A Special Note on 9/11

 

 Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

A Special Note on 9/11

 

Few people will doubt that the world changed for the worse on the fateful morning of September 11, 2001. It should also come as no surprise that Muslims don't feel any different about this statement than non-Muslims do. This brief aside gives me the unique opportunity to pass along their messages to you, as well as providing a platform to discuss a few very important matters related to this grave subject. 

 

Firstly, Muslims worldwide share with non-Muslims a great deal of shock over these despicable and depraved acts. In fact, Muslims in both Muslim countries and the West, are deeply distressed over their religion essentially being hijacked by terrorists. To support this, a 2013 Pew Research Center poll asked Muslims across the globe whether attacks on civilians were justified. World-wide, 72% of Muslims said violence against civilians is “never justified,” and in the US, 81% of Muslims were against such violence. (https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2013/0501/How-US-Muslimsare-different-Pew-poll-sheds-light-on-global-contrasts). Moreover, a 2010 Zogby poll reported that 69% of American Muslims supported stronger laws to fight terrorism. (Zogby, J. (2010, Aug 26). American Muslims Have Mainstream Values. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/2010/08/26/muslims-pollsmosque-opinions-columnists-john-zogby.html#581c10e6648f). Many Muslims reached out to help the victims of 9/11 and the later London bombings through charitable donations, night vigils and even donating their blood at Red Cross centers.( Yeomans, M. (2015, Oct 11). Arlington Muslim Community Donates Blood for 9/11 Victims. Retrieved from: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Arlington-Muslim-CommunityDonates-Blood-For-911-Victims-331945041.html)

 

The Muslims worldwide want non-Muslims to know that they too are struggling with the same evil of terrorism in their own lands and in their own lives. In fact, a 2005 Pew Research study that involved over 17,000 people in 17 countries showed a growing belief among Muslims that Islamic extremism represents a threat to their own countries. (http://www.pewglobal.org/2005/07/14/islamic-extremism-commonconcern-for-muslim-and-western-publics/). Extremists who falsely use this noble religion to support their wicked and criminal acts are unfortunately a very vocal and very well covered (from a media perspective) minority. They have caused death and spread corruption even in various places like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Pakistan, Indonesia Morocco and Egypt—making sincere and devout adherents to Islam look suspect even in their own countries.  

 

It is important to remember that over four million Muslims live in the US with nearly three million living in the UK, where it is the second largest religion. The overwhelming majority of these people are peaceful, respectable and decent individuals who contribute to society in all fields, and try their best to make their towns and countries better places to live. The author of this book is himself a physician who has devoted over twelve years of his life to university and postgraduate training in medicine to help give hope and healing to sick patients, most of which are not Muslim.  

 

All of these Muslims want you to know that they are deeply sorry for all of the horrors and grief that all people in America, the UK, Paris, or elsewhere in the world have experienced secondary to the acts of those who would claim to be Muslims practicing their religion. This is most assuredly a difficult time for all people of the world regardless of their religion, and negative, insulting generalizations about Muslims, that are often promoted on certain news stations, only do more to create hatred in society than to contribute towards healing. Even more than a decade after the attacks, Muslims are still greatly affected.( Garrigan, M. (2011, Sep 11). Area Muslims ‘deeply affected by attacks.’ Retrieved from: https://rapidcityjournal.com/area-muslims-deeply-affectedby-attacks/article_cf102b70-dc2f-11e0-8414-001cc4c002e0.html) It is thus hoped that this brief message will bridge the gap that may have been created between us, and be a starting point for understanding and working together to solve this problem that affects all people regardless of their religion. 

 

Are Muslims Not Speaking Out Enough Against Terror?

This is a strange fallacy that seems to have been repeated often in certain news networks over the past few years. The question that should be asked though is, what is considered speaking out enough? Unfortunately, there seems to be no clear standard, though Muslims around the world have certainly not been silent in voicing their outrage and condemnation of various terror attacks that have occurred in the world from 9/11 onward.

 

After 9/11, here is a sample of what Muslims said:

For the record, the inhuman attacks of September 11 were condemned in the strongest terms by virtually all Islamic leaders, organizations, and countries. The Chairman of Saudi Arabia's Supreme Judicial Council summarized that, "Islam rejects such acts, since it forbids killing of civilians even during times of war, especially if they are not part of the fighting. A religion that views people of the world in such a way cannot in any sense condone such criminal acts, which require that their perpetrators and those who support them are held accountable. As a human community we have to be vigilant and careful to preempt these evils." (Dodge, C.H. (2017, Mar 17). Muslim Condemnations of 9/11. Retrieved from: https://www.thoughtco.com/muslim-condemnations-of-911-2003741)

 

After the July 7, 2005 London bombings, here is a sample of what Muslims said: A prominent national Islamic civil rights and advocacy group today condemned this morning's bomb attacks in London as "barbaric crimes." In its statement, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said: "We join Americans of all faiths, and all people of conscience worldwide, in condemning these barbaric crimes that can never be justified or excused. American Muslims offer their sincere condolences to the loved ones of those who were killed or injured in today's attacks and call for the swift apprehension and punishment of the perpetrators."  (https://www.cair.com/cair_condemns_barbaric_london_terror_attacks )

 

The Muslim Council of Britain and other British Islamic groups issued similar condemnations of the attacks and urged Muslims to help in the recovery effort.  (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4660411.stm)

 

After the 2015 Paris attacks, here is a sample of what Muslims said:

On Saturday, a coalition of eight leading national and local American Muslim groups, held a press conference in Washington, D.C., to condemn the carnage … “Terrorists are not a representative of Islam in any way whatsoever,” Saba Ahmed, president and founder of the Republican Muslim Coalition, told MSNBC. “ISIS should go back to the basic teachings of Islam. They are misusing the teachings of Islam to carry out horrifying atrocities. That’s completely un-Islamic, and they have hijacked our religion. The Muslim community strongly condemns [the attacks].” (Atkinson, K. (2015, Nov 14). Muslim groups strongly condemn terror attacks in Paris. Retrieved from: http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/muslimgroups-strongly-condemn-terror-attacks-paris)

 

Furthermore, if we review recent polls that assessed how Muslims feel about terror groups like ISIS, we find the following results, as taken from a 2015 poll:

Pew Research Center collected in 11 countries with significant Muslim populations, people from Nigeria to Jordan to Indonesia overwhelmingly expressed negative views of ISIS. (http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/11/17/in-nations-withsignificant-muslim-populations-much-disdain-for-isis/)

 

Yet, despite their condemnation of acts of terror and their participation in acts of rebuilding, most Western Muslims today find themselves in a rather precarious position. This was most profoundly documented in a 2018 Institute for Social Policy and Understanding (ISPU) poll of 2481 Americans, American Muslim Poll 2018: Pride and Prejudice, that documented the following:

Three quarters (76 percent) of U.S. Muslims overwhelmingly reject violence against civilians, compared to 59 percent of the general public. When it comes to targeting and killing civilians, only 12 percent of Muslims say such actions “can ‘often’ or ‘sometimes’ be justified” (for the general public, those numbers are at 14 percent). 

 

At the same time, Muslims disproportionately report religious discrimination, with 61 percent of respondents saying they had encountered Islamophobia. Sixty-two percent of Muslims either strongly or somewhat agreed with the statement “most people associate negative stereotypes with my faith identity.” Muslim women were particularly vulnerable: 75 percent said they had experienced religious bias, compared with 40 percent of  women overall. (Crunden, E.A. (2018, May 2). Muslims reject violence more than other Americans, but are increasingly targets of discrimination. Retrieved from: https://thinkprogress.org/muslims-reject-violence-according-to-poll421bda06027e/)

 

  Source 

Is Islam a Religion of Tolerance?

 

 Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

Is Islam a Religion of Tolerance?

 

This last section of this chapter discusses one of the most misunderstood aspects of the religion of Islam. Many books and speakers repeatedly attack the religion as being one of intolerance, unable to co-exist with other ideas or ways. Once again, we shall return to history to see if this is truly the case.

 

But first, it would be beneficial to review some verses from the Quran on this matter to see if there is any scriptural evidence to support tolerance and co-existence in Islam.

 

And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed—all of them entirely. Then, [O Muhammad], would you compel the people in order that they become believers?  {10:99}

 

Say, “Obey God, and obey the Messenger,” but if you turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him, and you, for the duty placed on you.  If you obey him, you shall be on right guidance. Alas, the Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear Message. {24:54}

 

In Islam, all of humanity is but one big family,

 

O humankind!  We created you from a single [pair] of a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may come to know each other. Verily, the most honored of you in the sight of God is the most righteous of you. {49:13}

 

The religion of Islam insists that all people, not just Muslims, should enjoy freedom of religion and worship in safety and security. Islam provides protection to all religious places of worship (whether Jewish, Christian or Muslim) and commands Muslims to defend the right of freedom of worship for all. 

 

And were it not that God checks people, some by means of others, there would have been demolished monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques in which the name of God is mentioned much. And God will surely support those who support Him. Indeed, God is Powerful and Exalted in Might. {22:40}

 

In fact, Jews and Christians are given a special status and distinction in Islam, and they are respectfully addressed in the Qur’an as “People of the Book”( During the time of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh, most religions were based only upon oral traditions. The Quran encouraged Muslims to be people of reading. Since the Jews and Christians also had the tradition of a written religious record, the Torah and Gospel respectively, they were called the “People of the Book”).  Jews, Christians and Muslims are viewed as closely related people whose faiths are all based on divinely revealed scriptures and who share in common a prophetic tradition.

 

...and nearest among them in love to the Believers will you find those who say “We are Christians”. {5:82)

 

So now turning to history, let us look at just a few examples of how Muslims worked with other religions and peoples when power was in their hands. The first aspect that should be mentioned is how the Prophet dealt with the Christians who were conquered during his lifetime. The following words taken from his treaty with the Christian people of Najran (part of present day Yemen), in fact, form the basis of the Islamic understanding of relations with other religions.

 

Najran and their followers have the protection of God and the protection of Muhammad pbuh, the Prophet and Messenger of God, for themselves, their community, their land and their goods, both those who are absent and those who are present, and for their churches and their services (no bishop will be moved from his episcopate, and no monk from his monastery, and no church warden from his wardenship) and for all, great or small, that is under their hands. There is no usury and no blood revenge from pre-Islamic times. (Yaqub, A.Y. (1969). Kitab al Kharaj (edited Translation). Leiden: E.J. Brill)

 

Also, a similar covenant was made by the second Caliph of Islam, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, with the people of Jerusalem after its peaceful takeover.  In fact, ‘Umar’s own assassin, who killed him while he was leading prayer a few years later, was a Magian non-Muslim, yet ‘Umar still commanded his successor to be merciful to the non-Muslims and not to violate their rights. (Magian – another name for followers of Zoroastrianism, a monotheistic religion where fire symbolizes their concept of the One God, whom they call Ahura Mazda, and thus they worshipped at fire temples) It is recorded in the most authentic Islamic books of narrations and history that he said:

 

I advise the Caliph who will follow me to be kind to the non-Muslims and to fulfill our covenants with them, to fight for the sake of their protection and not to overburden them. Hamidullah, M. (1945). Muslim Conduct of State. Retrieved from: https://archive.org/details/MuslimConductOfStateDr.MuhammadHamidullah/page/n11

 

Another example of religious tolerance from the time of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh is his instruction to the Muslims to treat the Coptic Christian population of Egypt well. What is interesting about this case though is that Islam had not yet spread to Egypt, and thus, the following two hadith have both an element of tolerance and prophecy about them. The Prophet Muhammad pbuh said:

 

“By God, treat well the Copts of Egypt, for you shall conquer them, and they shall be your supporters in the cause of God.” [At-Tabarani, authenticated by Al-Albaani]

 

“When Egypt is conquered, treat the Copts with dignity, for they have a blood relation with us.” [Al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak meeting the criteria of Bukhari and Muslim; authenticated by Al-Dhahabi and Al-Albaani] 

 

Several hundred years later, this spirit of tolerance continued to exist in the Muslim lands. During the Mongolian Tartar invasions of the Muslim lands, the famous Muslim scholar and warrior Ibn Taimiyyah went as an emissary to Quṭlugh-Shah, one of the Tartar commanders, to negotiate the release of all prisoners of war.  He was initially granted the release of only the Muslim POW’s (prisoners of war), but persisted in his request for all POW’s to be released—referring to the non-Muslims who lived under the protection of the Muslims—until it was later granted. (Denise Aigle. (2007). The Mongol Invasions of Bilad Al-Sham by Ghazan Khan and Ibn Taymiyah’s Three “Anti-Mongol” Fatwas. Mamluk Studies Review. 11.2: 89-120; Retrieved from: http://mamluk.uchicago.edu/MSR_XI2_2007-Aigle.pdf). It is important to note here that this great scholar risked his own life and the fate of all the Muslim POW’s to secure the release of non-Muslims because he knew that this was his duty before God.

 

Furthermore, T. W. Arnold records that following the Islamic conquest of Constantinople (present day Istanbul) in 1453, that Sultan Muhammad II proclaimed himself the protector of the Greek Church. (Arnold, T.W. (1896). The Preaching of Islam: A History of the Propagation of the Muslim Faith. Retrieved from: http://www.truthandgrace.com/The_Preaching_of_Islam.pdf). Persecution of the Christians was forbidden and a decree was issued securing for the newly elected patriarch, Gennadios, and his bishops and successors after him, all privileges previously enjoyed under the former rule. The patriarch was also empowered to bring to the attention of the government and the Sultan (leader) any acts of injustice done by any of the Muslim governors. 

 

The Christian author P. Bayle makes the following observation regarding the Greek Church in his Dictionary under, “the article Mahomed,”  

 

The Christians have not been given orders to do anything but preach and instruct, yet, despite this, from time immemorial they have been exterminating by fire and sword all those who are not of their religion. We may feel certain that if Western Christians, instead of the Saracens and the Turks [names given by the Europeans to the Muslims], had won the dominion over Asia, there would be today not a trace left of the Greek Church, and that they would never have tolerated [Islam] as the “infidels” have tolerated Christianity there. We (Christians) enjoy the fine advantage of being far better versed than others in the art of killing, bombarding and exterminating the Human Race. (Bayle, P. (1826). An Historical and Critical Dictionary. London: Hunt and Clarke. Retrieved from: https://archive.org/details/anhistoricaland01baylgoog/page/ n8)

 

Not forgetting the tolerance and goodwill shown to the Jewish people, many non-Muslim historians, after reviewing the history of the Jewish people, have also made the following positive remarks regarding the Islamic tolerance of Jews living under their rule. Don Peretz, a Middle East scholar and Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York in Binghamton, writes that “Muslim conquests in the 7th Century were welcomed by Jews because they were offered religious toleration”. (Peretz, D. (1990). The Middle East. Boston:Houghton Mifflin Co.). As proof of this toleration, he said Jews were appointed to high positions. Wallbank and Schrier's Living World History says that conquered peoples "were generally treated with leniency" by Muslims. (Wallbank, T.W. and Schrier, A. (1982). Living World History. Glenview, Illinois: Scott Foresman) Several books cite the great Jewish physician and scholar Maimonides as an example of how Jews flourished under Islamic governments.

 

Another non-Muslim scholar, Princeton historian Mark R. Cohen, remarked in one of his speeches that despite the current political instability in the Middle East, which has demonized Jews among Muslims and led to some vehement anti-Islamic Zionism, there is no inherent hostility between the two religions.   

 

Anti-Semitism, understood as the irrational persecution of Jews, is not native to true Islam … examples from history to show how Jews under Islamic rule were protected, whereas those under medieval Christendom were marginalized at best and, more often, excluded. Jews fared better under the Crescent than the Cross. (Gabe, J. (2004). Jews fared better under the Crescent than the Cross. Retrieved from: http://ctr.concordia.ca/2004-05/oct_21/11/index.shtml)

 

Even till today, anyone who has traveled abroad to countries populated by a Muslim majority will see Churches and Synagogues dating back well before Muslim rule, and even before the coming of the Prophet Muhammad pbuh.  How were these places of worship protected during the spread of Islam? Even more important, how did the Christian and Jewish people of these territories continue to live there if Muslims were commanded to kill all who don’t follow their opinion or religion, as some people say? Compare this to the Spanish Inquisition and the Crusades and you shall see that true tolerance, freedom of religion and peaceful co-existence are all the foundation and practice of only Islam for the past 1400 years.  

  Source 

Does Islam Condemn Terrorism Scripturally?

 

 

Demystifying Islam

 by Dr. Ali Shehata

 

Does Islam Condemn Terrorism Scripturally?

 

In the Quran and Sunnah, Muslims are repeatedly reminded to be people of justice and to act upon the truth, not their emotions. A Muslim should never act out of revenge or hatred, for in such a case, he will be accountable to God for his crime. God has commanded in the Quran:

 

O you who believe! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to justice, and let not the hatred of others make you turn to wrong and to a departure from justice. Be just—that is next to righteousness, and fear God. For God is well-acquainted with all that you do. {5:8}

 

The great Muslim scholar of Spain, al-Qurtubi, says in commentary on this verse:

 

The fact that someone disbelieves [in Islam] does not prevent us from being just to him, and that our dealing with them (in a state of war) should only be restricted to fighting or capturing them if they deserve so. It is not permissible to mutilate their bodies, even if they kill our women and children to cause us grief, it is not for us to intentionally mutilate them to cause them grief and sorrow.

 

Furthermore, Muslims are not only to be people of justice and honor, yet they are also commanded to strictly guard their oaths and treaties with others, a fact attested to throughout the history of Islam. When the Prophet entered into a treaty with the pagans of Makkah, one of the clauses stated that anyone who embraces Islam from the Makkans and then migrates to Madinah seeking refuge amongst the Muslims must be turned back. The following passage taken from The Sealed Nectar illustrates how difficult that decision was, and yet, how firm the resolve of the Prophet was to abide by it since he had given his word in the name of God. 

 

It was during this time while the treaty was being written that Abu Jandal, Suhail’s son who had accepted Islam not long before, appeared on the scene. He was brutally chained and was staggering with [misery] and fatigue. The Prophet and his Companions were moved to pity and tried to secure his release, but Suhail was adamant and said, “To signify that you are faithful to your contract, an opportunity has just arrived.” … It was indeed an anxious moment. On the one hand, Abu Jandal was lamenting at the top of his voice, “Am I to be returned to the pagans that they might [tempt] me from my religion, O Muslims?” But, on the other hand, the faithful engagement was also considered to be necessary, above all other considerations. The Prophet’s heart welled up with sympathy, as he wanted to honor his word at all costs. He consoled Abu Jandal and said, “Be patient, resign yourself to the Will of God. God is going to provide for you and your helpless companions relief and a means of escape. We have concluded a treaty of peace with them and we have taken the pledge in the Name of God … and in silent resignation was Abu Jandal then borne away with his chains. Mubarakfuri, S.R. (2008). The Sealed Nectar: (Ar-Raheequl-Makhtum); Biography of the Noble Prophet. Riyadh: Darussalam

 

Abu Jandal ibn Sufyan later freed himself and escaped, but could not go to Madinah to be with the Prophet due to the treaty that had been concluded and he remained for a number of years by the seaside until the some of the terms of the treaty were later repealed by the pagans.

 

Moreover, it must be remembered that the Prophet also gave instructions to the Muslims on how to deal with people with whom they have an agreement, or with whom they have entered into a treaty. Attesting to this fact, it is authentically recorded that the Prophet Muhammad pbuh gave the following warning, 

 

“Whoever kills a Mu’ahid, will never smell the fragrance of Paradise, although its fragrance can be appreciated from the distance of forty years.” [Bukhari] Mu’ahid: A non-Muslim with a guarantee of security from Muslims, or those people with whom the Muslims have entered into a treaty.

 

The Prophet Muhammad pbuh is also recorded to have frequently said in his sermons,

 “The one who gives no security has no faith, and the one who does not respect his treaties has no religion.” [Ahmad and several others from the narration of Anas ibn Maalik]

 

Muslims living in the West, irrespective of which country they live in or which country they come from, be they citizens or residents, legally or illegal; all have been allowed into their respective new country with a mutual pact of security.  Just as the police officers in those countries have a legal and a moral responsibility towards all Muslims residing in their countries, the Muslims too have a legal, religious and moral responsibility towards the lives and properties of the residents of those countries, even if those countries are at war with Muslims elsewhere in the world. It becomes a religious requirement upon the Muslims in such places to be law abiding citizens in all matters that do not contradict their religion. Hence, Muslims are religiously prohibited from stealing, cheating and disturbing the peace—not to mention being forbidden from performing the wanton destruction of innocent lives and property that occurs with most terrorist acts.

 

The last important point that must be clarified is that Muslims are not allowed to individually declare war on others, as some people have wrongly done today. In Islam, order and structure are of paramount importance so as to prevent much of the anarchy that we see these days. As was mentioned previously, the Muslim world today has no leadership (Caliphate) and thus cannot declare war upon another nation. Muslims have certainly been given the right to defend their homes if and when they are attacked, but the act of crossing into another sovereign country by a small gang of people in order to attack it is entirely illegal in Islamic law.   

 

Thus, the emotionally driven actions of various extremists around the world today are found again and again to be without basis Islamically. God indeed is forgiving, but we do say very loudly and clearly that violating the treaties and guarantees of security that are assumed by entering into other countries and then cowardly killing innocents and non-combatants is something completely forbidden in Islam and leads to the punishment of God in the Hereafter.

 

In fact, in such turbulent times, the Prophet strongly recommended to the believers that they step back and to wait patiently until issues became clear, as opposed to taking action during times of confusion and trial. And there is no doubt that the issues of today are confusing and extremely frustrating, making it all the more necessary to pull back and not get dragged into something that can easily land someone in Hell.

  Source