia, alike. Though the Kharijites shared the Shia's sense of
historical injustice at Ali's loss in Islam's historic power struggle,
the sect was ultimately rejected by all Muslims, including the Shia.
For it was a Kharijite who murdered Ali. For Kharijites, jihad, or spreading Islam by the sword, was their faith's sixth pillar. Islam
became decidedly pragmatic in the mid-seventh century under Umayyad
rule, reverting more or less to a secular kingship. Muawiyah, the
gifted fifth caliph who ruled from from Arabia but from Damascus,
introduced a dynastic element to Islamic rule and institutionalized
practices that most modern Islamic militants reject as secularism, the
effective separation of religion and state. [22]
The following is another documentary evidence that Shia Muslims accept the Doctrine of Jihad as their sixth Pillar of Islam:
"Additional
notes on Shia Islam:
(Information Courtesy:
The Library of Congress
- Country Studies)
All Shia Muslims believe there are seven pillars of faith, which detail
the acts necessary
to demonstrate and
reinforce faith. The
first five of these
pillars are shared
with Sunni Muslims.
They are shahada, or
the confession of faith;
namaz, or ritualized
prayer; zakat, or alms giving;
sawm, fasting and contemplation
during daylight hours
during the lunar month
of Ramadan; and hajj,
or pilgrimage to the
holy cities of Mecca
and Medina once in
a lifetime if financially
feasible. The other two pillars, which
are not shared with
Sunnis, are jihad---or crusade to protect Islamic lands, beliefs, and institutions, and
the requirement to
do good works and to
avoid all evil thoughts,
words, and deeds." [23]
Hence
the insistence among Sunnis that there are only Five Pillars of Islam
when the Shi'ites and Kharijites acknowledge that there are six or even
seven pillars of Islam. So it is not erroneous that the concept of six
Pillars of Islam because throughout, anyway Jihad is one of the tenets
of all sects of Islam as clearly pointed out in the Holy Qur'an.
The following is another source of the concept of the Six Pillars of Islam:
The Qur'an mandates six basic practices for the Muslim. These practices are often called the Six Pillars of Islam.
1. The Confession (Shahada):
"There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the messenger of Allah,"
this creed is repeated by every Muslim and marks one's conversion to
Islam.
2. Prayers (Salat): Muslims are required to pray
five stated times each day. These prayers, known as salat, may be done
individually or in a mosque. Prior to entering into prayer, each Muslim
must perform ablution. Each prayer is accompanied by postures and
actions, and consists of recitations from the Qur'an, in Arabic, and
individual petitions. All individuals, when they pray, must face toward
Mecca, which is the birthplace of Muhammad. In addition to the five
stated prayers, the Muslim may also offer informal prayers, called
doas. These may be voiced in any language and are of a more personal
nature.
3. Alms giving (Zakat): This alms-tax is a
mandatory donation to charity. This obligation to share one's wealth
with the less fortunate is stressed throughout the Qur'an, and
constitutes about two and a half percent of one's annual income. An
additional tax of the equivalent of one day's food is required to be
paid on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr, the holiday of feasting that marks
the end of Ramadan. Some Muslims also give a voluntary endowment,
called a waqf, for the building of mosques, schools, libraries and
hospitals.
4. Fasting (Sawm): Fasting must be observed
during the daylight hours of the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of
the Islamic calendar. During this time, observers abstain from eating,
drinking, smoking, sexual intercourse, and spend time reflecting on the
needs of the poor and their obligations to Allah. Ramadan was observed
by some groups prior to the rise of Islam, and was taken from the
Sabaeans.
5. Pilgrimage (Hajj): It is required of every
Muslim who is physically and financially able to go on at least one
pilgrimage to Mecca during his lifetime. During the hajj, all
participants, men and women, rich and poor, and all nationalities, are
equal. While non-Muslims are banned from Mecca, the millions who
journey to there for the annual pilgrimage arrive in the same pilgrim
dress of unsewn white material, and perform the same prescribed
rituals, including circulating the Ka'ba, kissing the black stone,
offering an animal sacrifice, drinking from the well of Zamzam, and
casting stones at the Devil.
6. Jihad: The struggle to propagate the faith of Islam throughout the world. [10]
The Qur'an and Hadiths
The Qur'an, with supplement from the Hadiths are the basis of Islam.
Muslims believe that the Qur’an in its original Arabic to be the
literal "Word of Allah" as the divine guidance for mankind that was
revealed to the Prophet Mohammed through the angel Gabriel over a
period of 23 years and that it is Allah's final revelation to humanity
as Mohammed was the "Final Seal of Allah." (That there would be no
other prophets after Mohammed.) Muslim theologians consider the Qur'an
to be eternal and uncreated, and that is the way Muslims see their
Qur'an. [11] Based on the Koran and the Hadiths the Shari'ah Law evolved that rules all aspects of Muslim life.
Shari'ah Law
What is the Shari'ah?
Examples of Shari'ah Law
Islam is
often in the news these days. News articles that relate to Islam
sometimes refer to the Shari'ah. What is the Shari'ah? The Shari'ah is
the Islamic Sacred Law which was developed hundreds of years ago by
Islamic jurists using the Koran and Hadiths (remembrances about what
the Prophet Muhammad said and did during the time he was alive) as
guideposts. The Shari'ah outlines a complete way of life in a legal
framework which tells you how to do everything from how to pray to how
to go to the bathroom. What does the Shari'ah law actually state? Here
are some examples of Shari'ah law:
1. Offensive, military jihad against non-Muslims is a communal, religious obligation;
2. A person who is ignorant about Islamic legal opinion must follow the legal opinion of a scholar;
3. The penalty for a Muslim apostate (someone who no longer believes in or no longer follows the tenets of Islam) is death;
4. When slaughtering animals for food, a knife must be used to cut the windpipe and gullet;
5. A woman is only eligible to receive half the inheritance of a man;
6. Marriage may be forced on virgins by their father or father’s father;
7. A non-Arab man may not marry an Arab woman;
8. A woman must seek permission from her husband to leave the house;
9.
A Muslim man cannot marry a woman who is a Zoroastrian, an idol
worshipper, an apostate from Islam or a woman with one parent who is
Jewish or Christian, with the other being Zoroastrian; a Muslim woman
cannot marry anyone but a Muslim;
10. A free Muslim man may marry up to four women;
11.
Retaliation is obligatory in most cases when someone is deliberately
murdered except when a Muslim kills a non-Muslim, a Jew or a Christian
kills a Muslim apostate or a father or mother kill their offspring;
12. Non-Muslim subjects (Ahl al-Dhimma) of a Muslim State are subject to a series of discriminatory laws ---“dhimmitude.”
13. The penalty for fornication or sodomy is being stoned to death;
14.
The penalty for an initial theft is amputation of the right hand.
Subsequent thefts are penalized by further amputations of feet and hand;
15.
A non-Muslim cannot testify against a Muslim in court; a person who is
“without respectability” cannot give legal testimony; a woman’s legal
testimony is only given half the legal weight of a man’s (and is only
acceptable in cases involving property); to legally prove fornication
or sodomy requires 4 male witnesses who actually saw the act;
16. The establishment and continuation of the Islamic Caliphate (by force, if necessary) is a communal obligation;
17. Sodomites and Lesbians must be killed;
18. Laughing too much is forbidden;
19. Musical instruments are unlawful;
20. Creating pictures of animate life is forbidden;
21. Female circumcision, which includes the excision of the clitoris, is obligatory;
22. Slavery is permitted;
23. People may be bribed to convert to Islam;
24. Beating a rebellious wife is permissible; and,
25. Lying is permissible in a time of war (or jihad). [12]
The above definitions are a few examples that guide the behaviour of
orthodox Muslims. The link will provide further examples of Shariah Law
to those who are interested. [12]
The Extremist Muslim, The Terrorist Muslim, The Moderate Muslim, The Nominal Muslim, The Apostate Muslim
These are the common terms used to refer to Muslims today. Some are
due to "political correctness" but most are out of ignorance. So I
would like to discuss the realities or the myths of Muslims to banish
ambiguities.
A Muslim
After a great deal of investigation, I have come to the conclusion
that there is only one class of Muslim. A person who is an orthodox
Muslim who piously accepts the Qur'an as the indisputable and
unchanging Word of Allah and that the Mohammed was latest and final
prophet, who observes strictly the 5 (or 6) Pillars of Islam, who
accepts that Sharia Law is the only law derived from the Koran and the
Hadiths, and who accepts that there is no other god but Allah. That
description encompasses the boundaries of a Muslim, an orthodox Muslim.
All Muslims adhere to this description as all Muslims are equal in the
eyes of Allah. The above describes a Muslim in a religious context and
that is my visual image of a Muslim. A Muslim is one who has submitted
to the Will of Allah and follows the 6 Pillars of Islam.
Thus, to differentiate Muslims as "extremist" or "terrorist" or
"fundamentalist" or "moderate" is incorrect. All the aforementioned
Muslims are simply Muslims following the orthodox teachings and
principles of Islam. All read the same Qur'an, the same Hadiths, and
accept the same Sharia Laws and worship in similar Mosques following
the same rituals. All the aforementioned Muslims accept every command
of the Word of Allah as stipulated in the Koran.
A Moderate Muslim
This is a politically correct term used initially so as not to
offend or alienate Muslims. But it is a misnomer unless some
westerners mean a "Nominal Muslim" similar to a "nominal Christian" in
the western jargon. We shall elaborate on this later. But I see what
most people say are "moderate Muslims" are those Muslims who work and
live peacefully within their communities not causing any problems with
their neighbours. But they, nevertheless are as devout in their beliefs
as "orthodox Muslims" but exist peacefully. I assess such Muslims as
"dormant Muslims" or "sleeper Muslims" who are playing a low profile in
an alien or unfriendly environment. These are the Muslims who will not
raise their voices against the Islamic Jihadists who perpetrated the
9/11 atrocities in New York, or the 7/7 carnage in London. They may
even rejoice quietly among themselves. In fact these Muslims empathize
with the cause of Islamic Jihadists worldwide but lie low. Can you
depend on their loyalty to a non-Islamic government? I have strong
reservations. When 'push comes to shove' how will such persons act?
Why the Deafening Silence from Moderate Muslims after 9/11 and 7/7 and others?
Because if they are "religious or true" Muslims they must obey the
commands of Allah and all Muslims know the Qur'an well, where Allah
states:
Qur'an:2:216 "Jihad [holy fighting in Allah's Cause] is ordained
for you [Muslims], though you dislike it. But it is possible that you
dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing which is bad
for you. But Allah knows, and you know not." [Another translation
reads] "Warfare is ordained for you."
So if they are "religious" Muslims, to speak out against anyone
acting in the service of Allah would be blaspheming Allah?
All Muslims are aware that if they spoke out against those acts, they
are speaking our against Jihadism that means speaking out against the
teachings of Allah. The few who speak out against some of these
barbaric customs and Jihadism like, Dr. Wafa Sultan and Amil Imani are
taking a big risk with their lives for speaking out. They are quickly
classified as apostates and a Fatwa will be issued on them. Both those
mentioned have received death threats.
Dr. Wafa Sultan, a Syrian-American psychiatrist, who is now an ex-Muslim, said,
"The clash we are witnessing around the world is ... a clash between a
mentality that belongs to the Middle Ages and another that belongs to
the twenty first century," she said. "It is a clash between freedom and oppression." [19] [18]
Amil Imani, is an Iranian-American, who is now an ex-Muslim and writes about Islam. Amil says.
"There is no such thing as moderate Islam. There is no such thing as
secular Islam or a secular Muslim. It's the nature of the faith to deny
any separation of religion and the state or religion and society. There
are numerous sects within Islam. One and all are extremes and not in
the least amenable to change. Keep in mind that Islam claims that it is
the perfect eternal faith for mankind. Splits have occurred and will
continue to occur in Islam. Yet, reformation has not happened in nearly
1400 years and is not going to happen. Islam is carved in granite, just
the way it was. No change is possible. Allah's Qur'an is a sealed volume. " [20]
This concept that there is no flexibility in Islam is difficult for
those with a Christian background to understand. Remember that it is a
Seventh Century concept/religion that and you have to transport your
mind into to
understand the mentality of that era. The Jews and Christians and
Romans of that era were all of a similar mentality. They were living in
harsh, nomadic, desert, illiteracy, where life and early death were the
norms of the day. Christianity has since moved on into the 21st
Century, but Islam has remained locked in the 7th Century because of
the commands of Allah in the Qur'an.
and the Hadiths to show that every Muslim owes obligations to Allah, if
he is a Muslim, without exception. Of special interest is Qur'an 4:95
below that show that even 1400 years ago Mohammed recognized that there
would be those Muslims "who sit at home and receive no injurious
hurt.........but Allah prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight
above those who sit home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge
reward. (in Paradise)"
So it would not take much to alter the attitudes of those who sit at
home to get off their bottoms to join the Islamic Jihad.
The significances of the following 10 Qur'anic and Hadiths verses says
much to Muslims.
| Qur'an:2:216 | "Jihad [holy fighting in Allah's Cause] is ordained for you [Muslims], though you dislike it. But it is possible that you dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing which is bad for you. But Allah knows, and you know not." [Another translation reads]: "Warfare is ordained for you." |
| Qur'an:4:95 | "Not equal are those believers who sit at home and receive no injurious hurt, and those who strive hard, fighting Jihad in Allah's Cause with their wealth and lives. Allah has granted a rank higher to those who strive hard, fighting Jihad with their wealth and bodies to those who sit (at home). Unto each has Allah promised good, but He prefers Jihadists who strive hard and fight above those who sit home. He has distinguished his fighters with a huge reward." |
| Bukhari:V4B52N44 | "A man came to Allah's Apostle and said, 'Instruct me as to such a deed as equals Jihad in reward.' He replied, 'I do not find such a deed.'" |
| Bukhari:V1B2N25 | "Allah's Apostle was asked, 'What is the best deed?' He replied, 'To believe in Allah and His Apostle Muhammad.' The questioner then asked, 'What is the next best in goodness?' He replied, 'To participate in Jihad, religious fighting in Allah's Cause.'" |
| Qur'an:33:22 | "Among the Believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allah and have gone out for Jihad [holy fighting]. Some have completed their vow to extreme and have been martyred fighting and dying in His Cause, and some are waiting, prepared for death in battle." |
| Bukhari:V4B53N412 | "Allah's Apostle said on the day of the conquest of Mecca, 'There is no migration now, only Jihad, holy battle. And when you are called for Jihad, you should come out at once.'" |
| Bukhari:V4B52N311 | "Allah's Apostle said, 'There is no migration after the Conquest of Mecca, but only Jihad. When you are called by the Muslim ruler for Jihad fighting, you should go forth immediately, responding to the call.'" |
| Muslim:C28B20N4631 | "I heard Muhammad say: 'I would not stay behind when a raid for Jihad was being mobilized unless it was going to be too hard on the believers. I love that I should be killed in Allah's Cause; then I should be brought back to life and be killed again.'" |
| Qur'an:9:111 | "Allah has purchased the believers, their lives and their goods. For them (in return) is the Garden (of Paradise). They fight in Allah's Cause, and they slay and are slain; they kill and are killed." |
| Bukhari:V4B52N196 | "Allah's Apostle said, 'I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say,"None has the right to be worshipped but Allah."' |
These Moderate Muslims are not Muslims who have accepted the
peaceful aspects and rejected the militant aspects of Islam, because
the Qur'an is the literal Word of God, and by rejecting any part of the
Qur'an amounts to rejecting part of the Word of Allah, and that is
blasphemy, and the penalty is death. So taking this into consideration,
either a Muslim accepts the whole of Islam or he is an apostate. An
apostate is not a Muslim, he is a "non-Muslim." So calling a Muslim a
"Moderate Muslim" implies he is not an orthodox Muslim, but a "false
Muslim." So either a Muslim is a Muslim accepting all the conditions
expected of a Muslim or he is an apostate. There can be no half-Muslim.
But a Muslim could be a "dormant Muslim" or a "sleeping Jihadist
Muslim" or for better understanding, "a Jihadist sleeper cell." That is
the only explanation for a "moderate Muslim." It now amounts to a
matter of whether we are able to trust and have faith in such "dormant
Muslim" especially in a time of crisis.
The Nominal Muslim
There are many Muslims, especially some living in the West, who
could be classified as "nominal Muslims" similar to "nominal
Christians" who live the life of the "Muslim culture" but do not
observe any of the Commands of Allah. In fact they may even contravene
all the Commandments of Allah like (1) Not observing the mandatory
Islamic religious prayers and ritualism, (2) Not observing Halal foods
and alcohol and other personal practices, (3) Not adherring to rules
like, Sex outside the codes of Sharia Law, (4) or Ignoring the
requirements of the 5 (or 6) Pillars of Islam, and so on. But these
people are still seen as Muslims but are
actually non-practising Muslims. To be correct and precise these people
are Muslim renegades or ex-Muslims.
Misconceptions are due to lack of understanding
So it is quite evident that to the westerner,
such critical assessment is impossible unless we understand what
constitutes "Haram & Halal" in Islam. This requires a good
understand of Islam, the Hadiths, the Islamic traditions, Islamic
history, Sharia Law, and the Islamic culture. Here we can only see the
tip of the iceberg.
ISLAMIC JIHAD (Arabic JHD)
Without a doubt, this word Jihad conjures a lot of ambiguity and a
lot of emotion, so let us look deeper into what this word signifies to
a Muslim as well as to non-Muslims. The Arabic root of this word is
JHD. Jihad is a derivative of "jahada" meaning "to struggle or to
strive." So it means "to struggle or to strive in the cause of
Allah/Islam" or "to achieve Allah's will, or to surrender to Allah's
will and Allah's cause." Thus we see that the word "mujahid" is one who
struggles/fights to achieve Islamic ideals, and "mujahideen is the
plural of the word. But the root Arabic JHD also forms the work
"ijtihad" meaning "intellectual or spiritual struggle." This shows why
the Afghans are referred to as "mujahideen."
However to many who are guided my the Qur'an the word "Jihad"
conveys the perception of an "Islamic Holy War." It is easy to see why
this concept is uppermost in most minds, to both Islamic and
non-Islamic minds. [16]:
Qur'an:2:216 "Jihad (holy fighting in Allah's Cause) is ordained for
you (Muslims), though you dislike it. But it is possible that you
dislike a thing which is good for you, and like a thing which is bad
for you. But Allah knows, and you know not." [Another translation
reads]: "Warfare is ordained for you."
Bukhari:V1B2N25 "Allah's Apostle was asked, 'What is the best deed?'
He replied, 'To believe in Allah and His Apostle Muhammad.' The
questioner then asked, 'What is the next best in goodness?' He replied,
'To participate in Jihad, religious fighting in Allah's Cause.'"
The Qur'an does spell it out loud and clear with no ambiguity.
It is a common concept among orthodox Muslims that there are two meanings of Jihad, i.e., The Greater Jihad (akbar), meaning
the inner, or spiritual struggle to purify oneself in the attempt to
achieve the higher levels of perfection in Islamic life according to
the Qur'an. And the concept of The Lesser Jihad (asghar), which
implies the use of force to further the cause of Islam.
Apologists will claim that this is meant as a defensive action, but
others believe that it means for the furtherance of Islam by what ever
means. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation and that means one
does not have to be an extremist to see that the meaning is quite
flexible. Apologists for Islam insist that Jihad means the Greater
Jihad, i.e., spiritual struggles to achieve a better Islamic way of
life, but reading text from the Qur'an and Hadiths, like the
two quotations above, there is no misunderstanding of the intentions of
Mohammed when he dictated that text. The Ahmadi religious sect believe
and declare that Jihad is only only used in the defence of Islam an
never for offensive purposes. This is misleading because the word
"defensive" has not been clearly defined. However, Qutb has clearly
defined it it can clearly be seen that the Ahmadi declaration is
misleading. [13] Qutb
clearly spells out that Western decadence is a thread to Islam and
thus Islam has to be defended and Western ideologies must be
destroyed. The history of Islam too, from the seventh Century onwards
has been a record of constant violence (Jihad) against Dar al-Harb.
Quoting David Cook author of "Understanding Jihad" says this:
"Others (mostly westerners) have fallen into this error as well.
They comprise two basic groups: Western scholars who want to present
Islam in the most innocuous terms possible (as appeasement)?, and
Muslim apologists, who rediscovered the internal jihad (greater Jihad)
in the nineteenth century and have been emphasising it ever since as
the normative (acceptable) expression of jihad --- in defiance of all the religious and historical evidence to the contrary."
David Cook continues:
"There is no lack of evidence concerning the Muslim practice of
jihad (lesser Jihad). The classical and modern works on the subject are
voluminous, and they are documented by an examination of Muslim actions
as recorded by historians. There can be no reasonable doubt that
jihad(lesser Jihad) is a major theme running through the entirety of
Muslim civilisation (including the Qur'an and Hadiths) and is at least
one of the major factors in the astounding success of the faith of
Islam.
And,
....after surveying the evidence from classical until
contemporary times, one must conclude that today's jihad (lesser Jihad)
movements are as legitimate as any that have ever existed in classical
Islam..."
A highly respected Islamic scholar of mujahideens is the author, Ibn Taymiyya who has based his beliefs on a Hadith and states:“There is a Hadith related by a group of people which
states that the Prophet…said after the battle of Tabuk: 'We have
returned from jihad asghar(lesser) to jihad Akbar(greater).' This
Hadith has no source, nobody whomsoever in the field of Islamic
knowledge has narrated it. Jihad (lesser) against the unbelievers is
the most noble of actions, and moreover it is the most important action
for mankind.”Thus Ibn Taymiyya rejects the tradition of the greater jihad in its
entirety. So who are we to believe? This question is actually
irrelevant for it is sufficient that enough Muslims follow the
tradition of Ibn Taymiyya to challenge the Sufi tradition. In fact the
four schools (madhhab) of Sunni jurisprudence as well as the Shia tradition only refer to the lesser jihad. This means that for many Muslims the concept of the greater jihad is unorthodox and heretical. [13]DAR AL'HARB (The Abode of War)---DAR AL'ISLAM (Abode of Peace/Salvation)
According to the Laws of Islam, the World is divided between Dar al'Islam (Land of Peace or Islamic lands-the house or the abode or country of submission or where Muslim governments and Islam law prevail) or Dar al'Harb (Land of War or all non-Muslim nations-the house or the abode or country of war-is the rest of the world.)
Unless you can comprehend the above concept of the uncompromising
Islamic vision of the world of Allah, you will never comprehend the
psyche of the Islamic mind. And you will never be prepared to resolve
the dilemma. It is a concept that is alien to the psyche of all other
religions that I have known. It is the ultimate goal of Islam, to
convert the whole world to Dar al'Islam.There is without a doubt that all Muslims are convinced that Islam
is superior to all other religions, and consequently their culture is
superior to all others as well. It has been instilled from the Qur'an
that there is only one god and he is Allah and those who believe in him
is superior to all Kafirs (infidels.) who must be made to submit to
Allah or be destroyed or be subservient as dhimmis. [15]Sayyid Qutb wrote from his prison cell in Egypt, before his execution in 1966 these views"
"Humanity today is living in a large brothel! One has only to
glance at its press, films, fashion shows, beauty contests, ballrooms,
wine bars, and broadcasting stations! Or observe its mad lust for naked
flesh, or provocative pictures, and sick, suggestive statements in
literature, the arts and the mass media!"The decadent consumer culture of the West exported to the rest of
the world by the might of capitalist corporations, is presented as a
legitimate target, not least because it has infected Muslim societies,
perverting them from the true path of Islam into a state of jahiliyya --- the
pagan state of ignorance before the coming of Islam. Qutb argues that
the main source of the ignorance is the corrosive and corruptive
influence of Western decadence. It was the duty of every Muslim to wage
a Jihad against the West to rid the world of jahiliyya. Qutb's
writing has been the key source for the justification for Islamic Jihad
against Dar al'Harb (the western culture.) [13] [17]Many Muslims declare that Islamic Jihad is only used only as a defensive instrument
and only exercised when Muslims are attacked. Then let us examine what
Muslims interpret as being attacked. Qutb argued that the concept of
attack must be elaborated."If we insist in calling Islamic jihad a defensive movement, then we
must change the meaning of the word 'defence' to mean the defence of
man against all those forces that limit his freedom. These forces may
take the form of beliefs and concepts, as well as political systems,
based on economic, racial and class distinctions" (Ref: Tomorrow's
Islam.)Qutb believes that the decadence of Dar al'Harb is the source of
corruption of Muslims preventing them from exercising the teachings of
Islam and so they have loss of freedom to choose. He believes the
temptations and the corruption and the lies of the infidels prevents a
Muslim from choosing the way of Islam, but when these lies are exposed,
that people are then free to embrace Islam with no compulsion of religion,
as the one and only true religion. Hence, it is fully justifiable for
Muslims to defend themselves from the aggressive and corrosive
influences of the Kafir by declaring Holy Jihad against them.Sayyid Mawdudi, The Party of Islam in Pakistan, (Jemaat e-Islamiya), (Deobandism), an Islamic scholar says it thus:
"Islam wants the whole earth and does not content itself with only a
part thereof. It wants and requires the entire inhabited world. It does
not want this in order that one nation dominates the earth
and monopolises its sources of wealth, after having taken them away
from one or more other nations. No, Islam wants and requires the earth
in order that the human race altogether can enjoy the concept and
practical program of human happiness, by means of which God has
honoured Islam and put it above the other religions and laws. In order
to realise this lofty desire, Islam wants to employ all forces and
means that can be employed for bringing about a universal all-embracing
revolution. It will spare no efforts for the achievement of this
supreme objective. This far-reaching struggle that continuously
exhausts all forces and this employment of all possible means are
called jihad." [14]
Skilfully and using the Arab art of "Taqiyya"
(obfuscation), and exploiting the western democratic process and even
playing by the rules of 'constitutional law' on unsuspecting secular
Western societies, and slowly infiltrating the national institutions,
Islamists intend too gradually take over the system and eventually
change these nations and impose Shari'a Law. This infiltration can be
observed in varying degrees of accomplishment in Britain, America,
France, Germany, the Scandidinatian countries and elsewhere, and is
mostly unseen and overlooked by the native populations. [15] The
native populations re normally in total denial that there is any threat
to their way of life and culture while this creeping Islamization is
occurring under their very noses. To the Muslims, their behaviour is a
natural way of their culture throughout the ages and they see nothing
untoward about it.Qur'an:9:112 "The Believers fight in Allah's Cause, they slay and are slain, kill and are killed."
Qur'an:9:29 "Fight those who do not believe until they all surrender, paying the protective tax in submission."
Ishaq:325
"Muslims, fight in Allah's Cause. Stand firm and you will prosper. Help
the Prophet, obey him, give him your allegiance, and your religion will
be victorious."
Qur'an:8:39 "Fight them until all opposition ends and all submit to Allah."
Qur'an:8:39
"So fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief [non-Muslims])
and all submit to the religion of Allah alone (in the whole world)."EPILOGUE
Only when we are able to comprehend and perceive the true ultimate
goals of Islam will be ever be able to find a solution to the dilemma
we face.We have analysed the Arabic meaning of "Islam," and observe that it
does not directly translate into "Peace" but literally translates to
"submission."We have analysed the Qur'anic couplet 2:256-7 and see that the
phrase, "There is no compulsion in religion..." has been taken out of
context and is conditional and that the freedom of choice is to accept
Allah as the only god to follow.It has also been regarded that "apostasy" is blasphemy against Allah and the penalty is death.
It has also been argued that there is only one class of Muslim, and
that he accepts all commands of Allah including the "lesser Jihad." A
moderate Muslim is only a dormant(sleeper) Jihadist or he is a "Nominal
Muslim, i.e. an apostate."It has also been argued that the psyche of a Muslim is that he and
his religion and his culture is superior to that of the decadent west
(Jews and Christians) and that this is considered a threat to Islam
(Dar al'Islam) and must be destroyed, hence Dar al-Harb(western
nations) are evil and are of Satan that has to be destroyed.So Islamic immigrants are actually the front line foot soldiers of
Islamic Jihadism and not the opportunistic Islamic hard working
economic immigrant we think we are helping and affording refuge. We are
actually importing thousands of "Trojan Horses" (moderate Muslims) into
our fortresses.This article is simply to portray an alternative perspective to the
understanding of the gulf in the philosophies and differences in the
cultures that will never be compatible. The problem has been denied and
no solution has yet been found for the past 1400 years, and will haunt
us till it is resolved. Because of the inflexibility of the commands of
Allah, there will be no moderation or change that can be expected from
Islam. Therefore, the only solution rests with the West, provided they
understand the insurmountable Islamic doctrines. [16]Comments:
Since
requesting some ex-Muslims to comment on the above article, I have had
to correct numerous spelling errors, even in that which was in between
quotes in order to make it acceptable to the criticism. So please
excuse this unorthodox behaviour, but the originals can be seen in the
references and links given. Hopefully there was not any altering of the
intended meaning of the Quotes.
I have also modified several
sections of my script in order to be more courteous but still precise
in my statements and to, hopefully, rationalize my views for the better
acceptability of all concerned. I am still open to suggestions any time. I apologise if my initial script was somewhat indiscreet.REFERENCES (Please copy & paste the URL's to your Address bar until I change them to links.)
[1] As A Religion of Peace-Ray Harris: http://www.integralworld.net/harris20.html
[2] Islam: http://www.wikiislam.com/wiki/Islam
[3] Islamic Dictionary: http://muttagun.com/dictionary3.html
[4] Islam: Collins English Dictionary & Thesaurus
[5] Islam: The Concise Oxford Dictionary
[6] Islam: New Collinsw concise English Dictionary
[7] Quran, hadiths, and sharia law: http://danielpipes.org/comments/38436
[8] Saudi Arabia:Religious Freedom: http://atheism.about.com/library/irf99/blirf_saudiarabia99.htm
[9] Apostasy in Islam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/apostasy_in_Islam
[10] The Six Pillars of Islam: http://gnfcw.org/christsix.html
[11] Qur'an: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quran
[12] What is Shariah? http://www.challenging-islam.org/submissions/shariah.htm
[13] The Myth of Islam As A Religion of Peace-RayHarris: http://www.integralworld.net/harris20.html
[14] History of the Middle East Database-Mawdudi: http://www.nmhschool.org/tthornton/sayyid_abu
[15] Democracy,Dar al-Harb and Dar al-Islam: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb6459/is_/ai_n29253089
[16] Revivalism:The Wahhabi Movement: http://www.nmhschool/org/tthornton/wahhabi_movement.php
[17] Religion in the Contemporary World by AlanAldridge
[18] Wafa Sultan: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wafa_Sultan
[19] Wafa Sultan: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1187385,00.html
[20] Moderate Islam is No Islam by Amil Amani: http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/07/moderate_islam_is_no_islam.html
[21] Demographics of Islam: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Islam
[22] Sunni and Shiite Muslims: http://www.albany.edu/faculty/lr618/4islam.html
[23] Shi'ite Iran: http://www.sacredsites.com/middle_east/iran/shiaislam.htm
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