1. Basic Principles: What is Islam? (Part 3)
by Wassim Dannawi, New South Wales.
Man, a free agent
Man is the highest creation of Allah (God) and he has free will to make his own decisions. Allah (God) has shown him the right path, and the life of Prophet Muhammad provides a perfect example for achieving success and salvation. Islam stands for the sanctity of human personality, and confers equal rights on all without distinction of race, nationality or sex. The law of Allah (God) as set down in the Qur'an and exemplified in the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is supreme in all cases. It applies equally to the prince and the pauper, the ruler and the ruled, the student and the scholar.
Man's accountability to Allah (God)
Man's life is not limited to the short span of earthly existence. On the day of judgement the entire human race will be resurrected; everyone will appear before the Almighty Creator, and face the consequences of his deed, in this life. Thus, life in the Hereafter is a continuation of the earthly life. Belief in man's accountability to Allah (God) gives a sense and meaning to life, and differentiates human beings from animals and inanimate objects. It serves as a reminder against crime, corruption, immorality, and injustice.
Human Rights
Islam protects all noble values and human rights. Freedom, equality, justice, and the right to life, liberty, and security of person, are all of prime concern in Islamic law.
"Whosoever kills a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind..." Qur'an 5:32.
Islam places great emphasis on social justice. It opposes all those who exploit, oppress and deal unjustly with people.
" O ye who believe: Be steadfast witnesses for Allah in equity and let not hatred of any people seduce you that you deal not justly. Be just; that is nearer to piety". Qur'an 5:8.
Science and technology
Islam encourages the use of science and the scientific method. The acquisition of knowledge is obligatory on every Muslim, male and female. In Islam, science and technology should be used for moral ends and serve all legitimate needs of mankind. Moreover, both are viewed as yet another means to understand and see the power and glory of Allah (God).
"He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth." Qur'an 2:29.
"It is your Lord, the Most Bounteous, Who taught by the pen, taught man that which he knew not.." Qur'an 96:2- 5.
"We shall show them our Signs on the horizons and within themselves until it will be manifest unto them that it is the Truth..." Qur'an 41:53.
Islam: The cure for modern ailments
Racism is a major problem in many materially advanced countries. Prejudice and discrimination against racial groups is a common phenomenon, even today. For 1400 years Islam has shown in practice how racism can be ended. The Islamic social scene, particularly during the Hajj, is a unique example of the brotherhood of men, of all races, and nation’s under One God. Similarly, the family, the basic unit of civilization, has also become something of a problem in the West. It is invisible decay. However, the family system of Islam brings the rights of the husband, wife, children, and relatives into a fine equilibrium. Islam nourishes generosity in the family, and holds it together under the clear Qur'anic laws and teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Some misconceptions about Islam
It is unfortunate that some teachings of Islam have been distorted and misrepresented in the West, and the communist world. The main distortions relate to the status of women, marriage and divorce, jihad or the so-called ‘holy war’, the authenticity of the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the distinction between the Qur'an and the Hadith. The accurate teachings of Islam, on these matters, can be obtained only from authentic Islamic writings. Inshallah (God willing) we will try and cover those subjects in the future magazines to come.
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2. Misconceptions about Islam: Polygamy in Islam?
Contributed by Sister Shifa Mustapha, Queensland.
Polygamy in Islam?
We hear so often that Islam allows polygamy - in fact it does not! Polygamy, being the practice of having two or more wives or husbands at the same time, is not acceptable in Islam. However, Islam does accept a conditional and limited form of polygyny - the practice of having two or more wives at the same time. Therefore, those critical of Islam often find polygyny a very useful tool in their undermining of this religion of God. "Islam does not give equal rights" say they. "Islam does not uphold women or their position" is oft proclaimed solely on the basis of this one Islamic ruling…. but are they right? Have they really studied this issue?
Polygyny pre-Islam
Those of us who understand Christianity or Judaism are well aware that within their Books (Bible/Torah) is proof of polygyny being practiced by men of God over the centuries. King Solomon is said to have had many wives and concubines - hundreds in fact (Kings 9:16), and his son had eighteen wives and sixty concubines (2Chron.11:21). It did not stop here and in fact even up until the time of Paul it is noted that more than one wife was part of the way of life against which Jesus said nothing. He did not prohibit it, neither did he uphold it. Paul himself did not attempt to abolish this practice among men, as such, but he did limit those who had positions of responsibility within the infant church to be the husband "of only one wife" (1 Tim.3:12). That this did not apply to other than church leaders may be noted in the fact that it was not a matter of consideration during early church councils. St. Augustine is reported to have stated openly that he did not condemn it and Martin Luther did not speak against it, rather accepting, some say approving, of Philip of Hesse’s polygyny. Polygyny within Christianity has been noted well into the seventeenth century, and in fact there are still those who recognize that this has never, biblically, been condemned.
Regarding Judaism: While the State of Israel today requires the practice of monogamy, it is well noted that religious law does not require it. According to Talmud it is acceptable to have more than one wife, although some have stated that it is wise to stay to the number of the wives of Jacob, this being four.
Notably monogamy as such is said to have evolved from the Greco-Roman culture which practised a form of monogamy. The majority of the populace were slaves, freely used by those who chose to do so, thus to marry only one wife did not restrict men’s appetites or actions. Thus, this form of monogamy was, in fact, unrestricted polygamy.
The Islamic concept of polygyny
Needless to say pagan Arabia, as also many other non-Judaic, non-Christian nations, practised polygyny without limits. There was no restriction upon men. Therefore, the harem pictured so often with lascivious rulers and enslaved women, which many mistakenly associate with Islam, is in truth more to do with the times of ignorance which preceded it. Sadly though, because of abandonment of the ways of Allah it has been seen here and there throughout the history of those who call themselves Muslim, thus perpetuating false perceptions.
It is clearly stated in the Qur’an: "If ye fear ye may not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two, three or four, but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly, then only one…" Surah An Nisa (4):3.
Thinking people will wonder why there should be reference to "orphans". In fact it is important to know that this verse of the Qur’an was revealed just after the battle of Uhud when a large number of Muslim men had been slain and the community now had many orphans and widows. What was to happen to the unprotected women? Were they to be placed forever in the situation of poverty and lack of male protection? Praise be to Allah Who gave clear indication of how this social imbalance was to be cured. Once again woman’s position was one of paramount importance and her future honour and status were to be protected, her needs met.
If one thinks that this was a time of festivity for the male members of the Muslim community, one must remember that it was a time of hardship. To take on the extra responsibilities, even if the women were of their own choosing, meant a greater work load to provide for these extra family members who have so many rights over them. Not only was that but there an emotional factor here also. Could a man provide for extra women in such a way that all their physical needs be met as well as maintaining the wife he already had in exactly the same way as before? Clearly this is what is meant by the proviso, "but if you fear that you will not be able to deal justly, then only one." Allah is not unjust! He does not expect more than one can give.
Polygyny in this age?
Is there a place for the practice of polygyny in this era? Generally-speaking Muslim men rarely have more than one wife, especially is this seen in the West. However, there are cases where a wife is unable to physically meet the needs of her husband, or perhaps she has been unable to provide children, and she requests him to take another wife. It is usually the wife who makes this request of the husband, and this is noted in many of the marriage contracts today whereby it is stated that the husband will not marry another unless his wife agrees to it or requests it - also providing that the man is capable and wealthy enough to manage this way of life.
Polygyny for the West and Beyond?
Importantly in this twenty-first century era of Western freedom, when morals are not required and may be frowned upon, women still wish to be married, to fulfill their created roles. They may not proclaim it, and may continue to accept lifestyles far from that for which their natures yearn. Alas the fairy tale is not for them! A tragic indictment upon this era.
However, we should look at the world as a whole today. We have to note the wars claiming so many lives; the moral decline in which homosexuality places further burden on the male/female role in society; divorce; earlier male deaths compared to those of female; the large ratio of female to male births recorded, and as well, during this last week it has been announced that male fertility has dropped to 50% in Western countries (it was stated that should this refer to an animal species it would be considered endangered, all of which tells us that there is a tremendous burden upon society. Even if female to male fertility rates were to continue to rise, without all the other variables, then perhaps one would see the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy "And in that day seven women shall take hold of one man, saying, We will eat our own bread, and wear our own apparel: only let us be called by thy name to take away our reproach".
Does monogamy yet have a chance to turn the tide against all these odds? One has to question whether it Is truly practised in the first place? Sexual promiscuity, the high number of illegitimate births, the high numbers of deaths due to AIDS, not to mention the mental and emotional morass which seems to have swept Western nations bespeaks of failure at this stage.
Perhaps in time it may be realized that Allah Who created us and chose polygyny, though restricted, to protect women’s virtue and to provide for her needs; to alleviate the problems of social order, has given an answer for the situation of all mankind in times of necessity.
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3. The Voice of New Muslims
Contributed by Sister Nasirah Cavaney, Victoria.
From ‘considering Islam’ to embracing Islam as our way of life.
I never imagined that learning about Islam would change my life so profoundly.
Two years ago I took my Shahada (declaration of faith) and joined a community of over 1 billion people united in their worship and belief of the one and only God.
These people come from many different ethnic groups, yet I now call them sister and brother; my life has an inner peace which I can truly say I had never experienced before Islam.
013.028. Those who believe (in the Oneness of God - Monotheism), and whose hearts find rest in the remembrance of Allah. Verily, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.
The process of learning about Islam took many long hours of study, reflection and prayer. When I started to study Islam, I did so with the thought that I would be able to quickly and critically dismiss it as a religion filled with falsehood. My only goal was to gain an insight into another religion, but to my surprise it truly made sense to me. I had to confess that I truly believed Islam was the true religion of God - but, I feared the consequences. I realized that my decision to choose Islam would not only affect my life, but that of my entire family. Many Muslim reverts (converts) share that same concern; they worry about their family’s response to their newly chosen faith. In Islam; we are taught to respect and show kindness to our parents, no matter what religion our parents follow, that family is important.
017.023. Thy Lord hath decreed that ye worship none but Him, and that ye be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in thy life, say not to them a word of contempt, nor repel them, but address them in terms of honour.
Parents of new Muslims sometimes feel that their child will lose their ethnic identity, and that their child will somehow become Arab! Almost one in five people in the world are Muslim, from all the continents on earth, who share the same faith, but come from many different races.
"(The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca) was an exhilarating experience to see people belonging to different colours, races and nationalities, kings, heads of states and ordinary men from very poor countries all clad in two simple white sheets praying to God without any sense of either pride or inferiority. It was a practical manifestation of the concept of equally in Islam." Muhammad Ali
It is true that Arabic language is important to Muslims. The Qur’an, Allah’s (God’s) last message for mankind, was revealed in Arabic. Therefore, by learning the Arabic language, we gain a better understanding of Allah’s (God’s) message. It does not however mean that Arabs are superior to non-Arabs in the religion of Islam.
049.013. O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things).
By embracing Islam, we have not sold out our heritage; we have just acquired a slightly different way of life. No culture is completely un-Islamic, so there is no need for any convert to completely disregard the culture they were brought up in. However some aspects of their lifestyle may change, this is to keep the commands that Allah (God) has given to us in the Glorious Qur’an. For example, Muslims are told to stay clear of social activities that revolve around the consumption of alcohol, and we are also prevented from gambling. Sharing time with family is very much encouraged and allowed. By embracing Islam, we have not rejected our parents or our heritage; we have just chosen a slightly different path to take.
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4. The Prophet of Mercy
Contributed By Salifu Baba, Victoria.
For thirteen years in his birth place of Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad, (peace be upon him) called people to the worship of the One True God and to do good and renounce all that was false. However, the powers at the time, with interests to protect, remained implacably hostile and made life intolerable for those who had submitted to the truth of Islam.
In constant search for fertile soil to plant the message of truth, the noble Prophet eventually migrated - not fled – north wards to Yathrib. The green oasis became known as the Madinah, or the City of the Prophet, and was to become the territorial base from which he won the hearts of multitudes, and consolidated Islam's place in the landscape of the peninsula.
The leaders of Makkah, and a large part of its citizenry, remained stubbornly hostile and sought - through wars, siege and alliances - to destabilize the fledgling community. The Prophet, (peace be upon him) who desired security and peace for people, negotiated a truce with the pagan Makkans, the terms of which many of his followers were deeply unhappy. This was in the fifth year after the hijrah or migration to Madinah.
This truce turned out to be beneficial to the whole peninsula, but the Makkans eventually broke it by mounting a bloody aggression against an ally of the state of Medinah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) could not overlook this breach, and in the eighth year after the hijrah, he mobilized an impressive force and moved on Makkah. Ten thousand converged on the city, reaching there in the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting. The Quraysh realized that there was no hope of resisting, let alone of defeating, the Muslim forces. What was to be their fate, they who had harried and persecuted the believers, tortured and boycotted them, driven them out of their hearths and homes, stirred up others against them, made war on them, and killed many?
They were now completely at the mercy of the Prophet.
Revenge was easy. He could have laid in wait on the city and wiped out its inhabitants. But revenge was not his object. He did not lead his confident army into Makkah like a tyrant, full of arrogance, forgetting the Almighty, the Cause of all causes, and intoxicated with self-conceit. No, far from it. In the words of an early biographer, he entered with great humility and gratitude, prostrating himself repeatedly on the back of the camel he was riding, before the One God, thankful to Him for all He had provided, declaring an all-embracing amnesty and peace, in place of any thought of avenging past material or mental afflictions, and in fact demonstrating what God wills of Godly men: "... enter the gate prostrating and say 'Amnesty'." (The Qur’an, 2:58; 7:160).
He ordered Bilal, the Ethiopian, to go on the rooftop of the Ka'bah to call the adhan. The noble Prophet led the congregational prayer and then addressed the assembled citizens in the compound around the Ka'bah. He reminded them of what they had done to him and the Muslims, and said, "The arrogance and racial pride of the heathen days has been wiped out by God today. All human beings descended from Adam, and Adam was made of clay."
He recited the following verse of the Qur’an:
"0 human beings! We have indeed created you of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another. Surely the most honorable of you with God is the one among you who is most deeply conscious of Him. Surely, God is All Knowing, Aware. (The Qur’an, 49:13)
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5. Shaykh Khalid Yasin - Lectures in Perth, Melbourne & Sydney
ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DYNAMIC SPEAKERS
Shaykh Khalid Yasin
Lectures in Perth:
TOPIC: “The Purpose of Life”
What Is The Purpose of Life? Why are we here and where are we going? Through the verses of the Glorious Qur’an, Shaykh Khalid Yasin expounds upon the creation of the universe and this amazing world we live in - and how it came to be. With his logical style of argument, the Shaykh answers these questions with much wisdom.
DATE: Friday, 18 June 2004
TIME: 7:30 pm
TOPIC: “What do you really know About ISLAM??”
The media tends to portray the religion of Islam according to the actions of a handful of so-called 'Muslims', and therefore unfairly labelling the whole religion negatively. Shaykh Khalid Yasin gives the viewer an insight into the beliefs and pillars of Islam, through which one sees that Islam is innocent from such claims. This lecture is especially useful for non-Muslims who wish to gain the proper knowledge about the religion of Islam.
DATE: Saturday, 19 June 2004
TIME: 7:30 pm
VENUE: Same venue for both lectures
'Haydn Williams Lecture Theatre'
North Entrance, Dumas Road (Off Hayman Road)
Curtin University, Bentley.
For more information, please email info@islam-australia.net or call 08-93614292.
Lecture in Melbourne:
‘Muhammad, The Man & His Message’peace and blessings be upon him
Date: Wednesday June 23rd
Venue: Preston Town Hall
Cnr of Gower St, and High St, Preston (Melways Ref: 18 G12)
Time: 7.30pm
For more info. please contact:
Online: www.iisca.org
Email: info@iisca.org
Tel: (03) 93877100
Fax: (03) 93877200
