Promises

srizals@gmail.com 

What if all a person can say was just a lie? What if all the promises were only meant to mislead us, pinning us down with hope that would make us question less and accept more, without question, of course. What if it was just an act of buying time? More time to be precise, so that the end game would be farther than we think. Further than what we could have imagined. Caught in the endless and empty rhetoric of the ones that have a tongue of a snake and a heart of a liar.

It is always easy to utter a sentence. It is much, much easier to slur and accuse without proper evidence and the right idea of what's actually going on. The tongue is made without any bones, or 'lidah tidak bertulang' would be a Malay saying, to indicate how easy it is to utter a meaningful sound, so conducive, so attractive to a hopeful ear, or most of the time, desperate ears, both of them of course, since the light at the end of the tunnel is expected to be not as quite near as anyone would have hoped for. The end is quite vague. The behaviours of some parties that are or were involved are not that vogue, but, the same old stories are repeated, as if the players are immune, somewhat immune to the boringness that they have caused and are well-known to be the part of the problem, never the solution of the problem at hand.

But surprisingly, the old trick of pulling a rabbit from the hat from a magician that used magic in the first place to put it there, would always awe the expecting (not so un-expecting audiences). Bear in mind, there is no magic in the Malay vocabulary, the correct reference of meaningful sound of the language would be 'silap mata' or the 'wrongful eyes' that had failed to see correctly and had mistakenly see what is not there or failed to distinguish between what is real and what is not. It was the eyes’ fault all along that made the magic worked. Not the magician. They have no magical powers whatsoever. The magician was only actually a trickster. Nothing more, may be lesser. Much, much lesser than we have anticipated. They, the tricksters, would stop at nothing. It is too profitable to play by the rules, in a humane fashion. It is lying with the enemies that what made us tick, it is where the money came from. And no one, not a single soul that had placed money as their god and the core foundation of judging matters in their lives, could have noticed reason, justifiable and agreeable, as to be more humanistic and closer to the truth. There's no money in the truth, so why bother?

The promise is just like a candy bar, a mouth-watering chocolate to distract the crying child from crying and attracting unwanted attentions from the passersby. It is only a distraction, a misleading option, so that not many would have known the actual answer, the true statement that everyone was looking for. And we think the examinations were over when we left our schools. The examination of life is far more complex and the options to choose from are far more distracting.

Sadly, these liars won’t be bored with their lies in the near future. It has been a bountiful harvest for them out of the misery of so many of us. And so to expect them strangely to stop remorsefully would be very, very childish. They are making a fortune out of our fear and never-ending anguish.

But we have to make the right decision of choosing the right answer for our problem and not simply parroting and accepting the empty rhetoric of well-known double agents. It may not be a concern now, since most of us are also squabbling over the left-over of these fat rich manipulators’ table, but it would be very problematic in the hereafter where we would be cross-examined for all our deeds and the witnesses are not so easily manipulated by us any longer. There our fate would be decided, decisively. For those who do not believe in the hereafter or whatever belief that you have, the stake is higher than you think. The outcome of these ferocious liars would be more anarchy and lesser profit to the honest merchants of actual goods. Anarchy is a fire. We would not want to be caught in the firestorm. At that time, everyone would burn, friends or foe.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3781066,00.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8272211.stm

Residual Effect

srizals@gmail.com

They say we can't escape our own evil. The past won't really leave us in peace in the present. It would always stay in the dark corner of the forgetful mind. So forgetful that it had to focus on other priorities in order to stay sane. One simple and quick solution of the troubled mind, so distressful and full of remorse, for having done despicable things to other gentle and lovely human beings, is of course, keeping the mind preoccupied in doing something else. The adrenaline rush would be an instant remedy, besides drugs and stimulants to keep the stress at bay, of course.

Well, most of the time, it worked, being preoccupied that is, sometimes, reality hits us, so hard, right there in the face and we could lose the keenness of dodging them after all the lies that the fat rich manipulators had put us through. It sucks. The feeling of being used and lured to do other's bidding, sacrificing your time, energy and sometimes your own sake for the not so sure bunch of people. Trust me. I know what I'm talking about. Spending not a year, but years of service of a known would be doomed policy or cause. And doing it while losing focus on things that matters most to yourself, sacrificing them so that your 'service' would be highly regarded by those who couldn't care less about you. Surely the side effect would reveal itself little by little, depending how destructive the feeling of despair has on one's soul. Multiply the effect a million times and then maybe you could get some ideas on how  an empty war could do to one's sense of worth. It is still not the same actually. The ones that had killed and maimed their fellow humans, would be forever haunted. Maybe haunted is the right word after all to describe the brave soldiers that have been used and manipulated by the filthy rich, profiteers of pain. They and their progeny are spared. As always.

http://www.presstv.ir/detail/143240.html

Sept 17 - Remembering Sabra and Shatilla...

Sept 17 - Remembering Sabra and Shatilla...

By Bujai 

While we celebrate our Sept 16th Malaysia Day, I could not erase my mind of what happened today, exactly 28 years ago in Lebanon. Sept 17, 1982 was when the Israeli-backed Christian Phalangist ambushed Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps south of Beirut, killing about 3,500 people, mostly the defenseless women and children.

Twenty eight years ago, a scene of unspeakable horror rocked the rubble strewn alleys of Sabra and Shatilla refugee camps as vengeance vied with naked lust in a massive display of human malice illuminated for the Israel Defense Force (IDF) overseers of this massacre with flares that provided an unobstructed and panoramic view for Israeli Defense Minister, Ariel Sharon and his Chief of Staff, Rafael Eitan.

They were watching from the seven story Kuwaiti embassy which provided logistical support for their Phalangist allies as they massacred for 36 to 48 hours the hapless Palestinians imprisoned in the camps.

The number of casualties was more than that of the Sept 11, 2001 extremist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York. However, the Americans want the whole world to remember the date while Sept 17 seemed to have been forgotten. Actually, the West wanted it to be forgotten!

A young journalist then, I arrived in Beirut from Baghdad six days after the massacre. I had been in Iraq for about three weeks covering the war when news about Sabra and Shatilla hit the headlines. It was two days before I flew back to KL via Bangkok when I managed to get a Baghdad-Beirut-Istanbul-Bangkok-KUL reroutes.

I wept like a baby on my first sight of the still-unattended-to mutilated bodies. The scent of the decays didnt bother me much as the shocks were unbearable. I told an Indonesian journalist who was with me from Baghdad, Petrus Suryadi that the massacres would remain a forever shame for the perpetrators. Suryadi, who is a Christian himself, agreed. (I wonder where he is now. He was with Kompas).

And until today, the whole world keeps silence on Sabra and Shatilla. I dont know why but they were very quick at blaming the Muslim terrorists in the Sept 11 attacks. Nothing has been done to prosecute the perpetrators before the international justice.

It was 28 years ago that I saw images of butchered Palestinians, piled up like sacks one over the other. I saw images of murdered men, women, children and elderly filling the streets. I saw women crying and shouting and cursing. I saw Sabra and Shatila. I think of their pain, their suffering and of their fear. I think of 62 years of murder, 62 years of terror and 62 years of Zionism occupying Palestine and threatening global peace.
It was in Sabra and Shatilla that I understood for the first time what it means to mourn, what it feels like to lose someone, how much it hurts to see someone lying in their blood, heard the stories of the their last minutes and listen to the screams of those who survived.
What can be said 28 years later? It is, after all, but an incident in the horrors of sixty years stretching from the middle of the 20th century into the second decade of the 21st. It is an icon of American and Israeli horror, a burial of thousands destroyed savagely and forgotten while a symphony of hypocrisy extolling our virtues buries the reality.

Those who died never existed, their sons and daughters never existed, their dreams and aspirations never existed, the fruit of their loins never blossomed to feel the heat of the sun, the coolness of the water, the fruit of the tree of life. We the indifferent cannot accept their existence nor recognize it lest we accept as well our guilt in their deaths

Returning to Sabra and Shatilla would be an act of retribution, an act that gives voice to the dead that suffered there, to accept responsibility for the horrors we allowed to happen there, to seek forgiveness of those who lost their lives there and cannot ever live those lives again nor see the sun rise or hear the baby’s cry or know the laughter of their children or weep at the loss of a mother or father … their voices have been silenced forever, yet they echo throughout the ages how vicious is the soul of humankind to remain silent and indifferent to their brothers and sisters in death...

also read Big Dog's piece here

Posted by bujai at 12:10 PM

http://justread-whatever.blogspot.com/2010/09/sept-17-remembering-sabra-and-shatilla.html

A Tragedy In Ramadhan

srizals@gmail.com

Muslims believed firmly in their hearts that all Satan and Demons are locked away by the angels in the holy month of Ramadhan. The human beings are free from these evil whisperers in the fasting month. This is to reveal the true nature of each individual Muslims about who they really are. If the fondness of evil still exist in their mind, body and soul, they would know for sure that it wasn't the devil that was whispering softly deep inside their hearts all this while. The 'devil' is actually none other but their own self. 

But in the last days of Ramadhan, right here in the lands of the Malay, a mystery that would lead to a gruesome discovery plagued the minds of the concerned, especially to those who were involved directly with the event. Four Malays, one of them a well known public figure, a tycoon of the cosmetic industry, had vanished into thin air at a time when every Muslims were looking forward of completing their test and celebrating Aidilfitri with their loved ones. 

Some were wondering who could have done such a vile thing in the holiest month for the Muslims and Syawal was just around the corner. The four Malays were believed to have been detained, tortured and beaten to death. They received no sympathy and mercy from their killers. They were left to bleed to death. I’m not sure whether the killers watched happily at them as they die or not. After they were dead, the tormentors were believed to have torched their corpses to ashes and scattered the remains in rivers to conceal their evil deeds. Now, one would notice a similar pattern in the event of this brutal crime with a common ritual of certain religion. But unlike Muslims that are so easily intertwined with terrorism and ‘barbarian’ rituals, some are so lucky that their behaviours and conducts would never jeopardise their faith and religion.

Their hideous ways won't be taken into account and be associated with their religion. Only Muslims are entitled to such special treatment. So the crimes committed by non-practising or confused Muslims would reflect Islam and all Muslims in general. One bad apple would be representing all the oranges, grapes and of course, the durians. A very simple concept of generalisation that would not have used a lot of neuron activity, but would triggered a widespread hate and discontent quite easily. Muslims would always be on the defensive side and would always be busy apologising for all the misunderstanders’ behaviours. Islam would always be in the bad light for the inappropriate behaviours of a small numbers of believers. The ‘why’ that drive them to misbehave themselves would of course be ignored completely as an irrelevant circumstances. The Palestinians, Iraqis and Afghans are all moronic Muslims. They can’t accept the fact that the American GIs and drones are there to help them and safeguard their country from a ghostly deadly threat.

I wonder if I should start counting all the hideous crimes committed by the non Malay entities here in the lands of the Malay, since their first presence brought in by the British until now. Would it be considered as a non-Islamophobic syndrome of denial or just purely racist?  

Now, for some highly civilised community of the world, justice means treating the criminals in a very humanistic way, unlike what he had done to his victims, in a very sadistic manner, unimaginable by the decent mind. You would puke your heart out if you had seen the crime scene or knew how they had victimised their victims. We on the other hand, must not treat those who had failed to treat their victims humanely; we would not want to be in the same shoes of these cruel barbarians. We are highly civilised and shall treat them in a much civilised manner. Only in the law of Islam, the family members and the victims (if they had survived their tormentors) have a say in the judgement of the ones that had taken their happiness, so harshly away from them. They have the power to forgive the criminals. The criminals would of course, cannot expect to be spared from the pain and suffering that they had inflicted unjustly and unnecessarily to their victims. The victims didn't deserve to be treated so cruelly by them. They had chosen the evil way and must accept the evil consequences of their evil action. They had all the better options at hand. It was their own greed and unwillingness to comply with goodness that had made them the evil they are.

The evil ones on the other hand deserved to taste the agony and pain they had inflicted so inconsiderately to their undeserving victims. They must go through the horrors of their victims and they must be made an example to would be killers and evil doers. The fear of punishments must be instilled in the hearts of the not so willingly abiding citizens. Have you seen the victims of an acid attack? The acid attackers would only loose some aspect of his freedom while his victims would be traumatised for the rest of their lives. They would be scarred and disfigured, some even lost their eye sight while their tormentors would only be smiling in their cells and read some newspaper to spend the time while waiting to be free. No one would be afraid of treating their brothers and sisters like garbage. They would not suffer the same fate of their victims so why worry?

May the victims be placed among the righteous and those who were forgiven by the Lord of the worlds. Rest in peace. Al Fatihah for the fallen.

http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Killedandburnt/Article/

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/9/13/nation/7025260&sec=nation

Ramadan Reflections from a Christian

By Tammy Obeidallah


As of this writing, the Islamic holy month of Ramadan is coming to a close. The past month has been a time of unprecedented turbulence for Muslims around the world. While both natural and man-made disasters plague our brothers and sisters overseas, media-fed controversy strains Muslim/non-Muslim relations here in the United States.

The unimaginable humanitarian catastrophe in the aftermath of the flooding in Pakistan has been compounded by evidence revealing India’s role in opening major dams along shared rivers. Such tactics are reminiscent of Israel’s opening of the al-Wadi dam which flooded parts of Gaza earlier this year; however due to the size and volume of the rivers, the suffering in Pakistan is much more widespread.

After rainfall subsided on July 29, the Baghliar Dam located in Indian-occupied Kashmir and the Sarobi Dam near Kabul and maintained by India, were opened, causing the rivers to overflow. To make matters worse, vitriolic comments began appearing on Western news websites covering the disaster. One example, forwarded to me by a colleague in Lahore:

“Lets hope more rains and floods kill more pakis soon!! pray to god for this that he brings more rain to kill more pakis!! lets hope the rain washed these samosa smelling bastards before they are sent to hells gates! a good paki is a dead paki!!”

Kashmir, long a prisoner of the Indian army, has been under curfew for a good portion of the month; praying at mosque has been a sporadic privilege for most Kashmiris. Funerals on the other hand, have been quite commonplace as youths protesting the injustices are gunned down. Images from Indian-occupied Kashmir mirror those of Israeli-occupied Palestine, where, despite the latest round of direct “peace talks,” it is business as usual.

While Abbas and Netanyahu posed for their American-orchestrated photo op, two Israeli soldiers who committed separate atrocities walked free: one who emptied his magazine into a Palestinian schoolgirl was acquitted and peace activist Tom Hurndall’s murderer was released from prison. The monotony of the siege on Gaza is broken only by periodic missile attacks from the Israeli Air Force as tunnels—Gaza’s precarious lifelines to the outside world—are destroyed. Yet the American news media has pursued only two stories for the sole purpose of stoking controversy and pitting non-Muslim against Muslim.

The “Ground Zero Mosque” as it has been inappropriately dubbed in the press, actually sits two blocks away and cannot be seen from the former site of the World Trade Center. What should have been an issue of a man’s right to do what he likes with his private property (within zoning constraints) has transformed into a clash of civilizations-style debate on religious freedom—or lack thereof—in the United States. In all fairness, since September 11, 2001 was the manufactured catalyst for the deaths, injuries, displacement and detainment of untold millions of Muslims worldwide, the “Ground Zero Mosque,” moreover, Ground Zero itself, should become home to a Muslim Holocaust Museum.

Due to Eid al-Fitr coinciding with the ninth anniversary of 9/11, many Muslim organizations are choosing to “tone down” or cancel their Eid celebrations altogether. I daresay this falls into one of two categories: fear of retaliation from those who listened to talk radio fascists circulating the myth that Muslims are celebrating 9/11 this year, or a sheepish appeal to the American population at large that says “we respect your sensitivities, please like us.”

Either way, I want to ask those organizations if Eid festivities were ever toned down to honor the Palestinian victims of the Black September massacres in 1970. Or to honor the one million Iraqis killed during and after the U.S. invasion? Were Eid festivities ever canceled when the holiday coincided with any one of the numerous massacres in Palestine? I would point out to them that Americans aren’t canceling any celebrations for 9/11. Here in Dayton, the Hispanic Heritage Festival will pause for a “September 11 Commemoration,” but the salsa music is set to resume shortly afterwards.

This is all well and good, as commemorating the anniversary of 9/11 should not be tied ceremonies at the pieces of ground in Lower Manhattan, Washington, D.C. or a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. It should not be about playing Taps or waving flags; citizens would do the greatest honor to the victims by pursuing the truth as to what really happened that day, demanding answers to the discrepancies, omissions and falsehoods put forth by the 9/11 Commission. Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel held a press conference regarding evidence of explosive material in Buildings 1, 2 and 7 of the WTC, although mainstream media was massed in Gainesville, Florida and missed it.

Although I hate to contribute to a publicity-hungry pastor’s fifteen minutes of fame, the irony of General Petraeus’ condemnation of “International Burn the Qur’an Day” merits a mention. This is the same guy who orders drone attacks destroying mosques, schools and homes in which Muslim men, women and children are incinerated, let alone copies of the Qur’an which they undoubtedly kept.

In the midst of anger and frustration at the ignorance festering within my own country, fasting throughout the month of Ramadan has increased my patience, self-discipline and inner peace. Friends and family wondered why a Christian would elect to partake in such a difficult fast, one that is not mandated by our religion. Some thought I had converted.

My reasons for fasting are simple: Jesus fasted; he also advised that some forms of healing only come with prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). I also wanted to be in solidarity with those facing hard times in Gaza, Pakistan and so many other places who may not get to break their fasts at sunset. I fasted to support my Muslim brothers and sisters here at home in a sometimes hostile society rife with hatred and misunderstanding. It is my sincere desire to reflect this newfound patience and peace to my community and to the rest of the world.


(c) 2010 Tammy Obeidallah

http://theuglytruth.wordpress.com/2010/09/11/ramadan-reflections-from-a-christian/

Why Do Priests & Preachers Enter ISLAM?

Why Do Priests & Preachers Enter ISLAM?

Yusuf Estes Islam Story

Many people ask me how a preacher or priest in Christianity can ever go to Islam, especially considering all the negative things that we hear about Islam and Muslims everyday. Some people are simply curious, while others take a profound exception to my "conversion" to Islam. Some have asked how I could have turned my back on Jesus, or if I truly understood the Holy Ghost and some even questioned whether or not I considered myself as "born again" or had ever really been saved at all. These are good questions to which I will offer answers to at the end of this writing. I would like to thank everyone for their interest and offer my humble story, God Willing.

One very nice Christian gentleman asked me in email why and how I left Christianity for Islam. This is more or less a copy of the letter I sent to him.

Introduction

My name is Yusuf Estes now, but in years past my friends used to call me Skip. I have preached Christianity and worked in the entertainment and music industry since I was a boy in the 1950's. My father and I have established music stores, TV and radio programs and outdoor entertainment for fun (and profit). I was a music minister and even used a pony ride and entertained the children as "Skippy the Clown."

Once, I have served as Delegate to the United Nations Peace Conference for Religious Leaders. Now I am a retired former Muslim Chaplain for United States Bureau of Prisons, Washington, DC. and I join alongside many American Muslims, working with Muslim student and youth organizations as well as schools for Muslim children. As such, I travel around the entire world lecturing and sharing the message of the Christ of the Quran in Islam. We hold dialogs and discussion groups with all faiths and enjoy the opportunity to work alongside rabbis, ministers, preachers and priests everywhere. Some of our work is in the institutional area, military, universities and prisons. Primarily our goal is to educate and communicate the correct message of Islam and who the Muslims really are. Although Islam has grown now to nearly tie Christianity as the largest of religions on earth, we see many of those who claim Islam as Muslims, that do not correctly understand nor properly represent the message of "Peace, Surrender and Obedience to God" [Arabic = 'Islam']

Dear me, I am afraid that I got a bit ahead of myself. I was trying to give a bit of background of our work perhaps to see if it would in anyway benefit those who may being going through what I experienced while trying to resolve some of the issues of Christianity.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How It Happened

This may seem quite strange, while we perhaps may share a few different perspectives and concepts of God, Jesus, prophethood, sin and salvation. But you see, at one time I was in the same boat as many folks are today. Really, I was. Let me explain.

Born A Strong Christian

I was born into a very strong Christian family in the Midwest. Our family and their ancestors not only built the churches and schools across this land, but actually were the same ones who came here in the first place. While I was still in elementary we relocated in Houston, Texas in 1949 "I'm old". We attended church regularly and I was baptized at the age of 12 in Pasadena, Texas. As a teenager, I wanted to visit other churches to learn more of their teachings and beliefs. The Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, Charismatic movements, Nazarene, Church of Christ, Church of God, Church of God in Christ, Full Gospel, Agape, Catholic, Presbyterian and many more. I developed quite a thirst for the "Gospel" or as we say; "Good News." My research into religion did not stop with Christianity. Not at all. Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Metaphysics, native American beliefs were all a part of my studies. Just about the only one that I did not look into seriously was "Islam". Why? Good question.


Music Minister

Anyway, I became very interested in different types of music, especially Gospel and Classical. Because my whole family was religious and musical it followed that I too would begin my studies in both areas. All this set me for the logical position of Music Minister in many of the churches that I became affiliated with over the years. I started teaching keyboard instruments in 1960 and by 1963 owned my own studios in Laurel, Maryland, called "Estes Music Studios."


Business Projects In Texas, Oklahoma and Florida

Over the next 30 years my father and I worked together in many business projects. We had entertainment programs, shows and attractions. We opened piano and organ stores all the way from Texas and Oklahoma to Florida. We had earned millions of dollars during those years, but could not find the peace of mind that can only come through knowing the truth and finding the real plan of salvation. I'm sure you have asked yourself the question; "Why did God create me?" or "What is it that God wants me to do?" or "Exactly who is God, anyway?" "Why do we believe in 'original sin?" and "Why would the sons of Adam be forced to accept his 'sins' and then as a result be punished forever." But if you asked anyone these questions, they would probably tell you that you have to believe without asking, or that it is a 'mystery' and you shouldn't ask - "Just have faith, brother."

Trinity Concept

Strangely enough, the word "Trinity" is not in the Bible. And it has been a concern for religious scholars as early as 200 years after Jesus was raised up by Almighty God. I would ask preachers or ministers to give me some sort of an idea how 'one' could figure out to become 'three' or how God Himself, Who can do anything He Wills to do, cannot just forgive people's sins, but rather and had to become a man, come down on earth, be a human, and then take on the sins of all people; keeping in mind that all along He is still God of the whole universe and does as He Wills to do, both in and outside of the universe as we know it. They never seemed to be able to come up with anything other than opinions or strange analogies.

Father - Ordained Non-Denominational Minister

My father was very active in supporting church work, especially church school programs. He became and ordained minister in the 1970s. He and his wife (my stepmother) knew many of the TV evangelists and preachers and even visited Oral Roberts and helped in the building of the "Prayer Tower" in Tulsa, OK. They also were strong supporters of Jimmy Swaggart, Jim and Tammy Fae Bakker, Jerry Fallwell, John Haggi and the biggest enemy to Islam in America, Pat Robertson.

Distributing "Praise" Tapes for Jesus

During the early 1980's my Dad and his wife worked together and were most active in recording "Praise" tapes and distributing them for free to people in retirement homes, hospitals and homes for the elderly. We were really "winning souls to the Lord - for Jesus" day after day.

Met A Man From Egypt

It was early in 1991 when my father began doing business with a man from Egypt and told me that he wanted me to meet him. This idea appealed to me when I thought about the idea of having an international flavor. You know, the pyramids, sphinx, Nile River and all that.

He Was A "Mozlem"

Hijackers; Kidnappers; Bombers, Terrorists - and who knows what else?
Then my father mentioned that this man was a 'Moslem.' First, I hated the idea of meeting an "infidel, hijacker, kidnapper, bomber, terrorist, non-believer." Any normal person would be repulsed at the idea. I couldn't believe my ears. A 'Moslem?' No way! I reminded my dad of the various different things that we had heard about these people.

Lies Against Muslims & Islam - They Told Us, Muslims:

They don't even believe in God
They worship a black box in the desert.
And They kiss the ground five times a day.
No Way! I Did Not Want to Meet Him!
I did not want to meet this 'Moslem' man. No way! My father insisted that I meet him and reassured me that he was a very nice person. This was too much for me. Especially since the evangelists that we used to travel around with all hated Muslims and Islam very much. They even said things that were not true to make people afraid of Islam. So, why would I want anything to do with these people?

Idea - "Change Him To Christian"

Then an idea came to me, "We can change this man to Christian." So, I gave in and agreed to the meeting. But on my terms.

Met Him With A Bible, Cross and Cap with "Jesus Is Lord!" on it.

I agreed to meet him on a Sunday after church so we would be all prayed up and in good standing with the Lord. I would be carrying my Bible under my arm as usual. I would have my big shiny cross dangling and I would have on my cap which says: "Jesus is Lord" right across the front. My wife and two young daughters came along and we were ready for our first encounter with the 'Moslems.'

Where Is He?

When I came into the shop and asked my father where the 'Moslem' was, he pointed and said: "He's right over there."
I was confused. That couldn't be the Moslem. No way.

Turban & Beard?

I'm looking for a huge man with flowing robes, a big turban on his head, a beard half way down his shirt and eyebrows that go all the way across his forehead with a sword or a bomb under his coat.

No Turban - No Beard - [No Hair at All!]

This man had no beard. In fact, he didn't even have any hair on his head at all. He was nearly bald. Best of all, he was very pleasant with a warm welcome and handshake. This didn't make sense. I thought they are terrorists and bombers. What is this all about?

He Needs Jesus

Never mind. I'll get right to work on this guy. He needs to be 'saved' in the 'Name of Jesus' and me and the Lord are going to do it.

Introduction & Interrogation

After a quick introduction, I asked him:

"Do you believe in God?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Good!)

Then I said:
"Do you believe in Adam and Eve?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Very Good!)

I said: "What about Abraham? You believe in him and how he tried to sacrifice his son for God?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Even better!)

Then I asked:
"What about Moses?"
"Ten Commandments?"
"Parting the Red Sea?"
Again he said:
"Yes." - (Better still!)

Then:
"What about the other prophets, David, Solomon and John the Baptist?"
He said:
"Yes." - (Great!)

I asked:
"Do you believe in the Bible?"
Again, he said:
"Yes." - (OK!)

So, now it was time for the big question:
"Do you believe in Jesus? That he was the Messiah (Christ) of God?"
Again the said:
"Yes." - (Fantastic!)

Well now - "This was going to be easier than I had thought."
He was just about ready to be baptized only he didn't know it.
And I was just the one to do it, too.

Shocking Knowledge - Muslims Believe in the Bible?

One day in the Spring of 1991, I came to know that the Muslims believed in the Bible. I was shocked. How could this be? But that's not all, they believe in Jesus as:

* A true messenger of God;
* Prophet of God;
* Miracle birth without human intervention;
* He was the 'Christ' or Messiah as predicted in the Bible;
* He is with God now and most important;
* He will be coming back in the Last Days to lead the believers against the 'Antichrist.'

After "winning souls to the Lord for Jesus" day after day, this would be a big achievement for me, to catch one of these 'Moslems' and 'convert' him to Christianity.

Cup of Tea - Discuss Beliefs

I asked him if he liked tea and he said he did. So off we went to a little shop in the mall to sit and talk about my favorite subject: Beliefs. While we sat in that little coffee shop for hours talking (I did most of the talking) I came to know that he was very nice, quiet and even a bit shy. He listened attentively to every word that I had to say and did not interrupt even one time. I liked this man's way and thought that he had definite potential to become a good Christian. - Little did I know the course of events about to unravel in front of my eyes.

Agreed to Do Business

First of all, I agreed with my father that we should do business with this man and even encouraged the idea of him traveling along with me on my business trips across the northern part of Texas. Day after day we would ride together and discuss various issues pertaining to different beliefs that people have. And along the way, I could of course interject some of my favorite radio programs of worship and praise to help bring the message to this poor individual. We talked about the concept of God; the meaning of life; the purpose of creation; the prophets and their mission and how God reveals His Will to mankind. We also shared a lot of personal experiences and ideas as well.

Moved to Our Home

One day I came to know that my friend Mohamed was going to move out of the home he have been sharing with a friend of his and was going to be living in the mosque for a time. I went to my dad and asked him if we could invite Mohamed to come out to our big home in the country and stay there with us. After all, he could share some of the work and some expenses and he would be right there when we were ready to go to out traveling around. My father agreed and Mohamed moved in.

Continued Ministry & Preaching

Of course I still would find time to visit my fellow preachers and evangelists around the state of Texas. One of them lived on the Texas -- Mexico border and another lived near lived Oklahoma border. One preacher liked to a huge wooden cross that was bigger than a car. He would carry it over his shoulder and drag the bottom on the ground and go down the road or freeway hauling these two beams formed in the shape of a cross. People would stop their cars and come over to him and ask him what was going on and he would give them pamphlets and booklets on Christianity.

Preacher Has Heart Attack

One day my friend with the cross had a heart attack and had to go to the Veterans Hospital where he stayed for quite a long while. I used to visit him in the hospital several times a week and I would take Mohamed with me with the hopes that we could all share together in the subject of beliefs and religions. My friend was not very impressed and it was obvious that he did not want to know anything about Islam. Then one day a man who was sharing the room with my friend came rolling into the room in his wheelchair. I went to him and asked him his name and he said that it didn't matter and when I asked him where he was from he said he was from the planet Jupiter. I thought about what he said and then began to wonder if I was in the cardiac ward or the mental ward.

Man in Wheelchair - Needed the Lord

I knew the man was lonely and depressed and needed someone in his life. So, I began to 'witness' to him about the Lord. I read to him out of the book of Jonah in the Old Testament. I shared the story of the prophet Jonah who had been sent by the Lord to call his people to the correct way. Jonah had left his people and escaped by boat to leave his city and head out to sea. A storm came up and the ship almost capsized and the people on board threw Jonah over the side of the ship. A whale came up to the surface and grabbed Jonah, swallowed him and then went down to the bottom of the sea, where he stayed for 3 days and 3 nights. Yet because of God's Mercy, He caused the whale to rise to the surface and then spit Jonah out to return back home safely to his city of Nineveh. And the idea was that we can't really run away from our problems because we always know what we have done. And what is more, God also always knows what we have done.

Catholic Priest

After sharing this story with the man in the wheel chair, he looked up and me and apologized. He told me he was sorry for his rude behavior and that he had experienced some real serious problems recently. Then he said that he wanted to confess something to me. And I said that I was not a Catholic priest and I don't handle confessions. He replied back to me that he knew that. In fact, he said: "I am a Catholic priest."
I was shocked. Here I had been trying to preach Christianity to a priest. What in the world was happening here?

Priest in Latin America

The priest began to share his story of being a missionary for the church for over 12 years to south and Central America and Mexico and even in New York's 'Hell's Kitchen.' When he was released from the hospital he needed a place to go to recover and rather than let him go to stay with a Catholic family, I told my dad that we should invite him to come out and live with us in the country along with our families and Mohamed. It was agreed by all that he would so, he moved out right away.

Priests Must Study ISLAM? - YES!

During the trip out to our home, I talked with the priest about some of the concepts of beliefs in Islam and to my surprise he agreed and then shared even more about this with me. I was shocked when he told me that Catholic priests actually study Islam and some even carry doctors degrees in this subject. This was all very enlightening to me. But there was still a lot more to come.

Different Versions of the Bible

After settling in, we all began to gather around the kitchen table after dinner every night to discuss religion. My father would bring his King James Version of the Bible, I would bring out my Revised Standard Version of the Bible, my wife had another version of the Bible (maybe something like Jimmy Swaggart's 'Good News For Modern Man." The priest of course, had the Catholic Bible which has 7 more books in it that the Protestant Bible. So we spent more time talking about which Bible was the right one or the most correct one, than we did trying to convince Mohamed about becoming a Christian.

Quran Has Only ONE Version - In Arabic - And Still Exists

At one point I recall asking him about the Quran and how many versions of it there were in the last 1,400 years. He told me that there was only ONE QURAN. And that it had never been changed. Yet he let me know that the Quran had been memorized by hundreds of thousands of people, in it's entirety and were scattered about the earth in many different countries. Over the centuries since the Quran was revealed millions have memorized it completely and have taught it to others who have memorized it completely, from cover to cover, letter perfect without mistakes. Today, over 9 million Muslims have memorized the entire Quran from cover to cover.

How Could This Be?

This did not seem possible to me. After all, the original languages of the Bible have all been dead languages for centuries and the documents themselves have been lost in their originals for hundreds and thousands of years. So, how could it be that something like this could be so easy to preserve and to recite from cover to cover.

Priest Goes to the Mosque

Anyway, one day the priest asked the Mohamed if he might accompany him to the mosque to see what it was like there. They came back talking about their experience there and we could not wait to ask the priest what it was like and what all types of ceremonies they performed. He said they didn't really 'do' anything. They just came and prayed and left. I said: "They left? Without any speeches or singing?" He said that was right.

Priest Enters Islam!

A few more days went by and the Catholic priest asked Mohamed if he might join him again for a trip to the mosque which they did. But this time it was different. They did not come back for a very long time. It became dark and we worried that something might have happened to them. Finally they arrived and when they came in the door I immediately recognized Mohamed, but who was this alongside of him? Someone wearing a white robe and a white cap. Hold on a minute! It was the priest. I said to him: "Pete? -- Did you become a 'Moslem?'
He said that he had entered into Islam that very day. THE PRIEST BECAME A MUSLIM!! What next? (You'll see).

My Wife Announces Her Islam!

So, I went upstairs to think things over a bit and began to talk to my wife about the whole subject. She then told me that she too was going to enter into Islam, because she knew it was the truth.

Shocked!

I was really shocked now. I went downstairs and woke up Mohamed and asked him to come outside with me for a discussion. We walked and talked that whole night through.

Truth Had Come!

By the time he was ready to pray Fajr (the morning prayer of the Muslims) I knew that the truth had come at last and now it was up to me to do my part. I went out back behind my father's house and found an old piece of plywood lying under an overhang and right there I put my head down on the ground facing the direction that the Muslims pray five times a day.

Guide Me! O God! Guide Me!

Now then in that position, with my body stretched out on the plywood and my head on the ground, I asked: "O God. If you are there, guide me, guide me."

Sign Inside of Me

And then after a while I raised up my head and I noticed something. No, I didn't see birds or angels coming out of the sky nor did I hear voices or music, nor did I see bright lights and flashes. What I did notice was a change inside of me. I was aware now more than ever before that it was time for me to stop any lying and doing anything sneaky. It was time that I really work at being an honest and upright man. I knew now what I had to do.

Wash Away the "OLD"

So I went upstairs and took a shower with the distinct idea that I was 'washing' away the sinful old person that I had become over the years. And I was now coming into a new, fresh life. A life based on truth and proof.

- And Become New!

Around 11:00 A.M. that morning, I stood before two witnesses, one the ex-priest, formerly known as Father Peter Jacob's, and the other Mohamed Abel Rehman and announced my 'shahadah' (open testimony to the Oneness of God and the prophethood of Muhammad, peace be upon him).

"I bear witness, there is no deity to worship, except Almighty Allah, alone and He has no partners and I bear witness that Mohammad is His messenger and servant."

My Wife Was Next

A few minutes later, my wife follow along and gave the same testimony. But hers was in front of 3 witnesses (me being the third).

Then My Father

My father was a bit more reserved on the subject and waited a few more months before he made his shahadah (public testimony). But he did finally commit to Islam and began offering prayers right along with me and the other Muslims in the local masjid (mosque).

Children Too!

The children were taken out of the Christian school and placed in Muslim schools. And now ten years later, they are memorizing much of the Quran and the teachings of Islam.

Father's Wife (Stepmother) Next

My father's wife finally acknowledged, before she died, that Jesus could not be a son of God and that he must have been a mighty prophet of God, but not God. She passed away within a few months of this statement at age 86. May Allah accept her statement of faith, ameen.

Houseful of New Muslims - What's Next?

Now stop and think. A whole entire household of people from varying backgrounds and ethnic groups coming together in truth to learn how to know and worship the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe. Think. A Catholic priest; a minister of music and preacher of the Gospel; an ordained minister and builder of Christian schools; and the children, even a great-grandmother - they all come into Islam!

His Mercy and Guidance

Only by His Mercy were we all guided to see the real truth of Islam, by removing the coverings over our ears and the blinders on our eyes, no longer having seals over our hearts - He was Guiding us now.

Amazing Story - Family and Friends Entering Islam - From One Man

If I were to stop right here, I'm sure that you would have to admit that at least, this is an amazing story, right? After all, three religious leaders of three separate denominations all going into one very opposite belief at the same time and then soon after the rest of the household.

More? - Yes! Baptist Seminary Student Reads Quran - Accepts Islam

But that is not all. There is more! The same year, while I was in Grand Prairie, Texas (near Dallas) I met a Baptist seminary student from Tennessee named Joe, who also came to Islam after reading the Holy Quran while in BAPTIST SEMINARY COLLEGE!


More? Yes. Catholic Priest Loves Islam - But Needs His Job!

There are others as well. I recall the case of the Catholic priest in a college town who talked about the good things in Islam so much that I was forced to ask him why he didn't enter Islam. He replied: "What? And loose my job?" - His name is Father John and we still pray for Allah to Guide Him.

Another Catholic Priest Makes Shahadah

The very next year I met a former Catholic priest who had been a missionary for 8 years in Africa. He learned about Islam while he was there and entered into Islam. He then changed his name to Omar and moved to Dallas Texas.

Any more? Again - Yes! Orthodox Arch Bishop leaves church for Islam

Two years later, while in San Antonio, Texas I was introduced to a former Arch Bishop of the Orthodox Church of Russia who learned about Islam and gave up his position to enter Islam.

Daughter of Hindu Pundit (Religious Leader) - Accepts Islam - Helping thousands to Islam

I met a woman in New York who wanted to make our CDs about "What Is Islam?" After giving her permission several years ago, I have learned she has produced and distributed over 600 thousand of these to the non-Muslims in America. May Allah reward her and keep her strong in her efforts, ameen.

Hundreds - Thousands - Still Coming

And since my own entrance into Islam and becoming a chaplain to the Muslims throughout the country and around the world, I have encountered many more individuals who were leaders, teachers and scholars in other religions who learned about Islam and entered into it. They came from Hindus, Jews, Catholics, Protestants, Jehovah's Witnesses, Greek and Russian Orthodox, Coptic Christians from Egypt, non-denominational churches and even scientists who had been atheists.

Why? Good question.

The combination always seems to be the same; people are sincerely seeking the truth and are willing to put their different prejudices and biases out of their minds and begin to ask God for His Guidance in their lives.

So, now you have the introduction to the story of my coming into Islam and becoming Muslim. There is more on the Internet about this story and there are more pictures there as well. Please take the time to visit it and then please take the time to email me and let us come together to share in all truths based on proofs for understanding our origins and our purpose and goals in this life and the Next Life.



9 Steps to Purify the Heart

May I suggest to the seeker of truth do the following NINE STEPS to purification of the heart?

Clean - your mind, your heart & soul - remove all prejudices & biases.
Thank God - for what you have - every moment of every day.
Read - a good translation of the meaning of the Holy Quran in a language that they can understand best. (http://islamtomorrow.com/downloads/)
Reflect on the meanings & consider the bounties of your Lord.
Seek - Forgiveness From God & Learn to Forgive others.
Ask - in your heart for Guidance from Above.
Open - your heart and mind.
Continue - to do this up for a few months. And be regular in it.
Avoid - the poison of evil while your heart is opening for the "rebirth of your soul."
Remember: Clean; Thank; Read; Reflect - then:
"Seek, and ye shall find. Ask, and it shall be given thee. Knock, and it shall be opened."
Then: Continue & Avoid

The rest is between you and the Almighty Lord of the Universe. If you truly love Him, then He already Knows it and He will deal with each of us according to our hearts.


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ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS

Now as I promised here are the answers to the questions many have asked me connected with my choice of Islam:

1. "How could you have turned your back on the perfect plan of salvation of Jesus Christ on the cross for you sins?"

Answer: Your question implies you have not considered the similarities and teachings of the Bible and the Quran.

"ISLAM" means - "Surrender, submit and obey your Lord in sincerity and peace." Whoever is trying to do this, is a "MUSLIM." If someone believes in Almighty God as One God and One Lord and wants to commit their life to serving Him and obeying His Commandments, then that person will be in the right way and they will be "saved" according to God's Mercy. No one can take the sins of another and the guilty must stand accused for what they have done. It will be up to Almighty God to Forgive or Punish according to His Judgment on that Day.

According to the remains of the translations of the Bible [see: "Bible, A Closer Look"] Jesus, peace be upon him, did not preach a message of salvation by worshipping him. This was something added later by Saul (who later became Paul). We find clear statements indicating salvation would come only through acknowledging Almighty God as One God and worshipping Him with all the heart, mind and strength. Jesus, peace be upon him, taught his followers to worship "My God and your God, My Lord and your Lord."

Again, according to the remains of the English translation of the Bible, we see the one on the cross crying out a very blasphemous statement, "Eli! Eli! Lama sabachthani?" (Which being translated means, "My God! My God! Why have you forsaken me?") This statement on the cross clearly indicates the one on the cross is not pleased with the situation nor does he consider it right or just. Therefore, one would have to conclude this was not something Jesus approved of nor did he accept, or else someone else was on the cross in his place. Either way you look at it, the one on the cross did not accept this as a plan of salvation.

The Quran is absolutely in agreement with these teachings and Muslims do worship the same God and Lord of Jesus, Moses, Abraham and Adam, peace be upon them all. The Quran states in many places, no one will be taken to task for the sins of another, nor can anyone carry the burden of another. We will all be on our own on that Day. And I ask Allah to have Mercy and Forgiveness for all those who believe in Him, ameen.

I consider that I have not left the teachings of Jesus Christ, peace be upon him. On the contrary, I feel much closer to Jesus, peace be upon him, and I look forward to His return on earth more than ever before. Now I am worshipping the same God he worships and I serve the same Lord he serves, in the very same way he does. Jesus prayed to Almighty God and taught his followers to do the same. I am simply doing what he commanded to the best of my ability and ask Almighty God to accept it.

2. "Do you consider you were really "saved" and that you had in fact, been "born again?"

Answer: The Baptists have a statement, "Once saved, always saved." I asked one of them about this and he agreed it was true. Then I mentioned at one time I had become a Baptist (in my teen years) but now I was a Muslim. I had also been "saved" and baptized at the age of 12. I had accepted the very statement of Jesus being the way, the light and the truth and no man coming on to the Father except by him. I understood these statements to mean I must follow Jesus and his teachings. Therefore, I read the Bible for myself and did not let others tell me what to think about what I was reading.

The Bible states that Jesus prayed for salvation for himself in the garden of Gethsemane in this way, "Let this cup pass from me, even so, Thy Will be done." This prayer was repeated by Jesus, peace be upon him, a number of times and it is mentioned in more than one Gospel. Yet, according to Biblical accounts, the cup did not pass from him and his prayers were NOT ANSWERED. Islam teaches us his prayers were answered and he did not have to endure the cruel treatment and death on the cross, but rather he was taken up while still alive and is with Almighty God even now and ready to return in the Last Days to bring victory to the believers.

Additionally, we find Jesus, peace be upon him, teaching his disciples to pray like this, "Our Father in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy Kingdom come, Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from all evil. For Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and Glory, forever and ever, ameen." Every Muslim I have met accepts every single word of this pray with the exception of calling "Allah" our "Father." Muslims consider it better to call on Almighty God by His Names, which we do consider to be "Hallowed."

3. "How did your family respond to your conversion?"

Answer: This is always difficult for families to adjust to and it usually takes time. My family was no exception. Although my wife, children entered into Islam and eventually my father came to declare Islam to be the way of salvation for himself, still my own mother and many others in my family resented our going to Islam at first. Eventually, things became more normalized and we do stay in touch, although they are all still very much involved in Christianity.

Allah promises to test those who declare their faith in Him with many types of difficulties and family is one of those mentioned as a test in the Quran. I do pray for them and ask Allah to guide them to the very best in this life and the very best in the Next Life. But it is up to Allah if He wants them to be in Submission to Him (Islam means, submission to Allah) or not.

4. "How about your congregation? What did they say?"

Answer: I never had my own church. I was a music minister in the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana branch) in Texas and did my preaching to businessmen and informal gatherings. Those who knew me for the most part did not object and some even came to Islam, but there were a few who felt very upset and accused me of "Turing my back on Jesus, peace be upon him." No matter what I tried to say or do, these particular individuals would not listen nor did they want to learn anything about Islam.

5. "Did you experience a lot of difficulties in changing religions?"

Answer: Certainly anyone who wants to consider Islam in these times, just as in times gone by, will have to recognize there will be certain difficulties and tests along the way. The followers of Jesus, peace be upon him, were highly criticized and persecuted even until death (read what Paul said he used to do to them in the Bible; Book of Acts of the Apostles). Those who followed Muhammad, peace be upon him, suffered at the hands of their very own tribes, yet they were determined to continue to worship Almighty God Alone, without partners and submit to His Will.

The biggest problem with non-Muslims, is their lack of understanding and lack of knowledge as to what Islam is really all about and who the Muslims are supposed to be. I pray for them all and ask Allah to forgive the Muslims for not showing a better picture to everyone.

6. "Who was responsible for converting you?"

Answer: As Muslims we believe that it is only Allah who guides the people and whoever He guides will not be misguided and whomever He lets go astray none will be able to guide them. As such, it means we don't believe anyone really can "convert" someone else.

Also, we accept that all children are born in the natural state of submission to Almighty God and as such that means they are Muslims. Should a child die he or she would go to Heaven as they are not responsible for what they do not understand.

7. "Don't you ever think about coming back to being a Christian?"

Answer: "Christian" indicates a follower of Christ. When Jesus, peace be upon him, returns to earth in the Last Days, all the Muslims will be obliged to follow him. But we would not call ourselves "Christians" anymore than he would. He never called himself or his companions "Christians." The Bible tells us they were never even called "Christians" until Paul was preaching his message in Antioch.

8. "Doesn't it bother you to have left the way of peace, justice and love for a religion of hatred, violence and oppression toward women and others?"

Answer: All the prophets, peace be upon them all, called the people to worship Almighty God as One God and One Lord. As such, those who did not want to submit to Almighty God would combat them and treat them with hostilities, even unto death, as Paul had done while still being a Pharisee. The prophets, peace be upon them all, did encourage their followers to live in peace and deal with people in justice and certainly love is the highest form of emotion a human can have for another human being.

Yet at the same time, believers have to defend themselves, their families and the religion itself, lest those who are not believers should remove belief from the very face of the earth. Islam, like Christianity preaches a message of peace and tolerance - to a point. But when this is no longer possible without totally compromising and loosing one's way of life and belief system, then there is no alternative except to engage in open combat against those who are combating against the believers.

Jesus called upon his followers to sell their coats and buy swords. He explained that he did not come with peace, but rather a sword. He and his companions were engaged in mortal combat with their enemies, the Pharisees when one of the priests slaves had his ear cut by the sword. Jesus then told them to put down their swords. This is mentioned in the Bible.

The word "sword" appears over 200 times in the Bible - but even though the Arabic language has more than a dozen words for sword, there is not a single occurrence of any of these words anywhere in the Quran.

Combat is ordered in the Quran, only under very specific and limited conditions and it is nothing more than what we would today call "The War on Terrorism." Fighting against all acts of organized aggression, oppression, persecution and terrorism is an obligation on all believers. But it certainly has limits and women, children, elderly and any innocents are not to killed or injured during such occasions. Treatment of prisoners is not to be humiliating or torture of any kind. Even the dead of the enemy are to be buried with dignity and respect.


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Now since writing my story and publishing here on the internet many other websites have picked up this story and it had become a famous example of how "Priest and Preachers Are Coming to Islam."

Again, I thank you for visiting. And I thank our Christian friend for his email. If he hadn't sent it, I probably would still not have completed this task of putting down the story once and for all of how my family, friends and myself all came to Islam.

Please feel free to share this story with others. You should print it out and make copies for everyone. Give them our links, add our story to your website or blog page, and send out emails to everyone you know. Maybe it could make a difference for others like us, God Willing.

May Allah guide you on your journey to all truth. Ameen. And May He open your heart and your mind to the reality of this world and the purpose of this life, ameen.

Peace to you and Guidance from Allah the One Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of all that exists.
Your friend,

Yusuf Estes
Chaplain Yusuf Estes

 http://en.wathakker.net/articles/view.php?id=83

Welcome to The Black Parade

By My Chemical Romance


When I was a young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.

He said,
"Son when you grow up,
would you be the saviour of the broken,
the beaten and the damned?"

He said,
"Will you defeat them,
your demons, and all the non-believers,
the plans that they have made?"
"Because one day I'll leave you,
A phantom to lead you in the summer,
To join The Black Parade."

When I was a young boy,
My father took me into the city
To see a marching band.
He said,
"Son when you grow up,
would you be the saviour of the broken,
the beaten and the damned?"

Sometimes I get the feeling she's watching over me.
And other times I feel like I should go.
And through it all, the rise and fall, the bodies in the streets.
And when you're gone we want you all to know.

We'll carry on,
We'll carry on
And though you're dead and gone believe me
Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And in my heart I can't contain it
The anthem won't explain it.

A world that sends you reeling from decimated dreams
Your misery and hate will kill us all.

So paint it black and take it back
Let's shout it loud and clear
Defiant to the end we hear the call

To carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're dead and gone believe me
Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated
Your weary widow marches

On and on we carry through the fears
Ooh oh ohhhh
Disappointed faces of your peers
Ooh oh ohhhh
Take a look at me cause I could not care at all

Do or die, you'll never make me
Because the world will never take my heart
Go and try, you'll never break me
We want it all, we wanna play this part
I won't explain or say I'm sorry

I'm unashamed, I'm gonna show my scar
Give a cheer for all the broken
Listen here, because it's who we are
I'm just a man, I'm not a hero
Just a boy, who had to sing this song
I'm just a man, I'm not a hero
I! don't! care!

We'll carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're dead and gone believe me
Your memory will carry on
We'll carry on
And though you're broken and defeated
Your weary widow marches on

Do or die, you'll never make me
Because the world will never take my heart
Go and try, you'll never break me
We want it all, we wanna play this part (We'll carry on)

Do or die, you'll never make me (We'll carry on)
Because the world will never take my heart (We'll carry on)
Go and try, you'll never break me (We'll carry)
We want it all, we wanna play this part (We'll carry on)

The End of Ramadhan 1431/2010

srizals@gmail.com


Exactly at 7.11 p.m. a few hours from now, Ramadhan would leave us in the lands of the Malay and 1st Syawal will come with a new day. Hopefully with a new us. A new man and woman. A better, stronger person than we are previously before Ramadhan. A Muslim cannot afford to stay exactly the same throughout his life, nor should he become worse or lesser than what he was before. Being one of the dynamic creature, may be the most dynamic being on earth, he can't risk of being stagnant. May Allah accept all our good deeds in this Ramadhan. May we will never forget what this Ramadhan has thought us about ourselves.

I would like to wish all my Muslim reader, may this Syawal marks the end of our dark side or whatever remnants that is left of it and marks the beginning of being a full Muslim, 100% compliance. Amin, Amin Ya Rabbal a'lamin. May we have learnt our lesson. The world is like a drop of sea water. Keep on drinking it, and it only makes us thirstier and eventually weakened our inner strength and concealed our true potential.

Salam Syawal and farewell O dear Ramadhan, a friend to the good side of us and a foe to the dark side of us. May our good side will always triumph against our dark side of self. Only then we can be whole. All this while we thought Satan is the only evil that we must fought; we have forgotten the dark nature of man, so proud and snobbish, always in denial of what is right and the better options at hand. It was us all along. The evil that exist in the creature that is between the level of the angels and the beast. Only our true sincere faith in Allah, that could withstand all the temptation, fear, pain and agony in this life, not just mere blind faith without knowledge, would help us through in wading all the lies n hate thrown at us by our enemies that had failed to see, that we are just like them, their brothers and sisters, descendents of Adam and Eve. The same lineage, the brothers and sisters of humanity that has no ill intentions towards them, no matter how cruel and rude they have treated us. May Allah shower us with patience and endurance. Amin. Let's fill this night of 1st Syawal with prayers, zikr and supplication to the One true God, since the creation of time to the end of it. No matter how hard and clever all the mortals have tried and done to defy Him. His light of truth lives on, and will live on until the end of days of this universe.

For all the true fallen warriors of Allah, no matter what the enemies did to your corpses to insult you, they hurt not you, for you are the ones that got to live side by side with Allah, deep in His blessings and mercy. They have managed to only destroy your corpses. They have failed to destroy your spirit and bravery.

Your bravery O fallen holy warriors of Allah, in the face of mightier adversaries than you are, will always inspire us until we have fulfilled our own vows to Allah, either in the battlefield of the minds or the actual battlefield against the heartless hi-tech monsters. Your fearless ways will not be forgotten in defending your homeland and people from overwhelming tyranny, as always. Enjoy the eternal life that you have been blessed with. Pray for us O brave martyrs. Pray for us that have to suffer the likes of them who have so cowardly slain thee. How ugly they are. How ugly indeed.

http://wakeupfromyourslumber.blogspot.com/2010/09/sabbatean-media-es-fan-flames-of-war.html
http://dissidentvoice.org/2010/04/us-committed-atrocities-in-afghanistan/
http://dissidentvoice.org/2010/07/war-in-afghanistan-illegal-untenable-and-unwinnable/
http://dissidentvoice.org/2009/12/afghanistan-its-not-a-just-war/
http://dissidentvoice.org/2010/09/beyond-hiroshima-the-non-reporting-of-fallujahs-cancer-catastrophe/

Honesty

srizals@gmail.com

Assalamualaikum and a very good morning to all of you, my friends and to all the teachers here. You’re the reason of why we, the pupils of our great nation are here today, for a very important event of enrichment and the betterment of our language proficiency in English.

Honesty,

How honest are we, ladies and gentlemen?
It’s hard to say how honest a person truly is actually. It all depends on his own perception of what he is. Sometimes in life, when things started to fall apart or when we are pushed to the limits, honesty can really save the day or be crushed by one’s greed to save his own skin.

When we are sitting for an examination for example, when we are caught up with the questions, aren’t we tempted to cheat just a little bit to squeeze ourselves to excellent and to excel above the expectation of others?

Aren’t we tempted to lie when it is our only way out of a problem caused by our own negligence and bad judgments?

How honest can we be when we can see all around us, people that chose to be dishonest seems to be doing rather well actually?

Today ladies and gentlemen, I’m going to talk about honesty.
The seven letter word that we tend to forget in going through our demanding and competing modern way of life nowadays. The virtue that we kept on sacrificing for the sake of our own ego, our own fear of being modest and doing our job, our roles according to the book, to the rules that seem inapplicable to us.

Throughout the history of man, honesty kept on appearing in his conflicts, his achievements and even in his failures. Man, through time and time has been tested to the limit of his own self in this test we called life.

A great leader cannot be great, unless he is an honest leader first.
In our own country, we have witnessed men with power, with influence; with great responsibilities have failed again and again when they have failed to be honest with themselves and to the people that trust in them. Millions of ringgit had been lost, companies crumbled, lives shattered and love humiliated because of their greed for power, desire and wealth that exceed beyond the honesty to the people, the society, the country, the religion and even God. The very existence that makes us man.

Closely related to us, when some of our computer labs for schools throughout Malaysia had failed to be completed on schedule or failed to be utilised because of dishonest contractors, who were supposed to build them in the best quality and in the frame of time that they had been paid for.

What more do we have when we have lost our own honesty to ourselves? Imagine the chaos that would occur when honesty no longer plays an important role in our lives.

Policemen tempted to take bribes, criminals have all their ways. Pupils, students, all cheat in their tests and examinations. Everyone is not doing their jobs as they should be. Can you just imagine the effect it would have on our civilisation, on our country and to all that we have loved and cherished in our lives?

Imagine when a child, who was asked by his parents about his homework, whether he had done his homework, lied in order to play with his friends or watch his favourite television shows. What if he started to learn and realise that he can be dishonest and get away with it. Would he grow up to be an honest and responsible adult?

When we submit ourselves during our pray, do we really submitting ourselves to the Divine or we just pretend because we want recognition and respect from earthly being?

When we are fulfilling our responsibilities, would we be doing it to its fullest extent, giving our best if there isn’t anyone watching us, especially our teacher or our boss?

When our mother asked us to look after our younger brother or sister, would we honestly watched over them or just carry on doing what we are doing and hope nothing bad would happened?

When we found some valuables or money, what would we do?
Would we surrender it to the authority or do we surrender to our lust and greed?

These are the questions that would linger on and on as we go through our lives.

God had said in surah Al-Mulk, He had not created death and life but to reveal who among us that have done a better deed.

My friends,

It pays to be honest.
Don’t be afraid to loose a little in our journey of life.
Honesty would help us to discipline ourselves, in our studies and even in our work.
We would be driven by honesty to do our homework,
even though our parents are not monitoring us.
We would behave ourselves
even though when there are no teachers or prefects around.
We would not be tempted to vandalise public properties such as telephone booth or public toilets just for the fun of it.
And hopefully in the future, when we have become adults, we would grow up to be honest adults, adults that performed their work and responsibilities with effort and care, doing all the best they can to achieve greatness in their fields, so that there can be a brighter tomorrow for all of us.

I would like to end my speech with this poem.

Where are you honesty?
In the darkness of greed
In the ocean of lust
And the wave of Cheat

Where are you sweet honesty?
When I face my challenges
And responsibilities
Help me O dear honesty
Help me to see the true real me

Thank you very much for lending me your ears.

==++==

One of the speeches presented by one of my 12-year-old pupil in a public speaking competition. One of them made it to the national level which was held in Kuching, Sarawak a long time ago. It was the proudest moment in my life.

At that time, the national issue was problematic computer laboratories. At that time, the government was introducing IT in schools throughout Malaysia. But there was a hick up. A quite number of the laboratories were not up to the standard and one or two if I recalled correctly even had their roof collapsed. Luckily no one was injured at that time.

The culprits? Well, it was the contractors of course. Greedy and being consumed by it, getting the contracts but selling them to sub-contractors to finish the job. And so, the sub-contractors had to sacrifice the quality of the materials used in order to gain enough profits for themselves. Some were said to even resemble the multi level marketing, in a downward direction which made the lowest hierarchy profiting almost dirt. Those who were supposed to supervise the work quality as always, were either too busy to care and do their job as they should be or the fish is fishier than we think they are. But it was a long time ago. My memory is quite hazy and I could be wrong.

But it is now history. Hopefully, the Malaysians had learnt their mistakes. Hopefully. If not, we are going to keep on losing millions and billions every now and then and the average Joes like me have to save and live properly on a tight budget in order to compensate the losses made by the blunder of the rich and famous. As always.

Ramadhan Bulan Berkat

By Hijjaz

Bulan Ramadhan bulan yang berkat
Bulan rahmat dan bulan utama
Pahala digandakan, doa diterima
Bulan Lailatul Qadar yang istimewa

The month of Ramadhan, the month of blessings
The month of mercy, the most important month of all
All the good deeds are doubled, supplication accepted
The month of Lailatul Qadar, the one special night

Isilah bulan ini, banyakkan amalan
Beribadah malam, siang berpuasa
Banyakkanlah sedekah jangan dikira
Moga ia menjadi penebus dosa

Fill up the month, let's thrive in doing good
Praying at night, fasting during the day
Give alms, do not hesitate
May it be a reason to purge all our sins

Membaca Al-Quran jangan dilupakan
Zikir dan Tasbih elok disertakan
Meriahkan Ramadhan dengan bermacam cara
Agar Ramadhan tidak sia-sia…

Don't forget to recite the Koran
Zikr and Tasbih should go hand in hand
Let's celebrate Ramadhan in various ways
So that Ramadhan won't leave us in vain..

Bulan Ramadhan bulan yang berkat
Bulan rahmat dan bulan utama
Pahala digandakan, doa diterima
Bulan Lailatul Qadar yang istimewa

The month of Ramadhan, the month of blessings
The month of mercy, the most important month of all
All the good deeds are doubled, supplication accepted
The month of Lailatul Qadar, the one special night

Hindarkanlah dosa di setiap anggota
Kalau boleh dosa hati jua

Avoid all sins at each part of the body
If possible, even the sins of the heart

Kerna dosa itu merosakkan pahala
Agar kita tidak mensiakan Ramadhan

For sins would only ruin all the good deeds we've done
So that we won't let Ramadhan passed us by in vain

Isilah Ramadhan dengan sebaiknya
Kerna ia datang setahun sekali

Fill up Ramadhan as best as we can
For it only comes once in a year

Tahun hadapan belum tentu jumpa
Kerna kita mati bila-bila masa

Who knows we may not meet with it again next year
For death comes to us all unknowingly

Tajuk Nasyid : Ramadhan Bulan Berkat
Artis : Hijjaz

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBy91Y6n-X8

A Discourse: The Verse of The Sword?

Name of Questioner Yasin - Turkey
Title: The Verse of the Sword: The Final Word?
Date 12/Feb/2008
Question As-Salamu Alaykum, Does the verse of the sword (ayat as-sayf) abrogate all the other peaceful verses, e.g. 2:256?
Topic Qur'an & Scriptures
Name of Counselor Ahmad Saad

Answer

Salam, Yasin.

It is really good and strange at the same time that I am speaking about the same topic twice almost within the same week.

I was interviewed recently by an MA student writing an essay about jihad. We were discussing the verse of the sword and the notion of abrogation and the claims of today's so-called jihadists that such a verse abrogates all other verses in the Quran that command justice and kindness with non-Muslims.

Let's establish certain facts at the beginning before we proceed to the core of your question.

Is There Abrogation in the Quran?

The claim of abrogation or the theory of abrogation is not absolute, that is, there is no full agreement on it amongst scholars. In fact, the opposite is true. While some scholars say that abrogation has happened and others, including Abu Muslim Al-Asfahani for instance, deny the existence of abrogation.

Even those who say it has happened differ as regards to the meaning of abrogation itself. Does it mean amendment or adaptation or full cancelation and invalidation?

There is another aspect of disagreement as to which are the abrogated verses and which are the abrogating ones. Which ones belong to the first category and which constitute the second? Therefore, bringing the validity of everything which people dislike to the zone of abrogation is totally erroneous.

For even those who agree to the existence of abrogation, there are certain conditions and requirements that should be met here. The Islamic scholar Jalal Ad-Din As-Suyuti mentions some of these requirements in his well known book Al-Itqan fi Ulum Al-Quran. This is also confirmed by two great scholars of two different scholarly backgrounds: Ibn Hazm and Ash-Shatibi.

Even looking into the earlier writings and the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself, there is no mention of abrogation. The main two verses used by the proponents of abrogation are strongly and widely refuted by scholars of the other view. Many details about this refutation could be found in the writings of Ad-Dahhak and Ata ibn Abi Rabah.

Abrogation: The Last Resort

The notion that formulates the default stand between Muslim scholars is that we should not recourse to the zone of abrogation — even when we accept it — unless there is an impossibility of reconciling what apparently seems contradictory of the texts.

Rather, we should always try to give priority to some texts over others according to considerations such as the time of revelation, the situation of revelation, and the relevance to today's situation.

In fact, we should spare no effort in trying to create harmony between the texts that apparently seem contradictory. To this effect we should always be conscious of the fact that the universality and infinite validity of the Quran go against the notion that some verses can be cancelled under whatever claim.

Controversy Over the Verse of the Sword

The so-called 'verse of the sword' is itself controversial amongst scholars. Let me raise a question here: who called it so? Neither Almighty Allah nor His Prophet ever called it so.

There are names of the chapters (surahs) of the Quran which were given by the Prophet. No one singled out certain verses and called them so unless reported authentically through hadiths. Moreover, there is no report to the effect that there is a verse called so.

Now, does not the claim that there is a verse of sword in the Quran serve the misconception raised by many Orientalists that Islam is a violent religion? A claim that runs against the name of Islam which is taken from the lexical root of 's-l-m', one of its various meanings being 'peace'.

Speaking more closely about the so-called verse of sword, we can simply say that even the scholars who claim that there is such a verse, they are not in agreement on allocating this verse.

Some of them say it is verse 5 in surah 9 (At-Tawbah). Some others say it is actually verse 36 of the same surah. A third group, however, says it is actually verse 29 while a fourth group of exegetes refers to verse 41 to be the verse of the sword.

A close look into these will show that what they are saying is mere speculation that cannot be taken for granted or solely accepted on their own without having enough evidence verifying them. The evidence we are asking for here are the authentic sayings of the Prophet.

Reading Context

Even close examination of such verses and putting them into their contexts can show that they are actually defined by such context in a way that makes them impossibly perceived on their own.

The first verse of the four reads:

*{… then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush.}* (At-Tawbah 9:5)

This verse is normally quoted outside of its context. In reading this verse we should read the preceding and the subsequent verses. These verses refer to a certain group of idolaters who did not respect their treaty with Muslims.

Rather, they slew them and prevented them from practicing their religious freedom. They also launched a massive war against Muslims everywhere and forced them to leave their houses.

Against these non-believing oppressors Muslims are justified, as much from the Quranic background as from logical background, to fight back in a defensive jihad.

Therefore, the verse speaks about defense, not attack. This is proved by the subsequent verses that command protection of any non-believer who seeks protection, delivering him to the place where he feels secure without causing him any threat.

There are even other opinions by early exegetes of the Quran to the effect that this verse itself is abrogated by verse 4 in Surat Muhammad (47) which commands directly the fighting of non-believers in the battlefield only, and that the prisoners of war should be given the option of ransom or the Muslims free them out of grace.

A further examination of the other three verses of which one is claimed to be the 'verse of the sword' and reading them into context will show that they are actually describing fighting of the combatants who are engaged in a warfare with Muslims and are persecuting them.

Even the verse that speaks about fighting the non-believers amongst the People of the Book, it is highlighted by erudite scholars that it speaks about the Roman state as the Romans at that time attacked Muslims and were engaged in a long process of fighting against them and threatening the borders of the Arabian peninsula.

Again, there is no mention of any sword here except a legitimate defense of the Muslim community against those who unjustifiably attack it and persecute its members and deny them their basic right of freedom.

Book of Peace

There are tens of verses that give a clear message of inclining to peace and settle any disputes through peaceful ways.

The clear injunction in many verses confirms that there is no compulsion in religion and that anyone is free to adopt whatever faith he finds more convincing. We cannot cancel these tens of verses because of four verses whose interpretation is still a bone of contention amongst scholars of knowledge.

Being a book of guidance and peace for humanity, the Quran's message for peace is valid through time and space and cannot be cancelled because the reasons of its validity are not subject to expiry.

We cannot dig deep into Islamic heritage and get some odd views and present them as representatives of the mainstream view or as the only interpretation, because this is as dangerous as reading texts out of context.

Following this methodology, we can find many defective views everywhere in every culture, religion or heritage.

Muslims are supposed to defend what is in the Quran by reading the Quran itself before we knock anybody else's door.

I hope this answers your question. Please keep in touch.

Salam.

http://mdarik.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1199279330532&pagename=IslamOnline-English-AAbout_Islam%2FAskAboutIslamE%2FAskAboutIslamE

Naskh or Abrogation of Verses

Naskh or Abrogation of Verses

Literal meaning of Naskh: Abrogation, replacement of one thing by another thing.

Technical meaning: Lifting of law of Shari’ah by the reasons of Shari’ah.

Naasikh: That Ayat of the Qur’an which abrogates either recitation or command or both of some other Ayat of the Qur’an.

Mansookh: That Ayat of the Qur’an which is abrogated.

Al-Qur’an says:

“None of Our revelations do we abrogate or cancel to be forgotton, but We substitute something better or similar. Knowest thou not that Allah hath power over all things.” (2:106)

Occasion of Descent or Shaan-e-Nuzool of these Verses:

Enemies of Islam particularly Jews were raising objections about the Qur’an by saying that Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was a strange person that one day he commands Muslims to do a thing and the other day he changes the same commandment with another one, so it is not the word of Allah as that has to be eternal and unchanging.

Let’s discuss this problem of Naskh in some detail. It is one of the delicate discussions regarding the Uloom-ul-Qur’an. Naskh literally means abrogation or replacement of one thing by another. In Shari’ah it means that when the Qur’an came with some commandment, people thought that commandment was forever but in actual sense since Allah - being All-knowing and All-powerful sent a particular commandment for a time being and not forever, so He later sent another commandment, abrogating or modifying the earlier commandment. This is a change as we look at it and it is not a change at all as regards to Allah, as He had sent the earlier commandment for a limited time only and not forever, therefore, in no way a defect in the eternal nature of the Qur’an. It is similar to a government’s way of enacting a law and implementing the same part wise over a period of years.

Here the Qur’an uses the word abrogation of ‘Ayat’. The word ‘Ayat’ in addition to verse of the Qur’an also means a sign in the nature or history or a miracle. If we take this meaning then there is no confusion. These verses will then mean that Allah Ta’ala brings forth different signs and miracles from time to time to prove the truthfulness of – the Islam, the Qur’an and the Prophet-hood of Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Some Ulema like Abu Muslim Asfahani think that by these Ayats abrogation of previous Shari’ats like Shari’ah of Ibrahim (AS), Dawood (AS), Musa (AS), Eisa (AS) is implied. If this meaning is taken, then again there is no controversy, as everyone agrees that Al-Qur’an has abrogated all previous Shari’ats.

The question under discussion, in which people have different opinions, is that whether some Qur’anic verses have been abrogated by the other Qur’anic verses or not? There is consensus amongst Ulema of Ahl-Sunnah Wal Jama’at that some Qur’anic verses have been abrogated by some other Qur’anic verses either in recitation or command or both. Here we have to understand that as to what things have been changed? Has this change occurred in beliefs - that one day the Qur’an said Allah is one and next day it said, no there are many gods (Naoodh-billah), or has there been a change in narrations of incidents of past that it has narrated the incident of Nuh (AS) in one way and then after sometime the other way. We have to understand that the Qur’anic teachings as regards to beliefs, history or predictions have been consistent. Then what is the change, which is being discussed? The Qur’an has been gradual in changing the society and in that course it has revealed the commands about the improvement of social values in a gradual manner. It is this thing that is termed as Naskh or change or abrogation all about.

Step-wise Ban on Wine:

The Qur’an banned wine in three stages. To drink was in the blood of the Arabs. They were used to it since ages, and to ban it in one step was not convenient for them. The Qur’an first mentioned the evil effects of wine, then asked the Muslims to refrain from it while going for Salah and finally it was banned totally for all times to come. Allah Ta’ala says in Al-Qur’an:

يَمْحُو اللَّهُ مَا يَشَاءُ وَيُثْبِتُ وَعِنْدَهُ أُمُّ الْكِتَابِ

“Allah doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth; with Him is the Mother of the Book” (13:39)

وَإِذَا بَدَّلْنَا آيَةً مَكَانَ آيَةٍ وَاللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يُنَزِّلُ

“When We substitute one revelation for another, and Allah knows best what He reveals (in stages).” (16:101)

Naskh in Previous Shari’ats:

1. It is mentioned in Torah that Allah Ta’ala told Hadhrat Nuh (AS) when he came out of the ship after the Great Flood that He has made every living animal Halal (permissible for eating) for him and his progeny. Then Allah Ta’ala forbade eating many of these animals in the subsequent Shari’ats like that of Hadhrat Yaqoob (AS), Hadhrat Musa (AS) and Hadhrat Eisa (AS) etc.

2. It is mentioned in Torah that Allah Ta’ala asked Hadhrat Adam (AS) that he should marry his daughters to his sons. In each pregnancy Eve (AS) would give birth to a boy and a girl. Girl born in one pregnancy was married to the boy born in another pregnancy and vice versa. This was banned in subsequent Shari’ats.

3. Allah Ta’ala asked Hadhrat Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son then this command was abrogated.

4. Worldly affairs and hunting is permissible in all days including Saturdays but it was banned on Saturdays in the Shari’ah of Hadhrat Musa (AS).

5. It was permissible in the Shari’ah of Hadhrat Yaqoob (AS) for a man to marry two sisters at the same time, later it was banned in the Shari’ah of Hadhrat Musa (AS).

6. Talaq or divorce was permissible in the Shari’ah of Hadhrat Musa (AS), but it was allowed in the Shari’ah of Hadhrat Eisa (AS) only when the offence of adultery would be proved against the women. Without proving this charge, it was not allowed to them. (Manahil-ul-Irfan)

Naskh in the Qur’an

1. Naskh of Both Recitation as well as Commandment:

There is consensus amongst the Ulema of Ahle-Sunnah-Wal_Jam’at that there have been some verses of the Qur’an whose reci­tation as well as commandment have been abrogated. These verses were even lifted from the memory centers of Sahaabah (RA). Muslim has reported on the authority of Hadhrat Ayesha (RA), she says,

“There was an Ayat in the Qur’an in which it was mentioned that a boy is Haram (in marriage) to a girl if he has sucked breast of the mother of that girl for ten known times during his breast feeding period in infancy. Afterwards this commandment was abrogated and it was replaced by five time suckling instead of ten. Finally both recitation as well as commandment of these verses was totally lifted and abrogated as per the majority of Ulema except Imam Shafaee who says that recitation of this Ayat has been abrogated but its second command, i.e. five time suckl­ing by a baby makes him/her haram for the children of that women still persists.

This Hadith of Hadhrat Ayseha (RA) is also quoted by Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi and Dhari-Qutni in addition to Muslim Shareef.

2. Naskh of Recitation but not of Commandment:

Abu Dawood, Ibne Majah, Musnad Ahmad, Rooh-ul-M’aani, Imam Raazi in his Tafseer Kabeer and Imam Nawawi in his commentary on Muslim Shareef quote on the authority of Hadhrat Umar (RA) that following verse was a verse of the Qur’an which was later on abro­gated.

ؤ الشيخوخة إذا زينا فارجموهما الشيخ

“When an old man and old women will commit adultery, stone (Rajam) both to death ”

Its recitation has been abrogated but its command still persists. Imam Shafaee (RA) here also differs from others and he says that this narration is Dhaeef (weak). For details consult the books on Fiqh or jurisprudence.

Can We Call These Verses - the Qur’an?

Answer is no, we cannot call them Al-Qur’an, for Al-Qur’an - Tawatur or continuity is must. As you know Al-Qur’an is defined as:

إنّه الكلام المعجز المنزل على النبي . ألمكتوب في المصاحف ألمنقول بالتواتر ألمتلو بتلاوته

“- It is the miraculous word of Allah, - revealed on the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam), - written on Mus-haf, - passed on from generation to generation with Tawatur, - the recitation of which is an act of worship”.

What is meant by Tawatur?

Tawatur means something that is passed on in such a way that in each generation its narrators are countlessly numerous, and logically it be impossible for so many people living in different parts of the world to get united for telling a tell. For a verse to be part of Al-Qur’an, this Tawatur is must. Only those verses of the Qur’an which have come to us from Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) by Tawatur are recited as the Qur’an. Some of the verses, which were revealed to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and Sahabah used to recite them were later lifted from their memory. Bukhari, Muslim, Trimidhi, Dhari-Qutni and Ahmad-b-Hambal quote a Sahabi namely Abu Musa Asha’ri (RA) who says that he used to recite a lengthy Surah, as long as Surah Tobah, but it was lifted from his memory and he remembered only the following verse from that Surah, viz;

لو كان لابن آدم واديان في مال لابتغى واديا ثالثا و لا يملا جوف ابن آدم إلا التراب

These abrogated verses were totally lifted from the memory of Sahabah and the Qur’an was completed and recited to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) by Hadhrat Jibraael (AS) during the last Ramadhan of Rasulullah’s (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) life. It was this final shape of the Qur’an that is protected by Allah and has reached to us by Tawatur without undergoing any change even equal to an iota. Now the question arises as to what is the status of these abrogated verses which have reached us not by Tawatur but by one or two narrations from those verses that are preserved and have reached us by Tawatur in the shape of Al-Qur’an?

Answer: One thing is clear that these verses are not part of the Qur’an as they have not been transmitted by Tawatur. Ulema treat them as traditions called Khabr-e-Wahid.

3. Naskh of command and not recitation:

“And as for those who can fast with difficulty, they have to feed a Miskeen” (2:184)

This Ayat of Al-Qur’an has been abrogated by following Ayat of the Qur’an.

فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ

“So whoever of you sights (the crescent) the month (of Ramadhan i.e., is present at home), he must observe fast.” (2:185)

Number 02,

كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذَا حَضَرَ أَحَدَكُمُ الْمَوْتُ إِنْ تَرَكَ خَيْرًا الْوَصِيَّةُ لِلْوَالِدَيْنِ وَالْأَقْرَبِينَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ حَ‍قًّا عَلَى الْمُتَّقِينَ

“It prescribed for you, when death approaches any of you, if he leaves wealth, that he makes a bequest to parents and next of kin, according to reasonable manners. (this is) a duty upon al-Muttaqun (the pious).” (2:180)

This Ayat is abrogated by following ayat of Al-Qur’an.

يُوصِيكُمُ اللَّهُ فِي أَوْلَادِكُمْ لِلذَّكَرِ مِثْلُ حَظِّ الْأُنْثَيَيْنِ...

“Allah commands you are regards your children’s (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two females….” (4:11)

Number 03,

إِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ عِشْرُونَ صَابِرُونَ...

“If there are twenty steadfast persons amongst you, they will overcome two hundreds…” (8:65)

This Ayat of the Qur’an is abrogated by the following Ayat of the Qur­’an.

الْآنَ خَفَّفَ اللَّهُ عَنْكُمْ وَعَلِمَ أَنَّ فِيكُمْ ضَعْفًا فَإِنْ يَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ مِائَةٌ صَابِرَةٌ يَغْلِبُوا مِائَتَيْنِ....

“Now Allah has lightened your (task), for He knows that there is weakness in you. So if there are of you a hundred steadfast persons, they shall over come two hundreds…..” (8:66)

Number 04,

يَحِلُّ لَكَ النِّسَاءُ مِنْ بَعْدُ

“It is not lawful for you (to marry other) women after this, …..” (33:52)

This Ayat is abrogated by following Ayat:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِنَّا أَحْلَلْنَا لَكَ أَزْوَاجَكَ اللَّاتِي

“O Prophet (Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam))! Verily We have made lawful to you your wives, to whom you have paid their Mahr…” (33:52)

Number 05,

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نَاجَيْتُمُ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدِّمُوا

“O you who believe! When you (want to) consult the Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in private …” (58:12)

This Ayat is abrogated by:

أَأَشْفَقْتُمْ أَنْ تُقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَاتٍ

“Are you afraid of spending in charity before you private consultation (with him)?...” (58:13)

The issue of abrogation has been taken differently by the an­cient and modern scholars; the two have differed in its terminology as well. The ancient scholars used it more widely. When any injunction which was first stated in general form, and afterwards on some other occasion was particularised, or when something in the beginning was expressed summarily and later on in details, then, from the linguistic point of view it was said that the later has abrogated the former. This actually was the meaning which an­cient scholars gave to the word ‘abrogation’. The abrogation of this kind exists in the Qur’an; for example, the Makkan chapters generally mention the universals and principles and the chapters revealed in Madinah discuss them in detail and also give comments as well.

On account of this difference among the commentators about the significance of the term ‘Naskh’ (abrogation), the number of abrogated verses rose considerably. Imam Suyuti, however, after affecting a suitable reduction brought them to nineteen only. But Shah Waliyullah Muhaddith Delhvi (RA) has provided solution for four­teen of them and he considers only five as abrogated, out of which four have been mentioned above.

Naskh of the Qur’an by Sunnah:

We have seen that there is consensus amongst the Ulema about the Naskh of the Qur’an by the Qur’an but there is controversy amongst the learned scholars of Islam that whether the Qur’an can be abrogated by Hadith or Sunnah. Imam Maalik (RA), Imam Abu Haniefa (RA) and his school of thought and majority of Muhadditheen agree that Naskh of the Qur’an by Sunnah is permissible as whatever Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) says is also from WAHY called WAHY-Gair-Matloo.

On the other hand Imam Shafaee (RA), Imam Ahmad (RA) and some others do not agree to the fact that Sunnah (or Hadith) can abrogate the Qur’an. According to them Qur’an can be abrogated only by Qur’an itself.

http://publications.islamkashmir.org/naskh-or-abrogation-of-verses

Further readings:

http://www.ilmgate.org/abrogation-in-the-quran/
http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=7&ID=2656
http://www.load-islam.com/artical_det.php?artical_id=531§ion=indepth&subsection=Glorious%20Quran


Perfect Guide to the Sciences of the Qur'an: Al-itqan Fi 'ulum Al-qur'an (Great Books of Islamic Civilization)