It's spring again. The forsythia are in bloom and the days grow longer. Somehow, spring always takes me by surprise -- and that's no different this year, even after a winter so mild it barely deserved the name. But even as the seasons sometimes drag on, the years fly by. Somehow the last decade has evaporated. What has been accomplished? A letter I wrote in late 2002 sums up what I thought Muslim scholars of Islam needed to do then:
Salaam alaikum. This is a long-overdue follow-up to conversations that I have had with many of you, individually and in small groups, over the past year. In the immediate aftermath of the tragic events of September 11, whatever private mourning and internal reflection we needed to undertake as Muslims was largely set aside in favor of our collective obligation to put our scholarly credentials to use in speaking to the media and in public forums. As the months have passed, however, it has become increasingly clear that only do stereotypical images of Muslims held by many Americans need to change, but Muslims as a group need to change also. Continued silence in the face of the simplistic answers presented as what "Islam says" -- in our mosques, in what a dear friend of mine refers to as "pamphlet Islam," on the Web, and by the leaders of Muslim organizations -- is a form of complicity in the narrowing of the bounds of acceptable discourse. It has as one result the indifference of those not content to live with such a unidimensional, impoverished view of Islam and the increasing conservatism of those who remain active and visible.
Certainly, the vast majority of American Muslims can be counted as moderates, both politically and theologically. These Muslims believe wholeheartedly that "Islam is a religion of peace," the mantra that we heard so often repeated last fall. But while it may be true that the greater jihad is the one against our own unruly souls, this is not the whole picture of the Islamic tradition, and we know it. As scholars, we have a duty to challenge not only extremist interpretations of scripture and law but also nice-sounding but simplistic apologia for widely accepted Islamic doctrines. And, as I have heard repeatedly from many of you, we must do so even at the possible cost of tarnishing the image of Islam and Muslims in the public eye. It is only by doing so that we can make a case for truly progressive Muslim responses to contemporary issues of political, social and economic (in)justice.
As Muslims living in the United States, we are freer than Muslims elsewhere in the world to discuss these topics without fear of reprisal. And given that our "homeland" is also the source of much of this injustice, we have a responsibility to do so. Thus, I propose that we begin to communicate with each other in some forum. We can share information about useful literature, projects, organizations, resources, etc. Most, importantly, we can help each other think through some of the most difficult issues confronting Muslims today. This is, of course, not to say that we must strive for unanimity, but rather for thoughtful discussion and respectful critique. We can aim eventually to become part of public discourse on Islam and Muslims, challenging the monopoly of the neo-conservatives and apologists. I am open to suggestion as to how best to accomplish this goal: mailing list, listserv, web site, electronic newsletter, eventually perhaps meetings or conferences. What do you think?
Is it the same thing all over again? As I notice the buds beginning to appear on my azaleas, I remember that a decade ago, they were much smaller. From year to year, the growth has been imperceptible -- each spring seems like a repeat of the year before. And yet though it is the same process, the years have brought change and growth. And in this are signs for those who reflect.
Jihad Al-Jabban: NYPD, Muslims Are Americans Too
-That is some scary stuff to believe in; however, that is not from the Koran, that is from the Bible. Luke19: 27.
So enough of Christians picking out random scary quotes from the Koran to say Muslims are dangerous; random quotes from the Bible can be picked out to say Christianity is dangerous too. That is unless Christians will admit that they don't believe in their Bible as much as Muslims believe in their Koran.
The verse you quoted Jesus on is supposed to take place not now but after the second coming of Christ which is sometime between now and oh...never.
While in the ROP it is a totally different story. All violence is real time and applies now.
Good Job !!!!
Can one be a moderate and still believe in the literal truth of one's ancient religious text? I ask this because the Quran contains statements that do not sound particularly moderate. According to this Pew report from 2007, 50% of American Muslims believe in the literal truth of the Quran:
http://www.people-press.org/files/legacy-pdf/329.pdf (Page 23)
Literal believers must logically then believe that also such passages are the word of God:
Quran (9:29) - "Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued."
Quran (22:19-22) But as for those who disbelieve, garments of fire will be cut out for them; boiling fluid will be poured down on their heads, Whereby that which is in their bellies, and their skins too, will be melted; And for them are hooked rods of iron. Whenever, in their anguish, they would go forth from thence they are driven back therein and (it is said unto them): Taste the doom of burning."
To just "pick a verse" out of the Quran and interpret is according to your own opinion without regard for the other issues mentioned is forbidden and the Quran condemns people that do this.
Luke19: 27.
Since the Prophet Mohammed (a.s.) preached to the pagan Meccans their has been a clash between Islam and traditional culture. What is most important is that Islam is clearly distinguished from the cultures of it's adherents. Often there is nothing particularly "bad" about the traditional culture, but it must remain separate from the deen. Muslims in America must strive to educate themselves about their religion so they don't dismiss what is needed, or accept what is unacceptable in their faith. In addition, we need more open dialogue and debate (preferably in an open forum) between the "traditional" Islamic scholars and those who have studied Islam in the context of non-Muslim institutions.
Peace/Salaams/Shalom
Peace/Salaams/Shalom
Peace/salaams/shalom........
I won''t go into why, but we Christians are nothing to brag about.
Have you ever seen the extents to which some Muslims will go in order to try to legitimize their religion by quoting Bible passages while alleging other verses are corrupt? Try this link to see what I mean'
http://www.thewaytotruth.org/prophetmuhammad/proofs.html
If you would like to make a comparison and see a possible explanation how the Muslim's early religion writers created a big mistake by assuming the account of "hell" in Luke 16 was an actual happening and not a parable, then embellishing on it in their Qur'an visit these two links;
http://www.truechristianityevangelism.org/hell.html
http://www.truechristianityevangelism.org/koranhell.html
I could probably trust you to be able to show the difference between "true" and "false".
Here is an order for reading or listening to the Bible that can give you more good stuff quicker than the usual paths.
1. Matthew - Revelation (Apocalypse Catholic Douay Bible), 2. Job, 3. Proverbs - Song of Solomon (Canticles), 4. Daniel - Malachi, 5. Psalms, 6. Genesis - Leviticus, 7. Isaiah - Ezekiel, 8. Deuteronomy - Ester, 9. Numbers. Verse marking copy, notes.
Not a hot place according to the Bible.
http://www.truechristianityevangelism.org/hell.html
Alexander Scourby reading of the King James Bible is available on DVD for $10 plus postage from Christianbook.Com Concordance about $15 and a Computer program called Bible Explorer 4.0 Limited Edition $10 it can find most any important word in the Bible and show you the verse and with an extra click let you drag and drop it on a page like this.
"Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4
In other words your words are still useless drivel.
Peace/salaams/shalom.....
The protocols you are probably referring to were written in the early 20th century by Francis Bellamy, a socialist. The first amendment takes priority over them.
You don't know a thing and yet you are opinionated. Conduct such as yours is the problem.