Friday, January 11, 2008   RETURN TO TOP

A NEWT ONE-THE TRUTH SURGE
On January 2, 2008, the Seminole Chronicle published an article headlined " Muslim camp draws protest" under the byline of Vickie DeSormier. I quote two excerpts from that article.
An event held by Muslim environmental activists was protested Saturday by several activists who claim the group putting on the event has ties to terrorism.
"If he (Kornman) would spend more time doing charitable work than he does attacking other charitable organizations, the world might be a better place," Danette Zaghari-Mask said.
As a rank and file member of the United American Committee, I have no standing to represent the organization. The opinions I express here are my own, not those of the U.A.C.

Regardless of the fact that officers and staff of C.A.I.R. have been investigated, tried or sentenced for terror related activities, members and associates of C.A.I.R. have ties to terrorism. Those ties can be measured by their zeal for Islam. To whatever extent they are Muslim, they endorse terrorism because terrorism is an intrinsic sacrament of Islam. [Emphasis added.]
  • 3:151. We shall cast terror into the hearts of those who disbelieve, because they joined others in worship with Allah, for which He had sent no authority; their abode will be the Fire and how evil is the abode of the Zalimun (polytheists and wrong­doers). [Noble Qur'an, Hilali & Khan]
    • Allah then mentioned the defeat of the unbelievers on the Day of Uhud, saying: (We shall cast terror) fear of you such that they run from you (into the hearts of those who disbelieve)[Ibn Abbas]
    • Allah next conveys the good news that He will put fear of the Muslims, and feelings of subordination to the Muslims in the hearts of their disbelieving enemies, because of their Kufr and Shirk. And Allah has prepared torment and punishment for them in the Hereafter. [Ibn Kathir]
  • 8:12. (Remember) when your Lord inspired the angels, "Verily, I am with you, so keep firm those who have believed. I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved, so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes."[Hilali & Khan]
    • (When your Lord inspired the angels) it is also said that this means: when your Lord commanded the angels, ((saying:) I am with you) I will help you. (So make those who believe stand firm) in war; it is also said that this means: give those who believe the good news of victory. (I will throw) cast (fear into the hearts of those who disbelieve) the fear of Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions. (Then smite the necks) their heads (and smite of them each finger) each shaped finger. [Ibn Abbas]
    • (I will cast terror into the hearts of those who have disbelieved.) means, `you -- angels -- support the believers, strengthen their (battle) front against their enemies, thus, implementing My command to you. I will cast fear, disgrace and humiliation over those who defied My command and denied My Messenger,[...] (so strike them over the necks, and smite over all their fingers and toes.) strike them on their foreheads to tear them apart and over the necks to cut them off, and cut off their limbs, hands and feet.[Ibn Kathir]
  • 8:60. 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 God and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom God doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of God, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly.[Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
    • [...]In every fight, physical, moral, or spiritual, arm yourself with the best weapons and the best arms against your enemy, so as to instil wholesome respect into him for you and the Cause you stand for.[...]
    • [...]whereby you frighten Allah's enemy[...][Mufti Muhammad Taqi Utrhmani]
  • 33:26. And those of the people of the Scripture who backed them (the disbelievers) Allah brought them down from their forts and cast terror into their hearts, (so that) a group (of them) you killed, and a group (of them) you made captives. 27. And He caused you to inherit their lands, and their houses, and their riches, and a land which you had not trodden (before). And Allah is Able to do all things. [Hilali & Khan]
    • (And He brought those of the People of the Scripture) they are Banu Qurayzah and Banu'l-Nadir: Ka'b Ibn Ashraf and Huyayy Ibn Akhtab and their hosts (who supported them) who supported the disbelievers of Mecca (down from their strongholds) from their mansions and towers, (and cast panic into their hearts) from Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions, whereas before that they did not fear them and fought against them. (Some you slew) He says: you kill some of them, you sentence them to death, (and you made captive some) their children and women.[Ibn Abbas]
    • [...](and cast terror into their hearts;) means fear, because they had supported the idolators in their war against the Messenger of Allah and the one who knows is not like the one who does not know. They had terrified the Muslims and intended to kill them so as to gain earthly power, but their plans backfired; the idolators ran away and the believers were victorious[...][Ibn Kathir]
  • 59:13. Of a truth ye are stronger (than they) because of the terror in their hearts, (sent) by God. This is because they are men devoid of understanding.[Abdullah Yusuf Ali]
    • Allah then said to the believers: (Ye are more awful as a fear in their bosoms than Allah) He says: the fear of the Jews and hypocrites of the swords of Muhammad (pbuh) and his Companions is greater than their fear of Allah. (That) fear (is because they are a folk who understand not) the command of Allah or Allah's divine Oneness.[Ibn Abbas]

    • [...](Verily, you are more fearful in their breasts than Allah.) meaning, the hypocrites fear you more than they fear Allah, as He says;[...][Ibn Kathir]

  • [...]Allah made me victorious by awe, (by His frightening my enemies) for a distance of one month's journey. [...][Bukhari Volume 1, Book 7, Number 331]
  • [...]I have been made victorious with terror (cast in the hearts of the enemy)[...][Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 220]
Is Islam an eleemosynary institution? How does it accrue wealth & income? Who benefits from its charity?
Was Vickie DeSormier pontificating from the pillar of ignorance, or was she intentionally deceiving her readers? In either case, your ignorance has been replaced by knowledge. There is more to learn; click the links to Surah Al-Anfal and Bukhari's Book of Jihad and read, continuing with Al-Taubah & Bukhari's Book of Khumus. Find out what spending in Allah's cause refers to.


January 09, 2008


The previously cited article in the Seminole Chronicle stirred up some anger, referred to in a subsequent editorial, titled Chronicle protests racism from callers . Some quotes follow.

We figured they would be upset that people in Seminole County would be ignorant enough to protest a youth camp based on strictly religious reasons.
The Editor expected complaints, but failed to anticipate the source & target. The Editor attaches a label to the United American Committee: "ignorant", ignoring the fact that some of our members are ex-Muslims and that others, like me, have read Islam's canon of scripture & tradition. .
While the people who called and complained were obviously well-intentioned, the fact remains that the Muslim religion is still the victim of stereotypical assumptions.
Islam is a victim of "stereotypical assumptions" . It is assumed that we are decent people who, out of ignorance, assume that Islam is violent; a source of terrorism. The Editor operates under a different assumption, as you'll see in the next quote.

First, Islam is not a violent religion. While the Muslim religion allows its followers to defend themselves - something the Bible also allows - a couple of passages are typically misconstrued.
The Editor asserts, without evidence, that Islam is non- violent, citing ayat out of context; ignoring others.
"Fight in the cause of God against those who fight you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors." (Quran 2:190)
"If they seek peace, then seek you peace. And trust in God for He is the One that heareth and knoweth all things." (Quran 8:61)
While this passage is obviously antiquated, so are the passages used in the Quran that are pulled out of context.
Antiquity is irrelevant to the issue. The Qur'an is timeless; Allah's operating manual for all people in all times and places. It contains commands, in clear verses, which are to be believed and carried out
  • 3:7. [...]In it are Verses that are entirely clear, they are the foundations of the Book [and those are the Verses of Al-Ahkam (commandments, etc.) [...]And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it; the whole of it (clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord." And none receive admonition except men of understanding. [Hilali & Khan]
  • [...](He it is Who hath revealed unto thee (Muhammad) the Scripture) who sent you Gabriel with the Scripture (wherein are clear revelations) expositing the lawful and unlawful which are not abrogated and which are acted upon. (They are the substance of the Book) they are the foundation of the Book as they are the leading theme in each book. They are all acted upon.[...][Ibn Abbas]
  • [...]

    The Muhkamat are the Ayat that explain the abrogating rulings, the allowed, prohibited, laws, limits, obligations and rulings that should be believed in and implemented. As for the Mutashabihat Ayat, they include the abrogated Ayat, parables, oaths, and what should be believed in, but not implemented.[...][Ibn Kathir]

Examine the context of 2:190, cited by the Editor.
  • 2:190. And fight in the Way of Allah those who fight you, but transgress not the limits. Truly, Allah likes not the transgressors. [This Verse is the first one that was revealed in connection with Jihad, but it was supplemented by another (V.9:36)].

    2:191. And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah is worse than killing. And fight not with them at Al-Masjid-al-Haram (the sanctuary at Makkah), unless they (first) fight you there. But if they attack you, then kill them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.

    2:192. But if they cease, then Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

    2:193. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah) and (all and every kind of) worship is for Allah (Alone). But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.) [Hilali & Khan]

2:190 was revealed in relation to defense; for the purpose of retaliating against attack from the pagans at Mecca.

  • [...](And fight in the way of Allah those who fight you,)

    Abu Al-'Aliyah said, "This was the first Ayah about fighting that was revealed in Al-Madinah. Ever since it was revealed, Allah's Messenger used to fight only those who fought him and avoid non-combatants. Later, Surat Bara'ah (chapter 9 in the Qur'an) was revealed.'' 'Abdur-Rahman bin Zayd bin Aslam said similarly, then he said that this was later abrogated by the Ayah:[...][Ibn Kathir]

  • (Fight in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah whether in the Sacred Precinct or in other places (against those who fight against you) against those who initiate fight against you, (but begin not hostilities. Lo! Allah loveth not aggressors) He does not love those who initiate fighting whether in the Sacred Precinct or in other locations.[Ibn Abbas]
Contrast those tafsir with the translators notes appended to the Hilali & Khan translation(click the link & scroll down). Compare it to the comment of Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

This statement by Ibn Kathir should give you a clue. "This was the first Ayah about fighting that was revealed in Al-Madinah". When Muhammad was weak, having only a few folowers and no army at Mecca, he preached forebarance and tolerance. After the Hejira, he preached defense & retaliation, as in 2:190. As his army grew, he preached aggression, as in Al-Anfal & Al-Taubah. Since these two Surahs were among the last to be revealed, they abrogate the earlier, more passive and tolerant ayat. Refer to the science of Naskh for the details.

8:39. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism: i.e. worshipping others besides Allah) and the religion (worship) will all be for Allah Alone [in the whole of the world ]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allah), then certainly, Allah is All-Seer of what they do. [Hilali & Khan]
  • [...](And fight them until there is no more Fitnah, and the religion will all be for Allah alone.)[...]

    (until there is no more Fitnah) the Fitnah mentioned here means, until no Muslim is persecuted so that he abandons his religion. [...]

    (and the religion will all be for Allah alone) "So that La ilaha illa-llah is proclaimed.'' Muhammad bin Ishaq also commented on this Ayah, "So that Tawhid is practiced in sincerity towards Allah, without Shirk, all the while shunning all rivals who (are being worshipped) besides Him.''[...][Ibn Kathir]

  • (And fight them) i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca (until persecution) disbelief, idolatry, idol worship and fighting against Muhammad (pbuh) in the Sacred Precinct (is no more, and religion) in the Sacred Precinct as well as worship (is all for Allah) such that none remains except the Religion of Islam.[...][Ibn Abbas]
9:29. Fight against those who (1) believe not in Allah, (2) nor in the Last Day, (3) nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger (4) and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth (i.e. Islam) among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians), until they pay the Jizyah with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.[Hilali & Khan]
  • [...](Fight against those who believe not in Allah, nor in the Last Day, nor forbid that which has been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, and those who acknowledge not the religion of truth among the People of the Scripture,) This honorable Ayah was revealed with the order to fight the People of the Book, after the pagans were defeated, the people entered Allah's religion in large numbers, and the Arabian Peninsula was secured under the Muslims' control. Allah commanded His Messenger to fight the People of the Scriptures, Jews and Christians, on the ninth year of Hijrah, and he prepared his army to fight the Romans and called the people to Jihad announcing his intent and destination [...][Ibn Kathir]
  • Fight those who do not believe in God, nor in the Last Day, for, otherwise, they would have believed in the Prophet (s), and who do not forbid what God and His Messenger have forbidden, such as wine, nor do they practise the religion of truth, the firm one, the one that abrogated other religions, namely, the religion of Islam - from among of those who (min, 'from', explains [the previous] alladhina, 'those who') have been given the Scripture, namely, the Jews and the Christians, until they pay the jizya tribute, the annual tax imposed them, readily ('an yadin is a circumstantial qualifier, meaning, 'compliantly', or 'by their own hands', not delegating it [to others to pay]), being subdued, [being made] submissive and compliant to the authority of Islam.[Ibn Abbas]
  • [...]"I have been ordered to fight the people till they say: 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah.' And if they say so, pray like our prayers, face our Qibla and slaughter as we slaughter, then their blood and property will be sacred to us and we will not interfere with them except legally and their reckoning will be with Allah." Narrated Maimun ibn Siyah that he asked Anas bin Malik, "O Abu Hamza! What makes the life and property of a person sacred?" He replied, "Whoever says, 'None has the right to be worshipped but Allah', faces our Qibla during the prayers, prays like us and eats our slaughtered animal, then he is a Muslim, and has got the same rights and obligations as other Muslims have." [ Bukhari Volume 1, Book 8, Number 387]
  • [...]I am commanded to fight with men till they testify that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and His Apostle, face our qiblah (direction of prayer), eat what we slaughter, and pray like us. When they do that, their life and property are unlawful for us except what is due to them.[...][Abu Dawud 14.2635]

But that's anachronistic, only applying to the seventh century, ain't it? No, it is a standing order which never expires and can't be revoked.
  • [...]"The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."[Bukhari Volume 4, Book 52, Number 177]
  • [...]jihad will be performed continuously since the day Allah sent me as a prophet until the day the last member of my community will fight with the Dajjal (Antichrist).[...][Abu Dawud Book 14, Number 2526]
Oh my! Ressurection day can't happen until Muslims hunt down and kill the last Jew and Jihad will be continuous until Armageddon. The editor assures us that Islam is not a violent religion, and it is not. It is not a religion, it is a war machine! Salat, Zakat, prostrations, etc. are window dressing; camouflage to make it appear to be a religion. The commandments are control mechanisms; to motivate men to murder for Muhammad's enrichment.

Surely I must be exaggerating, as well as taking things out of context. Yeah, right. What is the relationship between Alla and Muslims?
  • 9:111. Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties; for the price that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allâh's Cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel) and the Qur'an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success . [Hilali & Khan]
The Muslims have been purchased, as slaves, to fight; kill and be killed in return they receive admission to the celestial bordello. What must a Muslim do to be saved; preserved from Hellfire?
  • 61:10-13. O You who believe! Shall I guide you to a commerce that will save you from a painful torment. That you believe in Allah and His Messenger (Muhammad), and that you strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with your wealth and your lives, that will be better for you, if you but know! If you do so) He will forgive you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow, and pleasant dwelling in Gardens of 'Adn ­ Eternity ['Adn (Edn) Paradise], that is indeed the great success. And also (He will give you) another (blessing) which you love, help from Allah (against your enemies) and a near victory. And give glad tidings (O Muhammad) to the believers. [Hilali & Khan] The Trade that saves One from the Painful Torment.
Who believed that stuff? Who would do it? Well, how did Yemen, Syria, North Africa, Greece, Albania, Spain and India become Islamic? And, what does Islamic law say about this matter?

  • The Reliance of the Traveller. Version 1.06 - By Ahmad Ibn Naqib Al-Misri
    BOOK O: JUSTICE >> Chapter O-9.0: Jihad

    O-9.8: The Objectives of Jihad
    The caliph (o-25) makes war upon Jews, Christians, and Zoroastrians (N: provided he has first invited them to enter Islam in faith and practice, and if they will not, then invited them to enter the social order of Islam by paying the non-Muslim poll tax (jizya, def: o-11.4) -which is the significance of their paying it, not the money itself-while remaining in their ancestral religions) (O: and the war continues) until they become Muslim or else pay the non-Muslim poll tax (O: in accordance with the word of Allah Most High,
    "Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day and who forbid not what Allah and His messenger have forbidden-who do not practice the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book-until they pay the poll tax out of hand and are humbled" (Koran 9.29), the time and place for which is before the final descent of Jesus (upon whom be peace). After his final coming, nothing but Islam will be accepted from them, for taking the poll tax is only effective until Jesus' descent (upon him and our Prophet be peace), which is the divinely revealed law of Muhammad. The coming of Jesus does not entail a separate divinely revealed law, for he will rule by the law of Muhammad. As for the Prophet's saying (Allah bless him and give him peace), "I am the last, there will be no prophet after me," this does not contradict the final coming of Jesus (upon whom be peace), since he will not rule according to the Evangel, but as a follower of our Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) ).
Al Shafi'i & Al-Ghazali tell us how frequently the Caliph or Imam must send out an expedition against the Kuffar.
The Editor had more to say.

The UAC is a joke. It's a thinly-veiled group that disagrees with everything about Islam, never seeing the benefits of the religion.

We don't agree that Muslims have a divine right and duty to kill us, rape our widows and sell our orphans into slavery. Evidently that makes us evil in the mind of the Editor.
The misinformation about the religion isn't helping the problem, it's making it worse. If you want to criticize the religion, make sure you're criticizing the extremists that make up a miniscule part of the population.
The misinformation: "Islam is not violent". Extremists? Muhammad set the standard of Islam by his recitation and his actions. I quoted the relevant recitations. Islam is all about procuring income, wealth and women for Muhammad. Why don't you read the Qur'an Hadith as I did and find out for yourself?
Anything else is borderline racism. Or, in the case of UAC, flat out racism.
The Editor accuses us of racism. Is Islam a race? Islam began with Arabs from the Quraish tribe. It conquered and forcibly converted other Arab tribes first, then Africans, Asians, Turks and Europeans. And the Editor attaches the lable "ignorant racist" to us, an act of arrogant effrontery.

Ben 01/11/08

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