TNR

The Natural Republic
Reclaiming Islam from Within

“And let there be a nation from
among you who calls towards
goodness, and orders kindness, and
prohibits evil. And these are the
successful ones.” (Qur’an 3:104)
Te Monotheist Group
Brainbow Press
Unitcd Statcs ol Amcrica
Te Natural Republic
Reclaiming Islam from Within
(Updated Edition)
Copyright © 2012 by Tc Monothcist Group
All rights rcscrvcd. No part ol this book may bc uscd
or rcproduccd by any mcans, graphic, clcctronic, or
mcchanical, including photocopying, rccording, taping or
by any inlormation storagc rctricval systcm without thc
writtcn pcrmission ol thc publishcr cxccpt in thc casc ol
bricl quotations cmbodicd in critical articlcs and rcvicws.
Photos copyright thcir individual authors, as listcd on
iStockphoto.com, lotolia.com, worldpicturcncws.com,
123rl.com, and Library ol Congrcss (public domain).
Notc: All translations ol thc Qur’an uscd in this book arc
lrom “Tc Qur’an – A Monothcist Translation” by Tc
Monothcist Group unlcss othcrwisc statcd.
For inlormation:
www.brainbowprcss.com
www.lrccminds.org
www.progrcssivcmuslims.org
!S8N13: 9780979671586
!S8N10: 0979671582
Printcd in thc Unitcd Statcs ol Amcrica
Tc work in thcsc pagcs should not bc considcrcd to bc
divinc and unchangcablc. !t is mcrcly a human cffort to
try to find thc bcst intcrprctation. Tc rcadcr is askcd to
always verify and not rcadily acccpt thc opinion ol othcrs
as lar as thc subjcct ol thc words ol God and His tcachings
arc conccrncd.
“And do not uphold what you have no knowledge of;
for the hearing, eyesight, and heart - all these you are
responsible for.” (Qur’an 17:36)
To humanity…May wc travcl thc ‘Straight Path’ togcthcr.
“And hold firmly to the rope of God, all of you, and do
not be separated. And remember the blessing of God
upon you when you were enemies and He united your
hearts. Ten you became, with His blessing, brothers;
and you were on the edge of a pit of fire and He saved
you from it; it is thus that God clarifies for you His
signs that you may be guided.” (Qur’an 3:103)
Cox:vx:s
Preface ___________________________________ i
1
Why Do Muslims Lose? ____________________+
2
Te Enemies Within ______________________++
3
Obey God and Obey the Messenger __________¸¡
4
Back to Basics ____________________________¡:
5
Is Tis Islam? ____________________________¡8
6
Social Responsibility ______________________6¡
Jihad/Striving ___________________________ 6µ
Slavcs and Concubincs ____________________ ¸+
Ðrcss Codc lor Vomcn ___________________ ¸¡
7
Economic System _________________________¸8
Tc \aluc ol Moncy ______________________ ¸µ
!ntcrcst ________________________________ 8+
Financial !nstitutions _____________________ 8¡
Granting Crcdit Facilitics _________________ 86
Land Òwncrship _________________________ 8µ
8
Environmental Protection __________________µo
9
Civil Laws _______________________________µ¡
Marriagc _______________________________ µ¡
Family Rcsponsibility ____________________ +oo
Òrphans ______________________________ +oo
Ðivorcc Proccdurcs ______________________ +o+
Husband and Vilc Ðisputcs ______________ +o¡
Adoptcd Childrcn _______________________ +o8
Child Custody __________________________ +oµ
Ðcath and 8urial ________________________ +oµ
!nhcritancc and Vills ____________________ ++o
10
Commercial Laws ________________________++¡
8rcach ol Contract ______________________ ++¡
Ðrug/Alcohol __________________________ ++6
Plagiarism _____________________________ ++8
Propcrty Ðisputcs _______________________ ++µ
Propcrty Ðamagc _______________________ ++µ
Financial !ntcrcst ________________________ +:o
8orrowing Laws ________________________ +:o
!nsolvcncy _____________________________ +:+
11
Criminal Laws __________________________+::
Murdcr/\iolcncc ________________________ +:8
Accidcntal Ðcath _______________________ +:µ
Suicidc ________________________________ +¸o
Abortion ______________________________ +¸o
Rcbcllion/Spying/¡spionagc_______________ +¸+
Slavcry ________________________________ +¸:
!ndcccnt ¡xposurc and Pornography ________ +¸:
Adultcry ______________________________ +¸¸
Accusations ol Adultcry by Husband/Vilc ___ +¸¡
Scxual Molcstation and Rapc ______________ +¸¡
Homoscxuality _________________________ +¸¡
Tclt/Financial Fraud ____________________ +¸6
8ribcry ________________________________ +¸6
Ðisturbing thc Pcacc _____________________ +¸6
Ncgligcncc and !mpcachmcnt _____________ +¸¸
12
Rules of Warfare _________________________+¸8
13
Te Calendar System _____________________+¡¡
Ðcfinition ol a Ycar ______________________ +¡µ
Ðcfinition ol a Month ___________________ +6o
Tc Four Rcstrictcd Months ______________ +6¸
14
A New Beginning ________________________+¸¡
Tc Natural Rcpublic Constitution _________ +¸6
Highlights and 8cncfits __________________ +8µ
15
Spirituality in Islam—Salat ________________:oo
16
Spirituality in Islam—Fasting ______________:++
17
Spirituality in Islam—Charity ______________::o
18
Pilgrimage: Te Lost Legacy of Abraham ______:¸+
19
Te Future Starts With You ________________:¡¸
i
Preface
Many gcncrations ago, Muslims uscd to lcad thc world
in scicncc, architccturc, art, mcdicinc, and, abovc all,
justicc. Tcy uscd to bc cxcmplary citizcns and ncighbors.
Tcy uscd to promotc lrccdom ol laith and lrccdom ol
cxprcssion at a timc whcn all ol ¡uropc was mircd in
supcrstition and grccd.
Tcn, things bcgan to changc. Tc Muslims thcmsclvcs
bccamc lcss tolcrant ol othcr laiths, lcss tolcrant ol othcr
opinions, and morc susccptiblc to supcrstitions and
worldly dcsircs. Tc Muslims havc bccn struggling with
thcsc problcms wcll into thc 21
st
ccntury.
Vhat has changcd: Vhat havc Muslims changcd
that has causcd this rcgrcssion in thcir standing, thcir
tolcrancc, and thcir adaptability: Vhat havc Muslims
altcrcd that has stoppcd thcir progrcss in scicncc,
mcdicinc, and social justicc:
Havc thc Muslims unknowingly brokcn thc covcnant
ol God and incurrcd His cursc without cvcn rcalizing it:
“As for those who break their pledge with God after
having made its covenant, and they withhold what
God has ordered to be delivered, and who cause
corruption on the earth; upon those is a curse and they
will have a miserable abode.” (Qur’an 13:25)
Modern Experimentation
Rcalizing that somcthing somcwhcrc had gonc wrong,
Muslims bcgan to scarch lor thc oldcr modcls ol
govcrnmcnt that wcrc in placc during thc timc ol thc
Prophct and thc timc ol thc companions shortly thcrcaltcr.
!n !ran, wc saw thc 1979 rcvolution whcrcby thc
Shia cxpcrimcntcd with thc idca ol an !slamic rcpublic
Tnv N~:uv~i Rvvuniic
ii
undcr thc dircctivcs and lcadcrship ol thc latc Ayatollah
Khomcini.
Tc govcrnmcntal structurc ol Khomcini rcquircd that
a group ol thc most lcarncd clcrics would usc thcir study
and knowlcdgc ol thc Scripturc and thc Hadith to makc
cxccutivc dccisions and to vcto or pass laws. Tc !slamic
statc would havc laws writtcn by a parliamcnt clcctcd in
multiparty clcctions around thc country. Tis parliamcnt
would bc madc up ol pcoplc lrom all walks ol lilc, would
bc managcd by a primc ministcr rcprcscnting thc majority
party, and would bc rcsponsiblc lor passing laws and
making budgcts. Tcrc would bc an cxccutivc branch
rcprcscntcd by a prcsidcnt. 8ut cxcrcising powcr ovcr thc
parliamcnt and thc prcsidcnt would bc a guardian council
madc up ol thc most lcarncd and intclligcnt clcrics. Tis
guardian council would usc thc judicial principlcs ol fiqh
to dctcrminc whcthcr laws wcrc in accordancc with !slam
or wcrc non!slamic and whcthcr ccrtain mcasurcs (such
as land rclorm) wcrc propcrly !slamic or not. !n addition,
fiqh courts would rcplacc all sccular courts, and thcsc fiqh
courts, typically indcpcndcnt and dcccntralizcd, would all
bc organizcd undcr a suprcmc court, which would, likc
thc courts, bc a fiqh court.
Tc cnd rcsult was a govcrnmcnt that was cnvclopcd in
long burcaucratic and thcological dcbatcs, yct madc littlc
movcmcnt lorward towards thc bcttcrmcnt ol thc livcs ol
pcoplc. Vhat also occurrcd was an incrcasc in rcstrictions
on thc pcoplc who wcrc cxpcctcd to drcss and bchavc in
conlormity with thc moral vicws ol thc guardian council.
Thc !ranian cxpcrimcnt was dccmcd a lailurc as it
did not mcct thc cxpcctations ol thc Muslim masscs
and was not duplicatcd in any othcr rcgion.
!n 1996, wc saw thc Sunni attcmpt at a rcligiousbascd
govcrnmcnt whcrcby thc Taliban cmcrgcd as a viablc
iii
political powcr in Alghanistan, lccding drcams that an
!slamic utopia could bc cstablishcd.
Tc Taliban govcrnmcnt was cstablishcd undcr thc
strict principlcs ol Shariah law whcrcby its judgcs would
rulc in accordancc with thc Scripturc, Sunnah, and
opinions ol thc lcarncd scholars. Tc Taliban modcl was a
simplc pyramid structurc undcr which all lcgislativc and
cxccutivc powcr rcstcd with thc Amir UlMuminccn,
who was, in this casc, a man known by thc namc ol
Mullah Òmar. Tc Taliban govcrnmcnt structurc scvcrcly
rcstrictcd thc livcs ol pcoplc, with womcn suffcring thc
most, as thcy wcrc lorbiddcn lrom attcnding school or
working outsidc thcir homcs. And, thcy wcrc publicly
bcatcn il thcy wcrc impropcrly drcsscd or cscortcd by
mcn not rclatcd to thcm. Tc Taliban also madc murdcr,
adultcry and drug dcaling punishablc by dcath and madc
thclt punishablc by thc amputation ol a hand. Mcn wcrc
rcquircd to grow thcir bcards in cmulation ol thc bclovcd
Prophct Mohammcd, and womcn wcrc rcquircd to bc
covcrcd lrom hcad to toc.
As with !ran, thc Alghan cxpcrimcnt was dccmcd a
lailurc with no othcr nation or pcoplc wanting to cmbracc
thc harsh and ruthlcss Taliban way ol intcrprcting thc
Shariah. Tc Taliban drcam was lorcvcr cndcd in latc 2001
with a massivc attack by thc Unitcd Statcs that dccimatcd
thc govcrnmcnt and its lorccs in a mattcr ol days and lclt
thc !slamic world rccling lrom thc blow suffcrcd by thc
Sunni modcl (thc statcd rcason lor thc attack was that
Alghanistan was harboring Òsama 8in Ladcn whom thc
US blamcd lor thc 9/11 attacks).
Te Alternatives
As a rcsult ol this lailurc to find a suitablc systcm ol
govcrnmcnt, thc !slamic world has lound itscll cmbracing
a numbcr ol diffcrcnt modcls ol govcrnmcnt in an cffort
iv
to find what may bc bcst lor thc conccrncd nation and
its pcoplc. Tc currcnt lincup ol various systcms/
govcrnmcnts includcs:
• Autocracics: Saudi Arabia, Jordan, ¡gypt, Syria,
Libya and thc Gull Statcs arc all govcrncd cithcr
by a king or prcsidcnt who wiclds absolutc
powcr and authority.
• Ðcmocracics: !ndoncsia and Turkcy arc
cxamplcs ol statcs that havc dccidcd to managc
thcir affairs by holding clcctions ol thc various
offi ccrs ol govcrnmcnt.
Such govcrnmcnts havc also cxpcrimcntcd with a mix
ol social and cconomic modcls including, but not limitcd
to: communism, capitalism, socialism, nationalism, ctc.
Unlortunatcly, nonc ol thc abovc systcms has
providcd thc solution lor thc wocs and problcms ol
thc Muslims. !n lact, most ol thcsc systcms havc only
addcd to thcir troublcs, and thc clcarcst prool ol this is
whcrc wc stand today.
Is Tere Hope?
Altcr witncssing thc inability ol all !slamic nations that
havc cmcrgcd thus lar to amclioratc thc plight ol Muslims,
thc burdcn now lalls upon us to individually intcrvcnc and
sccurc thc luturc ol our childrcn.
Hopc is at hand, and thc answcr to all our problcms
has always bccn right in lront ol us, yct wc havc bccn too
distractcd to pay attcntion.
8c warncd that, as a Muslim, what you will rcad in this
book will bc disturbing to many ol your cstablishcd bclicls
and that, to find thc answcrs, wc must lacc thc truth about
what wc havc bccomc.
v
‘Tc Natural Rcpublic’ that is dcscribcd in this book
and lor which a constitution is providcd is not bcing
implcmcntcd anywhcrc at this momcnt in timc. Howcvcr,
this docs not havc to bc thc casc. !l wc arc willing to put
in somc cffort, wc could givc our childrcn, and humanity
in gcncral, a bcttcr world to livc in. Pcrhaps, Tc Natural
Rcpublic may bc a viablc modcl lor postwar !raq or
Alghanistan. Òr, it could bc a solution lor thc Saudis or
¡gyptians who arc growing dissatisficd with thcir currcnt
systcms. Òr, it could bc a modcl lor any nation in thc
world that is dissatisficd with thc statc ol its affairs.
All wc know lor surc is that wc will not progrcss unlcss
wc arc willing to takc thc initiativc.
“Tat is because God was not to change any blessing
He bestowed upon a people, unless they change what
is in themselves. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.”
(Qur’an 8:53)
Tis work is our initiativc.
Vhat will yours bc:
Tc Monothcist Group
www.FrccMinds.Òrg
www.ProgrcssivcMuslims.Òrg
1
1
Why Do Muslims Lose?
Sincc at lcast thc 1600s, thc Muslims havc bccn suffcring
lrom sctbacks and losscs, bcginning with thc military dclcat
ol thc Òttomans in Austria and thc total collapsc ol thc
Òttoman ¡mpirc altcr Vorld Var !, to thc SykcsPicot
agrccmcnt ol 1916, thc lormal occupation ol Palcstinc in
1948, thc disastrous 1967 sixday war, and, morc rcccntly,
thc rapid collapsc ol thc Taliban rcgimc in 2001 and thc
dclcat ol thc !raqi rcgimc in 2003.
Tc collapsc ol thc Taliban rcgimc in 2001 and thc cs
tablishmcnt ol a USbackcd govcrnmcnt wcrc vcry much
2
prcdictcd by all military and stratcgic analysts. Tc con
stant bombing by thc Unitcd Statcs dcstroycd whatcvcr
military thc Taliban had and thc psychological warlarc
had most ol thcir troops rcady to dclcct thc first chancc
thcy got.
Vhilc a 21st ccntury army dclcating a 19th (or 20th)
ccntury army may havc bccn as clcar as day to many pcoplc,
it camc as an uttcr shock to most rcligious Muslims who
could not undcrstand how God, whom thcy bclicvc in and
worship, could abandon His pcoplc.
Tc Taliban wcrc strict Sunni Muslims by thc vcry
dcfinition ol thc word. Tcy praycd fivc timcs a day
and cvcn offcrcd thc additional “cxtra crcdit” praycrs as
wcll. Tcy grcw thcir bcards in cmulation ol thc bclovcd
Prophct, thcy drcsscd in thc traditional drcss ol thc
6th ccntury Arabs, thcy banncd tclcvision and cincma
which causc cvil and vicc, thcy madc thcir womcn covcr
thcmsclvcs lrom hcad to toc to protcct and honor this
lrail and sacrcd bcing, thcy had thcir womcn rclrain
lrom working and lclt thcm to look altcr thc houschold
thus hclping thcm avoid cvil and tcmptation which
othcrwisc would havc bccn thcir lot, thcy cxccutcd
adultcrous mcn and womcn in accordancc with Shariah
law, thcy cut off thc hands ol thicvcs in accordancc with
thc samc law, thcy taught thcir mcn to bc strong and
fight lor thc Shariah ol God whcncvcr thcy could, thcy
dcstroycd statucs that rcprcscntcd thc blasphcmous idols
that pcoplc oncc worshippcd alongsidc God…
!n a nutshcll, thc Taliban wcrc thc tcxtbook cxamplc ol
what a rcal Sunni Muslim socicty should bc likc.
Yct, thc Taliban lost!
Ðid God not say in His glorious 8ook:
“God defends those who believe. God does not love
any betrayer, rejecter.” (Qur’an 22:38)
3
“Te ones who were driven out of their homes without
justice, except that they said: “Our Lord is God!” And
if it were not for God defending the people against
themselves, then many places of gathering, and
markets, and contact prayers, and temples where the
name of God is frequently mentioned, would have been
destroyed. God will give victory to those who support
Him. God is Powerful, Noble.” (Qur’an 22:40)
“And We have sent before you messengers to their
people. So they came to them with clear proofs; then
We took revenge on those who were criminals. And it
is binding upon Us to grant victory to the believers.”
(Qur’an 30:47)
“O you who believe, if you support God, He will support
you, and make your foothold firm.” (Qur’an 47:7)
Tc vcrscs abovc lcavc no doubt that God will support
and grant victory to thosc who bclicvc and scrvc Him.
Yct, thc Taliban lost!
To thc nonbclicvcrs, thc answcr is clcar: Tis was a
mattcr ol military might and ol an advanccd army fighting
a primitivc onc!
To thc Muslims, howcvcr, thcrc is much morc at stakc.
Tc Muslims know that God controls all actions and all
mattcrs, thcy know that God commands invisiblc and
visiblc armics who comc down to support His bclicvcrs
in timcs ol nccd, thcy know that angcls havc bccn scnt
down in thc past to support thc Prophct in dclcating his
cncmics (3:123), thcy know that a small and wcak lorcc
can always dclcat a largcr and strongcr lorcc by thc lcavc
ol God (2:249), thcy know that all thc tcchnology ol thc
world, and all its powcr, and all its armics, arc absolutcly
nothing whcn God is standing by thc othcr party!
4
Vhat thc Muslims worldwidc havc on thcir hands is a
truc dilcmma.
Vhat has gonc wrong:
Vhy has God abandoncd thcm:
!n ncarly cvcry singlc country and ncarly cvcry singlc
placc lor many dccadcs, thc Muslims havc bccn losing!
Havc thc Muslims brokcn thcir covcnant with God:
• Ðo wc nccd to pray morc:
• Ðo wc nccd to givc morc to charity:
• Ðo wc nccd to grow our bcards and covcr our
womcn (likc Alghanistan):
• Ðo wc nccd to last morc days, or rccitc thc
Scripturc morc oltcn at night:
Vhat is it that thc Muslims nccd to do:
A cluc is lound in thc words ol thc Mcsscngcr himscll:
“And the messenger said: ‘My Lord, my people have
deserted this Qur’an.’ And it is so that We make for
every prophet enemies from among the criminals.
And your Lord suffi ces as a Guide and a Victor.”
(Qur’an 25:30-31)
How is it that thc Prophct will makc this claim against
us whcn thcrc arc ovcr onc billion Muslims on this planct
who rccitc and rcad thc Scripturc day in and day out:
Ðo wc not all tcach our childrcn to rccitc chaptcrs lrom
glorious 8ook ol God:
How could it bc said that wc havc dcscrtcd thc Qur’an:
Abandoning the Scripture
!t is not duc to a lack ol praycrs, or thc lcngth ol thc bcard,
or thc drcss codc ol womcn that God has abandoncd thc
Muslims. !t has bccn bccausc wc havc abandoncd thc
5
word ol God and havc takcn othcr paths and othcr gods
bcsidcs Him without cvcn rcalizing it.
God tclls us that wc arc supposcd to rcsort to His 8ook
lor judgmcnt, yct wc scc Muslims timc and timc again
rcsorting to thcir imams, or scholars, or lcadcrship, or thc
Arab Lcaguc, or thc Unitcd Nations, or any othcr body
cxccpt thc onc thcy wcrc commandcd to adhcrc to:
“And We have sent down to you the Book with the
truth, authenticating what is between your hands of
the Book and superseding it. So judge between them
by what God has sent down, and do not follow their
desires from what has come to you of the truth. For
each of you We have made laws, and a structure; and
if God had willed, He would have made you all one
nation, but He tests you with what He has given you;
so strive to do good. To God you will return all of
you, and He will inform you regarding that in which
you dispute. And judge between them by what God
has sent down, and do not follow their wishes, and
beware lest they divert you away from some of what
God has sent down to you. If they turn away, then
know that God wants to inflict them with some of
their sins; and many of the people are wicked. Is it
the judgment of the days of ignorance that they seek?
Who is better than God as a judge for a people who
comprehend?” (Qur’an 5:48-50)
¡vcn at thc timc ol rcvclation, thc disbclicvcrs lound
thc Scripturc to bc so dctailcd and mcticulous that thcy
plcadcd with thc Prophct, “Changc it!”
“And when Our clear revelations were recited to
them, those who do not wish to meet Us said: ‘Bring
a Qur’an other than this, or change it!’ Say: ‘It is
not for me to change it of my own accord, I merely
follow what is inspired to me. I fear, if I disobeyed
6
my Lord, the retribution of a great day!’ Say: ‘If God
had willed, I would not have recited it to you, nor
would you have known about it. I have been residing
among you for nearly a lifetime before this; do you
not comprehend?’ Who is more wicked than he who
invents lies about God or denies His revelations? Te
criminals will never succeed. And they serve besides
God what does not harm them or benefit them, and
they say: ‘ Tese are our intercessors with God.’ Say:
‘Are you informing God of what He does not know in
the heavens or the earth?’ Be He glorified and exalted
above what they set up.” (Qur’an 10:15-18)
Tis is how thc Scripturc has bccn abandoncd cvcn
though it is bcing rccitcd day and night. !ts laws and
jurisdiction havc bccn abandoncd and whatcvcr it says
about all walks ol lilc has bccn ignorcd. Tc Muslims’
lailurc to adhcrc to thc words ol God starts at thc vcry top,
i.c. with thc structurc ol thcir govcrnmcnts, and tricklcs
down to thcir lamily structurc, i.c. in how thcy trcat
womcn and how thcy dcal with thcir childrcn, ncighbors,
commcrcc, thc cnvironmcnt, othcr rcligions, ctc.
Tis is why thc cmpirc has cndcd and why wc continuc
to bc dclcatcd and humiliatcd throughout thc world. Vc
havc abandoncd God, and God has thus abandoncd us
and lclt us to our latc.
Is the Scripture Complete and Detailed?
God tclls us that thc Scripturc is ‘lully dctailcd’ and
‘complctc’ and a ‘clarification lor all things’.
“‘Shall I seek other than God as a judge when He has
sent down to you the Book fully detailed?’ Tose to
whom We have given the Book know it is sent down
from your Lord with the truth; so do not be of those
who have doubt.” (Qur’an 6:114)
7
“And the word of your Lord has been completed with
the truth and justice; there is no changing His words.
He is the Hearer, the Knower.” (Qur’an 6:115)
“And the Day We send to every nation a witness
against them from themselves, and We have brought
you as a witness against these. And We have sent
down to you the Book as a clarification for all things,
and a guidance and a mercy and good tidings to those
who have submitted.” (Qur’an 16:89)
Yct, many Muslims still havc doubts cvcn altcr sccing
all thc cvidcncc. Tcy ncvcr darc qucstion thc Scripturc
opcnly, but thcy always find an cxcusc lor why thc Scripturc
cannot bc lollowcd on its own.
!n !slam, thcrc is no pricsthood, and no rcligious
hicrarchy. Howcvcr, as soon as you ask Muslims about
thcir rcligion, thcy will rclcr you to thc opinions ol this
or that !mam!
“And those who were weak will say to those who were
mighty: ‘No, it was your scheming night and day, when
you commanded us to reject God and to set up equals to
Him.’ And they are filled with regret when they see the
retribution — and We will place shackles around the
necks of those who rejected. Are they not being requited
for what they used to do? (Qur’an 34:33)
Pcrhaps, it is timc lor thcsc pcoplc to rcalizc just how
dangcrous thcir dcnial may bc:
“Tese are the revelations of God, We recite them to you
with the truth. So, in which narrative after God and
His revelations do they believe? Woe to every sinful
fabricator. He hears the revelations of God being recited
to him, then he persists arrogantly, as if he never heard
them. Give him news of a painful retribution. And if
8
he learns anything from Our revelations, he takes it in
mockery. For these will be a humiliating retribution.
Waiting for them is Hell. And that which they earned
will not help them, nor those whom they have taken as
allies besides God, and for them is a terrible retribution.
Tis is a guidance. And those who reject the revelations
of their Lord, for them is an affl iction of a painful
retribution.” (Qur’an 45:6-11)
Te Scripture is Easy to Understand
God tclls us that thc Scripturc is clcar to undcrstand, and
that any pcrson who carcs to undcrstand it or lcarn lrom it
will bc givcn that undcrstanding.
“And We made the Qur’an easy to remember. Are
there any who want to learn?” (Qur’an 54:17)
Yct, thc masscs havc rcluscd to study thc Scripturc lor
thcmsclvcs and insist on mcrcly parroting its words, all
thc timc lcaving thc socallcd partncrs ol God to do thc
undcrstanding lor thcm.
“And if they are told: ‘Follow what God has sent down,’
they say: ‘No, we will follow what we found our fathers
doing!’ What if their fathers did not comprehend
anything and were not guided? And the example of
those who disbelieve is like one who repeats what he
has heard of calls and cries; deaf, dumb, and blind, they
do not comprehend.” (Qur’an 2:170-171)
Vc arc not surpriscd whcn wc lcarn that thc Jcws
invcntcd cntirc volumcs ol manmadc books such as thc
Talmud and attributcd thcm to God and His mcsscngcr
(Moscs). Nor arc wc surpriscd that Christians attributc a
son to thc Almighty! Yct, whcn anyonc darcs claim that
Muslims havc also bccn lcd astray through thcir own
distortions, wc arc hit with wavcs ol dcnial and shock,
9
as wc bclicvc it is impossiblc that God would allow our
rcligion to bc altcrcd.
Ðid God not say that Hc would pcrmit thosc who havc
doubts in thcir hcarts to bc lcd astray:
“And as such, We have permitted the enemies of every
prophet — human and Jinn devils — to inspire each
other with fancy words in order to deceive. Had your
Lord willed, they would not have done it. You shall
disregard them and their fabrications. Tat is so the
hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter
will listen to it, and they will accept it, and they will
take of it what they will.” (Qur’an 6:112-113)
Te Great Disaster
8y continuing along thc path ol dcnial and scctarianism,
Muslims arc risking morc than just happincss and dignity
in this world, lor thcy also risk shamc and rctribution in
thc Hcrcaltcr…
“Tose who had rejected will be told: ‘ Te abhorrence
of God towards you is greater than your abhorrence
of yourselves, for you were invited to believe, but you
chose to reject.’ Tey will say: ‘Our Lord, You have
made us die twice, and You have given us life twice.
Now we have confessed our sins. Is there any way
out of this state?’ Tis is because when God alone
was mentioned, you rejected, but when partners
were set up with Him, you believed. Terefore, the
judgment is for God, the Most High, the Great.”
(Qur’an 40:10-12)
Unlcss wc arc willing to takc thc ncccssary stcps to
rclorm through scllcxamination and rcscarch, wc will bc
lcd by our complaccncy and blind lollowing ol lalsc idols
into thc abyss that is last bccoming our dcstination.
10
Arc you contcnt with what you alrcady know:
“Ten, when their messengers came to them with clear
proofs, they were content with what they already
had of knowledge. And they will be surrounded by
that which they used to mock. So when they saw Our
might, they said: ‘We believe in God alone, and we
reject all the partners we used to set up!’ But their
belief could not help them once they saw Our might;
such is the way of God that has been established for
His servants; and the rejecters were then totally in
loss.” (Qur’an 40:83-85)
God Alone
Tc truc systcm ol !slam, as rcvcalcd by God and His
Mcsscngcr, has bccn ncglcctcd and ignorcd lor many
ccnturics by thc Muslim masscs whilc thcy blindly
lollow thcir scholars and lcadcrs and thcir distortcd and
unauthorizcd tcachings.
Muslims havc bccn losing continuously bccausc thcy
havc abandoncd thc word ol God and rcplaccd it with
othcr laws and tcachings which, in turn, has causcd God
to abandon thcm and lcavc thcm to thcir lolly.
Tis lilc is not just about lun and gamcs. !t is about
lulfilling our part ol thc plcdgc with God and proving
that wc can scrvc Him Alonc.
“And when God alone is mentioned, the hearts of those
who do not believe in the Hereafter are filled with
aversion; and when others are mentioned besides
Him, they rejoice!” (Qur’an 39:45)
Arc wc rcady to cmbracc thc path ol God Alonc and
abandon all our idolatry:
Òr, will wc continuc to losc:
11
2
Te Enemies Within
As thc Scripturc was rcvcalcd, many pcoplc at thc timc
wcrc disturbcd by its words, and thcy cvcn plcadcd with
thc Prophct to changc thc Scripturc, but his answcr was
as clcar as day:
a Qur’an other than this, or change it!’ Say: ‘It is not
for me to change it of my own accord, I merely follow
what is inspired to me. I fear, if I disobeyed my Lord,
the retribution of a great day!’” (Qur’an 10:15)
12
Tcrc wcrc howcvcr a numbcr ol ‘back doors’ that thcsc
vcry samc pcoplc latcr discovcrcd: thc unconditional lovc
that pcoplc had lor thc Prophct and his lamily.
Tc two main sccts that cmcrgcd in !slam, thc Sunnis
and thc Shia, cach had thcir own uniquc way ol cxploiting
thc systcm ol God.
Back Door # 1—Hadith
Tc pcoplc who would lay thc loundation ol ‘Sunnism’
had lound that pcoplc always wantcd to hcar about thc
lilc ol thc Prophct and what hc uscd to say and do. !n
lact, this obscssion can still bc obscrvcd to this day whcn
many Muslims spcak lor hours about thc Prophct and his
lilc, whilc thcy spcak vcry littlc ol God. !t was thus that
thc door ol Hadith (narrations) was opcncd whcrcby any
saying or action could bc attributcd to thc Prophct and
would bc automatically acccptcd as truth. Vhat is cvcn
morc disturbing is that, whcn a pcrson who brought any
Hadith was qucstioncd about thc contcnt or authcnticity
ol thc saying, thc crowd would rcact as il thc Prophct
himscll was bcing insultcd or as il his truthlulncss was
bcing qucstioncd. Tus, thc narrator ol thc Hadith
miraculously bccamc cqual to thc Prophct, and to qucstion
him was cquatcd with qucstioning thc Prophct himscll!
History of Hadith
Tc word “Hadith” is inscparablc lrom today’s Sunni vcrsion
ol !slam and can bcst bc translatcd as thc sayings/narrations
ol thc Prophct or his companions.
Hadith is promotcd as thc sccond sourcc ol !slam in
Sunnism (thc Scripturc bcing thc first) and has bccn wcll
cstablishcd as an cntirc scicncc whcrcby pcoplc spcnd a
lilctimc mcrcly studying thc Hadith and its compilations.
Tc Sunnis tcach that thc Prophct brought thc
Scripturc with him as wcll as his sayings (‘Hadith’) and
13
actions (‘Sunnah’). Hcncc, Sunni Muslims bclicvc that
thcsc pillars arc inscparablc and that !slam cannot stand
at all il any ol thcsc pillars is takcn away.
Vhat many ol thcsc staunch lollowcrs ol thc Hadith
may lail to rcalizc is that according to thc availablc tcxts,
thc Hadiths did not bcgin to bc rccordcd until ncarly 60
ycars altcr thc dcath ol thc Prophct, i.c. during thc rcign
ol Òmar 8in Abdulaziz.
1

!n lact, according to thc traditions, thc grandlathcr
ol Òmar 8in Abdulaziz (Òmar 8in AlKhatab) himscll
was supposcdly vchcmcntly opposcd to thc writing ol any
rcligious rcvclations cxccpt thc Scripturc:
| Jami’ 8ayan Al!lm, Pagc 67| Òmar 8in Al
Khatab is rccordcd as saying: “! wantcd to writc
thc traditions (Sun’an), and ! rcmcmbcrcd a
pcoplc who wcrc bclorc you, thcy wrotc othcr
books to lollow and abandoncd thc book ol
God. And ! will ncvcr, ! swcar, rcplacc God’s
book with anything.”
Òncc thc ban on Hadith was liltcd, narrators bcgan
rccording and gathcring sayings and compilations rclatcd
to thc Prophct and his companions. Tcrc arc countlcss
storics ol how this ncw pastimc bccamc an obscssion lor
somc narrators in that thcy would journcy lor hundrcds
ol milcs just to find onc Hadith. Tc Hadith gathcring
and writing pcriod continucd lor ncarly 150 ycars altcr
thc lilting ol thc ban and today’s most widcly rccognizcd
Hadith collcctions arc thc lollowing: 8ukhari 870 A.Ð.,
Muslim 875 A.Ð., Abu Ðaud 888 A.Ð., Tirmidhi 883
A.Ð., !bn Maja 886 A.Ð., and AlNisa’i 915 A.Ð.
!n his opcning statcmcnt, 8ukhari (considcrcd to bc thc
first sourcc ol authcntic Hadith) statcs that, out ol ncarly
1 Tc justification givcn by today’s scholars lor thc 60ycar ban is that thc
Prophct lcarcd that thc Hadith and Scripturc would bc intcrminglcd into onc
book and this ban was simply a salcguard.
14
600,000 Hadiths known to him at thc timc, hc could
only rccord 7,397 as bcing authcntically narratcd by thc
Prophct. Tis is rccognition by thc collcctors ol Hadith
that at lcast 98.76 pcrccnt ol what pcoplc wcrc attributing
back to thc Prophct was, at bcst, opcnly dubious!
Hadith Controversy
8ukhari and thosc who camc altcr him spcnt countlcss
ycars in thc rcscarch and filtration ol Hadiths until it
bccamc its own scicncc. 8ukhari rclicd upon thc scll
invcntcd art ol ‘Transmission.’ Tus, hc statcs that a
Hadith may bc acccptcd as authcntic or rcjcctcd as lalsc
bascd on who thc Hadith comcs lrom.
8ukhari madc a study ol thc companions ol thc Prophct
and cstablishcd that thc majority was trustworthy. Hc
thcn askcd about pcoplc who camc altcr thcm, and, il
thc lccdback appcarcd to bc positivc and crcdiblc, thcn
8ukhari had no problcm acccpting a Hadith transmittcd
lrom that sourcc.
To gct ovcr thc obstaclc ol objcctivity and thc lact that
Hadith was bascd mainly on hcarsay, 8ukhari lound a
vcry convcnicnt Hadith (which Sunni scholars still quotc)
attributing supcrhuman abilitics to thc companions ol
thc Prophct and all Hadith narrators which cnablcd thcm
to mcmorizc word lor word thc sayings ol thc Prophct
without any lorgctlulncss or distortion.
Tc irony hcrc lics not only in thc Hadith collcction
and rccording, but, morc importantly, in thc outright
challenge to thc asscrtion ol God that His 8ook is lully
dctailcd and complctc rcgarding all mattcrs ol laith and
law that wc rcquirc.
¡vcn thc choicc ol thc word ‘Hadith’ is an act ol dcfiancc
against God as Hc has said in His 8ook:
“Tese are the revelations of God, We recite them to
you with the truth. So, in which narrative (Hadith)
15
after God and His revelations do they believe? Woe
to every sinful fabricator. He hears the revelations of
God being recited to him, then he persists arrogantly,
as if he never heard them. Give him news of a painful
!t is as il thc Sunnis arc answcring thc qucstion ol God
by saying, ‘Vc bclicvc in 8ukhari and Muslim and Abu
Ðaud and Tirmidhi and !bn Maja and AlNisa’i ctc.’
8clow is a small “sampling” ol Hadiths
2
that Sunni
Muslims claim arc a sourcc ol divinc inspiration along
with thc Scripturc:
|8ukhari \olumc 1, 8ook 9, Numbcr 490:
Narratcd Aisha| Tc things which annul thc
praycrs wcrc mcntioncd bclorc mc. Tcy said,
“Praycr is annullcd by a dog, a donkcy and a
woman (il thcy pass in lront ol thc praying
pcoplc).” ! said, “You havc madc us (i.c. womcn)
dogs. ! saw thc Prophct praying whilc ! uscd to lic
in my bcd bctwccn him and thc Qibla. Vhcncvcr
! was in nccd ol somcthing, ! would slip away. For
! dislikcd to lacc him.”
|8ukhari, \olumc 4, 8ook 54, Numbcr 464:
Narratcd !mran bin Husain| Tc Prophct said, “!
lookcd at Paradisc and lound poor pcoplc lorming
thc majority ol its inhabitants, and ! lookcd at
Hcll and saw that thc majority ol its inhabitants
wcrc womcn.”
Narratcd Abu Said AlKhudri| Tc Prophct said,
“!sn’t thc witncss ol a woman cqual to hall ol that
2 Tc lull Hadith compilation can bc rcad onlinc at:
http://www.usc.cdu/dcpt/MSA/lundamcntals/hadithsunnah/
16
ol a man:” Tc womcn said, “Ycs.” Hc said, “Tis
is bccausc ol thc dcficicncy ol a woman’s mind.”
Narratcd Abdullah bin Umar| Tc Jcws camc
to Allah’s Apostlc and told him that a man and
a woman lrom amongst thcm had committcd
illcgal scxual intcrcoursc. Allah’s Apostlc said
to thcm, “Vhat do you find in thc Torah (old
Tcstamcnt) about thc lcgal punishmcnt ol
ArRajm (stoning):” Tcy rcplicd, (8ut) wc
announcc thcir crimc and lash thcm.” Abdullah
bin Salam said, “You arc tclling a lic, Torah
contains thc ordcr ol Rajm.” Tcy brought and
opcncd thc Torah and onc ol thcm solaccd his
hand on thc \crsc ol Rajm and rcad thc vcrscs
prcccding and lollowing it. Abdullah bin Salam
said to him, “Lilt your hand.” Vhcn hc liltcd his
hand, thc \crsc ol Rajm was writtcn thcrc. Tcy
said, “Muhammad has told thc truth, thc Torah
has thc \crsc ol Rajm. Tc Prophct thcn gavc
thc ordcr that both ol thcm should bc stoncd to
dcath. (Abdullah bin Umar said, “! saw thc man
lcaning ovcr thc woman to shcltcr hcr lrom thc
stoncs.” )
Narratcd Anas bin Malik| Allah’s Apostlc said,
“! havc bccn ordcrcd to fight thc pcoplc till thcy
say: ‘Nonc has thc right to bc worshippcd but
Allah.’ And il thcy say so, pray likc our praycrs,
lacc our Qibla and slaughtcr as wc slaughtcr, thcn
thcir blood and propcrty will bc sacrcd to us and
wc will not intcrlcrc with thcm cxccpt lcgally and
thcir rcckoning will bc with Allah.”
17
Narratcd Abbas bin Malik|…Gabricl rcmarkcd,
‘Tis is thc !slamic rcligion which you and your
lollowcrs arc lollowing.’ Tcn thc praycrs wcrc
cnjoincd on mc: Tcy wcrc filty praycrs a day.
Vhcn ! rcturncd, ! passcd by Moscs who askcd
(mc), ‘ Vhat havc you bccn ordcrcd to do:’ !
rcplicd, ‘! havc bccn ordcrcd to offcr filty praycrs
a day.’ Moscs said, ‘Your lollowcrs cannot bcar
filty praycrs a day, and by Allah, ! havc tcstcd
pcoplc bclorc you, and ! havc tricd my lcvcl bcst
with 8ani !sracl (in vain). Go back to your Lord
and ask lor rcduction to lcsscn your lollowcrs
burdcn.’ So ! wcnt back, and Allah rcduccd tcn
praycrs lor mc. Tcn again ! camc to Moscs,
but hc rcpcatcd thc samc as hc had said bclorc.
Tcn again ! wcnt back to Allah and Hc rcduccd
tcn morc praycrs. Vhcn ! camc back to Moscs
hc said thc samc, ! wcnt back to Allah and Hc
ordcrcd mc to obscrvc tcn praycrs a day. Vhcn
! camc back to Moscs, hc rcpcatcd thc samc
advicc, so ! wcnt back to Allah and was ordcrcd
to obscrvc fivc praycrs a day.
Narratcd Abu Huraira| Allah’s Apostlc said, “!l a
husband calls his wilc to his bcd (i.c. to havc scxual
rclation) and shc rcluscs and causcs him to slccp in
angcr, thc angcls will cursc hcr till morning.”
Narratcd Abdullah bin Umar| Allah’s Apostlc
ordcrcd that thc dogs should bc killcd.
18
Narratcd Abu Talha| Tc Prophct said, “angcls
do not cntcr a housc witch has cithcr a dog or a
picturc in it.”
Narratcd Abu Huraira| Tc Prophct said,
“Yawning is lrom Satan and il anyonc ol you
yawns, hc should chcck his yawning as much as
possiblc, lor il anyonc ol you (during thc act ol
yawning) should say: ‘Ha’, Satan will laugh at
him.”
Narratcd Abu Qatada| Tc Prophct said, “A good
drcam is lrom Allah, and a bad or cvil drcam is
lrom Satan, so il anyonc ol you has a bad drcam
ol which hc gcts alraid, hc should spit on his lclt
sidc and should scck Rclugc with Allah lrom its
cvil, lor thcn it will not harm him.”
Narratcd Abu Huraira| Tc Prophct said, “!l
anyonc ol you rouscs lrom slccp and pcrlorms
thc ablution, hc should wash his nosc by putting
watcr in it and thcn blowing it out thricc, bccausc
Satan has staycd in thc uppcr part ol his nosc all
thc night.”
Narratcd !bn Umar| That hc hcard thc Prophct
dclivcring a scrmon on thc pulpit saying, “Kill
snakcs and kill ÐhuatTulyatain (i.c. a snakc
with two whitc lincs on its back) and Abtar
(i.c. a snakc with short or mutilatcd tail) lor
thcy dcstroy thc sight ol onc’s cycs and bring
19
about abortion.” (Abdullah bin Umar lurthcr
addcd): Òncc whilc ! was chasing a snakc in
ordcr, to kill it, Abu Lubaba callcd mc saying:
“Ðon’t kill it,” ! said. “Allah’s Apostlc ordcrcd
us to kill snakcs.” Hc said, “8ut latcr on hc
prohibitcd thc killing ol snakcs living in thc
houscs.” (AzZubri said. “Such snakcs arc
callcd AlAwamir.”)
Narratcd Abu Huraira| Tc Prophct said, “Vhcn
you hcar thc crowing ol cocks, ask lor Allah’s
8lcssings lor (thcir crowing indicatcs that) thcy
havc sccn an angcl. And whcn you hcar thc
braying ol donkcys, scck Rclugc with Allah lrom
Satan lor (thcir braying indicatcs) that thcy havc
sccn a Satan.”
Narratcd Abu Huraira| ! said, “Ò Allah’s Apostlc!
! hcar many narrations lrom you but ! lorgct
thcm.” Hc said, “Sprcad your covcring shcct.” !
sprcad my shcct and hc movcd both his hands
as il scooping somcthing and cmpticd thcm in
thc shcct and said, “Vrap it.” ! wrappcd it round
my body, and sincc thcn ! havc ncvcr lorgottcn a
singlc Hadith.
Narratcd Abu Huraira| Tc Prophct said, “A
group ol !sraclitcs wcrc lost. Nobody knows what
thcy did. 8ut ! do not scc thcm cxccpt that thcy
wcrc curscd and changcd into rats, lor il you put
thc milk ol a shccamcl in lront ol a rat, it will not
drink it, but il thc milk ol a shccp is put in lront
20
ol it, it will drink it.” ! told this to Ka’b who askcd
mc, “Ðid you hcar it lrom thc Prophct :” ! said,
“Ycs.” Ka’b askcd mc thc samc qucstion scvcral
timcs., ! said to Ka’b. “Ðo ! rcad thc Torah: (i.c. !
tcll you this lrom thc Prophct.)”
Narratcd Aisha| Tc Prophct callcd thc
Salamandcr, a mischicldocr. ! havc not hcard
him ordcring that it should bc killcd. Saad bin
Vaqqas claims that thc Prophct ordcrcd that it
should bc killcd.
|Muslim, 8ook 008, Numbcr 3371| Abu Sirma
said to Abu Sa’id al Khadri (Allah hc plcascd
with him): Ò Abu Sa’id, did you hcar Allah’s
Mcsscngcr (may pcacc bc upon him) mcntioning
al‘azl: Hc said: Ycs, and addcd: Vc wcnt out
with Allah’s Mcsscngcr (may pcacc bc upon
him) on thc cxpcdition to thc 8i’lMustaliq and
took captivc somc cxccllcnt Arab womcn, and
wc dcsircd thcm, lor wc wcrc suffcring lrom thc
abscncc ol our wivcs, (but at thc samc timc) wc also
dcsircd ransom lor thcm. So wc dccidcd to havc
scxual intcrcoursc with thcm but by obscrving
‘azl (Vithdrawing thc malc scxual organ bclorc
cmission ol scmcn to avoidconccption). 8ut
wc said: Vc arc doing an act whcrcas Allah’s
Mcsscngcr is amongst us, why not ask him: So
wc askcd Allah’s Mcsscngcr (may pcacc bc upon
him), and hc said: !t docs not mattcr il you do not
do it, lor cvcry soul that is to bc born up to thc
Ðay ol Rcsurrcction will bc born.
|Muslim, 8ook 030, Numbcr 5839| Abu Huraira
rcportcd Allah’s Mcsscngcr (may pcacc bc upon
21
him) as saying: Tc crying ol thc child (starts)
whcn thc satan bcgins to prick him.
Narratcd Abu Huraira| Tc angcl ol dcath was
scnt to Moscs and whcn hc wcnt to him, Moscs
slappcd him scvcrcly, spoiling onc ol his cycs. Tc
angcl wcnt back to his Lord, and said, “You scnt
mc to a slavc who docs not want to dic.” Allah
rcstorcd his cyc and said, “Go back and tcll him
(i.c. Moscs) to placc his hand ovcr thc back ol
an ox, lor hc will bc allowcd to livc lor a numbcr
ol ycars cqual to thc numbcr ol hairs coming
undcr his hand.” (So thc angcl camc to him and
told him thc samc). Tcn Moscs askcd, “Ò my
Lord! Vhat will bc thcn:” Hc said, “Ðcath will
bc thcn.” Hc said, “(Lct it bc) now.” Hc askcd
Allah that Hc bring him ncar thc Sacrcd Land
at a distancc ol a stonc’s throw. Allah’s Apostlc
(p.b.u.h) said, “Vcrc ! thcrc ! would show you thc
gravc ol Moscs by thc way ncar thc rcd sand hill.”
Narratcd Abu Huraira| ! hcard Allah’s Apostlc
saying, “Vhilc a shcphcrd was amongst his
shccp, a woll attackcd thcm and took away onc
shccp. Vhcn thc shcphcrd chascd thc woll, thc
woll turncd towards him and said, ‘ Vho will
bc its guard on thc day ol wild animals whcn
nobody cxccpt ! will bc its shcphcrd.’ And whilc
a man was driving a cow with a load on it, it
turncd towards him and spokc to him saying, ‘!
havc not bccn crcatcd lor this purposc, but lor
plowing.’ Tc pcoplc said, “Glorificd bc Allah.”
22
Tc Prophct said, “8ut ! bclicvc in it and so docs
Abu 8akr and Umar.”
Narratcd Amr bin Maimun| Ðuring thc prc
!slamic pcriod ol ignorancc ! saw a shcmonkcy
surroundcd by a numbcr ol monkcys. Tcy wcrc all
stoning it, bccausc it had committcd illcgal scxual
intcrcoursc. ! too, stoncd it along with thcm.
Narratcd Aisha| Tc Prophct ordcrcd that a
shorttailcd or mutilatcdtailcd snakc (i.c. Abtar)
should bc killcd, lor it blinds thc onlookcr and
causcs abortion.”
Narratcd Abdullah| !t was mcntioncd bclorc thc
Prophct that thcrc was a man who slcpt thc night
till morning (altcr sunrisc). Tc Prophct said, “Hc
is a man in whosc cars (or car) Satan had urinatcd.”
Narratcd by Abu Huraira| Tc Prophct said,
“Vhcn thc call lor thc praycr is pronounccd,
Satan takcs to his hccls, passing wind with noisc,
Vhcn thc call lor thc praycr is finishcd, hc comcs
back. And whcn thc !qama is pronounccd, hc
again takcs to his hccls, and altcr its complction,
hc rcturns again to intcrlcrc bctwccn thc (praying)
pcrson and his hcart, saying to him. ‘Rcmcmbcr
this or that thing.’ till thc pcrson lorgcts whcthcr
hc has offcrcd thrcc or lour Rakat: so il onc lorgcts
whcthcr hc has praycd thrcc or lour Rak’at, hc
23
should pcrlorm two prostrations ol Sahu (i.c.
lorgctlulncss).”
|Malik’s Muwatta 8ook 49, Numbcr 49.4.6|
Yahya rclatcd to mc lrom Malik lrom !bn Shihab
lrom Abu 8akr ibn Ubaydullah ibn Abdullah
ibn Umar lrom Abdullah ibn Umar that thc
Mcsscngcr ol Allah, may Allah blcss him and
grant him pcacc, said, “Vhcn you cat, cat with
your right hand and drink with your right hand.
Shaytan cats with his lclt hand and drinks with
his lclt hand.”
Narratcd AbdurRahman bin AlAswad| (on thc
authority ol his lathcr) Aisha said: “Vhcncvcr
Allah’s Apostlc wantcd to londlc anyonc ol us
during hcr pcriods (mcnscs), hc uscd to ordcr hcr
to put on an !zar and start londling hcr.” Aisha
addcd, “Nonc ol you could control his scxual
dcsircs as thc Prophct could.”
|8ukhari, \ol. 1, 8ook 11, Numbcr 626: Narratcd
Abu Huraira| Tc Prophct said, “No praycr is
hardcr lor thc hypocritcs than thc Fajr and thc
‘!sha’ praycrs and il thcy kncw thc rcward lor
thcsc praycrs at thcir rcspcctivc timcs, thcy would
ccrtainly prcscnt thcmsclvcs (in thc mosqucs)
cvcn il thcy had to crawl.” Tc Prophct addcd,
“Ccrtainly ! dccidcd to ordcr thc Mu’adhdhin
(callmakcr) to pronouncc !qama and ordcr a
man to lcad thc praycr and thcn takc a firc flamc
to burn all thosc who had not lclt thcir houscs so
lar lor thc praycr along with thcir houscs.”
24
Narratcd !bn ‘Abbas| Òncc thc Prophct, whilc
passing through onc ol thc gravcyards ol Mcdina
or Mccca hcard thc voiccs ol two pcrsons who
wcrc bcing torturcd in thcir gravcs. Tc Prophct
said, “Tcsc two pcrsons arc bcing torturcd not
lor a major sin (to avoid).” Tc Prophct thcn
addcd, “Ycs! (thcy arc bcing torturcd lor a major
sin). !ndccd, onc ol thcm ncvcr savcd himscll
lrom bcing soilcd with his urinc whilc thc othcr
uscd to go about with calumnics (to makc cnmity
bctwccn lricnds). Tc Prophct thcn askcd lor a
grccn lcal ol a datcpalm trcc, brokc it into two
picccs and put onc on cach gravc. Òn bcing askcd
why hc had donc so, hc rcplicd, “! hopc that thcir
torturc might bc lcsscncd, till thcsc gct dricd.”
Consequences of Hadith
God has crcatcd human bcings with thc natural tcndcncy
to bc inquisitivc. Anyonc who has childrcn will know
that no mattcr how many timcs you tcll thcm “No,” thcy
will still try to touch a hot pan or play with thc dirt to
undcrstand why thcy should not do so. Tis is a Godgivcn
mcchanism that our Lord has bcstowcd on thc human
spccics to lct us cxpand our knowlcdgc and only acccpt
what wc undcrstand and know.
Vhcn Muslims wcrc ruling and living by thc
Scripturc, thcrc was no problcm as lar as this natural
human curiosity was conccrncd sincc thc Scripturc had
an answcr to cvcry qucstion. Muslims, at that timc,
witncsscd an intcllcctual growth unparallclcd in thc
history ol Arabia or cvcn thc world.
Tc tcndcncy to qucstion and inquirc lcd Muslim
childrcn to maturc in an atmosphcrc whcrc no kind ol
knowlcdgc was off limits and nothing was taboo. Tcir
25
qucstioning simply dcvclopcd an unlimitcd appctitc
lor inlormation which was lcd by discovcrics and
advanccmcnts in just about cvcry ficld.
Tcn, a lcw hundrcd ycars altcr thc Scripturc had luclcd
this intcllcctual rcvolution in Muslim minds, somcthing
bcgan to changc.
Tc widcsprcad introduction ol Hadith and its popu
larity with thc masscs bcgan to slowly crcatc problcms in
thc cducation ol Muslims. Hadith could not comparc to
thc Scripturc duc to its inlcrior languagc and its rcliancc
on hcarsay and conjccturc.
Vc can only assumc that thc cstablishmcnt ol thc
Hadiths as a sourcc ol !slamic law was achicvcd many
ccnturics altcr its initial gathcring by having it lorccd on
thc Muslim masscs and without tolcrating scrutiny or
qucstioning ol it.
Muslim school childrcn today arc taught lrom a vcry
carly agc not to qucstion or ovcranalyzc thcir sourccs ol
rcligion, as thcy might incur thc wrath ol God and walk
thc path to Hcll in doing so.
Studcnts’ qucstions arc typically answcrcd with
statcmcnts likc “Arc you bcttcr than thc companions ol
thc Prophct or prcvious gcncrations:” Òr, “Ðo you hatc thc
Prophct so much that you qucstion his words (Sunnah):”
Vith such a barragc ol accusations, young Muslim
studcnts lcarn carly on to simply acccpt what thcy arc told
without thought or qucstions. And, whcn thcy arc oldcr,
thcy simply rcpcat to thc youngcr gcncration what was
told to thcm about going to Hcll and disrcspccting thc
Prophct. Tc cyclc continucs!
Howcvcr, thc truth rcmains that thc vcry samc pcoplc
who wcrc dissatisficd with thc Scripturc whcn it was
rcvcalcd managcd to gct thcir way in thc cnd and to
translorm !slam into no morc than a shcll ol its lormcr
scll by crcating ncw laws and rulcs that wcrc dcsigncd to
26
undcrminc thc systcm thc Scripturc had brought, and to
qucll intcllcctual growth and dcvclopmcnt which is almost
always thc cncmy ol corruption, grccd and disrcgard lor
justicc and cquality.
Back Door # 2—Ahlul Bayt
Tc group that would lay thc loundation lor ‘Shiaism’
took a slightly diffcrcnt approach lrom thc Sunnis to
undcrminc thc Qur’an. Tcsc pcoplc claimcd that thc
knowlcdgc and wisdom ol thc Prophct did not cnd with
his dcath, but was transmittcd to his dcsccndcnts (‘Ahlul
8ayt,’) via Ali 8in Abi Talcb (thc cousin ol thc Prophct),
and that such pcoplc would bc thc bcarcrs ol all ol thc
knowlcdgc ol thc Prophct until Judgmcnt Ðay.
According to mainstrcam Shiaism (Tc “Twclvcr”
Shiitcs) thcrc havc bccn twclvc !mams who havc succccdcd
thc Prophct Muhammad dircctly. Tcsc arc:
1. Ali 8in Abi Talcb (d.661)
2. AlHasan (d.670)
3. AlHusayn (d.680)
4. Ali Zayn Aal‘Abidin (d.713)
5. Muhammad Al8aqir (d.733)
6. Ja’lar AlSadiq (d.765)
7. Musa AlKazim (d.799)
8. Ali AlRida (d.818)
9. Muhammad AlJawad (d.835)
10. Ali AlHadi (d.868)
11. AlHasan AlAskari (d.874)
12. Muhammad AlMahdi (still alivc according to
thc Shia, but in hiding lor ovcr 1,000 ycars!)
27
Tc othcr dcsccndants ol Ali arc still ‘Ahlul 8ayt,’ but
thcy arc not ol thc samc dcgrcc ol holincss as thc ‘Spccial
Twclvc.’ !n lact, in placcs likc !raq, !ran and Lcbanon, thc
rccognition ol a Shia who is lrom thc ‘Ahlul 8ayt’ is vcry
simplc as thcy will don a black turban signilying thcir clitc
status (Shia scholars who arc not lrom thc ‘Ahlul 8ayt’
will don a whitc turban).
Tc Shia havc also crcatcd a hicrarchy ol scholars
who arc rankcd as pcr thc lollowing: Prcachcr, Mujtahid,
Hujjat Al!slam |Prool ol !slam|, Hujjat Al!slam wa
AlMuslimccn, Ayatollah, and thc grcat Ayatollah or
Ayatollah Uzma. Tc highcr thc rank, thc morc powcrlul
is thc ability to pass binding laws (Ayatollah litcrally
mcans a miraclc or sign ol God).
No Male Descendants for Mohammed
God has dccrccd that thc prophcthood and thc Scripturc
would bc rctaincd cxclusivcly within thc progcny ol
Abraham:
“And We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and We made
within his progeny the prophethood and the Book.
And We gave him his reward in this world, and in the
Hereafter he is among the righteous.” (Qur’an 29:27)
Undcr such a systcm, thc progcny is passcd on through
thc malc or lcmalc hcirs (as with Mary thc dcsccndcnt ol
Aaron), with thc namc rctcntion bcing kcpt through thc
malcs only:
“Name them by their fathers. Tat is more just with
God. But if you do not know their fathers, then, name
them as your brothers in the system and your patrons.
Tere is no sin upon you for what mistake you make in
this respect; but you will be responsible for what your
hearts deliberately intend. God is Forgiver, Merciful.”
(Qur’an 33:5)
28
Vith rcgards to thc Prophct Mohammcd, God, in His
infinitc wisdom, has told us that thc Prophct would not bc
survivcd by any malcs:
“Mohammed is not the father of any of your men, but
he is the messenger of God and the seal of the prophets.
And God is fully aware of all things.” (Qur’an 33:40)
Tcrclorc, with only lcmalc dcsccndants, thc chain ol thc
progcny is considcrcd “wcakcncd” in thc traditionalist vicw.
Tus, a plan was dcviscd by thc Shia scct to rccrcatc thc
lacts and givc thcmsclvcs acccss to a dircct malc progcny.
Cousin of the Prophet—Ali Bin Abi Taleb
Tc way thc Shia had circumvcntcd thc physical rcstriction
ol God (whcrcby thc Prophct did not lcavc any malc
dcsccndants) was twolold.
Firstly, thc Shia scholars rclcrrcd to a vcrsc in thc
Qur’an that spcaks ol God purilying thc ‘mcmbcrs ol thc
lamily’ (Ahlul 8ayt) and thus giving thcm spccial status:
[Yusuf Ali Translation 33:33]: And stay quietly in
your houses, and make not a dazzling display, like
that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish
regular Prayer, and give regular Charity; and obey
Allah and His Messenger. And Allah only wishes to
remove all abomination from you, ye members of the
Family, and to make you pure and spotless.
Vhilc thc abovc vcrsc clcarly docs not mcntion Ali
or his childrcn, thc Shia scholars simply dippcd into
thc world ol ‘Hadith’ whcrc, lo and bchold, Ali and his
childrcn arc dcfincd by thc Prophct as ‘Ahlul 8ayt!’
|Sahih Muslim, Chaptcr ol virtucs ol companions,
v4, p1883, Tradition #61| Narratcd Aisha: Ònc
day thc Prophct camc out in thc altcrnoon
wcaring a black cloak (uppcr garmcnt or gown,
29
long coat), thcn AlHasan !bn Ali camc and thc
Prophct accommodatcd him undcr thc cloak,
thcn alHusain camc and cntcrcd thc cloak, thcn
Fatimah camc and thc Prophct cntcrcd hcr undcr
thc cloak, thcn Ali camc and thc Prophct cntcrcd
him to thc cloak as wcll. Tcn thc Prophct
rccitcd: “\crily Allah intcnds to kccp off lrom
you cvcry kind ol unclcanncss Ò’ Pcoplc ol thc
Housc (Ahlul8ayt), and purily you a pcrlcct
purification” (thc last scntcncc ol \crsc 33:33).
Sccondly, thc Shia scholars dclvcd again into thc
books ol Hadith to provc that thc mantlc ol authority
was indccd passcd dircctly lrom thc Prophct himscll to
Ali bin Abi Talib:
|Nur alÐin alHalabi alShafi’i, alSirah al
Halabiyya, vol. 3, p. 337, AlZurqani, Sharh al
Mawahib alLadunniyya, vol. 7, p. 13| Vhcn
thc Prophct (s) was passing by this placc on 18
Ðhu’l Hijja (10 March 632) on his rcturn lrom
thc Farcwcll Pilgrimagc, thc vcrsc “Ò Mcsscngcr,
Proclaim what has bccn scnt down...” was rcvcalcd.
Hc thcrclorc stoppcd to makc an announccmcnt to
thc pilgrims who accompanicd him lrom Makkah
and who wcrc to dispcrsc lrom that junction to thcir
rcspcctivc dcstinations. 8y thc ordcrs ol thc Prophct
(s), a spccial pulpit madc ol thc branchcs ol trccs was
crcctcd lor him. Altcr thc noon praycr thc Prophct (s)
sat on thc pulpit and madc his last public addrcss to
thc largcst gathcring bclorc his dcath thrcc months
latcr. Tc highlight ol his scrmon was whcn, taking
!mam Ali (a) by thc hand, thc Prophct (s) askcd his
lollowcrs whcthcr hc was supcrior in authority (awla)
to thc bclicvcrs thcmsclvcs. Tc crowd cricd out in
onc voicc: “!t is so, Ò Apostlc ol Allah”. Hc thcn
30
dcclarcd: “Hc ol whom ! am thc mastcr (mawla), ol
him ‘Ali is also thc mastcr (mawla). Ò God, bc thc
lricnd ol him who is his lricnd, and bc thc cncmy
ol him who is his cncmy.” !mmcdiatcly altcr thc
Prophct (s) finishcd his spccch, thc lollowing vcrsc
ol thc Qur’an was rcvcalcd: “Today ! havc pcrlcctcd
your rcligion and complctcd my lavor upon you,
and ! was satisficd that !slam bc your rcligion.”
(Qur’an 5:3) Altcr his spccch, thc Prophct (s) askcd
cvcrybody to givc thc oath ol allcgiancc to Ali (a)
and congratulatc him. Among thosc who did so
was Umar bin alKhattab, who said: “Vcll donc
!bn Abi Talib! Today you bccamc thc mastcr ol all
bclicving mcn and womcn.” An Arab, having hcard
ol thc cvcnt ol Ghadir Khumm, camc up to thc
Prophct (s) and said: “You commandcd us to tcstily
that thcrc is no dcity but Allah and that you arc thc
Mcsscngcr ol Allah. Vc obcycd you. You ordcrcd
us to pcrlorm thc praycrs fivc timcs a day and wc
obcycd. You ordcrcd us to last during thc month ol
Ramadhan and wc obcycd. Tcn you commandcd us
to makc thc pilgrimagc to Makkah and wc obcycd.
8ut you arc not satisficd with all this and you havc
raiscd your cousin by your hand and imposcd him
upon us as our mastcr by saying ‘Ali is thc mawla ol
whom ! am mawla.’ !s this imposition lrom Allah
or lrom you:” Tc Prophct (s) said: “8y Allah who
is thc only dcity! Tis is lrom Allah, thc Mighty and
thc Glorious.”
Òl coursc, othcr than thc lact that thc Shia havc
rcsortcd to thc Hadith to makc this claim, thcy havc
also spurncd thc Qur’anic truth which has dcfincd lor us
who thc ‘Ahlul 8ayt’ arc and what systcm ol lcadcrship/
govcrnmcnt wc arc to lollow:
31
1. Te ‘Ahlul Bayt’ are the guardians of the Restricted
Sanctuary of Pilgrimage.
“And his wife was standing, so she laughed when We
gave her the good news of Isaac, and after Isaac, Jacob.
She said: ‘O my! How can I give birth when I am an
old woman, and here is my husband an old man? Tis
is indeed a strange thing!’ Tey said: ‘Do you wonder
at the decree of God? Te mercy of God and blessings
are upon you O people of the Sanctuary (Ahlul 8ayt).
He is Praiseworthy, Glorious.’ ” (Qur’an 11:71-73)
“ You shall settle down in your homes, and do not
go about like in the old days of ignorance. You shall
hold the contact prayer, and contribute towards
purification, and obey God and His messenger. God
wishes to remove any affl iction from you, O people
of the Sanctuary (Ahlul 8ayt), and to purify you
completely.” (Qur’an 33:33)
Hcrc wc havc as clcar as day God using cxactly thc
samc words whcn rclcrring to Abraham as whcn hc rclcrs
to Mohammcd. Òbviously this has nothing to do with Ali
or Fatima as thc Hadith storics narratc, but rathcr it has
to do with a dcscription ol a pcoplc who arc rcsponsiblc
lor thc sanctuary ol God and havc bccomc its carctakcrs.
2. Government is through consultation, not succession.
“And those who have responded to their Lord, and they
hold the contact prayer, and their affairs are conducted
by mutual consultation among themselves, and from
Our provisions to them they give.” (Qur’an 42:38)
“It was a mercy from God that you were soft towards
them; had you been harsh and mean hearted, they
would have dispersed from you; so pardon them and
32
ask forgiveness for them, and consult them in the
matter; but when you are convinced, then put your
trust in God; for God loves those who put their trust.”
(Qur’an 3:159)
God has givcn us guidancc lor how our affairs arc to
bc conductcd i.c. lcadcrship bascd on opcn discussions
and consultations rathcr than individual opinions and
dccisions. As such, thc cntirc conccpt ol inhcritcd
authority that thc Shia basc thcir bclicls on is in clcar
violation ol thc laws ol thc Qur’an.
Why Would God Allow Tis to Happen?
Vhilc Muslims havc no problcm acccpting that thc Jcws
and Christians and just about cvcryonc clsc may havc
bccn divcrtcd lrom thc purc mcssagc ol God alonc, thcy
do havc a problcm in acknowlcdging that thcy havc lallcn
into thc samc trap. Muslims will say things likc “God has
protcctcd !slam,” and “!slam has bccn this samc way lor
ccnturics.” Tcy do not rcalizc that thcsc arc thc samc
argumcnts uttcrcd by Jcws and Christians whcn thcy arc
conlrontcd about thcir bclicls!
Tc sad truth is that Muslims arc just as human and
just as vulncrablc as cvcryonc clsc. Vc do not havc a
magic talisman or supcrhuman powcrs that protcct us
anymorc than thc ncxt pcrson. Vc arc lrail and human
and susccptiblc to suggcstions and divcrsions just likc
cvcryonc clsc.
!n lact, had wc bccn paying attcntion to thc words ol
God rathcr than our scholars’ opinions, wc would havc
noticcd that it is thc dccrcc ol God that pcoplc who do
not pay attcntion bc mislcd:
“And as such, We have permitted the enemies of every
prophet — human and Jinn devils — to inspire each
other with fancy words in order to deceive. Had your
33
Lord willed, they would not have done it. You shall
disregard them and their fabrications. Tat is so the
hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter
will listen to it, and they will accept it, and they will
take of it what they will.” (Qur’an 6:112-113)
Tis is about tcsting our bclicl and sccing whcthcr wc
truly and actually bclicvc in God and put our laith in Him,
or whcthcr wc harbor inncr doubts and thcrclorc nccd to
cling to human words and opinions.
!t is about thc tcst… God Alonc, or God Plus:
34
3
Obey God and Obey
the Messenger
!n conlronting thc Sunni and Shia sccts, who claim to bc
affi liatcd with thc grcat systcm ol submission to God, thc
topic that most comcs up is thc onc about “obcying God
and obcying thc mcsscngcr.”
Vhilc thc sccts rcluctantly acknowlcdgc that thc
Qur’an is lully dctailcd and complctc as God has said it
is (scc 6:114115, 11:1, 16:89), thcy quickly point to thc
many vcrscs in thc Quran which spcak ol “obcying God
35
and obcying thc mcsscngcr” and point out that such vcrscs
clcarly mcan thcrc arc two sourccs ol inlormation to bc
lollowcd: “Òbcy God” mcaning thc Qur’an, and “Òbcy
thc Mcsscngcr” mcaning thc Hadith.
“And obey God and obey the messenger, and be aware.
If you turn away then know that it is the duty of the
messenger to deliver clearly.” (Qur’an 5:92)
“O you who believe, obey God and His messenger, and
do not turn away from him while you have heard.”
(Qur’an 8:20)
“O you who believe, obey God, and obey the messenger.
And do not render your works in vain.” (Qur’an 47:33)
“Obey God and obey the messenger. And if you turn away,
then it is only required of Our messenger to deliver clearly.”
(Qur’an 64:12)
At first glancc, thc argumcnt ol thc sccts sccms somcwhat
convincing, lor surcly il God had mcant lor us to simply
lollow thc Qur’an Hc would havc only said “obcy God”
and that would havc bccn suffi cicnt. Howcvcr, by adding
“and obcy thc mcsscngcr,” thc claim sccms to havc somc
support.
!n vcrsc 4:59 wc scc thc casc lor thc Sunnis and Shia
lurthcr strcngthcncd as thc bclicvcrs arc told to “obcy
God” and “obcy thc mcsscngcr” and “obcy thosc in
authority” (sccms to bc thrcc scparatc cntitics), howcvcr,
il thcy disputc in any mattcr thcy shall ignorc thc opinion
ol “thosc in authority” and simply rcvcrt back to God and
His mcsscngcr:
“O you who believe, obey God and obey the messenger,
and those in authority among you. But if you dispute
36
in any matter, then you shall refer it to God and
His messenger if you believe in God and the Last
Day. Tat is better and more suitable for knowing.”
(Qur’an 4:59)
Vhat has bccn prcscntcd thus lar is thc logic uscd
in justilying thc opcning ol Pandora’s 8ox whcrc thc
dcfinition ol “what” thc mcsscngcr dclivcrcd bccomcs a
trcasurc hunt through thc hundrcds ol thousands ol old
wivcs’ talcs and storics all attributcd to thc mcsscngcr
doing or saying somcthing.
What Did the Messenger Judge By?
8clorc putting an cnd to this controvcrsy, it is worth
noting that thc Prophct himscll was rcquircd by thc
Scripturc to judgc using thc book ol God and nothing
but thc book:
“We have revealed to you the Book with the truth
that you may judge between the people by that which
God has shown you, and do not be an advocate for the
treacherous.” (Qur’an 4:105)
“And We have sent down to you the Book with the
truth, authenticating what is between your hands of
the Book and superseding it. So judge between them
by what God has sent down, and do not follow their
desires from what has come to you of the truth. For
each of you We have made laws, and a structure; and
if God had willed, He would have made you all one
nation, but He tests you with what He has given you;
so strive to do good. To God you will return all of you,
and He will inform you regarding that in which you
dispute.” (Qur’an 5:48)
“And the Day We send to every nation a witness And
37
the Day We send to every nation a witness against
them from themselves, and We have brought you as
a witness against these. And We have sent down to
you the Book as a clarification for all things, and a
guidance and a mercy and good tidings to those who
have submitted.” (Qur’an 16:89)
So, how can a man who was commandcd to judgc and
livc according to thc Qur’an bc ablc to producc anything
cxtcrnal to thc Qur’an:
Obey God and Obey the Messenger
Tc answcr to this cntirc issuc is lound oncc again in thc
Qur’an itscll:
“Whoever obeys the messenger has obeyed God; and
whoever turns away, We have not sent you as a
guardian over them.” (Qur’an 4:80)
Vhilc this may comc as a shock to thc sccts, it is a
natural answcr lor studcnts ol Qur’an who know and
bclicvc thc word ol God to bc dctailcd and complctc. Vc
arc told in no unccrtain tcrms that whocvcr has “obcycd
thc mcsscngcr” has automatically mct thc rcquircmcnt
ol “obcying God” (i.c. thc two commands arc onc and
thc samc).
A littlc thought by thc sccts would havc lcd thcm to
thc samc conclusion, lor, altcr all, thc Qur’an was ncvcr
rcvcalcd to us by God dircctly, but was donc through His
inspiration to His mcsscngcr (i.c. thc mcsscngcr, God, and
thc Qur’an arc inscparablc).
!t was not lclt to thc companions ol thc Prophct or any
othcr pcoplc to comc along and complctc thc rcligion lor us.
Tc rcligion was complctc on thc day God said it was so:
“…Today I have perfected your system for you, and
completed My blessings upon you, and I have approved
38
submission as the system for you…” (Qur’an 5:3)
Tcrc is no cxtcrnal tcxt to bc sought, no Hadiths…
Tcrc arc only thc words that thc mcsscngcr dclivcrcd
whilc bcing inspircd by God.
“Say: ‘Which is the greatest testimony?’ Say: ‘God is
witness between me and you, and He has inspired
to me this Qur’an that I may warn you with it and
whoever it reaches, that you are bearing witness that
with God are other gods!’ Say: ‘I do not bear witness!’
Say: ‘He is only One god, and I am innocent of what
you have set up!’” (Qur’an 6:19)
Is the Messenger a Mere Postman?
Unlortunatcly, thc sccts will continuc to bclicvc that
somchow it is not cnough that thc Prophct would only
dclivcr thc Scripturc (cvcn il it containcd all thosc words
rcvcalcd to him by God). Tcy want thc Prophct to do
much morc, pcrhaps cvcn morc than raising thc dcad as
Jcsus did or splitting thc sca as Moscs had donc!
Pcrhaps such pcoplc arc not lar dcsccndcd lrom thosc
bclorc thcm who also wcrc not satisficd with thc Qur’an
and askcd thc Prophct to changc it altogcthcr lor thcm.
a Qur’an other than this, or change it!’ Say: ‘It is not
for me to change it of my own accord, I merely follow
what is inspired to me. I fear, if I disobeyed my Lord,
the retribution of a great day!’” (Qur’an 10:15)
Òl coursc, thc scnsiblc oncs know that dclivcring thc
word ol God, and bcing a living cxamplc ol thc mcssagc, is
morc than cnough honor lor any crcaturc in this univcrsc
and bcyond.
39
“Had We sent down this Qur’an to a mountain, you
would have seen it trembling, crumbling, out of concern
from God. And such are the examples We put forth for
the people, that they may reflect.” (Qur’an 59:21)
Why Send a Messenger?
Hcrc is thc major qucstion that pcoplc lacc whcn
discussing thc lollowing ol thc Qur’an alonc—why scnd
a mcsscngcr: Surcly, somc would arguc, God could havc
just dclivcrcd a complctcd 8ook and savcd cvcryonc thc
problcms and argumcnts and misundcrstandings.
Tc truth is thosc who wcrc bound to rcjcct thc word ol
God would rcjcct it no mattcr what:
“And if We had sent down to you a book already
written on paper, and they touched it with their own
hands, then those who have rejected would say: ‘Tis is
but clear magic!’” (Qur’an 6:7)
As lor thc mcsscngcr, his duty was, as othcr
mcsscngcrs bclorc him, to dclivcr thc clcar mcssagc ol
God and warn ol thc incvitablc day whcn all would
stand humblcd bclorc God:
“Say: ‘I am no different from the other messengers, nor
do I know what will happen to me or to you. I only
follow what is inspired to me. I am no more than a
clear warner.’” (Qur’an 46:9)
“And thus We have inspired to you an Arabic Qur’an,
so that you may warn the capital town and all around
it, and to warn about the Day of Gathering that is
inevitable. A group will be in the Paradise, and a
group in Hell.” (Qur’an 42:7)
40
Te Example of the Prophet
Yct, cvcn altcr all thc cvidcncc and all thc vcrscs, most
Sunnis and Shia will still claim that this is not all that
thc Mcsscngcr dclivcrcd, and that wc should lollow his
cxamplc as containcd in othcr tcxts or which wc lcarn
about through thc holy !mams. Such pcoplc lorgct that
thc truc cxamplc ol thc Prophct Mohammcd, likc thc
truc cxamplc ol thc Prophct Abraham, has bccn rccordcd
and capturcd in thc Scripturc lor all timc:
“Indeed, in the messenger of God a good example
(Uswa Hasana) has been set for you for he who seeks
God and the Last Day and thinks constantly about
God.” (Qur’an 33:21)
“Tere has been a good example (Uswa Hasana)
set for you by Abraham and those with him, when
they said to their people: ‘We are innocent from you
and what you serve besides God. We have rejected
you, and it appears that there shall be animosity and
hatred between us and you until you believe in God
alone.’ Except for the saying of Abraham to his father:
‘I will ask forgiveness for you, but I do not possess any
power to protect you from God.’ ‘Our Lord, we have
put our trust in You, and we turn to You, and to You
is the final destiny.’” (Qur’an 60:4)
Tc Mcsscngcr laccd a tcrrilying challcngc in dclivcring
thc word ol God to a pcoplc who wcrc accustomcd to a
way ol lilc and traditions that complctcly contradictcd thc
systcm ol God. !t was this Mcsscngcr that stood in thc
lacc ol ovcrwhclming odds, continucd to havc laith and
paticncc and always kncw that hc must scrvc God Alonc,
cvcn il all thc pcoplc wcrc tclling him othcrwisc.
41
“Or did you expect that you would enter the Paradise,
while the example of those who were before you came
to you; they were stricken with adversity and hardship,
and they were shaken until the messenger and those who
believed with him said: ‘When is the victory of God?’ Yes
indeed, the victory of God is near.” (Qur’an 2:214)
Tc Scripturc not only contains thc laws ol God, but it
also contains bcautilul cxamplcs ol thc lilc ol thc Prophct:
• His dcaling with thc idol worshippcrs. (53:1923)
• His compassion towards thc bclicvcrs. (3:31)
• His lovc and constant rcmcmbrancc ol God. (33:21)
• His human lcar ol lailing. (2:214)
• His dcaling with his wivcs’ rcbcllion. (33:2831)
• His dcaling with his adoptcd son. (33:37)
• His wcakncss in paying too much attcntion to
thc rich and powcrlul. (80:112)
All thcsc and many morc cxamplcs arc containcd
within thc prccious book that God has honorcd. Tc
lilc ol thc Mcsscngcr givcs us lrail humans hope that it
is indccd possiblc to livc thc way God intcndcd us to
livc (as dcscribcd in thc Scripturc) and to uphold His
covcnant in spitc ol all advcrsity. Vithout thc cxamplc ol
thc Mcsscngcr, wc may not cvcn havc bothcrcd to rcad
or study thc Scripturc lor lcar that it was an impractical
book which rcquircd too much ol human bcings and
dcscribcd a fictional utopian socicty.
42
4
Back to Basics
Most Muslims, cvcn altcr lcarning about thc stark diffcrcnccs
bctwccn today’s distortcd Sunni and Shia vcrsions ol !slam
and thc !slam ol God and His Mcsscngcr, will havc no
problcm living undcr any systcm ol govcrnmcnt (capitalist,
communist, dictatorship, monarchy, or othcrwisc) as long
as thcy arc allowcd to pcrlorm thcir rituals (whatcvcr thcsc
rituals may bc) in thc bclicl that thcy arc adhcring to and
lollowing “thc rcligion.”
!s rcligion a collcction ol words and rituals that must
bc lollowcd:
43
Òr is it much morc than that:
Lct us turn to thc Scripturc lor thc answcr…
[Yusuf Ali Translation 3:85]: If anyone desires a
religion other than Islam (submission to Allah),
never will it be accepted of him; and in the Hereafter
He will be in the ranks of those who have lost (all
spiritual good).
Tis sounds prctty scvcrc!
Ðocs this mcan that God is ordcring us to lollow somc
rcligion that gocs by thc namc ol !slam/Submission:
Arc wc to simply hunt down this !slam and apply its
laws and rituals and lct thc mattcr rcst thcrc:
Vhcn wc find this !slam, do wc thcn lorcc cvcryonc
clsc to lollow and acccpt it:
[Yusuf Ali Translation 3:83]: Do they seek for other
than the Religion of Allah?-while all creatures in the
heavens and on earth have, willing or unwilling,
bowed to His Will (accepted Islam), and to Him shall
they all be brought back.
!l cvcrything in thc hcavcns has submittcd to thc
rcligion ol God, thcn who arc wc to arguc:
[Yusuf Ali Translation 9:33]: It is He Who hath sent
His Messenger with guidance and the Religion of
Truth, to proclaim it over all religion, even though
the Pagans may detest (it).
A rcligion will dominatc and cxposc othcr rcligions:
Ðocs this mcan that this !slam will, whcn wc pray
with our hands to our sidcs, “cxposc” thosc othcr rcligions
whosc adhcrcnts pray with thcir hands loldcd:
Òr, docs it mcan that, whcn wc givc to charity, it will
“cxposc” thc othcr rcligions whosc adhcrcnts also givc to
charity:
44
Òbviously, nonc ol this makcs any scnsc!
[Pickthall Translation 9:36]: Lo! the number of
the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s
ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and
the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right
religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. And wage
war on all of the idolaters as they are waging war on
all of you. And know that Allah is with those who
keep their duty (unto Him).
How arc 12 months considcrcd a corrcct rcligion:
Vhat about using 19 months or 10 or 13:
!s that not still a rcligion:!
What is Religion?
Òbviously, rcligion is not mcrcly a collcction ol laws
and rituals.
Lct us look at thc story ol Joscph, which rcvcals thc truc
mcaning ol rcligion. Vhcn wc rcad thc story ol Joscph
in chaptcr 12 ol thc Scripturc, wc lcarn that hc wcnt to
¡gypt and altcr a lcw incidcnts, bccamc onc ol thc high
counsclors ol thc king rcsponsiblc lor thc distribution ol
lood and commcrcc.
Tc brothcrs ol Joscph (who had tricd to kill him carlicr)
approachcd Joscph without rccognizing him. Sincc hc
wantcd to cnlist his youngcr brothcr to join him without
alcrting his othcr brothcrs, hc sct up a schcmc whcrcby thc
mcasuring bowl ol thc king was placcd in thc bclongings ol
his youngcr brothcr.
Tc schcmc was to lct his brothcrs rcvcal thc law ol
thclt as it stood in thcir own rcligion. Tis law was uscd
by Abraham and Jacob and rcvcalcd by God:
“Tey said: ‘What shall be the punishment, if you
are not truthful?’ Tey ( Joseph’s brothers) said: ‘ Te
punishment is that he in whose saddlebag it is found
45
will himself serve as the punishment. It is so that we
punish the wicked.’” (Qur’an 12:74-75)
Altcr snaring his brothcrs in his trap and lctting
thcm cxposc thc law that thcy lollowcd (rathcr than
using that ol thc king) Joscph was ablc to kccp his
youngcr brothcr with him:
[Yusuf Ali Translation 12:76]: So he began (the
search) with their baggage, before (he came to) the
baggage of his brother: at length he brought it out of
his brother’s baggage. Tus did We plan for Joseph.
He could not take his brother by the law
3
of the king
except that Allah willed it (so). We raise to degrees (of
wisdom) whom We please: but over all endowed with
knowledge is one, the All-Knowing.
Òbviously, thc king ol ¡gypt did not havc a rcligious
law that hc implcmcntcd lor thc crimc ol thclt, but hc did
havc a system.
Tus it was that Joscph bypasscd thc systcm ol thc king
and rcplaccd it with thc onc uscd by his brothcrs!
Rcligion - Systcm
God clarifics thc rcvclations that wc may undcrstand…
God has not givcn us a rcligion madc up ol strangc
componcnts and rituals, but rathcr a pcrlcct systcm that
Hc has dccrccd through all His prophcts:
“He has decreed for you the same (Ðccn) [system] He
ordained for Noah, and what We inspired to you, and
what We ordained for Abraham, Moses, and Jesus:
‘ You shall uphold this (Ðccn) [system], and do not
divide in it.’ Intolerable for the polytheists is what
you invite them towards. God chooses for Himself
3 Tc word ‘law’ as translatcd by Yusul Ali is thc Arabic word
‘Ðccn’ which has clscwhcrc bccn translatcd as ‘rcligion.’
46
whoever He wills; He guides to Himself those who
repent.” (Qur’an 42:13)
God is our Makcr. Hc did not construct thc univcrsc or
our minds, bodics, and souls just so wc could stumblc and
bc lost in this world.
Vc havc bccn givcn lrcc will. Vc arc lrcc to choosc
whatcvcr paths wc dcsirc. Vc arc lrcc to comc up with as
many systcms wc likc.
Howcvcr, Hc is bcstowing grcat mcrcy on us by tclling
us that His systcm is thc corrcct systcm:
“Te count of the months with God is twelve months
in the book of God the day He created the heavens
and the earth; four of them are restricted. Tis is the
correct system; so do not wrong yourselves in them;
and fight the polytheists collectively as they fight
you collectively. And know that God is with the
righteous.” (Qur’an 9:36)
Tcrc is nothing to stop us lrom using 11, 10 or
cvcn 19 months (that is what somc ol us do). Howcvcr,
although thcsc systcms may work, God is tclling us that
His is thc bcst. Vc will not stumblc whcn wc propcrly
usc a 12month count, which will kccp us in linc with thc
scasons and thc movcmcnt ol our planct.
All wc nccd to do is just rcach out our hands and grab
hold ol thc ropc that has bccn thrown down lrom hcavcn
to us.
“Is it other than the system of God that they desire,
when those in the heavens and the earth have
submitted to Him voluntarily or by force? And to
Him they will be returned.” (Qur’an 3:83)
Ðo wc scc thc sun having a problcm with its orbit: Òr,
do wc scc thc moon smashing into thc ¡arth:
47
¡ach ol thcsc objccts has takcn up thc systcm that was
dcsigncd by God and lollowcd it. Had thcy dcsigncd thcir
own systcm, thcy would havc bccn dcstroycd or knockcd
out ol orbit cons ago.
Yct, wc still laltcr!
Vc still think wc know bcst!
Vc kccp running diffcrcnt programs and systcms, whcn,
in thc cnd, it is only onc systcm that matchcs our naturc.
“He is the One who has sent His messenger with
the guidance and the system of truth, so that it will
expose all other systems, even if the polytheists hate
it.” (Qur’an 9:33)
!t is only now that wc undcrstand what rcligion is that
wc can undcrstand how it will expose all othcr rcligions.
Tc pcrlcct systcm ol God, whcn put into usc, will
rcvcal thc wcakncsscs and shortcomings ol all othcr
systcms invcntcd by man…
Tc systcm ol God is thc only onc that not only catcrs to
thc physical nccds ol thc human bcing but also rccognizcs
his spiritual nccds and addrcsscs thosc as wcll. Tc human
that lollows thc systcm ol God by submitting to it is not
only a scllsuffi cicnt pcrson but is also a happy pcrson
with strong lamily tics, intcllcctual capacity, philosophical
vicws, community awarcncss and, abovc all, is a rcalist.
“…Today I have perfected your system for you, and
completed My blessings upon you, and I have ap-
proved submission (!slam) as the system for you…”
(Qur’an 5:3)
48
5
Is Tis Islam?
Vhilc it may bc diffi cult to acccpt that thc Scripturc has bccn
abandoncd by thc masscs, and that wc havc bccn lollowing
anothcr rcligion altogcthcr, this chaptcr will scrvc to highlight
just somc ol thc many diffcrcnccs that cxist bctwccn today’s
Sunni and Shia !slam and thc !slam dccrccd and authorizcd
by God and His Mcsscngcr in thc Scripturc:
Inventing Pillars for Salvation
“Surely those who believe; and those who are Jewish,
and the Sabians, and the Nazarenes, whoever of
49
them believes in God and the Last Day and does good
works; then they will have nothing to fear nor will
they grieve.” (Qur’an 5:69)
As thc ccnturics havc gonc by, Sunni and Shia scholars
and Hadith lollowcrs havc dccidcd that thc mcrcy ol God
as mcntioncd in 5:69 abovc ‘cncompasscs too many’ and
thus thcy lound thc nccd to invcnt ncw rulcs lor salvation
by stating that Muslims can only bc thosc who adhcrc to
a sct ol pillars as dcfincd by thcir scholars.
Tc Sunnis camc up with a total ol fivc main pillars,
whilc thc Shia dccidcd that tcn pillars was thc way to go.
Te 5-pillars of Sunnism:
1. Tcstilying thcrc is no god but God and Mo
hammcd is His mcsscngcr “Shahada.”
2. Pcrlorming thc fivc Òbligatory Praycrs “Salat.”
3. Paying thc annual 2.5 pcrccnt tax “Zakat.”
4. Fasting during thc month ol Ramadhan “Sawm.”
5. Making a pilgrimagc to Mccca (oncc in a lilc
timc) il onc is ablc “Hajj.”
Te 10-pillars of Shiaism:
1. Pcrlorming thc Òbligatory Praycrs “Salat.”
2. Fasting thc month ol Ramadhan “Sawm.”
3. Pilgrimagc “Hajj.”
4. Paying a tax lor thc poor “Zakat.”
5. Paying ol thc oncfilth ol incomc to Ahlul 8ayt
“Khums.”
6. Strugglc “Jihad.”
7. ¡njoining what is good “Amr8ilMa’rul.”
8. Forbidding what is cvil “NahiAnilMunkar.”
50
9. To lovc Ahlul 8ayt and thcir lollowcrs “Tawalla.”
10. To disassociatc lrom thc cncmics ol Ahlul 8ayt
“Tabarra.”
As shocking as it may sound, ncithcr thc “5 pillars”
nor thc “10 pillars” as thcy cxist havc bccn dccrccd in
thc Scripturc as thc way to salvation, and, as will bc sccn
throughout this book, somc ol thcm arc in clcar violation
ol what has bccn statcd by God and His Mcsscngcr.
Mentioning Others Besides God in His Own Temples
“And the temples are for God, so do not call on anyone
alongside God.” (Qur’an 72:18)
Tc Sunni and Shia arc guilty ol, amongst othcr things
lollowing thc innovations that rcquirc thcm to praisc,
glorily, and call upon Mohammcd and Abraham (by
scnding thcm salutations), thus nullilying thc command
ol God not to call on anyonc clsc bcsidcs Him in worship.
Is Tis How You Do Your Ablution (Wudu)?
“O you who believe, if you rise to hold the contact
prayer (Salat), then wash your faces and your hands
up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet
to the ankles; and if you have had intercourse, then
you shall bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or
you have excreted feces, or you have had sexual contact
with the women, and you cannot not find water, then
you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your
faces and your hands with it. God does not want to
place any hardship on you, but He wants to cleanse
you and to complete His blessings upon you that you
may be thankful.” (Qur’an 5:6)
51
Vhilc thc prcparation lor thc Salat is straightlorward
and simplc, thc masscs havc turncd such a simplc command
into an cntirc ritual that includcs spccial words to bc said,
thc wiping ol thc cars and blowing ol nostrils ctc.
Circumcising Males
“God is the One who made the earth a habitat for you,
and the heaven as a structure, and He designed you,
and has perfected your design. And He provided you
with good provisions. Such is God your Lord. Most
Exalted is God, Lord of the worlds.” (Qur’an 40:64)
God spcaks ol His crcation as having bccn “pcrlcctcd,” and,
whilc thc masscs opcnly agrcc with this statcmcnt, thcy act
against it by trying to complctc thc work ol God by cutting
off somc ol thc malc lorcskin (in somc cascs, cvcn lcmalcs
havc bccn circumciscd, but that is lor a diffcrcnt rcason i.c. a
barbaric attcmpt to supprcss thc natural lcmalc scxual drivc!).
!n lact, it was onc ol thc promiscs ol thc dcvil himscll
that hc would influcncc humankind so that thcy would
makc altcrations to thc pcrlcct crcation ol God:
“‘And I will misguide them and make them desire,
and I will command them, so that they will mark the
ears of the livestock, and I will command them so they
will make changes to the creation of God.’ Whoever
takes the devil as a supporter other than God, then he
has indeed lost a great loss.” (Qur’an 4:119)
Tc origin ol circumcision can bc traccd back to thc
Jcwish 8iblc:
|Gcn 17:14.13| Any uncircumciscd malc who is
not circumciscd in thc flcsh ol his lorcskin shall
bc cut off lrom his pcoplc, hc has brokcn my
covcnant.
52
|Gcn 17:24.16| Abraham was ninctyninc ycars
old whcn hc was circumciscd in thc flcsh ol his
lorcskin.
Tc sccts sccm to havc bccn mislcd into lollowing thc
qucstionablc acts ol thc modcrn Jcwish 8iblc whilc thcy
havc bccn clcarly commandcd to adhcrc to thc Qur’an
that ovcrridcs and supcrscdcs any prcvious scripturcs!
Lawful and Forbidden (Halal And Haram)
“Forbidden to you is that which is already dead,
and the blood, and the meat of pig, and what was
dedicated to other than God, and that which has
been strangled, and that which has been beaten to
death, and that which has fallen from a height, and
that which has been gored, and that which the wild
animals have eaten from except what you managed
to rescue, and what has been slaughtered on altars,
and what you divide by the arrows of chance. Tis is
wickedness. Today the rejecters have given up from
your system, so do not be concerned by them, but be
concerned by Me. Today I have perfected your system
for you, and completed My blessings upon you, and I
have approved submission as the system for you. So,
whoever is forced by severe hunger and not seeking
sin, then God is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Qur’an 5:3)
“Say: ‘Have you seen what God has sent down to
you from provisions, then you have made some
of it unlawful and some lawful?’ Say: ‘Did God
authorize you, or do you invent lies about God?’
And what will those who invent lies about God
think on the Day of Resurrection? God is with
great bounty to the people, but most of them are not
thankful.” (Qur’an 10:59-60)
53
Òl coursc, thcsc clcar instructions wcrc not clcar
cnough lor thc sccts who wcnt on to lorbid carnivorous
animals, pig product dcrivativcs (which arc not madc lrom
thc mcat), alcohol and its byproducts ctc.
Breaking the Fast at Sunset/Dusk
“It has been made lawful for you during the night of
fasting to approach your women sexually. Tey are
a garment for you and you are a garment for them.
God knows that you used to betray your souls so He has
accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now you
may approach them and seek what God has written for
you. And you may eat and drink until the white thread
is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then you
shall complete the fast until night; and do not approach
them while you are devoted in the temples. Tese are
the boundaries of God, so do not transgress them. It
is thus that God clarifies His revelations to the people
who they may be righteous.” (Qur’an 2:187)
God tclls us that wc arc to last until night has comc.
Yct, thc Sunni masscs insist on blatantly disobcying His
command by brcaking thc last whilc thcrc is still light, i.c.
at sunsct, bascd on thc innovation ol thc Hadiths, clcarly
ignoring thc dcfinition ol night as thc abscncc ol light
(36:37), or that dawn, likc dusk, is dcfincd as a part ol thc
day (11:114).
Propagating “Intercession” on Judgment Day
“O you who believe, spend from what We have
provided for you before a Day comes when there is
no trade, nor friendship, nor intercession; and the
disbelievers are the wicked.” (Qur’an 2:254)
54
“And beware of a Day when no soul can avail another
soul, nor will any amendment be accepted from it,
nor will any intercession help it; they will not be
supported.” (Qur’an 2:123)
Although thc Qur’an rcpcatcdly statcs that thcrc
will bc no human intcrccssion on thc Ðay ol Judgmcnt,
thc masscs havc insistcd on idolizing thc Prophct
against his will, and bclicving in thc invcntcd conccpt
ol intcrccssion (Shalaa’ah).
God only allows human ‘intcrccssion’ that is donc lor
thc good ol pcoplc and that takcs placc on ¡arth whilc
wc arc still alivc.
“Whoever intercedes with a good intercession, he will
have a reward of it; and whoever intercedes with an
evil intercession, he will receive a share of it. And
God has control over all things.” (Qur’an 4:85)
“Say: ‘To God belongs all intercession.’ To Him belongs the
sovereignty of the heavens and the earth, then to Him you
will be returned. And when God alone is mentioned, the
hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter are filled
with aversion; and when others are mentioned besides
Him, they rejoice!” (Qur’an 39:44-45)
Vhcn an intcrccssion is madc, it is up to God to acccpt
or rcjcct it bascd on His judgmcnt and bascd on thc
condition/standing ol thc pcrson making thc rcqucst and
thc condition/standing ol thc pcrson on whosc bchall thc
intcrccssion is madc.
Claiming Prophet Mohammed Predicted the Future
“Say: ‘I do not say to you that I possess the treasures
of God, nor do I know the future, nor do I say to you
that I am an angel. I merely follow what is inspired
55
to me.’ Say: ‘Are the blind and the seer the same? Do
you not think?’” (Qur’an 6:50)
!n thc clcarcst words, thc Prophct Mohammcd dcclarcs
that hc docs not know thc luturc. Yct, wc havc hundrcds ol
talcs bcing spun by Sunnis and Shias rcgarding luturc cvcnts
and prcdictions ranging lrom thc lour Khalifas who will rulc
altcr his dcath, and an immortal onccycd man namcd Al
Ðajjal who is supposcd to posscss supcrhuman powcrs and
who will ravagc thc ¡arth, to Jcsus coming back!
Exalting Some Prophets Over Others
“Say: ‘We believe in God and in what was sent down
to us and what was sent down to Abraham, and
Ishmael, and Isaac, and Jacob, and the Patriarchs,
and what was given to Moses and Jesus, and what
was given to the prophets from their Lord; we do not
make a distinction between any of them and to Him
we submit.’” (Qur’an 2:136)
“Te messenger believes in what was sent down to him
from his Lord. And the believers, all who believe in God,
and His angels, and His Books, and His messengers:
‘We do not make a distinction between any of His
messengers;’ and they said: ‘We hear and obey, forgive us
O Lord, and to you is our destiny.’” (Qur’an 2:285)
Muslims arc rcquircd to trcat all ol thc mcsscngcrs ol
God as bcing cqual and not to diffcrcntiatc bctwccn any ol
thcm. Howcvcr, wc havc countlcss cascs ol today’s Sunnis
and Shia cxalting thc Prophct Mohammcd (and his lamily)
abovc all othcr prophcts and mcsscngcrs by stating hc was
thc ‘most honorablc’ mcsscngcr, mcntioning his namc
in thcir daily Salat, invoking an honorific titlc “Salalahu
Aliyhi Va Salam” at cvcry mcntion ol his namc, stating
that thc Prophct pcrlormcd miraclcs not mcntioncd in
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thc authcntic history capturcd in thc Scripturc, stating
that thc Prophct has powcrs ol intcrccssion to savc thc
sinncrs lrom amongst his lollowcrs, ctc.
Stoning Adulterers to Death
“Te adulteress and the adulterer, you shall lash each
of them with one hundred lashes, and do not let any
pity overtake you regarding the system of God if you
believe in God and the Last Day. And let a group of
the believers witness their punishment.” (Qur’an 24:2)
Tc law which applics in thc casc ol provcn adultcry
involving indcpcndcnt lcmalcs (Muhsanat) is to punish
thc adultcrcrs with onc hundrcd lashcs.
Ðo thc Sunnis and Shia lollow and obcy this law:
Tc Sunni and Shia scholars dcclarcd that thc law in
thc Scripturc is not clcar. Tcy claimcd that thc adultcrcrs
arc not dcfincd in thc Scripturc as lar as thcir marital
status is conccrncd, and thus thcy institutcd ‘stoning to
dcath’ as thc punishmcnt lor marricd adultcrcrs.
Morc invcstigation rcvcals that thc masscs arc oncc
again lollowing thc tcachings passcd down through thc
Jcwish rabbis and biblical scripturcs whcrc thc punishmcnt
lor adultcry is stoning to dcath.
|Ðcut 22:20—21| 8ut il thc thing is truc, that thc
tokcns ol virginity wcrc not lound in thc young
woman, thcn thcy shall bring out thc young
woman to thc door ol hcr lathcr’s housc, and
thc mcn ol hcr city shall stonc hcr to dcath with
stoncs, bccausc shc has wrought lolly in !sracl by
playing thc harlot in hcr lathcr’s housc, so you
shall purgc thc cvil lrom thc midst ol you.
|Lcv 20:10| !l a man commits adultcry with thc
wilc ol his ncighbor, both thc adultcrcr and thc
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adultcrcss shall bc put to dcath.
Vill thc masscs plcad ignorancc on Judgmcnt Ðay lor
blatantly lollowing qucstionablc laws othcr than thosc
lound in thc Qur’an:
Cutting the Hands of Tieves
[Yusuf Ali Translation 5:38]: As to the thief, Male or
female, cut off his or her hands: a punishment by way
of example, from Allah, for their crime: and Allah is
Exalted in power.
Tc subjcct ol thclt has bccn onc that causcs much
controvcrsy in its traditional undcrstanding and application
throughout thc Muslim world. Tc scholars ol today and
thc past havc all subscribcd to thc punishmcnt ol cutting
off ol thc hands and thus wc witncss sccncs ol amputations
bcing carricd out in countrics that claim to uphold thc
Qur’an. Howcvcr, had thcy carricd out thc cxtra stcp ol
looking at thc “cxamplcs” within thc Qur’an lor guidancc,
thcy would havc comc to a lar diffcrcnt conclusion.
Tc story ol Joscph and his brothcrs providcs thc
clcarcst and simplcst cxamplc lor how to dcal with thc
subjcct ol thclt…
“Tey said: ‘By God, you know we have not come to
cause corruption in the land, and we are not thieves!’
Tey said: ‘What shall be the punishment, if you are
not truthful?’ Tey said: ‘ Te punishment is that he
in whose saddlebag it is found will himself serve as
the punishment. It is so that we punish the wicked.’”
(Qur’an 12:73-75)
Tc law ol God that Joscph applicd against his brothcr
in thc mattcr ol thclt did not lcad to any amputation ol
thc hand or any othcr mindlcss act ol violcncc. !t did,
howcvcr, lcad to thc brothcr bcing madc to rcmain bchind
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and work as against thc valuc ol thc itcm which hc was
accuscd ol stcaling.
Looking back at vcrsc 5:38, and il wc apply thc corrcct
translation, wc gct a complctcly diffcrcnt undcrstanding
lrom that ol Yusul Ali:
“As for the thief, both male and female, you shall cut
from their resources – as a penalty for what they have
earned – to be made an example of from God. God is
Noble, Wise.” (Qur’an 5:38)
Tc corrcct undcrstanding ol thc vcrsc not only matchcs
thc cxamplc ol thc punishmcnt lor thclt givcn in thc
Scripturc, but it is also in linc with thc othcr chccks and
balanccs that God has laid down, such as thc rcquircmcnt
that thc punishmcnt should not cxcccd thc crimc (16:126).
Prohibiting Women from Salat During Menstruation
prayer (Salat), then wash your faces and your hands
up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet
to the ankles; and if you have had intercourse, then
you shall bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or
Vhilc God has clcarly outlincd lor His pcoplc what
causcs thc ablution to bccomc nullificd, thc Sunni and
Shia scholars havc invcntcd thcir own list to rival that ol
God. Tis list includcs mcnstruating womcn, cating camcl
mcat, and touching dogs.
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Prohibiting Men from Wearing Gold and Silk
“Say: ‘Who has made unlawful the nice things that
God has brought forth for His servants and the good
provisions?’ Say: ‘Tey are meant for those who believe
during this worldly life, and they will be exclusive for
them on the Day of Resurrection.’ It is such that We
explain the revelations for those who know.” (Qur’an
7:32)
To prohibit what God has madc lawlul is scvcrc to say
thc lcast. Prohibiting mcn lrom wcaring gold and silk is
onc ol thc many innovations thc scholars havc concoctcd.
Prohibiting Art and Music
“Tey made for him what he desired of enclosures, and
images and pools of deep reservoirs, and heavy pots.
‘O family of David, work to give thanks.’ Only a few
of My servants are thankful.” (Qur’an 34:13)
Not only arc thc arts and music not lorbiddcn in thc
Qur’an (which makcs thcm automatically pcrmissiblc),
but wc also havc an cxamplc ol Solomon commissioning
thc making ol statucs and vcrscs stating that bcautilul and
humblc voiccs arc cncouragcd. All this is a lar cry lrom
thc prohibitions that havc bccn lalscly attributcd to God
and His mcsscngcr.
Prohibiting the Keeping of Dogs for Domestic Use
“And you would think they are awake while they are
asleep. And We turn them on the right-side and on the
left-side, and their dog has his arms outstretched at the
threshold. If you looked upon them you would have run
away from them and you would have been filled with
terror from them!” (Qur’an 18:18)
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Humankind has bccn using dogs lor hunting and lor
domcstic purposcs (as pcts) lor as long as history has
bccn rccordcd. Tc Qur’an cvcn honorcd thc dog in thc
lamous story ol thc slccpcrs ol thc cavc, “Ahlul Kahl,” by
mcntioning that a dog was among thosc who wcrc aslccp
lor around 300 ycars. Yct, in onc movc, thc Sunnis and Shia
who continuc to disrcgard thc Qur’an dcclarcd that dogs
wcrc unclcan and that thcy cannot bc kcpt lor domcstic
usc but may only bc uscd lor hunting or protcction. Tcy
invcntcd ridiculous storics about thc dcvil appcaring in
thc lorm ol a black dog and thcy insist that il a pcrson
touchcs a dog, thcn hc/shc must wash scvcn timcs bclorc
bcing ablc to pray. As a rcsult, millions upon millions ol
Muslim childrcn havc bccn dcnicd thc plcasurc ol having
a dog as a pct.
Advocating the Killing of Apostates
“Tere is no compulsion in the system; the proper way
has been clarified from the wrong way. Whoever
rejects evil, and believes in God, indeed he has taken
grasp of the strongest hold that will never break. God
is Hearer, Knower.” (Qur’an 2:256)
Tc Qur’an statcs lrcqucntly that thcrc is no compulsion
in rcligion (2:256, 10:99, 88:2122).
Tc Qur’an advocatcs lrccdom ol bclicl and cxprcssion
(18:29).
Howcvcr, thc Sunnis and Shia havc convcrtcd this
systcm ol knowlcdgc and rcason into a mafia organization,
whcrc, oncc you cntcr, you can ncvcr lcavc!
Narratcd Abdullah| Allah’s Mcsscngcr said, “Tc
blood ol a Muslim who conlcsscs that nonc has
thc right to bc worshippcd but Allah and that
! am His Mcsscngcr, cannot bc shcd cxccpt in
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thrcc cascs: in Qisas (cquality in punishmcnt) lor
murdcr, a marricd pcrson who commits illcgal
scxual intcrcoursc and thc onc who rcvcrts lrom
!slam (Apostatc) and lcavcs thc Muslims.”
Allowing a Man to Marry Up to Four Wives
“And give the orphans their money, and do not replace
the good with the bad, and do not consume their
money with your money; for truly this is a great sin!
And if you fear that you cannot be just to the orphans,
then you may marry those who are agreeable to you
of the women: two, and three, and four. But if you
fear you will not be fair, then only one, or whom you
maintain by your oaths. Tis is best that you do not
face financial hardship.” (Qur’an 4:2-3)
Today’s Sunnis and Shia bclicvc that duc to thcir high
scxual libido, God has givcn thcm an “opcn liccnsc” to
marry up to lour womcn to satisly somc ancicnt homo
sapien scxual nccd.
Vhat thcsc traditionalists havc convcnicntly ovcr
lookcd is that marriagc to morc than onc wilc is restricted
to thc prcscncc ol orphans and thus thc womcn mcn
tioncd arc in lact thc mothcrs ol orphans alrcady undcr
thc guardianship ol a man.
Tc liccnsc lor polygamy is not a liccnsc to indulgc
onc’s scxual dcsirc and lantasics, but is drivcn by
a conccrn lor thc wcllarc ol orphans and human
compassion so as to incorporatc thc orphancd lamily
as pcrmancnt mcmbcrs and cquals into thc houschold
thcy arc alrcady living in.
Nullifying the Divorce Laws of the Scripture
“O you prophet, if any of you have divorced the
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women, then they should be divorced while ensuring
that their required interim is fulfilled, and keep count
of the interim. You shall reverence God your Lord,
and do not evict them from their homes, nor should
they leave, unless they commit an evident lewdness.
And these are the boundaries of God. And anyone
who transgresses the boundaries of God has wronged
his soul. You never know; perhaps God will make
something come out of this.” (Qur’an 65:1)
Tc Qur’an is vcry strict on thc subjcct ol divorcc and
highlights thc nccd lor a thrccmonth intcrim pcriod. Tc
intcrim pcriod is critical in that thc couplc must rcmain undcr
thc samc rool. At any timc during this phasc, thc divorcc
procccdings may bc canccllcd and thc marriagc rcsumcd.
Comparc this to thc dcstructivc divorcc laws practiccd
by today’s scholars whcrcby thc man can divorcc thc
mothcr ol his childrcn on thc spot by simply uttcring thc
words “you arc divorccd” and whcrc thc ‘intcrim’ pcriod
rcquiring thcm to rcmain togcthcr is complctcly ignorcd!
Denying Wills and Testaments
“God directs you regarding the inheritance of your
children: ‘ To the male shall be as that given to two
females. If they are women, more than two, then they
will have two thirds of what is inherited. And if she
is only one, then she will have one half. And to his
parents, each one of them shall have one sixth of what
is inherited, if he has a child. If he has no child and his
parents are the heirs, then to his mother is one third;
if he has siblings then to his mother is one sixth. All
after a will is carried through or a debt. Your parents
and your children, you do not know which are closer
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to you in benefit, a directive from God, for God is
Knowledgeable, Wise.’” (Qur’an 4:11)
Tc Qur’an only allows its inhcritancc guidclincs to
bc uscd il thcrc is no will and tcstamcnt, or il thcrc is
inhcritancc still lclt ovcr altcr thc stipulations ol a will
and tcstamcnt havc bccn carricd out. As can bc cxpcctcd,
thc scholars havc dccidcd to opposc thc law ol God and
havc statcd that a will and tcstamcnt bccomcs null and
void il thc dcccascd has dcsccndants.
Testifying to the Messengership of the Prophet
“When the hypocrites come to you they say: ‘We bear
witness that you are the messenger of God.’ And God
knows that you are His messenger, and God bears
witness that the hypocrites are liars.” (Qur’an 63:1)
“Any good that befalls you is from God, and any evil
that befalls you is from yourself. We have sent you
as a messenger to the people and God is enough as a
witness.” (Qur’an 4:79)
Although God says that Hc is enough as a witncss to
thc mcsscngcrship ol thc Prophct, thc masscs insist on
not bclicving thc words ol thc Lord by giving tcstimony
(saying: “wc bcar witncss that Mohammcd is thc
mcsscngcr ol God”) to this cffcct cach and cvcry day.
Tcy havc thus lallcn into thc samc trap that thosc
during thc timc ol thc Prophct had lallcn into... ol saying
with thcir mouths thc words that provc that thcir hcarts
dcny thc truth.
What Have We Done!
Tc abovc cxamplcs arc mcrcly thc tip ol thc iccbcrg and
thc contradictions bctwccn thc Sunni and Shia vcrsions ol
!slam and thc !slam taught to us by God and His Mcsscngcr
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run much widcr and dccpcr, ranging lrom thc structurc
ol govcrnmcnt, to thc count ol thc ycar, to thc taxation
imposcd, ctc. !t is thcrclorc no wondcr that thc wrath ol
God is upon us and that wc arc dcstincd lor humiliation
and dcstruction unlcss wc mcnd our ways and changc.
All wc had to do was vcrily what wc wcrc bcing
constantly told and taught and nonc ol this mcss would
havc happcncd…
God has callcd us ncithcr Sunni nor Shia nor has Hc
advocatcd thc laws that thc masscs currcntly imposc in
His namc, but Hc has callcd us Muslims (thosc who havc
submittcd) sincc thc days ol our lathcr Abraham, and that
is a namc wc should all proudly carry.
“And strive in the cause of God its truly deserved
striving. He is the One who has chosen you, and He
has made no hardship for you in the system, the creed
of your father Abraham; He is the One who named
you ‘those who have submitted’ from before and in
this. So let the messenger be witness over you and you
be witness over the people. So hold the contact prayer
and contribute towards purification and hold tight to
God, He is your patron. What an excellent Patron,
and what an excellent Supporter.” (Qur’an 22:78)
May God lorgivc us lor all thc wrong that wc havc donc…
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6
Social Responsibility
8csidcs thc laws rcvcalcd by God that wcrc dcsigncd to
govcrn our livcs, and which arc covcrcd in latcr chaptcrs, thc
Scripturc has also listcd somc rulcs ol ctiqucttc, which wc arc
adviscd to apply in our dcalings with cach othcr.
“Tis Qur’an guides to that which is more upright, and
it gives glad tidings to the believers who do good works
that they will have a bountiful reward.” (Qur’an 17:9)
Tc lollowing list docs not contain laws (in thc lcgal
scnsc), but whcn God makcs a rccommcndation, it is
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always advisablc lor us to “hcar and obcy” lor this will
guarantcc happincss lor all involvcd.
Always Respond to a Greeting
“And if you are greeted with a greeting, then return
an even better greeting or return the same. God is
Reckoning over all things.” (Qur’an 4:86)
Say Good Tings
“Have you not seen how God puts forth the example
that a good word is like a good tree, whose root is
firm and whose branches are in the heaven. It bears
its fruit every so often with the permission of its
Lord; and God puts forth the examples for the people,
perhaps they will remember.” (Qur’an 14:24-25)
Be Humble and Speak Lightly
“‘And be humble in how you walk and lower your
voice. For the harshest of all voices is the voice of the
donkeys.’” (Qur’an 31:19)
Invite to God with Wisdom and Kindness
“Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and
good advice, and argue with them in that which is
better. Your Lord is fully aware of who is misguided
from His path, and He is fully aware of the guided
ones.” (Qur’an 16:125)
would have dispersed from you; so pardon them and ask
forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter; but
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when you are convinced, then put your trust in God; for
God loves those who put their trust.” (Qur’an 3:159)
Be Kind to Your Parents
“And your Lord decreed that you shall not serve
except He, and do good to your parents. When one
of them or both of them reach old age, do not say to
them a word of disrespect nor shout at them, but say
to them a kind saying. And lower for them the wing
of humility through mercy, and say: ‘My Lord, have
mercy upon them as they have raised me when I was
small.’” (Qur’an 17:23-24)
Suppress Anger and Forgive People
“And race towards forgiveness from your Lord and
a Paradise whose width encompasses the width of
the heavens and of the earth; it has been prepared for
the righteous. Te ones who spend in prosperity and
adversity, and who repress anger, and who pardon the
people; God loves the good doers.” (Qur’an 3:133-134)
Counter Evil with Good
“Not equal are the good and the bad response. You
shall resort to the one which is better. Tus, the one
who used to be your enemy, may become your best
friend.” (Qur’an 41:34)
“And those who are patient seeking the face of their
Lord; and they hold the contact prayer, and they spend
from what We have bestowed upon them secretly and
openly, and they counter evil with good; these will have
an excellent abode.” (Qur’an 13:22)
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Do Not Say Bad Tings
“And the example of a bad word is like a tree which
has been uprooted from the surface of the earth, it has
nowhere to settle.” (Qur’an 14:26)
Do Not Be Arrogant or Carefree
“‘And do not turn your cheek arrogantly from people,
nor shall you roam the earth insolently. For God does
not love the arrogant show off.’” (Qur’an 31:18)
Do Not Engage in Ignorant Talk
“And the servants of the Almighty who walk on the
earth in humility and if the ignorant speak to them,
they say: ‘Peace.’” (Qur’an 25:63)
Do Not Insult the Idolaters
“And do not insult those who call on other than God,
lest they insult God out of ignorance. And We have
similarly adorned for every nation their works; then to
their Lord is their return and He will inform them of
what they had done.” (Qur’an 6:108)
Do Not Make Fun of Others or Call Tem Names
“O you who believe, let not a people ridicule other
people, for they may be better than they. Nor shall
any women ridicule other women, for they may be
better than they. Nor shall you mock one another, or
call each other names; miserable indeed is the name of
wickedness after attaining faith. And anyone who does
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not repent, then these are the transgressors.” (Qur’an
49:11)
Do Not Be Suspicious, Spy, or Backbite
“O you who believe, if a wicked person comes to you
with any news, then you shall investigate it. Lest you
harm a people out of ignorance, then you will become
regretful over what you have done.” (Qur’an 49:6)
“O you who believe, you shall avoid much suspicion,
for some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one
another, nor shall you backbite. Would any of you
enjoy eating the flesh of his dead brother? You
certainly would hate this. You shall observe God. God
is Redeemer, Merciful.” (Qur’an 49:12)
Do Not Be Racist
“O mankind, We created you from a male and female,
and We made you into nations and tribes, that you
may know one another. Surely, the most honorable
among you in the sight of God is the most righteous.
God is Knowledgeable, Expert.” (Qur’an 49:13)
Jihad/Striving
Tc word “Jihad” has bccn uscd by thc mcdia and cvcn
thc Muslim masscs as a synonym lor “Holy Var.” Tus,
supposcdly, whcn Muslims arc about to go to war or fight
an cncmy, thcy dcclarc “Jihad” against that cncmy and all
thc laithlul arc cxpcctcd to march bravcly and mobilizc
against such an cncmy.
Vhat wc find is that thc word “Jihad” is uscd in thc
Scripturc in rclation to thc gcncral act ol struggling or
striving and has ncvcr bccn uscd, as lalscly claimcd, solcly
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as a dcclaration ol somc lanatical holy war to bc wagcd
against thc infidcls and thcir allics.
8clow arc vcrscs that usc thc word “Jihad” and whosc
mcaning is scllcvidcnt:
“And We instructed the human being to be good to his
parents. But if they strive ( Jahada) to make you set
up partners with Me, then do not obey them. To Me
are all your destinies, and I will inform you of what
you used to do.” (Qur’an 29:8)
“If they strive ( Jahadaka) to make you set up any
partners besides Me, then do not obey them. But
continue to treat them amicably in this world. You
shall follow only the path of those who have sought Me.
Ultimately, you all return to Me, then I will inform
you of everything you have done.” (Qur’an 31:15)
“Tose who believe, and those who have immigrated
and strived ( Jahadu) in the cause of God; these are
seeking the mercy of God; and God is Forgiving,
Merciful.” (Qur’an 2:218)
“Or did you think that you would enter the Paradise
without God distinguishing those who would strive
( Jahadu) among you and distinguishing those who
are patient?” (Qur’an 3:142)
“Tose who have believed and emigrated and strived
( Jahadu) with their money and lives in the cause of
God, and those who have sheltered and supported;
these are the allies of one another. And those who
believed but did not emigrate, you do not owe them
any obligation until they emigrate. But if they seek
your help in the system, then you must support them,
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except if it is against a people with whom there is a
covenant between you and them. And God is Seer over
what you do.” (Qur’an 8:72)
“Tose who have remained are happy with their
position of lagging behind the messenger of God, and
they disliked striving (Yujahidu) with their money
and lives in the cause of God; and they say: ‘Do not
mobilize in the heat.’ Say: ‘ Te fire of Hell is much
hotter,’ if they could only understand.” (Qur’an 9:81)
Slaves and Concubines
Tc Qur’an had comc as a light and bcacon lor humankind
so that it could rcgulatc social rclations and to guidc thc
bclicving mcn and womcn. Howcvcr, wc scc a strangc
pattcrn ol bchavior among thc Sunni and Shia masscs
whcrcby thcy havc lcgitimizcd thc owning ol slavcs and
concubincs lor nothing morc than scxual plcasurc and
satislaction!
Òl coursc, to commit a sin and thcn claim that God
allowcd it is not ncw to humankind:
“And if they commit evil acts, they say: ‘We found our
fathers doing such, and God ordered us to it.’ Say: ‘God
does not order evil! Do you say about God what you do
not know?’” (Qur’an 7:28)
Tc truth ol thc mattcr is that thc Qur’an docs not,
under any circumstances, allow lor slavcs or concubincs.
What Is the “License” Regarding Servants?
“And marry off those among you that are single, and
the good from among your male and female servants
(!badikum). If they are poor, then God will grant
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them from His grace. And God is Encompassing,
Knowledgeable.” (Qur’an 24:32)
Clcarly, thc Qur’an givcs no liccnsc lor a pcrson to havc
illicit scxual rclations with his/hcr scrvant but rathcr spcaks
ol hclping thcm gct marricd as an act ol rightcousncss.
What about Slaves?
Tc Qur’an rcquircs in many rcpcatcd vcrscs that slavcs bc
sct lrcc as an act ol truc rightcousncss. At thc samc timc,
thcrc arc no vcrscs allowing thc crcation ol ncw slavcs.
Tus, il no onc is bcing cnslavcd whilc cxisting slavcs arc
bcing sct lrcc, thcn thc issuc ol slavcry bccomcs a non
issuc within a short pcriod ol timc lor any nation/statc
bcing govcrncd by thc Qur’an.
“Piety is not to turn your faces towards the east and the
west, but pious is one who believes in God and the Last
Day, and the angels, and the Book, and the prophets,
and who gives money out of love to the relatives, and
the orphans, and the needy, and the wayfarer, and
those who ask, and to free the slaves; and who upholds
the contact prayer, and who contributes towards
purification; and those who keep their pledges when
they make a pledge, and those who are patient in the
face of hardship and adversity and when in despair.
Tese are the ones who have been truthful, and these
are the righteous.” (Qur’an 2:177)
What about Captives?
Tc word in thc Scripturc lor captivcs is “Asra.” As cxpcctcd,
though thc Qur’an spcaks ol captivcs and how thcy should
bc trcatcd, it ncvcr, undcr any circumstanccs, providcs a
liccnsc lor anyonc to havc scx with thcm or abusc thcm or
rapc thcm!
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“And they give food out of love to the poor and the
orphan and the captive. ‘We only feed you seeking the
face of God; we do not desire from you any reward or
thanks.’” (Qur’an 76:8-9)
What about “Ma Malakat Aymanukum”?
Tc last scctarian jab at trying to find ways ol having illicit
scx comcs undcr thc dclibcratc misintcrprctation ol “Ma
Malakat Aymanukum.” !t is argucd that thc Qur’an givcs
liccnsc to havc scx with this catcgory ol womcn, which
mcans that concubincs arc pcrmittcd.
Tc pcoplc who put lorward such argumcnts apparcntly
do not carc to rcad thc Qur’an closcly, clsc thcy would
havc spottcd thc lollowing vcrsc:
“And whoever of you cannot afford to marry the in-
dependent female believers, then from those main-
tained by your oaths (Ma Malakat Aymanukum)
of the believing young women. And God is more
aware of your faith, some of you to each other. You
shall marry them with the permission of their par-
ents and give them their dowries in kindness; to
be independent, not for illicit sex or taking lovers.
When they become independent, then any of them
who come with lewdness shall have half of what
is the punishment for those independent. Tis is
for those who are concerned about deviating from
among you. But if you are patient it is better for you,
and God is Forgiver, Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:25)
!n thc clcarcst ol possiblc words, God is tclling us
that thc pcoplc lrom this catcgory (which includcs malcs
as wcll as lcmalcs 24:31) arc young pcoplc who arc still
undcr guardianship, and who can only bc cntcrcd into a
rclationship with undcr marriage, and that such marriagc
rcquircs thc approval ol thcir parcnts/guardians.
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So much lor concubincs!
Te Independent Women (Muhsanat)
To finish thc discussion rcgarding thc catcgorics ol
womcn and thc rcquircmcnt lor thcir marriagc, it is
worth looking at thc vcrscs that dcal with womcn who
havc bccomc “indcpcndcnt”:
“And the independent from the women, except those
maintained by your oaths; the book of God over you;
and permitted for you is what is beyond this, if you
are seeking with your money to be independent, not
for illicit sex. As for those whom you have already had
joy with, then you shall give them their dowries as
an obligation. Tere is no sin upon you for what you
agree on after the obligation. God is Knowledgeable,
Wise. And whoever of you cannot afford to marry
the independent female believers, then from those
maintained by your oaths of the believing young
women. And God is more aware of your faith, some
of you to each other. You shall marry them with the
permission of their parents and give them their dowries
in kindness; to be independent, not for illicit sex or
taking lovers. When they become independent, then
any of them who come with lewdness shall have half
of what is the punishment for those independent. Tis
is for those who are concerned about deviating from
among you. But if you are patient it is better for you,
and God is Forgiver, Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:24-25)
A woman bccomcs “indcpcndcnt” (Muhsana) lrom
hcr lamily/guardian by virtuc ol marriagc (4:25) or, by
scll invocation ol indcpcndcncc (24:33). Òncc a woman
bccomcs “indcpcndcnt,” thcn shc rctains such status lor
lilc, cvcn il shc bccomcs divorccd or widowcd. Morc
importantly, thc Qur’an cncouragcs that “indcpcndcnt/
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maturc” womcn bccomc thc first choicc lor marriagc ovcr
sccking youngcr partncrs (4:25).
Dress Code for Women
Tc Muslim nations ol today takc pridc in thc lact that
most ol thcir womcnlolk wcar hcadcovcrs whcn going out
or at work. Tcsc womcn arc considcrcd sacrcd bccausc
thcy arc adhcring to thc way ol thc Prophct and arc thus
rcprcscnting thc monothcistic laith. Fcw things idcntily
an !slamic woman as quickly as thc scarl thc wcaring ol
which is promotcd in schools, through thc mcdia, and
cvcn in lorcign countrics whcrc it has bccomc a mattcr ol
idcntity, such as in Francc.
Vhat il wc darcd say that thc lamous !slamic hcadscarl,
callcd a Hijaab, has no basis in thc 8ook ol God and is
thcrclorc an innovation:
How would all thosc millions ol dcvotcd womcn
and thcir mcnlolk lccl knowing that thcy havc bccn
cclcbrating an achicvcmcnt that has no basis in !slam and
can rathcr bc traccd back to Rabbinical Judaism:
Te Word “Hijab” In the Scripture?
Tc namc ol thc hcadcovcr in today’s !slam is Hijab. Tis
word and its dcrivativcs occur scvcn timcs in thc Scripturc,
and not oncc do thcy rclcr to a hcadcovcr or arc cvcn rclatcd
to drcss as thc masscs havc bccn lcd to bclicvc. Hcrc arc thc
occurrcnccs ol thc word “Hijab” in thc Qur’an: 7:46, 17:46,
19:17, 33:53, 38:32, 41:5, and 42:51.
Four Dress Code Rules
Tc lollowing lour rulcs arc what thc Qur’an has to say
about thc drcss codc lor womcn:
1. Righteousness is the Best Garment
“O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you gar-
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ments to alleviate your sin, and feathers; and the gar-
ment of righteousness is the best. Tat is from the signs
of God, perhaps they will remember.” (Qur’an 7:26)
2. Cover Your Private Parts
“And tell the believing females to lower their gaze and
keep covered their private parts...” (Qur’an 24:31)
3. Cover Your Breasts
keep covered their private parts, and that they should
not reveal their beauty except what is apparent, and let
them put forth their shawls over their cleavage. And let
them not reveal their beauty except to their husbands,
or their fathers, or fathers of their husbands, or their
sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or
the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or
their women, or those maintained by their oaths, or the
male servants who are without need, or the child who
has not yet understood the composition of women. And
let them not strike with their feet in a manner that
reveals what they are keeping hidden of their beauty.
And repent to God, all of you believers, that you may
succeed.” (Qur’an 24:31)
4. Dress Sensibly According to Situation
“O prophet, tell your wives, your daughters, and the
women of the believers that they should lengthen
upon themselves their outer garments. Tat is better
so that they will not be recognized and harmed. God
is Forgiver, Merciful.” (Qur’an 33:59)
Tc issuc ol drcss codc takcs on an cntircly ncw dimcnsion
il wc rcvcrt back to thc Scripturc and stop lollowing thc
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innovations that arc dcsigncd to undcrminc thc pcrlcct
systcm ol God. Muslim womcn arc to drcss according to
thc situation/placc thcy arc in. !l thcy arc at thc bcach, thcn
thcy may cxcrcisc thc minimum drcss codc rcquircmcnt
by covcring thcir gcnitalia and bosoms. !l thcy arc in a city
sctting, thcn thc minimum bccomcs unacccptablc as it
will attract harm in most cascs, and thus thc woman is to
drcss conscrvativcly (by lcngthcning hcr garmcnts). Tis
is thc dynamic systcm ol thc Scripturc, onc that providcs
lor thc nccds ol thc world as wcll as thc rcquircmcnts lor
thc Hcrcaltcr.
What about the Order to Stay at Home in 33:33?
“ You shall settle down in your homes, and do not go
about like in the old days of ignorance. You shall hold
the contact prayer, and contribute towards purification,
and obey God and His messenger. God wishes to remove
any affl iction from you, O people of the Sanctuary, and
to purify you completely.” (Qur’an 33:33)
Tc wivcs ol thc Prophct arc trcatcd unlikc othcr
womcn (33:32) and thus havc bccn givcn spccial rulcs
and status in thc Scripturc that do not apply to thc othcr
bclicvcrs. Hcrc arc somc cxamplcs ol thc diffcrcnccs:
• !l any ol thcm commits lcwdncss, shc rcccivcs doublc
thc punishmcnt ol ordinary bclicvcrs. (33:30)
• !l shc docs good works, thcn shc is grantcd
doublc thc rcward. (33:31)
• !l thc Prophct dics, thcn nonc ol his wivcs may
rcmarry. (33:53)
As such, thc laws that apply to thc wivcs ol thc Prophct
cannot bc (and should not bc) cnlorccd on othcr bclicving
womcn.
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7
Economic System
Thc Scripturc highlights thc principlc ol cconomic
dcvclopmcnt lor humankind and cstablishcs thc
guidclincs and rulcs with which such principlc is to
opcratc.
“Wealth and sons are a beauty of this worldly life.
But the good deeds that remain behind are better
with your Lord for a reward, and better for hope.”
(Qur’an 18:46)
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Te Value of Money
“O you who believe, many of the Priests and Monks
consume the money of the people in falsehood, and
they repel from the path of God. And those who hoard
gold and silver, and do not spend it in the cause of
God, give them news of a painful retribution.”
(Qur’an 9:34)
Moncy is rccognizcd as that which is coincd lrom
gold and/or silvcr or that which is printcd and backcd by
gold and/or silvcr as an acccptablc mcdium lor cxchangc
bctwccn pcoplc and/or cntitics.
Troughout history, gold and silvcr havc bccn among
thc things most in dcmand duc to thcir intrinsic industrial
valuc and high proccssing and cxtraction costs.
Tc notion ol using papcr as moncy can bc traccd
back to thc latc 1700s whcn thc Unitcd Statcs printcd
papcr dollars callcd thc contincntals. A problcm arosc
whcrc pcoplc rcluscd to cxchangc goods and scrviccs
lor mcrc papcr. Hcncc, thc U.S. saying “not worth a
contincntal.”
Ðuring thc Civil Var, thc U.S. printcd “grccnback”
papcr moncy, which, as a currcncy, pcoplc similarly rcjcctcd.
Pcoplc rccognizcd that thc papcr had no valuc, and thus,
thcy would bc trading thcir goods and scrviccs lor virtually
nothing. Tcy simply wcrc “not worth a grccnback.”
Convincing pcoplc to acccpt papcr as currcncy or moncy
was vcry clcvcrly achicvcd through a twostcp approach:
1. Papcr was issucd and backcd by a dcposit ol gold
and silvcr hcld by thc govcrnmcnt. Tus, pcoplc
wcrc comlortablc trading thc papcr, which, in
rcality, was a titlc to rcal gold or silvcr and which
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had thc lollowing words writtcn on it: “pay to
thc bcarcr on dcmand thc valuc ol…”
US Ðollars Notc—8ackcd by Gold and Silvcr
2. Òncc pcoplc bccamc comlortablc in cxchanging
goods and scrviccs using this papcr, thc
govcrnmcnts ol thc world in succcssion rcmovcd
thc gold and silvcr backing lrom thc papcr by
rcmoving thc statcmcnt “pay to thc bcarcr” and
thus all moncy thcrcaltcr bccamc known as fiat
moncy.
US Ðollars Today—8ackcd by Nothing
Most pcoplc today arc unawarc ol thc injusticc that has
bccn committcd, and that thcy arc working hard lor many
ycars whilc bcing paid in papcr. Vhilc somc may arguc
that papcr docs havc valuc bccausc it is acccptcd by othcrs
as paymcnt lor goods and scrviccs, this myth is quickly
cxposcd as soon as a govcrnmcnt collapscs or a statc ol war
is dcclarcd. Pcoplc who owncd millions ol fiat notcs can no
longcr afford to cvcn buy a mcal as no tradcr is willing to
acccpt what has apparcntly bccomc just a piccc ol papcr!
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Using thc !slamic principlc ol moncy coincd or backcd
by gold and silvcr, wc can scc how cvcn in thc cvcnt ol
govcrnmcnt collapsc or war, thc gold and silvcr will still
rctain its intrinsic valuc, and thc purchasing powcr will
only bc affcctcd by thc laws ol supply and dcmand. Tus,
thc loundation ol moncy bcing bascd on gold and silvcr is
in lact a loundation ol justicc.
Interest
“O you who believe, do not consume usury, compounding
over and over; and reverence God that you may succeed.”
(Qur’an 3:130)
To cxaminc thc subjcct ol “intcrcst,” wc nccd to first
dcfinc thc word. !slamic scholars havc conflicting opinions
rcgarding thc subjcct ol intcrcst. !s it any growth in moncy,
cvcn onc pcrccnt: Òr, is it an cxccssivc growth in moncy,
say morc than 10 pcrccnt:
Tcrc arc many books on thc subjcct writtcn by !slamic
scholars with vicws against any growth, and vicws against
cxccssivc growth. Ònc ol thc scholars at AlAzhar
Univcrsity, Cairo, wrotc a book on thc subjcct somc ycars
back, and hc camc to thc conclusion that thc intcrcst
mcntioncd in thc Scripturc (callcd “Riba” in Arabic)
was cxccssivc intcrcst. Hc had bascd thcsc findings on a
study ol cconomic principlcs and thc movcmcnt ol goods
and scrviccs, with thc prcmisc ol his argumcnt bcing: “!l
moncy docsn’t grow, thcn thcrc is no inccntivc to lcnd,
which mcans stagnation in cconomic dcvclopmcnt.”
To simplily our qucst, wc turn to thc Scripturc to
undcrstand thc mcaning ol intcrcst (Riba).
“And from among His signs is that you see the land
still, then, as soon as We send down the water upon
it, it shakes and grows (Rabat). Surely, the One who
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revived it can revive the dead. He is capable of all
things.” (Qur’an 41:39)
Hcrc, wc rcad that thc land, oncc it is lcd by watcr,
will grow (Rabat). Tis growth is givcn no mcasurc, nor
quantity, nor pcrccntagc.
Tus, in thc simplcst tcrms, wc find that intcrcst (Riba)
is any growth. Tis undcrstanding is confirmcd in vcrsc
30:39 bclow, which spcaks ol intcrcst as bcing a ‘growth’
in thc moncy ol thc pcoplc:
“And any usury you have taken to grow from the
money of the people, it will not grow with God. And
any contribution that you have placed seeking the face
of God, then those will be multiplied.” (Qur’an 30:39)
What Is the Ruling of the Scripture on Interest?
“Tose who consume usury do not rise except as one being
influenced by the touch of the devil. Tat is because they
have said: “Trade is the same as usury.” While God has
made trade lawful, and He has made usury unlawful.
Whoever has received understanding from His Lord and
ceases, then he will be forgiven for what was before this
and his case will be with God. But whoever returns, then
they are the people of the Fire, in it they will abide. God
condemns usury, and He grants growth to the charities.
And God does not love any wicked sinner. Tose who
believe and do good works, and hold the contact prayer,
and contribute towards purification; they will have their
recompense with their Lord and there is no fear over
them nor will they grieve. O you who believe, be aware of
God and give up what is left from usury, if you are truly
believers. And if you will not do this, then be aware of a
war from God and His messenger; but if you repent, then
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you will have back your principal money, you will not be
wronged nor will you wrong.” (Qur’an 2:275-279)
Tc Scripturc, using thc clcarcst possiblc languagc,
lorbids intcrcst and its transactions. !n lact, thc Scripturc
gocs onc stcp bcyond lorbidding and actually dcclarcs war
on thosc who insist on continuing in this practicc and
disrcgarding thc laws ol God.
Clcarly, this is a most scrious mattcr that is not to bc
takcn lightly or ovcrlookcd!
Why Is Interest Forbidden?
“And for their taking of usury, while they were
prohibited from doing so, and for their consuming the
money of the people unjustly. We have prepared for
the disbelievers among them a painful retribution.”
(Qur’an 4:161)
A study ol intcrcst using thc tools ol logic and rcason
will lcad us to thc lorcgonc conclusion which thc Scripturc
has alrcady highlightcd—thc issuc ol injusticc.
Vhat has intcrcst got to do with injusticc:
Using simplificd cxamplc, wc will show how thc
injusticc cxists:
• Vc will takc a small villagc, cut off lrom thc
world, and with a population ol only 100 pcoplc.
• A wcalthy villagcr has cnough gold and silvcr to
producc cxactly 1,000 coins, and hc convinccs
thc villagcrs that to usc thcsc coins as a mcdium
ol cxchangc is casicr than thc bartcr systcm thcy
had bccn cngagcd in.
• Tc wcalthy villagcr (wc will call him “thc
bankcr”) lcnds his moncy in rcturn lor intcrcst.
So, lor cvcry tcn coins hc lcnds, hc dcmands onc
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cxtra coin in rcturn as intcrcst.
• Now, at thc cnd ol thc loan pcriod (assumc it is
onc ycar), thc bankcr gocs to collcct his moncy
plus thc intcrcst. Hc finds that somc villagcrs
wcrc succcsslul through thcir work and tradc in
making thc cxtra onc coin, whilc othcrs simply
could not makc thc intcrcst paymcnt.
• Tc bankcr thcn confiscatcs thc propcrtics/
posscssions ol thosc villagcrs who dclaultcd. Tcsc
propcrtics/posscssions arc worth an amount at
lcast cqual to thc moncy plus intcrcst owcd.
• Tcn, thc bankcr starts thc ncw ycar oncc again
by lcnding out his 1,000 coins in rcturn lor
intcrcst, and thc cyclc gocs on…
Tough this cxamplc is cxtrcmcly simplificd, you may
havc bccn ablc to undcrstand thc dcsign flaw rclatcd to
thc issuc ol intcrcst. Tc flaw cxists in that no mattcr how
hard thc villagcrs work, or how many goods thcy arc ablc
to producc, thcy will ncvcr all bc ablc to mcct thc intcrcst
paymcnt simply bccausc only 1,000 coins cxist, whilc thc
bankcr is waiting lor 1,100 to bc rcturncd to him at thc
cnd ol thc ycar (hcncc it is a physical impossibility). Tis
is why intcrcst is lorbiddcn in thc Scripturc and why God
dcclarcs war on thosc who partakc ol it. !t is a lraudulcnt
systcm dcsigncd to trick pcoplc into giving up thcir
posscssions bit by bit until thc bankcrs own cvcrything
and thc lrcc pcoplc bccomc slavcs on thcir own propcrty!
Financial Institutions
Tc practiccs ol financial institutions today warrant
mcntion sincc thcy arc not in conlormity with thc
guidclincs sct out by thc Scripturc. 8csidcs thc issuc ol
intcrcst (which is covcrcd in this chaptcr) thcrc arc somc
clcmcnts that nccd to bc highlightcd.
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Te Holding of Deposits
“And from among the people of the Book are those
whom if you entrust him with a large amount he gives
it back to you, and there are those whom if you entrust
with one gold coin he will not return it to you unless
you are standing over him. Tat is because they said:
“We have no obligation towards the Gentiles.” Tey say
about God lies while they know.” (Qur’an 3:75)
Tc practicc ol banking today is bascd on thc banks
using thc moncy ol thcir customcrs to makc loans or
othcr financial transactions, thus bccoming richcr and
richcr without any bcncfit accruing to thc owncr ol thc
moncy. Tis practicc is akin to a pcrson lcaving his/hcr
car at a parking garagc only to havc thc car rcntcd out
by thc attcndants without thc conscnt ol thc owncr.
!l all thc dcpositors wcrc to comc and withdraw thcir
moncy at oncc (known as a run on thc bank) thcy
would bc shockcd to discovcr that thc bank docs not
havc thcir moncy and lilc savings availablc in its vaults
as it has bccn lcnding and invcsting and cvcn losing thc
moncy without thc pcrmission ol thc truc owncrs ol
such moncy!
Tc financial institutions arc not thc owncrs ol thc
moncy dcpositcd with thcm, and thcrclorc arc not
pcrmittcd undcr thc Scripturc to lcnd, invcst, or othcrwisc
utilizc or bcncfit lrom such moncy without thc lull
approval and conscnt ol thc moncy owncr. Ðcpositors
would pay a lcc to thc financial institutions lor cnsuring
thc salckccping ol thcir moncy (by having vaults and
sccurity). Ðcpositors would only rcccivc paymcnt lrom
thc financial institution il thcir moncy was bcing utilizcd
and thcy wcrc rccciving a sharc ol thc profits (or loss)
lrom such utilization.
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Granting Credit Facilities
“O you who believe, if you borrow for a future
period, then you shall record it. And let a scribe of
justice record it for you; and let not the scribe refuse
to record as God has taught him. Let him record and
let the person who is borrowing dictate to him, and
let him be aware of God, and let him not reduce
from it anything. If the one who is borrowing is
immature or weak or he cannot dictate himself, then
let his guardian dictate with justice; and bring two
witnesses from among your men; if there are not two
men, then a man and two women from whom you
will accept their testimony, so that if one of them
becomes blindsided, then the one can remind the
other. And let the witnesses not refuse to come if they
are called. And do not fail to record it no matter how
small or large until its maturity. Tat is more just
with God and better for the testimony, and better
that you do not have doubts; except if it is a trade to
be done on the spot between you, then there is no sin
upon you if you do not record it. And have evidence if
you trade. No scribe shall be harmed nor any witness;
for if you do so then it is a wickedness on your part,
and be aware of God and God teaches you and God is
aware of all things.” (Qur’an 2:282)
Lcnding is pcrmittcd lor financial institutions on
condition that thcrc is no intcrcst involvcd, and that thc
financial institution is lcnding its own moncy, or thcrc is
clcar authorization lrom thc owncr ol thc moncy allowing
such lcnding to takc placc.
Tcrc arc altcrnativc mcthods ol financing that
conlorm to thc principlcs ol thc Qur’an and which will
grant bcncfits/rcturns to thc owncrs ol thc moncy whilc
avoiding thc injusticc ol intcrcst:
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Purchase Financing (Murabaha)
Tis is thc mcthod whcrcby thc bank buys thc goods on
bchall ol thc customcr and thcn sclls it to thc customcr
at a highcr pricc ovcr a longcr pcriod ol timc (c.g., thc
bank buys thc housc that Mrs. Adam wants lor 100,000
Ðinars and thcn sclls it to Mrs. Adam lor 120,000 Ðinars
ovcr an installmcnt pcriod ol 5 ycars). Although thc goods
or propcrty would bc givcn to thc customcr immcdiatcly,
thcy would rcmain in thc namc/owncrship ol thc bank as
collatcral until lull paymcnt is rcccivcd.
Tc diffcrcncc bctwccn this mcthod and that ol giving
a dircct loan that involvcs intcrcst is thrcclold:
• Tcrc is no cxchangc ol cash lor morc cash (this
is thc inhcrcnt flaw in thc casc ol intcrcst).
• Tc itcm rcmains thc propcrty ol thc scllcr until
final paymcnt is madc.
• Tc pricc ol thc itcm is fixcd (in this casc at
120,000) with no possibility ol incrcasc cvcn
in cascs ol dclault (thc dcal may bc callcd off,
or thc propcrty confiscatcd and sold to anothcr
customcr, but thc pricc will not incrcasc).
Investment Financing (Musharaka)
!nvcstmcnt Financing is thc cntcring into partncrship
lor a spccific vcnturc or company with cach participant
considcrcd a part owncr according to his/hcr sharc.
!nvcstmcnt is a highly cncouragcd usc ol moncy as it
not only crcatcs wcalth lor thc invcstor (il thc vcnturc
is succcsslul), but it also crcatcs jobs and bolstcrs thc
cconomy through thc circulation ol moncy.
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Development/Construction Financing (Istisn’a)
Tis mcthod ol financing is suitablc lor projccts or goods
that arc yct to bc dcvclopcd/produccd, but which thc
customcr will bc committcd to purchasing oncc thc dcal
is donc. Tc bank would pay thc contractor or dcvclopcr
dircctly and, oncc thc projcct is complctc, it would scll to
thc customcr according to whatcvcr tcrms and amounts
wcrc agrccd prior to thc dcvclopmcnt/construction.
Interest-free Loans
Tc bank may providc intcrcstlrcc loans to its
customcrs according to how it sccs fit. Such loans may
bc collatcralizcd partially or lully to rcmovc any conccrn
or doubt about rcpaymcnt.
Credit Cards
Crcdit cards may bc uscd in an !slamic bascd cconomy as
long as thc cardholdcr is not chargcd any intcrcst. Tc way
this can at thc samc timc bc profitablc lor thc crcdit card
companics is lor rctailcrs to agrcc to givc a pricc “discount”
to thc crcdit card companics whcncvcr thcir card is uscd
to makc a purchasc. Tus, whilc an itcm may cost 100
Ðinars to purchasc in cash, thc rctailcr would only bill
thc crcdit card company lor 95 Ðinars, whilc thc crcdit
card company bills thc cardholdcr lor thc lull pricc ol 100
Ðinars (thc 5 Ðinar bccomcs thc rcvcnuc lor thc crcdit
card company scrviccs).
Te Buying and Selling of Foreign Currencies
“And it was thus that We delivered them so they
would ask themselves. A speaker from among them
said: ‘How long have you stayed?’ Tey said: ‘We
stayed a day or part of a day.’ He said: ‘ Your Lord is
surely aware how long you stayed, so send one of you
with these stamped coins of yours to the city, and let
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him see which is the tastiest food, and let him come
with a provision of it. And let him be careful and let
no one notice you.’” (Qur’an 18:19)
Tc buying and sclling ol lorcign currcncics is pcrmittcd
on condition that thc itcms bcing cxchangcd arc ol an
cqual valuc (i.c. moncy backcd by gold and silvcr cannot
bc tradcd lor a fiat notc).
Land Ownership
“And remember that He made you successors after
‘Aad, and He established you in the land so that you
make palaces on its plains, and you carve homes in the
mountains. So remember the grace of God, and do not
roam the earth as corrupters.” (Qur’an 7:74)
“And We let the people who were weak inherit the
east of the land and the west of it which We have
blessed. And the good word of your Lord was completed
towards the Children of Israel for their patience; and
We destroyed what Pharaoh and his people were doing,
and what they contrived.” (Qur’an 7:137)
Land may bc owncd by individuals or cntitics and may
bc tradcd, bought and sold. Howcvcr, it is thc duty ol any
!slamic govcrnmcnt/statc to cnsurc that thc land is bcing
dcvclopcd or improvcd and that it is not simply trading
hands lor profit. Tis can bc achicvcd through a systcm
ol pcnaltics and fincs which can bc applicd to rcsidcntial
arcas to cnsurc that no land is bcing bought without thcrc
bcing a clcar purposc and plan to dcvclop and utilizc it.
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8
Environmental Protection
Tc Scripturc placcs much locus on thc issuc ol
cnvironmcntal protcction, which includcs thc protcction
ol both animals and thc ¡arth. An cvidcnt attributc ol a
statc that adhcrcs to thc Scripturc would bc its locus on
thc cnvironmcnt and ways in which thc cnvironmcnt can
bc protcctcd and thc balancc maintaincd.
“And He raised the heaven and He established
the balance. Do not transgress in the balance.”
(Qur’an 55:7-8)
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Tc itcms listcd arc scllcxplanatory:
Te Restricted Months
“O you who believe, honor your contracts. Made lawful
for you are all the animals of the livestock, except that
which is being recited to you. You are not permitted to
hunt the game while you are under restriction. God
decrees as He pleases.” (Qur’an 5:1)
“O you who believe, do not violate the symbols of God,
nor the restricted month, nor the donations, nor what
is regulated, nor the safety made by the Restricted
Sanctuary; for they are seeking a bounty from their
Lord and a blessing. And when it is permitted for you,
then you may hunt. And let not the hatred of another
people; because they had barred you from the Restricted
Temple; make you aggress. And help each other in piety
and righteousness, and do not help each other in sin and
aggression. And be aware of God, for the retribution of
God is severe.” (Qur’an 5:2)
“Lawful for you is the catch of the sea, to eat it as
enjoyment for you and for those who travel; and
unlawful for you is the catch of the land as long as you
are under restriction; and be aware of God to whom
you will be gathered.” (Qur’an 5:96)
Hunting Penalties
“O you who believe, do not kill any game while you
are restricted; and whoever of you kills it deliberately,
then the recompense is to value what was killed
against the livestock, which shall be judged by two
equitable persons from you, and to make it as a
donation to reach the Ka’aba. Or, its expiation shall
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be in using it to feed the needy ones, while he abstains
from it; that is to suffer the results of his deed; God
forgives what has past. And whoever returns, then
God will seek vengeance on him. God is Noble,
capable of vengeance.” (Qur’an 5:95)
“God has made the Ka’aba to be the Restricted Sanc-
tuary; to enforce for the people, and for the restricted
month, and for the donations, and for regulation;
that is so you may know that God knows what is in
the heavens and what is in earth, and that God is
aware of all things.” (Qur’an 5:97)
Restricted Foods
“Forbidden to you is that which is already dead,
and the blood, and the meat of pig, and what was
dedicated to other than God, and that which has
been strangled, and that which has been beaten to
death, and that which has fallen from a height, and
that which has been gored, and that which the wild
animals have eaten from except what you managed
to rescue, and what has been slaughtered on altars,
and what you divide by the arrows of chance. Tis is
wickedness. Today the rejecters have given up from
your system, so do not be concerned by them, but be
concerned by Me. Today I have perfected your system
for you, and completed My blessings upon you, and I
have approved submission as the system for you. So,
whoever is forced by severe hunger and not seeking
sin, then God is Forgiving, Merciful.” (Qur’an 5:3)
“Tey ask you what was made lawful to them, say:
“All the good things have been made lawful for you,
and what the trained dogs and birds catch, you teach
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them from what God teaches you.” So eat from what
they have captured for you and mention the name of
God upon it, and be aware of God. God is swift in
reckoning.” (Qur’an 5:4)
“Today, the good things have been made lawful to
you, and the food of those who have been given the
Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for
them; and the independent females from those who
are believers, and the independent females from those
who have been given the Book before you, if you have
given them their dowries, to be independent, not for
illicit sex or taking lovers. And whoever rejects belief,
then his work has fallen, and in the Hereafter he is of
the losers.” (Qur’an 5:5)
“So eat from that on which the name of God has
been mentioned, if you indeed believe in His
revelations. And why should you not eat that on
which the name of God has been mentioned, when
He has fully detailed to you what has been made
unlawful; except what you are forced to? Many
misguide by their desires without knowledge; your
Lord is fully aware of the transgressors. And leave
what is openly a sin and what is subtle of it; those
who earn sin will be punished for what they have
taken. And do not eat from that which the Name of
God has not been mentioned, for it is wickedness.
And the devils they inspire their supporters to
argue with you; and if you obey them, then you are
polytheists.” (Qur’an 6:118-121)
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Ecological Balance
“Have you noted the crops you reap? Did you grow
them, or were We the Ones who grew them? If We
wished, We can turn them into hay. Ten you will be
left in wonderment: ‘We are lost. No, we are deprived!’
Have you noted the water you drink? Did you send it
down from the clouds, or was it We who sent it down?
If We wished, We can make it salty. If only you would
give thanks. Have you noted the fire you kindle? Did
you establish its tree, or was it We who established it?
We rendered it a reminder, and a useful tool for the
users. You shall glorify the name of your Lord, the
Great.” (Qur’an 56:63-74)
“Until they came to a valley of ants, a female ant said:
‘O ants, enter your homes else you will be crushed by
Solomon and his soldiers while they do not notice.’ He
then smiled, amused by what she said. And he said:
‘My Lord, help me to be thankful for the blessings You
have bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and
that I may do good works that pleases You, and admit
me by Your Mercy with Your righteous servants.’”
(Qur’an 27:18-19)
“Damage has appeared in the land and the sea at the
hands of people by what they earn. He will make them
taste some of what they have done, perhaps they will
return.” (Qur’an 30:41)
8y ncglccting our dutics as a spccics and by abusing
thc natural cnvironmcnt, wc risk damaging thc habitat
and homc that God has madc to providc lor us until thc
Ðay ol Judgmcnt. !t is only now in this ccntury, altcr thc
damagc has bccn donc, that humankind undcrstands thc
scvcrity ol thcsc warnings.
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9
Civil Laws
Tis chaptcr will dcal with thc laws ol thc Scripturc
rcgarding most (il not all) aspccts ol lamily, lrom marriagc,
lamily disputcs, divorcc procccdings, dcath and burial, to
thc handling ol wills and inhcritancc.
Marriage
Tc lollowing arc thc conditions to bc mct by pcoplc who
arc sccking marriagc:
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Tat the marriage is between a male and a female
“ ‘Do you approach the males of the worlds? And you
leave what your Lord has created for you of mates?
You are an intrusive people!’” (Qur’an 26:165-166)
Te male and female are not of the restricted groups
“And do not marry who your fathers had married
from the women, except what has already been done.
It is a lewdness, and an abhorrence, and an evil path.
Forbidden for you are your mothers, and your daughters,
and your sisters, and the sisters of your father, and the
sisters of your mother, and the daughters of your brother,
and the daughters of your sister, and your foster mothers
who suckled you, and your sisters from suckling, and
the mothers of your women, and your step-daughters
who are in your lodgings from your women with
whom you have already consummated the marriage; if
you have not consummated the marriage then there is
no sin upon you; and those who were in wedlock with
your sons who are from your seed, and that you join
between two sisters except what has already been done.
God is Forgiving, Merciful. And the independent from
the women, except those maintained by your oaths; the
book of God over you; and permitted for you is what is
beyond this, if you are seeking with your money to be
independent, not for illicit sex. As for those whom you
have already had joy with, then you shall give them
their dowries as an obligation. Tere is no sin upon
you for what you agree on after the obligation. God is
Knowledgeable, Wise.” (Qur’an 4:22-24)
“Te divorce is allowed twice. So, either they remain
together equitably, or they part ways with goodness.
And it is not lawful for you to take back anything you
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have given them unless you fear that they will not
uphold the boundaries of God. So if you fear that they
will not uphold the boundaries of God, then there is
no sin upon them for what is given back. Tese are
the boundaries of God so do not transgress them.
And whoever shall transgress the boundaries of God,
then these are the wicked. So if he divorces her again,
then she will not be lawful for him until after she
has married a different husband; if he divorces her;
then there is no sin that they come back together if
they think they will uphold the boundaries of God.
Tese are the boundaries of God, He clarifies them for
a people who know.” (Qur’an 2:229-230)
Te male and female requesting marriage are single
4
“And let those who are not able to marry continue to
be chaste until God enriches them of His Bounty. And
if those who are maintained by your oaths seek to
consummate the marriage, then document it with them
if you find that they are ready, and give them from the
wealth of God which He has bestowed upon you. And
do not force your daughters into marriage when they
have desired independence, in order that you may make
a gain in the goods of this worldly life. But if anyone
has compelled them, then for their compulsion, God is
Forgiving, Merciful.” (Qur’an 24:33)
Te male and female have parental consent if minors
“And whoever of you cannot afford to marry the
independent female believers, then from those
4 According to thc Scripturc in 4:3, an cxccption is allowcd lor a man to marry
up to 4 wivcs il thcy arc thc mothcrs ol orphans who arc alrcady undcr his carc.
98
permission of their parents and give them their
dowries in kindness; to be independent, not for illicit
sex or taking lovers. When they become independent,
then any of them who come with lewdness shall have
half of what is the punishment for those independent.
Tis is for those who are concerned about deviating
from among you. But if you are patient it is better for
you, and God is Forgiver, Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:25)
Te male and female are of sound mind and not
under duress
“And let those who are not able to marry continue
to be chaste until God enriches them of His Bounty.
And if those who are maintained by your oaths seek to
A dowry has been agreed upon and paid
“Today, the good things have been made lawful to
you, and the food of those who have been given the
Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for
them; and the independent females from those who
are believers, and the independent females from those
who have been given the Book before you, if you have
given them their dowries, to be independent, not for
illicit sex or taking lovers. And whoever rejects belief,
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then his work has fallen, and in the Hereafter he is of
the losers.” (Qur’an 5:5)
Te man and woman are made aware of their
obligations
“Te men are to support the women with what God
has bestowed upon them over one another and for
what they spend of their money. Te upright females
are dutiful; keeping private the personal matters
for what God keeps watch over. As for those females
from whom you fear desertion, then you shall advise
them, and abandon them in the bedchamber, and
separate from them. If they respond to you, then do
not seek a way over them; God is Most High, Great.”
(Qur’an 4:34)
Te marriage is recorded
“And let those who are not able to marry continue to
be chaste until God enriches them of His Bounty. And
if those who are maintained by your oaths seek to
Family Responsibility
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(Qur’an 4:34)
Undcr thc laws ol thc Scripturc, thc husband is rcquircd
to providc lor all cxpcnscs ol thc lamily unit (lood,
clothing, shcltcr, ctc.) in kccping with his ability to do so.
Orphans
“And give the orphans their money, and do not
replace the good with the bad, and do not consume
their money with your money; for truly this is a great
sin! And if you fear that you cannot be just to the
orphans, then you may marry those who are agreeable
to you of the women: two, and three, and four. But if
you fear you will not be fair, then only one, or whom
you maintain by your oaths. Tis is best that you do
not face financial hardship. And give the women
their dues willingly, and if they remit any of it to
you of their own will, then you may take it with good
feelings. And do not give the immature ones their
money which God has entrusted to you, and spend
on them from it and clothe them, and speak to them
in goodness. And test the orphans when they reach
puberty, then, if you have determined from them
comprehension, then give them their wealth, and
do not deliberately consume it wastefully or quickly
before they grow up. And whoever is rich, then let
him not claim anything, and if he is poor then let him
consume in kindness. If you give to them their wealth,
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then make a witness for them, and God is enough for
Reckoning.” (Qur’an 4:2-6)
Òrphans arc to bc accommodatcd by thc closcst ol kin,
or by thc statc il thcrc is no kin or il thc kin is unwilling
to takc on this rcsponsibly, until such timc that thcy arc
dccmcd to havc rcachcd maturity. Tc moncy/inhcritancc
ol thc orphan will bc hcld in trust by thc statc until thc
orphan rcachcs adulthood. Tc custodian may rcqucst
rcimburscmcnt lrom thc trust lund lor thc cost ol thc
accommodation and cxpcnscs ol thc orphan, providcd thc
statc is ablc to substantiatc such claims.
Divorce Procedures
“And those divorced shall wait for three menstruation
periods; and it is not lawful for them to conceal what
God has created in their wombs, if they believe in God
and the Last Day. And their husbands would then
have just cause to return together, if they both wish to
reconcile. And the obligations owed to them are to be
fulfilled, as are the obligations owed by them. But the
men will have a greater responsibility over them in
this. And God is Noble, Wise.” (Qur’an 2:228)
“Te divorce is allowed twice. So, either they remain
together equitably, or they part ways with goodness.
And it is not lawful for you to take back anything
you have given them unless you fear that they will
not uphold the boundaries of God. So if you fear that
they will not uphold the boundaries of God, then there
is no sin upon them for what is given back. Tese are
the boundaries of God so do not transgress them. And
whoever shall transgress the boundaries of God, then
these are the wicked.” (Qur’an 2:229)
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“So if he divorces her again, then she will not be
lawful for him until after she has married a different
husband; if he divorces her; then there is no sin that
they come back together if they think they will uphold
the boundaries of God. Tese are the boundaries
of God, He clarifies them for a people who know.”
(Qur’an 2:230)
“And if you have divorced the women, and they have
reached their required interim period, then either you
remain together equitably, or part ways equitably.
And do not reconcile with them so you can harm them
out of animosity; whoever does so is doing wrong to
his soul; and do not take the revelations of God as
mockery. And remember the blessings of God upon
you, and what was sent down to you of the Book and
the wisdom, He warns you with it. And be aware
of God and know that God is Knowledgeable in all
“And if you divorce the women, and they reach their
required interim period, then do not make diffi culty
for them if they wish to remarry their husbands if they
have amicably agreed among themselves out of what is
best. Tis is to remind any of you who believe in God
and the Last Day, this is better for you and purer; and
God knows while you do not know.” (Qur’an 2:232)
“O you who believe, if you marry the believing
females, then divorce them before having intercourse
with them, then there is no interim required of them.
You shall compensate them, and let them go in an
amicable manner.” (Qur’an 33:49)
103
“O you prophet, if any of you have divorced the
women, then they should be divorced while ensuring
that their required interim is fulfilled, and keep count
of the interim. You shall reverence God your Lord,
and do not evict them from their homes, nor should
they leave, unless they commit an evident lewdness.
And these are the boundaries of God. And anyone
who transgresses the boundaries of God has wronged
his soul. You never know; perhaps God will make
something come out of this.” (Qur’an 65:1)
“Ten, once the interim is fulfilled, either you remain
together equitably, or part ways equitably and have
it witnessed by two just people from among you; and
give the testimony for God. Tis is to enlighten those
who believe in God and the Last Day. And whoever
reverences God, He will create a solution for him.”
(Qur’an 65:2)
“And He will provide for him whence he never
expected. Anyone who puts his trust in God, then He
suffi ces him. Te commands of God will be done. God
has decreed for everything its fate.” (Qur’an 65:3)
“As for those who have reached menopause from your
women, if you have any doubts, their interim shall be
three months. And as for those whose menstruation
has ceased, and those who are already pregnant, their
interim is until they give birth. And anyone who
reverences God, He makes his matters easy for him.”
(Qur’an 65:4)
“Tis is the command of God that He sends down
to you. And anyone who is aware of God, He will
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forgive his sins, and will improve his reward.”
(Qur’an 65:5)
“ You shall let them reside in the dwelling you were
in when you were together, and do not coerce them
to make them leave. And if they are pregnant, you
shall spend on them until they give birth. Ten,
if they nurse the infant, you shall give them their
due payment. And you shall maintain the amicable
relations between you. If you disagree, then another
woman may nurse the child.” (Qur’an 65:6)
“O you who believe, if the believing females come
emigrating to you, then you shall test them. God is
fully aware of their belief. Tus, if you establish that
they are believers, then you shall not return them to
the disbelievers. Tey are no longer lawful for them,
nor are the disbelievers lawful for them. And return
the dowries that were paid. And there is no sin upon
you to marry them, if you have paid their dowries to
them. And do not keep disbelieving wives, and ask
back what dowries you paid. And let them ask back
what dowries they had paid. Such is the judgment of
God; He judges between you. God is Knowledgeable,
Wise.” (Qur’an 60:10)
Summary ol thc Rulcs lor Ðivorcc:
• !l thcy insist on divorcc, thcn thc wilc and
husband must rcmain togcthcr in thc samc
homc during thc intcrim pcriod. (65:1)
• !l thc couplc rcconcilc, thcn divorcc may bc
rctractcd and canccllcd at any point during thc
intcrim pcriod. (2:229)
• Tc divorcc is automatically rctractcd il scxual
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intcrcoursc takcs placc bctwccn thc husband
and wilc during thc intcrim pcriod. (65:1)
• Tc intcrim pcriod rcquircd is thrcc mcnstruation
pcriods. Tc intcrim lor womcn who no longcr
mcnstruatc is thrcc months. Tc intcrim lor
prcgnant womcn is until thcy dclivcr. (2:228, 65:4)
• Tcrc is no intcrim pcriod rcquircd il thc divorcc
takcs placc bclorc any scxual intcrcoursc has
takcn placc bctwccn thc couplc. (33:49)
• !l thc couplc still wishcs to lollow through with
thc divorcc altcr thc cnd ol thc intcrim pcriod,
thcn two witncsscs arc rcquircd to complctc thc
proccss. (65:2)
• !l this is thc third divorcc, thcn thc couplc may
not rcmarry cach othcr unlcss thc woman has
bccn marricd to anothcr man and thcn divorccd.
(2:230)
• A divorcc may bc lorccd, il thcrc is just causc,
whcrc such may bc grantcd by thc court without
an intcrim pcriod. (60:10)
Husband and Wife Disputes
Vith rcgards to husband/wilc disputcs, thc Qur’an givcs
us a list ol rcmcdics to attcmpt to savc a marriagc ranging
lrom candor bctwccn thc husband and wilc, to tcmporary
scparation, to rcconciliation through a mcdiator, with
divorcc bcing thc vcry last rcsort.
“And if a woman fears from her husband desertion
or disregard, then there is no sin for them to reconcile
between themselves; and reconciliation is good. And
the souls are brought by need. And if you are kind
and do right, then God is expert over what you do.”
(Qur’an 4:128)
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(Qur’an 4:34)
“And if you fear a permanent rift between them,
then send a judge from his family and a judge from
her family. If they want to reconcile, then God will
bring them together. God is Knowledgeable, Expert.”
(Qur’an 4:35)
!t is worth pointing out that vcrsc 4:34 abovc has
bccn traditionally intcrprctcd in an incorrcct manncr by
translating “idrib” as “bcat/strikc.” Tis has causcd tcrror
to millions ol Muslim womcn around thc world lor thcy
lcar that thcir husbands might bcat thcm at will simply
bccausc thcy arc dissatisficd or it suits thcir mood!
Somc Arabic words, likc in ¡nglish, can havc slightly
diffcrcnt mcanings dcpcnding on thc contcxt thcy arc
placcd in. Ònc such cxamplc is thc word ‘Ðaraba’ which
has a natural mcaning ol putting forth as can bc sccn in thc
lollowing vcrscs:
“Have you not seen how God puts forth (Ðaraba) the
example that a good word is like a good tree, whose
root is firm and whose branches are in the heaven.”
(Qur’an 14:24)
“For the poor who face hardship in the cause of God,
they cannot go forth (Ðarban) in the land; the
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ignorant ones think they are rich from their modesty;
you know them by their features, they do not ask
the people repeatedly. And what you spend out of
goodness, God is fully aware of it.” (Qur’an 2:273)
“O you who believe, if you go forth (Ðarabtum) in the
cause of God, you shall investigate carefully. And do
not say to those who greet you with peace: “ You are not
a believer!” You are seeking the vanity of this world;
but with God are many riches. Tat is how you were
before, but God graced you, so investigate carefully.
God is expert over what you do.” (Qur’an 4:94)
Howcvcr, thcrc arc ccrtain cascs whcrc this word can
havc thc mcaning ol ‘strikc/bcat’ as thc act ol striking
involvcs thc hand bcing “put lorth”:
“So how will it be when their lives are terminated by
the angels, while striking (Yadriboona) their faces
and their backs?” (Qur’an 47:27)
Tc corrcct approach to thc casc ol 4:34 is simply to
undcrstand thc context ol thc vcrsc (in this casc, it dcals
with thc subjcct ol a woman who wishcs to dcscrt hcr
husband “Nushooz”) and thus thc word “!dribuhun” is onc
ol thc suggcstcd thrcc stcps suggcstcd to dcal with thc
situation (thc first stcp is talking it out, whilc thc sccond is
giving hcr spacc by avoiding scxual contact with hcr).
are dutiful; keeping private the personal matters for
what God keeps watch over. As for those females from
whom you fear desertion (Nushooz
5
), then you shall
5 Nushooz is undcrstood by translators as ‘lcavc/dcscrt’ as can bc sccn in its usc
in 4:128 and 58:11. Howcvcr, miraculously, thc word is translormcd into ‘ill
conduct’ whcn thc woman happcns to bc thc onc doing thc Nushooz as in 4:34.
108
advise them, and abandon them in the bedchamber,
and separate from them (!dribuhun). If they respond
to you, then do not seek a way over them; God is Most
High, Great.” (Qur’an 4:34)
As such, which mcaning ol “!dribuhun” would makc thc
most scnsc: Lctting thc wilc tcmporarily scparatc lrom
hcr husband and think things through, or, bcating hcr into
submission and lorcing hcr to rcmain with hcr husband:
Tc answcr is always to lollow thc best mcaning dcrivcd…
“Te ones who listen to what is being said, and
then follow the best of it. Tese are the ones whom
God has guided, and these are the ones who possess
intelligence.” (Qur’an 39:18)
Adopted Children
“God did not make any man with two hearts in his body.
Nor did He make your wives whom you make estranged
to be as your mothers. Nor did He make your adopted
children to be your sons. Such is what you claim with
your mouths, but God speaks the truth, and He guides
to the path. Name them by their fathers. Tat is more
just with God. But if you do not know their fathers,
then, name them as your brothers in the system and
your patrons. Tere is no sin upon you for what mistake
you make in this respect; but you will be responsible for
what your hearts deliberately intend. God is Forgiver,
Merciful.” (Qur’an 33:4-5)
Childrcn may bc adoptcd bascd on thc statc cnsuring
that thc lamily is suitablc and is ablc to providc lor thc
nccds ol thc adoptcd child. Adoptcd childrcn will rctain
thcir original lamily namc cvcn altcr adoption, thcy
cannot carry thc namc ol thc adopting lamily.
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Child Custody
“And the divorced mothers are allowed to suckle their
children two full years, if they wish to complete the
suckling. And the man for whom the child is born is
responsible for both their provisions and clothing
equitably. A soul is not burdened except with what
it can bear. No mother shall be harmed because of her
child, nor shall a father be harmed because of his child.
And for the guardian is the same requirement. So if
they wish to separate out of mutual agreement and
counsel, then there is no sin upon them. And if you
want to hire nursing mothers, then there is no sin upon
you if you return what you have been given equitably.
And be aware of God, and know that God is watching
over what you do.” (Qur’an 2:233)
!n cascs ol divorcc or scparation, thc mothcr is cntitlcd
to thc custody ol thc child up to thc agc ol two ycars.
For any childrcn agcd morc than two ycars, thc court will
dccidc upon custody (cithcr solc or joint) bascd on thc
ability and standing ol cach parcnt.
Death and Burial
“So God sent forth a raven to scratch the land and
show him how to deal with the body of his brother.
He said: “Woe to me! Am I not even able to be like this
raven and deal with the body of my brother?” So he
became of those who regretted.” (Qur’an 5:31)
“And the Hour is coming, there is no doubt in it,
and God will resurrect those who are in the graves.”
(Qur’an 22:7)
Ðcad bodics arc to bc buricd in thc ¡arth within thc
shortcst timclramc managcablc. 8odics arc not to bc lclt
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to rot or dccomposc in thc opcn causing a thrcat to thc
hcalth ol thc living.
Inheritance and Wills
“It is decreed for you that if death should come to any
of you, that it is best if he leaves a will for his family
and relatives out of goodness; this is a truth for the
righteous. Whoever alters it after having heard it, then
the sin will be upon those who alter it. God is Hearer,
Knowledgeable.” (Qur’an 2:180-181)
“O you who believe, witnessing a will if death is
approaching one of you shall be done by two who are
just among you. Or, if you have gone forth in the land,
then two others may suffi ce if death is approaching you;
you will hold them after making the contact prayer, and
they will swear by God if you have doubt: ‘We will not
purchase with it any price, even if he was a near relative,
and we will not conceal the testimony of God, or else we
are then of the sinners.’ If it is then found out that they
had lied, then two others will take their place from those
who were present, and they will swear by God: ‘Our
testimony is more truthful than their testimony, and if
we aggress, then we are of the wicked.’ Tis is best so that
they would bring the testimony on its face value, for fear
that their oaths would be discarded after being made.
And be aware of God, and listen; God does not guide the
wicked people.” (Qur’an 5:106-108)
“And for those of you whose lives are terminated and
they leave widows behind; a testimony to them that they
may enjoy for one year without being made to vacate. If
they leave then there is no sin upon you for what they
do to themselves in goodness; and God is Noble, Wise.”
(Qur’an 2:240)
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“For the men is a portion from what the parents and
the relatives left behind, and for the women is a portion
from what the parents and relatives left behind, be it
little or much; a forced portion. And if the distribution
is attended by the relatives and the orphans and the
needy, then you shall give them part of it and say to
them a kind saying.” (Qur’an 4:7-8)
“God directs you regarding the inheritance of your
children: ‘To the male shall be as that given to two
females. If they are women, more than two, then they
will have two thirds of what is inherited. And if she is
only one, then she will have one half. And to his parents,
each one of them shall have one sixth of what is inherited,
if he has a child. If he has no child and his parents are the
heirs, then to his mother is one third; if he has siblings
then to his mother is one sixth. All after a will is carried
through or a debt. Your parents and your children, you do
not know which are closer to you in benefit, a directive
from God, for God is Knowledgeable, Wise.’ And for you
is half of what your wives leave behind if they have no
child; but if they have a child then to you is one quarter
of what they leave behind. All after a will is carried
through or a debt. And to them is one quarter of what
you leave behind if you have no child; but if you have a
child then to them is one eighth of what you leave behind.
All after a will is carried through or a debt. And if a
man or a woman who is inheriting has no descendants,
but has a brother or a sister, then to each one of them is
one sixth, but if they are more than this then they are to
share in one third. All after a will is carried through or a
debt, which does not cause harm. A directive from God,
and God is Knowledgeable, Compassionate.” (Qur’an
4:11-12)
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“Tey seek a ruling from you, say: ‘God gives you the
ruling for those who have no descendants. If a person
passes away and has no children but has a sister, then
she shall receive half of what he leaves behind. And he
will inherit from her if she has no child. However, if
he has two sisters, then they will receive two thirds of
what he left behind; and if he has siblings, men and
women, then the male shall receive twice what the
female receives.’ God makes clear to you that you do not
stray; God is aware of all things.” (Qur’an 4:176)
!t is rccommcndcd that cvcry pcrson attcmpt to makc
a will and tcstamcnt in writing bclorc dcath to covcr thc
distribution ol propcrty and wcalth as hc/shc sccs fit.
A will that is not madc in writing but has two crcdiblc
witncsscs may bc cnlorccablc, il thc court is satisficd that
thcir tcstimony is gcnuinc.
!n cascs whcrc thcrc is no will and tcstamcnt or il thc will
and tcstamcnt lcavcs an amount ol wcalth undistributcd,
thcn thc lollowing distribution shall bc applicd to thc
availablc wcalth:
• Ðuc to thc lcgal obligation ol mcn to bc
rcsponsiblc lor thcir lamily, thc inhcritancc as
lar as offspring is conccrncd cntails thc malc
rccciving a sharc cqual to that ol two lcmalcs,
i.c., onc girl - 1/3 and onc boy - 2/3.
• !l thcrc arc no malcs and thcrc arc two or morc
lcmalcs, thc portions ol all ol thcm togcthcr
shall bc 2/3, il thcrc is onc lcmalc, thc portion
shall bc hall.
• Parcnts rcccivc oncsixth (1/6) ol thc inhcritancc
cach, in thc casc whcrc thc dcccascd has lclt chil
drcn. !l thcrc arc no childrcn and thc parcnts arc
thc only hcirs, thc sharc ol thc mothcr shall bc
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1/3 and that ol thc lathcr sharc shall bc 2/3. !l
thc dcccascd lclt brothcrs and sistcrs, thc sharc ol
thc mothcr is 1/6.
• !n what a wilc lcavcs, thc sharc ol thc husband
is onchall in thc casc whcrc shc lcavcs no
childrcn, but il shc has childrcn, thcn thc sharc
ol thc husband is 1/4 altcr thc proccssing ol
thc will and thc paymcnt ol dcbt against thc
dcccascd.
• !n what a husband lcavcs, thc sharc ol thc wilc is
1/4, il hc has no childrcn, but il hc has childrcn, thc
sharc ol thc wilc is 1/8 altcr thc proccssing ol thc
will and paymcnt ol dcbt against thc dcccascd.
• !l thc dcccascd has no childrcn but hc has
parcnts, brothcrs and sistcrs, thcn:
• !l thcrc is onc brothcr or onc sistcr,
cach onc ol thcm shall rcccivc 1/6,
• !l thc numbcr ol brothcrs and sistcrs
is morc than onc, thcn togcthcr thcy
shall bc cntitlcd to 1/3.
• !l thc dcccascd has ncithcr childrcn nor living
parcnts but has only brothcrs and sistcrs, thc
distribution ol sharcs shall bc as pcr thc lollowing:
• !l thc dcccascd is a malc, and has
only onc sistcr, thcn hcr portion shall
bc hall ol his bcqucst,
• !l thc dcccascd is a lcmalc, and has
only onc brothcr, thcn hc shall bc thc
hcir ol hcr lcltovcr propcrty,
• !l thc hcirs arc two sistcrs (or morc),
thcir (combincd) sharc shall bc 2/3,
• !l thc hcirs arc brothcrs and sistcrs,
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thcn thc cntirc lcltovcr propcrty shall
bc thcirs. Tc principlc ol “thc sharc
ol two lcmalcs is cqual to thc sharc ol
onc malc” shall apply.
Any propcrty or wcalth that still rcmains altcr thc
distribution as pcr thc guidclincs abovc shall bc translcrrcd
to thc statc.
115
10
Commercial Laws
Tis chaptcr will dcal with all lcgal aspccts ol commcrcc,
tradc and financial transactions.
Breach of Contract
116
8rcach ol contract will rcsult in thc guilty party
bcing ordcrcd to complctc thc contract as agrccd or to
compcnsatc thc othcr contract party lor damagcs incurrcd
by such brcach.
Drug/Alcohol
!t is worth noting that ncithcr using nor manulacturing
alcohol is lorbiddcn in thc Scripturc. !n lact, alcohol has
bccn rccognizcd casually in thc Scripturc in scvcral vcrscs,
cvcn to thc point ol rclating it to thc conduct ol Salat and
that onc should not approach Salat il intoxicatcd.
“And from the fruits of the palm trees and the grapes
you make wine and a good provision. In that is a sign
for a people who comprehend.” (Qur’an 16:67)
“Is the example of the Paradise; that the righteous have
been promised with rivers of pure water, and rivers of
milk whose taste does not change, and rivers of wine
that are delicious for the drinkers, and rivers of strained
honey, and for them in it are all kinds of fruits, and
a forgiveness from their Lord; like that of those who
abide in the Fire, and are given to drink boiling water
that cuts-up their intestines?” (Qur’an 47:15)
“O you who believe, do not approach the contact
prayer (Salat) while you are intoxicated, until you
know what you are saying. Nor if you have had
intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if
you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted
feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and
could not find water, then you shall select from the
clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is
Pardoning, Forgiving.” (Qur’an 4:43)
117
Tc scholars attributc thc inconsistcncy in thcir
undcrstanding ol thc issuc (thcy bclicvc alcohol is
lorbiddcn) to say that God, whilc not having any problcm
tcaring thc social labric ol thcir socicty and livcs, did not
lorbid alcohol outright lor lcar that pcoplc would not
cmbracc !slam during its carly days, but that whcn !slam
had sprcad, thc Scripturc rcquircd pcoplc to ‘avoid/shun’
alcohol bascd on thc vcrsc bclow:
[Shakir Translation 5:90] “O you who believe!
Intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to)
stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an
uncleanness, the Shaitan’s work; shun it therefore
that you may be successful.”
Òl coursc, thc attcmpt to provc that thcrc may bc
inconsistcncics or conflicting laws in thc Scripturc lalls on
its lacc whcn thc vcrsc is cxamincd closcly… !n vcrsc 5:90,
thc thing wc arc bcing told to “avoid” is not alcohol or any
ol thc othcr listcd itcms (i.c. thcy arc not to bc shunncd/
avoidcd in thcmsclvcs), rathcr it is the devil himscll whom
wc should avoid and wc must bc awarc that his tools ol
prclcrcncc lor crcating animosity and addiction to our
spccics includcs, amongst othcr things, alcohol.
“O you who believe, intoxicants, and gambling, and
sacraments, and fortunes are an affl iction used by
the devil. You shall avoid him so that you may be
successful.” (Qur’an 5:90)
Tis rclcrcncc to thc ‘Ðcvil’ and not thc itcms listcd can
bc vcry clcarly sccn in thc vcry ncxt vcrsc that cmphasizcs
on thc subjcct mattcr oncc again bcing thc ‘Ðcvil’:
“Te devil only wants to cause strife between you
through intoxicants and gambling, and to repel you
away from remembering God and from the contact
prayer. Will you be deterred?” (Qur’an 5:91)
118
Tis is similar to thc situation whcrc our childrcn and
wcalth could bc a distraction to us lrom rcmcmbcring
God. Tis docs not mcan that our childrcn and wcalth arc
‘cvil’ and nccd to bc shunncd or avoidcd or lorbiddcn, but
that wc nccd to bc morc awarc and rcsponsiblc as to how
wc spcnd our timc:
“O you who believe, do not be distracted by your
money and your children from the remembrance of
God. And those who do this, then they are the losers.”
(Qur’an 63:9)
Finally, whilc alcohol is clcarly not lorbiddcn, its usc
is to bc rcstrictcd and rcgulatcd sincc thcrc can bc morc
harm that good in thcir unabatcd usc/consumption.
“Tey ask you about intoxicants and gambling. Say:
“In them is great harm, and a benefit for the people;
but their harm is greater than their benefit.” And they
ask you how much they are to give, say: “Te excess.” It
is thus that God clarifies for you the revelations that
you may think.” (Qur’an 2:219)
Plagiarism
“Do not think that those who are happy with what
they have been given, and they love to be praised
for what they did not do; do not think they are
saved from the punishment. For them is a painful
retribution.” (Qur’an 3:188)
Tc usc or bcncfit lrom thc work ol othcrs without
pcrmission and/or acknowlcdgcmcnt is an abhorrcnt act
and may bc rcgulatcd or havc lcgal pcnaltics imposcd by
thc statc.
119
Property Disputes
“When they entered upon David, he was startled
by them. They said: “Have no fear. We are two
who have disputed, and one has wronged the other,
so judge between us with the truth, and do not
wrong us, and guide us to the right path. This is
my brother and he owns ninety-nine lambs, while
I own one lamb; so he said to me: ‘Let me take
care of it’ and he pressured me.’” He said: ‘He has
wronged you by asking to combine your lamb with
his lambs. And many who mix their properties take
advantage of one another, except those who believe
and do good works, and these are very few.’ And
David guessed that We had tested him, so he sought
forgiveness from his Lord, and fell down kneeling,
and repented.” (Qur’an 38:22-24)
Tc owncr ol thc propcrty or goods by way ol titlc
dccd or witncsscs shall bc rcturncd his/hcr propcrty. !n
casc whcrc thc propcrty is bcing uscd or occupicd, thcn
such propcrty shall bc vacatcd and rcturncd to its lcgal
owncr(s).
Property Damage
“And David and Solomon, when they gave judgment
in the case of the crop that was damaged by the sheep
of the people, and We were witness to their judgment.”
(Qur’an 21:78)
Tc owncr ol thc propcrty shall bc compcnsatcd in
lull cithcr by moncy or propcrty/goods ol an cquivalcnt
naturc and valuc.
120
Financial Interest
“Tose who consume usury do not rise except as one
being influenced by the touch of the devil. Tat is
because they have said: “Trade is the same as usury.”
While God has made trade lawful, and He has made
usury unlawful. Whoever has received understanding
from His Lord and ceases, then he will be forgiven for
what was before this and his case will be with God.
But whoever returns, then they are the people of the
Fire, in it they will abide.” (Qur’an 2:275)
Undcr no condition whatsocvcr will thc charging or
paying ol intcrcst on moncy bc allowcd. Tc conccpt
ol intcrcst involvcs dcccit and lraud, which will lcad
to financial hardship and chcating pcoplc out ol thcir
posscssions. Any individuals lound guilty ol taking intcrcst
on moncy dircctly or indircctly (cvcn with thc conscnt ol
all partics involvcd) will bc subjcct to thc lull cxtcnt ol thc
law, and thc court may find transactions or contracts with
intcrcst builtin null and void.
Borrowing Laws
“O you who believe, if you borrow for a future period,
then you shall record it. And let a scribe of justice record
it for you; and let not the scribe refuse to record as God
has taught him. Let him record and let the person who is
borrowing dictate to him, and let him be aware of God,
and let him not reduce from it anything. If the one who
is borrowing is immature or weak or he cannot dictate
himself, then let his guardian dictate with justice; and
bring two witnesses from among your men; if there are
not two men, then a man and two women from whom
you will accept their testimony, so that if one of them
becomes blindsided, then the one can remind the other.
And let the witnesses not refuse to come if they are called.
121
And do not fail to record it no matter how small or large
until its maturity. Tat is more just with God and better
for the testimony, and better that you do not have doubts;
except if it is a trade to be done on the spot between you,
then there is no sin upon you if you do not record it. And
have evidence if you trade. No scribe shall be harmed nor
any witness; for if you do so then it is a wickedness on
your part, and be aware of God and God teaches you and
God is aware of all things.” (Qur’an 2:282)
Tc lcnding ol moncy is pcrmittcd as long as thcrc
is no hiddcn or cvidcnt intcrcst involvcd. All borrowing
contracts must bc rccordcd in writing (cvcn il it is bctwccn
rclativcs) with thc dictation ol thc dctails bcing providcd
by thc pcrson borrowing thc moncy.
Vitncssing shall bc rcquircd il thc moncy is bcing
borrowcd by a lcgally authorizcd third party or guardian
on bchall ol thc original borrowcr. Tcsc mcasurcs arc to
bc madc to cnsurc thc rights ol both partics arc protcctcd
and that thc transaction bcing conductcd is gcnuinc and
involvcs no lraud or dcccit.
Insolvency
“If the person is facing insolvency, then you shall wait
until he becomes able. And if you relinquish it as a charity
it is better for you if only you knew..” (Qur’an 2:280)
!ndividuals and companics may filc lor insolvcncy il
such claim can bc substantiatcd. Òncc an individual or
company has bccn approvcd as bcing insolvcnt, thcn all
crcditors/lcndcrs must rcstructurc thcir rcpaymcnt tcnor
in linc with what is rcalistic and managcablc lor thc
insolvcnt party.
122
11
Criminal Laws
Tis chaptcr will dcal with all lcgal aspccts ol criminal
activity and/or bchavior. All court trials and judgcs arc to
obscrvc thc lollowing guidclincs:
Inadmissible Evidence
123
Tcstimony can only bc givcn lor what was witncsscd
firsthand. Hcarsay is inadmissiblc in a court ol law.
Seek Clarifications
Tc court is rcquircd to thoroughly invcstigatc all cascs
and claims that comc to its attcntion and to cxaminc all
sidcs ol a casc bclorc passing judgmcnt.
Everybody Shall Bear His/Her Own Burden
“None can carry the burdens of another.” (Qur’an 53:38)
Tc court is lorbiddcn lrom making chargcs or issuing
a punishmcnt against any othcr than thc convictcd
pcrson(s). Family mcmbcrs, rclativcs, lricnds, associatcs,
or any othcr pcrson (cvcn il voluntccring to do so) arc
protcctcd lrom unduc punishmcnt and may not bc tradcd
lor thc convictcd pcrson nor may thcy takc his/hcr placc.
State of the Accused
“Tere is no blame upon the blind, nor is there any
blame upon the crippled, nor is there any blame upon
the ill, nor is there any blame upon yourselves, if
you eat at your homes, or the homes of your fathers,
or the homes of your mothers, or the homes of your
brothers, or the homes of your sisters, or the homes of
your uncles, or the homes of your aunts, or the homes
of your mothers brothers, or the homes of your mothers
sisters, or that which you possess their keys, or that of
your friends. You commit nothing wrong by eating
together or as individuals. When you enter any home,
124
you shall greet each other a greeting from God that is
blessed and good. God thus explains the revelations
for you that you may comprehend.” (Qur’an 24:61)
Tc court is to takc into account and usc its judgmcnt
rcgarding thc physical and mcntal statc ol thc accuscd.
Actions committcd by a lully compctcnt and ablc adult
arc not thc samc as thosc committcd by a pcrson who is
mcntally ill or suffcring lrom a tcmporary illncss/insanity.
Bearing Witness
“O you who believe, stand with justice as witnesses
to God, even if against yourselves, or the parents or
the relatives. Even if he be rich or poor, God is more
worthy of them, so do not follow desire into being
unjust. And if you twist or turn away, then God is
Expert over what you do.” (Qur’an 4:135)
“O you who believe, if you borrow for a future period,
then you shall record it. And let a scribe of justice record
it for you; and let not the scribe refuse to record as God
has taught him. Let him record and let the person who is
borrowing dictate to him, and let him be aware of God,
and let him not reduce from it anything. If the one who
is borrowing is immature or weak or he cannot dictate
himself, then let his guardian dictate with justice; and
bring two witnesses from among your men; if there
are not two men, then a man and two women from
whom you will accept their testimony, so that if one of
them becomes blindsided, then the one can remind the
other. And let the witnesses not refuse to come if they
are called. And do not fail to record it no matter how
small or large until its maturity. Tat is more just with
God and better for the testimony, and better that you
do not have doubts; except if it is a trade to be done on
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the spot between you, then there is no sin upon you if
you do not record it. And have evidence if you trade.
No scribe shall be harmed nor any witness; for if you do
so then it is a wickedness on your part, and be aware
of God and God teaches you and God is aware of all
Vitncsscs cannot bc harmcd in any way as a rcsult
ol thcir tcstimony. Tis includcs bcing lorccd to bc a
witncss against him/hcrscll. Vitncsscs must prcscnt
thcmsclvcs whcn rcquircd to do so by thc court and
may not rclusc to givc tcstimony ol what thcy havc
witncsscd. Tc court may takc thc appropriatc action
against witncsscs that rclusc to givc tcstimony (unlcss it
is against thcmsclvcs).
Confessions of Guilt
“He said: ‘Did we not raise you among us as a new
born, and you stayed with us for many of your years?
And you did what deed you did, and you are of
the rejecters.’ He said: ‘I did it, and I was of those
misguided.’” (Qur’an 26:18-20)
“Whoever rejects God after having believed; except for
he who is forced while his heart is still content with
belief; and has comforted his chest to rejection, then
these will have a wrath from God and they will have
a great retribution.” (Qur’an 16:106)
Conlcssions arc admissiblc in court providcd thc
accuscd pcrson dircctly makcs thcm without durcss or
intimidation. Conlcssions undcr durcss or intimidation
or not spokcn dircctly by thc accuscd arc considcrcd
invalid and may not bc uscd to pass judgmcnt with.
126
False Accusations
Falsc accusations or lodging ol labricatcd cvidcncc
or tcstimony grants thc court thc right to prosccutc
thc party involvcd in such activity cithcr through
finc or imprisonmcnt dcpcnding on thc scopc ol thc
accusations madc.
Sanctity of the Home and Personal Property
“O you who believe, do not enter any homes except
your own unless you perceive a welcome and you
greet the people in them. Tis is best for you, perhaps
you will remember. But, if you do not find anyone
in them then do not enter until you are given
permission. And if you are told to go back, then
return for it is better for you. And God is aware
of what you do. Tere is no sin upon you that you
enter homes which are abandoned if in them there
are belongings of yours. And God knows what you
reveal and what you hold back.” (Qur’an 24:27-29)
¡vidcncc obtaincd lrom a rcsidcntial homc without
thc conscnt ol thc owncr, or a court ordcr, is inadmissiblc
as cvidcncc.
Injunction against Spying
“O you who believe, you shall avoid much suspicion,
for some suspicion is sinful. And do not spy on one
another, nor shall you backbite. Would any of you
enjoy eating the flesh of his dead brother? You
127
certainly would hate this. You shall observe God. God
is Redeemer, Merciful.” (Qur’an 49:12)
¡vidcncc obtaincd through spying or cavcsdropping is
inadmissiblc in a court ol law.
Juveniles and Young Adults
“O mankind, if you are in doubt as to the resurrection,
then We have created you from dust, then from a seed,
then from an embryo, then from a fetus developed
and undeveloped so that We make it clear to you. And
We settle in the wombs what We wish to an appointed
time, then We bring you out a child, then you reach
your maturity, and of you are those who will pass
away, and of you are those who are sent to an old age
where he will not be able to learn any new knowledge
after what he already has. And you see the land still,
but when We send down the water to it, it vibrates
and grows, and it brings forth of every lovely pair.”
(Qur’an 22:5)
permission of their parents and give them their
dowries in kindness; to be independent, not for illicit
sex or taking lovers. When they become independent,
then any of them who come with lewdness shall have
half of what is the punishment for those independent.
Tis is for those who are concerned about deviating
from among you. But if you are patient it is better for
you, and God is Forgiver, Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:25)
128
Tc court is to takc thc agc ol thc accuscd pcrson
into account whcn issuing judgmcnts. All youths will
bc translcrrcd automatically to thc juvcnilc court. Young
pcoplc and maturc adults arc ncvcr to bc trcatcd as thc
samc in issuing judgmcnt. !n thc cxamplc givcn in 4:25
abovc, a young adult who commits adultcry will rcccivc
hall thc punishmcnt ol a maturc adult (i.c., 50 lashcs).
Prisons
“And with him in the prison entered two young men.
One of them said: ‘I dreamt that I was pressing wine,’
and the other said: ‘I dreamt that I was carrying
bread on top of my head, and that the birds were
eating from it.’ ‘ Tell us what this means, for we see
that you are of the good doers.’” (Qur’an 12:36)
Prisoncrs arc to bc hcld in groups ol thrcc or lcss
dcpcnding on thc circumstanccs. Prisoncrs arc to bc
providcd adcquatc lood, watcr, clothing and mcdical
trcatmcnt. \isitations to prisoncrs arc allowcd in
conlormity with thc schcdulcs to bc sct out by thc statc.
Prisoncrs arc to bc givcn amplc opportunity lor study,
cducation, lcarning ol cralts/skills, ctc., to positivcly utilizc
timc spcnt in prison. Prisoncrs arc to bc trcatcd humancly
and with rcspcct at all timcs. No abusc, torturc, physical
pain nor suffcring is allowcd at any timc.
Crimes and Judgments
8clow arc guidclincs lor criminal rulings bascd on kcy
offcnscs. Òthcr offcnscs that arc not listcd will bc judgcd
bascd on thc principlc ol cquitablc punishmcnt (16:126).
Murder/Violence
“And We have decreed for them in it that a life for
a life, and an eye for an eye, and a nose for a nose,
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and an ear for an ear, and a tooth for a tooth, and
wounds to be similar; and whoever remits anything
of it, then it will cancel sins for him. And whoever
does not judge with what God has sent down, then
these are the wicked.” (Qur’an 5:45)
Tc court may physically punish thc accuscd up to thc
samc lcvcl ol thc physical crimc committcd. Murdcr is mct
with cxccution, and a cut is mct with a cut. Howcvcr, thc
pcrson or lamily ol thc pcrson who has bccn harmcd may
rcmit thc punishmcnt in part or in lull. Such rcmittancc ol
punishmcnt will ovcrridc thc court ruling on this mattcr.
Accidental Death
“And it is not for a believer to kill another believer
except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by
mistake, then he shall free a believing slave, and give
compensation to the family; except if they remit it. If he
was from a people who are enemies to you, and he was
a believer, then you shall free a believing slave. And if
he was from a people with whom you have a covenant,
then a compensation to his family, and free a believing
slave. Whoever does not find, then the fasting of two
months sequentially as a repentance from God; for God
is Knowledgeable, Wise.” (Qur’an 4:92)
Accidcntal dcath (manslaughtcr) must bc mct with:
a) lrccing ol any bclicving slavc, b) giving financial
compcnsation to thc lamily ol thc victim. Tc financial
compcnsation may only bc withhcld il thc lamily ol thc
victim cannot bc rcachcd duc to hostility or war bcing wagcd
bctwccn thc rcspcctivc nations, or il thc lamily rcmits thc
compcnsation. !l slavcs to bc lrccd arc not lound, thcn thc
ruling shall bc lor thc accuscd to last lor two consccutivc
months (60 days) lrom sunrisc until night.
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Suicide
“O you who believe, do not consume your money
between you unjustly, unless it is through a trade
which is mutually agreed by you. And do not kill
yourselves; God is Merciful towards you. And who-
ever does so out of animosity and transgression, We
will cast him to a Fire; and this for God is very
easy.” (Qur’an 4:29-30)
Tc law prohibits suicidc il it is bcing donc as an act
ol dcspair against God or lrom lilc (i.c. bcing donc out
ol “animosity, or transgrcssion”). Any pcrson lound guilty
ol attcmpting suicidc must bc prolcssionally counsclcd or
rcstraincd until thc court sccs thc thrcat ol suicidc is no
longcr prcscnt.
Abortion
“Say: ‘Come let me recite what your Lord has made
unlawful for you: that you should not set up anything
with Him; and do good to your parents; and do not
kill your children for fear of poverty, We provide for
you and for them; and do not come near lewdness,
what is openly of it and what is subtle; and do not
kill the soul which God has made restricted, except in
justice. Tat is what He enjoined you that you may
comprehend.’” (Qur’an 6:151)
“And We enjoined the human being to do good to
his parents. His mother bore him with hardship,
gave birth to him in hardship, and his bearing and
weaning lasts thirty months. So that, when he has
reached his independence, and he has reached forty
years, he says: ‘My Lord, direct me to appreciate the
blessings You have bestowed upon me and upon my
parents, and to do good work that pleases You. And
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let my progeny be righteous. I have repented to You;
I am of those who have submitted.’” (Qur’an 46:15)
“And We enjoined the human being regarding his
parents. His mother bore him with hardship upon
hardship, and his weaning takes two years. You shall
give thanks to Me, and to your parents. To Me is the
final destiny.” (Qur’an 31:14)
!n looking to thc abovc vcrscs, spccifically in 46:15
that thc bcaring and wcaning ol a child takcs 30 months,
and thcn in 31:14 that idcntifics thc wcaning as a pcriod
ol two ycars (i.c. 24 months), that will lcavc us with a
diffcrcncc ol 6 months in which thc child is to bc carricd
in prcgnancy. Tcrclorc, and sincc a natural prcgnancy
cyclc is 9 months, this implics that in thc first 3 months
thc lctus is not yct considcrcd a child.
As such, abortion is only pcrmittcd il thc lctus is lcss
than thrcc months old, or, il thcrc is a clcar thrcat to thc
lilc ol thc prcgnant mothcr. Òthcr than this, abortion is
considcrcd a sinlul act which is to bc discouragcd.
Rebellion/Spying/Espionage
“Te recompense of those who fight God and His
messenger, and seek to make corruption in the land, is
that they will be killed or crucified or that their hands
and feet be cut off from alternate sides or that they be
banished from the land; that is a disgrace for them in
this world and in the Hereafter they will have a great
retribution. Except for those who repent before you
overpower them, then know that God is Forgiving,
Any pcrson convictcd ol cndangcring thc livcs ol
citizcns through cspionagc, spying, scdition, incitcmcnt ol
violcncc or mutiny will bc liablc to thc lull cxtcnt ol thc
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law as dctcrmincd by thc court ranging lrom cxccution to
amputation ol altcrnatc limbs and to dcportation lrom thc
land. Howcvcr, an cxccption cxists lor thosc who surrcndcr
thcmsclvcs willingly to thc statc bclorc bcing lound or
capturcd and rcpcnt lrom thcir actions. Such cascs will
not bc subjcct to thc pcnaltics ol rcbcllion but arc subjcct
to thc pcnaltics ol cquivalcncc lor any crimcs committcd.
Slavery
“Do you know which is the better path? Te freeing of
slaves.” (Qur’an 90:12-13)
Any attcmpt madc to own or cnslavc a human bcing
(cvcn with thc conscnt ol thc pcrson cnslavcd) is complctcly
lorbiddcn. Pcrsons owning slavcs arc cncouragcd to sct
thcm lrcc as an act ol rightcousncss and brothcrhood.
Indecent Exposure and Pornography
“O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you
garments to alleviate your sin, and feathers; and
the garment of righteousness is the best. Tat is
from the signs of God, perhaps they will remember.”
(Qur’an 7:26)
keep covered their private parts, and that they should
not reveal their beauty except what is apparent, and let
them put forth their shawls over their cleavage. And let
them not reveal their beauty except to their husbands,
or their fathers, or fathers of their husbands, or their
sons, or the sons of their husbands, or their brothers, or
the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or
their women, or those maintained by their oaths, or the
male servants who are without need, or the child who
has not yet understood the composition of women. And
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let them not strike with their feet in a manner that
reveals what they are keeping hidden of their beauty.
And repent to God, all of you believers, that you may
succeed.” (Qur’an 24:31)
Tc minimum lcgal rcquircmcnt lor public display
is that mcn and womcn both covcr thcir lowcr privatc
parts (gcnitalia, buttocks), in addition to womcn
covcring thcir brcasts.
Adultery
“Te adulteress and the adulterer, you shall lash each
of them with one hundred lashes, and do not let
any pity overtake you regarding the system of God
if you believe in God and the Last Day. And let a
group of the believers witness their punishment. Te
adulterer will only marry an adulteress or she who
is a polytheist. And the adulteress, she will only be
married to an adulterer or he who is a polytheist.
And such has been made unlawful upon the believers.
And those who accuse the independent females and
they do not bring forth four witnesses, then you
shall lash them eighty lashes and do not ever accept
their testimony; and those are the wicked. Except
those who repent after this and do good, then God is
Forgiving, Merciful.” (Qur’an 24:2-5)
women. And God is more aware of your faith,
some of you to each other. You shall marry them
with the permission of their parents and give them
their dowries in kindness; to be independent, not
for illicit sex or taking lovers. When they become
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independent, then any of them who come with
lewdness shall have half of what is the punishment
for those independent. Tis is for those who are
concerned about deviating from among you. But
if you are patient it is better for you, and God is
Forgiver, Merciful.” (Qur’an 4:25)
“And those of your women who commit lewdness, you
shall bring four witnesses over them from among you;
if they bear witness, then you shall restrict them in
the homes until death terminates their lives, or God
makes for them a way out.” (Qur’an 4:15)
Adultcry is thc act ol scxual intcrcoursc bctwccn a
man and woman who arc not marricd to onc anothcr.
Any accusation ol adultcry will not bc acccptcd unlcss
lour cycwitncsscs arc produccd to support thc adultcry
chargcs. Tc witncsscs must havc sccn thc act ol scxual
intcrcoursc firsthand (hcarsay, circumstantial or any othcr
nondircct cvidcncc will not bc acccptcd). !n casc lour
truc witncsscs arc prcscntcd, thcn thc court will issuc thc
rcquircd scntcncc ol 100 lashcs lor thc man and 100 lashcs
lor thc woman involvcd in thc adultcry il thc woman is
indcpcndcnt/maturc, or 50 lashcs lor thc woman il shc is
marricd but not yct indcpcndcnt/maturc, or, housc arrcst
lor thc woman il shc is unmarricd and not indcpcndcnt/
maturc. Tc lashings must bc publicly witncsscd to causc
cmbarrassmcnt to thc guilty partics.
!n casc lour witncss arc not prcscntcd or thc witncsscs arc
not all lound to bc truc, thcn thc pcrson who brought lorth
thc accusation and thc pcrsons who gavc lalsc tcstimony
will bc lashcd 80 lashcs cach and will bc rcluscd luturc
tcstimonics with thc court unlcss thcy havc rcpcntcd.
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Accusations of Adultery by Husband/Wife
“And those who accuse their spouses, but they have no
witnesses except for themselves, then the testimony of
one of them is to be equivalent to that of four witnesses
if it is sworn by God that they are being truthful. And
the fifth shall be the curse of God upon themselves if
they are of the liars.” (Qur’an 24:6-7)
“And the punishment will be averted from her if she
bears witness four times by God that he is of the liars.
And the fifth shall be the curse of God upon her if he is
speaking the truth.” (Qur’an 24:8-9)
A man or woman may accusc his/hcr spousc ol adultcry
in court without having any witncsscs cxccpt thcmsclvcs
il thcy swcar an oath by God lour timcs to such cffcct.
Howcvcr, in cascs ol thc husband accusing his wilc, shc
will bc ablc to countcr and nullily his accusation il shc
swcars an oath by God lour timcs that hc is lying.
Tc punishmcnt in such casc ol adultcry would bc 100
lashcs in public, or 50 lashcs lor thc woman il shc is not
yct indcpcndcnt/maturc.
Sexual Molestation and Rape
“And as they rushed towards the door, she tore his shirt
from behind; and they found her master at the door.
She said: ‘What is the punishment for he who wanted
evil for your family? Is it not that he be imprisoned or
punished painfully?’” (Qur’an 12:25)
“And he said to the one whom he thought would be
saved of them: “Mention me to your lord.” But the
devil made him forget to mention to his lord, so He
remained in prison for a few years.” (Qur’an 12:42)
136
Cascs ol scxual molcstation or rapc il provcn to
bc accuratc will carry cithcr a prison scntcncc (not to
cxcccd fivc ycars bascd on thc cxamplc ol 12:42) and/or
a physical punishmcnt as dctcrmincd by thc court (thc
physical punishmcnt may not bc cxccssivc to thc naturc ol
thc crimc committcd).
Homosexuality
“And the two men who commit it from among you,
you shall trouble them. If they repent and amend,
then leave them alone. God is Redeemer, Merciful.”
(Qur’an 4:16)
Homoscxuality bctwccn malcs shall bc punishcd, at thc
discrction ol thc court, with thc intcnt to rcpcl such mcn
lrom cngaging in homoscxual acts. Tc punishmcnt is to
bc waivcd in casc thc accuscd rcpcnts lrom such activity.
Teft/Financial Fraud
!n cascs ol provcn thclt, thc court shall ordcr thc
rcturn ol thc stolcn itcm(s)/good(s)/propcrty as wcll as
thcir cquivalcnt valuc. !n cascs whcrc no such goods or
rcsourccs arc availablc, thcn thc pcnalty shall bc to hold
thc thicl in custody and scntcncing him/hcr to labor at a
lair markct pricc. Moncy raiscd lrom thc work shall scrvc
to compcnsatc thc statc or thc pcrson(s) lrom whom thc
thclt occurrcd.
Bribery
137
Paying bribcs to cmployccs in govcrnmcnt or othcrwisc
will rcsult in thc court taking immcdiatc action against thc
pcrson making thc bribc through confiscation ol thc bribc
amount, and/or thc imposing ol a finc and/or scntcncing
thc pcrson to a prison scntcncc as dctcrmincd appropriatc
by thc court Judgc.
Disturbing the Peace
“‘And be humble in how you walk and lower your
voice. For the harshest of all voices is the voice of the
donkeys.’” (Qur’an 31:19)
Ðisturbancc ol thc pcacc, il provcn to bc cxccssivc, may
rcsult in action to bc spccificd by thc court.
Negligence and Impeachment
“O you who believe, do not betray God and the
messenger, nor betray your trust, while you know.”
(Qur’an 8:27)
“It was not for any prophet to embezzle, and he
who embezzles will be brought with what he has
embezzled on the Day of Resurrection, then every
soul will be given what it has earned without being
wronged.” (Qur’an 3:161)
All cmployccs and offi cials arc lully accountablc lor
thcir position and all thc rcsponsibilitics and dutics
cntailcd thcrcin. Pcoplc who bctray thc trust ol offi cc may
bc rcmovcd lrom offi cc, fincd or imprisoncd by thc court.
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12
Rules of Warfare
Tis chaptcr will outlinc thc rulcs that rcgulatc and
dctcrminc warlarc lrom thc Scripturc as wcll as thc
structurc and scopc ol military campaigns/opcrations.
“Warfare has been decreed for you while you hate it;
and perhaps you may hate something while it is good
for you, and perhaps you may love something while
it is bad for you; and God knows while you do not
know.” (Qur’an 2:216)
139
Establishing an Army
“And prepare for them all that you can of might, and
from the steeds of war, that you may instill terror
with it towards the enemy of God and your enemy,
and others besides them whom you do not know but
God knows them. And whatever you spend in the
cause of God will be returned to you, and you will not
be wronged.” (Qur’an 8:60)
¡stablishing an army is a rcquircmcnt ol any !slamic statc
in ordcr to dclcnd its pcoplc, propcrty and constitution.
Not having a military lorcc is an invitation lor invasion or
somc disastcr lying in wait at somc luturc point.
Military Service
“O prophet, urge the believers to fight. If there are
twenty of you who are patient, they will defeat two
hundred. And if there are one hundred of you, they
will defeat one thousand from among those who
reject; that is because they are a people who do not
understand.” (Qur’an 8:65)
Tc army shall bc madc up ol mcn and womcn who
rcndcr such a scrvicc ol thcir own lrcc will and undcr no
compulsion whatsocvcr. Tcsc individuals arc to bc providcd
a wagc and othcr bcncfits and scrviccs as cstablishcd by thc
statc. !n wartimc, thc statc may call on ablcbodicd mcn
and womcn who upon thcir own lrccwill arc rcady to lorm
militias to dclcnd thc statc and its citizcns.
Defensive Warfare
“And fight in the cause of God against those who
fight you, but do not aggress, God does not love the
aggressors. And kill them wherever you overcome
them, and expel them from where they expelled you,
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and know that persecution is worse than being killed.
And do not fight them at the Restricted Temple
unless they fight you in it; if they fight you then kill
them, thus is the recompense of the disbelievers. And
if they cease, then God is Forgiving, Merciful. And
fight them so there is no more persecution, and so
that the system is for God. If they cease, then there
will be no aggression except against the wicked.”
(Qur’an 2:190-193)
Tis is whcrc thc tcrritory ol thc statc has comc
undcr dircct attack or thrcat ol attack. !n such a casc, thc
Scripturc grants automatic authority to conduct lullbattlc
mobilization and to conduct dclcnsivc strikcs in rctaliation
to thc attacks incurrcd. Varlarc in this sccnario is to bc
conductcd until thc invading lorcc(s) is drivcn back, il thcy
ccasc and withdraw, or il thcy complctcly surrcndcr.
!l any part ol thc statc has lallcn undcr occupation, thcn
no treaties, negotiations, or ceasefires may be entered into until
thc cncmy has surrcndcrcd or has bccn lully drivcn out
lrom thc lands and locations occupicd. Any such trcatics
or ncgotiations cntcrcd into on bchall ol thc statc whilc
undcr occupation shall bc considcrcd null and void.
Undcr such warlarc, thc catcgorization ol cncmics
bccomcs as lollows:
Invading Soldiers, Special Forces, Mercenaries, and
Various Armed Units
“And fight in the cause of God against those who
fight you, but do not aggress, God does not love the
them, and expel them from where they expelled you,
and know that persecution is worse than being killed.
And do not fight them at the Restricted Temple
unless they fight you in it; if they fight you then kill
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them, thus is the recompense of the disbelievers.”
(Qur’an 2:190-191)
!nvading soldicrs and all armcd lorccs/units that
support thcm may bc attackcd, lought, and killcd whcncvcr
and whcrcvcr thcy arc lound unlcss thcy surrcndcr or
complctcly withdraw lrom thc arcas thcy havc invadcd.
Occupation Installed Army or Policing Force
(i.e. Puppet Police or Army)
“ You will find others who want to be safe among you
and safe among their own people. Every time they
are returned to the test, they fall back in it. If they
do not withdraw from you, and offer you peace, and
restrain their hands, then you shall take them and kill
them wherever you overcome them. For these We have
given you a clear authority.” (Qur’an 4:91)
Although thcsc pcoplc arc normally citizcns ol thc
invadcd country/nation, thcy arc considcrcd to bc an
cxtcnsion ol thc invading army as thcy offcr support,
intclligcncc, and protcction to thc invadcr. !nvading armics
typically usc thcsc local militias or army lormations as a
‘lront linc’ to dclcnd thcm lrom attacks or to havc thcm
scarch out and kill or capturc dclcndcrs.
Such pcoplc arc to bc lought and killcd without
hcsitation until thcy ccasc thcir actions ol support lor thc
invading army.
Traitors, Spies, and Collaborators
“Te recompense of those who fight God and His
messenger, and seek to make corruption in the land, is
that they will be killed or crucified or that their hands
and feet be cut off from alternate sides or that they be
banished from the land; that is a disgrace for them in
142
this world and in the Hereafter they will have a great
retribution. Except for those who repent before you
overpower them, then know that God is Forgiving,
Tis scction ol pcoplc is thc most vilc. Tcy minglc
with thc pcoplc as il thcy arc with thcm, but thcn would
pass on inlormation to thc invadcrs rcgarding lormations,
wcapons, rcadincss, battlc plans and locations. Tis group
by lar causcs thc most sctbacks lor thc dclcndcrs as cntirc
lormations and plans may bc dcstroycd by thc insidc
inlormation thcy posscss. Tis group not only includcs
inlormants and spics, but also covcrs collaborators lrom
within thc govcrnmcnt.
!l a pcrson is provcn to bc amongst this catcgory, thcn
hc/shc may bc lought and killcd, or crucificd and madc as
a public cxamplc, or madc disablcd by thc cutting off ol
an altcrnatc hand and loot, or banishcd pcrmancntly lrom
thc land… Howcvcr, il a traitor/spy/collaborator surrcndcrs
and rcpcnts bclorc bcing capturcd or discovcrcd, thcn thcy
may bc sparcd.
Logistical Support (Truck Drivers, Contractors,
Cooks, etc.)
“When you were on the near side, and they were
on the far side, then the supply line became directly
beneath you. And if you had planned for this meeting,
you would have disagreed on its timing, but God was
to enforce a command that was already done. So that
He would destroy those to be destroyed with proof,
and to let those who will live be alive with proof; and
God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.” (Qur’an 8:42)
Again, thcsc arc an “cxtcnsion” ol thc invading army
and lall undcr thc samc ruling that it docs. Vithout
thc logistics ol lood, lucl, ammunition, clothcs, ctc. thc
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invading army would not havc thc ability to fight and
to hold its positions. Attacking and dcstroying supply
lincs and logistic support is not only pcrmissiblc, but is a
rcquircmcnt to put an cnd to thc invading lorccs.
External Military Operations
“And why do you not f ight in the cause of God,
when the weak among the men and women and
children say: ‘Our Lord, bring us out of this town
whose people are wicked, and grant us from
Yourself a supporter, and grant us from Yourself a
victor!’” (Qur’an 4:75)
“Tose who have believed and emigrated and strived
with their money and lives in the cause of God, and
those who have sheltered and supported; these are the
allies of one another. And those who believed but did
not emigrate, you do not owe them any obligation
until they emigrate. But if they seek your help in
the system, then you must support them, except if it
is against a people with whom there is a covenant
between you and them. And God is Seer over what
you do.” (Qur’an 8:72)
“And if they break their oaths after making their
pledge, and they challenge the authority of your system;
then you may kill the leaders of rejection. Teir oaths
are nothing to them, perhaps they will then cease.”
(Qur’an 9:12)
“O you who believe, if you go forth in the cause of God,
you shall investigate carefully. And do not say to those
who greet you with peace: “ You are not a believer!”
You are seeking the vanity of this world; but with
God are many riches. Tat is how you were before, but
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God graced you, so investigate carefully. God is expert
over what you do.” (Qur’an 4:94)
Military action (outsidc thc statc or its boundarics) is
only pcrmittcd undcr any ol thc lollowing justifications:
• Coming to sct lrcc or rclocatc an opprcsscd
pcoplc who havc madc a public call lor hclp (in
looking to thc cxamplc ol Moscs and Pharaoh,
thcrc was no attcmpt madc by Moscs to changc
thc govcrnmcnt ol Pharaoh or to givc thc
Childrcn ol !sracl powcr ovcr thc govcrnmcnt
or cvcn to givc thcm any part ol thc land ol
¡gypt, hc mcrcly camc to sct thcm lrcc and
allow thcm to rclocatc and lcavc ¡gypt).
• A crcdiblc thrcat or action ol thrcat is displaycd
by a group/nation against thc !slamic statc.
• !n pcacckccping missions with nations/pcoplc
with whom thc statc has a trcaty.
Tc party bcing aggrcsscd against must bc lormally and
publicly madc awarc ol thc rcasons lor thc attack and a
rcasonablc opportunity bc givcn to thc nation which is
about to bc attackcd to rcspond and amcnd.
Battle Strategy
Tis scction is dcdicatcd to thc sharing ol ccrtain battlc
stratcgics and tips that havc bccn asccrtaincd lrom thc
Scripturc:
Keep Organization and Planning Low Key
“And remember when you were but a few who were
weak in the land, you were fearful that the people might
capture you. But He sheltered you, and He supported
you with His victory, and He provided you with good
provisions, so that you may be thankful.” (Qur’an 8:26)
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Develop Weapons and Secure Funding
“And prepare for them all that you can of might, and
from the steeds of war, that you may instill terror
with it towards the enemy of God and your enemy,
and others besides them whom you do not know but
God knows them. And whatever you spend in the
cause of God will be returned to you, and you will not
be wronged.” (Qur’an 8:60)
Research and Development
“Tat you may make armor coats that fit perfectly,
and work righteousness. For I am Seer of what you
do.” (Qur’an 34:11)
“And We taught him the making of armor for you to
protect you from your enemy. Are you then thankful?”
(Qur’an 21:80)
Reconnaissance and Information Gathering
“But the hoopoe did not stay away long, then he said:
‘I have seen what you do not know, and I have come
to you from Sheba with news which is certain.’”
(Qur’an 27:22)
Have Leadership in Place
(Qur’an 4:59)
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Mobilize Troops
“O you who believe, what is wrong with you when
you are told: ‘Mobilize in the cause of God,’ you become
heavy on the earth. Have you become content with
this worldly life over the Hereafter? Te enjoyment
of this worldly life compared to the Hereafter is
nothing.” (Qur’an 9:38)
“Mobilize in light gear or heavy gear, and strive
with your money and lives in the cause of God. Tat
is best if only you knew.” (Qur’an 9:41)
Attack Supply Lines
“When you were on the near side, and they were
on the far side, then the supply line became directly
beneath you. And if you had planned for this meeting,
you would have disagreed on its timing, but God was
to enforce a command that was already done. So that
He would destroy those to be destroyed with proof,
and to let those who will live be alive with proof; and
Coordinate Attacks
“God loves those who fight in His cause as one column;
they are like bricks in a wall.” (Qur’an 61:4)
Strike the Enemy Leadership
“And if they break their oaths after making their
pledge, and they challenge the authority of your
system; then you may kill the leaders of rejection.
Teir oaths are nothing to them, perhaps they will
then cease.” (Qur’an 9:12)
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Strike Weakest Links
“Terefore, if you encounter those who have rejected,
then strike the necks; until you bind them, then secure
the cords. You may then either set them free or ransom
them, until the war ends. Tat, and if God had
willed, He alone could have beaten them, but He thus
tests you by one another. As for those who get killed in
the cause of God, He will never let their deeds be put
to waste.” (Qur’an 47:4)
Follow Orders
(Qur’an 4:59)
Scout Battle Terrain and Positions
“Remember when you departed from your family to
prepare for the believers their stations for battle, and
Number of Fighters Irrelevant to Outcome
“God had granted you victory at Badr, while you
had been the lesser, so reverence God that you may
be thankful. When you said to the believers: ‘Is it
not enough for you that your Lord would supply
you with three thousand of the angels sent down?
Indeed, if you are patient and are righteous and
they come and attack you, He will supply you
with f ive thousand of the angels battle trained.’”
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(Qur’an 3:123-125)
Hold Your Ground
“O you who believe; when you encounter those who
have rejected on the battlefield, do not flee from them.
And whoever on that day flees from them; unless it is
part of the battle strategy or if he is retreating back to
his group; then he has drawn the wrath of God upon
him, and his abode will be Hell. What a miserable
destiny.” (Qur’an 8:15-16)
“O you who believe, when you meet a force, stand firm
and mention God excessively, that you may succeed.”
(Qur’an 8:45)
Attack Bases of Traitors and Collaborators
“And if you are being betrayed by a people, then you
shall likewise move against them. God does not love
the betrayers.” (Qur’an 8:58)
Encourage Populace to Fight or Defend
“O prophet, urge the believers to fight. If there are
twenty of you who are patient, they will defeat two
hundred. And if there are one hundred of you, they
will defeat one thousand from among those who
reject; that is because they are a people who do not
understand.” (Qur’an 8:65)
Focus on Enemy Losses
“If you are wounded, then know that the other group
is also wounded. And such are the days, We alternate
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them between the people, so that God will distinguish
those who believe, and so He may make witnesses
from among you; and God does not love the wicked.”
(Qur’an 3:140)
Change Plans Tat Do Not Work
“And so it was when you suffered setback; even though
you affl icted them with twice as much setback; you said:
‘Where is this coming from?’ Say: ‘It is from yourselves.’
God is capable of all things.” (Qur’an 3:165)
Replace Leadership If Killed or Captured, Focus on
Final Goal
“And Mohammed is but a messenger, like many messen-
gers who have passed before him. If he dies or is killed
will you turn back on your heels? And whoever turns
back on his heels, he will not harm God in the least. And
God will recompense the thankful.” (Qur’an 3:144)
Remember the Hereafter
“And if you are killed in the cause of God or die, then
forgiveness from God and mercy are far greater than
all they can put together. And if you die or are killed,
then to God you will be gathered. And do not think
that those who are killed in the cause of God are dead.
No, they are alive at their Lord receiving a bounty.
Happy with what God has granted them from His
grace, and they rejoice in those who have yet to follow
after them. Tere is no fear upon them nor do they
grieve. Tey rejoice with the bounty of God and grace;
God will not waste the recompense of the believers.”
(Qur’an 3:169-171)
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Trust in God
“Te ones who the people said to them: ‘ Te people
have gathered against you, so be concerned by them,’
but it only increased their faith and they said: ‘God
is suffi cient for us, and He is the best to put our trust
in.’” (Qur’an 3:173)
“And when the believers saw the opponents, they said:
‘ Tis is what God and His messenger have promised
us, and God and His messenger are truthful.’ Tis
only increased their faith and their submission.”
(Qur’an 33:22)
Scope of Warfare and Conduct
“And if they cease, then God is Forgiving, Merciful.
And fight them so there is no more persecution, and
so that the system is for God. If they cease, then there
will be no aggression except against the wicked.”
(Qur’an 2:192-193)
Vith thc cxccption ol dclcnsivc warlarc which is
conductcd until thc cncmy/invadcr is complctcly drivcn
out or surrcndcrs, all othcr warlarc conductcd by thc
statc is to bc donc whilc cxcrcising paticncc and rcstraint
at all timcs. Tc combat pcrsonncl arc prohibitcd lrom
fighting or attacking noncombatants in any shapc, way
or lorm, unlcss thcy havc placcd thcmsclvcs within thc
tcrritory ol thc statc and arc bcing drivcn out (i.c. scttlcrs
that havc comc with thc invading army) or havc bccomc
intcrminglcd with thc invading army. Combatants who
withdraw to tcrritorics ol nations with which thc statc has
a covcnant/trcaty may not bc harmcd as long as thcy arc
not launching attacks lrom such tcrritory.
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Prisoners of War
“And it was not for any prophet to take prisoners until he
is bound by a campaign. You desire the materials of this
world, while God wants the Hereafter for you. God is
“O prophet, say to those prisoners whom you hold: ‘If
God finds in your hearts any good, He will grant you
better than what He took from you, and He will forgive
you. God is Forgiving, Merciful.’” (Qur’an 8:70)
“Terefore, if you encounter those who have rejected,
then strike the necks; until you bind them, then secure
the cords. You may then either set them free or ransom
them, until the war ends. Tat, and if God had
willed, He alone could have beaten them, but He thus
tests you by one another. As for those who get killed in
the cause of God, He will never let their deeds be put
to waste.” (Qur’an 47:4)
Prisoncrs arc only takcn in battlc or warlarc and not
during pcacctimc or noncombativc action.
Prisoncrs ol war arc to bc trcatcd with dignity and
rcspcct at all timcs and must bc providcd lood, shcltcr
and mcdical assistancc. Prisoncrs arc not to bc humiliatcd,
torturcd or subjcctcd to psychological or physical strcss at
any timc during thcir captivity.
Prisoncrs may bc cxchangcd or sct lrcc during a war
bascd on what is dccmcd to bc in thc bcst intcrcst ol thc
statc. Howcvcr, oncc thc war is offi cially ovcr, thcn all
prisoncrs must bc rclcascd immcdiatcly and rcturncd to
thcir homcland or givcn shcltcr in thc statc il that is thcir
rcqucst and it is dccmcd to rcprcscnt no thrcat.
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Desertion
“O you who believe; when you encounter those who
have rejected on the battlefield, do not flee from them.
And whoever on that day flees from them; unless it is
part of the battle strategy or if he is retreating back to
his group; then he has drawn the wrath of God upon
him, and his abode will be Hell. What a miserable
destiny.” (Qur’an 8:15-16)
Ðcscrtion lrom thc military or lrom battlc shall inflict
action against thc offcnding pcrson through thc criminal
court ol thc statc.
Te Ending of Military Conflict
“And f ight in the cause of God against those who
f ight you, but do not aggress, God does not love the
them, and expel them from where they expelled
you, and know that persecution is worse than being
killed. And do not f ight them at the Restricted
Temple unless they f ight you in it; if they f ight
you then kill them, thus is the recompense of the
disbelievers.” (Qur’an 2:190-191)
“And if they seek peace, then you also seek it,
and put your trust in God. He is the Hearer, the
Knowledgeable. And if they wish to deceive you,
then God is suff icient for you. He is the One who
supported you with His victory and with the
believers.” (Qur’an 8:61-62)
Tc military campaign can only cnd with thc invadcrs
bcing drivcn out (il it is a dclcnsivc war) or il thc
statc dccidcs to ccasc thc military campaign (il it is an
aggrcssivc war). No trcatics or withdrawals arc pcrmittcd
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in a dclcnsivc war until thc cncmy has lully withdrawn
lrom all occupicd arcas or has surrcndcrcd. !l thc cncmy
has withdrawn, thcn a pcacc trcaty may bc hcld il thc
aggrcssor rcqucsts it.
Spoils of War
“Tey ask you regarding the spoils of war, say: ‘ Te
spoils of war are for God and the messenger.’ So be
aware of God, and be upright in matters between you;
and obey God and His messenger if you are believers.”
(Qur’an 8:1)
!n war, all spoils arc to bc administcrcd by thc statc lor
distribution into thc cconomy and pcoplc.
Secret Operations/Missions
“Tey ask you regarding the crescent moons, say:
‘ Tey are a timing mechanism for the people and the
Pilgrimage.’ And piety is not that you would enter a
home from its back, but piety is whoever is righteous
and comes to the homes from their main doors. And be
aware of God that you may succeed.” (Qur’an 2:189)
Tc !slamic statc and all its citizcns arc prohibited
lrom conducting sccrct warlarc or opcrations dcsigncd to
dcstabilizc, undcrminc or corrupt thc systcms ol lorcign
nations. Tc statc will always bc bound by transparcncy
and honcsty and thc dcsirc to bcncfit thc livcs ol humans
insidc thc statc and clscwhcrc on ¡arth.
Campaigns of Conquest
“If you sought conquest, then conquest has come to
you, but if you cease, then it is better for you. And if
you return again, then We will also return, and your
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group will avail you nothing even if it is many. God
is with the believers.” (Qur’an 8:19)
Campaigns with thc intcnt ol conqucst arc prohibitcd
lrom bcing conductcd.
Peace Keeping Efforts
“And if two parties of believers battle with each
other, you shall reconcile them; but if one of them
aggresses against the other, then you shall fight the
one aggressing until it complies with the command of
God. Once it complies, then you shall reconcile the two
groups with justice, and be equitable; for God loves
those who are equitable. Te believers are brothers; so
reconcile between your brothers, and be aware of God,
that you may receive mercy.” (Qur’an 49:9-10)
Tc Scripturc allows lor thc statc to cntcr into
pcacckccping missions. Such missions shall bc limitcd to
cnding thc aggrcssion ol onc party against anothcr and
rcconciliation bctwccn thc two warring lactions.
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13
Te Calendar System
Crcating a vibrant rcpublic bascd on thc Scripturc docs not
only rcly on laws and lcgal issucs but must also takc into
account thc advanccd rcquircmcnt ol “timc kccping.”
8clow is a bricl history ol somc ol thc most widcly uscd
calcndars that may assist us in undcrstanding how thc
cclcstial systcm ol God has bccn put in usc ovcr thc agcs.
Egyptian Calendar
!t is rccordcd that thc carly ¡gyptians (around 4,000
8C) uscd a Solar calcndar ol 365 days bascd on thcir
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obscrvation ol thc star Sirius rising with thc Sun (this
is thc Hcliacal rising and would occur at thc pcak ol
summcr). Tc ¡gyptians also had 12 months in thcir ycar
dividcd into 30 days cach. Tc last 5 days wcrc callcd “days
ol lcstival” (20:59) and wcrc not part ol any month.
Tcy cvcntually had a systcm ol 36 stars to mark out thc
ycar and in thc cnd had thrcc diffcrcnt calcndars working
concurrcntly lor ovcr 2000 ycars: a stcllar calcndar lor
agriculturc, a solar ycar ol 365 days (12 months x 30 ÷ 5
cxtra) lor civil lilc, and a quasilunar calcndar lor lcstivals.
Tc latcr ¡gyptian calcndars dcvclopcd sophisticatcd
Zodiac systcms.
Greek Calendar
Tc calcndar uscd by thc ancicnt Grccks was bascd on
thc Moon and was known as thc Mctonic calcndar.
Tis calcndar was bascd on thc obscrvations ol Mcton
ol Athcns (ca. 440 8C), which showcd that 235 lunar
months madc up almost cxactly 19 solar ycars. Tis 19
ycar cyclc bccamc known as thc Mctonic cyclc. Howcvcr,
givcn a nominal twclvcmonth ycar, an additional lunar
month nccdcd to bc addcd to synchronizc thc cyclc. Tcsc
wcrc addcd in ycars 3, 5, 8, 11, 13, 16, and 19 ol thc cyclc.
Tus thc Grcck Calcndar is a mixturc ol Solar and
Lunar clcmcnts.
Roman Calendar
Tc Romans startcd off with a 10 month Lunar calcndar
which startcd thc ycar around thc vcrnal cquinox and
consistcd ol 10 months (Martius, Aprilis, Maius, Junius,
Quntilis, Scxtilis, Scptcmbcr, Òctobcr, Novcmbcr, and
Ðcccmbcr) having a total ol 304 days. Tc 304 days wcrc
lollowcd by an unnamcd, unnumbcrcd pcriod in wintcr.
Tc Roman cmpcror Numa Pompilius (715673 8C)
introduccd Fcbruary and January bctwccn Ðcccmbcr
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and March, incrcasing thc lcngth ol thc ycar to 354 or
355 days.
!n 46 8C, thc Romans altcrcd thcir calcndar bascd on
thc ¡gyptian modcl, undcr cmpcror Julius Cacsar, to a
calcndar madc up ol 365 days (366 in a lcapycar). Also,
thc numbcr ol days pcr month was altcrcd/incrcascd to
corrcspond to thc 365day ycar (i.c. 31 day months wcrc
introduccd).
Gregorian Calendar
Tis is thc most common calcndar in usc today in thc
modcrn world and is an adjustmcnt ol thc carlicr Roman
Calcndar. Julian Scaligcr dcfincd Ðay Ònc ( January 1st) as
a day whcn thrcc cyclcs convcrgcd on it. Tc first cyclc was
thc 28 ycar pcriod ovcr which thc Julian calcndar rcpcats.
Tc sccond was thc 19 ycar goldcn numbcr cyclc ovcr
which phascs ol thc moon almost land on thc samc datcs
ol thc ycar. Tc third cyclc was thc 15 ycar ancicnt Roman
tax cyclc ol cmpcror Constantinc.
!n 1582 Popc Grcgory truncatcd 10 days off thc Roman
calcndar to bring it in linc with thc vcrnal cquinox (crrors
wcrc prcviously madc in thc lcapycar adjustmcnts and
thc calcndar slippcd out ol sync with thc scasons).
Jewish Calendar
Tc Hcbrcw calcndar is a blcnd ol Lunar and Solar
componcnts rcsulting in what is callcd a “LuniSolar”
calcndar. Tc rcligious bcginning ol thc Hcbrcw calcndar
is thc month ol Nisan (bascd on ¡xodus 12:2) which
corrcsponds to thc months ol March or April dcpcnding
on thc lunar and solar cyclcs.
Tc Hcbrcw months arc: (Tishri, Hcshvan, Kislcv,
Tcvct, Shcvat, Adar, Nisan, !yar, Sivan, Tammuz, Av, ¡lul).
Tc cxtra month (callcd Adar !!) is inscrtcd roughly cvcry
7 ycars to makcup lor thc 11day slip which rcsults lrom
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lollowing thc Lunar cyclcs. Tis adjustmcnt is donc to
kccp thc calcndar in linc with thc scasons ol a Solar ycar.
Current Islamic Calendar
Tc currcnt !slamic calcndar uscs a simplc count ol 12 lunar
months, which prcsumcs to bc bascd on thc Scripturc and
uscs thc Hijra (thc migration ol thc Prophct to Mcdina)
as its “ycar zcro.”
in the book of God the day He created the heavens and
the earth; four of them are restricted. Tis is the correct
system; so do not wrong yourselves in them; and fight the
polytheists collectively as they fight you collectively. And
know that God is with the righteous.” (Qur’an 9:36)
Tc lunar months rctain Arabic namcs in thc lollowing
scqucncc:
1. Muharam,
2. Salar,
3. Rabca !,
4. Rabca !!,
5. Jamadi !,
6. Jamadi !!,
7. Rajab,
8. Shaban,
9. Ramadhan,
10. Shawal,
11. Ðhul Qida,
12. Ðhul Hija.
Tc obvious rcsult ol such a calcndar, as any amatcur
astronomcr would know, is that thc lunar ycar (12 months
x 29.53 days pcr month - 354.36 days) will bc 11 days
shortcr than thc actual solar ycar ol 365.242 days. Tis
calcndar rcsults in thc months bcing wildly out ol sync
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with thc scasons, and any luturc planning bccomcs a
complcxity in itscll.
!t is no sccrct that ncarly all nations who prolcss to usc
thc !slamic calcndar will also run a civil calcndar that uscs
a 365day ycar and lor which thcy schcdulc thcir livcs and
busincsscs.
Definition of a Year
Tc first qucstion that nccds to bc askcd whcn constructing
any calcndar is whcthcr to usc a solar ycar ol 365 days
(rcprcscnting thc lcngth ol timc it takcs thc ¡arth to
rotatc complctcly around thc sun), or, whcthcr to usc a
lunar ycar by simply counting 12 lunar months (354 days),
or, whcthcr to usc a mixturc ol both solar and lunar at thc
samc timc.
“And We made the night and the day as two signs,
so We erased the sign of night and We made the sign
of day to see-in, that you may seek bounty from your
Lord, and that you may know the number of the years
and the count. And everything We have detailed
completely.” (Qur’an 17:12)
“He is the One who has made the sun a radiance, and
the moon a light, and He has measured its phases;
that you may know the number of the years and the
count. God has not created this except with the truth.
He clarifies the revelations for a people who know.”
(Qur’an 10:5)
According to thc abovc vcrscs, thc main thcmc that
is uscd to mcasurc thc ycar is thc altcrnation ol thc day
and night (which is causcd by thc movcmcnt ol thc ¡arth
around thc sun), whilc thc sccondary thcmc arc thc phascs
ol thc moon, thus making thc calcndar that is dcscribcd in
thc Scripturc ol God as bcing “lunisolar” in naturc.
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Year = 365 days rounded (365.24 days—one full rotation
around the sun)
Vc can scc this rclcrcncc to a solar bascd 365day ycar
in thc story ol Joscph whcn hc rclcrs to thc scvcn ycars ol
drought that ¡gypt will lacc (12:47) as it is linkcd dircctly
to thc harvcst, as wcll as thc uniquc phcnomcnon that thc
singular word ‘day/yawm’ occurs in thc cntirc Qur’an an
cxact 365 timcs.
Definition of a Month
Vith rcgards to a ‘month,’ it is a unit ol mcasurc that
is containcd within a ycar (cstablishcd as 365 days).
According to thc Scripturc, thcrc arc 12 ol thcsc units
‘months’ that arc countcd within thc systcm ol thc ycar:
and fight the polytheists collectively as they fight
you collectively. And know that God is with the
righteous.” (Qur’an 9:36)
Tcrclorc, and in thc simplcst tcrms, thc avcragc lcngth
ol cach month is 365 ÷ 12 - 30.4 days (30 days roundcd).
Tis figurc ol 30 days brings us back to thc moon whcrcby
wc arc told that, in addition to thc sun, thc moon is also
rclatcd to thc count ol thc ycars.
“He is the One who has made the sun a radiance, and
the moon a light, and He has measured its phases;
that you may know the number of the years and the
count. God has not created this except with the truth.
He clarifies the revelations for a people who know.”
(Qur’an 10:5)
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Tc avcragc lcngth ol thc cyclc ol thc moon is 29.53
days (30 days roundcd), which is inlinc with thc mcasurc
ol thc ‘30day month’ as givcn in thc Scripturc.
Month = 30 days rounded (29.53 days —one full lunar cycle)
Vc can scc thc corrclation bctwccn thirty days and
onc month clcarly in vcrsc 58:4 which spcaks ol a pcrson
lasting lor “two consccutivc months” or “lccding sixty
poor” thus making thc dcfinition ol a month as 30 days.
When does the year begin?
Tc currcnt datcs uscd in modcrn calcndars to mark thc
first day ol thc ycar (such as January 1
st
in thc Grcgorian
calcndar or Muharam in thc Arabic calcndar) arc arbitrary
datcs that havc bccn sclcctcd bascd on spccific historic
cvcnts (thc dcath ol Jcsus in thc Grcgorian, and thc Hijra
ol thc Prophct in thc Arabic).
According to thc Qur’an, thc most significant cvcnt
that takcs placc on onc night cvcry ycar is thc “Night ol
Ðccrcc” in which thc angcls and thc Spirit arc scnt down
to carry out thc dccrccs ol God:
“We have sent it down in the Night of Decree. And do
you know what is the Night of Decree? Te Night of
Decree is better than one thousand months. Te angels
and the Spirit come down in it with the permission
of their Lord to carry out every matter. It is peaceful
until the coming of dawn.” (Qur’an 97:1-5)
Tis cvcnt, bcing a blcsscd night lor thc rcccipt ol thc
commands ol God, is by lar thc most significant and thc
most worthy to bc uscd as a markcr lor thc bcginning ol
thc ycar.
Jesus and the Night of Decree
Tc birth ol thc Mcssiah, Jcsus, is amongst thc grcatcst
miraclcs to occur in our history as hc was conccivcd
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miraculously without having a lathcr and hc was ablc to
spcak to pcoplc lrom thc cradlc and was ablc to pcrlorm
grcat miraclcs (with thc pcrmission ol God) that includcd
raising thc dcad and hcaling thc blind and thc lcpcrs.
Accordingly, thc Qur’an givcs us somc clucs rcgarding
this grcat cvcnt, spccifically in idcntilying thc pcriod/
month in which thc son ol Mary was givcn birth to:
“And shake the trunk of this palm tree, it will cause
ripe dates (Rutab) to fall upon you.” (Qur’an 19:25)
Tc tcrm “Rutab” indicatcs an advanccd lcvcl ol
datc ripcning. Tc known timc lor this stagc ol datc
dcvclopmcnt typically occurs in thc Middlc ¡ast at thc
cnd ol thc pcak ol hot scason and datcs arc known as
“Rutab” lrom thc pcriod cnding in August till thc pcriod
cnding in Scptcmbcr.
As such, it is with this cluc that wc can dctcrminc
that thc Mcssiah was givcn birth to in thc pcriod around
Scptcmbcr according to thc climatc ol thc Middlc ¡ast.
Howcvcr, it is not in thc birth ol Jcsus that wc find
clucs to thc Night ol Ðccrcc, rathcr, it is with thc night ol
his conccption.
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“So she took a barrier to separate her from them, so
We sent Our Spirit to her, and he took on the shape
of a man in all similarity. She said: ‘I seek refuge
with the Almighty from you if you are righteous.’
He said: ‘I am the messenger of your Lord, to grant
you the gift of a pure son.’” (Qur’an 19:17-19)
“And the angels said: ‘O Mary, God gives you glad
tidings of a word from Him. His name is the Messiah,
Jesus the son of Mary. Honorable in this world and in
the Hereafter, and from among those who are made
close. And he will speak to the people from the cradle
and to middle-age, and is from among the upright.’
She said: ‘My Lord, how can I have a son when no
man has been with me?’ He said: ‘It is thus that God
creates what He wills, when He decrees a command,
He merely says to it ‘Be,’ and it is.’” (Qur’an 3:45-47)
Te Spirits and the Angels Come Down
Tc Night ol Ðccrcc is uniquc in that thc Angcls and thc
Spirit arc said to comc down to carry out thc commands
ol thc Lord:
“Te angels and the Spirit come down in it with the
permission of their Lord to carry out every matter.”
(Qur’an 97:4)
Vith rcgards to Jcsus, this cvcnt took placc on thc cvc
ol his conccption, thus making thc Night ol Ðccrcc occur
9 months prior to his birth (i.c. around Ðcccmbcr).
Night ol Ðccrcc - Spirit ÷ Angcls
Conccption ol Jcsus - Spirit ÷ Angcls
Night ol Ðccrcc - Òn or about Ðcccmbcr
Now that thc cvidcncc has bccn prcscntcd to gaugc thc
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pcriod ol thc Night ol Ðccrcc, it is only rcasonablc to pursuc
thc subjcct lurthcr and try to asccrtain “which night.”
Troughout thc Qur’an wc arc told that God lavors thc
night lor worship and lor His mcssagcs:
• Tc Qur’an was scnt at night (44:3, 97:1),
• Moscs saw thc firc on thc mount whcn God
first spokc to him during thc night (27:7),
• God commandcd Moscs to wait lor 40 nights
(7:142),
• Vorship is spokcn ol as occurring during thc
night (39:9, 73:20),
• God took thc Prophct on a spccial journcy at
night (17:1),
• Tc Qur’an is bcst studicd at night (17:79),
• Zakariya was commandcd to last lrom spcaking
lor thrcc nights (19:10).
Sincc thc night is morc prccious than thc day, thcn
it is only normal that wc look at thc days with thc
“longcst” nights as bcing possiblc candidatcs sincc
wc know that God in His mcrcy would want to givc
humankind thc maximum bcncfit ol His blcssings and
not anything lcsscr:
“Say: ‘If you were the ones possessing the vaults of
the mercy of my Lord, you would have held back
for concern of spending. And the human being was
always stingy!’” (Qur’an 17:100)
!ntcrcstingly cnough, a littlc rcscarch rcvcals that
thcrc is indccd onc day cvcry ycar which, according to
astronomy, is uniquc in bcing thc day with thc longest
night. Morc intcrcstingly, wc find that this day occurs in
nonc othcr than thc month ol Ðcccmbcr ol cach ycar.
165
Tc Vintcr Solsticc, also known as Midwintcr, occurs
around Ðcccmbcr 21 or 22 cach ycar in thc Northcrn
hcmisphcrc. !t occurs on thc longcst night ol thc ycar,
somctimcs said to mark thc bcginning ol an astronomical
wintcr lor a hcmisphcrc.
http://cn.wikipcdia.org/wiki/Vintcr_solsticc
Night of Decree = December 21st or 22nd each year
Now that wc havc a markcr to bcgin thc ycar with, it
is timc to look at thc othcr clcmcnts that togcthcr makc a
working calcndar bascd on thc Qur’an.
Te Lunar Month
Sincc wc arc told that thc count ol thc ycar not only involvcs
thc ‘sun’ but thc ‘moon’ also, thcn wc nccd to dctcrminc
which phasc ol thc moon (dark moon, waxing crcsccnt,
lull moon, waning crcsccnt) significs thc bcginning ol any
givcn month.
“And the moon We have measured it to appear in
stages, until it returns like an old palm sheath. “
(Qur’an 36:39)
166
Tc Qur’an tclls us that thc moon gocs through its
phascs until it rcturns to rcscmblc thc ‘old shcath’ ol a palm
trcc a shapc that givcs a curvcd appcarancc to cithcr sidc.
Tus, in dctcrmining thc start ol thc month, thc obvious
answcr is that thc “crcsccnt,” which first appcars whcn a
ncw moon is illuminatcd, is thc markcr which wc bcgin
our count ol thc months with.
“They ask you regarding the crescent moons, say:
‘ They are a timing mechanism for the people and
the Pilgrimage.’ And piety is not that you would
enter a home from its back, but piety is whoever is
righteous and comes to the homes from their main
doors. And be aware of God that you may succeed.”
(Qur’an 2:189)
Vhat lurthcr supports thc undcrstanding that thc
“crcsccnt” was thc markcr which bcgan thc month is
vcrsc 2:189 abovc, whcrc wc find thc pcoplc locusscd
on undcrstanding thc importancc ol this moon phasc,
whcrcby thcy ask thc Prophct, who in turn inlorms thcm
167
it is a ‘timing mcchanism’ as wcll as a ‘markcr’ lor thc
pilgrimagc.
Tcrclorc, thc months bcgin with thc crcsccnt moon.
Te Four Restricted Months
Tc othcr piccc ol inlormation wc arc givcn to incorporatc
into a calcndar arc thc ‘lour rcstrictcd months’ in which
hunting ol all wild gamc is lorbiddcn (with thc cxccption
ol any catch lrom thc sca).
and fight the polytheists collectively as they fight you
collectively. And know that God is with the righ-
teous.” (Qur’an 9:36)
168
“Lawful for you is the catch of the sea, to eat it as
enjoyment for you and for those who travel; and
unlawful for you is the catch of the land as long as you
are under restriction; and be aware of God to whom
you will be gathered.” (Qur’an 5:96)
Furthcr study rcvcals that thcsc lour months arc
scqucntial in naturc, and that thcy takc placc during thc
wintcr scason(s) as cvidcnccd by vcrsc 9:15 bclow whcrcby
God givcs an ultimatum during thc ‘rcstrictcd months’ to
thc polythcists which cxpircd with thc onsct ol thc summcr
hcat:
“A revocation is made by God and His messenger
to those with whom you have made a pledge from
among the polytheists. ‘ Terefore, roam the land
for four months and know that you will not escape
God, and that God will humiliate the rejecters.’
And a proclamation from God and His messenger
to the people on the day of the greater Pilgrimage:
“Tat God and His messenger are innocent from the
polytheists.” If you repent, then it is better for you, and
if you turn away, then know that you will not escape
God. And give news to those who have rejected of a
painful retribution. Except for those with whom you
had made a pledge from among the polytheists if they
did not reduce anything from it nor did they plan to
attack you; you shall continue the pledge with them
until its expiry. God loves the righteous. So when the
restricted months have passed, then you may kill the
polytheists wherever you find them, and take them,
and surround them, and stand against them at every
point. If they repent, and they hold the contact prayer,
169
and they contribute towards purification, then you
shall leave them alone. God is Forgiving, Merciful.”
(Qur’an 9:1-5)
“Tose who have remained are happy with their
position of lagging behind the messenger of God, and
they disliked striving with their money and lives in
the cause of God; and they say: ‘Do not mobilize in
the heat.’ Say: ‘ Te fire of Hell is much hotter,’ if they
could only understand.” (Qur’an 9:81)
As wc havc alrcady cstablishcd that Ramadhan takcs
placc around thc samc pcriod that thc ultimatum was
issucd(wintcr solsticc), thcn it would logically lollow that
thc month ol Ramadhan is thc markcr lor thc first ol thcsc
‘rcstrictcd months,’ and that thc rcmaining thrcc months
(which arc also rcstrictcd) arc thc months ol Pilgrimagc
mcntioncd in 2:197 and 9:15.
Rcstrictcd Month1 - Ramadhan
Rcstrictcd Month2 - Pilgrimagc
Te 13th month?
Vhilc having a lunisolar ycar is cxtrcmcly accuratc whcn
it comcs to aligning thc ycar with thc scasons, planning
lor crops and harvcsts, and in knowing thc natural cyclc
ol wildlilc, thcrc is onc issuc that nccds to bc addrcsscd
which is thc ‘13th month’ (intcrcalary month) that must
occur in somc solar ycars duc to thc lcngth ol a lunar
month bcing on avcragc 29.54 days and thus not fitting
pcrlcctly in a 365 day ycar.
Tc Scripturc tclls us that prcvious gcncrations
manipulatcd thc thirtccnth month by inscrting it in onc
170
ycar and rcmoving it lrom thc ncxt so as to circumvcnt thc
hunting rcstrictions placcd by God:
“Know that the use of the additional month causes an
increase in rejection, for it is used by those who have
rejected that they may misguide with it by making
it lawful one year, and unlawful one year, so as to
circumvent the count of what God has made restricted;
thus they make lawful what God has made unlawful.
Teir evil works have been adorned for them, and God
does not guide the rejecting people.” (Qur’an 9:37)
Tc corrcct approach with rcgards to thc intcrcalary
month is to apply it at thc cnd ol thc ycar whcrc, altcr thc
count ol twclvc months/moons, thc ncw lull moon would
lall 30days short ol thc Night ol Ðccrcc.
Such application givcs us a total ol scvcn intcrcalary
months inscrtcd in cvcry ninctccn ycar cyclc.
Conclusion
Tc calcndar ol God is onc that cxists in naturc and
which utilizcs thc cntitics ol sun, moon and star to makc a
pcrlcct timing mcchanism that is inlinc with naturc and
inharmony with our movcmcnts through thc univcrsc.
Summary:
• Tc ycar according to thc Scripturc is 365 days
(12:47, 17:12),
• Tc calcndar systcm lor thc ycar is lunisolar
(17:12, 10:5),
• Tc most spccial cvcnt that occurs during thc
ycar is thc Night ol Ðccrcc (97:4) which occurs
on thc wintcr solsticc.
• Tc count ol thc months bcgins with thc
crcsccnt moon (2:189, 36:39),
171
• Tc month ol thc wintcr solsticc is known as
thc month ol ‘Ramadhan’ (2:185),
• Tc month ol Ramadhan is thc first ol thc
‘rcstrictcd months’ during which thc hunting ol
gamc is lorbiddcn, whilc domcstic animals and thc
catch ol thc sca arc lawlul (9:25, 2:217, 5:1, 5:96),
• Tc thrcc months that lollow thc month ol
Ramadhan arc thc months ol ‘Pilgrimagc’ and
arc similarly ‘rcstrictcd months’ during which thc
hunting ol gamc is lorbiddcn,
• Altcr a count ol 12 lunar months, il a 13th lull
moon appcars a lull 30 days bclorc thc ncxt
wintcr solsticc, thcn such a month is to bc
countcd as ‘month zcro’ or ‘month thirtccn.’
Sample Calendar (2011-2017)*
*Plcasc notc, thc bclow datcs arc bascd on astronomical calculation.
Tc “ncw moon,” which is markcd by thc first appcarancc ol thc crcs
ccnt, would appcar around 12 days altcr thcsc datcs.
Gregorian Date Muslim Calendar
Type of
Month
Novcmbcr 25th, 2011 1st Month Ramadhan
Ðcccmbcr 24th, 2011 2nd Month Pilgrimagc
January 23rd, 2012 3rd Month Pilgrimagc
Fcbruary 21st, 2012 4th Month Pilgrimagc
March 22nd, 2012 5th Month Normal
April 21st, 2012 6th Month Normal
May 20th, 2012 7th Month Normal
Junc 19th, 2012 8th Month Normal
July 19th, 2012 9th Month Normal
August 17th, 2012 10th Month Normal
Scptcmbcr 16th, 2012 11th Month Normal
Òctobcr 15th, 2012 12th Month Normal
Novcmbcr 13th, 2012 13th Month Normal
172
Ðcccmbcr 13th, 2012 1st Month Ramadhan
January 11th, 2013 2nd Month Pilgrimagc
Fcbruary 10th, 2013 3rd Month Pilgrimagc
March 11th, 2013 4th Month Pilgrimagc
April 10th, 2013 5th Month Normal
Novcmbcr 3rd, 2013 12th Month Normal
Ðcccmbcr 3rd, 2013 1st Month Ramadhan
January 1st, 2014 2nd Month Pilgrimagc
January 30th, 2014 3rd Month Pilgrimagc
March 1st, 2014 4th Month Pilgrimagc
March 30th, 2014 5th Month Normal
Òctobcr 23rd, 2014 12th Month Normal
Novcmbcr 22nd, 2014 1st Month Ramadhan
Ðcccmbcr 22nd, 2014 2nd Month Pilgrimagc
Fcbruary 18th, 2015 4th Month Pilgrimagc
173
Novcmbcr 11th, 2015 13th Month Normal
Ðcccmbcr 11th, 2015 1st Month Ramadhan
January 10th, 2016 2nd Month Pilgrimagc
Fcbruary 8th, 2016 3rd Month Pilgrimagc
March 9th, 2016 4th Month Pilgrimagc
August 2nd, 2016 9th Month Normal
Scptcmbcr 1st, 2016 10th Month Normal
Òctobcr 1st, 2016 11th Month Normal
Novcmbcr 29th, 2016 1st Month Ramadhan
Ðcccmbcr 29th, 2016 2nd Month Pilgrimagc
Fcbruary 26th, 2017 4th Month Pilgrimagc
Futurc datcs lor thc ncw moon may bc obtaincd lrom thc
lollowing sourcc: http://www.usno.navy.mil/USNÒ/astronomical
applications/datascrviccs/phascsmoon
174
14
A New Beginning
Tc historic progrcssion !slam has gonc through sincc
thc Scripturc was dclivcrcd by thc Prophct Mohammcd
with rcgards to govcrnmcnt has bccn to movc lrom a
council typc govcrnmcnt lormcd undcr thc Prophct
(Shoura) to a myriad ol diffcrcnt systcms ol govcrnmcnts
with Kings, Sultans, Prcsidcnts, and Shcikhs appcaring
all across thc lormcr !slamic world.
Vhilc all thcsc oncman dictators arc still with us today,
thc masscs arc convinccd that a rcturn to thc “Khilala”
(Suprcmc !slamic Lcadcr) is thc solution to thcir ills
175
and dyslunctional govcrnmcnts. Òl coursc, thc Khilala is
nothing but a oncman govcrnmcnt (onc pcrson with all
powcrs vcstcd in him), so thcy would not rcally bc making
much diffcrcncc lrom whcrc thcy arc today!
Vhcn studying thc Qur’an, wc find two lorms ol
govcrnmcnt highlightcd:
1. Kings appointcd by God to rulc with His laws (c.g.
Ðavid, Solomon, Saul 38:1720, 2:102, 2:247),
2. Modcl govcrnmcnts built on consultation (c.g.
Shcba, Prophct Mohammcd 27:32, 3:159).
A monarch appointcd by God has not bccn in cffcct
lor many ccnturics and will thcrclorc not bc discusscd lor
thc purposc ol this chaptcr, cxccpt to say that a monarchy
cstablishcd by mcn has bccn condcmncd in thc Qur’an
(27:34, 18:79, 43:51). Howcvcr, a govcrnmcnt built on
consultation is givcn with livc cxamplcs and it will bc such
that wc usc to basc our loundation upon.
Tc structurc ol govcrnmcnt within thc Scripturc givcs
way to a rcpublic that has bccn dcsigncd to cnsurc protcction
ol its citizcns’ rights as wcll as to crcatc a vibrant and
dynamic govcrnmcnt to managc thc nccds and aspirations
ol its citizcns. Tc structurc is dcsigncd to crcatc chccks
and balanccs whcrcby no onc branch ol govcrnmcnt or onc
pcrson may control thc cntirc govcrnmcnt.
Tis chaptcr will dcal with thc crcation ol such a
govcrnmcnt, to thc point ol having a writtcn constitution
availablc lor implcmcntation.
Proposed Constitution
Tc constitution proposcd in this scction, and which would
bc rcady lor implcmcntation in any populatcd arca or rcgion,
rcprcscnts thc corc valucs and attributcs ol thc Scripturc in
justicc, cquality, rcprcscntation, transparcncy, and lrccdoms.
176
Te Natural Republic Constitution
Vc, thc pcoplc ol |inscrt namc ol country/provincc|,
hcrcby dccrcc our acccptancc to thc cstablishmcnt ol this
constitution in ordcr to promotc justicc, lairncss, cquality,
lrccdom, and thc pursuit ol sccurity and happincss lor all.
6

ARTICLE I
Tis constitution, and its subscqucnt laws, shall ovcrridc
and supcrscdc any cxisting constitutions, trcatics, agrcc
mcnts, lcgislations and/or laws.
Tis constitution shall takc cffcct in all provinccs and
gcographic arcas currcntly known as |inscrt namc ol
country/provincc| which has bccn dcfincd by mutually
agrccd bordcrs.
Citizcns arc dccmcd as thosc pcrsons who lcgally carry
thc |inscrt namc ol country/provincc| nationality at thc
timc ol implcmcnting this constitution.
All adult citizcns ol thc rcpublic arc rcquircd to givc an
oath ol allcgiancc to uphold and dclcnd this constitution at
all timcs .
7
Tc Qur’an shall bc thc basis lor this constitution and shall
bc thc sourcc lor all thc lcgislation and laws ol thc rcpublic.
8

|inscrt namc ol capital city| shall bc dcsignatcd as thc
pcrmancnt capital lor thc rcpublic.
|inscrt languagc(s)| shall bc thc offi cial languagc(s) ol
thc rcpublic.
ARTICLE II
Tc lrccdoms and rights grantcd in this articlc arc
availablc to cvcry adult pcrson in thc rcpublic, rcgardlcss
6 Qur’an 16:9091
7 Qur’an 48:10
8 Qur’an 17:9, 5:48
177
ol gcndcr, racc, nationality, color, or crccd. Such lrccdoms
and rights may not bc suspcndcd, dilutcd, or obstructcd.
Freedom of Speech
All pcrsons havc thc right ol lrcc spccch, lrccdom ol thc mcdia,
thc right to asscmblc, and thc right to protcst pcacclully.
9
Freedom of Faith
All pcrsons havc thc right to bclicvc in any laith or
rcligion thcy may scc fit. Tc lrccdom ol laith includcs thc
cstablishmcnt ol tcmplcs, mosqucs, synagogucs, churchcs,
and any othcr constructs uscd lor such purposc.
10
Freedom of Movement
All pcrsons may travcl lrccly throughout thc public lands
ol thc rcpublic, cxit and/or cntcr its bordcrs, in a lcgal
manncr, with no hindrancc or dclay. Such right cxtcnds to
includc thc movcmcnt ol goods.
11
Right to Privacy
All pcrsons havc thc right to privacy against spying,
cavcsdropping, trcspassing, cntcring homcs without thc
pcrmission ol thc owncr, obtaining, and/or sharing privatc
inlormation.
12
Right to Possess Wealth
All pcrsons havc thc right to scck to posscss wcalth, and/
or asscts, and/or to cngagc in tradc, industry, commcrcc
and/or any othcr lcgally sanctioncd activitics.
13
9 Qur’an 71:59
10 Qur’an 10:99, 18:29, 88:2122
11 Qur’an 29:56
12 Qur’an 24:2729, 49:12
13 Qur’an 3:14
178
Right to Welfare
All pcrsons havc thc right to bc grantcd sccurity, cducation,
and cqual cmploymcnt opportunitics within thc ability ol
thc rcpublic.
14
Right against Discrimination
All pcrsons arc to bc grantcd cqual rights and opportunitics
irrcspcctivc ol racc, gcndcr, color, laith, and any othcr
discrimination.
15

Right to Seek Justice
All pcrsons and/or lcgal cntitics havc thc right to dcmand
justicc against any wrongdoing or crimc that bclalls thcm
without obstruction or unduc dclay.
16
ARTICLE III
Tc lcgislativc powcrs ol thc rcpublic shall bc vcstcd in
an clcctcd national council that shall bc rcprcscntativc
ol thc pcoplc and which shall conduct its busincss
through thc proccss ol opcn discussion and consultation
in all mattcrs.
17

¡lcctions will bc bascd on districts, whcrcby cach
district is dcfincd as an indcpcndcnt arca with a minimum
citizcn population ol onc pcrccnt ol thc total population
ol thc rcpublic.
Arcas that havc populations bclow onc pcrccnt shall
havc thcir numbcr addcd to thc ncarcst gcographic arca
until that numbcr rcachcs or cxcccds onc pcrccnt. Scats
lor thc national council will bc allottcd on thc basis ol
a minimum ol onc scat lor cvcry district, with districts
having populations in multiplcs ol onc pcrccnt bcing
14 Qur’an 30:38, 59:7
15 Qur’an 49:13
16 Qur’an 4:148, 42:39
17 Qur’an 42:38
179
allottcd onc cxtra scat lor cach multiplc.
Pcrsons cligiblc lor thc national council must bc
citizcns, malc or lcmalc, lorty ycars ol agc or oldcr, ol
sound mind and charactcr and must bc rcsidcnts ol thc
district thcy arc clcctcd lrom.
18

¡ligiblc votcrs shall bc as thosc malc and lcmalc citizcns who
havc rcachcd thc agc ol cightccn or oldcr, and who arc prcscnt
within thc bordcrs ol thc rcpublic at thc timc ol voting.
Scats to thc national council will bc grantcd to thosc
nominccs who achicvc a majority votc lrom thc district
whcrc thcy rcsidc. \otcs in singlc mcmbcr districts will
bc madc on thc basis ol altcrnativc voting, whilc votcs in
multiplc mcmbcr districts will bc madc on thc basis ol
singlc translcrablc voting.
National council mcmbcrs, unlcss rcclcctcd, shall scrvc
onc tcrm ol fivc ycars bcginning on thc first day ol thc first
month ol thc ncw ycar.
¡lcctions shall bc concludcd 90days prior to thc cnd
ol thc cxisting national council mcmbcrs’ tcrm ol offi cc to
cnsurc a smooth transition and handovcr ol dutics and
rcsponsibilitics.
!n cascs ol dcath or rcsignation, a ncw national council
mcmbcr shall bc clcctcd lrom thc samc district to scrvc thc
rcmaining tcrm ol thc dcpartcd national council mcmbcr.
¡ach national council mcmbcr carrics onc votc with
thc council dccisions bccoming law bascd on a two
thirds (2/3) or morc votc on thc issuc(s).
Tc national council is grantcd thc lollowing powcrs:
• Tc powcr to makc, rcvicw, amcnd, and rcpcal
laws in accordancc with thc principlcs ol justicc.
19
• Tc powcr to makc policics and stratcgics
ncccssary to cnsurc thc smooth lunctioning ol
18 Qur’an 46:15, 49:13
19 Qur’an 4:58
180
thc rcpublic.
20
• Thc powcr to appoint and/or rcncw a
prcsidcnt and his/hcr ministcrs lor a tcrm
totaling livc ycars.
21

• Tc powcr to prcmaturcly cnd thc tcrm ol thc
prcsidcnt or any ol his/hcr ministcrs.
22
• Thc powcr to rcgulatc ncw citizcnship
rcquircmcnts.
23
• Tc powcr to appropriatc paymcnt and
compcnsation schcmcs lor all lcvcls ol
govcrnmcnt, including thc national council.
24

• Tc powcr to stipulatc taxation lor individuals
and corporations, on condition that such taxation
docs not cxcccd 20 pcrccnt.
25

• Tc powcr to cstablish thc bcnchmark lor
wcights, mcasurcs, timc kccping, and minimum
wagcs within thc rcpublic.
26

• Tc powcr to coin moncy as lcgal tcndcr, only il
such moncy is coincd in gold or silvcr or backcd
by gold or silvcr.
27

• Tc powcr to lcnd and/or borrow moncy,
intcrcst lrcc, on bchall ol thc rcpublic.
28
• Tc powcr to lcasc public lands lor thc purposc
20 Qur’an 12:4749
21 Qur’an 4:59
22 Qur’an 58:11
23 Qur’an 60:10
24 Qur’an 28:27
25 Qur’an 8:41
26 Qur’an 6:152, 7:85
27 Qur’an 9:34
28 Qur’an 2:275, 2:282
181
ol dcvclopmcnt and bcttcrmcnt.
29
• Tc powcr to prcscrvc and protcct wildlilc and
thc natural ccological balancc.
30
• Tc powcr to allocatc lunds and approvc budgcts
lor all govcrnmcnt agcncics.
31
• Tc powcr to call lor audits on any branch/
dcpartmcnt/agcncy ol govcrnmcnt.
32
• Tc powcr to initiatc, locally and/or abroad,
lcgal procccdings and/or claims on bchall ol thc
rcpublic.
33
• Thc powcr to cntcr into trcatics and/or
agrccmcnts with lorcign nations/pcoplcs.
34
• Tc powcr to cstablish a military lor land, sca,
and air.
35

• Tc powcr to cstablish a sccurity lorcc lor thc
protcction ol pcoplc and thcir rights within thc
rcpublic.
36
• Tc powcr to mcdiatc, through pcacclul mcans,
an cnd to armcd conflict in/or bctwccn lorcign
nations.
37

• Tc powcr to aid and/or assist opprcsscd pcoplc
in lorcign nations, by granting thcm asylum
and/or ncgotiating on thcir bchall, on condition
29 Qur’an 7:74
30 Qur’an 5:12, 30:41
31 Qur’an 17:2729
32 Qur’an 17:36
33 Qur’an 42:39
34 Qur’an 8:72
35 Qur’an 8:60
36 Qur’an 22:41
37 Qur’an 49:910
182
that thcy havc rcqucstcd such hclp.
38

• Tc powcr to providc humanitarian aid and/or
assistancc lor crisis rclicl ol any lorcign nation
and/or pcoplc in nccd.
39

• Tc powcr to dcclarc war and appropriatc a war
cabinct il thc rcpublic is undcr physical attack,
and/or cconomic attack, and/or il its sccurity
and/or citizcns arc undcr an immincnt and
rccognizablc thrcat ol attack.
40

• Tc powcr to call lor a public dralt in dclcnsc
ol thc rcpublic and its lands il thc rcpublic is
attackcd or undcr an immincnt and rccognizablc
thrcat ol attack.
41

Tc national council shall clcct a spcakcr lrom amongst
thc national council mcmbcrs to rcgulatc thc procccdings
ol its asscmblics.
Tc national council shall asscmblc, at a minimum,
cvcry nincty days, lor a lcngth ol thrcc days to discuss
lcgislation and/or appropriation and/or any mattcrs that
conccrn thc wcll bcing ol thc rcpublic and its citizcns. Tc
national council may votc to shortcn or cxtcnd thc lcngth
ol such asscmbly bascd on rcquircmcnts.
Tc national council may also bc callcd lor asscmbly
at any othcr timc during thc ycar at thc rcqucst,
submittcd to thc spcakcr, ol at lcast onc third ol thc
total national council mcmbcrs. Such announccmcnt
lor asscmbly must bc broadcast publicly and clcarly, as
wcll as thc rcquircmcnts that thc rcqucst bc madc in
writing to all national council mcmbcrs.
38 Qur’an 4:75, 8:72
39 Qur’an 2:177
40 Qur’an 2:190193
41 Qur’an 8:65, 9:41
183
Ðuring timcs ol war and/or dangcr, thc national council
may bc cxcludcd lrom physical asscmbly and dccisions
may bc conductcd by way ol obtaining signaturcs lrom
thc rcspcctivc council mcmbcrs to mcct thc twothird or
morc rcquircd votcs.
ARTICLE IV
Tc cxccutivc powcrs ol thc rcpublic shall bc vcstcd in a
prcsidcnt who shall bc appointcd by thc national council.
42
Tc prcsidcnt shall bc rcsponsiblc lor thc sclcction ol
his/hcr cabinct ol ministcrs to bc prcscntcd lor approval
by thc national council.
Tc prcsidcnt shall bc rcsponsiblc lor carrying out thc
approvcd policics and stratcgics ol thc national council.
Tc prcsidcnt shall bc rcsponsiblc lor thc administration
and managcmcnt ol all branchcs ol govcrnmcnt in thc
rcpublic, sctting rulcs and rcgulations ncccssary to cnsurc
thc smooth lunctioning ol such branchcs, and budgct
prcparation.
Tc prcsidcnt shall bc rcsponsiblc lor thc planning,
budgcting, and cxccution ol all public projccts including:
lactorics, larms, roads, powcr, cxploration, mining, drilling,
rcfincmcnt, watcr trcatmcnt, transportation, mail dclivcry,
scwagc trcatmcnt, public offi ccs/buildings, librarics,
schools, hospitals, social scrviccs, and any othcr construct
or activity rcquircd lor thc scrvicc ol thc public or thc
bcttcrmcnt ol lilc lor pcoplc undcr thc rcpublic.
Tc prcsidcnt shall bc rcsponsiblc lor thc rcgulation ol all
privatc scctor activitics/projccts including: manulacturing,
mining, cncrgy, agriculturc, tradc, scrviccs, construction,
transport, travcl, cducation, mcdical, tcchnology, charitics,
and any othcr activity or construct that is rcqucstcd by
pcoplc in thc rcpublic.
Tc prcsidcnt shall rcprcscnt thc rcpublic bclorc lorcign
42 Qur’an 27:32
184
dignitarics/nations and may cngagc in ncgotiations/
discussions, which arc not binding cxccpt with thc
ratification ol thc national council, rcgarding all mattcrs
that conccrn thc rcpublic.
Tc prcsidcnt shall prcscnt a dctailcd rcport ol his/
hcr activitics prior to cvcry schcdulcd national council
asscmbly. Tc prcsidcnt will also makc himscll/hcrscll
prcscnt at thc schcdulcd national council asscmbly or
at thc rcqucst ol thc council spcakcr lor nonschcdulcd
scssions in ordcr to givc a bricfing on thc statc ol thc
rcpublic as wcll as answcring any qucstions/clarifications
rcquircd by thc council mcmbcrs.
ARTICLE V
Tc judicial powcrs ol thc rcpublic shall bc vcstcd in an
indcpcndcnt high court and its subscqucnt lowcr courts
that shall judgc according to thc laws as placcd by thc
national council.
43
Tc high court shall comprisc ol twclvc justiccs who
shall bc appointcd by thc national council and who shall
hold offi cc as long as thcy maintain intcgrity, propcr
conduct, and adhcrcncc to thc laws ol thc constitution.
Tc high court shall havc thc rcsponsibility ol
appointing court judgcs, prcsiding ovcr cascs ol trcason,
and prcsiding ovcr lcgal procccdings and/or impcachmcnt
chargcs madc against thc prcsidcnt, cabinct ministcrs,
and/or any national council mcmbcr(s).
Tc high court will also havc thc final say in appcal
mattcrs ovcr lowcr courts.
Tc dccisions ol thc high court arc binding bascd on a two
thirds or morc votc.
44
ARTICLE VI
All pcrsons bcing accuscd ol a spccific crimc, which
43 Qur’an 4:58
44 Qur’an 42:38
185
must bc supportcd by a court warrant, will havc thcir
constitutional rights as outlincd in ~v:iciv ii tcmporarily
suspcndcd and rcplaccd with thc lollowing rights:
Right to Presumption of Innocence
All pcrsons accuscd arc considcrcd innoccnt until provcn
guilty. Tc burdcn ol prool lalls upon thc accuscr. No
dctaincc may bc hcld lor longcr than 24 hours unlcss
a court ordcr lor lurthcr dctainmcnt is obtaincd bascd
on thc asscssmcnt ol crcdiblc cvidcncc rclatcd to thc
chargcs brought lorth. No dctaincc may bc subjcctcd
to physical or psychological torturc, and/or humiliation,
and/or lorccd conlcssion, and/or any othcr lorm ol
physical or psychological harm or abusc. !l thc court
finds thc accuscd innoccnt ol thc chargcs put lorth, thcn
no lurthcr lcgal procccdings or accusations on thc samc
casc may bc prcscntcd.
45

Right to a Fair and Speedy Trial
All pcrsons accuscd ol a crimc havc thc right to a lair
trial that shall bc lrcc ol prcjudicc, influcncc, or any
cxtcrnal lactors that may causc injusticc to occur. Tc
accuscd also has thc right to bc tricd quickly without
unduc dclay.
46
Right to an Attorney
All pcrsons accuscd ol a crimc shall havc thc right to
bc rcprcscntcd through a spccializcd attorncy il thcy
should so chosc. !l an attorncy cannot bc arrangcd or
affordcd by thc accuscd, thcn it is thc rcsponsibility ol
thc rcpublic to providc an attorncy with no cxpcnscs to
thc accuscd.
47

45 Qur’an 10:68, 24:11, 49:12
46 Qur’an 4:58
47 Qur’an 26:1214
186
Punishment does not exceed the Crime Committed
Tc court is rcsponsiblc lor cnsuring that all punishmcnts
and rulings dccrccd by its judgcs arc lcss than or cqual to
thc naturc ol thc crimc committcd. Tcrclorc, cxccssivc
bail shall not bc rcquircd, nor cxccssivc fincs imposcd, nor
crucl and unrcasonablc punishmcnts inflictcd.
48

Right of Confrontation
Any pcrson bcing accuscd has thc right to lacc his/hcr
accuscrs.
49
Right to Appeal
All pcrsons havc thc right to appcal a ruling that is
lound to bc against thcm by rcqucsting that a ncw
trial bc sct with a dillcrcnt judgc prcsiding. An appcal
may only bc carricd out onc timc, unlcss it can bc
provcn through crcdiblc cvidcncc that both trials did
not display lairncss or a lull analysis ol lacts, in which
casc thc high court will prcsidc ovcr thc mattcr, and
thcir judgmcnt supcrscdcs all othcr judgmcnts and
shall bc linal.
50

ARTICLE VII
Govcrnmcnt shall bc lundcd through thc rcvcnuc
gcncratcd lrom thc lcgal salc ol thc natural public
rcsourccs, as wcll as thc rcvcnuc gcncratcd by govcrnmcnt
through scrviccs and/or taxation.
ARTICLE VIII
All branchcs ol thc govcrnmcnt ol thc rcpublic shall
opcratc in complctc transparcncy and opcnncss. Rccords
must bc madc public, and mcctings ol thc national council
48 Qur’an 16:126
49 Qur’an 49:12
50 Qur’an 21:7879
187
shall bc dclibcratcd to an opcn audicncc, and/or through
a tclcviscd scrccning.
51

Tc only cxccption to this transparcncy rcquircmcnt
shall bc mattcrs that arc dccmcd thrcatcning to thc
sccurity ol thc rcpublic and/or thc gcncral wcllbcing ol
its citizcns, and, in such cascs, thc rccords ol dclibcrations
ol thc kind may bc conccalcd lrom thc public lor a
maximum pcriod ol onc ycar, to bc cxtcndcd only with
thc approval ol thc high court, lor a maximum pcriod not
cxcccding tcn ycars.
52

ARTICLE IX
Govcrnmcnt offi cials, govcrnmcnt cmployccs and clcctcd
national council mcmbcrs, shall not hold any othcr
position or titlc whilc scrving in govcrnmcnt or on thc
national council.
All govcrnmcnt offi cials, govcrnmcnt cmployccs, and
clcctcd national council mcmbcrs shall bc obligatcd to takc
thc oath ol thc rcpublic bclorc commcncing thcir dutics:
Òath ol thc rcpublic: “! |namc ol pcrson to bc placcd
hcrc| solcmnly swcar bclorc God and bclorc thc
witncss ol thc citizcns ol this rcpublic to uphold thc
rolc ol |position to bc placcd hcrc| to thc bcst ol my
abilitics to protcct thc intcgrity ol thc constitution
and thc rcpublic. ! swcar to livc my lilc according
to thc laws and rcgulations ol thc rcpublic and to
uphold thc highcst moral charactcr. ! swcar to work
in thc bcst intcrcst ol thc rcpublic and to constantly
strivc to improvc lilc lor its citizcns. ! swcar ncvcr to
abusc my position or authority in any way, shapc or
lorm lor pcrsonal gain. ! swcar ncvcr to carry lavor
to any pcrson or group or cntity bcyond what is lair
and just. ! swcar to stand lor and to promotc thc
51 Qur’an 58:910
52 Qur’an 58:9
188
laws ol pcacc and justicc and cquality whcrcvcr !
may bc. ! havc placcd God as a witncss ovcr this
oath ol minc, may Hc havc mcrcy on my soul and
guidc mc to always do what is right.”
53
Tc brcaking ol such oath shall bc thc basis lor lcgal
procccdings and/or impcachmcnt.
ARTICLE X
Vith thc cxccption ol dcclarations ol war madc by thc
national council, no branch ol govcrnmcnt, or pcrson
lrom within rcpublic, may dircctly or indircctly financc,
sponsor, or cngagc in, thc dcstabilization or undcrmining
ol any country or nation by way ol dcsign and/or by way
ol covcrt or othcrwisc armcd opcrations.
54

ARTICLE XI
Govcrnmcnt shall cncouragc and support thc pursuit
ol crcativity, arts, scicnccs, cxploration, and tcchnical
innovation within thc rcpublic.
55

Govcrnmcnt shall also cnsurc that intcllcctual rights bc
protcctcd lrom inlringcmcnt and unauthorizcd duplication.
56

ARTICLE XII
Amcndmcnts towards thc bcttcrmcnt ol this constitution
may bc madc bascd on a 5/6 votc ol thc national council and
a unanimous cndorscmcnt lrom thc high court justiccs as to
thc lcgality ol thc amcndmcnt in vicw ol thc cxisting articlcs
ol constitution. All amcndmcnts must bc listcd as such and
not inscrtcd into thc original tcxt ol this constitution.
57
In God we have placed our trust…
53 Qur’an 48:10
54 Qur’an 2:1112, 2:204205, 38:28
55 Qur’an 27:40, 34:13, 55:33
56 Qur’an 3:188
57 Qur’an 11:88
189
Highlights and Benefits
As sccn in thc prcvious chaptcrs ol this book, dctails havc
bccn givcn to thc rcadcr on thc shapc ol thc laws that
would govcrn a rcpublic bascd on thc Qur’an, as wcll as
how to dcal with spccific laws and cvcryday issucs.
8clow is a bricl analysis ol somc ol thc points madc in
thc constitution:
Offering a “Clean Break” from the Past
Point 1 ol Av:iciv i ol thc constitution rcads:
“Tis constitution, and its subscqucnt laws, shall
ovcrridc and supcrscdc any cxisting constitutions,
trcatics, agrccmcnts, lcgislations and/or laws.”
Tis is dcsigncd to cnablc pcoplc/nations coming
undcr thc constitution to stand on thcir own two lcct, lrcc
lrom thc burdcns and obligations and lavors that thcir
old rcgimcs may havc sccn fit to cntcr into. Tc pcoplc
ol thc currcnt !slamic world havc not bccn ablc lor somc
190
timc to participatc in thc shaping ol thcir govcrnmcnt,
or in thc dccisions that thcir govcrnmcnt makcs on thcir
bchall and in thcir namc (dcbts, conccssions, oil and
basing rights, ctc.) and thcrclorc it is only out ol lairncss
that a ncw govcrnmcnt would havc a lrcsh start lrom thc
burdcns ol thc past.
Having One Source for Laws and Legislations
Point 4 ol Av:iciv i ol thc constitution rcads:
“Tc Qur’an shall bc thc basis lor this constitution
and shall bc thc sourcc lor all thc lcgislation and
laws ol thc rcpublic.”
Although this may appcar to bc crcating a ‘thcocracy,’
thc truth is that thc Scripturc is a dctailcd and
comprchcnsivc book ol law that can bc uscd thc samc
way othcr nations would rcvcrt to 8ritish or !ntcrnational
law. Tc bcncfits ol using this constitution whcrc thcrc is
a majority Muslim population, othcr than its just laws, is
that it ovcrcomcs scctarian disputcs or diffcring laws by
thc Sunnis or Shia in basing all lcgislation back to onc
singlc sourcc: thc Qur’an.
All Civil Freedoms Protected and Preserved
Points 18 ol Av:iciv ii ol thc constitution grants thc
lollowing rights:
• Frccdom ol Spccch
• Frccdom ol Faith
• Frccdom ol Movcmcnt
• Right to Privacy
• Right to Posscss Vcalth
• Right to Vcllarc
• Right against Ðiscrimination
191
• Right to Scck Justicc
Tis is whcrc !slam has bccn misrcprcscntcd and
misundcrstood by thc mcdia and cvcn by somc ol its
lollowcrs. !slam both historically, and, according to thc
laws ol thc Scripturc, is obligatcd to protcct and prcscrvc
rights and lrccdoms ol othcrs, which includcs: lrccdom ol
rcligion. A truc !slamic rcpublic is onc in which Muslims,
Christians, Jcws and Athcists makc up its population and
arc ablc to havc cqual rights and hold cqual positions in
privatc busincss or in govcrnmcnt.
Government of the People
Av:iciv iii ol thc constitution dcals with thc lormation
ol an clcctcd ‘national council’ which shall hold all major
powcr lor thc rcpublic and which shall bc rcprcscntativc
ol all citics/towns/pcoplc irrcspcctivc ol laith or cthnic
background.
Tc idca ol a national council is takcn lrom thc modc ol
govcrnmcnt lound in thc Scripturc bascd on consultation
(known as ‘shura’ in Arabic) as wcll as thc conccpt ol
rcprcscntation in thc Scripturc lor largc groups ol pcoplc.
Legislation Made Trough Consultation
Point 1 ol thc powcrs grantcd to thc national council in
Av:iciv iii rcads:
“Tc powcr to makc, rcvicw, amcnd, and rcpcal
laws in accordancc with thc principlcs ol justicc”
All lcgislation madc by thc national council will bc
subjcct to dcbatc and discussion until a 2/3 majority
(that may includc pcoplc ol various laiths and bclicls) arc
convinccd that such law is in linc with thc principlcs ol
justicc.
192
Tax is capped at 20 Percent
Point 7 ol thc powcrs grantcd in Av:iciv iii ol thc
constitution rcads:
“Tc powcr to stipulatc taxation lor individuals
and corporations, on condition that such taxation
docs not cxcccd 20 pcrccnt.”
Vhilc many ol thc !slamic countrics today arc
currcntly in posscssion ol vast oil wcalth, thcrc may bc
no nccd lor any taxation laws (cxccpt lor goods and
imports) lor somc ycars or dccadcs. Howcvcr, whcn
thc govcrnmcnt docs dccidc to pass tax laws, thcrc is
a cap ol 20 pcrccnt dcrivcd lrom thc rclcrcncc in thc
Scripturc to all incomc. Tc word “ghana’im” as uscd
in thc Scripturc rclcrs to any rcvcnuc gcncratcd, and
not only that which is gaincd lrom wars as thc Sunnis
claim (thc Sunni bclicl is that tax is only 2.5 pcrccnt
as dcrivcd lrom thc Hadith books, whilc thc Shia
havc corrcctly undcrstood thc 20 pcrccnt rcquircmcnt,
howcvcr, thcy havc dccidcd to pay it to thcir rcligious
lcadcrs rathcr than to thcir govcrnmcnt).
Tc 20 pcrccnt tax limit makcs a world ol diffcrcncc
whcn comparcd to govcrnmcnts who tax thcir populations
or corporations somctimcs up to 50 pcrccnt.
Protecting the Value of Money
constitution rcads:
“Tc powcr to coin moncy as lcgal tcndcr, only il
such moncy is coincd in gold or silvcr or backcd
by gold or silvcr.”
Tc world has bccn accustomcd to using ‘fiat’ moncy
lor thc past 34 dccadcs (that is moncy which is not
backcd by anything tangiblc), howcvcr, thc Scripturc
193
stipulatcs that valuc must bc rctaincd at all timcs in
moncy by having it backcd by gold and silvcr. Tis docs
not mcan that pcoplc must oncc again start carrying
gold or silvcr coins (though that is possiblc), but it docs
mcan that thc papcr in your hand must havc rcal valuc by
only allowing its issuancc il thc gold or silvcr that backs
it cxists and can bc claimcd.
Although this movc might appcar to bc cconomically
rcgrcssing, thc pcoplc who havc undcrgonc wars or
political uphcavals know that thc valuc ol moncy is
illusionary whcn dcaling with fiat moncy, and that thc
millions thcy oncc had in thc banks or which thcy hcld in
cash (and could buy homcs or cars with) suddcnly could
not afford to buy thcm a dinncr to lccd thcir lamily!
Having moncy backcd by gold and silvcr is cthically,
politically and cconomically thc soundcst lorm ol
busincss and thc onc that protccts pcoplcs rights as wcll
as dctcrs lrom inflation (inflation bcing primarily causcd
by printing morc and morc fiat moncy).
Interest Free Society
constitution rcads:
“Tc powcr to lcnd and/or borrow moncy, intcrcst
lrcc, on bchall ol thc rcpublic.”
!ntcrcst has bccn complctcly prohibitcd by thc
Scripturc as it lalls into thc arca ol ‘dcccit’ and ol
robbing thc pcoplc lrom thcir bclongings by way ol
lalsc logic and trickcry. Vhilc intcrcst may appcar
to makc scnsc (you arc lcnding out your moncy and
dcscrvc somcthing in rcturn), it is a logical lallacy sincc
thc intcrcst bcing rcpaid docs not cxist to bcgin with
and thus can ncvcr bc rcpaid.
194
Wildlife Conservation
constitution rcads:
“Tc powcr to prcscrvc and protcct wildlilc and
thc natural ccological balancc.”
A tcnct ol thc Scripturc is that wc work with our
cnvironmcnt so that it will continuc to support and
providc lor us. A nation which docs not lorcc itscll to bc
cnvironmcntally conscious is not only harming itscll, but
is also harming its ncighbors and thc othcr inhabitants ol
thc ¡arth who livc and brcath thc samc air and sit undcr
thc samc sun and moon.
Helping Other People/Nations
Points 19, 20 and 21 ol thc powcrs grantcd in Av:iciv iii
ol thc constitution rcad:
“Tc powcr to mcdiatc, through pcacclul mcans,
an cnd to armcd conflict in/or bctwccn lorcign
nations.
Tc powcr to aid and/or assist opprcsscd pcoplc
in lorcign nations, by granting thcm asylum and/
or ncgotiating on thcir bchall, on condition that
thcy havc rcqucstcd such hclp.
Tc powcr to providc humanitarian aid and/or
assistancc lor crisis rclicl ol any lorcign nation
and/or pcoplc in nccd.”
Tc Scripturc rcquircs thc rcpublic not to bc sclfish
and inward, but also to turn outward to cnd disputcs,
givc asylum and hclp to thc opprcsscd, and givc aid and
humanitarian scrviccs to thosc in nccd.
195
War Only In Self Defense
constitution rcads:
“Tc powcr to dcclarc war and appropriatc a war
cabinct il thc rcpublic is undcr physical attack,
and/or cconomic attack, and/or il its sccurity
and/or citizcns arc undcr an immincnt and
rccognizablc thrcat ol attack.”
No !slamic rcpublic can dcclarc war on its
ncighbors or any othcr pcoplc/nation unlcss it is first
attackcd —physically by war machincs or troops, and/
or cconomically by a blockadc or undcrmining thc
cconomic lilc sourcc(s) ol thc rcpublic, or il it is clcar
that it will bc immincntly attackcd. Vaging war lor
glory or tcrritorial cxpansion or simply to kccp thc
population distractcd is against thc principlcs ol justicc
and thc laws ol thc Scripturc.
An Independent Judicial System
Av:iciv v ol thc constitution rcads:
“Tc judicial powcrs ol thc rcpublic shall bc vcstcd
in an indcpcndcnt high court and its subscqucnt
lowcr courts that shall judgc according to thc laws
as placcd by thc national council.”
Tc most important rcason lor having thc thrcc
branchcs ol govcrnmcnt (lcgislativc, cxccutivc, and
judicial) is to crcatc thc cnvironmcnt lor ‘ justicc’ to
prcvail without having to worry about thc prcsidcnt or
any othcr branch ol govcrnmcnt swaying thc dccision
rcgarding dclcndants onc way or thc othcr lor political
or any othcr rcasons.
196
Rights of Defendants Guaranteed
Points 16 ol Av:iciv vi ol thc constitution grant
dclcndants thc lollowing rights:
• Right to Prcsumption ol !nnoccncc
• Right to a Fair and Spccdy Trial
• Right to an Attorncy
• Punishmcnt docs not cxcccd thc Crimc
Committcd
• Right ol Conlrontation
• Right to Appcal
Tc justicc systcm is thc main pillar ol an !slamic
bascd constitution and thc right lor pcoplc to scck such
justicc against wrongdoing is guarantccd with nonc
bcing abovc thc law.
Transparency and Openness of Government
Av:iciv viii ol thc constitution rcads:
“All branchcs ol thc govcrnmcnt ol thc rcpublic
shall opcratc in complctc transparcncy and
opcnncss. Rccords must bc madc public, and
mcctings ol thc council shall bc dclibcratcd to
an opcn audicncc, and/or through a tclcviscd
scrccning.”
Tc constitution dcmands that thc govcrnmcnt
acts honcstly and opcnly at all timcs with nothing to
hidc lrom its pcoplc. Òpcn mcctings, opcn transcripts,
known objcctivcs, clcar agcndas, ctc. arc all part ol and
intcgral to thc socicty and rcpublic.
197
No Favor beyond What Is Just
Av:iciv ix ol thc constitution rcads:
“Òath ol thc rcpublic: ‘! |namc ol pcrson to bc
placcd hcrc| solcmnly swcar bclorc God and
bclorc thc witncss ol thc citizcns ol this rcpublic
to uphold thc rolc ol |position to bc placcd hcrc|
to thc bcst ol my abilitics to protcct thc intcgrity
ol thc constitution and thc rcpublic. ! swcar to
livc my lilc according to thc laws and rcgulations
ol thc rcpublic and to uphold thc highcst moral
charactcr. ! swcar to work in thc bcst intcrcst ol
thc rcpublic and to constantly strivc to improvc
lilc lor its citizcns. ! swcar ncvcr to abusc my
position or authority in any way, shapc or lorm
lor pcrsonal gain. ! swcar ncvcr to carry lavor to
any pcrson or group or cntity bcyond what is lair
and just. ! swcar to stand lor and to promotc thc
laws ol pcacc and justicc and cquality whcrcvcr !
may bc. ! havc placcd God as a witncss ovcr this
oath ol minc, may Hc havc mcrcy on my soul and
guidc mc to always do what is right.’ ”
Tc oath ol thc rcpublic is a rcquircmcnt to bc takcn
by cach and cvcry govcrnmcnt cmploycc or council
mcmbcr. Tc oath is binding by law and is dcsigncd to
cnsurc that all thosc working in govcrnmcnt maintain
thc utmost cthical standards and rcsponsibility. Tc
oath lorbids lavors bcing givcn to individuals, groups, or
cntitics bcyond what thcy rightly dcscrvc undcr thc law
and by thc constitution. Tis limits thc ability ol prcssurc
groups and/or corporations to shapc thc dccisions ol
govcrnmcnt to thcir lavor whilc undcrmining thc truc
nccds and rights ol thc individual.
198
Secret Services, Espionage, and Covert Operations
Forbidden
Av:iciv x ol thc constitution rcads:
“Vith thc cxccption ol dcclarations ol war madc
by thc national council, no branch ol govcrnmcnt,
or pcrson lrom within rcpublic, may dircctly or
indircctly financc, sponsor, or cngagc in, thc
dcstabilization or undcrmining ol any country or
nation by way ol dcsign and/or by way ol covcrt
or othcrwisc armcd opcrations.”
Tc constitution lorbids any ‘intclligcncc’ typc ol
organization to cxist that is dcdicatcd to undcrmining
and disrupting othcr pcoplc/nations in ordcr to bcncfit
thc mothcr statc. An !slamic rcpublic is onc that
rcspccts thc right/privacy ol its pcoplc as wcll as thc
right/privacy ol othcrs to govcrn thcmsclvcs as thcy scc
fit and without bccoming thc ‘hand ol latc’ that swings
thc balancc to its lavor.
Creativity and Science Encouraged
Av:iciv xi ol thc constitution rcads:
“Govcrnmcnt shall cncouragc and support thc
pursuit ol crcativity, arts, scicnccs, cxploration,
and tcchnical innovation within thc rcpublic.”
Tc Scripturc is a book that promotcs thc arts and
scicnccs and which is always challcnging mankind to cxplorc
thc carth and thc hcavcns and scc thc cvidcncc ol thc past
and to drivc towards thc luturc. As such, thc constitution
rccognizcs this call to crcativity and has madc it an intcgral
part ol thc constitution to bc promotcd and protcctcd.
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Changes for the Better
Av:iciv xii ol thc constitution rcads:
“Amcndmcnts towards thc bcttcrmcnt ol this
constitution may bc madc bascd on a 5/6 votc ol
thc national council and a unanimous cndorscmcnt
lrom thc high court justiccs as to thc lcgality ol
thc amcndmcnt in vicw ol thc cxisting articlcs ol
constitution. All amcndmcnts must bc listcd as
such and not inscrtcd into thc original tcxt ol this
constitution.”
Sincc God is thc only ‘absolutc pcrlcction’ in our human
minds, thcn it is only scnsiblc to rccognizc that thcrc may
bc shortcomings or gaps in this proposcd constitution
which will bc fillcd at a latcr stagc and timc by thc pcoplc
who havc choscn it to bc thcir sourcc documcnt.
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15
Spirituality in Islam—
Salat
Tc word “Salat” and its dcrivativcs occur in thc Scripturc ovcr
70 timcs and is cmphasizcd by God Almighty as a critical
aspcct lor thc spiritual dcvclopmcnt and progrcss ol bclicvcrs.
According to thc Sunnis and Shia, thc Salat was
dccrccd by God to thc Prophct Mohammcd during thc
night ol asccnsion, in which God dccrccd 50 Salats pcr
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day, only to bc rcduccd to 5 Salats pcr day duc to plcading
ol thc Prophct.
Vhilc thc avcragc Sunni or Shia may not havc any
problcms with thc abovc talc, it is not only blasphcmous
that God would not know what to dccrcc upon His
crcation, but it is also historically lalsc as God has showcd
us many timcs that all thc prophcts prior to Mohammcd
kncw Salat and carricd it out along with thcir lamilics and
lollowcrs (scc 6:162, 10:87, 11:87, 14:37, 19:31, 31:17).
What is Salat?
Not only do thc Sunnis and Shia distort thc truth
rcgarding thc origin ol Salat, but thcy also conlusc
and conlound its purposc by tcaching that Salat is a
“mcchanical ritual praycr” dccrccd by God to takc placc
at spccific timcs during thc day and that nonadhcrcncc
to this praycr will rcsult in Hcllfirc.
Vhilc thcrc is no doubt that wc arc commandcd to
‘hcar and obcy’ any and all commands lrom our Lord (scc
2:285), wc arc at thc samc timc commandcd not to uphold
that which wc havc not vcrificd oursclvcs (scc 17:36).
According to thc Qur’an, thc main objcctivc ol Salat
is “thc rcmcmbrancc ol God,” which is achicvcd through
“rccitation” ol God’s Scripturc(s) at “rcgular timcs”:
““I am God, there is no god except Me, so serve Me
and hold the Salat for My remembrance.” (Qur’an
20:14)
“Recite what is inspired to you of the Book and hold
the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but
certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest. God
knows everything you do.” (Qur’an 29:45)
“Ten, if you have completed the Salat, remember
God while standing, or sitting, or on your sides. Ten,
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if you are secure, hold the Salat. Indeed, the Salat for
the believers is a Book that is scheduled.” (Qur’an
4:103)
Tc bcst cxplanation ol Salat can bc summarizcd by thc
actions ol thc mcsscngcr Shu’ayb, who was accuscd by his
pcoplc ol rccciving “instructions” through his act ol Salat:
“Tey said: “O Shu’ayb, does your Salat order you that
we leave what our fathers served, or that we do not
do with our money as we please? It seems only you are
the compassionate, the wise!” (Qur’an 11:87)
Accordingly, thc closcst dcfinition lor thc word “Salat”
can bc: “remembering God, through regular recitation of His
Scripture(s), with the aim of gaining knowledge, patience,
and peacefulness.”
How to carry out the Salat?
To makc a propcr Salat rcquircs ccrtain stcps and
prcparations that God has ordaincd with His knowlcdgc.
!n this chaptcr wc will cxaminc thc stcps and dctails ol
Salat as lound in thc Qur’an.
A. Be in a Clear State of Mind
Clarity ol mind and locus arc somc ol thc most critical
aspccts ol Salat as thc words ol God that arc bcing
rccitcd nccd to bc rcflcctcd upon and undcrstood
and not simply parrotcd as thc pcoplc ol old wcrc
accustomcd to do (8:35):
“O you who believe, do not approach the Salat
while you are intoxicated, until you know what you
are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless
traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or
traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had
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sexual contact with the women, and could not find
water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you
shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning,
Forgiving.” (Qur’an 4:43)
B. Attend to Specific Timings
According to thc Qur’an, thcrc arc three Salat timcs that
havc bccn prcscribcd:
1. Salat AlFajr (Ðawn Salat 24:58),
2. Salat AlVusta (Middlc Salat 2:238),
3. Salat Al!sha (¡vcning Salat 24:58).
“O you who believe, let those among you who are
maintained by your oaths, and those who have not
attained puberty, request your permission regarding
three times: before the dawn Salat, and when you put
off your garments from the noon time, and after the
evening Salat. Tese are three private times for you.
Other than these times, it is not wrong for you or them
to intermingle with one another. God thus clarifies
the revelations for you. And God is Knowledgeable,
“Maintain the Salawaat; and the middle Salat; and
stand for God dutifully.” (Qur’an 2:238)
!n addition to thc rcvcaling namcs ol cach Salat which
idcntifics its timing, wc find an abundancc ol dctail in thc
Qur’an giving morc inlormation to thc spccific starting
timcs in which thcy arc to bc obscrvcd:
“And hold the Salat at two parts of the day, and
the nearside of the night. Te good deeds take away
the bad. Tis is a reminder to those who remember.”
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(Qur’an 11:114)
“Hold the Salat at the zenith of the sun, until the
approach of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the
Qur’an at dawn is witnessed.” (Qur’an 17:78)
\crscs 11:114 givc us thc thrcc Salat timings as 1) thc
first part ol thc day (dawn), 2) thc sccond part ol thc day
58

(noon), 3) thc ncarsidc ol thc night (cvcning).
\crsc 17:78 lurthcr clarifics thc timc lramc lor thc
Middlc/Vusta Salat as bcginning with “noon” and cnding
with “sunsct” (also scc 38:3132 lor lurthcr dctails) this
is why thc Middlc Salat docs not carry thc namc ol a timc
pcriod, but rathcr a dcscription ol its position bctwccn thc
othcr two Salat.
A lcw obscrvations/notcs on thc thrcc Salat timcs:
• Although thc Sunnis makc a claim that thcrc arc
fivc Salat timcs (as dccrccd by thcir Hadiths),
thcy only obscrvc thrcc Salat using thc propcr
protocol ol having an audiblc voicc (17:110),
• Tc Shia, although claiming to adhcrc to fivc
Salat likc thc Sunnis, only hold thrcc Salat timcs
cach day (claiming that thcy arc pcrmittcd to
join bctwccn somc ol thc Salat timcs),
• Tc Jcwish 8iblc, in affi rming thc prcvious
knowlcdgc pcoplc havc ol Salat, also affi rms
that such a practicc was carricd out thrcc timcs
cach day (Ðanicl 6:10, Psalms 55:1617).
C. Ablution/Cleansing of the Body
As a prcparation lor Salat, an ablution is rcquircd using
watcr, or, il not availablc, clcan dry soil.
58 Tc day contains a minimum ol thrcc parts/cdgcs (scc 20:130).
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“O you who believe, if you rise to hold the Salat, then
wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and
wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you
have had intercourse, then you shall bathe. And if you
are ill, or traveling, or you have excreted feces, or you
have had sexual contact with the women, and you
cannot not find water, then you shall select from the
clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and your hands
with it. God does not want to place any hardship
on you, but He wants to cleanse you and to complete
His blessings upon you that you may be thankful.”
(Qur’an 5:6)
D. Be in a Stationary Standing Position
Tc normal modc lor achicving thc Salat is to bc in a
stationary standing position. Howcvcr, il thcrc arc
impcding circumstanccs, thcn a pcrson may attcmpt to
achicvc thc Salat whilc walking or riding.
“Maintain the Salawaat; and the middle Salat; and
stand for God dutifully. But if you are fearful, then
you may do so while walking or riding. If you become
secure, then remember God as He has taught you what
you did not know.” (Qur’an 2:238-239)
E. Use a Moderate Voice, Recite the Scripture
As highlightcd in thc bcginning ol this chaptcr, rcciting
lrom thc Scripturc(s) is thc csscncc to hclping a pcrson
achicvc thc bcncfit ol Salat. To this cnd, God tcachcs us
that thc Salat must bc carricd out in an audiblc/modcratc
voicc, so that cvcry word is hcard and undcrstood.
Vith rcgards to what should bc rcad, thc answcr
will dcpcnd on thc nccd and situation ol thc pcrson
conducting thc Salat. Somc vcrscs arc in thc lorm ol a plca,
whilc othcrs arc an invocation upon God to assist and to
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protcct lrom thc dcvil and his whispcrs/influcncc. Tcrc
is no right or wrong in which vcrscs to sclcct. ¡ach vcrsc
lrom thc Scripturc has its own uniquc aspccts and its own
uniquc purposc.
“Say: ‘ Call on God or call on the Almighty;
by whichever you call on, to Him are the best
names.’ And do not be too loud in making your
Salat, nor too quiet; but seek a path in between.”
(Qur’an 17:110)
“Recite what is inspired to you of the Book and hold
the Salat, for the Salat prohibits evil and vice; but
certainly the remembrance of God is the greatest.
God knows everything you do.” (Qur’an 29:45)
“Hold the Salat at the zenith of the sun, until the
approach of the night; and the Qur’an at dawn; the
Qur’an at dawn is witnessed.” (Qur’an 17:78)
F. Perform Two Prostrations
Tc normal lcngth ol a Salat is two prostrations (which
may bc shortcncd to onc in a satc ol lcar). ¡ach prostration
by dclault involvcs knccling to achicvc thc position ol
prostration.
“And if you are with them and you hold the Salat
for them, then let a group from among them stand
with you and let them bring their weapons; and
when they have prostrated then let them be behind
you; and let a group who has not yet made the
contact prayer come and make the contact prayer
with you, and let them be wary and let them bring
their weapons with them. The rejecters hope that
you would neglect your weapons and goods so they
can come upon you in one blow. There is no sin upon
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you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if you are ill,
that you place down your weapons. And be wary.
God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating
G. End Salat With Specific Words
Salat is cndcd with a spccific praycr to God outlining thc
Ðivinity and Òncncss ol thc Almighty.
“And say: ‘Praise to God who has not taken a son,
nor does He have a partner in sovereignty, nor does
He have an ally out of weakness.’ And glorify Him
greatly.” (Qur’an 17:111)
Believers vs. Submitters
Vhilc thcrc is no doubt that any pcrson may attcmpt to
pcrlorm Salat as hc/shc wishcs, a study ol thc Scripturc
rcvcals that thc main pcoplc who will bc succcsslul at
making thc Salat on a rcgular basis arc oncs who havc
advanccd to thc stagc ol bcing Mumins (bclicvcrs).
“O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you
are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying.
Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until
you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you
has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the
women, and could not find water, then you shall select
from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands.
God is Pardoning, Forgiving.” (Qur’an 4:43)
“Ten, if you have completed the Salat, remember
God while standing, or sitting, or on your sides. Ten,
if you are secure, hold the Salat. Indeed, the Salat for
the believers is a Book that is scheduled.” (Qur’an
4:103)
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Vhilc most pcoplc may not rcalizc thc diffcrcncc, thc
Scripturc has madc a clcar distinction bctwccn “Muslims”
(thosc who simply havc submittcd to God) and “Mumins”
(thosc who havc advanccd and strivc with thcir wcalth
and livcs in thc sakc ol God):
“Te Nomads said: ‘We believe (Am’ana).’ Say: “You
have not believed; but you should say: ‘We have submitted
(As’lamna)’, for belief has not yet entered into your
hearts.” If you obey God and His messenger, He will not
put any of your works to waste. God is Forgiver, Merciful.
Believers (Muminoon) are those who believe in God
and His messenger, then they became without doubt, and
they strive with their money and their lives in the cause
of God. Tese are the truthful ones.” (Qur’an 49:14-15)
Tcrclorc, il you arc not ablc to bcncfit lrom Salat,
do not dcspair, thc bcncfits will comc cvcntually whcn
you havc calmcd your mind through paticncc and havc
nourishcd your soul through good works.
Other Issues
Being in Groups or Alone
Salat may bc pcrlormcd in groups or in an individual basis.
“And if you are with them and you hold the Salat for
them, then let a group from among them stand with
you and let them bring their weapons; and when they
have prostrated then let them be behind you; and let a
group who has not yet made the contact prayer come
and make the contact prayer with you, and let them
be wary and let them bring their weapons with them.
Te rejecters hope that you would neglect your weapons
and goods so they can come upon you in one blow. Tere
is no sin upon you if you are impeded by rainfall, or if
you are ill, that you place down your weapons. And be
209
wary. God has prepared for the rejecters a humiliating
“Te angels called to him while he was standing,
YuSali, in the temple enclosure: ‘God gives you glad
tidings of John, authenticating the word from God,
and a master, and steadfast, and a prophet from the
upright.’” (Qur’an 3:39)
Friday/Jum’a Salat
Ònc issuc which ariscs lrom timc to timc is that ol thc
Jum’a (Friday) Salat. Tc cstablishmcnt ol a Salat similar
to thc Christian “Sunday” or thc Jcwish “Sabbath” is bascd
on a misconccption ol vcrsc 62:9 which spcaks ol thc im
portancc ol Salat, cspccially whcn pcoplc arc gathcrcd to
gcthcr on thcir “tradc day,” and ncvcr docs it cstablish a
spccial Salat or day lor Salat.
“Ò you who bclicvc, il thc Salat is callcd to at thc
gathcring day, thcn you shall hastcn towards thc
rcmcmbrancc ol God, and ccasc all sclling. Tis
is bcttcr lor you, il only you kncw.” (Qur’an 62:9)
Funeral Salat
Salat, in its lull lorm ol rcciting thc Scripturc with a total
ol two prostrations is to bc hcld at thc luncral ol any Sub
mittcr/8clicvcr who has dicd:
“O you who believe, witnessing shall be done if death
is approaching one of you and a will is being made, by
two among you who are equitable. If you have gone
forth in the land, and death is approaching, then any
two may suffi ce - if you have doubt regarding them,
then detain them after making the Salat, and they
will swear by God: “We will not purchase with it any
210
price, even if it was from a near relative, and we will
not conceal the testimony of God, else we are of the
sinners.” (Qur’an 5:106)
“And do not make the Salat for any of them who have
died, nor stand at their grave. Tey have rejected God
and His messenger and died while they were wicked.”
(Qur’an 9:84)
Beware!
Tc bcncfits lrom bcing ablc to “rcmcmbcr” God
through rcgular rccitation ol His words, and inturn, bc
rcmcmbcrcd and guidcd by Him cannot bc cmphasizcd
cnough. !t is lor this rcason that wc must all bc awarc that
thc dcvil and his lollowcrs havc this vchiclc in thcir sights
and that scvcring our contact/link with God and rcndcring
thc act to a an cmpty ritual has and will continuc to bc a
priority itcm:
“Te devil only wants to cause strife between you
through intoxicants and gambling, and to repel you
away from remembering God and from the Salat.
Will you be deterred?” (Qur’an 5:91)
“Ten generations came after them who lost the
Salat, and followed desires. Tey will find their
consequences.” (Qur’an 19:59)
Now that wc havc lound thc Salat oncc again, will wc
discard our ability to rcmcmbcr God through this rcgular,
schcdulcd contact and turn thc Salat into mindlcss cmpty
rituals as thc gcncrations bclorc us havc donc:
Vill wc bc dctcrrcd:
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16
Fasting
As wc havc alrcady shown in chaptcr 13, thc corrcct
!slamic calcndar is a lunisolar onc which has its first
month bcginning on thc lull moon that occurs on or just
bclorc thc Vintcr Solsticc—Ramadhan.
Tis makcs thc month ol lasting occur around
Ðcccmbcr ol cach ycar on thc Grcgorian calcndar.
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[Yusuf Ali Translation 2:185] Ramadhan is the
(month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a
guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance
and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every
one of you who is present (at his home) during that
month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is
ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be
made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility
for you; He does not want to put to diffi culties.
(He wants you) to complete the prescribed period,
and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and
perchance ye shall be grateful.
[Yusuf Ali Translation 97:1-5] We have indeed
revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power: And
what will explain to thee what the night of power
is? Te Night of Power is better than a thousand
months. Terein come down the angels and the Spirit
by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!... Tis
until the rise of morn!
Such an undcrstanding lits pcrlcctly with thc
inlormation that thc Qur’an was rcvcalcd on a spccilic
night in that spccilic month (i.c. thc spccial night was
whcn thc ¡arth stood at a spccilic location in rclation
to thc sun and thc moon and thc univcrsc, and such
night would only bc rcpcatcd whcn thc ¡arth rcturns
to cxactly thc same location—which is only possiblc in
a Solar bascd systcm). Thcrclorc, thc problcm crcatcd
by Muslims today using a wildly spinning calcndar
is that this spccial night and thc month it is bascd in
arc moving incohcrcntly lrom summcr to wintcr to
autumn.

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Who is the Audience?
Tc prcdominant vicw hcld by thc Sunnis and Shia is that
lasting is a rcquircmcnt ol cvcry malc and lcmalc Muslim
lrom youth and until dcath, and that thc last is onc ol
thc pillars that makc up traditional !slam and cannot bc
lorsakcn or abandoncd.
“O you who believe, fasting has been decreed for you
as it was decreed for those before you, perhaps you
may be righteous. A few number of days; however, if
any of you is ill or traveling, then the same number
from different days; and as for those who can do so
but with diffi culty, they may redeem by feeding the
needy. And whoever does good voluntarily, then it is
better for him. And if you fast it is better for you if
only you knew.” (Qur’an 2:183-184)
As pointcd out with thc subjcct ol Salat, thc
audicncc lor thc act is not thc population in gcncral
or cvcn thc Muslims/Submittcrs, rathcr, it is dccrccd
upon thc ‘Muminccn/8clicvcrs’ who arc sct upon
attaining a highcr rcward duc to thcir dcdication to
thc causc ol God Alonc.
“Te Nomads said: ‘We believe (Am’ana).’ Say: “ You
have not believed; but you should say: ‘We have
submitted (As’lamna)’, for belief has not yet entered
into your hearts.” If you obey God and His messenger,
He will not put any of your works to waste. God is
Forgiver, Merciful. Believers (Muminoon) are
those who believe in God and His messenger, then
they became without doubt, and they strive with
their money and their lives in the cause of God. Tese
are the truthful ones.” (Qur’an 49:14-15)
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Why Fast?
Tc importancc ol thc last in Ramadhan can bc sccn in its
rclation to thc spccial “Night ol Ðccrcc” which occurs in
that particular month and in which thc month is blcsscd
by God scnding His angcls and Spirit to carry out His
commands.
“We have sent it down in the Night of Decree. And do
you know what is the Night of Decree? Te Night of
Decree is better than one thousand months. Te angels
and the Spirit come down in it with the permission
of their Lord to carry out every matter. It is peaceful
until the coming of dawn.” (Qur’an 97:1-5)
“We have sent it down in a blessed night. Surely, We
were to warn. In it, is a decree for every matter of
wisdom.” (Qur’an 44:3-4)
!t is this significant and major cvcnt that calls lor a
timc ol rcflcction and purification.
How Many Days is the Fast?
!slamic scholars havc dctcrmincd that lasting shall bc lor
a lull lunar month bascd on vcrsc 2:185 (whcrc it says,
“Vhocvcr lrom you is witncss to that month, thcn lct
him last in it”). Howcvcr, thc lcngth ol thc last has alrcady
bccn cstablishcd in vcrscs 2:183184, which thcy havc
inadvcrtcntly ovcrlookcd:
“O you who believe, fasting has been decreed for you
as it was decreed for those before you, perhaps you may
be righteous. A few number of days; however, if any
of you is ill or traveling, then the same number from
different days; and as for those who can do so but with
diffi culty, they may redeem by feeding the needy. And
whoever does good voluntarily, then it is better for
215
him. And if you fast it is better for you if only you
knew.” (Qur’an 2:183-184)
!gnoring thc lact that ncithcr Jcws nor Christians
rccord a 30day obligatory lasting pcriod (thc Jcws rccord
Yom Kippur as bcing thc day ol lasting which concludcs
thc Tcn Ðays ol Rcpcntancc), thc Scripturc clarifics thc
pcriod whcn wc arc to last by thc word “madoodat,” which
mcans “lcw.” Tis word is normally uscd to indicatc small
numbcrs, typically thosc that can bc countcd by thc fingcrs
ol thc hand (this samc word can bc sccn in vcrsc 2:203 to
indicatc a pcriod ol thrcc days).
8ut rathcr than lcaving thc subjcct to conjccturc,
God givcs us dcfinitivc answcrs by stating in vcrsc 2:185
that wc arc to last so as to “complctc thc count.” And,
by cxamining lurthcr, wc find that thc dcfinition ol a
“complctc” count is givcn as “tcn” in 2:196. Tus, not only
do wc havc thc answcr as to thc lcngth ol thc last, but wc
arc also ablc to cstablish that thc numbcr systcm that thc
Qur’an tcachcs us is a “tcnbascd” systcm (as opposcd to
an cightbascd systcm that has bccn uscd in thc past or
cvcn a scvcnbascd systcm).
Terefore: Fasting = Ten days
Tc tcn days ol lasting arc to bc carricd out within thc
month ol Ramadhan, unlcss onc is ill or travclling, thcn
hc/shc may substitutc with diffcrcnt days. (2:184185).
How long is the Daily Fast?
As lor thc daily lcngth ol thc last, it is to occur lrom just
bclorc dawn and lasts until night:
God knows that you used to betray your souls so He
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has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now
you may approach them and seek what God has
written for you. And you may eat and drink until
the white thread is distinct from the black thread of
dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night;
and do not approach them while you are devoted in
the temples. Tese are the boundaries of God, so do
not transgress them. It is thus that God clarifies His
revelations to the people who they may be righteous.”
(Qur’an 2:187)
Vhilc thc Shia maintain thc corrcct lcngth ol thc
daily last (until night), thc Sunnis arc clcar violators ol
this command as thcy cncouragc thc brcaking ol thc last
at sunsct duc to thcir lollowing ol a Hadith in which thc
prophct is supposcd to havc ovcrriddcn thc instructions
ol God and told his lollowcrs to “makc carly” thc
brcaking ol thc last!
What is to be Abstained From?
God knows that you used to betray your souls so He
has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now
you may approach them and seek what God has
written for you. And you may eat and drink until
the white thread is distinct from the black thread of
dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night;
and do not approach them while you are devoted in
the temples. Tese are the boundaries of God, so do
not transgress them. It is thus that God clarifies His
revelations to the people who they may be righteous.”
(Qur’an 2:187)
217
Ðuring thc daylight hours ol thc 10day last, bclicvcrs
arc to abstain lrom thc lollowing:
• Food
• Ðrink
• Scxual activity
Fasting as Expiation
Òthcr than thc tcn days ol Ramadhan, thcrc arc
diffcrcnt lasts mcntioncd in thc Qur’an as cxpiation lor
ccrtain sins.
“God will not hold you for your casual oaths, but He
will hold you for what oaths you have made binding;
its cancellation shall be the feeding of ten poor from
the average of what you feed your family, or that
you clothe them, or that you free a slave; whoever
cannot find such shall fast for three days; this is a
cancellation for making your oaths when you swear.
And be careful from making oaths. It is such that
God clarifies for you His revelations that you may be
thankful.” (Qur’an 5:89)
“And complete the Pilgrimage and the visit for
God. If you are prevented, then simply make what
offering is affordable; and do not shave your heads
until the offering reaches its destination. Whoever
of you is ill or has an affl iction to his head, then
he may redeem by fasting or giving a charity or a
rite. If you are secure, then whoever goes to visit,
but decides to continue until the Pilgrimage, then
he shall provide what offering is affordable; but for
he who cannot find anything, then he must fast for
three days during the Pilgrimage and seven when
he returns; this will make a complete ten; this is for
218
those whose family is not resident at the Restricted
Temple. And be aware of God, and know that God
is severe in retribution.” (Qur’an 2:196)
“And it is not for a believer to kill another believer
except by mistake. And whoever kills a believer by
mistake, then he shall free a believing slave, and
give compensation to the family; except if they remit
it. If he was from a people who are enemies to you,
and he was a believer, then you shall free a believing
slave. And if he was from a people with whom you
have a covenant, then a compensation to his family,
and free a believing slave. Whoever does not find,
then the fasting of two months sequentially as a
repentance from God; for God is Knowledgeable,
“Tose among you who have estranged their women;
they can never be made as their mothers, for their
mothers are those who gave birth to them. Indeed,
they are uttering what is strange and a falsehood.
And God is Pardoner, Forgiver. Tose who had
estranged their women, then they retracted what
they had said, they shall free a slave before they have
sexual contact between them. Tis is to enlighten
you. God is well aware of everything you do. If he
cannot find any, then he shall fast two consecutive
months before any sexual contact between them. If
he cannot, then he shall feed sixty poor people. Tat
is so you would believe in God and His messenger.
And these are the boundaries set by God. Te
disbelievers have incurred a painful retribution.”
(Qur’an 58:2-4)
219
Tcsc lasts rangc lrom a thrcc day last to a sixty day
consccutivc last dcpcnding on thc sin:
• Fasting lor thrcc days lor brcaking an intcntional
oath (il hc/shc was not ablc to lccd tcn poor, or
clothc thcm, or lrcc a slavc),
• Fasting lor tcn days lor not bcing ablc to
providc an offcring as a pcnancc lor attcnding
thc pilgrimagc without prior intcnt (to bc split
as thrcc days during thc pilgrimagc and scvcn
upon thc rcturn homc),
• Fasting two consccutivc months in thc casc
ol manslaughtcr (il hc/shc was not ablc to sct
lrcc a bclicving slavc or compcnsatc thc victims
lamily),
• Fasting lor two consccutivc months lor thosc
who cstrangc thcir wivcs (il hc was not ablc to
lrcc a slavc).

220
17
Charity
Giving charity is onc ol thc most spokcn about aspccts in
thc Qur’an as a lorm ol purilying thc ‘scll ’ lrom grccd.
Tis chaptcr will sharc with thc rcadcr thc lorms ol charity
availablc in thc Qur’an as wcll as its intcndcd rccipicnts.
221
!n our study ol thc Qur’an, wc find thrcc lorms ol
charity that havc bccn stipulatcd:
1. AlKhums – an obligatory 20 pcrccnt tax.
2. Sadaqa – an cxpiation charity.
3. Zakat – an optional charity.
Al-Khums (20 percent tax)
“And know that anything you profit, one-fifth (Al
Khums) shall go to God and the messenger, and the
relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and the
wayfarer. You will do this if you believe in God and
in what We revealed to Our servant on the Day of
the Criterion, the day the two armies clashed; and
Sunni scholars (to support thcir 2.5 pcrccnt tax dcrivcd
lrom thc books ol Hadith) havc argucd that vcrsc 8:41 is
not a gcncral tax but that it is spccific to spoils ol war and
docs not apply to all incomc. Shia scholars on thc othcr
hand havc undcrstood it to apply as a tax to all incomc
(with thc twist that such tax is paid to thc lamily ol thc
Prophct ‘Ahlul8ayt’).
A rcvicw ol thc subjcct shows that thc Shia undcrstanding
is thc morc corrcct onc as thc word ‘Ghanaim’ can rclcr to
any gain, cspccially that thc vcrsc clarifics itscll lurthcr with
thc phrasc ‘anything you profit’ (ma ghanimtum min shai).
Timing of the Tax
“And He is the One Who initiated gardens; both trellised
and untrellised; and palm trees, and plants, all with
different taste; and olives and pomegranates, similar
and not similar. Eat from its fruit when it blossoms and
give its due on the day of its harvest; and do not waste.
He does not like the wasteful.” (Qur’an 6:141)
222
Tc Qur’an stipulatcs that any ducs shall bc paid on
“thc day ol its harvcst” which would diffcr lrom pcrson to
pcrson cach dcpcnding on his/hcr prolcssion. A larmcr
docs not havc just onc day ol harvcst in a ycar, but hc/
shc would havc scvcral dcpcnding on thc crops and thc
climatc. Likcwisc, a lawycr or offi cc workcr rcccivcs his/
hcr harvcst on a monthly basis in thc lorm ol a salary,
whilc a laborcr may rcccivc his/hcr harvcst wcckly in thc
lorm ol a wagc. Tcrclorc, thc timc that thc tax is duc
is diffcrcnt lor cach pcrson and is calculatcd on thc nct
incomc ol thc pcrson rathcr than thc gross (kccping in
linc with thc word “Ghanaim” mcaning “profit”).
Recipients of the Tax
“And know that anything you profit, one-fifth (Al
Khums) shall go to God and the messenger, and the
relatives, and the orphans, and the poor, and the
wayfarer. You will do this if you believe in God and
in what We revealed to Our servant on the Day of
the Criterion, the day the two armies clashed; and
Tcrc arc six rccipicnts ol this tax which arc
idcntificd in 8:41 with thc lollowing ordcr ol
succcssion:
1. God — all monics spcnt in thc causc ol God.
2. Tc mcsscngcr — with thc dcath ol thc
mcsscngcr this could bc construcd as ‘thc Statc’
(i.c. ‘thosc in authority’)
59
as long as it rulcd by
thc laws that thc mcsscngcr dclivcrcd.
3. Tc rclativcs—cach according to his/hcr own
situation.
59 Qur’an 4:59
223
4. Tc orphans—thc nccdy lrom thcm.
5. Tc poor—scll cxplanatory.
6. Tc waylarcr—thosc suffcring lrom sctback
duc to travcl.
Sadaqa (expiation charity)
“And complete the Pilgrimage and the visit for
God. If you are prevented, then simply make
what offering is affordable; and do not shave your
heads until the offering reaches its destination.
Whoever of you is ill or has an affliction to his
head, then he may redeem by fasting or giving a
charity (Sadaqa) or a rite. If you are secure, then
whoever goes to visit, and decides to continue
until the Pilgrimage, then he shall provide what
offering is affordable; but for he who cannot f ind
anything, then he must fast for three days during
the Pilgrimage and seven when he returns; this
will make a complete ten; this is for those whose
family is not resident at the Restricted Temple.
And be aware of God, and know that God is
severe in retribution.” (Qur’an 2:196)
“O you who believe, if you wish to hold a private
meeting with the messenger, you shall offer a charity
(Sadaqa) before you do so. Tis is better for you, and
purer. If you cannot do so, then God is Forgiver,
Merciful.” (Qur’an 58:12)
“Take from their money a charity (Sadaqa) to
purify them and develop them with it, and make
contact with them; for your contact is a tranquility
for them; and God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.
Did they not know that it is God who accepts
224
repentance from His servants, and He takes the
charities (Sadaqaat), and that God is the Pardoner,
Tis charity is cxpiation (pcnancc) and is availablc to
covcr a widc rangc ol affairs, lrom rcqucsting a privatc
mccting with thc mcsscngcr to bcing unablc to shavc oncs
hair during thc pilgrimagc.
Recipients of Sadaqa
“Indeed, the charities (Sadaqaat) are for the poor, and
the needy, and those who work to collect them, and
those whose hearts have been united, and to free the
slaves, and those in debt, and in the cause of God,
and the wayfarer. A duty from God, and God is
Knowledgeable, Wise.” (Qur’an 9:60)
Tcrc arc cight rccipicnts ol this charity which arc
idcntificd in vcrsc 9:60 with thc lollowing ordcr ol
succcssion:
1. Tc poor.
2. Tc nccdy.
3. Tosc who work to collcct thcm — thc charity
workcrs.
4. Tosc whosc hcarts havc bccn unitcd — rcccnt
convcrts.
5. To lrcc thc slavcs.
6. Tosc in dcbt.
7. !n thc causc ol God.
8. Tc waylarcr.
225
Rules of Sadaqa
“If you openly give charities (Sadaqaat), then it is
acceptable; but if you conceal them and give them to
the poor, then that is better for you. And He cancels
some of your sins; and God is Expert to all that you
do.” (Qur’an 2:271)
“Kind words and forgiveness are far better than
a charity (Sadaqa) that is followed by harm. God
is Rich, Compassionate. O you who believe, do not
nullify your charities (Sadaqaat) with insult and
harm; like the one who spends his money in vanity
to show off to the people, and he does not believe in
God and the Last Day. His example is like a stone on
which there is dust, then it is subjected to a heavy rain
which leaves it bare. Tey cannot do anything with
what they have earned; and God does not guide the
rejecting people.” (Qur’an 2:263-264)
Tc Sadaqa should bc givcn in sccrct il possiblc, and
must bc givcn with good intcnt and without thc givcr
harboring any animosity towards thosc rccciving it.
Amount of Sadaqa
‘In them is great harm, and a benefit for the people;
but their harm is greater than their benefit.’ And they
ask you how much they are to give, say: ‘ Te excess.’ It
Tc Qur’an stipulatcs that in thc subjcct ol giving
(covcring all charitics), thc amount should bc “thc cxccss”
and that a pcrson must not bc cxccssivc so as to causc
hardship to himscll/hcrscll.
226
Zakat (optional charity)
“Tose who spend their money in the night and in
the day, secretly and openly, they will have their
recompense with their Lord, there is no fear over
them nor will they grieve.” (Qur’an 2:274)
“Te example of those who spend their money in the
cause of God is like a seed that sprouts forth seven
pods, in each pod there is one hundred seeds; and
God multiplies for whoever He chooses, and God is
Encompassing, Knowledgeable.” (Qur’an 2:261)
“And the example of those who spend their money
seeking the grace of God, and to save their souls, is
like the example of a garden that is on a high ground
and is subjected to a heavy rain, and because of that it
produces double its crop. And if no heavy rain comes,
then a light rain is enough. And God is Seer of what
you do.” (Qur’an 2:265)
“ You are not responsible for their guidance, but
it is God who will guide whoever He wishes. And
whatever you spend out of goodness is for your own
souls. And anything you spend should be in seeking
the face of God. And whatever you spend out of
goodness will be returned to you, and you will not be
wronged.” (Qur’an 2:272)
227
“Tose who spend their money in the night and in
the day, secretly and openly, they will have their
recompense with their Lord, there is no fear over
them nor will they grieve.” (Qur’an 2:274)
Tcrc is no amount ol words that can dcscribc thc bcncfits
ol giving charity lor thc sakc ol God. Tc vcrscs abovc arc
just a ‘samplc’ ol thc words containcd in thc Qur’an that
urgc all pcoplc to invcst in thcir ctcrnal luturc.
Recipients of Zakat
“Tey ask you what they should spend, say: ‘What you
spend out of goodness should go to your family and
the relatives and the orphans, and the needy, and the
wayfarer. And any good you do, God is fully aware of
it.’” (Qur’an 2:215)
“Piety is not to turn your faces towards the east and
the west, but pious is one who believes in God and
the Last Day, and the angels, and the Book, and
the prophets, and who gives money out of love to
the relatives, and the orphans, and the needy, and
the wayfarer, and those who ask, and to free the
slaves; and who upholds the contact prayer, and who
contributes towards purification; and those who keep
their pledges when they make a pledge, and those who
are patient in the face of hardship and adversity and
when in despair. Tese are the ones who have been
truthful, and these are the righteous.” (Qur’an 2:177)
Tcrc arc scvcn rccipicnts ol this charity which arc
idcntificd in vcrscs 2:215 and 2:177 with thc lollowing
ordcr ol succcssion:
1. Family — this covcrs immcdiatc lamily (parcnts,
offspring, ctc.).
228
2. Rclativcs.
3. Tc orphans.
4. Tc nccdy.
5. Tc waylarcr.
6. Tosc who ask.
7. To lrcc thc slavcs.
Amount of Zakat
‘In them is great harm, and a benefit for the people;
but their harm is greater than their benefit.’ And they
ask you how much they are to give, say: ‘ Te excess.’ It
“And spend in the cause of God, but do not throw your
resources to disaster. And do good, for God loves those
who do good.” (Qur’an 2:195)
As with Sadaqa, thc amount ol Zakat is lclt to cach
individual to dctcrminc what is bcst. !t is rccommcndcd
howcvcr that only thc “cxccss” bc considcrcd and that a
pcrson docs not throw himscll/hcrscll in financial hardship
by giving too much charity.
Rules of Zakat
“Tose who spend their money in the cause of God,
then they do not follow what they have spent with
either insult or harm; they will have their recompense
with their Lord, there is no fear over them nor will
they grieve. Kind words and forgiveness are far better
than a charity that is followed by harm. God is Rich,
Compassionate.” (Qur’an 2:262-263)
229
“O you who believe, spend from the good things that
you have earned, and from what We have brought
forth from the earth. And do not select the rotten out
of it to give, while you would not take it yourselves
unless you closed your eyes regarding it. And know
that God is Rich, Praiseworthy.” (Qur’an 2:267)
Again, as with Sadaqa, thc giving ol any charity is not
to bc lollowcd with insult or harboring any animosity
towards thc rccipicnt. !nlact, il thcrc is any lcar that thc
givcr would lollow his/hcr charity with harm, thcn it is
bcttcr in thc cycs ol God to simply givc kind words as
charity. Also, with charity thcrc is thc clcmcnt ol “quality”
that nccds to bc maintaincd (i.c. you should only givc
othcrs what you would willingly takc yourscll, and not
what is rottcn or unacccptablc).
To Give or Not to Give?
!l at thc cnd ol this chaptcr you arc still in doubt as to thc
bcncfits ol giving charity or hclping thosc lcss lortunatc,
thcn pcrhaps a look into thc luturc and rcading thc casc ol
thosc who did givc and thcir subscqucnt rcward by thcir
Lord will changc your mind:
“As for the pious, they will drink from a cup which has
the scent of musk. A spring from which the servants
of God drink, it gushes forth abundantly. Tey fulfill
their vows, and they fear a Day whose consequences
are wide-spread. And they give food out of love to the
poor and the orphan and the captive. ‘We only feed
you seeking the face of God; we do not desire from you
any reward or thanks. We fear from our Lord a Day,
which will be horrible and diffi cult.’ So God shielded
them from the evil of that Day, and He cast towards
them a look and a smile. And He rewarded them
for their patience with paradise and silk. Tey are
230
reclining in it on raised couches, they do not have in
it excessive sun nor bitter cold. And the shade is close
upon them, and the fruit is hanging low within reach.
And they are served upon with bowls of silver and
glasses of crystal. Crystal laced with silver, measured
accordingly. And they are given to drink in it from
a cup which has the scent of ginger. A spring therein
which is called ‘Salsabeel ’. And they are encircled
with eternal children. If you see them you will think
they are pearls which have been scattered about. And
if you look, then you will see a blessing and a great
dominion. Tey will have garments of fine green silk,
and necklaces and bracelets from silver, and their
Lord will give them a cleansing drink. ‘ Tis is the
reward for you, and your struggle is appreciated.’”
(Qur’an 76:5-22)
May wc all bc amongst thc dwcllcrs ol Paradisc!
231
18
Pilgrimage:
Te Lost Legacy of Abraham
Tis chaptcr will dcal with thc final and most important
lcaturc ol unity in thc !slamic rcpublic, and that is its
ability to intcract with othcr pcoplc and nations in
ordcr to sharc with thcm thc knowlcdgc and mcrits
ol a systcm that has bccn dcsigncd by thc Ònc in thc
Hcavcns lor all His crcation to livc and prospcr in pcacc
and happincss.
232
“Te first Sanctuary established for the people is
the one in Bakk’a, blessed, and a guidance for the
worlds. In it are clear signs: the station of Abraham.
And whoever enters it will be secure. And God is
owed from the people to make Pilgrimage to the
Sanctuary, whoever can make a path to it. And
whoever rejects, then God has no need of the worlds.”
(Qur’an 3:96-97)
¡vcry ycar, wc scc millions ol Pilgrims hcading
towards Mccca lor thc annual Pilgrimagc/Hajj. Tc
Pilgrimagc takcs placc in thc Arabic month ol Zul
Hujja and lasts lor a pcriod ol thrcc days in which
thc Pilgrims pcrlorm a numbcr ol ritcs, onc ol which
is bcing drcsscd in a whitc cloth callcd !hraam whilc
circling thc Kaaba scvcral timcs, running bctwccn
thc two stoncs ol thc Sala and Marwa and throwing
pcbblcs at thc dcvil.
Who is the Audience?
“And call out to the people with the Pilgrimage,
they will come to you walking and on every trans-
port, they will come from every deep enclosure.”
(Qur’an 22:27)
Tc singlc most ovcrlookcd cluc rcgarding Pilgrimagc
is thc audicncc. Abraham was calling out to humankind
and not to thc bclicvcrs or Muslims. Tis inlormation
poscs a scrious problcm to thc bclicl that Pilgrimagc is
simply a sct ol systcmatic rituals, as nonbclicvcrs would
not bc ablc to idcntily with any ol thcsc rituals and
would thus not carry thcm out.
233
Why Would People Gather?
(Qur’an 3:96-97)
“So that they may witness benefits for themselves,
and mention the name of God in the appointed days
over what He has provided for them of the animal
livestock. So eat from it and feed the needy and the
poor. Ten let them complete their duties and fulfill
their vows, and let them traverse at the ancient
Sanctuary.” (Qur’an 22:28-29)
Hcrc arc thc two main rcasons pcoplc would gathcr:
1. To witncss bcncfits lor thcmsclvcs.
2. To bc madc awarc ol thc systcm cstablishcd by
God lor thc pcoplc.
Tc first objcctivc ol Pilgrimagc comcs naturally lrom
such a largc gathcring ol diffcrcnt pcoplc at an appointcd
timc(s) and placc. Tis opcns thc door to opportunitics
ol tradc, inlormation cxchangc, cultural cxchangc,
nctworking, ctc. Tis idca ol thc mccting and mixing ol
pcoplc/raccs can bc clcarly sccn in vcrsc 49:13 bclow as
part ol thc dccrcc ol God lor humanity:
“O mankind, We created you from a male and female,
and We made you into nations and tribes, that you
234
may know one another. Surely, the most honorable
among you in the sight of God is the most righteous.
God is Knowledgeable, Expert.” (Qur’an 49:13)
Tc sccond objcctivc ol making Pilgrimagc is to sharc
with all humankind thc systcm ol laws, govcrnmcnt,
and tcachings that God has dccrccd to us through thc
prophcts (both physical and spiritual). Tis tcaching is
achicvcd during a pcriod ol a lcw days whcn thc Pilgrims
arc invitcd to lcast on thc mcats prcparcd spccially lor thc
cvcnt whilc thc systcm ol God Alonc is opcnly discusscd
and sharcd with thc visitors. Hcncc, thc tcrm “mcntion
thc namc ol God” is to rcmind thosc prcscnt (bclicvcrs
and nonbclicvcrs) ol our allcgianccs to God bccausc ol
what Hc has madc availablc lor us on this ¡arth and
cvcrything clsc Hc has blcsscd us with.
Location of Pilgrimage
(Qur’an 3:96-97)
Unlortunatcly, many pcoplc havc takcn lor grantcd
what thc Scripturc actually says on this and many othcr
subjccts and hcncc thcy cnd up lollowing thc tcachings ol
thc sccts whcn it comcs to thc systcm ol God.
Tc Scripturc givcs thc clcar namc 8akk’a (not Mccca)
as bcing thc location lor thc Pilgrimagc.
235
Where is Bakk’a?
|Psalm 84:48| 8lcsscd arc thcy that dwcll in
thy housc: thcy will bc still praising thcc. Sclah.
8lcsscd is thc man whosc strcngth is in thcc, in
whosc hcart arc thc ways ol thcm. Vho passing
through thc vallcy ol 8aca makc it a wcll, thc
rain also fills thc pools. Tcy go lrom strcngth to
strcngth, cvcry onc ol thcm in Zion appcars bclorc
God. Ò Lord God ol hosts, hcar my praycr: givc
car, Ò God ol Jacob. Sclah.
Tc namc 8akk’a has bccn rctaincd in ancicnt
scripturcs and is thc givcn as thc namc ol thc arca which
is rcachcd as pilgrims cxitcd thc vallcy ol Rcphaim lrom
thc southwcst that lcd to mount Zion in thc hcart ol
Jcrusalcm (Samucl 5:2223).
!nlact, thc namc 8akk’a is still rctaincd lor that vcry
samc arca that approachcs thc hcart ol Jcrusalcm lrom thc
south wcst.
Photograph ol Jcrusalcm (Ðomc ol thc Rock)—Tc first Sanctuary
Tis cvidcncc ol 8akk’a bcing Jcrusalcm is ironically
supportcd by thc !slamic history taught by thc scctarians
236
thcmsclvcs, which rccords that thc Prophct, whilc in
Mcdina, uscd to pcrlorm thc contactpraycr (Salat)
towards Jcrusalcm lor a numbcr ol ycars, but thcn thc
local point (Qibla) was changcd away lrom Jcrusalcm
(until today, thc Muslims rclcr to Jcrusalcm as thc first ol
thc two Qiblas —Uwla Al Qiblatain).
Te Change in Focal Point (Qibla)
Tc sourcc ol all thc conlusion that has occurrcd sccms to
havc bccn causcd by thc changc in thc Qibla (local point)
during thc timc ol thc Prophct:
“Te foolish from among the people will say: ‘What has
turned them away from the focal point that they were
on?’ Say: ‘To God are the east and the west, He guides
whomsoever He wishes to a straight path.’ And as
such, We have made you a balanced nation so that you
may be witness over the people, and that the messenger
may be witness over you. And We did not make the
focal point that you became on except to distinguish
who follows the messenger from those who will turn
on their heels. It was a great thing indeed except for
those whom God had guided; God was not to waste
your belief. God is Merciful and Compassionate over
the people.” (Qur’an 2:142-143)
According to traditional history, thc Muslims wcrc
locuscd on thc original Qibla ol Jcrusalcm. Thcn,
altcr somc timc, God suddcnly gavc a ncw dccrcc
that told thcm to lacc “away” lrom that Qibla. This
changc in Qibla is supportcd with thc vcrscs ol thc
Scripturc in 2:142 and 2:143, and is lurthcr supportcd
by archcological cvidcncc that cxistcd in thc city
ol Mcdina ol a mosquc (masjid) with two Qibla
dircctions (onc towards Jcrusalcm and onc oppositc to
Jcrusalcm—assumcd to bc towards Mccca).
237
Tc Sunnis and Shia claim that thc command was lor
thc Prophct to now lacc Mccca—Arabia as thc pcrmancnt
Qibla. Howcvcr, what thc sccts lail to cxplain is why thc
Prophct was lacing Jcrusalcm to bcgin with, cspccially il
thc Tcmplc was locatcd in Mccca—Arabia all along as pcr
thcir claims:
Ðigging dccpcr into this issuc, wc find that thc scctarian
argumcnt that Mccca—Arabia was bcing laccd in this
changc ol Qibla holds no watcr as turning away lrom
Jcrusalcm would not put thc Muslims on a path with such
a supposcd location:
8y drawing an imaginary linc lrom Mcdina to Jcrusalcm, wc find that Mccca
Arabia is off by a largc distancc—thus rcluting thc argumcnt that Mccca was
thc intcndcd locus point ol thc ncw Qibla.
Vhat lurthcr raiscs suspicion that thc Qibla was simply
shiltcd ‘away’ lrom Jcrusalcm and not towards any city
in particular (cspccially not Mccca—Arabia) is that thc
original mosquc with two Qiblas has bccn dcmolishcd by
thc Saudi govcrnmcnt and a ncw onc built with a singlc
Qibla alligncd towards Mccca—Arabia.
238
Te Final Qibla
Vhilc thc initial changc in Qibla may havc causcd thc
conlusion lor pcoplc to lcan towards thc location ol
Mccca—Arabia, it sccms that most commcntators havc
misscd thc vcrscs which spcak ol rcvcrting ol thc Qibla
back to thc Rcstrictcd Tcmplc ( Jcrusalcm).
“We see the shifting of your face towards the heaven;
We will thus set for you a focal point that will be
pleasing to you: ‘ You shall set yourself towards the
Restricted Temple; and wherever you may be, you
shall all set yourselves towards it.’ Tose who have
been given the Book know it is the truth from their
Lord. And God is not unaware of what you do.”
(Qur’an 2:144)
Tc scctarian commcntators ol thc Scripturc tricd to
promotc thc idca that thc changc that God spcaks about
in vcrsc 2:144 was thc original onc lrom Jcrusalcm to
thc Rcstrictcd Tcmplc (which thcy makc to bc Mccca
—Arabia). Tc problcm with this argumcnt is that it
ignorcs thc lact that in vcrsc 2:142 God announccs that
a changc has alrcady takcn placc and that thc loolish
amongst thc pcoplc will commcnt saying: “Vhat madc
thcm changc lrom thcir Qibla:” (i.c. thcrc was a Qibla1
which is thc original, and a Qibla2 which has sparkcd
thc qucstions).
Tcn in rcplying to thc pcoplc in vcrsc 2:143, thc answcr
ol God is givcn lor thc rcason lor thc changc by saying “it
was a tcst to distinguish thc truc lollowcrs ol thc Prophct.”
Finally, altcr this scqucncc, wc arc told that thc Prophct
has bccn dircctcd in vcrsc 2:144 to makc thc Rcstrictcd
Tcmplc his pcrmancnt Qibla (which cannot bc Mccca
–Arabia bccausc thcrc has alrcady bccn onc changc ol
Qibla away lrom Jcrusalcm and towards thc oppositc
location).
239
Tc only way to cxplain thc currcnt statc ol !slam
(giving priority to Mccca—Arabia) is that thc changc
back to Jcrusalcm did not takc placc until vcry ncar thc
cnd ol thc mission ol thc Prophct and that hc dicd shortly
altcrwards whcrcby thc Muslims lragmcntcd and cntcrcd
into scvcral civil wars, as pcr thc !slamic history books.
Tc victors lrom thcsc conflicts managcd to maintain
thc powcr basc in Arabia and dcclarcd that thc tcmplc
locatcd in what latcr bccamc known as ‘Mccca Arabia’ was
thc placc whcrc thc Sanctuary cstablishcd by Abraham is
lound and is thc location ol thc Pilgrimagc.
Tis would also cxplain why thcrc is somc archacological
conlusion in thc construction ol somc carly mosqucs as
thcy had thc lacing ol thcir Qibla to bc lar to thc north
ol Mccca towards Jcrusalcm. ¡vcn morc striking, is thc
history ol thc Muslim rulcr, Khalila AbdulMalik 8in
Marwan, who was so convinccd that Jcrusalcm was thc
truc Qibla and ccntcr lor Pilgrimagc that hc procccdcd to
scnd an army to attack and dcstroy thc Kaaba in Mccca
with catapults whilc at hc samc timc cxpanding thc
building ol thc Ðomc ol thc Rock by 691AÐ into thc
architcctural mastcrpiccc that it is today.
Mecca in the Qur’an
Vith rcgards to Mccca, wc find that thc Qur’an docs
indccd rclcr to a city/town by such namc and, rathcr than
240
lcnd support to it bcing thc location ol thc Rcstrictcd
Tcmplc, thc Qur’an shows us that thc town by this namc
was an “obstaclc” lor Pilgrims who wcrc trying to makc
thcir way to thc Rcstrictcd Tcmplc, and that thc taking
ol this town pavcd thc way lor thc ultimatc conqucst, thc
libcration ol thc Rcstrictcd Tcmplc, prophcsicd as an act
“yct to comc” according to 48:27.
“And He is the One who withheld their hands
against you, and your hands against them in the
interior of Mecca, after He had made you victorious
over them. God is Seer of what you do. Tey are the
ones who rejected and barred you from the Restricted
Temple, and barred your donations from reaching
their destination...” (Qur’an 48:24-25)
“God has affi rmed, that the vision of His messenger
will come true: ‘ You will enter the Restricted Temple,
God willing, secure, with your heads shaven, and
shortened - no longer in fear.’ Tus, He knew what
you did not know, and He has appointed before this
a conquest near at hand.” (Qur’an 48:27)
Te Kaaba
[Pickthall Translation 5:97] Allah hath appointed
the Kaba, the Sacred House, a standard for
mankind, and the Sacred Month and the offerings
and the garlands. Tat is so that ye may know
that Allah knoweth whatsoever is in the heavens
and whatsoever is in the Earth, and that Allah is
Knower of all things.
Vc arc told that thc word ‘Kaaba’ mcans a ‘cubc
shapc’ and that thc sitc in Mccca has bccn constructcd in
accordancc with this dcsign rcquircmcnt.
241
A photo ol thc Sanctuary in Mccca (thc Kaaba)
Howcvcr, thc mcaning ol ‘cubc’ associatcd with this
word is not complctcly accuratc as thc word ‘Kaab/Kaaba’ is
associatcd in Arabic with any lcaturc that is protruding, such
as thc boncs to thc sidc ol thc anklcs as can bc sccn bclow:
prayer, then wash your faces and your hands up to
the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the
ankles (Kaabain); and if you have had intercourse,
then you shall bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or
Tus, any construct, rcgardlcss ol its shapc can bc callcd
a ‘Kaaba’ as long as it stands out lrom thc plain.
!nlact, wc find that in thc history ol pagan Arabia,
cach town had its own ‘Kaaba’ which was a ccntcrpiccc lor
242
worship and a placc lor thc many idols that wcrc scrvcd
alongsidc thc Ònc truc God.
Vith rcgards to thc tcmplc arca ol Jcrusalcm, wc havc a
‘Kaaba’ in thc lorm ol thc building locatcd on thc Tcmplc
Mount ‘Ðomc ol thc Rock’ which has bccn thc loundation
building lor worship in thc arca lor many ccnturics and is
cvcn considcrcd to bc thc spot lrom which thc Prophct
madc his journcy to hcavcn (scc 17:1).
Photograph ol Jcrusalcm (Ðomc ol thc Rock)
Te Situation of Abraham (Maqam Ibrahim)
Anothcr lcaturc which is notcd with rcgards to thc
location ol thc Tcmplc in 8akk’a is thc “Maqam !brahim”
(Station/Situation ol Abraham) which wc arc told is to bc
lound at thc sitc ol thc Tcmplc:
“Te first Sanctuary established for the people is the one
in Bakk’a, blessed, and a guidance for the worlds. In it
are clear signs: the station of Abraham. And whoever
enters it will be secure. And God is owed from the
people to make Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary, whoever
can make a path to it. And whoever rejects, then God
has no need of the worlds.” (Qur’an 3:96-97)
243
Hcrc wc can notc an apparcnt discrcpancy lor thc sitc
ol Mccca whcrc thc allcgcd “Maqam !brahim” has bccn
placcd outsidc thc allcgcd sanctuary/tcmplc whilc it is
supposcd to bc insidc.
!t sccms that somc carly Muslims wcrc awarc ol this
glaring discrcpancy, and as such, a solution was invcntcd
that pilgrims wcrc to ‘imaginc’ that thc Maqam/Hijr is
locatcd insidc thc tcmplc domain and thus during thc
Hajj thc arca ol thc Maqam/Hijr is to bc walkcd ‘around’
and not ‘through’ just as il thcy arc circling a continuous
physical part ol thc tcmplc.
Vith rcgards to cxplaining why thc Maqam is locatcd
in thc wrong placc to bcgin with, thc Muslim scholars
havc optcd lor a crudc cxplanation whcrcby thcy claim that
thc Kaaba walls wcrc dcstroycd by flash floods during thc
lilc ol thc Prophct, but that hc could not mustcr cnough
moncy togcthcr to rcbuild thc Kaaba to its original sizc, so
hc optcd lor a smallcr Kaaba lcaving thc Maqam outsidc
thc sanctuary!
To locatc thc truc Maqam and its rclation to thc
Pilgrimagc, wc nccd to cxplorc thc word as it occurs in
thc Scripturc. Tc word “Maqam” occurs in thc lollowing
vcrscs: 2:125, 3:97, 5:107, 10:71, 14:14, 17:79, 19:73,
25:66, 25:76, 26:58, 27:39, 33:13, 37:164, 44:26, 44:51,
55:46, 79:40. Tc mcanings ascribcd to this word as pcr
its usagc arc: “Position, status, station, situation, placc.”
Looking at thc storics ol Abraham in thc Scripturc
and trying to find thc onc that is ncarcst in subjcct to thc
Pilgrimagc ritcs, wc comc across thc lamous story whcn
Abraham has a drcam in which hc is sacrificing his son.
God in His mcrcy intcrvcncs and ransoms thc son ol
Abraham with an animal sacrificc.
“And when he grew enough to work with him, he
said: ‘My son, I am seeing in a dream that I am
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sacrificing you. What do you think?’ He said: ‘O my
father, do what you are commanded to do. You will
find me, God willing, patient.’ So when they both
had surrendered, and he put his forehead down.
And We called him: ‘O Abraham, you have carried
out the vision.’ It was such that We rewarded the
righteous. Surely, this was an exacting test. And
We ransomed him with a great animal sacrifice.
And We kept his history for those who came later.”
(Qur’an 37:102-108)
Tis cpisodc rccordcd in thc Scripturc dcscribcs thc
trial/situation ol Abraham with his son. Tus, lor all
purposcs, thc placc whcrc this cvcnt took placc may bc
dcscribcd as Maqam !brahim.
Looking back at thc Tcmplc arca ol Jcrusalcm, wc find
that thc stonc outcropping undcrncath thc Ðomc ol thc
Rock is whcrc it is claimcd that Abraham was about to
sacrificc his son in lulfillmcnt ol 37:102108, and that
God ransomcd thc son ol Abraham with an animal
sacrificc, which has bccomc a pillar ol thc Pilgrimagc .
Photo ol thc Rock within thc Ðomc ( Jcrusalcm)
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!t is also lound that thcrc arc channcls carvcd into thc
rock which arc dcsigncd to siphon liquid to a chambcr bclow,
thus making thc Maqam an idcal location lor thc animal
sacrificc which is amongst thc ritcs ol thc Pilgrimagc.
Arafat—Mountain or Elevated Place?
Òn thc subjcct ol Aralat, wc arc told that this is thc namc
ol onc ol thc mountains ncar Mccca —Arabia, and it is said
that thc Pilgrims must journcy to that location as dccrccd
in vcrsc 2:198 and thcn rcturn back to Mccca again.
[Pickthall Translation 2:198] “It is no sin for you
that ye seek the bounty of your Lord (by trading).
But, when ye press on in the multitude from ‘Arafat,
remember Allah by the sacred monument. Remember
Him as He hath guided you, although before ye were
of those astray.”
Naming a mountain Aralat and thcn claiming it is thc
onc rclcrrcd to in thc Scripturc is no grcat lcat. Howcvcr,
as is bccoming typical ol thc mistakcs thc Sunni and Shia
scholars arc making with thcir location lor placcs, it is
morc important to ask thc qucstion: Vhy would pcoplc
invitcd lor Pilgrimagc who arc not ncccssarily bclicvcrs
pcrlorm rituals and comc and go to a mountain a lcw
kilomctcrs away:
Tc obvious answcr is that thcy would not!
Tc word “Aralat” in Arabic simply mcans “high/
clcvatcd placc” (that is why thc scholars havc choscn a
small mountain to bc givcn this namc). And, il wc lollow
thc notion that thc placc ol Pilgrimagc is thc Tcmplc
Mount arca, thcn thc vcrsc bccomcs crystal clcar as thc
Tcmplc Mount is an clcvatcd arca and hcncc thc pilgrims
who gathcr at thc Sanctuary arc by dclault standing at
“Aralaat—thc high placc.”
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Photograph ol Tcmplc Mount in Jcrusalcm showing it as situatcd on an
“clcvatcd platlorm”
Safa and Marwah
“Indeed, the Safa and the Marwah are among the
symbols of God. So whoever makes Pilgrimage to the
Sanctuary, or is merely visiting, commits no error
should he traverse them. And whoever donates for
goodness, then God is Tankful, Knowledgeable.”
(Qur’an 2:158)
Tc Sala and Marwah in Mccca–Arabia arc two small
hills/mounds bctwccn which wc arc told Hajar (thc slavc
wilc ol Abraham) was running, scarching lor watcr altcr
Abraham had abandoncd hcr and hcr inlant with no lood
or watcr. Tcn, whilc shc was at thc scvcnth run, !smail
miraculously struck his loot at thc ground and a spring ol
watcr “Zamzam” burst lorth!
Howcvcr, thc cntirc story ol ‘Abraham marrying his
slavc girl Hajar and thcn lcaving hcr in thc wildcrncss with
!smail bascd on thc wishcs ol his wilc Sarah’ not only has
247
no basis whatsocvcr in thc 8ook ol God, but also conflicts
grcatly with thc charactcr ol a Prophct who is dcvotcd to
God and who would ncvcr bc prcssurcd by any human into
abandoning or harming anothcr pcrson(s). As lar as wc can
asccrtain, Abraham was marricd to onc woman, thc samc
woman who gavc him !smail and thcn, many ycars latcr,
!saac. Vc can also asccrtain that Abraham livcd ncar thc
arca ol thc Tcmplc ( Jcrusalcm) and thcrclorc would not
havc travclcd hundrcds ol kilomctcrs to carry out such an
cxtrcmc act ncvcr mcntioncd in thc Scripturc ol God.
Vith rcgards to thc Tcmplc arca ol Jcrusalcm, il wc
arc looking lor two protruding points, thcn thcy arc casily
locatcd. Tc Tcmplc arca has two stonc outcroppings/
loundations, thc first bcing thc stonc upon which lics thc
‘Ðomc ol thc Rock’ (hcncc thc namc), whilc thc othcr is a
stonc upon which a smallcr structurc has bccn built known
as thc ‘Ðomc ol thc Tablcts’. Tus, thcsc two lcaturcs, both
ol which havc bccn prcscrvcd on thc Tcmplc Mount sitc,
can bc claimcd to bc thc ‘Sala’ and ‘Marwa’ (thc stonc and
thc rock outcropping) that God has mcntioncd as bcing
physical clcmcnts as part ol thc sitc ol Pilgrimagc and arc
amongst thc symbols ol God.
Summary—Highlighting Jerusalem as Bakk’a:
• !slamic history rccords Jcrusalcm as bcing thc
first local point, or Qibla, bclorc Mccca.
• Tc rccipicnts ol thc Torah and !njccl ( Jcws
and Nazarcncs) acknowlcdgc thc significancc ol
Jcrusalcm but dcny any knowlcdgc ol Mccca.
• Tc namc “8akk’a” is lound in thc Jcwish biblc
(scc Psalms 84) as pcoplc arc on thcir way to
Jcrusalcm lor Pilgrimagc (to stand bclorc God
at Mt. Zion).
• A town by thc namc ol ‘Mccca’ is mcntioncd
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in thc Qur’an as bcing an obstaclc in thc way
ol pilgrims to rcach thc Rcstrictcd Tcmplc in
8akk’a (scc Qur’an 48:24).
• Controvcrsy and doubt ovcr Mccca bcing thc
original sitc ol pilgrimagc has cxistcd sincc
thc carly days ol !slam whcrcby thc Kaaba in
Mccca was catapultcd and dcstroycd by an
!slamic army in thc days ol Abdul Malik 8in
Marwan whilc thc Tcmplc in Jcrusalcm was
honorcd and upgradcd.
• Physical cvidcncc cxists showing mosqucs built
altcr thc dcath ol thc prophct with thcir Qiblas
(oricntation) towards Jcrusalcm and not Mccca
(scc work by Cook and Cronc).
• Tc namc “8akk’a” is still lound in city maps ol
Jcrusalcm as thc namc ol a vallcy locatcd lcss
than fivc milcs lrom thc Tcmplc Mount to thc
southwcst.
• Tc namc “Jcrusalcm” (city ol pcacc) fits thc
praycr ol Abraham lor 8akk’a to bc a city ol
pcacc (scc Qur’an 2:126).
• Tc Scripturc spcaks ol olivcs growing in thc
vicinity ol this town whcrc thc Prophct is
situatcd (scc Qur’an 95:13). Òlivcs arc natural
to thc arca ol thc Mcditcrrancan (ncar which
Jcrusalcm is situatcd) but not Arabia.
• Tc Qur’an tclls us that thc ‘Maqam !brahim’
(situation/station ol Abraham) is locatcd within
thc Tcmplc at 8akk’a (scc Qur’an 3:97). !n
Jcrusalcm wc havc thc rock (upon which thc
domc is built) associatcd with thc tcst ol Abraham
whcrcby hc ncarly sacrificcd his son. !n Mccca wc
havc what appcars to bc lootprints cncloscd by a
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brass containcr!
• Tc rock ovcr which thc Ðomc ol thc Rock
is situatcd sccms dcsigncd lor animals to bc
slaughtcrcd on it (as cvidcnccd by a holc in thc
rock which is thought to drain blood sacrificcs
down to a hollow cavcrn bclow). !l so, thcn this
would match pcrlcctly thc ritc ol Pilgrimagc
and thc slaughtcr ol livcstock lor lcasting and
giving to thc poor/nccdy.
• Tc Kaaba is situatcd on an clcvatcd arca, which
matchcs thc dcscription givcn in thc Scripturc
ol thc Pilgrims coming to it lrom low/dccp
cnclosurcs (scc Qur’an 22:27).
• Tc prophccy ol thc Tcmplc bcing rccntcrcd (scc
Qur’an 17:7) whcn thc sccond risc ol !sracl occurs
can only bc applicablc il thc Tcmplc is undcr
!sracli control (i.c. Jcrusalcm and not Mccca).
Timing of Pilgrimage
Tc pilgrimagc is hcld during thc thrcc months that
lollow Ramadhan in thc calcndar ycar (scc chaptcr 13
lor calcndar dctails), and cach Pilgrimagc would bc
hcld with thc sighting ol thc crcsccnt moon and last lor
thrcc days (pcoplc may shortcn to two days or cxtcndcd
bcyond il nccdcd).
“Tey ask you regarding the crescent moons, say:
‘ Tey are a timing mechanism for the people and the
Pilgrimage.’ And piety is not that you would enter a
home from its back, but piety is whoever is righteous
and comes to the homes from their main doors. And be
aware of God that you may succeed.” (Qur’an 2:189)
“And remember God during a few number of days.
Whoever hurries to two days, there is no sin upon him;
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and whoever delays, there is no sin upon him if he is
being righteous. And be aware of God, and know that
it is to Him that you will be gathered.” (Qur’an 2:203)
“And complete the Pilgrimage and the visit for God.
If you are prevented, then simply provide what
until the offering reaches its destination. Whoever of
you is ill or has an affl iction to his head, then he may
redeem by fasting or giving a charity or a rite. If you
are secure, then whoever goes to visit, but decides to
continue until the Pilgrimage, then he shall provide
what offering is affordable; but for he who cannot
find anything, then he must fast for three days during
the Pilgrimage and seven when he returns; this will
make a complete ten; this is for those whose family is
not resident at the Restricted Temple. And be aware
of God, and know that God is severe in retribution.”
(Qur’an 2:196)
Rules of Pilgrimage
Sincc this call is to all humankind to gathcr and bcncfit
in onc location, ccrtain rulcs ol conduct havc bccn spcllcd
out, starting with intcnt, that must bc obscrvcd by all who
havc agrccd to attcnd:
“And complete the Pilgrimage and the visit for God.
If you are prevented, then simply provide what
until the offering reaches its destination. Whoever of
you is ill or has an affl iction to his head, then he may
redeem by fasting or giving a charity or a rite. If you
are secure, then whoever goes to visit and decides to
continue until the Pilgrimage, then he shall provide
what offering is affordable; but for he who cannot
251
find anything, then he must fast for three days during
the Pilgrimage and seven when he returns; this will
make a complete ten; this is for those whose family is
not resident at the Restricted Temple. And be aware
of God, and know that God is severe in retribution.”
(Qur’an 2:196)
“Te Pilgrimage months are made known. So who-
ever decides to perform the Pilgrimage therein, then
there shall be no sexual approach, nor wickedness, nor
baseless argument in the Pilgrimage. And any good
that you do, God is aware of it; and bring provisions
for yourselves, though the best provision is righteous-
ness; and be aware of Me O people of understanding.”
(Qur’an 2:197)
“Tere is no sin upon you to seek goodness from your
Lord. So when you disperse from the elevated place,
then remember God at the symbol which is restricted,
and remember Him as He has guided you; for you
were straying before that.” (Qur’an 2:198)
“Ten you shall disperse from where the people dis-
persed, and seek the forgiveness of God; God is surely
“When you have completed your rites, then remember
God as you remember your fathers or even greater.
From among the people is he who says: ‘Our Lord,
give us from this world!’ But in the Hereafter he has
no part. And some of them say: ‘Our Lord, give us
good in this world, and good in the Hereafter, and
spare us from the retribution of the Fire.’ Tese will
have a benefit for what they have earned; and God is
swift in reckoning.” (Qur’an 2:200-202)
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“And remember God during a few number of days.
Whoever hurries to two days, there is no sin upon him;
and whoever delays, there is no sin upon him if he is
being righteous. And be aware of God, and know that
it is to Him that you will be gathered.” (Qur’an 2:203)
“And the plump livestock, We have made them for you
to be among the symbols of God; you will have benefit
in them. So mention the name of God upon them in
succession; then, once their sides have become still, you
may eat from them and feed with them the poor and the
needy. It was thus that We have made them in service
to you, that you may be thankful.” (Qur’an 22:36)
“Neither their meat nor their blood reaches God, but
what reaches Him is the righteousness from you. It
was thus that He made them in service to you, so that
you may glorify God for what He has guided you to,
and give news to the good doers.” (Qur’an 22:37)
!t is thus that pcoplc would gathcr, bc shown thc ways
ol God, bc shown thc systcm ol God, and bc shown thc
mcthods ol spirituality that thcy may pass what thcy havc
lcarncd to othcrs.
Other Issues
Location of Mecca
Vith rcgards to thc corrcct location ol thc town ol Mccca
that is mcntioncd in thc Qur’an, and taking into account that
this town was a physical obstaclc to thc pilgrims and thc
offcrings rcaching thc Rcstrictcd Tcmplc (scc 48:2425),
and also taking into account that thc Qur’an was rcvcalcd
in thc Arabic languagc (scc 12:2, 16:103) it would sccm
that thc most probablc candidatc to bcing thc truc town
253
ol Mccca mcntioncd in thc Qur’an is not thc currcnt
Mccca—Arabia, but is nonc othcr than thc historic
Nabatcan capital currcntly known as ‘Pctra’ in Jordan.
Not only is thc town ol Pctra locatcd dircctly on thc
path lrom Mcdina/Yathrib to Jcrusalcm/8akk’a, but
it is a wcll documcntcd lact that thc Nabatcans arc thc
originators ol thc Arabic languagc (thc languagc uscd by
thc Qur’an) as wcll as thc rclics and artilacts lound that
provc that thcy had principal dcitics such as Laat and
Uzza, which arc mcntioncd by thc Qur’an as thc dcitics ol
thc pcoplc bcing addrcsscd at thc timc ol rcvclation:
“Have you considered Allaat and Al-Ùzzah? And
Manaat, the third one? Do you have the males, while
He has the females? What a strange distribution!
Tese are but names that you made up, you and
your forefathers. God never authorized such. Tey
only follow conjecture, and personal desire, while
the guidance has come to them from their Lord.”
(Qur’an 53:19-23)
Why Did the Prophet Immigrate to Medina?
Tc Prophct may havc bccn originally lrom cithcr Jcrusalcm
(8akk’a) or Pctra (Mccca) and hc most likcly migratcd
lrom onc or both ol thcsc towns as hc laccd pcrsccution lor
sprcading thc mcssagc ol God Alonc. !t would thcrclorc
havc madc scnsc lor him to cmigratc south towards thc
town ol Yathrib (Mcdina) as hc is moving away lrom thc
jurisdiction ol thc Roman ¡mpirc at thc timc.
Tc rclocation to Mcdina sccms to havc providcd
a much nccdcd boost lor thc mission ol thc Prophct,
whcrcby thc Muslims wcrc ablc to livc, in rclativc salcty,
undcr thc ncw laws rcvcalcd in thc Qur’an. Tc Muslims
in Mcdina also bcncfitcd lrom a swclling in thcir ranks
254
as ncwcomcrs wcrc joining thcm to livc undcr thc ncw
systcm ol law and govcrnmcnt that had much to promisc
lor its citizcns both spiritually and physically.
!s Tcrc Proof of Previous Pilgrimages to the Temple?
As Abraham has callcd to thc Pilgrimagc ovcr 3,000 ycars
ago, it would bc logical to assumc that thcrc would bc
rcmnants/traccs ol prcvious structurcs or buildings on thc
arca ol thc Tcmplc Mount.
Òthcr than thc stonc, which protrudcs lrom thc Tcmplc
Mount and upon which thc Ðomc ol thc Rock is built,
wc havc a historical rclcrcncc that a structurc did cxist
morc than oncc on this samc sitc and that thc Tcmplc was
rcconstructcd and thcn was cxpandcd by Hcrod in 1920
8C. Tc Romans dcstroycd this ncw structurc in 70 A.Ð.
during thc “Var ol thc Jcws.” Tc archacological prool lor
thcsc claims is lound in inlrarcd imagcs takcn ol thc Ðomc
ol thc Rock by Tuvia Sagiv (takcn lrom papcr cntitlcd
“Pcnctrating !nsights into thc Tcmplc Mount”) rcvcaling
an oldcr pcntagonal loundation bcncath thc currcnt Ðomc
ol thc Rock, which indicatcs that this sitc has had a lunction
cvcn bclorc thc Ðomc was built.
What about the People of the Scripture Following
Different Focal Points?
“And if you come to those who have been given the
Book with every sign they will not follow your focal
point, nor will you follow their focal point, nor will
some of them even follow each others focal point. And
if you were to follow their desires after the knowledge
that has come to you, then you would be one of the
wicked.” (Qur’an 2:145)
255
Historical cvidcncc lound in thc Òld Tcstamcnt
suggcsts that both thc Jcws and Christians/Nazarcncs arc
awarc ol thc importancc ol Jcrusalcm:
|Ðanicl 6:10| Now whcn Ðanicl kncw that thc
writing was signcd, hc wcnt into his housc, and
his windows bcing opcn in his chambcr toward
Jcrusalcm, hc kncclcd upon his knccs thrcc timcs
a day, and praycd, and gavc thanks bclorc his God,
as hc did alorctimc.
Archacological cvidcncc also confirms that synagogucs
lrom thc pcriod bclorc and altcr thc rcvclation ol thc
Scripturc wcrc roughly oricntcd to lacc Jcrusalcm. (Avi
Yonah, M., Synagoguc Architccturc. !n Encyclopedia
Judaica, vol. 15, Ncw York: Macmillan, 1971).
Howcvcr, looking at our dccrccd localpoint lrom
vcrsc 2:144 bcing thc “Rcstrictcd Tcmplc” (also known as
thc Tcmplc Mount, on which thc Ðomc ol thc Rock is
locatcd), and not thc grcatcr arca ol Jcrusalcm or Jcrusalcm
itscll, wc find that ncithcr Jcws nor Christians acccpt this
as thcir oricntation.
!n lact, thc Jcws arc “lorbiddcn” lrom that arca by thcir
Rabbis, whilc thc Christians scck thc mount ol olivcs ncarby
as thcir rallying point whcrc thcy bclicvc Jcsus last praycd.
Clcarly, as vcrsc 2:145 suggcsts, thcrc is no conscnsus
bctwccn thc Qibla ol thc Scripturc and thc Qiblas
lollowcd by thc Jcws and Christians/Nazarcncs.
Summary of Pilgrimage
• Pilgrimagc is a call to all humankind (to lcarn
about thc systcm ol God Alonc, to witncss
bcncfits lor thcmsclvcs, to lcast),
• Tc location ol thc original Pilgrimagc was at
8akk’a ( Jcrusalcm), ccntcring ncar thc Tcmplc
Mount (thc arca on which thc Ðomc ol thc
256
Rock is constructcd),
• Tc Pilgrimagc months bcgin altcr thc month ol
Ramadhan, lor a total ol thrcc Pilgrimagcs pcr
ycar (2:197, 9:5, 9:36),
• Tc Pilgrimagc days bcgin with thc crcsccnt
moon and last lor a total ol thrcc days in cach
month (2:189, 2:203, 2:196),
• Ðuring Pilgrimagc, thc highcst moral dcccncy
shall bc uphcld (no impropcr conduct, no
vilcncss, no basclcss arguing),
• A pcriod ol lcasting and lccding thc poor shall
lollow thc cnd ol thc Pilgrimagc.
Tc timc has comc lor Muslims to rcalign thcmsclvcs with
thc Scripturc ol God and to call lor thc cstablishmcnt ol
Jcrusalcm as an intcrnational city/sanctuary whcrc all
pcoplc can gathcr in pcacc and harmony lor thc grcat
Pilgrimagc ol sharing and lcarning.
Pcrhaps thc lcgacy ol Abraham, which livcs on in thc
Scripturc, will onc day bc cstablishcd oncc again.
257
19
Te Future Starts With
You
!t has bccn our duty to warn all thosc to whom this
mcssagc rcachcs ol a grcat injusticc wc havc all committcd
in thc cycs ol God, that is, sctting up partncrs to our Lord
God without knowing wc havc donc so.
Tc cncmy ol humankind has said:
“He [Satan] said: ‘For that which You have caused
me to be misled, I will stalk for them on Your straight
258
path. Ten I will come to them from between their
hands, and from behind them, and from their right,
and from their left; and You will find most of them
unthankful.’” (Qur’an 7:16-17)
Tc Ðcvil has madc a solcmn plcdgc bclorc our Lord
that hc will makc most ol us unapprcciativc ol God and
that hc will cnticc most ol us to sct up partncrs with our
Lord, and hc has bccn succcsslul…
Satan has managcd lrom thc vcry bcginning to cnticc
our lorcparcnts (Adam and ¡vc) and havc thcm cvictcd
lrom thc Gardcn. Hc managcd to subduc thc pcoplc ol
Noah, Salch, Hud, Abraham, Moscs, and Jcsus making
thcm rcjcct God as thcir only Lord and Mastcr.
And what about us, thc Muslims:
Vcrc wc ablc to cscapc lrom thc clutchcs ol Satan:
Òr, havc wc lallcn without knowing:
“Say: ‘Shall we inform you of the greatest losers?
Those whose efforts in the worldly life were
wasted while they thought they were doing good!’”
(Qur’an 18:103-104)
!t is dcstincd that many pcoplc who havc sct up partncrs
with God Almighty arc not aware ol what thcy havc donc:
“And the Day We gather them all, then We say to the
polytheists: ‘Where are your partners whom you used
to claim?’ Ten, their only excuse was to say: ‘By God,
our Lord, we were not polytheists!’ See how they lied to
themselves; and that which they invented abandoned
them.” (Qur’an 6:22-24)
Tcy will swcar by God Almighty that thcy wcrc not
idol worshippcrs!
Arc wc all rcady now to also swcar:
Arc wc right:
259
Tc 8ook ol God (Tc Scripturc) is thc light and
guidancc that wc, as Muslims, must all cling to lor
salvation in this lilc and thc Hcrcaltcr…
Vhat docs God Almighty havc to say about His 8ook:
“ ‘Shall I seek other than God as a judge when He has
sent down to you the Book fully detailed?’ Tose to
whom We have given the Book know it is sent down
from your Lord with the truth; so do not be of those
who have doubt.” (Qur’an 6:114)
And Hc said also:
“And the word of your Lord has been completed with
the truth and justice; there is no changing His words.
He is the Hearer, the Knower.” (Qur’an 6:115)
And again:
“Say: ‘If the sea were an inkwell for the words of my
Lord, then the sea would run out before the words of my
Lord run out;’ even if We were to bring another like it as
an extension.” (Qur’an 18:109)
Tc Scripturc is complctc, dctailcd, has nothing lclt
out, and docs not run out ol words!
Somc ol us may havc now undcrstood thc trick that
has bccn playcd on thc Muslim masscs by Satan and
his countcrparts… Vc do not nccd othcr sourccs such
as Hadith, Sunnah, Traditions, Ulcma, !mams, and/
or Madhabs to complctc thc systcm ol God and/or His
8ook. God docs not acccpt that partncrs bc associatcd
with Him and that His words not bc hccdcd.
“Tese are the revelations of God, We recite them to
you with the truth. So, in which narrative after God
and His revelations do they believe? Woe to every
sinful fabricator. He hears the revelations of God
being recited to him, then he persists arrogantly, as
260
if he never heard them. Give him news of a painful
Ðo not bc arrogant whcn hcaring thc words ol thc Lord
and do not insist on your own way altcr thc guidancc has
bccn shown to you… !t is thc Ðcvil who wishcs that you
dcny thc words ol God and lollow him and his allics…
For such is thc trap:
“And who is more wicked than he who was reminded
of the revelations of his Lord but he turned away
from them, and he forgot what his hands had
done. We have made veils upon their hearts from
understanding it, and a deafness in their ears. And
if you invite them to the guidance, they will never be
guided.” (Qur’an 18:57)
Vhosocvcr continucs to takc partncrs with thc Almighty,
thcn thc risk is a crimc that God will not lorgivc:
“God does not forgive that partners be set up with
Him, and He forgives other than that for whom
He pleases. Whoever sets up partners with God has
indeed invented a great sin.” (Qur’an 4:48)
Arc wc not surpriscd that thc complaint ol our bclovcd
Prophct Mohammcd on Judgmcnt Ðay will bc:
“And the messenger said: ‘My Lord, my people have
deserted this Qur’an.’” (Qur’an 25:30)
Vc havc dcscrtcd thc Scripturc by not bclicving in what
it said, wc havc dcscrtcd thc Scripturc by not trusting in thc
ctcrnal words ol God and in taking othcr sourccs lor our
guidancc… Vc havc givcn oursclvcs and our minds ovcr to
othcrs to rcad lor us, cxplain lor us, think lor us and act as
God lor us.
Satan has cntcrcd thc Muslims through thcir lovc
lor thc Prophct and thcir dcsirc to lollow thc command
261
ol God to “obcy thc Mcsscngcr.” !s it not a lact that
thc Scripturc contains thc words ol both God and His
Mcsscngcr: !ndccd, hc who has acccptcd and lollowcd
thc Scripturc has acccptcd and lollowcd both God and
His Mcsscngcr.
“And when God alone is mentioned, the hearts of those
who do not believe in the Hereafter are filled with
aversion; and when others are mentioned besides Him,
they rejoice!” (Qur’an 39:45)
Altcr rcading thc abovc passagc, ask yourscll thc
lollowing qucstion: Can you stand to mcntion God Alone:
God docs not lorgivc that partncrs bc cstablishcd with
Him, but Hc lorgivcs othcr than this… Rcflcct on what has
bccn said and rcflcct on your vcry livcs lor it is your soul that
is at stakc. Rcad thc 8ook ol God as il you’vc ncvcr sccn it
bclorc, rcad it with your cycs, cars and mind and rcflcct on
cvcry word that is bcing said to you. Takc nothing lor grantcd
and do not allow anyonc to makc your dccisions. For on thc
Ðay ol days, you will bc standing alonc, and you will havc to
answcr lor your own dccds and your own choiccs.
We Must Change
Tc objcctivc ol this book has bccn to awakcn thc Muslim
rcadcr as to thc corc problcms that havc plagucd our
undcrstanding ol thc systcm ol !slam. Tc problcms that
havc turncd it lrom a vibrant and dynamic systcm that lcd
thc world and sct thc rolc modcl lor justicc and cquality into
a systcm ol dogmatic practiccs and supcrstitious bclicls
that sprcad ignorancc and injusticc.
Tc hcart ol this vibrant and dynamic systcm has
always bccn thc Scripturc, which is thc jcwcl in thc crown
and thc bcacon lrom hcavcn to lcad us out ol thc darkncss
and into thc light.
262
Upon comparing !slam as rcvcalcd by God and His
Mcsscngcr to thc “vcrsions” bcing lollowcd by up to 1.2
billion pcoplc, thc diffcrcnccs arc quitc ¡arthshattcring:
• !n !slam, thc rcquircmcnt to bc a Muslim is to
simply acccpt and livc according to thc “Straight
Path” (6:151153), vs. thc Sunni or Shia fivc and
tcn pillars, which comc lrom unauthorizcd books.
• !n !slam, abolishing slavcry is taught to bc an act
ol rightcousncss (90:1213), vs. Sunni and Shia
tcachings, which cncouragc slavcry undcr war.
• !n !slam, womcn arc ncvcr lorbiddcn lrom
praying or lasting during mcnstruation (2:222)
nor is thcrc a spccific drcss codc (i.c., thc
hcadscarl ) imposcd on thcm bcyond modcsty,
vs. thc Sunni and Shia which tcach thc
undcrmining ol womcn and lorcing thcm to
covcr thcir hair and avoid praying or lasting at
ccrtain timcs.
• !n !slam, a man or womcn may lcavc a will,
altcr scttlcmcnt ol dcbt (4:12), vs. Sunnis who
rclusc to acccpt wills il thcrc arc any dircct
dcsccndants.
• !n !slam, monogamy is thc basis lor normal
rclationships, whilc polygamy is only allowcd
in cascs involving a man marrying thc mothcrs
ol orphans alrcady undcr his guardianship (4:3),
vs. Sunnis whcrc a man may bc a polygamist
simply il hc can afford to, and Shia which allow
scx lor plcasurc (Mut’a).
• !n !slam, divorcc is cnlorccablc only altcr an
intcrim pcriod, and it may bc madc nullificd
il thc couplc rcconcilc bclorc thc cnd ol this
pcriod (65:1, 65:4), vs. Sunni tcachings that
263
dcstroy lamilics by allowing a divorcc to occur
on thc spot with no waiting pcriod and no
nullification.
• !n !slam, thicvcs do not havc thcir hands cut
off but arc dctaincd and madc to scrvc as a
punishmcnt lor that which is stolcn (12:76),
vs. Sunni and Shia tcachings which brutally
amputatc thc hands causing disability.
• !n !slam, adultcry is not punishablc by killing
or stoning (24:2), vs. Sunni and Shia laws ol
stoning marricd adultcrcrs to dcath.
• !n !slam, absolutc lrccdom ol laith is allowcd
(2:256, 10:99, 18:29, 88:2122), vs. Sunni
and Shia rcquiring apostatcs to bc killcd and
rcjccting thc practicc ol othcr laiths.
• !n !slam, pcoplc arc acknowlcdgcd as bcing
divcrsc and cach is to bc rcspcctcd lor his/hcr
lcvcl ol spiritual growth (49:14), vs. Sunni and
Shia tcachings that all lollowcrs ol thcir rcligion
must think, act and cvcn look thc samc (cult
syndromc).
• !n !slam, war can only bc dcclarcd in cascs ol
sclldclcnsc or to avcrt opprcssion (2:190), vs.
Sunni and Shia tcachings allowing raids and
attacks on any pcoplc who arc considcrcd non
Muslim by thcir standards.
• !n !slam, any pcrson at any timc can pray to
God (2:186), vs. Sunni and Shia tcaching that
praycr can only bc carricd out at spccific timcs
and in a spccific lorm.
• !n !slam, Pilgrimagc is a ccntcr lor gathcring
ol nations and lor all to witncss thc bcncfits
ol thc monothcistic lorm ol govcrnmcnt and
264
lrom bcing togcthcr (22:2728), vs. Sunni and
Shia, which bring in polythcistic rituals and
supcrstition (touching ol black stonc, circling
scvcn timcs, ctc.).
• !n !slam, a ycar is a lunisolar count madc ol 365
days (17:12, 9:36), with all thc scasons fitting
in placc, vs. thc Sunni tcaching that it is to bc
a lunar onc bascd on 354 days, which crcatcs
conlusion ol scasons and timc.
• !n !slam, malcs and lcmalcs arc not rcquircd
to bc circumciscd (32:7), vs. Sunni and Shia
tcachings rcquiring all malcs to bc circumciscd
and lcmalcs in somc cascs.
• !n !slam, music, statucs, gold, and silk arc lawlul
(7:3233, 16:116), vs. Sunni and Shia bclicls
lorbidding silk and gold lor mcn whilc not
allowing music and statucs lor anyonc.
• !n !slam, rulc ol govcrnmcnt is undcr a
constitution dcrivcd lrom thc 8ook ol God and
by lrcc spccch (5:48, 42:38), vs. Sunni tcachings
allowing thc risc ol dictators or monarchs,
and Shia tcachings that uphold scllappointcd
rcligious lcadcrs bascd on gcncalogy.
Tcrclorc, thc widcst diffcrcncc is that !slam is a
monothcistic, clcar, consistcnt, dynamic, progrcssivc and
balanccd systcm. !t is a systcm that climinatcs conjccturcs,
hcarsay, lairy talcs, contradictions, hardship, conlusion,
chaos, and division. !slam is a systcm that puts morc acccnt
on thc usagc ol intcllcct, rcason, pondcring ovcr God, His
Crcation, mcaning ol lilc, and pondcring ovcr cvcrything
clsc. Tc sccts, on thc othcr hand, rcprcscnt supcrstition,
unlair trcatmcnt lor noncult mcmbcrs, incquality ol thc
scxcs, opprcssion ol human rights, inability to contributc
265
to human progrcss, amputations or physical violcncc,
rcgrcssion ol idcas and thoughts to primitivc lcvcls ol
barbarism, and most importantly sctting up partncrs with
thc Ònc Truc God and thus promoting polythcism.
Now, thc choicc that wc as Muslims lacc is a diffi cult
onc: Ðo wc continuc implcmcnting and upholding thc
tcachings ol thc sccts that havc provcn thcir lailurc timc
and timc again and that havc takcn our socictics dccpcr
into thc abyss ol hatrcd, corruption, opprcssion, incquality,
injusticc, and intolcrancc: Òr, arc wc willing to takc thc
path ol God Alonc and implcmcnt thc idcal systcm
containcd within thc pagcs ol thc Scripturc:
What Can You Do?
8clow arc lour stcps that wc ask thc rcadcr to undcrtakc:
1. Verify What Has Been Said
Tis book has bccn writtcn to promotc a ncw dawn lor
!slam and a rcturn back to thc purc tcachings ol God and
His mcsscngcr. !l thcrc is only onc thing to bc lcarncd
lrom this book, thcn that is thc rcquircmcnt that wc
should all verify cvcry singlc piccc ol inlormation wc arc
givcn by taking nothing lor grantcd.
2. Correct Your Mistakes
!l you havc vcrificd thc inlormation and bccn witncss to
thc vcrscs that arc quotcd, thcn thc ncxt stcp is to changc
thosc aspccts in your lilc that arc at contrast with thc
tcachings ol thc Scripturc. !l you arc cxpccting a ncwborn
son, thcn do not circumcisc him. !l you arc wcaring thc
Hijab, thcn know that it is not rcquircd by God that you
266
do so. !l you arc still pcrlorming rituals promotcd by
Hadith, thcn abandon thcm and wash yourscll clcan ol all
idolatry. Spcak truth, hclp othcrs, givc charity, bc humblc,
do not backbitc, do not cursc, do not commit lcwdncss…
Tcsc arc all thc signs that a pcrson has lollowcd thc light
and bcacon scnt to us by God, by upholding thcm and
bccoming an cxamplc to humankind.
“And whoever repents, and does good, then he shall
repent towards God a true repentance. And those who
do not bear false witness, and if they pass by vain talk
they pass by with dignity. And those who when they
are reminded of the revelations of their Lord, they do
not fall on them deaf and blind. And those who say:
‘Our Lord, grant us from our mates and our progeny
what will be the comfort of our eyes, and make us
leaders of the righteous.’ Tese will be rewarded with
a dwelling for what they have been patient for, and
they will find in it a greeting and peace. In it they
will abide, what an excellent abode and station.”
(Qur’an 25:71-76)
3. Advise Others
Sprcad thc word ol God to thosc around you bcginning with
your lamily and closc circlc and thcn cxtcnding outward
(20:133). Ðo not rcmain silcnt whcn you scc lalschood bcing
carricd out, or thc words ol God bcing twistcd and licd about.
Abraham has sct thc prcccdcnt lor us whcn hc conlrontcd
his pcoplcs’ misguidcd bchavior and riskcd bcing thrown in
thc firc lor his actions (6:80). Howcvcr, rcmcmbcr that thc
ultimatc guidancc can only comc lrom God, thcrclorc you
shall invitc pcoplc to His path with kind words and good
advicc and ncvcr through harshncss or lorcc or intimidation,
lor thcsc arc not ways sanctioncd by God.
267
“Invite to the path of your Lord with wisdom and
good advice, and argue with them in that which is
better. Your Lord is fully aware of who is misguided
from His path, and He is fully aware of the guided
ones.” (Qur’an 16:125)
would have dispersed from you; so pardon them and ask
forgiveness for them, and consult them in the matter; but
when you are convinced, then put your trust in God; for
God loves those who put their trust.” (Qur’an 3:159)
4. Promote Implementation of the System of God
Tc path ol monothcism is through pcacclul and opcn
dcbatc. !t is a path ol nonviolcncc. Tc Scripturc only
pcrmits fighting whcn attackcd or aggrcsscd against and
ncvcr is it pcrmittcd as a political vchiclc to bring changc
by lorcc. ¡ducatc yourscll to thc mcrits ol thc systcm ol
lilc and govcrnmcnt in thc Scripturc and bcgin to lobby lor
its implcmcntation. Show pcoplc how thcir rights would
bc protcctcd, how thcir taxcs would bc limitcd, how thcir
nccds would bc rcprcscntcd, and how law within such a
constitution would cnsurc thcir lrccdoms.
“He is the One who sent His messenger with the
guidance and the system of truth, so that it will expose
all other systems, even if the polytheists hate it. ‘O you
who believe, shall I lead you to a trade that will save
you from a painful retribution? Tat you believe in
God and His messenger and strive in the cause of God
with your money and your lives. Tis is best for you, if
only you knew.’” (Qur’an 61:9-11)
268
It is not too late…
Gonc arc thc days ol dictators and kings and corrupt
lcadcrs and burying inlant girls in thc sand… Gonc arc thc
days ol lying about God and His Mcsscngcr by invcnting
laws and rulcs and rcgulations in thcir namc…
Vc can still work to corrcct what has gonc wrong with
our socictics and to prospcr–likc thc pcoplc ol Jonah did–
in this world and thc ncxt:
“If there was any town that benefited from its belief,
then that would be the people of Jonah. When they
believed, We removed from them the retribution of
disgrace in this worldly life, and We let them enjoy
until a time.” (Qur’an 10:98)
8ut rcmcmbcr... God docs not changc anything unlcss
wc makc thc first stcp:
“Tat is because God was not to change any blessing
He bestowed upon a people, unless they change what
is in themselves. God is Hearer, Knowledgeable.”
(Qur’an 8:53)
Vc arc calling pcoplc back to thc Qur’an.
Vc arc calling pcoplc back to thc truc tcachings ol !slam.
Vc arc calling pcoplc back to thc path ol God Alonc.
For lurthcr inlormation, plcasc rclcr to thc wcbsitcs:
www.lrccminds.org
www.brainbowprcss.com
www.progrcssivcmuslims.org
Òr cmail to lrccClrccminds.org
Also by Te Monotheist Group...

Tc Qur’an –
A Monothcist Translation
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F
ov :~xv ccnturics, !slam has bccn primarily
subcatcgorizcd as cithcr ‘Sunni’ or ‘Shia’ or onc ol thc
many othcr dcnominations that havc cmcrgcd ovcr thc
ycars. As such, all translators havc bclongcd to onc school
ol thought or anothcr which clcarly comcs across in thc
intcrprctation ol and choicc ol translation lor spccific
words or vcrscs.

Tnv Quv’~x —
A Moxo:nvis:
Tv~xsi~:iox
!
s :nv rcsult ol a group
cffort by pcoplc who do not
bclong to any dcnomination,
and, lor thc first timc in many
ccnturics, arc simply proud
to call thcmsclvcs ‘Muslims,’
submitting to God alonc. Also,
Tnv Quv’~x—A Moxo:nvis:
Tv~xsi~:iox is uniquc in
thc lact that it uscs ncithcr
lootnotcs nor commcnts, lctting thc tcxt spcak lor itscll
and dclivcring to thc rcadcr as closc a rcndition ol thc
purc mcssagc ol thc Qur’an as physically possiblc.
w
bb
a
c
tt
ss
T
TTTT
tt

TNR

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The Natural Republic

Reclaiming Islam from Within

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