Can Muslims Prevent Blasphemy In This Age Of Social Media? Is their violent reaction helping or harming?

Blasphemy Is Actually Rising Despite Or Perhaps Because Of Muslims' Violent Reaction Main Points: 1. The Fatwa against Salman Rushdie did not deter detractors of Islam. 2. Nupur Sharma's alleged blasphemy is not an aberration. 3. Social media has facilitated blasphemy. 4. Blasphemy over social media cannot be monitored or controlled in non-Muslim societies. 5. Muslims should follow Quran's advice on blasphemy. ------ By New Age Islam Staff Writer 23 September 2022 Blasphemy has been an Achilles’ heel for Muslims since the beginning of Islam. Blasphemy or insulting remarks or slander are not new in human society, nor is the prophet of Islam pbuh the first to be slandered against. Prophet Moses pbuh was also slandered against for being shy and for not bathing with others in public. Almost all the prophets were termed as liers, sorcerers and delusional. The Quran defended them by testifying that they were not sorcerers, liars or mad but were God's prophets. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also Read: Anti-Blasphemy Terrorist Beheadings In Nice And Paris: Muslims Must Foil The Eulogising Of These Killers As ‘Ghazis’! Don’t Expect Even Sufi Ulema To Go Beyond Ritual Condemnation and Look Into Roots of Terrorism in Islamic Theology ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The same allegations were made against the prophet of Islam pubh. He was called mad, sorcerer and liar. In fact his opponents accused him of blasphemy against their gods and goddesses. The Quran defended him and bore witness that he was indeed the prophet of God and was raised for the salvation of the human beings. He also advised Muslims not to retaliate or be violent to the blasphemous remarks. The Quran says: "You believers will surely be tested in your wealth and yourselves, and you will certainly hear many hurtful words from those who were given the scriptures before you and from polytheists. But if you are patient and mindful of Allah --- surely this is a resolve to aspire for."(Al-e-Imran:186) This can be said to be the Standard Operating Procedure for Muslims in cases of blasphemy. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also Read: Blasphemy, Islam and Free Speech ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ There were some cases of beheading of opponents for blasphemy on the order of the holy prophet pbuh in extreme cases but there are also instances when the detractors were let off or forgiven by the holy prophet pbuh. Therefore, insisting that slitting the throat of the detractors is the only step to be taken in cases of blasphemy is not supported either by the Quran or hadith. Islam has spread to the most part of the world and Muslims inhabit the most part of the world. They are majority in about 55 countries but are in minority in more than hundred countries. Muslims can not demand a law based on their religious traditions in countries where Muslims are in a minority and the country follows a secular law. The Quran also says that God does not put burden on any one heavier than he can bear. In other words, the Quran makes it clear that God does not ask Muslims to do what they can't in religious disputes or in personal issues. In the month of Ramadhan, Muslims are mandated to fast but those who can not fast for some valid reasons are given leave to compensate later. This also applies to the issue of blasphemy. If Muslims feel hurt by blasphemy against the prophet pbuh, they can seek legal action according to the law of the country. They can make verbal or written condemnation or peaceful protests. But if they take violent actions against the laws of the country, they may be held guilty of violating the law and hurting innocent people not involved in blasphemy. The killing of Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur in Rajasthan, India was a similar scenario in which the victim is said to have apologised before the Muslim community. Still he was killed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also Read: Islam and Free Speech: A Reply to A. Faizur Rahman ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ In 1989, the Iranian Supreme religious leader Imam Khomeini had issued a fatwa of death against the novelist Salman Rushdie for his blasphemous book Satanic Verses. Rushdie had to go into hiding and has been living an isolated life due to the threat to his life. A number of attempts on his life have been made but he has survived. The latest attack on him was made in August this year but he again survived. Khomeini's fatwa did not deter detractors of Islam from making blasphemous remarks. Many blasphemous remarks have been made; films portraying the prophet of Islam in negative light have been made; blasphemous cartoons have been published by Jyllands Posten and Charlie Hebdo. Muslims have turned violent every time and even terrorists carried out attacks on the office of Charlie Hebdo killing its staff. But all this violent reaction did not prevent detractors of Islam from making blasphemous remarks against the prophet, against Quran and against Islam. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Also Read: The False Binary of the Secular versus Islamic Needs to Be Broken ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The 21st century is the age of social media. The social media has made blasphemy very easy and at the same time difficult to be monitored and controlled. After Kanhaiya Lal's murder for blasphemy, more blasphemous remarks were made on media and social media. The Muslims staged violent protests and faced action by the police. Some youngsters were shot dead and dozens were injured and arrested. This proved suicidal for them. The fact is that blasphemy against prophets have been resorted to in every age and so it can not be controlled or prevented. This is a part of human behaviour. When people can not defeat some one with arguments, they resort to abuses and verbal insults. And when such blasphemous remarks are made on social media across the globe, every day, it is not possible for Muslims to monitor and penalise each and every remark, leave aside slitting every detractor's throat. Even in India, Hindu deities and religious beliefs are criticised by Dalits in objectionable words but the Hindus ignore them. One problem with Muslims in this regard is that what is blasphemy to them is a right to expression in western countries. In India, though there are laws covering blasphemy and communal remarks, actions are not taken due to political reasons or general bias in bureaucracy or in the police. A person criticising the government may be arrested but one threatening a particular community may not be arrested. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: Embrace What Is Different: Quran and Hadith Stress on Building an Inclusive Society ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In this situation, Muslims should adopt a practical and pragmatic approach in the issue of blasphemy. Quran has clearly laid down its principle on blasphemy in surah Al-e-Imran and Muslims will do well to follow this principle. URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-society/muslims-blasphemy-media-violent-reaction-/d/128013 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

History Is Seldom Complete, Comprehensive And Totally Objective

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 23 September 2022 Dr Moin Qazi has rued the lack of objectivity among the historians of the sub-continent that led to permanent bad-blood and misgivings. History is His-story, story of man. Mind you, no history has ever been completely honest and impartial even if the historian tries to be objective. If old and contemporary Hindu historians (belonging to Hindu outfits) and Europeans like Francois Gautier besmirched the image of Muslim rulers, esp. of Mughals, Muslim historians and emperors also did the same. " History is a potent tool to hide or reveal palatable and unpalatable facts and truths at an opportune moment, " observed the British historian Sir Arnold Toynbee, one of the greatest historians of modern era. Roman historians Catallus and Pliny said the same thing millenniums ago. History is often facts agreed upon. It's invariably written from the victor's perspective. ' History is mud-slinging using pen and paper, ' Sir Jadunath Sarkar quoted Neil Empson in one of the volumes on Shivaji. So, saying that historians poisoned India or for that matter any country and race's pluralistic nature and fabric, is expecting too much of them. Historians in all ages have been paid chroniclers like the court chroniclers of Mughal India. It's our mistake to expect honesty and integrity from them. And when it comes to modern historians, we've made them Marxist, Capitalist or Left-wing historians, expecting analysis and interpretations from them. This is bizarre! Where's their core objectivity or supposed dispassionate duty of jotting down events that took place in the past? if history and past events become subjects of interpretations, the whole relevance of history is lost. So, you get historians like Audrey Truschke or Gautier whose historical accounts are trustworthy in bits and pieces. They've their journalistic and academic interpretative duties to discharge. Ergo, a Truschke will unnecessarily glorify Aurangzeb, a Gautier will find fault with all Mughals and one Goel will tarr all Muslims and Mughals with the same brush. Mughal court historian Khafif Khan would constantly vituperate against Shivaji, calling him a mountain rat ( poor Nehru was lambasted for using the same sobriquet for Shivaji in one of his books and later withdrew his comment !). This is conveniently covered up by Muslim intelligentsia. Abdul Qadir Badayuni described how Akbar the Great (!) converted 34 Rajput Hindu women and also usurped wives of many Muslim courtiers. He was perhaps the most lascivious of all Mughals. But these 'facts' were always suppressed for obvious reasons by the subsequent historians. That Shivaji was never uniformly considered a Maharaj ( king) as late as till 1995 despite his much-hyped coronation is a known fact. Some amateur historians eulogised and deified him. Today, he's 'god' of Maharashtra, thanks to politically motivated historians who extolled him to the level of god. Remember, history and politics have a nefarious nexus. Today's interpretative history is sullied by political aspirations, personal agenda and vested interests. We all know that historians are not to be trusted or even if they're to be trusted, their account of history must be taken with a pinch of salt. Therefore, don't shed tears on the falsification of history. It has always been a dubious business, a distortion of facts and a mutilation of truth. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/history-comprehensive-objective/d/128012 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Busting The Myth That Safar ul-Muzaffar Is The Month Of Bad Luck And Omens

Is It Right To Say That The Month Of Safar Is Filled With Misfortunes? Main Points: · Today, majority of the Muslims are subjected to superstitions. One of them is that calamities and bad omens abound throughout the month of Safar. · In the month of Safar, they avoid many acts, declaring them forbidden. · Safar was generally thought of as the month of calamities by Arabs. However, the tales concerning evil omens in the Islamic month of Safar al-Muzaffar persist even in this time of development and improvement. · In Islam, there isn't a single cursed day, week, or hour. Rather, when Allah (SWT) created the months, days, and dates, He did not make any of them ominous. ------ By Kaniz Fatma, New Age Islam 23 September 2022 Regrettably, the majority of Muslims worldwide ignore Islamic teachings. As a result, they have a lot of superstitions. One of them is that calamities and bad omens abound throughout the month of Safar. They declare many acts forbidden in the month of Safar. But in Islamic teachings, there is no basis for treating this month so negatively. While discussing this, we'll also point out what Safar means and why it was given that name, concluding that it's incorrect to think that the month of Safar is full of bad luck. Safar is a second Islamic or Urdu month. It follows the first month of Muharram, the tenth day of which is widely known across India and abroad as the Day of Ashura when many historical events took place, and notably Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was martyred by some of the greatest oppressors of the history. Literally the word Safar in the Arabic language has several meanings, one of which is “to be empty”. Let's consider this meaning and then ask why the second Islamic month was named Safar. There are numerous responses, some of which include the following: As soon as the month of Safar started, it was customary for Arabs to leave their homes in order to travel and engage in combat. As a result their homes fell vacant. This is why the [Arabic] phrase صفر المكان (‘Safar-a-Al-Makaana’ which means ‘the house has become empty’) is used. (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, under Surah At-Taubah, verse 36). The Arabs would raid other tribes and leave them empty and without belongings, which is another explanation given for why Safar was given its name. (Lisan-ul-Arab, volume 1, page 2204) One claim is that the Arabs would amass food and drink supplies in a city called Safariyyah, leaving their homes [in this month] empty in the process. (Umda-tul-Qaari, vol. 7, under Hadith 1564, p. 110) The Arabs also referred to the month of Safar as "Naajir" and "Safar-us-Saani." As per Allamah Jalal-ud-Deen Suyuti Shaafi (d. 911 AH), “Safar and Muharram were both referred to as "Safarayn" in the days of ignorance because neither month had a common name. Similar to how they referred to Rabi'ul-Awwal, Rabi'us-Saani, Jumadal-Oola, and Jumadal-Ukhra, the Arabs likewise called these two months (Muharram and Safar) Safar-ul-Awwal and Safar-us-Saani”(Al-Muzhir fi Uloom al-Lughah, vol. 1, p. 300) Safar is also known as Safar Al-Khayr (the one with goodness) and Safar Al-Muzaffar (the successful one) because it is blessed. How Did The Arabs Treat The Month Of Safar In The Days Of Ignorance? Even though they acknowledged the sacredness and respect of the holy months, it was customary for Arabs to engage in war during the age of ignorance. They would falsely take away the holiness of one month and give it to another. They would carry on fighting in the month of Muharram by transferring the sanctity of Muharram to Safar. They would designate Safar as a sacred month in place of Muharram. Furthermore, they would transfer Safar's sanctity to Rabi'-ul-Awwal if they deemed the need to do so and declare war to be legal during Safar. In this way, the holiness would permeate every month of the year, and the distinctiveness of the sacred months no longer remained. According to a saying of the Beloved Prophet during the Farewell Hajj: It is no longer necessary to move the holy months ahead or backwards. The duration of the months will henceforth be preserved, in accordance with the command of Allah Almighty, and no month will be added or subtracted from its position. (Pages 237–238, Tafseer Khaazin, At-Taubah, vol. 2, 9:37) The pre-Islamic attitude of shifting the sanctity of the sacred months has been referred to in the Quran as follows: “Verily the postponing of the sacred months is but another act of disbelief, because of which those who disbelieve are led further astray. They regard it as profane one year and as sacred the next, so as to match the number of months that Allah has made sacred, thus making lawful what Allah has forbidden. The evil of their actions has been made fair-seeming to them. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people” (9:37) Commenting on this verse, Tafsir As-Sa’adi states, “Postponing refers to what the people of the jahiliyah used to do with regard to the sacred months, which was one of their false innovations. When they felt that they needed to fight at some time during the sacred months, they decided - on the basis of their corrupt thinking - to preserve the number of sacred months during which Allah had prohibited fighting, but they would postpone some of the sacred months, or bring them forward, and they would replace it after shifting it, with whatever they wanted of non-sacred months. Once they had made this substitution, they would permit fighting during it and they would make another month sacred instead. This, as Allah tells us, was an increase in their disbelief and misguidance, because of what it involved of transgressions, such as the following: They introduced it on the basis of their own ideas and made it equal to the laws prescribed by Allah, but Allah and His Messenger had nothing to do with it. They tampered with the religion, making what was lawful prohibited and what was prohibited lawful. They thought that they could deceive Allah and the people by their claim, and they confused the people concerning their religion, resorting to trickery with regard to the religion of Allah. “If people persist in matters that are contrary to the laws of Allah, their ugliness becomes no longer noticeable, and people may think that these are good matters, which results in error and misguidance. Hence Allah says, (“...because of which those who disbelieve are led further astray. They regard it as profane one year and as sacred the next, so as to match the number of months that Allah has made sacred, thus making lawful what Allah has forbidden)) they make the numbers match, so they regard as profane that which Allah has made sacred. (The evil of their actions has been made fair-seeming to them!) That is, the devils have made their bad deeds fair-seeming to them, so they think that they are good, because of the idea that was made attractive to their minds. ((And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people)) that is, those whose hearts became immersed in disbelief and lies; even if every sign were to come to them, they would not believe. (End of quote: Tafsir As-Saadi, 9:37) Safar was generally thought of as the month of calamities by Arabs. Even in this time of development and improvement, however, the tales concerning evil omens in the Islamic month of Safar al-Muzaffar persist. In fact, some uneducated people who fall prey to the idea that this fortunate month is ominous start disseminating messages based on myths as soon as it begins, and they consider it to be particularly unlucky because of their belief in things like the following: There is a risk of losing money if a new business is founded this month. Due to the chance of an accident, travelling should be avoided. In order to avoid the possibility of damaging one's home, weddings should not take place, and the bride should not formally leave her parents' home and move to the bridegroom's. They don't do significant business transactions. They enter and exit the house less frequently because they think adversity is approaching. They give their furnishings and appliances a thorough dusting. If the owner of a house dies, they consider the house to be cursed. They renounce all such preparations if their son or daughter was to wed someone in the home [where someone passed away]. Given the superstitions, those with a thirst for learning about Islam want to know what Islam says about the month of Safar and the associated superstitions. I read various publications both online and off, and I came to the conclusion that these are just superstitions, and that Islam has not permitted anyone to regard this month of Safar in such a derogatory manner. Mufti Amjad Ali Azami affirms: “People think that Safar is a cursed month. They refrain from a variety of other related actions, such as getting married during this month, formally sending their daughter off to the home of the bridegroom, and travelling. The first 13 days of Safar, in particular, are seen as being extremely foreboding and are referred to as "the 13 unlucky days" as a result. These are nothing but statements of ignorance.” (Bahar-e-Shari’at, part. 16, vol. 3, p. 659) Be aware that such an ideology is completely at odds with Shari'ah. We should turn away from it. In Islam, there isn't a single cursed day, week, or hour. Rather, when Allah (SWT) created the months, days, and dates, He did not make any of them ominous. Such superstitious ideas have to be avoided, and if we encounter someone who holds them, we ought to try to persuade them to change. A popular Tafsir book Ruh-ul-Bayan states: "It is wrong to view Safar Al-Muzaffar or any other month or time as ominous. The activities of humans take place in the time that Allah Almighty has created. A believer is blessed throughout the time when they are focused on obeying Allah. And the moment someone disobeys Allah, the Almighty, is a moment of bad luck. In truth, misfortunes come as a result of sins.” (Tafseer Ruh-ul-Bayan, At-Taubah, vol. 3, p. 428) There is a hadith narrated by both Bukhari and Muslim that “There is no superstitious owl, bird, no star-promising rain, and no bad omen in the month of Safar.” The myths surrounding Safar Al-Muzaffar are far from the truth. These beliefs are inherently superstitious and stem from ignorance about religion. It is completely false to link a terrible omen to any specific month, such as Safar Al-Muzaffar. Human acts occur in the time that Allah Almighty created. As a result, if a believer obeys Allah Almighty, it brings him happiness, and whenever he disobeys Allah Almighty, it brings him insults. The real root of all adversity and misfortune is disobedience to Allah, the All-Powerful. (Lataaif-ul-Ma’arif, p. 83) ----- Kaniz Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam. URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/myth-safar-muzaffar-omens/d/128011 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

The Meeting between Mohan Bhagwat and Muslim Intellectuals Shows Mutual Concern and Understanding Over Sensitive Issues

Talks to Find Out Solutions Should Go On Main Points: 1. Muslim Intellectuals met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to discuss sensitive issues 2. Former Chief Election Commissioner S. Y. Qureshi termed the talks very fruitful. 3. Cow slaughter, hijab, communal tension was discussed in the meeting. Bhagwat said that Hindus feel insulted when Muslims call them kafir. Kafir has become a term of abuse. 4. More talks with more members of both the communities should be held. ------ By New Age Islam Staff Writer 22 September 2022 Mohan Bhagwat ---- According to media reports, a group of Muslim Intellectuals had met RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on August 22, 2022, to discuss some sensitive issues concerning both the Hindu and Muslim communities. The former Chief Election Commissioner S. Y. Qureshi, former Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University Zamiruddin Shah, former LG of Delhi Najeeb Jung and the editor of Nai Duniya were among the delegates. The meeting was an important event as it was held with a view to find out a solution of the growing communal tensions between the two major religious communities of the country. The issues that were discussed were reportedly hijab, cow slaughter, the use of the term Kafir for general Hindus and the term jihadi for general Muslims and other burning issues concerning the country. According to Mr S.Y. Qureshi, the talks were held in a very cordial atmosphere and both the sides expressed their views openly so that solutions could be found out and misconceptions and misunderstanding could be removed. Mr Qureshi told a TV channel that he had sent the proposal to Mr Bhagwat on behalf of his team for a meeting amid growing communal tensions and he had accepted the proposal. Initially the meeting was scheduled for 30 minutes but it went on for more than one hour. Mr Qureshi said that Mohan Bhagwat raised two issues on behalf of the Hindu community which to him was the cause of concern for them. One was cow slaughter and the other was the use of the term Kafir for general Hindus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: India Should Heed Mohan Bhagwat’s Pluralistic Call That Echoes the Sentiments of All Abrahamic Religions and Other Faiths --------------------------------------------------------------------- Mr Qureshi said that cow slaughter was already banned in the most part of the country and Muslims respect the religious feelings of their Hindu brethren. He assured him that if further steps are taken in this direction, they will abide by them. On the issue of the use of the word Kafir for Indian Hindus, Mr Qureshi argued that the word Kafir was not specific for Hindus. It was actually used by the Quran for those who did not believe. Those who were believers were called Momin. Therefore, it was not a derogatory term for Hindus. In his turn Mr Qureshi raised the issue of the term jihadi and Pakistani used for general Muslims by extremist Hindus to stereotype Indian Muslims and Mr Bhagwat reportedly disapproved of this mind-set and wanted an end to it for restoring communal harmony and peace in the country. There were other issues as well that were discussed in a cordial atmosphere. Mr Bhagwat listened to the Muslim delegates very patiently and appealed to all to work for the common cause of bringing normalcy in the country. It should be recalled that Mohan Bhagwat had on June 3, 2022 said to the Hindus that they should not look for a Shivling in every mosque in the country. It was a very strong statement, according to Mr Qureshi. The statement had come at a time when the claim of the presence of Shivling had been made by a group of Hindus and the Muslims had formed the impression that the RSS was behind the move. Therefore, the statement by Mr Bhagwat was surprising to the Muslims as well as to the Hindutva brigade as they had expected him to defend their move. Mr Bhagwat had reportedly said: "Gyanvapi matter is going on. We can't change history, neither today's Hindus, nor today's Muslims created it. It happened at that time. Islam came from outside via attackers...(After Ayodhya ) it was also made clear that the organisation (RSS) would not be a part of any more new movements. There is no need to raise fresh disputes every day --We should find out a path through mutual agreement." These statements point to a positive step on the part of the RSS and so it can be surmised that new movements surrounding temples do not have the backing of the RSS as construed by the general Muslims but by 'fringe elements' which are out to vitiate the atmosphere for limited political gains. We should also recall Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scathing attack on the so-called cow vigilantes in July 2017. After a Muslim man was beaten to death in Jharkhand for allegedly carrying beef in his vehicle, he had said that killing people in the name of protecting cows was unacceptable. He had condemned a rise in deadly attacks on cattle traders and farmers. Therefore, from the gesture shown by the responsible figures of the RSS and the BJP may be interpreted as a disapproval of communal movements and programmes in the name of promoting Hindutva. Mr Bhagwat's statements make it clear that not everything done in the name of Hindutva has the sanction of the RSS. He has made it clear that the organisation does not have the plan for any new movements based on religious disputes. Therefore, statements of some Hindutva section on Qutub Minar, Aligarh Muslim University, and Taj Mahal and even on Gyanvapi mosque are the statements of 'fringe elements' not a part of the programme of the RSS. It provides the Muslims with an opportunity. The Muslims should stop attributing every communal move against Muslims by Hindutva forces of the country to the RSS. The organisation cannot control all the different ideologies and extremist groups active against Muslims in the country and so instead of blaming the RSS for every mischief against Muslims, they should establish communication with it and take the dialogue forward and rope in more people from both the sides so that the air of mistrust and mis conception can be cleared and both the communities move ahead together for the welfare of the country. URL: https://newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/bhagwat-muslim-intellectuals-sensitive-issues/d/128005 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Shun Such People Like Gentiles!

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 22 September 2022 A few years ago, one of the most notorious preachers, Dr Zakir Naik audaciously said that every infant in the world is born as a Muslim but later the child's parents impose their respective religions upon him/her. Great! Allah-hu-Akbar! A couple of years ago, I met a senior priest of ISKCON in Calcutta. He was also as brainless as Dr Zakir Naik. He told me that every child is born with Krishna consciousness even if he's born in a Muslim or Christian household. In other words, Krishna resides in his core consciousness even if he calls himself a Muslim or a Parsi. Overwhelmed by his transcendental wisdom, I felt like touching his feet, of course, ironically! That ISKCON priest had a Doctorate degree in Philosophy from Calcutta University! Jay Sri Krishna! There's yet another legend on this forum. He is also quite 'educated.' He too believes that Allah is all pervasive and Islam is it’s (no his/her) favourite Deen (faith). All other faiths are offshoots of Islam and even a Jew is technically a Muslim! The followers of polytheistic religions are also subservient to Allah and Islam! In other words, this ' Dushman-E-Aql ' (enemy of wisdom) is cocksure that there's only one REAL faith and its real god: Islam and its Allah. This reminds me of Oscar Wilde's famous and sarcastic epigram: Where do all the lovely children go to? / Are these stupid people what they grow to? Such religious monomania is a potential threat to a pluralistic society. That this comes from those who've received a semblance of education and are doctors, engineers and 'philosophers' is all the more worrisome. Foolishly thinking that your god is the Supreme Deity and your faith is the only spiritual antidote to the afflicted world is a sign of delusion and serious mental disorder. We condemn brainless terrorists and suicide bombers for their gruesome acts. But do we ever think as to who're those people who instigate these lumpen elements? Long ago, The Dawn (Karachi, Pakistan) carried an editorial that condemned the so-called educated but pathologically religious Muslims whose insistence on the supreme greatness of Islam was responsible for instigating terrorists and religious zombies. It's, therefore, time for all sane people to question the deluded observations and statements of educated fools regarding religion/s and shun them like Gentiles and Heathens. Exile them to St. Helena or Robben Island but unfortunately they're nowhere near the greats like Napoleon Bonaparte and Dr Nelson Mandela. So, drown them into the ocean. But they can pollute the marine life as well! ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/shun-gentiles-pluralistic-society/d/128001 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Religiosity and Morality Are Poles Asunder

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 21 September 2022 “Informal Moral Policing, As In Certain Countries, Has The Benefit Of Plausible Deniability." From TOI, Sept. 21 Iran's moral policing (Gasht-e-Ershad) is being criticised across the world for its high-handed approach and attitude. This moral policing is nothing but religious policing as all faiths, not just Islam, decide moral code and conduct of their people and followers. In short, religion has hijacked morality. To be religious is to be moral is a seriously flawed perception, so much so that old Sanskrit lexicons define a Nastik (atheist) as someone who is: Dharmnindak, Iishwarnindak, Vednindak and also NEETICHYUT (divorced from morality; Akhlaaq Se Khaarij). Morality has nothing to do with religiosity. It (morality) is an individual's conscientious behaviour. Morality is his or her understanding of what's good and what's bad. In short, your precise discernment determines your rectitude and moral uprightness. A Tilakdhari, devout priest in a temple worshipping his deity can rape and kill a helpless woman, an ostensibly very 'spiritual' Christian priest masturbates while listening to an unsuspecting woman's forbidden fantasy during the most stupid practice of Confession (The Sacrament of Penance of Catholic Church) or a venerable Maulvi gropes a boy's genitals and sodomises him, all in the name of religion that has bestowed upon these 'holy' people the right to preach and spread morality and chastity. One's moral behaviour cannot and shouldn't be judged by his appearance and ostensible totems of sacred religious behaviour. When I was studying in a relatively tolerant Iran, my atheism was never an issue and no Muslim ever called me an immoral person. I still remember my History teacher Tariq Howeda's words, “Nobility of character is the religion of the highest order. One needs nothing else”. Unlike today's Iran or any Muslim country, an individual's faith and his morality were never mixed up. My Persian lady Professor always wore Sarees (she never wore any other apparel in her whole life), never wore a veil, flaunted her cascading Rapunzel-type hair, smoked in public, had a string of affairs and never believed in Islam or any damn religion. But she was one of the best and nicest humans I've ever come across in life. She sponsored higher studies of her brilliant but poor students at Oxford, Cambridge and Ivy League Universities. She herself studied and taught there. Even when she was dying of Cervix cancer at a hospital in London, her only concern was that all her body parts must be utilized and donated to the needy patients. She could be an 'immoral' woman from an extremely restricted religious perspective and even a 'fallen' one according to the devout, Quran and Hadees-quoting, nay parroting, Muslims. But in a broader canvas, she was light years ahead of all the affected and hypocritical Muslims. This is morality; life governed by conscience and not by any imaginary god, scripture or prophet. Moreover, why should state, society or any bogus faith define an individual's ethics? This is happening in today's ' Hindu ' India. Absolutely useless and indolent lotus-eaters are defining a person's morality and his or her actions. This is uncalled-for. Yours truly has no religion and god. But he's forever conscious of the pangs of his conscience and feels bad when he hurts someone even unwittingly. That's his morality. He feels bad that he once called Mr Naseer Ahmed as Na-sar and didn't use Mr before his name. This is morality that keeps you abreast of your minutest transgressions and this needs no religion or god. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/religiosity-morality/d/127994 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Remove This Facial Lingerie!

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 20 September 2022 “The plant of revolution is irrigated with the blood of innocents,” wrote the executed PM of Pakistan Z. A. Bhutto in a clandestine manuscript that was smuggled out of Rawalpindi Jail and later published as, ' If I'm assassinated.' Though Bhutto was no saint, his opening statement makes enormous sense, following the unfortunate death of a 22-yr-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini by the moral police (Gasht-e-Ershad) over improper hijab. File Photo: Niqab ------ Now Iranian women are on the streets protesting over the draconian moral policing and hijab. The same moral policing by the Mutaween in Saudi Arabia is making the life of Muslim women really difficult and excruciatingly painful. Recently, a Shia Muslim woman in Iran (Iran is predominantly a Shia Muslim country) was hanged for killing her abusive husband who kept torturing her. Her 13-yr-old daughter was brought to the gallows and asked to kick the chair her mother was standing upon with the noose tightened around her neck! Coming back to the hijab row, why on earth should men decide how and what should a woman wear? Elizabeth Mead of the University of Reading, South England, recently wrote in The Daily Mail that, ' Hijab has nothing to do with Islam and Quran. It's a symbol of oppression devised by primitive men that falls in the category of equally disgusting virginity test.' The great female mystic Rabia Basri never wore a veil. Once a male mystic asked her why she never wore a hijab, her classic (in today's parlance 'epic'!) reply rendered the male mystic speechless. She said, ' Displaying modesty through a piece of cloth is hypocrisy. Chastity is beyond body. To be unveiled is to be free in thinking, spirit and action.' Imagine, centuries ago, a Muslim female mystic thought in a way that even today's 'educated' Muslim woman dare not emulate her and still wear (in India) a hijab, extolling it as a sign of emancipation. This is indeed unfortunate. On the contrary, hijab is a glaring manifestation of a hapless woman's timid resignation to male chauvinism in the garb of Islam. A New York-based Arab female activist stated a few years ago, “Man can mentally DENUDE a woman even when she's hiding her whole body behind a black cloak of oppression and obscurity." So very true! “Barhana Dekhna Hoga Jise/ Hijab Mein Bhi Dekh Lega Use,” (If one's determined to see a woman disrobed/ Her hijab will not be an impediment), tellingly wrote Firaq Gorakhpuri. It's time for the Muslim women of all countries and continents to further the ongoing Iranian protest by Muslim women to its logical end and abolish the asinine practice of donning a hijab and all sorts of sartorial restrictions. Remove this facial lingerie and heave a sigh of relief. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/facial-lingerie-hijab-niqab-mahsa-mutaween/d/127988 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

The Real Purpose of Human Life and the True Meaning of Worshipping and Obeying Allah Almighty

By Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 20 September 2022 The Reason Why Humans and the Jinn Were Created, As Well As What It Means To Worship Allah Main Points 1. Human life is temporary. Nobody can deny that death is a certainty. 2. Obeying and worshipping Allah is the fundamental purpose of our brief human life. 3. Worshipping Allah also means obeying Him. Obeying Allah also entails obeying His Messenger. 4. A believer is required by faith to worship Allah, carry out all duties and obligations. 5. They are also required to uphold the rights of all citizens living in a country. ------- Human life is temporary. Nobody can deny that death is a certainty. What should the real objective of a Muslim's life be? The Holy Quran elaborates on this subject as clear evidence. Allah Almighty says: “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (51:56) Let us think about what this verse means. This divine revelation of Allah the Most Merciful means, "I (Allah) created the jinn and humankind only that they may worship Me." According to specialists in Arabic grammar, the restriction particle "illa" and the negative particle "Maa" in a sentence emphasise or limit the meaning of the sentence. The particles "Maa" and "illa" have been employed in the aforementioned verse to emphasise the description of the real reason for the creation of humans and jinn. This verse clarifies that the main reason for the creation of both humans and jinn is so that they may worship Allah. It has become clear that obeying and worshipping Allah is the fundamental purpose of our brief human life. For all humans, this is obligatory. If a command is from the Lord, it must be followed. But it's crucial to comprehend what the act of worshipping Allah entails. Is worship merely the act of praying, fasting, offering Hajj, and giving Zakat and other acts of charity, or does it encompass more? Briefly answering, the concept of worship encompasses all circumstances and issues relating to Allah's and human rights. Worshipping one God is the definition of worship, in general. Only before Him should one bow down. Only He alone should be regarded as being God. Everything Allah Almighty commanded must be obeyed, and everything He forbade must be avoided. The scope of worship will expand as it is further elucidated, and it will become obvious that worshipping Allah also means obeying Him. Obeying Allah also entails obeying His Messenger (peace be upon him). Allah Almighty says, “Whoever obeys the messenger, then he indeed obeys Allah...” (4:80) This verse makes it clear that obedience to Allah and His beloved Messenger (peace be upon him) is actually worship and servitude to Allah. His Messenger should be obeyed because this is the command of God Almighty. What are the things that Allah and His Messenger have commanded us to do? This question arises when it is evident that worship has a comprehensive definition and that one of its meanings is to obey Allah and His Messenger. Similar to this, obeying Allah means keeping His commands, which forbid doing certain actions. The subject of what should be avoided according to the commandments of Allah and His Messenger will then come to our minds. How can we worship Allah and abide by His directives and forbiddances? What requirements must be fulfilled before one can worship and obey Allah? These are things that we can learn from the Quran and the Sunnah, and the only persons who are blessed with a thorough comprehension of them are sincere, pious, and virtuous believers. Fortunately, they also hold that respecting human life is an essential component of obeying Allah and His Messenger. Being an obedient slave of Allah is a privilege both in this life and the hereafter, and this rank can only be attained with His blessings. The person who acquires this certainty has a sensation of a calm and pleased heart. In both this world and the next, he is the only one who actually succeeds. We must determine whether we worship Allah in the right manner. We worship Him, but how and to what extent? We have faith in Allah, but what is expected of a believer by that faith? A believer is required by faith to worship Allah, carry out all duties and obligations, pray, fast, perform the Hajj, pay the zakat, and perform other charitable deeds. They are also required to uphold the rights of all citizens living in a country, including parents, children, wives, and husbands, neighbours, regular people, animals, and birds, as well as the rights of the legal system that protects those rights and the rights of public officials who work with sincerity. Worshipping Allah Almighty plants the idea of sincerity in our minds, teaching us to conduct everything in this world with sincerity and for Allah's pleasure. Islam places a high value on sincerity in all of its teachings. For instance, if we want to be kind to someone, we should be sincere about it. It shouldn't be the case that we help them in order to show off or out of hypocrisy. Anyone should only behave with the intention of gaining Allah's pleasure. Good deeds should never be performed in anticipation of showing favours. There must never be hypocrisy in order to obtain the reward for conduct for which a divine promise has been made in the Quran. In conclusion, the objective of human life is to worship and submit to Allah. Through this, we learn to care for the well-being of all people, to really exercise all of their rights, and to only seek Allah's pleasure. May it be accomplished and God accepts your and our prayer to carry out this process. Aameen! Urdu Article: The Real Purpose of Human Life and the True Meaning of Worshipping and Obeying Allah Almighty انسانی زندگی کا اصل مقصد اور اللہ کی عبادت و بندگی کا مفہوم ------ A regular Columnist with NewAgeIslam.com, Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi Dehlvi is a Classical Islamic scholar with a Sufi background and English-Arabic-Urdu Translator. URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-ideology/human-life-worshipping-allah-almighty/d/127984 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Beware Of Confining Yourself To A Particular Belief.......

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 19September 2022 “Beware of confining yourself to a particular belief and denying all else, for much good would elude you- indeed, the knowledge of reality would elude you.” The great scholar, mystic and exegete Ibn Arabi's famous statement is the need of the hour, precisely, the need for the religiously condescending followers (regardless of their faiths; not just Muslims) to imbibe its spirit in toto. Remember, reality is too vast and tremendous to be restricted to one belief rather than another. In Firdausi's ' Shahnama ' one comes across a long couplet in Persian which connotes that sticking to one belief is tantamount to seeing one's own village only. It's like reading just one book and walking on the same path till one dies. Once a 'scholar' of Islam came to meet Rumi. The great mystic asked him how many books and scriptures did he read? “Only Quran, “pat came the answer. Rumi told him, “Your knowledge is limited, vision is impaired, perception is flawed and understanding is skewed. Meet me after reading a few more books and augmenting your mental canvas." Rumi's advice applies to all of us. The monomania of one's belief system, the idiocy in believing that his/her way is the highway, my faith is better than yours, my god is superior to yours, I'm a Sanatani, you're a Muslim and all that fiddlesticks must come to an end. When we browse through a plethora of beliefs, we comprehend the incompleteness and limitations of each belief and realize that the Ultimate Truth comprises a number of partial truths (Poorn Satya Abhipretam Ardha Satyam). It's akin to six blind men perceiving six different parts of an elephant and interpreting them. They're all right from their restricted perspective of reality, known in Logic as Perception of a Fractured Ambit (PFA). But at the same time, they're all wrong in a larger spectrum of the complete truth. This is exactly the problem of Muslims, Christians, Hindus, among others. All these followers possess just a limb of the whole body of the Truth but erroneously think that they've the complete and comprehensive wisdom. Any belief is a sliced piece of the Whole. In fact, a belief is a mere leaf of the entire tree. A tree consists of branches, leaves, trunk and roots. Until we assimilate all its parts, the perception of a tree remains elusive. Holding on to only one belief engenders a truckload of negativity and rancour. This makes us patronising and outright pejorative. If Muslims and Christians understand that their Islam and Christianity are insignificant particles in the cosmos of truth, no Christian will ever dare convert others and no Muslim will try to proselytize a Kafir to ' Allah's Deen. ' ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/confining-belief-rumi-ibn-arabi/d/127977 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Xi Jinping’s Ruthless Crackdown on Once Prosperous and Lively Uyghur Community

By New Age Islam Staff Writer 19 September 2022 Detainees in a Xinjiang’re-education camp' located in Lop County listening to "de-radicalisation" talks | Wikimedia Commons ----- The persecution of Uyghurs by the Chinese government is far more severe than what is reported. They are being detained in detention centres called re-education centres since 2017, the same year the Rohingya Muslims were massacred and forced to leave Myanmar. The Communist government of China has not only taken steps to‘re-educate' the Uyghurs but has tried to reduce them to a helpless minority in the region they were once in majority. They are being tortured, being forced to sing patriotic songs at the top of their voices and forego their religious identity. Uyghur women are forcefully sterilised, gangraped and even killed. Their children are separated from them and kept in separate hostels for’re-education'. In this way, the Chinese government has been trying to take the religious and cultural identity of Uyghurs away. Praveen Swami's article on Uyghur persecution gives new insight into China's policy towards Uyghurs and Xi Jinxing’s ruthless crackdown on once prosperous and lively Uyghur community. ---- China’s Campaign to Obliterate Uyghurs Is Sowing Seeds for Generations of Hate & Conflict By Praveen Swami 4 September, 2022 Each spring, as the figs ripened, a small army of gamblers, thieves, kings, sex workers, fruit-sellers, bakers and cooks emerged out of the enormous emptiness of the Taklamakan desert. “Whoever is in need and makes pilgrimage to this blessed tomb and enlivens the place and makes the pots boil, and makes the lamps burn, and gives prayers and praise,” an ancient devotional text promised the people, “their needs in the world and in the afterlife will be satisfied.” “They are busy, not with making pilgrimage or circling the shrine,” historian Rian Thum has recorded a pious Kashgar author grumbling a century ago, “but with their own professions and business.” “For them, it is the same whether they get into a Chinaman’s coat or a shrine.” Across centuries, these shrines helped cement the identity of the Uyghurs— the Turkic Muslim people who inhabit China’s Xinjiang. Then, early in this century, they began to disappear. Late in 2007, when Thum tried to visit the Ordam Padshah shrine, he was blocked by police who told him there was “something secret” in the desert. The Imam Asim Ali shrine near Hotan quite literally vanished, satellite imaging showed. To some, the policies of the People’s Republic of China in Xinjiang— banning the hijab and other displays of personal religiosity, restrictions on seminaries, demolitions and harsh sentences for sedition—might seem like a model for how India ought to deal with its own conflicts over identity and Islam. Instead of bringing about integration, though, China’s policies have devastated a people and built a despotism—thus laying the foundations for generations of hatred to come. The Obliteration of the Uyghur Earlier this week, a report United National High Commissioner for Human Rights charged China with using State power to systematically obliterate Uyghur identity. The government of China declined to share figures with the UNHCR, but its report points to expert estimates that one in five ethnic Uyghur across Xinjiang was subjected to detention in 2017-2018. Torture of prisoners immobilised in a so-called ‘Tiger Chair’ as well as sexual violence were endemic in the camps, UN investigators were told. The camps were designed as production lines for patriotism: “We were forced to sing patriotic song after patriotic song every day,” one former prisoner said, “as loud as possible and until it hurts, until our faces become red and our veins appeared.” Xinjiang’s mass incarceration programme has targeted individuals suspected of having extremist sympathies: Long beards, refusing to watch television, or wearing certain kinds of clothing can invite prison sentences. In one bizarre case, documented in a report for the UN by researcher Bahram Sintash,, the Islamicate dome of the Bahar Departmental Store was first concealed under a less-Islamicate octagonal structure, and then removed altogether. Even though the Chinese government insists it is committed to bilingual education, UNHCR investigators record the existence of documents urging schools to teach only Mandarin in primary, elementary and middle school. The Chinese government, in its response to the UNHCR report, dismisses the allegations as “lies and fabrications.” The response asserts extraordinary measures were necessitated because terrorists carried out “several thousand terrorist attacks in Xinjiang from 1990 to 2016,” in which “a large number of innocent people were killed and several hundred police officers died.” Faced with a growing jihadist movement, the argument goes, China was left with no option other than reengineering their secular, national culture. Also read: New study highlights Xinjiang paramilitary group’s ‘central role’ in Uyghur genocide Xinjiang’s Troubled Modernity Like much propaganda, this story is notable for its omissions. From the late 1950s, millions of ethnic Han workers began to arrive in Xinjiang, mainly to work on roads and infrastructure of strategic value. Economic growth across China led to a sharp increase in investments in Xinjiang in the 1990s as part of government-driven modernisation plans. From 2000 to 2009 alone, fixed investments in Xinjiang added up to Yuan 1.4 trillion—or $200 billion—more than 80 per cent of which was government-provided. The tidal wave of cash also grew ethnic-religious tensions. Xinjiang’s booming cotton industry impoverished the aquifers on which local farmers depended. Educated migrants found it easier to get high-paying jobs. Local business elites were displaced by new settlers. The Uyghurs were reduced to minority. For many of them, expert Graham Fuller has perceptively noted, , the new skyline of Urumchi was “not as a symbol of national pride but of their ethnic and religious humiliation, and as a monument to their own ultimate displacement.” Ever since the early 20th century, Xinjiang had been influenced by Islamist movements in southern and western Asia—led, among others, by the Indian-educated Han Weilang. The demographic and economic crisis faced by the Uyghur empowered the religious Right-wing. In 2009, large-scale ethnic riots broke out, with knife-wielding mobs killing 197 people. A suicide bombing followed in 2014. From May 2014, the government unleashed Hard Strike—its crackdown on the Uyghur. It followed a secret speechby President Xi Jinping, where he urged officials to act without mercy. The Chinese government claims its policies are a success. Ever since 2016, there has been no terrorist violence in Xinjiang, and the government claims that the last internees “graduated” from reeducation three years later. Large-scale repression in Xinjiang, however, shows the regime is still anxious. Large numbers of Uyghur jihadists have appeared on jihadist battlefields from Syria to Afghanistan, and China knows they could one day return. Tensions over Faith Led by drummers, processions of tens of thousands would assemble at Ordam Padshah each year to mark the martyrdom of the First Imam of the shi’a faith, Alī ibn Abi Talib. Flying flags borne from their hometowns, the great processions would march towards the shrine, using music, dance and chanting to lead their members into ecstatic states. Swedish diplomat Gunnar Jarring observed the “crying and wailing in honour of the holy martyrs” with some disdain: “Religious fanaticism,” he recorded. Scholar Rahile Dawut offeres this alternative reading: For vulnerable peasant peoples beset by drought and hardship, she noted, the shrine was a place “which can protect them from disaster, where they can pour out their innermost feelings, where they can seek cure for diseases, where their souls can be saved, and also as a place they can seek pleasure.” Little clarity exists on exactly why Chinese authorities began their campaign against shrines. Journalist Alice Su has noted that even political Islam has been tolerated among the ethnic Hui Muslims, with neo-fundamentalist magazines and teaching circles flourishing on the fringes. The reasons might be rooted in politics. The Hui, unlike Uyghurs, have never sought independence and their leadership has been studiedly apolitical. Few Hui clerics, one activist told Su, are concerned with the jihad, focussing instead on questions like: “Is your iPhone 6 or 6S? What kind of car are you driving?” The wrath of the People’s Republic, Rian Thum has speculated, might also have descended on Xinjiang’s shrines and mosques because of their potential to mobilise large groups of people—not because of a specific ideological problem. Like it has in Tibet, the Chinese State might well succeed in crushing Xinjiang: The brutal realities of demography and police power mean there’s little prospective of a genuine threat to the State ever emerging. The victory isn’t without consequences, though. The tools the Chinese State built and honed in Xinjiang will have consequences for all of the country’s people. Efforts to eliminate Uyghur identity, moreover, haven’t led to greater integration or equity. “They made a desolation and called it peace,” historian Tacitus wrote of the imperial victory over Britain. Xi’s triumph in Xinjiang will likely be remembered similarly.pastedGraphic.png ---- Praveen Swami is National Security Editor, ThePrint. He tweets @praveenswami. Views are personal. Source: China’s Campaign to Obliterate Uyghurs Is Sowing Seeds for Generations of Hate & Conflict URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-politics/jinping-crackdown-uyghur-community/d/127976 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Am I Obligated To The Almighty Creator For Creating Me?

By Rashid Samnakay, New Age Islam 19 September 2022 I am here because I was created by the Almighty Creator of the Universe. The Creator, whose existence I cannot deny. I, as His creation, had NO say in this process of creation of me nor of any of the other things in His Creation, the Universe. Even my own body system and functions are victim of vagaries of Almighty's creation in the form of diseases and germs that make my life miserable, which are not under my control except as a challenge to eliminate them. So why am I expected to be obliged to The Creator who created me and the Universe at large, based on His own agenda and purposes? This question has been in my subconscious ever since I became aware of myself.... as they say --I am because I am, realisation. It is important to question because I am allowed to and "ponder" and because this age-old quest for the answer to the question forms the major part of mine, and all Religions in which WE are constantly reminded to THANK the Creator for having given us the wherewithal, not only to survive till death, but also to progress. “Which Gifts of your Creator will you then deny?" the scripture says. But why am I to be OBLIGED to Almighty for providing the provisions for the Universe that He has created and is mighty proud of it! These are taboo questions that Religions have always warned us not to ask, or else...! Is not all that provision also part of His design, creation and strategy, for which I, as His Creation had no say what so ever! Why do I have to "worship" Him for fulfilling His own obligations to sustain it.....His Creation? If He chooses to withhold these "Gifts" so to say, that sustains every thing in His universe, the Universe collapses. Do I have any say in that process? Should I care or even be obliged to plead for His mercy to stop the collapse and the extinction of my own existence? For example, when I plant a fruit tree; the tree has no say in it, I am obliged to look after it. Protect it, fertilise and water it. It is I who is obliged to do all that for I planted it in order to reap the benefits of getting its fruit to eat. When the time comes, I chop it down. Is there any reason that the tree should be obliged to me for looking after it? Should not I, instead of the tree be obliged to thank the tree for its gifts to me? Is it not unfair or even illogical to "shift the burden" on me for what the Almighty should be responsible for. Is He not assumed/self-sufficient to carry His own burden of responsibilities? Nobody can carry the burden of another, His scripture says. The unimaginable harm that mankind does to mankind on daily basis, the Creator must be aware of. Is He not "witness to everything, obvious or hidden?" Why does He allow this to happen? Why the hundreds of fiery volcanoes that errupt killing hundreds of thousands of mainly poor people in His world? Why the floods, landslides, earth quacks and tsunamis that wreak havocs in His name caused by the Climate Change? Why is His regime of His universe so fragile that His Creation, the Mankind can change it? Cannot He stop the mere polluters from polluting His fragile Creation before it is too late? To say the least, why did He not give His Creation the Mankind.....The best of the Creation ....the wisdom to know, the knowledge of consequences of its action. What was the point of sending hundreds of thousands of wise Messengers...Abraham, Buddha, Confucius et al if they were not taught the knowledge to pass on to mankind to stop Climate Change! Oh, the destructions from all the above is based on Science, and they, the Messengers were NOT scientists. Then, why were they not? Oh yes, it comes to Responsibility! "Oh Almighty make increase in my KNOWLEDGE!" you say! There we go again, "Shift" the Responsibilities on to me for not knowing how to avoid these calamities that are called Natural phenomenon. There is hardly any country today that is immune from them! Almighty Creator, do you wish to chop down now the tree you had planted long time ago? ---- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Rashid Samnakay is an Indian-origin Engineer (Retd.) based in Australia for over forty years. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/obligated-almighty-creator-/d/127975 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Re-Examine All That You've Been Told.......

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 17 September 2022 Last night, while rummaging through the yellowed pages of my dog-eared and tattered diary which's a compendium of quotes in various languages, I stumbled upon American poet Walt Whitman's famous statement, " Re-examine all that you've been told....dismiss that which insults your soul.” This instantaneously reminded me of a similar but much more radical thought expressed by Omar Khayyam, “So far what you learnt is to be burnt “(Wren Hunter's English translation). Wisdom lies in novelty, not in antiquity. Re-examination and reassessment, therefore, become an absolute necessity. We all have become unquestioningly receptive to what our forefathers and all useless old books taught us. We tend to take that 'wisdom' as unchangeable and unimpeachable. Neurologists Wilfred Simmons and Kevin Dimmock concluded in 1997 that the brain (not mind, it doesn't exist) actually doesn't accept a number of things and it questions many times. This happens to all individuals. Even in the case of a suicide bomber, he too thinks for a fraction of a second as to what's he going to get out of detonating himself and meeting with such a ghastly end? But his inveterate (religious) beliefs eclipse his questioning brain and he ends up blasting himself. Poor guy! Here lies the importance of a questioning brain and its triumph over scores of illogical beliefs, whether religious or ideological. Humans must listen to their thinking brains and listen to their reasoning selves. We must train ourselves to question each and everything. Nothing in this world has ever been so sacrosanct as not to be scrutinized. Even your own existence is to be questioned as to why on earth have you come into this world? Always remember, you didn't come into this world on your own, you were brought by your parents, often thoughtless people. So, don't even baulk at questioning their intention to drag you into this veritable mess. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/examine-suicide-bomber-religious/d/127970 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Why There Is No “Historical Criticism” Of The Qur’an As There Is Of The Bible?

By Blogging Theology Transcription of Video Talk by Paul Williams 2 Dec 2020 I just want to explore a bit further the Bible and the Quran in terms of where they came from and questions of critical scholarship particularly when it is applied to the Bible and the Quran. The first text I want to share with you is: “The Quran and the Secular Mind: a Philosophy of Islam” by Shabbir Akhtar – a lecturer in Theology at Oxford University. The second book called “REFLECTIONS” by Gai Eaton. This is the last book he wrote before he sadly passed away. And both passages I am going to quote complement each other. They are saying the same thing but with a different emphasis. They are both of value. Shabbir Akhtar starts off looking at the origins of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible and then compares that with the Quran and in a similar way Gai Eaton makes an observation as well. Shabbir Akhtar says: Unlike the scriptures of other extant historical religions, the Quran is contemporaneous with the faith it established. The Hebrew Bible and the Christian New Testament, for instance, came to acquire belatedly the status of scripture within their communities. Groups of churchmen, in the case of the Greek New Testament, canonized a set of writings well over three centuries after the events those books and letters allegedly record.13 The result is often seen, even by Jews and Christians, as a poorly edited anthology of religious literature. The Quran’s status is different. It is self-described as revelation; and it single-handedly created the community that treated it authoritatively, not the converse. No discipline among the sciences of the Quran (‘ul ¯um al-qur’ ¯an) corresponds to the critical historical concerns of critical biblical scholarship, a field covering textual criticism as well as form, source, redaction, literary, and historical criticism.14 The Muslim reluctance to develop the discipline of critical Quranic scholarship is mistakenly thought to be connected to religious obscurantism. In fact, there are no materials and no need for such a discipline. The Quran, unlike the Bible, is not the heterogeneous work of many hands, in several genres, in a trio of languages, in varied geographical locales, stretching over millennia, surviving only in uncertain and fragmentary forms. It is a unified canon, ‘revealed’ in just over two decades, addressed to a man fully known to his contemporaries and to subsequent history, a man living in only two geographical locations in the same country. It was written in one language, the language of the recipient and of the first audience, a living language that is still widely spoken. The period between its oral revelation and final authoritative compilation is only about two decades. Apart from some variant readings that do not materially affect the sense, the text is invariant, defined, and fixed. Textual emendation – editing the text to remove alleged corruptions and errors in copying – was never permitted. The text has retained perfect purity; a unique version has enjoyed universal currency during the entire history of Islam. I cannot see, barring motives of malice and envy (that should have no place in scholarship), any grounds for developing a critical textual scholarship of the Quran. So that sets up the contrast nicely I think from the Muslim point of view between the genesis of the Bible and of the Quran and why we cannot have the same kinds of textual critical historical analysis of the Quran if the Quran’s claims are true. Guy Eaton says something similar and there is another comment he makes which I’ll just throw in for good measure which I think is just rather good. He says: This leads to two questions which I and other Muslims in the west are frequently asked why in the first place is there no historical criticism of the Quran as there is of the Bible. Here we have a simple misunderstanding. The Bible is made up of many different parts compiled over many centuries. It is possible to cast doubt on one part without impugning the rest. But the Quran is a single revelation received by just one man. Either you accept it for what it claims to be in which case you are a Muslim, or you reject this claim and so place yourself outside the fold of Islam. So basically, he is saying similar things to Shabbir Akhtar. And then he goes on and this is a different subject but fascinating: Secondly, we are sometimes asked why we hesitate to adapt the Quran to the needs of our modern age. The book itself answers this question. There is no changing the words of God. The fact that it was sent down in the 7th century of the Christian era and not the 21st is irrelevant. You do not wear down a diamond by constant handling and the passage of the centuries cannot erode the words of God. That after all is the whole point of a divine intervention in the affairs of this world. The act, the revelation, is located in time but it is itself timeless and Islamic theology always defines the essence of the Quran as uncreated therefore eternal. This question is so important in relation to contemporary religious debate that I hope to return to it later in the talk. For the moment suffice it to say that as Muslims we ask not how the book can be adapted to our lives in the world of today but how our daily lives can be adapted to the Quran. And this really gets to the heart of many of these debates over specific issues whether it be sexual morality or how we deal with other religions and so on. The churches typically adapt their scriptures to the needs of today. So, they will delete, ignore, overlook, or reinterpret passages so that it fits in comfortably with the world view and the spirit of the age, the zeitgeist, usually the western zeitgeist. Whereas the Quran asks in fact, states as it’s the eternal word of God, the speech of God Himself – it cannot be changed like that. There is either submission to the truth of God or one is in rebellion to it. Anyway, I just wanted to share those two passages with you I think they are fascinating. Whether you believe them or not they express a key insight into the Muslim world view and how their religion works, if you like and I think it’s worth sharing for that reason thank you. Related Articles: Why the Message of the 7th Century Quran Is Eternally and Universally Valid On The Historical Approach to Reforming Islam The Meaning of the Quran Resonates With the Aims of Progressive Islam URL: https://newageislam.com/multimedia/historical-criticism-quran-bible/d/127965 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Caste System Was Promoted By Delhi Sultanate in India

Arab Cultural and Racial Supremacism Is At the Root of Muslim Casteism Main Points: 1. Sultans of Delhi sultanate practiced casteism. 2. Ummayyid Caliphate termed Ajami neo Muslims as Mawali 3. Converts from Hindus maintained their social status in their newly adopted Muslim society. 4. Shaikh, Syed, Ansari, Rayeen community were created corresponding to Hindu castes. ----- By New Age Islam Staff Writer 17 September 2022 The Quraysh were a grouping of Arab clans that historically inhabited and controlled the city of Mecca and the Kaaba | Commons ------ The caste system is alien to Islam and Islam strictly opposes and disapproves of any preference given to an individual or a group on the basis of caste or community. The Quran and hadiths categorically say that piety is what makes a man dear to God and his prophet. A person's social standing or status does not count. However, as the Islamic empire spread far and wide and more and more non-Muslims converted to Islam, the culture of the non-Muslims also influenced the thought of the Muslims. In India, where the caste system was dominant in the majority Hindu society, the caste system entered the Muslim society. During the Delhi Sultanate that ruled from the 13th to the 16th century, the terms Ashraaf, Ajlaaf and Arzaal became widespread. High caste, low caste and untouchables were also carved out among the Muslims. During the Delhi Sultanate, no lower caste Muslim was appointed as a bureaucrat or a courtier. This casteism among the Indian Muslims was popularised by the Delhi rulers and was a direct influence of the casteism prevalent among the Hindu society. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) Does Not Have Caste System but Upper Caste Muslims (Ashraafs) Have Put It There To Maintain Their Dominance in Society: Pasmanda Activist Faiyaz Ahmad Fyzie --------------------------------------------------------------------- However, casteism did not appear in the Muslims of India overnight. During the Umayyad caliphate, when the Islamic empire reached Ajam (non-Arab territories like Iran), the neo Muslims of the Ajami world were called Mawali. The term was used to distinguish Arab Muslims who considered themselves superior in race from the non-Arab Muslims. Thus, the seeds of casteism among the Muslims was sowed much earlier. The casteism among the Muslims of India, however, is more prominent and is deep rooted in India because the majority of the Muslims of India are converted. In India, the Hindu society was divided into four major castes -- Brahman, Kshatriya, Kayestha and Shudra. When they converted to Islam, they were allowed to maintain a parallel social status in their newly adopted Muslim society to encourage them to embrace Islam because a higher caste Hindu found it difficult to see himself on an equal social pedestal with, for example, a Shudra whom he did not consider worthy to be even called a human being. Therefore, Syed, Shaikh, Ansari, Rayee, Mansuri, Malik, Araqi, and other castes were carved out among the Muslims according to birth or profession. This tradition of casteism among the Muslims is in complete violation of the Quranic principles of equality and the sense of Arab cultural and racial supremacism is at the rot of it. The Arab and Turk rulers shaped the polity and society of India and they promoted casteism in India. It is also interesting to note that Buddhism, despite being an older religion as compared to Islam did not allow caste system to enter its fold, though many of the rulers in the peak of Buddhism were Buddhists and many rulers, ministers and bureaucrats or teachers were converts from Hinduism or Brahmanism. And because Buddhism did not have a caste system, during the downfall of Buddhism people preferred to adopt Islam rather than Hinduism as Islam too did not have a caste system. We find that Islam spread in the parts of Asia where Buddhism was once prevalent. India, Afghanistan, Indonesia, Malaysia are the regions where Islam had a smooth transition from Buddhism because of non-casteism in Islam. Islam preached the belief in a Supreme God who was the creator Sustainer and destroyer of the Universe and protector of the human beings from evil forces. Buddhism preached that there was no God Creator. It believed in Shunyata (Void). This created a spiritual void among the followers of Buddhism and so they converted to Islam to fill this void. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Also Read: Caste System among Indian Muslims, Slave Dynasty and Historian Ziauddin Barni --------------------------------------------------------------------- But ironically, Muslims, unlike Buddhists, allowed casteism into Islam to promote Islam among Hindus though Islam opposes any such compromise for the sake of spreading the religion. This was only because of the deep-rooted sense of cultural and racial superiority of the Arabs. Today, casteism has become a bane for the Muslim society. It has caused divisions among the followers of Islam. This casteism has become a big hindrance in the formation of a real unity among the Muslims. Casteism has become so deep-rooted among the Muslims, that inter caste marriages are opposed in many parts of India. Even Muslims of upper caste do not like to eat or drink from the same utensils with the lower caste Muslims. This is a negation of the lofty ideals and principles of unity and equality preached by the Quran and hadith. ----- Don’t Inject Caste into Early Caliphs of Islam — Quraysh Had Arabs’ Trust, Democratic Right By Quamar Ashraf 5 September, 2022 It would be naïve to negate the existence of inequality and discrimination in Muslim societies on the basis of various denominations, but it would also be equally unwise to unearth any divine theory of caste system in the early age of Islam. It is tantamount to the rejection of the established history and the foundational principles of the religion. The debate on the caste system in Muslim societies needs to be put in perspective instead of attempting to excavate its root in Islam. The single most important authority in Islam was the Prophet Muhammad and no one can alter anything in the religion, no matter how big a scholar or political leader they are, and that includes the Sahaba (Prophet’s companions). Precisely, no one can attach piety or impiety to any acts and terms whatsoever. So, all the debates surrounding the Ashraaf, Ajlaf, and Arzaal categories of Muslims should be viewed in the Indian context. These terms are alien to Islam. In an article by Dr. Faiyaz Ahmad Fyzie, the writer says that the early Caliphs in Islam were selected on the basis of caste — the Quraysh being the recipient of the privilege. In this context, the writer’s attempts to interpret Ashar-e-Mubashira and ‘Quraysh superiority’ in the context of caste do not stand true, both principally and historically. Notably, in the parlance of divine theory, caste was first used in Arabia only in the 17th century in the context of the Hindu system of social stratification. The Arabs were completely unaware of the term and its implications. Therefore, excavating a caste angle in the list of Ashra Mubashira is utterly wrong. The writer does not only contradict the basic principles of Islam but also his own admission in the beginning when he mentions that the Prophet was “against birth-based discrimination”. While Sunni Muslims agree on the number of the Sahaba accorded the Basharat (declaration for heaven), the Prophet had, on other occasions, mentioned other personalities — including Khadija bint Khuwaylid, Fatimah bint Muhammad, Maryam bint ‘Imran, and ‘Asiyah bint Muzahim — as ones who would also enter Paradise. In the same vein, finding a caste angle in the nomination of early Caliphs is again misleading. Perhaps, the writer did not come across the complete history or interpret the aforementioned incidents in the correct way, though the article is indeed well-intended. No Caste Basis in Quran, Prophet’s Sayings First, there is no denying the fact that the people from Quraysh tribe, into which the Prophet was born, enjoyed the authority to rule the erstwhile Muslim world. However, the arguments presented by the author to support his preconceived notion are based on half-truths. The choice of the Quraysh for the post of the Caliph was made by the Prophet himself before his death. His pick was in accordance with the Quranic directive of “Amruhum Shura Baynahum (Their system is based on their consultation)”, which refers to a democratic process. While saying that the political authority shall remain with Quraysh, he also clarified the reasons for it. He argued: “People in this matter follow the Quraish. The believers of Arabia are the followers of their believers and the disbelievers of Arabia are the followers of their disbelievers.” (Muslim, Kitābu’l-Imārah). In another account, the Prophet said: “The people of Arabia are not aware of anyone’s political leadership except that of the Quraish. (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hambal, vol 1. P. 56). Precisely, he said that the Quraysh enjoyed the trust of the Arabs, so the ruler would be from the same tribe. It was the best available choice he had to apply the democratic principle on the ground. After all, there was no election commission or electronic voting machines to know the trust of the people for electing a leader. On the other hand, it is well-documented that the Prophet often gave precedence to the suggestions of the Ansars of Medina over Muhajirs (companions who arrived from Mecca) since the former were in majority. Therefore, there are various incidents documented in several books that prove that the views of the Ansars prevailed in the decision-making process. But the situation evidently changed after the fall of Mecca. Second, the event of Saqifa was not mentioned wholly where stalwart Ansari companion Sa‘d ibn ‘Ubadah reportedly claimed for Caliph. The Ansari companions were delivering stirring speeches to prove their entitlement to the leadership of the Arabs, but Abu Bakr reminded them of the Prophet’s saying: “O Sa‘ad! You know very well that the Prophet (sws) had said in your presence that the Quraysh shall be given the Khilafat because the noble among the Arabs follow their nobles and their ignobles follow their ignobles.” None other than Sa‘ad himself came forward and replied: “What you say is correct, we are your advisers and you are our rulers.” (Musnad Ahmad Ibn Hambal, vol. 1, p.5) Of the four rightly guided Caliphs, (Khilafat-e-Rashida), only one (Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib) belonged to the Hashimite clan. Notably, 10 clans were in the tribe. The other three belonged to three different clans — Taim, Adi and Umayya — Abu Bakr, ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb, and Uthman ibn Affan. Third, the Prophet and his companions fought the first battle against the Quraysh and the members of the Hashimite clan were the first to oppose him. Prophet called Abu Jahal the “father of ignorance” after he refused to embrace Islam. His actual name was ʿAmr ibn Hishām, and he was also commonly known as Abu Hakam, meaning ‘father of wisdom’. In the Battle of Badr, and many subsequent battles, there were many companions who fought against their own sons, fathers, forefathers, and uncles. There are innumerable verses in the Quran and the Prophet’s statements clearly put that the best among the people are those who do good deeds and believe in Allah. Prophet Muhammad said in his last sermon: “There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, or of a non-Arab over an Arab, and no superiority of a white person over a black person or of a black person over a white person, except on the basis of personal piety and righteousness.” ----- Ashraf Quamar is a Delhi-based journalist currently working for Media Today, a communication firm that extends services to UN agencies. He was former chief sub-editor at Hindustan Times. Quamar has also worked for The Statesman, Sahara and other media outlets. Views are personal. (Edited by Humra Laeeq) Source: Don’t Inject Caste into Early Caliphs of Islam — Quraysh Had Arabs’ Trust, Democratic Right URL: https://newageislam.com/islamic-society/caste-system-delhi-sultanate-india/d/127963 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism

Jihad Is Not Holy War: Allah Asked the Prophet to Perform Jihad through Preaching Quran - Part 2

By Grace Mubashir, New Age Islam 16 September 2022 Jihad in Islam Is Not Related To Jihad in the Superlative Word, It Can Be Understood From This That the Term Jihad Does Not Mean Armed Struggle ----- Jihad' is a much discussed, debated and misunderstood term in the world. When we hear the word Jihad, fear-filled thoughts enter the minds of many people. Some frown. Many see it as a synonym for bombings and acts of terrorism. Many people use Jihad and Jihadi as a term to slander others. 'Jihad' is an Arabic word. The reason why this term is so misunderstood is because of trying to give meaning to Jihad only based on the propaganda that has been spread among the people without checking how it is described in the Arabic language. Even the world famous dictionaries have got this error. Although not judged to be deliberate errors, there is no doubt that they have become the tools of an organized misinterpretation. Jihad and the Qur'an The Makkah period and the Madinah period are two critical stages in the Prophet's life. He lived in Makkah for thirteen years and Madinah for ten years after attaining Prophethood. In Makkah, he lived austerely without public preaching or any other freedom. The 53rd verse of Surat al-Furqan is the verse presented in Makkah relating to Jihad. 'So do not obey the disbelievers, and wage a great Jihad against them with this (Qur'an).' This verse exhorts the Prophet to go to the people with the essence of the Holy Qur'an without giving in to the pressures and threats of those who do not accept the Qur'an and face the obstacles that will be faced with patience. This is also the concept of Jihad mentioned in verse 78 of Suratul Hajj. 'Do Jihad in the way of Allah. He has chosen you as noble. He has not imposed any hardship on you in matters of religion. It is the way of your father Ibrahim.' This verse exhorts the believers to live a life focused on ideals and to teach ideals by facing difficulties and opposition as Prophet Ibrahim and other prophets had to experience. Accepting the said ideal and leading the noblest exemplary life in life, imparting goodness and mercy to the generations to come and live as an example, in this verse, 'Rasul should be witnesses (martyrs) to you and your people. It is applied. Then this verse teaches that the true purpose of Jihad is to hold on to ideals and pour out goodness to the society through self-sacrificing actions. The word 'Jahada' itself is used to refer to the hard work of parents in the verse which teaches that parents should not obey their children even if they try hard to join the Creator. 'Do not obey them if they (parents) strive with you to associate with me something of which you have no knowledge (Qur'an 29:8). Anyone can easily understand that Jihad in this word does not mean armed struggle or war. Although Jihad in Islam is not related to Jihad in the superlative word, it can be understood from this that the term Jihad does not mean armed struggle. Along with this, this verse also indicates that hard work done by anyone, not only Muslims, can be called Jihad in the language. Jihad in the Sayings of the Prophet In one of the sayings of the Prophet quoted by Imam Muslim, it can be seen as follows: 'The Prophet said: In any community before me, when Allah appointed a Prophet, he did not have good disciples and companions. They will hold fast to his command and follow his command. Later they will be replaced by some descendants. They will say what they do not do and do what they are not commanded to do. If any of them does Jihad with his hands, he becomes a believer. If any of them does Jihad with his tongue, he also becomes a believer. Whoever among them does jihad with his heart, he also becomes a believer. Beyond that, there is no faith even to the weight of a mustard seed' (Muslim 50). In this Hadees, it is clear that jihad with hand, tongue and heart is not fighting with weapons. Prophet Muhammad said, 'The true Mujahid is the one who fights against his own body' (Turmudi 1621). He did not say this to mutilate his own body. Jihad here means a hard effort to protect one's own body from evil and organize it according to divine instructions. The expressions in the Hadees about Hajj and speaking the truth openly in the face of an oppressive ruler are 'Aflul Jihad' (the best Jihad). (Bukhari 1520, Abu Dawud 4344). All the hardships experienced during Hajj and the hard work done for it in return come under the scope of Jihad. Similarly, Prophet Muhammad has taught that Jihad is also speaking the truth without thinking about the sufferings that will be caused by the punishment given by the ruler. No armed terrorism or war is intended here. Rather, it is only sacrificial actions to make one's body free from sin without resigning to evil. Jihad and Scholarly Criticism Competent scholars who are able to dissect and understand what is known in the Muslim world have described the true meaning of the term Jihad. Imam Raghib (RA) narrates: 'Jihad' is of three kinds: against the visible enemy, against the devil, and against one's own body' (Al Mufradaat 132). Ibn Taymiyyah (RA) says: 'Jihad in the way of Allah is derived from the word ‘Jahda’. It is hard work with full skill and energy. There are two things in it. One, to fully utilize talent and energy; Second, seek the favour of Allah and keep away His displeasure' (Jami-ur-Rasa'il 2/281). Resistance to Satanism The epicentre of evil is the devil. It is also the devil who misleads the human mind and shows the evils to the people. It is very difficult to restrain the mind and the body because the desires of the flesh are often subject to the evil teachings of the devil. The Prophet said that 'the strong man is not the one who wins in wrestling, but the one who can control his anger.' Therefore, the most important aspect of Jihad is to fight the enemy. The greatest enemy of man is the devil. In Imam Raghib's explanation, the interest of Jihad is to resist the devil and the lust of the flesh and to strengthen oneself to face the troubles created by those who are clearly hostile to Islam. Scholars are correcting the misconception that Jihad is only sporting fights that may occur in unavoidable situations. Jihad Is Good; Not Destruction Jihad is also taking on the vulnerable sections of society like the needy, widows and orphans and making sacrifices for them. Jihad is also done by those who sacrifice their own will and sacrifice their wealth and body for others. When one wakes up at night and prays for a long time that is also a Jihad. All this indicates that Jihad is necessary if many good things are to exist in society. A true Mujahid will not attack anyone. No one will be killed. There will be no bomb blasts and terrorist activities that kill innocent people. He won't be suicide squads and belt bombs. He will not want war. He would not be an enemy to meet, but he would like to see the supposed enemy be guided, and thus end enmity between men. Analysing the word Jihad, Muhammad Amani Maulvi (RA) says: "Jahada is a verb from the roots Jihad and Mujahadah." It means that he has tried his best, he has worked hard, he has tried hard. Jihad is not a synonym for war, except that it includes many things, including war'' (Commentary 2:218). Jihad Is Not Synonymous With War It is because Jihad has been interpreted as a synonym for the war that Jihad has been popularized as a terror and violence. 'War' is never good for human well-being. It has caused much suffering to mankind. Therefore, Jihad has nothing to do with the war that we have seen and heard about. War exploits the basest of human emotions. Hatred, grudge, envy, pride, etc. are the basic elements of war. Jihad is antithetical to all these elements. Jihad is the positive negation of all of them. Man invented war to attack and conquer. Jihad is actually a reaction against war created by satanic misguidance. In short, Jihad is a sacrifice and effort to save society and one's own body from the evil teachings of the devil. Therefore, anyone who uses Jihad in the sense of war must recognize the fact that Jihad does not include the historical and man-made concept of war. The word used in the Qur'an to mean battle or armed conflict is 'Quital'. Jihad and the Prophet's Meccan Period If the basic interest of Jihad was the destruction of non-Islamic societies, then the Prophet and his followers should have been striving for it in the Meccan period. Secret wars and atrocities under the cover of darkness had to be done. But at that time he did not make any preparations for an attack and a defence. But don't forget that he and his followers also waged Jihad during Makkah. Living as a believer was very difficult and challenging. It was not even possible to think of preaching the truth publicly. Those were such tough days. They had to suffer a lot to maintain their lives and worship only one God. They had to do Jihad. The Makkah life of the Prophet gives many messages. That time teaches what position weak Muslims living in a stateless region should adopt. Although the Quraysh had not declared an organized war of ethnic cleansing against the Muslims of Mecca, direct and indirect acts of malice against them were intense. Allah instructed Muslims to forgive, tolerate and exercise restraint. Makajeevtham convinced us that we should live patiently in our own country, but if violence gets stronger, we can flee to another area where we can live. Abu Talib also said that if any of those who had taken a secular stance offered protection, they would accept it. The histories of Ibn Duganna and others are convincing. They took the decision to kill the Prophet at the end of the Makkah period. It is only after that that Muslims as a community perform 'Apostasy' (Hijrah). The attitude of patience, tolerance and peace adopted by the Prophet and his companions in Makkah is the reason for the rise of the prestige of Islam in later times. Jihad and Medina The Prophet and his followers who arrived in Madinah had freedom of life. There was no interruption in worship and preaching. They were able to live as a community. The Prophet decided to live in harmony with all the sects including the Jews in Madinah. Religion was not imposed. But as the Meccans decided to annoy Madinah, who was living a life of cynicism, ensuring security became a liability. Therefore, the Prophet made arrangements to monitor the secret plans of those who aimed to exterminate Muslims. Teams of persons with special duties have been constituted in case of threats. It was known as 'Sariyyah'. The interpretation that these were war bands is not at all correct. The primary mission of the Sariyas was to keep an eye on the enemies who wanted to destroy Madinah. The Prophet was very careful to avoid wars. But Allah was giving permission to face those who thought that it would be enough to fight against Madinah. "Those who are victims of war are permitted (to fight back) because they are oppressed. Indeed, Allah is Able to help them. They are those who were driven out of their homes for saying, ``Allah is our Lord,'' without any justification.” (Qur'an 22:39-40). Indeed, Allah is Able to help them. They are those who were driven out of their homes for saying, ``Allah is our Lord,'' without any justification.” (Qur'an 22:39-40). Indeed, Allah is Able to help them. They are those who were driven out of their homes for saying, ``Allah is our Lord,'' without any justification.” (Qur'an 22:39-40). Madinah teaches that an Islamic-led society has the freedom and right to resist violence and fight wars. A Lesson Given By the Companions Neither Islam nor Muslims have the responsibility to justify the conflicts and acts of terrorism that are going on in the name of Islam in the world. Famous Sahabis have taken this stand even in the case of some civil strife during the time of Companions. Ibn Umar's reply to the person who asked Ibn Umar (RA) a question by quoting the saying, 'Fight until there is no Fitnah' is very relevant. He said: 'Yes, we have fought during the time of the Messenger. Muslims were few then. Therefore, man would be subject to Fitna (trial) in his religious affairs. He will either be killed or beaten. So the Muslims increased and then the Fitnah ceased. We have fought until the Fitna ceases and the religion is for Allah. You intend to fight until there is Fitnah and the religion is not for Allah' (Bukhari 4513). Another report says: 'The Prophet fought not as you fight for power. Even accepting Islam was a big test for one then. That is what the Prophet fought for' (Bukhari 7095). Democracy and Jihad Democracy is only a physical means of governance. Even the countries that accept democracy and rule have different views. Modern democracies are diverse, such as those that accept secularism in principle and practice, those that are constitutionally secular but are sympathetic to Islam and Muslims, and those that give secularism the meaning and guise of secularism. It is wrong for Muslim citizens to take up an armed struggle in a democratic state where Muslims are not discriminated against in the name of religion, and where there is secularism in principle and in practice. The Qur'an (4:90) states that no action should be taken against Muslims who live peacefully without fighting. If a country adopts the policy or program of persecuting Muslims in the name of religion, it is up to the Muslim leadership to consider and decide what position to take against that country. If Muslims are a very weak minority, instead of taking suicidal stances like war, they should look for a way to lead a safe Islamic life. Obligation of Preachers Instead of going along with the increasing false propaganda about Jihad, what is needed is an effort to convince people what Jihad is as taught by Islam. At a time when communalism and terrorism are increasing, it is necessary to create opportunities to convince the real facts of each subject. Instead of running away from the issues, we need to speak honestly. True Islamic scholars need to show the courage to expose the misguided interpretations of matters such as Jihad by the foolish among Muslims. ----- A regular columnist for NewAgeIslam.com, Mubashir V.P is a PhD scholar in Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia and freelance journalist. Part One of the Article: What is Jihad? How has it got conflated with the Christian concept of Crusade or Holy War? - Part 1 URL: https://newageislam.com/radical-islamism-jihad/jihad-holy-war-allah-prophet-preaching-quran-part-2/d/127959 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism