The Message Of Biden’s Eid Message To India is About Respecting Otherness Of Others

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Mohd Naushad Khan

Let us hope India will learn President Joe Biden’s Eid message and implement it in India for peace and togetherness.

President Joe Biden’s decision to reinstate Eid celebrations in the White House is of great significance and huge step forward towards respecting otherness of others. The restoration is commendable in many respects: it strives to increase citizens’ sense of belonging, inclusivity and pluralism.

But can we ever expect from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reciprocate the same gesture of respect for Muslims. In India, Eid festival can be used to preach the message of brotherhood, togetherness, reinforcing the slogan of unity in diversity?

Biden’s Eid message has great connotation for the United States and the rest of the world, especially for India, where Muslims, in particular, and minorities in general, are being constantly attacked and subjected to hate and violence.

President Biden during Eid celebrations at White House

Despite possessing constitutional rights and protection for religious freedom, equality, the space for Muslims is shrinking by the day. These days the culture of instant justice with bulldozer aims to bulldoze the well-being of minorities.

Biden during Eid celebration at the White House had said, “One of the promises I made when I ran for office is that to restore the Eid celebration, because it’s very important. I’m incredibly proud to have nominated the first Muslim American ever confirmed to the federal bench. And I’ve appointed the first Muslim to serve as Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom. And it’s especially important because today, around the world, we’re seeing so many Muslims being targeted with violence. No one should discriminate against oppressed or be oppressed for their religious beliefs.”

On the restoration of Eid celebrations, at the White House, Mike Ghouse, a social scientist, speaker, and interfaith wedding officiant. He is an Indian American and runs the Center for Pluralism in Washington, DC said, “The restoration of Eid celebrations at the White is a welcome sign and it is good for America. It was a promise President Biden had made and delivered it. Muslims around the Nation appreciate it. Why is the Eid celebration at the White House so important? Well, it is a sign of inclusion and “respecting the otherness of the others.”

He added, “Indeed, America’s prosperity can be attributed to inclusion.When you feel included, you feel secure, and when you are secure and free from tensions, your creativity comes into full play. You become an extraordinary contributor to the Nations growth and wealth. The more people we include, the closer we get to being a perfect union.”

Mike Ghouse

On the meaning of Biden’s Eid message to India, he said, “Prime Minister Modi can work on bringing his superb rhetoric to fruition. We applaud President Biden for hiring a professor to teach him about Islam. I sincerely hope he has taken the time to learn about other religions. Certainly, if we can learn to respect the otherness of the others, then conflicts will fade away and viable solutions will emerge.Indian Muslims and all other Indians in the Diaspora want their Motherland to be an example of Inclusion and Pluralism for other nations to follow.”

According to Mujibur Rehman, assistant professor at the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, at Jamia Millia Islamia, who is apolitical scientist by training and his area of research is identity and development politics, “America is becoming a more and more multi religious country…by reaching out to Muslims it is seeking to expand its social reach and presenting evidence of its practice of religious freedom. Some sections of Indian leadership have become majoritarian in their approach. By keeping silent they want to stay out of evidence of old association with such rituals. This is very undignified when a leader fails to reach out to a community on an important festive day which presents the opportunity to explore more active forms of religious reconciliation and brotherhood.”

John Dayal, noted social and human rights activist said, “Arguably, the messages of Pope Francis from Rome and US President Joe Biden from Washington are the most comprehensive calls for an end to islamophobia across the globe. Joe Biden, a practicing Catholic himself, in his official message had a special word of solidarity with the millions of displaced persons and refugees around the globe who had spent these sacred holiday separated from their families and were unsure of their future, but still hoping for a brighter tomorrow.

“Biden gave America’s assurance of always keeping faith with those seeking a better life. When Muslims across the United States were celebrating Eid, he said, “Let us renew our dedication to our foundational commitment to respecting all faiths and beliefs.”

Recalling that the Holy Qur’an urges people to stand firmly for justice, “we will continue to work with Americans of all beliefs and backgrounds to safeguard and deepen our collective commitment to this fundamental principle. This year, we have resumed the tradition of celebrating Eid at the White House”, he added.

Dayal added, “Addressed ‘To Muslims throughout the World,’ the message of Pope Francis was also an important call to action for peace and tolerance as he proposed reflection on the theme, ‘Promoting Mutual Respect through Education.’ As sectarian and religious tensions continue worldwide, the Pope emphasized the importance of respect and need to educate Muslim and Christian youth in a tolerant and loving manner, Vatican observers noted. He said, ‘We all know that mutual respect is fundamental in any human relationship, especially among people who profess religious belief. In this way, sincere and lasting friendship can grow.’”

“Unfortunately, Indian political leaders have not learned to go beyond the ritual obligation of a message. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message in the form of a Tweet, said “Best wishes on Eid-ul-Fitr. May this auspicious occasion enhance the spirit of togetherness and brotherhood in our society? May everyone be blessed with good health and prosperity?”Prosperity is fine and important in the aspirational world of India. Many of our own festivals are closely connected with gold, other precious metal, wealth and prosperity,” said Dayal.

Let us hope India will learn President Joe Biden’s Eid message and implement it in India for peace and togetherness, for pluralism next year on Eid day celebration and display our unity in diversity for which India is known in the entire world. 

World Muslim Congress’ Unity Ceremony Set to Counter Mulberry Quran Burnings

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Mike Ghouse  talks about his plans Monday with Curtis Rahman, Suzanne Carter-Moore and Lynne Weatherholtz Broom.

SUZIE SCHOTTELKOTTE THE LEDGER

MULBERRY | It’s not the sprawling Unity Church of Dallas, but Mike Ghouse said Monday he’s pleased to stage his group’s annual Unity Day ceremony Sept. 11 at the less imposing Mulberry Civic Center.

“This is where we need to be,” he said. “We are going to show the world that this is how we do it.”

Ghouse, president of the Dallas-based World Muslim Congress, is bringing his group’s annual ceremony to Mulberry to counter a Florida minister’s plan to burn 2,998 Qurans at a Mulberry resident’s home a few miles away. Ghouse traveled to Mulberry on Monday to scout locations for the peaceful ceremony and to meet with others who oppose Pastor Terry Jones’ protest.

City Manager Rick Johnson said the city has no reason not to rent the Mulberry Civic Center to the Muslim-based group, but said he hopes ongoing construction at the center won’t pose a problem.

The city has been battling water intrusion in the basement, and tests are underway now to determine how the water is seeping in.

“We’ve been taking reservations for the civic center through January, and this one is no different,” Johnson said.

“There just may be some work going on, and the building may not look very good.”

Ghouse estimated the ceremony could draw 100 participants. The civic center can accommodate 180 people.

The program at the Dallas church, in contrast, has attracted as many as 500 participants, Ghouse said

He said the ceremony will promote unity among all faiths and peaceful resolution to conflict.

Suzanne Carter-Moore said she’s glad to see Ghouse in Mulberry.

Soon after Jones announced his plans to burn 2,998 Qurans at a home near Mulberry — one for every American who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks — she’s been on a crusade to counter the demon­stration.

“We don’t want to stand for radicalism, regardless of where it comes from,” she said.

Her high school friend, Lynn Weatherholtz Broom, has joined her in organizing an effort against Jones’ protest, and now a 17-year-old George Jenkins High School senior, Curtis Rahman, is taking up their cause as well.

“My brother was just deployed to Afghanistan,” he said. “I’m standing up for what I believe in.”

Since Carter-Moore initiated a Facebook page called Not In Mulberry Terry Jones, 400 people have indicated they support the effort.

Ghouse announced last week that the World Muslim Congress is moving the one-day event to Mulberry.

Jones said last week he welcomed the event, which he said won’t interfere with his plans to burn 2,998 Qurans at the home of Bill McKinney off Shepherd Road.

Jones said McKinney offered his home for the event after Jones sold his church and property, the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, earlier this summer.

Jones said he’s anticipating about 20 to 50 supporters will attend the burning.

Can Quranism Save Islam?

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Comment by Mike Ghouse: Raymond seems to be using a few mistranslated verses from the Quran – which were a source of extremism. They have been corrected now for instance 4:34 and another 30 such verses. 

Quranists believe the Quran to be the only authentic source of Islamic teachings.

by Raymond Ibrahim 

Huffington Post recently published an article titled “The Source of Muslim Extremism,” authored by Mike Ghouse (described as “a speaker, thinker, and a writer” who “offers pluralistic solutions on issues of the day”). He argues that all violence and intolerance committed “in the name of Islam is coming from a single source; the secondary books. The Quran is the only authentic book and we cannot go wrong with it. Until we reject those other books, we don’t have a prayer.”

Among these “secondary books” Ghouse identifies the Hadith, which contains the words and deeds of Islam’s prophet Muhammad: “As a first step towards fixing our problems, we need to rehabilitate the Hadith.” By this he means that any hadith not “compatible with the statements that God is just and the Prophet is a mercy to the mankind” are to be expunged.

“Let’s stick to the Quran, we simply cannot go wrong,” concludes Ghouse.

What to make of this argument?

First, it should be noted that it is not original to Ghouse; this position belongs to a small sect of reformist/heretical (depending on who you ask) Muslims known as “Quranists.” Their movement, Quranism, goes back decades with echoes even earlier. It holds

the Qur’an to be the only authentic source of Islamic faith. Quranists generally reject, therefore, the religious authority and authenticity of hadith, Sunnah, and reject traditional Sharia Law, with the assertion that they are false attributes to the Islamic Prophet Muhammed. This is in contrast to the Sunni, Shia and Ibadi doctrines, which consider hadith necessary for Islamic faith.

The benefits of rejecting all textual sources but the Quran should be obvious. The corpus of Hadith literature is immense and seems to have something to say about every conceivable topic. Sahih Bukhari—the most authoritative collection which Muslims hold second to the Quran in legislative importance—is nine volumes of Muhammad’s words and deeds on countless topics of minutia. (Thus, “Allah’s Apostle said, ‘When you drink (water), do not breath in the vessel; and when you urinate, do not touch your penis with your right hand. And when you cleanse yourself after defecation, do not use your right hand.’”)

Many forms of appalling behavior—from drinking camel urine to “adult breastfeeding“—are justified by finding some reference in the Hadith. Although the Quran suggests that only Allah may torture with fire, a Sahih Bukhari hadith documents Muhammad using fire as a form of torture. Accordingly, the Islamic State referenced this hadith in their fatwa to justify burning a Jordanian pilot alive.

Mainstream Muslim scholars regularly denounce Quranists as apostates from Islam.

While Quranism resonates with the Western mentality—it’s simply the Islamic version of Protestantism’s sola scriptura—it is heresy in the Muslim world. Mainstream Muslim scholars, including so-called “moderates,” regularly and often denounce Quranists as apostates from Islam. They point out that Quran 33:2 commands Muslims to follow Muhammad’s example; and his example—his sunna, which 90 percent of the world’s Muslims, the Sunnis, are named after—is derived from the Hadith.

Of course, this is precisely why many lackadaisical Muslims (quietly) favor the elimination of the Hadith. As one more fervent cleric complained, based on the Quran alone, “much of Islam will remain mere abstract concepts without Hadith. We would never know how to pray, fast, pay zakah, or make pilgrimage without the illustration found in Hadith…”

Surely that is welcome news to lukewarm Muslims?

Unsurprisingly, then, Quranists are regularly persecuted and sometimes killed for their position: Rashad Khalifa, an eccentric Quranist, was found stabbed to death in Tucson in 1990; India’s Chekannur Maulavi disappeared in 1993 under “mysterious circumstances” and is believed to be dead; Egypt’s Ahmed Subhy Mansour was denounced by and fired from Al Azhar University, imprisoned, and finally exiled.

Still, of all strategies dedicated to creating a “moderate Islam”—most of which have no theological basis and are simply built on Western projections of itself onto Islam—Quranism is commendable in that it is at least methodologically viable.

The Quran is saturated with violent teachings, needing little supplementation from secondary literature.

Unfortunately, its thesis is built on a faulty premise: Even if every single Muslim was to reject the Hadith and other “secondary books,” that wouldn’t change the fact that the Quran is saturated with violent and intolerant teachings that need little supplementation from secondary literature.

Well over a hundred verses call for nonstop war, or jihad, on non-Muslims. If the “infidels” are beaten and refuse to convert to Islam, they must live as third class subjects and pay tribute “while feelingly humbled” (e.g., 9:29). The Quran also prescribes draconian measures—crucifixions, whippings, amputations, stonings, and beheadings—as punishments; and it requires the absolute subjugation of women (e.g., 4:34), with particularly devastating results for non-Muslim women.

In short, the first premise of Quranism—that “The Quran is the only authentic book and we cannot go wrong with it,” to quote Ghouse—may ease the daily life of the Muslim, but it brings no solace to the “infidel.”

Quaker and a Muslim Interfaith Marriage

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The Wedding Ceremony took place across the pond, in the barn – the barn is about 30′ tall inside and held about 100 people. The Bride and Groom’s friends represented America and its many races and religions. Indeed, my vision for America is that we all connect and “know” each other. It is my dreamland, and during the sermon, I love to share the essence of the Bride and Groom’s faiths – and the family and friends get to learn about each other’s faith. 

Thus far, I have officiated the weddings of Atheists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Sikhs, and Muslims, and I hope to officiate Zoroastrian, Native American, Bahai, and Buddhist weddings. I can’t tell you the joy when the guests make a point to tell me that they are happy to learn about their faith. Most of what we know about the others are myths, and through the talk, I gently bust the stereotypes; the more we know in person, the fewer the biases. That is how we build a cohesive America.

I love to learn about different faiths, and I have been learning since I was a teen. Today’s wedding was between a Muslim and a Quaker, and I am close to that faith. We need to start a course 101 in religions through the Center for Pluralism, a non-profit organization. 

Virginia is gorgeous; you will love it if you go through the countryside and the Shenandoah mountains, especially on country roads. It was a 200 Miles drive to this beautiful resort in Central Virginia. The wedding took place across a pond in a barn that is 30’s tall and well organized. 

“Interfaith Marriages is dedicated to curating memorable weddings that celebrate the love shared between two partners. Mike’s process begins with a consultation where he can learn about the couple and their story, religious backgrounds, and vision for their Ceremony. He is happy to incorporate special readings, blessings, or traditions into the nuptials or create something unique. Before the wedding day, the future spouses can finalize any details they want to include in their service.” 

Mike Ghouse officiates interfaith weddings across America. Please visit https://interfaithmarriages.org/ and for exclusively Muslim weddings, visit http://muslimweddingofficiant.org/ 

Buddha Purnima

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Today is Buddha’s birth celebrations. He was a great psychologist and precisely knew the formula for happiness. Some Buddhists look up-to him as God, whereas I see him as an enlightened man who shared with us about living freely without misery. He talked about living in moderation, by keeping wants and desires to a minimum that you can accomplish. One of the secrets of my happiness comes from the teachings of Buddha and other religious masters.

I attended the Mahabodhi society in Bangalore for the weekly sermons. One particular day, I was amazed at learning about the Four truths, then walked up-to the monk to appreciate him and extended my hand, he refused to shake, and pointed me to touch his feet. I walked away from the society for the last time. By the way, touching feet is a cultural expression of showing respect. I express by respecting the message.

But I learned a big lesson, and that is to ignore some of what the priests, monks, pastors, Imams and Rabbis say about their religions, and instead follow their books, you’ll find the truth, and the truth is freedom from anxieties, tensions, fears, apprehensions etc,.

The holy books are generally books of wisdom except the interpretations of “men” who were interested in gains to be had.

Please note, I write about the essence of every major festival of most religions, the idea is for us to learn about each other when we live on the same planet with least bias toward fellow humans

Mike Ghouse
Center for Pluralism
www.CenterforPluralism.com
A non-profit organization.

Slay the idolaters 9:5

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Slay the idolaters wherever you find them 9:5

Finding the truth is one’s own responsibility, it gives clarity and peace of mind knowing that the causer of life, the creator God is kind and merciful. We have captured various attempts to understand this verse from Qur’aan in its entirety, courtesy of www.islamicity.com and other translation sources. We hope to clarify each such verse that is misunderstood, God willing, one verse at a time over the next few years. Here is the mis-represented verse followed by correct version and various translations.

May God give you the strenght to be a peace maker; that is a conflict reducer and nurturer of Goodwill and harmonious co-existence.

Mis-represented verse

Surah 9, ayah 5, the book says, when the sacred months are over, slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Arrest them, besiege them and lie in ambush everywhere for them.”

The Actual Verse
Arabic – Transliteration – Translation (before and after verses) – Notes – 17 Translations.

Qur’aan, Surah 9 -At-Tauba (The Repentance) Verse 5

فَإِذَا انسَلَخَ الأَشْهُرُ الْحُرُمُ فَاقْتُلُواْ الْمُشْرِكِينَ حَيْثُ وَجَدتُّمُوهُمْ وَخُذُوهُمْ وَاحْصُرُوهُمْ وَاقْعُدُواْ لَهُمْ كُلَّ مَرْصَدٍ فَإِن تَابُواْ وَأَقَامُواْ الصَّلاَةَ وَآتَوُاْ الزَّكَاةَ فَخَلُّواْ سَبِيلَهُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ (9:5)

Faitha insalakha alashhuru alhurumu faoqtuloo almushrikeena haythu wajadtumoohum wakhuthoohum waohsuroohum waoqAAudoo lahum kulla marsadin fain taboo waaqamoo alssalata waatawoo alzzakata fakhalloo sabeelahum inna Allaha ghafoorun raheemun

9:5 And so, when the sacred months are over [6] , slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them, [7] and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place [8] ! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much forgiving, a dispenser of grace. [9]

9:4 But excepted shall be [4] -from among those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God – [people] with whom you [O believers] have made a covenant and who thereafter have in no wise failed to fulfil their obligations towards you, and neither have aided anyone against you: observe, then, your covenant with them until the end of the term agreed with them. [5] Verily, God loves those who are conscious of Him.

9:6 And if any of those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God seeks thy protection, [10] grant him protection, so that he might [be able to] hear the word of God [from thee]; and thereupon convey him to a place where he can feel secure: [11] this, because they [may be] people who [sin only because they] do not know [the truth].

9:7 HOW COULD they who ascribe divinity to aught beside God be granted a covenant by God and His Apostle, [12] unless it be those [of them] with whom you [O believers] have made a covenant in the vicinity of the Inviolable House of Worship? [13] [As for the latter,] so long as they remain true to you, be true to them: for, verily, God loves those who are conscious of Him.

9:8 How [else could it be]? [14] -since, if they [who are hostile to you] were to overcome you, they would not respect any tie [with you,] nor any obligation to protect [you]. [15] They seek to please you with their mouths, the while their hearts remain averse [to you]; and most of them are iniquitous.

Note 6 :
According to a pre-Islamic custom prevalent in Arabia , the months of Muharram, Rajab, Dhu ‘l-Qa’dah and Dhu ‘l-Hiijah were considered “sacred” in the sense that all tribal warfare had to cease during those months. It was with a view to preserving these periods of truce and thus to promoting peace among the frequently warring tribes that the Qur’an did not revoke, but rather confirmed, this ancient custom. See also 2:194 and 217.(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

Note 7 : (Quran Ref: 9:5 )
Read in conjunction with the two preceding verses, as well as with 2:190-194, the above verse relates to warfare already in progress with people who have become guilty of a breach of treaty obligations and of aggression.(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

Note 8:
I.e., “do everything that may be necessary and advisable in denotes “any place from which it is possible to perceive The term marsad enemy and to observe his the movements” (Manar X, 199). warfare”.(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

N0te 9:
As I have pointed out on more than one occasion, every verse of the Qur’an must be read and interpreted against the background of the Qur’an as a whole. The above verse, which speaks of a possible conversion to Islam on the part of “those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God” with whom the believers are at war, must, therefore, be considered in conjunction with several fundamental Qur’anic ordinances. One of them, “There shall be no coercion in matters of faith” (2:256), lays down categorically that any attempt at a forcible conversion of unbelievers is prohibited – which precludes the possibility of the Muslims’ demanding or expecting that a defeated enemy should embrace Islam as the price of immunity. Secondly, the Qur’an ordains, “Fight in God’s cause against those who wage war against you; but do not commit aggression, for, verily, God does not love aggressors” (2:190); and, “if they do not let you be, and do not offer you peace, and do not stay their hands, seize them and slay them whenever you come upon them: and it is against these that We have clearly empowered you [to make war]” (4:91). Thus, war is permissible only in self-defence (see surah 2, notes 167 and 168), with the further proviso that “if they desist-behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace” (2:192), and “if they desist, then all hostility shall cease” (2:193). Now the enemy’s conversion to Islam – expressed in the words, “if they repent, and take to prayer [lit., “establish prayer”] and render the purifying dues (zakah)”-is no more than one, and by no means the only, way of their “desisting from hostility”; and the reference to it in verses 5 and 11 of this surah certainly does not imply an alternative of “conversion or death”, as some unfriendly critics of Islam choose to assume. Verses 4 and 6 give a further elucidation of the attitude which the believers are enjoined to adopt towards such of the unbelievers as are not hostile to them. (In this connection, see also 60:8-9).(Quran Ref: 9:5 )

Other verses referenced above:

Al-Baqara (The Cow)

2:167 And then those followers shall say: “Would that we had a second chance [in life], [135] so that we could disown them as they have disowned us!” Thus will God show them their works [in a manner that will cause them] batter regrets; but they will not come out of the fire. [136]

2:168 O MANKIND! Partake of what is lawful and good on earth, and follow not Satan’s footsteps: for, verily, he is your open foe,

2:190 AND FIGHT in God’s cause against those who wage war against you, but do not commit aggression-for, verily, God does not love aggressors. [167]

2:191 And slay them wherever you may come upon them, and drive them away from wherever they drove you away – for oppression is even worse than killing. [168] And fight not against them near the Inviolable House of Worship unless they fight against you there first; [169] but if they fight against you, slay them: such shall be the recompense of those who deny the truth.

2:192 But if they desist-behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

2:193 Hence, fight against them until there is no more oppression and all worship is devoted to God alone; [170] but if they desist, then all hostility shall cease, save against those who [wilfully] do wrong.

2:194 Fight during the sacred months if you are attacked: [171] for a violation of sanctity is [subject to the law of] just retribution. Thus, if anyone commits aggression against you, attack him just as he has attacked you – but remain conscious of God, and know that God is with those who are conscious of Him. [172]
2:256 THERE SHALL BE no coercion in matters of faith. [249] Distinct has now become the right way from [the way of] error: hence, he who rejects the powers of evil [250] and believes in God has indeed taken hold of a support most unfailing, which shall never give way: for God is all-hearing, all-knowing.

Al-Mumtahinah (The Examined One)
60:8 As for such [of the unbelievers] as do not fight against you on account of [your] faith, and neither drive you forth from your homelands, God does not forbid you to show them kindness and to behave towards them with full equity: [9] for, verily, God loves those who act equitably.

60:9 God only forbids you to turn in friendship towards such as fight against you because of [your] faith, and drive you forth from your homelands, or aid [others] in driving you forth: and as for those [from among you] who turn towards them in friendship; it is they, they who are truly wrongdoers!

Translations:

Literal
So if the months the forbidden/sacred ended/passed , so fight/kill the sharers/takers of partners (with God) where/when you found them, and take/punish them and restrict/confine them and remain/be concerned and prepared/beset for them (in) every lookout/observatory , so if they repented, and kept up the prayers and gave/brought the charity/ purification , so free their way/path , that God (is) forgiving, merciful.

Yusuf Ali
But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, an seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Pickthal
Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the poor-due, then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Arberry
Then, when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and confine them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they repent, and perform the prayer, and pay the alms, then let them go their way; God is All-forgiving, All-compassionate.

Shakir
So when the sacred months have passed away, then slay the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them captives and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush, then if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free to them; surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Sarwar
When the sacred months are over, slay the pagans wherever you find them. Capture, besiege, and ambush them. If they repent, perform prayers and pay the religious tax, set them free. God is All-forgiving and All-merciful.

Khalifa
Once the Sacred Months are past, (and they refuse to make peace) you may kill the idol worshipers when you encounter them, punish them, and resist every move they make. If they repent and observe the Contact Prayers (Salat) and give the obligatory charity (Zakat), you shall let them go. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

Hilali/Khan
Then when the Sacred Months (the Ist, 7th, 11th, and 12th months of the Islamic calendar) have passed, then kill the Mushrikoon (see V.2:105) wherever you find them, and capture them and besiege them, and prepare for them each and every ambush. But if they repent and perform As-Salat (Iqamat-as-Salat), and give Zakat, then leave their way free. Verily, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

H/K/Saheeh
And when the sacred months have passed, then kill the polytheists wherever you find them and capture them and besiege them and sit in wait for them at every place of ambush. But if they should repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, let them [go] on their way. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.

Malik
When the forbidden months (10,11,12 & 1 of the Islamic calendar) are over, then fight the pagans wherever you find them, seize them, besiege them, and lie in ambush for them in every stratagem of war, but if they repent, establish Salah and pay Zakah, then let them go their way: surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.[5]

QXP
When the four Sacred Months are over and if the idolaters are still aggressing, neither becoming law-abiding citizens of the State, nor emigrating, subdue them wherever you find them, take them captive, and besiege them, and ambush them. But if they repent from aggression, and help in the consolidation of the Divine System and in setting up the Just Economic Order of Zakat, then leave them free. Verily, Allah is Forgiving Merciful.

Maulana Ali
So when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters, wherever you find them, and take them captive and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush. But if they repent and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate, leave their way free. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.

Free Minds
So when the restricted months have passed, then you may kill those who have set up partners wherever you find them, and take them, and surround them, and stand against them at every point. If they repent, and hold the contact-method, and contribute towards betterment, then you shall leave them alone. God is Forgiving, Merciful.

Qaribullah
When the sacred months are over, slay the idolaters wherever you find them. Take them and confine them, then lie in ambush everywhere for them. If they repent and establish the prayer and pay the obligatory charity, let them go their way. Allah is Forgiving and the Most Merciful.

George Sale
And when the months wherein ye are not allowed to attack them shall be past, kill the idolaters wheresoever ye shall find them, and take them prisoners, and besiege them, and lay wait for them in every convenient place. But if they shall repent, and observe the appointed times of prayer, and pay the legal alms, dismiss them freely; for God is gracious and merciful.

JM Rodwell
And when the sacred months are passed, kill those who join other gods with God wherever ye shall find them; and seize them, besiege them, and lay wait for them with every kind of ambush: but if they shall convert, and observe prayer, and pay the obligatory

Asad
And so, when the sacred months are over, slay those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God wherever you may come upon them,’ and take them captive, and besiege them, and lie in wait for them at every conceivable place! Yet if they repent, and take to prayer, and render the purifying dues, let them go their way: for, behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace .

Sahih Hadith?

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As a Muslim, I question everything, find answers and become a confident Muslim. The Quran calls on us to examine and understand its wisdom.

The first part of the note below about Zakath is beautiful as it came from the creator. Whereas the 2nd part, the Hadith, came from Humans and is flawed, even if it claims to be Sahih. Here is another example of a Hadith passed on as Sahih.

My response follows the Hadith.

The following Is the note;

There will always be poor people, not because they do not work.

Being poor is not a sin. I can give you massive evidence of how America (paradise of capitalism) creates poverty (poor people) on an industrial scale. Prominent economists in America have already raised alarm bells that wealth and income inequality are the greatest existential threat to America, not climate change.

That is why Islam has made Zakah the foundational pillar of the Islamic economic system. Zakah came from the Arabic root ز ك و, meaning to purify.

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Not sure if this Hadith is authentic. But it does make sense and is aligned with the central message and numerous verses of the Holy Quran and Injil and Torah!

وعن ابن عباس، وعمران بن الحصين، رضي الله عنهم، عن النبي ، صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ قال ‏”‏ اطلعت في الجنة فرأيت أكثر أهلها الفقراء، واطلعت في النار فرأيت أكثر أهلها النساء‏”‏ ‏(‏‏(‏متفق عليه من رواية ابن عباس‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏ ‏(‏‏(‏ورواه البخاري أيضاً من رواية عمران بن

الحصين‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

Ibn’ Abbas and ‘Imran bin Al-Husain (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “I looked into Jannah and saw that most of its dwellers are the poor, and I looked into Hell and saw that most of its inmates were women.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

# # # 

Here is my response to the above;

“Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) could not have said that, let me assert, Prophet could not have said the above statement.

Thanks to Imam Bukhari for collecting 600,000 Hadiths and rejecting 99% of them for lack of authentic source. No manufacturer of anything will pass along such products. Would you fly in a plane manufactured by a company with a 99% rejection rate? 

Imam Bukhari passed on the collection as he may not have had the time or was exhausted to subject these Hadiths to a critical test. Could the man who was a mercy to humankind have said such a misogynistic statement? Could Rahman and Rahim have said anything like that?

Bukhari probably expected Muslims would further debate and discuss it. Instead, the Muslims swallowed it up as a sahih Hadith. It is an example of uplifting human writings equal to God’s words. It’s not the character of the Prophet to say such a nasty thing about women.”

You may not, but I have interviewed several Muslim women who hated misogynistic interpretations of Quranic verses and Hadiths. They will not open up to you if you don’t believe in free speech, a solid Islamic value. 

Quran is the only book the Prophet asked us to follow, knowing the triumphalist Muslims will cook up things. Quran calls on us to question everything. Mustafa Aykol’s book, “A scholar of Islam, implores Muslims to stop deifying received tradition and undertake a critical study of their religious past, shedding unyielding legalism and close-mindedness.” 

We have put some scholars on a pedestal instead of God. It’s time for us to free ourselves, question everything, and become confident Muslims.

Let me add the slogan of the World Muslim Congress – a think tank. “If it is not common sense, then it is not Islam.

Mike Ghouse
More about him at www.TheGhouseDiary.com

A cohesive India?

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The picture below depicts India before Modi – two kids, a Muslim and a Hindu, are playful and pumping water for each other. Such was my beautiful India, no one was afraid of the other, and everyone felt relatively secure about his/her faith, culture, language, clothes, and other uniqueness.

Since Modi came to power, even children are taught to hate fellow Indians who are Muslims and Christians. I will be sharing the poisonous videos in the coming days. Indeed, you will see some hateful responses to this post right here.

India is going through the most challenging times now; women are not safe to travel in India, nor are the Christians and Muslims. The Dalits have been harassed, molested, Raped, maimed, and killed for over a Millenium; what a shame it is. However, lynching and harassment of Muslims, including harassment of college-going Muslim girls, preventing them from living their life has increased 20 fold since Modi came to power. Even the calls for genocides are growing by the day. Modi has silently encouraged pitting the extremist Hindus against Christians and Muslims. Modi is a sorry figure, totally brainwashed by India’s version of ISIS known as RSS.

The major global corporations may pull out of India for political instability. The foreign direct investments may dry up, causing a considerable employment crisis. Unemployment is already at a 45-year high. The losers will be the millions of Indians working in the IT Sector. All that they had gained before Modi will be lost. It is in their interest to speak up.

India is a great nation and will remain one, despite the tyrannic rule of Indira and Modi and we may see a few more, but as we say the truth triumphs.

I believe Goodness will return to India; most Indians are reasonable people and will not let hatred rule them forever. No one will be there forever. I hope Mr. Modi realizes and sheds his hate and creates an environment of harmony among Indians.

God bless India

Mike Ghouse

What Should Be The Indian Muslims Priority ?

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This is in reference to the article about Rich Muslims blowing their monies on Hajj and Umrah.

Of course, priorities change with time. At this time, the focus for Muslims in India should be “Security” and not 2nd Hajj or Multiple Umrah.

The average Muslim feels very insecure. In the early ’70s, Dr. Abdul Qader practiced medicine in Hebbal, a suburb of Bangalore – Communal Riots broke out, and his car and the house were set on fire. Then he moved to my town Yelahanka and went out of the way to care for poor patients. Yelahanka was always a secure place for Muslims. My father was a Mayor of a town of 20,000 with a Muslim population of 250 in the early ’50s. When Babri Masjid was destroyed, several Hindu boys surrounded my family home to protect family.

Now, Muslims everywhere feel insecure. They are afraid to walk alone on the streets, afraid to carry groceries home. They are afraid of building a business and a lovely home, not knowing when the goons will destroy them, and are scared to send their daughters to college. We can’t accept this situation.

I know my Muslim friends don’t like to read this, but the purpose of Hajj was to bring humility to one, for one to learn to feel equal with God’s creation – the fellow humans shed the arrogance and care for fellow humans.

I seek forgiveness from Allah for saying it is wrong to do Multiple Hajjs and Umra’s. Unless we speak, we will be led by the Pied Piper ulemas. I hope they give a Fatwa on this.

Doing Hajj appears to be show business; here in the US, when one decides to go to Hajj, it is a big show, everyone will know about it, and he/she is offered dinner in various homes. They are so proud of doing Hajj several times; they must be real sinners to go so many times to seek forgiveness each time.

One time Haj is good, and one Umra is good. If they do more, can they do it without broadcasting it? Can they spend the money on Good causes instead? Allah will reward them more if they care for fellow beings than blow money on Hajj and Umra.

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) clarifies to his associates who will earn Allah’s grace – the man who cares for his neighbor or the one who prays every minute of the day? The answer must be good enough for these Muslims, and I hope the Saudi government denies visas to anyone for the 2nd Hajj or 2nd Umra, and the local community shames them instead of giving them dinner. Please do not invite me to such dinner parties, and I will speak out. Instead, I will ask them to donate to the Association of Indian Muslims of America, an organization run by Kaleem Kwaja, directly helping the people in need in India.

The priority for Muslims is finding security in the most challenging time in their history after the 1492 episode in Spain. We need to spend that money on building relationships. The majority of Hindus are good people, and we need to strengthen our bonds with them, while a small percentage of them continue to be terrorists. Good Hindus have started speaking up, and we must do our share. https://theghousediary.com/good-hindus-must-speak-up/ Indeed, they are talking now.

Our work at the Center for Pluralism is to build cohesive societies where every community member feels secure about their ethnicity, faith, culture, race, political and sexual orientation. After reading what we do and what we have accomplished, please donate to our work. https://centerforpluralism.com/donate/

Thank you.

Mike Ghouse, President
www.CenterforPluralism.com
Office (202) 290-3560
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Washington, DC

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Dr. Mike Ghouse is a speaker, thinker, author, community consultant, pluralist, activist, newsmaker, and interfaith wedding officiant. Mike is deeply committed to Pluralism in Religion, Politics, Societies, and the workplace. He is an activist for Human Rights and freedom. He has dedicated his life to building a cohesive America and offers pluralistic solutions to the media and the policymakers on issues of the day. Everything about him is at www.TheGhousediary.com

India Is A Country Of Particular Concern

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We owe our ally India a considerable favor; we have to pull her out of the ditches and make her a reliable partner. It is in our economic, security, and long-term political interests.

We want an enduring relationship with India based on shared values such as religious freedom, human rights, and equal opportunities for all Indians. Any deficiency in these values will lead to a breakup in our relationships. It is like a marriage between two incompatible partners that will not last. We have witnessed many disasters in our foreign policy, invested huge sums into reckless relationships, and end up being a loser.

By recognizing India as a Country of Particular Concern, we will be doing the right thing – It is not a punishment to India but a favor. The Indian politicians know that the looming political instability in India could cause foreign direct investments to dry up and major corporations to look for other places with political stability. All the gains India had accrued in the last twenty years will be lost, and the ordinary person will be the loser.

Announcing India as a CPC will wake up the Indian politicians to correct their mistakes, restore religious freedoms and human rights, and become on par with our values. It will tell the world that India is open to criticism and correction, a hallmark of a vibrant democracy. Do you remember the Tylenol Episode a few decades ago? By acknowledging their mistakes, they bounced back and earned respect from the community of nations.

Imagine if the Hindu Americans were to hear the exact words that the Christians, Muslims, and others hear in India? “You eat what we permit you to eat, wear what appeases us, and believe what suits us. You don’t belong here; either convert, live as second-class citizens or face genocide and daily harassment. “

The Hindu Americans have a moral duty to stand up for the Indians in India, and I urge them to support the decision by the USCIRF to affix the label “Country of Particular Concern.” I hope the Biden administration reviews our foreign policy and chooses not to be a loser. We certainly don’t want to regret counting on India to be our ally.

No Indian American Muslim or Christian is anti-Hindu, anti-Hinduism, or anti-India but most of them disagree with what is happening in India under the Modi administration. A few of the RSS-influenced organizations are spreading false information about American Indians who are Muslims or Christians.

We, the Indian immigrants, love our motherland India, as all other immigrants do, and we want the best for her.

Mike Ghouse offers pluralistic solutions to issues of the day.
https://www.CenterforPluralism.com