Yvonne Ridley Explains Why She Converted to Islam

Response to emails defaming Islam

Response to emails defaming Islam  

Emails have been doing the rounds maligning Islam and its views on marriage and accusing Muslims of being intent on killing non-Muslims (which cannot be further from the truth)

Below is a response that was sent from a Muslim

A response to emails defaming Islam

We begin with the name of Allaah, The Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Introduction

Perhaps it’s will be easier to start by saying something about Islam and some of its fundamental teaching, then insha-Allaah we will address some specifics.

Islam is built/centred on five principles; the absence of any one of these pillars is not permissible.

1. The declaration of faith, i.e. To bear witness that there is no deity to be worshipped except Allaah, and to bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His final messenger.

2. To be steadfast in prayer (i.e. to prayer five times daily at appointed times)

3. To give alms (a set wealth/social tax for those able to do so – i.e. amounts to 2.5%)

4. To fast in the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar)

5. To undertake the pilgrimage (to Mecca) – one in one’s lifetime – if one is Able and By the Means to go.  

Expanding on this we look at some basic principles of faith, that is one is required as the basis of faith within.

1. To believe in Allaah

2. To believe in His angels

3. To believe in holy revealed books (e.g. the Zaboor of David, the scrolls of Abraham, the Torah of Moses, the Gospel of Jesus and the final revelation being Quran – peace be upon all Prophets)

4. To believe in the prophets (peace be upon them all – all includes the names mentioned above)

5. To believe in the Hereafter (i.e. life after death as in heaven and hell)

6. To believe that Allaah has permitted the good and the bad (He has given humans the ability to distinguish from right and wrong, each action though carrying a consequence) 

It is important to further note that we are all answerable to Him who has created us all. Ridicule, lies and defamation has been the order of the day since time immemorial and will be for time to come. There was not a Prophet sent by Almighty Allaah, but that he underwent hardship of some sort another.

But let us quickly reflect on our worship of One God, Allah. He is One and there is none like Him. This Lord, The Creator of all, being unique, being perfect, He perfected our way of life, Islam. This Perfect Creator who is One has seen it fit that His worshippers, the believers, are one in their worship. Not only do all Muslims accept the five pillars of Islam, but taking one pillar as example of perfection and unity, we only have to look at daily prayers. There is not a moment in a 24-hour day, but someone somewhere in the world is praying one of the five compulsory prayers. Every prayer is to one central point at Mecca. Every prayer is to Mecca whether you face east, west, south or north. Perfectly, as people pray all over the world facing Mecca, the central point of earth,  a circle is formed. While this circle is formed from every point of the world, people inside the Holy Mosque in Mecca are creating smaller circles as they circumambulate the central point, the ka’abah, 24/7. Perfection indeed. Unity indeed. Oneness indeed. And He, Allah, is One.

So it is not surprising then, that this Lord who commanded us with prayer, should declare at the beginning of Quran:

This is the Book (the Qur'an), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allaah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allaah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)]. [Quran 2:2]

So this Perfect Lord, God, Creator, Nourisher, Cherisher and Sustainer,  have chosen for us a way of life, Islam – a perfect way of life. He sent is guidance through Quran having chosen Muhammad (peace be upon him) to deliver this message. He, Allah, has not left out anything in Quran.  So the true and sincere person will find the answer in Quran.

If we take some examples of issues non-Muslim have raised, then we thank the Almighty for this blessing and giving us an opportunity to draw closer to Him via His book, Quran. It is this book that we seek the guidance and answers. The life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is nothing but the embodiment of Quran and thus we may quote from his example to clarify aspects of Quran.

Marriage

Marriage in Islam is sacred and the Quran strongly warns against adultery by declaring: “And come not near to unlawful sex [zina]. Verily, it is a Faahishah (i.e. anything that transgresses its limits: a great sin, and an evil way that leads one to hell unless Allaah Forgives him)” [Quran: 17:32] 

The Quran further exhorts us to marry and says: “...then marry (other) women of your choice, two or three, or four...”[ Quran 4:3]

“… and live with them honourably …” [al-Nisaa’ 4:19],

Temporary marriages forbidden From ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib: that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbade temporary marriage to women and the flesh of donkeys at the time of Khaybar. This was narrated by al-Tirmidhi

Bride’s permission important Both the bride and groom should be pleased with one another, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No previously-married woman (widow or divorcee) may be married until she has been asked about her wishes (i.e., she should state clearly her wishes), and no virgin should be married until her permission has been asked (i.e., until she has agreed either in words or by remaining silent).” They asked, “O Messenger of Allaah, how is her permission given (because she will feel very shy)?” He said: “By her silence.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 4741)

The dowry belongs to the woman, the wife and NOT to her family

“And give to the women (whom you marry) their mahr (obligatory bridal money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage) with a good heart…” [al-Nisaa’ 4:4] 

Conclusion on marriage: 

The picture, showing Palestinian girls, in the email is one where the writer has most probably taken liberties with his “caption” (the picture shows small girls dressed in white walking alongside men dressed like “bridegrooms” – the story relates these men marrying these children en masse). If this caption/story was true then many a wedding in the west will have similar captions when little girls dress up as part of the bridal group or party.  In the west, are these girls ther brides? Likewise, it is common practice for girls to be part of the bridal entourage while dressed in white similar to the real bride.
 

Aside from this, the other comments may indeed confuse religion and regional culture and thus there is little need to elaborate on these. The above stance on marriage as explained from Quran and Sunnah (the practical life example of the Prophet Muhammad –peace be upon him- based on Quran)

Murder or war

"Fight in the cause of God those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for God loves not transgressors. And slay them wherever ye catch them, and turn them out from where they have

turned you out; for tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them

not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but if they fight

you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. But if they cease,

God is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful. And fight them on until there is no more

tumult or oppression, and there prevails justice and faith in God; but if they

cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practise oppression" (Quran 2:190-193).

Islam permits warfare and most definitely permits self-defence. Murder of innocent people is not permitted. Killing people merely because of being non-Muslim is not acceptable and Islam opposes this.

Conclusion

In any society and any religion, there are people who overstep the mark for whatever reason.

In any society and any religion there are people who speak and do things out ignorance

In many societies and religions people follow their own custom irrespective whether that is acceptable or not. 

The internet, be it websites or email, can be dangerous and misleading. It is an easy platform to spread whatever people want to spread, of good and bad.

As Muslims, especially South Africans, we humbly apologise for not having done enough to advise on our religion, our way of life.  We are aware of many of these types of emails going around. We are more than satisfied with our religion, Islam as our way of life. Like secular people also attack Christianity (and its various denominations, so too do they attack Islam. Islam, being the perfect way of life, is the fastest growing religion in the world. Europe is on the brink of having a Muslim country. While Barack Obama is most definitely NOT a Muslim, Islam is alive and well in the United States. Again, as Muslims we fail in propagating our religion. But this is the religion of Allaah, and Allaah has ordained that the truth shall be superior to falsehood – Islam will be superior.

Wikileaks

Wikileaks – well, I don’t generally agree with it. If it is meant for people to be warned about “bad” people then there might be some merit in it. The reality though is that we can do nothing about it, the majority of people are not can realize the truth even though it’s pretty much a case of “I told you so”. Also the leaks seem to be fairly broad, silly at times and the potential for unnecessary further harm.

I suppose that leads me to express concern of the bad or negative side of technology.. well with fb, twitter and the many other instant messaging. And all these platforms talk to each other, so put something on fb and that becomes a tweet and not forgetting the MSN users also being kept in the loop.

One can read about what someone had for breakfast .. to aaaaahhhh … crime.. so people can tweet and fb, etc about crimes these days … and it seems all pretty normal … so not only are these platforms anti-social in the first instance since people (and especially the very young) don’t know how to communicate face to face .. is this what we want? But the things that are made public is in itself anti-social.

Yes, there is much good in technology … but it has many dangers.. and as with saying safe driving, safe flight, etc … its safe surfing.

Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâq (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât [the offspring twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Mûsa (Moses) and Isâ (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)."

Quran2:136