With my American friend: 2
(Politics & Religion)
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Abdullah
I know the term of “Jihad,” or “The Sword of Islam," has been using in ýýthe west culture to describe Muslims as terrorists, especially during this ýýperiod of the USA and Israel campaign against Arabs and Muslems around ýýthe world. They don’t see their missiles or nuclear weapons, because ýýthey think our old sword is still more
>dangerous of the human peace! Our ýýsword is one of the mass weapons according to the West’s stereotypes about ýýMuslims, so we must break the sword of Islam to be very nice and quiet ýýsheep, then we can satisfy Bush, Sharon and even Tony Bleir. So, you are ýýright when you think that this ideology “simply covers Islam’s history, or talks ýýabout the "sword of Islam," disregarding the meditative, submissive, and ýýpeaceful aspects.”
Chris
You are absolutely right. The words "The Sword of Islam" have terrified many Americans I know. Many see them as a symbol that Muslims are warlike and hostile; combine this with their fear of what the concept of Jihad will do to the morale of enemy soldiers, and there is a whole lot of confusion and fear. I wonder, can you come up with a message I can give to my American friends that will clarify the meaning of Jihad and The Sword of Islam?
I agree with what you say about the US's nuclear weapons being more dangerous to the world than the threat Americans perceive from the Middle East. (Is that a proper name for Arabic countries?) After you saying this, it now seems to me that we have a case of an upward-spiraling fear: Americans have nuclear might to protect them, but this acts as a double-edged sword, since it causes fear in the Arab world--which Americans then perceive as fear and hatred coming back to them. I often hear tell of fears that an Arab, acting under Jihad and who has been taught to hate the US, will make a suicide bomb--perhaps a nuclear suitcase bomb--and use it to make an attack on innocent Americans. The Arab world then fears our nuclear arsenal and sees our fear of them as hatred coming back at them. Luckily, the US has not built up any more nuclear arsenal in its fear--but we may have increased the size of our conventional forces, which again would be seen as a threat to the Middle East. But I remember hearing, as a child during the Gulf War (US's war with Iraq), that if WW3 was to break out, it would be over a conflict in the Middle East.
This business with Israel is an absolute mess. I can't even speak with my Jewish friends about the issue because they get so emotional, and before my Arabic Poetry class one day, two Muslim girls were getting emotional in the same way, for the opposite side. What I have observed is this pattern:
1) Someone believes her side to be less at fault than the other side, because she knows people from her religious community who are nice, so how could they do such awful things?
2) Incrementally, she gets wrapped up in the day-to-day violence, and starts blaming the other side more and more, because since she had a small bias to begin with, she noticed a little less or made a little more excuse for her side's wrongs. So incrementally she becomes more and more biased.
3) After some time, it is impossible to mention the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without really stirring up her emotions and upsetting her..and she says, "Well, I know my side is doing some bad stuff...but the other side does it SO much worse, and SO much more often!"
Whether this perception is true or not, I think, is irrelevant. Now the Arab community feels threatened by what it sees as a US-Israeli team...and the Israelis and US feel threatened by what they see as an Islamic team. Right now I'm upset that this conflict exists, but if it escalates to World War III, I won't be upset; I'll be dead, along with everyone else.
Abdullah
The main problem between Muslims and the West is the Jews, I think. ýýThe Jews are the enemy of both Christians and Muslims, but the ýýanachronism here is that some Christians think that the Jews are their ýýfriends. I wonder how do they forget that Jews were who killed Jesus to ýýevidence that he was a layer and he can’t save any one even himself. “He ýýsaved others”, They said, “but he can’t save himself! Let this Christ, this King ýýof Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe.” As ýýa result, the Christians, or Jesus’ fellows at that time, thought that the solution ýýfor this issue is to imagine that Jesus has accepted to be killed as a sacrifice ýýof the human beings’ sins. This was their answer of the Jews’ challenge.
ýýHowever, in Islam there is another answer. We don’t believe, as Muslims, ýýthe Jews could kill Jesus, though they have killed many messengers before ýýhim, but the crucified was another person like him, because the God had ýýtaken Jesus up to the heavens. The Qur’an says:ý
“Because of their (Jews) breaking the covenant, and of their ýýrejecting the Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, etc.) of Allah, ýýand of their killing the Prophets unjustly, and their saying : “Our heart ýýare wrapped (with coverings, i.e. we do not understand what the ýýMessengers say)”_ nay, Allah has set a seal upon their hearts because ýýtheir disbelief, so they believe not but a little. And because of their ýý(Jews) disbelief and uttering against Maryam (Mary ýý) a grave ýýfalse charge
(that she has committed illegal sexual intercourse); And ýýbecause of their saying (in boast), “We killed Messiah Isa (Jesus), son ýýof Maryam, the Messenger of Allah,”_ but they killed him not, nor ýýcrucified him, but the resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another ýýman (and they killed that man), and those who differ therein are ! full of ýýdoubts. They have no (certain) knowledge, they folow nothing but ýýconjecture. For surely; they killed him not, but Allah raised him up ýý(with his body and soul) unto Himself (and he is in the heavens). And ýýAllah is Ever All-Powerful, All-Wise.”
Chris
I don't know if I agree with you wholly on this point. I do think that Ariel Sharon oversteps his bounds on a regular basis, and he and his enclave are a major cause of the conflict in the "Promised Land." Sharon seems unreasonable, too hard of a bargainer when the risks are not just his and his people's destruction, but the destruction of the entire world, since his actions put the US in a difficult position trying to smooth over an agreement, which puts Arabs on edge, which puts West Europeans on edge, which puts somebody else on edge...and this is the setup for a chain reaction of world war.
I also see that Jews often are furious with Muslims, and Christians (mostly the US) tries to appease them--but I think the US also tries to ease tensions coming the other direction.
Abdullah
Therýe is no problem between Arabs and Americans or between Muslims and Christians. Moreover, we, as Muslims, should not hate Christian people, because ýýthe God said...
"and you will find the nearest in love to the believers (Muslims) ýýthose who say: “We are Christians.” That is because amongst them are ýýpriests and monks, and they are not proud. And when they (who call ýýthemselves Christians) listen to what has been sent to the Messenger ýý(Muhammadýý), you see their eyes overflowing with tears ýýbecause of the truth they have recognized. They say: “Our Lord! We ýýbelieve; so write us down among the witnesses. And whey should not ýýbelieve in Allah and in that which has come to us of the truth (Islamic ýýMonotheism)? And we wish that our Lord will admit us (in Paradise on ýýthe Day of Resurrection) along with the righteous people (Prophet ýýMuhamm! ad and his Companions).”
Chris
Would you mind telling me which part of the Qu'ran this citation comes from? I would like to share it, or hang it up somewhere, to clarify that there should be no enmity between Christians and Muslims.
Abdullah
That is in (Surah 5 Al-Maidah (The Table, The Table Spread), part 6, Ayah 82-86):
“82. Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, "We are Christians": because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant.
83. And when they listen to the revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognise the truth: they pray: "Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses.
84. "What cause can we have not to believe in Allah and the truth which has come to us, seeing that we long for our Lord to admit us to the company of the righteous?"
85. And for this their prayer hath Allah rewarded them with gardens, with rivers flowing underneath,- their eternal home. Such is the recompense of those who do good.
86. But those who reject Faith and belie our Signs,- they shall be companions of Hell-fire. “
ýOn the other hand, the conditions of Jihad, if you ask me about it, or when Jihad becomes ýý(Obligatory upon all Muslims), are:
ýA) When the disbelievers enter or invade a land of the Muslims.ý
B) When the disbelievers capture and imprison a group of Muslims.
So, Jihad is originally a mean to defend of our selves and our ýýcountries. But even in these cases, we are not allowed in Islam to kill any ýýcivilian, or even to cut a tree in the enemy’s land.
Chris
May I ask from where you derived these beliefs? If you can give me some background, I may be able to dispel some fear in my American friends, and be able to clarify the Muslim belief in Jihad to them. I would like to do this very much; I have, several times, gotten far in a conversation with someone by mentioning you as a reference, to say, "No, that is an incorrect stereotype of Muslims based on insufficient information; my well-educated Islamic friend says ..."
Abdullah
Actually, I’m not a religious man or a religious researcher to come up with a message you can give to your American friends that will clarify the meaning of Jihad and The Sword of Islam, as you demanded. I am just a Muslim. So, what I used to tell you about were my point of view, as I can understand my religion and I think it is the true line, which I can accept. Previously, I did give you some definition of Al-jihad. Then I provided you with some web-sites about this issue. Trust that what I have told you is the opinion of the majority of Muslims around the world.
In addition, the term of Jihad in Quran is used to indicate to the prophet and his companions’ struggling against their enemies of the pagans, polytheists or idolaters. In the holy Quran, there is no indication to use of jihad neither against Christians nor against Jews, at all. Moreover, there was emphasizing on the especial relationship between Muslims and Christians, as I told you before. The argumentation in Quran with Christians was concentrated on a specific idea; the idea of the God and the Christians’ imagination about Jesus. Such as these Ayat of Quran:
“[87] We gave Moses the Book and followed him up with a succession of Messengers; We gave Jesus, the son of Mary, Clear (Signs) and strengthened him with the Holy Spirit. Is it that whenever there comes to you a Messenger with what ye yourselves desire not, ye are puffed up with pride? Some ye called impostors, and others ye slay!” (Surah 2, Al-Bagarah)
“[45] Behold! the angels said: "O Mary! Allah giveth Thee glad tidings of a Word from Him: his name will be Christ Jesus. The son of Mary, held in honour in this world and the Hereafter and of (the company of) those nearest to Allah;
[46] "He shall speak to the
people in childhood and in maturity. And he shall be (of the company) of the righteous."
[47] She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a Plan, He but saith to it, `Be', and it is!”
[47] She said: "O my Lord! how shall I have a son when no man hath touched me?" He said: "Even so: Allah createth what He willeth: when He hath decreed a Plan, He but saith to it, `Be', and it is!
[48] "And Allah will teach him the Book and Wisdom, the Law and the Gospel,
[49] "And (appoint him) a Messenger to the Children of Israel, (with this message): "I have come to you, with a Sign from your Lord, in that I make for you out of clay, as it were, the figure of a bird, and breathe into it, and it becomes a bird by Allah's leave: and I heal those born blind, and the lepers, and I quicken the dead, by Allah's leave; and I declare to you what ye eat, and what ye store in your houses. Surely therein is a Sign for you if ye did believe;
[50] "(I have come to you), to attest the Law which was before me. And to make lawful to you part of what was (before) forbidden to you; I have come to you with a Sign from your Lord. So fear Allah, and obey me.
[51] "It is Allah Who is my Lord and your Lord; then worship Him. This is a Way that is straight."
[52] When Jesus found unbelief on their part he said: "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) Allah?" Said the disciples: "We are Allah's helpers: we believe in Allah, and do thou bear witness that we are Muslims.
[53] "Our Lord! we believe in what Thou hast revealed, and we follow the Messenger; then write us down among those who bear witness."
[54] And (then Unbelievers) plotted and planned, and Allah too planned, and the best of planners is Allah.
[55] Behold! Allah said: "O Jesus! I will take thee and raise thee to myself and clear thee (of the falsehood) of those who blaspheme; I will make those who follow thee superior to those who reject Faith, to the Day of Resurrection: then shall ye all return unto Me, and I will judge between you of the matters wherein ye dispute.
[56] "As to those who reject Faith, I will punish them with terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone to help.
[57] "As to those who believe and work righteousness, Allah will pay them (in full) their reward; but Allah loveth not those who do wrong.
[58] "This is what We rehearse unto thee of the Signs and the Message of Wisdom."
[59] The similitude of Jesus before Allah is as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him "Be": and he was.
[60] The Truth (comes) from thy Lord alone; so be not of those who doubt.
[61] If anyone disputes in this matter with thee, now after (full) knowledge hath come to thee, say: "Come! let us gather together - our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves - then let us earnestly pray, and invoke the curse of Allah on those who lie!"
[62] This is the true account; there is no god except Allah; and Allah, He is indeed the Exalted in Power, the Wise.
63] But if they turn back, Allah hath full knowledge of those who do mischief.
[64] Say: "O People of the Book (=Christians)! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but Allah; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah." If then they turn back, say ye: "Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to Allah's Will)."
[65] Ye People of the Book! why dispute ye about Abraham, when the Law and the Gospel were not revealed till after him? Have ye no understanding?
[66] Ah! ye are those who
fell to disputing (even) in matters of which ye had some knowledge! but why dispute ye in matters of which ye have no knowledge? It is Allah Who knows, and ye who know not!
[67] Abraham was not a Jew nor yet a Christian; but he was true in Faith, and bowed his will to Allah's (which is Islam), and he joined not gods with Allah.
[68] Without doubt, among men, the nearest of kin to Abraham, are those who follow him, as are also this Prophet and those who believe: and Allah is the Protector of those who have Faith.
[69] It is the wish of a section of the People of the Book to lead you astray. But they shall lead astray (not you), but themselves, and they do not perceive!
[70] Ye People of the Book! why reject ye the Signs of Allah, of which ye are (yourselves) witnesses?
[71] Ye People of the Book! why do ye clothe Truth with falsehood, and conceal the Truth, while ye have knowledge?”
(Surah 3, Aalimran)
“[88] They say: "(Allah) Most Gracious has begotten a son!"
[89] Indeed ye have put forth a thing most monstrous!
[90] As if the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin.
[91] That they should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious.
[92] For it is not consonant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should beget a son.
[93] Not one of the beings in the heavens and the earth but must come to (Allah) Most Gracious as a servant.”
(Surah 19, Maryam)
“[171] O People of the Book! commit no excesses in your religion: nor say of Allah aught but the truth. Christ Jesus the son of Mary was (no more than) A Messenger of Allah, and His Word, which He bestowed on Mary, and a Spirit proceeding from Him: so believe in Allah and His Messengers. Say not "Trinity": desist: it will be better for you: for Allah is One God: glory be to Him: (far Exalted is He) above having a son. To Him belong all things in the heavens and on earth. And enough is Allah as a Disposer of affairs.
[172] Christ disdaineth not to serve and worship Allah, nor do the angels, those nearest (to Allah): those who disdain His worship and are arrogant, He will gather them all together unto Himself to (answer).”
(Surah 4, Annisaa)
“[101] To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: how can He have a son when He hath no consort? He created all things, and He hath full knowledge of all things.
[102] That is Allah, your Lord! There is no god but He, the Creator of all things; then worship ye Him; and He hath power to dispose of all affairs.”
(Surah 6, Aanam)
“[91] No son did Allah beget, nor is there any god along with Him: (if there were many gods), behold, each god would have taken away what he had created, and some would have Lorded it over others! Glory to Allah! (He is free) from the (sort of) things they attribute to Him!”
(Surah 23, Amuminun)
“[81] Say: "If (Allah) Most Gracious had a son, I would be the first to worship."
[82] Glory to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne (of Authority)! (He is free) from the things they attribute (to Him)!
[83] So leave them to babble and play (with vanities) until they meet that Day of theirs, which they have been promised.
[84] It is He Who is God in heaven and God on earth; and He is Full of Wisdom and Knowledge.”
(Surah 43, Azzukhruf)
Therefore, the argumentation in Quran is always about the Christianity’s dogma. Of course, when the Christians, Jews or Hindus threat Muslims, it’s their right to defend their selves and stand up to their estates, as any other nation. In this case, Mr. Bush can call their struggle a holy war, Jihad, terrorism or whatever he would like to call it; but it is simply still just their natural right to resist the oppressors.
For more illustration, the Arabic word Jihad means literally "struggle" and Islamic scholars have long been concerned in how it should be interpreted. In the first place, it means the struggle to defend one's faith and ideals against harmful outside influences. On the other hand, it has come to represent the duty of Muslims to fight to rid the Islamic world of despotic leaders and occupying armies. Furthermore, Muslim believes it’s his duty to invite all people to be Muslims, otherwise the God will punish him if he did not do his responsibility about that. However, it’s not Muslim’s right to force others to change their religions. In Quran (Surah 16, Alnahl): “[125] Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.”
This is a view that has come to be widely accepted even among the more militant Muslim groups, although most would not agree with the methods adopted by Osama Bin Laden and the al-Qaeda movement.
Nowadays, I don’t know if you know that we are in a war case in the ýýMiddle East or not? This is a war of genocide against our country and our ýýbrothers of Christians and Muslims at Palestine, by Jews with their American ýýweapons as much as American political supports. I’m sure that the USA’s ýýmedia can not let Americans know exactly what are going on here. I can ýýguess this fact at least by reading Washington Post newspaper or showing ýýCNN. Although, I’m sure, my friend, you realize the historical game, when ýýBritain and the whole Europe decided to expiate of their crimes against Jews, ýýduring the second world war, so they suggested to create a religious ýýsettlement for Jews in Palestine. Those who came to Palestine are from ýýmany ethnicities, from The USA, Russia, Europe, etc. They immigrated to ýýthe Middle East to occupy the Arabs’ lands, exactly like what happened ýýbefore in America when the immigrations from Europe occupied the Pueblo, ýýthe Indian American’s lands. But Israel is the worst, not only because it is the ýýonly religious polity in the world, but also because it’s a racist polity. They ýýbelieve they are the children of the God, and the other must be their slaves, ýýeven American people! This can interpret why dos it seem that the ýýgovernment of the USA is Israel itself, not any other national American one? ýýWhy dos the USA, for instance, give Israel more than 200,000,000000 dollars ýýyearly, that is beside the weapons and the other economical and political ýýsubsidization. That means that the USA government expends, from the ýýAmericans’ pockets, for Israel more than what it expends for some states at ýýUncle Sam’s country, such as Indiana State! ý
Chris
It's good to hear your side of the story, Abdullah, as I never know quite what to make of American news reports. Hearing the viewpoint from your side of the world always helps me make sense of what's going on.
Best to you, my friend. Que Dios te bendiga.
To share us in this open dialogue, feel free to send your respoonse on this e-mail Address
p.alfaify@gmail.com
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