National Post: Islam: A religion of peace?

Islam: A religion of peace?

A question asked by UBC professor, which provoked the anger of many Muslims there.

When the Koran is cited by Muslims in response to questions about violence, it is often discussed in such a way as to shut down a meaningful exploration of the text. One or two mild passages are usually offered, as if these fully represented the contents of a scripture containing 6,000-plus verses. But the Koran -- literally "recitation" -- is a collection of diverse materials that include polemic, praise, eschatology, law, narrative, battle calls, and details of the domestic life of the Prophet.

In particular, the sourcebooks contain a great deal of material relating to violence. This article reviews that small part of the material that is directly relevant to any debate about the link between Islam and terror: the commands to fight and kill.

The Koran contains five commands to kill and 12 commands to fight (literally, "try to kill"). Most are found in the second (verses 190, 191, 193, 244), fourth (vv. 76, 84, 89, 91) and ninth (vv. 5, 12, 14, 29, 36, 123) suras.

The commands address a number of different situations, from "fighting those who fight you" to "fighting totally." The objects of the fighting and killing include the unbelievers, the "associators" (mushrikin, or polytheists) and "the friends of Satan."

In classical Muslim discussions of these verses, two verses attracted more attention than any others. They came to be known as "the sword verse" (9.5) and "the verse of tribute" (9.29).

FIGHT IN THE WAY OF ALLAH THOSE WHO FIGHT YOU'

What follows are selected Koranic references to fighting and killing infidels.

- Baqara (2):190 - "And fight (qaatiloo) in the way of Allah those who fight you."

- Baqara (2):193 - "Fight them (qaatiloohum), till there is no persecution and the religion is Allah's"

- Baqara (2):244 - "So fight (qaatiloo) in the way of Allah, and know that Allah is all-hearing, all-knowing."

- Nisaa' (4):76 - "Those who are believers fight (yuqaatiloona) in the way of Allah, and the unbelievers fight in the idols' way. So fight (qaatiloo) the friends of Satan; surely the guile of Satan is ever feeble."

- al-Anfaal (8):39 - "Fight them (qaatiloohum), till there is no persecution and the religion is Allah's entirely."

- al-Taubah (9):12 - "But if they break their oaths after their covenant and thrust at your religion, then fight (qaatiloo) the leaders of unbelief."

- al-Taubah (9):29 - "Fight (qaatiloo) those who believe not in Allah and the Last Day and do not forbid what Allah and his messenger have forbidden -- such men as practise not the religion of truth, being of those who have been given the Book -- until they pay the tribute out of hand and have been humbled."

- al-Taubah (9):123 - "O believers, fight (qaatiloo) the unbelievers (kuffaar) who are near to you, and let them find in you a harshness (ghilza)."

- Baqara (2):191 - "And slay them (aqtuloohum) wherever you come upon them"

- Baqara (2):191 - "But fight them not by the Holy Mosque until they should fight you there; then if they fight you, slay them (aqtuloohum) -- such is the recompense of unbelievers."

- Nisaa' (4):89 - "then, if they turn their backs, take them, and slay them (aqtuloohum) wherever you find them"

- Nisaa' (4):91 - "If they withdraw not from you, and offer you peace, and restrain their hands, take them, and slay them (aqtuloohum) wherever you come on them; against them we have given you a clear authority."

- al-Taubah (9):5 - "Then when the sacred months are drawn away, slay (aqtuloo) the idolaters wherever you find them, and take them, and confine them, and lie in wait for them at every place of ambush."

- Nisaa' (4):74 - "So let them fight (yuqaatil) in the way of Allah who sell the present life for the world to come; and whosoever fights (yuqaatil) in the way of Allah and is slain, or conquers, we shall bring him a mighty wage."

- Muhammad (47):4 - "When you meet the unbelievers, smite (darba) their necks, then, when you have made wide slaughter among them, tie fast the bonds; then set them free, either by grace or ransom, till the war lays down its loads."

Does God Exist? A Debate. Carig vs Hitchen

Does God Exist? A Debate

with Christopher Hitchens vs. William Lane Craig

Witness one of the great debates of the new millennium. Devoted atheist, Christopher Hitchens, author of the best-selling God is Not Great, squares off with one of the most formidable debaters in the Christian world, Dr. William Lane Craig, on the topic: Does God Exist? 
Moderated by Hugh Hewitt and hosted by Craig Hazen 
Cosponsored with Biola Associated Students

Here is the video:
does god exist.avi.mp4 - 321.7 MB

ABN: Who Killed Mohammed?

One of ABN most popular shows, Jesus or Mohammed, with David Wood and Sam Shamoun.

iPhone App: Stand For Reason

One of the guest speakers at the Canadian Apologetics Conference, Greg Koukl, has a great blog/website that has a direct app to your iPhone and Android. It has many apologetics news and teaching. Check it out!

Does God Exist ? Albert Einstein

UBC Event: Does God Exist?

On Tuesday, January 22 2008, Dr. William Lane Craig (Theist) and Dr. John Shook (Atheist) debated the question "Does God Exist?" on the University of British Columbia campus.

For more info go to: http://www.ultimatequestions.org/

Apologetic Music: Hazakim - Theophanies

Hazakim (Hebrew for "strong ones") is a group of Jews who accepted Jesus Christ as the Messiah. They have an apologetic album, Theophanies. They are usually mix between Hebrew Scriptures and English.

Theophany, from the Ancient Greek (ἡ) Θεοφάνεια - Τheophaneia (meaning "appearance of God"),refers to the appearance of a deity to a human or other being, or to a divine disclosure

Here are some songs:

HH pope Shenouda Sermon God Exists

YouTube: One Minute Apologist

I came across amazing apologetics channel called One Minute Apologist. It is a series of small videos, where an apologist answers one of the common questions against Christianity or faith in God.

The First Arab Muslim who Embraced Christ in Faith

Ubayd-Allah ibn Jahsh - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ubayd-Allah ibn Jahsh (Arabic: عبيد الله بن جحش‎) was the brother of Zaynab bint Jahsh, Hammanah bint Jahsh and Abd-Allah ibn Jahsh. He is one of the four monotheistic hanifs mentioned by Ibn Ishaq. The others being Waraqah ibn Nawfal, Uthman ibn Huwarith and Zayd ibn Amr.

He was married to Ramlah bint Abi Sufyan (who was also known as Umm Habiba Ramla). They had a daughter named Habibah bint Ubayd-Allah.

He and his wife became Muslims and, in order to escape from the Meccan persecution, they emigrated to Abyssinia. At Axum, part of the Aksumite Empire the Christian king, Aṣḥama ibn Abjar, gave sanctuary to the Muslims. There Ubayd-Allah eventually converted to Christianity and testified his new faith to the other Muslim refugees. Ibn Ishaq relates:

“

'Ubaydullah went on searching until Islam came; then he migrated with the Muslims to Abyssinia taking with him his wife who was a Muslim, Umm Habiba b. Abu Sufyan. When he arrived there he adopted Christianity, parted from Islam, and died a Christian in Abyssinia. Muhammad bin Jafar al-Zubayr told me that when he had become a Christian 'Ubaydullah as he passed the prophet's companions who were there used to say: 'We see clearly, but your eyes are only half open', i.e. 'We see, but you are only trying to see and cannot see yet.'

”

Due to his conversion, he was divorced from his wife. He eventually died in Abyssinia.

Later on the Islamic prophet Muhammad married his former wife, Ramlah bint Abu Sufyan and later on his sister, Zaynab bint Jahsh.

Hadith Bukhari: All Volumes

Here is the Collections of Hadith of Bukhari for anyone who is looking for easy way to find them in English. I am not sure how accurate is this pdf. More accurate collection would be on my previous post.

Revelation of Quran in the Hadith

CRCC: Center For Muslim-Jewish Engagement: Resources: Religious Texts


Sahih Bukhari
Volume 1, Book 1, Number 3:

Narrated 'Aisha:
(the mother of the faithful believers) The commencement of the Divine Inspiration to Allah's Apostle was in the form of good dreams which came true like bright day light, and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him. He used to go in seclusion in the cave of Hira where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him the journey food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food like-wise again till suddenly the Truth descended upon him while he was in the cave of Hira. The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied, "I do not know how to read.
The Prophet added, "The angel caught me (forcefully) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, 'I do not know how to read.' Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read but again I replied, 'I do not know how to read (or what shall I read)?' Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said, 'Read in the name of your Lord, who has created (all that exists) has created man from a clot. Read! And your Lord is the Most Generous." (96.1, 96.2, 96.3) Then Allah's Apostle returned with the Inspiration and with his heart beating severely. Then he went to Khadija bint Khuwailid and said, "Cover me! Cover me!" They covered him till his fear was over and after that he told her everything that had happened and said, "I fear that something may happen to me." Khadija replied, "Never! By Allah, Allah will never disgrace you. You keep good relations with your Kith and kin, help the poor and the destitute, serve your guests generously and assist the deserving calamity-afflicted ones."
Khadija then accompanied him to her cousin Waraqa bin Naufal bin Asad bin 'Abdul 'Uzza, who, during the PreIslamic Period became a Christian and used to write the writing with Hebrew letters. He would write from the Gospel in Hebrew as much as Allah wished him to write. He was an old man and had lost his eyesight. Khadija said to Waraqa, "Listen to the story of your nephew, O my cousin!" Waraqa asked, "O my nephew! What have you seen?" Allah's Apostle described whatever he had seen. Waraqa said, "This is the same one who keeps the secrets (angel Gabriel) whom Allah had sent to Moses. I wish I were young and could live up to the time when your people would turn you out." Allah's Apostle asked, "Will they drive me out?" Waraqa replied in the affirmative and said, "Anyone (man) who came with something similar to what you have brought was treated with hostility; and if I should remain alive till the day when you will be turned out then I would support you strongly." But after a few days Waraqa died and the Divine Inspiration was also paused for a while.

There is critical mistake when it comes to Ibn Naufal. Ibn Naufal was supposedly an Arab Christian Priest, why would he be copying Hebrew text? Another thing is, the Gospel was not written in Hebrew, but Greek. So for who is he copying Hebrew Translation of the Gospel? It is neither the original language of the gospel nor it is the language of the people of the area.


Volume 4, Book 52, Number 85:

Narrated Sahl bin Sad As-Sa'idi:
I saw Marwan bin Al-Hakam sitting in the Mosque. So I came forward and sat by his side. He told us that Zaid bin Thabit had told him that Allah's Apostle had dictated to him the Divine Verse:
"Not equal are those believers who sit (at home) and those who strive hard and fight in the Cause of Allah with their wealth and lives.' (4.95)
Zaid said, "Ibn-Maktum came to the Prophet while he was dictating to me that very Verse. On that Ibn Um Maktum said, "O Allah's Apostle! If I had power, I would surely take part in Jihad." He was a blind man. So Allah sent down revelation to His Apostle while his thigh was on mine and it became so heavy for me that I feared that my thigh would be broken. Then that state of the Prophet was over after Allah revealed "...except those who are disabled (by injury or are blind or lame etc.) (4.95)

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 461:

Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah:
that he heard the Prophet saying, "The Divine Inspiration was delayed for a short period but suddenly, as I was walking. I heard a voice in the sky, and when I looked up towards the sky, to my surprise, I saw the angel who had come to me in the Hira Cave, and he was sitting on a chair in between the sky and the earth. I was so frightened by him that I fell on the ground and came to my family and said (to them), 'Cover me! (with a blanket), cover me!' Then Allah sent the Revelation: "O, You wrapped up (In a blanket)! (Arise and warn! And your Lord magnify And keep pure your garments, And desert the idols." (74.1-5)

Sunan Abu Dawud
Book 38, Number 4345:

Narrated Abdullah ibn Abbas:
Abdullah ibn AbuSarh used to write (the revelation) for the Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him). Satan made him slip, and he joined the infidels. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) commanded to kill him on the day of Conquest (of Mecca). Uthman ibn Affan sought protection for him. The Apostle of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) gave him protection.

Malik's Muwatta
Book 15, Number 15.4.7:

Yahya related to me from Malik from Hisham ibn Urwa from his father from A'isha, the wife of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, that al-Harith ibn Hisham asked the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, "How does the revelation come to you?" and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "Sometimes it comes to me like the ringing of a bell, and that is the hardest for me, and when it leaves me I remember what it has said. And sometimes the angel appears to me in the likeness of a man and talks to me and I remember what he says."
A'isha added, "I saw it coming down on him on an intensely cold day, and when it had left him his forehead was dripping with sweat."

Who is Jesus?

A debate between Imam Sabri Samson and Samuel Green at the University of Tasmania August 13, 2008.
http://www.engaging-with-islam.info/debates.htm

Did Jesus Die For The Sins of The World?

A debate between Mustafa Arja and Samuel Green.Wiley Park, NSW, Australia. 11th of December 2010.
http://www.engaging-with-islam.info/debates.htm

Dr. James White: Response to Rob Bell's Odd Claims

LA Times: In Egypt 13 killed in clashes between Copts and Muslims

Egypt Copts Muslims: In Egypt 13 killed in clashes between Copts and Muslims - latimes.com+

Reporting from Cairo

Egypt suffered the deadliest unrest since President Hosni Mubarak's ouster when clashes Wednesday between Muslims and Coptic Christians left 13 dead and 140 injured.

The bloodshed, on the edge of a Cairo slum, renewed concern about the government's willingness to protect the Christian minority. Army units intervened only after Muslims set fire to homes and businesses.

An Egyptian soldier intervenes as a group of Egyptians who want protesters to leave Cairo's Tahrir Square clash with those who believe that the gatherings in the plaza must continue. The Egyptian military said it had arrested about 100 men armed with knives and weapons who were planning to carry out a new attack on the protesters. Up to 20 people were injured earlier in the day when a few hundred men attacked protesters camped out in the square, according to doctors at a makeshift hospital there. (EPA / March 10, 2011)

CYC:Coptic lesson(s)

Finally, we are going back to our beautiful roots. Coptic Youth Channel just started their Coptic Lesson(s) program. Let's pray they keep uploading it on Youtube so we can all enjoy.

Episode 1:

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Episode 17:

Fruits of Apologetics Canada Conference

Last weekend, Canada had its very first apologetics conference. The great speakers, and the amazing spirit carried this conference, and made it a success. More than 600 tickets were sold, which is double what was expected. God Bless everyone who worked hard on it.

The conference was RICH with material that I will try to bring here as much as I can. Hopefully, I will be able to get the videos to share with everyone who couldn't make it. Most of the leaders are affiliated with Biola University, which is leading Christian university in Apologetics. The director of the Apologetics program is one of our guest speakers, Craig Hazen.

Dr. Hazen gave a very nice lecture about "The Case for The Resurrection of Jesus". Here is the hand out he gave. It is a chart to help direct the reader into logical way to think about the topic.

 This hand out is more general case for Christianity.

Pakistan Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti shot dead!

Pakistan Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti shot dead

Pakistani Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti has been shot dead by gunmen who ambushed his car in broad daylight in the capital, Islamabad.

He was travelling to work through a residential district when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets, police said.

Mr Bhatti, the cabinet's only Christian minister, had received death threats for urging reform to blasphemy laws.

In January, Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, who had also opposed the law, was shot dead by one of his bodyguards.

The blasphemy law carries a death sentence for anyone who insults Islam. Critics say it has been used to persecute minority faiths.

Watch: Shahbaz Bhatti predicted his death as he defended his faith