Define Islam, did it start from Adam or Muhammad?

2 of 8 - http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/11/define-islam-did-it-start-from-adam-or.html

How do you define Islam? Did it start from Adam and Eve or did it start from our Prophet?
A Series of 8 questions - Do Muslims resist the following questions?

A few among us pander to the donors and funders and are afraid of answering what they believe.  By the way that is the case with people of pulpits in all religions, however the majority of Muslims, like any other majority believe and practice live and let live. I have received a few affirmations from different faith leaders about the commonality of the issue.

The questions were presented to me and I have responded to them and inviting others to express their opinion. You are welcome to refute, reject, differ or add to it, but know that there are different takes to the issue and different expression. Quraan 49:13 says he has created us to be unique, so that we can make an effort to know each other.

Mike Ghouse

World Muslim Congress

A few responses:

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Mike Ghouse

The need for peace was born with the very first humanoids, when competition for available resources was pitching them against each other causing them to live in fear of the other, thus co-existence was a natural outcome. The idea of accountability and responsibility for one’s action became necessary for peaceful co-existence followed by surrenderance of “my ego” and “your ego” to a higher ego that both can subscribe to and abide by.  Islam broadly means peaceful co-existence and submission to a judge and it did start from Adam and Eve.

If Islam means a privately owned club by Muslims and claiming God and his bounties to be exclusively on their side, then it started long after the Prophet. This idea of private club goes against the very essence of ‘rabbul Aalameen (Lord of the universe)’ in the very first sentence of the Quraan and ‘Rahmutul Aalameen (Blessing of the universe)’ describing Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  The prophet said, he is not bringing a new religion, but simply updating the existing ones.

Your way of life is dear to you as mine is to me was a new paradigm in the milestones of history expressly written in Sura Kafirun heralding a new era in accepting the otherness of others without denigrating the other.

It is human to make Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism or other religions one’s personal property, it is human to own the prophets and chain the holy books to their private club. By claiming ownership rights to a religion, we are stripping the universality of that religion and creating boundaries around it and excluding others. The very boundaries religions formed to remove.

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Iftekhar Hai

 Islam The Quran is very clear in explaining the definition of the word Islam.  What does it mean and what does it stand for.  The uniqueness of this word is - that it is not named after any person (in this case our Prophet).  It means total surrender or submission to Allah (God).  Islam was the religion even before our Prophet Mohammed was born (pbuh) as is evidenced in The Quran in reference to 42:13,

 "The same religion (Islam or submission) has He established for you that which He enjoined on Noah.  That which We have sends as inspiration to you (Mohammed pbuh) and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus: That you should stay steadfast in religion (submission to our Lord -Islam) and make no divisions therein. (this means work for the unity of humankind)  As for those who worship other than God they are on (hard) wrong way to call from.  God chooses and guides those whom He wills towards Him.

Commentary:  According to this if a Christian, a Jew or any believer in One Supreme Being says “we surrender or submit to God.”  They are falling within the definition of the word Islam.  The art of surrender or submission is called Islam.  This art of submission/surrender was shown to all the Prophets and their people as evidenced in The Quran 10:47, 14:4 & 16:36.  Islam is very inclusive and broad in its definition.  Muslims believe in Allah and take Mohammed (pbuh) as their messenger, just as Christians and Jews believe in the same God and take Jesus and Moses as their respective messengers. However Muslims believe in all the prophets from Jewish and Christian scriptures. One must refrain from judging other believers the depth of surrendering or submission of other believers. God is THE ONLY JUDGE. 

Surah 3:85, “If anyone desires a religion other than Islam, never will it be accepted of him.”   Here the definition of Islam must be taken in its global context of surrendering and submission to One and Only One God.

ISLAM STARTED FROM ADAM AND EVE.  OUR PROPHET MERELY REPEATED THE MESSAGE OF ISLAM FOR THE PAGAN ARABS.  HERE THE MEANING OF THE WORD ISLAM IS SURRENDER, SUBMISSION WHICH IS SHOWN TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE WORLD.

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Dr. Iffat Khan

 The word Islam is an Arabic word and is a generic word, which means submit to, acknowledge and affirm the will of God. It is not racially or ethnically derived, and is non-sectarian. It is unlike all other religions, which go by the name of their prophet/messenger. It is derived from the root s-l-m meaning Peace. Marshall Hodgson states that it is the inner spirituality of a person of conscience. (Venture into Islam Vol.1) Islam has been the divine religious system of humankind from the beginning of time; the prevalent concept claiming it to be a new religion preached by Prophet Muhammad being a complete fallacy. The Quran states that Islam is the religion of God, and no other religion will be accepted from mankind. i.e. acknowledging and living by the will of the one God.

After the first human beings disobeyed God, and ‘ate of the forbidden tree’ they realized their folly, became aware of their nakedness/sexuality, and repented. God accepted the repentance of both the man and woman 2: 37-38, and they were assigned a temporal life on earth forfeiting the life of bliss in the Garden of Bliss/Eden, with the assurance that ‘there will come to you guidance from Me, and whosoever follows My guidance shall have no fear, nor shall they grieve 2: 38.  God taught the human beings ‘the nature of things’ and made them ‘vicegerents on earth’. ‘God has made subject to you all that is on the earth’ 22: 65, as a sacred trust, – to enjoy and use wisely.

In addition, the Quran states that over the ages, messengers/teachers were sent to every community in the world, and that there are righteous people among those who follow the earlier revelations. 3:199. All messengers, throughout the world, preached the same message which the essence of the Quran.

Do you consider Jews and Christians as believers? 1/8

Define believers. Do you consider Jews and Christians as believers? 1/8
A Series of 8 questions - Do Muslims resist the following questions?

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/11/do-you-consider-jews-and-christians-as.html

1 of 8

A few among us pander to the donors and funders and are afraid of answering what they believe.  By the way that is the case with people of pulpits in all religions, however the majority of Muslims, like any other majority believe and practice live and let live. I have received a few affirmations from different faith leaders about the commonality of the issue.

The questions were presented to me and I have responded to them and inviting others to express their opinion. You are welcome to refute, reject, differ or add to it, but know that there are different takes to the issue and different expression. Quraan 49:13 says he has created us to be unique, so that we can make an effort to know each other.

Mike Ghouse

World Muslim Congress

A few responses:

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Mike Ghouse

The answer is in a larger context; believer is an individual who seeks peace for himself and what surrounds him or her through the principles of justness, fairness, truthfulness and respect for the God given life to every member of the creation. The principles of oneness of creation and God imply one world and one God. God has sent a messenger and a peacemaker to every nation and tribe.

Whether it is the Jews, Christians, Hindus, Wiccans, Mayas or any one who subscribes to the idea of oneness of mankind is a believer as the end result is peace, which comes from submission to the idea of oneness of creation; meaning we are all in it together and we have to make it better for every one of us. We cannot be safe when others around us are not.

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Iftekhar Hai

Believer is anyone who says, "We believe in God or One God."  No human being should play God and judge others.  Judgment is only with Allah...full of Knowledge and Wisdom.

YES: Jews and Christians are also believers according to the above definition.  Anyone who says they are not are stepping into GOD's domain of judgement

Muslim:  A Muslim is a person who says, “There is no God but One God (Allah) and Mohammed (pbuh) is a messenger of God.2How do you define Islam? Did it start from Adam and Eve or did it start from our Prophet

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Dr. Iffat Khan

The word Muslim is a generic Arabic word meaning ANYONE who submits to ONE God, and does not associate any partners in the Divinity.  Abraham, Noah, Moses and other prophets before the time of Prophet Muhammad are described as one’s who bowed to the will of God, i.e. were muslim 3:67. The Quran also states—‘It is God who has named you muslims, both BEFORE and in this revelation’..  Hence, regardless of what people of the existing world religions call themselves, if they submit themselves to the worship and will of ONE God, they are by definition muslims

By definition a Mu’min is anyone who acknowledges the one God, Angels, His messages, all Prophets, the Last Day, and leads a righteous life. One of Pharaoh’s wives during the time of Moses, the mother of Moses and Mary are addressed as mu’min, which means ‘believer’

Does Quran supersede all other previous scriptures?

Does Quran supersede all other previous scriptures? 5/8
A Series of 8 questions - Do Muslims resist the following questions?

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/11/does-quran-supersede-all-other-previous.html

A few among us pander to the donors and funders and are afraid of answering what they believe.  By the way that is the case with people of pulpits in all religions, however the majority of Muslims, like any other majority believe and practice live and let live. I have received a few affirmations from different faith leaders about the commonality of the issue.

The questions were presented to me and I have responded to them and inviting others to express their opinion. You are welcome to refute, reject, differ or add to it, but know that there are different takes to the issue and different expression. Quraan 49:13 says he has created us to be unique, so that we can make an effort to know each other.

Mike Ghouse

World Muslim Congress

A few responses:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-

Mike Ghouse

Quraan as we Muslims believe is the capstone, the final touch to co-existence; it is a book of guidance with a belief in one abstract God as opposed to privately owned multiple Gods in conflicts with each other. It is an inclusive and a comprehensive document for all to be had.

If we own it exclusively, then we take away its universality, and if we denigrate other scriptures we take away its comprehensiveness and completeness. Quraan has everything one needs to know to lead a peaceful life and peaceful societies, just as other books have everything one can understand to live a peaceful life as well.

The issue is ownership – do you own it? If you do, then others don’t as ownership is exclusive. Does God give you the authority to shove it down others throats? There isn’t any compulsion in what one believes (2:256).

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Iftekhar Hai

Ans:   No, the Quran clarifies errors made in different scriptures as it was translated or interpreted.  95% of the message of other scriptures is the same as Quran.

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Muhammad Irtaza

The Quran does not "supercede" the previous scriptures.  It is the "guardian over them" or in Arabic "muhayminan alayhi" -

 [5:48] Then we revealed to you this scripture, truthfully, confirming previous scriptures, and "muhayminan alayhi". You shall rule among them in accordance with GOD's revelations, and do not follow their wishes if they differ from the truth that came to you. For each of you, we have decreed laws and different rites. Had GOD willed, He could have made you one congregation. But He thus puts you to the test through the revelations He has given each of you. You shall compete in righteousness. To GOD is your final destiny - all of you - then He will inform you of everything you had disputed.

The above understanding can be derived from many verses of the Quran.  For example:

[5:66] If only they would uphold the Torah and the Gospel, and what is sent down to them herein from their Lord, they would be showered with blessings from above them and from beneath their feet. Some of them are righteous, but many of them are evildoers.

A true Jew will accept the message of the Quran and  believe in Jesus as the Messiah.

[3:45] The angels said, "O Mary, GOD gives you good news: a Word from Him whose name is `The Messiah, Jesus the son of Mary. He will be prominent in this life and in the Hereafter, and one of those closest to Me.'

A true Christian will accept the message of the Quran and consider Jesus as the Messenger of God.

[2:87] We gave Moses the scripture, and subsequent to him we sent other messengers, and we gave Jesus, son of Mary, profound miracles and supported him with the Holy Spirit. Is it not a fact that every time a messenger went to you with anything you disliked, your ego caused you to be arrogant? Some of them you rejected, and some of them you killed.

A true Muslim will accept the message of the Quran and will not differentiate between Mohammad and any other messengers of God: 

[2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

Thank you and may God guide me,

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Dr. Iffat Khan

 Yes, The Quran embodies and confirms the essence of the truth found in all the ORIGINAL revelations from God to human beings, throughout their existence, and states ‘Nothing is said to you that was not said to the apostles before you’ 41:43. The teachings in the Quran are generally addressesd to ‘you who believe/have faith’ though particular revelations apply to the Qureish and the tribes in the region. Chapter 3:3 states ‘It is God who sent down to you, in truth, the Book confirming what went before it’.

This quote from the Quran is all encompassing where it states in 10: 37 ‘this Quran is not such as can be produced by other than God; on the contrary it is a confirmation of that which went before it, and a fuller explanation of the Book-wherein there is no doubt- from the Lord of the worlds.

The need for a final revelation in the form of the Quran was, simply put, 36: 46.  ‘Not a sign comes to them from their Lord, but they turn away from it’   Homo ‘arrogans’, stubbornly persisted in wrongdoing and disbelief, derided and slew prophets, scorned their teachings, and corrupted the words of God to suit their purpose, and kept reverting to polytheism. They pitted themselves against their Creator forgetting their creation from a lowly sperm-drop! 36:77,78.

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Questions Muslims resist

NO QUESTIONS

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/11/questions-muslims-resist.html

Do Muslims resist the following questions?

Many a Muslim clergy shy away from answering the following eight questions, in reality the guardians in all religions desist responding to tough questions.

A few Imams and Muslim scholars do not have the guts to speak up and stand up, as they are pandering to their funders. They are not leaders by any means, but caterers in all reality, they are afraid of those who own fatwa factories. By the way, I believe that is the case with people of pulpits in all religions, however the majority of Muslims, like any other majority believe and practice live and let live.

The questions were presented by Mr. Iftekhar Hai and I have responded to them as clearly as I can. My opinions are my own and you are welcome to refute, differ or add to it.

Define believers. Do you consider Jews and Christians as believers?
The answer is in a larger context; believer is an individual who seeks peace for himself and what surrounds him or her through the principles of justness, fairness, truthfulness and respect for the God given life to every member of the creation. The principles of oneness of creation and God imply one world and one God. God has sent a messenger and a peacemaker to every nation and tribe.

Whether it is the Jews, Christians, Hindus, Wiccans, Mayas or any one who subscribes to the idea of oneness of mankind is a believer as the end result is peace, which comes from submission to the idea of oneness of creation; meaning we are all in it together and we have to make it better for every one of us. We cannot be safe when others around us are not.

How do you define Islam? Did it start from Adam and Eve or did it start from our Prophet?

The need for peace was born with the very first humanoids, when competition for available resources was pitching them against each other causing them to live in fear of the other, thus co-existence was a natural outcome. The idea of accountability and responsibility for one’s action became necessary for peaceful co-existence followed by surrenderance of “my ego” and “your ego” to a higher ego that both can subscribe to and abide by.  Islam broadly means peaceful co-existence and submission to a judge and it did start from Adam and Eve.

If Islam means a privately owned club by Muslims and claiming God and his bounties to be exclusively on their side, then it started long after the Prophet. This idea of private club goes against the very essence of ‘rabbul Aalameen (Lord of the universe)’ in the very first sentence of the Quraan and ‘Rahmutul Aalameen (Blessing of the universe)’ describing Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  The prophet said, he is not bringing a new religion, but simply updating the existing ones.

Your way of life is dear to you as mine is to me was a new paradigm in the milestones of history expressly written in Sura Kafirun heralding a new era in accepting the otherness of others without denigrating the other.

It is human to make Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism or other religions one’s personal property, it is human to own the prophets and chain the holy books to their private club. By claiming ownership rights to a religion, we are stripping the universality of that religion and creating boundaries around it and excluding others. The very boundaries religions formed to remove.

What are the criteria for going to Heaven? Can you quote authentic sources?

Private club membership sets narrower rules to have access to the property. Heaven is not a private club; it is God’s place, the universal God and not my God or privately owned God by you. Quraan could not be clearer than saying, “those who are Jews, Christians and others need not worry about my grace” those who do good need not worry, he knows what is best. Prophet defines what is best (good deed) as an act that benefits God’s creation like planting a sapling that would give shade or fruit to some one else upon its maturity. The prayers are for the individual to benefit where as serving the humanity is serving the creator.

Allah is the master of the Day of Judgment and he alone reserves the right to judge. There are numerous examples where Prophet had asked people not to be judgmental on the issues of faith (as faith is one of the motivators of morality and conduct) because he alone knows what is one’s heart. Our physical acts are not always the reflection of what is in our hearts.

[2:62] Surely, those who believe, those who are Jewish, the Christians, and the converts; anyone who (1) believes in GOD, and (2) believes in the Last Day, and (3) leads a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.

Define the word KAFIR. Do you consider people of other faiths who believe in God as Kafirs?

Kafir is some one who has his own private agenda; his motivation is himself or his clan. He does not subscribe to oneness of creation or peaceful co-existence, he or she denies  the universality of God or oneness of God, oneness of accountability in messing up the social balance. Hinduism has a beautiful phrase for it Vasudeva Kutumbakam, we are all part of one family, one creator or one causer of what we witness, imagine and see.

This may be a stretch to some, but ultimately, even the Atheist who does not subscribe to religious version of God –(containable in scope, definable, collapsible to a word or imaginable) cannot be called a Kafir – as he is not denying the need to have one world, a world of equilibrium and respect for the genetic individuality of humans.  

God wants his creation to live in harmony, he has intentionally created each one of us to be unique, and we have our own unique thumb prints and unique DNA. Just as a Chef wants his food to be enjoyed by every customer, as mother wants her children to get along, God wants us all to get along and to get to know each other. The words in Quraan 49:13 are powerful. If we make God truly a Rabbul Aalameen, then everyone who subscribes to the idea that we have to get along and we have to co-exist in harmony, we will not be calling one a Kafir whether he or she is a Christian, Hindu, Jew, Sikh or an Atheist.

Please ponder over this, the “me and my interest” in us wants to deny others the same values, but when we uplift ourselves to be a common citizen of God who is all pervasive, omniscient and omnipotent, we will embrace every individual thumbprint.

Does Quran supersede all other previous scriptures? What are the reasons?

Quraan as we Muslims believe is the capstone, the final touch to co-existence; it is a book of guidance with a belief in one abstract God as opposed to privately owned multiple Gods in conflicts with each other. It is an inclusive and a comprehensive document for all to be had.

If we own it exclusively, then we take away its universality, and if we denigrate other scriptures we take away its comprehensiveness and completeness. Quraan has everything one needs to know to lead a peaceful life and peaceful societies, just as other books have everything one can understand to live a peaceful life as well. The issue is ownership – do you own it? If you do, then others don’t as ownership is exclusive. Does God give you the authority to shove it down others throats? There isn’t any compulsion in what one believes (2:256).

Is there Pluralism in Quran?

Islam is indeed a pluralistic faith and imbues a sense of humility and ideals of equality of humankind. These values are embedded in its rituals practices.

Quraan states that all people harvest their own deeds, and no one shall bear the burden of other.

Indeed Quraan is a document for creating peaceful societies, it addresses the whole humanity and not a specific group, and it continuously regards the existence of other nations, other tribes and other communities and teaches to share your ideals, and if they do not subscribe to it, respectfully accept the otherness of other (Sura Kafirun - http://quraan-today.blogspot.com/2008/07/sura-kafirun-un-believers.html  )

Qur'aan starts with the word "God of Universe" (not necessarily Muslims) and ends with "Humankind" (and again not Muslims). As such it is understood that God, the cause behind creation of life and matter belongs to all of us. No one owns him (her or it) nor does does one group have an exclusive favors over the other. The creator will offer equal opportunities to all and will not sign a deal behind one's back with the other.

Al-Fatiha (The Opening) 1:2 All praise is due to God alone, the Sustainer of all the worlds, [2]
الْعَالَمِي الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبّ

An-Nas (The Mankind) 114:1 SAY: "I seek refuge with the Sustainer of men,
قُلْ أَعُوذُ بِرَبِّ النَّاسِ (114:1

We have a monumental task to repair the World, and we will do our part in working towards a World of co-existence, one person at a time. We are committed, and now help us God. Amen.

Islam teaches one to be non-judgmental, and consistently encourages individuals to do good. It emphasizes about individual responsibility towards the peace and security of society at large.

He fashioned each one of you--and each one of you is beautiful. To God you will all return. He knows all that the heavens and the earth contain. He knows all that you hide and all that you reveal. He knows your deepest thoughts. http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/WorldMuslimCongress/Articles/Mission-Statement.asp  

[49:13] O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.

[2:136] Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

[17:33] You shall not kill any person - for GOD has made life sacred - except in the course of justice. If one is killed unjustly, then we give his heir authority to enforce justice. Thus, he shall not exceed the limits in avenging the murder, he will be helped.

[4:29] O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly - only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you.

[4:152] As for those who believe in GOD and His messengers, and make no distinction among them, He will grant them their recompense. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

[22:17] Those who believe, those who are Jewish, the converts, the Christians, the Zoroastrians, and the idol worshipers, GOD is the One who will judge among them on the Day of Resurrection. GOD witnesses all things.

Does Quran encourage Democracy?

The human desire to monopolize World resources is the root cause of all evil. The pockets of anarchy and problems of the world are born out of fear and insecurities of evil men. Religion is not the source of wars or conflict. In fact, Religion is the best Gift humans have received from God, without which the World would be chaotic.

“No wonder that democracy does not find any foothold in nations that discriminates between believers and non-believers, men and women, masters and slaves and even slaves white, brown and black.” Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had said nearly the same words in his last sermon "No man is superior to the other; all are equal beings in the eyes of God. All religions including Islam came into being to make us better beings and create better societies. Most of the people get it, and some don’t.

The Madinah pact, prescribes the rights of its Citizens and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the signatory to it as the head of the City State. It was an all inclusive agreement between the Jews, Christians, Sabeans, Quraish, Muslims and other tribes for a peaceful co-existence. An example was set for a pluralistic society in documenting the rights of individuals. Perhaps it was the first historical document that included diverse people with freedom to practice what they believe. The Word Ummah was used in the document to mean all residents of the City.

There is an example where Prophet removed a part of his signature which read, “Muhammad the prophet of God” and substituted with “Muhammad, son of Abdullah” as the conflicting party did not believe that he was the Prophet. Think about it, if that document is secular or religious?

Research is warranted – where I believe prophet was a secular governor, rather a pluralistic governor than an Islamic governor. The two examples above lend to that idea. Jews and Christians had their own laws under his “Civic” governance. You and I know, most Muslims shy away from this topic – due to harassment from the few. May be the word Kafir applies to them for not wanting to seek the possible truth.

Dr. Abdul Aziz Sachedina has written a monumental book of roots of democracy in Islam, it is worth reading and sharing.

Most of the Constitutions of the world have adopted Secularism as a policy. What is the Quran's position?

What do you think the Madinah pact did? Jews had their own laws to be governed by, Christians their own and in India, Hindus had their own rules as the Parsees, Jains, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Buddhists. Didn’t Quraan permit this?

Mike Presides the Foundation for Pluralism championing the idea of co-existence through respecting and accepting the otherness of other, he has dedicated his life to nurturing the pluralistic ideals embedded in Islam through the World Muslim Congress. He is a regular commentator on the TV, Radio and Print media. Mike's work is reflected at three websites & twenty two Blogs listed at http://www.mikeghouse.net/  

Happy Eid al Adha or simply Eid Mubarak

http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/11/happy-eid-al-adha-or-simply-eid-mubarak.html
Essence of Eid-al-Adha

Eid-al-Adha is also known as Hajj or Bakrid (variations listed below) if you wish to greet Muslims on this day you may say “Happy Eid” or “Eid Mubarak”.  At the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca, known as Hajj, Muslims throughout the world celebrate the holiday of Eid-al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice).  During the Hajj, Muslims remember and commemorate the trials and triumphs of Prophet Abraham. The Qur'an describes Abraham as follows:

An-Nahl (The Bee) 16:120 – “VERILY, Abraham was a man who combined within himself all virtues, devoutly obeying God's will, turning away from all that is false, and not being of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God:”

Love and Sacrifice
A parent would risk his or her life to protect the child.  People in love have the passion to value their beloved's life and are willing to get the bullet and save the life, they are willing to rescue him/her from the freezing lake risking their own lives, even strangers do that. It is the willingness to put the life of the loved one’ above one’s own life. Every day our Police officers risk their own lives to protect ours, the firemen and women risk their lives to save a child, a pet or an aged person from a fire; and every day our soldiers put their lives at risk to save fellow soldiers and to save our freedom.

Honoring Police, Firemen and soldiers
I urge fellow Muslims and all others to stop and salute every one of these men and women, honoring them for their sacrifices and their love for the humanity. Better yet, call the Fire, Police, City and other places and let them know that as a Muslim you appreciate their sacrifice, and this festival is also about appreciation for such sacrifices.

Abrahams commitment
Love is sacrifice. God wanted to test Abraham’s faith, love and devotion. One of Abraham's main trials was to face the command of God to kill his only son. Upon hearing this command, he prepared to submit to God’s will, firmly believing that God means good at the end. When he was all prepared to do it, God revealed to him that his "sacrifice" had already been fulfilled. He had shown that his love for his Lord superseded all others that he would lay down his own life or the lives of those dear to him in order to submit to God.

Thus the tradition of symbolic sacrifice began, where one would sacrifice a lamb to continue the tradition of Abraham. During the celebration of Eid-al-Adha, Muslims commemorate and remember Abraham's trials, by sacrificing an animal such as a sheep, camel, or goat. This action is very often misunderstood by those outside the faith. 

Why sacrifice?
God does not need one to sacrifice; it has nothing to do with atoning sins or using the blood to wash ourselves from sin.

Al-Hajj (The Pilgrimage) 22:37 [But bear in mind:] never does their flesh reach God, and neither their blood: it is only your God-consciousness that reaches Him. It is to this end that we have made them subservient to your needs, so that you might glorify God for all the guidance with which He has graced you. And give thou this glad tiding unto the doers of good:

The act symbolizes our willingness to give up things that are of benefit to us or close to our hearts, in order to follow God's commands. It also symbolizes our willingness to give up some of our own bounties, in order to strengthen ties of friendship and help those who are in need. We recognize that all blessings come from God, and we should open our hearts and share with others. The meat from the sacrifice of Eid-al-Adha is given away in three ways; self, relatives and the poor. It is a symbolic act in the western countries, but it becomes meaningful in those countries where people are under nourished and don’t get to eat the meat as we do.

The symbolism is in the attitude - a willingness to make sacrifices in our lives in order to stay on the right Path. Each one of us makes small sacrifices, giving up things that are fun or important to us. A Muslim is one who submits him/herself completely to the Lord and is willing to follow God’s commands obediently. It is this strength of heart, purity in faith, and willing obedience that our Lord desires from us.

God's ultimate will
God does not want anything more from us than asking us to be just and truthful.  It brings tranquility and balance to an individual and what surrounds him; life and environment. The creator would be pleased when his creation is nurtured, cared for and sustained. Indeed, to be religious is to be a peacemaker, one who seeks to mitigate conflicts and nurtures goodwill for peaceful co-existence.

The Rituals
Eid-al-Adha is one of two major Eid festivals celebrated by Muslims, whose basis comes from the Qur'aan. Eid-al-Adha begins with a short prayer followed by a sermon (khuṭba).

Eid-al-Adha falls on the 10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja (ذو الحجة) of the lunar Islamic calendar. The festivities last for two to three days or more depending on the country. Eid-al-Adha occurs the day after the pilgrims conducting Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia by Muslims worldwide, descend from Mount Arafat. It happens to be approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan.

Men, women, and children are expected to dress in their finest clothing to perform Eid prayer (Salatu'l-`id) in any mosque. The regular charitable practices of the Muslim community are demonstrated during Eid-al-Adha by the concerted effort to see that no impoverished person is left without sacrificial food during these days. Eid-al-Adha is a concrete affirmation of what the Muslim community ethic means in practice. People in these days are expected to visit their relatives, starting with their parents, then their families and friends.

I am familiar with the practices in the Indian Subcontinent, where the individuals visit the local cemetery to pray for the loved ones, almost like the Memorial Day. In fact the formal prayer which most Muslims recite, asks God to forgive parents, teachers, those living and those that are dead and every one else. It is a sense of purification one goes through. God in the Qur’aan says the one who forgives is dearest to him.

I request Muslims from around the world to write if this is a practice in their culture as well in the comments section below.

When it comes to food, I can share the practice of my family; The whole family gets to eat the breakfast together, usually the Flat bread (Paratha, Naan or Roti) with Meat balls (Kofta Curry). Then they would join the procession to a place outside the town where they go and pray as a large congregation, usually it is the cemetery grounds. Then everyone comes back home, and enjoys the Biryani (Indian version of fried rice) and Shami kabob. Then visiting as many friends as they can is part of the culture, have a bite to eat while meeting them and greeting them with hugs.

I am pleased to invite you to join and experience these congregational prayers at Mosques and Cemeteries around the world with Muslims of different denominations.  

I wish a happy Eid to my wife Yasmeen who is celebrating Eid in Atlanta with her brother and sisters family.  I am blessed to be with my brothers and sister, nieces and nephews, uncles and cousins and friends here in my home town Yelahanka. I will be going to the Yelahanka Mosque for the Eid prayers.  

I congratulate my younger brother Mohamed Farooq and his family who are performing Hajj this year.   

Eid Mubarak to all, and Hajj Mubarak to those who are blessed to perform.

Mike Ghouse is a speaker on Pluralism and Islam offering pluralistic solutions to the media and public on issues of the day. His blogs and sites are listed at www.MikeGhouse.net

INVOCATION AT CARROLLTON CITY COUNCIL

INVOCATION AT CARROLLTON CITY COUNCIL
Pluralism (inclusive) Prayers By Mike Ghouse
7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Let's reflect, wish and pray:

Dear God, creator of the universe, please accept our gratitude in every name we call upon you, be it Ishwar, Arihantas, Manito, Adonai, Allah, Mahavir, Buddha, Wahe Guru, Mother earth, Ahura Mazda, and in the name of Jesus.


Dear Creator of the universe, guide us do the right thing every moment of our life;
Dear Causer of life, guide us to open our hearts and minds to fellow beings;

Dear God,
Guide us the humility to respect your creation.
Guide us to shed the arrogance in us that we are superior,
Guide us to learn to respect and accept every which way one worships you.
Guide us to become conflict mitigaters
Guide us to become good will nurturers
Guide to us to create peace and prosperity to every one of us.
Guide us in creating cohesive societies with kindness and dignity to every one.
Guide our elected officials to work for peace and prosperity of our nation and our City.

Blessed are the peace Makers
God Bless America

Amen

Amazing Similarities : Amina Wadud & Mike Ghouse

Amazing Similarities between articles by Dr. Amina Wadud  and Mike Ghouse http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2010/11/amazing-similarities-amina-wadud-mike.html

Shari’ah is not the law by Amina Wadud - 10/30/2010 at http://www.religiondispatches.org/dispatches/guest_bloggers/3648/shari’ah_is_not_the_law__

Shariah law not in America by Mike Ghouse - 07/20/2010 at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mike-ghouse/sharia-law-not-in-america_b_653250.html

I am thrilled to see the amazing similarities between our articles. It uplifted my spirit to see her piece. I am glad to see so many of us are thinking alike.

Oddly, there was an article by Ayaan Hirsi Ali about a year ago, which came out of my critique on her article and my own article. It was identical and the flow was similar para by para.