Fortnightly Newsletter (1st June '09 - 15th June `09)
	www.studying-islam.org	Compiled by: Azeem Ayub

	Reflections
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful	‘Hey, the Mike’s Comin’ !’   The whole town was excited and so were ‘The Rings’. Originating as a youth club from a campus in the suburbs, ‘The Rings’ was found at every place where there was an activity to enjoy. Kim was somebody special out of the group - a leader leading from the front on every occasion. Be it a concert or a cricket match, he could move the masses like anything. And these days, Mike was coming. It wasn’t the ordinary Mike in the street like every Tom, Dick and Harry. It was the celebrated Michael Jackson -- the heartthrob of the millions. ‘The Rings’ was part of the whole entourage that was to welcome Mike when his plane would land. In the wake of all the hustle and bustle, the clamour of news magazines, and the romance of the youth groups that goes with such events, the day came -- Mike’s day. Amidst so many excited people, Kim, with a look of a ‘mod-squad’ guy, was waiting for the greatest hero of his age. The crowd was getting restless. It looked as if it would give a tumultuous welcome to their dream-man. And then the voice of the airport staff mesmerized the air: ‘Attention please, the plane with Michael Jackson has landed’. And the crowd went wild. The place was reverberating with the roars of the people. In a few minutes, the hero was there to be seen with blinking eyes… ‘Yahoo! Here he is!’ one voice was heard. ‘What a star he is!’ the other added. Overawed, Kim went ahead to embrace him. He was about to touch the superstar when suddenly his eyes caught sight of someone whom he could recognize in millions. He was his father’s mentor who was on the same flight. But that was too superficial an introduction of a person whose learning and knowledge could move the intellectual elite, a rare specie belonging to the world of wisdom and scholarship. Had he been born in the times of the great Caliph Hārūn al-Rashīd, he would have adorned the throne of the emperor. But alas! He was living in the twentieth century, a soul entrapped in an age when artists and sportsmen are the stars of all human activity. They are the ideals of the new generation -- rather the choice of the new generation. Kim, though raised in a learned family, somehow couldn’t follow the footsteps of his father -- a father for whom the tradition of learning was something very sacred. But at this very moment, his soul had unknowingly made him face the greatest ordeal of his life. On one side, he was seeing Mike with all his glamour and on the other, he was beholding the epitome of learning, the revered Kandhalvi from Delhi, whose glowing forehead was relating a different story. In Mike was the rare opportunity to revel in the joys of this world. In Kandhalvi was something invaluably antique, a once in a lifetime feast. O Lord ! Show me the right path. He had to decide on his destiny, he had to choose his fortune. To be or not to be, that ‘became’ the question. He struggled against the winds. And then he chose him. Yes, he surrendered himself, surrendered himself before the truth. He moved to embrace him -- embrace none other than Kandhalvi. He was free from the bondage, the bondage of the lures of the world. Congrats! My Dear Kim. ... and this was the last time he was seen with a pop mob.   Author: Kamran Bashir Sheikh     URL: http://www.monthly-renaissance.com/issue/content.aspx?id=507
In this Issue
Reflections * 'Hey, the Mike's     Comin'!'
Read & Reflect * Some Popular     Misconceptions of    the Muslims
Debate & Discuss * Discussion Forum:     The Directives of     Jihad    return to the top ^
Express & Explain * General Discussion     Forum:  Finality of     Prophet Muhammad?  return to the top ^    Pause & Ponder *  Involvement in the     Worldly Affairs   Announcements *  "Quran for All" Series:      Surah Ghashiyah      Uploaded   *  Successful     Participants     Recent Additions *  Youtube Video     (English & Urdu)
*  Articles    *  Q n As         return to the top ^    Spot on Site      return to the top ^
	Read and Reflect
	Some Popular Misconceptions of the Muslims Author: Dr Khalid Zaheer   Individuals who stay away from practicing Islam despite being Muslims fall into two broad categories: There is one group whose apparent association with Islam owes itself entirely to the accident of birth. They retain their Muslim names and participate in some of the socially significant Islamic events only to maintain their apparent Muslim identity. They are neither convinced about the truthfulness of the message of Islam nor are they interested in following it sincerely. Few people would dispute the claim that their Muslim identity is only a this-worldly arrangement and that on the Day of Judgment their claim to Islam would be discarded. The second category consists of those people who take pride in acknowledging the veracity of Islam. They make attempts to follow its teachings as far as convenience is not threatened to be compromised. However, a closer look at their lifestyles reveals that, much the same way as the first group, they too are in fact immersed in their greed for their this-worldly life. Their practical contact with the shari‘ah is strictly confined to the narrow limits allowed by the predominance of their worldly objectives. Thus they care to follow only that part of Islam which is consistent with the contemporary fashion or which at least does not run contrary to its requirements. Their real happiness is associated with worldly successes; they are genuinely grieved only over worldly privations. Despite this completely “one-eyed” approach to life, they are fully convinced that the exciting prospects of the other life too are, beyond doubt, going to be for them to enjoy. Whatever be the truth about their motives, at least some of them defend their approach by presenting arguments, some of which are apparently based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah. It is important, therefore, that a dispassionate analysis of those arguments be made to help them realize that the superstructure of their expectations is based upon extremely fragile foundations. The gist of their arguments is being presented below. People belonging to this category do not generally present all the listed arguments. In fact, in most cases, it is only one of the described reasons that is cited to absolve the individual from taking the obligations of the shari‘ah seriously. One popular argument presented is that the most predominant attribute of Allah Almighty is Mercy. How then is it possible that the Almighty is going to allow us to be consigned to Hell when we are following at least some part of Islam along side pursuing our worldly ambitions. Another argument offered is that since we have the privilege of being the followers of the last and the favourite Prophet of Allah (sws), and since it is a well known fact that Allah Almighty will grant to his Prophet (sws) the right to intercede for his followers, how is it possible that the Prophet’s intercession will not come to our rescue. Even if the sinning side of our balance would be heavier, intercession of the Prophet (sws) will make amends for that. According to a third argument, many traditions of the Prophet (sws) confirm that all those people who had recited the kalimah1 shall enter Paradise, and that since we were born to Muslim families and got the privilege of reciting the kalimah many times. Who then can deny us this birth-right of ours. A little more reasonable amongst this group present a seemingly more logical argument for the defence of their case. There is no doubt, they say, that we are sinners and are violating Allah’s law on a fairly regular basis, however, we do keep seeking His forgiveness during prayers and even outside prayers. It is quite clear from the contents of the Qur’an and the Sunnah that repentance cleanses one’s sins. After this knowledge, why should we make our lives unnecessarily miserable by following all aspects of the shari‘ah. What’s so wrong, after all, in a compromise between a this-worldly and a that-worldly attitude? Finally, there is another argument presented: The shari‘ah has two types of injunctions: those which are directly relevant to Allah and those that have to do with one’s obligations towards fellow humans. While the latter category of injunctions are more important to be followed, the obligations towards Allah are not. If we are telling the truth, refraining from getting involved in bribes, helping the poor, keeping our promises, and strictly adhering to other similar injunctions, why then shall we not be successful in the Hereafter just for not saying prayers regularly, or not fasting, or not going for hajj and not following similar injunctions which are matters of personal relevance between the individual and his God. When scales are going to be drawn on the Day of Judgement, how is it possible that our significantly important good deeds will not be able to outweigh the relatively less important blemishes. Let us analyze these arguments to find out whether they do merit the confidence of those who are using them for justifying their life patterns or not.   More at URL: http://www.monthly-renaissance.com/issue/content.aspx?id=37
	Debate and Discuss:
	Discussion Forum: The Directives of Jihad   Topic: Forcing to Islam, Right or Wrong?   Kaiser5 This course said that the Almighty's scheme in this world is to test man by giving him the right to freely chose his religion. Can u please provide me with verses from the Qur'an or Hadiths that led to this conclusion? Another thing, it says that Jihad to spread the truth or force Islam on others isn't our job but that of the prophets b/c unbelievers deliberately deny it. Again, i need to be provided with verses or ahadiths that led to this conclusion. And my question here is, forcing Islam by persecution or any other violent way on other non-Muslims right or wrong? Please use verses or ahadiths to prove it. Me personally, I think its wrong but i see a lot of people in the Muslim world that try to force Islam on non-Muslims through violent ways and consequently tarnish Islam's image. And i can't stop wondering as to where they got the idea that they need to force it on others. Furthermore, can Jihad apply from Muslims against other Muslims that persecute non-Muslims ? Thanks, your answers will be much appreciated!   Abdullah Rahim (Moderator) Thanks for your question. 1. The verse 2:256 sets a general rule about freedom of choice when it comes to religion. Every other verse and every Hadith has to be seen and interpreted with this verse (as a principle) in mind: "There is no compulsion in relation to His religion: The right path has now become completely distinct from the erroneous ones. Therefore, whoever rejects the arrogant [Satan] and believes in God, he indeed has gripped a firm handle that shall never break apart. And God is all-hearing, all-knowing." (2:256) Accordingly, no one can attempt to force others into Islam. Those Muslims who believe otherwise should explain how they justify their belief in the light of the above verse of the Qur'an. Also rationally they need to justify how it is possible to call some one Muslim when the person only behaves like a Muslim to remain safe and unharmed while in his heart he is not convinced about Islam. 2. You asked for an evidence from the Qur'an that says "Jihad to spread the truth or force Islam on others isn't our job but that of the prophets b/c unbelievers deliberately deny it". The module does not say that. It says: "once the truth is communicated to the addressees of a Messenger to the extent that none of them is left with an excuse to deny it and they still deliberately deny it, then they are punished in this very world by the Almighty in either of the following two ways: i. through natural calamities like storms and earthquakes ii. through the swords of the believers". The Jihad you are referring to is not to force people to religion, but is in fact the punishment of God that is taken place through the swords of believers, after giving enough ultimatum, against people who are convinced about the truth but do not accept it because of their arrogance. With regard to Jihad (that in this context basically means attempting to kill others), we first need to bear in mind a general rule of the Qur'an about killing: "Whoever killed even a single soul - not being a punishment of murder neither that of spreading unrest in the land - is as if he killed the whole of mankind." (5: 32) Accordingly only two reasons for killing can be justified, these are punishment of murder and punishment of those who spread unrest in the land. While Jihad against persecution can be justified in the light of the above rule, Jihad to force them to accept a religion will not be online with the above. Therefore any one who claims that we can kill people in an attempt to force them to accept religion needs to justify how this can be seen as punishment for either unjust murder or spreading unrest in the land, referring to verse 5:32 . There can only be exception from the above rule for those who have special permission from God to carry out Jihad for another reason (other than curbing persecution). This special permission is only given to the Prophet (sws) and his companions: If you read the beginning of the Sura of Taubah you will see how the verses in this particular chapter of the Qur'an (as an example) relate to the time and the direct addressees of the Prophet (sws). Again if any one claims that these verses are addressing all Muslims of all time then the burden will be on him to reason how he has come to this conclusion. It is referring to this very rule of God's punishment through his Messengers (and his direct followers) that we read in the Qur'an: "Indeed those who are opposing Allah and His Messenger are bound to be humiliated. The Almighty has ordained: ‘I and My Messengers shall always prevail’. Indeed Allah is Mighty and Powerful. (58:20-1) Also: “Fight them and God will punish them with your hands.” (9:14) 3. The word “Fitna” that is used in the Qur'an has a general meaning of “persecution”. Therefore we do not have any reasons to introduce limiting conditions for Jihad against persecution, on the basis of people involved being Muslims or Non-Muslims. Yes even if a non-Muslim group is being persecuted by Muslims, other Muslims with the directive of their respective state may start Jihad against those oppressing Muslims. Please do let me know if this needs further clarification.     see: http://www.studying-islam.org/forum/topic.aspx?topicid=3285&lang=&forumid=60    return to the top ^
	Express and Explain:
	General Discussion Forum: Finality of Prophet Muhammad?   Mansoor_ali I want some help from those Muslims who believe there is no Prophet after Muhammad. Firstly, I quoted this posts 1. I cannot quote any Mufassir but I can quote an important Hadith in which the prophet himself said about his son Ibraheem (who died). He said. If he had lived he would have surely been a Siddique Prophet. (the exact words I have I will have to check up) 2. Hazrat Aisha r.a. said, "O, people, Say that he ({rophet) is Khatam an Nabiyyeen. And do not say there is no prophet after him" 3. Every well known scholar agreed that our prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. is the last prophet in the sense that no law bearing prophet will come after him to replace his law. In that sense, they believed that he is the last law bearing prophet. (Shah Waliullah Dehlavi included in those scholars and also Shaikh Akbar Moheyuddin Undlusi also, and Imam Mulla Ali Qari Hanafi). 4. It is agreed that Hazrat Muhammad is the last law bearing prophet ( Shariyat walla Nabi). 5. There is a Hadith too which goes like this: The prophet s.a.w.s. said " If Musa and Isa were living today, they would have no excuse except to follow in my footsteps." Meaning they would have to follow my Shariyat. (Tafseer ibne Katheer Urdu vol 1, p85, ) (Tafseer ibne katheer on footnote of Tafseer fatah al Bayan.) ( Al Yawaqeet wa Al Jawaher by Imam Abdul Wahhab al Sh'irani vol 2 page 20) Later I would check up the names of all those who gave opinion that now only law bearing prophet is forbidden. Now in the end, I remember that Imam of Hadith, Imam Tirmidhi said, " People say Muhammad is the last prophet... That is the idea of the foolish (Jahil) people... That is not a good meaning of the khatam an nabiyeen...." Brothers and Sisters i need some scholarly response from you to above post.   umarbaig Muhammad is the last prophet not the last messenger. Open and read the Quran, you will surely find the proof.   Also do go through this unique link; http://www.studying-islam.org/forum/topic.aspx?topicid=1103&;lang=&forumid=1   ibrahim (Moderator) quote: Muhammad is the last prophet not the last messenger. Do you know that only a Prophet is made a messenger i.e. Prophethood is the basic requirement for a messenger. [see19: 51& 54] So, if it's announced that Prophet Muhammad pbuh was the Last Prophet of God, it's obvious that he was the Last Messenger as well.     URL: http://www.studying-islam.org/forum/topic.aspx?topicid=3093&lang=&forumid=1    return to the top ^
	Pause and Ponder:
	Terrorism or Jihad Posted on: Sunday, January 18, 2009 - Hits: 138 Question: The concept of Jihād is greatly misunderstood. Unfortunately, a number of terrorist organizations (claiming to be Islamic) have used Jihād to justify their cowardly acts of terrorism. Please explain in the light of Qur'ān and Sunnah.   Answer: You are absolutely right here. Quite unfortunately, Jihād has become one of the most misunderstood directives of Islam. The following points about it may help in clarifying the stance of Islam: First and foremost, only an Islamic state has the authority to launch Jihād. No group or organization has been given the right to start an armed struggle in a society in any way. Secondly, apart from self-defence (which is an entirely different matter) the only legitimate reason for an Islamic State to launch Jihād is to curb oppression and persecution in any other country -- whether Muslim or non-Muslim. Thirdly, the Jihād carried out by the Prophet (sws) and his companions after him was governed by a specific law meant only for the Prophets of Allah and the nation towards which they are directly assigned. It has nothing to do with us. wassalam Shehzad Saleem see: http://www.studying-islam.org/querytext.aspx?id=780 return to the top ^
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