arabianknight
16-04-02, 10:05 PM
For more than fourteen centuries, Islam has grown and spread from the seventh-century Arabia of the Prophet Muhammad to a world religion whose followers may be found across the globe. It spawned and informed Islamic empires and states as well as a great world civilization that stretched from North Africa to Southeast Asia. In the process, a great monotheistic tradition, sharing common roots with Judaism and Christianity, has guided and transformed the lives of millions of believers down through the ages. Characterized by an uncompromising belief in the one, true God – His revelation and Prophet – Islam developed a spiritual path whose law, ethics, theology, and mysticism have made it one of the fastest growing religions both in the past and today. Media images of Islam have often obscured the fact that Muslims, Jews and Christians share much in common. They are indeed all children of Abraham. Like Jews and Christians, Muslims worship the God of Abraham and Moses, believe in God’s revelation and prophets and place a strong emphasis on moral responsibility and accountability. The vast majority of Muslims, like most members of other religious traditions, are pious, hardworking women and men, family and community oriented, who wish to live in peace and harmony rather than in warfare.
For Muslims throughout the centuries, the message of the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book) and the example of the Prophet Muhammad have constituted the formative and enduring foundation of faith and belief. They have served as the basic sources of Islamic law and the reference points for daily life. Muslims today, as in the past, continue to affirm that the Qur'an is the literal word of God, the Creator’s immutable guidance for an otherwise transient world. This significance of this transhistorical belief is rooted in the conviction that the Qur'an and the Prophet provide eternal principles and norms upon which Muslims life, both individual and collective, is to be patterned. The challenge for each generation of believers has been the continued formulation, appropriation, and implementation of Islam in history. Islamic history and civilization provide the record of that struggle to interpret and to follow its path.
Islam in the last decade of the twentieth century had ceased to be solely of interest to those who are concerned with “foreign” religions or cultures. As we are slowly realizing, Islam is truly a world religion, increasingly visible in Europe and the United States as well as Asia Africa, and the Middle East. Muslims are very much part of the mosaic of Western societies, no longer foreign visitors but fellow citizens and colleagues. Thus, to understand the world in which we live, requires a knowledge of Islam as a prerequisite for an appreciation of our theologically interconnected and historically intertwined Judeo-Christian-Islamic heritage.
Source: Esposito, John L. Islam the Straight Path. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992).
Qur'an and Hadith
The Qur'an is the Holy book of Muslims, believed by them to be the direct revelation of God (Allah) to Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims also recognize as other sources of authority the hadith--stories related by others about the Prophet's words and deeds--and the Bible and the Torah.
Prohibitions on Terrorism, and Exhortations to Living with Mercy, Compassion and Patience in the Qur'an
Whosoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. (5:32)
Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and in the race for a garden wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous- (the righteous are) those who spend whether in prosperity or adversity, who restrain anger and who pardon all people. For God loves those who do good. (3:133 –134)
Invite all to the way of your God with wisdom and beautiful preaching. And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your God knows best who have strayed from his path and who receive guidance. And if you do respond to an attack, respond no worse than they did. But if you show patience, that is indeed the best course. Be patient- for your patience is from God . . . Indeed, God is with those who restrain themselves and those who do good. (16:125-128)
O You who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor, for God can best protect both. Follow not the cravings of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with all that you do. (4:135)
To those who persevere in doing good is a reward more than in measure. No darkness nor shame shall cover their faces. They are companions of the garden where they will live forever. But those who have earned evil will have a reward like evil. Humiliation will cover their faces. They will have no defender from God. (10:26-27)
The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree), but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God, for God does not love those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong done to them, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice, for such there will be a penalty grievous. (42:40-43)
Relations between Communities of Faith in the Qur'an
(NOTE: the term “People of the Book” is used in the Qur'an to refer to Jews and Christians, among others who have received scriptures which contain divine guidance.)
Not your desires, nor those of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) can prevail- whoever works evil will be requited accordingly, nor will he find, besides God, any protector or helper. And if any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, they will enter heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.
Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to God, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith? For God did take Abraham as a friend. And to God belong all things in the heavens and the earth. And it is he that encompasses all things. (4:122-126)
It was we who revealed the Law of Moses, and therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, the Prophets who bowed to God’s will, the Rabbis, and the doctors of law. And they were witnesses thereto…We ordained for them ‘life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.’ But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by the light of what God hath revealed, they are wrongdoers.
And in their footsteps we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel, therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the law- a guidance and an admonition to those who fear God. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed therein. If any fail to judge by the light of what God has revealed, they are of those who rebel.
To thee we sent the scripture in truth confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety. So judge between them by what God has revealed. And follow not their vain desires, if they diverge from the truth that has come to thee.
To each among you we have prescribed a law, an open way. If God had so willed, he would have made you a single people. But his plan is to test you in what he has given you. So strive as in a race of all virtues. The goal of each of you is to God. It is he that will show you the truth in matters that you dispute. (5:44-48)
To each [religious community] we have given a direction which it follows, so compete [all together] in [the performance of] good deeds. Whosesoever you may be, God shall certainly gather you all [for Divine Judgment]. God certainly has power over all things. (2:148)
Let there be no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is distinctly clear from error. (2:256)
Say: We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes, and in [the books] given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God de we submit in Islam. (3:84)
Prohibition on Suicide in the Qur'an
O you who believe! Do not eat up your wealth in vanities among yourselves. But let there be among yourselves trade conducted in mutual good will. Nor kill or destroy yourselves, for God has been most merciful to you. If any do that in rancor and injustice, soon shall we cast them into the fire, and that is easy for God. If you but avoid the most heinous of the things which are forbidden to do, we shall expel out of you all the evil in you and admit you to a gate of great honor. (4:29-31)
Exhortations to Living with Mercy, Compassion and Patience in the Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad said: Neither cause harm nor injure one another. (p.106)
"A man said to the Prophet, 'Counsel me.' He said: 'Do not become angry.’ The man repeated the question several times, and the Prophet said each time 'Do not become angry.’” (p.62)
"Each person's every joint must perform charity every day the sun comes up. To act justly between two people is charity; to help a man with his mount is charity; lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it is charity; a good word is charity; every step you take to prayers is charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is charity." (p. 88)
"Let him who believes in God and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes in God and the Last Day be generous to his neighbor, and let him who believes in God and the last day be generous to his guest." (p. 60)
Mujahid reported that 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr had one of his goats slaughtered for him, and then said to his servant boy, "Did you give a share of the goat meat to our neighbour, the Jewish man? I once heard the Prophet, upon him be peace, say, "Jibril, upon whom be peace, continued telling me (how important it is to do good toward one's) neighbours until I thought he was going to tell me that they have a share in one's inheritance as well." [This hadith was related by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Tahawi]
Prohibitions on Suicide in the Hadith
The Prophet said, " Whoever commits suicide with piece of iron will be punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell Fire." Jundab narrated that the Prophet said, "A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so God said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him." (002.023.445)
Amongst the companions of the Prophet there was a man who could not help pursuing any single pagan to strike him with his sword. [After a battle] somebody said, "None has benefited the Muslims today more than so-and-so." On that God's Apostle said, "He is from the people of the Hell-Fire certainly." A man amongst the people (i.e. Muslims) said, "I will accompany him (to know that fact)." So he went along with him, and whenever he stopped, the man stopped with him, and whenever he hastened, the man hastened with him. The (brave) man then got wounded severely, and seeking to die at once, he planted his sword into the ground and put its point against his chest in between his breasts, and then threw himself on it and committed suicide.
On that the person (who was accompanying the deceased all the time) came to God's Apostle and said, "I testify that you are the Apostle of God." The Prophet said, "What makes you say so?" He said "It is concerning the man whom you have already mentioned as one of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire. The people were surprised by your statement, and I said to them, "I will try to find out the truth about him for you." So I went out after him, and he was then inflicted with a severe wound. Because of that, he hurried to bring death upon himself by planting the handle of his sword into the ground and directing its tip towards his chest between his breasts, and then he threw himself over it and committed suicide."
God’s Apostle then said, "A man may do what seem to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise, but he is of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire. And another may do what seem to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire, but he is of the dwellers of Paradise." (005-059-514)
FOOTNOTES
1. The Holy Quran, transl. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Tahrike Tarsile Quran, Inc. Elmhurst, NY 1987.
2. An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith, transl, Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies; Holy Koran Publishing House, Beirut, 1976
3. Sahih Bukhari, English Translation by M. Muhsin Khan, found on >www.islamicity.org
For Muslims throughout the centuries, the message of the Qur'an (the Muslim holy book) and the example of the Prophet Muhammad have constituted the formative and enduring foundation of faith and belief. They have served as the basic sources of Islamic law and the reference points for daily life. Muslims today, as in the past, continue to affirm that the Qur'an is the literal word of God, the Creator’s immutable guidance for an otherwise transient world. This significance of this transhistorical belief is rooted in the conviction that the Qur'an and the Prophet provide eternal principles and norms upon which Muslims life, both individual and collective, is to be patterned. The challenge for each generation of believers has been the continued formulation, appropriation, and implementation of Islam in history. Islamic history and civilization provide the record of that struggle to interpret and to follow its path.
Islam in the last decade of the twentieth century had ceased to be solely of interest to those who are concerned with “foreign” religions or cultures. As we are slowly realizing, Islam is truly a world religion, increasingly visible in Europe and the United States as well as Asia Africa, and the Middle East. Muslims are very much part of the mosaic of Western societies, no longer foreign visitors but fellow citizens and colleagues. Thus, to understand the world in which we live, requires a knowledge of Islam as a prerequisite for an appreciation of our theologically interconnected and historically intertwined Judeo-Christian-Islamic heritage.
Source: Esposito, John L. Islam the Straight Path. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1992).
Qur'an and Hadith
The Qur'an is the Holy book of Muslims, believed by them to be the direct revelation of God (Allah) to Muhammad (peace be upon him). Muslims also recognize as other sources of authority the hadith--stories related by others about the Prophet's words and deeds--and the Bible and the Torah.
Prohibitions on Terrorism, and Exhortations to Living with Mercy, Compassion and Patience in the Qur'an
Whosoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be as if he has killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. (5:32)
Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and in the race for a garden wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous- (the righteous are) those who spend whether in prosperity or adversity, who restrain anger and who pardon all people. For God loves those who do good. (3:133 –134)
Invite all to the way of your God with wisdom and beautiful preaching. And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your God knows best who have strayed from his path and who receive guidance. And if you do respond to an attack, respond no worse than they did. But if you show patience, that is indeed the best course. Be patient- for your patience is from God . . . Indeed, God is with those who restrain themselves and those who do good. (16:125-128)
O You who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor, for God can best protect both. Follow not the cravings of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if you distort justice or decline to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with all that you do. (4:135)
To those who persevere in doing good is a reward more than in measure. No darkness nor shame shall cover their faces. They are companions of the garden where they will live forever. But those who have earned evil will have a reward like evil. Humiliation will cover their faces. They will have no defender from God. (10:26-27)
The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree), but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from God, for God does not love those who do wrong. But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong done to them, against such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice, for such there will be a penalty grievous. (42:40-43)
Relations between Communities of Faith in the Qur'an
(NOTE: the term “People of the Book” is used in the Qur'an to refer to Jews and Christians, among others who have received scriptures which contain divine guidance.)
Not your desires, nor those of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians) can prevail- whoever works evil will be requited accordingly, nor will he find, besides God, any protector or helper. And if any do deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, they will enter heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.
Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self to God, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith? For God did take Abraham as a friend. And to God belong all things in the heavens and the earth. And it is he that encompasses all things. (4:122-126)
It was we who revealed the Law of Moses, and therein was guidance and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, the Prophets who bowed to God’s will, the Rabbis, and the doctors of law. And they were witnesses thereto…We ordained for them ‘life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.’ But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by the light of what God hath revealed, they are wrongdoers.
And in their footsteps we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming the law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel, therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the law- a guidance and an admonition to those who fear God. Let the people of the Gospel judge by what God has revealed therein. If any fail to judge by the light of what God has revealed, they are of those who rebel.
To thee we sent the scripture in truth confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety. So judge between them by what God has revealed. And follow not their vain desires, if they diverge from the truth that has come to thee.
To each among you we have prescribed a law, an open way. If God had so willed, he would have made you a single people. But his plan is to test you in what he has given you. So strive as in a race of all virtues. The goal of each of you is to God. It is he that will show you the truth in matters that you dispute. (5:44-48)
To each [religious community] we have given a direction which it follows, so compete [all together] in [the performance of] good deeds. Whosesoever you may be, God shall certainly gather you all [for Divine Judgment]. God certainly has power over all things. (2:148)
Let there be no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam). The right direction is distinctly clear from error. (2:256)
Say: We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes, and in [the books] given to Moses, Jesus and the prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God de we submit in Islam. (3:84)
Prohibition on Suicide in the Qur'an
O you who believe! Do not eat up your wealth in vanities among yourselves. But let there be among yourselves trade conducted in mutual good will. Nor kill or destroy yourselves, for God has been most merciful to you. If any do that in rancor and injustice, soon shall we cast them into the fire, and that is easy for God. If you but avoid the most heinous of the things which are forbidden to do, we shall expel out of you all the evil in you and admit you to a gate of great honor. (4:29-31)
Exhortations to Living with Mercy, Compassion and Patience in the Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad said: Neither cause harm nor injure one another. (p.106)
"A man said to the Prophet, 'Counsel me.' He said: 'Do not become angry.’ The man repeated the question several times, and the Prophet said each time 'Do not become angry.’” (p.62)
"Each person's every joint must perform charity every day the sun comes up. To act justly between two people is charity; to help a man with his mount is charity; lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it is charity; a good word is charity; every step you take to prayers is charity; and removing a harmful thing from the road is charity." (p. 88)
"Let him who believes in God and the Last Day either speak good or keep silent, and let him who believes in God and the Last Day be generous to his neighbor, and let him who believes in God and the last day be generous to his guest." (p. 60)
Mujahid reported that 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr had one of his goats slaughtered for him, and then said to his servant boy, "Did you give a share of the goat meat to our neighbour, the Jewish man? I once heard the Prophet, upon him be peace, say, "Jibril, upon whom be peace, continued telling me (how important it is to do good toward one's) neighbours until I thought he was going to tell me that they have a share in one's inheritance as well." [This hadith was related by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Tahawi]
Prohibitions on Suicide in the Hadith
The Prophet said, " Whoever commits suicide with piece of iron will be punished with the same piece of iron in the Hell Fire." Jundab narrated that the Prophet said, "A man was inflicted with wounds and he committed suicide, and so God said: My slave has caused death on himself hurriedly, so I forbid Paradise for him." (002.023.445)
Amongst the companions of the Prophet there was a man who could not help pursuing any single pagan to strike him with his sword. [After a battle] somebody said, "None has benefited the Muslims today more than so-and-so." On that God's Apostle said, "He is from the people of the Hell-Fire certainly." A man amongst the people (i.e. Muslims) said, "I will accompany him (to know that fact)." So he went along with him, and whenever he stopped, the man stopped with him, and whenever he hastened, the man hastened with him. The (brave) man then got wounded severely, and seeking to die at once, he planted his sword into the ground and put its point against his chest in between his breasts, and then threw himself on it and committed suicide.
On that the person (who was accompanying the deceased all the time) came to God's Apostle and said, "I testify that you are the Apostle of God." The Prophet said, "What makes you say so?" He said "It is concerning the man whom you have already mentioned as one of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire. The people were surprised by your statement, and I said to them, "I will try to find out the truth about him for you." So I went out after him, and he was then inflicted with a severe wound. Because of that, he hurried to bring death upon himself by planting the handle of his sword into the ground and directing its tip towards his chest between his breasts, and then he threw himself over it and committed suicide."
God’s Apostle then said, "A man may do what seem to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise, but he is of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire. And another may do what seem to the people as the deeds of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire, but he is of the dwellers of Paradise." (005-059-514)
FOOTNOTES
1. The Holy Quran, transl. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Tahrike Tarsile Quran, Inc. Elmhurst, NY 1987.
2. An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith, transl, Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies; Holy Koran Publishing House, Beirut, 1976
3. Sahih Bukhari, English Translation by M. Muhsin Khan, found on >www.islamicity.org