Freedom Precedes Faith: an Islamic Notion

The timing of this article has an interesting co-incidence. As a futurist meditating on social changes, I was concentrating on the word Sin and its meaning in the next fifty years, which led me to write a poem in Urdu language and three of its 15 couplets are presented here;

Gunah karnay ka kis ko shoukh nahin tha, kis ko nahin hai?
Voh salay Adam ko bhi tha, mujbhe bhi tha, aap ko nahin tha?

Who does not have the desire to commit sin

that man Adam had it, I had it, don’t you?

Gunah kya hai, ba.qual-e-chakbast, tawazan ka bigaadna
Riwajon ko my nay bhi toda, kya aap nay bhi toda nahin tha?

What is sin, per a poet, it is messing with one’s balance

We have broken the rituals and systems, have you not?

Adam nay jo ki thee ek nafarmani, voh apnay Khameer may aayee
yaro aaj bhi bhugat rahe hain, voh ek gunah kum nahin tha?

Adam’s one fatal mistake got stamped on our DNA

Friends, we have to live with it, isn’t one sin enough?

While I was writing this, my friend Dr. Mohamed Taher sends the following article “Freedom precedes Faith.”

 To sum it up, through creation, or evolution, we are endowed with a free will, and have a choice to find a balance within or go bonkers, but God’s guidance (conscience) is always available. As a creator, he loves his creation and wants it to live in harmony.  Unlike us, the matter was created with a balance and functions perfectly per its design. Quran 55:6

وَالنَّجْمُ وَالشَّجَرُ يَسْجُدَانِ (55:6)

 55:6 (Asad) [before Him] prostrate them­selves the stars and the trees.

The Christians call it the first sin, indeed, it is. It is a deviation from the truth or flying off the handle.

Hope you enjoy this piece. It is posted at
www.WorldMuslimCongress.org as well as at forum

WorldMuslimCongress@yahoogroups.com , you can join the forum by simply sending an email to: WorldMuslimCongress-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Freedom Precedes Faith: an Islamic Notion

When Allah created Adam, He gave him the choice between obeying the command of Allah, and disobeying the command and eats from the tree.

By Dr. Mohammed Shokr

The fast-paced events of the Arab Spring, with the emergence of Islamic majorities in political power, have brought forth an important question; which comes first in the scheme of Allah (swt) to mankind: freedom or faith? In other words, has man been granted his freedom before receiving the Allah’s Guidance to the faith or vice versa?

The answer to this question has important implications in the way we approach and practice Islam. And it is not hard to find as it is clearly presented in the Quraanic narration of the creation of the first man. Freedom of choice was granted to mankind before the Guidance of Allah was bestowed.

When Allah created Adam, He gave him the choice between obeying the command of Allah to enjoy everything in the heavens except eating from one particular tree, or disobeying the command and eat from the tree. When Adam chose to disobey at a point of weakness under the influence of the Shytan (Sa- tan), Allah commanded him to go down to live on earth and warned him that he and his offspring will be enemies to each other: “And We (Allah) said: get down, all, with enmity between yourselves. On earth will be a dwelling place for you and an enjoyment for a time.” (2:36).

Then Adam, motivated by his morality, made another choice. He repented to Allah (swt) and the repentance was accepted. Yet, Allah continued to command him to go down to live on earth but this time He gave him assurances of divine Guidance to combat all challenges of hardship and enmity: “We said: Go down from this state, all of you together; and truly there will come to you guidance from Me and whoever follows My guidance, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.” (2:38).

The assurance of the Guidance of Allah (swt), and therefore the choice of the faith, came to Adam after he was granted the freedom of choice itself and , in fact, after he made the first wrong choice of disobeying the command of Allah.

Understanding this sequence is important because it will help us to value the priority of freedom in the message of Islam. And that should help us to be more appreciative and accommodating for the thoughts and positions of others with whom we differ.

This understanding also highlights the importance of the free choice in embracing Islam. That is because embracing Islam by choice, not through compulsion or blind following, is the key to its successful application. It produces Muslims with much better qualities; Muslims who can appreciate the human plurality and hence should be able to lead the human society at large.

The Prophet (pbuh) was fully aware of this fact after his victory in the conquest of Makkah. He found that people started to enter the Religion of Allah (swt) in crowds (110:2). He knew that those people had embraced Islam through the force of the circumstances when their world had been shattered by the establishment of the new religion in Makkah. That
was not a genuine choice. That was the kind of Islam that may give way to more hypocrites than genuine believers.

The Prophet (pbuh) then tried to get those new comers to love Islam. So, he gave them generous gifts from the spoils that Muslims gained during the battle of Hunayn, which took place shortly after the conquest of Makkah. He hoped that this would help them to develop some good will towards Islam and eventually come to it by choice not by force.

The companions of the prophet embraced Islam by their mere choice thought for different reasons; their love for the personality of the Prophet (pbuh), their attraction to the powerful verses of Qur’an, their fascination of the way Islam became victorious over enemies and so on. But they all walked to Islam out of their free choice. In today’s terms these companions were all converts. They chose Islam while they could have safely chosen kufr.

The Qur’an asserts that faith has to come through free choice. It must be absolutely voluntarily: “There is no compulsion in religion. Verily, the right path has become clearly distinct from the wrong path. Whoever rejects evil has grasped the most trustworthy Handhold that never breaks.” (2:256)

The strong attachment of the Prophet (pbuh) to this principle was demonstrated in his position towards the few Muslims who chose to return to their pagan religion at his time. He did not punish them. He did not even bother by their decision.

The Qur’an presents a few examples of individuals who rejected the faith yet their choice was honored and they continued to live the way they wanted. At the end, however, they will receive the punishment they deserve because of their ill choice if they do not repent. One of those examples is shown in Sura Al-Tahrim, when Allah (swt) mentions two examples of non-believer women; the wife of Prophet Noah and the wife of Prophet Lut (peace is upon them): “Allah sets forth an example to the unbelievers; the wife of Noah and the wife of Lut. They were under two of our righteous Servants but they both betrayed them (by rejecting the call to worship Allah). But the two prophets (their husbands) could not do anything to save them and it was said to the wives on the Day of Judgment: enter the Hellfire along with those who enter”. (66:10)

These two women who had the high privilege of being in the most intimate relation with the noble Prophets had failed to make the right choice. Yet, they were not punished or abused by their husbands. They were able to exercise their freedom but they have to suffer the consequence of their wrong choice on the Day of Judgment.

In Islam, the crucial point for making strong Muslim individuals and societies is not that a person should come to know and worship Allah (swt) but it is how he/she chooses freely to know and worship Allah.

Link to this article- http://worldmuslimcongress.blogspot.com/2012/04/freedom-precedes-faith-islamic-notion.html 

# # #
indeed, some one criticized me for my writings, here was my response:

May you be drenched in peace

Islam is about Justice and peace - when someone disturbs that, the least we can do is to speak up, that's what the Prophet said. He was not spared either, he was persecuted, chased, cursed and harassed... he is my role model, and I expect a tiny share of that coming to me. Thank you for giving that to me, and like the prophet, I will pray for your well being.

If you are a Muslims or not, you are not doing a favor to any, it is your choice and it does not make any difference to Prophet Muhammad, God, your spouse, parents, siblings or kids. As you are the one to live in anxiety or peace through your actions – not anyone else.

One is a Muslim by how one behaves, thinks, acts and talks. If he creates a better society, God will be pleased with him and that is what the Prophet wanted - to bring peace and justice to the people.

May you be blessed to be the best human being for the people you come in contact with. Amen

Mike Ghouse committed to building cohesive societies.
www.WorldMuslimcongress.org | www.Islamtogetherfoundation.com

Punishement for Apostasy is anti-Islamic

Any Punishment for Apostasy, Let Alone Capital Punishment, is Anti-Islamic

By Muhammad Yunus, NewAgeIslam.com

(Joint Author, Essential Message of Islam, Amana Publications, USA, 2009.)
A set of Qur'anic verses that are fundamental to its message clearly and conclusively refute the notion of punishing a Muslim man or woman who wants to convert to any other faith, or even renounce God. They are listed below under three headings.

1. Universality of the concept of Islam and of the criterion of divine judgment.

The Qur'an's use of the noun Islam and its other roots (asslama, Muslim) demonstrates that members of all faith communities - Christians, Jews, and others - regardless of whether or not they are mentioned in the Qur'an (4:164, 40:78) belong to the universal din (way of life) of Islam that espouses submission (orienting oneself, asslama) to God and doing good deeds. The followers of the Prophet Muhammad are also given this name.

"Indeed! Whoever commits (asslama) his whole being to God, and does good deeds - will get his reward from his Lord. There will be no fear upon them nor shall they grieve" (2:112).

"And who can be better in faith (din) than the one who commits (asslama) his whole being to God, and does good deeds, and follows the way of Abraham, the upright one, and God took Abraham as a friend" (4:125).
"And who is finer in speech than the one who invites to God, does good deeds and says: 'I am of those who submit to God (Muslimun)'" (41:33).

"When his Lord said to him (Abraham), 'Submit (aslim)', he said, 'I submit (Aslamtu) to the Lord of the worlds' (2:131). Abraham enjoined his sons to do so, as did Jacob: 'O my sons, God has chosen the religion (din) for you; so you should not die unless you have submitted to God (Muslimun)' (2:132). Were you (among) witnesses when death came to Jacob? He said to his sons, 'What will you serve after I am gone?' They said, 'We will serve your God; the God of your fathers, Abraham, Ishmael, and Isaac - the One God; and to Him we have truly submitted (Muslimun)'" (2:133).

"Those who believe, and those who are Jews, Christians and Sabians - and (in fact) anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and does good deeds - shall have their reward with their Lord. They have nothing to fear, nor will they regret" (2:62).

"Those who believe, and those who are Jews, Sabians and Christians - (in fact) anyone who believes in God and the Last Day, and does good deeds - they have nothing to fear, nor will they regret" (5:69).

"And do not debate with the People of the Book, but in a way that is better (than theirs), except with those of them who oppress (others); and say 'We believe in what was revealed to us, and what was revealed to you, for our God and your God is One (and the same), and it is to Him that we (all) submit (Muslimun)'" (29:46)
"…This day, those who reject (this Qur'an) despair of (ever harming) your religion. Therefore, do not fear them; fear Me. This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor on you, and have chosen Islam for your religion…" (5:3).

Note: This has also been discussed at length in light of Qur'anic illustrations in a recent publication [1], but reproduced above to avoid any need for cross reference.
2 There is no compulsion in religion.

The Qur'anic spirit of religious pluralism, intrinsic to the universality of the concept of the Islam (1 above) is reflected in its following pronouncements on the freedom of religion:

"(There is) no compulsion in religion. Truth stands out clearly from falsehood; so whoever rejects false deities and believes in God, has grasped a firm handhold, which never breaks. (Remember,) God is All-Knowing and Aware" (2:256).

"If your Lord so willed, everyone on earth would have believed, all together. Will you then compel people until they become believers" (10:99)?
"We know best what they say; but you (O Muhammad,) are not to force them. So remind with the Qur'an those who fear My warning" (50:45).

"So remind (them, O Muhammad) - for you are one who reminds (88:21); and have no power over them" (88:22).

The Qur'an's position on religious freedom is amply demonstrated in a verse (60:11) dating from the Medinite period allowing pagan women to leave for Mecca, if they did not opt to convert to Islam along with their husbands:

"And if any of your wives should go over to the pagans, and then you have your turn (as many converted wives of the Meccan pagans left their pagan husbands and came over to Medina), then pay to those whose wives had left the equivalent of what they had spent (on their dower). And heed God in whom you believe" (60:11).

The Muslims who turn atheist will be punished after their death

The Qur'an declares:

"…And if any of you turn back from their faith and die in a state of atheism, their deeds will be of no avail in life, or in the hereafter; and they will be the inmates of hellfire and they will remain there" (2:217).
"…Anyone who, after believing in God, denounces his faith, - except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in faith - but such as open their breast to atheism, on them is Wrath from God, and theirs will be a dreadful punishment" (16:106).

"Those who turn atheist after entering faith and then go on increasing in their disbelief - their repentance will never be accepted. And they are those who are astray" (3:90).

"Those who believe, reject faith and then believe (again), and again reject faith, and go on increasing in atheism, God will not forgive them nor guide them along the (right) path" (4:137). [See also 47:25-27]
Finally, the Qur'an reassures the Muslims that "if anyone abandons his religion, God will replace him with others whom He loves and who love Him" (5:54).


These verses clearly demonstrate that apostasy will be punished only by God. Not a single verse in the Qur'an offers any basis to humans/ Muslims to punish an apostate, as apostasy is between a person and God and God is enough to deal with the apostates. Thus, there is no Qur'anic basis to legislate capital punishment, or, for that matter, any punishment for apostasy or for renouncing faith in God altogether (atheism).


Historically, in all major civilizations, the cessation from the established religion of the State was conflated with treason and carried most severe punishments. Thus, as late as 'the eighteenth century of the Christian era, the Christian churches in Western Europe condemned the heretics to the stake or the gallows; no distinction was made on the score of sex or age'. [2] In the Islamic world, the traitors turned apostates and joined the enemy camp. So the punishment for apostasy was in true sense the punishment for treason rather than for abandoning faith.


Conclusion. In the past centuries, the world was divided on strictly religious lines and apostasy equated with treason in the political and military sense for which death sentence was normative for the era. With a major paradigm shift in civilization in terms of the relegation of religion to the personal domain, commercialization and secularization of the armed forces, and evolution of secular nations, the religion of a soldier does not define his national identity or loyalty and the change of religion does not conflate with political treason or sedition. Therefore, in light of the Qur'an's recognition of the divinity of all religions (1 above), and its unqualified sanction of religious freedom, there can be no Qur'anic basis whatsoever for any punishment, let alone capital punishment, for changing religion or apostasy.

Notes:
[1] Muslims have NO Qur'anic basis for Religious Supremacism: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamAndSpiritualism_1.aspx?ArticleID=5802

[2] Asaf A.A.Fyzee, Outlines of Mohammadan Law, fifth edition 2005, Oxford University Press, New Delhi, p.178.

Muhammad Yunus, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Indian Institute of Technology, and a retired corporate executive has been engaged in an in-depth study of the Qur'an since early 90's, focusing on its core message. He has co-authored the referred exegetic work, which received the approval of al-Azhar al-Sharif, Cairo in 2002, and following restructuring and refinement was endorsed and authenticated by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl of UCLA, and published by Amana Publications, Maryland, USA, 2009.
URL: http://www.newageislam.com/NewAgeIslamIslamicShariaLaws_1.aspx?ArticleID=5998

Quraan 2:256 No compulsion in matters of faith

This is a critical issue and has a lot more implications than we apply it to. I take this internally and if we can expand on understanding the wisdom of Qur’aan that Allah has communicated, it will threaten the fat Muslim clergy establishment. It is coming though.

It is human nature or human fitra for one to be free, that's how God has made it. Islam, peacemaking, creating a world of harmony hinges on free will.

Prophet Muhammad shook the idea and removed the conflicts by bringing diverse people together from a point of view of "my own god vs. your own god" to "our common god". Now Muslims have created, "my own tradition (sunni, Shia, Ahmadiyya, and wahhabi) to become a God of theirs. Javed, you ask why this issue is brought up again and again... look at the idiot guardians of Islam issuing idiotic fatwa’s against each other. Sunnis claiming shias are no Muslim and vice-versa. We have to come to a common Islam, without losing our uniqueness.

I take this further (Muslims are not ready for this) - in an evening party gatherings, I would not want any one even to remind the other to join up for Salat (namaz), it is individuals responsibility. If you want to pray go do it, it is your duty and you are the one to answer God, not me or anyone else. Who knows what she or he is going through? Social compulsions and embarrassments about asking are you fasting.. will fade away in the next two generations giving true value to no compulsion in religion. If Muslims can understand that, there is no compulsion in Islam, they would have understood Islam. when people get this, the establishment gets threatened, as if Islam is taken away from them, if Islam is not an internal idea of submission to god and external idea of acts, then they would lose it.

I have to put some research work together on this, Insha Allah, one of these days. I know you will not do it, as you are afraid of losing your support from the likes of guardians of establishment. Javed, let's have the freedom to express the truth of creating a world of peace, submission to peace of humanity; God's will. It is not just you; it is the same story with the Christians, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists and others. Hold on to status quo or what is dished out to us, we fear them and not the Creator who wants us to get along and accept and respect each one of his creation.

May we learn about all religions and the beauty they offer to create a peaceful living. Mazhab nahin sikhata aapas may bair rakhna.

Iftekhar is on the right track, this non-sense about Abrogation of one verse against the other must be summarily discarded. Just because the Imams of yester years did not comprehend the wholeness of Qur’aan, which is a beautiful document for co-existence of humanity, they took exceptions and start abrogating one or the other. With all due respect to those great imams, they understood the Qur’aan that worked for them, their understanding does not work for us living in free societies where there is no compulsion, a real Qur’anic way of life.

We need to develop our own understanding and I know it frightens many; the change is coming. At least the American Muslim kids will not take some of the crap developed and thrown on Muslims as if it were Islamic.

Mike Ghouse
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What is meaning of 2:256 "NO COMPULSION IN RELIGION."

various interpretation of verse 2:256, "There shall be no Compulsion in Religion" there are various interpretation. See below:

Abrogated: The passage was overridden by subsequent Quranic verses (such as 9:73: "O Prophet! Struggle against the unbelievers (Jews & Christians) and hypocrites (Jews & Christians) and be harsh with them").

Purely symbolic: The phrase is a description, not an imperative. Islam's truth is so obvious that to coerce someone to become a Muslim does not amount to "compulsion"; or else being made to embrace Islam after defeat in war is not viewed as "compulsion."

Spiritual, not practical: Governments may indeed compel external obedience, though they of course cannot compel how Muslims think. (This is evident in Saudi Arabia )

Limited in time and place: It applied uniquely to Jews (only) in Medina in the seventh century.

Present day Jews, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists have no choice but to read the Quran and covert. They must convert to Islam for salvation.

Limited to non-Muslims who live under and accept Muslim rule: Some jurists say it applies only to "Peoples of the Book" (Christians, Jews and Zoroastrians); others say it applies to all infidels.

Excludes some non-Muslims: Apostates, women, children, prisoners of war, and others can indeed be compelled. (This is the standard interpretation that has applied in most times and places).

Limited to all non-Muslims: Muslims must abide by the tenets of Islam and may not apostatize.

Limited to Muslims: Muslims may shift from one interpretation of their faith to another (such as from Sunni to Shia), but may not leave Islam.

Applied to all persons: Reaching the true faith must be achieved through trial and testing, and compulsion undercuts this process.

There is massive disagreement among the various school of thoughts among Muslim scholars, ulemas and maulanas: The debate over the no-compulsion verse has several important implications.

Ibn-e-Arabi says (12the century scholar) 200 verses have been abrogated and Shah Waliullah (18th Century scholar) says only 5 verses. There is total confusion and chaos among present day "Hafiz-e- Qurans." This leaves more confusion in the minds of modern day Muslim youth of internet generation.

First, it shows that Islam - like all religions - is whatever believers make of it. The choices for Muslims range from Taliban-style repression to Balkan-style liberality. There are few limits; and there is no "right" or "wrong" interpretation.

Muslims in USA and Europe have a clean slate to resolve what "no compulsion" means in the 21st century We have yet to come up with a good "translation" of our Holy Quran that will take the global village concept into consideration addressing the global challenges for humanity.

Iftekhar Hai
UMA Interfaith Alliance
Tel: 650-872-2578 www.umaia.net

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Mohtaram Iftakhar Sahib

ASAK

I can’t understand why you keep on discussing the issue of “compulsion” in Islam. Do you find anywhere in the world Muslims forcing others to accept Islam? If you have a project or you are helping any organization in this regard better tell them the real problems of the world, most of which are related to irreligion rather than religion, and illuminate them abut how these problems can be tackled by following the socioeconomic system of Islam.

Both you and I think globally. But there is a clear difference. I study and analyse the modern developments in the light of Qur’an and want to change the world in accordance with Fundamental Rights, duties and Prohibitions enshrined in the Book. On the other hand you want to reinterpret certain Quranic verses to make them suit the demands of the current world order, which is largely based on un-Islamic principles.

As far as the verse “La ikraha fid deen is concerned, in my humble view, “Ikraha” is traditionally being erroneously translated as” compulsion” and “Deen” as “religion”. Ikraha to me means something reprehensible as it is derived from karaha and its well known derivative is ”makruh”

The translation of these verses in my opinion should be: “There is nothing reprehensible in System (of Islam). Guidance has become clearly distinguishable from Misguidance. So one who rejects the Taghut (forces of corruption) and is convinced about God, he has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that will never break. “

Religion relates to one’s internal beliefs and personal actions; system also includes the external conditions including the law and environment. Islam is not a religion; it is System that does not only want the people to have a right belief system and personal righteousness but also establishes a system that protects people and helps them attain their rightful goals without fear.

Dr Javed Jamil
--------------------------------

Dear Javed Saheb:

We need good interpretation and translation of Quranic verses in English because there is a great need. This is the reality in America, UK, India & Europe.

You have said: On the other hand you want to reinterpret certain Quranic verses to make them suit the demands of the current world order, which is largely based on un-Islamic principles.

My answer: Almost all the Muslims who have settled in West and also in the Islamic world say, "There is more Islam in Western countries with the exception of "sexism and Banking system." Your writings on both this subject also seconds this facts. But in all reality....I have lived in Pakistan and also visited almost all the Islamic countries. I find lots of Muslims but no Islam. This is said by many Muslims...I am merely repeating what has already been said before.


The Arab world treats Indian-Pakistani Muslims as third class citizens. There are numerous reports of abuse of power by the Arabs. There is so much hypocrisy and see what the Quran says, "The arabs of the desert are worst in hypocrisy and unbelief and most suited to be ignorant of the message that Allah has send to His messenger. " 9:97 and in 9:101 the hypocrisy gets very obstinate and the punishment gets more severe.

There are no individual rights in Muslim world as you find individual rights in Western world. They know Arabic and the Quran but what they practice is, "corrupted and sensual policies."....why

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

IN THE AREA OF SEXUAL HABITS THE MUSLIM WORLD IS ALSO NO LESS AND THERE IS SO MUCH CORRUPTION IN EVERYDAY LIFE:

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

In the field of education, scienctific research, inventions and discovery. We Muslims are 1.5 billion. There is no noble price winners. Muslims have not contributed in the field of science, inventions and technology as they should be doing. We are the most ignorant people. We rely on handouts from the Western countries, our economic system is broken.....WHY...We read the Quran and Arabic is our mother tongue still we are the most illiterate people of the world. The Chinese, Hindus, Jews, and even the Communist world is ahead of us..why

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

The way the Quran is explained to the Muslim world is based in the mind-set of 6th century Arabian culture of "jahaliyah."
We have to set ourselves free from that 6th century mind-set and come in this fast changing jet-set, technologically changing world. Globally we are behind everybody...if we have "correct interpretation" of our moral and our character why do you think we have sunk so low.....that everyone is walking over us.

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.

Please do not take this personally.......I want to make a forceful point that our "ummah" is sinking because of several reasons. The only thing left with us is the Quran..........and Muslims have faith in God...there is hope. But you have to re-polish the wheel, rust off "mental arrogance" and role up your sleves and look at Quran from global perspective where Muslims are a minority facing annihilation. We cannot even control our own resources and refine our own oil. We need Western minds and Western technology....there is something drastically wrong here. The oil will soon be gone and we will be left to die and beg for survival. That is why I am saying:

JAVED SAHEB...IT IS FOR THIS REASON WE NEED TO RE-INTERPRET THE QURANIC VERSES TO REVERSE THE PATH THAT MUSLIMS ARE FOLLOWING......IT IS SELF - DESTRUCTIVE AND ARROGANT TO THE CORE.


Iftekhar Hai
UMA Interfaith Alliance
Tel: 650-872-2578 www.umaia.net

Muslim countries seek blasphemy ban

A good debate is warranted on the issue. I am inclined to support the freedom of speech, hoping civility would ultimately prevail. Rules should be made for the general good of the population and not to address the exceptions, as the majority of the people in every group are moderate, law abiding, easy to get along and practice live and let live way of life. However, we cannot be blind to many a laws that have been the catalyst in bringing about a positive change.

Continued at:
http://wisdomofreligion.blogspot.com/2009/11/muslim-countries-seek-blasphemy-ban.html

Mike Ghouse
~~~