Ibn Warraq edited a book called Leaving Islam and Iranian Idiot Ali Sina’s worthless website has alleged apostates speaking out on why they “left” Islam. However if they really did leave Islam, why write about it? Apostasy in Islam is punishable by death and the clowns and liars that say that they left Islam are openly saying they left. Its like they are saying in an airport, “I have a bomb”. Even if they are joking they are going to get into some serious trouble. Same with the alleaged apostates of Islam. If they speak on why they left Islam, then their life is in danger. Now you might say, that’s not true because they are hiding under false names. However what if they aren’t? What if the name is really the name of the apostate?
Furthermore, the testimonies are mostly fake. Its like reading a bad script with a bad writer. The alleged apostates write vulgar and profane stuff, cruse their parents, and tell their view of Islam, ripping things out of context and never saying anything positive about anything really in their testimonies. If they have problems with Islam, so what? It doesn’t really matter. Many people have a hard time believing in Jesus as lord and savior that’s why they become atheist and or agnostic/humanitarians. The problem with these alleged apostates is that they don’t prove anything. In order to prove something false you need hardcore evidence. And sadly none of the alleged apostates have any.
Another thing about their testimonies is their perverted mentality. I remember reading one where a girl was “raped” by a imam and he was reading in the Quran justifying his rape. Well whoever wrote that disgusting temistony is completely ignorant of what that verse means. What that verse means is that its female captives from war. Last time I checked there were no wars in
Why people would tell lies about leaving Islam I really don’t know. Maybe they just want attention. Maybe they want to impress others or themselves. Or maybe they have so much hate and venom for Islam and hate for their parents and other people living ouside the West that they just want to tell a good lie disguised as an emotional fairytale of leaving Islam and being happy. Well the last time I checked leaving Islam causes more harm than good (Salman Rushdie’s death threats anyone?) My guess is that they aren’t even born muslims. They are just people who want to take a bite out of Islam by alleging they left Islam. So its an emotional smoke screen with appeal to emotion. That’s all. Theres nothing logical about their testimonies neither is their any evidence for it. So they are just clever liars able to tell a clever story. And if people are dumb enough to read the testimonies and say its true, then Satan really can lead people astray without doing much. Its people like this that remind me Satan exists and is leading some muslims astray. And whats the best way to fight Satan and his possessed tools? My being a good muslim in the first place.
Perhaps the greatest general error in Warraq's writing, and in similar writings, is yet another error also practiced by many contemporary Muslims. It is a failure to recognize the importance of literary genre when approaching the Qur'an, or any text, for that matter. That is, what "type of book" is the Qur'an? The Qur'an is not a history book, nor is it a science text. At its most basic it is a book that addresses the issue of that Who (or which) transcends humanity-- and it uses stories to do so. More specifically, it uses parables: stories meant not just for entertainment, but for teaching. Any specific legal injunctions in the Qur'an can only be understood with reference to the stories of the Qur'an. No anti-Muslim even attempts such a thing. Many Muslims seem to forget to do this.
Muslims set themselves up for problems when they try to convince non-Muslims of the truth of the Qur'an by resorting to the "scientific facts" approach to the Qur'an, or by portraying the Qur'an as some kind of a history book. It is not. It is a type of literature we call "scripture" and needs to be read properly as a scripture.
He writes on page 149 that "Blind dogmatism has shut Muslims off from the intellectually challenging and exhilarating research, debate, and discussion of the last century and a half."
This isn’t true, because Islam is the only religion on the face of this earth that is not based on blind faith. Every other religion, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Zororastism and even Atheism, Agnostisim, humanism are based on blind faith. Scientists are not eliminating the existence of God they are eliminating Gods. Plus Muslims are willing to debate, research and discuss anything, but not all are willing to learn. That’s all.
However, there are some who may write anti-Muslim polemic because they have been mistreated in the name of Islam and are, in actuality, expressing their anger and hurt over this abuse. Often, people who were abused as children in the name of religion will grow up to be rabidly anti-religious. This seems to be the case with Ibn Warraq who writes that he was born Muslim, but who now considers himself a secular humanist "who believes that all religions are sick men's dreams, false-- demonstrably false-- and pernicious."
His religious education as a child consisted of rote memorization of the Arabic Qur'an without comprehension and even before he could read or write his native language. He writes that religious dogma "had been foisted on me." Clearly, none of this indicates an early religious education-- or really even any experience associated with religion-- that was pleasant and meaningful for him. (Though he doesn't say so, one could reasonably suspect that this "education" might well have been accompanied by liberal doses of harsh words, yelling, or maybe even hitting.) We know this type of early negative experience can have a profound and lasting psychological and emotional effect upon the person's adult attitudes, as it seems to have done to Ibn Warraq. The ummah as a whole may have contributed to the making of an Ibn Warraq by our own poor skills at religious education, by our own poor practice of Islam, and by our own theological backwardness and lack of sophistication.
So, to me, for a person such as Warraq who was born Muslim, and who was, in spite of abuses, presumably educated in Islam, to then become hostile to Islam and even all religion puzzles me. Would not the person be able, as an adult, to distinguish between abuse done in the name of Islam with what the Qur'an truly teaches and the sunnah of Muhammad (saws) actually illustrates? But when we actually check Ibn Warraq's references we find that he does not appear to have been educated in Islam at all.
He states that the eighteenth century "readily adopted the myth of Muhammad as a wise and tolerant ruler and lawgiver." This would be news to anyone and Warraq doesn't provide proof for such a blanket statement, nor is he clear on exactly who readily adopted this myth.
Another example of this just plain sloppy thinking and writing is on p. 116. Warraq states he wants to argue that "Monotheism is not necessarily philosophically or metaphysically superior to polytheism, given that no proof for the existence of one and only one God is valid." Now, the first part of this sentence may indeed be true, but notice his tricky use of the word "necessarily". Of course it isn't necessarily the case-- at least not that can be proven, but that has nothing to do with the quality of any arguments on behalf of the superiority of monotheism (though Warraq attempts no substantive philosophical or metaphysical discussion of the issue). That it follows from the second statement is simply false and nicely displays Warraq's illogic.
Many European and American scholars of the last 150 years or so have centered their attention on the topic of the "historical Jesus". The topic has recently been on the covers of popular
Many standard Christian theologians make a distinction between "Jesus" as a regular man and "The Christ"-- Jesus as an avenue of God's revelation to humanity. Warraq gets really confused on this. He picked out the phrase "Christ-Myth" from a book thinking that the phrase questions the historicity of Jesus. It does not. He then quotes someone discussing the issue: "Scholarly opinion still holds... to the postulate of an historical figure whose life story was very soon displaced by... mythmaking activity." Read it carefully. Warraq didn't. (I have to laugh at this. pp. 147-148) He doesn't grasp that the type of "mythmaking" being discussed here doesn't imply the complete cover-up or destruction of historical reality. The "mythmaking" discussed in this type of writing refers to stories that can contain within them some true history, or even true statements about reality. This is a sure tip-off to someone who has an incomplete education in general religious studies as well as Christian theology.
On p. 119: "One of the great achievements of Muhammad, we are told, was ridding
Read that quote carefully again. Does the last sentence connect with the first in a meaningful way? No. To rid a land of polytheism is in no way necessarily related to whether or not monotheism is indeed philosophically superior to polytheism. Indeed, from the first sentence one would expect Warraq to argue that Muhammad did not rid the land of polytheism.
Warraq resorts to simplistic explanations of motivations and dynamics in order to explain extremely complex social changes. And so fails to, at times, make the slightest sense.
He attacks like this because so many Muslims will argue that monotheism is "superior" to polytheism-- but this is not a philosophical argument used in the Qur'an, it is an item of revelation and so is accepted primarily on faith and only secondarily on reason. There is a big difference between the two! Our own lack of theological sophistication on such topics provides fuel for his anti-Muslim polemic.
You will not find in Warraq one substantial word regarding the persecution of the Muslims in
In today's Islamaphobic climate this was a guaranteed money spinner.
Volume 5, Book 58, Number 148:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
Some people (i.e. the Jews of Bani bin Quraiza) agreed to accept the verdict of Sad bin Muadh so the Prophet sent for him (i.e. Sad bin Muadh). He came riding a donkey, and when he approached the Mosque, the Prophet said, "Get up for the best amongst you." or said, "Get up for your chief." Then the Prophet said, "O Sad! These people have agreed to accept your verdict." Sad said, "I judge that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as captives." The Prophet said, "You have given a judgment similar to Allah's Judgment (or the King's judgment)."
Volume 4, Book 52, Number 280:
Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri:
When the tribe of Bani Quraiza was ready to accept Sad's judgment, Allah's Apostle sent for Sad who was near to him. Sad came, riding a donkey and when he came near, Allah's Apostle said (to the Ansar), "Stand up for your leader." Then Sad came and sat beside Allah's Apostle who said to him. "These people are ready to accept your judgment." Sad said, "I give the judgment that their warriors should be killed and their children and women should be taken as prisoners." The Prophet then remarked, "O Sad! You have judged amongst them with (or similar to) the judgment of the King Allah."
Volume 5, Book 59, Number 447:
Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri:
The people of (Banu) Quraiza agreed to accept the verdict of Sad bin Mu'adh. So the Prophet sent for Sad, and the latter came (riding) a donkey and when he approached the Mosque, the Prophet said to the Ansar, "Get up for your chief or for the best among you." Then the Prophet said (to Sad)." These (i.e. Banu Quraiza) have agreed to accept your verdict." Sad said, "Kill their (men) warriors and take their offspring as captives, "On that the Prophet said, "You have judged according to Allah's Judgment," or said, "according to the King's judgment."
Volume 8, Book 74, Number 278:
Narrated Abu Said:
The people of (the tribe of) Quraiza agreed upon to accept the verdict of Sa'd. The Prophet sent for him (Sa'd) and he came. The Prophet said (to those people), "Get up for your chief or the best among you!" Sa'd sat beside the Prophet and the Prophet said (to him), "These people have agreed to accept your verdict." Sa'd said, "So I give my judgment that their warriors should be killed and their women and children should be taken as captives." The Prophet said, "You have judged according to the King's (Allah's) judgment." (See Hadith No. 447, Vol. 5)
A further Hadith also tells to free the captives as we see here:
Volume 7, Book 62, Number 103:
Narrated Abu Musa:
The Prophet said, "Set the captives free, accept the invitation (to a wedding banquet), and visit the patients."
Volume 7, Book 62, Number 114:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should not hurt (trouble) his neighbor. And I advise you to take care of the women, for they are created from a rib and the most crooked portion of the rib is its upper part; if you try to straighten it, it will break, and if you leave it, it will remain crooked, so I urge you to take care of the women."
Volume 7, Book 62, Number 115:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar:
During the lifetime of the Prophet we used to avoid chatting leisurely and freely with our wives lest some Divine inspiration might be revealed concerning us. But when the Prophet had died, we started chatting leisurely and freely (with them).
Volume 7, Book 62, Number 121:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet said, "If a man Invites his wife to sleep with him and she refuses to come to him, then the angels send their curses on her till morning."
Volume 7, Book 62, Number 150:
Narrated Abu Huraira:
The Prophet; said, "Allah has a sense of Ghira, and Allah's sense of Ghira is provoked when a believer does something which Allah has prohibited."
At that time, anyone who reached the age of puberty was eligible to fight and were thus considered to be warriors. They were only ordered to be executed if they fought against the Muslims that is. I already showed that the ones that stuck to the deal were spared. James Arlandson asks this question…
So did all the men and adolescent boys have to be executed and all the women and children enslaved? Could only the leaders not have been executed?
I already showed that NOT ALL were executed. As for those who were, well maybe that would have been possible if the Bani Qurayda surrendered their leaders over to the Muslims! However, they sheltered those criminals, defended them and protected them. They were an obstruction to justice and therefore deserved the same fate as their leaders! Indeed they deserved to be punished…
However, Sad did not forget, amid the cries of hope directed towards him, that Islam and its sons, that Madinah, its fruits, crops, its progeny and its sanctuaries were rescued from the vehemence of the attacking forces only by a miracle of
Ironically the Jews were being judged according to their own law! The very thing that James Arlandson is trying to call brutal and unfair is actually the law that is found in his own Bible…!
Deuteronomy 20:10-12
10 When you march up to attack a city, make its people an offer of peace. 11 If they accept and open their gates, all the people in it shall be subject to forced labor and shall work for you. 12 If they refuse to make peace and they engage you in battle, lay siege to that city. 13 When the LORD your God delivers it into your hand, put to the sword all the men in it. 14 As for the women, the children, the livestock and everything else in the city, you may take these as plunder for yourselves. And you may use the plunder the LORD your God gives you from your enemies
This is what happened. The Muslims offered a treaty with the Bani Quraydah. The Bani Quraydah broke it. They refused to surrender even after they broke the treaty and fought to protect the criminals. Therefore, they were judged with their own law and ironically even the leader who caused all this problem even admits that he deserved such a punishment and that it was the order of God…
Huyayy was brought to face his end, and Huyayy, as you know was the germ of these troubles. He looked at the Prophet (PBUH) and said: “By God, I do not blame my self for my hostility towards you. Nevertheless, whoever deserts God deserts him. Then he turned to the people and said: “O people, I have nothing against the order of God. He has decreed slaughter for the Children of Israel!” Then he sat down and was beheaded. About this a poet says:
By your life, Ibn Akhtab did not blame himself,
But whoever deserts Allah is deserted
He fought until he reached his limit,
And stirred up trouble,
And every trouble maker seeks glory
(Ibid. p 348)
Conclusion
To most people it could appear that the punishment that the Jews faced was too extreme. However, on the contrary what was more extreme is how the Jews deceptively tricked the Muslims by breaking the treaty and wanted to end their very existence. For such treachery they indeed deserved what they got. If any Christian wants to condemn this judgment then he is actually condemning his own Bible because it was by a law found in their Bible that the Jews were judged by. Plus it was not Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who issued the order it was Saad bin Muadh whom the Jews selected to judge their fate.
The Muslims needed to make examples out of these people. You can’t expect Muslims to go and forgive those who fight against them. That would just encourage more people to go and fight against the Muslims. If you think about it, the Muslims resorted to such extreme measures only when it was necessary. Not only for revenge. It was necessary to show everyone that you cannot go and mess with Muslims by fighting against them.
Narrated 'Aisha: "Whenever Allah's Apostle was given the choice of one of two matters, he would choose the easier of the two, as long as it was not sinful to do so, but if it was sinful to do so, he would not approach it. Allah's Apostle never took revenge (over anybody) for his own sake but (he did) only when Allah's Legal Bindings were outraged in which case he would take revenge for Allah's Sake. (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Virtues and Merits of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his Companions, Volume 4, Book 56, Number 760)"
Narrated 'Aisha: "Whenever Allah's Apostle was given the choice of one of two matters he would choose the easier of the two as long as it was not sinful to do so, but if it was sinful, he would not approach it. Allah's Apostle never took revenge over anybody for his own sake but (he did) only when Allah's legal bindings were outraged, in which case he would take revenge for Allah's sake. (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Good Manners and Form (Al-Adab), Volume 8, Book 73, Number 147)"
Narrated Aisha: "Whenever the Prophet was given an option between two things, he used to select the easier of the tow as long as it was not sinful; but if it was sinful, he would remain far from it. By Allah, he never took revenge for himself concerning any matter that was presented to him, but when Allah's Limits were transgressed, he would take revenge for Allah's Sake. (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Limits and Punishments set by Allah (Hudood), Volume 8, Book 81, Number 777)"
Narrated Jabir bin ‘Abdullah: That he fought in a Ghazwa towards Najd along with Allah's Apostle and when Allah's Apostle returned, he too, returned along with him. The time of the afternoon nap overtook them when they were in a valley full of thorny trees. Allah's Apostle dismounted and the people dispersed amongst the thorny trees, seeking the shade of the trees. Allah's Apostle took shelter under a Samura tree and hung his sword on it. We slept for a while when Allah's Apostle suddenly called us, and we went to him, to find a bedouin sitting with him. Allah's Apostle said, "This (bedouin) took my sword out of its sheath while I was asleep. When I woke up, the naked sword was in his hand and he said to me, 'Who can save you from me?, I replied, 'Allah.' Now here he is sitting." Allah's Apostle did not punish him (for that) .(Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Military Expeditions Led By The Prophet (pbuh) (Al-Maghaazi), Volume 5, Book 59, Number 458)"
No fighting is allowed in Mecca:
Narrated Abu Huraira: "In the year of the Conquest of Mecca, the tribe of Khuza'a killed a man from the tribe of Bani Laith in revenge for a killed person, belonging to them. They informed the Prophet about it. So he rode his Rahila (she-camel for riding) and addressed the people saying, "Allah held back the killing from
Narrated Abu Musa Al-Ashari: "The Prophet said, 'He who has a slave-girl and teaches her good manners and improves her education and then manumits and marries her, will get a double reward; and any slave who observes Allah's right and his master's right will get a double reward.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Manumission of Slaves, Volume 3, Book 46, Number 723)"
Narrated AbuHurayrah: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: If anyone acquires knowledge of things by which Allah's good pleasure is sought, but acquires it only to get some worldly advantage, he will not experience the arf, i.e. the odour, of Paradise. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Knowledge (Kitab Al-Ilm), Book 25, Number 3656)"
He said: I heard the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) say: If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will cause him to travel on one of the roads of
More on marriage
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "About the Qur'anic verse: 'It is not lawful for you forcibly to inherit the woman (of your deceased kinsmen), nor (that) ye should put constraint upon them.' When a man died, his relatives had more right to his wife then her own guardian. If any one of them wanted to marry her, he did so; or they married her (to some other person), and if they did not want to marry her, they did so. So this verse was revealed about the matter. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2084)" So according to Noble Verse
Narrated AbuHurayrah: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: An orphan virgin girl should be consulted about herself; if she says nothing that indicates her permission, but if she refuses, the authority of the guardian cannot be exercised against her will. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2088)"
Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Consult women about (the marriage of) their daughters. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2090)"
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "A virgin came to the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) and mentioned that her father had married her against her will, so the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) allowed her to exercise her choice. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2091)"
Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas: "The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: A guardian has no concern with a woman previously married and has no husband, and an orphan girl (i.e. virgin) must be consulted, her silence being her acceptance. (Translation of Sunan Abu-Dawud, Marriage (Kitab Al-Nikah), Book 11, Number 2095)"
Narrated Khansa bint Khidam Al-Ansariya:
that her father gave her in marriage when she was a matron and she disliked that marriage. So she went to Allah's Apostle and he declared that marriage invalid.
Narrated Ibn Abbas:
The Prophet said, "If anyone of you, when having sexual intercourse with his wife, says: Bismillah, Allahumma jannibni-Sh-Shaitan wa jannib-ish-Shaitan ma razaqtana, and if it is destined that they should have a child, then Satan will never be able to harm him."
Narrated Anas:
Allah's Apostle manumitted Safiyya and then married her, and her Mahr was her manumission, and he gave a wedding banquet with Hais (a sort of sweet dish made from butter, cheese and dates).
Dogs in Islam
Dogs in the Hadith
There are hadith which do allow dogs in certain cases. Here are some of them:
Narrated Adi ibn Hatim:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Eat what ever is caught for you by a dog or a hawk you have trained and set off when you have mentioned Allah's name. I said: (Does this apply) if it killed (the animal)? He said: When it kills it without eating any of it, for it caught it only for you.
Narrated AbuTha'labah al-Khushani:
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said about the game hunted by a dog: If you set off your dog and have mentioned Allah's name, eat (it), even if it eats any of it; and eat what your hands return you.
Narrated AbuTha'labah al-Khushani:
The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) said to me: AbuTha'labah, eat what returns to you by your bow and your dog.
Ibn Harb's version adds: "The trained (dog), and your hand, then eat, whether it has been slaughtered or not slaughtered".
From Bukhari
Vol. 3, #515 - Narrated Abu Huraira: "Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever keeps a dog, one Qirat of the reward of his good deeds is deducted daily, unless the dog is used for guarding a farm or cattle." Abu Huraira (in another narration) said from the Prophet, "unless it is used for guarding sheep or farms, or for hunting." Narrated Abu Hazim from Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "A dog for guarding cattle or for hunting.""
From Bukhari
Vol. 7, #390 - Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar: "I heard the Prophet saying, "If someone keeps a dog neither for hunting, nor for guarding livestock, the reward (for his good deeds) will be reduced by two Qirats per day.""
So these hadith allow dogs in the cases that they be used for hunting purposes only. Other than that his good deeds will be reduced. Islam also teaches about kindness to dogs as seen here:
Narrated Abu Huraira: "The Prophet said, 'A man saw a dog eating mud from (the severity of) thirst. So, that man took a shoe (and filled it) with water and kept on pouring the water for the dog till it quenched its thirst. So Allah approved of his deed and made him to enter
However there are hadith which are not in favor of dogs. These would include the following:
Narrated 'Aun bin Abu Juhaifa: "My father bought a slave who practiced the profession of cupping. (My father broke the slave's instruments of cupping). I asked my father why he had done so. He replied, 'The Prophet forbade the acceptance of the price of a dog or blood, and also forbade the profession of tattooing, getting tattooed and receiving or giving Riba, (usury), and cursed the picture-makers.' (Translation of Sahih Bukhari, Sales and Trade, Volume 3, Book 34, Number 299)"
Volume 3, Book 34, Number 439:
Narrated Abu Mas'ud Al-Ansari:
Allah's Apostle forbade taking the price of a dog, money earned by prostitution and the earnings of a soothsayer.
Narrated Abdullah ibn Mughaffal:
The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: Were dogs not a species of creature I should command that they all be killed; but kill every pure black one.
Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah:
The Prophet of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) ordered to kill dogs, and we were even killing a dog which a woman brought with her from the desert. Afterwards he forbade to kill them, saying: Confine yourselves to the type which is black.
Now a person may say that there are benefits of having a dog. Which I do agree with. Some of the benefits of dogs would include:
- Heart attack survival. Pet ownership has been found to be the second best predictor of survival following a heart attack. The best predictor, not surprisingly, was the amount of damage to the heart, but pet ownership was found more important than all the other physical, social and economic variables.
- Lower blood pressure. Dog owners have been shown to have lower systolic blood pressure than non-owners. Petting the dog lowers blood pressure almost immediately.
- Lower divorce rate. Couples who own dogs report closer relationships, more satisfaction in their marriages and respond better to stress.
- Counter depression. The company and fun provided by dogs lessens feelings of sadness and depression.
- Lower cholesterol and triglycerides. Dog owners have lower levels of both low- density lipoproteins and triglycerides, both of which are associated with increased chance of developing heart disease.
- Make friends. Research has supported the idea that having a dog increases the likelihood you will make friends. (1)
So a person may ask with all these benefits why on earth would God’s messenger prohibit dogs? Some people may even ask why went a dog, donkey or woman passes by a person, the prayer is invalid and quote this hadith:
Narrated 'Aisha: "The things which annul the prayers were mentioned before me. They said, "Prayer is annulled by a dog, a donkey and a woman (if they pass in front of the praying people)." I said, "You have made us (i.e. women) dogs. I saw the Prophet praying while I used to lie in my bed between him and the Qibla. Whenever I was in need of something, I would slip away, for I disliked to face him." From Bukhari Vol. 1, #490
So now people are asking why would God annul prayers when a dog, a woman or a donkey pass by? I’ll answer why all three annul prayers. Then move on to why Islam doesn’t generally allow dogs.
Dogs- When a dog passes by a person in prayer, this might distract the person. What if the dog smells bad? The person who is praying will be distracted. What if the dog goes to the bathroom in front of the person? Or what if the dog barks at the person doing prayer? So all this will distract the person while praying. Another thing is obviously if the person is attacked by the dog. So the reason why when a dog passes by a person that persons prayer is invalid is because of many reasons of the person being distracted by the dog passing by.
Women- Women are not considered as "dogs" in Islam. In Islam, men and women are supposed to be completely seperated during the time of Prayers. The idea of women being separated from men is not suppose to be degrading for women rather it is meant to be spiritual purity for both of the sexes. If a woman passes by a man it might be tempting for him to look at her lustfully therefore he will be distracted and wont mind his prayers. In Islamic prayers, men and women are suppose to be separated, usually it’s the men in front and women behind. Even Jesus allegedly stated about a man looking at a woman:
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. Matthew 5: 28
So Islam already has the answer to this problem in its practices. It doesn’t allow men and women to lustfully look at one another. And if a woman passes and a man looks at her during the prayers, he has to start over because the prayer is already annulled.
Donkeys- Donkeys are considered to be like dogs, the reason why is because they can bray or produce a bad odor which makes the person distracted. Plus in Islam when a donkey brays it has seen a devil.
Further reading into the hadith, gives us reasons why Prophet Mohammed would order dogs to be killed:
Ibn Mughaffal reported: Allah's messenger ordered the killing of dogs and then said, "what is the trouble with them (the people of
The note for #3814 says, "The Hadith gives us an idea why the prophet commanded to kill dogs. There must have been an excess of stray dogs and thus the danger of rabies in the city of
DOGS STOPPING THE ANGELS
Narrated Salim's father: "Once Gabriel promised to visit the Prophet but he delayed and the Prophet got worried about that. At last he came out and found Gabriel and complained to him of his grief (for his delay). Gabriel said to him, "We do not enter a place in which there is a picture or a dog." From Bukhari Vol. 7, #843
Narrated Abu Talha: "I heard Allah's Apostle saying; "Angels (of Mercy) do not enter a house wherein there is a dog or a picture of a living creature (a human being or an animal)." Bukhari Vol. 4, #448
Some people have stated that these hadith are saying that dogs are bad to have and that these hadith don’t make much sense. But actually they make a lot of sense if you think about it. Think about it. Angels are pure and innocent creatures from God and they refuse to enter a place which could be dirty or impure due to a dogs feces, saliva or a dogs ticks or fleas. Dogs are generally unclean animals. And pictures would distract ones concentration on certain aspects of prayer and daily devotions. So Angels being pure and innocent creatures wouldn’t want to associate or be in a house that is impure by a dog or a picture which is considered a part of idolatry in Islam. Islam is a strict monotheistic religion which doesn’t allow pictures of anything especially not God, unlike Christianity.
There are useful benefits of having a dog, but there are also harmful effects of keeping one. For instance dog bites. If there is a dog in the house for no other purpose than keeping it as a pet, and it goes and bites a one month old baby in your house, who are you going to blame, your dog or your baby? Plus it is a proven fact that dog bites are the number one health problem for children. And most dog bites are from dogs the child already knows. Children between the ages of six and 10 are the most frequent victims of dog bites. (2) So Dogs are clearly harmful to children.
Certain dogs also are a threat to people. Consider, Coyotes, Jackals and Hyenas. Very dangerous dogs that can attack people and harm them. Also consider Austeralian Dingo dogs who run around in packs and hunt and harm people.
Dogs are also known to carry around diseases that humans can get when around the dog. Infectious diseases commonly associated with dogs include rabies (hydrophobia), canine parvovirus, and canine distemper. Congenital diseases of dogs can include a wide range from hip dysplasia and medial patellar luxation to epilepsy and pulmonic stenosis. (3) Parasites are also transferable from dog to human. Particularly intestinal worms such as hookworms, tapeworms and roundworms, can be transmitted in a dog's feces. Some tapeworms have fleas as intermediate hosts: the worm egg must be consumed by a flea to hatch, then the infected flea must be ingested (usually by the dog while grooming itself, but occasionally by a human through various means) for the adult worm to establish itself in the intestines. Fleas and ticks of various species can be acquired and brought home by a dog, where they can multiply and attack humans. Another bacterial disease that affects humans and animals is Leptospira. Humans and dogs become infected through contact with water, food, or soil containing urine from infected animals.
Conclusions
1.) Dogs were killed for a reason in
2.) Pure jet black dogs are considered devils in Islam. They could also qualify as being Jackals, Henieas or Coyotes who are harmful to people.
3.) There are benefits to having dogs but there are so harmful effects of keeping one as well. Take for example diseases, dog bites, a dog ripping apart your furniture, a dog eating your food or licking it then you eating it, etc.
4.) The reasons why Angels refuse to enter a house that has either a dog or a picture is because it is considered impure for them to do so, Angels being pure creatures. There are also reasons for dogs, donkies or women passing in front of a person to annul the prayers.
Zaynab Bint Jahsh: The Fact behind the Fiction
By Umar
Ibn Warraq and other enemies of Islam have taken great delight out of the stories they find in Tabari's work, about Zaynab Bint Jahsh. Here is an example:
"The Messenger of God came to the house of Zayd b. Harithah. (Zayd was always called Zayd b. Muhammad.) Perhaps the Messenger of God missed him at that moment, so as to ask, "Where is Zayd?" He came to his residence to look for him but did not find him. Zaynab bt. Jash, Zayd's wife, rose to meet him. Because she was dressed only in a shift, the Messenger of God turned away from her. She said: "He is not here, Messenger of God. Come in, you who are as dear to me as my father and mother!" The Messenger of God refused to enter. Zaynab had dressed in haste when she was told "the Messenger of God is at the door." She jumped up in haste and excited the admiration of the Messenger of God, so that he turned away murmuring something that could scarcely be understood. However, he did say overtly: "Glory be to God the Almighty! Glory be to God, who causes the hearts to turn!"
When Zayd came home, his wife told him that the Messenger of God had come to his house. Zayd said, "Why didn't you ask him to come in?" He replied, "I asked him, but he refused." "Did you hear him say anything?" he asked. She replied, "As he turned away, I heard him say: ‘Glory be to God the Almighty! Glory be to God, who causes hearts to turn!’"
So Zayd left, and having come to the Messenger of God, he said: "Messenger of God, I have heard that you came to my house. Why didn't you go in, you who are as dear to me as my father and mother? Messenger of God, perhaps Zaynab has excited your admiration, and so I will separate myself from her." Zayd could find no possible way to [approach] her after that day. He would come to the Messenger of God and tell him so, but the Messenger of God would say to him, "Keep your wife." Zayd separated from her and left her, and she became free.
While the Messenger of God was talking with 'A'isha, a fainting overcame him. When he was released from it, he smiled and said, "Who will go to Zaynab to tell her the good news, saying that God has married her to me?" Then the Messenger of God recited: "And when you said unto him on whom God has conferred favor and you have conferred favor, ‘Keep your wife to yourself .’"- and the entire passage.
According to 'A'isha, who said: "I became very uneasy because of what we heard about her beauty and another thing, the greatest and loftiest of matters - what God had done for her by giving her in marriage. I said she would boast of it over us." (The History of Al-Tabari: The Victory of Islam, translated by Michael Fishbein [State University of New York Press, Albany, 1997], Volume VIII, pp. 2-3; bold emphasis ours)
In reply to that story, Abdul Hameed Siddique states in his book The Life of Muhammad PBUH:
" So far as the fanciful stories and calumnies of the Orientalists are concerned, we can only say that these are so absurd that any one having even a grain of sense in him would unhesitatingly reject them as mere fabrications. William Muir and so may others like him state that the Prophet, having seen Zaynab by change through a half-open door, was fascinated by her beauty, and that Zayd having come to know of the leanings of his master, divorced her and then she was marred ti Muhammad. There is absolutely no truth in these stories which have been fabricated in this connection."
(Source: The Life of Muhammad, by Abdul Hameed Siddique, Islamic Publications LTD, p. 214, bold and underlined emphasis ours)
The answer given by Abdul Hameed Siddiqui, doesnt really tell us much, so now I will quote from Sirat-Un-Nabi by Allama Shibli Nu'Mani:
" Tabari has it that once the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) visited the house of Zaid. Zaid was not at home, and Zainab was dressing herself. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw her doing that, and turned back saying : " Glory to Allah, Most High and glory to him who turns the hearts". Zaid came to know of it. He came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, " I may divorce Zainab if you have come to like her."
I have quoted that dirty narration with a pricking of conscience. But to report a blasphemy is not to commit a blasphemy. This is the single report that forms the mainstay of authority for the Christain historians. But the poor fellows do not know what value this narration holds when critically viewed in the light of the principles set by the traditionalists. Tabari, the historian has taken this story from Waqidi, the well-known liar and fabricator. He coined such fictions to provide some sort of sanction for the licentiousness of the 'Abbasid caliphs."
(Source: Sirat-Un-Nabi, by Allama Shibli Nu'Mani, rendered into English by M. Tayyib Bahksh Budayuni, Kazi Publications Lahore, Vol. II, p. 128-129, bold and underlined emphasis ours)
Shabir Ally also once stated:
Q. Is it true that the prophet (pbuh) had fallen in love with Zainab due to her beauty?
A. If that were true it would not detract from the veracity of the prophet. Muslims admit that he was a human being. It is not unnatural for a man to fall in love. The fact that he is a prophet does not rob him of his natural human emotions. In fact it is true that he loved his wives.
However, it is not true that he fell in love with Zainab in the way that is claimed by some critics. They say that once the prophet visited Zaid, the husband of Zainab. Zaid was out at the time, and Zainab was combing her hair. The prophet was struck by her beauty and immediately left saying something to the effect that God changes the hearts of people. When Zaid learnt about this incident he offered the prophet that he would divorce Zainab in order that the prophet may marry her. Accordingly, he divorced her and the prophet married her.
Several things point to the lack of truth in this story. First, it is unlikely that the prophet (pbuh) was suddenly struck by Zainab's beauty. Zainab was his cousin. He had known her since childhood. Why would she suddenly appear striking after she was already married to another?
Second, the prophet had arranged for her to get married to Zaid. If there was to be an attraction why did the prophet (pbuh) not encourage her to marry none but himself?
Third, the fact of the matter was that Zaid's marriage proved to be an unhappy one. Zaid was a former slave and as such was held in low esteem in the eyes of Zainab. He mentioned to the prophet that he intended to divorce his wife. But the prophet advised him to keep his wife and avoid divorce.
In the meantime, Zaid intended to divorce his wife, Allah intended to marry her to the prophet. Eventually Zaid could maintain his marriage no longer. He divorced Zainab and Allah declared in his Glorious Book that he has wedded her to the prophet after the proper waiting period was over.
This marriage served more than one purpose. First, the prophet was responsible for arranging Zainab's marriage to Zaid. In a sense, then, he was also indirectly responsible for the unhappiness she felt in her marriage. Her marriage to the prophet now provided her the honour she felt she deserved, and exonerated the prophet.
Second, Zaid had been adopted as the prophet's son. Eventually, however, the Qur'an prohibited the practice of changing the parental identity of adopted persons. Zaid, then, was to no longer be called "son of Muhammad" but rather "a close friend." The prophet's marriage to the divorced wife of Zaid was a practical demonstration that the adopted relationship was not equal to a real blood-relationship. A man cannot marry the divorced wife of his real son but he can marry the divorced wife of his adopted son.
The abolishment of the age-old practice was a positive improvement for the adopted persons. People outside of Islam still continue this practice for their own benefit. They adopt children and rob them of their real identify, making them believe they are real children of the household in which they grow up. When such children realize the truth they suffer much disappointment and grief. The adoptive process continues for the selfish gain of the adoptive parents.
But is it not true that children sometimes need adoptive parents? Yes. But they also need to preserve their real identify. This is what Islam ensures. It is the responsibility of the entire community to help children in need. They should be taken in and nurtured but not confused with one's own children.
The prophet's marriage to Zainab was a bold measure to forever engrave in the minds of his followers that as much as people would resist change, some changes are worth the effort. Adoptive children should no longer be robbed of their real identities.
(Source: http://www.islaminfo.com/new/detail.asp?ID=28)
And lastly, Sheikh Hammudah Abdallati stated:
6. Some of the Prophet's marriages were for legislative reasons and to abolish certain corrupt traditions. Such was his marriage to Zaynab, divorcee of the freed slave Zayd. Before Islam, the Arabs did not allow divorcees to remarry. Zayd was adopted by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and called his son as was the custom among the Arabs before Islam. But Islam abrogated this custom and disapproved of its practice. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was the first man to express this disapproval in a practical way. So he married the divorcee of his "adopted" son to show that adoption does not really make the adopted child a real son of the adopting father and also to show that marriage is lawful for divorcees. Incidentally, this very Zaynab was Muhammad's cousin, and had been offered to him in marriage before she married Zayd. He refused her then, but after she was divorced he accepted her for the two legislative purposes: the lawful marriage of divorcees and the real status of adopted children. The story of this Zaynab has been associated in some minds with ridiculous fabrications regarding the moral integrity of Muhammad. These vicious fabrications are not even worth considering here (see Qur'an, 33: 36, 37, 40).
(Source: Islam in Focus, p.177-179 by Hammudah Abdallati, bold and underlined emphasis ours)
So we can safely conclude, that the narration given by Ibn Warrq, missionaries and others, is wrong, and can NOT stand up to the light of the principles set by the traditionalists.
he 20% from the spoils of war that was assigned to Allah Almighty, Prophet Muhammad, the near relatives of the Prophet, the orphans, the needy and the wayfarers was mostly spent with the Prophet's discretion on charity and helping the orphans and the needy, as well as helping the Muslims' army in preparation for battles when the time came to defend Islam from the Pagans.
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) And The Satanic Verses
There is no greater lie than the Satanic verses lie. The Prophet never said those verses. To sum up, the story basically says that when the Prophet was leading the prayer one time near the Ka’bah, he was reciting Surah 53:19-20 and then he said a verse 'those are the high-flying cranes and indeed their intercession is to be hoped for' so the Quraysh got happy that the Prophet spoke so positively about their Gods and then also prostrated with the Muslims when they prostrated in their prayer. Then Allah sent down a verse rebuking the Prophet Muhammad (Surah 17:73-75) and also sent down a verse abrogating the ‘Satanic revelation’ (Surah
Lets see if this could make any sense…
Surah 53 was revealed in the 5th year of Prophethood…
Ibn Sad says that before this, in the Rajab of the 5th year of Prophethood, a small group of the Companions had emigrated to
Thus, it becomes almost certain that this Surah was revealed in the Ramadan of 5th year of Prophethood. (Maududi Commentary on the Quran, Commentary on Surah 53, Source)
The verse that came rebuking the Prophet was sent down years later…
The very first verse indicates that this Surah was revealed on the occasion of Mi`raj (Ascension). According to the Traditions and books on the life of the Holy Prophet, this event happened one year before Hijrah. Thus, this Surah is one of those, which were revealed in the last stage of Prophethood at Makkah. (Maududi Commentary on the Quran, Commentary on Surah 17,
And the verse that supposedly abrogated the ‘satanic revelation’ came in 1 A.H, which is approximately 8 years after the incident…
The sudden change of the style from v. 25 shows that probably vv. 25-78 were sent down in the month of Zul-Hijjah in the very first year after Hijrah. This is indicated by vv. 25-41 and confirmed by the occasion of the revelation of vv. 39-40. (Maududi Commentary on the Quran, Commentary on Surah 22,
Are you trying to say that Muslims believed the Satanic revelations were true revelations for eight years? That would mean that the Quraysh would have believed that the Muslims were pagan worshippers. So if the Quraysh did, then why did they keep on persecuting the Muslims for their beliefs, which is the reason why the Hijra took place anyway?
Obviously, one should also continue reading the remaining of the Surah…
Surah 53:21-25
What! for you the male sex, and for Him, the female? Behold, such would be indeed a division most unfair! These are nothing but names which ye have devised, - ye and your fathers, - for which God has sent down no authority (whatever). They follow nothing but conjecture and what their own souls desire! - Even though there has already come to them Guidance from their Lord! Nay, shall man have (just) anything he hankers after? But it is to God that the End and the Beginning (of all things) belong.
It clearly condemns the deity of these idols, so why need a verse abrogating it?
Surah
Prophets and messengers (the distinction is explained in n. 2503 to xix. 51) are but human. Their actions are righteous and their motives pure. But in judging things from a human point of view, the suggestion may come to their mind (from Satan) that it would be good to have power or wealth or influence for furthering Allah's cause, or that it may be good to conciliate some faction which may be irreconcilable. In fact, in Allah's Plan, it may be the opposite. Allah, in His mercy and inspiration, will cancel any false or vain suggestions of this kind, and confirm and strengthen His own Commands and make known His Will in His Signs or revelations. (Yusuf Ali Commentary on the Quran, Commentary on Surah 22:52)
(Never sent We a messenger or a Prophet before thee) O Muhammad (but when he) the Prophet (recited (the message)) or spoke (Satan proposed (opposition) about that which he recited thereof) such that he does not act upon it. (But Allah abolisheth) but Allah elucidates (that which Satan proposeth) on the tongue of His Prophet such that he does not act upon it. (Then Allah establisheth) then He clarifies (His revelations) for His Prophet in order that he acts upon them. (Allah is Knower) of that which Satan proposes, (Wise) He decrees to abolish it; (Tanwîr al-Miqbâs min Tafsîr Ibn ‘Abbâs, Commentary on Surah
Secondly, ONLY FOR SAKE OF ARGUMENT. Lets actually say that this whole incident is true and actually happened. This in no way disproves the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him), it actually does nothing but convince me even more that he truly was a Prophet from God! A Christian missionary wrote an article trying to prove that Satan inspired the Quran and I refuted it here. However, the funny thing is that if the Quran was truly authored by Satan then why on earth would Satan abrogate the ‘satanic revelations’ of Surah 53 and then expose himself? If the Quran is truly inspired by Satan then Satan should have just let people believe in that Satanic revelation. If the Quran is truly authored by Satan then why Satan only bother to expose himself on that specific verse? The truth of the matter is that this is absolute nonsense. If we want to accept the story we could only accept this: -
Satan deceived the Prophet for those few seconds by whispering those verses into him and tricking him into saying it, however later on God protected his Prophet and rebuked Satan and exposed Satan’s failure in his attempt to bring people into idol worship. This could only show that the author of the Quran truly is God and no one else!
My Response:
Lets check out the Tafsir to know exactly what Surah 87:6-7 means.
The translation is:
And the meaning of this statement: 'Thou shalt not forget', except as God wills what you should forget and don't recite it, They said: That is what Allah has abrogated from the Quran, so he lifted its wisdom and recitation. It is reported by Bashar, he said: reported by Yazid, he said: reported by Sa'eed, that Qutada said that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) never forgot anything (except as God willed). And others reported: The meaning of forgetfulness in this context means 'abandonment' and they said: The meaning of the statement 'By degrees shall we teach thee (Muhammad) to declare (the message), so thou shalt not forget, except as God wills' is that which Allah wants to stop practicing because it got abrogated. And those of the Arabic speaking language said regarding this: God did not will that the Prophet forget anything. And it is like Allah's similar statement 'Abiding therein, so long as the heavens and the earth endure, except as thy Lord may will. Surely, thy Lord does what HE pleases.' Surah 11: 107 and he does not will it.
So we clearly see from the commentary of Tabari, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) did not forget any portions of the Quran that he was never meant to forget. As we see, one explanation for this verse is that God intended for the Prophet to forget the abrogated verses or God just simply never willed the Prophet to ever forget any verse from the Quran. When God says that something happens if He wills it, it is intended to show His power and majesty because He has control over all things.
Even according to the hadith posted by Samuel Green (Sunan Abu Dawud: book 3, number 1015; volume I) goes to show that the Prophet was just a normal human being just like us and helps the Muslims not make the same mistake as the Christians did with Jesus Christ.
Sahih Bukhari
Volumn 004, Book 055, Hadith Number 654.
-----------------------------------------
Narated By 'Umar : I heard the Prophet saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle."
Even if Islamic critics want to be stubborn and persist that the Prophet forgot needed verses from the Quran, this could be refuted by the fact that the Prophet always used to rehearse the Quran to angel Gabriel and angel Gabriel would have corrected the Prophet where he went wrong. Furthermore, angel Gabriel recited the Quran TWICE to the Prophet in the year he died.
Sahih Bukhari
Volume 006, Book 061, Hadith Number 519.
Narated By Ibn 'Abbas : The Prophet was the most generous person, and he used to become more so (generous) particularly in the month of Ramadan because Gabriel used to meet him every night of the month of Ramadan till it elapsed. Allah's Apostle used to recite the Qur'an for him. When Gabriel met him, he used to become more generous than the fast wind in doing good.
Volume 6, Book 61, Number 520:
Narrated Abu-Huraira: Gabriel used to repeat the recitation of the Qur'an with the Prophet once a year, but he repeated it twice with him in the year he died. The Prophet used to stay in I'tikaf for ten days every year (in the month of Ramadan), but in the year of his death, he stayed in I'tikaf for twenty days.
Furthermore, the Prophet would order his scribes to write down the Quran as soon as the revelations came to him.
The Written Qur'an in the Times of The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
A large number of missionaries and the self-styled "critics" have been quoting Islamic traditions, or reports (Hadith), which support their claim, that the Qur'an was not written at the time of its Revelation. Are all these claims true? They are not, if we re-examine them.
Evidence from the Qur'an
The Qur'an itself contains many passages which refer to its written form. There appear to be four chapters (Sura's) of the Qur'an which refer to the Qur'an's written form explicitly. I'll quote them:
"By no means! Indeed it is a message of Instruction
Therefore, whoever wills, should remember
On leaves held in honour
Exalted, purified
In the hands of scribes
Noble and pious"
Sura' 80: 11-16
Here we have a reference to those scribes who wrote the Qur'an, on leaves. Minister Abdullah Yusuf Ali, in his commentary wrote that at the time of the Revelation of this Surah, forty-two or forty-five others (Surahs) had been written and were kept by Muslims in Makkah (out of the total 114 Surahs).
"Nay, this is the glorious Qur'an, on a Tablet preserved"
Sura' 85: 21-22
The above verse is the ultimate proof on the written preservation of the Qur'an even before the migration of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
"This is a glorious
Which none but the purified teach
This is a Revelation from the Lord of the Worlds"
Sura' 56: 77-80
The above verse refers to a "book well-kept," which can be no other than the Qur'an.
"They said: Tales of the ancients which he had caused to be written and they are dictated to him morning and evening"
25: 5
A reference to the enemies of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) when they accused him of plagiarising and retelling stories from the past. Still, we see words referring to the Qur'an in its written form.
Evidence from Hadith
Besides the above verses which refer to the Qur'an's written form, there are also a number of Hadith which agree with the above verses:
Zayd (ra) is reported to have said:
We used to compile the Qur’an from small scraps in the presence of the Messenger. (Hakim, Mustadrak)
The above Hadith also tells us that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was not unaware of the condition of the Qur'an with his companions and that he used to guide them while compiling it. Also, it tells us that the Qur'an also used to be compiled for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), meaning that he had a personal copy.
Malik said that no one should carry the Mushaf by its strap, nor on a pillow, unless he is clean… (Mu’atta, Kitab Al-Nida’ Li’l-Salah)
It is clear that the Qur'an was available in a book form at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Narrated Qatadah: I asked Anas Ibn Malik: ‘Who collected the Qur’an at the time of Prophet?’ He replied: ‘Four, all of whom were from the Ansar: Ubay Ibn Ka‘ab, Mu‘adh Ibn Jabal, Zayd Ibn Thabit and Abu Zayd.’ (Bukhari, Kitab Fada’ilu’l-Qur’an)
It is very clear that the complete Qur'an was available in the form of a book even at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). This proof is inescapable, and any Hadith which contradicts the facts presented here is a fabrication.
The Oral Transmission of the Qur'an
Even until today, many people have completely memorized the Qur'an. These people are known as Hafizun, which means that they are the protectors of the Qur'an. The real protector is Allah, the Lord of all Being, but Hafizun are called protectors because if the Qur'an was ever lost, the Hafizun can easily restore it. People have not started becoming Hafizun recently, but many of them were also present at the time of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself was a person who had memorized the whole Qur'an, word by word.
The First Hafiz
The first one to memorize the complete Qur'an, was, the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. After a Revelation came to the Prophet (pbuh), he memorized it:
'Move not thy tongue concerning the (Qur'an) to make
haste therewith. It is for Us to collect it and promulgate
it; but when We have promulgated it, follow thou its
recital' (75: 16-19)
Instead of the above verse, they are so many Hadith which say that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had memorized the Qur'an, they quoting them is not needed. Any one with even the knowledge of an atom concerning Islam may be knowing this.
Hafizun Among the Companions
The Prophet (pbuh) had thousands of companions, and it is for sure that hundreds of them too had memorized the whole Qur'an, word by word, just as the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself did.
"... the first man to speak the Qur'an loudly in Makka after the apostle was 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud. The Prophet's Companions came together and mentioned that the Quraish had never heard the Qur'an distinctly read to them ... When (Ibn Mas'ud) arrived at the maqAm, he read "In the name of God the Compassionate the Merciful", raising his voice as he did so. "The Compassionate who taught the Qur'an ..." (55:1) ... They got up and began to hit him in the face; but he continued to read so far as God willed that he should read ..." Guillaume, E.: The Life of Muhammad (abbr. as Ibn Hisham), London, 55, pp. 141-2; Ibn Hisham: Sira al-nabi, Cairo, n.d., 1, p.206.
The above report clearly shows that even in the earlier days of Islam, people memorized the Qur'an. It is also reported that Abu Bakr (ra) recited the Qur'an publicly in front of his house (Sira Ibn Hisham).
In addition to this, it is compulsory to recite the Qur'an in prayers. So the companions, at least, had memorized some of the Qur'an if not the whole as others did.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Encouraged Memorization
The best thing we could do here was to quote a passage from the second chapter of Ahmad von Denffer's book, Ulum al Qur'an:
There are numerous ahadith, giving account of various efforts made and measures taken by the Prophet to ensure that the revelation was preserved in the memory of his Companions. The following is perhaps the most clear:
'Narrated 'Uthman bin 'Affan: The Prophet said: "The most superior among you (Muslims) are those who learn the Qur'an and teach it".' Bukhari, VI, No. 546.
Listening to Others by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), also listened to the recital of others. Here is a Hadith showing this:
"Narrated 'Abdullah (Ibn Mas'ud): 'Allah's Apostle said to me: "Recite (of the Qur'an) for me". I said: "Shall I recite it to you although it had been revealed to you?!" He said: "I like to hear (the Qur'an) from others". So I recited
Some of the companions of the Prophet believed that the statement "If there were two valleys full of riches, for the son of Adam, he would long for a third valley, and nothing would fill the stomach of the son of Adam but dust." was part of the Qur'an.
However, it is turns out that the statement was most likely a hadith. Here are some hadith to show this.
Saheeh Bukhari
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 444:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
I heard the Prophet saying, "If the son of Adam (the human being) had two valley of money, he would wish for a third, for nothing can fill the belly of Adam's son except dust, and Allah forgives him who repents to Him."
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 445:
Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:
I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "If the son of Adam had money equal to a valley, then he will wish for another similar to it, for nothing can satisfy the eye of Adam's son except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to Him." Ibn 'Abbas said: I do not know whether this saying was quoted from the Qur'an or not. 'Ata' said, "I heard Ibn AzZubair saying this narration while he was on the pulpit."
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 446:
Narrated Sahl bin Sa'd:
I heard Ibn Az-Zubair who was on the pulpit at
Volume 8, Book 76, Number 447:
Narrated Anas bin Malik:
Allah's Apostle said, "If Adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, for nothing fills his mouth except dust. And Allah forgives him who repents to Him."
The commentary basically says....
When this Surah was revealed and expressed the same meaning as it (the Adam statement) they knew that the first statement (the Adam statement) was from the statements of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Some of them explained it to be part of the Quran and then its recitation was abrogated when 'The mutual rivalry for piling up of worldly things diverts you..' (102.1) was revealed." so its recitation persisted so it abrogated the recitation of that (the Adam statement). But it's wisdom and ruling was not abrogated if its recitation was abrogated.
And it also occurred at Ahmad and Abi Ubayd in "Virtues of the Quran" from hadith Abi Waqid Al Labani who said "We used to go to the Prophet (PBUH) if something was revealed to him so he would tell us, so he told us that day: Allah says "We have sent down money for the establishment of prayer and payment of Zakat, Adam's son had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys." the hadith in its exact form, and it is possible that the Prophet (PBUH) informed that this is a verse from the Quran, and it is also possible that it is from the Qudsi Hadith, and God knows and if it is the first (meaning first explanation that it was part of the Quran) then it is what was abrogated from recitation even though its wisdom and rulings are still implemented.
Again this just takes us to the whole issue of abrogation. Or as the commentary says, it could be a Qudsi Hadith. What is a Qudsi Hadith? See this definition......
Taken from http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/hadithqudsi.html
Hadith Qudsi are the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) as revealed to him by the Almighty Allah. Hadith Qudsi (or Sacred Hadith) are so named because, unlike the majority of Hadith which are Prophetic Hadith, their authority (Sanad) is traced back not to the Prophet but to the Almighty.
Among the many definitions given by the early scholars to Sacred Hadith is that of as-Sayyid ash-Sharif al-Jurjani (died in 816 A.H.) in his lexicon At-Tarifat where he says: "A Sacred Hadith is, as to the meaning, from Allah the Almighty; as to the wording, it is from the messenger of Allah (PBUH). It is that which Allah the Almighty has communicated to His Prophet through revelation or in dream, and he, peace be upon him, has communicated it in his own words. Thus Qur'an is superior to it because, besides being revealed, it is His wording."
Conclusion
Therefore, there is no proof given to show that the Prophet Muhammad or his companions have forgotten any relevant verses from the Quran. The Quran is preserved the way God had intended it to. When Muslims argue that the Quran has been passed down by memory of the early Muslims we are not talking about some kind of divine memory because they were human beings just like us. Some would forget. However, NOT ALL THE MUSLIMS WOULD FORGET the Quran. That's why every year in the month of Ramadan the Muslims recite the whole Quran in their Taraweeh prayers. Sometimes the Imam would make a mistake and then the people praying behind him would correct him. So if people ever forgot there were others to correct. This is how God Almighty kept the Quran preserved.
Page 217: Real definition of Jihad. Jihad simply means to stuggle, strive or exert. Often mistranslated as holy war, this term can apply to any exertion in God’s cause. Examples range from going to school or a woman making the Hajj to fighting a just war or even giving up a bad habit.
Quick Noble Verses that refute the terrorism LIE in Islam:
"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loveth not transgressors. (The Noble Quran, 2:190)"
"But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that heareth and knoweth (all things). (The Noble Quran, 8:61)"
"If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear God, the cherisher of the worlds. (The Noble Quran,
"God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes. God loves just dealers. (The Noble Quran, 60:8)"
"And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for God. But if they desist, then let there be no hostility except against wrongdoers. (The Noble Quran 2:193)"
"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things. (The Noble Quran, 2:256)"
"Again and again will those who disbelieve, wish that they had bowed (to God's will) in Islam. Leave them alone, to enjoy (the good things of this life) and to please themselves: let (false) hope amuse them: soon will knowledge (undeceive them). (The Noble Quran, 15:2-3)"
"Say, 'The truth is from your Lord': Let him who will believe, and let him who will, reject (it):......(The Noble Quran,
"If it had been thy Lord's will, they would all have believed,- all who are on earth! wilt thou then COMPEL mankind, against their will, to believe! (The Noble Quran, 10:99)"
"Say: 'Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger: but if ye turn away, he is only responsible for the duty placed on him and ye for that placed on you. If ye obey him, ye shall be on right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to preach the clear (Message). (The Noble Quran, 24:54)"
"Say : O ye that reject Faith! I worship not that which ye worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. And I will not worship that which ye have been wont to worship, Nor will ye worship that which I worship. To you be your Way, and to me mine. (The Noble Quran, 109:1-6)"
Note on the "Jihad" Verses:
The so-called "Jihad" Noble Verses came for specific times and places. They don't apply for all times and everybody! I can't slay you, a non-Muslim, just because you're not a Muslim. The pagan Arabs were very hostile people and only knew the sword as an answer. Many wars were imposed upon the Muslims, and thus, it is only normal and natural to find Noble Verses that deal with these specific hostile situations. But the Ultimate and Overall Message of the Noble Quran is PEACE, as clearly proven in the Noble Verses above.
Saheeh Bukhari
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 257.
Narrated By 'Abdullah : During some of the Ghazawat of the Prophet a woman was found killed. Allah's Apostle disapproved the killing of women and children.
Volume 004, Book 052, Hadith Number 258.
Narrated By Ibn 'Umar : During some of the Ghazawat of Allah's Apostle a woman was found killed, so Allah's Apostle forbade the killing of women and children.
Saheeh Muslim
Book 019, Hadith Number 4319.
Chapter : Prohibition of killing women and children in war.
It is narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah that a woman was found killed in one of the battles fought by the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him). He disapproved of the killing of women and children.
Book 019, Hadith Number 4320.
Chapter : Prohibition of killing women and children in war.
It is narrated by Ibn 'Umar that a woman was found killed in one of these battles; so the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) forbade the killing of women and children.
Sunan Abu Dawood
Book 008, Hadith Number 2663.
------------------------------
Chapter : Not known.
Narated By Rabah ibn Rabi' : When we were with the Apostle of Allah (pbuh) on an expedition, he saw some people collected together over something and sent a man and said: See, what are these people collected around? He then came and said: They are round a woman who has been killed. He said: This is not one with whom fighting should have taken place. Khalid ibn al-Walid was in charge of the van; so he sent a man and said: Tell Khalid not to kill a woman or a hired servant.
Maliks Muwatta
Book 021, Hadith Number 008.
Section : Prohibition against Killing Women and Children in Military Expeditions.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab that a son of Kab ibn Malik (Malik believed that ibn Shihab said it was Abd ar-Rahman ibn Kab) said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, forbade those who fought ibn Abi Huqayq (a treacherous jew from Madina) to kill women and children. He said that one of the men fighting had said, 'The wife of ibn Abi Huqayq began screaming and I repeatedly raised my sword against her. Then I would remember the prohibition of the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, so I would stop. Had it not been for that, we would have been rid of her.'"
Book 021, Hadith Number 009.
Section : Prohibition against Killing Women and Children in Military Expeditions.
Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi from Ibn Umar that the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, saw the corpse of a woman who had been slain in one of the raids, and he disapproved of it and forbade the killing of women and children.
……"I advise you ten things Do not kill women or children or an aged, infirm person. Do not cut down fruit-bearing trees. Do not destroy an inhabited place. Do not slaughter sheep or camels except for food. Do not burn bees and do not scatter them. Do not steal from the booty, and do not be cowardly." Dawood Book 021, Hadith Number 010.
The Ascensions to the heavens
Prophet Mohammed (SAW)’s ascension to heaven copied off Zoroastrian literature?
Jews in Rabbinic literature also has a similar point, So did the Jews copy off Zoroastrian literature too or did the Zoroasters copy off the Jews literature? Ibn Warraq fails to show any evidence for this allegation. Plus as the hadith points out that there were no books or literature around for Prophet Mohammed to copy off of. Plus Prophet Mohammed proved that he didn’t make up the story and that his ascension was real.
The Ascension consists of three separate writings: (1) the Martyrdom itself (the basic material in AscenIs 1:1-3:12+5:1-16). (2) An account of a vision seen by Isaiah (AscenIs
In Jewish Apocryphal literature;
“seven realms for …the righteous, and afterwards they shall be gathered into their habitations (4 Ezra 7:100-101)
Story of The Ascension
Narrated Abbas bin Malik:
Malik bin Sasaa said that Allah's Apostle described to them his Night Journey saying, "While I was lying in Al-Hatim or Al-Hijr, suddenly someone came to me and cut my body open from here to here." I asked Al-Jarud who was by my side, "What does he mean?" He said, "It means from his throat to his pubic area," or said, "From the top of the chest." The Prophet further said, "He then took out my heart. Then a gold tray of Belief was brought to me and my heart was washed and was filled (with Belief) and then returned to its original place. Then a white animal which was smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me." (On this Al-Jarud asked, "Was it the Buraq, O Abu Hamza?" I (i.e. Anas) replied in the affirmative). The Prophet said, "The animal's step (was so wide that it) reached the farthest point within the reach of the animal's sight. I was carried on it, and Gabriel set out with me till we reached the nearest heaven.
When he asked for the gate to be opened, it was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has Muhammad been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the first heaven, I saw Adam there. Gabriel said (to me). 'This is your father, Adam; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me till we reached the second heaven. Gabriel asked for the gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel answered, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel answered in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened.
When I went over the second heaven, there I saw Yahya (i.e. John) and 'Isa (i.e. Jesus) who were cousins of each other. Gabriel said (to me), 'These are John and Jesus; pay them your greetings.' So I greeted them and both of them returned my greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the third heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is!' The gate was opened, and when I went over the third heaven there I saw Joseph. Gabriel said (to me), 'This is Joseph; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fourth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said, 'He is welcomed, what an excel lent visit his is!'
The gate was opened, and when I went over the fourth heaven, there I saw Idris. Gabriel said (to me), 'This is Idris; pay him your greetings.' So I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the fifth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked. 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. Then it was said He is welcomed, what an excellent visit his is! So when I went over the fifth heaven, there I saw Harun (i.e. Aaron), Gabriel said, (to me). This is Aaron; pay him your greetings.' I greeted him and he returned the greeting to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' Then Gabriel ascended with me to the sixth heaven and asked for its gate to be opened. It was asked. 'Who is it?' Gabriel replied, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel replied, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel replied in the affirmative. It was said, 'He is welcomed. What an excellent visit his is!'
When I went (over the sixth heaven), there I saw Moses. Gabriel said (to me),' This is Moses; pay him your greeting. So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious brother and pious Prophet.' When I left him (i.e. Moses) he wept. Someone asked him, 'What makes you weep?' Moses said, 'I weep because after me there has been sent (as Prophet) a young man whose followers will enter
So when I went (over the seventh heaven), there I saw Abraham. Gabriel said (to me), 'This is your father; pay your greetings to him.' So I greeted him and he returned the greetings to me and said, 'You are welcomed, O pious son and pious Prophet.' Then I was made to ascend to Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. the Lote Tree of the utmost boundary) Behold! Its fruits were like the jars of Hajr (i.e. a place near
Then Al-Bait-ul-Ma'mur (i.e. the Sacred House) was shown to me and a container full of wine and another full of milk and a third full of honey were brought to me. I took the milk. Gabriel remarked, 'This is the Islamic religion which you and your followers are following.' Then the prayers were enjoined on me: They were fifty prayers a day. When I returned, I passed by Moses who asked (me), 'What have you been ordered to do?' I replied, 'I have been ordered to offer fifty prayers a day.' Moses said, 'Your followers cannot bear fifty prayers a day, and by Allah, I have tested people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel (in vain). Go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your followers' burden.' So I went back, and Allah reduced ten prayers for me. Then again I came to Moses, but he repeated the same as he had said before. Then again I went back to Allah and He reduced ten more prayers. When I came back to Moses he said the same, I went back to Allah and He ordered me to observe ten prayers a day. When I came back to Moses, he repeated the same advice, so I went back to Allah and was ordered to observe five prayers a day.
When I came back to Moses, he said, 'What have you been ordered?' I replied, 'I have been ordered to observe five prayers a day.' He said, 'Your followers cannot bear five prayers a day, and no doubt, I have got an experience of the people before you, and I have tried my level best with Bani Israel, so go back to your Lord and ask for reduction to lessen your follower's burden.' I said, 'I have requested so much of my Lord that I feel ashamed, but I am satisfied now and surrender to Allah's Order.' When I left, I heard a voice saying, 'I have passed My Order and have lessened the burden of My Worshipers." (From Bukhari 5: 227)
And when People didn’t believe him Prophet Mohammed said:
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: That he heard Allah's Apostle saying, "When the people of Quraish did not believe me (i.e. the story of my Night Journey), I stood up in Al-Hijr and Allah displayed
1 comment:
However if they really did leave Islam, why write about it? Apostasy in Islam is punishable by death and the clowns and liars that say that they left Islam are openly saying they left.
Thanks for reminding us of the true violence hidden within the so-called "religion of peace."
PS
Post a Comment