In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful...the Best Knower.
Salaam (Peace) to all.
NOWHERE in the Holy Qur'an is "killing non-muslims" ...BECAUSE they are non-muslims... condoned. NEITHER does the Holy Qur'an condone the killing of INNOCENTS in the name of "Jihad"!
The Primary rule in Islam is to respect ALL life, and to kill no one except as ALLAH directs in the Holy Qur'an. The Holy Qur'an is so far from condoning indiscriminant killing of "non-muslims" that it clearly states that war is not even to be waged against a known hostile enemy except in SELF-DEFENSE. Once, attacked, however, the Muslims are commanded by God to fight back.
Consider the following:
2:190 And fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you but be not aggressive. Surely Allah loves not the aggressors.
191 And kill them wherever you find them, and drive them out from where they drove you out, and persecution is worse than slaughter. And fight not with them at the Sacred Mosque until they fight with you in it; so if they fight you (in it), slay them. Such is the recompense of the disbelievers.
192 But if they desist, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.
193 And fight them until there is no persecution, and religion is only for Allah. But if they desist, then there should be no hostility except against the oppressors.
194 The sacred month for the sacred month, and retaliation (is allowed) in sacred things. Whoever then acts aggressively against you, inflict injury on him according to the injury he has inflicted on you and keep your duty to Allah, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty.
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion — the right way is indeed clearly distinct from error. So whoever disbelieves in the devil and believes in Allah, he indeed lays hold on the firmest handle which shall never break. And Allah is Hearing, Knowing..
4:89 They long that you should disbelieve as they have disbelieved so that you might be on the same level; so take not from among them friends until they flee (their homes) in Allah's way. Then if they turn back (to hostility), then seize them and kill them wherever you find them, and take no friend nor helper from among them,
90 Except those who join a people between whom and you there is an alliance, or who come to you, their hearts shrinking from fighting you or fighting their own people. And if Allah had pleased, He would have given them power over you, so that they would have fought you. So if they withdraw from you and fight you not and offer you peace, then Allah allows you no way against them.
91 You will find others who desire to be secure from you and secure from their own people. Whenever they are made to return to hostility, they are plunged into it. So if they withdraw not from you, nor offer you peace and restrain their hands, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them. And against these We have given you a clear authority.
4:94 O you who believe, when you go forth (to fight) in Allah's way, make investigation, and say not to any one who offers you salutation, You are not a believer, seeking the good of this worlds life. But with Allah there are abundant gains. You too were such before, then Allah conferred a benefit on you; so make investigation. Surely Allah is ever Aware of what you do.
5:32 For this reason We prescribed for the Children of Israel that whoever kills a person, unless it be for man-slaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he had killed all men. And whoever saves a life, it is as though he had saved the lives of all men. And certainly Our messengers came to them with clear arguments, but even after that many of them commit excesses in the land.
6:152 Say: Come I will recite what your Lord has forbidden to you: Associate naught with Him and do good to parents and slay not your children for (fear of) poverty -- We provide for you and for them -- and draw not nigh to indecencies, open or secret, and kill not the soul which Allah has made sacred except in the course of justice. This He enjoins upon you that you may understand.
10:99 And if thy Lord had pleased, all those who are in the earth would have believed, all of them. Wilt thou then force men till they are believers?
100 And it is not for any soul to believe except by Allah’s permission. And He casts uncleanness on those who will not understand.
11:28 [Noah] said: O my people, see you if I have with me clear proof from my Lord, and He has granted me mercy from Himself and it has been made obscure to you. Can we compel you to (accept) it while you are averse to it?
11:88 [Shu'aib] said: O my people, see you if I
have a clear proof from my Lord and He has given me a goodly sustenance
from Himself. And I desire not to act in opposition to you, in that
which I forbid you. I desire nothing but reform, so far as I am able.
And with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to a right issue.
In Him I trust and to Him I turn.
17:33 And kill not the soul which Allah has forbidden except for a just cause. And whoever is slain unjustly, We have indeed given to his heir authority -- but let him not exceed the limit in slaying. Surely he will be helped.
49:6 O you who believe, if an unrighteous man brings you news, look carefully into it, lest you harm a people in ignorance, then be sorry for what you did.
From these verses, and others, it is then impossible for a RATIONAL Mind to conclude that "killing of non-muslims is legitimate and justified" in the Qur'an, simply BECAUSE they are "non-muslims".
I might add that it is just as "evil" to kill the "reputation" of a person or people through the use of slander and libel, using half-truths, lies and innuendo to promote a position which is more "personal" than "truthful".
Anyone who says or suggests that killing of non-muslims is "justified or legitimate" in Islam does not follow the Qur'an and does not understand the Qur'an, for the Qur'an condones no such thing.
There are approximately 1 Billion Muslims in the world...all following the Same Book - The Holy Qur'an. If indiscriminant "killing of non-muslims" was considered "legitimate and justified" in the Holy Qur'an, then there would certainly be a LOT MORE KILLING going on. Such is Clearly NOT the case.
If you divide the number of "extremists" in Islam, by the number of Sincere, Humanitarian Muslims, the "extremist" element amounts to LESS THAN "1%".
All we have to do is ...Do the Math.
RM
(Updated 1-Mar-17)
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Friday, February 02, 2007
The Divine Purpose for "Negativity"...
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful...the Best Knower.
The question was asked by another Believer:
"What is the Divine Purpose for negativity?"
negativity
negat-iv-ity
negate-ive-ity
negate-
[Origin: 1615–25; fr. L "negatus" (ptp. of "negare" to deny, refuse), equiv. to "neg-" (var. of "nec" not; see neglect) + -a- theme vowel + -tus ptp. suffix]
Notice the root "nec" from the Latin, which is also in the Latin word "necro" (negro).
-ive
expressing tendency, disposition, function, connection, etc.
-ity
expressing state or condition or quality
"negativity" => "the quality of tending to resist change"
By Comparison,
positivity
posit-iv-ity
posit-ive-ity
posit-
[Origin: 1640–50; fr. L "positus", ptp. of "ponere" to place, put]
-ive
expressing tendency, disposition, function, connection, etc.
-ity
expressing state or condition or quality
"positivity" => "the quality of tending to establish or produce change"
Therefore, "negativity" could be thought of as anything that tests our ability and will to produce change. It could also be anything that inspires us to produce change.
"Negativity" is the "material" through which "Positivity" struggles to establish or manifest Itself.
Allah has said:
"I was a Hidden Treasure, and I Loved that I should be Known. So I Created creation, that I might be Known."
Force is useless without something to act on.
My two...Allah Knows Best.
RM
The question was asked by another Believer:
"What is the Divine Purpose for negativity?"
negativity
negat-iv-ity
negate-ive-ity
negate-
[Origin: 1615–25; fr. L "negatus" (ptp. of "negare" to deny, refuse), equiv. to "neg-" (var. of "nec" not; see neglect) + -a- theme vowel + -tus ptp. suffix]
Notice the root "nec" from the Latin, which is also in the Latin word "necro" (negro).
-ive
expressing tendency, disposition, function, connection, etc.
-ity
expressing state or condition or quality
"negativity" => "the quality of tending to resist change"
By Comparison,
positivity
posit-iv-ity
posit-ive-ity
posit-
[Origin: 1640–50; fr. L "positus", ptp. of "ponere" to place, put]
-ive
expressing tendency, disposition, function, connection, etc.
-ity
expressing state or condition or quality
"positivity" => "the quality of tending to establish or produce change"
Therefore, "negativity" could be thought of as anything that tests our ability and will to produce change. It could also be anything that inspires us to produce change.
"Negativity" is the "material" through which "Positivity" struggles to establish or manifest Itself.
Allah has said:
"I was a Hidden Treasure, and I Loved that I should be Known. So I Created creation, that I might be Known."
Force is useless without something to act on.
My two...Allah Knows Best.
RM
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Minister Farrakhan Released from Hospital!
MOSQUE MARYAM (FinalCall.com) - On the morning of Sunday, January 28, 2007, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan was released from a five-week hospital stay following a major surgical procedure. As this great news was delivered via a national webcast from Nation of Islam Headquarters in Chicago, Ill., Nation of Islam Believers and well-wishers for Min. Farrakhan’s speedy recovery responded with shouts of “Allahu Akbar” (God is the Greatest) and numerous other expressions of joy.
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_3220.shtml
The prayers of the righteous availeth much!!
:)
http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/article_3220.shtml
The prayers of the righteous availeth much!!
:)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Is Homosexuality "Right" or "Wrong"?
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful...the Best Knower.
A question was asked about whether homosexuality is "right" or "wrong"..."good" or "bad".
Below is my response:
We all would agree that we are not just "living in" this universe, but we are "part of" it. As such, our existence is governed by the same set of Laws that govern the Solar System and the Atom, and others.
We live in a Universe that is filled with Life, and it is obvious to ME that there is a Supreme Intelligence that is moving all life forward to some destination or destiny. Since it is also obvious that the common urge or impulse of all Life is to "Survive", then this must be the Aim of the Supreme Being...to promote Life...to perpetuate Life...to evolve Life.
That which is "good" is that which "promotes Life" or the "greatest good" for all.
That which is "bad" is that which suppresses, opposes, hinders, or otherwise interferes with the Life Process.
According to the Law of "Unalike Attracts/Alike Repels," the existence and maintenance of Life requires the interaction between positive(electric) and negative(magnetic) potentials. When the positive (electric) potential comes within close proximity of the negative (magnetic) potential, an attraction and subsequent transfer of energy takes place, and a "spark" of Life (motion) is produced.
On the other hand, if two "like potentials" (two "positives" or two "negatives") are brought within close proximity to one another, they will be repelled from one another, and no energy transfer can take place...hence, Life cannot take place from that interaction.
We can see this in our childhood experiments with magnets. When we put like (+/+) poles together, they push away from each other, and it takes great effort to get them to touch each other. However, when released from our "external" force pushing them together, the internal force in them immediately pushes them away from each other.
However, when we put "opposite" poles (+/-) together, we observe a very strong attraction that begins to have an effect before they actually touch each other. In fact, it takes great effort to keep them from touching each other when they are that close together.
This is the Nature of things, this is the Law of Life; and this is why Homosexuality is "wrong" or "bad"...because it is a deviation from the Natural Law of Life. However, this does NOT justify mistreating someone because they made a "wrong" or "bad" choice...for we all make "bad" choices of different sorts, correct?
While it is true that we have the freedom to choose what kind of life we live, we must understand that we live in a Universe that is goverened by very exact and inflexible Laws, which ensure Order and Balance and the Continuance of Life in this Universe. There is no getting around this. This is why broken bones mend, cuts heal, bells stop ringing after being struck, ripples in water fade away.
All of this is "caused" by the Laws which govern our existence. And since we are all governed by the same Universal Laws, we are all connected to each other. What affects one, affects all...even if unnoticeably. Therefore, our actions affect not only ourselves, but everyone around us.
From this we can see that, with "freedom of choice" comes great "responsibility". Yes, we are free to choose, but we must be RESPONSIBLE enough to choose that which is not just "pleasurable" to us as individuals, but we should strive to develop the will to choose that which is in the best interests of ourselves and the world we live in.
When we make a choice that is contrary to the Law of Life, we usually - and almost immediately - feel the effects of that choice in our being. Some call it guilt, some call it frustration, some call it stress (and sometimes manifesting as physical pain)...but it is really just the Universal Law working to correct the "disturbance" we created by our making a choice that was not in Harmony with the Nature of our Existence.
Yes...We do have the freedom to choose our actions, but we cannot escape the consequences of our choices.
Please...Choose LIFE!
RM
A question was asked about whether homosexuality is "right" or "wrong"..."good" or "bad".
Below is my response:
We all would agree that we are not just "living in" this universe, but we are "part of" it. As such, our existence is governed by the same set of Laws that govern the Solar System and the Atom, and others.
We live in a Universe that is filled with Life, and it is obvious to ME that there is a Supreme Intelligence that is moving all life forward to some destination or destiny. Since it is also obvious that the common urge or impulse of all Life is to "Survive", then this must be the Aim of the Supreme Being...to promote Life...to perpetuate Life...to evolve Life.
That which is "good" is that which "promotes Life" or the "greatest good" for all.
That which is "bad" is that which suppresses, opposes, hinders, or otherwise interferes with the Life Process.
According to the Law of "Unalike Attracts/Alike Repels," the existence and maintenance of Life requires the interaction between positive(electric) and negative(magnetic) potentials. When the positive (electric) potential comes within close proximity of the negative (magnetic) potential, an attraction and subsequent transfer of energy takes place, and a "spark" of Life (motion) is produced.
On the other hand, if two "like potentials" (two "positives" or two "negatives") are brought within close proximity to one another, they will be repelled from one another, and no energy transfer can take place...hence, Life cannot take place from that interaction.
We can see this in our childhood experiments with magnets. When we put like (+/+) poles together, they push away from each other, and it takes great effort to get them to touch each other. However, when released from our "external" force pushing them together, the internal force in them immediately pushes them away from each other.
However, when we put "opposite" poles (+/-) together, we observe a very strong attraction that begins to have an effect before they actually touch each other. In fact, it takes great effort to keep them from touching each other when they are that close together.
This is the Nature of things, this is the Law of Life; and this is why Homosexuality is "wrong" or "bad"...because it is a deviation from the Natural Law of Life. However, this does NOT justify mistreating someone because they made a "wrong" or "bad" choice...for we all make "bad" choices of different sorts, correct?
While it is true that we have the freedom to choose what kind of life we live, we must understand that we live in a Universe that is goverened by very exact and inflexible Laws, which ensure Order and Balance and the Continuance of Life in this Universe. There is no getting around this. This is why broken bones mend, cuts heal, bells stop ringing after being struck, ripples in water fade away.
All of this is "caused" by the Laws which govern our existence. And since we are all governed by the same Universal Laws, we are all connected to each other. What affects one, affects all...even if unnoticeably. Therefore, our actions affect not only ourselves, but everyone around us.
From this we can see that, with "freedom of choice" comes great "responsibility". Yes, we are free to choose, but we must be RESPONSIBLE enough to choose that which is not just "pleasurable" to us as individuals, but we should strive to develop the will to choose that which is in the best interests of ourselves and the world we live in.
When we make a choice that is contrary to the Law of Life, we usually - and almost immediately - feel the effects of that choice in our being. Some call it guilt, some call it frustration, some call it stress (and sometimes manifesting as physical pain)...but it is really just the Universal Law working to correct the "disturbance" we created by our making a choice that was not in Harmony with the Nature of our Existence.
Yes...We do have the freedom to choose our actions, but we cannot escape the consequences of our choices.
Please...Choose LIFE!
RM
Saturday, January 20, 2007
A Deeper Look at "How to Eat to Live"
In the Name of Allah(God), the Beneficent, the Merciful...the Best Knower.
What would we think of a King or Ruler over millions or billions of people, who deliberately or carelessly poisoned his subjects?
Would we not seek to have that person prosecuted in an international court for Genocide, or at the very least, Criminal Negligence?
That would certainly be a fitting reaction, but it occurred to me the other day, while conducting a group discussion with some of my students, that most of us who would cry out against such an injustice are guilty of the very same thing, yet there is no outcry.
Each one of us is the King, Queen or Ruler over billions upon billions of subjects, called "cells", that make up the kingdom of our Bodies. How do we treat our subjects? Do we care for them? Do we seek out the knowledge of HOW to care for them? Or do we simply take them for granted, forcing to perform the miraculous task of supporting our existence with fuel that is more "poison" than "nutrition"?
The Body is made up of Systems - digestive, circulatory, nervous, skeletal, etc. - and each System is made up of Organs. The Organs are comprised of Tissues, and the Tissues are made of Cells.
The cells, according to biologists, are the smallest living units in our bodies and are the basic building blocks of our existence, in terms of living organisms. These cells have intelligence, and each one has its own specific function which it must carry out in order contribute to the Survival of the Larger community - the Body. This means that each cell has very specific nutritional needs which must be met in order to effectively carry out its Natural function.
These “servants” of ours work constantly, selflessly, to perform their functions to keep us alive. They "love" to Serve us, for that is what they exist for; but...how do we reward them? How do we reward these, our most humble and faithful servants who give their all that we may live? Do we make our best effort to give them the nourishment they need so they may continue to serve us; or, do we, like Pharoah, require them to "make bricks without straw"? Do we give them poison for fuel, which distorts their function and often their form and expect them, in return, to keep us healthy?
How hypocritical it is for us to cry out against the injustices of tyrants in the world, while ignoring or justifying the tyranny that we impose upon our own servants on a daily basis! Do we think we will escape the fate of any other ruler who oppresses and abuses his subjects? Do we think that our kingdoms (bodies) will not fall into anarchy (disease) and collapse (die) under our unjust rule of those entrusted to our care?
Just as any other tyrant would likely be found guilty of “genocide” and be tried for crimes against humanity, and likely be sentenced to death; so we deserve, and indeed should receive, no less, unless and until we begin making a serious effort to be a Just Ruler over our Subjects.
Remember, family...when we eat, we are not just feeding our appetites; we are not just feeding our stomachs; we are feeding those subjects who look to us to care for them, and whom we depend on for our very lives.
Let us not "live to eat". Let us "eat to Live". Let us look again and deeper into the Hon. Elijah Muhammad’s teaching on “How to Eat to Live”.
Treat your servants well, for they love to serve you.
RM
What would we think of a King or Ruler over millions or billions of people, who deliberately or carelessly poisoned his subjects?
Would we not seek to have that person prosecuted in an international court for Genocide, or at the very least, Criminal Negligence?
That would certainly be a fitting reaction, but it occurred to me the other day, while conducting a group discussion with some of my students, that most of us who would cry out against such an injustice are guilty of the very same thing, yet there is no outcry.
Each one of us is the King, Queen or Ruler over billions upon billions of subjects, called "cells", that make up the kingdom of our Bodies. How do we treat our subjects? Do we care for them? Do we seek out the knowledge of HOW to care for them? Or do we simply take them for granted, forcing to perform the miraculous task of supporting our existence with fuel that is more "poison" than "nutrition"?
The Body is made up of Systems - digestive, circulatory, nervous, skeletal, etc. - and each System is made up of Organs. The Organs are comprised of Tissues, and the Tissues are made of Cells.
The cells, according to biologists, are the smallest living units in our bodies and are the basic building blocks of our existence, in terms of living organisms. These cells have intelligence, and each one has its own specific function which it must carry out in order contribute to the Survival of the Larger community - the Body. This means that each cell has very specific nutritional needs which must be met in order to effectively carry out its Natural function.
These “servants” of ours work constantly, selflessly, to perform their functions to keep us alive. They "love" to Serve us, for that is what they exist for; but...how do we reward them? How do we reward these, our most humble and faithful servants who give their all that we may live? Do we make our best effort to give them the nourishment they need so they may continue to serve us; or, do we, like Pharoah, require them to "make bricks without straw"? Do we give them poison for fuel, which distorts their function and often their form and expect them, in return, to keep us healthy?
How hypocritical it is for us to cry out against the injustices of tyrants in the world, while ignoring or justifying the tyranny that we impose upon our own servants on a daily basis! Do we think we will escape the fate of any other ruler who oppresses and abuses his subjects? Do we think that our kingdoms (bodies) will not fall into anarchy (disease) and collapse (die) under our unjust rule of those entrusted to our care?
Just as any other tyrant would likely be found guilty of “genocide” and be tried for crimes against humanity, and likely be sentenced to death; so we deserve, and indeed should receive, no less, unless and until we begin making a serious effort to be a Just Ruler over our Subjects.
Remember, family...when we eat, we are not just feeding our appetites; we are not just feeding our stomachs; we are feeding those subjects who look to us to care for them, and whom we depend on for our very lives.
Let us not "live to eat". Let us "eat to Live". Let us look again and deeper into the Hon. Elijah Muhammad’s teaching on “How to Eat to Live”.
Treat your servants well, for they love to serve you.
RM
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