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Name
Ouided
- United Kingdom
Profession
Researcher
Question
Assalamu alaykom warahmatu Allah wabarakatoh. I am a muslim and love my religion and Mohammed PbuH. I am entirely convinced that Islam only allows force in the extreme circumstances such as self-defense, however I'm unsure about one point. Has muslims in the past not fought to spread Islam if people wouldn't accept to enter into Islam? I was taught that messengers were sent to other countries to call for them to either enter into Islam, submit power to muslims, or otherwise there will be war. Please correct me if I am wrong. I am aware that Islam has mostly been spread by da-waa, but also sometimes with force, hasn't it. Please answer my question Jazakum Allahu Khairan, so that I can be clear about this issue and be able to answer questions from non-Muslims.
Answer
No verse in the Qur’an instructs Muslims to use force or armies just for the sake of “spreading” Islam. But Muslims are responsible for inviting all people to the message of Islam without compulsion, coercion or manipulation. This is the fundamental basis upon which we understand the hadith and according to both we can evaluate the actions of Muslim authorities throughout history.
The reference to the choice given to people to accept Islam willingly or pay tribute and enjoy the facilities, protection and equal treatment, or to be fought against, must be understood on the basis of the Qur’anic teachings. During the time of the Prophet, peace be upon him, he never fought or sanctioned fighting against any other people, exclusively for the sake of spread of Islam. Force was used against those who committed or prepared for aggression against Muslims and were at the same time of the worst tyrannical regimes whether in Persia or in Byzantine.
Force was also used against those who prevented Muslims from inviting others to Islam in safety and security such as those who murdered the memorizers of the Qur’an who were sent to teach the Qur’an to others, including those who were interested in Islam or were new Muslims.
Since the world at that lacked the means of communication that we have today, the only way to get the word of Islam and invite others in the face of this tyranny was to fight against tyrants who were oppressing their own people and history shows that such nations in many people actually welcomed Muslims as real, constructive and “sincere, not pretentious” liberators.
For the sake of honesty and self-criticism, it should be pointed out that Muslims cannot claim that all rulers in the history of Islam after the Prophet, peace be upon him, abided fully and completely by these principles and teachings. If there were any problem or violation, it was a result of weakness, misinterpretation or both.
Name
Denis
- United States
Profession
Question
I think Islam does not promote self-criticism and there is no room for debate and fair analysis when it comes to “sacred texts” in Islam. Muslims are always afraid to criticize their figures and their leaders because they believe everything in this area will be considered blasphemous. How could this be acceptable in a free democratic society where opposition receives respect and appreciation.
Answer
I beg to say that this is utterly an incorrect notion. The Qur’an invites all to examine their hearts, use their minds and review their actions. There are verses in the Qur’an that criticized inappropriate or wrong actions by anyone or group including verses criticizing Muslims as well.
Secondly, you used the term “sacred texts” which is not well-defined. Muslims are not only allowed but required to evaluate and analyze and criticize any human-written text. Through the long Islamic juridical tradition there was always criticism and analysis of juridical opinions or fatwas, even of the most prominent scholars and imams, but when it comes to what Muslims universally believe to be revelation from God, either verbatim as in the case of the Qur’an or authentically reported revelation in meaning to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, then the approach of understanding them cannot be the same as we evaluate other human opinions. If a person claiming to be a Muslim rejects that fundamental and universal belief, then your question will be totally irrelevant to him as he or she approaches the word of God and His eternal wisdom as equivalent or inferior to His own words and opinions or those of others.
On the other hand, the Qur’an and hadith, the two primary sources of Islam, encourage understanding, analysis, and reflection. The Qur’an is full of verses inviting people to think, reflect, see, and examine, commands that would have no meaning or relevance if a person is not allowed to ask questions. In reality, some verses in the Qur’an begin with the statement: “they ask you (O Muhammad)”. It is known that during the Prophet’s time his companions asked questions about the meaning of the Qur’an.
So, there is no truth to say that understanding, analyzing and implementing the teaching of God is blasphemous.
As to the analogy with “free democratic society” and “opposition”, this a must when it comes to political or social decision or policies. And the analogy for that in Islamic system of governance is the process of shura (mutual consultation) which allows for debates, even opposition until a general consensus is arrived at provided that all abide by the broad and basic teachings of Islam and its ethics in an Islamic society. It is totally irrelevant that model of governance to the word of God as if to say to God, “this is Your word and wisdom, but I stand in opposition to You because I have better intelligence, wisdom and critical mind than Yours!?”
Having said that, it must be said that even in understanding the words of God, jurists historically debated, even when it comes to understanding the Qur’an, whether a particular verse is definitive meaning (muhkam) or can be interpreted in more than legitimate way (mutashabih). Likewise, there has been debates as to whether certain expressions in the Qur’an are meant to apply inclusively to all or whether they are meant to be used in a more restricted manner. Many of these rules can be reviewed in texts or books on the sciences of the Qur’an or the Islamic legal theory or principles of Islamic jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh).
For some practical examples, you can read my paper on Islamonline under the title: “Muslim-non-Muslim Relations: an integrative approach”.
Name
Rhman Grig
- United States
Profession
Question
The pope summed the message of Prophet Muhammad as evil and inhuman. How was this unfair and factually wrong?
Answer
For the sake of fairness, the attribution of evil and inhumanity to the message of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, was not the Pope’s own words. It was rather a quotation from a historically suspected and debated document that some historians believed it was a statement invented later during the crusades to malign Islam.
Furthermore, when the Pope made this quotation, he did not indicate whether he agrees with it or not. Later on he and his spokespersons stated that this quotation does not reflect his views and he respects Islam and Muslims who the same one God. What is unclear, however, is why did he quote such a defamatory and inaccurate statement that is full of hate against Islam. Less clear, however, how could anyone claim to respect another faith community while quoting such a disparaging statement about the central person in their faith; their Prophet who is their role model and most beloved of all humans. The apology of the Pope was not an admission of error but simply a regret that the quotation hurted the feelings of Muslims. This could imply that what was said is true, but I am sorry it hurt you because truth is bitter!!
What is more important in this matter is the flagrant inaccuracy of that historically suspicious quotation. The Pope and his spokesperson continue to state that his whole lecture must be read and this quotation should be understood in context. I have read the entire text of the Pope’s lecture and I found this erroneous characterization of the message of Islam is either out of context of the thrust of his lecture or a deliberate, negative and erroneous attribution of evilness and inhumanity to the message of Islam.
To start with, the spoke about the need for both faith and reason and that faith should be spread by non-violent means, i.e. by reasoning. There is no scripture or revealed faith that I know of that has given so much importance to the use of Allah given reason and rationality as Islam does (please see previous question).
Furthermore, Islam strictly prohibits compulsion in religion. The oft-quoted verse: “there is no compulsion in religion” was revealed in Madina when the Muslim community was in power, not in Makkah when they were weak as some mistakenly claimed. There are many other verse in the Qur’an that affirm the same rejection of compulsion in religion. Indeed, the very term Islam means to submit to God willingly in pursuit of real peace with God, inner peace and peace and harmony with all creation of God.
Name
Saad
-
Profession
Question
Can you give some examples of the civilized aspect of Muhammad’s teachings?
Answer
1. To believe in the oneness of God as the lord, Sustainer or all humanity.
2. Teaching respect and honour to Prophets of God as one brotherhood of faith.
3. Teaching that all human beings, with all diverse ethnicity, languages and even religions, are brothers and sisters in humanity.
4. Teaching sanctity of human life (review chapter 5, verse 32).
5. Teaching the entitlement of all human beings to dignity (17: 70).
6. Teaching respect for parents and kindness to spouses, children, relatives, and neighbours.
7. Teaching social justice and entitlement of the poor and needy for the dignified support and care.
8. Teaching that peaceful relationship with all is the general rule and that just peace should be pursued by all means available and that resorting to the use of force is only allowed in case of unprovoked aggression or severe oppression. Even in this case he taught that non-combatants should be hurt, injured should not be killed, bodies of the dead enemy should not be mutilated, prisoners of war should not be tortured, but rather treated humanely, that trees should not be cut down without necessity which is called today the infrastructure of a country that should not be destroyed.
9. Teaching peaceful and respectful dialogue with all communities of faith without denigrating their beliefs, sacred texts, and their prophets (see chapter 26, verse 26)
These are only a few example of the civilized aspect of the teachings of Muhammad, peace be upon him, which were proclaimed fourteen centuries ago. I would ask you, brother Saad, and all others to compare these teachings with the brutalities that we have seen and continue to see in the treatment of Palestinians, the invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon. I wish for all to reflect on the truthfulness of the claims of those who are lecturing Muslims and the world about freedom, democracy, human rights and civility. I must add for the sake of impartiality that actions on the part of any Muslim group, individual, or state that violate these teachings should be condemned in exactly the same way that others commit against Muslims.
Name
Tarek
-
Profession
Question
Assalamo Alaikom Dr. Jamal
Do you think it would be a good idea for a Muslim delegation of scholars to accept the offer of the Vatican for dialogue in the current crisis and present in Rome the legacy of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him?
If there is a door for daawah open, why not accept their invitation?
Answer
As indicated earlier, Islam teaches calls for peaceful and reasoned dialogue long before the Europeans accepted the role of reason and I would be personally willing to be a member of this delegation if there are Catholic brothers and sisters who are willing to listen with an open and heart in pursuit of the common ideals, values and aspirations of all.
Name
Amina
-
Profession
Question
What is the right way of reacting to the pope’s insults? Is it acceptable to react with criticizing Christianity?
Answer
No, one should refrain from criticizing Christianity at large and or being unduly harsh with the Pope. Definitely, it is not allowed to resort to violence or insults. Muslims should abide by Islam’s moral teachings and self-restraint even in the face of such grave offense following the example of the Prophet, peace be upon him, who was gracious and forgiving especially when this is a more effective means of reconciliation with others.
Name
Aisha
-
Profession
Question
How did Prophet Muhammad respond to insults and offences? Why there are always hue and cry in the Muslim world every time Prophet Muhammad is criticized?
Answer
There are many amazing instances of the Prophet’s response to insults and offenses including some who physically assaulted him. Suffice to mention his response after the bitterest day in his life during his journey to At-taif and the inhumane treatment he received from people. On his way back to Makkah, Allah sent him the Angel of mountains asking for his permission to bury Makkah between Al-Akhshabain, the two mountains flanking Makkah. But the Prophet, peace be upon him, said in reply that he would rather have someone from their loins who would worship Allah the All–Mighty with no partner."
And when the Prophet returned victoriously to Makkah, his hometown from which he was driven by persecution, he gave general amnesty to people except for a few handful of criminals and war criminals. It was through these actions that people realized that he was not a prophet of personal agenda or vengeance but as described in the Qur’an as “mercy unto all worlds.” (21-107).
Name
Editor
-
Profession
Answer
Finally, we would like to thank brother Dr. Jamal Badawi for taking the time to answer the questions of Islamonline viewers today, and we also thank all those who participated in this dialogue. We encourage our readers to join us in upcoming sessions.
