The following article is written by Mr A. Bazargan. It should be mentioned that what Mr. Bazargan says about Hijab (Veil) is his views and there are more moderate as well as conservative views on Hijab in Islam (or I should say at least in Shia). Some believe that covering the hair is not part of the Hijab meant by the God. They give sound reasoning for their claim and site many historical views in support of this viewpoint. On the other hand, some conservatives take harder views and believe that Hijab is more restricted than what some practice.

Among Shias, almost no one believes on covering the face, as it is practiced in some Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia today. On the contrary, they mention that this is against what Islam meant. They highly forbidden face covering.

Except some politicians, almost everyone in Iran believe that Hijab, regardless of our viewpoints, is not mandatory. People should be free to choose it or not to choose it. Actually, this moderate view is based on Quran where God calls on the freedom of choice in believing in religion. They believe that freedom is the cornerstone of any faith. Based on this view, what the governments of some Muslim countries are doing (forcing women to wear veil), has nothing to do with the true Islam as it was addressed by the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH)!

Here is Mr Bazargan’s article:

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Hypothesis:

The veil is against a woman’s nature. It limits and imprisons women and it is a prison from which women must escape

Of all the religious edicts, perhaps the hardest and least acceptable and one which is in conflict with women’s sensual inclinations, especially for the young, is the issue of the veil.

Has God, the All-Knowing, imposed an unfair and discriminatory edict on women or is there a benefit and good purpose in it agreeable with woman’s nature which one has to recognize?

The word veil is a secular word and in the Qur’an it has never been mentioned to mean head cover or head dress.

From the cases where derivatives of the word veil have appeared in the Qur’an meanings such as curtain, screen, and boundary (placed on strangers) can be inferred. The ethical application of this word in the case of women hinges on the belief in the existence of such boundaries, the limitations placed on the women’s individual and public contacts with men, and the responsibilities instigated by religious laws.

Human being is the only creature which, due to having choice and free will, and awareness and recognition of his/her good and bad behavior, feels shame and tries to cover his/her body parts and guard them from those seeking to abuse them. Except for human beings, animals which live by their natural instincts never feel shame, guilt, or embarrassment. In the story of Adam and Eve in heaven the first action they take in order to cover their bodies with leaves takes place after their disobedience in eating the forbidden fruit. This action is the first expression in exhibiting choice and free will which distinguishes humans from animals. Since both Adam and Eve attempted to cover their bodies it shows that veiling and covering for both men and women is the first sign of “will” and control of instinct, and is a defensive mechanism against stimulations from outside the system.

Consequently, the issue of veiling and feeling of shame and guilt from the points of view of nature and history, are as old as the existence of man on this planet and were not invented and imposed by religious administrators. The diversity of the opinions on the issue of veil is concerned with the limits of veiling. On the one hand is the complete freedom in the relationships between men and women, i.e., no limit on the unruly passion, desire and sexual inclinations, and on the other is limiting and imprisoning women in the house and severing all their relationships with their surroundings and other people. What is important is to find a reasonable and rational position on this issue which at its source has the covering of only the sexual parts of the body with only so much as the leaf of a tree, and in its present form is interpreted by some to mean the hiding of women at home and silencing them.

The following are some of the inferences derived from the Qur’an in understanding the philosophy and the benefits of this issue:

1. The veil is an issue for both men and women and is part of the supply and demand equation. Many think that women should cover their bodies and men should restrain their eyes, whereas Verse 31 of Chapter Al-Noor (24) of the Qur’an decrees both for both sexes.

وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آَبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آَبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَائِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَانُهُنَّ أَوِ التَّابِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُولِي الْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ أَوِ الطِّفْلِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا عَلَى عَوْرَاتِ النِّسَاءِ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِنْ زِينَتِهِنَّ وَتُوبُوا إِلَى اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what (must ordinarily) appear thereof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husband’s fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons, or their women, or the slaves whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex; and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O ye Believers! turn ye all together towards Allah, that ye may attain Bliss

2. The veil for women is for their security against the sick-hearted and against attacks on women’s chastity, and has a custodial role not one of impedance or hindrance and slavery. Consider the following:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ قُلْ لِأَزْوَاجِكَ وَبَنَاتِكَ وَنِسَاءِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ يُدْنِينَ عَلَيْهِنَّ مِنْ جَلَابِيبِهِنَّ ذَلِكَ أَدْنَى أَنْ يُعْرَفْنَ فَلَا يُؤْذَيْنَ وَكَانَ اللَّهُ غَفُورًا رَحِيمًا

O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad): that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft- Forgiving, Most Merciful. (1)

3. Veil (in the context of relationship with strangers) is for the protection of the family as the source of nourishment for the young and a means of strengthening the relationship between husband and wife. It is a tool for preventing the weakening and dissociation of the married relationship of a couple, and for strengthening the dependency of the spouses on each other. Elimination of this protection by allowing passion and desire to override marital obligations will lead to destruction of family life.

Just as prevention is cheaper and better than the cure, so is covering exposed parts of body (of men and women) and restraining one’s eyes a cure for deviations from moral and ethical behavior.

4. Most people’s understanding of the word veil is the head cover or the long gown worn by some women, whereas the word veil is not mentioned in the Qur’an to mean head cover or gown, nor is covering the head a sufficient condition to realize the meaning of veil.

The realm of veil in the Qur’an starts with the manner of looking

قُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنِينَ يَغُضُّوا مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِمْ (2) …Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze…
وَقُلْ لِلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَارِهِنَّ (3) And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze…
فَلَا تَخْضَعْنَ بِالْقَوْلِ فَيَطْمَعَ الَّذِي فِي قَلْبِهِ مَرَضٌ وَقُلْنَ قَوْلًا مَعْرُوفًا (4) be not too complacent of speech, lest one in whose heart is a disease should be moved with desire: but speak ye a speech (that is) just

Non of which are addressed by wearing a veil. Most of the disputes revolve around covering the hair, whereas covering the head, chest and neck, and not wearing tight clothing (so as to outline the body contours) which is clearly mentioned in the Qur’an, are more important

وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَى جُيُوبِهِنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty

For chaste women Qur’an considers necessary the coverage of anything that is considered ornamental or decorative. Whether one’s hair is considered “ornamental,” should be judged by an unbiased conscious and a mind independent of sensual inclinations. If in the Qur’an there is no direct mention of hair (5), or if hair coverage seems to be in dispute, it is due to the historical state of affairs. In the region of Saudi Arabia during the time of revelation of the Qur’an, and also today, due to the intensity of the heat of the sun and dust in the air, men and women covered their heads and therefore it was not necessary for the Qur’an to mention the issue of covering one’s hair.

5. On the one hand is the point of view of some western societies in utilizing and profiteering from appearance and beauty of women and application of such commodities in the arena of marketing and sales, and offering such commodities to customers of passion and desire or even customers of artwork. And on the other is the religious point of view which insists on protecting and guarding the beauty of form and shape, a Divine endowment on human beings. The difference in view points are due to the difference in world view and observation of the same. On the one hand, it is a question of love of the world and following one’s passions, desires in seeking temporary pleasures, and on the other hand, devising good policies and long-term considerations for individuals and the society, and also seeking salvation for the day of judgment. One can never dissuade those whose sight is bound by temporal life and earthly pleasures from ostentation and pretension.

6. Verses regarding observing boundaries of relationship between men and women are mentioned mainly in Chapters Al-Noor (24) and Al-Ahzab (33) of the Qur’an which were revealed in Medina (not Mecca) (6) during the eighteenth to the twenty third years of the prophetic mission, as the final additions to a monument whose structure and substance had already been constructed. This situation attests to an important issue, an issue whose mental and cultural foundation has to be in place before the final additions can be installed. This is a case of setting educational precedence and priority in a society. In the Qur’an the axioms declaring unlawful such things as intoxicating substances, gambling, etc., and the issue of veil, were revealed at a time when the foundation for societal belief for the unity of God, the day of judgment, the history of past peoples and prophets, and ethical standards had already been laid. Even then such axioms were revealed through patterns and sample models, not through commands and proclamations! Whereas in some Islamic countries, the religious administrators concentrate their efforts on the wearing of the veil and cause rough encounters with persons who do not wear veils and follow western cultures instead of directing their efforts towards cultural and educational activities; a futile effort expended on the appearance and one which ignores the substance. According to Mathnavi of Molavi:

Love can only be encountered with love,
Seek then, a lover better than love.

When teachers of ethics in a society mange to plant the seed of love in the youth, then one can hope to reap the harvest in the next generation and not have to worry about those who are content with the temporal life

7. The Qur’an does not mention anything with regards to those who do not wear the veil. In some Islamic countries, if punishment is administered, it is due to the man-made laws and the discretion of the religious administrators, and not because of a divine law or commandment. Maybe the reason that the Qur’an does not mention punishment for those who do not wear the veil is due to the law of supply and demand. In other words, it may be that the effect of not wearing the veil can be neutralized by ignoring and not paying attention and by controlling one’s eyes. Indeed if there is demand for a commodity, how can one dissuade another from selling that commodity?

According to the Qur’an, and in contrast to the customary practice, the harsh threats and punishments in this world are directed toward abusive and obtrusive men who cause disturbances for women. Consider the following Verse:

لَئِنْ لَمْ يَنْتَهِ الْمُنَافِقُونَ وَالَّذِينَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ مَرَضٌ وَالْمُرْجِفُونَ فِي الْمَدِينَةِ لَنُغْرِيَنَّكَ بِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَا يُجَاوِرُونَكَ فِيهَا إِلَّا قَلِيلًا

Truly, if the Hypocrites, and those in whose hearts is a disease, and those who stir up sedition in the City, desist not, We shall certainly stir thee up against them: Then will they not be able to stay in it as thy neighbours for any length of time (7)

1) Qur’an 33:59

2) Qur’an 24:30

3) Qur’an 24:31

4) Qur’an 33:32

5) The word hair is not mentioned in the Qur’an

6) See “Seir-e Tahavol Dar Qur’an,”, Table 15, by Mehdi Bazargan

7) Qur’an 33:60

This deadly weapon was sent to Saddam by western countries. It was revealed later that the Germany was the place where the chemicals were shipped to Saddam’s Iraq to use it on Iranian soldiers.

Nowadays, once in while you hear one of these victims dies after many years of struggle for life. There is no escape. . . Only death is able to end the intolerable pain.

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.

Moslem: A person who tries to retire himself and others from physical and spiritual Deficiency in his relation with others.

Taslim: The person who becomes danger less in his relation with the others and doesn’t harm or injure anybody.

With reference to word Islam in Quaran’s texts in “Al – e – Imran ” ’s surah in 91^st Versus it is said that:

” ا ن الدین عند ا لله الا سلام ”

“Truly, the perfect Religion in the sight of Allah is Islam”

In the 79^th versus in the same surah it is said that:

” قل آ منا با لله و ما انزل علی ابراهیم و اسماعیل و اسحا ق و یعقوب و الاسباط و

ما اوتی موسی و عیسی و النبیو ن من ربهم ، لا نفرق بین احدِ منهم و نحن له مسلمون ”

“Say [o, Messengers] we believe in Allah and in what has been sent down To us and what was sent down to Abraham, Ishmael, Isshaq, Yaqub and The sons of Yaqub , and what was given to Mussa , Issa and to other Messengers from their creator and Nurturer, we consider no Discrimination between one and another among them and to Allah we are Submitted. “

You can read the rest from Ali Tahmasbi’s site

Uramunat- Azerbaijan- North western Iran

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armenian-church-Azerbaijan- North western Iran

a-serene-lake-in-guilan-northern-iran

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aali-gaapou-isfahan-iran

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arg-e-kola-farangi-birjand-iran

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asalem-khalkhal-Azerbaijan- North western Iran

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bagh-e-eram-palace-gardens-shiraz

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chahar-bagh-avenue-isfahan

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chehel-sotoun-palace-pavilion-isfahan

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cottage-in-northern-iran

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ferdowsi-toos-khorasan-iran

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kohgiluyeh-boyer-ahmad-province-iran

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lahijan-guilan-province-iran

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latian-lake-near-tehran

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izeh-south-western-iran

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layalestan-gilan-northern-iran

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mansion-in-mazanderan-northern-iran

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marble-palace-tehran

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margoon-waterfall

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museum-of-fine-arts-tehran-iran

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niasar-isfahan-iran

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Lake Urmia-Azerbaijan- North western Iran

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Lake Urmia-Azerbaijan- North western Iran

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outskirts-of-shiraz-iran

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parandegan-park-in-isfahan

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pear-orchard-shiraz

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saayeh-khosh-southern-iran

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shahzadeh-gardens-mahan-kerman

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sistan-baluchestan-province

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sobatan-village-Ardebil- North western Iran

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traditional-persian-outdoor-teahouse

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Uramanat-Azerbaijan- North western Iran

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vank-cathedral-isfahan-iran

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village-of-roodbarak-norhtern-iran

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waterfalls-near-shiraz-iran

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white-bridge-ahwaz-south-western-iran

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winter night in Isfahan

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.

This statement by the writer, like the relationship between one’s salvation and one’s good deeds, from the Islamic point of view is totally correct. Yes, the Qur’an has introduced Mohammad (PBUH) as the only prophet with the responsibility of the safekeeping and delivering the divine word to mankind. In the battle of “Uhod,” a group of Muslims who had lost the will to fight because they thought Mohammad (PBUH) had died and were about to surrender, were admonished by the following verse:

“Muhammad is no more than an Apostle: many were the Apostles that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to God;…

The Qur’an strongly insists on the issue of Monotheism, that is worshiping one god and refraining from exaggerating and exceeding the bounds of elevating religious figures. That is why the Qur’an has stated the best quality of Mohammad (PBUH) as servitude in the service of God.

The Qur’an repeatedly stresses to the prophet that you are not the representative, the guardian (of faith,) the imposer (of religion,) and the dictator, that your only role is to profess the divine word and be the bearer of glad tidings for those worthy of receiving such news and the manifester of danger to those who have strayed from the path of the righteousness.

Many times in the Qur’an it is stated that guidance is exclusively in the hands of God and the Prophet, no matter how willing he may be in guiding the servitude, he will not be able to do it.

The Christians celebrate the birth of Christ which is a personal issue and the Muslims celebrate Eid Fetr which is at the end of the month of fasting, and Eid Ghorban which is at the end of the rituals of Hajj.

The origin of the Christian calendar is the birth of Christ and the origin of the Islamic calendar is the historic departure (Hijrah) of the believers from Mecca for Medina, which is an issue that has to do with the Islamic community and not the person of the Prophet. As a matter of fact, Christ as introduced in the Qur’an, is a model of pure servitude and total submission to God and void of the ornaments that have been associated with him by his followers in the later centuries.

Many times this verse from Jesus has been repeated in the Qur’an:

“Worship God, my Lord and your Lord.” (5:72)

The disciples who were the first true followers of Jesus understood and observed the limits of monotheism and polytheism correctly. According to the Qur’an, when Jesus asks for their help and says, “Who will help me in the way of God,” the disciples, instead of saying we will help you, say, “We are the helps of God [!],” and they add, “We have faith in God, be witness to the fact that we are Muslims.”

The point is to consider God to be ever-lasting and the resolver of human problems, the one who hears and sees, the one who is present and is a witness and the care taker, and this is not exclusive to the Muslims. The first followers of Jesus and today’s monotheists and pure Christians have and always have had the same opinion. Now if someone instead of practicing monotheism and purity seeks help from one of God’s creatures and considers him to be present in times of happiness and sorrow, then that is a matter between that person and his/her god. Neither having an empty tomb is a sign of virtue and superiority for a particular sect, nor having a full tomb is a sign of worshiping the dead.

He, who never dies, death and life are in his hands, and night and day, the moon and the sun and the stars are created by him, is worthy of being praised and worshipped and this is the essence of the word of all prophets, especially that of Jesus, the son of Mary (peace be upon them all.)

At the end of the article the writer concludes with the following from his writing:

“Mohammad and Christ are different. Islam and Christianity are different; they are not two different roads that lead to the same place. …Orthodox Islam and historical Christianity cannot both be true. To say that they are the same is like going out to the interstate and saying I-10 West and I-10 East both go to Houston. They don’t, they can’t. It is impossible for both Christianity and Islam to be correct. They go two different directions.”

Yes, polytheism and monotheism, worshiping prophets and worshiping God, the way of the prophets and the way of the administrators of religion are two different ways, but according to the teachings of the Qur’an, prophets are different teachers of the same school and their message is the same. The followers of the prophets, like the students of the same school, follow the same curriculum and are part of the same family.

God recommends to the Prophet of Islam to invite the people of the book (Jews and Christians) to unite around the three axis which are acceptable to both people:

1. Not to worship anyone but Allah,

2. Not to associate anyone as equal to him,

3. Not to accept anyone as master but God.

As you can see what Islam requires of the people of the book is nothing other than respecting the way of their own laws. In the Qur’an, Muslims have been ordered twice not to discriminate among the prophets and not to slip into the race and tribal discrimination that has plagued the Israeli people, but to insist on submission to God of the worlds in spite of their reluctance towards their discrimination, disunion and disputes.

The Qur’an orders the Muslims to instead of aggravating the differences between the Muslims, the Jews and the Christians, to emphasize the shared values and unity of all the prophets according to the following:

Say: “We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Ishmael, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord: we make no distinction between one and another among them, and to God do we bow our will (in Islam).” (3:84)

Also:

And dispute ye not with the People of the Book, except with means better (than mere disputation), unless it be with those of them who inflict wrong (and injury): but say, “We believe in the Revelation which has come to us and in that which came down to you; our God and your God is One; and it is to Him we bow (in Islam).” (29:26)

The Qur’an teaches the Muslims that the ways of all Canon Laws are branches of the same monotheistic religion, that is the religion of submission to God, and that the will of God is not in making all sects the same but in creating variety in order to compete for perfection:

To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what God hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have We prescribed a Law and Open way. If God had so willed, He would have made you a single People, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute; (5:4

The praise that the Qur’an places on the good members of the people of the book is more than what it places on Muslims. Compare this generosity, magnanimity and fairness with the narrow mindedness and patriarchal and tribal prejudice of a group who have limited this worldwide compassion to their own people and religion.

There are many points attesting the above and we shall sample some of them:

… We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him Compassion and Mercy… (57:27)

Strongest among men in enmity to the Believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans; and nearest among them in love to the believers wilt thou find those who say, “We are Christians”: because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant. (5:82)

If only they had stood fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that was sent to them from their Lord, they would have enjoined happiness from every side. There is from among them a party on the right course: but many of them follow a course that is evil. (5:66)

O Apostle! Proclaim the (message) which hath been sent to thee from thy Lord. If thou didst not, thou wouldst not have fulfilled and proclaimed His Mission. And God will defend thee from men (who mean mischief). For God guideth not those who reject faith. (5:67)

Say: “O people of the book! Ye have no ground to stand upon unless ye stand fast by the Law, the Gospel, and all the revelation that has come to you from your Lord.” It is the revelation that cometh to thee from the Lord, that increaseth in most of them their obstinate rebellion and blasphemy. But sorrow thou not over (these) people without Faith. (5:68

Those who believe (in the Qur’an), those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the Sabians and the Christians, — any who believe in God and the Last Day, and work righteousness, –on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve. (5:69)

And all of them are alike: of the People of the Book are a portion that stand (for the right); they rehearse the Signs of God all night long, and they prostrate themselves in adoration. (3:113)

Of the good that they do, nothing will be rejected of them; for God knoweth well those that do right. (3:115)

If according to the writer, orthodox Islam and historic Christianity are on two totally separate paths, instead Jesus and Mohammad (peace be upon them), (Torah and Bible) and the Qur’an, honest Muslims and the honest people of the Book are totally on the same path and going toward the same target, the God of the two worlds, even though this may not be to the liking of some people.

¹ Even though the writer is a Christian himself and the Christians were being tortured and slaughtered for centuries by rulers under the influence of the Jews, and the most opposition against Jesus was from the Jewish writers and the Pharisees, he always supports their claims against the Muslims and gives them the right to do so.

² The statement is written in such a way as to give the impression that the members of this tribe were killed for not accepting Islam! There is neither mention of war nor of protracted treachery and cooperation to plot with those attacking Medina (in the Ahzar war) which pushed the Muslims to the brink of total slaughter and irradication during the several months of the siege of the city!, nor of their back-stabbing in spite of the existence of a peace treaty, nor of their condemnation in a court whose judge, a Muslim born as a Jew who was respected by both sides and who had been elected by them.
In our times, when the United Nations, the Security Council, the Red Cross and the guardians of Human Rights have been established, of course, there are easier legal tools at our disposal. But the analogy of our time with a historical phenomenon related to the tribal relations at a time when today’s legal systems were non-existent and the problems were solved in easier ways, is unscientific and anachronistic. Aside from that, didn’t the Jews trace and punish the war criminals and the main factors responsible for the ovens designed for burning humans? In today’s world which national crime would be met with connivance? How then is this expected of a society living in Saudi Arabia fourteen centuries ago? Not to mention that the Statistics and numbers presented, with respect to the light population at the time, are in doubt.

³ For a reference on this, refer to the book, “Treachery in Reporting History,” by Mustafa Hosini Tabatabai

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A. Bazargan

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Also Suggested:

Muhammad and America, part 1/3
Muhammad and America, part 2/3

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:

2.1) It is true that in the Qur’an there are many verses with regards to war and jihad, and that Mojahedeen who have sacrificed their belongings and their lives in the way God has put before them have been regarded as the most virtuous persons, and have been promised the eternal heaven, but these verses are defensive verses and are totally within the framework of divine orders (not for extending and expanding the borders of Islamic countries.) These verses are exclusively for facing the offenders and even then only to the extend of averting the offense and pushing the offender back to its own territory. Even though the Muslims, like the followers of other faiths in history, have engaged in territorial wars, in the divine book which is the basis of judgement of religious thought, in no way is there allowance for war based on belief.

Attention to historical facts would also make us aware of the truth of the matter. To discuss the idea of monotheism in the Arabian Peninsula during the age of ignorance when idolatry and infanticide were the order of the day, by a young orphan from the Quraish tribe, would certainly not have been without reaction, bigotry, and tribal and religious fanaticism. According to history, Mohammad (peace be upon him (PBUH)) ’s opponents, from the tribe of Quraish to the primitive tribes and the Jews living around Medina, did not in any way refrain from trying to totally eradicate and suppress this idea and its followers.

Yes, the Prophet of Islam has lead many wars but all of these wars have been for the purpose of defending the human beings, life, property and the principles of a minority whose only guilt was the worship of a single God (instead of idols). Which equitable and learned scholar can deny the injuries, tortures and executions, and protracted plots and the many other offenses against the Muslims that resulted in Muslims migrating and leaving their lands?

Now, at the beginning of the third millennium and the twenty first century, in the midst of the growth of the public opinion in the most advanced civilization having claims to science and freedom, we see that enduring such thoughts is hard for the liberally minded persons. Then how is it that we expect the Prophet of Islam or any other prophet not to have resorted to using a sward? If Jesus the son of Mary did not fight in wars, it is because he died at a young age and did not have a chance to initiate and lead a political sect so that for their protection he would have had to fight another army. Didn’t Moses and the prophets after him to the time of David and Solomon have extended wars for the protection of their religious sects? And didn’t the followers of Jesus start defensive wars for the protection of their faith, and even start world wars and regional wars?

2.2) With regards to attacks on commercial caravans, to which have been rare references in history during the early years of Muslim migration form Mecca to Medina, one has to consider this reality with a just and equitable mind. Muslims who already had their possessions confiscated due to boycotts and arrests of their members around Mecca, and as a result were under increasing pressure and torture, were forced to escape Mecca at night in order to save their own lives and left the rest of their belongings at the mercy of the plunders and pillages of the Quraish tribe.

If these people whose lands had been confiscated and who had been separated from their spouses and children and belongings for fear of their lives, came across a caravan in another land, carrying goods belonging to the offenders, did they not have the right to repossess some of what had been and still was their rightful belongings? Is this steeling at the most opportune time or is it reclaiming one’s right? Do you know that the battle of “Badr,” the first battle of the Muslims, took place because of such actions and the Prophet of Islam only gave permission to the migrants of Mecca (who had lost their possessions) to join the army and he did not allow the helpers from Medina to take part in the battle even though help was badly needed? Doesn’t this action by itself qualify the attacks on the caravans?

Nor do the assassinations of the ideological and political critics of which the prophet has been accused have any truth to them. Yes, in some non-factual cases such reports have been recorded in history, but none has been solely because of criticism or political and religious opposition. The most famous case is that of a person who misused the trust that the prophet had placed in him for helping to take care of the camels belonging to the people by first killing the camel care taker and stealing and selling the camels, and then seeking refuge with the enemy of Islam, thereby establishing a stance against the prophet of Islam. Is it possible to annul the punishment of a crime and the legal pursuit of the killer in the world today? Why does one consider this to be the assassination of the political critics and ignore this universal right? Only three or four cases of this type have been reported during the conquest of Mecca. Even though the prophet had recommended punishment for the criminals before the conquest of Mecca, all but one person, even the murderer of Hamzah the prophet’s uncle, were forgiven ³.

And finally with regards to roughness and lack of ethics (!) on the part of the prophet whom according to the Qur’an, was a commiserate for the people of the world, and who was extremely kind, gentle and merciful and was commissioned to complete the ethical values of the human beings, we recommend the writer to study the articles written by unbiased Christian writers.

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A. Bazargan

Sahife Sajjadia
By Imam Zain-al-Abideen

God,
I ask from Thee the best in Thy knowledge,
so bless Muhammad and his Household
and decree for me the best!

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God,
I ask from Thee the best in Thy knowledge,
so bless Muhammad and his Household
and decree for me the best!

Inspire us with knowledge to chose the best
and make that a means to
being pleased with what Thou hast decreed for us
and submitting to what Thou hast decided!
Banish from us the doubt of misgiving
and confirm us with the certainty of the sincere!

Visit us not with incapacity
to know what Thou hast chosen, lest we
despise Thy measuring out,
dislike the place of Thy good pleasure,
and incline toward that which is
further from good outcome
and nearer to the opposite of well-being!

Make us love what we dislike
in Thy decree
and make easy for us what we find difficult
in Thy decision!

Inspire us to yield
to that which Thou bringest upon us by Thy will,
lest we
love the delay of what Thou hast hastened
and the hastening of what Thou hast delayed,
dislike what Thou lovest,
and choose what Thou dislikest!

Seal us with that which is most praised in outcome
and most generous in issue!
Surely Thou givest generous gain,
bestowest the immense,
dost what Thou wilt,
and Thou art powerful over everything.

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http://www.duas.org/

The chemical weapon was provided by western countries! Saddam was encouraged to start an 8-year war on Iran. US and its allies along with Russia (USSR) supported Saddam to the best of their ability. They provided him with all types of information including precise satellite images, all types of modern weapons, and political support.

Then when he didn’t succeed, they provided him with huge amounts of chemical weapons. Most of chemicals were sent through Germany. He massacred Iranians and his own people using these chemicals, but at that time no one questioned him about these crimes. US allegedly supported Saddam in using these mass destruction weapons.

Later Saddam became a danger for the US itself, causing the first Persian Gulf war and the recent invasion of Iraq by US troops. The end result was casualties and death of millions of people in Iran and Iraq, complete destruction of Iraq’s infrastructure, setting up a historical fight among different sects of Iraqis, and death of thousands of US soldiers.

It is time to ask who and what was the real cause of these wars! Who benefited the most from these three big wars in the last three decades in the Persian Gulf area? And why the US government is seeking another war? The answer lies on the fact that Iran and Iraq and the major providers of the world crude oil. Iran is the third largest in crude oil reserves of the world and is the second in the natural gas reserves of the world!

What US government is looking for is neither democracy nor terrorists, IT IS THE OIL AND ENERGY! US government is itself a cause of terrorism in the world.

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