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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (40536)	9/17/2001 8:08:53 PM
From: Doug Soon	Respond to of 50167

Thank you Ike, for your quick response. I am trying very hard to understand this from a: a moderate Islamic point of view b. possiblly, a renegade Islamic point of view I much appreciated your scenario about opening up Saudi and Kuwait oil to invigorate the economy. This makes perfect sense to me. You may know the Saudi foreign minister is visiting Washington this week. Best regards and I look forward to your response tomorrow.

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (40536)	9/18/2001 11:53:22 AM
From: Larry Whatley	Respond to of 50167

Iqbal, I have read your discussion on the great contributions from the Muslims over the centuries. I certainly agree that colonialism destroyed many of the institutions of higher learning in the Muslim world which checked extremism. Unfortunately Modernist thought in the Muslim world has lead to a splintering and divergence of actions and lead to a general malaise of Islamic education (and education in general) amongst Muslims. Perhaps it is of value to point out that Islamic Law is derived from two sources: Qur’an and the Sunnah. The Qur’an states: “Fight in the cause of God against those who fight against you, but do not transgress limits. God does not love transgressors” (2.190) The Qur’an also states: “If they seek peace, then you seek peace. And trust in God for He is the One that hears and knows all things” (8.61) These two verses (and others like them) are explained in the secondary sources (the sunnah). Anas Ibn Malik narrates that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “Go in God’s name, trusting in God and adhering to the religion of God’s apostle. Do not kill a decrepit old man, or a young infant or a child or a woman; do not be dishonest about booty, but collect your spoils, do right and act well for God loves those who act well.” (Sunan of Abu Dawud, Hadith 2402) The Prophet’s closest companion, Abu Bakr said (after the prophet’s death) to his General Usama: “Never betray, or transgress your limits, or take the enemy by surprise or perfidy, or inflict atrocities or mutilation upon them; nor kill young babies or old people or women; and never injure or burn palms or cut down a fruitful tree, or slay a sheep, a cow or camel unless for food” Suicide on or off the battlefield is forbidden and places the person who did it in Hell (notwithstanding God’s final judgment on a matter). “For that cause We decreed for the Children of Israel that whoever killeth a human being for other than manslaughter or corruption in the Earth, it shall be as if he had killed all mankind, and whoso saveth the life of one, it shall be as if he had saved the life of all mankind” (Qur’an 5.32) Islam: the word is derived from Salam in Arabic (shalom in Hebrew) which means peace. It also means “submission” to God so therefore a Muslim is a submitter. “Peace through submission to the will of God” would be the most accurate portrayal of how Muslims understand it. Jihad: literally the word means “struggle” and can include many types of struggle. This includes struggle in the battlefield (as Westerners commonly know it) as well as struggle within one’s own self against the ego and evil deeds. Similar to the word Crusade. However “Holy War” is a misnomer of the word and doesn’t accurately portray the word. “Immediately after Umar ibn Abdul Aziz was elected Khalifah (caliph) in 717 C.E., a delegation of men from Samarqand (Uzbekistan) saw him and represented that the general of the Islamic armies, Qutaibah, had unjustifiably stationed his army men in the town in their midst. Khalifah Umar ibn Abdul Aziz wrote to the governor of Samarqand that he should appoint a tribunal to judge and settle the dispute between Qutaibah and the people of Samarqand. If the judgment of the tribunal goes against the army chief and his men are asked to vacate they must do so at once. The governor appointed Jami’ ibn Hadhir Albaji as judge for enquiry. After the enquiry was over, he, though himself a Muslim, passed the judgment that the Muslim army must vacate the town. He also remarked that the commander of the Muslim forces ought to have served an ultimatum of war to the city, and according to the Islamic Law relating to war, he ought have canceled all the treaties with them so that the people of Samarqand could get time to prepare for the war. Sudden attack on them without warning was unlawful. When the people of Samarqand witnessed this state of affairs, they were convinced that this was an unparalleled case in the history of mankind… the state keeping its Commander in Chief and the armies under such strict discipline and control, bound by lofty moral principles. And consequently they decided that fighting against such a people would be futile. Rather, they came to regard it as mercy and a blessing from God. Therefore, they agreed to live with the Islamic army in Samarqand.” UBL and his factions have most certainly distorted Islam. You're absolutely right it is time for moderate Muslims to speak up....UBL doesn't represent Islam! Rest up my friend, we need your voice! You have provided tremendous insight and enlightenment about the world I would otherwise not have had....and that is a major thing you bring. You still have cause for optimism...Thanks for being there! All the best to you and your family. Larry