Indian Muslims against ISIS: After fatwas against terror, Muslims take to streets, launch major campaign

First, there were fatwas against terrorism and ISIS.

Now, Indian Muslims have taken to the streets, to raise their voice against the outfit.

The photograph on the left, shows Muslim girls raising slogans against self-styled 'Islamic State'.

This is not a lone protest. It is part of a campaign. The reason is that many Muslims now increasingly feel that just condemning ISIS is not enough, but there is need to go to the street and say it, strongly, so that the message goes out.

Specially, in the wake of arrests of Muslim youths on suspicion of links with extremist groups, the Muslim community has decided to come out strongly and raise their voice.

Muslims in general are disgusted by the acts of groups like 'Islamic State', which is also known as 'Daaesh', ISIS or ISIL. Also, with media reports continuously giving wide coverage to inhuman acts of ISIS, community is deeply concerned.

The complexities of the situation in Syria and other countries of Middle East aren't clear to everyone.

However, the manner in which ISIS has been executing people and using Islamic symbols, distorting the message of the religion, has disturbed Muslims.

Earlier, over 1,000 Muslim religious heads, clerics and scholars had issued a joint fatwa, denouncing ISIS.

It termed the activities of the militia is inhuman and against the teachings of Islam. A copy of the text was sent to United Nations (UNO) too.

READ: 1,050 Muslim scholars' fatwa against ISIS

Now, a big campaign has been launched. It will mostly focus in Western part of India, where there are reports of many Muslim youths getting indoctrinated and affected by ISIS' propaganda.

Mumbai-based Sahas Foundation and Urdu Markaz are jointly organising the campaign. The aim is that parents also take care that the children don't get astray. A report about this campaign is published in Times of India (link below).

READ: 'Muslims against ISIS' campaign in India

A Muslim crossroads: Millions gather against blasphemous depictions but similar numbers are not seen protesting against ISIS

Muslims at Crossroads | www.WorldMuslimCongress.com


Sadia's article below is pointed and accurate description of the state of the Muslims. She has given a good warning in her last sentence.

On the issue of rally, she has forgotten as Mr. Khalid Azam pointed it out that Deoband held a huge anti-ISIS rally last year and I remember lakhs of clergy and Muslims signing the condemnation. By the way we at the American Muslim Institution held the first anti-Terrorism and anti-ISIS really in the United States on the steps of Lincoln Memorial. Much has been written about it on this blog as well as the American Muslim Institution.org

Mike Ghouse
www.MuslimSpeaker.com 

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A Muslim crossroads: Millions gather against blasphemous depictions but similar numbers are not seen protesting against ISIS

January 22, 2016, 2:54 AM IST Sadia Dehlvi in TOI Edit Page | Edit Page, India | TOI

Courtesy - Times of India

Be it, Indonesia, Paris, Pakistan, America, Africa, Iraq, India or any place else, whenever terror strikes, Muslims experience multiple emotions ranging from shock, disbelief, anger, and fear of backlash. Clearly, the usual response, �Islam is a religion of peace�, rings hollow in the midst of the brutalities and slaughter that Muslim terrorists are perpetrating. Sadly, they are succeeding in globally projecting Islam as inherently violent.

Terrorists have already hijacked the word jihad, a beautiful word, with multiple meanings, once best defined as the struggle against the self to purify the soul of spiritual maladies.

Fortunately, India has the least number of ISIS sympathisers amongst Muslim communities worldwide. This goes to the credit of Indian Muslims, and their clerics, who barring the odd one, do not rave and rant, nor breed terror in madrasas, or fuel the divide between various groups within Muslims, saving us from the sectarian strife plaguing most Muslim countries.

Nothing defames Islam more than ISIS using the image of Prophet Muhammad�s seal on their flag. This is worse than cartoons or writings that attack core Islamic values. Millions gather against blasphemous media depictions, and for religious congregations, such as the recent Bhishwa Ijtema near Dhaka attended by Muslims from about 150 countries. When similar numbers are not seen protesting against ISIS, or the hacking of bloggers in Bangladesh, it is time to recognise the serious problems with mainstream Islamic discourse.

As opposed to traditional Islam, focus has shifted from tasawuff, spirituality to fiqh, jurisprudence. Islam needs rejuvenation, where law is again reconciled with spirituality, and justice tempered with compassion, God�s principle attribute and overriding tenet of Islam.

Cornered, Muslims are defining themselves in terms of �who we are not�, rather than �who we are�. If we proclaim that terrorists are not Muslims, we replicate their way, for they declare Muslims who don�t believe in their ideology as non-Muslims and kill them.

Conspiracy theories of ISIS as Israelis Jews masquerading as Muslims are delusional. Facts reveal that terrorist groups continue to be funded by some Muslim states and rich Muslims. �Nothing to do with Islam�, is poor defence, because terrorists quote the Quran. They do this selectively, ignoring its totalitarian wisdom that explicitly orders to repel evil with good, abhors those spreading fitna (social strife) that violates an atmosphere of peace.

Rather than through contributions to sciences, arts and gender justice, we have allowed hijab to define Islam. Why are Muslim voices defending the right to choose wearing the hijab louder than those against enforcing it legally to subjugate women? Not mandatory in Islam, the increased use of the black abaya and headscarf hijab are signs of the increasingly successful export of the hegemonic religious and cultural discourse of some oil rich Arab states. For the last 1,300 years, Islam has not been an archaic unchanging Arab religion. Today, Arabs comprise just 8% of the world�s 1.5 billion Muslims.

Groups like ISIS sell Muslims the dream of returning to some imagined ideal Islamic state, suggesting that Islamic history has failed and they are here to correct it. Islamic civilisation has witnessed a glorious history powered by cultural diversities of largely non-Arab Muslim communities. It created literary, scientific, architectural, philosophical and cultural marvels, which fuelled the Renaissance, carrying its light to Europe.

Hypocrites, terrorists reject modernity, but use its fruits such as modern weaponry, and the internet to propagate their diseased ideology. If not watchful, ISIS, al-Qaida, Boko Haram, Taliban, and their like will push Muslims into the Dark Ages, when unlike Islam, Christianity had serious problems reconciling with science and reason.

The debates on modernity are complex, because while claiming to return to first century Islam, terrorists actually use modern Salafi Wahabi Islamic texts to justify their actions. Salafis reject centuries of Islamic philosophy and teachings, which approaches the Quran as a spiritual treatise and not a political document. Dry, rigid Wahabi narratives do not leave room even for creative expressions of devotion, destroying the rich and textured legacy of indigenous Muslim communities and their local traditions.

Shaykh Google and fatwa dotcoms are by default part of the problem. Radical imams and hundreds of young Muslims are feeling obliged to spread Islam and correct the ways of whom they think as wayward Muslims. But recent studies prove that the majority of new Muslims do not embrace Islam overnight due to pamphlet distribution or through YouTube or television shows. Most conversions take place over years of interaction with Muslims, impacted by their kindness, generosity, values and unwavering devotion to God.

WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter have made it impossible to escape the cacophony of the words �shirk, bidah, haram� (meaning idolatry, innovation and unlawful) by fellow Muslims. Instead of calling to moral excellence, this propagation of an exclusivist fatwa and finger pointing Islam based on trivia is sheer ignorance, arrogance and stupidity.

Unfortunately, the internet can lead to gross misguidance. Viewing remains largely unmonitored by family elders, depriving of traditional learning through sohbat � companionship of the wise and enlightened. These are challenging times for Muslims, and unless the continuing rhetoric of rage, revenge, conspiracies, blasphemy, evangelism and damning the �other�, is shed, the word Islam is in danger of being used derogatorily, much like the word jihad.

DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.

'Google Official: Take ISIS Off the Open Web to Stop Its Propaganda Machine'

Newsweek, Google Official: Take ISIS Off the Open Web to Stop Its Propaganda Machine "Google�s �head of ideas� said in a talk on Monday that the Islamic State militant group (ISIS) needs to be pushed off the open Web in order to sever its propaganda machine."

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration

American Muslims are proud of taking the right steps towards integration. www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  

On Friday, November 20, 2015, the American Muslims took a bold step in their journey towards being-one with fellow Americans.  

The American Muslim Institution (AMI) led the demonstrations against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial;  this historic location was chosen to mirror the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who brought a positive change to the American civil society with his immortal, �I have a dream speech" on the very same steps.

It was indeed a symbolic event for American Muslims, and the foundation for a positive change was laid.The next event was held within hours across the White House by ADAMS Center and another one by APPNA at Dupont Circle the very next day. Now, it is gathering momentum.  

The apprehensions and the conflicts Muslims feel is a result of actions and reactions feeding each other. The Media is blamed for amplifying the negative portrayal of Muslims, while our own attitudes have also contributed towards to the feeding frenzy. It is time to change the equation.  

Mother Teresa had said if you want to make peace with your enemies, go talk with them. Praise the Lord, we have begun the process.  Media is not our enemy; they are merely reflecting the fears of a few, some of them have not taken the time to differentiate between religion and its followers, and have mistaken us with the Daesh, Talibans, Al-Qaeda and their ilk. It is our duty to correct these gross errors on a continual basis. God willing, we hope to conduct seminars and workshops with the media to rectify some of the false perceptions about us. Good and healthy communications can always pave the way for better understanding.

We hear, "the proof is in the pudding", indeed it is. In the following links (four videos), listen to the tone of Sean Hannity, Stuart Varney, and Richard Ray of Fox News. They have responded to positive engagement. There is a new emerging language of understanding and support. What has not worked is disengagement; I would rather engage and fail than cause us to dig in our heels.
This week�s output;    

1. A small step for Muslims, but a giant leap for America - Link

1. Thanksgiving (Interfaith), an  unforgettable story of Appaiah - Link

1. Stuart Varney on Fox -Lincoln Memorial � Link

1. Richard Ray on Fox Dallas -Pastor Jeffress � Link

1. Sean Hannity on Fox about Syrian Refugees � Link

1. Stuart Varney of Fox complains  - Link

1. American Muslims Demonstrate against ISIS - Link

1. War on Terror is the dumbest idea ever floated - Link

1. Islamic way of dealing Terrorism � Link

1. American Muslims Condemn ISIS - Link

1. Rabbi Jonathan Sachs Hugs Mike on the stage. Link

1. Moderate Muslims Speak out? Link

1. What has Sean Hannity done for us? Link (last 9 of the 15 minutes)

The American Muslim Institution is formed with three specific goals - work with the media, mitigate Islamophobia and speed up the process of integration. We hope to get to the point where fellow Americans will see Muslims as their neighbors and fellow citizens, committed to fight against violent extremism and to protect the homeland. No more them against us, it will be all of us working together for a prosperous, secure and cohesive America. . 

Since August 4th, we have been written up in nearly 300 media outlets, this event at Lincoln Memorial has produced nearly 60 Media reports-videos and write ups.  You can Google "American Muslim Institution." Insha Allah, we will upload all of them including our own video and pictures on this site www.AmericanMuslimInstitution.org  within a few weeks.

An integrated society functions effectively when we are all on the same page with our uniqueness.  When we demonstrated against Terrorism and Daesh on the steps of Lincoln Memorial, it resonated with fellow Americans; both of us were against the monsters.  When we celebrate 4th of July in the biggest possible way, it will resonate with fellow Americans; both of us become fellow patriots.  When armed protesters head towards Mosques with a confused intent, we can greet them with kindness and caring hospitality, hoist American flags on our mosques grounds, serve grilled hot dogs and water, the hostility will dissipate and they will view us as fellow Americans instead of perceived hostility. We must connect with them instead alienating them. 

Of course, I suggest our Friday Sermons to teach us in dealing with conflicts in the most simple way.

Islamophobia? Right now 63% of Americans don't see Muslims favorably; we can bring this number down to 32% in 3 years. If you are willing to do certain basic things. I will be happy to give a talk and present practical action plan to your group,  listing seven little and seven big things we can do to shape our future with fellow Americans. We cannot postpone this and live in misery for another decade.  

Mike Ghouse,Executive DirectorAmerican Muslim InstitutionA proactive voice for American MuslimsWashington, DC(214) 325-1916 

Dr. Mike Ghouse is a community consultant, social scientist, thinker, writer, news maker and a speaker on Pluralism, Interfaith, Islam,politics, human rights, India, Israel-Palestine,foreign policy and building cohesive societies. Mike offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day. More about him in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at TheGhousediary.com.

1,050 Muslim clerics' fatwa against ISIS: Indian Muslims' religious leaders had taken stand, condemned ISIS much before Paris attacks

Though acts of self-styled Islamic State [or ISIS] have been termed un-Islamic and repeatedly condemned by majority of Muslims, the Paris attacks have once again brought focus on IS.

On social media, Muslims have been clearly saying that ISIS doesn't represent Islam, at all.

There is also a feeling that Muslims should come out and condemn, though the fact is that Muslims are not just condemning ISIS, but on ground too it is large number of Muslims who are fighting it.

Also, Muslims are also the biggest victims of ISIS' atrocities, not just in Syria, Iraq and adjoining countries but also because of the Islamophobia that is generated by these acts. But these aspects don't get as much publicity.

In fact, much before the recent terrorist attack in France, Indian Muslim clerics had taken the unprecedented step, and 1,050 Muslim clerics had issued a fatwa, collectively, against the ISIS and had termed its acts as un-Islamic.

These 1,050 Muslim clergymen include Muftis, Qazis, Imams, Maulanas and Religious scholars. They included Jama Masjid heads, representatives of leading Islamic seminaries, institutions, organisations, sajjada-nasheens and influential Sufi shrines.

They had jointly signed this fatwa against ISIS, its leader and its fighters. It was a huge fatwa that tackled the issue point wise and exhaustively. One wished that it had got the due attention, it deserved, across the world. 

The Ulama had said that ISIS was an enemy of Islam. It was sent to United Nations (UN) general secretary Ban Ki Moon. The document's text said that ISIS actions were inhuman, it was involved in mass killings and was absolutely against the basic tenets of Islam.

See links

*1,000 Muslim clerics sign fatwa against ISIS. Huffington post report
*Over 1,000 Muslim clerics issue biggest fatwa against ISIS. New Indian Express
*Indian Muslims fatwa against ISIS' fanaticism, religious extremism. Wall Street Journal
*US welcomes Indian clerics' fatwa against ISIS. Read
*Muslim leaders issue fatwa against ISIS. Read

*Video report about Indian Muslim clergy against ISIS. Report

[Also, see post on why Islamic clergy across the world should call ISIS' bluff and its claims about being Islamic, need to declare it outside the pale of Islam. READ]

Paris attacks: Islamic clergy must loudly denounce ISIS, clearly say that IS acts are outside the pale of Islam

Self-styled 'Islamic State' or ISIS has struck once again--killing nearly 140 persons in Paris.

The attacks have outraged the world. Muslims across the globe are are also angry.

ISIS is not just involved in terrorism, wanton killings and bloodshed but it is also defaming Islam and Muslims.

Most Muslims were clearly shocked at the terror attacks in France and condemned ISIS' acts. 

However, there were some tweets and Facebook status messages about how 'killings by ISIS in Beirut and Baghdad this week were not splashed in the media".

There were messages like how the cycle of violence has been going on--West intrudes in Middle East and forces regime changes and in process these countries are forced into civil war in which thousands are killed.

Also, about how extremist groups get help from Western countries. The conversation goes to 'oil'? the great game and even how, media gives disproportionate coverage to events in Paris or England, compared to Africa, Asia or Middle East.

1. ...a lot of it may be correct, but the harsh reality is that ISIS or ISIL or 'Islamic State' is involved in evil acts, genocide, mass killings and acts of terror. And, unfortunately, the 'i' in IS stands for 'Islamic'. We can't erase it.

2. Saying things like, 'When X doesn't condemn for act by Y, why should I do it?', are fine for sake of arguments. The reality is that a very wrong message is going to the world, especially, the ordinary people.

3. We may say that it has nothing to do with Islam and talk of who made it and what it does, but the fact is that it operates in Islamic regions, runs a state, claims to have a Caliphate, raises 'Islamic flag', claims to give punishments to people as per 'Sharia laws'.

4. ISIS claims to be Muslim and hence we must loudly say, that they are NOT. Some Muslims are in a habit of saying that particular countries in the West support(ed) these groups or go about propounding theories about Zionists leading them but the conspiracy theories are to delude themselves. There are definitely Muslims in extremist groups and they are all  hurting Islam terribly.

Even if you believe [like some more knowledgeable friends] that it was US attack on Iraq-Afghanistan which led to this cycle of violence and media doesn't show lakhs dead in these countries and it is 'biased media coverage', even then what are you doing it to tackle the situation, smartly, or show that Muslim world is the real sufferer? At least, do something worthwhile to change the image. If innocents are killed at one place, it doesn't mean innocents can be killed elsewhere as revenge. There is no justification to killing in our faith. It is terrorism, which is against Islamic teachings. So why not a collective fatwa against ISIS! 

5. Either it is the ISIS than can erase this 'i' in their name, else, the Islamic world must strongly denounce this organisation. Muslim clergy must unitedly condemn and clearly say that ISIS is un-Islamic and its acts make it outside the pale of Islam.

6. The clerics of Saudi Arabia and Islamic countries must say it loud and clear. It should be said strongly, so that there is no doubt left in the minds of anyone and those who are its supporters on the ground, should realise that it is not Islamic and is an organisation contrary to teachings of our religion and a group which is destroying Islamic societies and defaming the faith.

7. When terror attacks were going on in India on a regular basis, Indian Muslim clerics strongly issued 'fatwas', hired an entire train and held huge public conferences to declare that 'Terrorism is un-Islamic'.

8. Indian Muslims had even refused to give place to Ajmal Amir Kasab for burial in any graveyard in Mumbai. It is an age of mass media and the message needs to be sent across. Saying it in mosques is not sufficient, you must inform non-Muslims too that ISIS doesn't represent us.

9. Fortunately, India, despite a huge Muslim population, has seen less radicalisation and the country has come out of the phase. Such incidents are now history.

10. ISIS, Al Qaeda and other such groups have done incalculable harm to Muslims. Time for Muslim clerics the world over to stand up, take a very strong stand, and issue a 'fatwa' unitedly, declaring ISIS as a bunch of criminals, terrorists and imposters, who are NOT MUSLIMS.

Down with you ISIS. 

13 Doctrines of Radical Islam ISIS.

13 Doctrines of Radical Islam and ISIS |
Published at  www.QuraanToday.com - www.WorldMuslimCongress.com
............................................

I am responding to the following surreal claims by an unknown, but well circulated piece called �13 Doctrines of Radical Islam ISIS � with a singular purpose; To provide the moderate majority (of all faiths) with facts, and to help them  not entertain any doubts about the word of God. God loves us all and has given us the free will to manage peace and harmony in the world, so all of us can live without fear of the other. 

False propaganda

Finding the truth is your own responsibility, if you are curios about these propaganda verses,  please buy at least three different translations of Quran and figure it out yourselves for your peace of mind is your business.

However, if you want to counter any one of those guys who either innocently or deliberatly circulate false material, here is a ready made response for you to forward. Always go to www.WorldMuslimCongress.com or www.Quraantoday.com and search up for Maligned verses.

I will tear this propaganda apart, and present the right quotes to  each one of these 13 misquotes. These guys write whatever they want and pass it out as the verses from Quran. I have responded to many of these men and women including Noni Derwish and others. The one that made  the biggest mess was Geert Widlers, the hate filled man from Sweden who duped the US Congress and Senate members with his falsities and sold them the 14 minute film called Fitna.
 

In the Middle Ages, European leaders commissioned a hostile Quran translation to foster warfare against Muslim invaders. Later, Muslim leaders produced another translation to inflame Muslims against Christians and Jews. The European Kings commissioned the monastery of Abbey to deliberately mistranslate Quran to paint as a cult that wil threaten their lives � and coined the word �Muhammadan� for the first time in 1142 AD.  It was all for politics, and we need to reject these false translation, the other one was by an Muslim man �Hilali Khan�  who has deliberately mistranslated nearly 60 verses to cause ill-will towards Jews, Chrsitians and others. Please reject those.

The most popular and authenitc translations are by Muhammad Asad, Yusuf Ali and Picktal, however there are a few verses not dealt well in their translations and Dr. Laleh Bakhtiar has righted the wrong understanding in verse 4:34 for example.

http://mikeghouse.net/MuslimSpeaker.MikeGhouse.asp#sthash.5esiRB9S.dpuf

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Many of the following verses are not in Quran, and where additional explanation is needed, I have added two or three translations to give little more clarity. To get the full understanding, the simple formula is read three verses before and after the give verses, and you simply cannot go wrong.

Mike Ghouse , Muslim Speaker, thinker and a writer. World Muslim Congress, Dallas, Texas  Link

American way and Quran Formula

When it comes to law and order, Quran formula is similar to American laws, here is how it works.

1. If bad guys stop in front of your property and march in to throw you out

2. You tell them to back off

3. If they still come towards you, you warn them to back off

4. If they make an attempt to attack you

5. You attack and chase them

6. If they run and hide behind the bushes

7. You  hunt them down wherever you can find them and kill them on your property  

Click on the image to get the larger readable version

Every one of those verses that advocate, � Hunt them down where ever you can find and  kill them� verse,  the same formula is adopted and in addition Quran advocates the following � Stop the pursuit, if they repent, surrender and retreat from attacking you�

I am sick of these guys who present only half truth.  Finding the truth is your own responsibility, go buy three different translations and figure it out yourselves.  Your peace of mind is your business.

Now, here are those 13 propaganda verses and my response directly from Quran.I hope no one is gullible enough to buy this propaganda. In the future if you see these, please visit the Quran, read three verse before and three verses after the verse,  and you will appreciate the wisdom of all loving merciful and just God.     

     1. You can rape, marry and divorce pre-Pubescent girls; Qur�an 65:4

Real Verse: 65:4 (Asad) Now as for such of your women as are beyond, the age of monthly courses, as well as for such as do not have any courses, ^[10]their waiting-period - if you have any doubt [about it] - shall be three [calendar] months; and as for those who are with child, the end of their waiting-term shall come when they deliver their burden. And for everyone who is conscious of God, He makes it easy to obey His commandment:

This is goofy and there is nothing to discuss, next?

2.  You can enslave for Sex and work; Qur�an 4:3, 4:24, 5:89, 33:50, 58:3, 70:30

I will pick first and the last of the 6 verses.

4:3 (Asad) And if you have reason to fear that you might not act equitably towards orphans, then marry from among [other] women such as are lawful to you ^[3] - [even] two, or three, or four: but if you have reason to fear that you might not be able to treat them with equal fairness, then [only] one - or [from among] those whom you rightfully possess. ^[4] This will make it more likely that you will not deviate from the right course.

70:30 (Asad) [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock] - : ^[13] for then, behold, they are free of all blame,

Self-Explanatory and the verse quote in the propaganda is completely false

3. You can beat sex slaves, work slaves, and wives  Qur�an 4:34 

4:34 (L.Bakhtiar) Men are supporters of wives because God gave some of them an advantage over others and because they spent of their wealth. So the females, ones in accord with morality are the females, ones who are morally obligated and the females, ones who guard the unseen of what God kept safe. And those females whose resistance you fear, then admonish them (f) and abandon them (f) in their sleeping places and go away from them (f). Then if they (f) obeyed you, then look not for any way against them (f). Truly, God had been Lofty, Great.

Comment:  �beat them� was the interpretation that was produced for its full history, however, a scholar by the name Laleh Bakhtiar, had done thorough research in 2012 and has rectified the error. The Arabic word for beat is Daraba, which was used 21 other times in Quran to mean �separation� and sorry to say, men have always interpreted what suits them, and this is one of the few instances. Quite a lot is written about it including my own presentation at World Muslim Congress: http://www.worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2014/05/wife-beating-is-culture-of-men-and-not.html

4:34 (Asad) MEN SHALL take full care of women with the bounties which God has bestowed more abundantly on the former than on the latter, ^[42] and with what they may spend out of their possessions. And the right�eous women are the truly devout ones, who guard the intimacy which God has [ordained to be] guar�ded. ^[43] And as for those women whose ill-will ^[44] you have reason to fear, admonish them [first]; then leave them alone in bed; then beat them; ^[45] and if thereupon they pay you heed, do not seek to harm them. Behold, God is indeed most high, great!

4. You will need 4 Muslim male witnesses to prove a rape; Qur�an 24-4

24:4 (Asad) And as for those who accuse chaste women [of adultery],^[6] and then are unable to produce four witnesses [in support of their accusation], flog them with eighty stripes ^[7] and ever after refuse to accept from them any testimony - since it is they, they that are truly depraved!

^[6]  The term rnuhsanat denotes literally ��women who are fortified [against unchastity]", i.e., by marriage and/or faith and self-respect, implying that, from a legal point of view, every woman must he considered chaste unless a conclusive proof to the contrary is produced. (The passage relates to women other than the accusers own wife, for in the latter case - as shown in verses 6-9 - the law of evidence and the consequences are different.(Quran Ref: 24:4 )

^[7] By obvious implication, this injunction applies also to cases where a woman accuses a man of illicit sexual intercourse, and is subsequently unable to prove her accusation legally. The severity of the punishment to be meted out in such cases, as well as the requirement of four witnesses - instead of the two that Islamic Law regards as sufficient in all other criminal and civil suits - is based on the imperative necessity of preventing slander and off-hand accusations. As laid down in several authentic sayings of the Prophet, the evidence of the four witnesses must be direct, and not merely circumstantial: in other words, it is not sufficient for them to have witnessed a situation which made it evident that sexual intercourse was taking or had taken place: they must have witnessed the sexual act as such, and must be able to prove this to the entire satisfaction of the judicial authority (Razi, summing up the views of the greatest exponents of Islamic Law). Since such a complete evidence is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to obtain, it is obvious that the purpose of the above Quranic injunction is to preclude, in practice, all third-party accusations relating to illicit sexual intercourse - for, "man has been created weak�� (4:28) - and to make a proof of adultery dependent on a voluntary, faith-inspired confession of the guilty parties themselves.(Quran Ref: 24:4 )

Self-explanatory � everything in Quran is a two way street, if a woman is suggested to wear modest clothing, invariably, men are told to lower their gaze.

5. Kill Jews and Christians if they do not convert or pay Jiziya Tax; Qur�an 9:29

9:29 (Asad) [And] fight against those who - despite having been vouchsafed revelation [aforetime] [40] -do not [truly] believe either in God or the Last Day, and do not consider forbidden that which God and His Apostle have forbidden, [41] and do not follow the religion of truth [which God has enjoined upon them] [42] till they [agree to] pay the exemption tax with a willing hand, after having been humbled [in war]. [43]

There is no mention of Jews and Christians, the propaganda masters have made it up.

�pay the exemption tax with a willing hand, after having been humbled� . Humbled- meaning acceptance of their wrong, not necessarily subduing. It is a common practice in the US if the suing party is silly and outrageous, the attorney fee incurred is granted to the wrong doer. It is a penalty for the unwanted aggression.

Full discourse is at: http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2010/03/quraan-2256-free-will-v-929-compulsion.html

6. Crucify and amputate Non-Muslims; Qur�an 8:12 and 47:4

8:12 (Asad) Lo! Thy Sustainer inspired the angels [to convey this His message to the believers]: "I am with you !" ^[13] [And He commanded the angels:] "And, give firmness unto those who have attained to faith [with these words from Me]: ^[14] `I shall cast terror into the hearts of those who are bent on denying the truth; strike, then, their necks, [O believers,] and strike off every one of their finger-tips!" ^[15]

8:13 (Asad) This, because they have cut themselves off from ^[16] God and His Apostle: and as for him who cuts himself off from God and His Apostle - verily, God is severe in retribution

47:4 (Asad) NOW WHEN you meet [in war] those who are bent on denying the truth, ^[4] smite their necks until you overcome them fully, and then tighten their bonds; ^[5] but thereafter [set them free,] either by an act of grace or against ransom, so that the burden of war may be lifted: ^[6] thus [shall it be]. And [know that] had God so willed, He could indeed punish them [Himself]; but [He wills you to struggle] so as to test you [all] by means of one another. ^[7] And as for those who are slain in God�s cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste

7. You will kill non-Muslims to receive 72 Virgins in heaven: Qur�an 9:111

9:111 (Asad) BEHOLD, God has bought of the believers their lives and their possessions, promising them paradise in return, ,[and so] they fight in God's cause, and slay, and are slain: a promise which in truth He has willed upon Himself in [the words of] the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Qur'an. And who could be more faithful to his covenant than God? Rejoice, then, in the bargain which you have made with Him: for this, this is the triumph supreme!

9:111 (Y. Ali) Allah hath purchased of the believers their persons and their goods; for theirs (in return) is the garden (of Paradise): they fight in His cause, and slay and are slain: a promise binding on Him in truth, through the Law, the Gospel, and the Qur'an: and who is more faithful to his covenant than Allah. Then rejoice in the bargain which ye have concluded: that is the achievement supreme.

Two translations have been checked, and there is no mention about Virgins. Some men have interpreted Supreme Achievement to getting girls, but that is not in Quran. Wrong people always resort to propaganda to malign religion,  or recruit guys with girl greed. 

8. You will kill anyone who leaves Islam; Qur�an 2:217, 4:89

I will be presenting three translations for you to see the difference in expression.

2:217 ( L. Bakhtiar) They ask thee about the Sacred Month and fighting in it. Say: Fighting in it is deplorable and barring from the way of God and ingratitude to Him. And to bar from the Masjid al-Haram, and expelling people from it are more deplorable with God. And persecution is more deplorable than killing. And they cease not to fight you until they repel you from your way of life, if they are able. And whoever of you goes back on his way of life, then, dies while he is one who is ungrateful, those, their actions were fruitless in the present and in the world to come. And those will be the Companions of the Fire. They are ones who will dwell in it forever.

2:217 (Y. Ali) They ask thee concerning fighting in the Prohibited Month. Say: "Fighting therein is a grave (offence); but graver is it in the sight of Allah to prevent access to the path of Allah, to deny Him, to prevent access to the Sacred Mosque, and drive out its members." Tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter. Nor will they cease fighting you until they turn you back from your faith if they can. And if any of you Turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be companions of the Fire and will abide therein.

2:217 (Asad) They will ask thee about fighting in the sacred month.^[202] Say: "Fighting in it is an awesome thing (grave transgression); but turning men away from the path of God and denying Him, and [turning them away from] the Inviolable House of Worship and expelling its people there from - [all this] is yet more awesome (greater transgression) in the sight of God, since oppression is more awesome (greater transgression) than killing." [Your enemies] will not cease to fight against you till they have turned you away from your faith, if they can. But if any of you should turn away from his faith and die as a denier of the truth - these it is whose works will go for nought in this world and in the life to come; and these it is who are destined for the fire, therein to abide.  (please note I have used the world Awful in place of Awesome)

Please read the Quran formula above.  

9.  You will behead non-Muslims,  Quran 8:12 and 47:4 ( 8:12 was covered earlier)

47:4 (Y. Ali) Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself); but (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others. But those who are slain in the Way of Allah,- He will never let their deeds be lost.

47:4 (Asad) NOW WHEN you meet [in war] those who are bent on denying the truth, ^[4] smite their necks until you overcome them fully, and then tighten their bonds; ^[5] but thereafter [set them free,] either by an act of grace or against ransom, so that the burden of war may be lifted: ^[6] thus [shall it be]. And [know that] had God so willed, He could indeed punish them [Himself]; but [He wills you to struggle] so as to test you [all] by means of one another. ^[7] And as for those who are slain in God�s cause, never will He let their deeds go to waste:

47:4 (L.Bakhtiar) So when you met those who were ungrateful, then, strike their thick necks until you gave them a sound thrashing. Then, tie them fast with restraints. And afterwards either have good will towards them or take ransom for them until the war ends, laying down its heavy load. Thus, it is so! But if God willed, He Himself would have, certainly, avenged you. But it is to try some of you with some others. As for those who were slain in the way of God, He will never cause their actions to go astray.

Please read the Quran formula above.  

10. You will kill and be killed for Allah; Quran 9:5 

M.Asad, �And so, when the sacred months are over, slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace.�

Y.Ali �But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. �

Personally, as a pluralist, I have a problem with the translations. Glad to see Asad explain �ascribe divinity to aught beside God� versus the world �Pagan� used by Yusuf Ali, and �Polytheists by many others�. I would not use the word Pagan, as God does not mean all Pagans, but those who are in war with you , forcing you to disbelieve. Asad is much closer to the meaning of Quran. Someday, I will write, to make it communicate the meaning to a Hindu, Jews, Christian or a Pagan.
 
Please read the Quran formula above. 

11.  You will terrorize non-Muslims, Quran 8:12 , 8:60

8:60 (Asad) Hence, make ready against them whatever force and war mounts ^[64] you are able to muster, so that you might deter thereby the enemies of God, who are your enemies as well, ^[65] and others besides them of whom you may be unaware, [but] of whom God is aware; and whatever you may expend ^[66] in God's cause shall be repaid to you in full, and you shall not be wronged.

^[64] Lit., "tethering of horses" (ribat al-khavl): an expression which signifies "holding in readiness mounted troupes at all points open to enemy invasion (thughur)"; hence, tropically, the over-all maintenance of military preparedness.(Quran Ref: 8:60 )

^[65] Lit., "God's enemy and your enemy" - implying that every "enemy of God" (i.e., everyone who deliberately opposes and seeks to undermine the moral laws laid down by God) is, eo ipso, an enemy of those who believe in Him.(Quran Ref: 8:60 )

Please read the Quran formula above.  

12. Steal from Non-Muslims; Quran Chapter 8The chapter has 75 verses� unless one is pointed out 

13.  Lie to Strengthen Islam: Quran 3:26, 3:54, 9:3, 16:106, 40:28

3:26 (Asad) SAY: "O God, Lord of all dominion! Thou grantest dominion unto whom Thou willest, and takest away dominion from whom Thou willest; and Thou exaltest whom Thou willest, and abasest whom Thou willest. In Thy hand is all good. Verily, Thou hast the power to will anything. 

3:54 (Asad) And the unbelievers schemed [against Jesus]; ^[44] but God brought their scheming to nought: for God is above all schemers.

16:106 (Asad) As for anyone who denies God after having once attained to faith-and this, to be sure, does not apply to ^[133] one who does it under duress, the while his heart remains true to his faith, ^[134] but [only, to] him who willingly opens up his heart to a denial of the truth-: upon all such [falls] God's condemnation, and tremendous suffering awaits them:

^[134] Lit., "one who is coerced, the while his heart is at rest in [his] faith". This relates to believers who, under torture or threat of death, ostensibly "recant" in order to save themselves. Although the Qur'an makes it clear in several places that martyrdom in the cause of faith is highly meritorious, "God does not burden any human being with more than he is well able to bear" (cf. 2:233 and 286, 6:152, 7:42, 23:62, and many other Qur'anic statements to the same effect).(Quran Ref: 16:106 )

40:28 (Asad) At that, a believing man of Pharaoh�s family, who [until then] had concealed his faith, exclaimed: ^[19] �Would you slay a man because he says, �God is my Sustainer� - seeing, withal, that he has brought you all evidence of this truth from your Sustainer? Now if he be a liar, his lie will fall back on him; but if he is a man of truth, something [of the punishment] whereof he warns you is bound to befall you: for, verily, God would not grace with His guidance one who has wasted his own self by lying [about Him]. ^[20] 

If you cannot put your name to what you believe,
then it is not worth sharing it.

 Thank you

mike
Mike Ghouse, President
America Together Foundation
(214) 325-1916 text/talk
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Mike Ghouse is a public speaker, thinker, writer and a commentator on Pluralism, Islam, India, Israel-Palestine, Politics and other issues of the day. He is a human rights activist, and his book standing up for others will be out soon | He is producing a full feature film " Sacred" to be released on 9/11 and a documentary "Americans together" for a July 4 release.  He is a frequent guest commentator on Fox News and syndicated Talk Radio shows and a writer at major news papers including Dallas Morning News and Huffington Post. All about him is listed in 63 links at www.MikeGhouse.net and his writings are at www.TheGhousediary.com - Mike is committed to building cohesive societies and offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day.