What is the essence of Islam

[Faith Hope Charity]

Peace be with you, Muslimah.


Thanks for directing me to this thread :)


To ensure that I completely grasp the essence of Islam, I decided to read over your posts twice. Truth be told, I almost went into cardio vascular arrest both times.


I always like to begin on a positive note so let me just quickly say that I think there are several beautiful verses in the Qur'an. Indeed the names given to Allah are some of the most beautiful names under the sun.


So after reading the Ayah's above, I sit here beside my Bible, clutching my rosary beads, staring at a Crucifix, extremely dumbfounded! Am I missing something? How can over one billion of the world's population believe that the Qur'an is the perfect, flawless, eternal, written word of Allah & I fail to? I'm happy to accept some parts of it but can't help rejecting others.


Does one ever wonder about the Satanic Verses & think to themselves, "Well if Mohammad (PBUH) can be deceived once..."


This leads me to strive for a deeper understanding of Islam through further exploration. Funnily enough, it's turning out to be psychology-oriented rather than religion-based. I'm learning about what shapes a person's way of thinking more than anything else.


Are you aware of this question put forward by an ancient Greek philosopher: (paraphrased) "Does God command something because it's good, or is something good because God commands it?" Definitely one to dwell on.


Okay sister, please take my hand & guide me on my journey through the Qur'an...


“The recompense of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger and do mischief in the land is only that they shall be killed or crucified or their hands and their feet be cut off on the opposite sides, or be exiled from the land. That is their disgrace in this world, and a great torment is theirs in the Hereafter.” (Quran 5:33)



What does a war against Allah & Mohammad (PBUH) consist of? Have I waged one simply by shrugging off Quranic teachings? Where do apostates & infidels who practice their faith openly & publicly stand?


Allah by virtue of this Ayah granted a ruler the authority in crimes which are not clearly defined in Quran to choose from among such options of punishments as mentioned in the Ayah and enforce them.



Does this mean that the punishments can vary because it's solely based on the subjective view of the ruling party? For instance, a man in Egypt commits the same crime as a man in Algeria. The Islamic ruler in Egypt sees exile as a fit punishment for his guy, whereas the Islamic ruler in Algeria hands his guy the death penalty. Furthermore, a jail sentence or rehabilitation aren't options because they're not specified in the Qur'an. Is that right?


Can you say about states that apply electric chair penalty that the state succeeds in bringing up violent citizens? Can you describe the state as being a terrorist oriented one for setting serious and harsh penalties on serial killers for example?



I'm all for protecting the common good but I don't believe anyone on earth has the right to take another person's life or cause them grievous bodily harm.


For Muslims to fit the description given by Allah as the best people, we must enjoin good and forbid evil.



Hmmm.. I've always been under the impression that Allah wills both good & evil. Where exactly does evil come from according to Islam? Isn't every word, thought & action of our lives predetermined by Allah? I remember when a Muslim boxer lost a championship match, afterwards he kept repeating over & over "it was written, it was written, it was written."


“Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the foolish (i.e. don't punish them).” (Quran 7:199). Allah here sets the rule of not to argue with the ignorants. Ignorants are not those who have no knowledge, but rather those who have knowledge but distorted one and insist on spreading it. We are to turn away from them, not to argue or discuss with them.



I'm guessing the ignorant are a different group of people from those who wage a war against Allah & His messenger (PBUH). Correct?


As for the other violent incidents taking place in the Muslim world,



each self bombing operation has its own given circumstances and thus religious ruling. For example what is permissible in Palestine is not Halal in Egypt and so forth.


Muslimah, please answer me this... are the violent attacks carried out by self-proclaimed Muslims in Western countries justifiable? Are Muslims living in Australia, USA, Britain, etc, subject to the Howard, Bush, Blair, etc, government, or are they free to set their own laws?


There is an Ayah in Quran that Says:



“And make ready against them all you can of power, including steeds of war (tanks, planes, missiles, artillery, etc.) to threaten the enemy of Allah and your enemy, and others besides whom, you may not know but whom Allah does know. And whatever you shall spend in the Cause of Allah shall be repaid unto you, and you shall not be treated unjustly.” (Quran 8:60)


The underlined word in this Ayah in the Arabic text is turheboun, the word turheboun is derived from erhab which is terrorism. The Ayah says prepare every possible means to instill terror in the heart of who? The enemy, the Ayah is so clear in setting the conditions of why and against whom we should prepare ourselves (as part of the comprehensive system as mentioned before and in an effort to attain state security, why are Muslims denied this right?). I cann’t for example by virtue of this Ayah ride a tank and decide to take position on the corner of your block instilling terror in your and your neighbors’ hearts just like that. The Ayah encourages Muslims not to fall short of means of self defense including to instill terror in the other side’s heart. The factor of causing disturbance and confusion in the enemy’s lines is an important military tactic as you probably know.


There seems to be a recurring theme here.


According to this Ayah, who is the enemy? Why are Muslims so paranoid? They seem to have this preconceived notion that the non-Islamic world is out to destroy them & they must be on guard constantly.


Self-defence is fine! But you don't see Buddhists in Asia, Hindus in India, Christians in Italy, Atheists in America etc, call for a universal holy war each time someone in a tiny village somewhere in Antarctica makes an unkind remark about their faith.


Do you believe Osama Bin Laden is just defending himself against America? Is it okay for his mob to kill countless innocent civilians in order to send out a message? Is he considered to be a good Muslim? I know for a fact many Sunni Muslims honoured & respected Saddam Hussein (RIP). Is it simply a matter of opinion?


“And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors * And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at the Sacred Mosque (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.* But if they cease, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.*



All of a sudden we've switched from self-defence to attack!


Here's a quote from someone I look up to with great admiration... Mahatma Gandhi (RIP)... "Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love."


And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allah (Alone). But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against the wrong-doers” (Quran 2:190-193)



Killing is better than fitnah? Don't Muslims (Sunnis) believe in double pre-destination? Why would Allah allow disbelievers in the world & then command that they cease to exist?


I don’t think I need to really repeat the contents. How can such teachings be interpreted into violence oriented?



Muslimah, you've got to be kidding me! How can they not be?


Alhamdulelah Who Guided us to this and if it was not for Allah we wouldn’t have been guided. I invoke upon Allah to Accept my humble effort strictly to Allah, Forgive my shortcomings in case I failed to properly introduce a point, and Increase my knowledge ameen.



I know you mean well, Sweetie! Your heart's in the right place.


Thanks for everything :)


May Allah bless & watch over you always.


<i>Faith Hope Charity Openness Tolerance Equality</i>