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Name
Dennis
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Profession
Question
Many Muslims have claimed that Qur'anic verses in support of fighting, were for a special historical situation concerning the beginning of Islam. They argue that since prophet Muhammad, was persecuted in Mecca for the first thirteen years of his ministry, he was justified in his military actions in the last ten years of his life in Medina and for the support of the budding Islamic movement. The problem with this reasoning is that nowhere in the Qur'an itself the above commands to fight are restricted to a special time period or against a special people group. Unlike the divine commands found in the book of Joshua in the OT, that were specific to a time, place and people group, Orthodox Muslims believe that the Qur'anic commands are universal and thus applicable for all times and places.
Answer
One of the main rules of interpretation of the Qur'an is to examine occasions of revelation and to keep in mind the historical contexts. As such, there is no necessity to have these details in the text of the Qur'an itself. It should be kept in mind, however, that in some instances if the same conditions are duplicated at other time, then the same rule will be applicable. However, there are few instances where the specific earlier conditions surrounding the budding Muslim community necessitated certain security arrangements that justified certain arrangements.
It is true, however, that the Qur'an generally, is applicable to all times and places. Yet, the special circumstances of the beginning of Islam are not the same like today where Islam has been established firmly as a universal faith.
Name
William
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Profession
Question
My question to Dr. Badawi is: what is the purpose of fighting against Christians and Jews in Islam. Is it to convert them to Christianity or Judaism? Why Muslims think they are right and others are wrong? One of the sayings of the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, that I read in Al-Bukhari, an authentic Hadith book for all Muslims, reads as follows: "Allah's Apostle said, ‘I have been ordered to fight with the people till they say, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,’ and whoever says, ‘None has the right to be worshipped but Allah,’ his life and property will be saved by me…" (vol. 4, p. 124) So, If I am a Christian and I believe that God is True and He is One, do I come under the category of this Hadith.
Answer
There is no single verse in the Qur'an properly interpreted in its context and historical circumstances that ever allowed the Muslim to fight non-Muslims simply because they are non-Muslims. The opposite is true; in Chapter 60, verse 8 and 9 in the Qur'an, it clearly says that non-Muslims who are not fighting against Muslims or oppressing them are entitled to kind and just treatment. Also, in the Qur'an, Chapter 2, verse 256, it says: let there be no compulsion in religion." It is in the light of these two verses and many others in the Qur'an that the Hadith referred to should be understood.
The word "people" in this hadith and in the Qur'an may mean a subset of people but not all of them. There are a lot of evidences of variant usage in the Qur'an and also in this hadith. This hadith in all likelihood refers to the pagan Arabs who persecuted Muslims, murdered them, and broke their treaties with them. As such, they deserved capital punishment, yet they are given the opportunity to repent in which case they are to be forgiven, and their property will be protected.
This shows, like other instances in the Qur'an and in hadith, that the purpose of Islam is punitive, but rehabilitative. To interpret this hadith in a generalized way is to violate the text of the Qur'an and basic rules of interpretation.
Name
David
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Profession
Question
Hi Dr. Badawi. One of the famous quotation that Muslims use when talking about violence and peace is that Islam is a religion of peace and war in Islam is only for self-defense. However, you one day claimed: "Actual armed jihad is permissible under two conditions alone: one is for self-defense, and the other is for fighting against oppression." (cited in Diana Eck, A New Religious America, HarperSanFrancisco, 2001, p. 238).
Although, Dr. Badawi, you are quite accurate in describing the conditions of armed jihad in Islam, what you fail to say is that the definitions of "self-defense" and "fighting against oppression" are much broader than usually understood. Many Orthodox Muslims believe that if a nation's leaders do not acknowledge the rule of Islam, then those rulers are "oppressors" and thus a legitimate target for war (see John Kelsay, Islam and War, Louisville: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1993, p. 35). Many Muslims argue that America is a cultural aggressor by exporting its Hollywood values all over the world, and thus any fight against Americans is done in self-defense (see the article by Mark Galli, "Now What? A Christian response to religious terrorism," Christianity Today, Oct 22, 2001). Therefore, there is no end to how a Muslim group can define "self-defense" and "oppression" and thus find an Islamic justification for violence.
Answer
One of the sensible rules of interpretation is not to stretch the meaning of terms the way some people do. The context of permissibility to fight against aggression or oppression has nothing to do with the argument in this question. For example, the Qur'an, in Chapter 60, verse, 8 and 9, gives an explanation of that oppression; that they drive Muslims out of their homes. Furthermore, the best interpreter of the Qur'an is Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) who fought against those who committed acts of murder against Muslims or were gathering to attack Muslims.
Moreover, the historical context clearly indicates that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) did not fight against non-Muslims who did not engage in hostilities against Muslims (for example, the Christians in Ethiopia). It should be noted, however, that two superpowers of his time (the Persians and the Romans) showed their aggressive attitudes towards Muslims and their request to peacefully communicate the message of Islam to others. Some even killed the envoys of the Prophet (an act of war in modern laws like deliberately killing an ambassador of another country). Some wrote to their local governors to kill the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
So, the Qur'anic verses must be understood honestly and contextually without such excess.
Name
Eva
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Profession
Systems Analyst
Question
What does the Qur'an say about Ishmael and Isaac? Do the Muslims believe that they have a right to Israel because they are ancestors of Ishmael?
Answer
Both are revered Prophets of God. Neither of them would have agreed with the oppression of other people, taking away their property and oppressing them. This position of the Palestinian people, some of whose ancestors lived in Palestine before the state of Israel came into existence, are entitled to regain their property and nationhood according to not only international laws, repeated UN resolutions, but also according to the moral thrust of both Bible and the Qur'an as well as the elementary rules of justice.
Name
Aziz
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Profession
Question
Can you shed some light on the meaning of the Prophet's saying: "Know that Paradise is under the shades of swords." (Al-Bukhari, vol. 4, p. 55)
Answer
The hadith deals with the situation where Muslims are forced to the battlefield as the last resort to defend themselves in which case the use of the sword may be necessary and martyrdom (self-sacrifice) is rewarded with Paradise.
Name
Khalil
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Profession
Question
Through your experience in the field of da'wah especially with non-Muslims, how have the events of 9/11 affected peacemaking and peace-building efforts of Muslims at the national and the global level? How about the interfaith dialogue?
Answer
In some respect, 9/11 was a setback to interfaith understanding on the popular level due to the media exploitation of this tragedy to demonize Islam and dehumanize Muslims. This may have biased public opinion against interfaith communication. However, among many Christian intellectuals, clergy, and even among some of the public, this tragedy sparked their interest to learn more about Islam and its true teachings as against misinterpretation and/or misapplication. There have been many instances where non-Muslims were able to discover the true teachings of Islam, especially when they were able to communicate with learned Muslims or read authentic non-polemical sources (books, internet, etc.) about Islam.
Interfaith dialogue with the view of discovering common ground and respectfully understand differences should be encouraged according to the Qur'an, Chapter 22, verse 46.
Name
Concerned Muslim
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Profession
Question
Dr. Badawi, I have followed all your answers in this session, and they all imply one thing, i.e. no matter the atrocities committed against Muslims nowadays, in Palestine, Afghanistan, Chechnya and Iraq to follow, there is no justification for the call of some Muslims like Bin Laden and call for Islamic awakening, for the Ummah to stand against the aggression, am I right? You are saying that peace should be the only strategic option for Muslims, no matter what. Is that right? Do you think that if the table is turned and the Christian World were to be in Muslims' shoes, would the reaction be the same? Why do we have to sound apologetic all the time? The more apology we provide, the greater the destruction wrought on the Muslim Ummah.
Answer
I never said or implied the invalidity of standing up against aggression and oppression. These terms have been used in my answers; however, the behavior or a true Muslim, even in a legitimate battlefield, must abide by the rules taught by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).
There is a big difference between opposing and resisting atrocities committed against Muslims (or others for that matter anywhere) or the call for Islamic awakening of the Ummah and violent acts that deliberately victimize the innocence contrary to the teachings of the Prophet (such as the WTC atrocity). So, your impression, my dear considered Muslim, is not what I meant and I thank you for helping me to clarify my true position which does not go to either extremes, apology or blind hatred. Please refer to my numerous presentations all over the world, some very recent in which this position was articulated in some details.
Name
Karim
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Profession
Question
One of the hot issues that is very important to be clarified in the domain of interfaith dialogue is the issue of Riddah in Islam; what is really the stance of Islam on apostasy and changing one's religion. A famous question raised by non-Muslims is: How come welcomes non-Muslims from all religions to embrace Islam while it does not give that freedom to any Muslim. A Famous authentic hadith by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) states: "Whoever changed his Islamic religion, then kill him." What if a Muslim wants to be a Christian? Can you throw some light on this issue in a rational way.
Answer
The question of apostasy has been debated among scholars based on their interpretations of some hadiths since the Qur'an does not specify any worldly punishment for it. For example, there was a case at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) where a man came to him in three consecutive days and told him that he wanted to apostate. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never took any action against him, and when the man finally left Madina, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never sent anyone to arrest him, let alone kill him.
This is why some scholars distinguished between individual apostasy and apostasy which is accompanied by high treason. For example, one version of a hadith narrated by `A'isha concerning apostasy (…and one who left his religion and fought against Muslims).
The topic is broad and most Muslims are acquainted only with the only common view and interpretation of these hadiths. However, it was discussed in some details in several lectures of mine, especially during Q& A period.
Name
Eva
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Profession
Question
How do the majority of the Muslims view the hadith? I have heard from some that it is second only to the Qur'an, while from others I have been told that it is corrupt and was corrupted by enemies of Muslims.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to ask my questions. May Allah's Blessing me with you.
Answer
It is true that some attempted to fabricate hadith. It is also true that some hadiths are weak in terms of authenticity; however, the scholars of hadith have spent their lifetimes to critically examine hadith narrators as well as to apply scientific and systematic method of "textual criticism". As such, authentic hadith are indispensable in understanding Islam and they are referred to in the Qur'an itself. For example, how can Muslims perform their daily prayers without the help of hadith?!
Name
Mohamed bassyouni
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Profession
student in engineering
Question
As-Salamu`alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, what is your view regarding having a dialogue between Nizari, Ismaili, Shi`ahs and Sunni Muslims? Do you think this will be a waste of time?
Answer
Any dialogue which is intended to clarify issues according to the Qur'an and Sunnah is not a waste of time unless there is spirit of intolerance, hatred, or contention. However, the most pressing issue for Muslims should not be focused on such historical differences, but on the common threats and aspirations of not only Muslims but all disposed human beings, Muslims and others.
Name
Ahmed
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Profession
Student
Question
As-Salamu `Alaykum,
How can we stop the US aggression and oppression against the Islamic world from your point of view? As we all know they are indeed occupying the Persian gulf, controlling the oil there, giving full support to the state of terrorism "Israel"...etc. Please comment on that.
Answer
There is no question in my mind that the Muslim world is suffering from vicious aggression and oppression by more than one party. Stopping this huge campaign is not that easy. It does not mean, however, that Muslims should do nothing in the face of such atrocities. But these atrocities cannot justify retaliation against non-combatants or against the public at large. Substantial segment of the public in North America and Europe have voiced their sincere and firm oppositions to the policies of their government. The best that Muslims can do at this time is to work simultaneously on reforming themselves, their families, their communities, and to defend themselves as best as they can without violating Islamic teachings in conflict management.
Another effective mean is to build coalition with other fair-minded non-Muslim groups who share the same or similar values. The struggle may be long and requires patience. Allah (SWT) promises ultimate victory for truth and the believers if they are indeed true believers.
Name
Farakan
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Profession
Question
ððWhy is Islam considered to be the fastest-growing religion in North America?
Answer
Islam appeals to both the heart and mind of the human. Some called it the religion of pure innate nature [fitrah]. Its spread among educated and fair minded people explains how it resonates with them and answers many of their key questions about this life and the unseen. I heard similar explanations from many who embraced Islam {and were embraced by it!].
Name
Hussam
- Jordan
Profession
student
Question
Dr Jamal Badawi,
May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you.
I am so happy to be able to contact with you. I am an engineering student in Jordan, and at the same time I am studying comparative religion. I watched many of your debates and also shabir's and Zakir's. You would be surprised the way I know you so much … believe it. I ask Allah to increase the knowledge of the three of you. I don’t want to make this long … so please answer me the following questions:
1) Can any sort of good relation happen between the Muslims in the West and those who spend all their time bashing Islam, like Sam Shamoun, Anis Shoroush, Jay Smith and others?
2) What do you think was the best outcome of all the debates that you debated?
3) I am sorry if this is out of the subject, but I give talks about Islam using comparative religion on a world wide chat site (paltalk), this is due to the lies that are being spread over there about Islam. Many of these lies are about the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). So what is the best book that you would advice me to read that gives me a very wide look on the marriages of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) so I can gain knowledge on this and answer all the falsehood said?
4) While studying the bible I might want to ask a few questions, I would really appreciate it if there would be a way that I may contact you. I e-mailed you once on the site that is supposed to be yours (as said on Sam Shamoun's site), it has your book Muhammad in the Bible, but I never got a reply.
Sorry for the long letter. Insha'Allah, I am going this year Dr Jamal to Hajj, and be sure that your brother, Insha'Allah, will be making du`a' to Allah (SWT) that He will make you succeed in your debates and guide you to the right way. May Allah (SWT) accept your deeds. Was-salamu` alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatu.
Answer
Thank you for your nice questions. I will try to answer them all in brief:
1. We are seeking good relationships with all human beings. As for Islam bashers, we pray that Allah (SWT) guide them to see the truth. If they don't, there are millions of others who are willing to listen and reason without hatred or prejudice. As such, our struggle for good relationships should continue.
2. The main purpose of dialogues (I prefer them to debates) is to communicate, explain, correct common mistakes, and listen carefully to others. In my personal experience, the most notable result of interfaith dialogues was the appreciation of many of our non-Muslim brothers and sisters and the sparking of their interests to learn more about Islam. There have been also instances where a few of those who attended the dialogues decided, after careful study, to embrace Islam. However, I never tell the audience after dialogue that you should or should not accept Islam; I am only appealing to correct mutual understanding with full respect of each person's right to accept or not accept Islam.
3. There are detailed discussions of the Prophet's marriages, please log on http://islamicity.com/multimedia/radio/ch200/ and check under the title: Muhammad; the Last Messenger of Allah- marriages. There was a brief article on the subject recently in The Message International.
4. You can contact me on my e-mail jamalbadawi@hotmail.com. I will try my best to respond, insha'Allah, considering the huge volumes of e-mails I receive.
Name
Mariam Polga
- Brazil
Profession
Question
As-Salamu 'Alaykum, Dr. Jamal Badawi,
I understand that in some specific situations war is necessary or allowed. But what I ask is how to deal with the modern weapons, that are so destructive by their own nature, making, at least, very difficult to avoid killing innocents and destroying crops and nature. Jazaka Allahu khayran.
Answer
The instruction of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is to spare the non-combatants and to avoid unnecessary destruction, given the devastating nature of modern weapons implies that:
1. that the true spirit of Islam of working hard to secure just peace should be enhanced so as to avoid war.
2. that even when war is necessary, one must take the utmost possible precautions to avoid such a devastation or at least minimize if impossible otherwise. However, it must be clarified that the use of the term collateral damage must be honest and judicial, so you don't kill ten civilians in the name of killing one attacking armed soldier.
Name
Mohammed
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Profession
Engineer
Question
As-Salamu `Alaykum,
Is it wrong to say that Islam was spread through two different methods, trade and conquering? And concerning conquering, it seems that every ruler in history is a conqueror for certain reasons, and Mohammed was a conqueror to spread justice and peace through the lands. Also, you say that Muslims make Jihad only in self-defense, then how did the Islamic Empire get to be so vast?
Answer
1. I repeated several times, even in this session, that Jihad is not only legislated in self-defense, but also in resisting oppression and injustice. I did refer to Chapter 2, verses 190 to 193 which state both grounds for this particular form of Jihad, i.e. in the battlefield.
2. The fact that many rules in history were conquerors does not automatically make it right if some of their actions were inconsistent with the teachings of Islam. Furthermore, one must – in fairness- study carefully the circumstances of the words at their times to see whether it was just a matter of conquest or some other legitimate compelling reasons.
3. It is not true that "Islam spread through trade and conquering". Islam spread through its appeal to mankind when they heard and understood its true message. Trade and mysticism were only vehicles through which that message reached non-Muslims.
4. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was not a conqueror; he engaged in the battlefield in self-defense and in response to oppression against Muslims as well as oppression against those who wanted to hear the message of Islam or accept it because of the corrupt tyrannical empires oppressing them. Today, since the message of Islam can reach multitudes of people through variety of means, there is no excuse to engage in bloodshed in the name of conveying the message of Islam.
Name
Vaanee
- Canada
Profession
Student
Question
What is the Islamic view about divorce? Thank you.
Answer
This question does not relate to the topic of this session; however, I would refer you to my book Gender Equity in Islam which is available on www.Jannah.org
We would like to apologize for our viewers for not being able to answer all the questions within the time allocated to this session. We also apologize for ignoring the questions that are irrelevant to the topic of the dialogue. Please do re-submit your questions on Ask the Scholar Service where they will be forwarded to specialist scholars and be answered at their due time.
