" ... Let there be no
compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..."
[2:256]
This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom
of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an
illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of
which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway
toward salvation, but it is based on FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
100+ Signatories to the Statement
We the undersigned Muslims from diverse backgrounds affirm:
The freedom of faith and the freedom of changing one's faith.
In light of the Qur'anic guidance and the Prophetic legacy,
the principle of freedom of faith does not lend itself
to impose in this world any punishment or retribution solely for apostasy;
thus there ought not to be any punishment
in the name of Islam or fatwa calling for the same.
=====================================================
Disclaimer:
The
endorsement of the signatories listed here does not
necessarily
represent the institution they are affiliated with.
=====================================================
Dr.
Omar Afzal
[retired
from South Asian Collection, Cornell University; USA]
Dr.
Ahrar Ahmad
[Professor
of Political Science, Black Hills State University; USA]
Dr.
Mohammad Fadel
[Faculty
of Law, University of Toronto; Canada]
Dr.
Mohammad Omar Farooq
[Associate
Professor of Economics and Finance, Upper Iowa University; USA]
Dr.
Layla al-Marayati
[Muslim
Women's League; USA]
Dr.
Abdulaziz Sachedina
[Professor,
University of Virginia; USA]
Mike
Mohamed Ghouse
[President,
World Muslim Congress; USA]
Dawn
Ross
[New
Product Launch Planning Manager in the Orthopedic Industry; USA]
Dr.
Mohammed Fahmy
[Professor,
University of Northern Iowa; and Islamic Center, Waterloo, Iowa;
USA]
Dr.
Khaleel Mohammed
[Professor,
Religious Studies, San Diego State University; USA]
Dr.
Badrul Haque
[Economist,
and Chair, Board of Trustees The Bangladeshi-American Foundation;
USA]
Dr.
Salim Rashid
[Professor
of Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign; USA]
Nurjahan
Ruby Amatulla
[CEO,
GNL-USA]
Syed
Abdul Hamid
[Head
Of Information Technology, an Islamic Bank; Pakistan]
Ris
Rizqullah
[Indonesian
Society for Islamic Economy; Indonesia]
Mirza
A. Beg
[Geologist
and columnist; USA]
M.
Basheer Ahmed
[M.D.,
Former Professor of Psychiatry, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas,
Texas; USA]
Haseeb
Muhammad
[Operations
Officer (CAD) at a local Bank and graduate Student at International
Islamic University, Islamabad; PAKISTAN]
Ghulam
Yusuf
[Retired
Director General of Govt. of Pakistan; CANADA]
Dr.
Fahim Quadir
[Associate
Professor of the Division of Social Science and Graduate Program
Director in Development Studies, York University, Toronto; CANADA]
Dr.
Thomas Hamza Mohammed Haidon
[International
Qur'anic Center, Free Muslim Coalition, Jurisdoctorate,
International Law; NEW ZEALAND]
Dr.
Najah Kadhim
[Executive
Director, International Forum for Islam Dialogue (IFID), London, and
a Senior Lecturer-University of Hertfordshire; UK]
Walid
Zafar
[Student,
International Political Economy, University of Puget Sound; USA]
Sheila
Musaji
[Editor,
The American Muslim; USA]
Omar
Ali, M.D.
[Assistant
Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology, Medical College of Wisconsin;
USA]
Dr.
Radwan Masmoudi
[Founder,
member of the Board, and President of the Center of the Study of
Islam & Democracy (CSID)]
Dr.
Fatima Zohra
[Obstetrician/Gynaecologist;
AUSTRALIA]
Dr.
M. A. Muqtedar Khan
[Assistant
Professor, University of Delaware; Senior Nonresident Fellow,
Brookings Institution; Fellow, Alwaleed center, Georgetown
University; http://www.ijtihad.orgl/
USA]
Kamal
Yassin, M.D.
[Physician;
Islamic foundation of Greater St. Louis; USA]
Bahar
Bastani, M.D.
[Professor
of Medicine - Nephrology, Saint Louis University; USA]
Maqsud
Sobhani
[Manager,
Customer Service, Paxar; BANGLADESH]
Levent
Akbarut
[Aerospace
Software Engineering Manager; Islamic Congregation of La Cañada
Flintridge, Los Angeles County, California; USA]
Dr.
Miah Muhammad Adel
[Professor,
Space Physics, Environmental Physics, Water Sciences, University of
Arkansas at Pine Bluff; USA]
Dr.
A. Rashied Omar
[Research
Scholar of Islamic Ethics and Peacebuilding, Joan B. Kroc Institute
for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame; USA]
Na'eem
Jeenah
[Coordinator,
Masjidul Islam, Johannesburg, South Africa; Ex-President, Muslim
Youth Movement of South Africa; MA (Religious Studies); University
of the Witwatersrand; SOUTH AFRICA]
Dr.
Stephen N. Connolly
[Lecturer
in organic chemistry, School of Science & Technology, University
of Teesside; UK]
Dr.
Mohammad Yusuf Siddiq
[Professor,
Dept. of History & Islamic Civilization, Sharjah University;
UAE]
Hesham
A. Hassaballa, M.D.
[Physician,
Author, and Columnist, God, Faith, and a Pen; USA]
Dr.
Javed Jamil
[Executive
Chairman, International Centre for Applied Islamics, Saharanpur;
INDIA]
Dr.
Abusaleh Shariff
[Ph.
D., Development Economics and Demography, National Council of
Applied Economic Research, New Delhi, INDIA]
Dr.
Syed Nawab Haider Naqvi
[M.A.
(Yale); PhD (Princeton); HEC Distinguished National Professor and
Director General, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and
Technology, Islamabad, PAKASITAN]
Dr.
Ashraf M. Abbasi
[Chairman,
Pakistani American Congress-Council of Presidents; Houston, USA]
Dr.
Shafique Pathan
[MBBS,
FRSH (England), DCCP; Obesity, Diet Consultant; Bandar West, Mumbai;
INDIA]
Zaid
Shakur
[Staff
Writer, InFocus News; USA]
Dr.
Hasan Zillur Rahim
[Freelance
writer on Islamic issues, blog: http://reachforsky.blogspot.com/;
former Editor of IQRA, magazine of South Bay Islamic Association of
San Jose, California; USA]
Faroque
Khan,
M.B., M.A.C.P
[Chair, Board of Trustees. Islamic Cenmter of
Long Island, New York; ex-President, Islamic Medical Association of
North America (IMANA): 1986-1988; USA]
T.
O. Shanavas, MD
[Pediatrician;
Author, "Creation And/Or Evolution: An Islamic Perspective",
Xlibris Corporation; USA]
Shahed
Amanullah
[MBA,
Technology Consulting; Editor-in-chief, altmuslim.com;
USA]
Dr.
Mohammed Nazrul Islam Khan
[Chemist;
Vice-President and Director, FRC Chemical Technology, Inc.; Islamic
Society of Cerro Gordo, Mason City, Iowa; USA]
Dr.
Asma Afsaruddin
[Associate
Professor, Arabic & Islamic Studies, University of Notre Dame,
Indiana; USA]
Dr.
Aslam Abdullah
[Ph.D,
Islamic Studies and Communiations; Director, Islamic Society of
Nevada and Editor, Muslim Observer; USA]
Imam
Kamara AbdilHaqq Muhammad
[Islamic
Teacher and Associate Imam at ADAMS Center of Northern Va.; USA]
Nayyer
Zaman Ali, MD
[also,
Columnist, Pakistan Link Newspaper; USA]
Dr.
Sulayman Nyang
[Professor,
African Studies Department, Howard University; USA]
Mrs.
Sarwat Husain
[Publisher
and Editor-in-Chief, Al-Ittihaad News, San Antonio, Texas; USA]
Dr.
Samer Kantakji
PhD
in Islamic Accountancy; http://www.kantakji.com/;
SYRIA]
Dr.
Anisa Abd el Fattah
[Founder
and Chairwoman, National Association of Muslim American Women
(NAMAW)]
Shaheryar
Azhar
[M.B.A;
Retired banker (Senior Vice President) from a major bank in New
York; Moderator, The Forum, an e-discussion forum; USA]
Aijaz
Husain
[Retired
civil servant (Specialized field: Economics & social welfare);
M.A. (Economics); M.S.W. (McGill); CANADA]
Shah
Abdul Hannan
[Chairman,
Islamic Economic Research Bureau; former Chairman, Islami Bank
Bangladesh Ltd., former deputy governor, Bangladesh Bank;
Author/Scholar; BANGLADESH]
Aderemi
Taofiq Adeseun
[Nasfat
(Nasrullahi faith society); Pharmacist, Retired Country Manager of
Janssen-Cilag in Nigeria; NIGERIA]
Farzana
Hassan
[President:
Muslim Canadian Congress; Author of "Islam, women and the
challenges of Today"; Master from the University of
Massachusetts; Currently enrolled in a doctoral program in
Educational Leadership; CANADA]
Dr.
Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad
[President/Director,
Minaret of Freedom Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; USA]
M.
Saiful Islam
[Senior
Programmer Analyst, DST Systems; MBA; Kansas City; USA]
Robert
Salaam
[Government
Contractor; Host, The
American Muslim
Blog Radio Show; USA]
Dr.
Farid Islam
[Associate
Professor, Department of Finance & Economics, Utah Valley State
College, Orem, Utah; USA]
Ahmed
M. Rehab
[Executive
Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago); M.S.
Software Engineering; USA]
Dr.
Fawzia Afzal-Khan
[Dept
of English, Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ; Phd.
English Literature, Tufts University, Medford, Mass; USA]
Dr.
Jeffrey Lang
[Mathematics
Department, University of Kansas; Ph.D. in Mathematics, Purdue
University; USA]
Ahmed
Bedier
[Executive
Director, Tampa Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations
and President of the Tampa/Hillsborough Human Rights Council; USA]
Dr.
Mohammad A. Auwal
[Professor,
Dept. of Communication Studies, California State University, Los
Angeles; USA]
Dr.
A. F. M. Anwar
[Dean,
School of Engineering, University of Connecticut; Electrical
Engineering; USA]
Mohammed
Abdul Aleem
[CEO,
IslamiCity.com; MBA/Management Information Systems; Culver City, CA;
USA]
Dr.
Amir Hussain
[Department
of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles;
PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto; Los
Angeles, California, USA]
Dr.
Laury Silvers
[Assistant
Professor of Religious Studies, Skidmore College, USA]
Dr.
M. Kabir Hassan
[Professor
of Finance, University of New Orleans; USA]
Dr.
Mahdi Tourage
[Book
Review Editor, American
Journal of Islamic Social Scinces (AJISS);
Visiting Assistant Prof. of Islam, Department of Religion, Colgate
University, Hamilton, NY; USA]
Professor
Mehnaz M. Afridi
[ABD,
Antioch University, specialty - Judaism and Islam; Interfaith
Activist, Los Angeles, California; USA]
Dr.
Ahmet T. Karamustafa
[Professor
of History and Religious Studies, Washington University in St.
Louis; PhD in Islamic Studies; USA]
Prof.
Seval Yildirim
[Assistant
Professor, Whittier Law School, California; USA]
Dr.
Vernon James Schubel
[Professor,
Department of Religious Studies, Kenyon College; Ph.D. History of
Religions; USA]
Aslam
Rana
[degree
in Architecture; Director, Building Inspection Services, City of
Dothan, Alabama; USA]
Azhar
Azeez
[Member
of ISNA executive council; MBA in Marketing; USA]
Jean-Mathieu
Potvin
[Lawyer,
Doctoral candidate, McGill Institute of Islamic Studies, Montreal;
Master of Laws (Islamic Law), SOAS, University of London; CANADA]
Asmaa
Ibnouzahir
[Member
of Presence Musulmane Montreal; Masters in Nutrition; CANADA]
Enamul
Hoque
[Engineer;
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering; USA]
Huma
Dar
[PhD
Candidate, Department of South & South East Asian Studies,
University of California at Berkeley; USA]
Dr.
Shifa Naeem
[Psychiatrist;
FCPS in Psychiatry; Karachi, PAKISTAN]
Dr.
Shahjahan Khan
[University
of Southern Queensland, PhD in Statistics from Canada; Chief Editor:
Journal of Applied Probabiliy and Statistics (USA), and President:
Islamic Countries Society of Statistical Sciences (ISOSS),
AUSTRALIA]
Dr.
Amin U. Sarkar
[Dean
& Professor of Economics, College of Business & Technolgy,
Black Hills State University, South Dakota, USA; Ph.D. Resource
Economics; USA]
Mohammed
Ahsan Rial
[CEO,
Dishari
Management International;
BS Engineering, MBA; CANADA]
Dr.
Habib Siddiqui
[PhD;
Anti-war and peace activist; Columnist and author of books "Islamic
Wisdom", "Book of Devotional Stories"; Chairman of
the Board of Directors, Bangladesh Expatriate Council, USA]
Dr.
Abdullah al-Ahsan
[Professor,
Department of History and Civilization, International Islamic
University Malaysia; Vice President, JUST; MALAYSIA]
Dr.
Mahmood Ahmed
[Ph.D.
in Economics; Senior Vice President, Research Planning and
Development Division, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited; BANGLADESH]
Dr.
Aslam H. Chowdhury
[PhD
in Physics; University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff; Muslim Association
of Arkansas; USA]
Garba
I. Malumfashi
[Research
Student, LL.B., B.L. PhD (on-going), University of Dundee, Scotland,
UK]
Dr.
Chandra Muzaffar
[Professor
of Global Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia and President,
International Movement for a Just World (JUST); PhD in Political
Science; MALAYSIA]
Dr.
Muhammad Hashim Kamali
[International
Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic
University Malaysia; PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Law,
currently Professorof Islamic law and jurisprudence at IIUM;
MALAYSIA]
Dr.
Mustafa Kamal Sherwani
[LL.M.
(Alig.) LL.D. (Lucknow); Dean, Faculty of Law and Shariah, Zanzibar
University,
Mohamed
M. Karim
[Sales
& Marketing, D.R. Components, an Independent Distributor for
Electronic Components for BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon,
Honeywell; BBA/Sales & Marketing; Florida, USA]
Jibril
Abdullah
[Laborer/musician;
USA]
Lisa
Newlin
[DHom
(UK), BA (USA - Indiana University), Diploma in Biochemic Therapy
(Germany) Homeopath; United Arab Emirates]
Dr.
Mohja Kahf
[Associate
Professor of Comparative Literature, University of Arkansas,
Fayetteville, Arkansas ; USA]
Dr.
Salahuddin Ayyub
[PhD,
Economics; Research Executive, New Concept Information System Pvt
Ltd, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi]
Dr.
S.M. Ghazanfar
[PhD,
Economics (Washington State University), University of Idaho
faculty, 1968-2002]
Carl
Julien
[B.A.
Graphic Designer, Muslim, USA]
Your
name is not on the above list of signatories?
To
add your name, please send an email to islambychoice@gmail.com
with your name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, and
country of residence.
Is
the name of the Imam or the Leader
of
your community not on the above list?
Ask
them if they unequivocally affirm the freedom of faith in Islam, and
if they do, encourage/urge them to add their voices by sending an
email to islambychoice@gmail.com
with their name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, and
country of residence.
Posted by MuslimUniverse at 2:10 AM
Shah Abdul Hannan said...
Assalamu
Alaikum.
I am one of those persons who were consulted in
drafting the Statement about Apostasy.
I was a member of
the Editorial Board of Bidhiboddho Islami Ain (Codified Islamic Law)
published by Islamic Foundation of Bangladesh. This book is an
up-to-date compilation of Hanafi Fiqh. Since it is all too well-known
that it is the traditional opinion, including of Hanafi Fiqh, that
apostasy is punishable by death, this position is included in that
book. Thus, those who are familiar with that book and are aware that
I was a member of the editorial board, it might be thought that I
also hold the same position on punishment of apostasy as it is stated
there.
I want to take this opportunity to clarify that
Bidhiboddho Islami Ain, produced and published by Islamic Foundation,
Dhaka, is basically a codification of Hanafi views on fiqh. At places
it has taken other fiqh views as well. It has also expanded the law
where Hanafi or classical fiqh have not elaborated. One can say that
it is a modern day Fatwae Alamgiri with a sort of modern system of
chapter planning, arranging them section-wise or article-wise. It was
not possible for the group of authors ( in fact compilers/editors )
to depart drastically from classical position on any issue. This book
is useful as an easy reference of classical position and some new
views where the authors agreed.
I have never written in
any of my own writings that apostasy is punishable by death. On this
issue of punisment of apostasy I hold the same view as that of Dr.
Jamal Badawi, Dr. Hashim Kamali, Dr. AbdulHamid AbuSulayman and such
scholars. Those who are familiar with my activities have seen how I
have forwarded all the articles/interviews of scholars who hold that
apostasy has no punishment unless in conjunction with rebellion or
violence. This is my view.
Shah Abdul Hannan
Former
Chairman, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd
Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)
While
affirming Islam as the way to Salvation, Muslims also affirm the
Freedom of Faith, because Islam is by CHOICE. Recently, Muslims of
diverse background issued a statement upholding the Freedom of Faith.
* The Statement [see the Archive]
* The Signatories
[see the Archive]
To add your name to the signatories,
send an email to islambychoice@gmail.com
with your name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, country
of residence.
Islam
is by Choice
[In alphabetical order of the last name]
1. Dr. Asma Afsaruddin [Associate Professor, Arabic & Islamic Studies, University of Notre Dame]
2. Dr. Omar Afzal [retired from South Asian Collection, Cornell University]
3. Dr. Ahrar Ahmad [Professor of Political Science, Black Hills State University]
4. Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad [President/Director, Minaret of Freedom Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; USA]
5. Dr. Mohammad Fadel [Faculty of Law, University of Toronto]
6. Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq [Upper Iowa University]
7. Mike Mohamed Ghouse [President, Muslim World Congress]
8. Shah Abdul Hannan [Chairman of Islamic Economic Research Bureau; Director, Islamic Bank Bangladesh Ltd; Bangladesh]
9. Dr. Layla al-Marayati [Muslim Women's League]
10. Dr. Sulayman Nyang [Professor, African Studies Department, Howard University]
11. Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina [Professor, University of Virginia]
A Fresh Look at Freedom of Belief in Islam by Dr. Abdullah Saeed
Apostasy, Freedom and Dawah: Full Disclosure in a Business-like Manner by Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
Religious Freedom and the Law of Apostasy in Islam by Dr. Mahmoud Ayoub
Book (intro): Freedom of Religion, Apostasy and Islam by Dr. Abdullah Saeed
From Fiqh to Qur'an: Resolving Apostasy by Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
Islam and Punishment for Apostasy by Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer
Penalty of Apostasy: A Historical and Fundamental Study by Dr. Ahmad Subhy Mansour
Leaving Islam Is Not a Capital Crime by Dr. M. Cherif Bassiouni
Are The Scholars The Same As God Himself? Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa
On Human Rights and The Qur'anic Perspective by Dr. Riffat Hassan
The Right to Religious Conversion: Between Apostasy and Proselytization by Dr. A. Rashied Omar
Apostasy Laws – An Injury To Islam By Muslims by Mirza A. Beg
Apostasy and the Notion of Religious Freedom in Islam by Sherazad Hamit
Converts from Islam: Let God Be the Judge by Dr. Hesham A. Hassaballa
Apostasy and Judicial Separation in British India by Dr. Muhammad Khalid Masud
Affirmation of Freedom of Expression and Belief in the Quran by Haris Aziz
Islam & Pluralism: A Contemporary Approach by Shah Abdul Halim
The Legal Tradition of Islamic Apostasy by Ibrahim Abusharif
Is Killing An Apostate in the Islamic Law? by Ibrahim B. Syed
Afghan Convert Controversy: A Counter-Perspective on Apostasy in Islam by Yoginder Sikand
Pakistan: New apostasy bill to impose death on anyone who leaves Islam
Malaysia rejects Muslim convert's bid to be recognized as Christian
Pakistan Government fails to oppose death for apostasy draft
Currently, the following countries in the Muslim World have Apostasy Law:
Afghanistan;
Iran;
Mauritania;
Pakistan;
Qatar;
Saudia
Arabia;
Sudan;
Yemen.
Source:
Link
The Probable Influence of Islam on Western Public and International Law by Dr. Marcel Boisard
Islamic Spirituality the forgotten revolution by Abdul-Hakim Murad
Islam, Law and Custom: Redefining Muslim Women's Rights by Dr. Azizah al-Hibri
Freedom and Choice: The First Order Condition of Islam by Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
The Ethics of Disagreement in Islam by Dr. Taha Jabir al-Alwani
Comments/feedbacks are welcome. Please note that anonymous comments, or postings that resort to abuse or vulgarism are not posted.
Question #1: Aren't there other scholars who have a different position about punishment of apostasy?
Yes, there are scholars who hold the traditional position of either capital punishment (hadd) or some form of punishment (ta'zir - discretionary) for apostasy. However, as the compilation of 100+ notable voices indicate that the position is tilting away from the traditional position.
Question #2: How can the traditional scholarship be wrong on this for so long?
This is an important question. However, as explained by many contemporary scholars, the traditional position failed to separate the issue of simple apostasy from treason. The real question is that Muslims are supposed to follow the Qur'an and the legacy of the Prophet.
While considering apostasy as a major sin, there is nothing in the Qur'an that suggests or specifies any punishment for simple apostasy (merely changing one's faith) in this world. Also, there is no incontrovertible hadith that informs us that during the time of the Prophet (s), there was any case of simple apostasy where worldly punishment was given.
Instead of asking the question how the traditional scholarship could be wrong for so long, the real question is whether we are supposed to uphold the Qur'an and the legacy of the Prophet. Furthemore, do we as Muslims affirm the freedom of faith, which includes the freedom to change one's faith? That's the crux of the issue.
Question #3: Why does this blog focus only on apostasy? Aren't there other pressing problems?
Yes, there are other pressing problems or issues. However, this is just a focused approach, where resources addressing one particular issue or problem are being presented. Such focused presentations can be helpful for those who want to understand a particular problem or issue.
Furthermore, apostasy issue is related to a fundamental principle of freedom, which is central to Islam and it has many other ramifications. It is also indicative and test of our attitude of tolerance. There is also abuse of this apostasy law or rules. While the issue of apostasy should pertain primarily to those who abandons Islam and publicly avow so, it is undeniable that apostasy law has been also wrongfully directed against even fellow Muslims.
Question #4: Is this a fatwa?
No. Fatwa is issued by competent religious scholars/authorities. This is an initiative to raise our collective awareness at the broader level. However, the 100+ opinions/views presented at this blog also include some specific fatwas, for examples, from Shaikh Mahmuf al-Shaltut [former and late Grand Mufti of al-Azhar], Shaikh Al-Tantawi [Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar], Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Ali Al-Hanooti [Mufti of Greater Washington], and so on.
Question #5: What is the relevance of non-expert/non-scholarly endorsements of this Statement?
We all will stand before Allah for our own accountability. We as Muslims are supposed to understand and know our faith and also take stand on fundamental matters as part of affirming our faith. Indeed, on such matters, where are collective awareness and understanding are at stake, it is vitally important that such broadbased expression of views are on the record for the humanity. On fundamental matters of principles, it cannot be left to a selected or privileged view to exclusively speak for all of us. More importantly, in a world, where there is so much confusion about Islam both among Muslims and non-Muslims, and also with so much prejudicial propaganda against Islam, we must clearly let the world know that we value, cherish and uphold Islam, but Islam that is by choice, as per the sublime values of the Qur'an and the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (p). The bottom line is that since it is a collective awareness-raising initiative, it requires broader participation from both experts/scholars as well as non-experts/non-scholars.
To be a Muslim or Believer is to stand for justice for ALL
"O
you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God,
even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether
it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow
not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort
(justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted
with all that you do." [4/an-Nisa/135]
The
Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "God will definitely enforce the
settlement of all the dues to those entitled to receive them on the
Day of Judgment, even the wrong done to a hornless goat by a horned
goat will be addressed." [Sahih Muslim, #6252]
Know
Islam
Understand
Islam
Experience
Islam
Live
Islam
Cherish
Islam
Enjoy
Islam
Share
Islam
Key Qur'anic Verses with Brief Commentary by Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
The Generous Qur'an: Ten Selected Suras by Dr. Michael Sells
Assessing English Translations of the Qur'an by Dr. Khaleel Mohammed
Concepts of the Qur'an: A Topical Reading by Dr. Fathi Osman
Islam, the West, and Challenges of Modernity by Tariq Ramadan
The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam by Allamah Muhammad Iqbal
The Preaching Of Islam: A History Of The Propagation Of The Muslim Faith by Sir T. W. Arnold
The Heart of Islam: Enduring Values for Humanity by Dr. Sayyid Hossein Nasr
Islamic Futures: The Shape of Ideas to Come by Dr. Ziauddin Sardar
Speaking in God's Name: Islamic Law, Authority and Women by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl
Remembrance and Prayer: The Way of Prophet Muhammad by Shaikh Muhammad al-Ghazali
A
place of assembly for mankind (an-Nas) and a safe sanctuary [The
Qur'an/2:125]
"You
have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of
conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day"
[Al-Qur'an/33:21]
The
Prophet Muhammad said: "There are one hundred (parts of) mercy
for Allah and He has sent down out of these one part of mercy upon
the jinn and human beings and the insects and it is because of this
(one part) that they love one another, show kindness to one another
and even the beast treats its young one with affection, and Allah has
reserved ninetynine parts of mercy with which He would treat His
servants on the Day of Resurrection." [Sahih Muslim, #6631]
The
Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "God is Kind and he likes kindness in
everything." [Sunan Ibn Majah, #3684]
Peaceful
coexistence of the humanity. It can be learnt by all of us.
Seeking common grounds is an Islamic imperative
"Say: 'O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God.' If then they turn back, say: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to God's Will).'" [3/Ale Imran/64]
Islam is not a new religion that began with the Prophet Muhammad (p)
"The same religion (deen) has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him)." [42/ash-Shura/13]
"Who
has created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends you down rain
from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards
full of beauty of delight: it is not in your power to cause the
growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides
Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice."
[Al-Qur'an/27:60]
"See
you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky, and forthwith the
earth becomes green? For Allah is He Who understands the finest
mysteries, and is well-acquainted (with them)." [al-Qur'an:
22:63]
"See
you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? ... And in the
mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of colour, and
black intense in hue." [al-Qur'an/35:27]
"See
you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then
bring out produce of various colors" [al-Qur'an/35:27]
Jalaluddin Rumi
The
way of love is not a subtle argument.
The door there is
devastation.
Birds make great sky-
circles of their
freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall, and
falling
they’re given wings.
From The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, A.J. Arberry, Reynold Nicholson. Castle Books, 1995.
Hafiz
Let's
offer flowers, pour a cup of libation,
split open the skies and
start anew on creation.
If
the forces of grief invade our lovers' veins,
cupbearer and I
will wash away this temptation.
With
rose water we'll mellow crimson wine's bitter cup;
we'll sugar
the fire to sweeten smoke's emanation.
Take
this fine lyre, musician, strike up a love song;
let's dance,
sing all night, go wild in celebration.
As
dust, 0 West Wind, let us rise to the Heavens,
floating free in
Creator's glow of elation.
If
mind desires to return while heart cries to stay,
here's a
quarrel for love's deliberation.
Alas,
these words and songs go for naught in this land;
come, Hafez,
let's create a new generation.
Courtesy: The Spiritual Wisdom of Hafez: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love, by Haleh Pourafzal / Roger Montgomery Amazon.com
Allamah Muhammad Iqbal
If
the kings know not their Sustainer,
they are beggars,
And
if the beggars do
they are Darius and Jamshed;
Freedom of
the heart is sovereignity;
stomach is death,
The choice is
yours;
heart or stomach?
Source: Link
Kazi
Nazrul Islam
(translated from Bangla by Mohammad Omar Farooq)
We
haven't embraced your message,
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
We
have forgotten your ideals
And the path for us that you did
set.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
You
trampled like dust
Luxury and wealth, O master!*
You never
dreamed that
We will be kings or lords of disaster!*
In
this world's resource and treasure
Everyone has right of due
measure;*
You proclaimed, on this earth,
Equal son's
treatment all will get.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
In
your religion, toward the unbelievers
You did not direct any
hate;*
You served them as your fellows,
For all of them was
open your hospitable gate.*
To
demolish temples of others anywhere on land,
O valiant, you did
not ever command;*
Now even difference in opinion from others
We
can't bear or tolerate.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
You
did not seek in the name of faith
Meaningless and shameful
killing or fight;*
You did not place sword in our hand,
Rather
gave us guidance, so noble and upright.*
Ignoring
your tolerance and Magnanimity,
We have elevated fanaticism to a
warped nobility;*
Is that why, from the heavenly fountain,
Does
not flow that mercy, so divine and great?*
Please forgive us, O
Prophet!*
We
haven't embraced your message
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
We
have forgotten your ideals
And the path for us that you did
set.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
Courtesy: Kazi Nazrul Islam Page
Hakim Sanai
Your
heartrending fire
made me bloom like a rose.
I
died at your feet
and returned fast to life.
My
inborn freedom
offered nothing in profit;
but now I am
free,
since becoming your slave.
Courtesy: -- from Love's Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition, Translated by David Fideler / Translated by Sabrineh Fideler
This Blog is developed and maintained by Team Islam-by-Choice. We are Muslims from a diverse background, who believe in Islam and, as per Islamic principles, uphold the freedom of faith. This blog is dedicated to presenting issues pertaining to freedom in general and apostasy in particular from the Islamic perspective. [April 2007]
For more info, contact: islambychoice@gmail.com