Assalamualaikum, You heard about FILM " FITNA" made by Dutch(Holland). Moreover they refused to apologize because they considered it a practice of freedom and democracy. I ask you all to put your hands with other MUSLIMS and boycott the Dutch's products. 1.6 billion Muslims could really slap the economy in Dutch. Please copy this text and forward this text to as many Muslims as possible Via Email via SMS Via Scrap..... I ask u,as a Muslims... Can't u spare 5 minutes in order to spread this message among Muslims ...ASAP? REMEMBER THE PROPHET (SAW) MIGHT ASK YOU ONE DAY,' WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN THEY MADE FUN OF ME?
Let us consider this message. I assume everyone who happens to be a muslim and uses internet networking sites and applications may have come upon this message once or twice. This message has been circulating wildly in the net since the inception of Fitna.
The first sentence is, "Assalamualaikum, You heard about FILM " FITNA" made by Dutch(Holland)."
The sentence is, as if, implying that the government of Holland made this film purposely with every intention to harm Muslims and Islam. (Or sponsored, or endorsed, or in any sense had to do with the production of this film).
In Jihad vs. Terrorism (JVT) episode I, I have already stated that Wilders is only exercising his will and giving out his opinion. The government of Holland had nothing to do with this film. It is Wilder's opinion of Islam, not The Netherlands'.
The continuing sentence "Moreover they refused to apologize because they considered it a practice of freedom and democracy".
Now, the question is, WHO IS THEY? Is it the Dutch nation as a whole? Or is it the Dutch government? Or is it Wilders? Since "they" in the English Language refers to "a collective group of people", we can safely assume that they in the sentence refers to, at least, the former two, which is the Dutch nation and the Dutch government.
Why in this sense does a man's doings become a nation's sin? The person who creates, direct and produces Fitna is Wilders, not the entire Dutch population and their government. Therefore, the Dutch are not to be blamed for Fitna. It is in their constitution that "freedom of speech" and "democracy" is to be practiced. What Wilders is doing in producing the film Fitna is that he is exercising his "freedom of speech" and "democracy". Also, in JVT ep. I, I have links to sites that shows that some Dutch are apologizing for Fitna, even though they have nothing to do whatsoever with the film. But some irresponsible people keep forwarding these kinds of messages without any investigation to the message's claim. Thus, the 2nd sentence, "Moreover they refused to apologize because they considered it a practice of freedom and democracy" becomes redundant and also irrelevant. The they in this sentence is not valid anymore, and should, in any case, be replaced by Geert Wilders.
How many muslim nations or countries are actually practicing "freedom of speech" and "democracy"? The only countries close to being "democratic" are SEA Islamic countries (Indonesia, Malaysia) and even these countries are not regarded as fully democratic because of certain laws and certain attitudes that they have against non-muslims. Westerners see that religion (Islam is mostly the focus) has become sort of like an obstacle to personal freedom and democracy. No Islamic governments, elected or not, has shown that they are capable of making Islam as a choice for a democratically governing a country, thus unable to show that Islam is also a religion of personal freedom, of free governance. There is little wonder then, that some western countries view muslim governments as tyranny.
To be continued...
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Jihad vs. Terrorism episode I
What is the exact meaning of Jihad? In post Ottoman Caliphate, Jihad carries many meaning. Some misinterprets it. Others are just being opportunistic.
War, according to the Quran, in anyway possible, is to be avoided. War in Islam is as a last resort.
..Each time they kindle the fire of war, Allah extinguishes it. They rush about the earth corrupting it. Allah does not love corrupters. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 64)
From here, we can see that Allah extinguishes the fire of war, which, in other words, He loathes war.
Rasulullah's (saw) said
"the greatest jihad is the one a person carries out against his lower soul"
Which essentially means that a jihad starts in a person, not against another person.
Now, basically, what the muslim world today is that Muslims cry for Jihad! against the western countries, those countries that portrays Islam in a bad light, labeling it "religion for terrorists" and other things I need not write here. The point is, why in the first place would they say such things? Let's examine this problem closer.
In the current world situation, a Dutch statesman cum politician had created a short movie Fitna which has created an uproar in the muslim world. Now, we cannot blame the statesman for advertising his opinions in the form of media. In the western countries, they have this idea called "freedom of speech" (the notion itself kind of explained everything) and he has no obligation whatsoever to filter /censor anything in the movie, because it did just what he wanted: telling the world of his opinion on Islam
Now, the global muslim reaction was, not surprising, was to call for the decapitation of his head from his body. But what they had forgot (the muslims) is that he has no obligation whatsoever to make Fitna less offending to the muslims. This the muslims should understand.
Secondly, when the secular western world sees the Islamic world's reaction to Fitna, one of the things that formed in their mind was, that Islam
Current muslim leaders are also mum on this issue, except firebrands like Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his cadre of other Ayatollahs, calling for the Dutch's head on a platter. This, coming from a "Islamic Supreme Ruler" has at least an impact on the west, which means that Islam is extremely intolerant for any mediating between the west on the current issue.
The director for Fitna, Geert Wilders has so far not issued a formal apology on his opinion on Fitna, but many Dutch has.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=29419&only&rss
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/03/dutch-respond-t.html
http://rjjago.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/dutch-preemptively-apologize-to-muslims-for-fitna/
But the current muslim trend shows that muslims are unwilling to accept these apologies and still wants his head (Wilders'). This form of intolerance even when many has apologized has not been recieved in a positive light by the westerners. Thus they blame it on Islamic teachings and doctrines.
These kinds of undue reaction by the Muslims has provoked westerners to label Islam in a very bad light. Muslims must understand that the level of understanding of how "offensive" some things are are not to be mistaken by ignorance. The westerners are liberal, thus "offending" is taken lightly. These are what muslims must understand, else the westerners will continue to label Islam as what they had.
War, according to the Quran, in anyway possible, is to be avoided. War in Islam is as a last resort.
..Each time they kindle the fire of war, Allah extinguishes it. They rush about the earth corrupting it. Allah does not love corrupters. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 64)
From here, we can see that Allah extinguishes the fire of war, which, in other words, He loathes war.
Rasulullah's (saw) said
"the greatest jihad is the one a person carries out against his lower soul"
Which essentially means that a jihad starts in a person, not against another person.
Now, basically, what the muslim world today is that Muslims cry for Jihad! against the western countries, those countries that portrays Islam in a bad light, labeling it "religion for terrorists" and other things I need not write here. The point is, why in the first place would they say such things? Let's examine this problem closer.
In the current world situation, a Dutch statesman cum politician had created a short movie Fitna which has created an uproar in the muslim world. Now, we cannot blame the statesman for advertising his opinions in the form of media. In the western countries, they have this idea called "freedom of speech" (the notion itself kind of explained everything) and he has no obligation whatsoever to filter /censor anything in the movie, because it did just what he wanted: telling the world of his opinion on Islam
Now, the global muslim reaction was, not surprising, was to call for the decapitation of his head from his body. But what they had forgot (the muslims) is that he has no obligation whatsoever to make Fitna less offending to the muslims. This the muslims should understand.
Secondly, when the secular western world sees the Islamic world's reaction to Fitna, one of the things that formed in their mind was, that Islam
- Does not support freedom of speech
- supports aggression in Islam's name
- Islam does not leave room for any mediating
- does not accept apology if insulted
Current muslim leaders are also mum on this issue, except firebrands like Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and his cadre of other Ayatollahs, calling for the Dutch's head on a platter. This, coming from a "Islamic Supreme Ruler" has at least an impact on the west, which means that Islam is extremely intolerant for any mediating between the west on the current issue.
The director for Fitna, Geert Wilders has so far not issued a formal apology on his opinion on Fitna, but many Dutch has.
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=29419&only&rss
http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/03/dutch-respond-t.html
http://rjjago.wordpress.com/2008/03/24/dutch-preemptively-apologize-to-muslims-for-fitna/
But the current muslim trend shows that muslims are unwilling to accept these apologies and still wants his head (Wilders'). This form of intolerance even when many has apologized has not been recieved in a positive light by the westerners. Thus they blame it on Islamic teachings and doctrines.
These kinds of undue reaction by the Muslims has provoked westerners to label Islam in a very bad light. Muslims must understand that the level of understanding of how "offensive" some things are are not to be mistaken by ignorance. The westerners are liberal, thus "offending" is taken lightly. These are what muslims must understand, else the westerners will continue to label Islam as what they had.
Islam Everyday
Islam in today's world is an omnipresent religion. Muslims are everywhere, present in every country and established their own (at least) organization or committee for solidarity among muslims and some countries even has established a common Islamic government, in which most of the laws is basically the syaria. This we can see in countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia and Egypt.
That's basically it.
The Muslim world today need a sort of renaissance, practically to the level in which 15th century European Renaissance started, and this period sees the downfall of many muslim empires, kingdoms and sultanates, along with decline in trade between Islamic establishments at that time and the world in general. In fact, European Renaissance marks the decline of Islamic glory just about everywhere. The only surviving Islamic power at that time is the Turkic Ottoman Empire, regarded by many as the last muslim Caliphate in the world.
To achieve this Renaissance, the muslims in today's world MUST increase their knowledge and their economy MUST be strong, in which in today's world is just exactly the opposite. Muslim countries have the highest poverty rates (Central Asia) and knowledge is basically restricted to religious studies. Which is surprising, as we all know, Rasulullah s.a.w said "Seek knowledge, even if you have to travel to China." There's no Islamic studies can be found in China during 7th century AD, so this can be implied that Rasulullah saw is appealing to muslims to study secular knowledge, not just religious studies. Thus we have Ibnu Sina, Al-Razi, Al-Idrisi and many other scholars in which their knowledge surpasses that of their counterparts in Europe. What we see today, alas, is just the exact opposite. Opprtunists in the west gladly exploits this void of secular knowledge and they're fast to label muslims as "backward" and "7th century mindset". This we must change.
1.5 billion people in this world actually call Islam as their religion, which basically makes Islam the 2nd largest religion, nest to Christianity. But what we lack is economic solidarity. Rich muslim countries are very reluctant to help other poor muslim countries, like Gulf States refusing to siphon aid to Libya or Kazakhstan, even though these countries are Islamic countries and has a valid Islamic government. Economic solidarity and reduction of dependency to the west must happen, else Islamic countries are forever at the beck and call of their western counterparts. Muslims must develop their economy to a level that can rival other non-muslim economies, as muslims has a large market of 1.5 billion people and have the economic expertise. Economy can be a powerful tool to help fend against western Imperialism.
Thus, muslims MUST change themselves.
That's basically it.
The Muslim world today need a sort of renaissance, practically to the level in which 15th century European Renaissance started, and this period sees the downfall of many muslim empires, kingdoms and sultanates, along with decline in trade between Islamic establishments at that time and the world in general. In fact, European Renaissance marks the decline of Islamic glory just about everywhere. The only surviving Islamic power at that time is the Turkic Ottoman Empire, regarded by many as the last muslim Caliphate in the world.
To achieve this Renaissance, the muslims in today's world MUST increase their knowledge and their economy MUST be strong, in which in today's world is just exactly the opposite. Muslim countries have the highest poverty rates (Central Asia) and knowledge is basically restricted to religious studies. Which is surprising, as we all know, Rasulullah s.a.w said "Seek knowledge, even if you have to travel to China." There's no Islamic studies can be found in China during 7th century AD, so this can be implied that Rasulullah saw is appealing to muslims to study secular knowledge, not just religious studies. Thus we have Ibnu Sina, Al-Razi, Al-Idrisi and many other scholars in which their knowledge surpasses that of their counterparts in Europe. What we see today, alas, is just the exact opposite. Opprtunists in the west gladly exploits this void of secular knowledge and they're fast to label muslims as "backward" and "7th century mindset". This we must change.
1.5 billion people in this world actually call Islam as their religion, which basically makes Islam the 2nd largest religion, nest to Christianity. But what we lack is economic solidarity. Rich muslim countries are very reluctant to help other poor muslim countries, like Gulf States refusing to siphon aid to Libya or Kazakhstan, even though these countries are Islamic countries and has a valid Islamic government. Economic solidarity and reduction of dependency to the west must happen, else Islamic countries are forever at the beck and call of their western counterparts. Muslims must develop their economy to a level that can rival other non-muslim economies, as muslims has a large market of 1.5 billion people and have the economic expertise. Economy can be a powerful tool to help fend against western Imperialism.
Thus, muslims MUST change themselves.
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