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Posted by Brave_Heart in Global Islam, Hypocrites in Islam, Islam: The Universal Message of Peace on June 18th, 2013
Islam orders the Muslim to be honest to himself and others. This order repeatedly comes in the Noble Qur’an and the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). Islam orders the Muslim to tell the truth even if it is against the teller’s interest. Orders him not to cheat or deceive other people. A Muslim is ordered by Allah to be honest in his words and deeds, privately and publicly alike.
Implication of Honesty
Honesty in words implies telling the truth in all cases and under all conditions. Honesty also implies fulfilling the promise, whether written or given orally, in text and spirit. Honesty also implies giving the right advice to the one who asks for it.
Honesty also implies doing one’s work as sincerely and as perfectly as possible. Honesty also implies carrying out duties as fully as possible whether the person is supervised or not. Honesty means giving every person his due rights without his asking for these rights.
Honesty means doing the right thing in the right way at the right time. Honesty means objectivity in judgment, objectivity in evaluation, and objectivity in decisions of all types. Honesty implies the right selection of personnel and the right promotion of personnel, i.e., selection by merit and promotion by merit, not by temper or favouritism or personal relations.
Honesty is a blanket term that covers a wide range of traits. It covers telling the truth, sincerity in work, carrying out duties, fulfilling one’s word, objective judgments, and objective decisions. Honesty is the opposite of lying, the opposite of bluffing, the opposite of hypocrisy, the opposite of favouritism, and the opposite of deceit.
External and Internal Honesty
By external honesty, I mean honesty, which is judged by other people. By internal honesty, I mean honesty which is judged by the person himself alone.
The reward of external honesty comes from Allah, from people, and from the psychological satisfaction the honest person feels. When you are honest, you are liked by God and people whom you deal with. Your honesty gives you the social approval you need and here comes the social value of honesty.
Further, when everybody is honest, a great deal of human problems disappear including lying, cheating, bluffing, stealing, forgery, and many other social diseases. In other words, honesty is something you give and something you take: others enjoy your honesty and you enjoy their honesty.
In the absence of honesty, many social diseases appear. If a person is dishonest, he is ready to tell lies, to bribe, to be bribed, to distort the truth, to cheat, to forge, to deceive others, and to break his promises. A dishonest person is a totality of diseases. He is ready to misbehave at any time. Each time he misbehaves, he causes a great disturbance or harm to one person or to a group of persons or to the whole nation, in some cases.
Internal Honesty: Thus honesty is a factor in the psychological health of the honest person himself and the health of other persons whom he deals with. However, Islam emphasises internal honesty, i.e., honesty which is judged by the person himself and cannot be seen by other people.
It often happens that a person acts privately. Sometimes we act with nobody seeing us. A believer in Allah feels that although no person is watching him, Allah is watching. This continuous watch of Allah develops the concept of internal honesty or conscience in the believer. This means that internal honesty becomes an overall strategy of the believer.
The Muslim is to be honest, internally and externally, privately and publicly, whether observed by other people or not, whether he acts or speaks. This overall honesty makes the Muslim confident of himself, of his behaviour, and of his words and deeds. Honesty makes the person feel that he trusts others and is trusted by others.
This mutual confidence makes the believer feel self-satisfied and socially secure.
Honesty implies unity of behaviour, unity of standards, and integrity of personality. Honesty implies being away from internal conflicts, social conflicts and self-contradiction.
Building Honesty
The important question, however, is this: how does Islam build honesty in the Muslim? Islam builds ethical qualities in general and honesty in particular in several ways:
1. Instructions. Allah orders the Muslim to be honest in all cases, in all deeds and words, to himself and others.
2. Reason. Allah shows the Muslim rationally that honesty is the best policy, even on utilitarian bases.
3. Reward. Allah promises the honest person generous rewards in the first life and in the second life.
4. Punishment. Allah threatens the dishonest person with severe punishment for his dishonest behaviour.
5. Practice. Allah develops the habit of honesty in the Muslim through actual practice, i.e., through fasting and prayer.
Thus Islam builds the habit of honesty in the Muslim through direct instructions, through rational arguments, through the reward and punishment principles, and through practice.
The Practice of Honesty
Taking fasting as an example, when a Muslim fasts, he should abstain from any kind of food or drink from dawn until sunset. This means that a fasting Muslim should not eat or drink for several continuous hours, including not engaging in sexual intercourse with his wife or her husband.
The important thing here is that a fasting Muslim does not allow a drop of water to go into his mouth from dawn until sunset in spite of his thirst, because he has learned to be honest, i.e., internally honest. The only observer of a fasting person is Allah and the person himself. Here is an actual and real practice of honesty exercised during the whole month of Ramadan.
Of course, one of the components of honesty is refusing to submit to temptations and impulses. In Ramadan, the Muslim is thirsty, but he does not drink; he is hungry, but he does not eat. In Ramadan, water is spatially near but psychologically far from the Muslim; water is near to the Muslim but far from his desire. This is a practical exercise of self-control and internal honesty.
So, Islam instructs the Muslim to be honest and trains him to be so. The outcome is a healthy self and a healthy social atmosphere that leads to the happiness of both the individual and the group.
Honesty in Monetary Dealings
Uprightness and honesty in monetary dealings forms a vital part of the fundamental teachings of Islam, says Moulana Manzoor Naomani.
The Qur’an as well as the Traditions of the Prophet are emphatic that a true Muslim is he who is honest and upright in his business and monetary transactions, keeps his word and fulfil his promises, shuns fraud and avoids deceit and perfidy, encroaches not upon the rights of others, nor takes part in wrongful litigation, does not give false evidence, and abstains from making dishonest money as from usury and graft. Whoever is not free from these vices is, according to the Qur’an and the Traditions, not a true believer but a renegade and a worthless transgressor.
We now proceed to examine some of the relevant Quranic verses and traditions. A short verse of the Quran says:
“Oh ye who believe! Eat not up each other’s property by unfair and dishonest means.” (4:29)
The verse forbids Muslims against all unclean and corrupt means of making money, such as, dishonest trading, embezzlement, gambling, speculation and bribery. Then there are verses in which these hateful practices are dealt with one by one. For instance, a severe warning is given in the following verse to traders who cheat in weighing:
“Woe to those that deal in fraud, – those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account- on a Mighty Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds.” (133: 1-6)
In the same way, the under mentioned verse exhorts Muslims to be very particular about their trusts and about other people’s rights.
“Allah doth command you to render back your trust, to those to whom they are due.”(4:58)
At two places in the Quran a chief distinguishing feature of Muslims is said to be that they are:
“Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants.”(24:8)
The Prophet often used to say in his sermons:
“Remember, there is no faith in him who is not trustworthy; there is no place for him in religion who cares not for his pledged word or promise.”
Another tradition says:” The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he is false, when he promises, he fails; and when he is trusted, he plays false.”
Condemning those who cheat in business the sacred Prophet has said:
“He who cheats is not of us. Deceitfulness and fraud are things that lead one to Hell.”
The Prophet of Allah once came upon a heap of corn in the market of Medina and thrust his hand onto it. His fingers felt damp. On being asked, the trader replied that rain had fallen upon it. The Prophet observed,
“Why did you not then keep (the wet portion of) it above the dry corn, so that men may see it? He who deceives, is not one of us.”
Thus traders who deceive by showing to customers a false sample or by concealing from them the defects of the article they offer for sale are not true Muslims in the judgment of the Holy Prophet and, God-forbidding, they are going to end up in hell. Another tradition says:
“The seller must explain to the buyer the defects, if any, in the quality of the article offered for sale. Should this not be done, the seller will permanently be caught in the Wrath of Allah (according to another narrator the exact words, ‘he will always be cursed by the angels’).”
In short, all manner of deceit and dishonesty in business is prohibited in Islam. It has been proclaimed to be an act worthy of unqualified condemnation. The Holy Prophet has expressed his strong dislike for those who do so. He has said he will have nothing to do with them; they do not belong to him.
Likewise, bribery and usury, although might be practiced by mutual consent and agreement, are totally disallowed to Muslims and those who are guilty of them have been condemned squarely in the traditions. A well-known tradition on usury reads:
“The curse of Allah rests on him who offers loan on usurious terms, and on him who receives, and on those who are witnesses to the transaction, and on the writer who writes the deed thereof.”
As for bribery, the Prophet ) according to a tradition, “condemned alike the giver of bribes, and the taker of bribes in deciding cases.”
A tradition goes even to the extent of saying that,
“If a person made a recommendation for anyone in a just manner and gratified party gave him something as a gift (in return for it) and he accepted it, then he committed a grave error (meaning that it, too, is a form of bribery).”
Worse still is the usurpation of another’s property by force or fraud or dishonest litigation. We have it on the authority of the Prophet that:
“Whoever occupies land belonging to another unjustly will be sunk into the ground along with the plot of land on the Doomsday till he reaches the lowest layer of the earth.”
“He who acquires the property of a Muslim unjustly by taking a false oath (before an Officer) is debarred by Allah from entering Paradise and the Fire of Hell is made inevitable for him.” On hearing it a Companion is reported to have replied, “Yes, even if it be a twig of Pilo (a plant which grows wild. Its twigs are used for cleaning the teeth).
The Prophet again, is reported to have warned a person who was very fond of entering into litigation with others in these strong words, “Remember, he who will obtain the property of another by swearing a false oath will appear as a leper before Allah (on the Day of Judgement).
And, again:
“Whoever laid a claim on a thing that was not his is not of us. He will do well to reserve a place for himself in the Hell.”
It is narrated that one day, after the morning prayers the Holy Prophet stood up and said thrice with great feeling that, “Perjury has been made the equivalent of Polytheism.”
Honesty in financial dealings
Islam has stressed and asserted the importance of honesty in monetary dealings and highlighted its vital role in social stability and peacefulness.
The Holy Qur’an and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) have made it clear to us that the true Muslim is he who is honest and upright in his business and monetary dealing with others, even if they weren’t Muslims. Also the true Muslim should keep his word and fulfil his promises, shun fraud and avoid deceit and perfidy, encroach not upon the rights of others, nor take part in wrongful litigation. Also a good Muslim does not give false testimony, and abstains from making unlawful money as from usury and graft. According to Islam whoever is not free from these vices are not a true believer but a renegade and a worthless transgressor.
And the Qur’an is rich with verses that confirm all this. Allah says in the Qur’an:
“Oh ye who believe! Eat not up each other’s property by unfair and dishonest means.” Qur’an (4:29)
Allah forbids all unclean and corrupt means of making money, such as, dishonest trading, gambling, and bribery. And the Holy Qur’an has explained and described such practices in many of its verses. In this verse, for instance, Allah warns those traders who cheat in weighing, he says:
“Woe to those that deal in fraud, – those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account- on a Mighty Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds.” Qur’an (133: 1-6)
Another example is given in the coming verse, where Allah urges Muslims to be very particular about their trusts and about other people’s rights.
“Allah does command you to render back your trust, to those to whom they are due.” Qur’an(4:58)
At two places in the Qur’an a chief distinguishing feature of Muslims is said to be that they are:
“Those who faithfully observe their trusts and their covenants.” Qur’an (24:8)
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has stressed the importance of honesty in most of his sermons, saying:
“Remember, there is no faith in him who is not trustworthy; there is no place for him in religion who cares not for his pledged word or promise.”
He (PBUH) also said:
“The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks, he is false, when he promises, he fails; and when he is trusted, he plays false.”
Condemning those who cheat in business Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) has said:
“He who cheats is not of us. Deceitfulness and fraud are things that lead one to Hell.”
Once Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) came upon a heap of corn in the market of Madinah and thrust his hand onto it. His fingers felt damp. On being asked, the trader replied that rain had fallen upon it. The Prophet (PBUH) observed,
“Why did you not then keep (the wet portion of) it above the dry corn, so that men may see it? He who deceives, is not one of us.”
Thus traders who deceive by showing to customers a false sample or by concealing from them the defects of the product they’re selling are not true Muslims in the judgment of Allah Prophet (PBUH) and, they are going to end up in hell.
Another example: Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
“The seller must explain to the buyer the defects, if any, in the quality of the article offered for sale. Should this not be done, the seller will permanently be caught in the Wrath of Allah (according to another narrator the exact words, ‘he will always be cursed by the angels’).”
In short, all manner of deceit and dishonesty in business is prohibited in Islam. It has been proclaimed to be an act worthy of unqualified condemnation. The Holy Prophet has expressed his strong dislike for those who do so. He has said he will have nothing to do with them; they do not belong to him.
Likewise, bribery and usury, although might be practiced by mutual consent and agreement, are totally prohibited and forbidden and those who are guilty of them have been condemned by Allah and His Prophet (PBUH). Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
“The curse of Allah rests on him who offers loan on usurious terms, and on him who receives, and on those who are witnesses to the transaction, and on the writer who writes the deed thereof.”
As for bribery, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) according has “condemned alike the giver of bribes, and the taker of bribes in deciding cases.”
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said:
“If a person made a recommendation for anyone in a just manner and gratified party gave him something as a gift (in return for it) and he accepted it, then he committed a grave error (meaning that it, too, is a form of bribery).”
Usurpation of another’s property by force or fraud or dishonest litigation is even worse. Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) made this clear, as he says:
“Whoever occupies land belonging to another unjustly will be sunk into the ground along with the plot of land on the Doomsday till he reaches the lowest layer of the earth.”
“He who acquires the property of a Muslim unjustly by taking a false oath (before an Officer) is debarred by Allah from entering Paradise and the Fire of Hell is made inevitable for him.”
Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) again, is reported to have warned a person who was very fond of entering into litigation with others in these strong words:
“Remember, he who will obtain the property of another by swearing a false oath will appear as a leper before Allah (on the Day of Judgement).”
And, again he (PBUH) said:
“Whoever laid a claim on a thing that was not his is not of us.”
Adab of Islam
(13) The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “When two vituperate each other, [the sin of] what they say is borne by the one who first began, as long as the one wronged does not transgress [the bounds of merely defending himself, by answering back with worse]” (Muslim, 4.2000: 2587. S). And when a group of Jews covertly cursed the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) by using a play on the words “as-Salamu ‘alaykum,” ‘A’isha noticed it and gave them a rounding, and he said, “Enough, ‘A’isha; for Allah does not like vulgarity or making a display of it” (ibid., 1707: 2165(4). S). And in another version, “O ‘A’isha, always have gentleness, and always shun harsh words and vulgarity” (Bukhari, 8.15: 6030. S). This is the adab of Islam with hardened enemies, so how should it not apply to our fellow Muslims, let alone family and loved ones?
(14) It is of the adab of the high path of Islam to be honest when one speaks. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Honesty certainly leads to goodness, and goodness leads to paradise. Truly, a man keeps speaking the truth until he is inscribed as being true through and through. And lying leads to going wrong, and going wrong leads to hell. Truly, a man lies and lies until he is inscribed as being a liar through and through” (Muslim, 4.2012–13: 2607. S).
(15) It is of the adab of the high path of Islam to completely abandon and shun guile, deceit, scornfulness, or sarcasm because these are unlawful. Allah Most High says, “O you who believe, let no men scorn other men, for they might well be better than they are. And let no women scorn other women, for they might well be better than they. And do not find fault with one another, or give each other insulting nicknames” (Qur’an 49:11). And Allah Most High says, “Woe to whoever demeans others behind their back or to their face” (Qur’an 104:1). And the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Let there be no harming another, or harming him back. Whoever harms another Allah shall harm, and whoever gives trouble to another Allah shall give trouble to” (Hakim, 2.58. Hg).
(16) It is of the adab of the high path of Islam to abandon lying, for it is unlawful. Allah Most High curses liars by saying, “May liars be slain” (Qur’an 51:10), in which slain means “cursed” according to the Arabic idiom likening the accursed, who loses every good and happiness, to the slain, who loses life and every blessing. The Qur’anic exegete al-Khazin notes that “May liars be cursed” originally referred to those who sat on the various roads outside Mecca warning people against the words of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) to keep them from becoming Muslim. The verse, however, like other Qur’anic verses, is not limited to the original circumstances in which it was revealed, but applies universally, to the end of time. Those who lie, except in circumstances in which Sacred Law permits it, are cursed by Allah.
(17) It is unlawful to lie, except when making up between two people, or lying to an enemy in war, or to one’s wife. It is also unlawful to praise or blame another with an untruth. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Lying is wrong, except in three things: the lie of a man to his wife to make her content with him; a lie in war, for war is deception; or a lie to settle trouble between people” (Ahmad, 6.459. H). Ibn Jawzi has said, “The criterion for it is that every praiseworthy objective in Sacred Law that cannot be brought about without lying is permissible to lie for if the objective is permissible, and obligatory to lie for if the objective is obligatory.” When lying is the only way to attain one’s right, one may lie about oneself or another, provided it does not harm the other. And it is obligatory to lie to if necessary to protect a Muslim from being murdered. But whenever one can accomplish the objective by words that merely give a misleading impression with actually being false, it is unlawful to tell an outright lie, because it is unnecessary.
(18) If one needs to swear a false oath in order to save a person whose life is unlawful to take from being killed, then one must swear it, for saving such a person’s life is obligatory, and if doing so depends on an oath, it is obligatory. Suwayd ibn Handhala (Allah be well pleased with him) said: “We set out to the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) and Wa’il ibn Hajar was with us, and he was captured by an enemy. The group was forced to swear an oath [that all were of the same clan, which was under a protection agreement], so I swore that he was my brother, and they released him. We reached the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) and I told him that the group had been forced to swear, and that I had sworn he was my brother, and he said, “You told the truth: the Muslim is the bother of the Muslim” (Abu Dawud, 3.224:3256. S).
(19) The “Farewell Sermon” of the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) at hajj:
All praise is Allah’s. We praise Him, seek His help, ask His forgiveness, and we repent unto Him. We seek refuge in Allah from the evils of ourselves and our bad actions. Whomever Allah guides none can lead astray, and whomever He leads astray has no one to guide him. I testify that there is no god but Allah alone, without any partner, and I testify that Muhammad is his slave and messenger. I enjoin you, O servants of Allah, to be god fearing towards Allah, I urge you to obey Him, and I begin with that which is best.
To commence:
O people, hear me well: I explain to you. For I do not know; I may well not meet you again in this place where I now stand, after this year of mine.
O people: your lives and your property, until the very day you meet your Lord, are as inviolable to each other as the inviolability of this day you are now in, and the month you are now in. Have I given the message?—O Allah, be my witness. So let whoever has been given something for safekeeping give it back to him who gave him it.
Truly, the usury of the Era of Ignorance has been laid aside forever, and the first usury I begin with is that which is due to my father’s brother ‘Abbas ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib. And truly the blood-vengeance of the Era of Ignorance has been laid aside forever, and the first blood-vengeance we shall start with is that which is due for the blood of [my kinsman] ‘Amir ibn Rabi‘a ibn Harith ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib. Truly, the hereditary distinctions that were pretensions to respect in the Era of Ignorance have been laid aside forever, except for the custodianship of the Kaaba [by Bani ‘Abd al-Dar] and the giving of drink to pilgrims [by al-‘Abbas].
A deliberate murder is subject to retaliation in kind. An accidental death from a deliberate injury means a death resulting from [something not usually used or intended as a deadly weapon such as] a stick or a rock, for which the indemnity is one hundred camels: whoever asks for more is a person of the Era of Ignorance.
O people: the Devil has despaired of ever being worshipped in this land of yours, though he is content to be obeyed in other works of yours, that you deem to be of little importance.
O people: postponing the inviolability of a sacred month [claiming to postpone the prohibition of killing in it to a subsequent month, so as to continue warring despite the sacred month’s having arrived] is a surfeit of unbelief, by which those who disbelieve are led astray, making it lawful one year and unlawful in another, in order to match the number [of months] Allah has made inviolable. Time has verily come full turn, to how it was the day Allah created the heavens and the earth. Four months there are which are inviolable, three in a row and forth by itself: Dhul Qa‘da, Dhul Hijja, and Muharram; and Rajab, which lies between Jumada and Sha‘ban. Have I given the message?—O Allah, be my witness.
O people: verily you owe your women their rights, and they owe you yours. They may not lay with other men in your beds, let anyone into your houses you do not want without your permission, or commit indecency. If they do, Allah has given you leave to debar them, send them from your beds, or [finally] strike them in a way that does no harm. But if they desist, and obey you, then you must provide for them and clothe them fittingly. The women who live with you are like captives, unable to manage for themselves: you took them as a trust from Allah, and enjoyed their sex as lawful through a word [legal ruling] from Allah. So fear Allah in respect to women, and concern yourselves with their welfare. Have I given the message?—O Allah, be my witness.
O people, believers are but brothers. No one may take his brother’s property without his full consent. Have I given the message?—O Allah, be my witness. Never go back to being unbelievers, smiting each other’s necks, for verily, I have left among you that which if you take it, you will never stray after me: the Book of Allah. Have I given the message?—O Allah, be my witness.
O people, your Lord is One, and your father is one: all of you are from Adam, and Adam was from the ground. The noblest of you in Allah’s sight is the most God fearing: Arab has no merit over non-Arab other than godfearingness. Have I given the message?—O Allah, be my witness.
— At this, they said yes.
He said, Then let whomever is present tell whomever is absent.
O people:, Allah has apportioned to every deserving heir his share of the estate, and no deserving heir may accept a special bequest, and no special bequest may exceed a third of the estate. A child’s lineage is that of the [husband who owns the] bed, and adulterers shall be stoned. Whoever claims to be the son of someone besides his father or a bondsman who claims to belong to other than his masters shall bear the curse of Allah and the angels and all men: no deflecting of it or ransom for it shall be accepted from him.
And peace be upon all of you, and the mercy of Allah.
(20) ‘Ata’ ibn Abi Rabah, Mufti of Mecca (d. 114/732), of the generation that followed that of the prophetic Companions (Sahaba) said of them, “They used to dislike talking more than necessary, and considered “more than necessary” to mean more than your reciting the Qur’an, enjoining the right, forbidding the wrong, or speaking about making a living, in the amount strictly necessary.”
(21) The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should say something good or else be quiet” (Bukhari, 8.13: 6019. S). He also said (Allah bless him and give him peace) “Whoever is silent is saved” (Ahmad, 2.159. S). And the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Verily the slave will say a word he thinks nothing of that Allah loves, for which Allah raises him whole degrees. And verily the slave will say a word he thinks nothing of that Allah detests, for which he plummets into hell” (Bukhari, 8.125: 6478. S).
(22) It is of the adab of Islam to know the value of one’s word, not to give unless one intends to keep it, and to keep it once it has been given. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The signs of a hypocrite are three: when he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks it, and when entrusted with something he betrays it” (Bukhari, 1.15: 33. S).
When Abu Bakr was dying, he sent for ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab (Allah be well pleased with both of them), and told him, “O ‘Umar, if you are given authority over the people, fear Allah and hold fast to what is right. For the balance of those whose scale pans are heavy on Resurrection Day [with good deeds] shall only be heavy for their having followed what is right and its heaviness upon them; and it befits the balance scale when what is right is placed in it tomorrow to be heavy. And the balance of those whose scale pans are light on Resurrection Day [because of few good deeds] shall only be light for their having followed what is wrong and its ease upon them; and it befits the balance scale when what is wrong is placed in it tomorrow to be light. And know that there are works for Allah at night that He does not accept during the day, and that there are works during the day that He does not accept at night. And that He does not accept a supererogatory work of worship until the obligatory has been done.”
Source unknown
Posted by ali rehan munir in Global Islam, Islam: The Universal Message of Peace, ISLAMOPHOBIA, Muslim Haters on May 31st, 2013
The photo on the left shows St Mary’s Church in Cable Street while the photo on the right shows worshippers gathered for Friday midday prayers outside a nearby mosque in Spitalfields, both in East London
Empty pews: 18th-century parishioners crowded into St George-in-the-East hear John Wesley. Only 12 people attended the service
Dwindling flock: St Mary’s Cable Street in East London was built to hold 1,000 people. Today, the congregation numbers around 20
A study in devotion: The tiny mosque on the Brune Street Estate, Spitalfields, holds only 100 people, so the local Bangladeshi community throng the street for Friday midday prayers
Posted by ali rehan munir in Islam: The Universal Message of Peace on April 12th, 2013
Swamy Lakshmi Shankarcharya addressed in Hyderabad on 14th of Oct, 2012 and more recently in Patna. A Vedic Scholar who Finds Islam is religion of peace and guidance to all mankind. Earlier he was very critical about Islam in his book Islam and Terrorism, once he could explore truth from Islamic book Quran al Hakeem, he retracted and wrote a book in defense of Islam.
Source: TwoCircles.net:
By M Naushad Ansari
Patna: We are talking about Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and we should keep it in our mind that he is the greatest individual in history. If anyone wants to know about Islam, one should “Judge Islam by Prophet’s (SAW) life and his teachings,” said Swami Lakshmi Shankracharya, founder, Jan Ekta Manch.
We are talking about the Prophet Muhammad and we should keep it in our mind that he is the greatest individual in history. If anyone wants to know about Islam, he should “Judge Islam by the Prophet’s life and his teachings,” said Swami Lakshmi Shankracharya, founder, Jan Ekta Manch.
Addressing a talk on ‘Seerat-un-Nabi’ at Anjuman Islamia Hall, Patna on January 26th, the Swami, in his enlightening speech, said that peace and humanity is the core teaching of Islam. But, unfortunately, most of the Muslims don’t follow Islamic teachings and they hardly learn from the life of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
“It is the duty of every Muslim according to their religion to save and protect humanity, Muhammad always forgave his enemies and showed patience when he was harmed by others, this was his moral teaching, which made Islam an international religion,” he added.
In particular he cited the stories of ‘Fatah-e-Makkah’ when enemies of Islam were given complete liberty and amnesty despite being made prisoners of war by Muslims. On ‘Jihad’ he clarified that it has got nothing to do with killings of the innocent and terrorism. The first permission to take up arms was accorded in verse 22:39 of Holy Quran, which reads: “Permission (to take up arms) is hereby given to those who were attacked, because they have been wronged.” The Quran further says: “Fight, for the sake of Allah with those that fight against you, but do not be aggressive.”
He cited extensively from the Veda and Gita to substantiate that Islam’s endeavor to establish peace is not different from what Sanatan scriptures enjoin.
Posted by admin in Islam: The Universal Message of Peace on January 25th, 2013
Question: Please give me the evidence about Eid-e-Milad-un-Nabi in the light of Qur’an & Ahadith?
Answer
Before writing the arguments of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), we want to clear the meaning of Milad according to literature and shariah.
The word Milad has been derived from “viladut” which means birth. Therefore, according to Arabic language, milad is a word which signifies the place and time of birth. In the light of shariah, we mean, Milad is to remember the events which took place at the birth time of the Nabi Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and we get the opportunity of narrating the seerat of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) on this occasion, we also presents the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) gifts of durood -o- salam. We mention before the people attributes and praises of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam). We do not believe that Milad is specified with same night but, we believe that the remembrance of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is incumbent in each minute and second of time and every Muslim should act it sunnahs in the whole life time. Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is a great source of preaching. It is incumbent for scholars to teach Muslims nations on this Holy occasion, moral behavior of the Holy Nabi, (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) his antiquates, His affairs, His serat, His dealings and His worships.
Now, we write the proofs of Milad from the Holy Qur’an , the hadith of the Nabi Pak (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and consensus of Ulema.
The Qur’an ic ayats prove that to celebrate Milad is not only a proper deed but it is also praiseworthy.
1) Allah Ta’ala says in Qur’an :
“The Salaam is on Him the day when he was born and the day when he will die and the day when he will be raised alive.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al-Maryam, Ayat 15]
In the above ayat, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala has mentioned the complete Milad of Hazrat Sayyidina Yahya (‘Alayhis-Salaam). And before this Allah Almighty has mentioned the events which took place before the birth. It is the same way of celebrating birth day as Ahlus-Sunnah adopts for the Milad of the last Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) of Allah Almighty. In other words the Nabiy-Allah, Hazrat Sayyidina Isa bin Maryam (‘Alayhis-Salaam) celebrate his own milad.
2) As Allah Almighty says:
“And the same peace on me the day I was born and the day I will die and the day I would raised alive.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Maryum , Ayat 33]
Before this ayat, Allah Almighty has stated the whole story of Maryum (Alayhas-Salaam) that who she got pregnant and gave birth her great son, the Nabi of Allah, Sayyidina Isa (‘Alayhis-Salaam). Allah Almighty also mentioned the words of Sayyidina Isa (Alaihis Salam) by which Sayyidina Isa (Alaihis Salam) praised himself. This style of narrating story is nothing but celebration of Milad of Hazrat Sayyidina Isa, Alaihis Salam. Ahle Sunnat also narrate the story of Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) in the same style. We too narrate the events which took place before the birth and after it as Allah Almighty narrated about Sayyidina Yahya and Sayyidina Isa (Alaihimus Salam). Therefore, a person who has eyes of justice, will obviously accept that to celebrate Milad is an important deed which Allah Almighty has done. So it proves that the bases of Milad is found in the Holy Qur’an.
3) Allah Almighty says:
“And remind them of the days of the Allah.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim, Ayat5]
In this ayat Allah Almighty orders his Nabi Musa ‘Alayhis-Salaam to remind his nation the days of Allah Almighty. “The days of Allah” are those days in which great events took place or Allah Almighty bestowed his great rewards to his creature. As the Holy Qur’an testifies this explanation of the days of Allah Almighty. In the Holy Qur’an, Sayyidina Musa Alaihis Salam says:
“And when Musa said it his people remember Allah’s favor upon you, when he delivered you from Firawn’s people who used to afflict you worsly, and slaughter your sons and let your daughters live and in it there was shown great mercy of your lord.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim , Ayat 6 ]
According to Allah’s Ayat, emancipation of the nation of Sayyidina Musa Alaihis Salam from Firawn is a day of Allah, so the birth day of the Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) is, with any doubt, also a day of Allah, because the Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) emancipated whole world from the darkness of ignorance and brought them to the light of guidance. Therefore, the birthday (Milad) of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) deserves to be celebrated then the celebration of any other event. In case we would not be grateful to Allah Almighty for his favor, that is Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). He will punish us severely . As Allah Almighty says :
“And remember when your lord proclaimed, if you will be great full then I shall give you more and if your thankless then my treatment is severe.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ibrahim , Ayat 7
4) Allah Almighty says :
“Then remember the bounties of Allah and wander not in the earth spreading mischief.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Araf , Ayat 74]
In the above ayat Allah Almighty orders us to remember his bounties and rewards. The last Nabi of Allah Ta’ala, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is, undoubtedly, great blessing of Allah Almighty for whole mankind. Allah Almighty himself considers the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) his great favor for mankind as He says:
“Undoubtedly, Allah did a great favor to the Muslims that in them from among themselves sent a messenger who recites unto them His Ayats and purifies them and teaches them the Kitab and Hikmah and necessarily before that they were certainly apparent error.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Ale Imran , Ayat 164]
Therefor, according to Allah’s commandments in Holy Qur’an, we must remember the beloved Nabi of Allah, Sayyidina wa Mawlana Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and Milad-un-Nabi is a best way of remembrance of the greatest Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). In other words, Allah Almighty says:
“And publicize well the favor of your Rabb (lord)” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Duha , Ayat 11]
The Companion of the Holy Last Messenger (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Abbas (Radhi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu) explained the word favors. He says here, “In this ayat favor signifies the Nubuwwat and al-Islam.” [Tafseer Ibne Abbas, Sure Al Duha, Page 651].
So in the light of the given explanation by the cousin of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), we can say that Allah Almighty orders us to remember Sayyidina Rasul-e-Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) in our gatherings between the people, in our mosque between the worshiper and in our houses between our families and Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), as I have written is a best way for this Qur’anic purpose.
4) Allah Almighty orders us :
“Say you oly Allah’s grace and his mercy, on it therefore let them rejoice. That is better then all their wealth.“
In this ayat, Allah Almighty orders us to enjoy on his grace and mercy. If we see around us we find that each favor of Allah Almighty is great mercy for us. Even our existence is also a mercy of Allah Almighty. But the greatest of Allah is the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him). As Allah Almighty says:
“And we sent not you but as Rahmah for all worlds.” [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Ambiya, Ayat 107]
So according the Qur’anic teachings, it is necessary for us that we must be happy and pleased on the birthday of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). The one who pleases with the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is really a true follower of the Holy Qur’an. And it is obvious that, in whole world Muslims celebrates Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Especially for enjoying the mercy of Allah Almighty that is the beloved Nabi of Allah Almighty (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Therefore the Holy Qur’an itself confirms the Milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him).
5) The gathering of Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) incite Muslims on saying Darood and Salaam upon Sayyidina Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) Allah Almighty says:
Oh you who I believe send upon Him blessing and salute Him fully well in abundance. [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Al Ahzab , Ayat 56]
According to Shari’ah, a thing which is desired by Shari’ah, is exactly a like an aim of Shari’ah. And the benifit of durood-o-salam are so much in numbers that can not be counted. Durood-o-salam causes for the help of Allah Almighty in this world and here after. So milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is a source of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Almighty
6) Allah Almighty says:
And all that we narrate to you of the tidings of the messengers is for the purpose of strengthening your heart therewith. [Kanzul Iman the translation of Holy Qur’an , Sura Hood, Ayat 121]
This Ayat ul-Karim reveals that the Hikmah of mentioning the stories and events of Nabiyyen (Alayhim Salaam ajma’in) was to stand fast the heart of the last Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). And it is obvious that we are, also today, in need of being stand fast. We must know that how, the Nabi of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) faced the problems of his time so that we may face the problems of our times according to the Sunnah. Therefore Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) provides us an opportunity to know about the affair of the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
(Narrations of the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
There are many narrations, which proves the Milad sharif but I write a few.
1) The Nabi of Allah (Allahs Grace and Peace be upon him) himself stated his own birth from very beginning He says: “I had been transferred, continuously, from purified offspring to purified wombs. I had been given birth by a lawful marriage not by adultery. When Allah Almighty sent Adam Alaihis Salam on earth so He put me in his spine and then transferred in Nuh Alaihs salam in his boat, and then in Ibrahim Alaihis salam Allah Alighty transfered me continuesly from nobel offsprings to the purified wombs up to that He brought me in my parents who never committed adultery.” [Tafseer Ruhul biyan, Vol. 3, Page 54]
As we have written in the beginning that Milad means the time of birth or place of birth. So the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) himself celebrated his own Milad. In the same way Ahlus-Sunnah following the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) narrate the events of the birth of the Holy Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) .This hadith is the clear proof Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) and as well as tell us that to celebrate Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) is not innovation (bid’at) but it is a sunnah (tradition) of Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
There are many other narrations which narrate that the Nabi of Allah (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) celebrate his own Milad several times, some of those narrations have been written in Mishkat Sharif.
2) The one who rejoices on the birth day of the Holy Nabi would not be severely punished and it is hopped that a Muslim who celebrate the Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), will not be punished in hell. Imam Bukhari Rahmatullah Alaih narrates that Abu Lahab would be punished lightly in the Hell on Monday. Because he rejoiced and freed his handmaid indicating by his finger, when the Nabi of Allah Almighty (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) took birth. So as a reward of happiness on milad un Nabi (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) he would be given water by his finger. (Saheehul Bukhari Vol. 2, Page 764)
Imam shams ud din Naseer Al Damaishqi narrates this hadith in poetry. Here is its translation.
If such kafir was denounced (in the Qur’an )
And perished are his hands, and in the flame is his eternal abode.
It is narrated every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his joy at the birth of Ahmad. (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him)
What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life.
Happy with the arrival of Ahmad (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) and died on the one ness of Allah Almighty.(Haul-ul-Ahtifal Bil Maullid Al-Nabvi Al Sharif, Page 11)
2) The Holy Nabi Muhammad (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) celebrated his own Milad by having fast. Imam Waliuddin write this narration with reference to the Sahee Muslim. When the Nabi of Allah (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) was asked about the fast of Monday. He (Allah’s Grace and Peace be upon him) said:
“I took birth and the Qur’an was revealed upon me in this day.” [Mishkat Sharif, Page 179]
This narration proves that to celebrate Milad un Nabi is a tradition of the Holy Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam) on every Monday. Secondly, it is lawful to fix a particular day for Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam). Thirdly, it is an act ofsunnah to worship in the pleasure of the Milad un Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam)
1) Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Suyuti in his famous book “Al-Hawii Lil-Fatawii” allocated a special chapter on that topic and named it “The Excellence of Objective in Celebrating the Mawlid” where he said: The question under consideration is what the verdict of the Shari’ah on celebrating the Holy Birthday of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) during the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. From the point of view of Shari’ah is this a praiseworthy action or a blameworthy one? And do those who arrange such celebration Receive blessings or not? He said:
“The reply to this question is that in my view the Meelad Shareef (Celebration of the Birthday of the Noble Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon Him) is in fact such an occasion of happiness on which people assemble and recite the Holy Qu’ran to the extent that is easy. Then they relate the prophecies concerning the appearance of the Noble Nabi (Allah’s Grace & Peace be upon Him) that have been transmitted in Ahadith and Author, and the miraculous events and signs that took place on his birth. Then food is set before them and according to their desire they partake thereof to satisfaction. This festival of celebrating the birthday of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good Innovation) and those arranging it will get blessing, since in such a celebration is found the expression of joy and happiness at the greatness and eminence of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) and his birth“.
Even Ibn Taymiyyah said in his book “Necessity of the Right Path“, p. 266, 5th line from the bottom of that page, published by Dar Al-Hadith, the following:
“As far as what people do during the Meelad, either as a rival celebration to that which the Christian do during the time of Christ’s birthday or as an expression of their love and admiration and a sign of praise for the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam), Allah Almighty will surely reward them for such Ij’tiha”.
He (Ibn Taymiyyah) then said:
“Although Meelad was not practiced by (Salaf), they should have done so since there was no objection against it from the Shari’ah point of view.”
And we certainly only celebrate Meelad out of love and admiration to the Nabi of all Mankind.
2. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Qastalani, who gave commentary on Sahih Bukhari, said:
“May Allah Almighty shower his Mercy upon a person who takes the days of the month of Rabbi-ul-Awwal, in which the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam) was born, as days of feast and celebration for doing so is the best cure for the heart of an ailing person.”
3. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar was asked, same reference of Imam Suyuti, about Meelad Shareef. His reply was:
“Meelad Shareef is, in fact, and innovation, which was not transmitted from any pious predecessor in the first three centuries. Nevertheless, both acts of virtue as well as acts of abomination are found in it (i.e. Sometimes acts of virtue are found therein and sometimes acts of abomination). If in the Meelad Shareef only acts of virtue are done and acts of abomination are abstained from, then the Meelad Shareef is a Bid’ah Hasanah (good innovation), otherwise not.”
He then added:
“To do any virtuous act and to observe it annually as means of recollection for any special day on which Allah Almighty has bestowed any favor or removed any calamity is a form of showing gratitude to Allah Almighty. Gratitude to Allah Almighty is expressed through different kinds of Ibaadah (worship) -prostration and standing in prayer, charity and recitation of the Holy Qu’ran. And what is a greater favor from Allah Almighty can there be than the appearance of the Nabi of Mercy (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon Him) on this day (i.e. 12th of Rabbi-ul-Awwal)?”
Some people do not limit it and celebrate the Meelad Shareef on any day of Rabbi-ul-Awwal. Nay, some people have extended it even more and increased the period to the whole year. According to the latter, the Meelad Shareef can be celebrated on any day of the year. The objective here is the same, i.e. to rejoice at and celebrate the Holy Birth of the Nabi Akram (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam).
4. Imam Abu-Bakr Abdullah Al-Demashqi compiled a number of books on the subject and called them “Collection of Traditions on the Birth of the Chosen Nabi“, “The Pure Expression on the Birthday of the Best of Creations” and “The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided“.
5. Imam Al-Hafiz Al-Iraqi wrote a book and called it “The Pure Spring on the Sublime Birth“.
6. Imam Ibn Dahyah wrote a book and called it “Enlightenment on the Birthday of the Bearer of Good News, The Warner“.
7. Imam Mulla Ali Qari wrote a book and called it “The Quenching Spring on the Birthday of the Nabi“.(Sallallahu alayhi waSallam)
8. Imam Shams Ul-Din bin Naser Al-Dumashqi, said in his book: “The Spring for the Thirsty One on the Birth of the Rightly Guided” about the story of Abu Lahab that he will receive a light punishment every Monday for expressing joy at the birth of the Noble Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallamon him) on that day. The Imam said the following verse of poetry, the translation is: If such Kafir was denounced in the ( Qur’an ) and perished are his hands, and in the Flames is his eternal abode It is narrated that every Monday.
His torment is made easy for his Joy at the Birth of Ahmad What is the expectation then of a servant who spent all his life Happy with the Arrival of Ahmad (Sallallahu alayhi waSallam)and died on the Oneness of Allah.
9. Imam Shams Ul-Din Ibn al-Jazri, the Imam of reciters, wrote a book and named it “The Scent of Notification on the Blessed Birthday“.
10. Imam Al-Hafiz Ibn Al-Jawzi, said in the description of Meelad: “Peace and Tranquillity takes over during that year and a good glad tiding to obtain your wish and inspiration.”
11. Imam Abu-Shamah, The Sheik of Al Hafiz Al Nawawi, said:
“The best of the innovations of our times is what is carried out on the day of corresponding to the birthday of our Beloved Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam), where people give out donations, practice what is right, express their joy and happiness, in doing so is surely a sign of love and admiration for the Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa Sallam)”.
Courtesy: Abdul Wahid http://www.oocities.org/~abdulwahid/muslimarticles/rasul.html revised by Al-Hashemiyya Society (an Ahlus-Sunnah val-Jama’at society)
Posted by admin in Islam: The Universal Message of Peace, Pakistan Fights Terrorism, THE BATTLE FOR PAKISTAN SERIES on January 14th, 2013
SHIA + SUNNI = MUSLIMS=ISLAMIC UNITY=LIGHT OF THE WORLD
The centuries-old Shia-Sunni differences are the major obstacle to Muslim unity. The enemies of Islam to their benefit have always fanned these differences. Unfortunately, some so-called Muslim scholars on their payroll have also played a key role in keeping these differences alive.
Although I was born into a Sayyid Sunni family, I did not know of many differences while growing up as a child. Our families always respected Imam Hussain (peace be upon him) and his parents and participated in ceremonies marking the anniversary of his martyrdom (the 10th day of the month of Muharram which is called Ashura) by reciting the first chapter of the Quran (al-Fatihah) and other chapters and verses of the Quran and fasted on the ninth and tenth days of that month.
Now when I give lectures on Islam to non-Muslims, one of the questions they always ask me is if I am Shia or Sunni. I ask them if they know the difference. They have no knowledge, other than what has been given to them by the media. So they say Shias are the ones who are the bad guys, the militant version of Islam, and cause all the trouble in the Middle East these days.
These non-Muslim American audiences of mine are surprised to learn that some of the known tyrants like Saddam Hussain and troublemakers like the PLO and Hamas are all Sunnis, just as they are surprised to learn that Tariq Aziz (Iraq’s Foreign Minister) was Christian and not a Muslim.
This is what I say to them about Shi’ites.”If Ali Ibn Talib (cousin of Prophet Muhammad) was a Shia, then I am a Shia. If he was a Sunni, then I am a Sunni [i.e., a follower of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)]. In Islam there are five recognized schools of Divine Law: 1) Hanafi; 2) Shafi; 3) Maliki; 4) Hambali and 5) Jafari.
The first four are called Sunni, and the fifth one, who in addition to following sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), also follows those of Ali and consider him as the rightful successor of the Prophet, are called Shia. The first four have many major theological differences among themselves and according to a Christian friend of mine, “The only time Sunnis are united is when they are fighting Shias.” Shi’ism started as a political movement (Shia means follower or partisan) to help Ali become successor of Muhammad (PBUH).
Around every successful popular figure, there are some admirers whose own future interests rest with the rise of their leader. Thus in Indiana, we have “Friends of Lugar Club”, who are hoping that some day Senator Richard Lugar will become a US President. Nationally, we now have a “Hillary Rodham Clinton Fan Club” with 4,000 members! Thus, there were the Followers of Ali Club, which later on became a political movement. During the initial battles with unbelievers, Ali, the Sword of Islam, was in the forefront and defeated and killed many of their leaders whose children and grandchildren, even when they became Muslims, always remembered who killed their father (animosity).
Ali was raised by Prophet Muhammad as a child so he knew Islam very well. Thus, when he became a judge, his judgments were based on strict Islamic principles, much to the disappointment of many who expected him to be lenient to the rich and powerful. He was so well respected and trusted by both Caliph Abu Bakr and Umar, that in difficult cases they asked his opinion.
End Bigotry: First Muslim, then Shia or Sunni
Nevertheless, I tell my non-Muslim audience that both Shia and Sunni have many things in common. They both believe in One God (Allah), follow the same Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as the last Prophet, offer five daily-prescribed prayers, perform the prescribed fast in the month of Ramadan, go to Mecca for the pilgrimage (hajj), read the same Quran, and pay the poor-due.
However, my answers can only satisfy my uninformed non-Muslim audience. The Sunni brothers, misguided by western propaganda, who are ready to embrace non-Muslims (especially the white ones), in the pretext of invitation to Islam, will not do so for Shia. They are ignorant Sunnis. Our job as a missionary should be to invite both groups to the true Islam and not chase them out. There is a movement in the Sunni world to have Shias labeled as disbelievers. I have been told that Shaykh Bin Baz of Saudi Arabia has declared an edict that the meat of the People of Book (Jews and Christians) is permissible for Sunni Muslims to eat but not the meat slaughtered by Shias.
There are scholars on both sides, like Imam Khomeini and Shaykh Shaltut of al-Azhar who have done their best to minimize these differences and bring unity, but it is not working due to the misinformation prevailing in the common masses of Sunnis about Shi’ism. Thus I am listing their misconceptions of Shia belief and practices. For answers, I have consulted two Shia scholars in America. Dr. A. S. Hashim of Washington and Imam Muhammad Ali Elahi of Detroit.
Professor Seyyed Hossein Nasr wrote to me “to ignore and not waste time in responding to such wrong allegations.” He also mentioned that “a great deal of money and effort is being spent in the last few years to fan the fire of hatred between Shia and Sunni in the Persian Gulf region with obvious political and economical fruits for powers to-be.” However, in the interest of Islamic unity, I must deal with the questions rather than shun them. Please note that Imam Jafar (peace be upon him), founder of the Shia school of law, was the teacher of Imam Abu-Hanifa (peace be upon him).
Misconception #1: Shias have a different Quran. They add another 10 chapters to the original Quran.
Response: Not true. I have checked many times Quran kept in Shia homes and mosques. I still find it the same as the original Quran. More recently, I took care of an Iranian lady patient hospitalized here. I saw a copy of the Quran by her side. I borrowed it from her and browsed through cover-to-cover. In Arabic it was the same as our Quran. Of course, since I did not know the Persian language, I can’t say much about the translation. It is a sin to even say that the Quran can be changed or added to by Shia when God protects it.
Misconception #2: Some Shia considers Ali as God.Response: Not true. It is disbelief to even think of such a thing. During the time of Ali, some pagan groups called Gholat did consider Ali as Lord. When he found out, they were burned to death.
Misconception #3: Shias have different declarations of faith and they add to the call to prescribed prayer.Response: The declaration to become a Muslim, as administered to non-Muslims, is the same. Some Shia add to themselves, “Ali is a friend of God (PBUH) or Ali is a spiritual leader of God,” after the call to prescribed prayer, but not as part of the call to prescribed prayer.
Misconception #4: Shias do not perform Sunnah prayers. Sunnah prayers are non-obligatory prayers performed by Prophet Muhammad.Response: Shias do perform non-obligatory prayers, 36 cycles per day in total, but call it Nawafil and not Sunnah.
Misconception #5: Some Shia believes the Angel Gabriel made a mistake and prophet hood was meant for Ali and not Muhammad (PBUH).Response: Not true. No Shia thinks of such false claims. “Only demented minds think of such questions.”
Misconception #6: Shias slander and ridicule the first three caliphs (Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthman) and Prophet Muhammad’s wife, Ayisha.Response: Shia considers the first three caliphs as companions and administrators, but not spiritual leaders (Imams). Imam Jafar Sadiq, whose mother and grandmother came from the line of Abu Bakr, said of Abu Bakr, “He gave me birth twice.” Ayisha is respected by Shias as the”Mother of Believers,” as Ali respected her when he sent her back from Basra to Madinah after the Battle of the Camel. If some Shia do slander the three caliphs and Ayisha, they do it out of ignorance and should ask God’s forgiveness. (As we have witnessed how Imam Khomeini The Shia bravely declared death of Salman Rushdie -The author of Satanic Verses who abused the wife of Prophet Ayesha and Shia Leader declared blasphemy, just for his Fatwa the whole western countries became against Iran. See how much price did Shia pay to defend Ayesha – while Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE etc. etc. as the Sunni government were silent they did not defend Ayesha. Now who loves Ayesha?)
Misconception # 7: Shias combine all five prayers into one prayer in the evening.Response: Not true. In Shia mosques, whether in Iran or the USA, all five daily prayers are performed. Shia do combine noon and afternoon and evening and night, but Shia scholars recommend performing them separately. Such combinations may not be ideal, but better than not praying at all. How can a Sunni who does not pray at all be better than a Shia who combines prayers?
Misconception # 8: Shias do not pay zakat (poor-due).Response: Not true. They not only pay 2.5% left over from savings as zakat, but also an additional 20% as Khums or general charity. However, they prefer to pay directly to the needy rather than corrupt Sunni government.
Misconception #9: Shias practice temporary marriages (Mutah).Response: Mutah (temporary marriages) was allowed during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and he himself practiced it. Ibn Zubayr was born out of the temporary marriage. Later on Caliph Umar prohibited it due to social reasons as the Islamic world was rapidly expanding. Shias discourage Mutah but do not consider it prohibited. Some do abuse this. As a temporary privilege during travel, it is better than adultery.
Misconception #10: They consider Imams infallible and above the Prophets.Response: Not true. All prophets are born Prophet but as mentioned in Quran about Abraham that after passing the test, a prophet becomes a leader (Imam). Muhammad (PBUH) is the Prophet (Nabi), Messenger (Rasul) and leader (Imam). Imams are carriers of the message of Islam. Shias consider Ali only as an Imam and not prophet.
With the little knowledge I have, I have tried to do my best as a Sunni in defending my Shia brothers in Islam with the hope and prayer to God Almighty that He will “instill love in the heart of the believers” and bring us closer to each other so that we jointly can fight our common enemy, Satan and his followers.
May God forgive my mistakes in this article and this book (Amin).
“Knowledge is better than wealth because it protects you while you have to guard wealth. It decreases if you keep on spending it but the more you make use of knowledge, the more it increases. What you get through wealth disappears as soon as wealth disappears but what you achieve through knowledge will remain even after you.”
Dr. Shahid Athar M.D. is Clinical Associate Professor of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indiana, and a writer on Islam.
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