The author might be correct but the reality is unless muslims stand firm and fight and show firmly that islam is for peace, then only one can accept him. In the later part of the article the author coins his words very carefully to show the grievance of muslims taking chechanya, palestien etc. If he really were a broad minded muslim he would have opely codemened Kashmir where thousands of "Innocent", I repeat "Innocent" Hindus had deported, burnt alive, Hindu women raped. Not a word has been mentioned. Palestine could be a mulim cause but what about Kashmir? Its a integral part of India. Since he did not mention that(although being an indian) I phoo phoo his article as just another hipocracy.
RE:true !!!
by a2k on Sep 01, 2005 01:46 PM Permalink
Srinath,
I fully agree with you. The only difference is that Islam tells you to fight injustice, and injustice can be of personal, society, caste, state, country and religion level. The terrorists are the ones who take injustice (personal level) done upon them and use Islam to justify their act saying that it is injustice done at the Country/Religion Level.
Now if personal grudges are taken at a national/religion level Islam does not allow it. But injustice at the National Level/Religion Level, Islam tells you to fight for it.
For the Kashmiri pandit brothers, I would suggest to them that they do have the support of the central govt. and they should take the issue as a National Issue and fight for it. You need a diamond (will-power/intention) to cut a glass(terrorism)
RE:Yeah! Sure!
by sahmed on Sep 09, 2005 08:58 AM Permalink
Dear Srinath,
You wanted to know the context of the verses like these right ?
The context is simple, these kind of verses are not revealed of each and every who just doesn\\'t have belief. It means the unbelievers who carry the burden of tyranny/oppression/injustice with their unbelief or because of their unbelief. These are the people who tortured early muslim and Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) so much that he left his home town mecca to medina and these are the people who tried attack on the life of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) many a times, tried to stop muslims to peacefully preach and bring enlightment to the society. Thus compelling early muslim to be left no option except to fight them. I dont think anybody belonging to any faith look highly on people who doesnt havee courage to stand up for injustice oppression/injustice. They are unanimously called \\\"Cowards\\\". So these verses each to fight and slay/overthrow the cancer in the heart of society. This is scholarly interpretation of that verse based on the circumstances under which it was revealed. Now coming just the unbelievers, prophet mohammed(PBUH) showed phenomenal mercy, love, compassion to them. 100s of tradition
I did not know the Holy Quran has a verse: 'Slay the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, lie in wait for them with every stratagem.' (Quran 9:5)., although I read quite a lot on happenings in the Islamic world. If taken out of context (even if taken in context, I guess) this statement looks unambiguous.
Mr. Beg could not bring himself to condemn violence unequivocally in what would otherwise have been a nice article on outright condemnation of violence on innocents. The title 'Islam does not sanction violence' should have dwelt just on that. Citing the issues of injustice to Muslims in the same article shows Mr. Beg has succumbed to the 'root cause' effect that he so elaborately mentions. All this 'root cause' thing could have come in a different article.
RE:Islam and Violence
by a muslim on Sep 01, 2005 11:55 AM Permalink
'Slay the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, lie in wait for them with every stratagem.' (Quran 9:5)., is followed by :
" If one amongst the Pagans ask thee for asylum, grant it to him, so that he may hear the word of Allah; and then escort him to where he can be secure. That is because they are men without knowledge. " (Quran 9:6)..
i hope this makes it all the more unambigous... Quran exhorts people to fight only when they r faced by an aggressor. Otherwise, it asks forgiveness and love to be showered on all.
tell me one context where it makes sense
by srinath on Sep 02, 2005 03:26 PM Permalink
Mr Beig, Tell me in what context the following statement would suite/justfied.
"Slay the non-beleivers wherever you find them, seize them, beleaguer them, lie in wait for them with every stratagem."
I may not be a Muslim, but whatever little understanding of Islam I have only makes me believe that the terrorists are not Muslims. The moment they arm themselves for an act of terror they lose their right to call themselves Muslims or speak on behalf of Islam.
