Yes, his wishes are very admirable, but in actuality what is happening is totally different, the two schools of thoughts moderates and extremists zealots find equal legal authority from ‘Holy Scripture’ to act the way they want. Modernisation of archaic thought is an uphill task in my humble opinion, however every little effort does count; M. A. Muqtedar Khan makes a great point by highlighting the following from Quran..
<<While encouraging Muslims to struggle against injustice (Al Quran 4:135), Allah also imposes strict rules of engagement. He says in unequivocal terms that to kill an innocent being is like killing entire humanity (Al Quran 5:32). He also encourages Muslims to forgive Jews and Christians if they have committed injustices against us (Al Quran 2:109, 3:159, 5:85). >>
However the 'Ladenists' have equally coherent and authentic license from the holy book and they work religiously on that license and authority, now Muqtedar is caught up in a bend, on one hand are the great teachings that tell him of ‘cohabitation’ on the other the following from Holy Book set a different roadmap, he is in a fix, how to get out from this is a big question that he needs to answer.; The Holy Book has guidance for everyone, for the 'moderates and extremists,' the defining moment is that someone stands up and ask some burning questions, this line no one in Islamic world can dare cross..; it is this dichotomy that Islamic world at large cannot answer, it is the sacrosanct nature of the discussion that if anyone talks about it he becomes a marked man, the suffocation of independent thought process is the real culprit.
Quranic verses on ‘infidels’ that M. A. Muqtedar Khan needs to say ‘need not apply anymore’ are reproduced, as a born Muslim can he break the mindset ‘that nothing in the holy scriptures is time barred until day of judgement’ that challenge lets many of great warriors on this path to withdraw from an open duel with the people who interpret Islam the way it has to be in its true spirit..
5:33-“The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His Messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution (by beheading), or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposite sides, or exile from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the Hereafter;”
8:12- “I will instill terror into the hearts of the unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off.”
47:4- “Therefore, when ye meet the Unbelievers (in fight), strike off their heads; at length; then when you have made wide Slaughter among them, carefully tie up the remaining captives”: thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom: Until the war lays down its burdens.”
9:123: “Oh ye who believe! Murder those of the disbelievers and let them find harshness in you.”
2:191- “Kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from wherever they drove you out.”
5: 45-- “We ordained therein for them: “Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear. Toth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal.”
2:193- “Fight them on until there is no more tumult and religion becomes that of Allah”
9:29- "Fight those who do not believe in God and the last day... and fight People of the Book, (Christian and Jews) who do not accept the religion of truth (Islam) until they pay tribute (Zizziya tax) by hand, being inferior.”
8:17-It is not ye who Slew them; it is God; when thou threwest a handful of dust, it was not Thy act, but God’s…..” (Allah is a real merciful indeed!)
The Holy Qur’an, Translated by A. Yousuf Ali, Published by Amana Corporation, Brentwood, Maryland, 1983 |
