In response to a debate between a muslim and a non-muslim over man being God's viceroy:
If I understand correctly, man is not God's viceroy, but rather Earth's viceroy. God does not need a representative on Earth, but we humans are evidently in charge of the Earth, harnessing its energy and resources, and shaping its environment. We have a certain degree of power over how we use it... responsibly or otherwise, and global warming is a witness to our collective irresponsibilty, as are the so many species of plants and animals becoming extinct.
Consider the following verses together:
Ch2:30 And when thy Lord said unto the angels: Lo! I am about to place a viceroy in the earth, they said: Wilt thou place therein one who will do harm therein and will shed blood, while we, we hymn Thy praise and sanctify Thee? He said: Surely I know that which ye know not.
Ch6:165 He it is Who hath placed you as viceroys of the earth and hath exalted some of you in rank above others, that He may try you by (the test of) that which He hath given you. Lo! Thy Lord is swift in prosecution, and Lo! He verily is Forgiving, Merciful.
Ch7:69 Marvel ye that there should come unto you a Reminder from your Lord by means of a man among you, that he may warn you? Remember how He made you viceroys after Noah's folk, and gave you growth of stature. Remember (all) the bounties of your Lord, that haply ye may be successful.
Ch7:74 And remember how He made you viceroys after A'ad and gave you station in the earth. Ye choose castles in the plains and hew the mountains into dwellings. So remember (all) the bounties of Allah and do not evil, making mischief in the earth.
Ch7:129 They said: We suffered hurt before thou camest unto us, and since thou hast come unto us. He said: It may be that your Lord is going to destroy your adversary and make you viceroys in the earth, that He may see how ye behave.
Ch10:14 Then We appointed you viceroys in the earth after them, that We might see how ye behave.
Ch10:73 But they denied him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and made them viceroys (in the earth), while We drowned those who denied Our revelations. See then the nature of the consequence for those who had been warned.
Ch27:62 Is not He (best) Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the evil, and hath made you viceroys of the earth? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Little do they reflect!
Ch38:26 (And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.
Ch43:60 And had We willed We could have set among you angels to be viceroys in the earth.
http://www.searchtruth.com/search.php?keyword=viceroy&chapter=&translator=4&search=1&start=0&records_display=10&search_word=all
Islam - Q&A: A selection of questions posed by friends and acquaintances and my answers to them, in the attempt to bring them closer to the beautiful religion of Islam. And the random thoughts n questions that keep sprouting in my mind. May Allah guide us all.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Suicide Bombing
In response to certain comments and questions about suicide bombing:
There are many forces who try to create mischief and use people to achieve their objectives. Yet, no individual can absolve him/herself from personal responsibility for his/her own actions. We are all responsible for making our own choices.
Having said that, please bear in mind that though suicide bombing is done in the name of Islam, it is not sanctioned by Islam due to the following reasons:
-life is sacred
-innocent lives cannot be taken even in war
-suicide is not permissible
-holy war can only be declared by the ruler of the muslim state... small groups cannot take the law in their hands
People and groups who indulge in such extreme actions may think that they are doing God's work, but they are not. Most scholars agree that terrorism is not permitted in Islam in any way and under any conditions.
The following are some verses from the Holy Quran
(I have added the translator's name, chapter number and verse number at the begining of the verses for your convenience)
Yusuf Ali 5:8: O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
Yusuf Ali 4:29,30: O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful! If any do that in rancour and injustice,- soon shall We cast them into the Fire: And easy it is for Allah.
Yusuf Ali 4:59: O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination.
Yusuf Ali 4:135 O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do.
Yusuf Ali 17:33: Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him nor exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law).
Yusuf Ali Ch42, Verses 37-43
37 Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and, when they are angry even then forgive;
38 Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;
39 And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.
40 The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. for ((Allah)) loveth not those who do wrong.
41 But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame.
42 The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous.
43 But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.
Yusuf Ali 5:32 On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.
Yusuf Ali 16:125-128 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: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient. And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from Allah. nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of their plots.
For Allah is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.
Yusuf Ali 41:34-36 Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!
And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune.
And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.
[All verses by different translators, and in multiple languages available at www.searchtruth.com ]
The example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad is also a guiding light. He faced much resistance, oppression and wars from his opponents. His patience, restraint, forbearance, courage, fairness and forgiveness are lessons for us.
A back-dated letter by Dr Khalid Zaheer to Hamas
http://khalidzaheer.com/essays/kzaheer/criticism/a_letter_to_hamas.html
There are many forces who try to create mischief and use people to achieve their objectives. Yet, no individual can absolve him/herself from personal responsibility for his/her own actions. We are all responsible for making our own choices.
Having said that, please bear in mind that though suicide bombing is done in the name of Islam, it is not sanctioned by Islam due to the following reasons:
-life is sacred
-innocent lives cannot be taken even in war
-suicide is not permissible
-holy war can only be declared by the ruler of the muslim state... small groups cannot take the law in their hands
People and groups who indulge in such extreme actions may think that they are doing God's work, but they are not. Most scholars agree that terrorism is not permitted in Islam in any way and under any conditions.
The following are some verses from the Holy Quran
(I have added the translator's name, chapter number and verse number at the begining of the verses for your convenience)
Yusuf Ali 5:8: O ye who believe! stand out firmly for Allah, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety: and fear Allah. For Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do.
Yusuf Ali 4:29,30: O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst you Traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily Allah hath been to you Most Merciful! If any do that in rancour and injustice,- soon shall We cast them into the Fire: And easy it is for Allah.
Yusuf Ali 4:59: O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination.
Yusuf Ali 4:135 O ye who believe! stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to Allah, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest ye swerve, and if ye distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily Allah is well- acquainted with all that ye do.
Yusuf Ali 17:33: Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, we have given his heir authority (to demand qisas or to forgive): but let him nor exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the Law).
Yusuf Ali Ch42, Verses 37-43
37 Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and, when they are angry even then forgive;
38 Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance;
39 And those who, when an oppressive wrong is inflicted on them, (are not cowed but) help and defend themselves.
40 The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree): but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah. for ((Allah)) loveth not those who do wrong.
41 But indeed if any do help and defend themselves after a wrong (done) to them, against such there is no cause of blame.
42 The blame is only against those who oppress men and wrong-doing and insolently transgress beyond bounds through the land, defying right and justice: for such there will be a penalty grievous.
43 But indeed if any show patience and forgive, that would truly be an exercise of courageous will and resolution in the conduct of affairs.
Yusuf Ali 5:32 On that account: We ordained for the Children of Israel that if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the whole people. Then although there came to them Our apostles with clear signs, yet, even after that, many of them continued to commit excesses in the land.
Yusuf Ali 16:125-128 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: for thy Lord knoweth best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance.
And if ye do catch them out, catch them out no worse than they catch you out: But if ye show patience, that is indeed the best (course) for those who are patient. And do thou be patient, for thy patience is but from Allah. nor grieve over them: and distress not thyself because of their plots.
For Allah is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.
Yusuf Ali 41:34-36 Nor can goodness and Evil be equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!
And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint,- none but persons of the greatest good fortune.
And if (at any time) an incitement to discord is made to thee by the Evil One, seek refuge in Allah. He is the One Who hears and knows all things.
[All verses by different translators, and in multiple languages available at www.searchtruth.com ]
The example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad is also a guiding light. He faced much resistance, oppression and wars from his opponents. His patience, restraint, forbearance, courage, fairness and forgiveness are lessons for us.
A back-dated letter by Dr Khalid Zaheer to Hamas
http://khalidzaheer.com/essays/kzaheer/criticism/a_letter_to_hamas.html