What Is So Special About Man If I Gives No Benefit To Others

What Is So Special About Man If He Gives No Benefit To Others

If we study, analyze and appraise the physical aspects of mankind, we will find there is absolutely nothing special about it. Instead there are two negative aspects about the physique of man.

First: Weakness

What we mean by weakness here is the weakness of the body. The body has no resistance or resilience. It is easily exposed to a lot of diseases. It is easily attacked by fever, headaches, toothaches and ailments of the eyes. This also includes diseases that are more serious like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart attack and others.

Besides that, the resilience or resistance of the physical body itself is also very weak compared to the resilience of the soul. If it knocks against something, it is easily wounded or swollen and causes pain. If it falls or collides against a hard or a strong object, it is easily sprained, broken, crushed and smashed. If energy is used, the body gets easily tired and exhausted. If care is not taken, this too can lead to illness. In fact, even if the body experiences pleasure, it is also subjected to negative effects or to certain side effects. As an example, after consuming too much food, the body becomes heavy and this can lead to various illnesses. After having sexual relationship with the wife, especially when it is frequent, the body becomes exhausted, weak and listless. If the body sleeps too late at night, the eyes become sleepy in the day. Added to that, the body also feels tired.

That is how weak man is. His physical resilience is always being challenged. His physical resilience is always being tried. This outside challenge and encroachment has its side effects on the body. His soul is also pressured resulting in high emotions. He becomes easily angered, easily aggrieved, loathsome, sated and others.

If this negative spiritual characteristic is not controlled by Islamic teachings and by the struggle against lust or the nafs (mujahadah), it will hurt other people. This will give rise to crises and quarrels amongst the people in society. Unity, love and care and harmony will be destroyed.

Secondly: Excretion

Whatever is excreted from the body of man is dirty and disgusting. Let us study this fact.

Excretion of the body that is sweat or perspiration has a revolting smell and is disgusting to people.

Excretion of the ears either earwax or pus is foul smelling and nauseating.

Excretion of the nose that is mucus or snot is disgusting and nauseating and no one likes it, not even the person concerned.

Saliva, which is discharged through the mouth, is foul smelling especially that which is discharged during sleep. At times, it is also defiling (najis) from the Islamic viewpoint.

Tears, although not foul smelling, is still regarded with disgust and is very much disliked.

Urine and stool, excreted via the urinary tract and the anus are not only extremely foul smelling, dirty and revolting but also defiling (najis) from the Islamic viewpoint. They are the excretion of man, which are most loathsome. Their smell hurt peoples' noses. Cleansing the body of these excretions is obligatory. Otherwise, acts of devotion will not be accepted by Allah. They pollute and dirty the air, they threaten health and can disturb the peace.

What we have said are about disgusting things that come naturally and cannot be avoided by man. They are part of the body's natural functions.

We have not yet touched on things that are disgusting and loathsome and which at the same time degrade and cause difficulty to man like sores, diabetic gangrene, shingles, ulcerated sores, cancerous abscesses and boils that exudes pus which are smelly, dirty and revolting and which cause pain and weaken the body. With these diseases, man lose their worth and value. At times, because of these diseases, those whom we love like our wives and children can suddenly loathe us and abandon us.

If man do not have any good or any specialty in other areas other than the disgusting things that have been said before this, then what is so special about mankind? What then is the meaning of the lives of man or their existence in this world. Man will only face hardship and will cause difficulty to others. Man will have no worth and value. Such men are like garbage of society and in fact are much lower than garbage itself. Useless garbage can at least be swept and thrown away or collected or heaped and burnt. Its ashes can be used as fertilizer. But man, no matter how useless, cannot be thrown away or burnt. Such a man is truly a living corpse who does nothing else but disturbs and jeopardizes the lives of other people.

Because of this, through the blessings of Allah and His love for mankind, and because Allah wants to honor and upgrade the status of mankind who are His servants, He sent His Prophets and His Apostles whom He gave guidance and revelation. The last of the Prophets was Sayidina Muhammad SAW. To him, Allah gave the Quran as a guide and revelation so that mankind can become useful. Besides being His servants who are subservient to Him, man is also Allah's vicegerent to develop, advance and administer the world so that it becomes a safe and happy place for him. In the Hereafter, there are greater and more special rewards and that is paradise which is unlike and incomparable to anything we know and which Allah awards as His bounty to mankind. This is a blessing to men who has done good while on earth in accordance to the wishes of Allah.

Because of this, mankind should take the chance by following the guidance of Allah. Man should aggrandize Allah, love Him, fear Him, purify Him, be humble to Him, be shameful, be thankful, be hopeful to Him and man should rely on Him. Accept whatever He destines and be patient with trials and tribulations from Him by doing the act of prayers, fasting, the haj, reciting the Quran, contemplating in the remembrance of Him (zikr), purifying Him (tasbih), praising Him (tahmid), holifying Him (taqdis), struggle against our nafs or lust (mujahadah) and struggle in the way of Allah (jihad).

These are the ways mankind as created servants can relate to his Creator. Then, as His vicegerent, develop the earth, advance and administer it in accordance to the systems and rules from Allah, for this earth belongs to Him. We should not do as we like or in accordance to our whims and fancies so that the world is not damaged. And do service to mankind to instill love and care, unity cooperation, harmony, security, peace, and happiness together. All this can be done through power and authority, administration, knowledge, effort and energy, influence, money, wealth and others. Whatever we do, we should follow the guidance of Allah so that He will accept, bless and award us His mercy. At all times, fear Allah in whatever we do so that hopefully no negative effects will ensue that will destroy man himself.

Whosoever amongst mankind who can do all this is regarded as one who fears Allah (taqwa). He is honored and forgiven by Allah. Such a man, who do service to other men by all his good deeds has actually redeemed all his weaknesses and shortcomings that are part of his being. He has attained a high status in the eyes of Allah and mankind for although he is beset with weaknesses, he has succeeded to become a useful person. In the Hereafter, he qualifies for Allah's forgiveness and His paradise.

Meanwhile, if man is not nurtured by Islamic upbringing and education, he loses his fear of Allah, he forgets life in the Hereafter and through his physical body, he dares to commit all forms of transgressions whether openly or otherwise.

His hands are used for stealing, robbing, giving and taking bribes, hitting and killing people. His legs step towards places of evil and vices, like nightclubs, discos, prostitute dens, gambling houses and places where people revel and where there are free mixing of the sexes. His tongue is used to revile and slander, insult, libel, lie, swear, scold and to utter lewd words. His eyes are used to look at women who are not his kin and family, obscene pictures and to see the weaknesses of other people to be disseminated everywhere. His ears are used to eavesdrop on people's secrets so it can be made public. His brain is constantly used to think of how to commit evil and to plan the destruction of God's earth. After we have studied and analyzed humankind, we find that man's body or physique is nothing special. In fact, it produces nothing but filth. Because of this, man is forced to conceal his natural dirt by frequently cleaning his body with soap and shampoo, and to beautify it with powder, lipstick and perfumes. It is further decorated with expensive and beautiful clothing to attract people's attention so that people will approach and mix with them. Otherwise, people will run away because the smell of sweat and perspiration alone is enough to repel them.

In fact, forgive me for saying this, but to perform the innate physical relationship between husband and wife, if both parties do not beautify themselves and rub themselves with perfume and powder, the desire to conduct such relationship can wane or can die immediately. Domestic crisis may result.

Also, in order to attain health, so that the body is always active and energetic, man needs to exercise and jog frequently. Food and drinks must be taken care of and unhealthy places must be avoided. That is the truth of the nature of man and no one can escape or avoid it. If man realize this truth, that they cannot avoid the weaknesses and shortcomings that we have said, no matter who he is, whether he is a king or one who has power, knowledge and wealth, man will always be conscious of himself, always shameful, humble and modest. They will not be proud or snobbish, let alone to oppress or tyrannize other people.

The deeper consequences of Muslims targeting innocent civilians

This article, written in the immediate aftermath of the failed New York City bomb attempt [1], will examine some of the theological implications of Muslims violating civilian immunity. I have written elsewhere why attacks against innocent civilians are in opposition to fundamental teachings of Islam. Unfortunately, there are some Muslim ideologues that sanction such actions and a growing number of Muslim civilians and noncombatants are being killed by their coreligionists, in Iraq, Afghanistan [2], and elsewhere. For these reasons, the argument that follows is more than merely hypothetical. This article is being reprinted in the aftermath of an alleged plot to mail bombs to Chicago-area synagogues from Yemen.

Western military commanders, politicians and philosophers who have sanctioned the widespread bombing of civilian populations -owing to the industrialization of war and its being wedded with nationalist ideology during the 19th and 20th centuries- realize that their actions involve a dangerous moral leap. The following passage from Phillip Meilinger's work on the moral implications of modern warfare illustrates this point:

The Fall of France in 1940 left Britain alone against Germany. The ensuing Battle of Britain, culminating in the Blitz, left England reeling. Surrender was unthinkable, but it could not retaliate with its outnumbered and overstretched army and navy. The only hope of hitting back at Germany and winning the war lay with Bomber Command. But operational factors quickly demonstrated that prewar factors [emphasizing precision bombing of military objectives] had been hopelessly unrealistic....Aircrew survival dictated night area attacks, and, in truth, there was little alternative other than not to attack at all. Moral constraints bowed to what was deemed military necessity, which led air leaders down a particularly slippery slope. [3]

That slippery slope led to wanton massacres of civilians that were unprecedented in history and they culminated in the nuclear incineration of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Muslims who would sanction gross violations of civilian immunity, owing to strategic desperation, are entering on a similarly slippery slope. However, there is a huge difference between the norms that govern western strategic thinking and those defined by Islam. Namely, western norms are socially constructed while those defined by Islam have their origin in revelation -the latter as understood by Muslims. Hence, from a Muslim perspective, and that perspective is critical for the argument we are making, western norms are subject to change with changes in social, political, economic and especially technological considerations, while Islamic norms are transcendent. [4]

The idea of total war, which holds that there is no distinction between the combatant and noncombatant elements of an enemy population, and that both groups can legitimately be targeted by an armed force, is ancient. The Peloponnesian War (431-404 BC), as documented by Thucydides, involved both the mobilization of entire populations for the war effort and likewise the eradication of entire populations, such as the inhabitants of Milos. During the Middle Ages, the Mongol invasion of the Muslim heartland of Asia could be described as a campaign of total warfare that left unimaginable death and destruction in its wake.

The existence of total war campaigns during early historical periods is accompanied by efforts to extend immunity from violent conflicts to civilians. Plato, various Roman philosophers, Medieval Christian theologians, orders of knights and in the early modern period, theorists such as Francisco de Victoria and Hugo Grotius all advocated various degrees of civilian immunity from the scourges of war.

In the western intellectual tradition, thinking surrounding this idea during various historical epochs was associated with prevailing views of just and unjust actions as well as the self-interest of relevant societal actors, as opposed to clear and deeply rooted scriptural pronouncements. This was true even among Christians. Hence, we do not see meaningful discussions on limiting the destructiveness of war among Christian theologians until the 4th Christian Century with the work of St. Augustine.

In Europe, changing conditions and circumstances have led to changing positions on the issue of civilian immunity. For much of the latter Middle Age the prevailing European views were dominated by ideas emerging from the Catholic Church's Peace of God movement, and the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. The advent of the nation-state in the aftermath of the Peace of Westphalia in 1648 would introduce a new epistemology to govern thinking around strategic affairs, even though Medieval Christian thinking still informed attitudes and policies related to civilian immunity, at least until the French and Industrial Revolutions.

These nearly simultaneous developments led to the idea that the civilian infrastructure needed to support a modern war effort was so essential to its successful prosecution that it transformed civilians into combatants. As a result, beginning with the Napoleonic Wars and the American Civil War, conflicts in the West would witness the erosion of civilian immunity -at least until the aftermath of the World War Two.

Unlike the situation prevailing in non-Muslim lands, the idea of civilian immunity among Muslims has been rooted in clear scriptural pronouncements from the prophetic epoch. Qur'anic passages establishing the sanctity of innocent life (Q. 5:32) and not expanding hostilities to noncombatants (Q. 2:190) coupled with prophetic strictures against killing women, children, monks, and other noncombatants created the basis for a strong and enduring Muslim ethic governing civilian immunity. Although there have clearly been instances when some Muslim rulers and commanders have not respected that ethic, it has generally remained a restraining factor throughout Muslim history. [5]

Among its greatest fruits has been the existence of large non-Muslim populations in historical Muslim empires, the general lack of forced conversion of non-Muslim populations, a lack of genocidal massacres undertaken by Muslim armies [6], and the peaceful coexistence of Muslims and other faith communities in areas such as Andalusia, Bosnia, Palestine and Iraq, historically.

As changing geopolitical and technological realities dictate changes in the norms governing the intentional targeting of civilians in western strategic thinking, there is no inherent damage to the integrity of western secular thought. Indeed, the socially constructed nature of those norms only serves to reinforce the secularity of the process whereby they are arrived at and the analytical methods governing their assessment. This is not the case for the transcendental Islamic ideal governing civilian immunity. When it is abandoned by Muslims, a critical aspect of the religion itself in abandoned.

As Dr. Tim Winter (Abdul Hakim Murad) [7], expanding the work of John Gray [8] and others, argues, when that abandonment occurs in the modern context, it is precisely because the transcendental Islamic ideal has been forsaken or lost. Muslims who target civilians are robbed of any moral high ground in their struggle with opposing forces and are left naked before the bitter winds of political expediency. If expediency demands suicidal murder, bombs in mosques and marketplaces or in the heart of western cities then in the view of those who have entered upon this vile path, so be it.

At the heart of the Islamic ethic regarding the sanctity of innocent life is the following verse in the Qur'an, alluded to earlier:

Owing to that [first instance murder] we ordained for the Children of Israel that whosever takes an innocent life for other than retribution for murder or murderous sedition in the land it is as if he has killed all of humanity, and whoever saves a life it is as if he has saved all of humanity. Our Messengers have come to them with clear proofs, yet even after that many of them exceed limits in the land. [9] (Q. 5:32)

This verse emphasizes that the immunity extended to innocents is a principle that was upheld by all of the Prophets. Hence, the specific mention of the Children of Israel, who were the recipients of a long line of Prophets, and the mentioning of the Messengers at the end of the verse.

The idea that to discard the immunity that is extended to innocents is to abandon an indispensable part of the divine law is emphasized by Imam al-Qurtubi in his commentary on this verse (Q. 5:32). He states:

The meaning is that whoever makes it lawful to take the life of a single innocent person has made everyone's life lawful, because he has rejected the divine law [establishing the prohibition of killing innocents]. [10]

Abandoning the divine law when one makes the blood of innocent people lawful to shed is emphasized from a deeper perspective by Imam Fakruddin al-Razi in his commentary on the same verse. He states:

When he [a murderer] resolves to intentionally kill an innocent person he has given preference to the dictates of his bloodlust and anger over the dictates of obeying God. When this prioritization occurs, in his heart he has resolved to kill anyone who opposes his demands, were he capable of doing so. [11]

The murderous campaigns undertaken by some misguided Muslims that have led to the massacre of thousands of civilians in the Muslim world and that are now threatening the innocent people in this country are not manifestations of Jihad, as some claim. Rather, they are a mirror image of the godless murderous mayhem and carnage this country has inflicted on the innocent civilians of many Muslim countries, and, as explained above, it involves an abandonment of the prophetic legacy.

Every Muslim who is concerned for the future of his or her faith and the future of the prophetic legacy in the world is morally obliged to work in whatever capacity he or she can to stop attacks that target innocent civilians by any party -Muslims or members of other communities. The basis for this moral obligation is powerfully stated by Imam Razi in his commentary on (5:32). He mentions:

If all of humanity knew that a single individual intends to exterminate them they would undoubtedly try their utmost to prevent him from obtaining his objective. Likewise, if they knew that he intends to kill a single person then their seriousness and exertion in trying to deter him from killing that person should be just as great as it would be in preventing their own mass murder. [12]

The reason for this is that the life of a single innocent person has the sanctity of the lives of all humanity. This is an ideal we cannot let die. If we allow it to die who will revive it? Human history has shown how quickly we can begin a free fall into murderous madness once we have entered upon the path that justifies murdering innocent civilians and other noncombatants. If the American military and the warmongering interests supporting it are guilty in this regard we condemn them in the strongest terms, and if our fellow Muslims are guilty we must likewise condemn them.

The only difference between the two cases is that when the American military kills innocent civilians it is violating principles of human rights and worldly conventions, which, as we have seen with the current arguments justifying torture, are subject to change or being discarded altogether. When Muslims do it, we are betraying our faith and the legacy of the Prophets, peace upon them, who have left us a wealth of timeless, enduring wisdom.

Notes:

[1] I am not assuming that Faisal Shahzad, the Pakistani-American who has been arrested in association with this bomb plot is guilty. The investigation is ongoing and his guilt has yet to be established. The affair does provide an occasion to discuss the issues that are raised in this essay.

[2] This statement does not discount the existence of black or psychological operations that are undertaken against Muslim civilians by the security apparatuses of Western powers at war in the Muslim world, along with their agents and surrogates. However, it is undeniably true that an increasingly large number of the attacks against Muslim noncombatants are being undertaken by Muslims themselves.

[3] Quoted in Ward Thomas, The Ethics of Destruction: Norms and Force in International Relations (Ithaca, London: Cornell University Press, 2001), 90.

[4] The transcendental nature of Muslim norms does not deny the human effort that went into translating those norms into policy. Hence, like their medieval Christian scholastic counterparts, Muslim theologians struggled to define the scope and limits of civilian immunity.

[5] For an insightful study of the generally peaceful nature of Islam's spread among non-Muslim peoples, and its respect for them see Professor Thomas Arnold, The Spread of Islam in the World: A History of Peaceful Preaching (New Delhi: Goodword Books, 2001).

[6] The most notable exception to this assertion is the Armenian Genocide that occurred in Ottoman Turkey in 1915. This controversial tragedy occurred during the waning years of a Muslim world governed by a viable Islamic tradition, and after Turkey had been transformed into a nationalist, quasi Islamic state led by the Young Turks. By that time, the Sultan was a powerless figurehead. For most of the Ottoman reign Armenians were a self-governing minority that enjoyed the protection of the rulers in Istanbul.

[7] See Abdal-Hakim Murad, Bombing Without Moonlight: The Origins of Suicidal Terrorism (Bristol, England: Amal Press, 2008). Murad convincingly demonstrates how Muslims who engage in wanton attacks against civilians are merely extensions of a deeply-rooted history of such violence in western civilization. Likewise, he shows how Muslims who would justify such violence openly reject the Islamic tradition of patience and restraint in strategic affairs.

[8] See John Gray, Al Qaeda and What It Means To Be Modern (New York: The New Press, 2005). Gray argues that the philosophy of al Qaeda owes more to the positivism of Saint-Simon and Comte than to any traditional Islamic influences, and its organizational structure is a reflection of 21st Century globalization.

[9] Their exceeding limits lies in the continuation of their murderous ways.

[10] Muhammad b. Ahmad al-Qurtubi, al-jami' li ahkam al-Qur'an (Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi, 1995), 3:147.

[11] Muhammad b. 'Umar Fakhruddin al-Razi, mafatih al-ghayb (Beirut: Dar Ihya' al-Turath al-'Arabi, 1995), 4:344.

[12] Ibid., 4:344.

Muslims Are NOT Our Enemies!

Vivimos en tiempos oscuros, mis amigos, y la reciente violencia trágica en el Líbano es una indicación de cuán oscuras cosas han vuelto!

Es difícil concebir, desde esta distancia, lo que debe haber sido como para nuestras hermanas y hermanos en el sur de Líbano, que sufrió un bombardeo militar de mes! La carnicería, la destrucción, la miseria y la inhumanidad han dejado ninguno de nosotros afectado, y sin embargo... nos damos cuenta de que esto es sólo un capítulo corto en una mucho mayor y más miserable historia que todavía no ha llegado a su conclusión!

El futuro inmediato es desconocido, pero las indicaciones son en ninguna manera alentar. De alguna manera Israel ha proclamado su ataque a Líbano a una victoria, mientras que Estados Unidos continúa postural para un ataque a Irán. Y alimentando esta locura es una creciente cantidad de propaganda, viniendo de un número de direcciones, representando este conflicto como una guerra entre religiones - Dios no permita!

No estoy seguro de cuándo ocurrió esta transformación, como en el caso de los ataques en Líbano y Gaza, los temas iniciales fueron razonablemente claros. Ambos conflictos interesados controversias sobre la integridad de las fronteras territoriales y la liberación de los presos - un total de tres prisioneros israelíes sobre un lado y alrededor de 9.500 presos palestinos, además de un número de prisioneros libaneses, por el otro.

Estas fueron las cuestiones. No estoy diciendo que son fáciles cuestiones a resolver, pero que no son difíciles de entender. Son cuestiones importantes - históricamente y políticamente - pero no son cuestiones religiosas, excepto en la medida en que el nivel de abuso humano involucrado es un delito a todas las religiones!

¿Cómo es entonces que la violencia en el Medio Oriente se ha convertido en una guerra de religiones? Es mi creencia de que la única explicación para esto es que debe haber algunos poderosos grupos con un interés en dividir la población Islámica de cristianos y judíos.

Creo que es deliberada, como la retórica y la propaganda y la manera de los medios de comunicación ha torcido eventos, incluso en este país, es demasiado bien-pensado-mediante y demasiado sistemática para ser el resultado de un simple malentendido.

Creo que hay fuerzas en el trabajo - fuentes poderosas y bien financiadas en el trabajo - intentando dividir el pueblo cristiano de sus hermanos y hermanas islámicas cristiano de musulmanes, musulmanes de cristiano, musulmán de judío. Y la verdad es que estas fuerzas actualmente están demostrando para ser muy exitosa.

Como algunos de ustedes sabrán, ejecutar un número de sitios Web y tienen un número de suscriptores a mis webs de todo del mundo, especialmente de los Estados Unidos - alrededor de 5000 en todos. Cada día, parece, recibir correos electrónicos desde algunas de las personas en mi lista de correo, diciéndome que musulmanes quieren matarlos!

¿Cada día recibir estos mensajes de correo electrónico, y cada día volverá a escribir: "hermano, dime por favor cuál de nuestros hermanos islámicos está intentando matarte? Hermano, ¿realmente sabe cualquier pueblo islámico? Si así, han solicitado ellos por qué quieren matar?'

La respuesta volver siempre es básicamente la misma: 'no, personalmente no conozco ningún pueblo islámico, pero he estado leyendo mucho sobre Osama Bin Laden!'
'Hermano', respondo, "si tuviéramos islámicas, creo que tendríamos mucho mejores fundamentos para creer que la gente de Occidente está tratando de destruirnos! Afganistán no declarar la guerra a América. No fue Irak que invadió Estados Unidos. No fue Líbano ni Palestina que invadieron Israel. Y personalmente no creo que Irán está a punto de iniciar la violencia contra nadie!'

De alguna manera todo ha sido trenzado! Todo se ha convertido al revés! Israel, el país militarmente más agresivo en el Medio Oriente, de alguna manera siempre es visto como la víctima. América, el país más poderoso del mundo, de alguna manera se ve como terriblemente vulnerables al ataque!
Es retórica, la propaganda, una torsión de los hechos y un número de francamente radica en que nos han traído hasta este punto. Y sabemos muy bien donde este camino va a tomar nosotros si seguimos en él - en más violencia y derramamiento de sangre.

Por esta razón, le pido esta noche, mis hermanas islámicas y hermanos, por favor, resistir la tentación a ustedes cortado de sus amigos cristianos. Esto pido humildemente, reconociendo que tanta gente musulmana en esta comunidad siente bajo asedio y las víctimas de los prejuicios y por buenas razones. Aun así, le pido, por favor no te rindas con nosotros.

Tenga paciencia con aquellos entre nosotros que están luchando contra el peso de la propaganda que pretende dividir a nosotros. Nos dan otra oportunidad, por lo que podríamos estamos contigo contra esta violencia y crueldad que amenaza con fagocitar a todos nosotros.

Como he dicho, no es nuestras respectivas religiones que nos condujo a esta violencia. Irónicamente, creo que nuestros valores religiosos comunes pueda llevarnos fuera.

Los cristianos, musulmanes y judíos, a un nivel de fe, son todos finalmente comprometido a la paz - a la paz y del respeto mutuo. Estos son valores que son sagrados para todos nosotros. Tal vez algunos de nosotros han olvidado esto. Con toda la violencia y crueldad, hemos olvidado Quiénes somos y lo que creemos. Por favor, diálogo con nosotros y nos ayude a recordar.

Yo estaba fascinado al leer acerca de algunas investigaciones recientes realizado por un Pape de profesor de la Universidad de Chicago en los Estados Unidos. El profesor hizo un perfiles detallados de Hezbollah suicidas, tras la invasión israelí de 1982 de Líbano. Lo encontré Pape sorprendió a muchos - es decir, que de los 38 suicidas que estudió en detalle, sólo 8 eran Islámica. Tres eran cristianos. La inmensa mayoría, parece que eran personas de fe. Lo que les Unidos no era su religión común, sino un compromiso común para resistir la ocupación.

El estudio me recuerda nuevamente que estas guerras no son sobre la religión, y sin embargo, como he leído sobre personas cristianas e islámicas trabajando juntos allí en violencia, creo, cuánto más deberíamos podremos trabajar juntos por la paz - para la reconstrucción del Líbano, para poner fin a la ocupación Palestina y para poner fin a este derramamiento de sangre.

Muslims Are Losing Ground

Salmon Rushdie may have been the first to flee the wrath of angry Islamic hardliners but now whole nations are on the alert. It is an easy thing to hide one man but nations are another matter. World reaction is followed by world opinion and depending on how much dust has to settle, following close behind is worldwide action. That action has been everything from hunting down major terrorists and dangerous extremists to digging for the root causes for all this anti anything that isn't Muslim.

Immediately after 9-11 President Bush sought to encourage Americans and warn the perpetrators of the attack in New York. We rallied around his comments with ears fully opened and hearts still burning with grief. Almost un-noticed in the melee of words and emotions he also said, that we knew the Muslim religion was a peaceful religion. Do we really know that? Up to that propitious moment in our history we knew pretty close to nothing about the Islamic faith. Since those remarks were made there has been a rush to correct our general lack of knowledge about Islam. So what do we know now?

The first person to cast doubt on the peaceful religion remark was Franklin Graham the son of evangelist Rev Billy Graham. He simply pointed us to the Quran where it can be seen in black and white that the cost of not converting to Islam could be our lives. The first reaction to Graham's divulgement was a little shy of a good old tar and feathering. Since then we have poured over the newly offered enlightenments put forth by authors, preachers, news people and others. Graham has been vindicated, our president has been a good deal less vociferous on the peaceful religion idea, and we have had a non stop crash course on the entire subject via the shock network from, Indonesia, Spain and London.

College freshman still argue that more wars have been fought and more lives have been lost to religion than for any other reason. Only a little more learning and they eventually stop sounding that obviously exaggerated claim. Most of the lives lost in war had to do with territory, politics, fascism and all the other reasons on a long list of which religion is but one. But how many converts are won as a result of religious wars and bigotry? Why can't the Muslims take a hint from this? How many people really wanted to be Catholics during the Papal inquisitions? How many got converted to Christianity because of the crusades? How about a modestly conservative, very few if any, for a fair answer?

About as much time as it takes to get a college degree has passed since 9-11 and Americans have been immersed in both its details and its concomitant effects. We have all figuratively earned our degree in the effects of terrorism. We have had our education bolstered with remedial courses from the subways of Spain to the underground of London. If we have learned nothing else we can at least say with surety that Islam is not a peaceful religion. It assuages us little to be reminded so often that there are extremist Muslims and moderate Muslims, when we know their guide book puts forth a mandate to take the extreme.That information leaves us with only two lousy choices. One is to be ever watchful of the extreme Muslims and the other is to hope the moderate Muslims don't get to serious about the Quran's extremes.

Perhaps a better question is what have Muslims learned? Has the slaughter of unsuspecting, un-armed and un-prepared people added any converts to Islam? Has it caused anyone to rush to join their ranks? The world consensus may be hard to accurately measure but it seems safe to say that not many are taking the bait.

We still live in a world where people don't like being blown up for holding an opposing view or for not being inclined to become adherents to one religion or another. I think that is why we call it civilization. Most people like to come slowly to their conclusions about God. Most folks still prefer spiritual experiences rather than human coercion. Most people would prefer a gentle Jesus to a poisoning Jim Jones. Even the cults have sense enough to feign love to the unsuspecting to lure them into their folds. What nation or what culture has ever been found to eagerly accept a religion that thinks blowing people up is pleasing to God? Why don't Muslims see they are doing more to harm their cause than time and forgiveness may ever be able to repair?

Rev Bresciani is the leader of a non-denominational ministry in the New Orleans area. He has written many articles over the past thirty years in such periodicals as Guideposts and Catholic Digest. He is the author of two books available on Amazon.com, Alibris, Barnes and Noble and many other places. Rev Bresciani wrote, Hook Line and Sinker or What has Your Church Been Teaching You, published by PublishAmerica of Baltimore MD. He also wrote a book about to be released by Xulon Press entitled An American Prophet and His Message

Estate Planning for Muslims in Singapore Made Easy

The Wassiyah (will be Islamic) along with the planning of inheritance for Muslims not are widely practiced. The most common observations are:-

"The Koran already specifies my distribution of assets through Fara'id".

O

"There is no need to write a will." "There are Fara'id".

Muslims are encouraged to make a will be Islamic.

"Is prescribed, when death approaches any of you, if you leave any goods that he make a legacy to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable use;" This is due to those who fear Allah. If someone changes the legacy after hearing it, the guilt shall be on those do change, Alá for he hears and knows (all things). But if someone fears partially or irregularities by the testator and make peace between (stakeholders), there is no wrong in him; Allah is Oft forgiving. "Most merciful."
Al - Baqarah (2: 180-182)

The first observation is true that, at the request of the Sharia Court, it will issue the certificate of inheritance known as "Sijil Warisan" after the death of a Muslim in Singapore. The distribution of Fara'id actions reflected in the certificate of inheritance for the distribution of the assets of the deceased.

FARA'id described in Al - Quran in the fourth chapter of verses of An-Nisa (women) 7, 11 & 12. and in the Hadith of Sahih Muslim in the 11th book, Kitab Al - Fara'id.

Application of Fara'id and other Sharia laws

Mr. Ahmad, a Muslim convert was divorced from a previous marriage 2 years ago with a 10-year-old son. He became a year ago and remarried shortly thereafter. From this marriage he has a daughter, while responsibly to his son from his previous marriage. Mr. Ahmad expected to send his son to College in the future. He wants to give to his son in the case of his death.

The distribution after the death of his estate is distributed under Fara'id:

The assets of Mr Ahmad after his death will be divided into 8 shares as follows:

1 Wife will get 1/8
2 Daughter will get 4/8
3 Baitulmal will get 3/8

** Baitulmal is the institution which acts as trustee of the Muslims. Takes care of assets that could benefit the members of the Muslim population.

Son of non-Muslims of Mr. Ahmad may not inherit as your beneficiary, unless an Islamic will provide up to 1/3 of their property. As a Muslim convert, his entire family before his conversion is excluded as legal beneficiaries under Sharia law. This is specifically mentioned in Kitab Al - Fara'id.

Book 011, number 3928(first_ver_se_ver_):
Osama b. Zaid said Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: it has no right to inherit from a non-Muslim to Muslim, and a non-Muslim is not entitled to inherit from a Muslim.

3/8 from estate of Mr. Ahmad will normally go to Baitulmal.

In Singapore, the Faculty of jurisprudence of Shafie allows a non-Muslim receive up to 1/3 of a Muslim death roots as part of the Wassiyah (will be Muslim).

It is prudent to every Muslim family to do an Islamic will in his estate and legacy planning.

Some of the other vehicles for the distribution of the wealth of a Muslim in Singapore are:-

Hibah - a gift during life.

Tired Sepencarian (shared Active size) - by customary law is a claim on the estate by the spouse who died up to 50% of total assets, deceased.

Islamic trust - personal or business assets may be held in Islamic Trust for the benefit of specific beneficiaries

Wassiyah (will be Islamic) - the designation of the executor to the estate of help to avoid conflicts between family members and accelerate the process of soft protection.

With this knowledge available, it will only be a matter of search the right Planner roots with the adequate experience in this area of work to help a Muslim plan your estate.

Reza Kamarudin has been in the financial advisory business since 2007. He is passionate about the planning of the estate because of the value it brings to the family unit and how succession planning advocates love and the dignity of the family.

Women Corner >> PIOUS LADIES: Hazrat Haleema Sadia

It was the general custom of the Arabs that their children were sent to be raised by Bedouins in the desert. The tough desert atmosphere gave the child a good start in life, and the language of the Bedouins was a much purer form of Arabic. For a few years, they would grww up in this harsh but healthy environment before returning to their parents.

The time had eventually come from Hazrat Aminah to send her child, Rasulallah , to stay with the Bedouins. At that time, Bedouin nurses had arrived in Makkah. They visited each household to find a child to take care of, and would be paid in return for the childcare they would provide.

Many Bedouin wet nurses visited the house of Hazrat Aminah, but were reluctant to take her blessed child into their care. This was because he was an orphan child, with no father. In Arab custom, when a child was returned to his or her home after spending years in the desert environment, the family would reward the wet nurse generously. As Rasulallah  was an orphan child, they couldn’t expect to gain many riches from taking care of him.

Towards the end, every Bedouin lady had a child to bring up except Hazrat Haleema, who had arrived last and did not find a child to foster. She was ready to return home empty-handed, when she decided to turn back and collect Hazrat Aminah's child, even though he was an orphan.

Thus, Rasulallah  was entrusted to Hazrat Haleema. She was a poor lady, and she and her husband, Harith, had only a donkey and an old she-camel. She did not have enough milk to feed the other child in her care, who became Rasulallah 's foster brother. At this time, it was also the year of famine and drought so they would constantly pray for rain.

However, as soon as she lifted the blessed child, Rasulallah , her luck improved greatly and her life was filled with immense good fortune. Both Rasulallah  and the other foster child were fully fed, even though the previous night there was not enough milk for both children. The old she-camel, which had not given any milk for sometime, was soon producing milk in abundance. This was indeed a great blessing for this poor Bedouin family. Hazrat Haleema’s herd of goats started to return home full of milk, while the rest of the Bedouins' goats used to return to them empty. They would complain to the shepherd and plead him to take the sheep and goats to the same place that Hazrat Halima took her flock. Such were the blessings for this kind-hearted Bedouin family!

Many miracles occurred on a daily basis, and the household which had once been poor & misfortunate was blessed with great fortune. Before long, Hazrat Haleema knew that she had a blessed child in her care, having witnessed all the miracles & blessings which had occurred in his presence.

After two years, Rasulallah  was returned to his mother Hazrat Aminah, but Hazrat Haleema persuaded Hazrat Aminah to return the blessed baby to them for another two years. At that time, Hazrat Haleema told Hazrat Aminah about the great blessings that she had received when Rasulallah  was in her care. She also mentioned that if she could take the child back with her, he would be protected from an illness which had been circulating in Makkah. Hazrat Aminah agreed and Rasulallah  spent another two years in the household of Hazrat Haleema Sadia.

A miraculous incident took place in Rasulallah ’s childhood. Rasulallah , his foster brother and some other children were playing in the yard with the goats, when the angel, Hazrat Jibrail, appeared in front them. He then split open Rasulallah ’s chest, took out his blessed heart, removed a blood clot and washed the heart in Zamzam. The angel then returned the heart to Rasulallah's body and then left.

His foster brother ran to Hazrat Haleema in shock, and said that Rasulallah  had been murdered. She rushed out and found Rasulallah  unharmed, but he was standing with a pale white face. She checked over his body and found that he was fine, and there was a small mark on his chest from the incident.

A Hadith Sharif from Sahih Muslim (Book 001, Number 0311) explains this incident further:

"Hazrat Anas bin Malik reported that, Hazrat Jibrail came to the Messenger of Allah  while he was playing with his playmates. He took hold of him and lay him prostrate on the ground and tore open his breast and took out the heart from it and then extracted a blood-clot out of it and said: 'That was the part of Satan in thee.' And then he washed it with the water of Zamzam in a golden basin and then it was joined together and restored to its place. The boys came running to his mother, i.e. his nurse, and said: Verily Muhammad has been murdered. They all rushed towards him (and found him all right). His color was changed. Anas said, 'I myself saw the marks of needle on his breast.'"

Very shortly she returned him to his mother, Hazrat Aminah. Hazrat Aminah found out from Hazrat Haleema about the events that had taken place. Then, Hazrat Aminah assured her that her child was not under the influence of any jinn or evil, but that even when she was expecting him she had seen & experienced great miracles. Rasulallah  was then returned to the care of his mother Hazrat Aminah and continued to live with her.

Women Corner >> PIOUS LADIES: Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa

Introduction

She was the beloved wife of Rasulallah  and the daughter of Sayyidina Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique . Her mother’s name was Umm e Rooman, whose line of descendants joined with that of Rasulallah . She was the only spinster wife of Rasulallah .

The Sacred Marriage

Three years after the tragic and painful death of Hazrat Khadija , Hazrat Khawla, the wife of Hazrat Usman Mazoun, suggested that Rasulallah  should remarry.

In reply, Rasulallah  asked, “Who should I marry?” upon which she presented two names; one was that of Hazrat Aisha, and the other was that of Hazrat Sawda, a mother & 30 year old widow.

Rasulallah  then sent Hazrat Khawla with marriage proposals to both families, and they both gave their consent.

When news reached Hazrat Abu Bakr, in his immense joy, he wished to clarify a point so he said to Rasulallah, “I am your brother.”

Rasulallah  then replied, “You are my brother as far as the religion and book of Allah is concerned, and she is legitimate for me.” (Bukhari)

Hearing this reply, the happiness of Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddique was clearly visible and he gave his consent.

Hazrat Aisha, at this time, was pre-pubescent but she did not join the auspicious household of Rasulallah  till maturity.

The relationship between Rasulallah  and Hazrat Aisha was friendly, kind & loving. Of all the blessed wives, she was the closest & most favoured.

She also took pride as the daughter of the first Caliph of Islam, and the only virgin wife of Rasulallah .

Impact of marriage

This holy marriage holds a significant place in the history of Islam. For one, it reinforced the friendship between Rasulallah  and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique, who had always stood by his friend in hours of distress.

In addition to this, a lady of rare qualities was blessed with Rasulallah ’s presence, and the opportunity to spend her youth with in the auspicious household of the Holy Prophet .

An intellectual scholar

In interpreting religious issues, and as a jurist of Sunnah, Hazrat Aisha was & still is at the forefront.

· Imam Zuhri said, “Hazrat Aisha was the most learned person amongst the people. Senior & learned companions used to consult her.”

· Hazrat Musa ibne Talha said, “I did never see anyone more eloquent than Aisha.” (Tirmidhi, Vol 2, page 228)

· Hazrat Abu Musa Ashari said, “We faced no difficulty whose solution was not with Aisha.” (Tirmidhi, Vol 2, page 228)

· Imam Zuhri said, “If the knowledge of all men and wives of Rasulallah  was put together, the knowledge of Aisha would exceed the knowledge of them all.”

Thousands of Ahadith have been reported by her, and she even conveyed her decision on religious matters during the reign of the first 3 Caliphs of Islam.

In Islamic jurisprudence, the distinguished theologians & jurists like Imam Abu Hanifa and Imam Bukhari followed her principles.

Her Elevated Status

Many Ahadith demonstrate her exalted position amongst other women in Islam. Here are a few:

· Rasulallah  said, “You had been shown to me for three successive nights in a dream. An angel brought you wrapped in a piece of white silk and said, ‘it is your wife’. I exposed your face and there you were. Then I said, ‘if this dream is from Allah, He will fulfil it.’” (Bukhari, Muslim)

· Hazrat Aisha herself reports that Rasulallah  said, “O Aisha! This is Jibreel who greets you. Aisha replied, ‘be salutations & Mercy of Allah upon him.’” (Bukhari, Muslim)

· Another Hadith in the same context:
”Aisha has such superiority over women as ‘sareed’ (a kind of food) has over other foods.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

· Another Hadith also confirms her prestigious status.
Hazrat Amr bin Aas said: I submitted, “O Allah’s Messenger! Who amongst all the people is the dearest to you?” He said, “Aisha”. I asked, “Out of the men?” He said, “Her father.” (Tirmidhi)

· Rasulallah  said, “By Allah, revelation has not been revealed to me in the quilt of any of my wives except hers (Aisha).”

· This Hadith emphasises the connection between Rasulallah  and Hazrat Aisha:
Jibreel said, “This (Hazrat Aisha) is your wife in this world and the hereafter.” (Tirmidhi)

Migration & title of Muhajir

Almighty Allah has further elevated the status of those Blessed Companions who migrated from Makkah to Madinah Sharif. The Holy Qur’an says:

”And those who left their homes and hearths in the way of Allah being oppressed. We shall surely give them good place in the world. And undoubtedly, the reward of the Hereafter is much greater; anyhow, people would have known.”

(Holy Qur’an 16:41 Kanzul Iman)

When Rasulallah  migrated from Makkah to Madinah Sharif, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique left his family in Makkah to accompany Rasulallah . When peace reigned over the lands of Madinah Sharif, he then sent Hazrat Abdullah to bring Hazrat Umm e Rooman, Hazrat Asma and Hazrat Aisha to Madinah Sharif.
Hence, these people are also included on the list of the Muhajir (or emigrants).

Daughter of the first Caliph of Islam

One of her excellences is that she is the daughter of the first Caliph of Islam, the intimate friend (Khalil) of Rasulallah , Sayyidina Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique .

It was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique  who paid ransom to release Sayyidina Hazrat Bilal, Hazrat Amir bin Tahira and five other Muslims from slavery.
It was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique  who accompanied Rasulallah  in the cave of Thawr on the night of migration.
It was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique  who is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as Rasulallah ’s companion.
It was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique  who was appointed as the Imam of prayers before Rasulallah ’s passing away.
It was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique  who was the successor & Caliph of our beloved Rasulallah .
It was Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddique  who passed the command to gather the Holy Qur’an into one book form.

Courage

Hazrat Aisha was very audacious and a brave lady who never feared being face-to-face with her problems. She was so courageous that even the horrible scenes of the Battle of Uhud did not dampen her spirits in helping the Muslim soldiers.

Hazrat Anas bin Malik  says that during the battle, he saw her carrying a leather bag full of water and satiating the thirst of the Muslims. (Bukhari)

Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal writes that during the Battle of the Trench, Hazrat Aisha, ignoring the dangers and perils, would leave the castle and witness the plight of battle.

Generosity and selflessness

Hazrat Aisha was equally renowned for her generosity. Hazrat Urwa bin Zubair reports that once she got seventy thousand dirhams. He witnessed her giving the entire amount in charity, and leaving nothing at all for herself.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Zubair, her nephew, sent her one Lakh (10,000) dirhams which she gave in the way of Allah within a day. On that day, she was also observing fast. At night, her house maid served her leaf and suggested that it would have been better if she has brought some meat out of that money, with which she could have broken her fast. At this, Sayyida Hazrat Aisha said, “You might have reminded me of it then.” (Mustadrak-e-Hakim, Vol 4)

This shows how Hazrat Aisha hardly thought of her own needs, and always put others before herself.

It is written in Moatta Imam Malik that once Hazrat Aisha was fasting and there was nothing at home to eat besides a loaf of bread. Meanwhile, a beggar woman called out for help. Hazrat Aisha told her maid to give the woman the loaf of bread. The maid said, “With which thing will you break your fast?” The mother of believers replied, “First give it to her.”

In the evening, someone sent mutton to her as a gift. Then Sayyida Aisha said to her maid, “Look! Allah has sent something better than a loaf of bread.”

Mutual Love & Respect

Hazrat Aisha loved Rasulallah  to such an extent that she would feel like a fish out of water in his absence. The following incidence throws great light on this:

Sayyida Aisha and Sayyida Hafsa were both accompanying Rasulallah  on a journey. On the way, Sayyida Aisha and Sayyida Hafsa exchanged camels.

At night, Rasulallah  went to the camel which Hazrat Hafsa was riding. Hazrat Aisha could not bear the separation, and when they reached the terminal, she dismounted the camel, stood on the grass and said, “Oh my Lord! Send any scorpion or serpent to bite me up. And he is thy Prophet, I cannot say anything about him.” (Muslim)

Another incidence testifies to the fact that all the blessed wives of Rasulallah  cherished him to a great degree. All fascination and charms of this world could not shake the love they had for Rasulallah .

The following verse was revealed to Rasulallah :

“Oh Communicator of the Unseen! Say to your wives, if you wish the life of the world and its adornment, then come, I provide you with wealth and leave you in a well manner. And if you wish for Allah & His Messenger, and the home of the Hereafter then undoubtedly Allah has prepared for the well-doers amongst you a great reward.”

(Holy Qur’an 33:28-29 Kanzul Iman)

Rasulallah  first of all recited these verses to Hazrat Aisha and asked her to consult her parents before giving her opinion.

Hazrat Aisha, without any hesitation, replied:

“There is no room for consulting the parents in this matter. I opted myself for Allah, His Messenger & the home of the Hereafter.” (Muslim, Kitabul Talaaq)

In this way, she set precedence for the rest of the blessed wives to follow in the same direction.

Importance of the Veil

Hazrat Aisha herself narrates:

”I would enter my house where Rasulallah  was buried, without observing my veil, thinking ‘here are my husband and father’, but when Umar was buried beside them, by Allah, due to my shame from Umar, I would enter covering my head properly.” (Mishkat)

Clarification of doubts

Nowadays it is more evident that western critics, out of sheer prejudice, hostility and ignorance, criticise the marriage between Rasulallah  and Hazrat Aisha, declaring it to be a marriage based on lust – Allah forbid!

Here, it should be mentioned that Rasulallah  did not marry Hazrat Aisha just to appease a desire. As a young man of 25 years, with stunning beauty & captivating charms, any beautiful young girl could have been chosen as his wife.

Many beautiful women from honourable families proposed marriage to Rasulallah  but he declined. Instead, when he was only 25 years of age he married a widow who had children from her previous marriage. Considering the fact that he was the most handsome person that Allah has created, many women desired him in marriage. Had he followed his desires, there was no obstacle for him to do so. In his youth, he could have had many beautiful women, but he married a widow 15 years his senior.

It should also be noted that after his marriage to Hazrat Khadija, he did not marry again until he reached the age of 50.

Another point is that if the marriage was the outcome of lustful desires (astaghfirullah), why did he not marry any other spinster after his marriage to Hazrat Aisha. On the contrary, he married widows and divorcees during his 10 year stay in Madinah Sharif, and never preferred any young girl although opportunities were always available.

Hence, these fallacies have no basis and are the result of ignorance and spite.

The actual reasons are as follows:

1. The wives of Rasulallah , with the exception of Hazrat Aisha, were all of advanced age, and thus could neither share the feelings of the younger generation, nor could they properly appreciate their point of view.
The difference of age always stood as a barrier between them and ladies of younger ages. The only lady with whom a young girl could identify with and confide in, was none else by the young Hazrat Aisha.

Thus, the marriage of Rasulallah  with Hazrat Aisha was a great necessity, as it was through her that instructions could successfully be imparted to the young girls who had newly entered into the fold of Islam.

2. This marriage clarified the belief that it stood against religious ethics to marry the daughter of a man whom one declared as his brother. Rasulallah  showed to the people that there is a great difference between a brother in faith, and a brother by blood.
The marriage which is forbidden in Islam is not that with the daughter of one who is a brother by faith, but with one who is one’s niece in blood.

Journey to the Heavens

This distinguished lady of great piety and rare character passed away at the age of sixty-five on the 17^th of Ramadan 57 AH.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah led her funeral prayers, and the blessed learned Mother of Believers was buried in Jannatul Baqi, where she is enjoying a deep sleep under the skies of peace and tranquillity to this day.