The Meaning of Islam

Islam

Basic meaning: Islam has taken its root from the word Selm. Selm means being without any physical and spiritual , bodily and mental, outward and inward disorder.

Islam: The word Selm changes its form to Islam in chapter “Efa’ l”. Chapter Efa’ l is always used to make words transitive. So we can define the word Islam in this way:

“Keep yourself and the others from any outward and inward disease or from physical Or spiritual disorders.”

Salam : The person who is purred and freed from any deficiency or disorder. This word has been brought up as one of God’s names. In peoples meeting saying salam [Hello] in fact is a kind of health wish for the other.

Muhammad and America, part 3/3

Analysis of Some of the Propaganda Attacks Against Islam

3. Victory Over the Grave

In this section the writer states:

Mohammad is dead. Muslims follow a dead man. At the core of Christianity is the resurrection of Christ. The empty tomb validates the claims of Christ and inspires his followers. Over five hundred people witnessed Christ in his resurrected form. The resurrected Mohammad has yet to be seen.

Propaganda Attacks Against Islam

Muhammad and America/ part 2/3

Analysis of Some of the Propaganda Attacks Against Islam

2. The Morality of Mohammad

The second point that the writer mentions in criticism of Islam, and one which in his opinion has been ignored in this religion is the morality of Mohammad and lack of affection, sympathy and ethics on his part. In his view, Mohammad was a very rough individual who under the cover of the sward had enhanced his way and in this endeavor ransacked commercial caravans and assassinated his critics. The writer has cited verses in defense of his claim and says that the guarantee of salvation for mankind signed by Jesus, is acquired in Islam through Jihad and wars. He says:

Islam offers no morality in Mohammad, but we find purity in Christ. Jesus didn’t kill people. He didn’t pirate caravans. Rather than dismiss women, he honored them. And, most of all, he rose from the dead.

With respect to the above the following points are worthy of consideration:

Muhammad and America/ part 1/3

Analysis of Some of the Propaganda Attacks Against Islam

The above title is the subject of a speech given by priest Max Lucado in one of the churches in San Antonio, Texas, about a month and a half after the September 11th tragedy. The text of the speech has been published in writing.

The above article mentions a series of tragedies in the history of the United States of America and points to the aerial assaults on the World Trade Center and follows with the following questions:

1. Why do the present peoples (the Arabs) of the lands of the birth place of our holy book (Bible), rich with history of Christianity (instead of respecting us) consider us their enemies?

2. Why do they use phrases such as holy war, martyr and Paradise and consider us as Pagans?

3. Why do they sacrifice their own lives in suicidal missions and the Islamic millionaire (Bin Laden) plots against us and our children?

The Bible Vesion of Fitna (Schism)

(Please note; The intention of this post is not to criticize the Bible)

Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati - Part 5/5

I do not know what to say about her or how to say it? I wanted to imitate the French writer who was speaking one day in a conference about the Virgin Mary. He said, “For 1700 years all of the speakers have spoken of Mary. For 1700 years, all philosophers and thinkers of various nations of the East and West have spoken of the value of Mary. For 1700 years, the poets of the world have spent all of their creative efforts and power in their praise of Mary. For 1700 years, all of the painters and artists have created wonderful works of art showing the face and form of Mary. But the totality of all that has been said and the efforts of all the artists and thinkers throughout these many centuries have not been able to better describe the greatness of Mary than the simple words, ‘Mary was the mother of Jesus Christ.”‘

And I wanted to begin in this manner with Fatima. I got stuck. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the daughter of the great Khadija,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the daughter of Mohammad,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the wife of Ali,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima was the mother of Hassan and Hussein,’ but I sensed this would not fully describe Fatima. I wished to say, ‘Fatima is the mother of Zaynab,’ but I still sensed this would not fully describe Fatima.

No, these are all true, and none of them is Fatima.

Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati - Part 4/5

CHAPTER TEN

The Confinement
The black and difficult years of hunger began in the valley of Abu Talib. The Hashimi and Abd al-Muttalib families were imprisoned-with the exception of Abu Lahab who has joined the enemies. Men, women and children were placed in this hot, dry valley. A notice was written by Abu Jahl, in the name of all the wealthy people of the Quraysh, and it was placed on the Kabah wall: aNo one should have any contact with the Hashimi tribe. All relationships with them are cut-off. Do not buy anything from them. Do not sell anything to them. Do not marry any of them.”

Are Men More Noble/Superior to Women in the Eyes of God?

Rights of Women in Islam

By A. Bazargan

Hypothesis:

Verse 34 of Chapter Al-Nesa, according to the following description, is clearly discriminatory with respect to inherent mental superiority of men over women, with men being more worthy of dominance over women and their leading role in the family, and that it requires women to submit to and take orders from their husbands!

الرِّجَالُ قَوَّامُونَ عَلَى النِّسَاءِ بِمَا فَضَّلَ اللَّهُ بَعْضَهُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ وَبِمَا أَنْفَقُوا مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ فَالصَّالِحَاتُ قَانِتَاتٌ حَافِظَاتٌ لِلْغَيْبِ بِمَا حَفِظَ اللَّهُ وَاللَّاتِي تَخَافُونَ نُشُوزَهُنَّ فَعِظُوهُنَّ وَاهْجُرُوهُنَّ فِي الْمَضَاجِعِ وَاضْرِبُوهُنَّ فَإِنْ أَطَعْنَكُمْ فَلَا تَبْغُوا عَلَيْهِنَّ سَبِيلًا إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلِيًّا كَبِيرًا

Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because God has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband’s) absence what God would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For God is Most High, great (above you all). (1)

Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati - Part 3/5

CHAPTER SIX

What Role Did Women Play In The Attack?
Women in Islamic countries held a power whereby they could have changed the traditions, social relationships, ethics, spiritual values and, most important of all, the pattern of consumption in the same way that they held a power to preserve all this. Why? Because of the sensitive spirit of the East. It tends to accept the luxuries of civilized life and new products quickly more easily. This is especially true when confronted by bright, new, eye-catching things of beauty especially when opposed to these, they find nothing but ugliness.

Fatima is Fatima, By Ali Shariati - Part 2/5

CHAPTER FOUR

What should be done?
Islam distributes freedom. People are in love with Islam and yet, the young intellectuals realize the weakness and decline of Islam’s followers. The main reason for this contradiction is ‘not having come to know’. It is coming to know which has value. Love and faith have no value if they precede coming to know and precede chose or commitment. If the Quran is read but not understood, it is no different from a blank book. The Prophet gave his followers awareness, greatness, chastity and freedom when they came to know who he was. When one reads a book miss understating the Prophet’s character or when a book of his sayings is not given to his longing people, what effect can loving him, praising and eulogizing him have?