Perlaksanaan Undang-Undang Islam Satu Kewajipan

Perlaksanaan undang – undang al Quran .

Kenyataan Rasmi Lajnah Tarbiyyah dan Kepimpinan
Dewan Pemuda PAS Pusat.

Menyokong Kenyataan Sohibus Samahah Mufti Perlis
Dr. Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin .

Menghadapi kemelut kehidupan dan konflik peradaban dewasa kini yang kian parah dengan pelbagai jenayah kejam dan penyelewengan akhlak , negara memerlukan formula penyelesaian yang berkesan pada kadar segera sebelum ianya benar – benar membarah dan tidak lagi boleh diselamatkan.

Tidak syak , formula yang dimaksudkan ialah al Quranul Karim sebagai wahyu Ilahi dan syariat untuk ummat manusia membentuk sebuah kehidupan dan tamaddun yang sejahtera di dunia dan akhirat.

Firman Allah swt :

ثم جعلناك على شريعة من الأمر فاتبعها و لا تتبع أهواء الذين لا يعلمون .

Kemudian kami telah menjadikan engkau ( wahai Muhammad ) berada di atas syariat maka hendaklah engkau mengikutnya dan jangan engkau ikut hawa nafsu mereka yang tidak mengerti .

Surah al Jaathiyah : 18

PAS sejak awal penubuhannya sangat konsisten menasihati dan mendesak pihak kerajaan agar mendaulatkan syariat Ilahi dengan sistem pentadbiran dan pengurusan yang berasaskan kaedah al Quranul karim.

Sekurang – kurangnya , negara telah mencuba dan mempraktikkan pelbagai formula termasuklah nilai yang di import dari timur mahupun barat. Ternyata kini, segala formula tersebut tidak meletakkan negara kita selamat dari keruntuhan syakhsiyyah dan kemerosotan nilai insaniyyah . Sebaliknya mengheret negara ini terjebak dalam kancah yang lebih rumit dan sadis.

Firman Allah swt :

ليس البر أن تولوا وجوهكم قبل المشرق و المغرب و لكن البر من ءامن بالله و اليوم الأخر و الملائكة و الكتاب و النبيين و ءاتى المال على حبه ذوى القربى و اليتامى و المساكين و ابن السبيل و السائلين و في الرقاب و أقام الصلوة و ءاتى الزكوة و الموفون بعهدهم إذا عاهدوا و الصابرين في البأساء و الضراء و حين البأس أولئك الذين صدقوا و أولئك هم المتقون .

Bukanlah kebajikan itu hanya kamu menghadapkan muka ke pihak timur dan barat, tetapi kebajikan itu ialah berimannya seseorang kepada Allah, dan hari akhirat, dan malaikat, dan kitab, dan sekalian Nabi; dan mendermanya seseorang akan hartanya sedang ia menyayanginya, - kepada kaum kerabat, dan anak-anak yatim dan orang-orang miskin dan orang yang terlantar dalam perjalanan, dan kepada orang-orang Yang meminta, dan untuk memerdekakan hamba-hamba abdi; dan mengerjanya seseorang akan sembahyang serta mengeluarkan zakat; dan perbuatan orang-orang Yang menyempurnakan janjinya apabila mereka membuat perjanjian; dan ketabahan orang-orang Yang sabar dalam masa kesempitan, dan dalam masa kesakitan, dan juga dalam masa bertempur dalam perjuangan perang Sabil. orang-orang yang demikian sifatnya), mereka itulah orang-orang Yang benar (beriman dan mengerjakan kebajikan); dan mereka itulah juga orang-orang Yang bertaqwa.

Surah al Baqarah : 177

Kini negara dan pemerintahnya wajar memberi peluang kepada formula Quraani bagi membuktikan keunggulan mukjizat Rasul saw. dalam menangani krisis peradaban ini.

Sangat menghairankan apabila negara ini , sebagai sebuah negara yang meletakkan Islam sebagai agama rasmi dan majority penduduknya pula adalah muslim , kelihatan sukar untuk mempraktikkan syariat Islam .

Sikap acuh tidak acuh pihak berkuasa terhadap pandangan ulama’ dan cerdik pandai Islam supaya Islam di daulatkan adalah sangat mengecewakan. Lagi – lagi masalah masyarakat majmuk menjadi alasan mereka tidak menerima Islam sebagai syariat yang berdaulat.

Malangnya , boleh pula mereka menerima British Law sebagai undang – undang yang berdaulat dalam negara ini sedangkan berapa orang british yang ada dalam negara kita ?

Hampir tiada orang British yang menjadi warga negara kita , boleh pula kita melaksanakan undang – undang British , tetapi apabila dicadangkan supaya negara melaksanakan undang – undang Islam yang majority penduduk negara ini muslim , timbul isu masyarakat majmuk . Ini adalah suatu yang sangat tidak adil !

Justeru itu , Lajnah Tarbiyyah dan Kepimpinan DPP Pusat memberi sokongan penuh terhadap kenyataan Dr. Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin selaku Mufti Negeri Perlis [1] yang menyarankan bahawa sudah sampai masanya negara ini mencuba undang – undang al Quran bagi memberi pengajaran dan peringatan supaya aktiviti haram seperti berzina dan buang bayi tidak terus menjadi budaya dalam masyarakat.

Kami sangat mengharapkan agar kerajaan tidak memandang remeh pandangan atau saranan dari Sohibus samahah Mufti , selayaknya pula semua mufti perlu bersatu dan memberi sokongan yang padu demi melihat negara kita selamat .

Akhirnya Lajnah Tarbiyyah dan Kepimpinan DPP Pusat merakamkan tahniah atas ketegasan dan keberanian Dr. Mohd Asri sebagai seorang Mufti dalam mengemukakan saranan tersebut di saat ramai ulama’ hanya membisu sejuta bahasa menyaksikan kemungkaran dan kemaksiatan berlaku di hadapan mereka.

Hj. Nasrudin bin Hj. Hassan at Tantawi
Pengerusi LTDK DPP Pusat .

[1] Berita Harian 7 Mei 2007 ( isnin ) muka surat 11

Menyokong Islam Hadhari Satu Kewajipan

Menyokong Islam Hadhari Satu Kewajipan.

Malaysia adalah mungkin menjadi negara umat Islam pertama yang membawa satu gagasan atau ideologi baru iaitu Islam Hadhari. Selain komunisme, sosialisme, dan isme-isme yang lain, Malaysia mencipta rekod sebagai penegak isme yang baru iaitu Islam Hadhari.

Ya benar! Jika dilihat pada apa yang dikatakan gagasan Islam Hadhari itu tiada unsure yang bertentangan dengan Islam. Tidak dinyatakan di dalam Islam Hadhari bahawa arak itu halal, berjoget sampai tengah malam itu halal, berzina itu halal, murtad itu halal dan lainlain hal yang bertentangan dengan syara’.

Akan tetapi ideology Islam Hadhari ini yang di sokong kuat tokoh-tokoh ‘Ilmuan Islam’ seperti Dr Mashitah Ibrahim dan ramai lagi, dan tidak kurang juga sedikit sokongan Mufti Perlis Ustaz Asri Zainul Abidin seperti mana yang beliau tulis di dalam Majalah I. Cuma bezanya ialah ada yang menyokong kerana bersetuju apa yang digariskan di dalam kandungan Islam Hadhari itu dan ada juga yang menyokong membuta tuli hatta membawa masuk unsure-unsur yang tidak terkandung di dalam Islam Hadhari sendiri. Mungkinkah unsur-unsur yang tidak bertulis di dalam Islam Hadhari itu merupakan sebenarnya antara asas-asas Islam Hadhari akan tetapi ia di ‘sirr’kan dari kalangan orang-orang awam yang belum sampai maqam. Sudah pasti insan yang palig mengetahui Islam Hadhari ini ialah Sheikhul Islam Hadhari al-Imam Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. Dan begitu juga hulubalang dan srikandi-srikandi Islam Hadhari itu seperti srikandi Islam Hadhari yang tersohor iaitu Dr Mashitah Ibrahim.

Dr. Mashitah Ibrahim, seorang agamawan terkenal, pembela Islam Hadhari yang hebat, telah mengeluarkan satu kenyataan yang jelas-jelas bertentangan dengan Islam yang dibawa leh Nabi Muhammad. Akan tetapi saya tidak tahu sama ada ia bertentangan dengan Islam Hadhari ataupun tidak?

Dr. Mashitah di dalam suatu majlis, telah menyatakan daripada kita potong tangan pencuri, lebih elok kita bagi mereka pekerjaan. Dari segi akal, mungkin Dr Mashitah ini benar, tapi dari segi akal juga kata-kata Dr Mashitah ini bertentangan dengan akal yang sihat. Setahu saya, saya belum pernah terjumpa undang-undang di mana-mana negara yang menyatakan kalau pihak polis berjaya menangkap pencuri, maka bawalah dia ke mahkamah dan mahkamah akan menentukan pekerjaan apakah yang sesuai dengan pencuri itu. Jika pencuri itu mencuri tayar kereta, mungkin mahkamah perlu mencari mana-mana bengkel kereta yang mahu menerima seorang pencuri sebagai pekerja mereka. Ataupun mungkin pihak pemerintah perlu menyediakan sebuah akademi khas seperti sekolah teknik yang dikhususkan kepada pencuri-pencuri supaya mereka mendapat pekerjaan. Apakah logiknya idea ini! Di mana-mana negara pun pencuri mesti dihukum. Kalau Dr Mashitah berbicara tentang pencuri yang kelaparan yangmencuri setandan pisang, atau mencuri sebungkus nasi lemak di gerai, ataupun mencuri segelas air kopi di gerai, maka mungkin idea ini boleh dipertimbangkan. Tapi apa kejadahnya jika pencuri kereta-kereta mewah, pemecah rumah orang, penyamun yang meragut beg tangan makcik-makcik, perompak kedai emas dan bank diberi pekerjaan. Adakah mereka ini layak diberikan pekerjaan. Seronok sungguh menjadi pencuri, lepas mencuri dapatlah kerja ye.

Dan paling bahaya sekali, perkataan seumpama ini adalah perkataan yang boleh menyebabkan seseorang itu syirik dan kufur. Bahkan lebih parah boleh menyebabkan seseorang gugur akidahnya dan menjadi murtad.

Sheikh Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab di dalam kitabnya “Nawaqidul Islam” menyatakan bahawa pembatal pertama keimanan ialah syirik dalam beribadah kepada Allah. Sheikh Sulaiman bin Nashir bin Abdullah al-Ulwan di dalam syarahnya kepada kitab ini iaitu kitab “At-Tibyan Syarhu Nawaqidil Islam” menyatakan bahawa antara jenis-jenis syirik itu ialah syirik di dalam ketaatan. Apakah itu syirik di dalam ketaatan. Syirik di dalam ketaatan ialah mentaati perintah yang bermaksiat kepada Allah. Allah SWT berfirman:

Mereka menjadikan pendita-pendita dan Ahli-ahli ugama mereka sebagai rabb-rabb selain dari Allah, dan juga (Mereka mempertuhankan) Al-Masih Ibni Maryam, padahal mereka tidak diperintahkan melainkan untuk menyembah Tuhan Yang Maha Esa; tiada Tuhan (yang berhak disembah) melainkan dia. Maha suci Allah dari apa Yang mereka sekutukan. (at-Taubah:31)

Saya tidak tahu ilmuan atau ulama Islam manakah yang menyatakan bahawa hukuman kepada pencuri dengan memberinya pekerjaan itu lebih elok daripada hukum yang termaktub di dalam al-Quran dan as-Sunnah. Seandainya wujud ulama yang berkata sedemikia, maka ingatlah bahawa mengikuti ulama dalam hal-hal maksiat menjadikan kita ini sebagai orang yang mempertuhankan ulama. Begitu juga mentaati mana-mana manusia di dalam hal-hal maksiat seolah-olah kita telah menyembah mereka.

Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahab di dalam kitabnya yang masyhur Kitab at-Tauhid membuat satu tajuk khas di dalam bab ini iaitu “Mentaati Ulama Dan Umara Dalam Mengharamkan Yang Halal Dan Menghalalkan Yang Haram Bererti Mempertuhankan Mereka”. Nauzubillah! Semoga kita dijauhkan daripada najis syirik ini.

Di dalam Nawaqidul Islam, dinyatakan pembatal keislaman yang keempat ialah beri’tiqad bahawa ada petunjuk yang lebih baik daripada petunjuk Nabi Muhammad SAW, ataupun ada hukum yang lebih baik daripada hukumnya seperti orang meletakkan status hukum thoghut lebih tinggi daripada hukum Allah. Sheikh menerangkan bahawa orang yang sebegini maka dia telah menjadi kafir.

Sheikh Sulaiman bin Nashir al-Ulwan di dalam syarahnya menyatakan: “Orang seperti ini adalah kafir berdasarkan ijma’ ulama. Di antara orang-orang yang kafir itu ialah orang-orang yang lebih mengutamakan hukum-hakam buatan manusia di atas hukum Rasul Rabbil ‘Alamin yang telah diutus oleh Allah untuk meberi hidayah kepada alam semesta dan agar mengeluarkan manusia daripada kegelapan (kekafiran) menuju kepada cahaya (keimanan).

Firman Allah:

“Alif, laam raa. (Ini adalah) Kitab yang Kami turunkan kepadamu supaya kamu mengeluarkan manusia daripada gelap gelita kepada cahaya terang benderang dengan izin Tuhan mereka, (iaitu) menuju jalan Tuhan Yang Maha Perkasa lagi Maha Terpuji.” (Ibrahim:1)

Wajib bagi setiap muslim dan muslimah mengetahui bahawa hukum Allah dan RasulNya wajib didahulukan atas hukumnya yang lain. Tiada satu persoalan pun yang terjadi di antara sesama manusia melainkan wajib dikembalikan kepada hukum Allah dan RasulNya. Barangsiapa yang berhukum selain dengan hukum Allah dan RasulNya, maka dia kafir. Hal ini seperti mana yang disebutrkan oleh Allah di dalam surah an-Nisa:

60. Tidakkah Engkau (hairan) melihat (Wahai Muhammad) orang-orang (munafik) Yang mendakwa Bahawa mereka telah beriman kepada Al-Quran Yang telah diturunkan kepadamu dan kepada (Kitab-kitab) Yang telah diturunkan dahulu daripadamu? mereka suka hendak berhakim kepada Taghut, padahal mereka telah diperintahkan supaya kufur ingkar kepada Taghut itu. dan Syaitan pula sentiasa hendak menyesatkan mereka Dengan kesesatan Yang amat jauh.

61. Dan apabila dikatakan kepada mereka: "Marilah berhakim kepada hukum Al-Quran Yang telah diturunkan oleh Allah dan kepada hukum Rasulullah," nescaya Engkau melihat orang-orang munafik itu berpaling serta menghalang (manusia) Dengan bersungguh-sungguh daripada menghampirimu.

62. Maka Bagaimana halnya apabila mereka ditimpa sesuatu kemalangan disebabkan (kesalahan) Yang telah dibuat oleh tangan mereka sendiri, kemudian mereka datang kepadamu sambil bersumpah: "Demi Allah, Kami tidak sekali-kali menghendaki melainkan kebaikan dan perdamaian (bagi kedua pihak Yang berbalah)".

63. Mereka itulah orang-orang Yang diketahui oleh Allah akan apa Yang ada Dalam hati mereka, oleh itu berpalinglah Engkau daripada mereka, dan nasihatilah mereka, serta Katakanlah kepada mereka kata-kata Yang boleh memberi kesan pada hati mereka.

64. Dan Kami tidak mengutus seseorang Rasul pun melainkan supaya ia ditaati Dengan izin Allah. dan kalaulah mereka ketika menganiaya diri mereka sendiri datang kepadamu (Wahai Muhammad) lalu memohon ampun kepada Allah, dan Rasulullah juga memohon ampun untuk mereka, tentulah mereka mendapati Allah Maha Penerima taubat, lagi Maha Mengasihani.

65. Maka Demi Tuhanmu (Wahai Muhammad)! mereka tidak disifatkan beriman sehingga mereka menjadikan Engkau hakim Dalam mana-mana perselisihan Yang timbul di antara mereka, kemudian mereka pula tidak merasa di hati mereka sesuatu keberatan dari apa Yang telah Engkau hukumkan, dan mereka menerima keputusan itu Dengan sepenuhnya.

Allah Jalla wa ‘ala sehingga bersumpah dengan diriNya bahawa mereka itu tidak beriman sehingga mereka memenuhi tiga perkara dengan sempurna:

1) Mereka wajib menjadikan rasul sebagai hakim di dalam segala urusan.

2) Mereka tidak merasa keberatan di dalam hati mereka di atas apa yang diputuskan oleh Nabi SAW.

3) Mereka wajib pasrah menerima secara penuh terhadap hukum Nabi saw.

Bagaimana seorang mukmin yang berakal dapat menerima dan rela jika yang diperlakukan ke atas dirinya ialah hukum-hakam buatan manusia yang merupakan hasil rekaan pemikiran dan sampah dari akal fikiran sebagai ganti kepada hukum Allah yang telah Dia turunkan kepada RasulNya agar Rasul itu mengeluarkan manusia daripada kegelapan menuju cahaya yang terang.

Perhatikanlah akibat yang telah menimpa sekian banyak negara tatkala bangsanya telah keluar daripada hukum Allah dan RasulNya serta rela dengan hukum-hakam buatan manusia. Kezaliman adalah amalan yang sudah biasa mereka lakukan, sementara kebathilan mahupun kecurangan telah menjadi budaya antara mereka. Semuanya dilakukan secara bebas baik oleh kalangan muda mahupun tua sehingga fithrah mereka telah berubah sedemikian rupa.

Mereka menjalani hidup seperti kehidupan binatang. Dan demikianlah kehidupan setiap orang yang keluar dari hukum Allah dan hukum RasulNya.” Allah berfirman:

Barangsiapa yang tidak memutuskan menurut apa yang diturunkan Allah, maka mereka itu adalah orang-orang yang kafir. (al-Maidah:44)

Barangsiapa tidak memutuskan perkara menurut apa yang diturunkan Allah, maka mereka itu adalah orang-orang yang zalim. (al-Maidah:45)

Barangsiapa tidak memutuskan perkara menurut apa yang diturunkan Allah, maka mereka itu adalah orang-orang yang fasik (al-Maidah:47)

Terang sheikh Sulaiman al-Ulwan lagi: “ Berhukum dengan hukum yang dturunkan oleh Allah serta menyakini bahawa hukum Rasul itu lebih baik daripada hukum selainnya merupakan bahagian daripada tuntutan syahadat Lailahaillllah. Barangsiapa yang beranggapan bahawa selain hukum Rasul itu lebih baik daripada hukum Rasul, maka ini bererti orang itu tidak memahami makna Lailahaillallah, bahkan melakukan sesuatu yang menggugurkannya. Ini kerana, tunduk kepada Allah dan hukumnya merupakan salah satu syarat daripada sekian syarat kalimah yang agung ini. Dengan kalimah ini, tegaklah langit dan bumi, di dalam rangka kalimah ini diutuskan para rasul dan diturunkan kitab-kitab suci, demi kalimah ini disyariatkan jihad dan kerana kalimah ini manusia terbahagi menjadi manusia celaka dan manusia bahagia. Barangsiapa yang memahami kalimah ini lalu mengamalkannya dengan memenuhi syarat-syarat dan rukun-rukunnya, maka ia bererti dia telah bersih dari selian hukum Allah dan RasulNya.

Keadaan telah berubah lebih-lebih lagi pada zaman kini yang keadaannya telah serupa dengan keadaan zaman fatrah (zaman ketiadaan rasul), di mana umat-umat manusia telah meninggalkan firman-firman Allah dan sabda-sabda RasulNya dan menggantikan dengan pemikiran-pemikiran kaum Yahudi dan Nasrani- yang watak dasar mereka itu tidak mahu memelihara hubungan kekerabatan terhadap orang-orang mukmin dan tidak pula mengendahkan perjanjian.

Alangkah bagusnya Ibnul Qayyim ketika menyatakan di dalam syairnya:

Demi Allah, kekhuatiranku bukan terhadap dosa-dosa,

Kerana ada jalan maaf dan ampunan dari Yang Maha Kuasa,

Namun yang aku takuti adalah lepasnya hati dari berhukum dengan wahyu al-Quran ini,

Rela dengan fikiran dan kedustaan umat Insani yang tidak bersumber kepada kalam Ilahi.

Kepada Allahlah tempat mengadu dan hanya kepadanya kita bertawakkal,

Kepadanya kita berlindung.

Termasuk di dalam kategori kekufuran dan kezaliman di atas adalah orang yang menyatakan “Sesungguhnya melaksanakan hukum Allah di dalam masalah zina muhshan dan memotong tangan pencuri tidak lagi sesuai dengan zaman sekarang ini, ini kerana zaman kita telah mengalami perubahan dibandingkan dengan zaman Rasul sedangkan negara-negara barat mencela kami di dalam masalah ini.” Orang yang sesat ini telah menganggap bahawa hukum orang zaman sekarang ini lebih baik daripada hukum Nabi SAW dan lebih lurus jalannya.

Demikian juga termasuk di dalam ketegori ini ialah orang yang menyatakan “Sesungguhnya untuk zaman sekarang ini dibolehkan untuk berhukum kepada selain hukum yang telah diturunkan Allah.” Kalau ini yang diucapkan, bererti dia telah menghalalkan sesuatu yang diharaman dan telah disepakati keharamannya. Wallahu’alam”

Saya tidak tahu apakah kata-kata Dr. Mashitah tu bermaksud bahawa ideanya itu lebih bak daripada melaksanakan hukum yang telah ditetapkan oleh Allah. Semoga bukan itu yang dimaksudkan oleh beliau.

PERINGATAN-

Saya ingin mengingatkan kepada saya dan saudara-saudara sekalian. Jangan pula menjadikan apa yang tertulis ini untuk dengan mudah mengkafirkan Dr. Mashitah dan saudara-saudara kita yang lain. Sesungguhnya untuk menyatakan kafir kepada seorang muslim adalah satu kalimah yang berat bahkan boleh menyebabkan diri kita sendiri menjadi kafir jika orang yang kita katakana kafir itu sebenarnya tidak kafir. Mari kita baca sejenak apa yang tertulis di dalam akhir buku “At-Tibyan Syarhu Nawaqidil Islam” oleh sheikh Sulaiman al-Ulwan:

Tidak setiap orang yang melakukan tindakan kekufuran itu dapat dihukumi kafir. Sesuatu perkataan atau perbuatan itu kadangkala memang merupakan kekufuran, akan tetapi kekufuran itu tidak dapat dimutlaqkan ke atas orang yang menyatakan atau untuk mengkafirkan seseorang kecuali wajib memenuhi syaratnya. Ini kerana untuk mengkafirkan seseorang wajib terlebih dahulu dapat dipastikan bahawa wujudnya syarat-syarat pengkafiran pada diri orang tersebut dan tiada penghalang-penghalang.

Kadang-kala ada orang yang baru memeluk Islam masih melakukan tindakan yang mengkufurkan sedangkan dia tidak tahu bahawa hal itu sesuatu yang mengkufurkan. Jika telah dijelaskan kepadanya, maka dia akan kembali kepada kebenaran daripada kekufuran atau kadang-kala dia hanya mengingkari sesuatu yang mempunyai unsure ta’wil kerana dia keliru dalam menta’wil. Nah, penghalang semacam ini atau penghalang-penghalang selainnya dapat menjadi penghalang terhadap pengkafiran seseorang.

Ini adalah prinsip yang sangat penting, yang wajib difahami dan diperhatikan. Ini kerana pengkafiran itu bukan merupakan hak bagi makhluk, seseorang itu tidak boleh mengkafirkan sesiapa yang dikehendakinya dengan kemahuannya. Akan tetapi hal ini wajib dikembalikan kepada Kitab dan Sunnah berdasarkan kefahaman as-Salaf ash-Shalih. Sesiapa sahaja yang dikafirkan oleh Allah dan RasulNya, dan telah ditegakkan hujjah ke atasnya, maka dia adalah kafir. Jika tidak demikian, maka dia tidaklah kafir.

Sekian Wassalam

Abu Usamah

Rujukan:

Kitab at-Tauhid, Sheik Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab.

Nawaqidul Islam, Sheikh Muhammad ibn Abdul Wahab.

At-Tibyan Syarhu Nawaqidil Islam, Sheikh Sulaiman bin Nashir bin Abdullah al-Ulwan.

Video rakaman ucapan Dr Mashitah Ibrahim

Celebrating Valentine’s Day

Someone may ask: why do we Muslims not celebrate this festival?

This question may be answered in several ways:

1. In Islam, the festivals are clearly defined and well established, and no additions or subtractions may be accepted. They are an essential part of our worship and there is no room for ijtihaad or personal opinion. They have been prescribed for us by Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

“Festivals are part of the laws, clear way and religious ceremonies of which Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

‘To each among you, We have prescribed a law and a clear way[al-Maa’idah 5:48]

‘For every nation We have ordained religious ceremonies which they must follow’[al-Hajj 22:67]

like the qiblah (direction faced in prayer), prayer and fasting. So there is no difference between joining them in their festival and joining them in their other rituals. Agreeing with the whole festival is agreeing with kufr. Agreeing with some of their minor issues is the same as agreeing with them in some of the branches of kufr. Festivals are the most distinctive things by which religions are told apart, so whoever celebrates their festivals is agreeing with the most distinctive rituals of kufr. Undoubtedly going along with them in their festivals may in some cases lead to kufr. Dabbling in these things, at the very least, is a sin. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) referred to the fact that every nation has its own festivals when he said: ‘Every nation has its own Eid and this is our Eid’ (al-Bukhaari , 952, Muslim, 1892).” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/471-472)

Because Valentine’s Day goes back to Roman times, not Islamic times, this means that it is something which belongs exclusively to the Christians, not to Islam, and the Muslims have no share and no part in it. If every nation has its own festivals, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said – “Every nation has its Eid” (narrated by al-Bukhaari and Muslim) – then this means that every nation should be distinguished by its festivals. If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs exclusively to them, then no Muslim should join in with them, just as he does not share their religion or their direction of prayer.

2. Celebrating Valentine’s Day means resembling or imitating the pagan Romans, then the Christian People of the Book in their imitation of the Romans in something that was not a part of their religion. If it is not allowed to imitate the Christians in things that really are part of their religion – but not part of our religion – then how about things which they have innovated in their religion in imitation of idol-worshippers?!

Imitating the kuffaar in general –whether they are idol-worshippers or People of the Book – is haraam, whether that imitation is of their worship – which is the most serious form – or of their customs and behaviour. This is indicated by the Qur’aan, Sunnah and ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus):

(i) From the Qur’aan: Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. It is they for whom there is an awful torment”[Aal ‘Imraan 3:105]

(ii) From the Sunnah: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (narrated by Ahmad, 2/50; Abu Dawood, 4021)

Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “This hadeeth at the very least indicates that it is haraam to imitate them, although the apparent meaning implies that the one who imitates them is a kaafir, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): ‘And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’ [friends and helpers]), then surely, he is one of them’ [al-Maa’idah 5:51].” (al-Iqtidaa’, 2/722-725)

(iii) With regard to ijmaa’, Ibn Taymiyan narrated that there was agreement that it is haraam to imitate the kuffaar in their festivals at the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them), and Ibn al-Qayyim narrated that there was scholarly consensus on this point. (See al-Iqtidaa’, 1/454; Ahkaam Ahl al-Dhimmah, 2/722-725)

Allaah has forbidden imitation of the kuffaar; He has described it as hateful and has warned against the consequences of that, in many aayahs, on many occasions, and in various ways, especially imitation of the kuffaar. Sometimes He does that by forbidding following them or obeying them; sometimes by warning against them or being deceived by their plots, following their opinions, or being influenced by their actions, conduct or attitude. Sometimes He does that by mentioning some of their characteristics that will put the believers off from them and from imitating them. Most of the warnings in the Qur’aan refer to the Jews and hypocrites (munaafiqeen), then the People of the Book in general and the mushrikeen. Allaah tells us in the Qur’aan that imitating and obeying the kuffaar may constitute riddah (apostasy). Allaah also forbids following them, obeying them, or following their whims and desires and bad characteristics.

Prohibition of imitating the kuffaar is one of the basic principles of sharee’ah. Allaah sent His Messenger with guidance and the true religion so that it might prevail over all other religions, and Allaah has perfected His religion for mankind:

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion”[al-Maa’idah 5:3 – interpretation of the meaning].

Allaah has made Islam cover all (human) interests at all times and in all places and for all people. So there is no need to adopt the ways of the kuffaar or imitate them.

Imitation causes defects in the Muslim personality, such as feelings of inadequacy, inferiority, weakness and defeatism, then it leads to shunning and keeping away from the path and laws of Allaah. Experience has shown that admiration for the kuffaar and imitation of them causes people to love them, have complete faith in them and take them as friends and helpers, and to reject Islam and its people, its heroes, its legacy and values, and become ignorant of all of that.

3. The purpose of Valentine’s Day in these times is to spread love between all people, believers and disbelievers alike. Undoubtedly it is haraam to love the kaafirs. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“You (O Muhammad) will not find any people who believe in Allaah and the Last Day, making friendship with those who oppose Allaah and His Messenger (Muhammad), even though they were their fathers or their sons or their brothers or their kindred (people)…”[al-Mujaadilah 58:22]

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “Allaah tells us that there is no believer who takes a kaafir as a close friend. Whoever takes a kaafir as a close friend is not a believer. Outward imitation may be taken as a sign of love, so it is haraam.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 1/490).

4. The love referred to in this festival ever since the Christians revived it is romantic love outside the framework of marriage. The result of that is the spread of zinaa (fornication and adultery) and immorality. Hence the Christian clergy opposed it at some stage and abolished it, then it came back again.

Most of the young people celebrate it because it lets them fulfil their desires, without thinking of the issues of imitation and resembling that are involved. Look at this tragedy, where they go so far as to commit major sins such as zinaa and the like, by imitating the Christians in something which is part of their worship and which may even be kufr.

Some people may wonder, and say, you mean to deprive us of love, but in this day and age we express our feelings and emotions – what is so wrong with that?

We say:

Firstly:

It is a mistake to confuse what they call the day with what the real intentions are behind it. The love referred to on this day is romantic love, taking mistresses and lovers, boyfriends and girlfriends. It is known to be a day of promiscuity and sex for them, with no restraints or restrictions… They are not talking of pure love between a man and his wife or a woman and her husband, or at least they do not distinguish between the legitimate love in the relationship between husband and wife, and the forbidden love of mistresses and lovers. This festival for them is a means for everyone to express love.

Secondly:

Expression of feelings and emotions is not a justification for the Muslim to allocate a day for celebration based on his own thoughts and ideas, and to call it a festival, or make it like a festival or Eid. So how about when it is one of the festivals of the kuffaar?

In Islam, a husband loves his wife throughout the year, and he expresses that love towards her with gifts, in verse and in prose, in letters and in other ways, throughout the years – not just on one day of the year.

Thirdly:

There is no religion which encourages its followers to love and care for one another more than Islam does. This applies at all times and in all circumstances, not just on one particular day. Indeed, Islam encourages us to express our emotions and love at all times, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a man loves his brother, let him tell him that he loves him.” (narrated by Abu Dawood, 5124; al-Tirmidhi, 2329; it is saheeh).

And he said: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you truly believe, and you will not truly believe until you love one another. Shall I not tell you of something that, if you do it, you will love one another? Spread (the greeting of) salaam amongst yourselves.” (Narrated by Muslim, 54)

Fourthly:

Love in Islam is more general and more comprehensive; it is not restricted only to one kind of love, that between a man and a woman. There are many more kinds of love. There is the love of Allaah, love of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them), love for good and righteous people, love and support for the religion, love of martyrdom for the sake of Allaah. There are many kinds of love. It is a dangerous mistake to restrict this broad meaning to this one kind of love.

Fifthly:

What these people think, that love before marriage is a good thing, is wrong, as has been proven in studies and by real-life experience. In a study conducted by the University of Cairo, on what they called “love marriage” and “traditional marriage”, the following was stated:

In marriages which came after a love story, 88% of cases ended in failure, i.e., the success rate was not more than 12%. But in cases of what the study calls traditional marriage, 70% were successful. In other words, the success rate in marriages described as traditional was six times more than those described as “love marriages”. (Risaalah ila Mu’minah, p. 255).

Now let us look at the state of affairs in western societies where Valentine’s Day is celebrated, and ask, what is the state of marriage relationships in those societies, and do these celebrations have any positive effect on interactions between husbands and wives?

Their own studies and statistics show the following:

1- In an American study done in 1407 AH/1987 CE, it states that 79% of men beat their womenfolk, especially if they are married…! (al-Qabas newspaper, 15/2/1988).

2- A study carried out by the National American Office for Mental Health states the following:

- 17% of women who go to emergency rooms are victims of beatings by their husbands or boyfriends.

- 83% of those who have previously been admitted to hospital at least once for treatment of injuries, were admitted as a result of beating.

The study added that there are more women who do not go to hospital for treatment, but deal with their injuries at home.

3- In a report of the Central American Agency for Examination [FPT] it states that every 18 seconds there is a woman who is beaten by her husband somewhere in America.

4- American Time magazine stated that around 4,000 wives out of approximately 6 million who are beaten die as a result of that beating.

5- In a German study it said that no less that 100,000 women annually are exposed to acts of physical or psychological abuse on the part of their husbands or the men they live with. The real figure may exceed one million.

6- In France, approximately 2 million women face beatings.

7- In Britain, in an opinion poll in which 7,000 women took part, 28% of them said that they had been subjected to attacks by their husbands and boyfriends.

So how can we believe that Valentine’s Day is of any benefit to married couples? The truth is that it is a call for more permissiveness and immorality, and the forming of forbidden relationships.

The husband who sincerely loves his wife does not need this holiday to remind him of his love. He expresses his love for his wife at all times and on all occasions.

The Muslim’s attitude towards Valentine’s Day

From the above discussion, the Muslim’s attitude towards this holiday should be clear:

(1) He should not celebrate it, or join others in their celebrations of it, or attend their celebrations, because of the evidence quoted above which shows that it is forbidden to celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar.

Al-Haafiz al-Dhahabi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “If the Christians have a festival and the Jews have a festival, which belongs only to them, then the Muslim should not join them in that, just as he does not join them in their religion or their direction of prayer.” (Tashabbuh al-Khasees bi Ahl al-Khamees, al-Hikmah magazine, 4/193).

Because one of the basic principles of the pious predecessors was al-walaa’ wa’l-baraa’ (loyalty and friendship vs. disavowal and enmity), it is obligatory for everyone who says Laa ilaaha ill-Allaah Muhammad Rasool Allaah to follow this principle. So he should love the believers and he should hate the disbelievers, oppose them, and be different from them. He should know that that will bring immeasurable benefits, just as imitating them causes far greater harm. In addition to that, when the Muslims imitate them it makes the kuffaar happy and fills their hearts with joy, and it leads the Muslims to love the kuffaar in their hearts. If any Muslim girl who celebrates this holiday because she sees Margaret or Hilary or whoever doing so, this undoubtedly reflects the fact that she is following them and approves of their behaviour. But Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians as Awliyaa’ (friends, protectors, helpers), they are but Awliyaa’ of each other. And if any amongst you takes them (as Awliyaa’), then surely, he is one of them. Verily, Allaah guides not those people who are the Zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers and unjust)”[al-Maa’idah 5:51]

One of the bad effects of imitating them is that this makes it look as if there are more of them, as if they have more supporters and followers. How can it be appropriate for a Muslim who recites in every rak’ah, “Guide us to the Straight Way, The way of those on whom You have bestowed Your Grace, not (the way) of those who earned Your Anger, nor of those who went astray” [al-Faatihah 1:6-7 – interpretation of the meaning], to ask Allaah for guidance to the Straight Path of the believers and to keep him away from the path of those who have earned His anger and of those who went astray, then go and follow their path by choice and willingly?

Statistics indicate that Valentine’s Day is second only to Christmas in popularity. So it is clear that the Feast of Love is one of the festivals of the Christians and that it is second only to the festival of Christmas, the celebration of the birth of the Messiah. So it is not permissible for Muslims to join in the celebrations of this date, because we are commanded to differ from them in their religion, customs and other things that belong exclusively to them, as is stated in the Qur’aan and Sunnah and scholarly consensus.

(2) He should not help the kuffaar in their celebrations, because it is one of the rituals of kufr, so helping them and approving of what they do is helping them to manifest kufr and make it prevail, and approving of it. The Muslim’s religion does not allow him to approve of kufr or help others to manifest it and make it prevail. Hence Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “It is not permissible for the Muslims to imitate them in anything that is specifically part of their festivals, whether it is food, clothing, bathing, lighting fires, or changing a custom of daily life or worship… To sum up, they should not do any of the specific rituals of their (the kuffaar’s) festival on that day; rather the day of their festival should be just another ordinary day for the Muslim.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 25/329)

(3) He should not help any Muslims who celebrate it. Rather it is obligatory to denounce them, because for the Muslims to celebrate the festivals of the kuffaar is an evil action which must be denounced. Shaykh al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) said: “Just as we should not imitate them in their festivals, so too we should not help a Muslim to do that; rather he should be told not to do that.” (al-Iqtidaa’, 2/519-520)

Based on what Ibn Taymiyah said, it is not permissible for Muslim businessmen to deal in gifts for Valentine’s Day, whether they are particular kinds of clothes, red roses, or whatever. Similarly, it is not permissible for the one who is given a gift on this occasion to accept it, because by accepting it, he is showing approval of this holiday.

Bagaimana Mereka Membuat Berita

Seorang lelaki masuk ke sebuah bar dan bertanya kepada pelayan: "Bukankah itu Bush dan Cheney duduk di sana?" Pelayan menjawab: "Ya, itu memang mereka berdua." Maka lelaki itu pun pergilah ke sana berjumpa mereka dan berkata, "Wow! Satu kebanggaan bagi saya berjumpa awak berdua. Apa yang awak berdua buat di sini?"

Bush berkata, "Kami sedang merancang Perang Dunia Ketiga." Lelaki itu berkata: "Benarkah begitu? Apa yang akan berlaku?"

Bush menjawab, "Kali ini kami akan membunuh 60 juta rakyat Iran dan seorang pembaiki basikal."

Lelaki itu berkata, "Seorang pembaiki basikal!!! Kenapa bunuh seorang pembaiki basikal?"

Bush memandang Cheney sambil menepuk bahunya dan berkata kepada Cheney, "Lihatlah bodoh, bukankah aku sudah cakap dengan engkau, tidak akan ada sesiapa pun yang hirau akan 60 juta rakyat Iran tu!!!"

*Sekadar jenaka. Eloklah kita periksa pemikiran kita, adakah seperti lelaki itu yang berfikiran sempit sehinggakan terpengaruh dengan suasana semasa (seperti penggunaan ayat di atas) atau sudah mampu berfikiran luas, andai masih belum ke tahap berfikir di luar kotak...

Syriana

One of the best movies I've ever watched!

See how oil plays an important factor in world's economy and politics. The US will do anything to protect its own interest in Middle East, even if that means to assassinate a prince that is committed towards reforming his father's kingdom into a modern, democratic and developed nation. The US prefers the autocratic rule to remains as long as the conservative regime supports US interest. It also portrays how CIA works, they will easily find a scape goat whenever a problem occurs. The movie also shows how corruption leads to unemployment, and unemployment is a dangerous situation that can cause people to do the unthinkable.

Quote from a review of a US citizen on this movie:

I walked out of this movie feeling pretty depressed. As a historian, I always knew there have been forces at work in our society that act against the best interest of the average citizen. This film does an excellent job of illustrating just how politics and big business conspire to preserve the status quo which also protects their power and profits. The global interaction depicted in this film shows how all actions have consequences. The thirst our nation has for oil drives the kind of political and business policies that cause anger and hatred towards our nation. This oil addiction has led to an unjust war that was started on lies and disinformation. The result has been the deaths of over 2000 US servicemen and women, thousands more injured and tens of thousands Iraqi dead and wounded. This act has been the best tool Islamic terrorist groups have ever had in attracting followers and money to their cause. Those that attack this film obviously buy into the fantasy that America is involved in Iraq and the Middle East due to our sincere desire to spread "democracy." Anyone who is willing to have an open mind will find this film to be chilling for the implications of the storyline. This film is a must see for those who care about how the behavior of our government and big business impacts us in our everyday lives and how it will contribute to further terrorist attacks for decades to come. A well researched story with excellent actors for the numerous roles. I will buy this as soon as it comes out on DVD.

It is a must see movie. It helps a lot in understanding the current world situation.
1. Syriana Official Website
2. Wikipedia Link on Syriana
3. IMDb Review on Syriana

"What happens to the one who leaves (apostates) Islam?"

ANSWER:

Jazakallah khair and may Allah reward you for your question regarding those who become "murtid" (apostate from Islam):
Your letter has caused me to finally sit down and prepare a complete written response this subject and it gives me the opportunity to also include this reply in our discussion boards on the Internet. I pray for you and ask Allah to reward you every time someone reads this and takes benefit from it, ameen. Please write back and let me know if the following research and presentation is of any benefit for you and for those whom you are sharing about Islam.

You probably are aware I was once a Christian music minister and preacher, coming to Islam while trying to "convert" a Muslim from Egypt to Christianity.

(full story on our website at: http://islamalways.com/yusuf )

As you must imagine, I had some very serious concerns over this very same question, before accepting to leave Christianity for Islam. After all, I didn't think anyone would kill me for doing so. It was only in the last few years I learned there is killing going on in some countries over the issue of family members and others converting to other religions. Yes! - even in these days! Egypt has cases of Christians killing someone for going to Islam, as well as the other way around. This is also true, according to the newspapers about someone in Israel going to Islam last year. And there is even a law in Chanai, India forbidden the public declaration of faith for anyone converting to Islam. I know that to be a fact, as I was there at the time of the tsunami and a man from Texas wanted to convert from Christianity to Islam while Dr. Zakir Naik's program was going on (the man's name was David) and the authorities would not allow it in public. They told me that there had been a series of murders as a result of a man converting from Hindu to Islam in the area and they just didn't want any more killings or civil riots. (I think "civil riots" is an oxymoron?)

I had discussed this issue of apostasy in great depth many times, even before making up my mind to leave almost 50 years of Christianity to become a Muslim. After all I thought, what if I would like to change my mind and go back to being a Christian or make some other choice along the way; what would the Muslims do to me then? So you are most correct to ask this and we will try our best to provide the answer from historical evidences of Islam.

But before we begin, I would like to observe your particular question because it is not a general question. It deals with a specific occurrence in a particular place in certain circumstances, which I would like to come back to in a brief moment.

Also there is something not correct in the question. The man did not recently convert. He was already a Christian even before the Taliban. I do not know all of the circumstances, but I have been informed by some of the actual people from Afghanistan the man in question (I think his name is Abdur Rahman or something similar) had been Christian for a long number of years and this incident was really based on something else, but what, I don't know.

The story presented in the news media these days is one of about an Afghani man who has been a Christian for over 16 years. This means he was a Christian throughout the entire time the Taliban were running the country there and obviously no one did anything to him throughout this time. Only now, with the western backed regime in place, are we hearing about this "problem." It does make a person wonder what is really going on there.

Nevertheless, we will discuss the subject of how Islam views the one who leaves Islam, if God Wills (inshallah).
To begin, there is not a hard and fast rule concerning this subject because there are perhaps as many reasons why people do what they do as there are people in the world. The answer must be based on each individual situation, as it depends largely on the person, his or her knowledge, intention and understanding as well as the conditions surrounding the circumstances.

Before we can begin, to be fair to those not familiar with Islamic terms and words, we must start by explaining to both Muslims and the non-Muslims alike, who might be wondering about the answer to such a question, what Islam is really all about and set the stage for them to better understand the actual ramifications of entering and/or leaving Islam.

First, they have to understand what all of the relevant Arabic words and terms actually mean. You should explain exactly what "ISLAM" means and what is: Tawhid (monotheism); Ibadah (worship); Shar'iah (God's Commandments in Islamic Law); Fatwah (Islamic Judge's findings in Law and their subsequent rulings); Hudud (punishment); Murtid (apostasy). It is important for anyone desiring to understand Islam's position on any subject, especially in such matters as this, to gain a firm grip on the importance of words being used and their meanings regarding the issues at hand.

Hudud (punishment) The punishments to be initiated by those in authority according to Shar'iah as ordered according to appropriate fatawah (plural of fatwah).

Murtid (apostasy) a Muslim who makes the choice to leave Islam (submission to God's Will).
Next let them know, no one is ever forced or coerced into accepting Islam. This always was and always will be a matter of choice left up to the individual. Muslims are not ordered to "convert" people to Islam. Rather, they are ordered to deliver the message of Islam to others through their own righteous living as an example and in respectful "reminding" as taught in the Quran.

Islam (willful submission) to Allah's Shar'iah (God's Commandments in Islamic Law) and is the very balance needed for all humans for all times and in all places (according the teachings of Islam). The Paradise is reserved for only those who submit themeselves to the Commandments and Judgments of Almighty Allah.

There is never to be forced conversion to Islam (if it were forced, then the word "Islam" would not really apply anyway), and it is forbidden according to the Quran, in the second chapter, verse 256: "Let there be no complusion in the religion ("deen": actually means way of life as opposed to "religion"). From this we understand no one can be made to believe anything by force. Rather, it must be by their own decision.

Now be sure they understand the difference between "Islam" and "Muslims", meaning: "Islam" is perfect, but we as humans (Muslims) are not. Therefore, we can and do make mistakes. This lets us know immediately if anyone is calling for something in the name of "Islam" or the "Shar'iah", this should be viewed in the evidence of the Shar'iah itself and not just what some jurist or scholar may conclude.

Finally, judges and scholars over the centuries have held different opinions and given various rulings based on all of the above. No one can make a blanket statement and say the same rule applies to all people in all situations.
Let us review some of the evidences starting at the time of our prophet, peace be upon him.

Even during the time of our prophet, peace be upon him, there were some who "left Islam" and then they were allowed to come back if they wanted to or stay away if they so desired. One example is from the Muslims who migrated in the first migration to Ethiopia and one of them left Islam, became a Christian (the people of Abyssinia were Christians at that time) and then even told people there he was an "author" of the Quran. Of course such actions are most despicable and worthy of some kind of reprimand, especially considering the extent of the lies against the Quran and the prophet, peace be upon him. Yet, nothing was done to this man by the Muslims. His wife, Zainab, could not tolerate his lies and his turning his back against the truth of Islam and she returned back to the Muslims in Arabia. After the man died the Christians attempted to bury him, but the next day they found his body out of the grave and laying on the ground. Considering the Muslims must have done this act, they moved him to another area and buried him there. Again, the next day they found his body out of the grave and on top of the ground. So, they took him far from there and made another grave and buried him in it. But again, the next day his body was out of the grave and laying on the ground. At this point they decided the ground would not accept his body and they left it for the wild animals. We learn from this example Allah will be the One to finally deal with these people and He may even do so in this world as well as on the Day of Judgment.

Other examples include those who entered Islam in the presence of our beloved prophet, peace be upon him, yet when they were returned back to their people (during an agreement between the pagans and Muhammad, peace be upon him) some of them reverted back to their old pagan religion. Some of them did come back to Islam again later on after Islam came to be the governing state. In this case we observe what can happen in the case of the one who is in Islam and then for whatever reason decides not to stay.

Yet another example that occurred at the time of our blessed prophet, peace be upon him, was that of some who pretended they wanted to be Muslims only to take advantage of the believers, gain some worldly benefits and then abused and slaughtered an entire group of shepherds that memorized the entire Quran, who were caring for them. They killed them in cold blood and took everything for themselves. The prophet, peace be upon him, was very disturbed over this and ordered them to be severely punished and left to die without any food or water. From this example we learn how to deal with traitors and terrorists who have no intention of doing anything except evil and spreading fitnah (evil and terror) throughout the land.
Over the centuries since the inception of Islam, we can find cases of people leaving Islam and what was their example and what the pervailing jurists decided in their particular situation. Most all of these were not punished except in the cases of treason, other acts of viloence or for propagating corruption, dissention and promoting evil along with their apostasy. Those who were found to be causing sedition or of being enemy spies during times of war or advocating the overthrow of Islamic government could understandably be courtmartialed and executed.

Now let us breifly compare the treatment of conversion and apostasy with other civilizations and societies over the centuries.
The Roman civilization would not tolerate someone who accepted the benefits of citizenship and the turned against the government. These people were made short work of as entertainment for the people, while gladiators tortured and killed them for public sport. (see: Encyclopedia Britanitca; Rome).

It may benefit us to take into consideration Judaism and Christianity to better understand the difference between what is being taught as the religion and what some people do. The Book of Genesis in the Torah (Old Testament) tells of an incident referred to by Scholars such as Rabbi Allison Bergman Vann, as the "Rape of Dinah." (note#3 & #4 below)
It is easy to conclude the offer of circumcizing and coming to their religion was only a trick to defeat the men while they were in such pain and suffering (keep in mind, in those days there were no clinics or even sterile conditions for such operations).
Another reference to "conversion and apostasy" regarding Jews during the years after Jesus, peace be upon him, occurred in the south of Arabia in Yemen. Yusuf Dhu Nawas, a Jewish leader in Yemen, attacked the Christians of Najran ordering them to embrace Judaism or be burned in a pit of fire. Estimates put the number of those killed between 20,000 and 40,000.

(note #5 below)
The Catholic Church at one time forced people to enter into their religion at the point of the sword and with torture chambers (see: Crusades, 1095 to 1200 A.D.; and Inquisition, 1492 to 1520 A.D.) Those who wished to remain or change to Islam or Judaism or even another form of Christianity were put to the most vile of tortures and even executed. However, this cannot be said to in any way, represent the teachings of Jesus or the New Testament.
Now let us consider the realities of balance in Islam in light of today's world:
There is no existing Islamic state with a khilafah. This means the hudud (punishment according to Islam) of the Shar'iah (Islamic Law) cannot be appropritely applied. Additionally, anyone not being a citizen living in an Islamic state could hardly be tried and convicted by the state in a proper manner.

(note #6 below)
Some would claim the Protestants are not the same as the Catholics. Read what the first real "protestant," Martin Lurther, had to say about this (taken from Jamal Udeen Zaraboza's article).

Let us consider the follow example for comparison:
There is a person living in Russia decides he wants to become a citizen of the United States and goes to the United States Embassy and begins the procedure of immagration and naturalization. Later on he changes his mind, doesn't like things the US is doing and decides to give it up.

Now he cancels his immagration process. This would could lessen his chances of getting citizenship in the future but would not bring about retaliation against him from the US.

Then, if he begins to publicly speak out against the US policy and puts up websites, sends out emails makes speeches calling for acts of violence against America, he definitely is going to have a problem ever getting a chance a citizenship later if he should change his mind and like to become an American.

Next, he goes so far as to actually recruit people and train them at some paintball place while telling them they are preparing to attack America.

Question: Is he going to be listed as a terrorist and enemy to America?
What about those who joined him for paintball practice and listened to his talks? Would they be listed along with him, as terrorists?

Would they be tortured (in some other country) and then spend the rest of their lives in prison?

! After all, they are enemies to the state and should be treated as such. Right?

To conclude, Islam comes from Allah, the actual Creator and Sustainer of the universe. Islam provides for all situations and dictates what are the rights and limitations. This all seeks to provide a safe enviornment for all people to learn the correct message of Almighty Allah and how to live as upright citizens in a place of pleace and mutual cooperation for all humans, regardless of their beliefs.

If a person wants to accept this belief and way of life, then they should be free to do so. If another person would reject this even though the evidence is clearly in favor of Islam, they are free to make this choice but would live in the society still receiving the benefits and services available, such as food, shelter, clothing, protection and charity. However, they would pay a larger tax on their wealth due to their not being conscripted to serve in the military and so on.

Conditions are really what bring about the different rulings on dealing with those who enter Islam and then leave it, with the clear intention of bringing about descention and unrest amongst the people. Also, those who seek to convert people away from Islam into other faiths or to destroy the Islamic government would naturally be considered as traitors and then dealt with as such.

All knowledge is with Allah and for any mistakes I seek Allah's forgiveness and beg the pardon of anyone whom I may have offended in this writing.

Again, may Allah reward you for your effort and accept from you and all of us, ameen.
Salam alaykum,
Yusuf Estes
PS - Please include this link in the bottom of all your emails (and include this request for others to do the same, inshallah) - http://islamalways.com/muhammad

Note #1:
Regarding the "Oneness" (monotheism) of God in the Bible (even today's English translations):
There are so many Biblical passages teaching God is only One and without any partners. This is a basic premise throughout the entire teaching of the Bible. The many explicit passages clearly declare this as a cardinal truth.
Each of the following 27 passages explicitly teach that there is one — and only one — true and living God.
Please note that the King James Version (used here) designates the Hebrew name Jehovah (or Yahweh) with "LORD" spelled with all letters capitalized; Adonai, meaning "Lord" or "Master," is designated by "Lord;" and "Elohim," is translated as "God." Thus, in Duet. 4:35, for example, the phrase "the LORD he is God," would be literally translated, "Jehovah, he is Elohim." (In those instances were Adonai is used as a compound with Jehovah, the latter term is spelled GOD, so that the compound name "Lord GOD" designates the Hebrew, "Adonai Jehovah").
1. DEUTERONOMY 4:35,39 — Unto thee it was shown, that thou mightiest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him. (39) Know therefore this day, and consider it in thine heart, that the LORD he is God in heaven above, and upon the earth beneath: there is none else.
2. DEUTERONOMY 6:4 — Hear, O Israel: The LORD thy God is one LORD. [Note in Mark 12:28-34 how Jesus and a Jewish scribe he encountered understood this text.]
3. DEUTERONOMY 32:39 — See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand.
4. 2 SAMUEL 7:22 — Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God; for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.
5. 1 KINGS 8:60 — That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
6. 2 KINGS 5:15 — And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel; now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
7. 2 KINGS 19:15 — And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwells between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
8. NEHEMIAH 9:6 — Thou, even thou, art LORD alone; thou has made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou preserves them all; and the host of heaven worship thee.
9. PSALM 18:31 — For who is God save the LORD? or who is a rock save our God?
10. PSALM 86:10 — For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11. ISAIAH 37:16,20 — O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, that dwells between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: thou has made heaven and earth. (20) Now therefore, O LORD our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD, even thou only.
12. ISAIAH 43:10,11 — Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no savior.
13. ISAIAH 44:6,8 — Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God. Fear ye not, neither be afraid; have not I told thee from that time, and have declared it? ye are even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God; I know not any.
14. ISAIAH 45:21 — Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time: who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Savior; there is none beside me.
15. ISAIAH 46:9 — For I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me.
16. HOSEA 13:4 — Yet I am the LORD thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me; for there is no savior beside me.
17. JOEL 2:27 — And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.
18. ZECHARIAH 14:9 — And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one.
19. MARK 12:29-34 —And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.
20. JOHN 17:3 — And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
21. ROMANS 3:30 — Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcised through faith.
22. 1 CORINTHIANS 8:4-6 — As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
23. GALATIANS 3:20 — Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
24. EPHESIANS 4:6 — One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
25. 1 TIMOTHY 1:17 — Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be Honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
26. 1 TIMOTHY 2:5 — For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
27. JAMES 2:19 — Thou believes that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
Note# 2. Dawah (inviting or calling to Islam) is prescribed in Quran as a duty to Muslims. It implies living an exemplary life and sharing the message of monotheism and obedience to Allah's Shar'ah with others. Muslims are ordered not to dispute with others about the matters, only to conduct dialogs in a way that is better.
http://islamtomorrow.com/dawah

Note# 3. Vann says in a speech to his congregation on December 12, 2003:
The story, known commonly of the rape of Dinah, is shocking. A few minutes ago, I read from the introduction of the story. Let me summarize the entire drama:

Dinah goes out to visit her sisters in the land. Along the way, she encounters Shechem, who has intercourse with her. He then speaks tenderly to her, and falls in love with her. Shechem asks his father Hamor to get Dinah for him as a wife. Meanwhile, Jacob had heard that Shechem had defiled his daughter and was distressed, but as his sons were in the field, he decided to wait for them to come home before taking action.
Hamor comes to speak with Jacob to ask for Dinah's bride price. At this time, Dinah's brothers return home from the field. They were angry and distressed, for Shechem had committed an outrage in Israel by lying with Dinah. Jacob's sons refused to give Dinah to Shehem, because they were not circumcised. On the condition that all of Hamor's men become circumcised, could Dinah become Shechem's wife. Shechem immediately became circumcised, and shortly after that, all the men in the town also did the deed.

On the third day after their circumcision, when they were in the most pain, Simeon and Levi took their swords and went to the town. They killed all the men while they were unable to defend themselves. They seized the women, children and the property of Hamor and his men, and also took Dinah from Shechem's home. When Jacob heard what they had done, he said, “ You have brought trouble upon me, making me odious among the inhabitants of the land”.
Simeon and Levi responded: “Should ours sister be treated like a whore?”
href="http://www.beth-elsa.org/abv121203.htm">http://www.beth-elsa.org/abv121203.htm

Isaac Sachs brings it even closer to home, in this explanation appropriately entitled, "The Rape of Dinah: Genesis 34"
In the story, Shechem, the son of a local king falls in love with Dinah, daughter of Jacob, sleeps with her and asks his father to request her hand for him. His father, King Hamor, paid a ceremonial visit to Jacob’s house, where he offered peaceful coexistent with the new immigrants,

“Please let my son marry your daughter, and let us marry each other; give us from your daughters and take from ours. And the land shall for you to settle, to trade and to posses.”
(Genesis 34:8)
Shechem also made the customary and lawful offer: “Please let me pay the required Mohar (dowry) and marry your daughter”.
(Genesis 34:12)

Indeed, the only other mention of Mohar (Mahr in Arabic) in the whole Bible is in the story of Shechem and Dinah! It is as if the story was made to illustrate the concept of peaceful resolution to pre-marital sex.
But before Jacob could accept or reject the Mohar, his sons jumped in, saying “we would like to take-up your offer, but you see, we have this custom called circumcision, and we could not possibly intermarry with people who are not circumcised. Now, if you and your entire male population were to circumcise, we would be glad to grant your wish”.
Incredibly, Shechem promptly takes the request to his people and convinces them to circumcise. On the third day, as the newly circumcised people of Shechem are hurting, two of Dinah’s brothers, Simeon and Levy (yes, the archetype of organized-professional priesthood), swords in hands, massacred every male in the city of Shechem.

Note: #4
Although the word rape is never actually, mentioned in the story, it becomes the basis for the recounting of the story in Sunday schools culture. To make things worst, the girl’s words or thoughts are not reported in the story, testifying to the low level of relevance biblical- era Middle Eastern (and today’s Islamic) societies accord to their women.
In the story, Shechem, the son of a local king falls in love with Dinah, daughter of Jacob, sleeps with her and asks his father to request her hand for him. His father, King Hamor, paid a ceremonial visit to Jacob’s house, where he offered peaceful coexistent with the new immigrants: “Please let my son marry your daughter, and let us marry each other; give us from your daughters and take from ours. And the land shall for you to settle, to trade and to posses.” (Genesis 34:8). Shechem also made the customary and lawful offer: “Please let me pay the required Mohar (dowry) and marry your daughter” (Genesis 34:12). Whether the Law of Moses is divine or just a codification of local customs, it specifies that one must offer a Mohar after sleeping with an available woman, and then he must marry her. This is all described in Exodus 22:15, and is subject to acceptance by her father. (If he refuses, he will just take the money). Indeed, the only other mention of Mohar in the whole Bible is in the story of Shechem and Dinah! It is as if the story was made to illustrate the concept of peaceful resolution to pre-marital sex. But before Jacob could accept or reject the Mohar, his sons jumped in, saying “we would like to take-up your offer, but you see, we have this custom called circumcision, and we could not possibly intermarry with people who are not circumcised. Now, if you and your entire male population were to circumcise, we would be glad to grant your wish”. Incredibly, Shechem promptly takes the request to his people and convinces them to circumcise. On the third day, as the newly circumcised people of Shechem are hurting, two of Dinah’s brothers, Simeon and Levy (yes, the archetype of organized-professional priesthood), swords in hands, massacred every male in the city of Shechem. Not only do they reduce the circumcision ritual to an act of macho-challenge, but they also call attention to the fact that the case of rape is really a case of prohibited seduction between two lovers who dare cross imaginary boundaries set by narrow-minded self-appointed spiritual leaders. To the chagrin of later date clergy, the Bible goes out of its way to tell us that Jacob’s son put forth the circumcision challenge with deception in mind! (Genesis 34:13) And the fact that they threatened to have Dinah removed from Shechem’s house during the negotiations (Genesis 34:17), implies that she was there as guest, not as a hostage! Jacob, who saw through the brother’s pretentious performance as defenders of the family honor, reproached his two sons: “you made me look ugly in front of the inhabitants. They are many and they could retaliate and finish me off!” (Genesis 34:30) Not one word about moral issues!

And what is God’s position? Having nothing to do with moral behavior, He is smart enough to stay out of the story altogether.

The impartiality of the storyteller proves once again that the integrity of the Bible is far greater than that of its characters, even if they are claimed to be our ancestors.

Note: #5 According to Raheeq Al-Makhtum (THE SEALED NECTAR) Author: Saifur Rahman al-Mubarakpuri, Jamia Salafia - India, translated by : Issam Diab:
Judaism was introduced into Yemen by someone called As‘ad Abi Karb. He had gone to fight in Yathrib and there he embraced Judaism and then went back taking with him two rabbis from Bani Quraizah to instruct the people of Yemen in this new religion. Judaism found a fertile soil there to propagate and gain adherents. After his death, his son Yusuf Dhu Nawas rose to power, attacked the Christian community in Najran and ordered them to embrace Judaism. When they refused, he ordered that a pit of fire be dug and all the Christians indiscriminately be dropped to burn therein. Estimates say that between 20-40 thousand Christians were killed in that human massacre.
http://www.al-sunnah.com/nektar

Note: #6: From Jamal Udeen Zarabozo's Article

Could God Legislate Death for Apostasy?

Many Christians, in particular, seem abhorred by the fact that Muslims could believe that God has legislated death for apostasy. This author has personally heard Christians claim, once again, that Islam must be some barbaric religion to believe in such a penalty. This attitude is very perplexing to this author. It is one thing to say, “We no longer believe in such a law” and quite another to say, “We do not believe in a God that would legislate such a penalty.” In the former case, the individual is simply turning his back on what may have been part of his religion. Such an approach is common for modernist Jews, Christians and Muslims. However, the latter approach clearly denies what is stated in their holy books. (Unfortunately, this is also not uncommon for modernists. However, many less-extreme Jews, Christians and Muslims do not allow themselves to go that far.)

An in-depth study of all of the relevant Biblical texts is well beyond what is needed here. Hence, only one or two verses shall be commented upon.[1]

Exodus 22:20 reads:

“He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.” Famed and widely respected Biblical commentator Matthew Henry had the following to say about this verse:

IV. Idolatry is also made capital, v. 20. God having declared himself jealous in this matter, the civil powers must be jealous in it too, and utterly destroy those persons, families, and places of Israel, that worshipped any god, save the Lord: this law might have prevented the woeful apostasies of the Jewish nation in after times, if those that should have executed it had not been ringleaders in the breach of it.[2]

Numbers 25:1-5 reads:

1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel. 4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel. 5 And Moses said unto the judges of Israel, Slay ye every one his men that were joined unto Baal-peor.

Another passage, Deuteronomy 13:6-11 is also quite telling:

6 If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; 7 Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; 8 Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: 9 But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. 10 And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. 11 And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you.

2 Chronicles 15:8-19 has the law being applied even to the young among the apostates. The relevant verses in that passage are verses 12-13 which read,

12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the LORD God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul; 13 That whosoever would not seek the LORD God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or great, whether man or woman.

From the New Testament, one finds in Romans 1:20-32 that Paul approves of the death of idolaters, homosexuals and other sinners. This passage reads,

19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

The above examples should be sufficient. The interested reader may further consult Deuteronomy 13:12-18 and Deuteronomy 17: 1-7.

Actually, as is well-known, the history of the official Christian church and many of its leaders on issues of this nature is very dark indeed. One did not need to be an apostate to be killed in the history of Christianity. Apostasy is to be distinguished from heresy, as is clear in the following passage from the Encyclopedia Britannica,

[Apostasy is] the total rejection of Christianity by a baptized person who, having at one time professed the faith, publicly rejects it. It is distinguished from heresy, which is limited to the rejection of one or more Christian doctrines by one who maintains an overall adherence to Jesus Christ.

Two examples from the history of Christianity dealing simply with heretics—not apostates—should suffice here. The Cathars, a pacifist heretical group of southern France, were crushed. Pope Innocent III declared a crusade against them. Here is how two Christian authors described part of that crusade:

In 1209, Arnold Amaury, abbot of Citeaux, called for the collective slaughter of all Cathars in the town of Beziers. His motto, which has carried forth into modern expression, stated, "Kill them all, the Lord knows those who are his." Only a small minority of the town, perhaps five hundred, was made up of Cathars, but all the city paid the price for guilt by association. Twenty thousand were killed. Thus began the wholesale slaughter of thousands of Cathars in the thirteenth century.[3]

Non-Catholics, of course, may respond to the above by putting the blood of those deeds on the hands of the evil Catholics. However, one should not forget Martin Luther’s ruling concerning the Anabaptists, another pacifist heretical group who had the audacity to have themselves re-baptized when adults.[4] Martin Luther stated that such heretics are not to be tolerated and the only fitting punishment for them was hanging.[5]

This approach is in compelling contrast to the legacy of Islam. Not long after the death of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the caliph Ali had to face the crisis of the heretical group known as the Khawarij. Although he sent people to preach to them to correct their misunderstandings, his approach was that they were not to be physically attacked by the state as long as they did not commit any acts of violence against the Muslims. The Khawarij did become violent, and it became necessary for Ali to fight and defeat them. Afterwards, he was asked about them. He was asked if they were polytheists, and Ali replied that they, by holding the beliefs they held, were attempting to flee from falling into polytheism. When he was asked if they were hypocrites, he replied that hypocrites rarely remember and mention Allah. Finally, they asked him, “What are they?” He replied, “They are our brethren who revolted against us and we fought them only due to their revolting against us.”[6]

---

[1]

The author would like to thank Br. Hadi Hashmi for his research paper, “Verses dealing with the Death Penalty for the Apostate.”

[2]

Taken from The Bible Suite Collection (ValuSoft, 2006).

[3]

Ergun Mehmet Caner and Emir Fethi Caner, Christian Jihad (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2004), p. 183.

[4]

One can only wonder what Martin Luther would have to say about today’s “born again” Christians.

[5]

See Caner and Caner, p. 162.

[6]

Abu al-Fidaa Ismaaeel ibn Katheer, Al-Bidaayah wa al-Nihaayah (Beirut: Maktabah al-Maarif, n.d.), vol. 7, p. 290.