Contents
Islam 101
Qur'an and Hadith
Links to Articles and Organizations
Islam 101
For more than fourteen centuries, Islam
has grown and spread from the seventh-century Arabia of the Prophet
Muhammad to a world religion whose followers may be found across the
globe. It spawned and informed Islamic empires and states as well
as a great world civilization that stretched from North Africa to
Southeast Asia. In the process, a great monotheistic tradition, sharing
common roots with Judaism and Christianity, has guided and transformed
the lives of millions of believers down through the ages. Characterized
by an uncompromising belief in the one, true God ‚ His revelation
and Prophet ‚ Islam developed a spiritual path whose law, ethics,
theology, and mysticism have made it one of the fastest growing religions
both in the past and today. Media images of Islam have often obscured
the fact that Muslims, Jews and Christians share much in common. They
are indeed all children of Abraham. Like Jews and Christians, Muslims
worship the God of Abraham and Moses, believe in Godís revelation
and prophets and place a strong emphasis on moral responsibility and
accountability. The vast majority of Muslims, like most members of
other religious traditions, are pious, hardworking women and men,
family and community oriented, who wish to live in peace and harmony
rather than in warfare.
For Muslims throughout the centuries, the message of the Qur'an (the
Muslim holy book) and the example of the Prophet Muhammad have constituted
the formative and enduring foundation of faith and belief. They have
served as the basic sources of Islamic law and the reference points
for daily life. Muslims today, as in the past, continue to affirm
that the Qur'an is the literal word of God, the Creatorís immutable
guidance for an otherwise transient world. This significance of this
transhistorical belief is rooted in the conviction that the Qur'an
and the Prophet provide eternal principles and norms upon which Muslims
life, both individual and collective, is to be patterned. The challenge
for each generation of believers has been the continued formulation,
appropriation, and implementation of Islam in history. Islamic history
and civilization provide the record of that struggle to interpret
and to follow its path.
Islam in the last decade of the twentieth century had ceased to be
solely of interest to those who are concerned with ìforeignî religions
or cultures. As we are slowly realizing, Islam is truly a world religion,
increasingly visible in Europe and the United States as well as Asia
Africa, and the Middle East. Muslims are very much part of the mosaic
of Western societies, no longer foreign visitors but fellow citizens
and colleagues. Thus, to understand the world in which we live, requires
a knowledge of Islam as a prerequisite for an appreciation of our
theologically interconnected and historically intertwined Judeo-Christian-Islamic
heritage.
Source: Esposito, John L. Islam the Straight Path. (Oxford: Oxford
University Press, 1992).
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Qur'an and Hadith
The Qur'an is the Holy book of Muslims,
believed by them to be the direct revelation of God (Allah) to Muhammad
(peace be upon him). Muslims also recognize as other sources of authority
the hadith--stories related by others about the Prophet's words and
deeds--and the Bible and the Torah.
Prohibitions
on Terrorism, and Exhortations to Living with Mercy, Compassion and
Patience in the Qur'an
Whosoever kills an innocent human being, it shall be
as if he has killed all mankind, and whosoever saves the life of one,
it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind. (5:32)
Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and in the race
for a garden wide as the heavens and the earth, prepared for the righteous-
(the righteous are) those who spend whether in prosperity or adversity,
who restrain anger and who pardon all people. For God loves those
who do good. (3:133 –134)
Invite all to the way of your God with wisdom and beautiful preaching.
And argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious. For your
God knows best who have strayed from his path and who receive guidance.
And if you do respond to an attack, respond no worse than they did.
But if you show patience, that is indeed the best course. Be patient-
for your patience is from God . . . Indeed, God is with those who
restrain themselves and those who do good. (16:125-128)
O You who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God,
even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether
it be against rich or poor, for God can best protect both. Follow
not the cravings of your hearts, lest you swerve, and if you distort
justice or decline to do justice, verily God is well acquainted with
all that you do. (4:135)
To those who persevere in doing good is a reward more than in measure.
No darkness nor shame shall cover their faces. They are companions
of the garden where they will live forever. But those who have earned
evil will have a reward like evil. Humiliation will cover their faces.
They will have no defender from God. (10:26-27)
The recompense for an injury is an injury equal thereto (in degree),
but if a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due
from God, for God does not love those who do wrong. But indeed if
any do help and defend themselves after a wrong done to them, against
such there is no cause of blame. The blame is only against those who
oppress men with wrongdoing and insolently transgress beyond bounds
through the land, defying right and justice, for such there will be
a penalty grievous. (42:40-43)
Relations
between Communities of Faith in the Qur'an
(NOTE: the term “People of the Book” is used in the Qur'an
to refer to Jews and Christians, among others who have received scriptures
which contain divine guidance.)
Not your desires, nor those of the People of the Book (Jews and Christians)
can prevail- whoever works evil will be requited accordingly, nor
will he find, besides God, any protector or helper. And if any do
deeds of righteousness, be they male or female, they will enter heaven,
and not the least injustice will be done to them.
Who can be better in religion than one who submits his whole self
to God, does good, and follows the way of Abraham the true in faith?
For God did take Abraham as a friend. And to God belong all things
in the heavens and the earth. And it is he that encompasses all things.
(4:122-126)
It was we who revealed the Law of Moses, and therein was guidance
and light. By its standard have been judged the Jews, the Prophets
who bowed to God’s will, the Rabbis, and the doctors of law.
And they were witnesses thereto…We ordained for them ‘life
for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, tooth for tooth, and wounds
equal for equal.’ But if anyone remits the retaliation by way
of charity it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail
to judge by the light of what God hath revealed, they are wrongdoers.
And in their footsteps we sent Jesus, the son of Mary, confirming
the law that had come before him. We sent him the Gospel, therein
was guidance and light and confirmation of the law- a guidance and
an admonition to those who fear God. Let the people of the Gospel
judge by what God has revealed therein. If any fail to judge by the
light of what God has revealed, they are of those who rebel.
To thee we sent the scripture in truth confirming the scripture that
came before it, and guarding it in safety. So judge between them by
what God has revealed. And follow not their vain desires, if they
diverge from the truth that has come to thee.
To each among you we have prescribed a law, an open way. If God had
so willed, he would have made you a single people. But his plan is
to test you in what he has given you. So strive as in a race of all
virtues. The goal of each of you is to God. It is he that will show
you the truth in matters that you dispute. (5:44-48)
To each [religious community] we have given a direction which it follows,
so compete [all together] in [the performance of] good deeds. Whosesoever
you may be, God shall certainly gather you all [for Divine Judgment].
God certainly has power over all things. (2:148)
Let there be no compulsion (or coercion) in the religion (Islam).
The right direction is distinctly clear from error. (2:256)
Say: We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to Abraham,
Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the tribes, and in [the books] given to
Moses, Jesus and the prophets from their Lord: We make no distinction
between one and another among them, and to God de we submit in Islam.
(3:84)
Prohibition
on Suicide in the Qur'an
O you who believe! Do not eat up your wealth in vanities
among yourselves. But let there be among yourselves trade conducted
in mutual good will. Nor kill or destroy yourselves, for God has been
most merciful to you. If any do that in rancor and injustice, soon
shall we cast them into the fire, and that is easy for God. If you
but avoid the most heinous of the things which are forbidden to do,
we shall expel out of you all the evil in you and admit you to a gate
of great honor. (4:29-31)
Exhortations
to Living with Mercy, Compassion and Patience in the Hadith
The Prophet Muhammad said: Neither cause harm nor injure
one another. (p.106)
"A man said to the Prophet, 'Counsel me.' He said: 'Do not become
angry.’ The man repeated the question several times, and the
Prophet said each time 'Do not become angry.’” (p.62)
"Each person's every joint must perform charity every day the
sun comes up. To act justly between two people is charity; to help
a man with his mount is charity; lifting him onto it or hoisting up
his belongings onto it is charity; a good word is charity; every step
you take to prayers is charity; and removing a harmful thing from
the road is charity." (p. 88)
"Let him who believes in God and the Last Day either speak good
or keep silent, and let him who believes in God and the Last Day be
generous to his neighbor, and let him who believes in God and the
last day be generous to his guest." (p. 60)
Mujahid reported that 'Abd Allah ibn 'Amr had one of his goats slaughtered
for him, and then said to his servant boy, "Did you give a share
of the goat meat to our neighbour, the Jewish man? I once heard the
Prophet, upon him be peace, say, "Jibril, upon whom be peace,
continued telling me (how important it is to do good toward one's)
neighbours until I thought he was going to tell me that they have
a share in one's inheritance as well." [This hadith was related
by Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi and Tahawi]
Prohibitions
on Suicide in the Hadith
O you who believe! Do not eat up your wealth in
vanities among yourselves. But let there be among yourselves trade
conducted in mutual good will. Nor kill or destroy yourselves, for
God has been most merciful to you. If any do that in rancor and injustice,
soon shall we cast them into the fire, and that is easy for God. If
you but avoid the most heinous of the things which are forbidden to
do, we shall expel out of you all the evil in you and admit you to
a gate of great honor. (4:29-31)
Amongst the companions of the Prophet there was a man who could not
help pursuing any single pagan to strike him with his sword. [After
a battle] somebody said, "None has benefited the Muslims today
more than so-and-so." On that God's Apostle said, "He is
from the people of the Hell-Fire certainly." A man amongst the
people (i.e. Muslims) said, "I will accompany him (to know that
fact)." So he went along with him, and whenever he stopped, the
man stopped with him, and whenever he hastened, the man hastened with
him. The (brave) man then got wounded severely, and seeking to die
at once, he planted his sword into the ground and put its point against
his chest in between his breasts, and then threw himself on it and
committed suicide.
On that the person (who was accompanying the deceased all the time)
came to God's Apostle and said, "I testify that you are the Apostle
of God." The Prophet said, "What makes you say so?"
He said "It is concerning the man whom you have already mentioned
as one of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire. The people were surprised
by your statement, and I said to them, "I will try to find out
the truth about him for you." So I went out after him, and he
was then inflicted with a severe wound. Because of that, he hurried
to bring death upon himself by planting the handle of his sword into
the ground and directing its tip towards his chest between his breasts,
and then he threw himself over it and committed suicide."
God’s Apostle then said, "A man may do what seem to the
people as the deeds of the dwellers of Paradise, but he is of the
dwellers of the Hell-Fire. And another may do what seem to the people
as the deeds of the dwellers of the Hell-Fire, but he is of the dwellers
of Paradise." (005-059-514)
FOOTNOTES
1. The Holy Quran, transl. Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Tahrike Tarsile Quran,
Inc. Elmhurst, NY 1987.
2. An-Nawawi's Forty Hadith, transl, Ezzedin Ibrahim and Denys Johnson-Davies;
Holy Koran Publishing House, Beirut, 1976
3. Sahih Bukhari, English Translation by M. Muhsin Khan, found on
>www.islamicity.org
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Links to Information
About Islam
Muslim
Denunciations of Terrorism
Muslim denunciations of terrorism
http://www.unc.edu/~kurzman/terror.htm
CAIR--Bin Laden Video Shows His Complicity in Attacks
http://www.cair-net.org/asp/article.asp?articleid=534&articletype=1
W. Deen Muhammed on Terrorism being un-Islamic
http://www.fas.org/irp/congress/1995_cr/h950329-terror.htm
Transcript of 60 Minutes interview with Muslim
Leaders
http://www.iio.org/article.php?sid=36&mode=thread&order=0
Fighting Islam's Ku Klux Klan
by Kanan Makiya
http://www.observer.co.uk/waronterrorism/story/0,1373,564700,00.html
Battling Islamic "Puritans"
LA Times Profile of Khaled Abou El Fadl
http://www.latimes.com/la-010202scholar.story
Ingrid Mattson, ISNA Vice President, on Muslim
obligations to stop violence in the name of Islam
http://belief.net/frameset.asp?pageLoc=/story/89/story_8987_1.html&boardID=26483
Charles Kurzman talks about Islamic reform movements
http://www.biu.ac.il/SOC/besa/meria/journal/1999/issue3/jv3n3a2.html
The struggle for the soul of Muslim Youth
The Christian Science Monitor reports on Islamic Education
http://www.christiansciencemonitor.com/2001/0920/p13s1-lire.html
Extremist Islam and Terrorism
http://www.spectator.co.uk/article.php3?table=old§ion=current&issue=2001-09-22&id=1104
Wahhabism
http://islamicsupremecouncil.org/radicalmovements/islamic_extremism.htm
Afghanistan's Taliban: Not a valid interpretation
of Islam
By Laila Al-Marayati
http://www.mwlusa.org/news_afghan2.html
Islamic
Spirituality
A Muslim Spiritual Response to The Attacks of September
11th
http://www.mpfweb.org/91101_response.html
Islamic Spirituality: the Forgotten Revolution
By Abdal-Hakim Murad, Trustee of the Muslim Academic Trust
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/masud/ISLAM/ahm/fgtnrevo.htm
Islam: A Home of Tolerance, not Fanaticism
By Yusuf Islam (formerly the singer Cat Stevens)
http://www.alhewar.com/cat_stevens.htm
The True, Peaceful Face Of Islam
By Karen Armstrong
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101011001-175987,00.html
American
Muslims
Islam:
the Next American Religion?
by Michael Wolfe
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/69/story_6982.html
The Case for an American Muslim Identity
Dr. M. A. Muqtedar Khan
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/35/story_3508.html
A Memo to American Muslims
Dr. M. A. Muqtedar Khan
http://www.ijtihad.org/memo.htm
American Muslims are American. Let's Act Like It.
An op-ed from the Wall Street Journal
http://www.muslimresource.com/article_tmasoud.shtml
U.S. Muslims Should Tolerate the Stares
By Marlon Mohammed
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-000078001sep29.story?coll=la-news-comment-opinions
I was a Catholic Schoolgirl
By Aasma Gull Hassan
http://www.beliefnet.com/frameset.asp?pageLoc=/story/94/story_9403_1.html&boardID=29308
Islam and Democracy
LA Times Editorial
http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-000077991sep29.story?coll=la%2Dnews%2Dcomment%2Deditorials
Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
'If you hate the west, emigrate to a Muslim country'
http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,3604,564960,00.html
Muslims Abhor the Double Standard
By Graham E. Fuller
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-100501fuller.story
