Tolerance
and Islam: WHAT'S
AN INFIDEL?
.... Dr Asrarul
Haque, Delhi
Today I received
a mail from a senior friend who is a retired Senior Civil Servant
(IAS). The mail is below (No.1).
He wrote in his mail:
Dear Dr. Haque,
I do not concur with the interpretation given by the cleric in the mail
that is being forwarded, but I am forwarding it to you so that it is
realised by the leaders of the community that there is considerable
misunderstanding about jihad and the role of a jihadist and that there
is need for the projection and profession of the correct view
of Islam. My understanding of Islam is that Islam is in favour of
peaceful coexistence with other religions and does not teach even
looking down upon followers of other religions, let alone any violence
against them. Unfortunately, the militant fundamentalists are able to
dictate what the interpretation should be and the majority simply
cannot resist their view which is backed with violence of the worst
kind.
Regards,
No. 1.
Subject: Fw: WHAT'S AN INFIDEL?
You may have seen this, but it should be sent to every Christian and to
every American!!! Ron Crawford
WHAT'S AN INFIDEL?
The author, Rick Mathes, is a well-known leader in prison ministry. The
man who walks with God always gets to his destination. If you have a
pulse
you have a purpose.
The Muslim religion is the fastest growing religion per capita in the
United States, especially in the minority races.
Last month I attended my annual training session that's required for
maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training
session
there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman
Catholic, Protestant and Muslim faiths, who each explained their
beliefs.
I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The
Muslim gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with
a After the presentations, time was provided for questions and answers.
When it was my turn, I directed my question to the Muslim and asked:
'Please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that most Imams and
clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [Holy war] against the
infidels of the world and, that by killing an infidel, (which is a
command to all
Muslims) they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can
you give
me the definition of an infidel?'
There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation,
he replied,
'Non-believers!'
I responded, 'So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers
of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith
so
they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?'
The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to
that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the
cookie
jar.'
He sheepishly replied, “Yes.”
I then stated, 'Well, sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine The
Pope commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr.
Stanley
ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a
place in heaven!'
The Muslim was speechless.
I continued, 'I also have a problem with being your friend when you and
your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask
you a question:
Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for
you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am
going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?'
You could have heard a pin drop.
Needless to say, the organizers and/or promoters of the
'Diversification' training seminar were not happy with my way of
dealing with the Islamic Imam, and exposing the truth about the
Muslims' beliefs.
In twenty years there will be enough Muslim voters in the U.S. to elect
the President.
I think everyone in the U.S. should be required to read this, but with
the ACLU, there is no way this will be widely publicized, unless each
of us sends it on! This is your chance to make a difference.
My reply is below (No. 2):
No. 2:
Sir,
You are 200% right. Islam does not permit even simple hatred against
people. How can it permit killing any one, infidel or otherwise?
Even in battles Muslims were strictly prohibited by Allah and the
Prophet (SAW) not to harm women, children, infirm and those who were
not fighting. I think I forwarded the relevant material earlier. If you
want I can send again.
Regarding the person (I am not calling him a scholar deliberately) who
delivered the presentation/lecture in USA I think he was not a true
scholar. Probably, he knew little but did not know that. That is why he
talked what he was not supposed to and what is not at all
correct. That is why Prophet (SAW) has again and
again directed that silence is better than talking, especially in case
you are not properly aware. The same has been said by most other wise
men.
But there is one more possibility. His words have been twisted/modified
for obvious reasons, which is evident in the last two paragraphs of the
mail.
Sir,
Below I am giving you a small (not so small) write up on the subject.
Please read it. It will give you adequate information on the matter. I
expect so.
If possible pass it on to others too who received the earlier mail.
With regards.
M.A. Haque
Love For Humanity
What You Love For Yourself
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
The golden rule, or the ethics of reciprocity, is an Islamic moral
principle which calls upon people to treat others the way they would
like to be treated. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Philosophy,
the golden rule is defined as:
Any form of the dictum: do unto others as you would have them do unto
you. In some form this is found in almost all religions and ethical
systems.
Source: Blackburn, Simon. “Golden Rule.”
This principle was stated several times by our Prophet Muhammad, so it
is a principle Muslims should discuss when sharing Islam with people of
other religions.
Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be
upon him, said:
لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ أَوْ قَالَ لِجَارِهِ
مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ
None of you has faith until he loves for his brother or his neighbor
what he loves for himself.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 13; Sahih Muslim 45, Grade: Muttafaqun Alayhi
An-Nawawi comments on this tradition, saying:
الأولى أن يحمل ذلك على عموم الأخوة حتى يشمل الكافر والمسلم
فيحب لأخيه الكافر مايحب لنفسه من دخوله في الإسلام كما يحب لأخيه المسلم
دوامه على الإسلام ولهذا كان الدعاء بالهداية للكافر مستحبا والمراد
بالمحبة إرادة الخير والمنفعة ثم المراد المحبة الدينية لا المحبة البشرية
It is better to interpret this as brotherhood in general, such that it
includes the disbeliever and the Muslim. So he should love for his
brother, the disbeliever, what he loves for himself which is his
entering Islam, just as he should love for his brother Muslim that he
remains in Islam. For this reason, it is recommended to supplicate for
the disbeliever to be guided. The meaning of love here is an intention
for good and benefit, and this meaning is religious love, not human
love.
Source: Sharh Arba’een An-Nawawi
In
another narration, the Prophet said:
وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَا يُؤْمِنُ عَبْدٌ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِأَخِيهِ
مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ مِنْ الْخَيْرِ
By Him in whose Hand is my soul, a servant does not believe until he
loves for his brother what he loves for himself of goodness.
Source: Musnad Ahmad 12734, Grade: Sahih
In another narration, the Prophet said:
لَا يُؤْمِنُ أَحَدُكُمْ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ
وَحَتَّى يُحِبَّ الْمَرْءَ لَا يُحِبُّهُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ
None of you has faith until he loves for the people what he loves for
himself, and until he loves a person only for the sake of Allah the
Exalted.
Source: Musnad Ahmad 13463, Grade: Sahih
In another narration, the Prophet said:
لا يَبْلُغُ عَبْدٌ حَقِيقَةَ الإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا
يُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِهِ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ
The servant does not reach the reality of faith until he loves for the
people what he loves for himself of goodness.
Source: Sahih Ibn Hibban 238, Grade: Sahih
In another narration, the Prophet said:
لَا يَجِدُ أَحَدٌ حَلَاوَةَ الْإِيمَانِ حَتَّى يُحِبَّ الْمَرْءَ لَا
يُحِبُّهُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ
None of you will find the sweetness of faith until he loves a person
only for the sake of Allah.
Source: Sahih Bukhari 5694, Grade: Sahih
Abdullah ibn Amr reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings
be upon him, said:
مَنْ أَحَبَّ أَنْ يُزَحْزَحَ عَنْ النَّارِ وَيَدْخُلَ الْجَنَّةَ
فَلْتُدْرِكْهُ مَنِيَّتُهُ وَهُوَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ
الْآخِرِ وَيَأْتِي إِلَى النَّاسِ مَا يُحِبُّ أَنْ يُؤْتَى إِلَيْهِ
Whoever would love to be delivered from the Hellfire and entered into
Paradise, then let him die with faith in Allah and the Last Day, and
let him treat the people the way he would love to be treated.
Source: Sahih Muslim 1844, Grade: Sahih
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be
upon him, said:
لَا تَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى
تَحَابُّوا أَوَلَا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ إِذَا فَعَلْتُمُوهُ
تَحَابَبْتُمْ أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ بَيْنَكُمْ
You will not enter Paradise until you believe and you will not believe
until you love each other. Shall I show you something that, if you did,
you would love each other? Spread peace between yourselves.
Source: Sahih Muslim 54, Grade: Sahih
In another narration, the Prophet said:
وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لا تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى تُسْلِمُوا
وَلا تُسْلِمُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا وَأَفْشُوا السَّلامَ
تَحَابُّوا وَإِيَّاكُمْ وَالْبُغْضَةَ فَإِنَّهَا هِيَ الْحَالِقَةُ لا
أَقُولُ لَكُمْ تَحْلِقُ الشَّعْرَ وَلَكِنْ تَحْلِقُ الدِّينَ
By the one in whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until
you submit, and you will not submit until you love one another. Greet
each other with peace and you will love one another. Beware of hatred,
for it is the razor. I do not say it shaves hair, but rather it shaves
away the religion.
Source: Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 260, Grade: Hasan
In
another narration, the Prophet said:
وَأَحْسِنْ إِلَى جَارِكَ تَكُنْ مُؤْمِنًا وَأَحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا
تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ تَكُنْ مُسْلِمًا
Be kind to your neighbor and you will be a believer; love for the
people what you love for yourself and you will be a Muslim.
Source: Sunan At-Tirmidhi 2305, Grade: Hasan
In another narration, the Prophet said:
وَأَحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ تَكُنْ مُؤْمِنًا وَأَحْسِنْ
جِوَارَ مَنْ جَاوَرَكَ تَكُنْ مُسْلِمًا
Love for the people what you love for yourself and you will be a
believer; behave well with your neighbors and you will be a Muslim.
Source: Sunan Ibn Majah 4217, Source: Sahih
 |
In another narration, the Prophet said:
وَأَحِبَّ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ
وَأَهْلِ بَيْتِكَ وَاكْرَهْ لَهُمْ مَا تَكْرَهُ لِنَفْسِكَ وَأَهْلِ
بَيْتِكَ تَكُنْ مُؤْمِنًا وَجَاوِرْ مَنْ جَاوَرْتَ مِنَ النَّاسِ
بِإِحْسَانٍ تَكُنْ مُسْلِمًا
Love for the Muslims, the believers, and the people of your house what
you love for yourself. Hate for them and the people of your house what
you hate for yourself, and then you will be a believer. Be a good
neighbor to whomever will be your neighbor among the people and you
will be a Muslim.
Source: Shu’b Al-Iman 10369, Grade: Sahih
Abu Muntafiq reported: He said, “O Messenger of Allah, teach me what
will save me from Allah’s punishment and enter me into Paradise.” The
Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
اعْبُدِ اللَّهَ وَلا تُشْرِكْ بِهِ شَيْئًا وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ
الْمَكْتُوبَةَ وَأَدِّ الزَّكَاةَ الْمَفْرُوضَةَ وَحُجَّ وَاعْتَمِرْ
وَأَظُنُّهُ قَالَ وَصُمْ رَمَضَانَ وَانْظُرْ مَا تُحِبُّ لِلنَّاسِ أَنْ
يَأْتُوهُ إِلَيْكَ فَافْعَلْهُ بِهِمْ وَمَا تَكْرَهُ أَنْ يَأْتُوهُ
إِلَيْكَ فَذَرْهُمْ مِنْهُ
Worship Allah and do not associate anything with Him. Establish the
prescribed prayers, give the obligatory charity, fast the month of
Ramadan, and however you love for the people to treat you, then treat
them that way, and however you hate for the people to treat you, then
do not treat them that way.
Source: Al-Ma’jam Al-Kabeer 15833, Grade: Hasan
Khalid ibn Abdullah Al-Qasri reported: He was giving a sermon upon the
pulpit, saying that his father told him that his grandfather said: The
Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
أَتُحِبُّ الْجَنَّةَ
Do you love Paradise?
He said, “Yes.” The Prophet said:
فَأَحِبَّ لِأَخِيكَ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ
Then love for your brother what you love for yourself.
Source: Musnad Ahmad 16219, Grade: Sahih li ghayri
Az-Zubair ibn Awwam reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon
him, said:
دَبَّ إِلَيْكُمْ دَاءُ الْأُمَمِ قَبْلَكُمْ الْحَسَدُ وَالْبَغْضَاءُ
هِيَ الْحَالِقَةُ لَا أَقُولُ تَحْلِقُ الشَّعَرَ وَلَكِنْ تَحْلِقُ
الدِّينَ وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ لَا تَدْخُلُوا الْجَنَّةَ حَتَّى
تُؤْمِنُوا وَلَا تُؤْمِنُوا حَتَّى تَحَابُّوا أَفَلَا أُنَبِّئُكُمْ
بِمَا يُثَبِّتُ ذَاكُمْ لَكُمْ أَفْشُوا السَّلَامَ بَيْنَكُمْ
There have come to you the diseases of the nations before you: envy and
hatred, and hatred is the razor. It shaves the religion and it does not
shave hair. By the one in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, you will
not believe until you love one another. Shall I tell you something
which, if you did, you would love each other? Spread peace between
yourselves.
Source: Musnad
Ahmad 1415, Grade: Sahih
Mu’adh said, “How is it, O Messenger of Allah?” He said:
وَأَنْ تُحِبَّ لِلنَّاسِ مَا تُحِبُّ لِنَفْسِكَ وَتَكْرَهَ لَهُمْ مَا
تَكْرَهُ لِنَفْسِكَ وَأَنْ تَقُولَ خَيْرًا أَوْ تَصْمُتَ
That you love for the people what you love for yourself, and you hate
for the people what you hate for yourself, and that you speak goodness
or remain silent.
Source: Musnad Ahmad 21627, Grade: Hasan
Ibn Rajab comments on these traditions, saying:
قَالَ بَعْضُ الصَّالِحِينَ مِنَ السَّلَفِ أَهْلُ
الْمَحَبَّةِ لِلَّهِ نَظَرُوا بِنُورِ اللَّهِ وَعَطَفُوا عَلَى أَهْلِ
مَعَاصِي اللَّهِ مَقَتُوا أَعْمَالَهُمْ وَعَطَفُوا عَلَيْهِمْ
لِيُزِيلُوهُمْ بِالْمَوَاعِظِ عَنْ فِعَالِهِمْ وَأَشْفَقُوا عَلَى
أَبْدَانِهِمْ مِنَ النَّارِ وَلَا يَكُونُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مُؤْمِنًا حَقًّا
حَتَّى يَرْضَى لِلنَّاسِ مَا يَرْضَاهُ لِنَفْسِهِ وَإِنْ رَأَى فِي
غَيْرِهِ فَضِيلَةً فَاقَ بِهَا عَلَيْهِ فَتَمَنَّى لِنَفَسِهِ مِثْلَهَا
فَإِنْ كَانَتْ تِلْكَ الْفَضِيلَةُ دِينِيَّةً كَانَ حَسَنًا
Some of the righteous predecessors said: The people who love Allah look
by the light of Allah, and they are compassionate with those who
disobey Allah. They hate their actions but show mercy to them so that
through their admonitions they might leave their actions. They are
afraid that the Hellfire will consume their bodies. The believer will
not truly be a believer until he is pleased for people to have what he
is pleased for himself. If he sees in someone else some merit by which
they excel him, then he wishes the like of it for himself. If that
merit is related to the religion then it is good.
Source: Jami’ Ulum wal-Hikam 13
Success comes from Allah, and Allah knows best.
His reply to my mail on No. 2 is on No. 3 (below).
No. 3.
Dear Dr. Haque,
Thanks. There is need to identify from within the community those who
hold the view of the cleric in the USA presentation. A programme of
their reorientation needs to be drawn and bombard them with the message
of love of the Prophet in various ways through sources in whom they
have faith. Use of the various tools of communication will be
necessary.
Regards,
I again responded to his mail. My response is below at No.4.
No.
4.
Sir,
You are right. People are doing that. But as you know virtue spreads
slower as compared to the opposite.
That was the reason I requested to you to forward the mail to others.
Followers of the other faiths need to be informed about the true
position. Otherwise hatred may start form the other side.
Sir on account of your deep interest in the subject I am copying one
again a small write up on the subject. It directly targets the wrong
ideas.
With regards.
M.A. Haque
The Call of Islam: Peace & Moderation, Not Intolerance and
Extremism
Islam is salaam (peace) and tasleem(submission to the Divine). In Islam
Peace is the standard, it is the principle, and each person of faith
has the moral obligation to maintain peace, without compromising on
justice and truth. Islam invites to the subul as-salaam (pathway of
peace); peace of mind, peace of conscience, peace in the family and
society, peace with one's Creator and His creation. One of the
attributes of the Divine is As-Salaam (The Source of Peace) and Muslim
greeting universally, upon meeting and departing, is “As-salamu
'alaykum” or "peace be unto you". The final and ultimate reward for
human endeavor is Paradise, referred to in the Qur'an as Dar-us-Salaam
(Abode of Peace)
The Believers were intended to be an ummah (community) that serves as a
standard/model for others; what the Qur'an describes ."...And we have
made you (ummatan wasata) a median community / a people of moderation/
a balanced medium in order that you may be a testimony or model for
humanity." [Qur'an 2:143] It is the absence of the balance provided by
wasatiyyah (moderation) that extremism creeps in. Wasatiyyah is an
antidote to ...ghuluww (excessiveness), tanattu' (harshness), tashaddud
(severity), tatarruf (extremism) ... in all its forms.
Intolerance Whence?
How is it then that some Muslims are so intolerant of other faiths,
involved in atrocious and heinous acts of violence and senseless
killing? Are they oblivious to the historic example of how the Prophet
engaged those of different Faiths? It seems that some among Muslims
seem to have lost sound understanding of the teachings of our Faith and
are substituting the sublime message of Islam by a discourse of anger
and the rhetoric of rage. There is no command or teaching in Islam that
can be referenced as the direct reason behind an extreme act, and
killing. Those who are planning and orchestrating any senseless
killings are the worst representatives of their religions and enemies
of their communities. Those who are perpetrators acts of wanton
violence in the name of Islam are doing a most grievous disservice to
Islam. Others take pride in being Muslims however un-Muslim their
stance may be. Then there are those who cheer acts of violence because
they too have degenerated into a hateful people.
Zealots are a plague upon religion.
Extremists,
whether reactionary or radical are a bane to religion.
Reactionary extremists do not want any pluralism; they view the world
in black and white, good and evil terms. They are good and anyone who
opposes them is evil. From among the Muslims these are people who
'excommunicate' any Muslim who fail to share their interpretations of
the Qur'an and their understanding of the faith. They use takfir
(denouncing a Muslim as an unbeliever) and character assassination as a
tool for marginalizing any criticism directed at them.
Radical extremists differ only in that they will use violence to
further their cause and that the end justifies the means. They see any
act as acceptable if it will further their 'cause.' This is blatantly
anti-Islamic. In Islam the means must reflect its noble ends. Any means
that does not embody the core truths and ethics of Islam is not from
Islam and thus denounced as aberration. Islam is not a secret society
of conspirators who no one knows what they are planning. Islam declares
openly its aims and objectives and these are recognized by good people
everywhere as pure and congruent with their own wisdom and traditions.
Islam never allows a Muslim to kill the innocent and the helpless
Labeling something Islamic does not make it justifiable.
Realize, that just because you are religious does not mean that you are
right. Desiring to implement Islamic values is always noble, but having
a meaningful and effective strategy is indeed most significant. Forcing
other is never an acceptable resort and certainly not the first resort;
especially since our deen/way of life commands us not to use compulsion
as a tool. Just because something needs to be done does not mean that
anything that is done is okay; and just because something is done in
religious fervor does not in any way prove that it is Islamically
correct.
According to the Qur'an [5:32]; Muslims have inherited the command from
that prescribed to the Children of Israel "whoever takes a single life
without justification is as if he has killed the entire humanity."
Furthermore we are reminded, If Allah had not repelled some people
through others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques; all in
which Allah's name is much celebrated, would have been destroyed. Allah
will certainly help those who help His cause and surely, Allah is
All-Powerful, All-Mighty' [Qur'an, 22:40]
If we do not abide by these principles established in the Qur'an, then
we are undermining the very spirit of our Deen. We must heed the
Qur'anic warning against extremism in religion. ... do not be extreme
in your religion [Qur'an 4:171] The Prophet further warned, My
intercession will not be availed two categories of my community; an
oppressive/unjust ruler and a rebellious extremist [Tibrani] I warn you
regarding extremism, because communities before you were destroyed due
to extremism [Nisa'i]
Injustice of the self-righteous
Some deviant people/groups are committing acts in the name of Islam
which are contrary to the fundamental of our faith, while not enough
seem courageous enough to openly stand up to these bullies who are
denigrating the name and image of Islam.
Remember the words of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):"A Muslim (one who
proclaims faith) is that person from whose hands and tongue other
Muslims are safe; A Mu'min (one who manifests faith) is that person in
whom humanity find safety and security regarding their lives, property
and honor." [Baihaqi] The Prophet (pbuh) further advised ...Allah is
kind and loves kindness in every matter, and kindness has been granted
capacity which violence could never attain. [Sahih Muslim]
May Allah protect the innocent from the injustices of the
self-righteous.
I know that the original mail (No. 1) is itself doubtful and also old.
Please see the information below about the mail.
"We contacted Rick Mathes, founder of Mission Gate Prison Ministries in
Chesterfield, Missouri, and he stands by his story.
There have been some published reports from critics of Mathes' article
who say the confrontation did not take place the way he describes and
that the Moslem who spoke at the conference was not an Imam, but a
prisoner who volunteered to speak as a Moslem.
Rick Mathes says that the man was introduced at the meeting as an Imam
and that the story happened as he describes it."
Still there is need to propagate the true position among Muslims and
more so among others, especially in USA, Europe etc. otherwise persons
like Rick Mathes will succeed in their mission. Please refer to the
last two paragraphs of his mail on No.1.
Kindly circulate the information to more and more people, especially in
the above named places.
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