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A special forum created for the purpose of the Editorial Team of BIZ Magazine ( a production of Ask) to discuss, organize and work on the BIZ Magazine project. To apply for joining the team please contact Hasin
#7274
This forum is dedicated to discussions related to the 'Know Your Religion' section of each issue. This section shall be the responsibility of Murtaza.

Murtaza: Please put forward your ideas and topics for next two issues and anything else that you want to share in relation to the Know Your Religion.
By murtaza
#7936
Last edited by murtaza on 21 Dec 2006, 20:11, edited 1 time in total.
By murtaza
#8065
Last edited by murtaza on 21 Dec 2006, 20:14, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
By Muhammad Mahdi
#8066
Salaams

Nice! Could you add the misconception about verse 5 ( I think) of sura at tawbah, of killing the non muslims?

Also, the caliphs after the prophet sent armies to conquer empires. is this not spread os Islam by sword?
User avatar
By abuali
#8084
Salaams Murtaza...

Is the above information taken from different sources? If so we will need to acknowledge the sources.

Or are you planning to then write the section using such information so that its an original article by you using acknowledged sources of information?
By murtaza
#8096
Last edited by murtaza on 21 Dec 2006, 20:16, edited 2 times in total.
User avatar
By Muhammad Mahdi
#8097
You will merge it with the above post, as one article right?
User avatar
By abuali
#8098
No doubt...the references are good.

However what I was trying to promote is that the articles we publish in BIZ should be authored by us Youths as opposed to being compiled by us from different sources. They should include original input (like you had done in your very informative Tawassul compilation) so that its not only information taken from other sources but also our own view points and what we have concluded from the vast information on the topic from different sources.
By murtaza
#8104
In the name of Allah the most Beneficient the most Merciful.

Clarification of verse 5, sura Taubah, 9:5, on slaying the non- believers.

A few selected verses from the Qur’an are often misquoted to perpetuate the myth that Islam promotes violence, and exhorts its followers to kill those outside the pale of Islam.

Verse from Surah Taubah.
The following verse from Surah Taubah is very often quoted by critics of Islam, to show that Islam promotes violence, bloodshed and brutality:
"...then slay the idolaters wherever you find them,... ."   [Al-Qur’an 9:5]

Context of verse is for battlefield.
Critics of Islam actually quote this verse out of context.
In order to understand the context, we need to read from verse 1 of this surah.
It says that there was a peace treaty between the Muslims and the Mushriqs (pagans) of Makkah. This treaty was violated by the Mushriqs of Makkah. A period of four months was given to the Mushriqs of Makkah to make amends. Otherwise war would be declared against them.
Verse 5 of Surah Taubah says:
" So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful ". (9:5)

[Pooya/Ali Commentary 9:5]
The command to fight against the perfidious and treacherous group of infidels who persistently violated the treaties and tried to destroy peace and security, was to restore law and order in the society. The command was not general but only refers to particular groups of the Makkan idolaters who were notorious offenders. They used to harass the Muslims whenever they found them helpless, and when overpowered, prayed for amnesty by making treaties which they used to break before their ink was dried.
When war becomes inevitable it must be fought with vigour. It may take the form of slaughter, or capture, or siege or ambush, but even then there is room for repentance and amendment, and if that takes place forgiveness is enjoined for the establishment of peace and harmony.

Example of war between America and Vietnam.
We know that America was once at war with Vietnam. Suppose the President of America or the General of the American Army told the American soldiers during the war: "Wherever you find the Vietnamese, kill them". Today if I say that the American President said, "Wherever you find Vietnamese, kill them" without giving the context, I will make him sound like a butcher. But if I quote him in context, that he said it during a war, it will sound very logical, as he was trying to boost the morale of the American soldiers during the war.

Verse 9:5 quoted to boost morale of Muslims during battle.
Similarly in Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 5 the Qur’an says, "then slay the idolaters wherever you find them", during a battle to boost the morale of the Muslim soldiers. What the Qur’an is telling Muslim soldiers is, don’t be afraid during battle; wherever you find the enemies kill them.

Furthermore,
Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6, gives the answer.
Surah Taubah chapter 9 verse 6 gives the answer to the allegation that Islam promotes violence, brutality and bloodshed. It says:
"And if one of the idolaters seek protection from you, grant him protection till he hears the word of Allah, then make him attain his place of safety; this is because they are a people who do not know. "[Al-Qur’an 9:6]

[Pooya/Ali Commentary 9:6]
The injunction to give asylum to those enemies who seek protection is to provide them opportunities for hearing the true message of Allah, so that they may see the light of reason and accept the true religion of Allah. It is the highest form of tolerance.

The Qur’an not only says that a Mushriq seeking asylum during the battle should be granted refuge, but also that he should be escorted to a secure place. In the present international scenario, even a kind, peace-loving army General, during a battle, may let the enemy soldiers go free, if they want peace. But which army General will ever tell his soldiers, that if the enemy soldiers want peace during a battle, don’t just let them go free, but also escort them to a place of security?

This is exactly what Allah (swt) says in the Glorious Qur’an to promote peace in the world.
Last edited by murtaza on 30 Nov 2006, 23:03, edited 2 times in total.
By murtaza
#8105
In the name of Allah the most Beneficient the most Merciful.

Br. Hasin, salaams,
Thank you, for your suggestion.
Although article above ,is compilation from different sources, but i had also edited to some extent in order to make it more clear.
I will Inshallah , by the help of Allah (swt), follow your suggesion in my next articles, though it might take some time.

wasaalam.
Last edited by murtaza on 11 Dec 2006, 21:41, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
By Muhammad Mahdi
#8107
Could you provide the reference from where you got these articles and edited them?
By murtaza
#8220
In the name of Allah the most Beneficient the most Merciful.

The above Information is taken from the Dawah programme course from Islamic Research Foundation.
The added part was the commentary by mir Ahmed Ali and Mahdi pooya.
User avatar
By Muhammad Mahdi
#8232
Dr Zakir Naik has written an article about Islam and terrorism. What you have shown seems to be his words.

Here is Dr Naiks article
WAS ISLAM SPREAD BY THE SWORD?

Question:

How can Islam be called the religion of peace when it was spread by the sword?

Answer:

It is a common complaint among some non-Muslims that Islam would not have millions of adherents all over the world, if it had not been spread by the use of force. The following points will make it clear, that far from being spread by the sword, it was the inherent force of truth, reason and logic that was responsible for the rapid spread of Islam.

1. Islam means peace.

Islam comes from the root word ‘salaam’, which means peace. It also means submitting one’s will to Allah (swt). Thus Islam is a religion of peace, which is acquired by submitting one’s will to the will of the Supreme Creator, Allah (swt).

2. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace.

Each and every human being in this world is not in favour of maintaining peace and harmony. There are many, who would disrupt it for their own vested interests. Sometimes force has to be used to maintain peace. It is precisely for this reason that we have the police who use force against criminals and anti-social elements to maintain peace in the country. Islam promotes peace. At the same time, Islam exhorts it followers to fight where there is oppression. The fight against oppression may, at times, require the use of force. In Islam force can only be used to promote peace and justice.

3. Opinion of historian De Lacy O’Leary.

The best reply to the misconception that Islam was spread by the sword is given by the noted historian De Lacy O’Leary in the book ’Islam at the cross road’ (Page 8):

’History makes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islam at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myth that historians have ever repeated.’


4. Muslims ruled Spain for 800 years.

Muslims ruled Spain for about 800 years. The Muslims in Spain never used the sword to force the people to convert. Later the Christian Crusaders came to Spain and wiped out the Muslims. There was not a single Muslim in Spain who could openly give the adhan, that is the call for prayers.

5. 14 million Arabs are Coptic Christians.

Muslims were the lords of Arabia for 1400 years. For a few years the British ruled, and for a few years the French ruled. Overall, the Muslims ruled Arabia for 1400 years. Yet today, there are 14 million Arabs who are Coptic Christians i.e. Christians since generations. If the Muslims had used the sword there would not have been a single Arab who would have remained a Christian.

6. More than 80% non-Muslims in India.

The Muslims ruled India for about a thousand years. If they wanted, they had the power of converting each and every non-Muslim of India to Islam. Today more than 80% of the population of India are non-Muslims. All these non-Muslim Indians are bearing witness today that Islam was not spread by the sword.

7. Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia is a country that has the maximum number of Muslims in the world. The majority of people in Malaysia are Muslims. May one ask, ’Which Muslim army went to Indonesia and Malaysia?’

8. East Coast of Africa.

Similarly, Islam has spread rapidly on the East Coast of Africa. One may again ask, if Islam was spread by the sword, ’Which Muslim army went to the East Coast of Africa?’

9. Thomas Carlyle.

The famous historian, Thomas Carlyle, in his book ’Heroes and Hero worship’, refers to this misconception about the spread of Islam: ’The sword indeed, but where will you get your sword? Every new opinion, at its starting is precisely in a minority of one. In one man’s head alone. There it dwells as yet. One man alone of the whole world believes it, there is one man against all men. That he takes a sword and try to propagate with that, will do little for him. You must get your sword! On the whole, a thing will propagate itself as it can.’

10. No compulsion in religion.

With which sword was Islam spread? Even if Muslims had it they could not use it to spread Islam because the Qur’an says in the following verse:

’Let there be no compulsion in religion:
Truth stands out clear from error’
[Al-Qur’an 2:256]

11. Sword of the Intellect.

It is the sword of intellect. The sword that conquers the hearts and minds of people. The Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, chapter 16 verse 125:

’Invite (all) to the way of thy Lord
with wisdom and beautiful preaching;
and argue with them in ways that are
best and most gracious.’
[Al-Qur’an 16:125]

12. Increase in the world religions from 1934 to 1984.

An article in Reader’s Digest ‘Almanac’, year book 1986, gave the statistics of the increase of percentage of the major religions of the world in half a century from 1934 to 1984. This article also appeared in ‘The Plain Truth’ magazine. At the top was Islam, which increased by 235%, and Christianity had increased only by 47%. May one ask, which war took place in this century which converted millions of people to Islam?

13. Islam is the fastest growing religion in America and Europe.

Today the fastest growing religion in America is Islam. The fastest growing religion in Europe in Islam. Which sword is forcing people in the West to accept Islam in such large numbers?

14. Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson.

Dr. Joseph Adam Pearson rightly says, ’People who worry that nuclear weaponry will one day fall in the hands of the Arabs, fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has been dropped already, it fell the day MUHAMMED (pbuh) was born’
Can you write your own article using some of these arguments?
#8255
In the name of Allah the most Beneficient the most Merciful.
Br, Muhammad,
As i have already posted above about the source ,it seems you have overlooked it,

The above Information is taken from the Dawah programme course from Islamic Research Foundation.
The added part was the commentary by mir Ahmed Ali and Mahdi pooya.

I never claimed those to be my words.
the above article is within the lessons of Dawah.
The Dawah programme course is taught by Zakir Naik.

And as i have also said tht i ll Inshll in next article ll follow ur suggestions.
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