11. PORK
FORBIDDEN
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Question:
Why is the
eating of pork forbidden in Islam?
Answer:
The fact that
consumption of pork is prohibited in Islam is well known. The following
points explain various aspects of this prohibition:
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1. |
Pork prohibited in Qur’an
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The Qur’an prohibits the consumption of pork in no less
than 4 different places. It is prohibited in 2:173, 5:3, 6:145 and 16:115.
"Forbidden to
you (for food) are: dead meat, blood, the flesh of swine, and that on which
hath been invoked the name of other than Allah."
[Al-Qur’an 5:3]
The above
verses of the Holy Qur’an are sufficient to satisfy a Muslim as to why pork
is forbidden.
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2. |
Pork prohibited in the Bible
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The Christian
is likely to be convinced by his religious scriptures. The Bible prohibits
the consumption of pork, in the book of Leviticus
"And the
swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven footed, yet he cheweth not
the cud; he is unclean to you".
"Of their
flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch, they are
unclean to you."
[Leviticus 11:7-8]
Pork is also
prohibited in the Bible in the book of Deuteronomy
"And the
swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean
unto you. Ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass."
[Deuteronomy 14:8]
A similar
prohibition is repeated in the Bible in the book of Isaiah chapter 65 verse
2-5.
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3. |
Consumption of pork causes several diseases
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The other
non-Muslims and atheists will agree only if convinced through reason, logic
and science. Eating of pork can cause no less than seventy different types
of diseases. A person can have various helminthes like roundworm, pinworm,
hookworm, etc. One of the most dangerous is Taenia Solium, which is in lay
man’s terminology called tapeworm. It harbours in the intestine and is very
long. Its ova i.e. eggs, enter the blood stream and can reach almost all the
organs of the body. If it enters the brain it can cause memory loss. If it
enters the heart it can cause heart attack, if it enters the eye it can
cause blindness, if it enters the liver it can cause liver damage. It can
damage almost all the organs of the body.
Another
dangerous helminthes is Trichura Tichurasis. A common misconception about
pork is that if it is cooked well, these ova die. In a research project
undertaken in America, it was found that out of twenty-four people suffering
from Trichura Tichurasis, twenty two had cooked the pork very well. This
indicates that the ova present in the pork do not die under normal cooking
temperature.
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4. |
Pork has fat building material
Pork has very
little muscle building material and contains excess of fat. This fat gets
deposited in the vessels and can cause hypertension and heart attack. It is
not surprising that over 50% of Americans suffer from hypertension.
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5. |
Pig is one of the filthiest animals on earth |
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The pig is
one of the filthiest animals on earth. It lives and thrives on muck, faeces
and dirt. It is the best scavenger that I know that God has produced. In the
villages they don’t have modern toilets and the villagers excrete in the
open air. Very often excreta is cleared by pigs.
Some may
argue that in advanced countries like Australia, pigs are bred in very clean
and hygienic conditions. Even in these hygienic conditions the pigs are kept
together in sties. No matter how hard you try to keep them clean they are
filthy by nature. They eat and enjoy their own as well as their neighbour’s
excreta.
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6. |
Pig is the most shameless animal |
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The pig is the most shameless
animal on the face of the earth. It is the only animal that invites its
friends to have sex with its mate. In America, most people consume pork.
Many times after dance parties, they have swapping of wives; i.e. many say
"you sleep with my wife and I will sleep with your wife." If you eat pigs
then you behave like pigs. We Indians look upon America to be very advanced
and sophisticated. Whatever they do, we follow after a few years. According
to an article in Island magazine, this practice of swapping wives has become
common in the affluent circles of Bombay. |
12.
PROHIBITION OF ALCOHOL
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Question:
Why is the consumption of
alcohol prohibited in Islam?
Answer:
Alcohol has
been the scourge of human society since time immemorial. It continues to
cost countless human lives, and causes terrible misery to millions
throughout the world. Alcohol is the root cause of several problems facing
society. The statistics of soaring crime rates, increasing instances of
mental illnesses and millions of broken homes throughout the world bear mute
testimony to the destructive power of alcohol.
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1. |
Prohibition of alcohol in the Qur’an
The Glorious
Qur’an prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verse:
"O ye who
believe!
Intoxicants and Gambling,
(Dedication of) stones,
And (divination by) arrows,
Are an Abomination –
Of Satan’s handiwork;
Eschew such (abomination),
That ye may prosper."
[Al-Qur’an 5:90]
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2. |
Prohibition of alcohol in the Bible
The Bible
prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the following verses:
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"Wine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging; and whosoever is deceived thereby is not
wise."
[Proverbs 20:1]
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"And be not
drunk with wine."
[Ephesians 5:18]
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3. |
Alcohol inhibits the inhibitory centre
The human beings possess an inhibitory centre in their brains. This
inhibitory centre prevents the person from doing things that he considers
wrong. For instance a person does not normally use abusive language while
addressing his parents or elders. If he has to answer the call of nature,
his inhibitory centre will prevent him from doing so in public. Therefore he
uses the toilet.
When a person
consumes alcohol, the inhibitory centre itself is inhibited. That is
precisely the reason that an inebriated person is often found to be
indulging in behaviour that is completely uncharacteristic of him. For
instance the intoxicated person is found to use abusive and foul language
and does not realize his mistake even if he is addressing his parents. Many
even urinate in their clothes. Neither do they talk nor walk properly. They
even misbehave.
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4. |
Cases of adultery, rape, incest and AIDS are found more among alcoholics
According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau of Justice (U.S.
Department of Justice) in the year 1996 alone everyday on an average 2,713
rapes took place. The statistics tell us that the majority of the rapists,
were intoxicated while committing the crime. The same is true in cases of
molestation.
According to
statistics, 8% of Americans commit incest i.e. one in every twelve to
thirteen persons in America is involved in incest. Almost all the cases of
incest are due to intoxication of one or both the persons involved.
One of the
major factors associated with the spread of AIDS, the most dreaded disease,
is alcoholism.
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5. |
Every alcoholic was initially a social drinker
Many may argue in favour of liquor by calling themselves ‘social drinkers’.
They claim that they only have one or two pegs and they have self-control
and so never get intoxicated. Investigations reveal that every alcoholic
started as a social drinker. Not a single alcoholic or drunkard initially
starts drinking with the intention of becoming an alcoholic or a drunkard.
No social drinker can say that I have been having alcohol for several years
and that I have so much self-control that I have never been intoxicated even
a single time.
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6. |
If a person is intoxicated just once and commits something
shameful, it will remain with him for a lifetime.
Suppose a ‘social drinker’ loses his self-control just once. In a state of
intoxication he commits rape or incest. Even if the act is later regretted,
a normal human being is likely to carry the guilt throughout his life. Both
the perpetrator and the victim are irreparably and irreversibly damaged.
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7. |
Alcohol is prohibited in the Hadith
The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
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In Sunan
Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3371.
"Alcohol is the mother of all evils and it is the most shameful of evils."
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In Sunan
Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No. 3392
"Anything which intoxicates in a large quantity, is prohibited even in a
small quantity."
Thus there
is no excuse for a nip or a tot.
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Not only
those who drink alcohol are cursed but also those who deal with them
directly or indirectly are cursed by Allah.
According
to Sunan Ibn-I-Majah Volume 3, Book of Intoxicants, Chapter 30 Hadith No.
3380.
It was
reported by Anas (may Allah be pleased with him), that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
said:
"God’s
curse falls on ten groups of people who deal with alcohol. The one who
distills it, the one for whom it has been distilled, the one who drinks
it, the one who transports it, the one to who it has been brought, the one
whom serves it, the one who sells it, the one who utilizes money from it,
the one who buys it and the one who buys it for someone else."
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8. |
Diseases associated with alcoholism
There are several scientific reasons for the prohibition of consumption of
intoxicants i.e. alcohol. The maximum number of deaths in the world related
to any one particular cause is due to the consumption of alcohol. Millions
of people die every year only because of intake of alcohol. I need not go
into the details of all the ill-effects of alcohol since most of them are
commonly known. Below is a simple list of few of the alcohol related
illnesses:
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Cirrhosis
of Liver is the most well known alcohol associated disease.
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Others are
Cancer of Oesophagus, Cancer of Head and Neck, Cancer of Liver (Hepatoma),
Cancer of Bowel, etc.
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Oesophagitis, Gastritis, Pancreatitis and Hepatitis are linked with
alcohol consumption.
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Cardiomyopathy, Hypertension, Coronary Artherosclerosis, Angina and Heart
Attacks are linked with heavy alcohol intakes.
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Strokes,
Apoplexy, Fits and different types of Paralysis are linked with alcohol
intake.
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Peripheral
Neuropathy, Cortical Atrophy, Cerebellar Atrophy are well-known syndromes
caused by alcohol consumption.
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Wernicke –
Korsakoff syndrome with amnesia of recent events, confabulations and
retainment of memory to old events with different types of paralysis are
mainly due to thiamine deficiency due to excessive alcohol intake.
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Beriberi
and other deficiencies are not uncommon among alcoholics. Even Pellagra
occurs in alcoholics.
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Delerium
Tremens is a serious complication that may occur during recurrent
infection of alcoholics or post operatively. It also occurs during
abstention as a sign of withdrawal effect. It is quite serious and may
cause death even if treated in well equipped centres.
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Numerous
Endocrine Disorders have been associated with alcoholism ranging from
Myxodema to Hyperthyroidism and Florid Cushing Syndrome.
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Hematological ill effects are long and variable. Folic acid deficiency,
however, is the most common manifestation of alcoholic abuse resulting in
Macrocytic Anemia. Zeive’s syndrome is a triad of Hemolytic Anemia,
Jaundice and Hyperlipaedemia that follows alcoholic binges.
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Thrombocytopenia and other platelet abnormalities are not rare in
alcoholics.
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The
commonly used tablet metronidazole (flagyl) interacts badly with alcohol.
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Recurrent
infection is very common among chronic alcoholics. The resistance to
disease and the immunological defense system are compromised by alcohol
intake.
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Chest
infections are notorious in alcoholics. Pneumonia, Lung Abcess, Emphysema
and Pulmonary Tuberculosis are all common in alcoholics.
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During
acute alcoholic intoxication, the drunk person usually vomits, the cough
reflexes which are protective are paralysed. The vomitus thus easily pass
to the lung causing Pneumonia or Lung Abscess. Occasionally it may even
cause suffocation and death.
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The ill
effects of alcohol consumption on women deserves special mention. Females
are more vulnerable to alcohol-related Cirrhosis than men. During
pregnancy alcohol consumption has a severe detrimental effect on the
foetus. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome is being recognised more and more in the
medical profession.
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Skin
diseases are also related to alcohol indulgence.
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Eczema,
Alopecia, Nail Dystrophy, Paronychia (infection around the nails) and
Angular Stomatitis (inflammation of the angle of the mouth) are common
diseases among alcoholics.
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9. |
Alcoholism is a ‘disease’
Medical doctors have now turned liberal towards alcoholics and call
alcoholism a disease rather than an addiction.
The Islamic
Research Foundation has published a pamphlet that says:
If alcohol is
a disease, it is the only disease that:
- Is sold in
bottles
- Is
advertised in newspapers, magazines, on radio and television
- Has
licensed outlets to spread it
- Produces
revenue for the government
- Brings
violent deaths on the highways
- Destroys
family life and increases crime
- Has no
germs or viral cause
ALCOHOLISM
IS NOT A DISEASE – IT IS SATAN’S HANDIWORK
Allah (swt)
in His Infinite Wisdom has warned us against this snare of Satan. Islam is
called the "Deen-ul-Fitrah" or the natural religion of Man. All its
injunctions are aimed at preserving the natural state of man. Alcohol is a
deviation from this natural state, for the individual as well as for
society. It degrades man to a level below that of the beasts he claims to be
superior to. Hence the consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.
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13. EQUALITY OF WITNESSES
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Question:
Why are two
witnesses who are women, equivalent to only one witness who is a man ?
Answer:
It is not
true that two female witnesses are always considered as equal to only one
male witness. It is true only in certain cases. There are about five verses
in the Qur’an that mention witnesses, without specifying male or female.
There is only one verse in the Qur’an, that says two female witnesses are
equal to one male witness. This verse is Surah Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 282.
This is the longest verse in the Qur’an and deals with financial
transactions. It says:
"Oh! ye who
believe!
When ye deal with each other,
in transactions involving future obligation
in a fixed period of time
reduce them to writing and get two witnesses
out of your own men and if there are not two men,
then a man and two women, such as ye choose,
for witnesses so that if one of them errs
the other can remind her."
[Al-Qur’an 2:282]
This verse of
the Qur’an deals only with financial transactions. In such cases, it is
advised to make an agreement in writing between the parties and take two
witnesses, preferably both of which should be men only. In case you cannot
find two men, then one man and two women would suffice.
For instance,
suppose a person wants to undergo an operation for a particular ailment. To
confirm the treatment, he would prefer taking references from two qualified
surgeons. In case he is unable to find two surgeons, his second option would
be one surgeon and two general practitioners who are plain MBBS doctors.
Similarly in
financial transactions, two men are preferred. Islam expects men to be the
breadwinners of their families. Since financial responsibility is shouldered
by men, they are expected to be well versed in financial transactions as
compared to women. As a second option, the witness can be one man and two
women, so that if one of the women errs the other can remind her. The Arabic
word used in the Qur’an is ‘Tazil’ which means ‘confused’ or ‘to
err’. Many have wrongly translated this word as ‘to forget’. Thus financial
transactions constitute the only case in which two female witnesses are
equal to one male witness.
However, some
scholars are of the opinion that the feminine attitude can also have an
effect on the witness in a murder case. In such circumstances a woman is
more terrified as compared to a man. Due to her emotional condition she can
get confused. Therefore, according to some jurists, even in cases of murder,
two female witnesses are equivalent to one male witness. In all other cases,
one female witness is equivalent to one male witness. There are about five
verses in the Qur’an which speak about witnesses without specifying man or
woman.
While making
a will of inheritance, two just persons are required as witnesses. In Surah
Maidah chapter 5 verse 106, the Glorious Qur’an says:
"Oh you who
believe!
When death approaches any of you,
(take) witnesses among yourself when making bequests."
[Al-Qur’an 5:106]
two just
persons of your own (brotherhood)
or other from outside if you are journeying
through the earth and the chance of death befalls you."
[Al-Qur’an 65:2]
Two persons
endued with justice in case of talaq.
"Four witnesses are required
in case of charge against chaste women,
[Al-Qur’an 24:4]
There are
some scholars who are of the opinion that the rule of two female witnesses
equal to one male witness should be applied to all the cases. This cannot be
agreed upon because one particular verse of the Qur’an from Surah Noor
chapter 24, verse 6 clearly equates one female witness and one male witness:
"And those
who launch a charge
against their spouses, and have (in support)
no evidence but their own -
their solitary evidence can be received."
[Al-Qur’an 24:6]
Hazrat Ayesha
(RA) hadith narrated of one witness
Many jurists
agree that even one witness of a woman is sufficient for the sighting of the
crescent of the moon. Imagine one woman witness is sufficient for one of the
pillars of Islam, i.e. fasting and the whole Muslim community of men and
women agree and accept her witness! Some jurists say that one witness is
required at the beginning of Ramadaan and two witnesses at the end of
Ramadaan. It makes no difference whether the witnesses are men or
women.
Some
incidents require only female witness and that of a male cannot be accepted.
For instance, in dealing with the problems of women, while giving the burial
bath i.e. ‘ghusl’ to a woman, the witness has to be a woman.
The seeming
inequality of male and female witnesses in financial transactions is not due
to any inequality of the sexes in Islam. It is only due to the different
natures and roles of men and women in society as envisaged by Islam.
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14.
INHERITANCE
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Question:
Under Islamic
law, why is a woman’s share of the inherited wealth only half that of a man?
Answer:
The Glorious
Qur’an contains specific and detailed guidance regarding the division of the
inherited wealth, among the rightful beneficiaries.
The Qur’anic
verses that contain guidance regarding inheritance are:
* Surah
Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 180
* Surah
Baqarah, chapter 2 verse 240
* Surah
Nisa, chapter 4 verse 7-9
* Surah
Nisa, chapter 4 verse 19
* Surah
Nisa, chapter 4 verse 33 and
* Surah
Maidah, chapter 5 verse 106-108
There are
three verses in the Qur’an that broadly describe the share of close
relatives i.e. Surah Nisah chapter 4 verses 11, 12 and 176. The translation
of these verses are as follows:
"Allah (swt)
(thus) directs you as regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male, a
portion equal to that of two females, if only daughters, two or more, their
share is two-thirds of the inheritance; If only one, her share is a half.
For parents,
a sixth share of the inheritance to each, if the deceased left children; If
no children, and the parents are the (only) heirs, the mother has a third;
if the deceased left brothers (or sisters) the mother has a sixth. (The
distribution in all cases is) after the payment of legacies and debts. Ye
know not whether your parents or your children are nearest to you in
benefit. These are settled portions ordained by Allah; and Allah is
All-Knowing, All-Wise.
In what your
wives leave, your share is half. If they leave no child; but if they leave a
child, ye get a fourth; after payment of legacies and debts. In what ye
leave, their share is a fourth, if ye leave no child; but if ye leave a
child, they get an eight; after payment of legacies and debts. If the man or
woman whose inheritance is in question, has left neither ascendants nor
descendants, but has left a brother or a sister, each one of the two gets a
sixth; but if more than two, they share in a third; after payment of
legacies and debts; so that no loss is caused (to anyone). Thus it is
ordained by Allah; and Allah is All-Knowing Most Forbearing"
[Al-Qur’an 4:11-12]
"They ask
thee for a legal decision. Say: Allah directs (them) about those who leave
no descendants or ascendants as heirs. If it is a man that dies, leaving a
sister but no child, she shall have half the inheritance. If (such a
deceased was) a woman who left no child, Her brother takes her inheritance.
If there are two sisters, they shall have two thirds of the inheritance
(between them). If there are brothers and sisters, (they share), the male
having twice the share of the female. Thus doth Allah (swt) makes clear to
you (His knowledge of all things).
[Al-Qur’an 4:176]
In most of
the cases, a woman inherits half of what her male counterpart inherits.
However, this is not always the case. In case the deceased has left no
ascendant or descendent but has left the uterine brother and sister, each of
the two inherit one sixth. If the deceased has left children, both the
parents that is mother and father get an equal share and inherit one sixth
each. In certain cases, a woman can also inherit a share that is double that
of the male. If the deceased is a woman who has left no children, brothers
or sisters and is survived only by her husband, mother and father, the
husband inherits half the property while the mother inherits one third and
the father the remaining one sixth. In this particular case, the mother
inherits a share that is double that of the father. It is true that as a
general rule, in most cases, the female inherits a share that is half that
of the male. For instance in the following cases:
1. daughter
inherits half of what the son inherits,
2. wife
inherits 1/8th and husband 1/4th if the deceased has no children.
3. Wife
inherits 1/4th and husband 1/2 if the deceased has children
4. If the
deceased has no ascendant or descendent, the sister inherits a share that
is half that of the brother.
In Islam a
woman has no financial obligation and the economical responsibility lies on
the shoulders of the man. Before a woman is married it is the duty of the
father or brother to look after the lodging, boarding, clothing and other
financial requirements of the woman. After she is married it is the duty of
the husband or the son. Islam holds the man financially responsible for
fulfilling the needs of his family. In order to do be able to fulfill the
responsibility the men get double the share of the inheritance. For example,
if a man dies leaving about Rs. One Hundred and Fifty Thousand, for the
children (i.e one son and one daughter) the son inherits One Hundred
Thousand rupees and the daughter only Fifty Thousand rupees. Out of the one
hundred thousand which the son inherits, as his duty towards his family, he
may have to spend on them almost the entire amount or say about eighty
thousand and thus he has a small percentage of inheritance, say about twenty
thousand, left for himself. On the other hand, the daughter, who inherits
fifty thousand is not bound to spend a single penny on anybody. She can keep
the entire amount for herself. Would you prefer inheriting one hundred
thousand rupees and spending eighty thousand from it, or inheriting fifty
thousand rupees and having the entire amount to yourself?
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16.
HEREAFTER - LIFE AFTER DEATH
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Question
How can you prove the
existence of hereafter, i.e. life after death?
Answer |
1. |
Belief in the hereafter is not based on blind faith? |
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Many people
wonder as to how a person with a scientific and logical temperament, can
lend any credence to the belief of life after death. People assume that
anyone believing in the hereafter is doing so on the basis of blind belief.
My belief in
the hereafter is based on a logical argument.
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2. |
Hereafter a logical belief
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There are
more than a thousand verses in the Glorious Qur’an, containing scientific
facts (refer my book "Qur’an and Modern Science-Compatible or
Incompatible?"). Many facts mentioned in the Qur’an have been discovered in
the last few centuries. But science has not advanced to a level where it can
confirm every statement of the Qur’an.
Suppose 80%
of all that is mentioned in the Qur’an has been proved 100% correct. About
the remaining 20%, science makes no categorical statement, since it has not
advanced to a level, where it can either prove or disprove these statements.
With the limited knowledge that we have, we cannot say for sure whether even
a single percentage or a single verse of the Qur’an from this 20% portion is
wrong. Thus when 80% of the Qur’an is 100% correct and the remaining 20% is
not disproved, logic says that even the 20% portion is correct. The
existence of the hereafter, which is mentioned in the Qur’an, falls in the
20% ambiguous portion which my logic says is correct.
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3. |
Concept of peace and human values is useless without the concept of
hereafter
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Is robbing a
good or an evil act? A normal balanced person would say it is evil. How
would a person who does not believe in the hereafter convince a powerful and
influential criminal that robbing is evil?
Suppose I am
the most powerful and influential criminal in the world. At the same time I
am an Intelligent and a logical person. I say that robbing is good because
it helps me lead a luxurious life. Thus robbing is good for me.
If anybody
can put forward a single logical argument as to why it is evil for me, I
will stop immediately. People usually put forward the following arguments:
a.
The person who is robbed will face difficulties
Some may
say that the person who is robbed will face difficulties. I certainly
agree that it is bad for the person who is robbed. But it is good for me.
If I rob a thousand dollars, I can enjoy a good meal at a 5 star
restaurant.
b.
Someone may rob you
Some people
argue that someday I may be robbed. No one can rob me because I am a very
powerful criminal and I have hundreds of bodyguards. I can rob anybody but
nobody can rob me. Robbing may be a risky profession for a common man but
not for an influential person like me.
c.
The police may arrest you
Some may
say, if you rob, you can be arrested by the police. The police cannot
arrest me because I have the police on my payroll. I have the ministers on
my payroll. I agree that if a common man robs, he will be arrested and it
will be bad for him, but I am an extraordinarily influential and powerful
criminal.
Give me one
logical reason why it is bad for me and I will stop robbing.
d.
Its easy money
Some may
say its easy money and not hard-earned money. I agree completely that it
is easy money, and that is one of the main reasons why I rob. If a person
has the option of earning money the easy as well as the hard way, any
logical person would choose the easy way.
e.
It is against humanity
Some may
say it is against humanity and that a person should care for other human
beings. I counter argue by asking as to who wrote this law called
‘humanity’ and why should I follow it?
This law
may be good for the emotional and sentimental people but I am a logical
person and I see no benefit in caring for other human beings.
f.
It is a selfish act
Some may
say that robbing is being selfish. It is true that robbing is a selfish
act; but then why should I not be selfish? It helps me enjoy life.
1. No
logical reason for robbing being an evil act
Hence
all arguments that attempt to prove that robbing is an evil act are
futile. These arguments may satisfy a common man but not a powerful and
influential criminal like me. None of the arguments can be defended on
the strength of reason and logic. It is no surprise that there are so
many criminals in this world.
Similarly
raping, cheating etc. can be justified as good for a person like me and
there is no logical argument that can convince me that these things are
bad.
2. A
Muslim can convince a powerful and influential criminal
Now let us switch sides. Suppose you are the most powerful and
influential criminal in the world, who has the police and the ministers
on his payroll. You have army of thugs to protect you. I am a Muslim who
will convince you that robbing, raping, cheating, etc. are evil acts.
Even if I
put forth the same arguments to prove that robbing is evil the criminal
will respond the same way as he did earlier.
I agree
that the criminal is being logical and all his arguments are true only
when he is the most powerful and influential criminal.
3. Every human being wants justice
Each and
every human being desires justice. Even if he does not want justice for
others he wants justice for himself. Some people are intoxicated by
power and influence and inflict pain and suffering on others. The same
people, however, would surely object if some injustice was done to them.
The reason such people become insensitive to the suffering of others is
that they worship power and influence. Power and influence, they feel,
not only allows them to inflict injustice on others but also prevents
others from doing likewise to them.
4.
God is Most Powerful and Just
As a
Muslim I would convince the criminal about the existence of Almighty God
(refer to answer proving the existence of God). This God is more
powerful than you and at the same time is also just. The Glorious Qur’an
says:
"Allah is
never unjust
In the least degree"
[Al-Qur’an 4:40]
5.
Why does God not punish me?
The
criminal, being a logical and scientific person, agrees that God exists,
after being presented with scientific facts from the Qur’an. He may
argue as to why God, if He is Powerful and Just, does not punish him.
6.
The people who do injustice should be punished
Every
person who has suffered injustice, irrespective of financial or social
status, almost certainly wants the perpetrator of injustice to be
punished. Every normal person would like the robber or the rapist to be
taught a lesson. Though a large number of criminals are punished, many
even go scot-free. They lead a pleasant, luxurious life, and even enjoy
a peaceful existence. If injustice is done to a powerful and influential
person, by someone more powerful and more influential than he, even such
a person would want that person perpetrators of injustice to be
punished.
7.
This life is a test for the hereafter
This life
is a test for the hereafter. The Glorious Qur’an says:
"He who
created Death
And life that He
May try which of you
Is best in deed;
And He is the Exalted
In Might, Oft-Forgiving"
[Al-Qur’an 67:2]
8.
Final justice on day of judgement
The
Glorious Qur’an says:
"Every
soul shall have
A taste of death:
And only on the Day
Of Judgement shall you
Be paid your full recompense.
Only he who is saved
Far from the Fire
And admitted to the Garden
Will have attained
The object (of life):
For the life of this world
Is but goods and chattels
Of deception."
[Al-Qur’an 3:185]
Final
justice will be meted out on the Day of Judgement. After a person dies,
he will be resurrected on the Day of Judgement along with the rest of
mankind. It is possible that a person receives part of his punishment in
this world. The final reward and punishment will only be in the
hereafter. God Almighty may not punish a robber or a rapist in this
world but he will surely be held accountable on the Day of Judgement and
will be punished in the hereafter i.e. life after death.
9.
What punishment can the human law give Hitler?
Hitler
incinerated six million Jews during his reign of terror. Even if the
police had arrested him, what punishment can the human law give Hitler
for justice to prevail? The most they can do is to send Hitler to the
gas chamber. But that will only be punishment for the killing of one
Jew. What about the remaining five million, nine hundred and ninety nine
thousand, nine hundred and ninety-nine Jews?
10.
Allah can burn Hitler more than six million times in hellfire
Allah say
in the Glorious Qur’an:
"Those
who reject
Our signs, We shall soon
Cast into the Fire;
As often as their skins
Are roasted through,
We shall change them
For fresh skins,
That they may taste
The penalty: for Allah
Is Exalted in Power, Wise"
[Al-Qur’an 4:56]
If Allah
wishes he can incinerate Hitler six million times in the hereafter in
the hellfire.
11.
No concept of human values or good and bad without concept of hereafter
It is
clear that without convincing a person about the hereafter, i.e. life
after death, the concept of human values and the good or evil nature of
acts is impossible to prove to any person who is doing injustice
especially when he is influential and powerful.
|
17. WHY ARE MUSLIMS
DIVIDED INTO SECTS / DIFFERENT SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT?
|
|
Question:
When all the
Muslim follow one and the same Qur’an then why are there so many sects and
different schools of thoughts among Muslims?
Answer:
|
1. |
Muslims Should be United
|
|
It is a fact
that Muslims today, are divided amongst themselves. The tragedy is that such
divisions are not endorsed by Islam at all. Islam believes in fostering
unity amongst its followers.
The
Glorious Qur’an says:
"And hold
fast,
All together, by the rope
Which Allah (stretches out for you),
and be not divided among yourselves;"
[Al-Qur’an 3:103]
Which is the
rope of Allah that is being referred to in this verse? It is the Glorious
Qur’an. The Glorious Qur’an is the rope of Allah which all Muslims should
hold fast together. There is double emphasis in this verse. Besides saying
‘hold fast all together’ it also says, ‘be not divided’.
Qur’an
further says,
"Obey Allah,
and obey the Messenger"
[Al-Qur’an 4:59]
All the
Muslim should follow the Qur’an and authentic Ahadith and be not divided
among themselves.
|
2. |
It is Prohibited to make sects and divisions in Islam
|
|
The
Glorious Qur’an says:
"As for those
who divide
Their religion and break up
Into sects, thou hast
No part in them in the least:
Their affair is with Allah:
He will in the end
Tell them the truth
Of all that they did."
[Al-Qur’an 6:159]
In this verse
Allah (swt) says that one should disassociate oneself from those who divide
their religion and break it up into sects.
But when one
asks a Muslim, "who are you?", the common answer is either ‘I am a Sunni,
or ‘I am a Shia’. Some call themselves Hanafi, or Shafi
or Maliki or Humbali. Some say ‘I am a Deobandi’, while
some others say ‘I am a Barelvi’.
|
3. |
Our Prophet was a Muslim
|
|
One may ask
such Muslims, "Who was our beloved prophet (pbuh)? Was he a Hanafi or
a Shafi, or a Humbali or a Maliki?" No! He was a
Muslim, like all the other prophets and messengers of Allah before him.
It is
mentioned in chapter 3 verse 52 of Al-Qur’an that Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim.
Further, in
chapter 3 verse 67, Al-Qur’an says that Ibrahim (pbuh) was not a Jew or a
Christian but was a Muslim.
|
4. |
Qur’an says call yourselves Muslim
|
|
-
If anyone
poses a Muslim the question who are you, he should say "I am a MUSLIM, not
a Hanafi or a Shafi". Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verse 33
says
"Who is better in speech
Than one who calls (men)
To Allah, works righteousness,
And says, ‘I am of those
Who bow in Islam (Muslim)?’ "
[Al-Qur’an 41:33]
The Qur’an says "Say I am of those who bow in Islam". In other words, say,
"I am a Muslim".
-
The Prophet
(pbuh) dictated letters to non-Muslim kings and rulers inviting them to
accept Islam. In these letters he mentioned the verse of the Qur’an from
Surah Ali Imran chapter 3 verse 64:
Say ye: "Bear witness
That we (at least)
Are Muslims (bowing
To Allah’s Will)."
[Al-Qur’an 3:64]
|
5. |
Respect all the Great Scholars of Islam |
|
We must respect all the great
scholars of Islam, including the four Imaams, Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shafi,
Imam Humbal and Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased with them all). They were
great scholars and may Allah reward them for their research and hardwork.
One can have no objection if someone agrees with the views and research of
Imam Abu Hanifa or Imam Shafi, etc. But when posed a question, ‘who are
you?’, the reply should only be ‘I am a Muslim’. |
6. |
Some may argue by quoting the hadith of our beloved Prophet from Sunan Abu
Dawood Hadith No. 4579. In this hadith the prophet (pbuh) is reported to
have said, "My community will be split up into seventy-three sects."
This hadith
reports that the prophet predicted the emergence of seventy-three sects. He
did not say that Muslims should be active in dividing themselves into sects.
The Glorious Qur’an commands us not to create sects. Those who follow the
teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, and do not create sects are the
people who are on the true path.
According to
Tirmidhi Hadith No. 171, the prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said, "My
Ummah will be fragmented into seventy-three sects, and all of them will
be in Hell fire except one sect." The companions asked Allah’s messenger
which group that would be. Where upon he replied, "It is the one to which I
and my companions belong."
The Glorious
Qur’an mentions in several verses, "Obey Allah and obey His Messenger". A
true Muslim should only follow the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. He
can agree with the views of any scholar as long as they conform to the
teachings of the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith. If such views go against the Word
of Allah, or the Sunnah of His Prophet, then they carry no weight,
regardless of how learned the scholar might be.
If only all
Muslims read the Qur’an with understanding and adhere to Sahih Hadith,
Inshallah most of these differences would be solved and we could be one
united Muslim Ummah
|
18. ALL
RELIGIONS TEACH MEN TO BE RIGHTEOUS, THEN WHY FOLLOW ONLY ISLAM?
|
|
Question
All religions
basically teach followers to do good deeds. Why should a person only follow
Islam? Can he not follow any of the religions?
Answer
|
1. |
Major difference between Islam and most other religions
|
|
All religions basically exhort
mankind to be righteous and eschew evil. But Islam goes beyond that. It
guides us towards practical ways of achieving righteousness and eliminating
evil from our individual and collective lives. Islam takes into account
human nature and the complexities of human society. Islam is guidance from
the Creator Himself. Therefore, Islam is also called the Deen-ul-Fitrah
(the natural religion of Man). |
2. |
Example - Islam commands us to shun robbery and also prescribes method of
eleminating robbery |
|
-
Islam
prescribes method of eliminating robbery
All major religions teach that theft is an evil act. Islam teaches the
same. So what is the difference between Islam and the other religions? The
difference lies in the fact that Islam, besides teaching that robbing is
evil, shows a practical way of creating a social structure in which people
will not rob.
-
Islam
prescribes Zakaat
Islam prescribes a system of
Zakaat (obligatory annual charity). Islamic law prescribes that
every person who has a saving that exceeds the nisaab level i.e.
more than 85 grams of gold, should give 2.5% of that saving every lunar
year in charity. If every rich person in the world gave Zakaat
sincerely, poverty will be eradicated from this world. Not a single human
being would die of hunger.
-
Chopping
off the hands as punishment for robbery
Islam prescribes chopping off the hands of the convicted robber. The
Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Maidah:
"As to the thief, male or female, cut off his or her hands:a punishment by
way
of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power,
full of wisdom."
[ Al-Qur’an 5:38]
The non-Muslim may say, "Chopping off the hands in this 20th century.
Islam is a barbaric and ruthless religion!"
-
Results
achieved when Islamic Shariah Implemented
-
America is
supposed to be one of the most advanced countries in the world.
Unfortunately it also has one of the highest rates of crime, theft, and
robbery. Suppose the Islamic shariah is implemented in America i.e.
every rich person gives Zakaat ( 2.5% of his savings in charity
above 85 grams of gold every lunar year), and every convicted robber has
his or her hands chopped off as a punishment. Will the rate of theft and
robbery in America increase, remain same or decrease? Naturally it will
decrease. Moreover the existence of such a stringent law would discourage
many a potential robber.
I agree
that the amount of theft that takes place in the world today is so
tremendous that if you chop off the hands of all the thieves, there will
be tens of thousands of people whose hands will be chopped off. The point
here is that the moment you implement this law the rate of theft will
decline immediately. The potential robber would give it a serious thought
before jeopardizing his limbs. The mere thought of the punishment itself
will discourage majority of the robbers. There will barely be a few who
would rob. Hence only a few person’s hands would be chopped off but
millions would live peacefully without fear of being robbed.
Islamic
Shariah is therefore practical, and achieves results.
|
3. |
Example: Islam prohibits the molestation and rape of women. It enjoins
hijaab and prescribes capital punishment for a convicted rapist. |
|
- Islam prescribes method
of eliminating molestation and rape
All the major religions declare the molestation and rape of women as
grave sins. Islam teaches the same. What then is the difference between
Islam and the other religions? The difference lies in the fact that Islam
does not merely preach respect for women, or abhor molestation and rape as
serious crimes, but also gives clear guidance as to how society can
eliminate such crimes.
- Hijaab for men
Islam has a system of hijaab. The Glorious Qur’an first
mentions hijaab for the men and then for the women. Hijaab
for the men is mentioned in the following verse:
"Say to the
believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty:
that will make for greater purity for them: and Allah is well acquainted
with all that they do."
[Al-Qur’an 24:30]
The moment
a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his
mind, he should lower his gaze.
- Hijaab for women
Hijaab for women is mentioned in the following verse:
"And say to
the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their
modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except
what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils
over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands,
their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons...."
[Al-Qur’an 24:31]
The extent
of hijaab for a woman is that her complete body should be covered.
The only part that can be seen, are the face and the hands up to the
wrists. If they wish to cover, they can even cover these parts of the
body. However some Islamic scholars insist that even the face should be
covered.
- Hijaab prevents
molestation
The reason why Allah has prescribed Hijaab for the women is
given in the Qur’an in the folowing verse of Surah Al-Ahzab:
"O Prophet!
Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women,that they should
cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most
convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And
Allah is Oft-Forgiving, most Merciful."
[Al-Qur’an 33:59]
The Qur’an
says that Hijaab has been prescribed for the women so that they are
recognized as modest women this would prevent them from being molested.
- Example of twin sisters
Suppose two sisters who are twins and who are equally beautiful, walk
down a street. One of them is wearing the Islamic Hijaab i.e. the
complete body is covered except for the face and the hands up to the
wrists, and the other twin is wearing a mini skirt or shorts. Around the
corner there is a hooligan who is waiting for an opportunity to tease a
girl. Who will he tease? The girl wearing the Islamic Hijaab or the
girl wearing the mini skirt or shorts? Dresses that expose more than they
conceal, are an indirect temptation to the opposite sex for teasing,
molestation and rape. The Qur’an rightly says that the hijaab
prevents women from being molested.
- Capital punishment for
rapist
The Islamic shariah prescribes capital punishment for a
convicted rapist. The non-Muslim may be horrified at such a stringent
punishment in this age. Many accuse Islam of being ruthless and barbaric.
I have asked a common question to hundreds of non-Muslim men. Suppose
God-forbid, some one rapes your wife, your mother or your sister and you
are made the judge. The rapist is brought in front of you. What punishment
would you give him? All of them said, "we would put him to death." Some
went to the extent of saying, "we would torture him to death", If your
wife or your mother is raped you want the rapist to be put to death. But
if someone else’s wife or mother is raped, capital punishment is a
barbaric law. Why the double standards?
- U.S.A. has one of the
highest rate of Rape
The United States of America is supposed to be one of the most
advanced countries of the world. An F.B.I report in the year 1990 says
that 1,02,555 cases of rape were reported. It further says that only 16%
of the cases of rapes are reported. Thus, in order to know the actual
number of rapes that took place in 1990, the reported figure should be
multiplied by 6.25. We get a total of 6,40,968 rape cases that took place
in the year 1990. If the total is divided by 365 the number of days in a
year, we get an average of 1,756 rape incidents everyday.
Later
another report said that an average of 1900 cases of rape are committed in
U.S.A every day. According to National Crime Victimization Survey Bureau
of Justice Statistics (U. S. Dept. of Justice) in 1996 alone 3,07,000
cases of rape were reported. Only 31% of the actual cases of rape were
reported. Thus, 3,07,000 X 3.226 = 9,90,322 rapes took place in 1996. That
is, an average of 2,713 cases of rape took place everyday in America in
1996. Every 32 seconds one rape is taking place in America. Maybe American
rapists got bolder. The FBI report of 1990 continues and says that out of
the rape cases that were reported only 10% of the rapist were arrested,
that is only 1.6% of the actual rapes committed. Out of those arrested,
50% were let free before the trial. This would mean that only 0.8% of the
rapists faced a trial. In other words if a person commits 125 rapes the
chances that he will get a punishment for rape is only once. Many would
consider this a good gamble. And the report says that of those people who
faced trial 50% received sentences of less than a year’s imprisonment
though the American law says rape carries a seven year sentence of
imprisonment. For a rapist, the judge is lenient to first time offenders.
Imagine a person commits 125 rapes and the chances of being convicted is
only once, and 50% of the time the judge will grant leniency and give a
sentence of less than a year!
- Results achieved when
Islamic Shariah Implemented
Suppose the Islamic shariah is implemented in America. Whenever
a man looks at a woman and if any brazen or unashamed thought comes to his
mind, he lowers his gaze. Every woman wears the Islamic Hijaab,
that is the complete body is covered except the face and the hands upto
the wrists. After this if any man commits rape, he gets capital
punishment. The question is, will the rate of rape in America increase,
will it remain the same or will it decrease? Naturally it will decrease.
Islamic Shariah gets results.
|
4. |
Islam has Practical Solutions for the Problems of Mankind |
|
Islam is the best way of life
because its teachings are not doctrinaire rhetoric but practical solutions
for the problems of mankind. Islam achieves results both at the individual
and collective levels. Islam is the best way of life because it is a
practical, universal religion not confined to any ethnic group or
nationality. |
19. VAST
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ISLAM AND THE ACTUAL PRACTICE OF MUSLIMS
|
|
Question:
If Islam
is the best religion, why are many of the Muslims dishonest, unreliable, and
involved in activities such as cheating, bribing, dealing in drugs, etc.?
Answer:
|
1. |
Media maligns Islam
|
|
- Islam is without doubt the
best religion but the media is in the hands of the westerners who are
afraid of Islam. The media is continuously broadcasting and printing
information against Islam. They either provide misinformation about Islam,
misquote Islam or project a point out of proportion, if any.
- When any bomb blasts take
place anywhere, the first people to be accused without proof are
invariably the Muslims. This appears as headlines in the news. Later, when
they find that non-Muslims were responsible, it appears as an
insignificant news’ item.
- If a 50 year old Muslim
marries a 15 year old girl after taking her permission, it appears on the
front page but when a 50 year old non-Muslim rapes a 6 year old girl, it
may appear in the news in the inside pages as ‘Newsbriefs’. Everyday in
America on an average 2,713 cases of rape take place but it doesn’t appear
in the news, since it has become a way of life for the Americans.
|
2. |
Black sheep in every community:
|
|
I am aware that there are some
Muslims who are dishonest, unreliable, who cheat, etc. but the media
projects this as though only Muslims are involved in such activities. There
are black sheep in every community. I know Muslims who are alcoholics and
who can drink most of the non-Muslims under the table. |
3. |
Muslims best as a whole:
|
|
Inspite of all the black sheep
in the Muslim community, Muslims taken on the whole, yet form the best
community in the world. We are the biggest community of tee-totallers as a
whole, i.e. those who don’t imbibe alcohol. Collectively, we are a community
which gives the maximum charity in the world. There is not a single person
in the world who can even show a candle to the Muslims where modesty is
concerned; where sobriety is concerned; where human values and ethics are
concerned. |
4. |
Don’t judge a car by its driver:
|
|
If you want
to judge how good is the latest model of the "Mercedes" car and a person who
does not know how to drive sits at the steering wheel and bangs up the car,
who will you blame? The car or the driver? But naturally, the driver. To
analyze how good the car is, a person should not look at the driver but see
the ability and features of the car. How fast is it, what is its average
fuel consumption, what are the safety measures, etc. Even if I agree for the
sake of argument that the Muslims are bad, we can’t judge Islam by its
followers? If you want to judge how good Islam is then judge it according to
its authentic sources, i.e. the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith.
|
5. |
Judge Islam by its best follower i.e. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh): |
|
If you practically want to check
how good a car is put an expert driver behind the steering wheel. Similarly
the best and the most exemplary follower of Islam by whom you can check how
good Islam is, is the last and final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Besides Muslims, there are several honest and unbiased non-Muslim historians
who have acclaimed that prophet Muhammad was the best human being. According
to Michael H. Hart who wrote the book, ‘The Hundred Most Influential Men in
History’, the topmost position, i.e. the number one position goes to the
beloved prophet of Islam, Muhammad (pbuh). There are several such examples
of non-Muslims paying great tributes to the prophet, like Thomas Carlyle,
La-Martine, etc. |
20. NON-MUSLIMS REFERRED AS ‘KAFIRS’
|
|
Question:
Why do
Muslims abuse non-Muslims by calling them ‘Kafirs’?
Answer:
|
1. |
‘Kafir’ means one who rejects.
|
|
‘Kafir’
is derived from the word ‘kufr’, which means to conceal or to reject.
In Islamic terminology, ‘Kafir’ means one who conceals or rejects the
truth of Islam and a person who rejects Islam is in English called a
‘non-Muslim’.
|
2. |
If non-Muslims are hurt - they should accept Islam.
|
|
If any non-Muslim considers the
word ‘Kafir’ i.e. ‘non-Muslim’ as an abuse, he may choose to accept
Islam and then we will stop referring to him as or call him a kafir
i.e. a non-Muslim.
::source>http://theunjustmedia.com/Islam/Non-Muslim/Most%20common%20question%20asked%20by%20non%20muslim.htm |
|
