juryindex

JuryFury.com Now Every 15th of the Month ! Online School of Politics JuryFury Chat I-Traderschool QuietPoly.com Contributors Research Future Discussions Sept. 15th, 2004
Areas of Interest THE USA American Foreign Policy US House and Senate US Presidents State & Local Politics Regional Politics Politics of China The British Commonwealth Indian Subcontinent Middle East The European Union Africa Latin America ASEAN NATO United Nations The Non-aligned Movement Eastern Europe New Nations of the 20th Century General Topics Constitutional Law Human Rights Nuclear Disarmament & Treaties International Warfare Environmental Law Peace Treaties Economic & Social Alliances International Organizations Journalism & Media Racism and Democracy Women in the Workplace Family Law Courts and Practices The Judicial System Higher Education Education and Government Health Care & Insurance Rights of the Disabled Copyright & Working Online Legal Representation Legal Insurance Pornography Domestic Violence Religion & Law Workers Rights Employers Rights Prison & Life after Social Organizations Welfare & Poverty Taxation and Democracy Third World Aid Programs Space Exploration Alternative Energy Petroleum Industry & Cars Nuclear Power Programs for the Arts Sports Education Policing the Internet Privacy and freedom Immigration Food and Regulation War on Drugs War on Pharmaceuticals Public Housing Pollution and Control Sexual Harrassment Discrimination Electoral Process Consumers Rights Investors Rights Abortion Death Penalty Social Security Gender & Sexuality Grassroots Organization ACLU World Watch Oxfam UNICEF United Negro Fund Ford Foundation (suggestions welcome at our chatsite) Law of the Economy Join I-Traderschoo l, our sister magazine, for debates and news.	Religion & State Is Islam a religion of War? by Sophia Barkat In the aftermath of September 11, 2001 attacks on America by the al Qaeda many in the West wonder if Islam is a religion of destruction and war. Since 1964, America has been attacked several times by Muslims. And then there are the ‘terrorist’ attacks on Israel by Palestinian Muslims. Why do Muslims behave this way? Where does this hate come from? Is it ingrained in their religion? And what is that called again -- Islam? Mohammadanism? And the followers – are they Islamists, Muslims? To understand where the rage is coming from one must understand the religion. Is it a religion of destruction? When is war allowed? Abraham, Mohammad & the Kabbah It is said in the Quran that God had punished the people of Babel when they had resorted to lewdness. He had split them into many tribes and languages and sent them into different directions. And God had instructed Abraham, through the Angel Gibrail (Gabrial) to build a reminder to humans that He and not Nimrod, the King of Babylon, was the true ruler of the world. At some point in his life Abraham and his son, Ishmael -- the one born by Hagar, his second wife – had built the Kabbah in Mecca, to which all believers in the One God would return for yearly pilgrimage. The pilgrimage had lost it’s original purpose by the time Mohammed enters the picture. Mohammad is an orphan raised by his Grandfather and Uncle, who by virtue of being very honest, is asked by the Meccans to act as arbitrator in a dispute concerning the Kabbah. The Kabbah is just being repaired by the various tribes of mankind who now come to the pilgrimage, each with their own idols, and the tribes are fighting over whose idol should be placed where inside the Kabbah, especially over where the sacred Black Stone, from Abraham’s time, should be placed and who should place it. The fair Mohammad is summoned to find an answer all can be happy with. He decides to put the stone on a cloth, which all tribes carry, thereby ending the dispute. This quarrelsome nature of the tribes raised in Mohammad’s mind some important questions. As was the custom in those days in Arabia, he went away often to the caves to think about these sort of things. One day, in his meditation, he was confronted by the Angel Gibrail who basically told the Prophet to read from the Quran. Gibrail said, "IKRA BI ISME RABBI" – "Read in the Name of Your Lord". The Prophet, not knowing how to write or read, and scared and thinking he was going mad, yelled out "I don’t know how to read." The Angel read it for him, and said, "Go unto your people and spread this religion of God." A terrified Prophet came home, told his wife, who then went to her cousin’s home for advice. Cousin Waraqah Ibn Nawfal was well versed in the Bible and the Torah. He took one look at the Prophet and said, "You’re a Messenger of God." He was one of the earliest to convert to Islam. This is the account most Muslims know to be true. What is Islam? So, what is Islam? What is Mohammad’s role in all this? What are Muslims? Who are Mohammadans? According to Mohammad, Islam is the outward expression of Iman. Iman is belief in the religion of Abraham. Hence, Mohammad never invented the religion, and so his followers aren’t called Mohammadans. They are called Muslims. In fact, Mohammad considered himself a messenger of God and that is all. So, what is the religion of Abraham that Muslims follow? According to the Prophet Mohammad, Islam is the religion that takes mankind from a state of selfishness to a oneness with God, the Boundless and Formless. What does this mean? Muslims believe that the Self can evolve from being selfish and attached to worldly comforts, to one that knows the difference between right and wrong. This self can even be inspired to do right if morality is revealed to it. The Self can even be content with what God has to offer and thus do right by God. The final stage of emancipation is the Self which has lost attachment with worldly comforts and which attains oneness with God. In such respects, Islam is like Buddhism, where one agrees that human suffering is caused by attachment, and by relinquishing the desire for attachment and by increasing the need to learn about Suchness and the Universe one becomes mindful and free. The final state in Buddhism is called god-consciousness. In Islam it is called Ihsan. (See Rauf 2003) So, the goal of each Muslim is to go from merely saying "I believe in God and Mohammad as his Messenger" to Iman -- seeking God’s truth with one’s intellect. And ultimately to Ihsan -- being free of human attachment. This is the path to God, in Islam. So, how does one make it from mere submission to God to Iman to Ihsan? Just as in Buddhism, through right action and right belief. Right Beliefs: Of right belief the Quran says, "Righteousness is not that you turn your faces east of west but righteous are those secure in their belief in God and the Hereafter, the Angels, the Scriptures, the Prophets, who give wealth lovingly for the love of God to relatives, orphans, the poor, travelers, petitioners, and who set free slaves; who keep prayer and pay Zakah; who keep their word, who are patient during distress, affliction and conflict. They are the truthful; the pious." (Quran 2:177) Hence, we find that right belief is one that is expressed. Mere Iman will not do. It is expressed in right action, speech, human interaction and not just in ritual devotion. And yet, there are many rituals in Islam and these are considered the pillars of Islam. So why the rituals and what purpose do they fulfill? Let’s have a look. Right Rituals/Actions The Right Rituals or the Five Pillars of Islam help Muslims to cultivate faith. (See Rauf 2003) az-Zakah is the compulsory Charity In Islam, all Muslims must give the State a flat tax of 2.5% to help the poor, needy, disabled, and old. The tax is 20% for all proceeds for mining (diamond, coal). What does this cultivate? Az-Zakah is how you help redistribute income, create more equality. By giving money to the State, which is in charge of redistribution services, you do your first duty as a Muslim citizen. The tax is low to make sure it is not a huge burden on people. Any tax that is a burden to people is considered non-Islamic. It is not the purpose of Islam to cause hardship on it’s followers. Zakah is also the indirect form of collective responsibility in Islam. One can also engage in direct giving in money and in kind. That is optional. It is also a political form of collective responsibility in Islam, which stresses public participation as an expression of faith. Islam is a political religion. One cannot be politically inactive and be a Muslim. More direct forms are going to be discussed later. Also, Islam does not believe in usury for borrowing money, and does not allow deficit spending. This is the path to Ihsan – for what good is disproportionate wealth to a Muslim who is one with God? as-Shahadah, the Declaration of Faith : "La Illaha Illal Lah; Muhammadar Rasul Allah" There is no God but Allah and Mohammad is His Prophet. This does not rule out other Prophets, but merely legitimizes Mohammad, and thereby his teachings to adopt the religion of Abraham. as-Salah or five times daily prayer: At dawn, mid-day, mid afternoon, dusk, and just after twilight, Muslims perform prayer in which they declare their faith in God and His religion and Prophets. The action of falling prostrate to God is a political one. In Islam, no Muslim bows or falls prostrate to any man – all mankind is created equal in the eyes of God. But, Man falls prostrate only to God. Why? Because God is Great. And all men are equally non-great when compared to God. Allah hu Akbar -- God is Great – is recited as one falls to the ground. Verses from the Quran or Surahs praising God and expressing faith in all of Gods prophets, angels and text accompany each prayer. Surah Fatiha, Surah Naas, Surah Falaq, Surah Ahad, Surah Lahab, Surah Nasr – these are typically read. This is a political statement. The importance of Religious diversity and tolerance in Islam appear in Surah Naas. So does the subject of Man’s free will. By recalling such Surah’s one remembers the teachings of Islam each time. Why five times a day? To give people the time to rest, meditate and thus not become irate and tired by life. The other goal is much like that of modern Advertising: the hope that by repeating the Muslim incorporates the teachings into his soul. Thus, as-Salah is the path to Iman. as-Sawm or fasting during the month of Ramadan: How do you teach a man about hunger, suffering, sacrifice and patience? How does one feel compassion for the needy if one has never been in need? Fasting is not really a way to lose weight as some Muslims these days think when they fast. It is the method by which Islam instills compassion in Muslims and also patience. To fast is to not have drink nor food between dawn and dusk. This is especially difficult in the Middle East where the climate is hot and the days long. Thus, a Muslim’s life is not meant to be an easy one as the easy life does not teach compassion. The hardship of Ramadan reminds Muslims each year to appreciate life, God’s creation and all it’s diversity, and to know one’s humble place in this universe. It is the path to Ihsan. al-Hajj or the pilgrimage to Mecca Mohammad wanted to bring back the religion of Abraham. He couldn’t leave the pilgrimage out. But in this pilgrimage the brotherhood of mankind and the Abrahamic religion of the One God is emphasized. Muslims walk around the Kabbah seven times, in unison, chanting "God is Great". They raise their hands in the air so as to show that they have no idols concealed in their arms and chant the same in Arabic to the One God: "Labbayik Allah Humma Labbayik. Innal Hamda. Wan-nah Matah. Lakawal Mul. La Sharika Labbayi." Muslims also cast stones at a rock, symbolic of stoning Satan. They also pray together in congregations. The Hajj happens once a year, the same time every year. If you miss it you can do the same trip but it’s called the Omrah. The Hajj is still the largest annual congregation in the world. The function of the rituals is to help Muslims remember the basics of Islam – compassion, freedom of will, and brotherhood. This reminds Muslims that they are not alone nor are they unequal. Women in Islam These five compulsory rituals apply to both men and women equally in Mohammad’s teachings, as in Abraham’s, even if the gender equality is lost after the death of Muslims when Muslim unity becomes a joke. (See Juryfury.com for "Islamic Feminism: A Dichotomy?"). With the loss of equality of women, they fade away from public life, even in societies that call themselves Islamic. Today, in the Islamic world, women and men do not know the true religion that Mohammad taught, and consequently do not participate in compulsory Jihad. They allow wrong guidance and ignorance to rule their lives. They have neither Iman nor Ihsan. All this brings to mind the question of right governance and the Islamic State. Right Governance & The Islamic State Mohammad had hoped for Abraham’s religion to live on after his own death, but he did not leave a constitution for the Islamic State. Perhaps he had wanted Muslims to remain as tribal people, united by the Umma of Islam. After all, in his time he could have established himself as King, rather than deliberate on thousands of trials between the various Arab tribes. All we know is that he discussed with his followers on the Last Hajj, the need to elect a successor or Caliph or Deputy to oversee governance of the people. Right governance was important. Hence a successor with good character was important. There were enough laws to deliberate on tribal disputes, and to make sure laws were upheld. And if one had the Ideals of Islam in their hearts they would overcome hostility and war. Indeed the simple rule to elect the best man failed. After Mohammad’s death the Arabs plunged into war and tyranny. The Abbasids (750-1258) and Umayyads (660-750AD) established dynasties, making the Caliph more powerful than any other Muslim and equivalent to a king. This is blasphemous. Islam has never reverted from dynastic rule since in many parts of the Arab world. (See Black 2001) The Abbassids and Umayyads differed about who should rule the Arabs but they left a legacy for right dynastic governance. Some of the attributes of what the Prophet had hoped (in Italics below) and what instead was created is outlined below: (See Rauf 2003) 1) Caliphs or Guides must be elected by vote. The elected are called Bayahs. In the Prophets’ time this was by majority vote. The dynasties made voting a privilege of the educated elite and courtiers. 2) No election may be influenced by coercion or fraud. Such an election is null and void. In the dynasties this is replaced by assassination and imprisonment of those in direct lineage to the throne. 3) The Caliph or Governor need not be the best person on Earth as long as he/she is the one who will best protect the rights and liberties of those governed. In the dynasties, the ruler was all-powerful and made rules that usurped rights of the ruled, though some were fairer and more generous than others. Lineage determined the male successor. 4) In Prophet’s rule: All Bayahs must be held accountable, as their chosen representatives. In the dynasties the ruler owes no explanation, though some try to make just laws and explain their laws to be so, with the help of the Rationalists, Reporters (who wrote the Hadiths or life story of the Prophet), and laws left behind by previous rulers and the Prophet, collectively known as the Shariah. 5) If the Government lies to the people, is treacherous or sides with any faction – rich, male etc. – it is not legitimate. In dynasties there is no accountability of the Ruler. Others might be held so. Revolts are common and unjust and corrupt Kings replaced. 6) Allows rights of believers and disbeliveers to be protected. (Quran 6:107-9) By making Caliph (Sunni) or Imam (Shia) supreme, and in many dynasties even divine, the others are made subservient and their rights removed also. Rights of Shias, Sunnis and non-Muslims not guaranteed during these two dynasties but returned later in Ismalia rule in Egypt. 7) Allows pluralism in religious practice in Islam as well as in other religions. Each school of Islamic thought is called a Madhhab. Madhhabs must debate. Madhabs exist in dynasties but are preferred one over the other according to the wishes of the Caliph. 8) Church and State are not divorced, though State does not curb the rights of citizens as given by each religion. Of Muslims, Islam requires Ibadat or practice of religion. Of non-Muslims, Islam asks for no quarrels, and sees to it that each marries, divorces and inherits according to their own religious laws. Islam has laws to ensure trade and commerce are contractual, property rights, estate laws, debts and business continuity are held up, damage to property and business loss are paid for. Criminal laws punish for murder, theft etc. showing leniency before delivering harsh punishment. In dynasties, the State curbs any right it so wishes. It encourages Ibadat on a level that does not disturb the dynasty – civil law is protected to a certain level though taxes rise to feed the aristocracy. Trade contracts are protected and trade increased. The idea is to create better law and order and suppress rebellion. Territorial rights of non-Muslims are seen as up for grabs as Muslims focus on their own military might. Arab and Muslim States of Today Notice, that many Arab states today do not have democracies and are instead Kingdoms where not only do people have no say in who is King nor do they have civil rights. This is not an example of right governance in Islam, no matter how many Holy Shrines may exists in such States or if the State claims to be Islamic. These states have little to no civil rights, especially for women. There is a lot of racism towards non-Arabs and rules that re-enforce this. The existing rule in Saudi Arabia that non-Muslims may not enter Mecca is one such example. Mecca was a center of foreign trade in the days of the Prophet. The lack of religious tolerance shown between warring Muslim nations of Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia all signify that the spirit of Muslim brotherhood or Umma is lost, even if Muslims come to each other’s aid and decry foreign invasions on each other’s lands. This is not to say that all Muslim nations are Kingdoms. Many like India, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Malaysia are democracies and have religiously diverse communities. America’s Constitution is closer to an ideal Muslim State than it knows – the Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, the Civil Rights and Suffrage Movements and the Abolition of Slavery are Islamic all examples of fair governance and Jihad. Citizenship Islam assumes that nothing is perfect. Religion will be lost without practice. And to keep right governance alive there be right citizenship. Otherwise who will oppose oppression, treachery of rulers, fraud, social injustice, religious intolerance, killing? One way to do this is to watch our own actions and thoughts. The other is to watch that of others and work for social change. Jihad is struggle against oppression. Holy War is a kind of Jihad – which means struggle -- and legal only if one is forced out of one’s land or oppressed. Killing for fun or to oppress is not Jihad (Quran 4:27-30). Why? Quran says "Murder kills the soul." (Quran 6:151). Since Islam protects equality, liberty, and justice upholding these laws is right citizenship and part of Jihad. So is religious and social tolerance. The many Fatwas by Muslim Clerics to kill Salma Rusdie or Taslima Nasreen are not a form of tolerance and therefore opposing them is a Muslim’s duty. Conclusion These are the basic minimums for Muslims to fulfill. And this religion in practice is called Islam. From the fundamentals of Islam it would even seem that it is a good thing to be called an Islamic Fundamentalist, though the term is used in a pejorative sense to describe everything from Mullahs who don’t know anything beyond ignorance to those who fly their planes into buildings and kill people. But you now know the difference. If anyone asks you if violence and destruction are inherently Islamic what would you now reply? The Quran reminds us that Holy War is a must if one is oppressed and one’s kin removed from one’s land. Are Muslims terrorists if they defend their own land? No one can practice Islam and oppress people. Those who claim to be Muslim but are oppressors are not Muslim. Are Saudi Arabia and dynasties true Muslim States? No. Their governments are dynasties and also oppressive of women's rights as well as basic human rights. They do not allow non-Muslims to enter the Kabah site -- how can this be when Meccah was once the hub of foreign traders? Surely the Prophet was inclusive. The Quran says he was. The attacks on Sept. 11, 2001—is this right in Islam? The question of Jihad is raised. Did the US oppress the Taliban or Afghans? There are 400,000 dead Afghans – dead from Cold War era U.S landmines in Afghanistan, even though the US used them to get the Soviets out of Afghanistan. Many of the dead are children. Then again those who died on September 11, 2001 were civilians and did not make foreign policy. Should citizens be held accountable for their government's policies? You decide. So is Islam being practiced any more? It is important to know the distinction between Islam, the collective religion of Abraham and the Prophets, and the current face of it. Hopefully people will understand that Islam is a religion of peace, no matter how the dynasties of Arabia killed people in the name of religion. It is also a religion of citizenship that does not allow Muslims to sit back and take a beating. Muslims also are societies that face class-ism, racism, power inequality, gender inequality, just like most societies and must engage is social welfare before any holy war. READING LIST "Rights of Women in Islam" by Haifa A. Jawad, 1998 "The History if Islamic Political Thought" by Antony Black, 2001 "What’s Right With Islam?" by Imam Faisal Abdul Rauf, 2003 "Scheherazade Goes West" by Fatema Mernissi "The Quran" (not Marmaduke Pickthall’s translation) About the Author(s): See under Our Contributors to find out about the Author(s) of this article.		Yahoo! World News Headlines Our Winners Club Our Contributors Research Links Legal Advice ALL Awards & Internships Become an Activist Join an Organization Get Volunteerism Alert Write Letters to a local Politician Start your own Group Applied Politics Projects Suggest a Project Start your Yahoo Groups Get Internship Credit Funding for Projects Encourage Discussion Join Juryfury Chat Promote Juryfury.com Join online discussion Groups Be In the Spotlight Let us Interview you : Authors of political books Activists Journalists Lawyers Law Enforcement Politicians Politican Scientists Be A Columnist Get Internship Credit Write twice a Month Get Heard Start a Yahoo Group Advertise with Us Books (Free) Political Social Economics Religious Science About Us Our Staff & Contributors Our Magazines Quietpoly.com I-Traderschool Juryfury.com The Company Our Address: QuietPoly Inc. 240 W. Saunders. Dr. (#146) Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Tel (928) 214-7365 quietpoly@yahoo.com