Islam.....Often Times A Misunderstood Religion.
Hei Jack,
islam/muslims......Often time people misunderstood Islam with Muslims. These are two different things and should be judge on its own account. Below are the Fatwa's (a legal pronouncement in Islam made by a scholar capable of issuing judgments on Sharia - Islamic law) on similar questions asked by different indivisuals on
www.islamonline.net
1. Why is it that muslims deny the Holocaust without even giving a second thought ? It's a known fact that the Holocaust DID happen, but yet muslims deny it ? Any particular reason behind it.
Answer: It is the duty of Muslims to side with the oppressed and persecuted regardless of their religion, race, or ethnicity. Almighty Allah says, (O you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity; and let not hatred of any people make you swerve from justice. Deal justly; that is nearer to God-fearing. Fear Allah. Allah is Aware of what you do) (Al-Ma’idah 5: 7).
Therefore, Muslims must condemn the holocaust, genocide, or murder of any people, regardless of their religion, nationality, or race.
In his response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
As Muslims we are not allowed to condone the holocaust, genocide, or murder of any people, regardless of their religious, ethnic, or racial affiliations. Almighty Allah says, (For that cause We ordained for the children of Israel that whosoever kills a human being for other than (the crimes of) manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind) (Al-Ma’idah 5: 32).
The fact that the victims are Jews does not make any difference. Islam does not fault the father for the crime of his son; nor is the husband faulted for the sin of his wife or vice versa. As Allah says, (Each soul earns only on its own account, nor does any laden (soul) bear another’s load) (Al-An`am 6: 164). Each person, therefore, is responsible for his/her own deeds. So targeting an entire race or ethnic group as it was done by Hitler is a crime against all of humanity, not just against the Jews. In the same vein, we must affirm this as a universal, ethical imperative, for Allah’s laws are universal, applicable to all times and places. Holocaust or genocide practiced against any people must be condemned. It is the duty of Muslims to side with the oppressed and persecuted regardless of their religious, racial, or ethnic affiliations. Allah says, (O you who believe! Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity; and not hatred of any people make you swerve from justice. Deal justly; that is nearer to God-fearing. Fear Allah. Allah is Aware of what you do) (Al-Ma’idah 5: 7).
In light of the above, we must condemn the holocaust, genocide, or murder of any people, regardless of whether it is targeted against Jews, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, etc., and regardless of whether they are Jews, Arabs or Palestinians, or black or white, yellow or brown, etc. This is God’s immutable law as revealed to all of His prophets from Adam to Muhammad, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus (peace and blessings of Allah be upon them all).
2. If islam allows democracy, then why is Saudi Arabia ( considered the heart of muslims ) governed by pure-dictatorship, no one has given a single vote in Arabia in entire history ( as far as i know ).
Answer: First of all, we would like to highlight the fact that pluralism is something known to Islam and Muslim scholars a long time ago. Islam does not say that only one party should run the affairs of the whole state or seize power; rather, it leaves the matter to be determined according to the rules of As-Siyasah Ash-Shar`iyyah (Shari`ah-Oriented Policy) that vary according to time and place. Muslim scholars accept the articles of the democratic system that cope with the teachings of Islam.
Making this concept clear, here is the fatwa issued by the eminent Muslim scholar Sheikh Faysal Mawlawi, vice President of the European Council for Fatwa and Research:
“To claim that Islam advocates monocracy is untrue. It is well-established that since the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, Muslims have known different political parties that have constituted in shaping political structure of the Muslim societies.
The Emigrants (Al-Muhajirun) and the Helpers (Al-Ansar) acted as if they were two parties, still they were far remote from enmity known among the fans of each party. They (the Emigrants and the Helpers) differed concerning choosing the Caliph. This was the first political difference of its kind occurring among Muslims. Each party demanded that the Caliph was to be chosen from among them. This is not far different from the demand of any contemporary political party.
Yet, the emergence of real partisanship was remarkable after the assassination of Caliph `Uthman ibn `Affan, may Allah be pleased with him. The assassination itself was a form of a military coup against the ruler, another act that can be carried out by a political party.
Later, the Kharijites appeared during the reign of Caliph `Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, and were known as a political party as well as a sect. Many dynasties that appeared later including the Abbassyds, the Turks and the Mamlukis were no more than political parties taking power.
In fact, forming political parties or gatherings that call for political legal goals is completely Islamic. Muslim activists who hold the view that Islam allows one party are very few and even have no effect on the mainstream. Muslim activists who can win elections all believe in pluralism within the framework of Islam. In case those peaople come to power, there will be no fear of any political despotism.
As for the true concept of democracy, it is not our main concern. We, Muslims believe in pluralism and political freedom as part and parcel of Islamic teachings. It is worth stressing here that we accept the articles and the principles of democracy that cope with the teachings of Islam and reject those principles that are non-Islamic. Our main reference is Islam when deciding whether to accept or reject any new ideology.”
3. When someone is about to embrace islam, muslims welcome him open heartedly (which is fine), but when someone is about to leave islam then he must be killed/stoned because thats the biggest blasphemy. Why isn't anyone allowed the leave islam in a similar manner he/she is welcomed to islam. ?
Answer: It is absurd for anyone to suggest that Islam advocates killing people who choose to leave Islam. To kill anyone who chooses to follow a religion other than Islam is against the fundamental teachings of the Qur'an. Freedom of conscience is a fundamental principle of the Qur'an that is clearly stated. Thus, if apostates cause no harm to the Muslim community and do not call for spreading hostility towards Islam, they should not to be punished; rather they should be advised kindly and wisely to learn the truth about Islam.
In his response to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states the following:
Freedom of conscience is one of the fundamental rights of humans enshrined in the Qur'an; it is therefore, absurd for anyone to suggest that Islam allows putting people to death just because they convert to another religion.
Even a casual reader of the Qur'an will not fail to be impressed by its emphasis on the freedom of conscience as a cornerstone of its moral structure. To cite a few verses as follows:
[There shall be no compulsion in religion. Distinct has now become the right way from [the wayof] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing] ( Al-Baqarah 2:256)
[If it had been your Lord's will, all who are in the earth would have believed. Will you, then, force the people to become believers?] (Yunus 10:99)
[And if they surrender themselves unto Him (i.e. God), they are on the right path; but if they turn away – behold, thy duty (O Muhammad,) is no more than to deliver the message: for God sees all that is in [the hearts of] His creatures.] (Aal `Imran 3:20)
[Hence, pay heed unto God, and pay heed unto the Messenger, and be ever on your guard [against evil]; and if you turn away, then know that Our Messenger's only duty is a clear delivery of the message [entrusted to him].] (Al-Ma'idah 5:92)
[But if they turn away [from thee, O Prophet, know that] Wehave not sent thee to be their keeper: thou art not bound to do more than deliver the message [entrusted to thee] .] (Ash-Shura 42:48)
I should further state that all of the moral teachings of the Qur'an are based on the notion of moral responsibility, which entails the freedom of choice. Therefore, to state that one must be put to death for choosing to disbelieve would only undermine the entire moral edifice of the Qur'an.
Furthermore, the Qur'an does not allow anyone to harm those who are leaving in peace, no matter what religion they hold on to. This principle has been clearly stated in the Qur'an as follows:
[Thus, if they let you be, and do not make war on you, and offer you peace, God does not allow you to harm them.] (An-Nisaa' 4:90)
In pursuance of this policy, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) issued clear directives to his soldiers never to disturb those who are engaged in any form of worship. The policy of living and letting others to live is firmly enshrined in the following verses:
[Say: O disbelievers! I do not worship what you worship, Nordo you worship what I worship. ... to you your religion, and to me, mine.] (Al-Kafirun 109:1-3, 6)
In full conformity with the above teachings, neither the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) nor any of the four rightly guided caliphs who succeeded him were in the habit of hunting down people and executing them for merely changing their religions. Rather, they refrained from doing so except in rare cases involving treason. Treason, however, is another matter. The punishment for treason in the Qur'an is as strict as it is in the Hebrew Bible. But it must never be confused with mere change of religion.
In conclusion, it is absurd for anyone to suggest that Islam advocates killing people who covert to another religion.
If you have any further comments, please don't hesitate to write back!
May Allah guide us all to the straight path, and guide us to that which pleases Him, Amen.
Regards
Farooq
