Ann: I would like to ask one more question about Islam. I am sure that many of you have been the subject of harassment, and I do apologize for that. People are idiots when they are so overcome with emotion that they don't think logically.

 

RKC: Thank you, but you don’t have to apologize for others actions.

 

 

 

Ann: Instead of becoming angry, and acting on primitive emotions, I would rather ask "why," so that I may be able to understand. Understanding is the anecdote to anger, and hatred.

 

RKC: I wish more people had your mindset. I truly believe you’re here in the correct spirit.

 

 

 

Ann: As you may have noticed, many Americans have a very negative opinion of Islam. Many people believe that all Muslims despise Americans, our culture, and our corrupt values.

 

RKC: Those are generalizations. As an American, I don’t despise my country. I am not pleased with some things, but it’s a fantasy to be pleased with everything. As for culture and corrupt values, you’d have to more specific. If you look hard enough, you’ll find someone who has a problem with anything.

 

 

 

Ann: Many people believe that 9/11 represents the hatred that Muslims all over the world harbor for Americans.

 

RKC: I think it represents some Muslims hatred, but not the majority.

 

 

 

Ann: Many of us have been led to believe that the Koran encourages Muslims to kill all of us "infidels."

 

RKC: The Qur’an does encourage killing under some circumstances such as oppression and aggression. One of the sections which is used by anti-Islamic is Surah 9:1-29. Often they will do something like quote the command to fight, but not quote the surrounding verses which tell you the conditions for the action. You may want to look at Message #614 for this Surah and footnotes.

 

 

 

Ann: Many of us also believe that Muslim men HATE all women, especially Western women.

 

RKC: Big myth…I’ve found that the Qur’an to more equitable than any other scripture.

 

Surah 030.021
And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.

 

Surah 009.071
The Believers, men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practise regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise.

Surah 004.032

And in no wise covet those things in which Allah Hath bestowed His gifts More freely on some of you than on others: To men is allotted what they earn, and to women what they earn: But ask Allah of His bounty. For Allah hath full knowledge of all things.

 

Surah 003.195
And their Lord hath accepted of them, and answered them: "Never will I suffer to be lost the work of any of you, be he male or female: Ye are members, one of another: Those who have left their homes, or been driven out therefrom, or suffered harm in My Cause, or fought or been slain,- verily, I will blot out from them their iniquities, and admit them into Gardens with rivers flowing beneath;- A reward from the presence of Allah, and from His presence is the best of rewards."

 

Surah 004.124
If any do deeds of righteousness,- be they male or female - and have faith, they will enter Heaven, and not the least injustice will be done to them.

 

Surah 016.097
Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has Faith, verily, to him will We give a new Life, a life that is good and pure and We will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions.

 

Surah 040.040
"He that works evil will not be requited but by the like thereof: and he that works a righteous deed - whether man or woman - and is a Believer- such will enter the Garden (of Bliss): Therein will they have abundance without measure.

 

 

 

Ann: But on the other hand there are people who say that Islam is a religion of peace, and that the highjackers do not represent Islam. I would like to know what the truth is.

 

RKC: The highjackers don’t represent Islam. Below are is a link which you may find interesting.

 

http://www.thetruereligion.org/terror.htm

 

 

 

Ann: You see, recently I began learning about Queen Rania, and I started to question the accuracy of my own beliefs about Islam. She is certainly NOT the horrible evil monster that Americans imagine ALL Muslims to be. She is kind, beautiful, warm, compassionate, and full of love for her family, and all of humanity.

 

RKC: I don’t know very much about her, but I’ve heard she does a lot for the less fortunate and is very good mother. J

 

 

 

Ann: She says that many of the horror stories that we Americans hear about (torture, amputations, stoning, executions, etc.) that go on in the Arab-world have more to do with culture, than with religion. Is that true? Would you consider her to be an accurate representation of what Islam is all about?

 

RKC: Depends on your definition of horror. I don’t believe Islam supports any sort of torture.

 

On Amputations:

Amputations don’t apply to petty thefts in my opinion. From the above verses, I think this form of punishment is reserved for someone who has caused great loss, never admits he/she is wrong, ask forgiveness, and has intentions to continue.

 

Surah 005.038
As to the thief, Male or female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is Exalted in power.

Surah 005.039
But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turneth to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

 

 

On Stonings:

The crime that comes to mind is adultery. This is due to a Hadith (sayings of Muhammad). While they contain many things not addressed in the Qur’an and explanations, they are not to be believed if they are in contradiction to the Qur’an.

 

Surah 024.002
The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication,- flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.

 

On Executions:

The same heinous crimes (murders, treason, etc.) are punishable with death, but killing a man in Iraq for throwing a newspaper out with Saddam’s picture on it is un-Islamic.

 

 

 

Ann: Were the highjackers just a bunch of crazies, or do they represent the Islamic feelings toward Western culture? I would like to hear what any of you have to say about any of this.

 

RKC: I don’t know if they were crazy or not, but I don’t believe they were adhering to the Qur’an. I don’t see how their behavior could fit into the below verses.

Surah 002.190-193

190. Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah loveth not transgressors.

191. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

192. But if they cease, Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

193.And fight them on until there is no more Tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah. but if they cease, Let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression.

 

Surah 004.075-076

75. And why should ye not fight in the cause of Allah and of those who, being weak, are ill-treated (and oppressed)?- Men, women, and children, whose cry is: "Our Lord! Rescue us from this town, whose people are oppressors; and raise for us from thee one who will protect; and raise for us from thee one who will help!"

76. Those who believe fight in the cause of Allah, and those who reject Faith Fight in the cause of Evil: So fight ye against the friends of Satan: feeble indeed is the cunning of Satan.

 

Surah 008.060-061

60. Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.

61. But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah. for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things)

 

Surah 009.012-014

12. But if they violate their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith,- fight ye the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be restrained.

13. Will ye not fight people who violated their oaths, plotted to expel the Messenger, and took the aggressive by being the first (to assault) you? Do ye fear them? Nay, it is Allah Whom ye should more justly fear, if ye believe!

14. Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers,

 

Surah 022.039-40

39. To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, Allah is most powerful for their aid;-

40. (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah.. Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily Allah is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).

 

Surah 042.039-43

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

 

 

RKC: Ann, I was once in a position where I wanted to have a greater understanding of Islam. There are many books you can read and this Yahoo! Group is an option, but nothing is better than reading the Holy Qur’an for yourself. The Qur’an is in Arabic, so any translation is the “meaning” of the Qur’an. In my opinion, the best is by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. He has excellent footnotes and it can be purchased on amazon.com. If you want a biography, you may want to check out “Muhammad – Based on the earliest sources” by Martin Lings. If you need anything, you can post to this group or email me directly.