Muslims for Freedom of Speech

A DEFENSE OF FREE SPEECH BY AMERICAN AND CANADIAN MUSLIMS

We, the undersigned, unconditionally condemn any intimidation or threats of violence directed against any individual or group exercising the rights of freedom of religion and speech; even when that speech may be perceived as hurtful or reprehensible.

We are concerned and saddened by the recent wave of vitriolic anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic sentiment that is being expressed across our nation.

We are even more concerned and saddened by threats that have been made against individual writers, cartoonists, and others by a minority of Muslims. We see these as a greater offense against Islam than any cartoon, Qur’an burning, or other speech could ever be deemed.

We affirm the right of free speech for Molly Norris, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and all others including ourselves.

As Muslims, we must set an example of justice, patience, tolerance, respect, and forgiveness.

The Qur’an enjoins Muslims to:
* bear witness to Islam through our good example (2:143);
* restrain anger and pardon people (3:133-134 and 24:22);
* remain patient in adversity (3186);
* stand firmly for justice (4:135);
* not let the hatred of others swerve us from justice (5:8);
* respect the sanctity of life (5:32);
* turn away from those who mock Islam (6:68 and 28:55);
* hold to forgiveness, command what is right, and turn away from the ignorant (7:199);
* restrain ourselves from rash responses (16:125-128);
* pass by worthless talk with dignity (25:72); and
* repel evil with what is better (41:34).

Islam calls for vigorous condemnation of both hateful speech and hateful acts, but always within the boundaries of the law. It is of the utmost importance that we react, not out of reflexive emotion, but with dignity and intelligence, in accordance with both our religious precepts and the laws of our country.

We uphold the First Amendment of the US Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Both protect freedom of religion and speech, because both protections are fundamental to defending minorities from the whims of the majority.

We therefore call on all Muslims in the United States, Canada and abroad to refrain from violence. We should see the challenges we face today as an opportunity to sideline the voices of hate—not reward them with further attention—by engaging our communities in constructive dialogue about the true principles of Islam, and the true principles of democracy, both of which stress the importance of freedom of religion and tolerance.


SIGNATORIES:

Prof. Hassan Abbas, Quaid-i-Azam Chair, South Asia Institute, Columbia University
Anisa Abd el Fattah, Founder and Chairwoman, National Association of Muslim American Women (NAMAW)
Khaled M Abdel-Hamid, MD, PhD, writer
Ammar Abdulhamid, Executive Director, Tharwa Foundation
Imam Johari Abdul Malik, Director of Outreach, Dar-Al-Hijrah Islamic Center
Mehnaz M. Afridi, PhD, Adjunct Professor (Judaism, Islam & Genocide Studies) Antioch University
Asma Afsaruddin, PhD, Professor of Islamic Studies, Indiana University, Bloomington
Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad, PhD, Director, Minaret of Freedom Foundation
Ahrar Ahmad, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Black Hills State University
Prof. Akbar S. Ahmed, PhD, Ibn Khaldun Chair of Islamic Studies, American University
Osman Ahmed,PhD, President Islamic Society of Essex County, Newark, NJ
Prof. Parvez Ahmed, PhD, Fulbright Scholar & Assoc. Prof. Univ. of North Florida
Barbara Al-Bayati, Co-Founder, Orphan Whispers
Aman Ali, writer, stand-up-comedian
Javed Ali, founder and publisher, Illume magazine
Wajahat Ali, playwright, journalist, and producer of “Domestic Crusaders”
Sumbul Ali-Karamali, JD, LLM (Islamic Law), author of “The Muslim Next Door”
Shaykh al-Hajj Dawud Ahmad al-Amriki, Director, Muslim America
Salam al-Marayati, Pres., Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
Shahed Amanullah, Editor-in-Chief, Altmuslim
Patricia Anton, Board member, Muslim Peace Fellowship
M. Saud Anwar, Co-Chair, American Muslim Peace Initiative
Abdul Cader Asmal MD, PhD, Past President, Islamic Council of Mew England
Aref Assaf, PhD, President, American Arab Forum
Hussam Ayloush, Exec. Director, CAIR Greater Los Angeles Area
Hazami Barmada, Pres, American Muslim Interactive Network (AMIN)
Bahar Bastani, M.D., Professor of Medicine, S.L.U., Secy. General Shia Islamic Education Center, VP of IMANA-St. Louis
Victor Ghalib Begg, Senior Advisor, Chairman Emeritus, Council of Islamic Organizations of Michigan
Jannah bint Hannah, activist, al-Fatiha Foundation
Farah Brelvi, Board of Directors, ACLU-NC
Arsalan Bukhari, Executive Director, CAIR-WA
M. Ali Chaudry, PhD, President, Center for Understanding Islam (CUII)
Kamran Cheikh, Activist, Committee member, Muslims for Peace, Justice & Progress (MPJP), researcher for Deen Research Center (DRC)
Noor-Malika Chishti, Vice Chair, So. CA Committee for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, Representative, the Sufi Order International, Member, World Council of Muslims for Interfaith Relations
Robert D. Crane, JD, author of numerous books
Prof Golam Dastagir, PhD, Visiting Research Scholar, New College, University of Toronto, Canada
Almoonir Dewji, blogger - “That We May Know Each Other”
Mustafa Stefan Dill, blogger;/PR/social media analyst for Muslim issues; musician
Ramsey El-Moslimany, member, Board of Directors, Islamic School of Seattle
Lamia El-Sadek, political and human rights activitist
Mohamed Elsanousi, Director of Communications and Community Outreach for the Islamic Society of N America (ISNA)
Mona Eltahawy, journalist
Aziz Enhaili, Political analyst, columnist for Tolerance.ca
Yusuf Estes, Chaplain ret., author of many books, public speaker
Prof. Mohammad Fadel, PhD
Fatemeh Fakhraie, Editor-in-Chief, Muslimah Media Watch
Mike Ghouse, President, World Muslim Congress
Iftekhar Hai, President, UMA Interfaith Alliance
Rabia Terri Harris, Founder and Coordinator, Muslim Peace Fellowship
Hesham Hassaballa, M.D., author, journalist, blogger - “God, faith, and a pen”
Amir Hussain, PhD, Professor of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University
Iftekhar Hussain, Chair, Board of Directors, CAIR-PA
Arsalan Iftikhar, author, human rights lawyer, blogger - “The Muslim Guy”
Jeffrey Imm, Director, Responsible for Equality And Liberty (R.E.A.L.)
Ghazala Irshad, journalist, blogger - “The Floating Lotus”
Nakia Jackson, writer
M. Zuhdi Jasser, MD, President, American Islamic Forum for Democracy
Safi Kaskas, President & CEO Strategic Edge
Mohja Kahf, PhD, Assoc. Professor of Comparative Literature, Univ. of Arkansas, author “The Girl in the Tangerine Scarf”
Prof. Muqtedar Khan, PhD, author of several books, Blogger - “Globalog”
Farah Kinani, Journalist, blogger - “Global Voices”
Shaikh Ahmad Kutty, Resident Senior Scholar, Islamic Institute of Toronto
Faisal Kutty, Visiting Asst. Prof. of law, Valparaiso University School of Law and Adjunct Professor of Law, Osgoode Hall Law School (Toronto)
M. Junaid Levesque-Alam, writer, blogger - “Crossing the Crescent”
David Liepert, M.D., blogger and author of “Muslim, Christian AND Jew”
Radwan A. Masmoudi, PhD, President, Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID)
Melissa Matos, President, Al-Ghazali Legal Society, Saint Louis University
Shelina Merani, community activist, artist, blogger “Muslim Presence”
Yahya Merchant, Interfaith Worker, Outreach contact for Islamic Center of Conejo Valley CA
Melody Moezzi, JD, MPH, writer and attorney
Daniel Abdal-Hayy Moore, author of many books of poetry
Ebrahim Moosa, Assoc. Professor of Islamic Studies, Dept. of Religion, Duke University
Lt. Col. Abdul-Rasheed Muhammad, U.S. Army Chaplain
Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid, President Sound Vision
Arman Musaji, artist
Sheila Musaji, Editor, The American Muslim (TAM)
Muneeb Nasir, President, Olive Tree Foundation, Editor IQRA Canada
Q. Amin Nathari, National Representative, Islam in America Movement (IAM)
Ahmed Naumaan, PhD, Director, Karsaz Inc.
Imam Abdul Hai Patel, Dir. Interfaith Relations, Canadian Council of Imams, Muslim Chaplain University of Toronto & York Regional Police
Aziz H. Poonawalla, PhD, scientist and blogger - “City of Brass” on Beliefnet
M.Waheed-uz-Zaman Rana, Imam, Prof. Emeritus, Dept. of Surgery, Saint Louis University
Hasan Zillur Rahim, PhD, journalist
Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid, The Circle Group
Prof. Hussein Rashid, PhD, blogger - “Religion Dispatches”
Shafi Refai, President, United Muslims of America
Irfan Rydhan, Co-Founder of Muslim Unity Foundation
Muhamed Sacirbey, lawyer, diplomat, writer
Louay Safi, PhD, Common Word Fellow, Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Center for Christian Muslim Understanding, Georgetown University
Ghulam Abbas Sajan, Director Islamic Ahlul Bayt Assembly of Canada
Robert Salaam, blogger - “The American Muslim”
Raquel Evita Saraswati, activist, writer, blogger
Sarah Sayeed, President of One Blue
Sophia Rose Shafi, MA, MTS, doctoral candidate (Islamic Studies), writer
T.O. Shanavas. MD, Vice President, Islamic Research Foundation, author
S. Abdallah Schleifer, Distinguished Prof., Dept. of Journalism & Mass Com, American University Cairo
Ricka Shorish, M.S., R.N., volunteer/consultant, Avicenna Community Health Center
Jihad Shoshara, community organizer and activist, Chicago
Jafar Siddiqui, blogger - “Penjihad”
Prof. Laury Silvers, PhD
Gwendolyn Zoharah Simmons, PhD, Sr. Lecturer, Islamic Studies & African American Religion, University of Florida
Prof. Ibrahim B. Syed, PhD, President of Islamic Research Foundation International, Inc., author
Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed, Nat’l Director, Office for Interfaith & Community Alliances, Islamic Society of N America (ISNA)
J.Tayeb, MD, President, CAIR-MI, ISNA founders committee member, Vice chair, HUDA free Clinic, Detroit
Pamela Taylor, Co-founder Muslims for Progressive Values, Panelist for On Faith
Tayyibah Taylor, Editor, Azizah Magazine
Dr. Hashim El-Tinay, President, International Peace Quest Institute (IPQI)
Mahdi Toourage, PhD, Assistant Prof., U of Western Ontaio
Tarik Trad, writer, humorist, photographer, artist and activist
Asma T. Uddin, Attorney, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty and Editor, Altmuslimah
Wahida Valiante, President, Canadian Islamic Congress and Chair of Islamic History Month Canada
Jason van Boom, Host of “Islam and Authors”, writer
Amina Wadud, PhD, consultant on Islam and gender, visiting scholar Starr King School for the Ministry
Danya Wellmon, Co-Founder Women Transcending Boundaries interfaith group
Svend White, blogger - “Akram’s Razor”, activist, writer
G. Willow Wilson, author of “Butterfly Mosque” and “Air” graphic novel series
Ani Zonneveld, President, Muslims for Progressive Values

http://www.theamericanmuslim.org/tam.php/features/articles/a_defense_of_free_speech_by_american_and_canadian_muslims/0018241

If anyone leaves Islam, kill him (4:89)

Xavier Gomez

Coercion is a normative in Islam. though some may disagree and claim that it occours only in certain countries, the unwritten law and subliminal compulsion is fundamental. You will find Muslims quoting this verse to non-Muslims and potential converts: "there is no compulsion in Islam(Quran 2:256), but not the Meccan period verses like: "if anyone leaves Islam, kill him. (Quran 4:89)

Mike Ghouse
- Xavier, I was in your shoes, a Muslim atheist for a long time and did not want to have anything to do with Islam, then a verse changed my life - finding the truth is one's own responsiblity. A lot of mistranslations are the basis for steretyping any one including Muslims.

My integrity and intellectual honesty demands that I verify the verse and translation and sure enough the way you have been given is wrong and misleading.

Take a reading of this4:89 (Asad)

They would love to see you deny the truth even as they have denied it, so that you should be like them. Do not, therefore, take them for your allies until they forsake the domain of evil [108] for the sake of God; and if they revert to [open] enmity, seize them and slay them wherever you may find them. And do not take any of them [109] for your ally or giver of succour.

Muslims are willing to take the next step, not all, but a few, that my faith is beautiful to me as yours is to you and further, I proclaim that my faith is not superior to any. That ends the arrogance part and bring in humility and I know the trend among intellectually honest spiritualists in every religion that is seeing the path.Thanks for giving me the opportunity to check on yet another mistranslation and mis- representation.

Mike Ghouse
http://www.mikeghouse.net/

Islam is about free will.

From time to time I routinely check the quoted verses for legitimacy and most certainly add a translation or two, usually by Mohammad Asad. There have been times the quoted verse was completely off. Finding the truth is your own responsibility. Islam is about taking responsibility for one’s karma and I will repeat the most often quote – Prophet Muhammad told his own daughter that there ain’t no free pass to the paradise because she is the daughter of the prophet, he said, she has to earn it, deed by deed.

The following piece was originally compiled by Muhammad Irtaza, marked by Parenthesis at the beginning of the verses, my additions are Mohammad Asad’s translations and the comments spread over.

Irtaza: The Bangladesh court made the correct decision. The women should have freedom of choice on veil. In fact, freedom of choice is guaranteed by God Almighty for all humans as we understand from many verses of the Quran.

We need to be pro-choice, i.e., respecting the right of woman to make that choice and not impose on them or ban them for wearing. Who are we to do that? We must honor every one's freedom to wear what they want to wear, as long as it is not obstructive to some else’s' functioning- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2007/07/burqa-to-no-burqa.html

[33:72] we have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant

33:72 (Asad) Verily, We did offer the trust [of reason and volition] to the heavens, and the earth, and the mountains: [87] but they refused to bear it because they were afraid of it. Yet man took it up - [88] for, verily, he has always been prone to be most wicked, most foolish.

87- The classical commentators give all kinds of laborious explanations to the term amanah ("trust") occurring in this parable, but the most convincing of them (mentioned in Lane I, 102, with reference to the above verse) are "reason", or "intellect", and "the faculty of volition" - i.e., the ability to choose between two or more possible courses of action or modes of behavior, and thus between good and evil. (Quran Ref: 33:72)

88- Sc., "and then failed to measure up to the moral responsibility arising from the reason and the comparative free will with which he has been endowed" (Zamakhshari. This obviously applies to the human race as such and not necessarily to all of its individuals. (Quran Ref: 33:72)

[10:99] had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?

10:99 (Asad) And [thus it is:] had thy Sustainer so willed, all those who live on earth would surely have attained to faith, all of them: [122] dost thou, then, think that thou couldst compel people to believe, 122 - The Qur'an stresses repeatedly the fact that, "had He so willed, He would have guided you all aright" (6:149) - the obvious implication being that He has willed it otherwise: namely, that He has given man the freedom to choose between right and wrong, thus raising him to the status of a moral being (in distinction from other animals, which can only follow their instincts). See, in this context, surah 6, note 143, as well as - in connection with the allegory of the Fall - surah 7, note 16.(Quran Ref: 10:99 )

[2:148] Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, GOD will summon you all. GOD is Omnipotent.

2:148 (Asad) for, every community faces a direction of its own, of which He is the focal point. [123] Vie, therefore, with one another in doing good works. Wherever you may be, God will gather you all unto Himself: for, verily, God has the power to will anything.

Lit., "everyone has a direction. . .” etc. Almost all of the classical commentators, from the Companions of the Prophet downwards, interpret this as a reference to the various religious communities and their different modes of "turning towards God" in worship. Ibn Kathir, in his commentary on this verse, stresses its inner resemblance to the phrase occurring in 5:48: "unto every one of you have we appointed a [different] law and way of life".

The statement that "every community faces a direction of its own" in its Endeavour to express its submission to God implies, firstly, that at various times and in various circumstances man's desire to approach God in prayer has taken different forms (e.g., Abraham's choice of the Ka'bah as his qiblah. the Jewish concentration on Jerusalem, the eastward orientation of the early Christian churches, and the Qur'anic commandment relating to the Ka`bah); and, secondly, that the direction of prayer however important its symbolic significance may be-does not represent the essence of faith as such: for, as the Qur'an says, "true piety does not consist in turning your faces towards the east or the west" (2:177), and, "God's is the east and the west" (2:115 and 142).

Consequently, the revelation which established the Ka`bah as the qiblah of the Muslims should not be a matter of contention for people of other faiths, nor a cause of their disbelief in the truth of the Qur'anic revelation as such (Manar 11, 21 f.).(Quran Ref: 2:148)

[73:19] this is a reminder; whoever wills, let him choose the path to his Lord.

73:19 (Asad) this, verily, is a reminder: let him who wills, then set out on a way to his Sustainer!
Irtaza: According to the Quran, it is your right to be a believer or a disbeliever, to be a Shia or a Sunni, to be a Hindu or a Christian, to be an atheist or a Muslim. According to the Quran, no one has the right to force one's faith system onto another person.

Mike Ghouse: Irtaza has attempted to given meaning to the phrase Rabbul Aalameen (Lord of the Universe) in his comment above. Even though historically Islam as an identifiable religion distinct from, Christianity and Judaism came into being in 611, many a Muslims claim that Adam, Moses and Jesus also followed Islam, in essence they are right as Islam means following God’s will in creating a kingdom of heaven, but that is their extent and they are yet to grasp the idea of the otherness of other which the Prophet not only said, but practiced it. (http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html )

Unrelated story:

Date:10/04/2010 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2010/04/10/stories/2010041069512300.htm

Veils a personal choice: Bangladesh court
Haroon Habib

DHAKA: The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that no woman should be forced to wear a veil at educational institutions.

It was women's personal choice whether they wore scarves or covered their heads, said the court.

The court directed the Education Ministry to ensure the implementation of its order.
The verdict is on a writ petition filed following a report that an education officer in Kurigram insulted a woman teacher last year by making a disgraceful remark.

“It is the personal choice of a women to wear a veil, if any person tries to compel a woman to wear a veil against her consent or will that amounts to a violation of her fundamental right as enshrined in the Constitution,‚¬ observed the court.

© Copyright 2000 - 2009 The Hindu

Quraan on Terrorism

In the name of GOD, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The following was compiled by Henry Najaf Pir, right after 9/11 - and since it quotes verses from Quraan extensively, it is placed on this Blog.

Terrorism cannot be justified

Like all the other religions of God, Islam, Submission in English, promotes peace, love and harmony among the people. In fact the word “Islam” in addition to meaning Submission to God alone, is also derived from the Arabic word, Salaam, peace.

Submitters or Muslims in the Arab language, greet each other by saying “Salaam Alaikum”, Peace be upon you. This is similar to Shalom in Hebrew.

The laws of the scriptures that apply to the Christians and the Jews are repeated and emphasized for the Muslims in the Quran. Muslims are commanded to follow such laws as:

[Quran Chp 5 vs. 32] “...we decreed for the Children of Israel that anyone who murders any person who had not committed murder or horrendous crimes, it shall be as if he murdered all the people. And anyone who spares a life, it shall be as if he spared the lives of all the people. ...”

The true religion of Islam forbids the killing of innocent people, irrespective of the cause, whether religious, political or social beliefs.

[Quran Chp 6 vs. 151] “...You shall not kill-- GOD has made life sacred except in the course of justice. These are His commandments to you, that you may understand.”

[Quran Chp 7 vs. 28] “They commit a gross sin, then say, “We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it.” Say, “GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?”

From the following verses, the religion of Submission, which is Islam in the Arabic language, it advocates freedom, peace, trust, mutual respect and condemns aggression.

[Quran Chp 5 vs. 87] “...and do not aggress; GOD dislikes the aggressors.”
[Quran Chp 7 vs. 199] “...You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant. “

The theme in the Quran is peace, unless there is oppression or injustice that cannot be resolved by all the peaceful means available.

It is true and clear from the Holy Quran that the believers must be strong and defends themselves but never aggress.

However, this call is to use the strength to secure peace, provide freedom for the society and the country but never to aggress unless aggressed upon.

Freedom of Religion

The religion of Islam condemns the killing or even the persecution of people merely because they embrace a different religion.

The Quran mandates the absolute freedom of religion in a society.
It does not allow Muslims to fight, except for self-defense and to enforce peace.
It does not allow restrictions on those who disagree on religious matters.
It urges the Muslims to treat such people kindly and equitably:

[Quran Chp 2 vs. 256] “There shall be no compulsion in religion...”
[Quran Chp 60 vs. 8] “GOD does not enjoin you from befriending those who do not fight you because of religion, and do not evict you from your homes. You may befriend them and be equitable towards them. GOD loves the equitable.”
[Quran Chp 4 vs. 90] “...Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them.”

Regrettably, many terrorists groups have used the name Islam to promote their causes, and this gave many non-Muslims an opportunity to attack Islam vigorously and label the Muslims as terrorists. Deliberately, ignored on the other hand, are terrorists who profess to belong to other religions, or non-religious groups.

With all the great laws established on earth by God, the evil among the human beings find a way to abuse, distort or misinterpret them.

This does not make God’s laws evil, but rather proves the evil nature of these criminals.
Terrorism does not recognize any boundaries, such as we encountered with the:

- CEO’s of the Enron Corporation, who stole the retirement funds of their trusting employees and subsequently, they sent a wave of terror in the hearts of millions of employees in our nation, or,

- Timothy McVey, who was brought up in a Christian environment and who carried out a Bombing attack on the Federal Building in Oklahoma, killing men, women and even the children of these employees, or,

- David Koresh and his Christian followers who caused Federal Task Forces to
massacre them in Waco Texas, or,

- The Japan subway nerve gas attack by Aum guru, Shoko Asahara in 1995, or,
- The ministry of reverend Jim Jones who called himself the re-incarnation of Father divine in the west coast, and subsequent mass killing of more than 900 of his followers in 1978, or,
- The genocide and mass graves of thousands of Muslims by so called Christians in Bosnia, or,
- How about Jewish or Palestinian who have being living under fear of terrorist attacks for the last 60 years and using their religious beliefs to claim legitimacy for the violence and terrorism they commit.
- And the other terrorist groups in England, Ireland, Germany, Spain… and
on and on.
Thousands of men, women, children, young and old have been terrorized or killed in attempts to achieve or hold on to special interests whether political, financial, social or religious.
None of these terrorists represent the true teaching of Jesus son of Marry or the true laws of the Torah, any more than Islamic extremist represent the holy Quran.

Those who do not comprehend the True Islam, and those who have an interest in distorting the truth, about the religion of Islam, have been trying to make the words terrorists and terrorism synonymous with the religion.
Unfortunately, this is a common mistake portrayed frequently by our news media.

Attacks on the civilians and the innocent people around the world by these groups is something that cannot be justified by any religion or under any cause, and is strongly condemned in all religions, including Islam as clarified by the Quran, the Final Testament.

The blame lies with the terrorists and not the religion they claim to adhere to.
Not everyone who calls himself a Muslim is a follower of the Quran, just as not every one who thinks of himself as a Jew or a Christian is a follower of the true scriptures.
They actually are terrorists, by the definition of the Torah (the Old Testament), the Gospel (the New Testament) and the Quran (the final Testament).
The religion of God should not be confused with what these so-called “Muslims”, “Christians”, or “Jews” have done.
The God of the Muslims is the same God of the Jews, and the Christians and all the other divine religions. Our Creator is one and the same.

GOD, the ONE who does not permit killing of innocent people, commands: “Thou shall not kill”. We all have suffered and continue to suffer the consequences of not following God’s Laws.

As we stand united against all kinds of terrorism, only through unity we will be able to eradicate them.

We should not let our emotions overcome our logic and understanding.

Let the true message of Submission, be spread; which are Peace, Freedom and Justice for all, under God.

I would like to recite our prayer:

- In the name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
- Praise be to God, Lord of the universe.
- The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
- Master of the Day of Judgement.
- You alone we worship, You alone we ask for help.
- Guide us in the right path;
- The path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.

Henry
~~~~

Quraan : Freedom of Speech

Freedom should be valued and guarded.
Truth and goodness triumphs.

A majority of Muslims see the value of freedom, and we hope, we can get the 1/10th of 1% of Muslims to see this as well. If those boys can follow the examples of prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and not react to teasing, like the cartoons and other non-sense, then there is no excitement for the teasors to tease anymore.

During the cartoon controversy I had advocated that Muslims should say a prayer for the well being of those who intentionally offend that 1/10th of 1% of Muslims, and many a Imam have done that.

In the long haul one has to stand up for freedom of speech, efforts by the Organization of Islamic Countries to bar the defamation of religions, must be appreciated, but we have to look at the long term effects of restricting the speech; the knowledge does not exapand.

Caution: Please note that the word Hell is a metaphor to denote pain, anguish, guilt, anxiety, pangs of conscience or whatever form of punishment you can relate with. The verses were pulled together by my friend Mohammad Irtaza, to which I have added my notes, and have made a point to state it as my notes, it is important to preserve the text as is, and let it be known that it is my understanding, to differentiate that some one may have a different understanding, that is the freedom we have to cherish and not to perpetuate that my version is the right one or the truthful one.

The religion of Islam goes by free will, not by compulsion.

[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient. (devil broadly means evilness, God broadly means Goodness, balance and Harmony)

[18:29] Proclaim: "This is the truth from your Lord," then whoever wills let him believe, and whoever wills let him disbelieve.. (its about choices)

[6:104] Enlightenments have come to you from your Lord. As for those who can see, they do so for their own good, and those who turn blind, do so to their own detriment. I am not your guardian. (emphasis on taking responsbility for one's own happiness or state of freedom from guilt or anxiety)

[10:108] Proclaim: "O people, the truth has come to you herein from your Lord. Whoever is guided is guided for his own good. And whoever goes astray, goes astray to his own detriment. I am not a guardian over you." (Responsibility again)

[2:148] Each of you chooses the direction to follow; you shall race towards righteousness. Wherever you may be, GOD will summon you all. GOD is Omnipotent.

[10:99] Had your Lord willed, all the people on earth would have believed. Do you want to force the people to become believers?

No one has the right to take away ones God gifted freedom of choice!

[33:72] We have offered the responsibility (freedom of choice) to the heavens and the earth, and the mountains, but they refused to bear it, and were afraid of it. But the human being accepted it; he was transgressing, ignorant

We need to understand very clearly that God Almighty never even gave any guardianship power to the Prophet over religious issue. It is a powerful statment to reflect that you are responsbile for your own deeds, your own karma and you reap what you sow.

[33:40] Muhammad was not the father of any man among you. He was a messenger of GOD and the final prophet. GOD is fully aware of all things.

[4:80] Whoever obeys the messenger is obeying GOD. As for those who turn away, we did not send you as their guardian.

[6:66] Your people have rejected this, even though it is the truth. Say, "I am not a guardian over you."

[6:104] Enlightenments have come to you from your Lord. As for those who can see, they do so for their own good, and those who turn blind, do so to their own detriment. I am not your guardian.

[6:107] Had GOD willed, they would not have worshiped idols. We did not appoint you as their guardian, nor are you their advocate.

[10:108] Proclaim: "O people, the truth has come to you herein from your Lord. Whoever is guided is guided for his own good. And whoever goes astray, goes astray to his own detriment. I am not a guardian over you."

[11:86] "Whatever GOD provides for you, no matter how small, is far better for you, if you are really believers. I am not a guardian over you."

[42:48] If they turn away, we did not send you as their guardian. Your sole mission is delivering the message. When we shower the human beings with mercy, they become proud, and when adversity afflicts them, as a consequence of their own deeds, the human beings turn into disbelievers

[7:3] You shall all follow what is revealed to you from your Lord; do not follow any idols besides Him. Rarely do you take heed. (My notes: Idols are broadly meant to be your own personal God or your altar ego that gives the idea of my God versus your God, that conflicts with others versus an abstract creator sans-ego that takes away that conflict and paves the way to harmony, peace and good living)

Quraan has innumerable verses that support freedom:

These are the guidelines from Quraan to deal with some one whol ridicules one's faith, any faith;

[4:140] He has instructed you in the scripture that: if you hear GOD's revelations being mocked and ridiculed, you shall not sit with them, unless they delve into another subject. Otherwise, you will be as guilty as they are. GOD will gather the hypocrites and the disbelievers together in Hell.(The idea is to avoid get into a ridiculing match - it's an unproductive dialogue, save your time)

[5:57] O you who believe, do not befriend those among the recipients of previous scripture who mock and ridicule your religion, nor shall you befriend the disbelievers. You shall reverence GOD, if you are really believers.

[6:68] If you see those who mock our revelations, you shall avoid them until they delve into another subject. If the devil causes you to forget, then, as soon as you remember, do not sit with such evil people. (The role of a Muslim is to mitigate conflicts and not aggravate)

[18:106] Their just requital is Hell, in return for their disbelief, and for mocking My revelations and My messengers. ( if some one is ridiculing you, your reaction to them will conflate the ridiculing, avoidance of unwanted ridiculing on your part, may possibly make the ridiculer to regret or get frustrated - that is another version of Hell)

[39:48] The sinful works they had earned will be shown to them, and the very things they used to mock will come back to haunt them.

[45:33] The evils of their works will become evident to them, and the very things they mocked will come back and haunt them.

To all the Neocons, please read the caution again before your become judgmental.
NEOCONS defined: http://hatesermons.blogspot.com/2008/03/neocons.html
# #

Quraan and Pluralism

Quraan and Pluralism

Prophet Muhammad was a Pluralist, as were Moses, Jesus and other prophets in every religious or non-religious* tradition. As a head of the state, when Prophet initiated the Madinah pact, a document of co-existence in governance, the Jews, Christians and others objected to his signature, which affixed Muhammad as the prophet of God, he listened to them and understood their point of view, in essence he respected the otherness of others and honoring their request, he removed the phrase and signed the document along with them.

There is a whole story here that the world has missed hitherto. First, the Government in Madinah was not an Islamic government, and most importantly, he respected the otherness of other and acknowledged that the others did not believe him to be the prophet. Such was the humility of the man!

Apply the litmus test when you read Qur'aan or any holy book: Does the translation build hatred and ill-will in you, then it is the wrong translation or you did not get it right. To put in Karen Armstrong's words, even if you see them with ill-will take a challenge to see the light, because God is about goodness and inclusiveness. On the other hand if it causes you to think in terms of harmony and co-existence, you got the right one. To illustrate the point, look at the Nuclear power it produces electricity for peaceful purposes, in the wrong hands, it is savagely destructive. The problem is not the nuclear power, it is the user, rather the abuser.

The following verses are compiled by my friend Mohammad Irtaza;

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.

According to the Quran, all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights:

[17:70] We have honored the children of Adam, and provided them with rides on land and in the sea. We provided for them good provisions, and we gave them greater advantages than many of our creatures.

The Quran gives everyone the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion:

[2:256] There shall be no compulsion in religion: the right way is now distinct from the wrong way. Anyone who denounces the devil and believes in GOD has grasped the strongest bond; one that never breaks. GOD is Hearer, Omniscient.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person:

[2:178] O you who believe, equivalence is the law decreed for you when dealing with murder - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the female for the female. If one is pardoned by the victim's kin, an appreciative response is in order, and an equitable compensation shall be paid. This is an alleviation from your Lord and mercy. Anyone who transgresses beyond this incurs a painful retribution.

[2:191] You may kill those who wage war against you, and you may evict them whence they evicted you. Oppression is worse than murder. ...

[16:126] And if you punish, you shall inflict an equivalent punishment. But if you resort to patience (instead of revenge), it would be better for the patient ones.

[17:33] You shall not kill any person - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder, he will be helped.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms without distinction of any kind:

[2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing:

[2:143] We thus made you an impartial community, that you may serve as witnesses among the people, and the messenger serves as a witness among you. ....

The Quran gives everyone the right to own property alone as well as in association with others:

[2:05] As soon as he leaves, he roams the earth corruptingly, destroying properties and lives. GOD does not love corruption.

[4:29] O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly - only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you.

[59:8] (You shall give) to the needy who immigrated. They were evicted from their homes and deprived of their properties, because they sought GOD's grace and pleasure, and because they supported GOD and His messenger. They are the truthful.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks:

[33:53] O you who believe, do not enter the prophet's homes unless you are given permission to eat, nor shall you force such an invitation in any manner. If you are invited, you may enter. When you finish eating, you shall leave; do not engage him in lengthy conversations. This used to hurt the prophet, and he was too shy to tell you. But GOD does not shy away from the truth. If you have to ask his wives for something, ask them from behind a barrier. This is purer for your hearts and their hearts. You are not to hurt the messenger of GOD. You shall not marry his wives after him, for this would be a gross offense in the sight of GOD.

[24:58] O you who believe, permission must be requested by your servants and the children who have not attained puberty (before entering your rooms). This is to be done in three instances - before the Dawn Prayer, at noon when you change your clothes to rest, and after the Night Prayer. These are three private times for you. At other times, it is not wrong for you or them to mingle with one another. GOD thus clarifies the revelations for you. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise.

The Quran teaches us not to distinct among any of God's messengers.

2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

[2:285] The messenger has believed in what was sent down to him from his Lord, and so did the believers. They believe in GOD, His angels, His scripture, and His messengers: "We make no distinction among any of His messengers." They say, "We hear, and we obey.* Forgive us, our Lord. To You is the ultimate destiny."

[3:84] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs, and in what was given to Moses, Jesus, and the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

[4:150] Those who disbelieve in GOD and His messengers, and seek to make distinction among GOD and His messengers, and say, "We believe in some and reject some," and wish to follow a path in between;

[4:152] As for those who believe in GOD and His messengers, and make no distinction among them, He will grant them their recompense. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

The Quran teaches us not to distinct among believers.

[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[5:69] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, and the Christians; any of them who (1) believe in GOD and (2) believe in the Last Day, and (3) lead a righteous life, have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

[22:17] Those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, and the idol worshipers, GOD is the One who will judge among them on the Day of Resurrection. GOD witnesses all things.

[22:40] They were evicted from their homes unjustly, for no reason other than saying, "Our Lord is GOD." If it were not for GOD's supporting of some people against others, monasteries, churches, synagogues, and masjids - where the name of GOD is commemorated frequently - would have been destroyed. Absolutely, GOD supports those who support Him. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.

The Quran teaches us not to divide the religion into sects.

[6:159] Those who divide themselves into sects do not belong with you. Their judgment rests with GOD, then He will inform them of everything they had done.

[30:32] (Do not fall in idol worship,) like those who divide their religion into sects; each party rejoicing with what they have.

[42:14] Ironically, they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves. If it were not for a predetermined decision from your Lord to respite them for a definite interim, they would have been judged immediately. Indeed, the later generations who inherited the scripture are full of doubts.

May God guides to respect and honor every one of his creation.
~~~~

Muslim Response to Lies about Qur'aan

Muslim response to Dutch Legislator's lies about Qur'aan

The link following this note is a Muslim response to Geert Wilders documentary called "Fitna", presenting Islam as a dangerous to his society. The article is authored by Mike Ghouse* and Imam Zia Shaikh, Imam of the largest Mosque in Texas.

Mr. Wilders, a Dutch parliamentarian is in Washington DC to dupe a few of our congressmen and Senators. I do hope they will have their staff verify the statements he has quoted in the documentary (the link is provided below) and then check it in the Qur'aan and tell the man to come up with truths.

Evil persists because, we the good people do not stop the hate mongering and some of us even fund such documentaries. I have seen a series of such documentaries this year where a group is deliberately misrepresented with the sole purpose of frightening the insecure and cashing it in. It is all about money, they are fooling you and several of us. There was the “obsession documentary” fraught with misquotes and lies, some 2 million copies were shipped to frighten the Americans to vote the other way prior to November 4th elections. There are a few more documentaries that were shown with blatant lies, one of them was downright stupid but to the producer it had its effect, drill fear and gain favors, in that, a Non-Muslim French Professor on Islam was saying the dumbest thing I have ever heard. I challenged the producer to pick up the phone and call any Muslim any where in the world to find it if Muslim don’t believe in the coming of Messiah.

We have a choice to know the truth, and I urge those who truly want peace and co-existence to invite a few members of the community or set up a panel of liberals, conservative and a whole bunch of moderates to answer the audience. Private showings to exclusive groups has an intent of evilness, if it is the truth, let it be in the open, let it be subject to questions and another point of view.

Ultimately it is not the Imam, Rabbi, Pastor, Pundit, politician, savior, policy maker or the clergy who is responsible for our pain, pangs of conscience, our actions and bad intent; it is us who have to deal with in our lonely moments. We need to have true freedom to find the truth on our own.

Should we fund fear mongering or peace making? The choice is ours. I hope to wake you up and have you fund those who are working on mitigating conflicts and nurturing goodwill.

Mr. Wilders has read my piece linked below and is un-willing to retract the false statements he has made; he quoted them as if they are in Qur'aan, and they are not. His intent is not education but chaos. Wikipedia has made similar mistakes and even the prestigious University of Southern California's website has a quote ascribed to Qur'aan, even with a verse number to give the idea that it is legitimate, but that verse is not in Qur'aan either. Of course, only 1/10th of 1% of the extremists blindly believes in such statements without verifying.

Full article at: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/03/wilders-fitna-and-muslims_30.html

Mike Ghouse is a Dallas based writer, blogger, speaker and a thinker. A frequent guest on talk radio and local television networks offering pluralistic perspectives on issues of the day. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website http://www.mikeghouse.net/