The column I wrote two weeks ago generated lots of reaction. Different people e-mailed me, asking about my conversion. Some had difficulty understanding how I could choose a religion like Islam.
Despite the fact that Islam has been “opening” to the Western world during the last decade, there is still a lot of misunderstanding about it.
“Why did you choose a violent religion?” and “Why as a woman do you convert to a religion that diminishes and segregates women?” I’ll focus on the issue of women and Islam in a later article, but here I’ll focus on Islam in general.
Unfortunately, 9/11 and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan presented a violent religion. Islam was then seen as a religion of blood, oppression and brainwashing. As always when it comes from news, people rarely bother to look beyond.
Islam is not a violent religion. When two Muslims meet they say, “Salam Aleykoum” meaning “Peace be with you.”
The first thing that needs to be clarified is the concept of Jihad. Jihad is wrongly translated as “Holy War” and would apparently mean that if you blow yourself up then you will go directly to paradise.
Sounds simple, uh? Unreasonably painful, but simple—however, Jihad is a little more complex.
It does not mean “holy war,” it means “struggle.” There are two types of Jihad, the big Jihad and the small Jihad, and no, it does not correspond to the size of the building. The big struggle is an intellectual battle, an internal battle against yourself.
The big Jihad corresponds to everything you do to improve yourself and show people the proper image of Islam.
Going to college is a big Jihad, just like writing a book, volunteering, being part of a Muslim association or anything that can help your community. The Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) was asked once what the best type of Jihad is. He answered: “Speaking truth before a tyrannical ruler” (Riyadh us-Saleheen).
Pretty different from shooting someone, and certainly more difficult.
The small Jihad corresponds to the war you lead to defend yourself, your family and your country when you are being attacked. You have the right to defend yourself if someone attacks you; however, the Koran opposes Muslims attacking first: “Fight in the way of God with those who fight with you, but do not aggress: God does not love the aggressors” (Holy Quran, 2:190).
Even when war takes place, there are certain rules Muslims must respect. For example, you cannot kill innocent people; you cannot kill women, children or elderly people; you cannot contaminate sources of water or food; you cannot destroy places of worship.
Many argue that the Koran has verses in which hatred against non-Muslims is commanded. That too needs to be clarified.
For Muslims, the Koran is the fourth Holy Book, revealed by God to the Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). The other three books are the Torah, revealed to the Prophet Moses, the Psalms, revealed to the Prophet David, and the Gospel, revealed to the Prophet Jesus. Muslims believe that out of those four books, the Koran is the only one that has been preserved since its revelation up to now, it has not been changed.
The Koran was revealed in Arabic, but this is not the same Arabic that is spoken nowadays in Morocco, Jordan or Saudi Arabia. It’s like reading Old English, you can kind of understand it, but it’s not at all the way you express yourself.
Arabs constitute around only 15 percent of the Muslim population, so, for those of us who cannot understand Arabic there are translated copies of the Koran. But translation can be dangerous and incredibly difficult, which is partially why there are so many different views of Islam.
I translated documents in high school from Spanish to French, and it was hard. I cannot imagine what it would be like to translate God’s Word.
Translators co-author whatever they translate. You have to be careful with what translation of the Koran you read. Also, many Muslim scholars differ in which interpretation should be given to certain verses.
What I was taught by Muslims in Colombia, France and the US, all from diverse backgrounds and countries, was that Islam is a religion of tolerance. As always there will be, of course, people who think otherwise.
Islam is a religion of middle ground, of compromise. The Prophet himself said: “Islam is very easy and whoever overburdens himself in his religion will not be able to continue in that way. So you should not be extremists, but try to be near to perfection and receive the good tidings that you will be rewarded” (Sahih Bukhari).
Historically, Islam has been one of the most tolerant religions. Under the Ottoman Empire, Muslims, Christians and Jews, lived together for various centuries.
Even today in different countries that were once part of this Empire you can see a church, a synagogue and a mosque in the same area.
Sometimes the easy way to look at things is by letting the media think for you. However, when you do some digging, you will find new things that can surprise you.
Carolina Medellin can be reached at colaya@ut.edu.
@Ploni Almoni:
In the first place, we would like to stress that Islam urges all Muslims to deal kindly and justly with all people. Muslims should have good relations with all people. At school, at work, in your neighborhood, etc., you should be kind and courteous to everyone. Muslims are allowed to have non-Muslims as friends as long as they keep their own faith and commitment to Islam pure and strong. Allah has clearly forbidden Muslim from fighting those who fight not their faith or drive them out from their homes. Referring to this, [Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. For Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes and support others in driving you out, from turning to them for protection (or taking them as wali). Those who seek their protection they are indeed wrong- doers.] (Al-Mumtahinah 60: 8-9)
In his response to the question, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi, former president of the Islamic Society of North America, states the following:
The Qur’an does not say that non-Muslims cannot be Muslims’ friends, nor does it forbid Muslims to be friendly to non-Muslims. There are many non-Muslims who are good friends of Muslim individuals and the Muslim community. There are also many good Muslims who truly and sincerely observe their faith and are very friendly to many non-Muslims at the same time.
Islam teaches us that we should be friendly to all people. Islam teaches us that we should deal even with our enemies with justice and fairness. Allah says in the Qur’an in the beginning of the same Surat Al-Ma’dah: [O you who believe! Stand out firmly for Allah as witnesses to fair dealings and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just, that is next to piety. Fear Allah, indeed Allah is well-acquainted with all that you do.] (Al-Ma’dah 5 :8)
In another place in the Qur’an, Allah Almighty says:
[Allah forbids you not with regard to those who fight you not for your faith, nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them. For Allah loves those who are just. Allah only forbids you with regard to those who fight you for your faith, and drive you out of your homes and support others in driving you out, from turning to them for protection (or taking them as wali). Those who seek their protection they are indeed wrong- doers.] (Al-Mumtahinah 60: 8-9)
Moreover, Allah Almighty has described Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) as “a mercy” to the worlds. He was a sign of Allah’s Mercy to all, Muslims as well as non-Muslims. In his kindness and fair treatment he did not make any difference between the believers and non-believers. He was kind to the pagans of Makkah and fought them only when they fought him. He made treaties with the Jews of Madinah and honored the treaties until they broke them.
He (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have received the Christians of Najran with kindness in his Masjid in Madinah. They argued with him about Islam, but he returned them with honor and respect. There are many examples from his life that show that he was the friendliest person to all people.
In the verse you quoted, the word “Awliya” is used. It is a plural and its singular is “wali”. The correct translation of the word “”wali”” is not “friend” but it is someone who is very close and intimate. It is also used to mean “guardian, protector, patron, lord and master”.
In the Qur’an this word is used for God, such as [Allah is the Protector (or Lord and Master) of those who believe. He takes them out from the depths of darkness to light…] (Al- Baqarah 2: 257)
There are many other references in the Qur’an that give this meaning. The same word is also sometimes used in the Qur’an for human beings, such as [And whosoever is killed unjustly, We have granted his next kin “wali” the authority (to seek judgement or punishment in this case)…] (Al-‘Isra’ 17 :33)
The correct translation of the verse in Surat Al-Ma’idah is: [O you who believe! Do not take Jews and Christians as your patrons. They are patrons of their own people. He among you who will turn to them for patronage is one of them. Verily Allah guides not a people unjust.] (Al-Ma’dah 5: 51)
It is obvious that Jews patronize the Jews and Christians patronize the Christians, so why not Muslims patronize Muslims and support their own people. This verse is not telling us to be against Jews or Christians, but it is telling us that we should take care of our own people and we must support each other.
In his Tafsir, (Qur’an exegesis) Imam Ibn Kathir has mentioned that some scholars say that this verse (i.e. the one you referred to) was revealed after the Battle of Uhud when Muslims had a set back. At that time, a Muslim from Madinah said, “I am going to live with Jews so I shall be safe in case another attack comes on Madinah.” And another person said, “I am going to live with Christians so I shall be safe in case another attack comes on Madinah.” So Allah revealed this verse reminding the believers that they should not seek the protection from others, but should protect each other. (See Ibn Kathir, Al-Tafsir, vol. 2, p. 68)
Muslims are allowed to have non-Muslims as friends as long as they keep their own faith and commitment to Islam pure and strong. You are correct in pointing out that a Muslim man is also allowed to marry a Jewish or Christian woman. It is obvious that one marries someone for love and friendship. If friendship between Muslims and Jews or Christians was forbidden, then why would Islam allow a Muslim man to marry a Jew or Christian woman? It is the duty of Muslims to patronize Muslims. They should not patronize any one who is against their faith or who fights their faith, even if they were their fathers and brothers. Allah says: [O you who believe! Take not for protectors (awliya’) your fathers and your brothers if they love unbelief above faith. If any of you do so, they are indeed wrong-doers.] (Al-Tawbah 9: 23)
In a similar way, the Qur’an also tells Muslims that they should never patronize the non-Muslims against other Muslims. However, if some Muslims do wrong to some non-Muslims, it is Muslims’s duty to help the non-Muslims and save them from oppression. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that he himself will defend a Dhimmi living among Muslims to whom injustice is done by Muslims. But Islam also teaches that Muslims should not seek the patronage of non-Muslims against other Muslims. They should try to solve their problems among themselves. Allah Almighty says, [Let not the Believers take the unbelievers as their patrons over against the Believers…] (Aal-‘Imran 3: 28)
He Almighty also says: [O you who believe! Take not for patrons unbelievers rather than Believers. Do you wish to offer Allah an open proof against yourselves?] (An-Nisaa’ 4:144)
“It should first be emphasised that one of the greatest sins in Islam is killing a person. Allah says in Surah Nisa (4:93) ‘If a man kills a believer intentionally, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah’s wrath is against him and He has cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.’ The eminent companion exegete Abd Allah ibn Abbas interprets this verse to mean that the repentance of those who kill a believer purposefully will be denied, and they will be doomed to eternal Hell.[2]”
The important point here is the word “believer”. If a Muslim kills another Muslim (the colloquial understanding of ‘believer’ in classical Arabic) then they go to hell.
Of course, the blood of non-believers is considered haram (lawful) to shed in many different instances, not least of which is to stop “aggression” – a nebulous term which can be interpreted as an actual act of war or merely preaching another religion.
Islam has no central authority; and as such the interpretation of one who reads the Koran for peaceful reasons is no more or less valid than Ayman al-Zawahiri’s reading. The person who has the political power can interpret the Koran as they see fit and kill all who oppose. It has been so since the beginning of the religion.
@Ploni Almoni:
I will take a shot at responding to the verse of the Qur’an and the Hadith you cited. First, read the following verse:
“…and you will find the nearest in love to the Muslims those who say: “We are Christians.” That is because amongst them are priests and monks, and they are not proud.
And when they listen to what has been sent down to the Messenger, you see their eyes overflowing with tears because of the truth they have recognized. They say: “Our Lord! We believe; so write us down among the witnesses” (Qur’an 5:82)
What becomes apparent–and this is how the classical commentators always understood these verses–is that each verse has a context. The verse that you cited was understood to simply imply (and this is not the place to cite sources) that one cannot truly have friendships with those who hate his/her way of life (and this is no different from most people not being able to be great friends with those who steal and cheat and so forth); the verse that I cited on the other hand implying that there were Christians who understood that the Message of the Prophet was in reality nothing particularly new. It was the message that was brought by every Messenger to every people over the course of history–to worship God and to follow His commandments.
On the Hadith that you quoted: this is an end of time Hadith. As you probably notice, the Hadith isn’t prescriptive–meaning that it doesn’t indicate how normal Muslims are to behave with Jews. The modern Muslim preoccupation with the Jews follows from the current squabble between Israel and Palestine, and not from scriptural sources. In fact, if you look at classical commentary of the Qur’an, you would really be hard pressed to find any kind of diatribe against the Jews. Thus, the only thing that follows from the Hadith is that there will be disagreements between some Jews and Muslims at the end of time.
I think this is a great article. You can argue about technicalities all you want, but you would miss the point: don’t judge all muslims by the actions of some extremists. It was good to learn a little about the “middle ground” in Islam.
Islam and terror are now generally debated together; nonetheless, when we analyse the Islamic sources and tradition deeply it will be seen that there is no relationship between terror and Islam. In fact there is no religion in the world which condones terror. Because religions aim at assuring peace, happiness and prosperity, terror is, clearly incompatible with of their basic tenets. It is therefore not reasonable to attribute a terrorist act to the religion of a particular terrorist. The terrorist might be Muslim, Christian or Jewish but this does not mean that his or her act is an Islamic, a Christian, or a Jewish act. Thus the phrase ‘Islamic terror’ should be regarded as an insult to pious, sincere and innocent Muslims all over the world; a few uneducated, discontented, misled, deceived, brain-washed fanatics should not be taken to represent countless sincere believers. Clearly the association of Islam -which is etymologically derived from the Arabic root silm meaning ‘peace’, ‘submission’, ‘deliverance’ and ‘safety’- with terrorism is a grievous mistake. From the Qur’anic perspective, attention should be paid to the relationship between the concept of sulh (peace) and the concept of sâlih amal (good deeds). Sâlih, like sulh, comes from the same root and means ‘to cleave to peace or move towards peace.’ Gülen holds that this peace is a result of Tawhid (Unity of God/Oneness of God) and that Islam, being a religion of Unity (Tawhid), ensures universal unity, equality, peace and cooperation among the humankind.[1] Briefly, Islam is a religion of peace and safety and ‘Muslim’ means a trustworthy, peaceful and reliable person. Thus when the Prophet Muhammed describes the Muslim he says that the people are safe from his hand and tongue.
It should first be emphasised that one of the greatest sins in Islam is killing a person. Allah says in Surah Nisa (4:93) ‘If a man kills a believer intentionally, his reward is Hell for ever. Allah’s wrath is against him and He has cursed him and prepared for him an awful doom.’ The eminent companion exegete Abd Allah ibn Abbas interprets this verse to mean that the repentance of those who kill a believer purposefully will be denied, and they will be doomed to eternal Hell.[2] In fact the Qur’an promises not only the punishment of the killer in the hereafter but also the reward and punishment of the smallest (good and bad) action in the hereafter: ‘Who do good an atom’s weight and who do ill an atom’s weight will see it then.'[3] Interestingly, when we look at the main source of Islam, namely the Qur’an, it will be seen that killing innocent people is mentioned together with associating other gods with Allah.[4] If the Qur’an and the life of the Prophet Muhammed are examined deeply it will be seen that both offer a strong condemnation of terrorism, which is the most catastropic calamity facing human kind today. Also, while killing a person is considered one of the most grievous sins in Islam, Islam also strictly prohibits suicide. According to Islamic law, one has no right to end one’s own life or damage one’s body; the argument that one owns one’s life or body is erreneous. The reason for this lies in the Qur’an: ‘Verily We have honoured the children of Adam. We carry them on the land and the sea, and have made provision of good things for them, and have preferred them above many of those whom We created with a marked preferment.'[5] The Qur’an thus gives honour and glory to all mankind equally, and considers killing one innocent person equal to killing the whole of human kind.[6] This point is crucially important because it demonstrates that Islam considers killing to be a crime committed against not only Muslims but all humanity. Moreover, the Qur’an places great emphasis on the virtue of peace[7] and this does not permit anyone to respond to an evil deed with one which is worse; instead, it says ‘Repel the evil deed with one which is better…'[8]. Sound reason also suggests this teaching. Injustice should not be resisted by sowing the seeds of revulsion and hatred among the people. The Qur’an and the life of the Prophet show us various peaceful methods in the solution of this problem.
Ms Medellin:
I agree that translations can lead to misunderstandings.
Perhaps you can explain how to correctly interpret these verses:
KORAN [5.51] “O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for friends…”
HADITH Sahih Bukhari [4:52:176] “You will fight with the Jews till some of them will hide behind stones. The stones will (betray them) saying, ‘O ‘Abdullah! There is a Jew hiding behind me; so kill him.’ ”
What, in the above examples, has been incorrectly translated?
I eagerly await your reply.
“Historically, Islam has been one of the most tolerant religions. Under the Ottoman Empire, Muslims, Christians and Jews, lived together for various centuries.”
Islam has been tolerant like Christianity has been tolerant. There have been periods of great strife as well as periods of tolerance. What Islamic apologists like to portray is that Islamic lands such as the Ottoman Empire were always tolerant of Christians and Jews without noting the injustices of the millet system or the kidnapping and forcible conversion of non-Muslim children to become Janissaries for the Ottoman Empire. They do not discuss Mohammed’s execution of the males of the Jewish Quraiysh tribe in what is now Mecca. They do not discuss the ongoing slow destruction of the Coptic, Zoroastrian and Yazid communities of Egypt, Iran and Iraq. They do not discuss the expulsion of the Jews from Muslim-majority nations after the founding of Israel. They ignore the destruction of the Buddhist nations in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Muslim armies, or the near-destruction of Hindu civilization in India before it was unwittingly saved by the British East India Company.
Islam has a violent past, and a violent present. All major abrahamic religions have had episodes of great violence in the past and even in the present. Do minimize this does a great disservice.
“Muslims believe that out of those four books, the Koran is the only one that has been preserved since its revelation up to now, it has not been changed.”
Also untrue. As related in the Sahih Bukhari, Uthman, the first Caliph had the Koranic reciters gathered together and produced the ‘official’ text of the Koran. At the same time, he had all variant texts destroyed. Mohammed himself had said that there were multiple readings of the Koran, and there are Hadiths which speak of verses that are not in the Koran proper.
Archaeologically, the Torah is older than the Koran and has undergone about the same about of textual changes since its original authorship.