Muslim
response to Wilders
Muslim
response to Wilders on Qur'aan Using Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) model for peace.
14 mis-translated verses of Qur'aan in the movie Fitna are corrected here
below.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Mike Ghouse & Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh
“Geert Wilders, Dutch conservative lawmaker, has made a ten-minute film
exposing the horrific passages of the Koran. Per AP Wilders refers to the
selected verses as “fascist.’”
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/29496.html
First of all, as a Muslim, I want to thank Geert Wilders for making this
documentary, the verses, as he has quoted certainly sound fascist. These verses
have not only been misquoted for millennia, but were mis-translated with the
intent of maligning Islam in the middle ages to protect the European kings and
their kingdoms. My gratitude to Wilders comes from the fact that he is putting
it on the spot light, so we have an opportunity to discuss and clarify them,
hopefully for ever. Otherwise a whole lot of people would have believed in the
wrong thing. Thank you my friend.
Prophet Muhammad was pelted with stones by a bunch of miscreants, he was
bleeding, and his associates and angel Gabriel were requesting him to give
permission to go get the bad boys, the Prophet said no, instead he asked them
to pray with him that God gave goodwill and a good sense to the misled
miscreants.
Following the model of Prophet of forgiveness and the belief that there is good
in every human soul, we have to relentlessly stoke the goodness in humans. I
ask fellow humans in general and fellow Muslims in particular to pray for Geert
Wilders’ safety and well being.
Mr. Wilders, I have personally prayed for your safety and well being and
request our Imams to do the same across the world. The report expressed that
"You do not fear being slain, claiming 24-hour protection." Again, I
admire you for your courage and conviction and request you to consider another
aspect of the equation that nearly 1.5 billion Muslims believe.
Note to the Muslim Leadership:
As Muslims leaders, we have a responsibility to prevent mis-haps. To be a
Muslim is to be a peace maker; one who constantly seeks to mitigate conflicts
and nurtures goodwill for co-existence and world peace - God wants his creation
to be in peace and harmony, and that is the chief purpose of religion. Islam is
indeed peace.
Geert Wilder's is going to show a 10 minute documentary on the 25th - the hell
may freeze over and all of us will be scrambling to defend.... if our Imams can
address this in the Friday Sermons, and urge Muslims to follow the model
Prophet has created, we can avoid a big mishap and turn this upcoming nightmare
into a peace building effort. I request all Imams to call their counterparts
around the globe to win this propaganda war with love and kindness and it is an
opportunity God has provided to become leaders. If you like, please circulate.
A Prelude to Qur'aan Translations:
When the European Kings were threatened by the invading Arab armies in early
part of the millennia, to safeguard and protect their Kingdoms, they gave birth
to the idea of Islamophobia and their strategy was:
1. To label the Invading Kings as Muslim, as that was one of the ways to get
their subjects to fight.
2. To mis-translate the Qur'aan to create a permanent wedge between the two
communities
3. To paint the religion negatively and as a Mohammedan cult.
4. To reinforce this strategy they roped in the Pope to issue a fatwa approving
crusades.
Their Blueprint worked well for them and the Arab Kings were pushed back and
defeated. It is important to note that a majority of the kings were thieves and
robbers, whose only purpose in life was to invade and annex the neighboring territories,
loot their wealth, destroy their cultures and come back home stronger and erect
a statue of themselves as Heroes. Very few of them wanted to spread their faith
for the purpose of spreading piety and goodwill. Their goal was to control the
resources and the people; in the process they destroyed civilizations, no
different than today's Neocons.
The Neocons of middle ages were exceptionally successful in steering public
opinion against Islam via the translations. The foundation they laid at that time
has become the basis for building baseless theories against Islam. The kings
happened to be Muslims that they were against, instead their propaganda turned
against all Muslims and Islam.
Dahlia Sabry is researching on the effects of this work and reports that "
it was found out that translating the meanings of the holy Qur'aan offered an
opportunity to distort and misinterpret its meanings. This played a crucial
role in framing a negative and an inaccurate image of Islam. The problem can be
ascribed mostly to translations by non-Muslims, however, also partially to
translations by Muslims."
Lex Mahumet pseudoprophete (English: "Law of Mahomet the
pseudo-prophet") was the first translation of the Qur'aan into Latin by
Robert of Ketton in 1142. Peter the Venerable persuaded Robert to join a team
he was creating to translate Arabic works into Latin in hopes of aiding the
religious conversion of Muslims to Christianity. It was the standard
translation for Europeans from its release until the 18th century. This
translation is loaded with inaccuracies.
Another Latin translation by Ludovicus Marracci was published in 1698. It was
supplemented with quotes from Qur'an commentaries "carefully juxtaposed
and sufficiently garbled so as to portray Islam in the worst possible
light" (Colin Turner,1997 p. xii). The title of the introductory volume of
such translation was A Refutation of the Qur'an.
Such translations formed the foundation for a number of subsequent translations
into English, French, Italian, German, etc. The first English translation was
that of Alexander Ross published in 1649. In his introduction, Ross says
"I thought good to bring it to their colours, that so viewing thine
enemies in their full body, thou must the better prepare to encounter … his Alcoran"
(p. A3).
Similarly, H. Reckendorf (1857) says in his Hebrew translation of the Qur'an,
"I can now stop writing and ask God's pardon for the sin I committed when
I profaned our sacred language and transferred to it the talk of lies and
falsehood" (as cited in Abdul Aal, January 29, 2006, p. 78).
In 1734, George Sale’s translation came out based on Marracci’s earlier
notorious work. In 1861, J. M. Rodwell’s work provided a further example of a
writer "gunning for Islam" (Turner, 1997, p. xii).
That was the story of Neocons who shamelessly wore the Christian label, similar
inaccurate and brazen translations were made by Muslims as well. The Noble
Qur'an, also informally known as the Hilali-Khan translation was published in
early 1900's and is despicable.
http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Quraan/Not-like-Jews-and-Christians.asp
Religions emerged to allay individual fears and bring a balance in one's life
and peace for the society. It is obvious that the Kings of the past have raped
the religion to their own advantage and we must not give them the religious
label. Their purpose was simply expansion, exertion and oppression and religion
did not figure in the conquests, they were far from it.
It is time for us to strip the wrongs people have ascribed to religion, every
religion, and get to know the truth. I am amazed neither the Universities, nor
the responsible Governments have under taken research project to dismantle the
false castles of hate from the past. It is time now, and we have begun this process.
Further Geert Wilders adds "When taking the Koran seriously as divine
revelation, a superficial review of the Koran’s extremist verses is not what
meshes with democracies."
All the fourteen verses quoted below have one theme in common
"Punishment" for those who do not follow the rules. Mr. Geert may
understand this better, if he were to look at it from an universal perspective
and not as Islam V. Christianity issue.
One can find ‘punitive’ verses in every holy book. However, the critical
element overlooked is the most powerful and dominant aspect of the creator;
Qur'aan 1:1 "In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of
Grace." This verse is repeated 113 times in Qur’aan, more than any other
verse.
For societies to function on equilibrium there must be law and order. When
there is justice in a society, peace is a natural outcome. The Criminal and
Civil laws are designed to bring net-peace to the society. For every violation
of a rule, punishment is determined. If there were no punishment, then crimes
go un-checked creating chaos in the society.
From a common man’s perspective, the word ‘painful doom’ appears to be cruelty
coming from a kind God. Well, then what should hold any one from murdering and
butchering the other. If you are a good guy who holds the temptations to steal
someone else's hard earned goods, and the bad guys steal with no consequences
to it, then every one may resort to stealing. What will happen to a society
when every one is stealing, lying or cheating? No one would trust and everyone
is frightened of the other.
Imagine the nightmare in America, if we were to remove the punishment aspect
from the United States Constitution, civil and criminal laws.
Religions emerged to allay individual fears and bring a balance in one's life
and peace for the society. It is time for us to strip the wrongs people have
ascribed to religion, indeed every religion, and find the truth for ourselves.
I cannot believe that the Universities and responsible Governments have not
undertaken the research to dismantle the false castles of hate from the past.
We have undertaken the work to fix 60 misrepresented verses, hopefully to
mitigate the conflicts and nurture goodwill for co-existence, as citizens of
the world, you and I, every one included, have the responsibility to watch for
the trouble makers whose business is manufacturing enemies and cashing in on
fears of ordinary people.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Surah 9: Repentance
A full copy of the text from Geert Wilders is pasted at the bottom that
includes 14 verse that sounds fascist, indeed they are as quoted. Actual verses
from Qur'aan are pulled with each one of the 14 verses.
Mohammad Asad - http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/
1:1 In the name of God, The Most Gracious, The Dispenser of Grace:
According to most of the authorities, this invocation (which occurs at the
beginning of every surah with the exception of surah 9) constitutes an integral
part of "The Opening" and is, therefore, numbered as verse I. In all
other instances, the invocation "in the name of God" precedes the
surah as such, and is not counted among its verses. - Both the divine epithets
rahman and rahrim are derived from the noun rahmah, which signifies
"mercy", "compassion", "loving tenderness" and,
more comprehensively, "grace". From the very earliest times, Islamic
scholars have endeavoured to define the exact shades of meaning which
differentiate the two terms. The best and simplest of these explanations is undoubtedly
the one advanced by Ibn al-Qayyim (as quoted in Manar I, 48): the term rahman
circumscribes the quality of abounding grace inherent in, and inseparable from,
the concept of God's Being, whereas rahrim expresses the manifestation of that
grace in, and its effect upon, His creation-in other words, an aspect of His
activity.(Quran Ref: 1:1 )
#1. Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve. 3
Mohammad Asad - http://www.islamicity.com/QuranSearch/ At-Tauba (The
Repentance)
9:3 And a proclamation from God and His Apostle [is herewith made] unto all
mankind on this day of the Greatest Pilgrimage: "God disavows all who
ascribe divinity to aught beside Him, and [so does] His Apostle. Hence, if you
repent, it shall be for your own good; and if you turn away, then know that you
can never elude God!" And unto those who are bent on denying the truth
give thou [O Prophet] the tiding of grievous chastisement.
There is no unanimity among the commentators as to what is meant by "the
day of the Greatest Pilgrimage". Most of them assume that it refers to the
pilgrimage in the year 9H., in which the Prophet himself did not participate,
having entrusted Abu Bakr with the office of amir al-hajj. This very fact,
however, makes it improbable that the designation "the Greatest
Pilgrimage" should have been given in the Qur'an to this particular
pilgrimage. On the other hand, there exists a Tradition on the authority of
`Abd Allah ibn `Umar to the effect that the Prophet described in these very words
the last pilgrimage led by himself in 10 H. and known to history as the
Farewell Pilgrimage (Zamakhshari, Razi); one may, therefore, assume that it is
this which is alluded to here. If this assumption is correct, it would justify
the conclusion that verses 3 and 4 of this surah were revealed during the
Farewell Pilgrimage, i.e., shortly before the Prophet's death. This might
explain the-otherwise perplexing-statement, reliably attributed to the
Prophet's Companion Al-Bara' (Bukhari, Kitab at-Tafsir), that At-Tawbah was the
last surah revealed to the Prophet: for, although it is established beyond any
doubt that the surah as a whole was revealed in 9 H. and was followed by
several other parts of the Qur'an, e.g., Al-Ma'idah, it is possible that what
Al-Bard' had in mind were only these two key-verses (3 and 4) of At-Tawbah,
which conceivably were revealed during the Farewell Pilgrimage.(Quran Ref: 9:3
)
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: This is a classic example of misinterpretation of the
Quran. You needn’t look very far in understanding what the verse is talking
about. The VERY NEXT VERSE talks about observing peace treaties and NOT
attacking those people that weren’t a threat! Here is the verse: (9:4. Except
those of the Mushrikin with whom you have a treaty, and who have broken that
treaty, nor have supported anyone against you. So fulfill their treaty for them
until the end of their term. Surely, Allah loves those who have Taqwa
(awareness of God).)
Mike Ghouse: There is just a God, and there is no Muslim, Christian or other
God. If Wilders can see one source of Creation called God, he would not have
the problem. God is essentially saying if you have some one else besides me, go
to him or her, don’t come to me if you don’t believe in me.
#2. Slay the idolaters wherever you find them. 5
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:5 And so, when the sacred months are over [6] , slay those who ascribe
divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, [7] and take them
captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place
[8] ! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues,
let them go their way: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of
grace. [9]9:2 [Announce unto them:] "Go, then, [freely] about the earth
for four months [2] -but know that you can never elude God, and that, verily,
God shall bring disgrace upon all who refuse to acknowledge the truth!"
9:5 Article:
http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Quraan/Slay-the-idolaters-whereever-you-find-them.asp
.
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The four months were given for the hostile people so
that they can come and go peacefully amongst the Muslims and see what Islam is
about. If it was not for them, they could leave the Holy Lands, and seek refuge
elsewhere. If the whole purpose was killing and butchering them, then what is
the purpose behind giving them four months??
# 3. Don't let idolaters tend the sanctuaries. Their works are in vain and they
will be burned in the Fire. 17
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:17 IT IS NOT for those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God to visit or
tend [26] God's houses of worship, the while [by their beliefs] they bear
witness against themselves that they are denying the truth. It is they whose works
shall come to nought, and they who in the fire shall abide [27]
In its transitive form, the verb `amara comprises the meanings of both visiting
and maintaining a place; hence my rendering of an ya'muru as "that they
should visit or tend".(Quran Ref: 9:17 )
Some of the commentators conclude from this verse that "those who ascribe
divinity to aught beside God" are not allowed to enter mosques
("God's houses of worship"). This conclusion, however, is entirely
untenable in view of the fact that in 9 H. -that is, after the revelation of
this surah -the Prophet himself lodged a deputation of the pagan Banu Thaqif in
the mosque at Medina (Razi). Thus, the above verse expresses no more than the
moral incongruity of the unbelievers' "visiting or tending God's houses of
worship". As regards their exclusion from the central mosque of Islam at
Mecca ("the Inviolable House of Worship"), see verse 28 of this
surah.(Quran Ref: 9:17 )
9:28 O YOU who have attained to faith! Those who ascribe divinity to aught
beside God are nothing but impure: [37] and so they shall not approach the
Inviolable House of Worship from this year onwards [38] And should you fear
poverty, then [know that] in time God will enrich you out of His bounty, if He
so wills: [39] for, verily, God is all-knowing, wise!
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The whole purpose of all religions, including Judaism
and Christianity is that God alone should be worshipped. If polytheists were
allowed to tend to or attend or build the holiest sanctuaries whose whole foundation
was on Tawheed (the sole worship of God), it would be a huge contradiction in
the religion. So to avoid this contradiction and conflict, Islam very clearly
outlines the rules about who could or couldn’t come to the Haram of Makkah.
Bear in mind that the Prophet himself hosted a delegation of Christian
dignitaries and priests from Najran, whom he allowed to STAY and whom he
allowed to PRAY in his own mosque in the Holy city of Madina, the second
holiest site to all Muslims.
Mike Ghouse:: Those who do not believe in God, simply cannot serve in the
sanctuary with sincerity. Obviously one feels the pain of doing things that
which is not in his or her nature. Caveat: There is no compulsion in faith, no
one can push any one to believe what he or she is not willing to.
#4. Give tiding of a painful doom to Christians and Jews. 34
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:34 O you who have attained to faith! Behold, many of the rabbis and monks do
indeed wrongfully devour men's possessions and turn [others] away from the path
of God. But as for all who lay up treasures of gold and silver and do not spend
them for the sake of Gods [51] - give them the tiding of grievous suffering [in
the life to come]:
Most probably this is, in the first instance, an allusion to the wealth of the
Jewish and Christian communities, and their misuse of this wealth. Some of the
commentators, however, are of the opinion that the reference is wider,
comprising all people, including Muslims, who hoard their wealth without spending
anything thereof on righteous causes.(Quran Ref: 9:34 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The purpose of religious leadership is to focus on the
Hereafter, and they should lead by example is this respect. If they are seen to
be hoarding wealth, and not distributing it to the poor and needy, what kind of
example are they setting for their followers? Also bear in mind that the
condemnation in this verse is the hoarding of ILLICITLY gained funds and
riches.
Mike Ghouse: Another good example of misquoting the Verses. Indeed, those (not
all) who embezzle public funds need to be punished, be it Muslim, Jew,
Christian or otherwise. Those are the laws of any civilized nation including
the Netherlands. In the verse 34, there is word like Christian and Jew.
Pasted below is the transliteration and actual Quranic verse.
Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo inna katheeran mina alahbari waalrruhbani
layakuloona amwala alnnasi bialbatili wayasuddoona AAan sabeeli Allahi
waallatheena yaknizoona alththahaba waalfiddata wala yunfiqoonaha fee sabeeli
Allahi fabashshirhum biAAathabin aleemin
يَا
أَيُّهَا
الَّذِينَ
آمَنُواْ
إِنَّ كَثِيرًا
مِّنَ
الأَحْبَارِ
وَالرُّهْبَانِ
لَيَأْكُلُونَ
أَمْوَالَ
النَّاسِ
بِالْبَاطِلِ
وَيَصُدُّونَ
عَن سَبِيلِ
اللّهِ
وَالَّذِينَ
يَكْنِزُونَ
الذَّهَبَ
وَالْفِضَّةَ
وَلاَ
يُنفِقُونَهَا
فِي سَبِيلِ
اللّهِ
فَبَشِّرْهُم
بِعَذَابٍ
أَلِيمٍ (9:34)
#5. If you refuse to fight, Allah will afflict you with a painful doom. 39
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:39 If you do not go forth to war [in God's cause], He will chastise you with
grievous chastisement, and will place another people in your stead - whereas
you shall in no wise harm Him: for, God has the power to will anything.
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The purpose of religious leadership is to focus on the
Hereafter, and they should lead by example is this respect. If they are seen to
be hoarding wealth, and not distributing it to the poor and needy, what kind of
example are they setting for their followers? Also bear in mind that the
condemnation in this verse is the hoarding of ILLICITLY gained funds and riches.
Mike Ghouse: In the USA, and perhaps in the Netherlands, these men are referred
to as draft dodgers, during the Vietnam war if you dodge going to the war, you
faced grievous chastisement by the Government of the United states of America,
even though that was the wrong war. Perhaps Netherlands may not be sympathetic
towards them either.
#6. Disbelievers go to hell. 49
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:49 And among them there was [many a one] who said," [71] Grant me
permission [to remain at home], and do not put me to too hard a test!" Oh,
verily, [by making such a request] they had [already failed in their test and]
succumbed to a temptation to evil: [72] and, behold, hell will indeed encompass
all who refuse to acknowledge the truth!
See verses 44 and 45 above. It is to be noted that both the verbal form la
taftinni (rendered by me as "do not put me to too hard a test") and
the noun fitnah have the same root, comprising a great complex of meanings:
e.g., test, trial, affliction. temptation to evil, seduction, persecution,
oppression, discord, civil strife, etc. (cf. surah 8, note 25). Since it is
impossible in any language but Arabic to reproduce all these many shades of
meaning in a single expression, the rendering of the term fitnah must
necessarily vary in accordance with the context in which it is used.(Quran Ref:
9:49 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Here the analogy of the draft-dodgers is appropriate.
Anyone who opposed or even voices dissent in the “war on terror” was labeled
unpatriotic. But, here the verse is referring to those hypocrites who showed
that they were Muslims in front, but internally held malice against the
Muslims. Part of their malice was not supporting the Muslims in anything they
did including fighting if the need was there. God chastises these people, as
their negative actions raised disorder and disunity and pessimism and
negativity amongst even the true Muslims.
Mike Ghouse: Any one who refuses to acknowledge the truth must be punished. I
don’t know what kind of tortures Netherlands applies to criminals, but most
nations in the world including the United States of American, has used the
water boarding techniques to extract the truth.
God could have made us all sinless angels; instead he chose to make us humans, giving
guidance on one hand, temptations on the other – then giving room to make
mistakes, and room for correction. Islam has not claimed monopoly to heaven; it
is assured to those who do good deeds. Good deeds are defined by Prophet
Mohammad (pbuh) as how your treat others.
#7. Those who vex the Prophet, for them there is a painful doom. 60
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:60 The offerings given for the sake of God [83] are [meant] only for the poor
and the needy, and those who are in charge thereof, [84] and those whose hearts
are to be won over, and for the freeing of human beings from bondage, and [for]
those who are over burdened with debts, and [for every struggle] in God's
cause, and [for] the wayfarer: [this is] an ordinance from God - and God is
all-knowing, wise. [85]
Note 83/81: Since there is no English equivalent for the term sadaqat (sing.
sadagah), I am rendering it here as "offerings given for the sake of
God". This comprises everything that a believer freely gives to another
person, out of love or compassion, as well as what he is morally or legally
obliged to give, without expecting any worldly return: that is, charitable
gifts and deeds of every description (which is the primary meaning of sadaqat
-e.g., in 2:263 and 264), as well as the obligatory tax called zakah ("the
purifying dues", because its payment purifies, as it were, a person's
property from the taint of selfishness). In the context of the above verse,
this term refers to the funds thus collected and administered by the Muslim
community or state. When these funds are disbursed for the purposes stipulated
in verse 60, they assume once more - this time in relation to the
recipients-the aspect of "charitable gifts".(Quran Ref: 9:58 )
Note 84- I.e., the officials entrusted with the collection and administration
of zakah funds.(Quran Ref: 9:60 Note 85: These eight categories circumscribe
all the purposes for which zakah funds may be expended. By "those whose
hearts are to be won over" are apparently meant such non-Muslims as are
close to understanding and, perhaps, accepting Islam, and for whose conversion
every effort should be made, either directly or indirectly (i.e., by means of
the widest possible propagation of the teachings of Islam). As regards the
expression fi 'r-rigab ("for the freeing of human beings from
bondage"), which relates both to the ransoming of prisoners of war and to
the freeing of slaves, see surah 2, note 146. The term al-gharimun describes
people who are overburdened with debts contracted in good faith. which -
through no fault of their own - they are subsequently unable to redeem. The
expression "in God's cause" embraces every kind of struggle in
righteous causes, both in war and in peace, including expenditure for the
propagation of Islam and for all charitable purposes. Regarding the meaning of
ibn as-sabil ("wayfarer"), see surah 2, note 145.(Quran Ref: 9:60 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: I don’t see anything that can be held as negative in
the verse. It is simply talking about giving in charity, and that includes to
non-muslims.
Mike Ghouse: Another falsity.
#8. Those who oppose Allah and His messenger will burn in the fire of hell. 63
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:63 Do they not know that for him who sets himself against God and His Apostle
there is in store the fire of hell, therein to abide -that most awesome
disgrace?
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: This verse was specifically for those hypocrites who
raised their voices of dissent and fueled disunity amongst the Muslims. It is
not a general verse for everyone. The next verse emphasizes this point.
Mike Ghouse: Once you pledge your allegiance, and then betray it to do harm, it
is called treason. However, if you chose not to believe, but not hurt any one
in the process, you go Scot free. Justness is paramount in Islamic values. This
is no different than the civil laws of any nation.
# 9. Allah promises hypocrites and disbelievers the fire of hell. Allah curses
them. They will have a lasting torment. 68
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:68 God- has promised the hypocrites, both men and women-as well as the
[outright] deniers of the _ truth-the fire of hell, therein to abide: this
shall be their allotted_ portion. For, God has rejected them, and long-lasting
suffering awaits them.
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: The reason hypocrisy is so bad is because these were
the “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, i.e under the guise of being Muslims they
fueled rancor amongst the Muslims. It is better to know your enemy up front, so
you can avoid them, rather than an outwardly friendly person who is really your
enemy.
Mike Ghouse: Please remember God is merciful and forgiver. Prescription of
punishment is a deterrent to crime, at least most average people will not
commit crime. Mr. Wilders, Welcome to the United States of America, and
particularly Texas, those who deny the truth get the life time imprisonment or
the electric chair.
#10. Fight the disbelievers and hypocrites. Be harsh with them. They are all
going to hell anyway. 73
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:73 O PROPHET! Strive hard against the deniers of the truth and the
hypocrites, and be adamant with them. [101] And [if they do not repent,] their
goal shall be hell -and how vile a journey's end!
Note 101 - I.e., "do not compromise with them in matters of
principle". Regarding the meaning of the verb jahada ("he strove
hard", i.e., in a righteous cause), see surah 4, note 122. The imperative
jahid is obviously used here in its spiritual connotation, implying efforts at
convincing both the outspoken unbelievers and the waverers, including the
various types of hypocrites spoken of in the preceding passages. Although the
imperative is addressed in the first instance to the Prophet, it is considered
to be morally binding on all believers.(Quran Ref: 9:73 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Comments It is obvious that the order is for striving
to guide them, otherwise the translation be adamant would be rendered useless
if one was to simply kill them. If the meaning is punishment, then punishing
criminals is not wrong.
Mike Ghouse: Think in terms of civic societies and how the criminals are
punished or at least there is a law ranging from a day in Jail to the death
penalty. Shall we be lenient to rapists, murderers? Shall we tell them, that we
believe in civility and as a bonus for their crimes, there is no punishment fro
them.
#11. Allah will afflict disbelievers with a painful doom in this world and the
Hereafter. 74
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:74 [The hypocrites] swear by God that they have said nothing [wrong]; yet
most certainly have they uttered a saying which amounts to a denial of the
truth, [102] and have [thus] denied the truth after [having professed] their
self-surrender to God: for they were aiming at something which was beyond their
reach. [103] And they could find no fault [with the Faith] save that God had
enriched them and [caused] His Apostle [to enrich them] out of His bounty!
[104] Hence, if they repent, it will be for their own good. but if they turn
away, God will cause them to suffer grievous suffering in this world and in the
life to come, and they will find no helper on earth, and none to give [them]
succour.
Note 102- See the first sentence of verse 61 above, and the corresponding note
86. The allegation that the Prophet deceived himself in the matter of
revelation is, naturally, equivalent to disbelief in the outcome of his
revelation, i.e., the Qur'an.(Quran Ref: 9:74 )
Note 103 - Lit., "which they were unable to attain to". The classical
commentators take this as a reference to an abortive plot, on the part of some
of the hypocrites, to kill the Prophet during the expedition to Tabuk. However,
without contesting the validity of this historical interpretation, I believe that
the above allusion has a far deeper meaning-namely, the existential
impossibility of one's ever attaining to inner peace without a positive belief
that man's life has meaning and purpose, either of which can be glimpsed only
through the revelations bestowed on those exceptionally gifted and receptive
personalities, the prophets. (An indirect reference to divine revelation as the
only source of this kind of cognition appears in 96:5, that is, in the earliest
Qur'anic passage revealed to the Prophet.) Thus, torn between their
half-hearted desire to "surrender themselves to God" and their
unwillingness to accept the divine guidance offered them by the Prophet, the
hypocrites "were aiming at something which was beyond their
reach".(Quran Ref: 9:74 )
Note 104- I.e., by means of the spiritual guidance contained in the Qur'an and
the material welfare resulting from an adherence to its moral and social
principles. The above phrase implies that the reluctance of the hypocrites to
pay heed to the Prophet was not due to their finding fault with the Faith as
such but, rather, to their lack of gratitude for the spiritual and material
benefits which they had derived from it. (Because of its historical
associations, most of this verse is expressed in the past tense, although its
moral import is obviously timeless.)(Quran Ref: 9:74 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Comments
#12. For disbelievers there will be a painful doom. 90
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:90 AND THERE came [unto the Apostle] such of the bedouin as had some excuse
to offer, [with the request] that they be granted exemption, [122] whereas
those who were bent on giving the lie to God and His Apostle [simply] remained
at home. [123] [And] grievous suffering is bound to befall such of them as are
bent on denying the truth!
Note 122 - I.e., from participating in the expedition to Tabuk. The term
al-mu'adhdhirun connotes both "those having a valid excuse (`udhr)"
and "those offering false excuses"; it is, therefore, best rendered
as "such as had some excuse to offer". The specific mention of the
a'rab ("bedouin") in this and the following passages probably arises
from the fact that their attitude - positive or negative-towards Islam was of
the greatest importance within the context of early Muslim history, inasmuch as
the message of Muhammad could not obtain a real, lasting foothold in Arabia
without first securing the allegiance of those warlike nomads and half-nomads,
who constituted the great majority of the Peninsula's population. At the time
when the Prophet was preparing to set out towards Tabuk, many of the
already-converted tribesmen were willing to go to war under his leadership
(and, in fact, did so), while others were afraid lest in their absence their
encampments, denuded of man-power, be raided by hostile, as yet unconverted
tribes (Razi); others, again, were simply averse to exposing themselves to the
hardships of a campaign in distant lands, which did not seem to them to have
any bearing on their own, immediate interests.(Quran Ref: 9:90 )
Note 123 - I.e., without even caring to come to Medina and to excuse
themselves.(Quran Ref: 9:90 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: All religions carry the same criteria, that if you
don’t believe in the fundamentals of that particular religion, you will be punished.
Why is Islam being singled out?
Again the verses in question are about the hypocrites of the time.
Mike Ghouse: The key phrase is bent on telling the lies, which is denying the
truth.
#13. Don't pray for idolaters (not even for your family) after it is clear they
are people of hell-fire. 113
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:113 IT DOES NOT behove the Prophet and those who have attained to faith to
pray that they who ascribed divinity to aught beside God be forgiven [by Him]
even though they happened to be [their] near of kin [148] -after it has been
made clear unto them that those [dead sinners] are destined for the blazing
fire.
Note: As is obvious from the sequence, this prohibition relates to the dead
among such sinners-i.e., those who have died without repentance (Zamakhshari,
Razi)-and not to those who are still living: for "a prayer for forgiveness
in respect of a living [sinner] ... amounts to asking God that He grace him
with His guidance ... and this is permissible" (Manar XI, 60).(Quran Ref:
9:113 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: There is no point in praying for one who has died as a
polytheist, as this is an unforgivable sin. This verse was specifically
revealed about the Uncle of the Prophet SAW, whom the Prophet loved very much.
If the Prophet was not allowed to pray for him then how can any regular person
from his followers?
Mike Ghouse: Those who do not believe in God, don't really have to worry about
any punishment after death as there is no God for them to believe in the first
place, prayers for them don't mean a thing. However, God's most endearing
quality, that comes as a creator is kindness and grace that he or she reserves
to itself. (deliberate use of words). Then he advises in the most pluralistic
terms, giving respect to one's belief. Mind you, disagreement is handled in the
most civil terms, putting the other person on equal footing.
109:1 SAY: "O you who deny the truth!
109:2 "I do not worship that which you worship,
109:3 and neither do you worship that which I worship!
109:4 "And I will not worship ~hat which you have [ever] worshipped,
109:6 Unto you, your moral law, and unto me, mine !
#14. Fight disbelievers who are near you, and let them see the harshness in
you. 123
Mohammad Asad - At-Tauba (The Repentance)
9:123 O you who have attained to faith! Fight against those deniers of the
truth who are near you, and let them find you adamant ; [163] and know that
.God is with those who are conscious of Him.
Note 163- I.e., uncompromising with regard to ethical principles. For the
general circumstances in which war is permitted, see 2:190-194, 22:39, 60:8-9,
and the corresponding notes, as well as notes 7 and 9 on verse 5 of this surah.
The reference to "those deniers of the truth who are near you" may arise
from the fact that only "those who are near" can be dangerous in a
physical sense or, alternatively, that - having come from afar- they have
already approached the Muslim country with an aggressive intent.(Quran Ref:
9:123 )
Imam Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh: Uncompromising rigidity in the matters of right and
wrong, black and white is not something to be ashamed of. If I am not harsh in
for example somebody robbing my house at night by calling the police and
prosecuting those involved, what message does it give?
Mike Ghouse: How does one translate Adamant to harshness? Shows lack of freedom
on the part of Neocons to question what is dished out to them. They are taking
that false translation as gospel. The least they can do is see if there is
another translation. Isn’t that what democracy is all about?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zia-ul-Haq Shaikh
ICI is fortunate to have Shaikh Zia as Imam of our center. Imam Zia ul Haque
Sheikh was born in Azad Kashmir, and at the age of four he migrated to England
with his parents. He attended regular schools until the age of thirteen, when
he enrolled in a full time Islamic school.
He memorized the Quran, and at the age of sixteen, he started an Islamic
Theology course, which consisted of Arabic Syntax, Etymology and Grammar,
Logic, Quranic Exegesis, Hadith Exegesis, Comparative Religions, Islamic
Jurisprudence of the four main schools of thought, Foundations of
Jurisprudence, Quran and Hadith, and other subjects. After extensive studying
for approximately twelve years, he graduated in 1994 with a Masters in Islamic
Theology. He is still engaged in various courses to further his education.
He is a founding member and Board Member of the North Texas Islamic Council, an
umbrella organization representing Islamic Organizations in the North Texas
Area. He is also one of the Board Members of Irving Faiths together, a group of
various religious organizations, dedicated to Peace and Harmony between faiths.
He is one of the instructors at Suffa Academy in the Islamic Association of
North Texas, teaching subjects such as Seerah, Aqidah, and Hadith studies.
He also conducts regular study circles at the Islamic Center of Irving, and is
often invited to speak at colleges, universities, conferences and seminars.
He is actively involved in Interfaith and Dawah work.
He has served as an Imam in the USA since 1996.
Education & Other Skills:
Masters in Arabic and Islamic Theology
Memorized the complete Qur'an
Languages: Arabic, Urdu, English, Punjabi, Gujarati fluently
Has his own website : www.isaina.org
Has written a complete explanation of Imam Bukhari's Book of Iman
Hobbies & Interests:
Soccer, Weight Training, Keeping Fit, Dawah Work
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer. He is president of the
Foundation for Pluralism and is a frequent guest on talk radio and local
television network discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. He is the
founding president of World Muslim Congress with a simple theme: Good for
Muslims and good for the world. His comments, news analysis and columns can be
found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website
www.MikeGhouse.net. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton
is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Grant Swank
Koran's Verses via Dutch Film
December 04, 2007 12:00 PM EST
http://www.theconservativevoice.com/article/29496.html
Geert Wilders, Dutch conservative lawmaker, has made a ten-minute film exposing
the horrific passages of the Koran.
Per AP Wilders refers to the selected verses as “’fascist.’”
He does not fear being slain, claiming 24-hour protection.
Theo van Gogh, film director, made “Submission” available for public viewing.
It was a “fictional study of abused Muslim women with scenes of near-naked
women with Quaranic texts engraved on their flesh.”
Theo van Gogh was murdered—shot with throat slit by a Muslim extremist. His
body was discovered on an Amsterdam street in 2004.
“Prominent Muslim critic Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who wrote the (van Gogh) screenplay,
was threatened in a note left on Van Gogh's body. She now lives under
round-the-clock protection in the United States.
“Wilders plans to depict parts of the Quran he says are used as inspiration ‘by
bad people to do bad things.’
“Less than 10 minutes long, the film is expected to air in late January.
"It will show ‘the intolerant and fascist character of the Quran,’ said
Wilders, whose anti-Islam campaign helped his Freedom Party win nine seats in
parliament in last year's election.
“In the past, Wilders has said that half the Quran should be torn up and
compared it with Adolf Hitler's book ‘Mein Kampf.’ He has claimed the
Netherlands is being swamped by a ‘tsunami’ of Islamic immigrants.”
In other countries, there are those sympathetic with Wilders’ point of view.
There is grave concern on the part of persons enjoying democracies that
infiltration of extremist Islamic lifestyle, especially that built upon the
sharia so-called justice system, is a real-life real-time deadly threat to
civility.
Numerous persons who have researched the Koran verse-by-verse have concluded
that the general public in the main is ignorant of the Allah-dictates that
threaten civility. This ignorance is evident when uninformed individuals still
refer to Islam as a “peace religion.”
When taking the Koran seriously as divine revelation, a superficial review of
the Koran’s extremist verses is not what meshes with democracies.
A sample of extremist Koran verses includes the following:
Surah 9: Repentance
1. Give tidings (O Muhammad) of a painful doom to those who disbelieve. 3
2. Slay the idolaters wherever you find them. 5
3. Don't let idolaters tend the sanctuaries. Their works are in vain and they
will be burned in the Fire. 17
4. Give tiding of a painful doom to Christians and Jews. 34
5. If you refuse to fight, Allah will afflict you with a painful doom. 39
6. Disbelievers go to hell. 49
7. Those who vex the Prophet, for them there is a painful doom. 60
8. Those who oppose Allah and His messenger will burn in the fire of hell. 63
9. Allah promises hypocrites and disbelievers the fire of hell. Allah curses
them. They will have a lasting torment. 68
10. Fight the disbelievers and hypocrites. Be harsh with them. They are all
going to hell anyway. 73
11. Allah will afflict disbelievers with a painful doom in this world and the
Hereafter. 74
12. For disbelievers there will be a painful doom. 90
13. Don't pray for idolaters (not even for your family) after it is clear they
are people of hell-fire. 113
14. Fight disbelievers who are near you, and let them see the harshness in you.
123
Concerning the Dutch situation, AP reports: “Immigrants from Muslim countries
number about 1 million of the country's 16 million people.
Wilders informs the media: "’I will make the film and see what reaction it
creates.’"
Read "Dutch lawmaker planning film criticizing the Quran" at
www.iht.com/bin/printfriendly.php?id=8512622
Send your comments to: WMCArchives@Gmail.com
Subject line write: Muslim Response to Geert Wilders
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The World Muslim Congress is driven by the Qur'an, Al-Hujurat, Surah 49:13:
"O mankind! We have created you male and female, and have made you nations
and tribes that ye may know one another. The noblest of you, in sight of Allah,
is the best in conduct. Allah Knows and is Aware." Our Mission is to work
for a world of co-existence through inclusiveness and participation. As a
member of diverse family of faiths, our efforts will be directed towards
justice and equity to attain peace for the humankind with a firm grounding in
commonly held values. No one should have advantages at the cost of others. Such
benefits are temporary and deleterious to lasting peace. We believe what is
good for Muslims has got to be good for the world, and vice versa, to sustain
it. Indeed we aspire to promote goodwill amongst people of different
affiliations, regardless of their faith, gender, race, nationality, culture or
any other uniqueness blessed by the creator. www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
Posted by
Profile of Mike Ghouse at 1:33
PM
http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/01/muslim-response-to-wilders.html
