ISLAM

Islam was spread by the sword – Myth

Is Islam a religion of war? Throughout history it was spread by the sword and it forced people to convert. Qur’an teaches Muslims that those they conquer must convert or die.

First of all I will gladly offer all the riches I possess to anyone who can show where the verse ‘convert or die’ is located in the Qur’an. There is no such verse in the Qur’an! This is a terrible distortion that has no basis in truth. Instead of ‘convert or die’ you would find verses such as the following:

“Let there be no compulsion in religion; Truth stands out clear from error; whoever rejects evil and believes in God hath grasped the most trustworthy hand hold, that never breaks”.

Many verses in the Qur’an, show that Islam is against forcing people to become Muslims. Islam believes in freedom of expression where we all can choose of our own free will to follow the religion of our choice. Only Allah can touch the hearts of human beings and as Muslims we cannot force anyone to accept Islam.

Those who force others to accept Islam are not following what Islam teaches. The history of Islam has not been one where people were forced at the point of a sword to convert.

In Indonesia where the largest number of Muslims in the world live, there were never forced conversions. This is true of Malaysia, India, Africa, Europe, America and wherever Muslims are found. Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world. After 9/11, Muslims experienced one of the highest rates of conversion in the US despite the enormous negative portrayal of Muslims as terrorists. What sword did American Muslims use to make that happen?

When Muslims ruled Spain it became the marvel of the Middle Ages, and when all of Europe was plunged in barbaric ignorance and strife, it alone held the torch of learning and civilization bright and shining before the Western world. The reasons for the rapid advance and conquest of Spain are numerous but one stands out more than others. The generous terms the Moors offered which contrasted markedly with the harsh rule of the Visigoth rulers before them. Approaching Toledo in 711 C.E, the Muslim ruler, Tariq ibn Ziyad offered that anyone who wished to leave could do so while those who stayed could retain property, practice their religion freely and be governed by their own rules and laws.

This was all in line with what the Qur’an taught and the example demonstrated in the life of Prophet Muhammad.

It is interesting to note that in 1602, after the Christians recaptured Spain, one of the great charges they brought against the Muslims was that Muslims were too tolerant in religion. The Archbishop of Valencia, in recommending the expulsion of Muslims from Spain stated, “that they (the Muslims) highly praised nothing as much as liberty of conscience in all matters of religion, which the Turks, and all other Mohammedans, allow their subjects to enjoy”. Although brought up as a negative charge against Muslims, this was indeed a great compliment paid unwittingly showing the tolerance practiced by Spanish Muslims.

The idea that Islam was spread by the sword and forced people to become Muslims is not sanctioned by the Qur’an or from real evidences in Islamic history. There are many historians and distinguished people from all over the world who are non-Muslims who also say the same thing. Here is a listing of just a few:

1. De Lacy O’Leary, Historian from his book The Sword of Islam.

“History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated” (-Islam at the Crossroads, London, 1923 p. 8).

2. Uri Avnery, Israeli Journalist, humanitarian and former Knesset member:

“Muslim Spain was a paradise for the Jews, and there has never been a Jewish Holocaust in the Muslim world. Even pogroms were extremely rare. Muhammad decreed that the ‘Peoples of the Book’ (Jews and Christians) be treated tolerantly, subject to conditions that were incomparably more liberal than those in contemporary Europe.

“The Muslims never imposed their religion by force on Jews and Christians, as shown by the fact that almost all the Jews expelled from Catholic Spain settled in the Muslim countries and flourished there.

“After centuries of Muslim rule, Greeks and Serbs remained thoroughly Christian. When peace is established between Israel and the Arab world, the poisonous fruits of anti-Semitism will most probably disappear from the Arab world (as will the poisonous fruits of Arab-hating in our society.)”

3. Mahatma Ghandi

‘I become more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam in those days in the scheme for life. It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet, the scrupulous regard for his pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and his own mission. These and not the sword, carried everything before them and surmounted every trouble.’ (M.K. Gandhi, Young India, 1924).

4. Mathematician and Philosopher Bertrand Russell:

I have always been told throughout my youth of the fanaticism of the Mohammedans, and especially that story of the destruction of the library at Alexandria. Well, I believed all these stories, but when I came to look into the history of the times concerned, I had a great many shocks. In the first place, I discovered that the library of Alexandria was destroyed a great many times, and the first time was by Julius Caesar. But the last time was supposed to have been by the Mohammedans, and for this I found no justification whatsoever. Nor did I find that the Mohammedans were fanatical.

The contests between Catholics, Nestorians, and Monophysites were bitter and persecuting to the last degree. But the Mohammedans, when they conquered Christian countries, allowed the Christians to be perfectly free, provided they pay a tribute. The only penalty for being a Christian was that you had to pay a tribute that Mohammedans did not have to pay. This proved completely successful, and the immense majority of the population became Mohammedans, but not through any fanaticism on the part of the Mohammedans. On the contrary, they, in the earlier centuries of their power, represented free thought and tolerance to a degree that the Christians did not emulate until quite recent times.

“Reading History As It Is Never Written” (1959)

5. Sir George Bernard Shaw - Writer

‘I have always held the religion of Muhammad in high estimation because of its wonderful vitality. It is the only religion which appears to me to possess that assimilating capacity to the changing phase of existence which can make itself appeal to every age. I have studied him - that wonderful man - and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the saviour of humanity.

I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness: I have prophesied about the faith of Muhammad that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today. (G.B. Shaw, The Genuine Islam)

Nashid Abdul-Khaaliq

Sacredness of family ties

There are two kinds of sacred family ties - Ties by blood (Blood-Relatives) and ties by marriage (in-laws). Both sets of ties are sacred bonds which come with numerous rights and obligations.

The significance and importance of ‘in-laws’ are borne out by the Holy Qur’an .

Despite its sanctity, this relationship created by marriage is generally and grossly abused. Prior to marriage, the parties exude love and affection and exchange many gifts. They visit each other, demonstrating great affection. The nikah registration of marriage, comes into being with much fanfare and hopes only to be shattered soon after marriage.

The evil of the nafs, greed, fully asserts itself after the in-law relationship has been formerly established. When a girl has been proposed for marriage, the relationship between her and her future sisters-in-law and mother-in-law is exuberant and excellent. They behave as close blood relatives and inseparable bosom friends. However, soon after marriage, the relationship deteriorates and reaches such a lamentable ebb that it would not be an exaggeration to liken them to cats and dogs.

The newly created sacred ties have no meaning for the parties. Neither does the new arrival into the home have any patience nor her/his in-laws. Sneering, sulking, pulled up faces, snide remarks and injustice by both parties become the order of their lives. The man is usually caught between the devil and the deep sea in these situations of mutual cat-and dog conflicts.

Both parties should conduct themselves with intelligence and understand that when one person reacts stupidly, the other party should tolerate the stupidity and indiscretion. The slightest indiscretion or silly comment made by a female is viewed with consternation by the others. The faces become pulled up, sarcastic comments are made and the relationship turns sour. Yet, on reflection it will be found that there was no intelligent cause for despoiling the holy relationship and the happiness of the home.

If one party hears that the other party has gossiped about her, she should ignore it and convince herself that, ‘I too am guilty of gossiping’. Overlook the indiscretion and pretend as if nothing has happened.

It is callous and extremely unbecoming of faith to institute an investigation to determine the veracity of the story of gheebat which has been peddled by some mischief-maker. The intelligent Muslim who fears Allah Ta’ala overlooks this drivel and nonsense.

It is not permissible to behave as if one is sinless and that it is only the other party who sins. In any relationship there are bound to be ripples, turbulence and turmoil. But the one who has greater intelligence, adopts silence and pretends that nothing untoward has happened. In contrast the one whose brains are dense, and whose soul is tarnished with evil introduces hell into the home, and this ultimately leads to the total collapse of the in-law relationship and the marriage.

When the problems of in-laws are examined, it will be found that in most cases there is no valid cause for the animosity which had generated in the cat and dog war which generally dominates this sacred relationship. It should be remembered that Allah Ta’ala has promoted the mother-in-law to the pedestal of mother, the daughter-in-law to the status of daughter, and the sisters-in-law to that of sisters.

All rights and obligations applicable to parents, brothers and sisters apply to their counterparts in the in-law relationship. The need is to fear Allah Ta’ala and to understand that the abuse of these rights and obligations are major sins for which there will be a reckoning and punishment in the Aakhirah.

Courtesy -The Majlis - Vol.20 / No.3 - September 2010.

How to respect opposite views

Adil Salahi

A tribal society like that of Arabia at the time when Muhammad (peace be upon him) received divine revelations normally defers to the chief of the tribe who decides on all matters.

Such a chief often consults notable figures in the tribe, but the ultimate decision is his. The Prophet was the leader of the Muslim community right from its fledgling days up to the time when it became a powerful state in the full sense of the term.

As he continued to receive revelations that included guidance on all matters, his authority was indisputable. He could, if he so wished, exercise total power, as do all rulers in totalitarian regimes. The Prophet, however, did nothing of the sort. On the contrary, he taught his followers, and Muslims in all generations, that consultation on all matters, serious and trivial, is the best policy. Consultation requires respect for all views, including those voiced by even the weakest person in society.

The Prophet always consulted his companions, and those around him, on all affairs, showing respect for their views, and acting on any view that sounded right. In pre-Islamic days, women never figured in consultation on any tribal matter. They were hardly ever consulted on their own affairs, not even on their marriage.

A father, or a guardian, or indeed the chief of the tribe, could force a woman into a marriage and she could have no say whatsoever. The Prophet changed all this, and gave women an equal status in society and a prominent position at home. Even on a question of religion, a woman might express a different view without being reproached.

She is only told why her view is mistaken.

Before the signing of the Al-Hudaybiyah peace agreement, the Prophet’s companions pledged to him their full support, even if this meant fighting the Quraysh in their homeland.

Arab News-Jeddah

Western media and the plight of Islam

Western media, owned by corporate conglomerates which rule the United States led west, has done tremendous damage to Islam and Muslims by associating Islam and Muslims with violence and barbarity with its well orchestrated global campaign since the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

The media, which remains an integral part of Western war machines accelerated this campaign ever since the 9/11 incident in New York. Never in the fascinating and inspiring more than 14 century history of Islam has such a vicious campaign been undertaken associating Islam with barbarity and evil despite Islam being a religion of peace.

Today, Muslim men with beards and women with head scarves are afraid to move freely in many countries, especially in the West as they are harassed and humiliated. Most people from the Gulf and the Middle East, instead of travelling to the US and Europe, once regarded as their second homes, turn to Asian countries for their annual vacation, eager to avoid harassment and hardships in the US and many European countries.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed pointed out that ‘never’ in the 1,400-year history of the religion has Islam and its followers been so humiliated, denigrated and oppressed as they are today. The progressive religion that had propelled Muslims to become a major civilizational force with an empire spanning from Spain to China, is but a caricature of its former self. This is the sad state of the Muslims. And because of these, Islam is associated with backwardness. And now, Islam is linked to terrorism, with its followers blamed for all the insecurity and fear in the world. The following poem highlights the distorted image and the plight of Muslim women worldwide today.

The Woman “Unveiled”

Izdehar Albowyha

You look at me and call me oppressed,
Simply because of the way I’m dressed,
You know me not for what’s inside,
You judge the clothing I wear with pride,
My body’s not for your eyes to hold,
You must speak to my mind, not my feminine mold,
I’m an individual, I’m no mans slave,
It’s Allah’s pleasure that I only crave,
I have a voice so I will be heard,
For in my heart I carry His word,
“O ye women, wrap close your cloak,
So you won’t be bothered by ignorant folk”,
Man doesn’t tell me to dress this way,
It’s a Law from God that I obey,
Oppressed is something I’m truly NOT,
For liberation is what I’ve got,
It was given to me many centuries ago,
With the right to prosper, the right to grow,
I can climb mountains or cross the seas,
Expand my mind in all degrees,
For God Himself gave us LIBERTY,
When He sent Islam,
To You and Me!