Responses from the Imam
Dear All,
I needed further elaboration on these topics I asked Imam Islam Mossaad, from the North Austin Muslim Community Center for help.
Post from Akshay:
Mona,
From what I have read from history books and the current media, Islam is full of jihadic aggression. Islam commands its followers to make war with people who do not believe in Islam. This has not been the case with a majority of the world's religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Baha'i, etc.). Does Islam want war with people who don't believe in Islam? If Islam is really worried about the nonbelievers, it should convince them peacefully, not by jihad.My question to you is whether Mohammed himself stood for concepts like jihad and terrorism or was he a spiritual person who only asked his believers to defend themselves from the attacks of others (i.e., with the people of Mecca/Medina, when he was trying to convert them)?If Mohammed was really a peaceful person, then it is clear that Islam is not what Mohammed taught -- his followers misrepresented what he truly taught.1. How different is Mohammed's teaching from Islam as it is understood today?2. Does Islam encourage violence against the nonbelievers? Or are these terrorists simply misrepresenting the religion?
Also, I'd like to add that the argument "it's only a minority, you should not take the terrorists to be true Islamics" is not really accurate. Jihadic terrorism has been part of world history ever since Islam came onto the scene. How can you say that it is "not the real Islam"? Why don't the leaders of Islam at Mecca take an effective decision to punish these terrorists who claim to be serving Allah? I mean, more than trying to convert non-Muslims, Islam needs to punish these people who misrepresent it. Why doesn't the Mecca committee go out and kill Osama officially? Moreover, the Quran is a collection of messages given by Mohammed to his early followers. The Quran was exposed to the followers as events took place. He did not simply organise a recital of the Quran and be done with it. Why did the Truth have to be released to the public over a period of years?You probably have no idea of the harm that the Muslim rulers have caused India over the past millenium. None of the Indian rulers ever went out to fight with the Muslims. It was the Muslims who came to India to invade, murder, and steal from India. Even today, Islamic organisations from within India have terrorist connections with their global counterparts. What is wrong with these people? If Islam is truly peaceful, why couldn't these people find any other religion to pretend to be a part of? I mean, how many Buddhist terrorist groups can you find not just today but throughout world history? Buddha never asked his disciples to go fight the nonbelievers, but Mohammed did.I hope you take my message in the right sense. It is probably clear to you that these questions arise because Islam is eitherheavily misrepresented, or is truly a deviation of Mohammed's teachings.Thank you once again for your time and patience.
Reply from Imam Islam Mossaad:
In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your questions and comments. First of all, the Quran and Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) do not call for killing non-believers. In fact, quite the opposite is the case: "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." (Surah 60 Verse 8) What is clear is that the verses dealing with fighting in the Quran is in reference to those who are actively fighting the Muslims or are perpetrating some injustice. As to those who are at peace with the Muslims, we are at peace with them.
As to whether Islam is misrepresented, for sure throughout history Muslims have not been perfect. However, when Muslims fully apply Islam, the fruits are peace and justice. The very greeting of Islam is peace. We constantly invoke the grace and mercy of God throughout our daily lives. Prophet Mohammed's (Peace be upon him) teachings are preserved and practiced intact until today. As Muslims we strive to live up to the ideals of Islam.
Continuing with your questions, there is no one committee in Mecca or otherwise that actually speaks and acts on behalf of all Muslims. Muslim leaders all over the world have condemned acts of terrorism and the average Muslim would never participate in acts of terrorism.
The Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years depending on the circumstance at hand. The Quran was meant to be a practical and relevant book. Thus when a question arose that needed divine guidance the message would be sent to Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and he would teach to his companions.
Thank you once again,
peace,
Imam Islam
North Austin Muslim Community Center
***
Post from Jason:
Mona, I hope you can help me or at least point me in the right direction. Iʼm writing a book on a paranormal entity called a Shadow Person. This entity is usually described as a blacker-than-night, sometimes two-dimensional, human-shaped figure that can be as passive as simply walking through a room, and as aggressive as physical attacks and possession. I'd like to know if there are any such figures in Islam and, if so, what's the Muslim interpretation of these entities? Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you. Jason
Mona, I hope you can help me or at least point me in the right direction. Iʼm writing a book on a paranormal entity called a Shadow Person. This entity is usually described as a blacker-than-night, sometimes two-dimensional, human-shaped figure that can be as passive as simply walking through a room, and as aggressive as physical attacks and possession. I'd like to know if there are any such figures in Islam and, if so, what's the Muslim interpretation of these entities? Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you. Jason
Reply from Imam Islam:
In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your interest in the Islamic perspective on paranormal phenomenon. The closest type of being in Islamic literature to what you are referring to are Jinn. They are created from a smokeless flame. They were created by Allah before He created the human being. Jinn can be good or evil. They can take various shapes, inhabit other creature including humans, and in some attributions can travel throughout the universe. This is some basic information to help you get started on researching Jinn.
peace,
Imam Islam
North Austin Muslim Community Center
I needed further elaboration on these topics I asked Imam Islam Mossaad, from the North Austin Muslim Community Center for help.
Post from Akshay:
Mona,
From what I have read from history books and the current media, Islam is full of jihadic aggression. Islam commands its followers to make war with people who do not believe in Islam. This has not been the case with a majority of the world's religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Baha'i, etc.). Does Islam want war with people who don't believe in Islam? If Islam is really worried about the nonbelievers, it should convince them peacefully, not by jihad.My question to you is whether Mohammed himself stood for concepts like jihad and terrorism or was he a spiritual person who only asked his believers to defend themselves from the attacks of others (i.e., with the people of Mecca/Medina, when he was trying to convert them)?If Mohammed was really a peaceful person, then it is clear that Islam is not what Mohammed taught -- his followers misrepresented what he truly taught.1. How different is Mohammed's teaching from Islam as it is understood today?2. Does Islam encourage violence against the nonbelievers? Or are these terrorists simply misrepresenting the religion?
Also, I'd like to add that the argument "it's only a minority, you should not take the terrorists to be true Islamics" is not really accurate. Jihadic terrorism has been part of world history ever since Islam came onto the scene. How can you say that it is "not the real Islam"? Why don't the leaders of Islam at Mecca take an effective decision to punish these terrorists who claim to be serving Allah? I mean, more than trying to convert non-Muslims, Islam needs to punish these people who misrepresent it. Why doesn't the Mecca committee go out and kill Osama officially? Moreover, the Quran is a collection of messages given by Mohammed to his early followers. The Quran was exposed to the followers as events took place. He did not simply organise a recital of the Quran and be done with it. Why did the Truth have to be released to the public over a period of years?You probably have no idea of the harm that the Muslim rulers have caused India over the past millenium. None of the Indian rulers ever went out to fight with the Muslims. It was the Muslims who came to India to invade, murder, and steal from India. Even today, Islamic organisations from within India have terrorist connections with their global counterparts. What is wrong with these people? If Islam is truly peaceful, why couldn't these people find any other religion to pretend to be a part of? I mean, how many Buddhist terrorist groups can you find not just today but throughout world history? Buddha never asked his disciples to go fight the nonbelievers, but Mohammed did.I hope you take my message in the right sense. It is probably clear to you that these questions arise because Islam is eitherheavily misrepresented, or is truly a deviation of Mohammed's teachings.Thank you once again for your time and patience.
Reply from Imam Islam Mossaad:
In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful,
Dear questioner,
Thank you for your questions and comments. First of all, the Quran and Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) do not call for killing non-believers. In fact, quite the opposite is the case: "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." (Surah 60 Verse 8) What is clear is that the verses dealing with fighting in the Quran is in reference to those who are actively fighting the Muslims or are perpetrating some injustice. As to those who are at peace with the Muslims, we are at peace with them.
As to whether Islam is misrepresented, for sure throughout history Muslims have not been perfect. However, when Muslims fully apply Islam, the fruits are peace and justice. The very greeting of Islam is peace. We constantly invoke the grace and mercy of God throughout our daily lives. Prophet Mohammed's (Peace be upon him) teachings are preserved and practiced intact until today. As Muslims we strive to live up to the ideals of Islam.
Continuing with your questions, there is no one committee in Mecca or otherwise that actually speaks and acts on behalf of all Muslims. Muslim leaders all over the world have condemned acts of terrorism and the average Muslim would never participate in acts of terrorism.
The Quran was revealed over a period of 23 years depending on the circumstance at hand. The Quran was meant to be a practical and relevant book. Thus when a question arose that needed divine guidance the message would be sent to Prophet Mohammed (Peace be upon him) and he would teach to his companions.
Thank you once again,
peace,
Imam Islam
North Austin Muslim Community Center
***
Post from Jason:
Mona, I hope you can help me or at least point me in the right direction. Iʼm writing a book on a paranormal entity called a Shadow Person. This entity is usually described as a blacker-than-night, sometimes two-dimensional, human-shaped figure that can be as passive as simply walking through a room, and as aggressive as physical attacks and possession. I'd like to know if there are any such figures in Islam and, if so, what's the Muslim interpretation of these entities? Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you. Jason
Mona, I hope you can help me or at least point me in the right direction. Iʼm writing a book on a paranormal entity called a Shadow Person. This entity is usually described as a blacker-than-night, sometimes two-dimensional, human-shaped figure that can be as passive as simply walking through a room, and as aggressive as physical attacks and possession. I'd like to know if there are any such figures in Islam and, if so, what's the Muslim interpretation of these entities? Thank you for your help. I look forward to hearing from you. Jason
Reply from Imam Islam:
In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful
Dear Jason,
Thank you for your interest in the Islamic perspective on paranormal phenomenon. The closest type of being in Islamic literature to what you are referring to are Jinn. They are created from a smokeless flame. They were created by Allah before He created the human being. Jinn can be good or evil. They can take various shapes, inhabit other creature including humans, and in some attributions can travel throughout the universe. This is some basic information to help you get started on researching Jinn.
peace,
Imam Islam
North Austin Muslim Community Center
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