Friday, April 30, 2010
Quranic Lessons for you: Tolerance in the Qur’an
Forgive and show indulgence to them!
(Qur’an, 2:109)
Among various prolific misconceptions concerning the religion of Islam, one cannot miss the oft-quoted “Kill them wherever you find them,” characterization of religious intolerance in the Qur’an. This bloodthirsty depiction of Islam is far, far from the truth. Yet, with so much media attention shone on “Muslim terrorists”, contradictory Islamic ideals of religious tolerance might be difficult for Western audiences to believe.
The best solution is to read the Qur’an. Verses granting permission to fight in war, when attacked, can then be read in context. Ideological mud slinging on the internet is rife with quotes like, “Kill them wherever you find them.” If that is the first phrase you read from the Qur’an, of course it sounds like a horrible, unholy book. Yet its beginning is this:“In the name of God, The Beneficent, The Merciful” (1:1).
In the following sections, I will attempt to express the Qur’anic attitude toward religious tolerance. To dispel myths surrounding “kill them wherever you find them”, I first address religious tolerance under conditions of war. Then, what is hopefully the usual state of affairs, part 2 presents a few points from the Qur’an promoting religious tolerance during periods of peace.
Part 1: Conditions of War
“Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! God loveth not aggressors.”
(Qur’an, 2:190)
Contrary to popular misconception, the Qur’anic verse stating, “Kill them wherever you encounter them” (2:191) does not categorically permit (let alone promote!) killing of Non-Muslims. Rather, this verse was revealed in relation to a specific stage of persecutory war against Muslims in the history of Islam; and its ordinance is obviously confined to warfare. The fourteen-hundred-year heritage of Islamic rule in Arabia and beyond testifies to religious tolerance exhorted by the Qur’an.
And why—if there is any explanation other than deliberate mischaracterization and slander—why can’t critics who use this verse read other general decrees that place strict limits on warfare? For instance, the verse just before it, which says, “But begin not hostilities. Lo! God loveth not aggressors” (2:190). Or the verses just after it, stating, “But if they desist, then lo! God is Forgiving, Merciful” (2:192).
Scenarios under which taking a life is permissible according to the Qur’an are extremely limited. The Qur’an permits between-group killing, or “collateral damage”, during warfare in hand-to-hand combat with male, combatant enemy soldiers. In domestic affairs, Islamic law permits execution by judicial sentence in cases of premeditated manslaughter [1]; a tooth for a tooth whether Muslim or Non-Muslim.
In Islam, it is never permissible to attack or kill non-combatant enemy citizens, children, elderly, or women. Non-Muslims not waging war against Muslims possess Islamic state’s protection of their right to life, according to the Qur’an. In fact, the Qur’an enjoins forgiveness, indulgence, tolerance, and kindness toward Non-Muslims.
Part 2: Conditions of Peace
“Help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty.”
(Qur’an, 5:2)
Quranic Lessons for you: Tolerance in the Qur’an
(Qur’an, 2:109)
Among various prolific misconceptions concerning the religion of Islam, one cannot miss the oft-quoted “Kill them wherever you find them,” characterization of religious intolerance in the Qur’an. This bloodthirsty depiction of Islam is far, far from the truth. Yet, with so much media attention shone on “Muslim terrorists”, contradictory Islamic ideals of religious tolerance might be difficult for Western audiences to believe.
The best solution is to read the Qur’an. Verses granting permission to fight in war, when attacked, can then be read in context. Ideological mud slinging on the internet is rife with quotes like, “Kill them wherever you find them.” If that is the first phrase you read from the Qur’an, of course it sounds like a horrible, unholy book. Yet its beginning is this:“In the name of God, The Beneficent, The Merciful” (1:1).
In the following sections, I will attempt to express the Qur’anic attitude toward religious tolerance. To dispel myths surrounding “kill them wherever you find them”, I first address religious tolerance under conditions of war. Then, what is hopefully the usual state of affairs, part 2 presents a few points from the Qur’an promoting religious tolerance during periods of peace.
Part 1: Conditions of War
“Fight in the way of God against those who fight against you, but begin not hostilities. Lo! God loveth not aggressors.”
(Qur’an, 2:190)
Contrary to popular misconception, the Qur’anic verse stating, “Kill them wherever you encounter them” (2:191) does not categorically permit (let alone promote!) killing of Non-Muslims. Rather, this verse was revealed in relation to a specific stage of persecutory war against Muslims in the history of Islam; and its ordinance is obviously confined to warfare. The fourteen-hundred-year heritage of Islamic rule in Arabia and beyond testifies to religious tolerance exhorted by the Qur’an.
And why—if there is any explanation other than deliberate mischaracterization and slander—why can’t critics who use this verse read other general decrees that place strict limits on warfare? For instance, the verse just before it, which says, “But begin not hostilities. Lo! God loveth not aggressors” (2:190). Or the verses just after it, stating, “But if they desist, then lo! God is Forgiving, Merciful” (2:192).
Scenarios under which taking a life is permissible according to the Qur’an are extremely limited. The Qur’an permits between-group killing, or “collateral damage”, during warfare in hand-to-hand combat with male, combatant enemy soldiers. In domestic affairs, Islamic law permits execution by judicial sentence in cases of premeditated manslaughter [1]; a tooth for a tooth whether Muslim or Non-Muslim.
In Islam, it is never permissible to attack or kill non-combatant enemy citizens, children, elderly, or women. Non-Muslims not waging war against Muslims possess Islamic state’s protection of their right to life, according to the Qur’an. In fact, the Qur’an enjoins forgiveness, indulgence, tolerance, and kindness toward Non-Muslims.
Part 2: Conditions of Peace
“Help ye one another unto righteousness and pious duty.”
(Qur’an, 5:2)
Quranic Lessons for you: Tolerance in the Qur’an
Thursday, April 15, 2010
What some great intellectuals have said about Islam, the Bible, and the Holy Quran
Our civilization is standing at dangerous crossroads. The Bible cannot provide workable foundations for the survival of mankind. (Lord Snell, The New World.
For the redemption of humanity we will have to look toward the owner [Mohammad] of the Qur'an not toward Chrisitianity. (Lewis Mumford, Faith for Living.
The Bible cannot lead us to an international religion, nor can it unify all mankind. (Ehrich Fromm, The Sane Society.
The teachings of Islam can fail under no circumstances. No human mind can go beyond the Qur'an. (Johann Goethe - Letters to Eckermann, Sir Henry Elliott’s Collection) 2.
The code of permanent values can only come through Revelation to chosen personalities (messengers) of God.
(Albert Einstein 1879-1955 - Out of My Later Days)
The word of Mohammad is a voice, direct from nature's own heart . . . all else is wind in comparison.
(Thomas Carlyle - On Heroes and Hero Worship)
If the society is not conducive to the growth of human personality, people would remain slaves even if such a society were perceived to be free.
(Nicholes Berdyeau - Destiny of Man)
For the development of SELF I need a society where others' benefit feels like my own.
(Hastings Rashdall - Theory of Good and Evil)
The development of the human personality [NAFS] can take place only collectively with other members of the society.
(Robert Briffault - The Making of Humanity)
The purpose of life is the development of humanity in a collective social order. (Prof A.N.
Whitehead, British author teaching at Harvard in 1920s - Adventure of Ideas)
Development of the self [self-actualization] can take place only in an equitable social system.
(Robert Briffault, The Making of Humanity)
International order for all mankind is the time's foremost demand.
(John Reves - Politics in Future)
The world needs not only for its development but also for its very survival a universal "way of life" in which economic, social, and moral values are uniform for all.
(Frederick Hertz - Nationality, History and Politics)
The purpose of life is development of the person and thereby, of all humanity en mass. (Prof A. N.
Whitehead - Adventure of Ideas)
The real progress entails development of an international social order in which every individual can grow to one’s full potential.
(Hastings Rashdall - The Theory of Good and Evil)
Islam offers a beautiful collective system which says Yes to Life.
(Nicholes Berdyeau - The Divine and the Human)
A complete way of life which would be universal is neither present in human instinct nor can we devise it through intellect. It can only come through Revelation.
(Prof Alfred Cobban - The Crisis of Civilization)
We need a religion that can transcend nationalism and make the world one Nation.
(Robert Murray - The Individual and the State)
Only Islam can transcend the boundaries of nationalism.
(Arnold Toynbee, The World and the West)
In order to make true progress, man must exercise his free will in accordance with the Divine guidance. Man must do this, not to put God under any obligation, but for the evolution of his own SELF. (British astronomer, Sir Arthur S.
Eddington 1882-1944 - Science and the Unseen World)
The time for nations has already passed. The era of mankind as one community is about to dawn. (W. Chardin - Building of the Earth) 19. The solution to humanity's problems lies not in internationalism. It rests in the Qur'anic teaching of universal brotherhood of all men.
(Neveres Emery - The Anatomy of Peace)
The world will shortly see a single government without borders in which the affairs of human beings will be a matter of counsel.
(Gummer Murdael - Beyond the Welfare State)
No tangible forces, no intangible powers, can stop Islam from becoming the universal faith. This is because only Islam can march along with the evolution of human civilization.
(German born, American psychoanalyst, 1900-1980, Erich Fromm - The Sane Society)
It is the sacred duty of our civilization that we revive the true human brotherhood which existed at the beginning of life and after which people divided.
(Professor Hugh Miller - Country and State)
The ideal society will be one where the wellness of others will feel like my own wellness.
(German philosopher, Immanuel Kant 1724-1804 - Critique of Practical Reason)
The teachings of Islam can fail under no circumstances. With all our systems of culture and civilization, we cannot go beyond Islam and, as a matter of fact, no human mind can go beyond the Qur'an. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the celebrated German poet and thinker, in his letters to J. Eckermann and Sir Henry Elliot)) In fact, Islam is so scientific that the noted Russian thinker, P.D. Ouspensky, stated that any science that collides with the Qur'an will turn out to be false.
(Tertium organum)
What some great intellectuals have said about Islam, the Bible, and the Holy Quran
For the redemption of humanity we will have to look toward the owner [Mohammad] of the Qur'an not toward Chrisitianity. (Lewis Mumford, Faith for Living.
The Bible cannot lead us to an international religion, nor can it unify all mankind. (Ehrich Fromm, The Sane Society.
The teachings of Islam can fail under no circumstances. No human mind can go beyond the Qur'an. (Johann Goethe - Letters to Eckermann, Sir Henry Elliott’s Collection) 2.
The code of permanent values can only come through Revelation to chosen personalities (messengers) of God.
(Albert Einstein 1879-1955 - Out of My Later Days)
The word of Mohammad is a voice, direct from nature's own heart . . . all else is wind in comparison.
(Thomas Carlyle - On Heroes and Hero Worship)
If the society is not conducive to the growth of human personality, people would remain slaves even if such a society were perceived to be free.
(Nicholes Berdyeau - Destiny of Man)
For the development of SELF I need a society where others' benefit feels like my own.
(Hastings Rashdall - Theory of Good and Evil)
The development of the human personality [NAFS] can take place only collectively with other members of the society.
(Robert Briffault - The Making of Humanity)
The purpose of life is the development of humanity in a collective social order. (Prof A.N.
Whitehead, British author teaching at Harvard in 1920s - Adventure of Ideas)
Development of the self [self-actualization] can take place only in an equitable social system.
(Robert Briffault, The Making of Humanity)
International order for all mankind is the time's foremost demand.
(John Reves - Politics in Future)
The world needs not only for its development but also for its very survival a universal "way of life" in which economic, social, and moral values are uniform for all.
(Frederick Hertz - Nationality, History and Politics)
The purpose of life is development of the person and thereby, of all humanity en mass. (Prof A. N.
Whitehead - Adventure of Ideas)
The real progress entails development of an international social order in which every individual can grow to one’s full potential.
(Hastings Rashdall - The Theory of Good and Evil)
Islam offers a beautiful collective system which says Yes to Life.
(Nicholes Berdyeau - The Divine and the Human)
A complete way of life which would be universal is neither present in human instinct nor can we devise it through intellect. It can only come through Revelation.
(Prof Alfred Cobban - The Crisis of Civilization)
We need a religion that can transcend nationalism and make the world one Nation.
(Robert Murray - The Individual and the State)
Only Islam can transcend the boundaries of nationalism.
(Arnold Toynbee, The World and the West)
In order to make true progress, man must exercise his free will in accordance with the Divine guidance. Man must do this, not to put God under any obligation, but for the evolution of his own SELF. (British astronomer, Sir Arthur S.
Eddington 1882-1944 - Science and the Unseen World)
The time for nations has already passed. The era of mankind as one community is about to dawn. (W. Chardin - Building of the Earth) 19. The solution to humanity's problems lies not in internationalism. It rests in the Qur'anic teaching of universal brotherhood of all men.
(Neveres Emery - The Anatomy of Peace)
The world will shortly see a single government without borders in which the affairs of human beings will be a matter of counsel.
(Gummer Murdael - Beyond the Welfare State)
No tangible forces, no intangible powers, can stop Islam from becoming the universal faith. This is because only Islam can march along with the evolution of human civilization.
(German born, American psychoanalyst, 1900-1980, Erich Fromm - The Sane Society)
It is the sacred duty of our civilization that we revive the true human brotherhood which existed at the beginning of life and after which people divided.
(Professor Hugh Miller - Country and State)
The ideal society will be one where the wellness of others will feel like my own wellness.
(German philosopher, Immanuel Kant 1724-1804 - Critique of Practical Reason)
The teachings of Islam can fail under no circumstances. With all our systems of culture and civilization, we cannot go beyond Islam and, as a matter of fact, no human mind can go beyond the Qur'an. (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the celebrated German poet and thinker, in his letters to J. Eckermann and Sir Henry Elliot)) In fact, Islam is so scientific that the noted Russian thinker, P.D. Ouspensky, stated that any science that collides with the Qur'an will turn out to be false.
(Tertium organum)
What some great intellectuals have said about Islam, the Bible, and the Holy Quran
Mohammad-pbuh message is what we should be focus on.
InshaAllah the hearts of Muslims revert to the ways of the heart of the prophet of Islam. Only then will we truly achieve pure peace, pure Islam. The prophet didn't often forgive his enemies and transgressors because of his own will, but... because he understood that Allah is often forgiving. We need to get to know why this great man was able to achieve so much on not only the religious side, but also the secular side. He taught and is still teachings all of mankind, we must get to know why his way created massively successful societies. Over 23 different societies and all societies declare there is no God but Allah and Mohammad is Allah's prophet. We are getting more attached to materialistic means and forgetting that only when we purly wish the best for others as well as our selves that we will never set foot in heaven. The prophet pbuh said " If you don't wish for your brothers what you wish for yourselves, you will NEVER set foot in heaven" It cannot be more clear.
Peace be with you along with Allahs mercy and blessings <== the proper Muslim greeting to another.
Mohammad-pbuh message is what we should be focus on.
Peace be with you along with Allahs mercy and blessings <== the proper Muslim greeting to another.
Mohammad-pbuh message is what we should be focus on.
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