Muslim Sunrise - Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

56 Pages·2010·3.47 MB·English

by  Jeff Beary

Spring •2010
$4.00
“In the latter days, the sun shall rise from the west” • Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
An Invitation to “Real” Secrets of the
Holy Qur’an
Holy Qur’an
1111177777 Muhammadsaw 22 War Verses in 30 Madrassas in 32 Polygamy in
and the Jews of the Holy Qur’an Islam the Holy Qur’an
Medina
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
T he Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a religious organization,
international in its scope, with branches in 189 countries in
Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Australasia, and Europe.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 by Hadhrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas (1835-1908) in Qadian, a small and remote village in
the Punjabi province of India. He claimed to be the expected reformer of the
latter days, the Awaited One of the world community of religions (The Mahdi
and Messiah). The Movement he started is an embodiment of the benevolent
message of Islam – peace, universal brotherhood, and submission to the
Will of God – in its pristine purity. Hadhrat Ahmadas proclaimed Islam as the
religion of man: “The religion of the people of the right path” (98:6).The
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was created under divine guidance with
the objective to rejuvenate Islamic moral and spiritual values. It encourages
interfaith dialogue, diligently defends Islam and tries to correct
misunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance,
love and understanding among followers of different faiths. It firmly believes
in and acts upon the Qur’anic teaching: “There is no compulsion in religion”
(2:257). It strongly rejects violence and terrorism in any form and for any
reason.
After the passing of its founder, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has
been headed by his elected successors. The present Head of the Community,
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, was elected in 2003. His official title is
Khalifatul Masih V or Fifth Successor of the Promised Messiah..
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908)
Editor Editor's Notes:
Falahud Din Shams The Muslim Sunrise is published by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA,
15000 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905, Phone [phone], Fax
301.879.0115, under the auspices of Dr. Ahsanullah Zafar, Ameer and National
Editorial Board President. The views and opinions expressed by individual contributers in this
publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Imam Mubasher Ahmad
Community, USA.
Dr. Shanaz Butt
Hasan Hakeem The Muslim Sunrise welcomes letters to the editor, questions and submissions. Email
us at [email protected] or go online to www.MuslimSunrise.com.
Amjad Mahmood Khan, Esq.
Naveed Malik
Library of Congress Call Number BP195.A5 M8
Staff Editors Mailing Address: The Muslim Sunrise, 2 S 510 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, IL
60137, Phone: [phone], ext. 206, Fax: [phone].
Maham Khan
Atif Mir Muslims follow the name of God’s prophets with the prayer alaehis salaam or
‘may peace be upon him,’ and for the Holy Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu
Naser Shams
alaehi wasallam or ‘may peace and blessings of God be upon him.’ Companions
of prophets and righteous personalities who have passed away are saluted by
Staff Writers radhi-Allaho anhu/a or ‘may Allah be pleased with him/her.” While such
salutations sometimes are not set out in the text for readability, we encourage
Lubna Roohi Malik
readers to offer these prayers as if set out in full.
Sardar Anees Ahmad
Dr. Zia H. Shah Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (1872-1957) was the first Ahmadiyya Muslim missionary
to arrive in America. In 1921, he founded the Muslim Sunrise, which stands today
Shazia Sohail
as the longest running Muslim publication in America. The magazine seeks to open
discussions on Islam and topics relating to religion in general. It highlights the role
Hasan Hakeem, Design/Layout of Islam in an ever changing global society. It provides a platform for public
Naveed Malik, Circulation opinion on contemporary issues and presenting their solutions from an Islamic
perspective.
Shuaib Shams, Circulation
www.muslimsunrise.com
2 MuslimSunrise
Muslims who believe in the Messiah, Hazrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, QadianiAS
In This Issue
Features
9 The Purdah: Judeo-Christian Cultural Preference
11 Concubines and the Holy Qur’an
• •
Spring 2010 Volume 90 Issue 1
13 Physical Ascension: Myth or Fact?
Departments
15 Islam and Obedience to the Rule of Law
5 In the Words of the Promised
Messiahas
17 Muhammadsaw and the Jews of Medina
21 Rationale For Holy Qur’an Chapter’s names 6 Editorial
22 War Verses of the Holy Qur’an 7 Friday Sermon
Attacks on Islam, the Holy
25 Dhimmis & Jizya
Prophetsaw and the Holy Qur’an
27 Apostasy in Islam
News, Views and Reviews
30 Madrassas in Islam
52 Book Review
32 Polygamy in the Holy Qur’an The Belief and the Life in the Holy
Qur’an
34 Circumcision in Islam
53 Perspectives
35 Islam & Slavery
Mean-spirited Criticism
36 Compilation of the Holy Qur’an Text
38 Hadhrat Ayesha’sra Marriage to the Prophetsaw Correction Notice: The Winter 2009 issue
featured a cover graphic representing Arabic
40 Significance of Jumu’ah in the Holy Qur’an
calligraphy. However, some readers may
have taken it to be a part of the Qur’an,
42 Adam & Eve in the Holy Qur’an
which was not intended. We regret any
44 Battle of Badr
confusion this may have caused, and in
order to remove any confusion, we have
46 Etymology of the Name “Allah”
revised the digital version of the issue,
48 Holy Qur’an: Miracle of the Holy Prophetsaw available online. -- Editor
50 Abrogation in the Holy Qur’an
SPRING 2010 3
From the Holy Qur'an
Surah Luqman, 31:3-7
[31:3] These are verses of the Book of Wisdom,
[31:4] A guidance and a mercy for those who do good,
[31:5] Those who observe Prayer and pay the Zakat and who have
firm faith in the Hereafter.
[31:6] It is they who follow guidance from their Lord, and it is they
who shall prosper.
[31:7] And of men is he who takes idle tales in exchange for guidance
to lead men astray from the path of Allah, without knowledge, and to
make fun of it. For such there will be humiliating punishment.
4 MuslimSunrise
In the Words of the Promised Messiah
(103:4) and wa tawasow bil
marhamah (90:18) i.e., believers are
In short, the Holy Qur'an is those who exhort one another to truth
and compassion. Elsewhere, He says
full of verses that enjoin
“God enjoins you to show justice
us to show our love for to all people, and if you wish to go
further then be kind to them, and bet-
God in word and deed,
ter still, show such compassion to-
and to love Him more wards your fellow beings as you would
do towards your own kindred.” (16:91)
than anything else.
Just consider whether there could
be a better teaching than one that does
As far as the second part
not stop at enjoining compassion for
of the question, pertaining mankind, but goes further and teaches
eeta ay dhil qurba (being kind to oth-
to God’s love for mankind,
ers just as one is kind to one’s kin-
let it be clear that the dred) which results from a natural de-
sire (to do good). Often, one who
Holy Qur'an contains
shows kindness expects something in
many verses in which God Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) return and at times shows resentment
towards those who fail to acknowledge
says that He loves those it. Occasionally, swayed by one’s emo-
tions, one might even remind others of
who repent,1 do good son and cause him to become accursed in or-
what one has done for them. But the
der to redeem the sins of the evildoers. Curse
deeds and exercise pa- doing of good through a natural inclina-
upon the son of God will obviously entail a
tion, which the Holy Qur'an compares
tience. But nowhere does curse upon God Himself, God forbid, for (ac-
to doing good to one’s kindred, is in-
cording to the Christians), the Father and the
the Holy Qur'an say that deed the highest and final stage of vir-
Son are inseparable. Godhead and curse can-
tue. It is like a mother’s kindness for her
God also loves those who not go together. Another point to consider is,
child, which is her natural instinct. Ob-
by what love did God kill the virtuous and
viously she does not expect any grati-
love infidelity, sin and injus-
save the wicked? Surely no righteous person
tude from a mere infant.
would be guilty of such conduct.
tice; rather in their case it
The third part of the question is: where in
uses the word Ihsan (com- the Holy Qur'an is it written that man should Endnotes
love his fellow beings? The answer is that in- 1. Divine love is not like human love,
passion, kindness,
which involves pain and agony of separa-
stead of using the word ‘love’, the Holy Qur'an
tion. Rather, it means that God treats those
benevolence). For instance, uses two different terms, i.e., mercy and com-
who do good deeds in the same way as a
passion. The word love has been used spe- lover treats his beloved.
it says:
cifically for God because love culminates in
worship.2 But in the case of mankind the Holy 2. Whenever the word ‘love’ has been
used in connection with human relationships,
“We have sent thee out of Qur'an uses the words ‘mercy’ and ‘kindness’
it does not imply true love. According to
instead of ‘love’, for love results in worship,
compassion for the entire Islamic teaching, true love is only for God.
while compassion results in sympathy. It is Every other love is unreal and is only called
world.”
(21:108) because of their failure to understand this dif- love in the figurative sense.
ference that people of other faiths have con-
Since the world includes disbelievers, ferred upon God’s creatures what was in fact From “Four Questions by a Christian
and their Answers”. To read the full text
sinners and evil doers, God has opened the due to God. I do not believe that Jesus could
of the book, go to Alislam.org
door of His mercy for them too and they ever have taught such idolatry. I would rather
can also attain salvation by following the believe that such abhorrent teachings were
guidance contained in the Holy Qur'an. I added to the Gospels at a later stage and Jesus
also declare that, according to the Holy unjustly blamed for them. In short, the Holy
Qur'an, God’s love for mankind is not such Qur'an uses the word ‘compassion’ in relation
that He should be required to crucify His to mankind, as he says, Tawasow bil haqqay
SPRING 2010 5
Editorial
I
slam has been Richardson, a Christian sources and not the Google
attacked by many preacher. There is nothing scholars of this age who have
over the last few particular or special about this their own agendas. In fact, Mr.
centuries. Several book. It displays the same old Richardson in his book has
prejudiced, so-called “scholars” thoughts of hatred, personal ruled that not just Islam but
have sarcastically and frustrations with a Hinduism and Buddhism are
offensively selected some verses misunderstood religion and also incompatible with Western
of the Holy Qur’an and conveys to the West the thought. Christianity is the only
expounded their own thoughts. “expertise” and “unique path. That verdict renders the
New opportunities have been findings” in one’s “research”. Jewish faith irrelevant as well. It
offered to some of these We have selected this book is amazing to note that the
“scholars” since the September merely as a model and example religious tolerance that the
11 attacks. The West wants to to go over all the issues that Western people present to the
know about Islam and what it have been brought up and to world is nowhere to be found in
represents. In this environment respond to them in the current Mr. Richardson’s books or any
anyone who can Google the issue. There is a book review on other books like his.
words Islam, Jihad, Muhammad Secrets of the Koran in our We hope that readers would
and Qur’an pretends to be a Winter 2009 issue that our gain positive knowledge from
“scholar” and an “expert” on readers can refer to on our this issue on the subjects that
Islam. As Westerners often lack website Muslimsunrise.com. they have been bombarded with
true knowledge of Islam, they Our main goal is to present to about Islam. We welcome any
accept whatever is written by Americans the issues raised in questions, remarks and
these Google scholars. this book because they cover exchange of ideas from readers
The issues raised in many of nearly all the issues that so- of all faiths.
these Islamophobic books are called scholars publicize in their We are especially thankful to
the same which have been books. one of our staff writers, Ms.
repeatedly stated over the The Western public really Lubna Roohi Malik, who
centuries by the opponents of only has one choice and that is diligently worked on this issue
Islam. One such book is to read about the faith of Islam and coordinated with all the
“Secrets of the Koran” by Don on their own from Muslim other writers.
6 MuslimSunrise
Attacks on Islam, the Holy Prophetsaw, and the Holy Qur’an
We invite our adversaries to look at the teachings
and contents of the Holy Qur'an attentively and
discern its excellences with respect to its spiritual,
moral and social guidance of mankind.
Summary of Friday Sermon delivered
by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadat, the
Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Community, February 29, 2008.
NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for
any errors or miscommunication in this Synopsis
of the Friday Sermon
A
fter the
recitation
of Surah
Fatihah,
Hadhrat
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadat
Khalifatul-Masih, may Allah be
work. She was arrested by the Taliban
his support, proceeded.
and released on the promise that she will
There has been a renewed read the Holy Qur'an. After arriving home,
on reading the Holy Qur'an, she found
intensity in attacks on Islam, that there was great difference between were not following these teachings.
the teachings of Islam and the treatment Such examples worry anti-Islam forces.
on the Holy Prophet
of women in Afghanistan. She accepted Irrespective of the level of their affilia-
Muhammad, peace and Islam. tion with their own faith, anti-Islamic feel-
The matter received a lot of media at- ings force them to indulge in unbecom-
blessings of Allah be on him,
tention. Due to her education and experi- ing practices. This is nothing new. Proph-
ence, she was hired in Qatar. She stuck ets have experienced this before and Is-
and on the Holy Qur'an with
to principles of truth and fairness lead- lam now is a target as it is a great reli-
an objective of defaming ing to differences with the owners result- gion. Meccans stood up against Islam as
ing in her separation. She took the case it started gaining strength. 'Umar, a
Islam.
to court and won arguing equal rights in staunch enemy of Islam, bowed his head
The reason behind these attacks is that Islam for women. before the Prophet, peace and blessings
Islam fulfills the needs of the time, and people She had similar experience in a sec- of Allah be on him, after reading a few
are turning towards Islam after examining the ond employment. She again took the case verses of the Holy Qur'an. Allah elevated
teachings of the Qur'an. Unbiased people to court and won arguing that it is the his status so that he became the second
have pondered over the Holy Qur'an. Though responsibility of Muslim governments to righteous Khalifah. After the migration
just the translation does not provide the deep safeguard women's rights. These inci- of the Prophet to Medina, Jews became
knowledge of the message of the Holy Qur'an, dents strengthened her faith. Though her apprehensive of the increasing influence
yet the ones who have a clear conscience experiences were negative, her faith ad- of Islam. Further expansion worried the
gain some understanding. vanced through reading the Holy Qur'an. kingdoms of Iran and Rome.
A news item has appeared that a British Rather than maligning Islamic teachings, Today all the great powers are fearful
journalist went to Afghanistan for social she carried out a jihad against those who of Islam. They have resorted to such un-
SPRING 2010 7
fair strategies against people reach the
Islam that their own depth of its meaning
conscientious citizens though everyone is
have started raising able to understand
their voices against and practice its teach-
their unfair practices. ings. People who are
Adversarial voices ris- filled with envy, ani-
ing out of the West do mosity and vicious-
not represent the senti- ness cannot realize its
ment of the general pub- beneficence, except
lic. Public has stood up for when they analyze
in protest against unfair it with unbiased
and vicious attacks. minds. Therefore,
A news lady, during an when we hear the an-
interview with our mission- tagonistic views, they
ary, condemned the repub- increase our faith as
lication of the Danish car- they fulfill what the
toons, and declared that Holy Qur'an told us
before their publication she centuries ago.
was proud of her country. The Holy Qur'an
Generally people on tells us that the
internet and in the media people who have
have reacted strongly ..this wave against Islam is not the work of a taken up to malign
against the republication the Holy Prophet
few writers, elected officials, politicians or
of Danish cartoons. Muhammad, peace be
Khalifatul-Masih pre- on him, and the Holy
cartoonists but there is a hand of great powers
sented numerous quotes in Qur'an will not escape
this respect and said that behind these incidents who are afraid of Islamic the consequences, and
this wave against Islam is we have seen the fulfill-
teachings and do not want their people to know
not the work of a few writ- ment of this warning
ers, elected officials, poli- Islamic teachings, and want to establish their throughout history. The
ticians or cartoonists but consequences are immi-
supremacy in the name of religion.
there is a hand of great nent if the behavior is
powers behind these inci- not changed. No false
dents who are afraid of Is- god will be able to save
lamic teachings and do not them when the time of
want their people to know Islamic teachings, mark with respect to the republication of the consequence arrives.
and want to establish their supremacy in the Danish cartoons, and presented the affirma- We invite our adversaries to look at
name of religion. There was a big hand of tive views of the queen and parliament to- the teachings and contents of the Holy
Christians in closing down our television wards Muslims. Qur'an attentively and discern its
broadcast channel in the middle east [which Continuing with a review of the attacks excellences with respect to its spiritual,
was immediately replaced by an alternate re- on Islam, Khalifatul-Masih further quoted moral and social guidance of mankind.
source]. They are trying to become the god from a book written against the sanctity of Teachings of Islam are in accordance with
of the world, and these brains are the ones the Holy Qur'an and refuted various alle- nature but it is necessary to have a pious
who are involved in anti-Islamic efforts. gations in the book. heart to understand them, and a purifier
Islam's destiny now is to spread, not He further pointed out with reference to guide. In this age, the Ahmadiyya com-
through terrorism or militism but through the to the Holy Quran and its explanation by munity portrays the beauties of its teach-
Messiah of the age. All of us should make an the Promised Messiah, peace be on him, ings.
effort to spread the peaceful message of Is- that people who live immoral and un- There is a great need for prayers these
lam. Allah's plans cannot be frustrated by healthy lives cannot understand and ben- days that Muslims observe heavenly
worldly powers. efit from the pristine teachings of the signs and abandon their misunderstand-
Khalifatul-Masih gave details of the ef- Qur'an. Despite it having deep meanings, ings and unite for a nobler purpose sav-
forts of the Ahmadiyya community in Den- it is easily comprehensible. Only special ing themselves from a grave mischief.
8 MuslimSunrise
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SPRING 2010 9
The only reference to a head-covering of Isaac and she swung herself down from read, “Always be rejoicing, pray inces-
in the New Testament is attributed to Paul, off the camel. Then she said to the servant, santly...” (5:16- 17). Nobody is excluded
in 1 Corinthians. Among non-Muslims, his “Who is that man walking in the field to from worship here; the young and the eld-
words are a subject of much dispute: ‘Ev- meet us?” and the servant said, “It is my erly are required to pray continuously, as
ery man that prays or prophesies having master.” And she [Rebekah] proceeded to well as the married and the unmarried.
something on his head, shames his head; take a head-cloth and to cover herself. (Gen- Mainstream Christians, however, have
but every woman that prays or prophesies esis 24: 63-65). From this passage, it is clear done away with the practice of covering,
with her head uncovered, shames her head, that not only did Rebekah cover her head insisting that women no longer need to
for it is one and the same as if she were a when she learned of the identity of the cover. Today’s woman does not want to
woman with a shaved head. For if a woman stranger as her future husband, but even uphold the ideals of modest women like
does not cover herself, let her also be before she knew the identity of the man, Mary or Rebekah; instead, she revels in
shorn; but if it is disgraceful for a woman Rebekah dismounted the camel to avoid being able to stand next to a man, exposing
to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered...’, being in plain vision. Her attitude was such herself, and knowing that men like what
(1 Corinthians 11: 4- 6). Continuing in that she did not want to attract the atten- they see. Of course men will like what they
verses 11: 14-15, Paul mentions the hair serv- tion of a stranger. Rebekah is a biblical fig- see because the “...eyes of a man aren’t
ing as the head-covering for women. That, ure, yet it seems she is the embodiment of satisfied”, (Proverbs 27:20), yet what they
however, implies that men should be bald all values Islamic. think about such a wanton woman is ‘dis-
to pray. Thus, it seems that Paul is contra- Sarah’s example confirms the Islamic in- respectful’.
dicting himself here. junction for good Muslim women to cover Hence Islam enjoins purdah for believ-
The custom of women covering them- themselves. Sarah was given a covering by ing women. Yes, like it is repeatedly said,
selves was much more apparent among the king Abimelech so that she would be purdah is for the protection of the women
early Jews and Christians. We can deduce distinguished among the people and no one themselves. But what does that really mean?
through history that the religious clergy would bother her. It is said in Genesis 20:16, That men will not touch them? It means that
promoted a woman’s modesty through cov- “Here it is a covering of the eyes to all who the woman behind the veil can feel safe that
ering her hair and wearing loose garments. are with you, and before everybody, and the man in front of her has no lustful incli-
Somehow, this custom was slowly aban- you are cleared of reproach”. This is reso- nations towards her, and is behaving ex-
doned. The practice of covering among the nant of why Muslim women are commanded actly as he ought to—a man of honor who
early Jews had its basis in the prophetic to cover themselves in the Holy Qur’an: “O lowers his gaze and respects a woman as
precept of Micah 6:8, “...and to be modest Prophet, tell thy wives and thy daughters commanded by the Holy Qur’an: “Say to
in walking with your God”, as mentioned in and the women of the believers that they the believing men that they restrain their
the Talmud Bavli (Babylonian Talmud).1 should let down over them their loose outer eyes...That is purer for them. Surely Allah
And so, while women were required to cover garments. It is more likely that they will thus is well aware of what they do”.5
themselves in decent clothing, even men be distinguished and not molested,” (33:60). The covering is not meant to intimidate
were instructed to dress modestly. Haredi Mr. Richardson wants to blame the “ob- anyone, but to instill remembrance of Al-
as well as modern Orthodox Jewish men still session” of Muslims wanting their women lah, The All-Seeing, in every man and
wear their traditional kippa, while the women to be covered on “Muhammad, the Koran woman’s heart.
have also found many ways to cover their and Islam”. Yet, in addition to the history As much as Mr. Richardson would like
hair today, just as Muslim women wear dif- of Judaism and Christinaity, even European to believe that purdah is an “Islamic cul-
ferent forms of the hijab. medieval and Renaissance art is full of por- tural preference”, he cannot deny that
Further, the Jews revere Sarah and trayals of women in head-coverings and women observed purdah long before
Rebekah, the wives of Abraham and Isaac, flowing robes. Mary, the mother of Jesus, Prophet Muhammad. Purdah is, without
respectively. Two references2 to the head- has always been painted and sculpted in doubt, a part of the Judeo-Christian heri-
covering found in the Old Testament show loose dresses that envelope her whole tage. Islam has only preserved it.(cid:139)
that these women covered their heads. Jew- body3. Further, she has always been painted
Maham Khan is a staff editor for Muslim
ish women strove to follow their footsteps, in dark colored garments, very similar to the
Sunrise. She resides in Holt, Michigan,
dressing in a way that helped them submit shades of the Islamic purdah. Similarly, the
with her family.
to God. Thus, in observing such modesty, Latin Rite for the Catholic Church made it
women shun their pride and humble them- obligatory for nuns to wear something very (Endnotes)
selves and realize their potential to focus similar to the Islamic dress in 1917. Even
on their spirituality. For example, when though the law has been revised, some 1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/tzniut#Hair_covering
2. New World Translation of the Holy
Abraham’s servant was escorting Rebekah churches consider the dress code an “im-
Scriptures (NWT), Genesis 20:16; 24:63-64.
to the land of Negeb, where she was going memorial custom”.4
3. Paintings: 1. Nicolas Fromant, Moses and the
to become Isaac’s wife, Rebekah displayed Many argue that the command to cover, burning Bush, 1476; statue of the virgin mary, in
her inner and outer modesty: ‘And Isaac both in the Old and in the New Testament, is Mountain Province, the Phillipines; Fra Angelico, The
was out walking in order to meditate in the for married women only. Proponents of such Annunciation.
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
field….When he raised his eyes and a belief say that the head-dress symbolizes
Christian_headcovering
looked…there, camels were coming! When a woman’s marital status, and submission to
5. The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 24, verse 31;
Rebekah raised her eyes, she caught sight her husband. But in 1 Thessalonians, we Islam International Publications, Ltd.
10 MuslimSunrise