3rd June 2007

Spencer blogs the qur’an

posted in Islam |

Robert Spencer, writer over at Jihad Watch and a leading expert and critic of Islamic jihadists, has started to blog the qur’an each Sunday as a way to explain it and the meanings therein to us good old infidels. It’s enlightening reading. He will be posting them weekly over at Hot Air. I’ll try to remember each week to link to them from here. You can see the 1st week’s installment here.

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  1. 1 On June 6th, 2007, Jane Abraham said:

    The religion of Islam is misunderstood in the western worldor even in Islamic world. The Muslims images in the west are stereotyped with terrorism and backwardness. Interpreting, analyzing and understanding the last sermon of the Prophet Muhammad would correct the misunderstanding and introduce the religion of Islam with its valuable values and principles to the non Muslims. The values mentioned in the last sermon of the Prophet, if applied, would be a public and private policy. A way of life, every one would enjoy and live in peace with each others regardless their different backgrounds, colors or ethnicity’s.

    Universality of the Speech

    The Prophet directed his Speech to all humankind. He used the term “O People” seven times. He used the terminology “O Men” once. In the farewell address, the Prophet did not use the terminology “O Muslims” or “O Believer). The prophet intention was to address all people regardless their religions, colors or times (his time or any time after him until the day of Judgement). The Prophet’s message was and still is to every person every where in the world

    In Surah Saba’ in the Qur’an Allah Says:

    “We have not sent you but as a universal (Messenger) to mankind, giving them glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most understand not.” (34:28)
    After praising and thanking Allah the Prophet began with the words:

    “O People! Lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore, listen carefully to what I am saying and take these words to those who could not be present here today.”

    At the beginning of the address, the prophet asked the people to pay close attention to what he was about to say. He demanded that his message to be delivered to all mankind, to be transformed and transported from place to place and from generation to generation. The task of doing that was laid upon the shoulder of those who were listening to him to deliver his message to all mankinds.(Sakr, 1998, p. 35) Did they deliver his message as he requested? The number of Muslims around the globe would answer this question. There are over 1.2 billions Muslims.

    One of the main businesses of the people at the time of the prophet was commerce and trade. The Muslims Merchants as they traveled from land to land, they delivered the message of Islam as they were dealing with people every where they been to.

    “O People! Just as you regard this month, this day, this city as sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that he will indeed reckon your deeds.”

    The prophet gave examples with matters that the people at the gathering knew very well. Every one knew how sacred “this month” Zul Hijja, “this day” day of Arafa, “this city” city of Makkah. Therefore, the life and property of people are sacred too.

    Sanctity of life has been declared by Allah in the Quran. People are to be protected and their lives are to be preserved. People have to be dignified, respected and honored. Their properties are to be protected and saved. The sanctity of life is to remain well preserved until the day of judgement. (Sakr, 1998, p.22)

    “Allah has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital is yours to keep .You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequality. Allah has judged that there shall be no interest and that all interest due to Abbas Ibn ‘Aal-Muttalib be waived.”

    The concept of economic exploitation is totally prohibited in Islam. Since Usury is a form of economic monopoly and exploitation in a capitalistic system, the rich will undoubtedly become richer, while the poor will automatically become poorer. The Prophet in his final and last sermon abolished all type of economic exploitations. Usury was declared to be prohibited and people are not to deal with, even if they have had agreement or a contract with someone. (Sakr,1998, p.

    23) Nobody above the law, the uncle of the prophet “Abbas Ebn Abdul Motalb” who was around the same age of the prophet and both grew up together was to wave the usury that he was to receive like anybody else. There was no difference between relatives and non-relatives.

    The Qur’an states emphatically that usury is totally unlawful. Islam abolished all types of economic exploitations. In Surah Al- Baqarah (The Cow) verse number 275, the following is stated: Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the evil one by his touch hath driven to madness. That is because they say: “Trade is like usury” but God hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their lord, desist, shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge) but those whereat (the offence) are companions of the fire: They will abide therein (forever).
    At the same Surah, verse number 276, The Qura’n stated: God will deprive usury of the blessing, but will give increase for deeds of charity: For he loveth not creatures ungrateful and wicked.
    A strict judgement from God on the usury issue came loud and clear in the following two verses at the same surah:

    278. O ye who believe! Fear God, and give up what remains of your demand for usury, if ye are indeed believers.

    279. If ye do not, take notice of war from God and His Apostle: But if ye turn back, Ye shall have your capital sums: deal not unjustly, And ye shall not be delt with unjustly. (Sakr,1998, p. 24, 25)
    “Every right arising out of homicide in pre-Islamic days is henceforth waived and the first such right that I waive is that arising from the murder of Rabiah ibni al-Harithiah.”

    At the above statement, the Prophet declared the Termination of Pagan Society. The laws ruled by the Pagan society were over; and they were terminated, abolished and replaced by the devine rules of Allah. Again, there was no exception, even when it comes to one of his relative.

    “O men! the unbelievers indulge in tampering with the calendar in order to make permissible that which Allah forbade, and to prohibit what Allah has made permissible. With Allah, the months are twelve in number. Four of them are holy, there are successive and one occurs singly between the months of Jumada and Shaban.”

    The number of the months in the book of Allah is twelve since He created the universe. These months are solar or lunar. Both of which are of great importance to human beings: to calculate the number of years, to make use of arthmatics and many more are the benefits of the calendars.

    In surah Al-Tawbah (Repentance), Allah says:
    “The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year)- So ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth…” (9:35)

    Allah decided that there are four months in the year that are sacred. These months are Zul Qidah, Zul hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. Muslims are to observe their sacredness; no one has the right to change them or to temper with the calendar. (Sakr,1998, p.p. 30,31)

    “Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will be able to lead you astray in big things so beware of following him in small things.”

    The prophet instructed the humankind to worship Allah, to obey Him and to follow His Rules and regulations. He informed them that Satan lost hope in making people to worship him, but he did not lose hope in diverting them from practicing the teachings of Islam. He will create animosity among people, and he will be able to divert their attention from the straight path. The Prophet warned humankind from falling into the path of Satan. (Sakr,1998, p. 26)

    “O People it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women but they also have rights over you. Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under Allah’s trust and with His permission. If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness. Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers. And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well never to be unchaste.”

    The best declaration for women’s rights is spelled out in the farewell speech of the prophet. He demanded that husbands should treat their wives with kindness and gentleness. Men are to know that their women are their partners. Islam recognizes the duties and responsibilities of both partners and, hence, emphasizes that man is the HEAD, while the woman is the HEART of the family. Both are needed and both are complementary to one another. The rights and duties of each spouse toward the other were declared and explained. (Sakr,1998, p. 26)

    “O People! listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Haj if you can afford it.”

    The prophet asking the people to listen to him in a very serious mental state about the five pillars of Islam:
    1. Witnessing that there is no God except Allah (the Arabic word for The God)
    Witnessing that Muhammad is God’s Messenger
    2. Performing the five prayers a day
    3. Fasting the month of Ramadan
    4. Giving ZAKAT (giving percentage of one’s wealth to the poor)
    5. Performing Haj to Makkah, once in a lifetime if it can be afforded.

    “All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a White has no superiority over a Black nor a Black has any superiority over a White except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly.”

    The message of the Prophet that he delivered included a very important concept, i.e., equality of mankind.

    People are equal in the sight of Allah and in front of the law. They were born from Adam and Eve. Both of these parents, and all of us are made of dust – no one is better than the other.

    The concept of equality is based on justice: All are equal and no one can claim that he is more pious or even more righteous than the other except through piety and righteousness. (Sakr,1998, p. 19)

    “Do not therefore do injustice to yourselves. Remember one day you will meet Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not astray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.”

    Islam prohibited transgressions at all levels. Justice is the name of the game. Whoever commits injustice and transgresses his limits, the penalty will fall upon him. Allah does not like those who commit injustice, and those who are transgressors. The prophet asked people to stick to the right path at all times. (Sakr,1998, p. 23)

    “O People! No Prophet or apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore O People! and understand words that I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.”

    The prophet declared that neither new religion nor a prophet would come after him. Muslims are to be united only if they take the Qur’an of Allah and the sunnah of the Prophet (the Prophet’s Sayings, Deeds and Actions) as their standards for their life activities. They will be guided by Allah; they will stay on the straight path. Allah demanded from the Muslims to obey him and to obey His Prophet. In surah Al-Imran (The family of Imran) Allah says: “And obey Allah and the Apostle; that you may obtain mercy.” While in Surah Al- Nisa (The Women), the Qura’n states the following: “He who obeys the Apostle, obeys Allah…”

    “All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly.”

    The prophet made the attended people responsible about transforming his wards to others where they are (place to place), and whenever they will be (generation to generation). The Prophet acknowledge that whoever would receive his wards in a later time, might be more knowledgeable and understanding of the meaning of his wards more than who listen to him directly.

    “O Allah, be my witness, that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

    As part of this sermon, the prophet recited to them a revelation from Allah, which he had just received, and which completed the Quran, for it was the last passage to be revealed:

    “This day the disbeliever’s despair of prevailing against your religion, so fear them not, but fear Me (Allah)! This day have I perfected for you, your religion and fulfilled My favor unto you, and it hath been My good pleasure to choose Islam for you as your religion.” (Surah 5, Ayah 3)

    The sermon was repeated sentence by sentence by Safwan’s brother Rabiah (RA), who had powerful voice, at the request of the Prophet and he faithfully, proclaimed to over ten thousand gathered on the occasion. Towards the end of his sermon, the Prophet asked

    “O people, have I faithfully delivered unto you my message?” A powerful murmur of assents “O Allah! yes!” arose from thousands of pilgrims and the vibrant words “Allahumma Na’m,” rolled like thunder throughout the valley. The Prophet raised his forefinger and said: “O Allah bear witness that I have conveyed your message to your people.”

    Conclusion

    The farewell address of Prophet Muhammad was indeed addressed to all humankind at all times and for all generations. It encompasses many aspects of life (general and specific). He laid down the foundation of morality, chastity, modesty, justice, equality, brotherhood, and accountability. He abolished economic exploitation, human enenslavement, paganism, transgression and all systems that contradict with the system of Allah.
    He demanded that the congregating Muslims should deliver his message to all humankind. Accordingly, they did deliver the message. The final Address of the Prophet should be taught in schools and its universal values and principles are to be followed by all segments of the society. These values and principles made sense when they were first delivered. They are making sense now. All people are in need to them every where. They will make sense forever until the day of judgement, because the original source of these values and principles came from GOD the CREATOR of the universe.

  2. 2 On June 6th, 2007, Logan said:

    Jane I want to thank you for the long cut and paste, I’ll make sure to read it in it’s entirety, however I’d really appreciate the link from where you got it all.

  3. 3 On June 6th, 2007, Jane Abraham said:

    Sorry, there are lot more we have to learn about Islam. We have to imagine how the society 1427 years ago. Europe was still Dark Ages and the true followers of Jesus are being slaughter and and feed for the Lion by the Roman. The Roman hijack some of the teaching of Jesus and Roman Catholic in power and terrorised the world killing millions of innocient people.

    What is your comment on the Last Sermon ( Kutbah Widaa) by Muhammad does that reflect his love for mankind or a terrorist?

    Kindly visit;

    http://www.zohery.com/prophetmuhammad/
    http://islamtomorrow.com/yusuf/

  4. 4 On June 6th, 2007, Logan said:

    First let me state that comparisons of Islam today to christianity during the crusades are straw men arguments. Islam has had 700 years to outgrow barbaric attitudes and yet has not seen fit to do so. I am not a fan of any organized religion. Period. My feelings are that the more virulent passages of Mohammed are the ones being listened to most avidly by Islamics. Please remember I don’t pose myself as an expert on Islam or the Qur’an I simply posted information from Robert Spence, whom many believe is an expert. I’m also an avid read of Dr. Daniel Pipes, another well known expert. I will check your links out in the morning and tomorrow night/Friday give you a better response. I will leave you with this question. Does the actions of Islamic terrorist and the passiveness of the “moderate muslims” towards their actions do justice to a Mohammed and Allah that was kind towards non-muslims or does it lend to Mohammed the warrior who said that they should show no mercy to the Jews and that not even the trees would shade them in the endtimes? Please feel free to start a topic in our forums (look for the tab at the top of the page for info) and we can have an easier conversation about all this. -Logan

  5. 5 On June 8th, 2007, Jane Abraham said:

    Dear Logan,

    Have you read books on Islam written by Karren Armstrong. If you haven’t, get and read those books.

    What Robert Spencer and Daniel Pipes wrote just reflect a small percentage of so called Muslim in war with the aggression of America and Britian in Muslim countries ie Iraq, Afganistan, Somalia etc. Those small percentage can’t represent more than 1.5 Billion peaceful muslim worldwide. What will you do if your own family, your father and mother being murdered by American forces?

    You must have read the OT especilly the Exodus, what happened to the Israelites even after 430 years in bondage, saved by Moses but God wiped out so call His Chosen People after they prayed to the golden calf instead of the Almighty God? What happened to the people of Sodom when they disobey Almighty God and what happened to the people of Noah when they disobey Almighty God? What happened to Adam and Eve after they disobey God’s instruction. The same will happened to the Jews or to the so call Muslim or Christian if they pray to Jesus instead of Almighty God.

    How would God bestow His guidance upon people who have resolved to deny the truth after having attained to faith, and having borne witness that this Apostle is true, and [after] all evidence of the truth has come unto them? [69] For, God does not guide such evildoing folk.
    3.86 Al-Imran (The Family of Imran)

    O APOSTLE! Announce all that has been bestowed from on high upon thee by thy Sustainer: for unless thou doest it fully, thou wilt not have delivered His message [at all]. And God will protect thee from [unbelieving] men: behold, God does not guide people who refuse to acknowledge the truth.
    5:67 Al-Ma’idah

  6. 6 On June 8th, 2007, Logan said:

    See you call it a “so called war” when it’s been declared a war by many on the Islamic side. It’s not a war started by America, in fact if anything America has bent over for the Islamic nations in all things except the destruction of Israel, and the prophet you speak of couldn’t want the destruction of an entire country? Afghanistan? You bring up Afhganistan? Who aided the muslims to free them from Soviet occupation? Then when the Soviets left started installing a government of oppression, religious persecution, and Theocratic rule of a few all the while supplying the drug trade? The Taliban. If anything Muslims should be thanking America for knocking the Taliban out of power. You use the name Jane, so I’m going to presume your female. As a female you should understand that what Sharia law means. What nations like Iran, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabi, Syria due to women. It’s not what your prophet spoke off. Mohammed’s last speech did seem to be a divergence from his earlier warlord style of speaking, however Islam as an ideology or religion is much more focused on earlier speeches by him rather then his last one. The issue seems to be this among Islam “do they follow the Warlord Mohammed or the man who seemed to have gotten more gentle in his old age?” We won’t even go into his pedophilia at this point. As a woman though, how do you justify Islam as a peaceful nation with their treatment towards women under Sharia law?

  7. 7 On June 9th, 2007, Jane Abraham said:

    Dear Logan

    Shariah laws are far better for women compare to what written in OT and NT to women. What right given by Christianity to women? NONE

    The Quran dedicated a couple of verses to Women, Virgin Mary and the family of Mary but not the bible

    Luke 49:53
    I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! Do you think I came to bring peace on earth?
    No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. They will be
    divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

    Logan. are you sure you are a “born again ” Christian? Do you follow the teachings of Jesus or teachings of Paul, the murderer?

  8. 8 On June 9th, 2007, Logan said:

    Jane my response will be here http://forums.freedomofphiladelphia.com/forums/

    in the war against global jihadism forum. Membership is free and I should have it set up so you can even post anonymously.

  9. 9 On August 10th, 2007, Maj said:

    Just come across this. Thanks for the links to the websites above Jane.

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