http://www.islam786.org/terrorism.htm www.FazlurRahmanAnsari.org More books on Comparative Religion: http://www.scribd.com/my_docs#tab:folder:62882 What Islam says about ''Terrorism'' ! This question was asked in the wake of the recent terrorist acts perpetrated by those claiming to be Muslims and acting in the name of Jihad. There is also clarification of the Islamic Ruling on Suicide Bombers. This is the reply Hadrat Shaykh al Islam gave to the question... 'This is a disease spreading throughout the modern world, where the irresponsible words and actions of certain powerful Government leaders triggers and spurs a violent and grotesque reaction amongst individuals or some politically inclined groups which is then highlighted by the world media as 'Islamic Terrorism'. Nothing can be further from the truth. If only people read and try to understand the real teachings of this great faith, for Islam is the most peace loving and tolerant religion. Islam teaches us to show care and compassion even towards the plants and animals. To inflict destruction, harm or injury towards them is deemed as a major sin, so how can anyone under any circumstances justify the killing or maiming of innocent human beings? Even during the times of war when the Blessed Companions of our Noble Messenger peace be upon him were engaged in battle they had clear instructions to spare the elderly and those who cultivate the land. They were also informed to treat the prisoners of war humanely and to feed them as they would expect to be fed. Those prisoners who taught the illiterate how to read and write were freed and it was through observing this compassion and good nature of the Muslims when they expected to be ill-treated and abused that many converted to Islam. To commit suicide is Haraam, clearly a forbidden act. Such a person who ends his/her life this way will be answerable to the Almighty Allah who gives and takes life. He grants us life and has commanded us to fulfil it according to His law and order. We as mere mortals have no say or control as to when we are given life and when it is ended. Those who intentionally end their life through their own actions are committing a major error of sin. And those who end their life in such a manner by blowing themselves up thus killing many innocent civilians with them thinking it is an act of 'Jihad' or Islamically acceptable are surely brainwashed by the leaders of these extremist groups and organisations. The leaders of such groups and sects use these gullible recruits to fulfil their own ambitions such as to gain control of a disputed territory. Many a times the aftermath of a foreign
This MUST READ collection of short articles and recommended books explains the differences between Islam, Jihad and modern day Terrorism. Links to MUST READ books on Wahabiism (a deviant cult started by Mohammed bin Abdul Wahab at-Tamimi an-Najdi) are also given. PLEASE click on my username, "Abdul Mustafa", and go to the 'Wahabiism/"Salafiism"' folder for many books proving the Sunnhi Aqaaid.
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What Islam says about ''Terrorism'' !
This question was asked in the wake of the recent terrorist acts perpetrated by those claiming to be Muslims and acting in the name of Jihad. There is also clarification of the Islamic Ruling on Suicide Bombers.
This is the reply Hadrat Shaykh al Islam gave to the question...
'This is a disease spreading throughout the modern world, where the irresponsible words and actions of certain powerful Government leaders triggers and spurs a violent and grotesque reaction amongst individuals or some politically inclined groups which is then highlighted by the world media as 'Islamic Terrorism'. Nothing can be further from the truth. If only people read and try to understand the real teachings of this great faith, for Islam is the most peace loving and tolerant religion.
Islam teaches us to show care and compassion even towards the plants and animals. To inflict destruction, harm or injury towards them is deemed as a major sin, so how can anyone under any circumstances justify the killing or maiming of innocent human beings? Even during the times of war when the Blessed Companions of our Noble Messenger peace be upon him were engaged in battle they had clear instructions to spare the elderly and those who cultivate the land. They were also informed to treat the prisoners of war humanely and to feed them as they would expect to be fed. Those prisoners who taught the illiterate how to read and write were freed and it was through observing this compassion and good nature of the Muslims when they expected to be ill-treated and abused that many converted to Islam.
To commit suicide is Haraam, clearly a forbidden act. Such a person who ends his/her life this way will be answerable to the Almighty Allah who gives and takes life. He grants us life and has commanded us to fulfil it according to His law and order. We as mere mortals have no say or control as to when we are given life and when it is ended. Those who intentionally end their life through their own actions are committing a major error of sin. And those who end their life in such a manner by blowing themselves up thus killing many innocent civilians with them thinking it is an act of 'Jihad' or Islamically acceptable are surely brainwashed by the leaders of these extremist groups and organisations. The leaders of such groups and sects use these gullible recruits to fulfil their own ambitions such as to gain control of a disputed territory. Many a times the aftermath of a foreign
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invasion ignites rival groups and sects of improper and radical views to engage in civil warfare.
No religion teaches or encourages violence, hatred or even terrorism for that matter but to drag the great religion of Islam to such debacle and debate is nothing short of absurd. Undoubtedly the real enemies of Islam are working and planning day in day out conspiring and conniving every possible opportunity to tarnish the pure name of Islam. The new found 'Terrorist' label they have associated with it is certainly helping their cause especially with the rising number of suicide bombers and fanatical organisations. But we are all sensible enough to understand that the woeful and evil actions of an individual or groups of individuals does not and cannot change the teachings of a Global Faith. The message of Islam is precisely today as it was over 1400 years ago; teaching and encouraging peace, tolerance and love. How can we forget the Prophet's last sermon, ''You are all the children of Adam, there is no superiority of an Arab over a Non-Arab, the Non-Arab over the Arab or the white over the black nor the black over the white except those who are righteous and have good hearts''.
One has to be very careful when talking and discussing these issues in the present sensitive climate. When we condemn the actions of the extreme Wahhabi/Salafi and Shi'ites who have blood on their hands, are responsible for the murder of many innocent bystanders but unconcerned and engaged in terrorist activity in the way of suicide bombings, kidnapping and beheadings, the observers immediately imply that we are supporting the right wing regimes whose ultimate aim is to divide the Muslims even further and tarnish the name of Islam. And when we equally condemn those administrations for instigating and fuelling terrorism, for their illegal interventions and destruction of foreign lands, their lies and hypocrisies and greed for oil and power the observers are quick to jump at the chance to label us as supporters or sympathisers of Al-Qaeda. It is for this reason many people choose not to openly talk on these issues however The Ahl as-Sunnah w'al Jama'ah denounce and distance themselves from such dirty policies and politics and choose to live and be governed by the beautiful teachings and the life of the Last Messenger of Allah, may infinite peace and blessings be upon him.'
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The Principles of Islam
by Maulana Abdul Aleem siddiqui Qadri
The beautiful panorama of the heavens and the earth, which we see around us, carries in its bosom the testimony that it is the creation of a Great Artist. The existence of order and design in the universe, which modern science teaches us, leads us to the belief in the existence of a Supreme Power and a Supreme Intelligence who is responsible for this complex but orderly design, --of a Supreme Being who brought it into existence and supplied it with all that it needed for its life and growth, --in the language of the Holy Qur?an, of the Rabbul-Alameen.
The universe, as we know it in Science, is an organic Whole, all of whose parts are beautifully and harmoniously inter-related. It is, further, a Domain of Law in which every particle exists and moves in subjection to a prescribed and immutable course of law. Neither the huge planets that swim in space, nor the tiny particles of sand that lie scattered on the seashore, can deviate even slightly from that course. Their life is a life of complete submission to the Laws of Nature, in the language of Science, and to the Laws of God, in the language of Religion. Their life is the life of Islam, which means submission to Divine Commands. In other words, they are Muslims. The Holy Qur?an refers to this truth in the following words:
"And to Him submits whatever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly, or unwillingly, and to Him do they return" (III: 83).
The sole exception to this general rule is man. He is unique in the whole domain of creation, inasmuch as he possesses not only the faculty of reasoning but also a free will. This makes his course of action and the pattern of his behaviour undetermined. You can predict the action of the sun, because it functions under an immutable law and possesses no freedom to deviate from it. But you cannot do the same thing in the case of man. The activity of all the things of the universe is mechanical. But not so that of man. He can choose his ends and he can prescribe the means. For that purpose, he relies on his Reason. But, in that way, he commits mistakes side by side with achieving great things, and ultimately lands himself in a confusion. The same faculty, which is his asset, becomes the instrument of his undoing, solely because of its wrong use. The human intellect can guide him only to certain limits, because it works on the basis of known facts to discover the unknown. It can serve efficiently to some extent in the domain of the physical reality. But when it enters the realm of fundamental truths, where the first requirement is the possession of a comprehensive knowledge of the past, the present, and the future, it can give us only conjectures and inferences. In its very nature, it is incapable of discovering ultimate truths of life.
The human soul is, however, in dead earnest to know those ultimate truths, because without them the real meaning of life remains unexplained and the true code of human endeavour remains unfixed. Science cannot supply that, because it deals only with the immediate physical reality. Philosophy cannot give it, because it works on postulates and inferences.
It is at this stage that the human soul cries for guidance from the Great Beyond or the Great Unseen. It yearns to have a torch which might illumine its path, and a Guide who might supply
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the guidance based on sure and certain knowledge.
Humanity needs such a sure, positive and comprehensive guidance, and the same Loving Creator who sustains us and the universe in the matter of physical needs and has also taken it upon Himself to supply this vital need.
Human history bears testimony to the fact that religion has existed since the beginnings of the life of humanity on this earth. This shows that the Beneficent God supplied mankind with guidance simultaneously with its creation, so that it might not have to grope in the dark and might walk the way of the law in conformity with its nature.
Those who were appointed by God to deliver that guidance are known in the terminology of religion as Prophets and Messengers. They themselves received that guidance in the form of "Divine Revelation", and when they presented it to the people in a written form, it was known as "Scripture" or "Revealed Book". The contents of those Scriptures have always been those laws which the Creator and Sustainer of the universe has appointed for the right life of man. The aim of that guidance has always been to teach man to submit to the Divine Laws, which attitude is expressed in Arabic by the term "Islam". Divine Guidance wants man to act and behave in accordance with the law of his true nature, as a free being, even as the rest of the creation conforms with the laws of nature in a mechanical way ---in one word, to be Muslim. The Holy Qur?an says:
"The nature (made by) God in which He has created man. There is no altering in God?s creation. That is the right religion. But most men do not know" (XX: 30).
This guidance from God was not confined to one group or community, but was sent to all nations and races. This blessing of God was bestowed universally as the Holy Qur?an reports: "And there is not a (single nation to whom a Warner was not sent." (XXXV: 24). History has preserved the names of some of them, while the names and works of many others have now been forgotten. Among those whose names are still remembered are: Adam, Noah, Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and Jesus. The last of the line was Muhammad (God bless him and all other Prophets!). He appeared in the seventh century of the Christian era, called humanity back to the path of the former Prophets, and presented to the world the Holy Qur?an, which contains the laws taught by the former Prophets in their perfect and most comprehensive form. People had named the teachings of the previous Teachers variously as "Judaism", "Christianity", etc. The last Prophet reminded them of the real and original and meaningful name, namely, Islam. He declared, in the words of the Holy Qur’an: "Verily, the religion with God is Al-Islam (i.e. Submission)".(III: 9).
"The religion of your forefather Abraham. He named you as Muslims". (XXII: 78).
"Abraham was neither a Jew nor a Christian, but he was upright and submitted (to his Lord)". (III: 67).
The Final Prophet raised religion from the level of sectarianism and taught that the Divine Religion, wherever found and by whomsoever preached, had always been the same, namely, Islam, which, as I have already emphasized twice, means submission to and conformity with the laws appointed by God.
Now, the teachings of Islam fall under two headings, namely: (1) Belief, and (2) Action. In matters of belief, the basic belief is that which-relates to God. It is the form of this belief
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which fashions the whole human outlook. When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be with him!) appeared, different religious communities had different notions. People had invented conceptions of godhead and had raised human beings, nay, even the inorganic things, to the status of divinity. Reforming all those wrong notions, the Holy Prophet Muhammad taught the first lesson of Islam in the words:
"There is none worthy of worship except Allah".
This revolutionary declaration means that God is One and One only, and has no partner. God is the Creator, and everything beside Him is "created". It means that no creature can be ranked with the Creator, however great might be his achievements and attributes. The line of demarcation is very distinct and cannot be crossed.
Of course, history has recorded the working of miracles by the Prophets and Messengers. But, in that case, the Prophets and Messengers were merely instruments and the force that really worked behind their miracles was the Hand of God. The sole function of the Prophets and Messengers was to invite humanity to God and to attract the human hearts and intellects to Him. Of all the Great Signs, which were associated with their lives, the greatest was the reception of messages from God for delivery to the people. It was because of this that they were called "Messengers". They taught the highest truths in spite of their illiteracy and complete lack of schooling.
Belief in the mission and the message of all those Messengers was preached by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be with him!) as the second part of Islamic basic belief, and along with the declaration of the Unity of God, the Divine Messengership of Muhammad was added, for, as the last of the line of Prophets and Messengers, he represents all his predecessors. This gives us the full Islamic article of faith:
"There is none worthy of worship but Allah, (and) Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah".
Now, just as the belief in the plurality of gods leads to the irreconcilable division of humanity, so does the notion of differentiating between God?s Prophets and Messengers. Therefore, the guidance coming truly from one God cannot permit it, and, consequently, we find the Holy Qur?an teaching us the following basic belief: "Say: We believe in Allah, and in that which has been revealed unto us, and in that which was revealed unto Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the tribes, and in that which Moses and Jesus got, and in that which (other) Prophets received from their Lord. We make no distinction between them?"(III: 84). One other point where humanity has committed grave mistakes concerns a species of God?s creatures known as "Angles". Some have believed in them as "daughters of God", while others have made them partners in the Supreme Godhead. Islam makes it clear that they are created spiritual beings who serve as executors of God?s Will in the capacity of humble slaves. They are not the bestowers of Divine Blessings but only a medium for Divine Action. The real Bestower is God Almighty alone, and the angels are mere servants, as the Holy Qur?an says: "They do not disobey God in what they are commanded and they do as ordered" Now, I may say a word on the Islamic article of Faith concerning the Last Day and the Day of Judgment. We all know that the violation of a physical law always causes us physical injury. The use of wrong foods, the effects of wrong climate, the non-observance of the rules of hygiene, brings about physical consequences which are evil. On the other hand, the observance of the laws of health guarantees our development and natural growth. In fact,
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every one of our actions is consequential. The results might manifest themselves early or late, but they must ultimately manifest themselves. Islam believes in the final assessment of all our actions and the true manifestation of their ultimate results on a day named by it as the Day of Judgment.
Regarding the duration of the life of the universe, modern science postulates its ultimate end. It teaches that the numerous planets and stars which constitute the universe are bound together by a network of magnetic forces which is fed by the radiation of energy emanating from those bodies. It further teaches that energy is diminishing and decreasing every day, and on that basis it infers that a time must come when the balance of forces must be upset, destroying the entire universe. Islam, too, teaches the belief in the ultimate ending of the world, and names that occurrence as the Qiyam-e-Qiyamet, or the advent of the Last Day.
These are the simple principles of Islamic belief. And here I may emphasize a very important point. The fact is that two fundamental beliefs are absolutely necessary to keep man within the bounds of healthy existence and growth:
Firstly, the belief in the All-Knowing and All-Seeing God, who knows and sees, not only his positive action, but also the ideas and emotions which run through the most secret recesses of his heart.
Secondly, the belief that he is responsible for his action and is ultimately bound to receive his reward or punishment.
It is evident that, for most people, the real deterrent is the existence of the instruments of the law under which they live and the fear of punishment consequent upon the violation of law. It is also evident that one would hardly have the courage of committing any crime in the presence of the sentinels of the law.
The Holy Qur?an has taught in the most unambiguous words that no one can bear the burden of any other?s sin and no one can be held accountable for the deeds of someone else. Every human being is responsible for his or her actions alone. The Holy Qur?an says:
"No one bears the burden of the other" (VI : 164).
Consequently, if a person is rightly inspired with the belief in the existence of the All-Seeing and All-Knowing God and in his ultimate personal accountability, it would be difficult for him to commit evil.
Thus it is that the fundamental principles of belief in the teachings of all the Prophets, namely, in Islam, are: Belief in the One True God; Belief in all the Prophets of God; Belief in all the Divinely-revealed Books; Belief in the Angels; Belief in the Last Day and the Day of Judgment; Belief in human accountability, on the basis of the possession of free will, and in the ultimate reward or punishment.
Besides these principles of belief, the Code of Law which humanity received through Divine Revelation, in the form of the Holy Qur?an, supplies us with a complete system of guidance for all the practical walks of life. It is not possible to deal with it here in any detail. Only a brief reference can be made under three fundamental items, namely: (1) Duties towards God; (2)
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Duties towards self; (3) Duties towards others.
Duties towards God rest on the basic problem of the establishment of the right and conscious relation of man with God. In what form should this relation manifest itself? The basic fact in this connection is the attitude of love and thankfulness. It is a natural human attribute to feel thankful to anyone who does the smallest amount of good to us and to love him who loves us. What then about God who brought us forth from mere nothingness and took upon Himself the obligation of leading us to the pinnacle of our perfection? Therefore, Islam teaches us to make that Real Bestower of all Blessings as the center of our love, to bend our personality in thought and deed towards Him, and to express our gratitude to Him with our tongues as well as our hearts. It prescribes for that purpose continuous remembrance of God and a form of worship or prayer, named as Salat. The function of this prayer and remembrance is the same in the spiritual life of man as that of the nourishing foods in his physical life, and the greater the attention one pays to it, the greater is the spiritual and moral development. In its obligatory form, Islam prescribes it to be performed in a fixed manner and to be observed at certain fixed times of the day and the night, even as the physicians fix the forms and the times of meals for the proper nourishment of the physical body. Divine Revelation tells us in the Holy Qur?an:
"Verily, prayer is obligatory on the believers at fixed times". (IV: 103).
And the Last Prophet (peace be with him!) emphasized the institution of prayer in these words:
"What separates a Servant (of God) from infidelity is Prayer".
While referring to the nourishing value of prayer for the soul, the Holy Qur?an says:
"Verily, in the remembrance of God do hearts find rest". (XIII: 28).
The consequences of the observance of prayers have been spoken of in these words: "Verily, prayer keeps away from indecencies and evil". (XXIX: 45). Thus prayer provides the protection against moral and spiritual diseases which results in spiritual development and leads to close communion with God.
The establishment of the right relation with the Creator and the cultivation of love for Him must result not only in the devotion of one?s attention, but also in the practical and active dedication of one?s life and wealth to Him. It must further result in the creation of the deepest sentiments of love for His creatures. For the practical demonstration of this love, Islam prescribes the obligatory "poor-tax" or Zakat.
Towards this end, Islam also prescribes the observance of Haj or Pilgrimage to Mecca as obligatory on every Muslim of means. In this observance, a Muslim has to sacrifice his wealth as well as his comforts for the sake of the love of God. On the social side, the Haj is the instrument of fostering fraternal relations between the different Muslim units scattered all over the world and of solving their political, economic an international problems.
There remains now one more Islamic obligatory practice, and that is Saum, or Fasting. The harmonious development of human personality depends upon the harmonious working of the human self, which is always in danger of being corrupted or destroyed by the widespread inclination towards self-indulgence. To steer clear of the temptations and pitfalls of human life, man is urgently in need of the cultivation of self-control. To that end, Islam has prescribed
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obligatory fasting during the whole month of Ramadan every year.
The Holy Qur?an says:
"O you who believe! Fasting has been prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those who were before you, so that you may attain piety; -- (It is fasting for a) fixed number of days". (II: 183).
It may be pointed out here that while announcing the obligatoriness of fasting, the Holy Qur?an refers to the fact that the same had been prescribed for those who followed the previous scriptures and Prophets. But this institution also met the same fate in other religions as the other basic teachings. Misinterpretations and interpolations of those Messages caused this institution to disappear from those religious groups. The Holy Qur?an reminded about it and renewed the teaching of the former Prophets with regard to fasting. The Qur?anic institution of fasting is observed during all the days of Ramadan by means of total abstinence during daytime from eating, drinking and sexual acts. Thus, when a person practices self-control with regard to those things which are lawful, he automatically cultivates the power of resisting the evil temptations in thought and deed.
This completes the statement of the fundamental principles of Islam which have been summed up by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (God bless him!) in the following words:
"Islam is founded on five things: To bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; to establish prayer; to pay the prescribed Charity; to fast during Ramadan; and to perform the Pilgrimage to the Kaaba if one has means of doing so".
It may be pointed out that the general conception prevailing in the world is that it is merely a bundle of certain rituals, prayers and ceremonies. This is not, however, the conception of Islam, which comprehends in itself a complete and perfect Code of Life dealing with spiritual, moral, political, economic, in fact, all the aspects of human activity. The Holy Qur?an declares in very clear terms: "This day I have perfected your religion for you, and completed My favour on you, and chosen for you Al-Islam as your religion."(V : 4). I have so far referred to those principles of Islam which fall under the category of purely "religious" or "devotional", although I must emphasize that they, too, have a vital bearing on human culture.
Now, as regards "Duties towards self", Islam considers human life as the first and the most important blessing of God, and urges its preservation and reverence for it. Wanton injury to human life is a sin in Islam, which lays down the general rule in the words of the Holy Qur?an:
"And be not cast by your own hands to ruin" (II: 195).
Suicide is one of the major crimes according to the Islamic law, and God has prescribed the severest punishment for it. On the other hand, the preservation and right development of one?s self is one of the major virtues. In that respect, Islam has gone to the extent of forbidding certain foods and drinks which the All-Knowing God knows are injurious for the human body. Thus, the Holy Qur?an says: "O Mankind! Eat of that which is lawful and wholesome, and follow not the ways of the devil." (II: 168).
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"You have been forbidden only carrion and blood and pork and that which has been slaughtered in the name of other than Allah" (II ? 173). "Verily, intoxicants and games of chance and divining by arrows and idols are pollution of Satan?s handiwork. Therefore, abstain from them if you wish to attain success." (V: 93). Islam has also taken into consideration the moral aspect of human dress and has prescribed the obligatory covering of certain parts of the body which have a sexappeal.
Islam does not hold the world and its struggle in contempt. On the other hand, it regards the earning of livelihood by rightful means as an obligation and a blessing of God.
The Holy Qur?an says:
"For man is naught but what he strives for." (LIII: 39).
"And seek of the Bounty of Allah."
The Holy Prophet says: "One who earns livelihood (by sweat of brow) is Allah?s beloved." Islam has forbidden us from earning wealth by unlawful means.
The Holy Qur?an says:
"Devour not each others? wealth by unlawful means" (IV: 29).
"God has permitted fair business and has prohibited usury." (II: 275).
Islam has also placed limits on the right of spending our wealth. In the Holy Qur?an, we read: "Be not extravagant. Verily, Allah loveth not those who are extravagant." (VII: 31).
"Be not prodigal. Lo! The prodigals have ever been brothers of the devils. And the devil was ever ingrate to his Lord." (XVII: 26 ? 27).
Concerning well-doing to others, the Holy Qur?an observes: "And those who, when they spend, are neither extravagant nor miserly, but walk the middle course." (XXV: 67). There is a widespread notion that there are only two ideologies in the world, between which mankind has to make a choice, namely, Communism and Capitalism. But both of these ideologies suffer from extremism, and the salvation of humanity lies in the adoption of a balanced ideology. Such an ideology is found in Islam, which allows initiative and private property, but limits the means of income and the ways of expenditure, which harmonizes the interests of the society and the individual on a free moral basis, and which, in its state constitution, guarantees to all individuals the provision of their basic needs.
The one great difference between Islam and the modern ideologies is that Islam bases all its teachings on moral foundations and lays full emphasis on the moral reform of the individual. Absolute moral values like Truthfulness, Justice, Charity, etc. are its very life-blood. The interests of the individual and the society exist as co-centric realities. The Islamic society is a
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co-operative commonwealth of free individuals hedged in with restraints of harmony, even as the human body is one.
Equality of all human beings in essential humanity is one of the basic principles of Islam. And this conception stands, not only in respect of relations between man and man, but also in connection with the relations between man and woman. In fact, Islam ennobled and established the status of woman at a time when she was being regarded as a chattel and at best as a plaything for man, and it was being debated whether she was a human being at all, -- at a time when she possessed no legal personality of her own and was deprived even of the right of owning property. According to the Islamic ideology, as a daughter, woman is more beloved than a son; as a wife, she is "The Queen of her house", and as a mother, her status is superior to that of a father.
Islam wiped off all distinctions of race and colour and taught in the most unambiguous terms the most practical and the truest form of the human brother-hood. The Holy Qur?an says:
"O Mankind ! We created you from one male and one female and made you into nations and tribes that ye may know each other. Lo ! the noblest of you in the sight of God is he who is best in conduct.." (XXXXIX: 13).
This brotherhood is made up of individuals who are to be respected without attaching importance to any physical distinctions. In fact, Islam regards the individual as a world by himself, as representing the whole of humanity in his person. Thus says the Holy Qur?an: "He who kills anyone except for murder or mischief in the land, it is as if he killed all mankind; and he who saves the life of anyone, it is as if he saved the life of all mankind." (V: 35). The one great source of strife between human beings is the existence of egotism culminating in self-interest. Islam takes a determined stand against it when it preaches the ideal of Muslim life in the following words: "They sacrifice their own interests, even though it causes them hardship". The Islamic conception of sacrifice is a natural corollary of the ideal of unbounded love for fellow beings. That, in its turn, is rooted in the ideal of the love of God, which is the central idea to which all the teachings of Islam are directed. The first principle of Islam is true faith in the Existence and the Unity of God. The goal of Muslim life is the attainment of nearness and proximity to God. The Muslim lives not for himself but for God, and all his actions as a Muslim must lead to that goal, as the Holy Qur?an says: "Say: verily, my prayer and my sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah, Lord of the worlds, Who has no partner (in His Kingdom)". (VI: 162). Even in the field of scientific quest, the ideal of a Muslim is to know God and His Plan. For we read in the Holy Qur?an: "Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day, are signs for persons of understanding, who remember God standing, sitting and reclining on their sides and ponder over the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say O our Lord! Thou hast not created all this in vain. Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire". (III ? 188). This is a very brief outline of the Islamic principles of life. In this teaching, we have neither mystery nor dogma. On the other hand, it is the religion of broad daylight. It is based on the natural laws appointed by God, and consequently every one of its principles is capable of rational proof and demonstration.
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It is the obligation of every rational human being to employ his reason and to consider whether he should follow the man-made imperfect "isms" or the Perfect Guidance given by the All-Knowing God. Islam is not the product of any human brain. It is a Divine Teaching revealed to a man who knew neither to read nor to write, who had received no schooling in science or philosophy, and whose very environment was averse to the possibilities of the cultivation of any higher attributes. That man, that orphan child of Lady Amina, that unlettered son of the desert, stood in the wilds of Arabia, fourteen centuries ago, and proclaimed about himself the following words of God:
"And he does not speak of his own desire. It is naught but an inspiration inspired"
He stood up as an unlettered Teacher, but on the basis of the revelation he received from God, he astounded the world by expounding the highest principles of wisdom and knowledge. He gave to humanity that revealed and perfect Code of Life which transformed the Bedouins of the desert into the most advanced nation of the world and revolutionised the whole human outlook. Those who were sunk in barbarism and moral degradation became the torchbearers of morals and the teachers of the world in all the arts of peace and war. They stood at the cradle of modern science and they remained the master-people of the earth for centuries.
The same inspiration, the same message, the same system exists even today in its original and authentic form in the Holy Qur?an. The life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be with him!) as the practical commentary of the Holy Qur?an and as the most comprehensive model of human perfection is still preserved in the authentic record of history, and stands out as the Beacon Light for all time.
Let those who honour the demand of rationality and who wish to tread the path of true human perfection come to the Holy Qur?an and God?s Last Prophet, Muhammad (peace be with him!) and receive perfect guidance in all the walks of life ? spiritual, moral, political, economic, individual and collective. May the Beneficent God guide the whole of mankind to the Straight Path.
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Was Islam Spread By The Sword?
Q] How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?
A] It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force.
The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam.
1. Islam means peace. Islam comes from the root word 'salaam', which means peace. It also means submitting one's will to Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (Subhanahu wa ta'ala).
2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.
Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and anti-social elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.
3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O'Leary. The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book "Islam at the cross road" (Page 8): "History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the
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world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated."
4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years. Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.
5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians. Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.
6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India. The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.
7. Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, "Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?"
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8. East Coast of Africa. Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, "Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?"
9. Thomas Carlyle. The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book "Heroes and Hero worship", refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: "The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can."
10. No compulsion in religion. With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse: "Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error" [Al-Qur’an 2:256]
11. Sword of the Intellect. It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125: "Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious." [Al-Qur’an 16:125]
12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984. An article in Reader’s Digest 'Almanac', year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in 'The Plain Truth' magazine. At the top was Islam,
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which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam?
13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe. Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?
14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, "People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born".
Terrorism
Terrorism : Islam's Viewpoint Reprinted from the Muslim World League Journal Jumad AI-Ula 1423 - July 2002
During its sixteenth session, which was held between 21-27 Shawwal 1422 H (5-10 January 2002), the Islamic Fiqh Council laid emphasis on the fact that extremism, violence, and terrorism have no connection whatsoever with Islam. In fact, they are manifestations of perilous acts with dangerous consequences, and an aggression and iniquity against the individual.
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Whosoever carefully studies the two sources of the Shari'ah (Islamic law), namely the Book of Allah [the Qur'an] and the Sunnah (Traditons) of Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessings be upon), would discover that they are devoid of any import of extremism, acts of violence or terrorism, which imply carrying out aggression against others without a just cause. Therefore, in order to draw an Islamic definition of terrorism that unites the vision and attitudes of all Muslims; and in order to clearly state this fact and highlight the danger of associating Islam with extremism and terrorism, the Islamic Fiqh Council presents the following definition of terrorism and Islam's attitude toward it both to the Muslims and the world at large.
Definition
Definition of Terrorism
'Terrorism' is an outrageous attack carried out either by individuals, groups or states against the human being (his religion, life, intellect, property and honour). It includes all forms of intimidation, harm, threatening, killing without just cause and everything connected with any form of armed robbery, hence making pathways insecure, banditry, every act of violence or threatening intended to fulfil a criminal scheme individually or collectively, so as to terrify and horrify people by hurting them or by exposing their lives, liberty, security or conditions to danger; it can also take the form of inflicting damage on the environment or on a public or a private utility or exposing a national or natural resource to danger. All these are manifestations of the mischief in the land, Allah the Almighty has prohibited Muslims from committing. Allah says in the Qur'an al kareem: "And seek not occasions for mischief in the land: for Allah loves not those who do
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mischief. " (28:77) Hence Allah (Exalted is He) did not only enact deterrent punishment against terrorism, aggression and corruption, but considers these acts tantamount to waging war against Allah and His Beloved Messenger (Peace and abundant blessings upon him). Allah says in the Qur'an: "The punishment of those who wage war against Allah Almighty and His Messenger (Peace and abundant blessings upon him), and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: That is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the hereafter. " (5:33) Obviously, in view of the enormity of such acts of aggression, which are viewed by the Shari'ah (Islamic law) as an act of war against the laws and the creatures of God, there is no stricter punishment anywhere in the manmade laws. Moreover, according to the Islamic Fiqh Council, there are various forms of terrorism, which include state terrorism, the most conspicuous illustration and the most heinous of which is practiced aggresively in Palestine today by the Israelis, previously by the Serbs in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Kosovo, by the Russians in Checheniya and more recently by western governments in Afghanistan and Iraq and supported the Israeli massacre in Lebanon. According to the Islamic Fiqh Council, state terrorism is the most menacing to security and peace in the world.
Remedy
Islam's Remedy for Extremism & Terrorism In combating terrorism and protecting society against its evil consequences, Islam is a trail-blazer. Through clear-cut limitations that must not be trespassed, Islam urges the protection of human life, honour, property, religion and intellect. Allah the Almighty says in the Qur'an:
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"If any do transgress the limits ordained by Allah, such persons wrong themselves as well as others. " (2:229) Accordingly, in furtherance of this honour bestowed upon mankind, Islam prohibit[s] man's injustice to his fellow man, and condemn[s] those who cause harm to people, not only in the Muslim world, but anywhere in the world. Allah says in the Qur'an al kareem: "Say: The things that my Lord has indeed forbidden are; shameful deeds, whether open or secret; sins and trespasses against truth or reason." And: "When he turns his back, his aim everywhere is to spread mischief through the earth and destroy crops and progeny. But Allah loves not mischief. When it is said to him 'Fear Allah,' he is led by arrogance to (more) crime. Enough for him is Hell - an evil bed indeed to lie on." (7:33 & 2:205-206) Furthermore, Islam ordered its adherents to keep away from anything that may cause turmoil among the people, and warned at the same time, against its evil consequences. Allah says in the Qur'an: "And fear tumult or oppression, which affects not in particular (only) those of you who do wrong: And know that Allah is strict in punishment." (8:25) In Islam, both the individual and the community are exhorted not only to tow the line of moderation, but likewise, to root out extremism and religious intolerance which are sure to destroy the mankind. The Most Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings upon him) said in a report by Imams Ahmad and Al-Nissaie: "Beware of excesses in matters of religion. For, as a matter of fact, those before you were destroyed by religious immoderation."
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Islam also addressed the issue of evil tendencies that are apt to lead to intimidation, terrifying, horrifying and killing without any just cause. The Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings upon him) said: "A Muslim must not terrify a fellow Muslim." And: "Whoever points an iron rod towards his brother, the angels shall go on cursing him until he stopped, even if he (the victim) happens to be his full brother (from the sides of his father and mother)." (Sahih Muslim) With regard to the Dhimmis (Non-Muslims living under Muslim protection), Islam ordered that they must be treated justly. It gave them rights and imposed duties on them. It gave them security in the Muslim world, and imposed blood-money and expiation for an act of killing committed against anyone among them. Allah says: "If he belonged to a people with whom you have a treaty of mutual alliance, blood-money shall be paid to his family, and a believing slave be freed. " (Qur'an 4:92) Furthermore, in conformity with the saying of the Beloved Prophet (Peace and Blessings upon him), Islam prohibits the slaying of a Dhimmi living in the Muslim world. "Whoever kills a person under the contract of protection shall never smell the scent of Paradise." (Ibn Majah) Moreover, Islam does not forbid its followers from being charitable towards those who do not fight them or expel them from their homes. Allah says in the Qur'an: "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loves those who are just. " (60:8) And:
"And let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do." (5:8)
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In view of the foregoing, therefore, the Islamic Fiqh Council would like to make it public that the crime of taking away one life without a just cause is tantamount to killing all people, whatever the faith of the murdered or the murderer; and that punishments and retributions are solely the prerogative of the ruler, not of individuals or groups.
Jihad is not ...
Jihad is not Terrorism
In Islam, Jihad is ordained to uphold right, repel injustice and establish justice, peace, security and clemency, with which the Beloved Prophet (Peace & Blessings be upon him) was sent to take mankind out of darkness into light. More specifically, Jihad has been ordained to eliminate all forms of terrorism, and to defend the homeland against occupation, plunder and colonialism. Jihad is waged against those who support others in driving out people out of their homes, as well as against those who are in breach of their covenants. Jihad is meant to avoid tempting away Muslims from their faith or restricting their freedom to conduct peaceful propagation of their religion. Allah the Almighty said: "Allah forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: For Allah loveth those who are just. " And: "Allah only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support others in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). !t is such as turn to them in these circumstances that do wrong." (Qur'an 60:8-9) Islam has crystal clear rules and provisions that forbid the killing of non-combatants, innocent persons, such as the elderly, women and children; pursuit of fleeing persons, slaying persons who have surrendered, injuring prisoners, or mutilating the bodies of the dead, or destroying structures and buildings that have no connection with combat.
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Thus it is illogical to equate violence committed by usurpers and tyrants who violate human dignity, defile sanctuaries and plunder wealth, with the right of legitimate self-defense, exercised by the oppressed in asserting their legitimate right of self-determination. In view of the above, the Islamic Fiqh Council would like to call the attention of all nations, peoples and organizations of the world to the necessity of drawing a distinction between legitimate Jihad against aggression or oppression designed to establish truth and justice, and the act of violence which aims at occupation of land, encroaching on national sovereignty and terrifying civilian populations and turning them into refugees.
The above was taken from the following link and for more information on terrorism
God's Terrorists : The Wahhabi Cult & the hidden roots of modern Jihad
By Charles Allen Hardback - 349 pages
An important study of the little-known history of the Wahhabi, a radical neo-conservative Islamic tribe whose teachings influence today's extreme Islamic terrorists, including the Taliban, Deobandis and Osama bin Laden.
In today's post-9/11 world, the everyday news shows us images of fanatic fighters and suicide bombers willing to die in holy war, martyrs for jihad. But what are the roots of this militant fundamentalism in the Muslim world? In this insightful and wide-ranging history, Charles Allen finds an answer in the eighteenth-century reform movement of Muhammed ibn Abd al-Wahhab and his followers--the Wahhabi--who sought the
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restoration of Islamic purity and declared violent jihad on all who opposed them, Moslems and pagans alike.
As the Wahhabi teaching spread in the nineteenth century, first, to the Arabian peninsula, and then, to the region around the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, their followers brought with them a vicious brand of political ideology and militant conflict. The Wahhabi deeply influenced the rulers of modern Saudi Arabia and their establishment of a strict Islamic code. A more militant expression of Wahhabism took root in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan, where fierce tribes have waged holy war for almost two hundred years. The ranks of the Taliban and al-Qaeda today are filled with young men who were taught the Wahhabi theology of Islamic purity while rifles were pressed into their hands for the sake of jihad.
God's Terrorists sheds shocking light on the historical roots of modern terrorism and shows how this dangerous theology lives on today.
The Great Threft : Wrestling Islam from the Extremists
Hardback - 308 pages Synopsis: The preeminent voice for moderate Muslims, both an Islamic jurist and American lawyer, offers a passionate defense of Islam against the encroaching tide of fundamentalists corrupting the true faith.
Books on Islam have proliferated in the marketplace recently, but none have answered the desperate need for a clear articulation of moderate Islam. Khaled Abou El Fadl is uniquely qualified to write this impassioned defense against the threat of Muslim fundamentalism. Seduced by the lure of fundamentalism himself as a teenager in Egypt, he rejected that path once he began studying Islamic law. A longtime feminist and human rights advocate, since 9-11 Abou El Fadl has
become increasingly active and outspoken in support of rescuing the Islamic faith from radicals. Embraced by moderate Muslims everywhere as one of the only learned voices defending the faith, he has received death threats from extremists for that very same reason. As quick to criticize the failure of Islamic leadership in the U.S. as abroad, Abou El Fadl remains a brave voice against the pressures and threats of Wahhabi extremism.
The Great Theft will present the beliefs and practices of moderate Muslims, and identify the points of difference and disagreement with the fundamentalist-puritan practice of Islam. This book offers a vision for Moderate Islam- past, present, and future. Abou El Fadl is dedicated to providing the tools necessary to help readers reclaim an understanding of Islam that is grounded in the tradition's history and law.
The Two Faces of Islam -The House of Sa'ud from Tradition to Terror
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by Stephen Schwartz Hardback - 313 pages
From Publishers Weekly : Schwartz challenges President Bush's "axis of terror." "The real exporters of international Islamic extremism and terror," he says, are not Iraq or Iran, but an American ally: the Saudis. Saudia Arabia is dominated by Wahhabism, which journalist Schwartz (Kosovo: Background to a War) labels a "fascistic" cult. And the West, he goes on, has "nurtured this serpent in [its] very bosom" by supporting the Saudis in the belief that they were "moderate..
From Booklist : Schwartz cautions against viewing Islam as a monolith, pointing out that even under the umbrella of "fundamentalist" Islam, there is considerable diversity. He
argues that the most dangerous and oppressive brand of Islamic extremism isn't found in Iran or Iraq, but in America's closest Arab ally, Saudi Arabia. In Arabia, the spiritual legacy of Muhammad ibn abd al-Wahhab, a radical--and, Schwartz says, heretical--seventeenth-century cleric, rose to prominence when his followers, the Wahhabis, forged an allegiance to the Sa'ud family. Together, Wahhabis and Sa'uds murdered and plundered their way to the Arabian throne. Ever since, Schwartz maintains, the Saudis have worked tirelessly to export their uniquely extreme vision of Islamic piety. U.S. alliance with the Saudi regime only furthers the cause of terrorism. Provocative, detailed, and fervently written analysis. John Green
Wahhabism: A Critical Essay
by Hamid Algar Paperback - 104 pages
Wahhabism, a peculiar interpretation of Islamic doctrine and practice that first arose in mid-eighteenth century Arabia, is sometimes regarded as simply an extreme or uncompromising form of Sunni Islam. This is incorrect, for at the very outset the movement was stigmatized as aberrant by the leading Sunni scholars of the day, because it rejected many of the traditional beliefs and practices of Sunni Islam and declared permissible warfare against all Muslims that disputed Wahhabi teachings. Nor can Wahhabism be regarded as a movement of “purification” or
“renewal,” as the source of the genuinely revivalist movements that were underway at the time. Not until Saudi oil money was placed at the disposal of its propagandists did Wahhabism find an echo outside the Arabian Peninsula.
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WAHHABISM: UNDERSTANDING THE ROOTS AND ROLE MODELS OF ISLAMIC EXTREMISM
by Zubair Qamar
condensed and edited by ASFA staff (taken from:
http://www.sunnah.org/articles/Wahhabiarticleedit.htm ) [Do note that right at the end of this article links are given to many more resources on Islam]
Introduction
The most extremist pseudo-Sunni movement today is Wahhabism (also known as Salafism).
While many may think that Wahhabi terror is a recent phenomenon that has only targeted non-
Muslims, it will surprise many to know that the orthodox Sunni Muslims were the first to be slaughtered
in waves of Wahhabi massacres in Arabia hundreds of years ago. One only has to read the historical
evolution of Saudi Arabia to know the gruesome details of the tragedy – a tragedy in which thousands of
Sunni and Shi’ite Muslims perished at the hands of Wahhabi militants.
The extremist interpretations of Wahhabism, although previously confined to small pockets of
people in Arabia, has survived to this day under the protection, finance, and tutelage of the Saudi state
religious organs. This has transformed Wahhabism – and related Salafi groups that receive inspiration
and support from them – from a regional to a global threat to be reckoned with by the world
community. To a Wahhabi-Salafi, all those who differ with them, including Sunni Muslims, Shi’ite
Muslims, Christians, and Jews, are infidels who are fair targets.
Do the majority of Sunnis support Wahhabism? Are Sunnis and Wahhabis one and the
same?
What is a Wahhabi?
Because Wahhabis claim to be “true Sunnis,” it is difficult for one who is unfamiliar with
Wahhabism to distinguish it from orthodox Sunni Islam. If a Wahhabi is asked if he/she is Sunni, he/she
will always reply in the affirmative. When asked if they are Wahhabis, they reply with an emphatic “no”
as they consider it an insult to what they believe and stand for: “Purity of worship and reverence to God
alone. The authentic carriers of Islam from the time of the Prophet (s)1[1]
until now.” Calling them
Wahhabis implies that they learned ideas from a man – Muhammad ibn Abdul-Wahhab – instead of the
Qur’an and Sunnah – the two great sources of Islam. Irrespective of what they think, they are not
1[1]
Throughout the article, (s) means “peace be upon him,” and (ra) means “may Allah (swt) be pleased
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Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, one of the greatest mujtahid Sunni imams ever to have lived, refuted
such anthropomorphic statements over a thousand years before Bilal Philips was born. The great Sunni
Ash`ari scholar, Imam al-Bayhaqi, in his Manaqib Ahmad relates with an authentic chain that Imam
Ahmed said:
A person commits an act of disbelief (kufr) if he says Allah is a body, even if he says:
Allah is a body but not like other bodies.
Imam Ahmad continues:
The expressions are taken from language and from Islam, and linguists applied ‘body’ to a thing
that has length, width, thickness, form, structure, and components. The expression has not been
handed down in Shari’ah. Therefore, it is invalid and cannot be used.
Imam Ahmed is a pious adherer of the time period of the Salaf that was praised by Prophet
Muhammad (s). How can Bilal Philips claim to represent the pious forefathers of the Salaf? He
not only contradicts them but is vehemently refuted by them. The great pious predecessors had
refuted ignoramuses like Bilal Philips in their times long ago. Blatant anthropomorphism is also illustrated by the Wahhabi Ibn Baz’s commentary on the
great work of Imam Abu Ja’afar at-Tahawi called “Aqeedah at-Tahawiyyah” (The Creed of Tahawi), a
work that has been praised by the orthodox Sunni community as being representative of Sunni
orthodoxy. The now deceased Ibn Baz was Saudi Arabia’s grand Mufti.
Article #38 of Imam Tahawi’s work states:
He is beyond having limits placed on Him, or being restricted, or having parts or limbs. Nor is He
contained by the six directions as all created entities are.
Ibn Baz, in a footnote, comments:
Allah is beyond limits that we know but has limits He knows.
In another footnote, he says:
By hudood (limits) the author [referring to Imam Tahawi] means [limits] such as known by
humans since no one except Allah Almighty knows His limits.
The Genuine Differences Among Ahl-us-Sunnah and Wahhabies / Deobandies Paperback - 47 pages
This brief but comprehensively covered book is a must for all households, as a safeguard for our childrens imaan. The doebandi/wahabi propaganda machine is rife amongst the youth of today. This book covers the origins and history of wahabism, their
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beliefs, literature and leaders such as Ibn Tayymiya, and Muhammad Ibn Abd'al-Wahab and his Kitab at Towhid.
It details the blasphemous writings of the wahabi influenced deobandi sect leaders: Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Qasim Nanotwi, Rashid Ahmad Gangohi and Khalil Ambetwi. Then their are the other wahhabi influenced sects like the Jamaat-e-Islami founded by Sayyid Abu Ala Mawdoodi, the Salafiyyah Movement, the political wahabi offshoot known as Hizb-at-Tehreer and al-Muhaajiroon.
Beliefs - Aqida : Encyclopedia of Islamic Doctrine [Vol 1] Paperback - 232 pages by Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani [from The As-Sunnah Foundation of America www.sunnah.org ]
Have you ever wondered : What are the beliefs and doctrine of mainstream Islam as opposed to those who call themselves ''Salafis'' with regard to the Names and Attributes of Almighty Allah? Read the evidence and decide for yourself.
The author says in the introduction : ''Scholars have observed that the Community's (umma's) greatest achievement over the past millenium has undoubtedly been its internal intellectual cohesion. They point out how from the beginning of the Islamic era to almost the present day, Muslims have maintained an astounding sense of unity despite the clash of the numerous
dynasties under which they lived. No major religious hostilities have divided Muslims. At least, this was true until the physical and intellectual assault on Islamic unity initiated by Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab (1703-1792 CE), his immediate successors and by the self-named ''Salafi'' sect of the present day.
One of Ibn Abd al-Wahhabs more enormous stupidities is that when reason contradicts his claims, he casts it aside and gives it no role in his judgement. He endeavours to make people like dumb beasts when it comes to matters of faith. He prohibits the involvement of reason in religious affairs, despite the fact that there is no contradiction between reason and faith. On the contrary, whenever human minds reach their full measure of completeness and perfection, religion's merits and prerogatives with regard to reason become totally manifest.
The author then explains how the beliefs held by the Wahhabi ''Salafi'' as opposed to the beliefs held by mainstream Islam are threatening every Muslim's Islamic heritage He offers this work and its proofs of the real Islam to those who wish to decide for themselves.
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