Some people think that Quran is for the aalim (religious scholar) only, and ordinary humans cannot take guidance from it. Nothing can be farther from the truth. The Quran is a guidance for all humans (2:2, 2:185, 10:57, 39:41)
Sometimes we find verses which appear to be contradicting each other, and it does get confusing, but there are certain principles that I've learned from some very learned scholars which all of us can apply to our studies.
1. Allah is arRehman and RabulAalameen
2. There is no contradiction in Allah's message. If things appear contradictory, delve deeper to try and understand
3. Since Allah exhorts us to use our intelligence (aql), it is a religious obligation to use this precious gift
4. Collect all verses related to a particular issue and then try to understand it in the light of them
5. The Quran is a message and a guidance for all humans till the end of our world. It is simple, general and applicable to all situations, as well as easily adoptable, and highly compatible with conscience
6. The direct addressee of the Quran were the people of Arabia at the time of Prophet Muhammad
7.The Quran is replete with warnings that those who deny the message are destroyed in the lifetime of the prophet. The Arabs, specifically the Meccans who denied and opposed Prophet Muhammad were wiped out in the wars, starting with Ghazwa-e-Badar where a substantial number of Quraish leadership was wiped out. Hence, we cannot generalize verses given in specific situations such as call of war and apply them out of context in our human conflicts
8. Hadith is a great historical resource, we highly appreciate the efforts of those who compiled it, but its a human compilation based upon human memory
9. Hadith which appear to contradict the Quranic verses cannot be authentic, no matter which book they are from
10. Till about 200 years after Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), the hadith was scattered and with very few people. The masses were still practicing Islam then. How were they if Hadith is an intrinsic part of guidance?
11. Where people could not make any changes in the Quran, they found other means, such that we find certain tafsirs and hadiths quoting and attributing immoral conduct to the prophets and other holy personages... things we cannot imagine or dare to attribute to our fathers, how can we tolerate when such nonsense is spoken of about those highly revered pious people and/or accept it as part of our deen? Can we begin to imagine that they could have indulged in anything prohibited? Most of such stories and licences originate from other sources, and we need to guard our beliefs against such corruption
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.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Blasphemy
In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
We read/recite over and over again that Allah is Most Compassionate, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Oft-Forgiving, Worthy of All Praise and Free of All Needs. We also know that this life is a trial and all souls have time, till before death approaches, to submit to God and beg His forgiveness.
We also read in the Holy Quran 54:17, 22, 32, 40 And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?
And 4:82 Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy
Further, we read that:
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
4:137 Those who believe, then reject faith, then believe (again) and (again) reject faith, and go on increasing in unbelief,- Allah will not forgive them nor guide them on the way.
10:99 If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed,- all who are on earth! wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!
16:93 If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.
In that background, the question that arises is does the Most Compassionate prescribe death sentence for blasphemy?
I search the Quran and come across the following verses. If I understand correctly, the Most Compassionate only directs the believers to abstain from the company of blasphemers till they stop blaspheming. We are enjoined to keep sharing the message of faith to all who are willing to listen, to share the verses of the Quran and let people take their own decisions, as only willing submission is required.
6: 68 When thou seest men engaged in vain discourse about Our signs, turn away from them unless they turn to a different theme. If Satan ever makes thee forget, then after recollection, sit not thou in the company of those who do wrong.
6:69 On their account no responsibility falls on the righteous, but (their duty) is to remind them, that they may (learn to) fear Allah.
4:155 (They have incurred divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant; that they rejected the signs of Allah. that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah’s Word; We need no more)";- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe;-
4:156 That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge;
5: 64 The Jews say: "(Allah)'s hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief.
And also consider:
43:33 And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone that blasphemes against ((Allah)) Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stair-ways on which to go up,
43:34 And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline,
43:35 And also adornments of gold. But all this were nothing but conveniences of the present life: The Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord is for the Righteous.
43:36 If anyone withdraws himself from remembrance of ((Allah)) Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one, to be an intimate companion to him.
43:37 Such (evil ones) really hinder them from the Path, but they think that they are being guided aright!
In the light of the above verses, can it be permissible for us humans to judge or prescribe punishment for blasphemy? Can we implement something in the name of Islam disregarding the verses of God Almighty? Is Allah not enough to take people to account?
When Allah allows respite till the time natural death approaches, when Allah says there is no responsibility on the righteous but to remind them (6:69), can we allow our emotions, our love for Allah and Prophet Muhammad (saw) to supersede our submission to the words of Allah in the Quran, which we believe to be the true word of God and our primary source of guidance? When God declares that there is no discrepancy in His message, then death sentence as opposed to respite for a term cannot both be correct. We find verses giving people time to repent though we do not find any verse prescribing any punishment to be enforced by any human. Then what should be a Muslim’s choice?
6:114 Shall I seek other than Allah for judge, when He it is Who hath revealed unto you (this) Scripture, fully explained? Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (aforetime) know that it is revealed from thy Lord in truth. So be not thou (O Muhammad) of the waverers.
6:115 Perfected is the Word of thy Lord in truth and justice. There is naught that can change His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
6:116 If thou obeyedst most of those on earth they would mislead thee far from Allah's way. They follow naught but an opinion, and they do but guess.
6:117 Lo! thy Lord, He knoweth best who erreth from His way; and He knoweth best (who are) the rightly guided.
Translation sources: www.searchtruth.com
Translators: Yusuf Ali, Pickthal
All quotes from the Holy Quran are preceded by chapter number: verse number. For example, 6:117 refers to Chapter 6, Verse 117 of the Holy Quran
We read/recite over and over again that Allah is Most Compassionate, Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Oft-Forgiving, Worthy of All Praise and Free of All Needs. We also know that this life is a trial and all souls have time, till before death approaches, to submit to God and beg His forgiveness.
We also read in the Holy Quran 54:17, 22, 32, 40 And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?
And 4:82 Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much discrepancy
Further, we read that:
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
4:137 Those who believe, then reject faith, then believe (again) and (again) reject faith, and go on increasing in unbelief,- Allah will not forgive them nor guide them on the way.
10:99 If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed,- all who are on earth! wilt thou then compel mankind, against their will, to believe!
16:93 If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your actions.
In that background, the question that arises is does the Most Compassionate prescribe death sentence for blasphemy?
I search the Quran and come across the following verses. If I understand correctly, the Most Compassionate only directs the believers to abstain from the company of blasphemers till they stop blaspheming. We are enjoined to keep sharing the message of faith to all who are willing to listen, to share the verses of the Quran and let people take their own decisions, as only willing submission is required.
6: 68 When thou seest men engaged in vain discourse about Our signs, turn away from them unless they turn to a different theme. If Satan ever makes thee forget, then after recollection, sit not thou in the company of those who do wrong.
6:69 On their account no responsibility falls on the righteous, but (their duty) is to remind them, that they may (learn to) fear Allah.
4:155 (They have incurred divine displeasure): In that they broke their covenant; that they rejected the signs of Allah. that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah’s Word; We need no more)";- Nay, Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe;-
4:156 That they rejected Faith; that they uttered against Mary a grave false charge;
5: 64 The Jews say: "(Allah)'s hand is tied up." Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for the (blasphemy) they utter. Nay, both His hands are widely outstretched: He giveth and spendeth (of His bounty) as He pleaseth. But the revelation that cometh to thee from Allah increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. Amongst them we have placed enmity and hatred till the Day of Judgment. Every time they kindle the fire of war, Allah doth extinguish it; but they (ever) strive to do mischief on earth. And Allah loveth not those who do mischief.
And also consider:
43:33 And were it not that (all) men might become of one (evil) way of life, We would provide, for everyone that blasphemes against ((Allah)) Most Gracious, silver roofs for their houses and (silver) stair-ways on which to go up,
43:34 And (silver) doors to their houses, and thrones (of silver) on which they could recline,
43:35 And also adornments of gold. But all this were nothing but conveniences of the present life: The Hereafter, in the sight of thy Lord is for the Righteous.
43:36 If anyone withdraws himself from remembrance of ((Allah)) Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one, to be an intimate companion to him.
43:37 Such (evil ones) really hinder them from the Path, but they think that they are being guided aright!
In the light of the above verses, can it be permissible for us humans to judge or prescribe punishment for blasphemy? Can we implement something in the name of Islam disregarding the verses of God Almighty? Is Allah not enough to take people to account?
When Allah allows respite till the time natural death approaches, when Allah says there is no responsibility on the righteous but to remind them (6:69), can we allow our emotions, our love for Allah and Prophet Muhammad (saw) to supersede our submission to the words of Allah in the Quran, which we believe to be the true word of God and our primary source of guidance? When God declares that there is no discrepancy in His message, then death sentence as opposed to respite for a term cannot both be correct. We find verses giving people time to repent though we do not find any verse prescribing any punishment to be enforced by any human. Then what should be a Muslim’s choice?
6:114 Shall I seek other than Allah for judge, when He it is Who hath revealed unto you (this) Scripture, fully explained? Those unto whom We gave the Scripture (aforetime) know that it is revealed from thy Lord in truth. So be not thou (O Muhammad) of the waverers.
6:115 Perfected is the Word of thy Lord in truth and justice. There is naught that can change His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
6:116 If thou obeyedst most of those on earth they would mislead thee far from Allah's way. They follow naught but an opinion, and they do but guess.
6:117 Lo! thy Lord, He knoweth best who erreth from His way; and He knoweth best (who are) the rightly guided.
Translation sources: www.searchtruth.com
Translators: Yusuf Ali, Pickthal
All quotes from the Holy Quran are preceded by chapter number: verse number. For example, 6:117 refers to Chapter 6, Verse 117 of the Holy Quran