Comtemporary Challenges in Islam - Part 2

Mrs Zainab Mubashar & Dr Yahya Mubashar

What are the Contemporary issues in Islam?

Shariah Laws

Does Quran indicate death penalty for ...

Does Quran indicate death penalty for ...

• Blasphemy

• Apostate

• Homosexuals

• Adulterer

The answer is No

What does Quran say for Blasphemy?

What does Quran say for Blasphemy?

• “When you hear the signs of God held in defiance and ridicule, you are not to sit with them unless they turn to a different theme”

Quran 4:140

• “And when they hear vain talk, they turn away there from and say: "To us our deeds, and to you yours; peace be to you: we seek not the ignorant.”

Quran 28:55

• “Tell those who believe, to forgive those who do not look forward to the Days of God: It is for Him to recompense (for good or ill) each People according to what they have earned”.

Quran 45:14

Should an Apostate be killed?

Should an Apostate be killed?

• No !

“And say: "The truth [has now come] from your Sustainer: let, then, him who wills, believe in it, and let him who wills, reject it." Quran 18:29

• “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Surely the Right Path is clearly distinct from the crooked path.” Quran 2:256

• “Whoever kills a person without his being guilty of murder or of creating unrest in the land, is as though he kills the whole of mankind.”

Quran 5:32

Should an Apostate be killed?

• “Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them,- the Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes.” Quran 47:25

• “Those who believe, then reject faith, then believe (again) and (again) reject faith, and go on increasing in unbelief,God will not forgive them nor guide them nor guide them on the way. To the Hypocrites give the glad tidings that there is for them (but) a grievous penalty.”

Quran 4:137 - 138

• In these 2 verses God has indicated that He will deal with

apostasy

• Did not instruct Muslims to deal with them or kill them

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

CH 2:191, CH 4:89 & 91, Ch 9:5,

• No ! All these verses are related to Act of Treason but

• Very popular among Extreme Muslims to radicalise Young Muslims and

• Also popular among Extreme Non-Muslims to incite hate against Quran & Muslims

• Need to understand their context explained in the Quran in verses before and after these verses

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

Ch 2:191 is ;

• Related to the breaking of Hudaibia Treaty , a Peace settlement in 628

• Signed between Muslims of Medina & the Arab Meccan Polytheist

• But the polytheist cheated & broke the Treaty later on by attacking the Muslim tribes secretly.

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

“Fight in the cause of God with those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. “And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have Turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.” But if they cease, God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful” . Quran 2:190-192

Reminding Muslims that aggression is not the way and remember God is forgiving and merciful

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

Ch 4:89 & 91 ;

• Related to Hypocritical Muslims & Hypocritical Tribes of Medina who signed a contract about remaining true Allies of the Muslims of Medina in battles against enemies of Muslims. In return getting the same protection provided by the Muslim Forces against their enemies

• But they betrayed the Muslims in the Battle of Uhud in 625, inflicted Muslims heavily from within during war

• God described two courses of action in dealing with such

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

...But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay them wherever ye fined them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers from their ranks.” Quran 4: 89

• “Except those who join a group between whom and you there is a treaty (of peace), or those who approach you with hearts restraining them from fighting you as well as fighting their own people. If God had pleased, ...

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

...He could have given them power over you, and they would have fought you: Therefore if they withdraw from you but fight you not, and (instead) send you (Guarantees of) peace, then God Hath opened no way for you (to war against them)

Quran 4;90

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

Others you will find that wish to gain your confidence as well as that of their people: Every time they are sent back to temptation, they succumb thereto: if they withdraw not from you nor give you (guarantees) of peace besides restraining their hands, seize them and slay them wherever ye get them: In their case We have provided you with a clear argument against them.” Quran 4:91

• The context is punishment of treason in war times

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

• Related to overall behaviour of Arab Polytheist Tribes who had signed multiple treaties of peace with the Muslims of Medina between 622-630.

• Muslims observed their parts in all treaties. But it had become a routine practice for the polytheist to violate their part & dissolve the treaties without informing the Muslims of Medina. They used to attack the Muslim tribes secretly.

• They were given 4 month warning to observe their pledges & continue their alliances with Muslims

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

[Announce unto them:] "Go, then, [freely] about the earth for four months - but know that you can never elude God, and that, verily, God shall bring disgrace upon all who reject Him” Quran 9:2

• “(But the treaties are) not dissolved with those Polytheist with whom ye have entered into alliance and who have not subsequently failed you in aught, nor aided any one against you. So fulfil your engagements with them to the end of their term: for God loveth the righteous.” Quran 9:4

Are not the following verses indicate Muslims to kill Apostates?

But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Polytheist wherever ye find them, and 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.” Quran 9:5

• The context is about polytheist tribes who were taking advantage of peace treaties with Muslims by inflicting them whenever they wished

Is Homosexuality acceptable in Quran?

Is Homosexuality acceptable in Quran?

• No! Any Sex outside Marriage (Man & women) is forbidden

• To protect the Lineage Pattern of a Biological Nucleus Family System.

• “If any of your women are guilty of lewdness, Take the evidence of four (Reliable) witnesses from amongst you against them; and if they testify, confine them to houses until death do claim them, or God ordain for them some (other) way. If two men among you are guilty of lewdness, punish them both. (But) If they repent and amend, Leave them alone; for God is Oft-returning, Most Merciful.” Quran 4:15-16

• No specific punishment told & door of forgiveness kept open

Is Stoning of Adulterer present in Quran?

Is Stoning of Adulterer present in Quran?

• No! The punishment is only flogging but strictly on the condition of providing 4 reliable witnesses;

• “The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication,flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by God, if you believe in God and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment. And those who launch a charge against chaste women, and do not produce four witnesses (to support their allegations),- flog them with eighty stripes; and reject their evidence ever after: for such men are wicked transgressors.” Quran 24:2,4

What is punishment of Theft in Quran?

What is punishment of Theft in Quran?

• The punishment is there but

• The opportunity of forgiveness is also given .

• “As to the thief, Male or female, cut off the hand of either of them in requital for what they have wrought, as a deterrent ordained by God: and God is Exalted in power. But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, God turns to him in forgiveness; for God is Oftforgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 5:38-39)

• Opportunity for repenting and amending & Door of forgiveness kept open

What is punishment of Theft in Quran?

• Besides this "cut off the hand" has been a figure of speech in Arabic language.

• Rather than its literal meanings, it could also mean take away the freedom of their hands/working/living.

• There are many similar examples in all languages for figures of speech. For example in English language

• To make someone scare to death or laugh to death should not be literally taken as killing them by these methods.

• Mohammad Asad describes in his commentary on this verse in note 48 after explaining the historical use of this injunction that,

What is punishment of Theft in Quran?

• Mohammad Asad describes in his commentary on this verse in note 48 after explaining the historical use of this injunction that,

• "To sum up, one may safely conclude that the cutting-off of a hand in punishment for theft is applicable only within the context of an already-existing, fully functioning social security scheme, and in no other circumstances."

Does the Divine encourage following Imams blindly?

Does the Divine encourage following Imams blindly?

• No ! It would be highly unjust to the Quran to say Yes.

• Quranic teaching is against any priesthood

• People are encouraged to think for themselves

–

“And We have indeed made the Qur'an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?”

Quran 54:17

–

“They will further say: Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!”

Quran 67:10

Should Islamic History and Hadeeth be confirmed from Quran?

• Yes !

• Present day Islamic law and various traditions are derived from these two sources in addition to Quran

• History and Hadeeth(Prophet’s traditions) need to be verified by Quran

• Since lot of fabrications have taken place in the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for political misuse over time

• Hadeeth are human words collected > 100 yrs after the Prophet’s death and thus have potential of containing errors

Should Islamic History and Hadeeth be confirmed from Quran?

Say: "Shall I seek for judge other than God. - when He it is Who has sent unto you the Book, explained in detail. " They know full well, to whom We have given the Book, that it has been sent down from thy Lord in truth. Never be then of those who doubt. The word of thy Lord does find its fulfilment in truth and in justice: None can change His words: for He is the one who heareth and knoweth all.” Quran 6:114-115 • “And certainly We have set forth for men every kind of example in this Quran; and if you should bring them a communication, those who disbelieve would certainly say: You are naught but false claimants.” Quran 30:58

“

Is Quran an exclusive source of Law?

Is Quran an exclusive source of Law?

“Hallowed is He who from on high, step by step, has bestowed upon His servant the Criterion by which to discern the true from the false, so that to all the world it might be a warning.”

(Quran 25:1)

• “We sent not an apostle, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of God.”

(Quran 4:64)

Does Quran allow democratic voice of the people?

• Yes !

•

“Whatever ye are given (here) is (but) a convenience of this life: but that which is with God is better and more lasting: (it is) for those who believe and put their trust in their Lord: Those who avoid the greater crimes and shameful deeds, and, when they are angry even then forgive; Those who hearken to their Lord, and establish regular Prayer; who (conduct) their affairs by mutual Consultation; who spend out of what We bestow on them for Sustenance.” (Quran 42:36-38)

Does Quran need revision or upgrade?

• No!

• “We have, without doubt, sent down this message(Quran); and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption)” (Quran 15:9)

• “And indeed it is a Book of exalted power. No falsehood can approach it from before or behind it: It is sent down by One Full of Wisdom, Worthy of all Praise” (Quran 41:41-42)

Does Quran need revision or upgrade?

• At the time of revelation, Quran was written on pieces of parchments, barks of trees and bones of animals

• Collected & and saved as one document by the first Caliph (Abbu Bakar) - 1 year after the death of Prophet

• Copies distributed throughout Muslim communities by third Caliph (Uthman) - 22 years after death of prophet

• Earliest copy on paper from 22 years after death of Prophet is still saved in Topkapi Museum in Turkey

• Historically no adulteration is proved in Quran to date

•

What are the Contemporary issues in Islam?

Blasphemy & Apostasy in Islam

•

Extreme preachers & Intolerance

• Muslims fighting in British Army

• Muslim women dress code

• Forced Marriage

• Gender segregation

• Four Marriage

• Shariah Laws

What are the causes of these issues?

1. Deliberate misinterpretation & misguidance of Quran for political power and economic gains by Extreme Muslims

2. Penetration of cultural & traditional practices of native lands into Quran & Religion on the grounds of ignorance

3. Promotion of hate towards Quran & Muslims by Extreme Non-Muslims and the media for their own selfish cause

How can we stop and reduce Home Grown Extremists in Britain?

• Availability of Historical Context on Quranic Period in the form of multimedia and text & modernistic views (libraries of schools, colleges, universities)

• Promote modernist scholars on media

• Interfaith activities and awareness in general public

• Clarify misconceptions about Islam

“

O ye who believe! When ye go abroad in the cause of God, investigate carefully, and say not to any one who offers you a salutation: "Thou art none of a believer!"

Coveting the perishable goods of this life: with God are profits and spoils abundant. You, too, were once in the same conditionbut God has been gracious unto you. Therefore carefully investigate. For God is well aware of all that ye do.” Quran 4:94