Abu-l ‘Abbas Ahmad ibn Khallikan (أبو العباس أحمد بن خلكان), (September 22, 1211 – October 30, 1282) was a Kurdish Muslim scholar of the 13th century. He was born in Arbil, Iraq in 1211.
By his talents and his writings he received the title of the most learned man and the ablest historian of that city. He studied jurisprudence at Mosul and after a brief stay at Damascus, settled in Cairo, where he gained pre-eminence as a jurist, a theologian, and a grammarian. He married in 1252 CE. He left Cairo to become judge (Qadi) of Damascus in 1269 CE. When he was removed later, he returned to Cairo to take up a professorship and to act as deputy to the chief judge. He returned to Damascus to a triumphant welcome to become kadi again, a post he relinquished in 1281 CE, one year before his death.
Ibn Khallikan’s most famous work is The Obituaries of Eminent Men (Wafayat al-Ayan), often referred to as The Biographical Dictionary. He started to work on it in 1256 until 1274. It has always been considered as a work of highest importance for the civil and literary history of the Muslim people. It is of enormous scope—the English translation by Mac Guckin de Slane occupies over 2,700 pages— and it is not surprising that later Arabic historians filled their pages with extracts from his work, and that Arabic rhetoricians, grammarians, and compilers of anecdotes have taken choice passages from it.
Khallikan restricted his coverage to those persons who held a conspicuous place in the Muslim world. The pages are full of accounts of individuals who have risen to or fallen from power by intrigue or force, of leaders of military campaigns, of learned men, and of poets.
The PDF of the book can be downloaded from:
Ibn Khallikan's Biographical Dictionary
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Seerah of Ibn Hisham in English (download)
The english translation of Ibn Hisham's Seerah of the Prophet (saw) is available to download from:
Seerah Ibn Hisham
Seerah Ibn Hisham
Comments on recent events
Britain’s former Prime Minister Blair caught red handed
On 23/4/2008 former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was caught traveling on a train without a ticket and no cash to pay for the fare. The ticket costs $49 dollars, while Blair’s income since June 2007 amounts to a million dollars. In 2000, Blair's wife Cherie, was fined after being caught riding a train without a ticket. What is noteworthy is that Blair deflected all accusations of nepotism, embezzlement and corruption, while he was prime minister. He employed expensive advisors and lawyers to protect himself from the full arm of the law. Yet, all it took was a normal train journey to reveal Blair’s true colours.
Ethiopian crusaders slaughter Somalian Muslims
On 23/4/2008 Amnesty International accused Ethiopian soldiers of killing 21 people, including an imam and several Islamic scholars, at a Mogadishu mosque and said seven of the victims had their throats slit. The human rights organization is the latest voice to speak out against the savagery of Ethiopian crusader operating in Somalia. Ethiopia was enlisted to spearhead America’s war against Islam in the horn of Africa. Since 2006, Ethiopia has been collaborating with American to consolidate US hegemony over Somalia. A similar pattern is found in Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Waziristan etc. where America in partnership with Israel , India , and NATO is waging a brutal war against Muslims. This can only be described as a war against the Islamic civilization, and not a clash of civilizations as often depicted in the West.
Tensions rise between Russia and Georgia
On 23/4/2008 speaking after a close door UN Security Council Session, Georgian Foreign Minister Davit Bakhradze said, “We have very alarming signs of creeping annexation on the ground. That is creeping annexation of two Georgian regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia. And the recent decision to establish direct legal links with the local de-facto authorities is also the first time when Russia challenged Georgia 's jurisdiction over these two regions…” Ever since the recognition of Kosovo by the West, Georgia has been alarmed at Russia belligerence towards it
At the heart of the dispute is the ongoing struggle between US and Russia to control Georgia . Russia is using the precedence set by Kosovo’s independence to normalize relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia . Recently, Russia was also able to persuade European countries to block American attempts to admit Georgia and Ukraine into NATO. The tensions have irked the US and prompted the US Secretary of State Dr. Rice to say, “Our commitment to Georgia and to its territorial integrity is firm.” As the America prepares for the upcoming general election, Russia will have ample time to exploit the last few months of the defunct Bush administration to make further inroads into Georgia .
Dutch and Danish embassies evacuated in Kabul
On 23/4/2008 the BBC reported that Dutch and Danish governments have evacuated their embassies in the Afghan capital, Kabul , in response to threats. A few days earlier staff from the Danish embassy in Algeria and the Dutch mission in Pakistan were moved. If this is the action of Danish and Dutch governments in response to the anger of the ummah over insults to Islam, then imagine what the response would be if the armies of the Muslim world were to join the ummah to protect the honour of the messenger (saw) of Allah.
US pressurizes China to hold talks with Dalai Lama
On 23/4/2008 Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte told a U.S. said, “The Chinese government should seize the opportunity to talk to those Tibetans, represented by the Dalai Lama, who oppose violence and do not seek independence for Tibet …Public vilification of the Dalai Lama will not help defuse the situation.” Over the past few weeks America has steadily pressed China to hold talks with Dalai Lama. Some western leaders have even gone as far as stating that it would inappropriate for them to attend the Beijing Olympic games. The Chinese on the other hand abhor American interference and regard the US along with Europe to be the chief architects of the violence in Tibet . Whether or not China cedes to US demands and commences negotiations with Dalai Lama, one thing for certain is that the events have rejuvenated Chinese nationalism. This is a double edged sword. Whilst nationalism unites Chinese to stand together, it also breeds resentment against China’s minorities. If China fails to mange this properly, the West is lying in wait—ready to exploit other minorities.
24/04/2008
On 23/4/2008 former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was caught traveling on a train without a ticket and no cash to pay for the fare. The ticket costs $49 dollars, while Blair’s income since June 2007 amounts to a million dollars. In 2000, Blair's wife Cherie, was fined after being caught riding a train without a ticket. What is noteworthy is that Blair deflected all accusations of nepotism, embezzlement and corruption, while he was prime minister. He employed expensive advisors and lawyers to protect himself from the full arm of the law. Yet, all it took was a normal train journey to reveal Blair’s true colours.
Ethiopian crusaders slaughter Somalian Muslims
On 23/4/2008 Amnesty International accused Ethiopian soldiers of killing 21 people, including an imam and several Islamic scholars, at a Mogadishu mosque and said seven of the victims had their throats slit. The human rights organization is the latest voice to speak out against the savagery of Ethiopian crusader operating in Somalia. Ethiopia was enlisted to spearhead America’s war against Islam in the horn of Africa. Since 2006, Ethiopia has been collaborating with American to consolidate US hegemony over Somalia. A similar pattern is found in Palestine, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Waziristan etc. where America in partnership with Israel , India , and NATO is waging a brutal war against Muslims. This can only be described as a war against the Islamic civilization, and not a clash of civilizations as often depicted in the West.
Tensions rise between Russia and Georgia
On 23/4/2008 speaking after a close door UN Security Council Session, Georgian Foreign Minister Davit Bakhradze said, “We have very alarming signs of creeping annexation on the ground. That is creeping annexation of two Georgian regions - Abkhazia and South Ossetia. And the recent decision to establish direct legal links with the local de-facto authorities is also the first time when Russia challenged Georgia 's jurisdiction over these two regions…” Ever since the recognition of Kosovo by the West, Georgia has been alarmed at Russia belligerence towards it
At the heart of the dispute is the ongoing struggle between US and Russia to control Georgia . Russia is using the precedence set by Kosovo’s independence to normalize relations with Abkhazia and South Ossetia . Recently, Russia was also able to persuade European countries to block American attempts to admit Georgia and Ukraine into NATO. The tensions have irked the US and prompted the US Secretary of State Dr. Rice to say, “Our commitment to Georgia and to its territorial integrity is firm.” As the America prepares for the upcoming general election, Russia will have ample time to exploit the last few months of the defunct Bush administration to make further inroads into Georgia .
Dutch and Danish embassies evacuated in Kabul
On 23/4/2008 the BBC reported that Dutch and Danish governments have evacuated their embassies in the Afghan capital, Kabul , in response to threats. A few days earlier staff from the Danish embassy in Algeria and the Dutch mission in Pakistan were moved. If this is the action of Danish and Dutch governments in response to the anger of the ummah over insults to Islam, then imagine what the response would be if the armies of the Muslim world were to join the ummah to protect the honour of the messenger (saw) of Allah.
US pressurizes China to hold talks with Dalai Lama
On 23/4/2008 Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte told a U.S. said, “The Chinese government should seize the opportunity to talk to those Tibetans, represented by the Dalai Lama, who oppose violence and do not seek independence for Tibet …Public vilification of the Dalai Lama will not help defuse the situation.” Over the past few weeks America has steadily pressed China to hold talks with Dalai Lama. Some western leaders have even gone as far as stating that it would inappropriate for them to attend the Beijing Olympic games. The Chinese on the other hand abhor American interference and regard the US along with Europe to be the chief architects of the violence in Tibet . Whether or not China cedes to US demands and commences negotiations with Dalai Lama, one thing for certain is that the events have rejuvenated Chinese nationalism. This is a double edged sword. Whilst nationalism unites Chinese to stand together, it also breeds resentment against China’s minorities. If China fails to mange this properly, the West is lying in wait—ready to exploit other minorities.
24/04/2008
Saturday, April 19, 2008
World Bank reveals food prices becoming unbearable for the world's poor
Increases in the price of rice, wheat, corn, cooking oil, milk and other foodstuff have sparked violent protests in many countries including Egypt, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Ethiopia, Madagascar, the Philippines and Indonesia. In Pakistan and Thailand, army troops have been deployed to avoid food being seized from fields and warehouses. On 14/4/2008 World Bank has reported that global wheat prices jumped 181 per cent over the 36 months to February 2008, with overall food prices up 83 per cent. Robert Zoellick, the World Bank president, said, Based on a very rough analysis, we estimate that doubling of food prices over the last three years could potentially push 100 million people in low-income countries deeper into poverty.
There are two primary factors that have prompted higher prices. First, the increase in the price of oil has caused the price of agriculture inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, machinery etc to go up. Higher transportation costs have also added to the overall cost of the foodstuffs. Thus the consumer is forced to pay for all of these extra costs. Second, agriculture land in many parts of the world is being used to grow crops for bio-fuels, such as ethanol thereby curtailing supply and driving up prices higher. However, world cereal production in 2008 is projected to increase by 2.6 per cent to a record 2,164 million tones. This indicates that there is enough food to feed the world's poor. But the capitalist market system is preventing the food reaching those people who need it most. In Islam, it is the responsibility of the Islamic Khilafah to intervene and meet the basic needs of every citizen who is unable to purchase food to satisfy their hunger.
16/4/2008
There are two primary factors that have prompted higher prices. First, the increase in the price of oil has caused the price of agriculture inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, machinery etc to go up. Higher transportation costs have also added to the overall cost of the foodstuffs. Thus the consumer is forced to pay for all of these extra costs. Second, agriculture land in many parts of the world is being used to grow crops for bio-fuels, such as ethanol thereby curtailing supply and driving up prices higher. However, world cereal production in 2008 is projected to increase by 2.6 per cent to a record 2,164 million tones. This indicates that there is enough food to feed the world's poor. But the capitalist market system is preventing the food reaching those people who need it most. In Islam, it is the responsibility of the Islamic Khilafah to intervene and meet the basic needs of every citizen who is unable to purchase food to satisfy their hunger.
16/4/2008
McCain's spiritual guide wants Islam destroyed
On 14/4/2008 a poll found McCain to be the best commander in chief amongst the three US candidates vying for presidency. So if McCain were to become the next US President what views would shape his attitudes to the Islamic world. Perhaps the answer lies with Reverend Rod Parsley who was conferred the title of "spiritual guide" by none other than McCain himself at a campaign rally in Cincinnati. Reverend Parsley regularly spews venom against Islam and in one of his books, in a chapter titled Islam: The Deception of Allah, he writes: "I cannot tell you how important it is that we understand the true nature of Islam, that we see it for what it really is. The fact is that America was founded, in part, with the intention of seeing this false religion destroyed, and I believe September 11, 2001, was a generational call to arms that we can no longer ignore." Bush’s spiritual guide Pat Robertson espoused similar views. Then again! After seven years of fighting Islam, do Muslims really require proof that US governments are avid enemies of Islam.
16/4/2008
16/4/2008
Pakistan about to cede its nuclear sovereignty to America
After having recently described the Federal Administered Tribal Area (FATA) of Pakistan the most dangerous region in the world, the US is now seeking direct access to Pakistan's nuclear assets. On 14/4/2008 a Pakistani newspaper reported that the US State Department wanted to permanently assign an official at the US embassy in Islamabad to monitor Pakistan 's nuclear issues. Furthermore, the US wants the official to have direct access to Pakistan's National Command Authority (NCA) Secretariat. The latest demand comes hot on the heels of the 11 humiliating conditions, stipulated by the US a few weeks ago. President Musharraf's unstinting support to America , has now paved the way for the US to have direct control over Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. The present government of Gilani and the opposition show no signs of anxiety or opposition to the US proposal. In comparison, Indian politicians adopted a bolder stance than their spineless Pakistani counterparts. They vehemently objected to America's nuclear deal with the Congress led government on the basis that it undermined India's nuclear sovereignty. Subsequently, this has made it extremely difficult for America to impose controls over India's nuclear assets.
16/4/2008
16/4/2008
Hindus discover a new goddess to worship
On 7/4/08 the world's media reported that an Indian girl with two pairs of eyes, two noses and two lips, and only one pair of ears was born. In the medical world, the girl suffers from a rare condition known as craniofacial duplication. But to Hindus, the baby girl is worshipped as reincarnation of a Hindu goddess. 100 people a day visit the girl at home to touch her feet out of respect. Ignorance left unquestioned will always produce behaviour that does not befit human beings. When the aql is used correctly to arrive at Tawheed, it elevates the human being to the best of creation. Allah (swt) says: “Surely We created man of the best stature. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low.” [TMQ 95: 4 to 5]
April 10th 2008
April 10th 2008
Anglo-American Impasse in Kenya again results in violence
On 8/4/2008 violence once again greeted the streets of Kenya . This time it was over the failure of the opposition leader Odinga and the President Kibaki to form a unity government. Under the power sharing accord brokered by Kofi Anan in February 2008, both leaders are required to form a national unity government in which cabinet positions are equally shared. However, Kibaki has refused to cede enough powerful ministries, like finance, foreign affairs or internal security, to placate Odinga.
The political stalemate has less to do with squabbles between Odinga and Kibaki, and has more to do with foreign interference. At present, both Britain and America have locked horns in a vicious struggle to protect their respective interests through surrogates in the new coalition government. This has spilled over into violence. The people of Kenya need to join their Muslims citizens in exposing the plans of the colonialists and supporting the re-establishment of Khilafah. The Khilafah is the only solution to the complete liberation of Kenya from the yoke of colonialism perpetrated by western powers through their agents.
April 10th 2008
The political stalemate has less to do with squabbles between Odinga and Kibaki, and has more to do with foreign interference. At present, both Britain and America have locked horns in a vicious struggle to protect their respective interests through surrogates in the new coalition government. This has spilled over into violence. The people of Kenya need to join their Muslims citizens in exposing the plans of the colonialists and supporting the re-establishment of Khilafah. The Khilafah is the only solution to the complete liberation of Kenya from the yoke of colonialism perpetrated by western powers through their agents.
April 10th 2008
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
New Urdu Khilafat Magazines out
To download the issue 5 and issue 6 of the new Urdu Khilafat Magazines, go to: http://www.khilafat.pk
The links to the PDF's are on the front page, you can download from there.
The links to the PDF's are on the front page, you can download from there.
IMF: The world economy is to worsen
On 8/4/2008 The IMF's Global Stability Report stated that the effects of the credit crunch (ability of banks to offer loans to encourage movement of money in markets) are likely to be "broader, deeper and more protracted" than in previous downturns, due to the "degree of securitisation and leverage in the financial system. The IMF also warned that potential losses from the credit crunch will reach $945bn and could be even higher. As usual the IMF blamed lax regulation by governments and poor supervision by banks for contributing to the crisis. Such factors are often cited by the IMF to explain routine bust and boom cycles experienced by the financial markets, but rarely shed light on the underlying reasons responsible for the situation.
There are 2 main reasons that have contributed to the current turmoil. First, capitalism encourages debt to be traded in international markets through a web of complex financial products called securities. In most cases these products are not supported by tangible assets. Second, the money supply is artificially inflated and not supported by anything valuable. The net effect is that the value behind securities and money supply is determined by confidence. In difficult financial circumstances, the first casualty is the confidence of big investors in the economy, as it happened with the sub-prime mortgage crisis. These investors were quick to realize the worthlessness of their financial products and start to sell. This caused severe panic in the US and international markets” banks were unable to recover their loans and halted lending; sellers were unable to find buyers for their products, insurance companies refused to honour their liabilities and the home owners lost their homes and descended into poverty.
In the Islam trades in debt are forbidden. The money supply is based upon the gold standard and acts like a natural check against attempts to artificially increase the money supply. Hence, the Islamic economic system is more stable and less prone to cycles of boom and bust.
There are 2 main reasons that have contributed to the current turmoil. First, capitalism encourages debt to be traded in international markets through a web of complex financial products called securities. In most cases these products are not supported by tangible assets. Second, the money supply is artificially inflated and not supported by anything valuable. The net effect is that the value behind securities and money supply is determined by confidence. In difficult financial circumstances, the first casualty is the confidence of big investors in the economy, as it happened with the sub-prime mortgage crisis. These investors were quick to realize the worthlessness of their financial products and start to sell. This caused severe panic in the US and international markets” banks were unable to recover their loans and halted lending; sellers were unable to find buyers for their products, insurance companies refused to honour their liabilities and the home owners lost their homes and descended into poverty.
In the Islam trades in debt are forbidden. The money supply is based upon the gold standard and acts like a natural check against attempts to artificially increase the money supply. Hence, the Islamic economic system is more stable and less prone to cycles of boom and bust.
April 10, 2008
America Regrets ‘War on Terror’!
Read the passage in perspective to the recent U.S. decisions, their backfire and the resultant growth of Islamic spirit in Muslims.
In the Name of Allah, The most Beneficent, The most Merciful
In 1991 Communism was consigned to history. The fall of the Communist world was heralded as the rise of America. That the U.S.A. would become the most powerful and the only world power was a forgone conclusion. There wasn’t a single person doubting that preposition. But in fact, that very incident marked the biting of the dust for the U.S.A.
As soon as Soviet Union crumbled and U.S.A. became the sole Superpower, it took upon itself to awaken the Sleeping Giant – Islam. Of a surety, if men could probe into the hearts of men, America regrets having rubbed shoulders with Islam. The contrived events of 9/11, Madrid …… and the entire gamut of deceits and blames, culminating into the ‘War on Terror’, Afghanistan, Iraq – have all contributed to America digging its own grave.
Liars can never speak the truth, but if their whispers behind closed doors can be heard, if their frustrations can be measured, if their sleepless nights can be counted, and if their crying hearts can be monitored – all of them will say that the Americans deeply regret having taken cudgel with Muslims. Surely they woefully regret treating Islam as their ‘Enemy No.1’. The giant is too strong to be handled and now it refuses to be cowed down.
After the successful disintegration of the Khilafah (Caliphate) on 3rd March, 1924, the Muslims went into slumber and the entire Western world ran amok, plundering every blade of grass they could. Allah gave abundance of natural resources to the Islamic lands, which were all going into the coffers of the Kuffar. The slumber of the Muslims turned into numbness and then into comatose condition, while the rulers of Muslim lands preyed on them. It would have done America good to leave this entity called Muslims in that state. But their arrogance and foolishness stirred the hornet’s nest. The ‘War on Terror’ became a nightmare for the U.S.A. itself.
Today, Alhamdulillah, the Muslim world is abuzz with the true revival spirit. Bringing the Islamic way of life into centre stage and talking of being governed by Islamic law – Shariah in all walks of life – Ruling, economics, judiciary, foreign affairs, and military. Muslims now refuse to call Arabia as ‘Saudi Arabia’ because the Saud families were plunderers, robbers, usurpers. Arabia is not theirs, it belongs to the Ummah. The concept of a unified Muslim Ummah and being governed by one single Khalifah (Caliph) seems so practical that the European Union, One-World Government and Super-State sound primitive in front of it. Not that Muslims would not have woken up from this coma if America had not acted the way it did, but surely the acts of commission and omission by U.S.A. acted as catalyst. The rude shock to the Muslim Ummah was well taken. Thank you America! Thank you very much!
In a world where mercy is overwhelmed by cruelty, truth by lies, transparency by camouflage, the world seems to have forgotten what justice really is. U.S.A. epitomized cruelty, lies, camouflage and injustice to the extent that it crumbled under its own pressure. One smiles to see Clinton, Obama and McCain fight for ruling the graveyard called America.
If those who commit crime upon crime refuse to be called criminals, while innocent Muslims are hounded as terrorists, Muslims refuse to take the blame of the blamers. This only makes more people rush into the comforting lap of Islam and study it as an ideological, intellectual and political alternative to the crumbling ruling systems of today. Look out; the Khilafah is around the corner.
Abu Farhaan
In the Name of Allah, The most Beneficent, The most Merciful
In 1991 Communism was consigned to history. The fall of the Communist world was heralded as the rise of America. That the U.S.A. would become the most powerful and the only world power was a forgone conclusion. There wasn’t a single person doubting that preposition. But in fact, that very incident marked the biting of the dust for the U.S.A.
As soon as Soviet Union crumbled and U.S.A. became the sole Superpower, it took upon itself to awaken the Sleeping Giant – Islam. Of a surety, if men could probe into the hearts of men, America regrets having rubbed shoulders with Islam. The contrived events of 9/11, Madrid …… and the entire gamut of deceits and blames, culminating into the ‘War on Terror’, Afghanistan, Iraq – have all contributed to America digging its own grave.
Liars can never speak the truth, but if their whispers behind closed doors can be heard, if their frustrations can be measured, if their sleepless nights can be counted, and if their crying hearts can be monitored – all of them will say that the Americans deeply regret having taken cudgel with Muslims. Surely they woefully regret treating Islam as their ‘Enemy No.1’. The giant is too strong to be handled and now it refuses to be cowed down.
After the successful disintegration of the Khilafah (Caliphate) on 3rd March, 1924, the Muslims went into slumber and the entire Western world ran amok, plundering every blade of grass they could. Allah gave abundance of natural resources to the Islamic lands, which were all going into the coffers of the Kuffar. The slumber of the Muslims turned into numbness and then into comatose condition, while the rulers of Muslim lands preyed on them. It would have done America good to leave this entity called Muslims in that state. But their arrogance and foolishness stirred the hornet’s nest. The ‘War on Terror’ became a nightmare for the U.S.A. itself.
Today, Alhamdulillah, the Muslim world is abuzz with the true revival spirit. Bringing the Islamic way of life into centre stage and talking of being governed by Islamic law – Shariah in all walks of life – Ruling, economics, judiciary, foreign affairs, and military. Muslims now refuse to call Arabia as ‘Saudi Arabia’ because the Saud families were plunderers, robbers, usurpers. Arabia is not theirs, it belongs to the Ummah. The concept of a unified Muslim Ummah and being governed by one single Khalifah (Caliph) seems so practical that the European Union, One-World Government and Super-State sound primitive in front of it. Not that Muslims would not have woken up from this coma if America had not acted the way it did, but surely the acts of commission and omission by U.S.A. acted as catalyst. The rude shock to the Muslim Ummah was well taken. Thank you America! Thank you very much!
In a world where mercy is overwhelmed by cruelty, truth by lies, transparency by camouflage, the world seems to have forgotten what justice really is. U.S.A. epitomized cruelty, lies, camouflage and injustice to the extent that it crumbled under its own pressure. One smiles to see Clinton, Obama and McCain fight for ruling the graveyard called America.
If those who commit crime upon crime refuse to be called criminals, while innocent Muslims are hounded as terrorists, Muslims refuse to take the blame of the blamers. This only makes more people rush into the comforting lap of Islam and study it as an ideological, intellectual and political alternative to the crumbling ruling systems of today. Look out; the Khilafah is around the corner.
Abu Farhaan
Monday, April 14, 2008
Tarjeeh (outweighing) between evidences
The following is the draft english translation from a chapter of the book تيسير الوصول إلى الأصول (‘Teyseer al wusool Ila al-Usul’ - To make understanding Usul easy) by Sheikh Ata ibn Khalil Abu al-Rashta. Please refer to the original Arabic for accurate meanings:
When the evidences conflict and there is no advantage of one evidence over another; this is called equivalence (ta’aadul). Equivalence (ta’aadul) does not take place in the definite matters (qat’iyyaat) since there is no contradiction in them. It does not take place between a definite (qat’i) evidence and a speculative evidence (Zanni) because the qat’i evidence takes precedence over the zanni evidence. Also, it does not take place in the speculative matters (zanniyyaat) due to the legislative reality. Though logically there is nothing there to prevent it however it conflicts with the legislative reality. This because the speculative evidence, if it conflicts from all angles without the possibility of outweighing, then it is not possible to act upon them both or any one of them:
If one acts upon all of them while they are in complete equivalence then the coming together of opposites is not possible.
If we act upon one of them then the outweighing would be without a proper qualification since they are both equivalent in everything.
If we abandon acting upon them then the text is of no use, which is not possible for Allah.
Thus, equivalence does not exist in the evidences.
However, if the evidences conflict and one evidence has an advantage over another then this process is called tarjeeh (outweighing), where on evidence is deemed to be stronger than another in order to act upon it.
Tarjeeh is specific to the speculative evidences and does not occur in the definite issues because there is no contradiction in the definite matters.
The basis is to combine the evidences i.e. to use both evidences if possible because that is the basis. Otherwise one will have resort to tarjeeh. This is because the use of both evidences is better than neglecting one of them.
In what follows we shall mention some of the situations in which two evidences are used and then the process of outweighing.
Combining the evidences – using both evidences:
1. If the Messenger (saw) does an action and then does the opposite of that action then this means the action is mubah.
a) Acceptance of the gift
‘Iyaad b. Himaar narrated that the Messenger (saw) did not accept the gift of any kuffar after he had asked him: Have you embraced Islam? He (the kafir) said: No; He (saw) said: ‘I have been forbidden from taking the zabad of the Mushrikeen.’[1]
It ha been authentically reported that the Messenger (saw) accepted the gift of the an-Najashi, Akidur duma, the Muqawqis, this is supported by the saying of ‘Aisha that the Messenger (saw) used to accept gifts and yutheeeb ‘alayh
The way they are reconciled is that we say the acceptance of gifts is mubaah.
b) At-Tabarani reported in ‘al-Awsat’ that: a funeral procession marrat ‘alah Ibn ‘Abbas and al-Hasab b. ‘Ali. One of them stood while the other sat. The one standing said to the one sitting: did not the Messenger of Allah (saw) stand? He said yes and sat down.’ From this we understand that it is permissible to stand or sit.
c) Az-Zuhri narrated that: ‘The Prophet (saw) sought the help of some Jews when he fought Khaybar and so he gave them a share of the booty.’ [2]
It has been narrated that ‘Aisha said: ‘The Prophet (saw) left for Badr. When he was in the lava field of the Wabra, a man of whom was mentioned bravery and energy reach/took over him, and the Sahabah of the Messenger (saw) were pleased when they saw him. When he reached him, he said: I came to join you and gain (booty) together with you. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said to him: Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger? He said: No. He said: Then return for I will never seek the assistance of a polytheist. She said: Then they went on until we were by the tree. The man reached him and said to him like what he said the first time. So the Prophet (saw) said to him like what he said the first time. He said: Return for I will never seek the assistance of a polytheist. He said: Then he returned and reached him at the desert. He said to him like what he said the first time: Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger? He said: Yes. So the Messenger of Allah (saw) said to him: Then set out’[3]
In the fist hadith he accepted to use kuffar amongst the ranks of the Muslims under the banner Islam. And in the other hadith he refused. From this we understand that seeking the help of individuals from the Kuffar to fight for us among the ranks of the Muslims under the banner of Islam is permitted. This is different to seeking the help of the kuffar under their banner i.e. under the banner of the Kuffar. This is not allowed due to one saying of the Messenger (saw): ‘Do not seek light from the fire of the polytheists.’[4] The fire is a metonym (kinaayah) for the entity. So the tribe lights a fire as a sign of a declaration of war and seeking its light is to fight under its banner and this forbidden.
This understanding is supported by what has been reported about Abu Hameed as-Sa’idi that he said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) went out until he passed Thaniyyat al-Wada’a when there appeared a squadron (kateeba) and he said: Who are these? They said: Banu Qaynuqa and they are the people (raht) of Abdullah bin Salam. He said: Have they embraced Islam? They said: No, they are on their religion. He said: Tell them to return. ‘Verily we do not accept assistance of the polytheists. And so they embraced Islam.’[5] So they used to go out to fight under their own banner.
As for when he (saw) sought the help of Jews in Khaybar when he fought them. They fought under the banner of the Muslims as established in the Seerah.
2. If the Messenger (saw) says something and does something contrary to that then the action is specific to the Messenger (saw) and the statement is a clarification for us.
a) ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: ‘The kiss is touching so make wudu for it.’[6]
And ‘Aisha said: The Prophet (saw) used to kiss some of his wives and then pray without making wudu.’[7]
So not making wudu due to kissing is specific to the Messenger (saw) and the request to make wudu is an address for us.
b) It has been narrated that Qays b. al-Haarith said: I embraced Islam whilst having 8 wives so I came to the Prophet (saw) and I mentioned that to him: He (saw) said: ‘choose 4 from them.’[8]
It has been authentically narrated that the Messenger (saw) was married to 9 wives at the same time.[9]
This indicates that marriage to more than four wives at the same time is specific to the Messenger (saw).’
3. When the Messenger (saw) says something and then says something which is contrary to it,
Reconciliation should be attempted in any manner possible:
The Messenger (saw) said: then lies will spread until a man gives witness before he is asked to give witness.’[10]
He (saw) said: ‘Shall I tell you the best of witnesses. They said: Yes. He (saw) said: ‘That he should give witness before he is asked to give witness.’[11]
The reconciliation of the hadiths is done in the following way:
The first hadith i.e. the person who gives witness before being asked to give witness and this is rebuked in the hadith: is regarding giving testimony to do with the rights of people before being asked to give witness. As for the second hadith, this is where it is praised. It is the person who rushes to give witness with regards to the right of Allah.
4. When we have a mujmal text and it is clarified by the Messenger (saw) by a statement and action which are contradictory such as when he (saw) said after the ayah of hajj was revealed: ‘Whosoever combines his Hajj to the ‘Umrah let him make one Tawaaf (circumbulation) and one Sa’i (running from Safa to Mawah).’
Also it has been reported that he (saw) combined them and made two Tawaafs and and two Sa’is. So the reconciliation will be as we clarified in chapter 4 in the section on Mujmal and Mubayyan.
5. The Muhkam and mutashaabih:
The muhkam is the foundation (Umm) of the mutashaabih: ‘In it there are Verses that are entirely clear (muhkamaat), they are the foundations of the Book and others which are ambiguous (mutashaabih)’ [3:7] If a text is muhakam and another is mutashaabih then the mutahsaabih is understood according to the Muhkam.
Fro example: He (swt) says: ‘…wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles.’ [5:6] The word ‘your feet’ is read as accusative (ie final consonant is read as a) or genitive (i.e. final consonant is read as I). Those who read it with an accusative case they understood it to be a conjunction to the washing ‘wa takoono majrooratul mujaawirq’. It can also be taken as a conjunction to wiping i.e. reading it as accusative means washing (muhkam) and reading it with an ‘i’ case means washing or wiping (mutashaabih). Therefore, reading it in the genitive should take the meaning of the accusative case and thus the feet should be washed.
[1] Tirmizi: 1504, Abu Dawud: 2657, Ahmad: 16835
[2] Tirmizi: 4/127, num: 1558
[3] Muslim: 1817, Tirmizi: 1558
[4] an-Nasaa`I : 5114, Ahmad: 11516
[5] Abu Dawud: 2356, Ibn Majah: 2822, ad-Darimi: 2385, Ahmad: 15203, 23250.
[6] Reported by Malik, ash-Shafi’I and al-Bayhaqi: 1/124
[7] Bukhari: 1972, an-Nasa`i: 170, Ibn Majah: 496
[8] Abu Dawud: 2241, Ibn Majah: 1952
[9] Anas narrated: The Prophet (saw) used to go round (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one night, and he had nine wives. ’ Bukhari: 260, 275, Muslim: 2656. Anas also narrated:….Bukhari: 1927, Tirmizi: 1136
[10] Muslim: 4602, Ahamd: 6836, Tirmizi: 2091, 2225, Ibn Majah: 2354
[11] Ibn Majah: 2355, Ahmad: 20698. And in Sahih Muslim the chapter on the best of witnesses.
When the evidences conflict and there is no advantage of one evidence over another; this is called equivalence (ta’aadul). Equivalence (ta’aadul) does not take place in the definite matters (qat’iyyaat) since there is no contradiction in them. It does not take place between a definite (qat’i) evidence and a speculative evidence (Zanni) because the qat’i evidence takes precedence over the zanni evidence. Also, it does not take place in the speculative matters (zanniyyaat) due to the legislative reality. Though logically there is nothing there to prevent it however it conflicts with the legislative reality. This because the speculative evidence, if it conflicts from all angles without the possibility of outweighing, then it is not possible to act upon them both or any one of them:
If one acts upon all of them while they are in complete equivalence then the coming together of opposites is not possible.
If we act upon one of them then the outweighing would be without a proper qualification since they are both equivalent in everything.
If we abandon acting upon them then the text is of no use, which is not possible for Allah.
Thus, equivalence does not exist in the evidences.
However, if the evidences conflict and one evidence has an advantage over another then this process is called tarjeeh (outweighing), where on evidence is deemed to be stronger than another in order to act upon it.
Tarjeeh is specific to the speculative evidences and does not occur in the definite issues because there is no contradiction in the definite matters.
The basis is to combine the evidences i.e. to use both evidences if possible because that is the basis. Otherwise one will have resort to tarjeeh. This is because the use of both evidences is better than neglecting one of them.
In what follows we shall mention some of the situations in which two evidences are used and then the process of outweighing.
Combining the evidences – using both evidences:
1. If the Messenger (saw) does an action and then does the opposite of that action then this means the action is mubah.
a) Acceptance of the gift
‘Iyaad b. Himaar narrated that the Messenger (saw) did not accept the gift of any kuffar after he had asked him: Have you embraced Islam? He (the kafir) said: No; He (saw) said: ‘I have been forbidden from taking the zabad of the Mushrikeen.’[1]
It ha been authentically reported that the Messenger (saw) accepted the gift of the an-Najashi, Akidur duma, the Muqawqis, this is supported by the saying of ‘Aisha that the Messenger (saw) used to accept gifts and yutheeeb ‘alayh
The way they are reconciled is that we say the acceptance of gifts is mubaah.
b) At-Tabarani reported in ‘al-Awsat’ that: a funeral procession marrat ‘alah Ibn ‘Abbas and al-Hasab b. ‘Ali. One of them stood while the other sat. The one standing said to the one sitting: did not the Messenger of Allah (saw) stand? He said yes and sat down.’ From this we understand that it is permissible to stand or sit.
c) Az-Zuhri narrated that: ‘The Prophet (saw) sought the help of some Jews when he fought Khaybar and so he gave them a share of the booty.’ [2]
It has been narrated that ‘Aisha said: ‘The Prophet (saw) left for Badr. When he was in the lava field of the Wabra, a man of whom was mentioned bravery and energy reach/took over him, and the Sahabah of the Messenger (saw) were pleased when they saw him. When he reached him, he said: I came to join you and gain (booty) together with you. The Messenger of Allah (saw) said to him: Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger? He said: No. He said: Then return for I will never seek the assistance of a polytheist. She said: Then they went on until we were by the tree. The man reached him and said to him like what he said the first time. So the Prophet (saw) said to him like what he said the first time. He said: Return for I will never seek the assistance of a polytheist. He said: Then he returned and reached him at the desert. He said to him like what he said the first time: Do you believe in Allah and His Messenger? He said: Yes. So the Messenger of Allah (saw) said to him: Then set out’[3]
In the fist hadith he accepted to use kuffar amongst the ranks of the Muslims under the banner Islam. And in the other hadith he refused. From this we understand that seeking the help of individuals from the Kuffar to fight for us among the ranks of the Muslims under the banner of Islam is permitted. This is different to seeking the help of the kuffar under their banner i.e. under the banner of the Kuffar. This is not allowed due to one saying of the Messenger (saw): ‘Do not seek light from the fire of the polytheists.’[4] The fire is a metonym (kinaayah) for the entity. So the tribe lights a fire as a sign of a declaration of war and seeking its light is to fight under its banner and this forbidden.
This understanding is supported by what has been reported about Abu Hameed as-Sa’idi that he said: ‘The Messenger of Allah (saw) went out until he passed Thaniyyat al-Wada’a when there appeared a squadron (kateeba) and he said: Who are these? They said: Banu Qaynuqa and they are the people (raht) of Abdullah bin Salam. He said: Have they embraced Islam? They said: No, they are on their religion. He said: Tell them to return. ‘Verily we do not accept assistance of the polytheists. And so they embraced Islam.’[5] So they used to go out to fight under their own banner.
As for when he (saw) sought the help of Jews in Khaybar when he fought them. They fought under the banner of the Muslims as established in the Seerah.
2. If the Messenger (saw) says something and does something contrary to that then the action is specific to the Messenger (saw) and the statement is a clarification for us.
a) ‘Umar narrated that the Prophet (saw) said: ‘The kiss is touching so make wudu for it.’[6]
And ‘Aisha said: The Prophet (saw) used to kiss some of his wives and then pray without making wudu.’[7]
So not making wudu due to kissing is specific to the Messenger (saw) and the request to make wudu is an address for us.
b) It has been narrated that Qays b. al-Haarith said: I embraced Islam whilst having 8 wives so I came to the Prophet (saw) and I mentioned that to him: He (saw) said: ‘choose 4 from them.’[8]
It has been authentically narrated that the Messenger (saw) was married to 9 wives at the same time.[9]
This indicates that marriage to more than four wives at the same time is specific to the Messenger (saw).’
3. When the Messenger (saw) says something and then says something which is contrary to it,
Reconciliation should be attempted in any manner possible:
The Messenger (saw) said: then lies will spread until a man gives witness before he is asked to give witness.’[10]
He (saw) said: ‘Shall I tell you the best of witnesses. They said: Yes. He (saw) said: ‘That he should give witness before he is asked to give witness.’[11]
The reconciliation of the hadiths is done in the following way:
The first hadith i.e. the person who gives witness before being asked to give witness and this is rebuked in the hadith: is regarding giving testimony to do with the rights of people before being asked to give witness. As for the second hadith, this is where it is praised. It is the person who rushes to give witness with regards to the right of Allah.
4. When we have a mujmal text and it is clarified by the Messenger (saw) by a statement and action which are contradictory such as when he (saw) said after the ayah of hajj was revealed: ‘Whosoever combines his Hajj to the ‘Umrah let him make one Tawaaf (circumbulation) and one Sa’i (running from Safa to Mawah).’
Also it has been reported that he (saw) combined them and made two Tawaafs and and two Sa’is. So the reconciliation will be as we clarified in chapter 4 in the section on Mujmal and Mubayyan.
5. The Muhkam and mutashaabih:
The muhkam is the foundation (Umm) of the mutashaabih: ‘In it there are Verses that are entirely clear (muhkamaat), they are the foundations of the Book and others which are ambiguous (mutashaabih)’ [3:7] If a text is muhakam and another is mutashaabih then the mutahsaabih is understood according to the Muhkam.
Fro example: He (swt) says: ‘…wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles.’ [5:6] The word ‘your feet’ is read as accusative (ie final consonant is read as a) or genitive (i.e. final consonant is read as I). Those who read it with an accusative case they understood it to be a conjunction to the washing ‘wa takoono majrooratul mujaawirq’. It can also be taken as a conjunction to wiping i.e. reading it as accusative means washing (muhkam) and reading it with an ‘i’ case means washing or wiping (mutashaabih). Therefore, reading it in the genitive should take the meaning of the accusative case and thus the feet should be washed.
[1] Tirmizi: 1504, Abu Dawud: 2657, Ahmad: 16835
[2] Tirmizi: 4/127, num: 1558
[3] Muslim: 1817, Tirmizi: 1558
[4] an-Nasaa`I : 5114, Ahmad: 11516
[5] Abu Dawud: 2356, Ibn Majah: 2822, ad-Darimi: 2385, Ahmad: 15203, 23250.
[6] Reported by Malik, ash-Shafi’I and al-Bayhaqi: 1/124
[7] Bukhari: 1972, an-Nasa`i: 170, Ibn Majah: 496
[8] Abu Dawud: 2241, Ibn Majah: 1952
[9] Anas narrated: The Prophet (saw) used to go round (have sexual relations with) all his wives in one night, and he had nine wives. ’ Bukhari: 260, 275, Muslim: 2656. Anas also narrated:….Bukhari: 1927, Tirmizi: 1136
[10] Muslim: 4602, Ahamd: 6836, Tirmizi: 2091, 2225, Ibn Majah: 2354
[11] Ibn Majah: 2355, Ahmad: 20698. And in Sahih Muslim the chapter on the best of witnesses.
Friday, April 11, 2008
The new Pakistani government is just a new face for slavery to the West
بِسْمِ الله الرَّحمَنِ الرَحيم
The new government is just a new face for slavery to the WestO Muslims! When will you escape the slavery through re-establishing the Khilafah?
O Muslims of Pakistan! You have seen another change in the faces of your rulers, as you have seen countless times before. And all those who examine the events closely, will have realized that the newly elected representatives will ensure continued slavery to the West, rather than bring a real change to your declined situation.
Previously, Musharraf’s government embraced the road of slavery to the West and declared Pakistan an ally of America in its war to attack Islam and the Muslims and occupy the lands of the Muslims. He used the resources of Pakistan and its army to assist America in its war. Due to this continual assistance, America was able to establish an occupation and maintains its occupation of Afghanistan to this day due to this assistance. All this is why you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, America has been successful in ensuring the new government is also committed to its war. The new rulers expressed regret at the chaos resulting from America’s war, yet fully committed to it. In fact, the very first words of the very first speech of the new Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani, after he obtained a vote of confidence were a commitment to America’s war on Muslims. He said, “Our first priority is the War on Terror. This War on Terror is our war.” On the very same day that Gillani announced that the parliament would decide about the War on Terror, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, were openly meeting key figures in the tribal areas! And on 1 April the new Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, declared at a press briefing outside Zardari House, “The War on Terror is not America’s issue, but ours.” So, even at a time when global support for America’s War on Terror has diminished, the new government announced its full support for this war. This amounts to an announcement to allow the sacrifice of hundreds of Paksitan’s soldiers to protect America’s occupation, operations by American intelligence agencies including its FBI and the provision of oil for the NATO forces in Afghanistan through Pakistan. So, just like the previous government, the new government will also support America in its war of occupation of Islamic Lands.
Previously, Musharraf’s government embraced the World Bank and IMF and strictly implemented their policies, leading to the devastation of Pakistan’s economy. Endlessly rising prices and the inability to secure even the basic needs have added to the woes of the people, whilst a small capitalist elite and foreign multinationals have accumulated great wealth through exploiting the economy. This is also why you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the new government has also embraced the same international financial institutions and senior officials of the World Bank have begun their meetings with the new finance minister and even the expected future Chief Minister of Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab, Shahbaz Shareef. And just like the previous government, the new government is pursuing World Bank and IMF policies to privatize the important public assets and utilities. The new Federal Minister for Privatisation and Investment tried to dress-up the ugly face of privatization by declaring on 1 April 2008, “Privatisation of government assets, in a professional and constructive manner, will continue,” even whilst the people are crippled by price rises in fuel and utilities. In reality not a single party in government has any alternative to the capitalist model of economics which the Western nations have enforced over the entire world in order to exploit resources. This is why there is no hope in the new government to end poverty or solve the economic problems that people face. So, just like the previous government, the new government will maintain economic slavery to the West.
Previously, Musharraf’s government openly violated the laws that emanated from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, holding the defective man-made laws and systems higher than the laws and systems given by Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Creator of the Universe. Musharraf’s government mocked and detested both the laws of Islam and those people who call for the implementation of Islam, under the banner of condemning “extremism.” So, much so that Musharraf did not spare any effort to annihilate innocent children in Lal Masjid with white phosphorus bombs for calling for the implementation of Islam. And this is the reason that you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the present government has also sworn allegiance before Musharraf to this system and these laws and has taken an oath to protect the colonialist system in Pakistan. And the Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani, did not even make the traditional mention of working for implementing Islam in his maiden speech after the vote of confidence. So, in fact, just like Musharraf’s government the new government does not attach any importance to the protection of your aqeedah and the implementation of your deen. This is also why when Holland followed Denmark in defaming your deen, your new rulers merely lodged a protest with the Holland’s ambassador, even though they have the means to expel both the Dutch ambassador and the large Dutch companies that are generating huge revenues from Pakistan’s economy. Not only this, the new government is fully prepared to use force to prevent the implementation of Islam (so-called “extremism”), just as the Musharraf government before it. After his briefing with the Chief of Army Staff, the Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani, announced to the media on 2 April, “Policies will be made for the end of terrorism and extremism… and if the need be the army will be used.” So, just like the previous government, the new government will maintain the war to prevent the implementation of Islam.
Previously, Musharraf’s government struck a dagger in the heart of the Jihad in Kashmir, banned the mujahideen groups and condemned Jihad against the brutal Hindu army in Kashmir as terrorism. Musharraf gave India the opportunity to seal the Line of Control, thereby allowing the Hindus to strengthen their control of Kashmir. And because of its betrayal of the Muslims of Pakistan and Kashmir and the Jihad in Kashmir, you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the new government has also made clear that it will continue Musharraf’s Kashmir policy. On 6 April 2008, Nawa-e-Waqt reported that the new Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said, “The Kashmir policy of the previous government will be followed.” So much so, that the leader of the second largest party in the coalition and former Prime Mininster, Nawaz Shareef, is so desperate to make friendship with the Muslim-hostile country India that he stated in an interview with Indian TV that, “Pakistan should unilaterally end the visa restrictions upon Indian citizens and it is not necessary to expect that India does so too.” The Muslims of Pakistan have the right to ask Nawaz Shareef why he does not talk about open relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, when Pakistan has committed over tens of thousands of troops to seal the Pak-Afghan border, so as to save the government of the American-puppet Karzai. And why does he not ask to end the borders and visa between the over sixty Muslim countries so as to establish a single state for the Muslims, at a time when the Muslims demand unity of the Ummah. So, the new government will maintain the American-designed foreign policy of the previous government and will continue to preserve the colonialist interests in the region, instead of strengthening Islam and the Muslims.
Previously, Musharraf’s government mounted a campaign to remove Islam from the hearts of the Muslim youth in the name of Enlightened Moderation. The government attempted to spread immodesty and corruption throughout Pakistan, through changes in the curriculum, cultural programmes and media propaganda, so much so that you began to experience its ill effects in your homes and neighbourhoods. And this was yet another reason that you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the new government does not have any room within its agenda for securing the Islamic grooming of your daughter and your sons and did not even take the smallest of steps, even though it could do so at the stroke of a pen. So, the new government will continue the work to destroy the Islamic values of the youth. The Western colonialists are completely satisfied with the new government. The Western powers supervised the transition at every stage, openly maintaining close contact with all those parties that stood for elections, including those politicians that condemned the policies of the Musharraf government and claimed that they stood for the sake of the Muslims. In fact, the West recognizes these politicians for what they really are. And they are satisfied that the new rulers will now combine their efforts with those of Musharraf to extend your subjugation at the hands of the Western colonialists.
All of the above makes clear that the only new thing about the new government is that it provides a new face for slavery to the West. The colonialist system in Pakistan, which is the cause of your woes, is constitutionally secured. It is this system that gives preference to the laws of man over the laws of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم. . A system that allows men who have sold their akhira for this dunya to manipulate law to secure colonialist interests, forsaking what Islam has decided for them. Indeed, it is only self-deception to have any hope that this system, or those who rule through it, will rescue you from your miserable situation.
The only genuine change is to uproot the current corrupt system and replace it by the Khilafah state that implements Islam in all its aspects, whether it is the economic, social, judicial and ruling systems or the education and foreign policies. The change of system is only possible through the Khilafah, the system that is built exclusively on the Islamic aqeedah and the pure laws that emanate from it, rather than the kufr concept of democracy.
O Muslims of Pakistan! Eight years ago when Musharraf ended the democratic government of Nawaz Sharif, you were relieved and gave Musharraf a chance, even though from the beginning of his rule, he made commitments to the colonialists. Hizb ut-Tahrir warned you from the beginning of Musharraf’s rule about the evil that he would unleash upon you, but it took you a full two years to accept this. And now that the new government has made the same commitments as Musharraf made, how long will it take you to accept that any government within the present system will never change your situation or rescue you from the colonialists?
O Muslims! The current system has already stung you many times, so are you still ready to be stung yet again? And even though RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
لَا يُلْدَغُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ وَاحِدٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ
“The believer is not stung from the same hole twice.”
You must immediately reject the rulers who have sold out Islam and the Muslims to achieve power and preserve Western colonialism. And you must reject this system that has always given rise to traitors. Uproot this corrupt man-made system and mobilize for the re-establishment of the Khilafah state in its place, which will liberate you from both the colonialists and your current woes. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has forbidden Muslims from accepting the kufr systems over you and those rulers that rule by kufr laws, let alone supporting such a system and such rulers. And Allah سبحانه وتعالى will punish all of us, irrespective of whether we were amongst those who committed the sins or not, if we did not involve ourselves with the obligation to remove the sin. RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَا يُعَذِّبُ الْعَامَّةَ بِعَمَلِ الْخَاصَّةِ حَتَّى يَرَوْا الْمُنْكَرَ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ وَهُمْ قَادِرُونَ عَلَى أَنْ يُنْكِرُوهُ فَلَا يُنْكِرُوهُ فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَذَّبَ اللَّهُ الْخَاصَّةَ وَالْعَامَّةَ
“Indeed Allah Azza Wa Jal will not punish the people in general for the actions of the few, until they see the munkar amongst them and do not deny it despite being capable of doing so. And if they do not deny the munkar, the people in general will be punished along with the few.” (Musnad Ahmad)
And RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
سَتَكُونُ أُمَرَاءُ فَتَعْرِفُونَ وَتُنْكِرُونَ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ بَرِئَ وَمَنْ أَنْكَرَ سَلِمَ وَلَكِنْ مَنْ رَضِيَ وَتَابَعَ
“Amirs will be appointed over you and you will find them doing good deeds as well as bad deeds. The one who hates their bad deeds is absolved from blame, the one who disapproves of their bad deeds is also safe, but the one who approves and follows is doomed.” (Muslim)
And it is an obligation for you to implement Islam in its entirety, its economic, social, judicial and ruling systems as well as its education and foreign policies, a matter that can only be achieved through the Khilafah state. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,
فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنْ الْحَقِّ
“And judge between them by which Allah has revealed and do not follow their desire lest they take you away from the Haq which has reached you.” (Surah al-Maida 5:48)
So for how long will you abandon this great fard? The famous saying that “as the people are their rulers will be,” is correct from the understanding that if you keep the Allah’s deen limited to the mosques and individual worship, and do not move to fulfill the fard of implementation of Islam as a system, then rulers will remain over you who confine the deen of Islam to the mosques and exclude it from ruling and matters of state.
Thus it is incumbent upon you that you take the right step to fulfill this great fard. Join the sincere dawa carriers who are giving you advance warning of the evil of this system and calling you towards the matter that will give you life and saves you in this life and the Akhira. You must join the ranks of Hizb ut-Tahrir in its struggle for the establishment of Khilafah, as it works with utmost effort, comprehension and seriousness.
O people of power! Your responsibility is not that you safeguard those governments who are acting as helpers and well-wishers of the colonialist powers, instead of Islam and the Muslims. Rather, your duty is to protect Islam and the Muslim lands and to assure that nothing but Islam is in the authority. We call upon you to give Hizb ut-Tahrir the Nussrah (material support) so we can rule by nothing but Islam, through the Khilafah State, and this is the true success.
إِنَّ اللّهَ اشْتَرَى مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الجَنَّةَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ وَعْداً عَلَيْهِ حَقّاً فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ وَمَنْ أَوْفَى بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللّهِ فَاسْتَبْشِرُواْ بِبَيْعِكُمُ الَّذِي بَايَعْتُم بِهِ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“Indeed, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties, for the price that theirs shall be the paradise. They fight in Allah’s cause, so they kill others and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat and Injeel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success.” [Surah At-Tawba 9:111]
Hizb ut-Tahrir - Wilayah Pakistan
8 April 2008 CE2 Rabi’ ul-Akhar 1429 AH
Urdu version
The new government is just a new face for slavery to the WestO Muslims! When will you escape the slavery through re-establishing the Khilafah?
O Muslims of Pakistan! You have seen another change in the faces of your rulers, as you have seen countless times before. And all those who examine the events closely, will have realized that the newly elected representatives will ensure continued slavery to the West, rather than bring a real change to your declined situation.
Previously, Musharraf’s government embraced the road of slavery to the West and declared Pakistan an ally of America in its war to attack Islam and the Muslims and occupy the lands of the Muslims. He used the resources of Pakistan and its army to assist America in its war. Due to this continual assistance, America was able to establish an occupation and maintains its occupation of Afghanistan to this day due to this assistance. All this is why you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, America has been successful in ensuring the new government is also committed to its war. The new rulers expressed regret at the chaos resulting from America’s war, yet fully committed to it. In fact, the very first words of the very first speech of the new Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani, after he obtained a vote of confidence were a commitment to America’s war on Muslims. He said, “Our first priority is the War on Terror. This War on Terror is our war.” On the very same day that Gillani announced that the parliament would decide about the War on Terror, the US Assistant Secretary of State, Richard Boucher, and the US Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, were openly meeting key figures in the tribal areas! And on 1 April the new Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, declared at a press briefing outside Zardari House, “The War on Terror is not America’s issue, but ours.” So, even at a time when global support for America’s War on Terror has diminished, the new government announced its full support for this war. This amounts to an announcement to allow the sacrifice of hundreds of Paksitan’s soldiers to protect America’s occupation, operations by American intelligence agencies including its FBI and the provision of oil for the NATO forces in Afghanistan through Pakistan. So, just like the previous government, the new government will also support America in its war of occupation of Islamic Lands.
Previously, Musharraf’s government embraced the World Bank and IMF and strictly implemented their policies, leading to the devastation of Pakistan’s economy. Endlessly rising prices and the inability to secure even the basic needs have added to the woes of the people, whilst a small capitalist elite and foreign multinationals have accumulated great wealth through exploiting the economy. This is also why you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the new government has also embraced the same international financial institutions and senior officials of the World Bank have begun their meetings with the new finance minister and even the expected future Chief Minister of Pakistan’s largest province, Punjab, Shahbaz Shareef. And just like the previous government, the new government is pursuing World Bank and IMF policies to privatize the important public assets and utilities. The new Federal Minister for Privatisation and Investment tried to dress-up the ugly face of privatization by declaring on 1 April 2008, “Privatisation of government assets, in a professional and constructive manner, will continue,” even whilst the people are crippled by price rises in fuel and utilities. In reality not a single party in government has any alternative to the capitalist model of economics which the Western nations have enforced over the entire world in order to exploit resources. This is why there is no hope in the new government to end poverty or solve the economic problems that people face. So, just like the previous government, the new government will maintain economic slavery to the West.
Previously, Musharraf’s government openly violated the laws that emanated from the Qur’an and the Sunnah, holding the defective man-made laws and systems higher than the laws and systems given by Allah سبحانه وتعالى the Creator of the Universe. Musharraf’s government mocked and detested both the laws of Islam and those people who call for the implementation of Islam, under the banner of condemning “extremism.” So, much so that Musharraf did not spare any effort to annihilate innocent children in Lal Masjid with white phosphorus bombs for calling for the implementation of Islam. And this is the reason that you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the present government has also sworn allegiance before Musharraf to this system and these laws and has taken an oath to protect the colonialist system in Pakistan. And the Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani, did not even make the traditional mention of working for implementing Islam in his maiden speech after the vote of confidence. So, in fact, just like Musharraf’s government the new government does not attach any importance to the protection of your aqeedah and the implementation of your deen. This is also why when Holland followed Denmark in defaming your deen, your new rulers merely lodged a protest with the Holland’s ambassador, even though they have the means to expel both the Dutch ambassador and the large Dutch companies that are generating huge revenues from Pakistan’s economy. Not only this, the new government is fully prepared to use force to prevent the implementation of Islam (so-called “extremism”), just as the Musharraf government before it. After his briefing with the Chief of Army Staff, the Prime Minister, Yusuf Raza Gillani, announced to the media on 2 April, “Policies will be made for the end of terrorism and extremism… and if the need be the army will be used.” So, just like the previous government, the new government will maintain the war to prevent the implementation of Islam.
Previously, Musharraf’s government struck a dagger in the heart of the Jihad in Kashmir, banned the mujahideen groups and condemned Jihad against the brutal Hindu army in Kashmir as terrorism. Musharraf gave India the opportunity to seal the Line of Control, thereby allowing the Hindus to strengthen their control of Kashmir. And because of its betrayal of the Muslims of Pakistan and Kashmir and the Jihad in Kashmir, you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the new government has also made clear that it will continue Musharraf’s Kashmir policy. On 6 April 2008, Nawa-e-Waqt reported that the new Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, said, “The Kashmir policy of the previous government will be followed.” So much so, that the leader of the second largest party in the coalition and former Prime Mininster, Nawaz Shareef, is so desperate to make friendship with the Muslim-hostile country India that he stated in an interview with Indian TV that, “Pakistan should unilaterally end the visa restrictions upon Indian citizens and it is not necessary to expect that India does so too.” The Muslims of Pakistan have the right to ask Nawaz Shareef why he does not talk about open relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, when Pakistan has committed over tens of thousands of troops to seal the Pak-Afghan border, so as to save the government of the American-puppet Karzai. And why does he not ask to end the borders and visa between the over sixty Muslim countries so as to establish a single state for the Muslims, at a time when the Muslims demand unity of the Ummah. So, the new government will maintain the American-designed foreign policy of the previous government and will continue to preserve the colonialist interests in the region, instead of strengthening Islam and the Muslims.
Previously, Musharraf’s government mounted a campaign to remove Islam from the hearts of the Muslim youth in the name of Enlightened Moderation. The government attempted to spread immodesty and corruption throughout Pakistan, through changes in the curriculum, cultural programmes and media propaganda, so much so that you began to experience its ill effects in your homes and neighbourhoods. And this was yet another reason that you hated Musharraf’s government and prayed for its end. However, the new government does not have any room within its agenda for securing the Islamic grooming of your daughter and your sons and did not even take the smallest of steps, even though it could do so at the stroke of a pen. So, the new government will continue the work to destroy the Islamic values of the youth. The Western colonialists are completely satisfied with the new government. The Western powers supervised the transition at every stage, openly maintaining close contact with all those parties that stood for elections, including those politicians that condemned the policies of the Musharraf government and claimed that they stood for the sake of the Muslims. In fact, the West recognizes these politicians for what they really are. And they are satisfied that the new rulers will now combine their efforts with those of Musharraf to extend your subjugation at the hands of the Western colonialists.
All of the above makes clear that the only new thing about the new government is that it provides a new face for slavery to the West. The colonialist system in Pakistan, which is the cause of your woes, is constitutionally secured. It is this system that gives preference to the laws of man over the laws of Allah سبحانه وتعالى and RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم. . A system that allows men who have sold their akhira for this dunya to manipulate law to secure colonialist interests, forsaking what Islam has decided for them. Indeed, it is only self-deception to have any hope that this system, or those who rule through it, will rescue you from your miserable situation.
The only genuine change is to uproot the current corrupt system and replace it by the Khilafah state that implements Islam in all its aspects, whether it is the economic, social, judicial and ruling systems or the education and foreign policies. The change of system is only possible through the Khilafah, the system that is built exclusively on the Islamic aqeedah and the pure laws that emanate from it, rather than the kufr concept of democracy.
O Muslims of Pakistan! Eight years ago when Musharraf ended the democratic government of Nawaz Sharif, you were relieved and gave Musharraf a chance, even though from the beginning of his rule, he made commitments to the colonialists. Hizb ut-Tahrir warned you from the beginning of Musharraf’s rule about the evil that he would unleash upon you, but it took you a full two years to accept this. And now that the new government has made the same commitments as Musharraf made, how long will it take you to accept that any government within the present system will never change your situation or rescue you from the colonialists?
O Muslims! The current system has already stung you many times, so are you still ready to be stung yet again? And even though RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
لَا يُلْدَغُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ وَاحِدٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ
“The believer is not stung from the same hole twice.”
You must immediately reject the rulers who have sold out Islam and the Muslims to achieve power and preserve Western colonialism. And you must reject this system that has always given rise to traitors. Uproot this corrupt man-made system and mobilize for the re-establishment of the Khilafah state in its place, which will liberate you from both the colonialists and your current woes. Allah سبحانه وتعالى has forbidden Muslims from accepting the kufr systems over you and those rulers that rule by kufr laws, let alone supporting such a system and such rulers. And Allah سبحانه وتعالى will punish all of us, irrespective of whether we were amongst those who committed the sins or not, if we did not involve ourselves with the obligation to remove the sin. RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ لَا يُعَذِّبُ الْعَامَّةَ بِعَمَلِ الْخَاصَّةِ حَتَّى يَرَوْا الْمُنْكَرَ بَيْنَ ظَهْرَانَيْهِمْ وَهُمْ قَادِرُونَ عَلَى أَنْ يُنْكِرُوهُ فَلَا يُنْكِرُوهُ فَإِذَا فَعَلُوا ذَلِكَ عَذَّبَ اللَّهُ الْخَاصَّةَ وَالْعَامَّةَ
“Indeed Allah Azza Wa Jal will not punish the people in general for the actions of the few, until they see the munkar amongst them and do not deny it despite being capable of doing so. And if they do not deny the munkar, the people in general will be punished along with the few.” (Musnad Ahmad)
And RasulAllah صلى الله عليه وسلم said,
سَتَكُونُ أُمَرَاءُ فَتَعْرِفُونَ وَتُنْكِرُونَ فَمَنْ عَرَفَ بَرِئَ وَمَنْ أَنْكَرَ سَلِمَ وَلَكِنْ مَنْ رَضِيَ وَتَابَعَ
“Amirs will be appointed over you and you will find them doing good deeds as well as bad deeds. The one who hates their bad deeds is absolved from blame, the one who disapproves of their bad deeds is also safe, but the one who approves and follows is doomed.” (Muslim)
And it is an obligation for you to implement Islam in its entirety, its economic, social, judicial and ruling systems as well as its education and foreign policies, a matter that can only be achieved through the Khilafah state. Allah سبحانه وتعالى said,
فَاحْكُمْ بَيْنَهُمْ بِمَا أَنزَلَ اللَّهُ وَلاَ تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ عَمَّا جَاءَكَ مِنْ الْحَقِّ
“And judge between them by which Allah has revealed and do not follow their desire lest they take you away from the Haq which has reached you.” (Surah al-Maida 5:48)
So for how long will you abandon this great fard? The famous saying that “as the people are their rulers will be,” is correct from the understanding that if you keep the Allah’s deen limited to the mosques and individual worship, and do not move to fulfill the fard of implementation of Islam as a system, then rulers will remain over you who confine the deen of Islam to the mosques and exclude it from ruling and matters of state.
Thus it is incumbent upon you that you take the right step to fulfill this great fard. Join the sincere dawa carriers who are giving you advance warning of the evil of this system and calling you towards the matter that will give you life and saves you in this life and the Akhira. You must join the ranks of Hizb ut-Tahrir in its struggle for the establishment of Khilafah, as it works with utmost effort, comprehension and seriousness.
O people of power! Your responsibility is not that you safeguard those governments who are acting as helpers and well-wishers of the colonialist powers, instead of Islam and the Muslims. Rather, your duty is to protect Islam and the Muslim lands and to assure that nothing but Islam is in the authority. We call upon you to give Hizb ut-Tahrir the Nussrah (material support) so we can rule by nothing but Islam, through the Khilafah State, and this is the true success.
إِنَّ اللّهَ اشْتَرَى مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ أَنفُسَهُمْ وَأَمْوَالَهُم بِأَنَّ لَهُمُ الجَنَّةَ يُقَاتِلُونَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللّهِ فَيَقْتُلُونَ وَيُقْتَلُونَ وَعْداً عَلَيْهِ حَقّاً فِي التَّوْرَاةِ وَالإِنجِيلِ وَالْقُرْآنِ وَمَنْ أَوْفَى بِعَهْدِهِ مِنَ اللّهِ فَاسْتَبْشِرُواْ بِبَيْعِكُمُ الَّذِي بَايَعْتُم بِهِ وَذَلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ
“Indeed, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and their properties, for the price that theirs shall be the paradise. They fight in Allah’s cause, so they kill others and are killed. It is a promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat and Injeel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to his covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain which you have concluded. That is the supreme success.” [Surah At-Tawba 9:111]
Hizb ut-Tahrir - Wilayah Pakistan
8 April 2008 CE2 Rabi’ ul-Akhar 1429 AH
Urdu version
Friday, April 4, 2008
Fictional novel 'Caliphate' by retired US Army soldier
Tom Kratman, a retired US Army soldier recently published a fictional novel entitled 'Caliphate'. Caliphate is set about 100 years in the future, in a world where Islam has come to dominate Europe as well as much of Asia and Africa. It basically focuses on three characters, an American soldier (Hamilton) and a brother (Hans) and sister (Petra) living in Muslim-dominated Europe.The book grossly misrepresents Islam and the Caliphate appealing to the fears in the Western phsyche. The author paints an ugly picture of Islamic society and the status of Dhimmis in particular.
This book highlights the West's fear of the impending return of the Khilafah (Caliphate) and their attempt to malign it via spreading misinformation. Muslims need to continuously explain Islam and the Caliphate system in a correct manner to the West. Muslim authors in particular should write about what a future world would be like under a Caliphate, giving an accurate picture of the justice of Islam rather than the distorted one that Kratman portrays.
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"Demography is destiny. In the 22nd century European deathbed demographics have turned the continent over to the more fertile Moslems. Atheism in Europe has been exterminated. Homosexuals are hanged, stoned or crucified. Such Christians as remain are relegated to dhimmitude, a form of second class citizenship. They are denied arms, denied civil rights, denied a voice, and specially taxed via the Koranic yizya. Their sons are taken as conscripted soldiers while their daughters are subject to the depredations of the continent''s new masters.
In that world, Petra, a German girl sold into prostitution as a slave at the age of nine to pay her family''s yizya, dreams of escape. Unlike most girls of the day, Petra can read. And in her only real possession, her grandmother''s diary, a diary detailing the fall of European civilization, Petra has learned of a magic place across the sea: America."
In that world, Petra, a German girl sold into prostitution as a slave at the age of nine to pay her family''s yizya, dreams of escape. Unlike most girls of the day, Petra can read. And in her only real possession, her grandmother''s diary, a diary detailing the fall of European civilization, Petra has learned of a magic place across the sea: America."
For an accurate undertstanding of the Islamic Caliphate go to:
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Thursday, April 3, 2008
Dutch MP: succeeds in his campaign to insult Islam
Last week, Dutch MP Geert Wilders finally released his 17 minute film called Fitna on the internet via a UK based company. The film openly attacks Islam. As expected the response from the rulers of the ummah was appalling to say the least. No diplomatic ties were severed; no imposition of oil embargo was undertaken, no withdrawal of funds from Dutch banks was initiated and operations of Dutch companies such as Shell, Unilever and Philips were not halted” the best the rulers could muster was condemnation and nothing more. Once again it was left to the ummah to hold rallies and to boycott Dutch goods. Had it not been for the powerlessness of the agent rulers, the Dutch would not have allowed such a film to be released. The West will continue to offend Islam and Muslims, unless the ummah redoubles her efforts re-establishes the Khilafah.
3/4/2008
3/4/2008
Pakistani general included in America's hall of agents
On 2/4/2008 the New York Times reported that Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani had been selected to be included in US Army Command and General Staff Colleges International Hall of fame. US Lt-Gen William B. Cadwell said that Kayani was the fourth Pakistani Officer named to the hall, out of a total of 227 officers from 60 countries. Even America's darling Musharraf was not accorded such an award, despite his unstinting support for America's war against Islam.
3/4/2008
3/4/2008
Kemalists threaten to bring down Turkey pro-American government
After having been brow-beaten by AKP over Abdullah Gul nomination to the presidency, the army in cohorts with the chief prosecutor succeeded on 31/3/2008 in to move the High Court against AKP. This time the army again wants AKP to be banned for anti-secular activities. The challenge has less to do with AKP Islamic credentials as voiced by the Kemalists. The latest dispute is part of a long running disagreement between the pro-British Turkish army and the US friendly government of Erdogan. The army fears that if the AKP succeeds in the implementation of US agenda disguised as reforms, then its future role as the custodian of British interests in Turkey would be gravely undermined.
3/4/2008
3/4/2008
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
The Real Fitna
إِنَّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ يُنفِقُونَ أَمْوَلَهُمْ لِيَصُدُّواْ عَن سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَسَيُنفِقُونَهَا ثُمَّ تَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ حَسْرَةً ثُمَّ يُغْلَبُونَ وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ إِلَى جَهَنَّمَ يُحْشَرُونَ - لِيَمِيزَ اللَّهُ الْخَبِيثَ مِنَ الطَّيِّبِ وَيَجْعَلَ الْخَبِيثَ بَعْضَهُ عَلَى بَعْضٍ فَيَرْكُمَهُ جَمِيعاً فَيَجْعَلَهُ فِى جَهَنَّمَ أُوْلَـئِكَ هُمُ الْخَـسِرُونَ
"Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto Hell.) In order that Allah may distinguish the wicked from the good, and put the wicked one over another, heap them together and cast them into Hell. Those! it is they who are the losers."
There has been since the time of our father Adam (alaihis salaam) a battle between Haq (the truth) and Batil (falsehood). Where there are carriers of Haq, there are people who carry the falsehood, they spend their time, effort and money to propagate this call, but in the end their wealth will be a source of sorrow, as it will not benefit them in the akhirah (hereafter).
Our issue is not therefore with the fact that the carriers of falsehood will utilise various styles and means to attack Islam, but our thinking must be focussed on how we are best placed to utilise the styles and means the shariah permits to carry the Haq and stand for Islam.
REALITY OF ATTACK
Although our subject matter is the attack against Rasool Allah salAllahu alaihi wasallam in terms of the release of the film ‘Fitna’ in the Netherlands, it must not be viewed in isolation.
There are currently two strands of the attack against Islam:
The first is very direct - cartoons in Denmark, the staging of a play based upon Salman Rushdie’s book ‘The Satanic Verses’ in Germany and the release of ‘Fitna’, a film calling for the ban of the Qur’an by Dutch politician, Geert Wilders.
The second is just as dangerous in terms of what is sought in terms of the end result, but we may not perceive it’s harm, that is the heightened call to reform Islam, re-read contentious sections of the Qur’an, attack on Islamic values, interfering in the masaajid and creating Home Office Imams to spread a Home Office Islam amongst others.
"Verily, those who disbelieve spend their wealth to hinder (men) from the path of Allah, and so will they continue to spend it; but in the end it will become an anguish for them. Then they will be overcome. And those who disbelieve will be gathered unto Hell.) In order that Allah may distinguish the wicked from the good, and put the wicked one over another, heap them together and cast them into Hell. Those! it is they who are the losers."
There has been since the time of our father Adam (alaihis salaam) a battle between Haq (the truth) and Batil (falsehood). Where there are carriers of Haq, there are people who carry the falsehood, they spend their time, effort and money to propagate this call, but in the end their wealth will be a source of sorrow, as it will not benefit them in the akhirah (hereafter).
Our issue is not therefore with the fact that the carriers of falsehood will utilise various styles and means to attack Islam, but our thinking must be focussed on how we are best placed to utilise the styles and means the shariah permits to carry the Haq and stand for Islam.
REALITY OF ATTACK
Although our subject matter is the attack against Rasool Allah salAllahu alaihi wasallam in terms of the release of the film ‘Fitna’ in the Netherlands, it must not be viewed in isolation.
There are currently two strands of the attack against Islam:
The first is very direct - cartoons in Denmark, the staging of a play based upon Salman Rushdie’s book ‘The Satanic Verses’ in Germany and the release of ‘Fitna’, a film calling for the ban of the Qur’an by Dutch politician, Geert Wilders.
The second is just as dangerous in terms of what is sought in terms of the end result, but we may not perceive it’s harm, that is the heightened call to reform Islam, re-read contentious sections of the Qur’an, attack on Islamic values, interfering in the masaajid and creating Home Office Imams to spread a Home Office Islam amongst others.
FITNA DOCUMENTARY
On 27th March 2008, Geert Wilders, the leader of the right wing Dutch political party, the Party of Freedom launched a video on the internet calling upon Muslims to rip up the Qur’an, he has called for the Dutch constitution to be amended so that the Qur’an can be outlawed in the Netherlands claiming it is a cornerstone of fascist ideology like Hitler’s Mein Kampf. “The main issue is the fascist book of the Koran”
Amongst the features of this pseudo-documentary include:
The showing of Kurt Westergaard’s infamous ‘cartoon’ depicting the Rasool SalAllahu alaihi wasallam with a bomb as a turban.
Juxtaposing images of terrorist attacks with ayaat of the Qur’an trying to say the Qur’an encourages indiscriminate acts of violence against civilians such as the 9-11 attacks.
The claim that the Qur’an and Muslims are inherently anti-semitism.
The claim that Islam is oppressive towards women.
The overtaking of the ‘Dutch way of life’ by Muslims.
Wilders tries to create alarm by showing that the values of western societies are being overtaken by Islam.
THE FALSE DEITY OF FREEDOM OF SPEECH - SACRIFICED AT THE ALTAR OF PRAGMATISM
His stance is definitely opportunistic, to garner electoral popularity. This episode shows that the Western conception of freedom is bankrupt.
Geert Wilders says he calls or freedom, but he calls for the banning of the niqab and the Qur’an.
Throughout Europe the once ‘sacrosanct’ western conception of freedom is being sacrificed as a result of the perceived threat western politicians see in Islam and Muslims.
In Germany, which bans political parties based upon spurious allegations of anti-semitism, still calls for Freedom.
This is why the German Interior Minister, Wolfgang Schaeuble in an interview with the Die Zeit weekly said,
“I have respect for the fact that Danish newspapers have now all printed the Muhammad caricatures, on the basis (that) we will not let ourselves be divided”
He went even further,
“In fact, all European newspapers should print these cartoons,”
All over Europe Islam bashing is being used by politicians seeking to benefit from the anti-Islamic sentiment. They believe in freedom when it aids their cause, freedom is therefore a hollow value for them.
Throughout Europe, the new breed of right-wing populists are trying to revive their political fortunes by jumping on the bandwagon of anti-Muslim prejudice.
Wilders was recently voted Holland’s most effective politician. 18 months ago he sat alone in the second chamber or lower house in The Hague, his People’s Party now has nine out of 150 seats and recent opinion polls suggest a 15 per cent approval rating.
A few months ago the Swiss People’s Party led by Christoph Blocher won a general election off the back of a campaign to change the Swiss constitution to ban the building of minarets on mosques.
Last month in Antwerp, far-right leaders from 15 European cities and from political parties in Belgium, Germany and Austria got together to launch a charter ‘against the Islamisation of western European cities’, reiterating the call for a mosque-building moratorium.
‘We already have more than 6,000 mosques in Europe, which are not only a place to worship but also a symbol of radicalisation, some financed by extreme groups in Saudi Arabia or Iran,’ argued Filip Dewinter, leader of Belgium’s Flemish separatist party, the Vlaams Belang, who organised the Antwerp get-together. ‘Its minarets are six floors high, higher than the floodlights of the Feyenoord soccer stadium,’ he said of a new mosque being built in Rotterdam. ‘These kinds of symbols have to stop.’
REACTION OF RULERS OF THE MUSLIM COUNTRIES AND MUSLIMS
The ambassadors of 26 OIC countries want the Netherlands to investigate whether the film Fitna made by Dutch right-wing populist MP Geert Wilders can be banned. They asked Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen whether it is possible to start legal proceedings against the anti-Islam film. The meeting at the ministry in The Hague was attended by ambassadors of countries including Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.
Whilst these representatives went to implore the foreign minister to stop the film, Verhagen turned the tables on them and got them to ensure they do everything they could to protect Dutch embassies and implore others not to harm its soldiers that aid the occupation in Afghanistan.
Some may say at least they made a representation on behalf of the Muslims, surely this is better than their usual inaction.
The problem we have is that our expectations have been lowered by years of inaction we have been accustomed to by the rulers of the Muslim countries, so when they do one small thing we say at least it is something.
We should from the beginning expect more from them more as the Rasool SalAllahu alaihi wasallam painted a picture of what to expect of our ruler.
“The imam is a shield, from behind which the Muslims fight and defend themselves”
WHAT IS FITNA?
This film is called fitnah, Geert Wilders says Islam is a fitna (trial/mischief) but what does the Rabb al-Alameen define as fitnah?
وَالَّذينَ كَفَرُواْ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَآءُ بَعْضٍ إِلاَّ تَفْعَلُوهُ تَكُنْ فِتْنَةٌ فِى الاٌّرْضِ وَفَسَادٌ كَبِيرٌ
And those who disbelieve are allies of one another, (and) if you (Muslims) do not do so (protect one another), there will be Fitnah on the earth, and great corruption. [TMQ Al-Anfal: 73]
The great mufassir ibn Jarir at-Tabari said…
“The best interpretation of the above verse is,
And those who disbelieve are allies to one another, (and) if you (Muslims of the whole world collectively) do not do so (i.e. become allies, as one united block with one Khalifah - chief Muslim ruler for the whole Muslim world to make victorious Allâh’s Religion of Islâmic Monotheism), there will be Fitnah (wars, battles, polytheism, etc.) and oppression on earth, and a great mischief and corruption (appearance of polytheism).
It has been mentioned in Sahih Muslim by ‘Arfaja who said: ‘I heard Allah’s Messenger SalAllahu alaihi wasallam saying: “When you all (Muslims) are united (as one block) under a single Khalifah (a chief Muslim ruler), and a man comes up to disintegrate you and separate you into different groups, then kill that man.”
Also there is another narration in Sahih Muslim: Narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri radiAllahu anhu: Allah’s Messenger SalAllahu alaihi wasallam said:
“If the Muslim world gave the Bai’a (pledge) to two Khalifah (chief Muslim rulers, the first one who was given the Bai’a (pledge) first will remain as the Khalifah, then kill the latter (the second) one.”
So it is a legal obligation, from the above-mentioned evident proofs (from the Qur’an and the Sunnah), that there shall not be more than one Khalifah (a chief Muslim ruler) for the whole Muslim world otherwise there will be a great fitnah (mischief and trial) amongst the Muslims, the ultimate results of which will not be worthy of praise.”
It has been reported in the Sirah of Ibnu Ishaq that Abu Bakr said on the day of Saqifa: “It is forbidden for Muslims to have two Amirs for this would cause differences in their affairs and concepts, their unity would be divided and disputes would break out amongst them. The Sunnah would then be abandoned, the bida’a (innovations) would spread and Fitna would grow, and that is in no one’s interest.”
Therefore fitna is the prevalence of kuffr, the absence of the implementation of Islam and the division of the Muslims.
The fact that we do not have a unified response, nor a means of applying pressure upon the adherents of ‘free-speech’ is symptomatic of the absence of the khilafah.
REACTION OF THE KHILAFAH
George Bernard Shaw wrote in his diaries in 1913, at the time when the Khilafah was at its weakest, that he was prevented by Lord Chamberlain from writing anything derogatory about RasulAllah (saw) because he was scared of the reaction of the Ambassador of the Uthmani Khilafah in London!
The Rasool salAllahu alaihi wasallam showed us the necessity of not being burnt at the hands of our enemies time and again, in a very practical way.
Prophet Muhammad salAllahu alaihi wasallam said in a hadith, “A Mu’min (believer) cannot be bitten from the same hole twice.” (Agreed upon)
What this means is that a Muslim can not be fooled twice. Let us examine the situation in which this Hadith was mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad salAllahu alaihi wasallam. Abu Azza Shayr was one of the poets in Makkah who use to write satire criticising the Muslims.
After the battle of Badr, which the Muslims won, the Muslims took some prisoners of war. Amongst these prisoners were some rich elite of Mecca, like Abbas and Abu Lahab, who ransomed themselves to be free. The prisoners who were poor, but were literate, the Prophet salAllahu alaihi wasallam asked them to teach ten Muslim children of Medinah how to read and write. Abu Azza was an educated person, but he pleaded to Muhammad salAllahu alaihi wasallam to let him go. He said that he, Abu Azza, was a very poor man with lots of children. Muhammad salAllahu alaihi wasallam asked Abu Azza to promise that he would not write anymore satire and that he would not fight the Muslims in the future. Abu Azza agreed to the terms.
The following year, when the battle of Uhud occurred, he was captured as a prisoner of war once again. This time around, Abu Azza made the same excuse of being poor with lots of children and he started to beg the Prophet salAllahu alaihi wasallam to let him go again.
The Prophet salAllahu alaihi wasallam replied, “I will not let you go to your tribe and boast amongst them that you fooled Muhammad salAllahu alaihi wasallam twice.” The Prophet salAllahu alaihi wasallam continued, “A believer never gets bitten from the same hole twice.” Muhammad salAllahu alaihi wasallam sentenced Abu Azza to be killed. (Reference: Nahagul Islam by Ibrahim Al-Kattan and Ali Hasan Aude, Jordan 1966)
Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalânî, who is the leading authority on the interpretation of Bukhârî’s Sahîh, says the following:
“This is presented in the form of a statement. Al-Khatâbî has said: This is a statement in its wording, but a command in its meaning. It means that the believer is resolutely aware, he/she is not taken to apathy (in learning his/her lesson), nor is he/she deceived time and time again. Thus, this is an order in religious matters as well as worldly matters…”
He further quotes the opinion of Abu `Ubayd:
“This is a warning against apathy, and an indication that intelligence must be implemented. Abû `Ubayd has said: It is not possible for the (true) believer to be afflicted from something only for him/her to return to it.”
The great scholar and theologian of the 13th century, Yahya bin Sharaf an-Nawawî relates the context of the Hadîth saying:
“…and the context of this narration is well known that the Prophet had captured the poet Abu Ghurrah at the Day of (the Battle of) Badr. So the Prophet gave him amnesty and freed him based on the condition that he would not continue on his hostility and derision. He then caught up with his people and returned to belligerence towards the Muslims and derision against them. Then he was captured on the Day of (the Battle of) Uhud and was asked about the amnesty that was given to him. Upon this the Prophet said, ‘The believer is not stung from the same hole twice.’ From this it is understood that if one were to suffer injury from a particular element, then they should abstain from it lest they should suffer such again.”
This ummah seems to face crisis after crisis, we are bitten again and again, attack after attack, yet we lack a strategic response. The rulers of the Muslim countries are content with providing nothing but empty rhetoric despite the fact there is a clear precedent set by our forebears in responding to attacks against Rasool Allah salAllahu alaihi wasallam.
THE LAST SHIELD
Twenty years prior to the destruction of the Khilafah, a play based on the writings of Voltaire was being staged in France and Britain titled “Mohammad or Fanaticism”, deriding the character of the Prophet salAllahu alaihi wasallam through the Zayd/Zainab issue. When the Khalifah (Sultan Abdul Hamid II) was informed of the play, his ambassador to France warned the government of the serious political repercussions which would follow if it was continued. France promptly stopped the play, so the group went to England. When the same warning was issued to England, the reply was that the tickets were sold out, and banning the play would be an infringement on the freedom of its citizens. So the following edict was issued by the Sultan, saying in no unclear terms: “I will issue an edict to the Islamic Ummah declaring that Britain is attacking and insulting our Prophet. I will declare Jihad…” Upon receiving this ultimatum, the claim for freedom of speech was forgotten, and the performance quickly stopped.
STAND FOR ISLAM
At the beginning I said we have very little control over the actions of the self-declared enemies of Islam. But we do have control over our response.
Every Muslim is accountable for his/her response.
As Muslims living in the West we have to:
Use every avenue to mobilise the Islamic Community to aid the work for Khilafah in the Muslim world, building a strong leadership that will stand up for Islam.
Show to the non-Muslims that Islam can provide a solution to the problems plaguing the world.
Dispel the misconceptions of Islam.
يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ اسْتَجِيبُواْ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ
O you who believe! Answer Allah and (His) Messenger when he (the Messenger) calls you to that which will give you life [TMQ Al-Anfal:24]
Yusuf Patel
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Campaign to Stop the slandering of Islam in the Netherlands
The Netherlands, traditionally one of the most liberal countries in Europe, is now at the centre of a malicious campaign to defame Islam and the teachings of the noble Book of Allah (swt). The Netherlands and other western countries claim to uphold values of tolerance, equality and justice. Yet when it comes to Muslims these values suddenly disappear. Torture, kidnapping and detention without trial are now acceptable if applied to Muslims. Muslims defending their lands from occupation are labelled ‘unlawful combatants' where the Geneva Convention and other international norms are suspended. As Tony Blair, a former British Prime Minister once said: "the rules of the game are changing."
In the Netherlands a new film attacking the Holy Qur'an as a ‘fascist' and ‘intolerant' book is currently in production and expected to be screened on Dutch TV in the New Year. Spearheading this campaign against Islam and the noble Qur'an is Geert Wilders, Dutch Member of Parliament and head of the Dutch Freedom Party.
Wilders fanatical hatred of Islam under the guise of ‘free speech' and intellectual debate are seen clearly in some of his statements. Among some of his sayings are:
"Ban this wretched book (Qur'an) just like Mein Kampf is banned."
"Muslims living in the Netherlands should tear out half of the Koran."
"If Mohammad lived here today, I would propose chasing him out of the country with peck and fetters."
Wilders is not the first Dutch MP to see a political opportunity in attacking Islam. For years his predecessor Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former asylum seeker turned politician who rose to fame through her open rejection of Islam, spearheaded this propaganda campaign. Ironically by referring to herself as an ‘ex-Muslim' this somehow gave her credibility to become an ‘expert' on Islam and in particular Muslim women. She was given a platform to speak in academic circles, published books and wrote a screenplay for a ludicrous film called ‘Submission' which claimed that the Holy Qur'an encouraged violence and rape of female family members!
Hirsi Ali was forced to leave the Netherlands after being publicly discredited for lying on her citizenship application. When arriving in Holland in 1992 she claimed to be fleeing from an arranged marriage back in war torn Somali. This gained her a sympathy vote among the Dutch and gave her credibility for her lies that Islam oppresses women since she had experienced this ‘oppression' first hand. However, a Dutch television programme later exposed her claim as a lie after members of Hirsi Ali's family said they had no knowledge of an arranged marriage, and that she had actually been living comfortably in Kenya for 12 years not Somalia.
Despite being exposed as lying about her experiences, she is still championed by the West as an authority on Islam in some circles. After leaving the Netherlands she secured a research post at the neo-conservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in America where she now lives.
It seems in some western intellectual circles that hatred is the only qualification required to become an authority on Islam. All other considerations such as credibility and trustworthiness are simply thrown away as is the case with Hirsi Ali and now Geert Wilders.
Geert Wilders has been a member of the Dutch Parliament (Tweede Kamer) since 1998. Like Hirsi Ali his rise to fame is due to his opposition to Islam. In September 2004 he left the ‘People's Party for Freedom and Democracy' (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie VVD) and formed his own political party - ‘Party for Freedom' (Partij voor de Vrijheid PVV). At the time he was the only member of the newly formed PVV in the Dutch Parliament.
In polls released following the assassination of Theo van Gogh, the director of the anti-Islamic film ‘Submission' in November 2004, it was estimated that Wilders' party could win as many as 29 (out of 150) seats in the Dutch parliament. When the uproar over the killing of Van Gogh subsided, this number declined to a low of one in October 2005.
In February 2006, after the Danish Jyllands-Posten published blasphemous cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), it rose again to three seats. Currently the party has nine seats, making it the fifth largest party in parliament and the third largest opposition party. Wilders has certainly made huge political gain from his opposition to Islam.
This campaign is not confined just to Geert Wilders. The Dutch government attempted to pass a bill making it illegal for Muslim women to wear the Islamic niqab (face veil) in public making it the first European country to do so. The bill failed to pass although Wilders is attempting to re-introduce it along with a long list of other things that should be banned for Muslims. These include the Qur'an, niqab and Muslims' Dutch citizenship.
The Dutch government's contempt for Muslims was clearly shown in December 2006 when they awarded the Dutch UN peacekeepers medals for their role in handing over Srebrenica to the Serbs during the Bosnian war of 1992-95. The Serbs massacred over 8000 Muslims in July 1995 after the Dutch handed them the city. Video footage shows a smiling General Mladic handing wrapped gifts to a grateful Dutch commander Col. Tom Karremans. Later Col. Karremans was photographed toasting the Serb ‘victory' with General Mladic in Potocari, a village just outside Srebrenica.
More recently, a series of Dutch government firework safety adverts caused controversy after they depicted Muslims in a negative and stereotypical light. Although firework safety should be an issue of utmost importance to protect children and others from injuring themselves, the Dutch government instead used them to demonise Muslims and Islam.
The history of western animosity to Islam is centuries old. A French writer, Count Henri Decastri, wrote a book in 1896 entitled ‘Islam' in which he stated;
‘I cannot imagine what the Muslims would say if they heard the tales of the mediaeval ages and understood what the Christian orators used to say in their hymns; all our hymns even those which emerged before the 12th century emanated from one concept which was the cause of the crusades, these hymns were filled with hatred towards the Muslims due to the total ignorance of their religion. As a result of those hymns and songs, hatred against that religion became fixed in people's minds, and the erroneous ideas deeply rooted, some of which are still carried nowadays. Everyone used to regard the Muslims as polytheists, disbelievers, idol worshippers and apostates.'
In the 11th century the propaganda against Islam was used to fuel the crusades against the Muslim holy land of Palestine and Al-Quds (Jerusalem). The savagery and hatred of these ‘religious' crusaders is well documented. On their entry into Jerusalem they slaughtered so many inhabitants that according to the account of one of the crusaders "the slaughter was so great that our men waded in blood up to their ankles."
Despite the atrocities of the crusaders, when Salahudeen Ayyubi re-opened Jerusalem two centuries later he did not take revenge on them and instead gave them safe passage back to Europe. His actions exemplified the objective of jihad , which is to make Allah's (swt) word the highest and not to simply slaughter and kill people in an indiscriminate holy war.
The crusaders however never forgot their defeat. They worked for centuries to destroy the Islamic Khilafah and after the First World War when the Khilafah was in a weakened and declined state they managed to succeed in their quest.
In 1917 when Britain occupied Palestine, General Lord Allenby planting his sword in the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, boasted "Now end the Crusades!"
In July 1920 when the French general Henri Gouraud took charge of Damascus, he strode up to Salahudeen's tomb next to the Grand Mosque, kicked it and exclaimed, "Awake Saladin, we have returned. My presence here consecrates the victory of the Cross over the Crescent."
The present day crusades being launched against the Muslim world led by America and Britain are simply a continuation of this age-old conflict. Only with the re-establishment of the Khilafah will the Muslim world be in a position to unify itself behind an Imam who will protect Islam and the Muslim lands from attack and use all the mechanisms of State to combat the lies and false propaganda being made against Islam and Muslims.
Muslim narrated from Al-Araj from Abu Hurayrah from the Prophet (saw) that he (saw) said: "Indeed the Imam is a shield, from whose behind (one) would fight, and by whom one would protect oneself."
One of the pillars of the Khilafah ruling system is the Department of Information (Al-I'laam). This department is responsible for implementing the information policy of the state. The Khilafah will create a strong and effective information and media policy to project the correct image of Islam internationally. It will be utilised to combat the negative and malicious propaganda being pumped out of western governments using the full infrastructure and resources of the Khilafah. It will protect the honour and dignity of the Holy Qur'an and our beloved messenger Muhammad (saw).
During the time of the Prophet (saw) the propaganda against Islam started very early on during the Makkan period. Once the Da'wah started to take root in Makkah and shake the societal relationships, the Quraysh initiated a relentless campaign of libel and propaganda against Islam. This propaganda was not just confined to Makkah but spread to neighbouring tribes and even abroad to Abyssinia.
The Quraysh carefully planned how they could best discredit Islam especially during the Hajj season when Makkah would receive a huge influx of visitors. After a lengthy debate, the government of Quraysh agreed to accuse the Prophet (saw) of being a sorcerer possessing the Sihr al-Bayan (magic of words) and went around telling those in Makkah not to listen to him. Abu Lahab, the Prophet's (saw) hateful uncle followed him around everywhere telling people not to listen to his message.
One day Al-Tufayl ibn ‘Amr al-Dausi came to Makkah when Allah's Messenger (saw) was there. He was an important nobleman, very intelligent and a poet of some understanding. Quraysh approached him immediately and warned him that this fellow Muhammad (saw) had done them much harm, that he was a sorcerer and that his talk separated men from their families. They exclaimed that they feared he might have the same effect on him and advised him not to speak to Muhammad (saw) or listen to a word he said.
Al-Tufayl went one day to the Ka'bah and it happened that Allah's Messenger (saw) was there, he listened to some of his speech and found it beautiful, so he said to himself, "By Allah! Here I am, an intelligent man, a poet, knowing perfectly well the difference between good and evil, so what is to prevent me from listening to what this man is saying? If it is good I shall accept it and if it is bad I shall reject it." He followed the Messenger of Allah (saw) to his house and told him about himself and what was on his mind. So Allah's Messenger (saw) invited him to Islam and recited to him the Qur'an. He became a Muslim and declared that it was the truth. Then he went back to his people and proceeded to call them to Islam.
Ultimately, all the ways and means of propaganda pronounced against the Islamic Da'wah failed. The sheer force of truth reflected in what the Messenger of Allah (saw) was calling for, defeated all rumours, lies and propaganda, and the light of Islam dissipated all attempts at discrediting it.
Similarly today we as Muslims must combat the hateful propaganda being waged by various institutions, governments and groupings against Islam. We must portray the true message of Islam through carrying the Islamic Da'wah following the example of the Prophet (saw).
In the Netherlands members of Hizb ut-Tahrir have taken on this responsibility and have launched a campaign to protect the Holy Qur'an in particular in light of Geert Wilders upcoming film. Their website and online petition can be viewed here.
We must also work tirelessly for the re-establishment of the Islamic Khilafah which can practically combat this propaganda on an international level, and whose foreign policy has one aim, which is carrying the Islamic Da'wah to the world.
Although the propaganda campaign by Quraysh failed to prevent the establishment of the Islamic State in Madinah they continued to harass the Muslims and were a constant obstacle to the Da'wah. The difference between Makkah and Madinah however, was that now the Prophet (saw) was head of an Islamic State that was able to utilise all the mechanisms of a State to combat their propaganda and plans against the Muslims. Therefore Muslims should never lose hope in Allah (swt) victory. Although the enemies of Islam plot and plan to undermine the Deen and its message they will ultimately fail.
Allah (swt) says in Surah al-Anfal:
"They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah." [TMQ Al-Anfal:30]
Source
In the Netherlands a new film attacking the Holy Qur'an as a ‘fascist' and ‘intolerant' book is currently in production and expected to be screened on Dutch TV in the New Year. Spearheading this campaign against Islam and the noble Qur'an is Geert Wilders, Dutch Member of Parliament and head of the Dutch Freedom Party.
Wilders fanatical hatred of Islam under the guise of ‘free speech' and intellectual debate are seen clearly in some of his statements. Among some of his sayings are:
"Ban this wretched book (Qur'an) just like Mein Kampf is banned."
"Muslims living in the Netherlands should tear out half of the Koran."
"If Mohammad lived here today, I would propose chasing him out of the country with peck and fetters."
Wilders is not the first Dutch MP to see a political opportunity in attacking Islam. For years his predecessor Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former asylum seeker turned politician who rose to fame through her open rejection of Islam, spearheaded this propaganda campaign. Ironically by referring to herself as an ‘ex-Muslim' this somehow gave her credibility to become an ‘expert' on Islam and in particular Muslim women. She was given a platform to speak in academic circles, published books and wrote a screenplay for a ludicrous film called ‘Submission' which claimed that the Holy Qur'an encouraged violence and rape of female family members!
Hirsi Ali was forced to leave the Netherlands after being publicly discredited for lying on her citizenship application. When arriving in Holland in 1992 she claimed to be fleeing from an arranged marriage back in war torn Somali. This gained her a sympathy vote among the Dutch and gave her credibility for her lies that Islam oppresses women since she had experienced this ‘oppression' first hand. However, a Dutch television programme later exposed her claim as a lie after members of Hirsi Ali's family said they had no knowledge of an arranged marriage, and that she had actually been living comfortably in Kenya for 12 years not Somalia.
Despite being exposed as lying about her experiences, she is still championed by the West as an authority on Islam in some circles. After leaving the Netherlands she secured a research post at the neo-conservative American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in America where she now lives.
It seems in some western intellectual circles that hatred is the only qualification required to become an authority on Islam. All other considerations such as credibility and trustworthiness are simply thrown away as is the case with Hirsi Ali and now Geert Wilders.
Geert Wilders has been a member of the Dutch Parliament (Tweede Kamer) since 1998. Like Hirsi Ali his rise to fame is due to his opposition to Islam. In September 2004 he left the ‘People's Party for Freedom and Democracy' (Volkspartij voor Vrijheid en Democratie VVD) and formed his own political party - ‘Party for Freedom' (Partij voor de Vrijheid PVV). At the time he was the only member of the newly formed PVV in the Dutch Parliament.
In polls released following the assassination of Theo van Gogh, the director of the anti-Islamic film ‘Submission' in November 2004, it was estimated that Wilders' party could win as many as 29 (out of 150) seats in the Dutch parliament. When the uproar over the killing of Van Gogh subsided, this number declined to a low of one in October 2005.
In February 2006, after the Danish Jyllands-Posten published blasphemous cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad (saw), it rose again to three seats. Currently the party has nine seats, making it the fifth largest party in parliament and the third largest opposition party. Wilders has certainly made huge political gain from his opposition to Islam.
This campaign is not confined just to Geert Wilders. The Dutch government attempted to pass a bill making it illegal for Muslim women to wear the Islamic niqab (face veil) in public making it the first European country to do so. The bill failed to pass although Wilders is attempting to re-introduce it along with a long list of other things that should be banned for Muslims. These include the Qur'an, niqab and Muslims' Dutch citizenship.
The Dutch government's contempt for Muslims was clearly shown in December 2006 when they awarded the Dutch UN peacekeepers medals for their role in handing over Srebrenica to the Serbs during the Bosnian war of 1992-95. The Serbs massacred over 8000 Muslims in July 1995 after the Dutch handed them the city. Video footage shows a smiling General Mladic handing wrapped gifts to a grateful Dutch commander Col. Tom Karremans. Later Col. Karremans was photographed toasting the Serb ‘victory' with General Mladic in Potocari, a village just outside Srebrenica.
More recently, a series of Dutch government firework safety adverts caused controversy after they depicted Muslims in a negative and stereotypical light. Although firework safety should be an issue of utmost importance to protect children and others from injuring themselves, the Dutch government instead used them to demonise Muslims and Islam.
The history of western animosity to Islam is centuries old. A French writer, Count Henri Decastri, wrote a book in 1896 entitled ‘Islam' in which he stated;
‘I cannot imagine what the Muslims would say if they heard the tales of the mediaeval ages and understood what the Christian orators used to say in their hymns; all our hymns even those which emerged before the 12th century emanated from one concept which was the cause of the crusades, these hymns were filled with hatred towards the Muslims due to the total ignorance of their religion. As a result of those hymns and songs, hatred against that religion became fixed in people's minds, and the erroneous ideas deeply rooted, some of which are still carried nowadays. Everyone used to regard the Muslims as polytheists, disbelievers, idol worshippers and apostates.'
In the 11th century the propaganda against Islam was used to fuel the crusades against the Muslim holy land of Palestine and Al-Quds (Jerusalem). The savagery and hatred of these ‘religious' crusaders is well documented. On their entry into Jerusalem they slaughtered so many inhabitants that according to the account of one of the crusaders "the slaughter was so great that our men waded in blood up to their ankles."
Despite the atrocities of the crusaders, when Salahudeen Ayyubi re-opened Jerusalem two centuries later he did not take revenge on them and instead gave them safe passage back to Europe. His actions exemplified the objective of jihad , which is to make Allah's (swt) word the highest and not to simply slaughter and kill people in an indiscriminate holy war.
The crusaders however never forgot their defeat. They worked for centuries to destroy the Islamic Khilafah and after the First World War when the Khilafah was in a weakened and declined state they managed to succeed in their quest.
In 1917 when Britain occupied Palestine, General Lord Allenby planting his sword in the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, boasted "Now end the Crusades!"
In July 1920 when the French general Henri Gouraud took charge of Damascus, he strode up to Salahudeen's tomb next to the Grand Mosque, kicked it and exclaimed, "Awake Saladin, we have returned. My presence here consecrates the victory of the Cross over the Crescent."
The present day crusades being launched against the Muslim world led by America and Britain are simply a continuation of this age-old conflict. Only with the re-establishment of the Khilafah will the Muslim world be in a position to unify itself behind an Imam who will protect Islam and the Muslim lands from attack and use all the mechanisms of State to combat the lies and false propaganda being made against Islam and Muslims.
Muslim narrated from Al-Araj from Abu Hurayrah from the Prophet (saw) that he (saw) said: "Indeed the Imam is a shield, from whose behind (one) would fight, and by whom one would protect oneself."
One of the pillars of the Khilafah ruling system is the Department of Information (Al-I'laam). This department is responsible for implementing the information policy of the state. The Khilafah will create a strong and effective information and media policy to project the correct image of Islam internationally. It will be utilised to combat the negative and malicious propaganda being pumped out of western governments using the full infrastructure and resources of the Khilafah. It will protect the honour and dignity of the Holy Qur'an and our beloved messenger Muhammad (saw).
During the time of the Prophet (saw) the propaganda against Islam started very early on during the Makkan period. Once the Da'wah started to take root in Makkah and shake the societal relationships, the Quraysh initiated a relentless campaign of libel and propaganda against Islam. This propaganda was not just confined to Makkah but spread to neighbouring tribes and even abroad to Abyssinia.
The Quraysh carefully planned how they could best discredit Islam especially during the Hajj season when Makkah would receive a huge influx of visitors. After a lengthy debate, the government of Quraysh agreed to accuse the Prophet (saw) of being a sorcerer possessing the Sihr al-Bayan (magic of words) and went around telling those in Makkah not to listen to him. Abu Lahab, the Prophet's (saw) hateful uncle followed him around everywhere telling people not to listen to his message.
One day Al-Tufayl ibn ‘Amr al-Dausi came to Makkah when Allah's Messenger (saw) was there. He was an important nobleman, very intelligent and a poet of some understanding. Quraysh approached him immediately and warned him that this fellow Muhammad (saw) had done them much harm, that he was a sorcerer and that his talk separated men from their families. They exclaimed that they feared he might have the same effect on him and advised him not to speak to Muhammad (saw) or listen to a word he said.
Al-Tufayl went one day to the Ka'bah and it happened that Allah's Messenger (saw) was there, he listened to some of his speech and found it beautiful, so he said to himself, "By Allah! Here I am, an intelligent man, a poet, knowing perfectly well the difference between good and evil, so what is to prevent me from listening to what this man is saying? If it is good I shall accept it and if it is bad I shall reject it." He followed the Messenger of Allah (saw) to his house and told him about himself and what was on his mind. So Allah's Messenger (saw) invited him to Islam and recited to him the Qur'an. He became a Muslim and declared that it was the truth. Then he went back to his people and proceeded to call them to Islam.
Ultimately, all the ways and means of propaganda pronounced against the Islamic Da'wah failed. The sheer force of truth reflected in what the Messenger of Allah (saw) was calling for, defeated all rumours, lies and propaganda, and the light of Islam dissipated all attempts at discrediting it.
Similarly today we as Muslims must combat the hateful propaganda being waged by various institutions, governments and groupings against Islam. We must portray the true message of Islam through carrying the Islamic Da'wah following the example of the Prophet (saw).
In the Netherlands members of Hizb ut-Tahrir have taken on this responsibility and have launched a campaign to protect the Holy Qur'an in particular in light of Geert Wilders upcoming film. Their website and online petition can be viewed here.
We must also work tirelessly for the re-establishment of the Islamic Khilafah which can practically combat this propaganda on an international level, and whose foreign policy has one aim, which is carrying the Islamic Da'wah to the world.
Although the propaganda campaign by Quraysh failed to prevent the establishment of the Islamic State in Madinah they continued to harass the Muslims and were a constant obstacle to the Da'wah. The difference between Makkah and Madinah however, was that now the Prophet (saw) was head of an Islamic State that was able to utilise all the mechanisms of a State to combat their propaganda and plans against the Muslims. Therefore Muslims should never lose hope in Allah (swt) victory. Although the enemies of Islam plot and plan to undermine the Deen and its message they will ultimately fail.
Allah (swt) says in Surah al-Anfal:
"They plot and plan, and Allah too plans; but the best of planners is Allah." [TMQ Al-Anfal:30]
Source
Geert Wilders Film is Evidence for his Political Oppurtunism & Conscience Ignorance
Political Opportunism
Under the banner of the “War On Terror” politicians have used the current political narrative to serve their interests. Right wing politicians such as Geert Wilders are calling for the ban of the Qur’an, and it was reported this week that the right wing Dutch Politician released a film on the divine book which he named Fitna, a Qur’anic term meaning strife.
The film is an attempt to show how the Qur’an incites to violence, terror, death and destruction. In addition to this he has commented on the Qur’an many times, his opportunistic one liner’s include:
“Ban this wretched book just like Mein Kempf is banned”
“Muslims living in the Netherlands should tear out half of the Koran”
“…this fascist book called the Koran”
However, can anyone take him seriously? Isn't this political opportunism at its best? The current situation in the Netherlands gives some damning answers,
Netherlands under its current secular political framework suffers from:
– 48% increase in robbery
– 35% increase in violent crime
– 24% increase in drug trafficking
– 105% rise in prison population in the past 10 years (1991-2001)
– 15% increase in homicide
Where are Geert Wilder’s detailed policies on these issues? Is he really interested in the Dutch people and the future of his country? If he is, then why does he and his political party just produce anti-Islamic rhetoric? This exposes his political opportunism.
Additionally, politicians who advance that secularism is the only political framework suitable for the world should be humbled by the statistics from a country seen to to be a shining example of secularism.
Approach
Many politicians who attack the Qur’an claim that Europe is based upon the Judeo-Christian heritage and that secular values are the standard to follow, misquoting and twisting verses from the Qur’an. However if their thinking and approach were to be applied to their own heritage, then can not the following be taken as an excuse or justification for violence, oppression and hatred?
“If you hear it said about one of the towns the Lord your God is giving you to live in, that wicked men have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, ‘Let us go and worship other gods’. Then you must enquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has proved that this detestable thing has been done among you, you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. Destroy it completely both its people and its livestock. Gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a - whole burnt offering to the Lord your God.” Bible, Deuteronomy 13: 12-16
Dutch Constitution Article 97,
(1) All Dutch nationals who are capable of doing so shall have a duty to cooperate in maintaining the independence of the State and defending its territory.
(2) This duty may also be imposed on residents of the Netherlands who are not Dutch nationals.
If we use the line of thinking that the politicians who attack Islam and the Qur’an use, then anyone can conclude that the above statements have been, and are being used, as a justification to murder, subjugate, oppress and terrorise human beings. Was it not under the secular political framework that the following occurred?
- 700,000 innocent deaths due to the current Iraqi occupation?
- 500,000 Iraqi children dead in the 10 year sanctions?
- Over 60 million preventable deaths is Africa due to unjust trade laws and economic policies in the past decade?
- 70,000,000 murdered American Indians?
- World War 1 and 2?
- The occupation of Palestinian land?
- The genocide of Bosnians?
- The genocide of the Jews?
- Stalin? Hitler? Bush?
- The Vietnam War?
- The mass murder of new born baby girls in China?
- 250,000 dead Fillipinos?
- Hiroshima?
- The ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and Chechnians?
- The oppression of Muslims via western backed dictators in the Muslim world?
However, the replies to this crude analysis of the Dutch constitution and the Bible would include ‘you are no law maker’, ‘do you have all the necessary tools to extract legislation?’, ‘you have ignored the context’. Muslims would agree, and this is how Islam and the Qur’an should be viewed too.
In order to extract law from any secular text, knowledge of the language, relevant education in Law, knowledge of legislative changes and the rules of interpretation are required. For example to interpret any UK book of law there are four basic rules of interpretation,
- Literal Rule: Literal Meaning of the Words
- Golden Rule: Take the whole of the statue rather than a few texts
- Purposive Rule: Ascertain what the craftsman intended
- Mischief Rule: Looks at what the circumstances and history when that law was created
This is similar with the Qur’an. Islamic scholarship has developed methods and rules of interpretation based upon the Islamic intellectual heritage. One requires all the necessary tools and techniques to extract legislation and law whether it is a secular text or the Qur’an, because they both deal with the individual and society. Therefore Geert Wilders who simply quotes and associates the Qur’anic verses with terror and oppression shows that his agenda is to destroy bridges and prevent dialogue.
In a world of sound bytes and generalisations his politically motivated and agenda driven film does not facilitate any form of dialogue and understanding. This indicates that he is a self-publicist and a political opportunist, using the current narrative on the War On Terror to achieve his right wing goals.
This façade does not create an environment where people of the Netherlands, and Europe, can learn about the Qur’an without pre-judging the book and its followers. Dutch society is thirsty for information and its people are willing to initiate in a dialogue that transcends the anti-Islamic hysteria and hype. Having recently returned from delivering two presentations at Maastricht and Utrecht universities on ‘The Qur’an: politics, approach & inimitability’ this point can not be over emphasised.Geert Wilders further exposed himself when he stated on Fox News “I am not a cultural relativist…I don’t believe cultures are equal I believe our culture is better than a retarded Islamic culture…” Without initiating a dialogue and a positive debate, how can he make these claims? It seems that he has already assumed the position of judge, jury and executioner.
The Qur’an can not be viewed just as a spiritual text but as a dynamic text that provides legislation for all of aspects of human life and behaviour. Politicians are in no position to understand the Qur’an with regards to Law, Foreign Policy and Economics as they do not have the tools in place to interpret the divine book.If someone was willing to understand the Qur’an they would acquire all the tools necessary to do so or at least ask those who know. Can a butcher read a law book and claim he has knowledge of the law?
Hamza Andreas Tzortzis
Watch the current affairs programme where Hamza will discuss Geert Wilders, the Qur'an, Islam and the West. Click here for more information.
Under the banner of the “War On Terror” politicians have used the current political narrative to serve their interests. Right wing politicians such as Geert Wilders are calling for the ban of the Qur’an, and it was reported this week that the right wing Dutch Politician released a film on the divine book which he named Fitna, a Qur’anic term meaning strife.
The film is an attempt to show how the Qur’an incites to violence, terror, death and destruction. In addition to this he has commented on the Qur’an many times, his opportunistic one liner’s include:
“Ban this wretched book just like Mein Kempf is banned”
“Muslims living in the Netherlands should tear out half of the Koran”
“…this fascist book called the Koran”
However, can anyone take him seriously? Isn't this political opportunism at its best? The current situation in the Netherlands gives some damning answers,
Netherlands under its current secular political framework suffers from:
– 48% increase in robbery
– 35% increase in violent crime
– 24% increase in drug trafficking
– 105% rise in prison population in the past 10 years (1991-2001)
– 15% increase in homicide
Where are Geert Wilder’s detailed policies on these issues? Is he really interested in the Dutch people and the future of his country? If he is, then why does he and his political party just produce anti-Islamic rhetoric? This exposes his political opportunism.
Additionally, politicians who advance that secularism is the only political framework suitable for the world should be humbled by the statistics from a country seen to to be a shining example of secularism.
Approach
Many politicians who attack the Qur’an claim that Europe is based upon the Judeo-Christian heritage and that secular values are the standard to follow, misquoting and twisting verses from the Qur’an. However if their thinking and approach were to be applied to their own heritage, then can not the following be taken as an excuse or justification for violence, oppression and hatred?
“If you hear it said about one of the towns the Lord your God is giving you to live in, that wicked men have arisen among you and have led the people of their town astray, saying, ‘Let us go and worship other gods’. Then you must enquire, probe and investigate it thoroughly. And if it is true and it has proved that this detestable thing has been done among you, you must certainly put to the sword all who live in that town. Destroy it completely both its people and its livestock. Gather all the plunder of the town into the middle of the public square and completely burn the town and all its plunder as a - whole burnt offering to the Lord your God.” Bible, Deuteronomy 13: 12-16
Dutch Constitution Article 97,
(1) All Dutch nationals who are capable of doing so shall have a duty to cooperate in maintaining the independence of the State and defending its territory.
(2) This duty may also be imposed on residents of the Netherlands who are not Dutch nationals.
If we use the line of thinking that the politicians who attack Islam and the Qur’an use, then anyone can conclude that the above statements have been, and are being used, as a justification to murder, subjugate, oppress and terrorise human beings. Was it not under the secular political framework that the following occurred?
- 700,000 innocent deaths due to the current Iraqi occupation?
- 500,000 Iraqi children dead in the 10 year sanctions?
- Over 60 million preventable deaths is Africa due to unjust trade laws and economic policies in the past decade?
- 70,000,000 murdered American Indians?
- World War 1 and 2?
- The occupation of Palestinian land?
- The genocide of Bosnians?
- The genocide of the Jews?
- Stalin? Hitler? Bush?
- The Vietnam War?
- The mass murder of new born baby girls in China?
- 250,000 dead Fillipinos?
- Hiroshima?
- The ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and Chechnians?
- The oppression of Muslims via western backed dictators in the Muslim world?
However, the replies to this crude analysis of the Dutch constitution and the Bible would include ‘you are no law maker’, ‘do you have all the necessary tools to extract legislation?’, ‘you have ignored the context’. Muslims would agree, and this is how Islam and the Qur’an should be viewed too.
In order to extract law from any secular text, knowledge of the language, relevant education in Law, knowledge of legislative changes and the rules of interpretation are required. For example to interpret any UK book of law there are four basic rules of interpretation,
- Literal Rule: Literal Meaning of the Words
- Golden Rule: Take the whole of the statue rather than a few texts
- Purposive Rule: Ascertain what the craftsman intended
- Mischief Rule: Looks at what the circumstances and history when that law was created
This is similar with the Qur’an. Islamic scholarship has developed methods and rules of interpretation based upon the Islamic intellectual heritage. One requires all the necessary tools and techniques to extract legislation and law whether it is a secular text or the Qur’an, because they both deal with the individual and society. Therefore Geert Wilders who simply quotes and associates the Qur’anic verses with terror and oppression shows that his agenda is to destroy bridges and prevent dialogue.
In a world of sound bytes and generalisations his politically motivated and agenda driven film does not facilitate any form of dialogue and understanding. This indicates that he is a self-publicist and a political opportunist, using the current narrative on the War On Terror to achieve his right wing goals.
This façade does not create an environment where people of the Netherlands, and Europe, can learn about the Qur’an without pre-judging the book and its followers. Dutch society is thirsty for information and its people are willing to initiate in a dialogue that transcends the anti-Islamic hysteria and hype. Having recently returned from delivering two presentations at Maastricht and Utrecht universities on ‘The Qur’an: politics, approach & inimitability’ this point can not be over emphasised.Geert Wilders further exposed himself when he stated on Fox News “I am not a cultural relativist…I don’t believe cultures are equal I believe our culture is better than a retarded Islamic culture…” Without initiating a dialogue and a positive debate, how can he make these claims? It seems that he has already assumed the position of judge, jury and executioner.
The Qur’an can not be viewed just as a spiritual text but as a dynamic text that provides legislation for all of aspects of human life and behaviour. Politicians are in no position to understand the Qur’an with regards to Law, Foreign Policy and Economics as they do not have the tools in place to interpret the divine book.If someone was willing to understand the Qur’an they would acquire all the tools necessary to do so or at least ask those who know. Can a butcher read a law book and claim he has knowledge of the law?
Hamza Andreas Tzortzis
Watch the current affairs programme where Hamza will discuss Geert Wilders, the Qur'an, Islam and the West. Click here for more information.
Russia fears NATO expansion
On 25/3/2008, Russian president Dmitry Medvedev in an interview with the Financial Times said, “We are not happy about the situation around Georgia and Ukraine …We consider that it is extremely troublesome for the existing structure of European security. ... No state can be pleased about having representatives of a military bloc to which it does not belong coming close to its borders.” Medvedev was protesting about NATO’s upcoming meeting scheduled for April 2-4, when it will consider the entry of Georgia and Ukraine into NATO. The ultimate benefactor of this expansion is America. The US aims to achieve two objectives. First, it allows the US to protect her newfound colonies Georgia and Ukraine under the umbrella of NATO and undermine Russian security at the same time. Second, it weakens the efforts of France and Germany to unite Europe and become a counterweight to the US.
Islam Revealed Blog - Beyond the hysteria
A new blog has been launched by Dr Abu Dawud, Hamza Andreas Tzortzis & Dawud Charalambous in order to provide the reader with accurate information on Islam. This blog is an attempt to transcend the irrational hysteria over the Sharia and seeks to initiate a frank and honest dialogue beyond the current anti-Islamic rhetoric.
The Islam Revealed blog: http://islamexplained.blogspot.com/
The Islam Revealed blog: http://islamexplained.blogspot.com/
Economic Colonisation: The Forgotten Killer
“If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” Hitler’s Henchman Joseph Goebbels
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."
G. W. Bush
Many will argue that these statements can be applied to the rhetoric on the war on terror; the so called imminent danger, the potential loss of many innocent lives.
But how real is this threat? How many of us are suffering the consequences of daily attacks? Many of us were shocked and saddened by the events of 7/7, but since then what has happened? Not many of us live in constant fear. The media constantly spews a climate of fear, fraudulently attempting to terrify the masses into believing that terrorism is the only plague to our otherwise civilised world. But even in the 21st century, a century of abundance and waste, a war on want would save far more lives than any war on terror!
What terrorist has murdered millions or destroyed nations? The answer does not come from a race, religious group or a political party, but a force that has mass support across the political spectrum. This terrorist is called “Debt,” the most efficient killer in the world.
'Relieved of their annual debt repayments, the severely indebted countries could use the funds for investments that in Africa alone would save the lives of about 21 million children by 2000 and provide 90 million girls and women with access to basic education.'
UNDP Human Development Report 1997, p. 93
Ten years after the UNDP report, it is evident that politics have not changed and debt repayments continue, the sum of which is beyond both decency and taste. Those who benefit from these debt repayments are those who bank roll institutions like the IMF, the World Bank and the Paris Club. These are the high rollers, multi-millionaires or billionaires and Western Central Banks. It is this way that wealth flows from the very poorest people in the world to the richest.
‘God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East ' proclaimed Bush in 2006. Why doesn’t his God instruct him to deal with poverty and debt? Perhaps he is really listening to the rich and influential and not God at all!
Even so, economists have continued to inform the world (the eager poor to be precise) that there will be enough growth in wealth for everybody, and they are right, everyone can be fed and provided with shelter and clothing. However, the reality is so very different,
Furthermore economists have been telling the world (the eager poor to be precise) that there will be enough growth and wealth for everyone. They are right, everyone can be fed and be provided with shelter and clothing. But the reality is so very different; we live in an unequal world.
“225 people own more wealth than the poorest 2.5 billion people"
UNDP Human Development Report 1998
So who is driving this force of mass indiscriminate killing?
"There is a very broad consensus among African governments that the IMF and World Bank terms are often harsh and unsuitable generated severely adverse effects on the overall economies of these countries especially with regard to agriculture, manufacture and foreign trade"
Conference of the Institute for African Alternatives, Onimode, B. [ed.], The IMF, the World Bank Bank and African Debt, Zed Books, 1989.
Capitalism itself relies on the philosophy of self-interest, profit maximisation and greed to enhance production. This leads to a desire to control all available resources to harness their economic potential. Practically it leads to the rich and powerful seeking to control the financial affairs of as much of humanity as possible. The capitalist economic system itself that dominates the world directly leads to this situation. It does indeed produce growth and wealth. Never has the world been as wealthy as it is today, but this wealth does not find its way to the poor and this is its perpetual weakness.
So what can we do? What is the solution?
Well first off, charity pop concerts are not the solution. The good willed people of Britain attending charity concerts to end poverty have been (deliberately I may add) given false hopes. The millions raised are barely enough to pay off the interest Africa has accrued for a few hours.
Some $700 million per day now flows in debt repayment from the developing world to the developed world
UNDP Human Development Report, 1997
Evidently, even if we had a concert a day, it would not be enough. We would need at least 700 concerts a day. If you attempt to transform a system from within, the system changes you. Therefore, a new model, a new paradigm, a fresh perspective on this issue is needed. If we all want to stop this rampant killer that is responsible for the equivalent of 21,000 9/11’s and over a million 7/7’s each year, then we must provide a sincere and valid solution.
"…and give up what remains of your demand for interest… Deal not unjustly and you shall not be dealt with unjustly” 2: 278-279
“…Freeing a slave or feeding on a day of hunger an orphaned relative or a poor man in the dust; then to be one of those who have iman and urge each other to steadfastness and urge each other to compassion…” Surat al-Balad: 13-17
“…that is because they say, 'Trade is the same as interest.' But God has permitted trade and He has forbidden usury.” 2:275
“Give your relatives their due, and the very poor ….” Surat al-Isra': 26
It is a lie that the current financial world order is fair to the poor or that developed nations are not directly responsible for the exploitation of the resources of the poorest people on this earth. It is a lie that these economic policies do not directly kill millions. It is true that the capitalist economic system itself is responsible for the death of tens of millions of human beings. It is time for a war on want.
Source
"See, in my line of work you got to keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda."
G. W. Bush
Many will argue that these statements can be applied to the rhetoric on the war on terror; the so called imminent danger, the potential loss of many innocent lives.
But how real is this threat? How many of us are suffering the consequences of daily attacks? Many of us were shocked and saddened by the events of 7/7, but since then what has happened? Not many of us live in constant fear. The media constantly spews a climate of fear, fraudulently attempting to terrify the masses into believing that terrorism is the only plague to our otherwise civilised world. But even in the 21st century, a century of abundance and waste, a war on want would save far more lives than any war on terror!
What terrorist has murdered millions or destroyed nations? The answer does not come from a race, religious group or a political party, but a force that has mass support across the political spectrum. This terrorist is called “Debt,” the most efficient killer in the world.
'Relieved of their annual debt repayments, the severely indebted countries could use the funds for investments that in Africa alone would save the lives of about 21 million children by 2000 and provide 90 million girls and women with access to basic education.'
UNDP Human Development Report 1997, p. 93
Ten years after the UNDP report, it is evident that politics have not changed and debt repayments continue, the sum of which is beyond both decency and taste. Those who benefit from these debt repayments are those who bank roll institutions like the IMF, the World Bank and the Paris Club. These are the high rollers, multi-millionaires or billionaires and Western Central Banks. It is this way that wealth flows from the very poorest people in the world to the richest.
‘God told me to strike at al Qaida and I struck them, and then he instructed me to strike at Saddam, which I did, and now I am determined to solve the problem in the Middle East ' proclaimed Bush in 2006. Why doesn’t his God instruct him to deal with poverty and debt? Perhaps he is really listening to the rich and influential and not God at all!
Even so, economists have continued to inform the world (the eager poor to be precise) that there will be enough growth in wealth for everybody, and they are right, everyone can be fed and provided with shelter and clothing. However, the reality is so very different,
Furthermore economists have been telling the world (the eager poor to be precise) that there will be enough growth and wealth for everyone. They are right, everyone can be fed and be provided with shelter and clothing. But the reality is so very different; we live in an unequal world.
“225 people own more wealth than the poorest 2.5 billion people"
UNDP Human Development Report 1998
So who is driving this force of mass indiscriminate killing?
"There is a very broad consensus among African governments that the IMF and World Bank terms are often harsh and unsuitable generated severely adverse effects on the overall economies of these countries especially with regard to agriculture, manufacture and foreign trade"
Conference of the Institute for African Alternatives, Onimode, B. [ed.], The IMF, the World Bank Bank and African Debt, Zed Books, 1989.
Capitalism itself relies on the philosophy of self-interest, profit maximisation and greed to enhance production. This leads to a desire to control all available resources to harness their economic potential. Practically it leads to the rich and powerful seeking to control the financial affairs of as much of humanity as possible. The capitalist economic system itself that dominates the world directly leads to this situation. It does indeed produce growth and wealth. Never has the world been as wealthy as it is today, but this wealth does not find its way to the poor and this is its perpetual weakness.
So what can we do? What is the solution?
Well first off, charity pop concerts are not the solution. The good willed people of Britain attending charity concerts to end poverty have been (deliberately I may add) given false hopes. The millions raised are barely enough to pay off the interest Africa has accrued for a few hours.
Some $700 million per day now flows in debt repayment from the developing world to the developed world
UNDP Human Development Report, 1997
Evidently, even if we had a concert a day, it would not be enough. We would need at least 700 concerts a day. If you attempt to transform a system from within, the system changes you. Therefore, a new model, a new paradigm, a fresh perspective on this issue is needed. If we all want to stop this rampant killer that is responsible for the equivalent of 21,000 9/11’s and over a million 7/7’s each year, then we must provide a sincere and valid solution.
"…and give up what remains of your demand for interest… Deal not unjustly and you shall not be dealt with unjustly” 2: 278-279
“…Freeing a slave or feeding on a day of hunger an orphaned relative or a poor man in the dust; then to be one of those who have iman and urge each other to steadfastness and urge each other to compassion…” Surat al-Balad: 13-17
“…that is because they say, 'Trade is the same as interest.' But God has permitted trade and He has forbidden usury.” 2:275
“Give your relatives their due, and the very poor ….” Surat al-Isra': 26
It is a lie that the current financial world order is fair to the poor or that developed nations are not directly responsible for the exploitation of the resources of the poorest people on this earth. It is a lie that these economic policies do not directly kill millions. It is true that the capitalist economic system itself is responsible for the death of tens of millions of human beings. It is time for a war on want.
Source
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