my two cents

Submitted by Keith Williams (United States), Dec 21, 2008 at 22:53

Hi

Most of your questions deal with politics. I don't know a lot about that. I only know about Islam the religion and not a lot about the politics. I will try to answer your questions the best that I can. These are my views only and I am not a spokesman and I do not speak for Islam. I am just giving you my two cents worth. Now, I shall get up on my soap box and sing.

Islam to me is easy. For most, it is a soft and beautiful way of life and for a few it seems is a hard way. As far as politics go what we don't have is a central authority on earth since Muhammad (PBUH). Each person is ultimately responsible for himself to God almighty, and will be held to account for all deeds committed. As far as fatwa's go here in the U.S. you can take the advice of a fatwa, as long as it is in accordance with our laws and that is your choice but ultimately you have to be responsible for your own actions. I am not sure in less democratic countries. You have to use your reason along with the Qur'an and sunna and pray and fast on it. The corrupt group's ideology of extremism is still here and that is what we all have to fight against.

That kind of fundamentalism is not what the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught. A suicide bombing is not Islamic. Islam (Submission) condemns suicide as much as it condemns oppression and aggression against others. While the Muslims are commanded to stand for their rights and defend themselves, their properties and their freedom they are told to first resort to peace, advocate tolerance and disregard the ignorant. The following verses from the Quran show how the Quran describes suicide.

(2:195) You shall spend in the cause of GOD; do not throw yourselves with your own hands into destruction. You shall be charitable; GOD loves the charitable.

(4:29) O you who believe, do not consume each others' properties illicitly - only mutually acceptable transactions are permitted. You shall not kill yourselves. GOD is Merciful towards you.

(4:30) Anyone who commits these transgressions, maliciously and deliberately, we will condemn him to Hell. This is easy for GOD to do.

Suicide is a state of disbelief and loss of faith that is condemned by God throughout the Quran. In the Quran, God commands the believers never to despair or lose hope and instead work for a brighter future. A perfect example is Palestine where hope seems to be lost but they must endure and not give in to the corrupt criminals. Remember Gods servant Job as a good example. The blame also falls on the oppressors who make them commit the acts of suicide. Both groups have to stop or pay the penalty in the hereafter.

(12:87) "....................... None despairs of GOD's grace except the disbelieving people."

We should make every effort to educate everyone of the Quranic commandments and it is as important for the free world to make every effort to stop this aggression and oppression against a whole nation under occupation like Palestine that find no exit from this desperate situation except by death or dying. Again suicide should never be a last resort.

(8:61) "If they resort to peace, so shall you, and put your trust in GOD. He is the Hearer, the Omniscient."

(7:199) You shall resort to pardon, advocate tolerance, and disregard the ignorant.

(16:90) GOD advocates justice, charity, and regarding the relatives. And He forbids evil, vice, and transgression. He enlightens you, that you may take heed.

(49:13) O people, we created you from the same male and female, and rendered you distinct peoples and tribes, that you may recognize one another. The best among you in the sight of GOD is the most righteous. GOD is Omniscient, Cognizant.

The same goes for killing innocent non-combatants especially women, children, old folks, and non-combatants was forbidden in the Prophet's rules of engagement. I showed you that in my last comments. The small band of bad apples are taking verses out of context to show that the enemy is everyone who do not agree with them to include civilians and that it is okay to kill yourself which is totally false. That is never justified. Muslims have to fight that from the inside and non-Muslims like yourselves have to help from the outside in a way by not pushing the majority of Muslims who are good law abiding citizens into that corrupt criminal elements version of Islam. Kind of like fighting a cancer, you got to apply the radiation to kill the cancer without the healthy tissue and/or cut out that bad part. In every counterinsurgency you always got a small number of bad apples and a small number of people willing to fight those bad apples the majority in the middle can go either way. Our job is to fight the bad apples and win the hearts and minds of the majority in the middle. Islamophobia will do the opposite. How we do that is why we have those smart guys at the state department. I, on the other hand, am in defense and my job is to defend the constitution of the U.S. against all enemies foreign and domestic. I love our constitution because it is as close to the Islamic Medinan model that we have in the world.

No, I don't think they were right to issue the death threat.

[Quran 7:28] They commit a gross sin, then say, "We found our parents doing this, and GOD has commanded us to do it." Say, "GOD never advocates sin. Are you saying about GOD what you do not know?"

There is evil playing on both sides trying to fan the flames of hate. The ultimate enemy is Satan. We got to keep that in mind and help each other against that evil.

[Quran 4:90]"...... Therefore, if they leave you alone, refrain from fighting you, and offer you peace, then GOD gives you no excuse to fight them."

peace

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