Despite unsurpassable knowledge of Shakti why do Hindus fear and fret?

[Guest guest]

, " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

>

> There is an excellent article in our archives titled Shakti In

> Taoism by Arthur Avalon.

>

>http://www.adishakti.org/forum/shakti_in_taoism_by_arthur_avalon_11-

> 08-2004.htm

>

> Please read it to understand the universal nature of the Shakti

> among major cultures and religions. It is not an exclusive Hindu

> deity or belief as claimed by competing religious organizations.

>

> But credit must be given for Hinduism's sheer depth of

> unsurpassable knowledge and an unbroken tradition of worship that

> traces its roots back to the dawn of history ................

> and then penetrates far, far, far beyond anything known or can be

> grasped by the human mind. It is indeed pointless talking beyond

> the rudimentary knowledge of Her presence within us.

>

> But you will hardly know the Primordial Mother if your senses and

> attention is focussed outwards and revolves around Shri Mataji

> Nirmala Devi, Her incarnation absolutely essential to grant

> knowledge, enlightenment and salvation for those desiring release

> from this ceaseless cycles of death and rebirth during Kali Yuga.

>

> So whether you recognize the Primordial Mother as Tao or Shakti or

> Holy Spirit or Ruh or Aykaa Mayee is immaterial as all religions,

> holy scriptures and prophets are in harmony with Her. What really

> matters is one's unconditional belief and acceptance of Her Divine

> Message to humankind.

>

> Jai Shri Mataji,

>

>

> jagbir

>

 

Despite all the above mainstream Hindus fear and fret about their

religion, with some turning militant to 'protect' their beliefs.

There are many articles nowadays like the few posted below that

reflect their state of mind, one that is disturbed and restless. It

is obvious that the vast majority of Hindus (and other religious

organizations) will always battle each other for the salvation of

souls. If only they knew what is actually taking place on Earth and

how all religions and scriptures are in harmony with the Divine

Message to humanity.

 

So despite unsurpassable knowledge of Shakti why do Hindus fear and

fret? What do Hindus think the Sanatanna Dharma is all about? Do

these presentday fears reflect their ignorance and corruption of the

Eternal Dharma? Who can rouse and awaken them up from this deep

spiritual slumber of Kali Yuga?

 

They will till they get their self-realization and allow the Mother

Kundalini to enlighten them with the priceless knowledge and

universal harmony of the Divine Message of the Shakti brought by Her

incarnation Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. All religions triumph in

collective harmony in Sahaja Yoga, a far cry from those battling

each other for supremacy.

 

 

jagbir

 

 

" After years of failing to gain substantial converts by degrading

Hinduism and labeled it as " devil worship " and " heathen idolatry " ,

Christian evangelists have invented a new tactic: hijacking Hinduism.

 

Pamphlet Distribution: Southern Tamil Nadu

 

Evangelists use existing elements of Hinduism to misguide followers

into converting to Christianity. Recently Christian zealots have

begun claiming that various Vedic Sanskrit slogans were in praise of

Jesus and not Hindu Gods. Christian propaganda pamphlets and

booklets in circulation especially in and around Madurai district in

Tamil Nadu also make the ludicrous suggestion that the revered Swami

Vivekananda had asked the people to worship Jesus. The pamphlets,

which have been put in circulation by the Madurai-based Infant Jesus

Hospital (headed by Rev Fr. Caleb), also fraudulently invoke verses

from the holiest Hindu scripture, the Bhagawad Gita, saying that

they preach against idol worship. In fact, the pamphlets go as far

as to decree that 'people should not follow any other faith other

than Christianity'. The highly inflammatory pamphlets, delivered by

Christian converts (primarily women), have been appearing at nearly

in Southern districts of Tamil Nadu in the hopes of misleading a few

gullible souls. "

 

www.christianaggression.org/features_hijack.php

 

 

Indian Church Divided on Inculturation Strategy to Entice Hindu

Converts

 

Posted November 3, 2005

Mario Rodrigues

The Statesman

Nov 2 2005

 

A conclave of priests and bishops at the Papal Seminary in Pune last

week called for the renewed " Indianisation " of the Catholic Church

and the adoption of Hindu rituals, including aarti during Mass,

studying Sanskrit and the Vedas, experiencing ashram life and so on.

The conclave discussed this and other issues besieging the Church

and the laity in the new millennium.

 

www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=NEWS & id=1131077207

 

 

Row between Hindus in Britain, Royal mail deepens

 

Posted November 2, 2005

London

02 Nov 2005

newkerala.com

 

The row between the Hindus in Britain and the Royal Mail, over a new

Christmas stamp depicting a Hindu man and woman worshipping baby

Jesus, has deepened, after the Royal Mail refused to withdraw the

stamp.

 

An umbrella body representing 250 Hindu organisations -- the Hindu

Forum of Britain -- has demanded the withdrawal of

the ''disrespectful'' stamp. The stamp features a man with

a ''tilak'' on his forehead, identifying him as a Vaishnava Hindu,

and the woman with traditional ''kumkum'' mark on her forehead

identifying her as a married Hindu woman. Both are seen worshipping

an image of baby Christ on the stamp.

 

www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?type=NEWS & id=1130997550

 

 

American Scholar on Indian Christian Schools - The War Against

Hinduism

 

Posted November 3, 2005

By Stephen Knapp

Organiser

 

Another way that India is slowly losing its Vedic culture is through

the process of secular or English and Christian education. Of

course, in public schools all Vedic books have been removed from the

curriculum. So there are no possibilities to study the ancient

Indian literature or art. Thus Vedic values are no longer part of

what the children are taught. Furthermore, the Christian schools,

often staffed by Christian missionaries, can teach Christian values

in their classes, and include a short study of the Bible everyday,

or of a Koran if it´s an Islamic school. The so-called secular

govern-ment has even helped them with free land and facilities.

Since these schools offer English in their education, along with

good discipline, many of the middle classes of Indians are favouring

sending the children to these schools. Today, in the Indian cities,

many parents of today´s children are the graduates of Christian

schools, who also send their own children to such schools. As this

trend continues, there will be a decreasing number of Hindus in the

educated sector. Thus, children in India, with the help of the

secular government, are learning Christian values and perceiving

their own history and culture as something less than honourable.

They are taught that such important books as the Bhagavad Gita,

Ramayana, Bhagavat Purana and other Vedic texts are nothing more

than mythology, and not a reuslt of one of the most profound

civilisations of the world. They are also taught that their own God

is but a demon and the only real way to God is through Jesus.

 

www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?

 

 

Indian Church Divided on Inculturation Strategy to Entice Hindu

Converts

 

A conclave of priests and bishops at the Papal Seminary in Pune last

week called for the renewed " Indianisation " of the Catholic Church

and the adoption of Hindu rituals, including aarti during Mass,

studying Sanskrit and the Vedas, experiencing ashram life and so on.

The conclave discussed this and other issues besieging the Church

and the laity in the new millennium. According to one report in the

medi... [Nov. 3 2005]

 

 

Indian Evangelists Demand Foreign Funding to Proselytize Hindus

 

The All-India Christian Council (AICC) has opposed a section of the

proposed Foreign Contribution (Management and Control) Bill, 2005

saying that it could be used to target Christian organisations

charging them with conversion. The council plans to agitate against

the proposed bill's controversial Section 5 (iv), which stops inflow

of foreign funding to organisations which engage in " conversion

through ind... [Nov. 3 2005]

 

http://www.christianaggression.org/

[Guest guest]

Dear Jagbir et all,

 

Reading the articles on Christian aggression towards Muslims and Hindus is a

real eye-opener and at least this is being exposed and written about, so that we

can all see what is happening.

 

The tactics used by the Christian aggressors is non-Christian to say the least.

Jesus never used such tactics. He only Loved Others and Helped Others to

discover the Kingdom of God within themselves, though many could not understand

this Kingdom of God that is inside a person. They were looking for a Kingdom of

God outside of themselves. Jesus also said a Comforter would come to explain

more about the Kingdom of God within and She has come; Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi.

i know of no other person on Earth who has taught with the simplicity and

directness and love of Her Holiness, who has also given us the Second Birth that

was promised by Jesus that the Holy Spirit/Comforter would do. Shri Mataji has

fulfilled all this.

 

Fundamentalist Christians who want the Baptism of this Holy Spirit, rather than

just the 'rite of Baptism' are going to have to accept the basic tenets of all

religions as these agree with each other and God's Truth cannot be divided. We

have all heard of the 10 Commandments. According to Jesus, if you " Do unto

others as you would have them do unto you " , you will be following the 10

Commandments. i would say that the Christian aggressors are not following the 10

Commandments as they are doing to the Muslims and Hindus what they would not

want done to themselves.

 

We are fortunate that Shri Mataji has come to set the record straight. That

record, for any Fundamentalist Christian Readers of this Forum, is that all the

original sayings/teachings of the Prophets and Incarnations such as Shri

Mohammed, Shri Jesus, Shri Buddha, Shri Krishna and others agree with each

other. We are now to Integrate and Relate all the agreed

teachings/understandings of all these Prophets/Incarnations. Proselytising is

the opposite; a tactic of 'divide-and-conquer' and actually an unChristian thing

to do, which Jesus would never have done. Jesus while on Earth (during those

so-called Lost Years) it now turns out, actually travelled to different

countries and studied all other Scriptures, such as Hindu, Buddhist and others

and became a Master of these.

 

Yes, Fundamentalist Christians have to get out of their rut, like i did (being

born into a Fundamentalist Christian family) and realize the Oneness of All

Prophets and Incarnations sent by God on Earth. All that Fundamentalist

Christians actually need to do is just to open their spiritual eyes and realize

that there are religions older than Christianity which are also true religions

formed by Enlightened Beings sent by God to enlighten humanity and actually

start to study and try and imbibe the similarities rather than try and find

every difference, because Fundamentally all these religions agree, but

Fundamentalist Christians have somehow missed or not realized this 'Fundamental'

Truth.

 

Violet

 

 

, " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

>

> , " jagbir singh "

> <adishakti_org> wrote:

> >

> > There is an excellent article in our archives titled Shakti In

> > Taoism by Arthur Avalon.

> >

>

>http://www.adishakti.org/forum/shakti_in_taoism_by_arthur_avalon_11-

> > 08-2004.htm

> >

> > Please read it to understand the universal nature of the Shakti

> > among major cultures and religions. It is not an exclusive Hindu

> > deity or belief as claimed by competing religious organizations.

> >

> > But credit must be given for Hinduism's sheer depth of

> > unsurpassable knowledge and an unbroken tradition of worship

that

> > traces its roots back to the dawn of history ................

> > and then penetrates far, far, far beyond anything known or can

be

> > grasped by the human mind. It is indeed pointless talking beyond

> > the rudimentary knowledge of Her presence within us.

> >

> > But you will hardly know the Primordial Mother if your senses

and

> > attention is focussed outwards and revolves around Shri Mataji

> > Nirmala Devi, Her incarnation absolutely essential to grant

> > knowledge, enlightenment and salvation for those desiring

release

> > from this ceaseless cycles of death and rebirth during Kali

Yuga.

> >

> > So whether you recognize the Primordial Mother as Tao or Shakti

or

> > Holy Spirit or Ruh or Aykaa Mayee is immaterial as all

religions,

> > holy scriptures and prophets are in harmony with Her. What

really

> > matters is one's unconditional belief and acceptance of Her

Divine

> > Message to humankind.

> >

> > Jai Shri Mataji,

> >

> >

> > jagbir

> >

>

> Despite all the above mainstream Hindus fear and fret about their

> religion, with some turning militant to 'protect' their beliefs.

> There are many articles nowadays like the few posted below that

> reflect their state of mind, one that is disturbed and restless.

It

> is obvious that the vast majority of Hindus (and other religious

> organizations) will always battle each other for the salvation of

> souls. If only they knew what is actually taking place on Earth

and

> how all religions and scriptures are in harmony with the Divine

> Message to humanity.

>

> So despite unsurpassable knowledge of Shakti why do Hindus fear

and

> fret? What do Hindus think the Sanatanna Dharma is all about? Do

> these presentday fears reflect their ignorance and corruption of

the

> Eternal Dharma? Who can rouse and awaken them up from this deep

> spiritual slumber of Kali Yuga?

>

> They will till they get their self-realization and allow the

Mother

> Kundalini to enlighten them with the priceless knowledge and

> universal harmony of the Divine Message of the Shakti brought by

Her

> incarnation Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. All religions triumph in

> collective harmony in Sahaja Yoga, a far cry from those battling

> each other for supremacy.

>

>

> jagbir

>

>

> " After years of failing to gain substantial converts by degrading

> Hinduism and labeled it as " devil worship " and " heathen idolatry " ,

> Christian evangelists have invented a new tactic: hijacking

Hinduism.

>

> Pamphlet Distribution: Southern Tamil Nadu

>

> Evangelists use existing elements of Hinduism to misguide

followers

> into converting to Christianity. Recently Christian zealots have

> begun claiming that various Vedic Sanskrit slogans were in praise

of

> Jesus and not Hindu Gods. Christian propaganda pamphlets and

> booklets in circulation especially in and around Madurai district

in

> Tamil Nadu also make the ludicrous suggestion that the revered

Swami

> Vivekananda had asked the people to worship Jesus. The pamphlets,

> which have been put in circulation by the Madurai-based Infant

Jesus

> Hospital (headed by Rev Fr. Caleb), also fraudulently invoke

verses

> from the holiest Hindu scripture, the Bhagawad Gita, saying that

> they preach against idol worship. In fact, the pamphlets go as far

> as to decree that 'people should not follow any other faith other

> than Christianity'. The highly inflammatory pamphlets, delivered

by

> Christian converts (primarily women), have been appearing at

nearly

> in Southern districts of Tamil Nadu in the hopes of misleading a

few

> gullible souls. "

>

> www.christianaggression.org/features_hijack.php

>

>

> Indian Church Divided on Inculturation Strategy to Entice Hindu

> Converts

>

> Posted November 3, 2005

> Mario Rodrigues

> The Statesman

> Nov 2 2005

>

> A conclave of priests and bishops at the Papal Seminary in Pune

last

> week called for the renewed " Indianisation " of the Catholic Church

> and the adoption of Hindu rituals, including aarti during Mass,

> studying Sanskrit and the Vedas, experiencing ashram life and so

on.

> The conclave discussed this and other issues besieging the Church

> and the laity in the new millennium.

>

> www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?

type=NEWS & id=1131077207

>

>

> Row between Hindus in Britain, Royal mail deepens

>

> Posted November 2, 2005

> London

> 02 Nov 2005

> newkerala.com

>

> The row between the Hindus in Britain and the Royal Mail, over a

new

> Christmas stamp depicting a Hindu man and woman worshipping baby

> Jesus, has deepened, after the Royal Mail refused to withdraw the

> stamp.

>

> An umbrella body representing 250 Hindu organisations -- the Hindu

> Forum of Britain -- has demanded the withdrawal of

> the ''disrespectful'' stamp. The stamp features a man with

> a ''tilak'' on his forehead, identifying him as a Vaishnava Hindu,

> and the woman with traditional ''kumkum'' mark on her forehead

> identifying her as a married Hindu woman. Both are seen

worshipping

> an image of baby Christ on the stamp.

>

> www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?

type=NEWS & id=1130997550

>

>

> American Scholar on Indian Christian Schools - The War Against

> Hinduism

>

> Posted November 3, 2005

> By Stephen Knapp

> Organiser

>

> Another way that India is slowly losing its Vedic culture is

through

> the process of secular or English and Christian education. Of

> course, in public schools all Vedic books have been removed from

the

> curriculum. So there are no possibilities to study the ancient

> Indian literature or art. Thus Vedic values are no longer part of

> what the children are taught. Furthermore, the Christian schools,

> often staffed by Christian missionaries, can teach Christian

values

> in their classes, and include a short study of the Bible everyday,

> or of a Koran if it´s an Islamic school. The so-called secular

> govern-ment has even helped them with free land and facilities.

> Since these schools offer English in their education, along with

> good discipline, many of the middle classes of Indians are

favouring

> sending the children to these schools. Today, in the Indian

cities,

> many parents of today´s children are the graduates of Christian

> schools, who also send their own children to such schools. As this

> trend continues, there will be a decreasing number of Hindus in

the

> educated sector. Thus, children in India, with the help of the

> secular government, are learning Christian values and perceiving

> their own history and culture as something less than honourable.

> They are taught that such important books as the Bhagavad Gita,

> Ramayana, Bhagavat Purana and other Vedic texts are nothing more

> than mythology, and not a reuslt of one of the most profound

> civilisations of the world. They are also taught that their own

God

> is but a demon and the only real way to God is through Jesus.

>

> www.christianaggression.org/item_display.php?

>

>

> Indian Church Divided on Inculturation Strategy to Entice Hindu

> Converts

>

> A conclave of priests and bishops at the Papal Seminary in Pune

last

> week called for the renewed " Indianisation " of the Catholic Church

> and the adoption of Hindu rituals, including aarti during Mass,

> studying Sanskrit and the Vedas, experiencing ashram life and so

on.

> The conclave discussed this and other issues besieging the Church

> and the laity in the new millennium. According to one report in

the

> medi... [Nov. 3 2005]

>

>

> Indian Evangelists Demand Foreign Funding to Proselytize Hindus

>

> The All-India Christian Council (AICC) has opposed a section of

the

> proposed Foreign Contribution (Management and Control) Bill, 2005

> saying that it could be used to target Christian organisations

> charging them with conversion. The council plans to agitate

against

> the proposed bill's controversial Section 5 (iv), which stops

inflow

> of foreign funding to organisations which engage in " conversion

> through ind... [Nov. 3 2005]

>

> http://www.christianaggression.org/

>

[Guest guest]

, " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

> >

> > So whether you recognize the Primordial Mother as Tao or Shakti

> > or Holy Spirit or Ruh or Aykaa Mayee is immaterial as all

> > religions, holy scriptures and prophets are in harmony with Her.

> > What really matters is one's unconditional belief and acceptance

> > of Her Divine Message to humankind.

> >

> > Jai Shri Mataji,

> >

> >

> > jagbir

> >

>

> , " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

>

> So despite unsurpassable knowledge of Shakti why do Hindus fear

> and fret? What do Hindus think the Sanatanna Dharma is all about?

> Do these presentday fears reflect their ignorance and corruption

> of the Eternal Dharma? Who can rouse and awaken them up from this

> deep spiritual slumber of Kali Yuga?

>

> They will till they get their self-realization and allow the

> Mother Kundalini to enlighten them with the priceless knowledge

> and universal harmony of the Divine Message of the Shakti brought

> by Her incarnation Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. All religions triumph

> in collective harmony in Sahaja Yoga, a far cry from those

> battling each other for supremacy.

>

>

 

The Seeds of Islamic Fundamentalism

Compiled by Stephen Knapp, September, 2003

 

We all know that most Muslims are not terrorists, nor do

they want to quarrel with others. The majority of them simply want

to worship God in their way and live a peaceful life. So why does

there seem to be friction and difficulties that often involve

Muslims? And why are there so many terrorists in the world who,

indeed, call themselves followers of Islam? Where do we find the

seeds of their motivation?

 

As we uncover these verses in the Koran to see what it

really says, bare in mind that these are not mistranslations into

English as some people will suggest. All these verses are derived

from " The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and Commentary "

by 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Ali, published by Amana Corporation, Brentwood,

Maryland, USA, in cooperation with the International Institute of

Islamic Thought (IIIT). So this edition of the Koran is approved and

sanctioned by this Muslim organization. So there should be no

argument that these verses mean something other than what they say

as follows.

 

 

The Koranic References for the Sword Against Non-Muslims

 

Does the Koran itself give credence to strike against

kafirs and infidels, those who are non-Muslims, or to conduct a holy

war to protect and expand the faith? When we study the Koran,

particular verses of it certainly seem to provide such viewpoints.

 

The fact is that there are numerous ayats (verses) in

the Koran that confirm the ways for Muslims to view and treat non-

Muslims. For example: " O Prophet! Rouse the believers to the fight.

If there are twenty amongst you, patient and persevering, they will

vanquish two hundred: if a hundred, they will vanquish a thousand of

the Unbelievers: for these are a people without understanding. "

(Surah 8:65) " Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the

message): `I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will

instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above

their necks and smite all their fingertips off them. " (Surah

8:12) " Truly Allah loves those who fight in His cause in battle

array, as if they were a solid cemented structure. " (Surah 61:4)

These verses certainly seem to give a harsh view of non-Muslims in

the way it prescribes treatment of them.

 

When it comes to the attitude that the Koran displays

for those who are not Muslims, the verses make it clear what is to

be done. This is not merely in a few sparse verses, as if we are

misunderstanding what is being said, but in several. For example, in

the following verses, perpetual war and divisiveness for the

destruction of non-Muslims and their religion is recommended until

the whole world becomes converted to Islam. " Say to the unbelievers,

if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be forgiven

them; But if they persist, the punishment of those before them is

already (a matter of warning for them). And fight them on until

there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevails justice

and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; But if they cease,

verily Allah doth see all that they do. " (8.38-39)

 

Furthermore, if the Koran specifically relates a harsh

view toward infidels, non-Muslims, then that would make it even

easier for militant Muslims to feel there is little harm in ill-

treating or even killing those who are participants of other

religions. In this regard we find the following verses in the Koran:

 

" Verily ye (unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye

worship besides Allah, are (but) fuel for Hell! To it will ye

(surely) come! " (Surah 21:98) " (The sentence will be:) Throw, throw

into Hell every contumacious Rejector (of Allah)!; Who forbade what

was good, transgressed all bounds, cast doubts and suspicions; who

set up another god beside Allah: throw him into a severe penalty. "

(Surah 50:24) " Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers (in fight),

smite at their necks [cut off their heads]; At length, when ye have

thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond firmly (on them): thereafter

(is the time for) either generosity or ransom: until the war lays

down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been

Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them

(Himself); But (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with

others, but those who are slain in the way of Allah [for the cause

of Allah]--He will never let their deeds be lost. Soon He will guide

them and improve their condition, and admit them to the Garden which

He has announced for them. " (Surah 47:4-6) " Those who reject

(Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists,

will be in Hell-fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst

creatures. Those who have faith and do righteous deeds--they are the

best of creatures. " (Surah 98:6 and 7) This last verse seems to

refer directly to the Jews (People of the Book) and Hindus

(polytheists) as future residents of hell.

 

These verses seem to give justification to expanding the

faith not necessarily with spiritual knowledge, or understanding and

purity, but by what would be military strength under the Will of

Allah. In light of recent discussions about what is or is not

Islamic Jihad, referring to the holy war of Muslims overcoming evil,

does this mean that there also should be war or the use of terror

against non-Muslims? Are non-Muslims viewed as evil within the

verses of the Koran? The following verses (Surah 9:5,6) sheds light

on the Prophet's idea of what really is Jihad, and whether it

includes war against the infidels: " But when the forbidden months

are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them, and

seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in ever

stratagem (of war); But if they repent, and establish regular

prayers and practice regular charity, then open the way for them:

for Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful. " So this would indicate

that the Koran's version of the " Mercy of God " offers unbelievers

the " choice " to convert to Islam or die.

 

Even though the words of the Koran were written many

years ago, and pertained to a different set of circumstances, they

are still applied today with the same seriousness by many. When the

Koran mentions that Muslims should " fight and slay the pagans

wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in

wait for them in ever stratagem (of war), " the idea seems to

indicate the means to make the enemy live in a state of perpetual

terror. Since Islam is also called " din-e-Ghalib, " which means the

religion of dominance by God's will, Muslim minorities in non-

Islamic countries may feel that they can do everything possible to

harass and harangue the host countries to practice their faith or

culture, or to allow Muslims to have special privileges based on

following their faith over and above abiding by the local national

laws. The basis for this concept could also be justified within the

Koran (Surah Anfal, 8:59-60) where it says: " Let not the unbelievers

think that they can get the better (of the godly). They will never

frustrate (them). Against them make ready your strength to the

utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into

(the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies, and others

besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. " This seems

to be saying that even if others die in the process, " whom ye may

not know, " Allah will judge whether they are believers or pagans--

those who have accepted Gods other than Allah. And then the soldiers

of Allah are assured that they will be properly recognized for

whatever sacrifice they make to Him, as stated here in the remainder

of the verse: " Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah, shall

be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly. "

 

It is also said: " O ye who believe! Fight the

Unbelievers who gird you about and let them find firmness [hardness]

in you; and know that Allah is with those who fear Him. " (Surah

9.123) " Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor

hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His

Messenger, nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among The

People of the Book [the Jews], until they pay the Jizyah, and feel

themselves subdued. " (Surah 9.29) The Jizyah means to pay tribute or

compensation, or the tax that was levied against those who did not

accept Islam.

 

So, it would seem that on the basis of the above verses,

infidels and all non-Muslims may actually be fit to be subdued,

crushed, or even exterminated, and that it could even be considered

a favor to Allah to rid the world of them. After all, they are

believed to be going to hell anyway. Furthermore, these verses also

show that those who die for Allah or the cause of Islam will be

recognized and even delivered to the garden of paradise. With the

basis of verses like these, it is no wonder that it is not difficult

to arouse young Muslims for the Islamic cause in the training camps

of Al-Qaida, Taliban, and other militant and fundamentalist groups.

It is inestimable how much bloodshed has already been shed

throughout history because of this teaching. So it should not be

surprising that the radical Islamic leader Abdullah Shah Mazhar

recently got 5,000 volunteers to take the " oath of death " and commit

themselves to suicide squads in attacks against the U.S. and

other " infidel forces " . The fact is that many Muslims feel that one

day Islam will dominate the world, and there are those who are

specifically working to bring that about as soon as possible, and

sometimes in whatever way they feel works best.

 

However, this is not new. Swami Vivekananda in a lecture

in California in January of 1900 said regarding this aspect of

Islam: " Every step forward was made with the sword--the Quran in one

hand and the sword in the other: Take the Quran, or you must die;

there is no alternative! "

 

Mahatma Gandhi also spoke about this aspect of Islam.

After the assassination of Swami Shraddhanand by a Muslim fanatic in

December, 1926, he said: " Mussalmans have an ordeal to pass through.

There can be no doubt that they are too free with the knife and the

pistol. The sword is no emblem of Islam. But Islam was born in an

environment where the sword was, and still remains, the supreme law.

The message of Jesus has proved ineffective because the environment

was unready to receive it. So with the message of the Prophet. The

sword is yet too much in evidence among the Mussalmans. It must be

sheathed if Islam is to be what it means--peace. "

 

 

Allah's Call For War, or Else

 

In the mood for achieving dominance, as we have seen,

many Islamic terrorists are ready to give up their lives for the

cause. They engage in suicide attacks wherein it is part of the plan

that they will give up their lives, often believing that by doing so

they automatically go to heaven. So does the Koran justify this idea

as well? In this respect we find the following verses:

 

" Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as

dead. Nay, they live, finding their sustenance in the presence of

their Lord. " (Surah 3:169) " O ye who believe! What is the matter

with you, that when you are asked to go forth in the Cause of Allah,

ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this world

to the Hereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as

compared with the Hereafter. " (Surah 9:38) So, herein we find the

Koran practically encouraging the anticipation for reaching the next

life, even if it means giving up your own for " the Cause of Allah. "

 

The odd thing is that the Koran advocates war against

non-believers, at least according to the verses that have been

listed herein, and now it also advocates punishment for those

believers (Muslims) that do not fight against those unbelievers when

they are called to do so. And those that do take up war will be

rewarded into the Garden. The verse that clarifies this reads as

such: " Say to the desert Arabs who lagged behind: `Ye shall be

summoned (to fight) against a people given to vehement war: then

shall ye fight, or they shall submit. Then if ye show obedience,

Allah will grant you a goodly reward, but if ye turn back as ye did

before, He will punish you with a grievous penalty. No blame is

there on the blind, nor is there blame on one ill (if he joins not

the war): But he that obeys Allah and His Messenger--(Allah) will

admit him to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; And he who turns

back (Allah) will punish him with a grievous penalty. " (48:16-17)

 

" O ye who believe! When ye meet the Unbelievers in

hostile array, never turn your backs to them. If any do turn his

back to them on such a day--unless it be in a stratagem of war, or

to retreat to a troop (of his own)--he draws on himself the wrath of

Allah, and his abode is Hell--an evil refuge (indeed)! " (8:15-16)

 

 

Kill the Unbelievers

 

The Koran goes on to order: " And slay them wherever ye

catch them and turn them out from where they have turned you out;

For tumult and oppression are worse than slaughter; but fight them

not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there; but

if they fight you slay them. Such is the reward of those who

suppress faith. " (2:191) Let us point out that to " suppress faith "

in this case means not only curbing Islam but to advocate faith in

God by any other path.

 

" And fight them on until there is no more tumult or

oppression, and there prevail Justice and faith in Allah; But if

they cease, let here be no hostility except to those who practice

oppression. " 2:193)

 

" The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and

His messenger, and strive with might and main for mischief through

the land is: execution, or crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands

and feet from opposites sides, or exile from the land: that is their

disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is theirs in the

Hereafter. " (5:33)

 

" Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands,

cover them with shame, help you (to victory) over them, heal the

breasts of Believers. " (9:14)

 

" O ye who believe! Truly the pagans are unclean; so let

them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. "

(9:28)

 

" O Prophet! Strive hard against the unbelievers and the

hypocrites, and be firm against them. Their abode is Hell, an evil

refuge indeed. " (9:73)

 

" (Disdainfully) bending his side, in order to lead (men)

astray from the Path of Allah: for him there is disgrace in this

life, and on the Day of Judgement We shall make him taste the

Penalty of burning (Fire). " (22.9)

 

" So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them

herewith with a great endeavor. " (25:52)

 

" And if any believe not in Allah and His Messenger, We

have prepared for those who reject Allah a blazing Fire! " (48:13)

 

" `Bring yet up', it shall be said, `The wrong-doers and

their wives, and the things they worshipped--Besides Allah, and lead

them to the Way to the (Fierce) Fire! " (37:22-23)

 

 

The Rewards and Punishments in the Koran

 

What makes the idea of who is saved and who is worthy of

hell more clear is that there are specific rewards given by Allah

for the believers and punishments for the non-believers that are

related in the Koran. Some of these are as follows:

 

" As to the righteous (they will be) in a position of

Security. Among gardens and springs. Dressed in fine silk and in

rich brocade, they will face each other; Moreover, We shall join

them to Companions with big, beautiful and lustrous eyes. There can

they call for every kind of fruit in peace and security; Nor will

they there taste death, except the first death; and He will preserve

them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire--As a bounty from thy

Lord! That will be the supreme achievement! Verily, We have made

this (Quran) easy, in thy tongue, in order that they may give heed. "

(44:43-58)

 

" To Him will be your return--of all of you. The promise

of Allah is true and sure. It is He who beginneth the process of

creation, and repeateth it, that He may reward with justice those

who believe and work righteousness; But those who reject Him will

have draughts of boiling fluids, and a penalty grievous because they

did reject him. " (10:4)

 

" These two antagonists dispute with each other about

their Lord: But those who deny (their Lord)--For them will be cut

out a garment of fire: over their heads will be poured out boiling

water. With it will be scalded what is within their bodies as well

as (their) skins. In addition there will be maces of iron (to

punish) them. Every time they wish to get away therefrom, from

anguish, they will be forced back therein, and (it will be

said), `Taste ye the penalty of burning! " (22:19-22)

 

" Unless I proclaim what I receive from Allah and His

Messages: For any that disobey Allah and His Messenger--for them is

hell: they shall dwell therein forever. " (72.23)

 

" And to those who believe not in the Hereafter, (it

announceth) that We have prepared for them a Penalty grievous

(indeed). " (17:10)

 

" For the Rejectors We have prepared chains, yokes, and a

blazing fire. As to the righteous, they shall drink of a cup (of

wine) mixed with Kafur. A fountain where the devotees of Allah do

drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance. " (Surah 76: 4-

6) " Verily the [judgement] day of sorting out is a thing appointed.

The day that the trumpet shall be sounded, and ye shall come forth

in crowds; and the heavens shall be opened as if there were doors,

and the mountains shall vanish, as if they were a mirage. Truly Hell

is a place of ambush--for the transgressors a place of destination:

They will dwell therein for ages. Nothing cool shall they taste

therein, nor any drink, save a boiling fluid and a fluid, dark,

murky, intensely cold--a fitting recompense (for them). " (Surah

78:17-26) " As to those who reject faith I will punish them with

terrible agony in this world and in the Hereafter, nor will they

have anyone for help. " (Surah 3.56) " Verily Allah has cursed the

Unbelievers and prepared for them a blazing fire--to dwell therein

forever: No protection will they find, nor helper. " (Surah 33.64-

65) " And when there comes to them A Book from Allah, confirming

what is with them--although from of old they had prayed for victory

against those without faith--when there comes to them that which

they (should) have recognized. They refuse to believe in it but the

curse of Allah is on those without faith. " (Surah 2.89)

 

" Those who reject (Truth) among the People of the Book

and among the polytheists, were not going to depart (from their

ways) until there should come to them clear evidence. . . Those who

reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the

polytheists, will be in Hellfire, to dwell therein (for aye), they

are the worst of creatures. [but] those who have faith and do

righteous deeds--they are the best of creatures. Their reward is

with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow, they

will dwell therein forever; Allah well pleased with them, and they

with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and cherisher. "

(Surah 98:1, 6-8) " Allah will deliver them from the evil of that

day, and will shed over them a light of beauty and a (blissful) joy.

And because they were patient and constant, He will reward them with

a garden and (garments of) silk. Reclining in the (garden) of raised

thrones, they will see there neither the sun's (excessive heat) nor

(the moon's) excessive cold. And the shades of the (garden) will

come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit), there will hang low

in humility. And among them will be passed round vessels of silver

and goblets of crystal. " (Surah 76:11-15)

 

 

Allah Guides Those to Heaven or Hell as He Likes

 

The Koran explains in numerous verses that those who

reject Allah is sent to hell by Him. However, in several verses it

is described how Allah will guide those He wants in order that they

go the proper way, and will leave astray those He chooses, who are

then left to go to hell. So how can there be blame by Allah for

those who become unbelievers (non-Muslims) if Allah Himself decides

not to guide one properly? The verses read as follows: " Of them

there are some who (pretend to) listen to thee; but We have thrown

Veils on their hearts, so they understand it not, and deafness in

their ears; If they saw every one of the Signs, they will not

believe in them; in so much that when they come to thee; the

unbelievers say; `These are nothing but tales of the ancients.' "

(6:25)

 

To make this more clear, this next verse also explains

how this takes place: " We (too) shall turn to (confusion) their

hearts and their eyes, even as they refused to believe in this in

the first instance: We shall leave them in their trespasses, to

wander in distraction. " (6:110)

 

" When thou dost recite the Quran, We put between thee

and those who believe not in the hereafter, a veil invisible. And We

put coverings over their hearts (and minds) lest they should

understand the Quran, and deafness into their ears; when thou dost

commemorate thy Lord--and Him alone--in the Quran, they turn on

their backs, fleeing (from the Truth). (17:45-46)

 

" We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the

language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to

them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases. And He is

exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom. " (14.4)

 

" If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people:

But He leaves straying whom He pleases, and He guides whom He

pleases: but ye shall certainly be called to account for all your

actions. " (16.93)

 

" Whom Allah doth guide--he is on the right path: Whom He

rejects from His guidance--Such are the persons who perish. " (7:178)

Now what is the reason why Allah rejects one and not the other? And

why does He not bring people together as one people if He could,

only to leave them in divisions and quarreling with each other?

Every other God in any other culture always seems to come with a

message in an attempt to unite people and establish peace. Why does

Allah not do the same if He is God? This is not clearly answered,

but another verse still explains the prerogative that Allah takes on

those He has created. " It is he whom Allah guides, that is on true

guidance; but he whom He leaves astray--for such wilt thou find no

protector besides Him. On the Day of Judgement we shall gather them

together, prone on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf: their abode

will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, we shall increase for

them the fierceness of the Fire. " (17:97)

 

 

Hypocrites Do Not Reach Allah

 

We also find that the Koran states that even Muslims who

do not properly remember Allah are but hypocrites. And they do not

reach Allah. " The hypocrites--they think they are over-reaching

Allah but He will over-reach them: When they stand up to prayer,

they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men, but little do

they hold Allah in remembrance. " (4:142) Thus they may also reach

the punishment of hell.

 

 

The Punishment of Hell the Destination for all Non-Muslims

 

The hellish conditions described in the Koran evolve

around being cast into hellfire and being forced to drink and be

bathed in boiling water. " (They will be) in the midst of a fierce

blast of fire and in boiling water, and in the shades of black

smoke. Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please. " (56:42-44)

 

The Koran makes it clear that all non-Muslims,

unbelievers, will go to eternal hell. There is no second chance or

allowance for any alternative to the Muslim religion in the eyes of

the Koran. Yet, the hell that is described is not merely suffering

forever, but is the entrance to a hellfire that roasts one's skin

eternally. " Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast into the

fire; As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change

them for fresh skins, that they may taste the Penalty: for Allah is

Exalted in Power, Wise. " (4:56)

 

" Verily the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the

sinful--like molten brass; It will boil in their insides, like the

boiling of scalding water. A voice will cry: " Seize ye him and drag

him into the midst of the Blazing Fire! Then pour over his head the

Penalty of Boiling Water. Taste thou (this)! Truly wast thou mighty,

full of honour! Truly this is what ye used to doubt! (44: 43-50)

 

 

The Koran's Views of Jews and Christians

 

There are verses in the Koran that describe the Jewish

people and the Christians in both favorable and unfavorable terms.

In one place it explains that even those of other religions who

believe in Allah have nothing to fear. " Those who believe (in the

Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the

Christians and the Sabians--Any who believe in Allah and the Last

Day, and work in righteousness, shall have their reward with their

Lord; on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. " (This verse

is found in both 2:62 & 5.69)

 

However, the Koran goes on to place the Jews in the same

category as the pagans as having enmity toward the believers, who

are of course the followers of Islam: " Strongest among men in enmity

to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and Pagans. " Then the same

verse in the Koran goes on to praise the Christians: " And nearest

among them in love to the Believers wilt thou find those who

say, `We are Christians': Because amongst these are men devoted to

learning and men who have renounced the world, and they are not

arrogant. And when they listen to the revelation received by the

Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they

recognize the truth. They pray: `Our Lord! We believe; write us down

among the witnesses. " (5:82-83)

 

Another verse with a similar sentiment is, " We believe

in Allah, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed

to Abraham, Isma'il; Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the

Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord: We

make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Allah

do we bow our will (in Islam). " (3.84)

 

So here is another verse which indicates the possible

unity or cooperation and respect between Islam and other religions.

This begins to sound a little reasonable. It is a rare verse in the

Koran that proclaims respect for other religions, and it would be

good if Muslims would focus more on such verses. Yet right after

this verse we find it said, " 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). " (3.85)

 

We could say that yes, the ultimate religion is

surrender to God, and Allah is a name for God, so we may agree with

this principle. But in Islam there is only one way to surrender and

that is to Allah alone. To surrender to another, or to use or

respect any other name for God is a blasphemy in Islam.

 

Furthermore, any cooperation between Christianity and

Islam is a fine line because Christians say that Jesus is the son of

God. This is a view that the Koran condemns. In the following verses

we find that the infidels include those who think that God begot a

son, meaning the Christians. " (Those) who say (Allah) Most Gracious

[Lord] has begotten a son! Indeed ye have put forth a thing most

monstrous! As if the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split

asunder, and the mountains to fall down in utter ruin. That they

should invoke a son for (Allah) Most Gracious. For it is not

constant with the majesty of (Allah) Most Gracious that He should

beget a son. " (Surah 19:88-92) " Further, that He may warn those

(also) who say, `Allah hath begotten a son'; No knowledge have they

of such a thing, nor had their fathers. It is a grievous thing that

issues from their mouths as a saying. What they say is nothing but

falsehood! " (Surah 18:4-5)

 

The Koran also strongly rejects the idea of combining or

identifying other Gods with Allah, as related in the following

verse. Muslims are often not so liberal as other religions in this

regard. In fact, the Koran says that even Jesus recommended that

Christians take up the worship of Allah, and that anyone who

identifies Allah with any other god will go to the eternal

fire: " They do blaspheme who say: `Allah is Christ the son of Mary.'

But said Christ: `O Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and

your Lord.' Whoever joins other Gods with Allah–Allah will forbid

him the Garden, and the Fire will be his abode. There will for the

wrongdoers be no one to help. " (5.72)

 

Another point to consider is that not only does the

Koran not consider Jesus the son of God, but it also offers little

more respect to Jesus than one would for a mere messenger. This

would not bode well with most Christians, wherein it is stated in

the Koran: " Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger;

many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was

a woman of truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how

Allah doth make His signs clear to them; Yet see in what ways they

are deluded away from the truth! " (5.75)

 

The Koran further elaborates that, " In blasphemy indeed

are those that say that Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: `Who

then has the least power against Allah, if His will were to destroy

Christ the son of Mary, his mother and all–everyone that is on the

earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the

earth, and all that is between. He createth what He pleaseth. For

Allah hath power over all things.' " (Surah 5.17)

 

With these views toward the Jews and Christians, the

advice that the Koran gives to the Believers, meaning the Muslims,

is that they must avoid the friendship of such people or be

considered the same as they are, in which case they will lose the

favor of Allah. " O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the

Christians for your friends and protectors; they are but friends and

protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for

friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. "

(Surah 5.51) This leads to additional exclusiveness amongst Muslims

and separateness from all others. This has obvious repercussions in

creating a deeper lack of respect and lack of cooperation amongst

the various religious cultures and sects in the world. And this is

exactly the opposite of what the world needs to attain peace amongst

all people.

 

 

The Punishment for Losing Faith in Islam

 

In most religions the right to religious freedom, or to

change one's religious affiliation, is taken for granted. However,

in Islam all schools of law (madhhahib) agree that any adult male

apostate from Islam should be killed. Most Muslim jurists also claim

that leaving Islam is a crime which carries the penalty of death as

recommended by God. Therefore, while conversion from other religions

to Islam is welcomed and actively encouraged, Muslims who leave

Islam for any other religion must be sentenced to death (unless they

repent and return to Islam).

 

As we shall see, the Koran supplies references which

would make it seem that death is a just sentence for one who leaves

Islam. However, the hadiths (the traditional sayings and deeds of

Muhammad) are much more pronounced in the punishment that must be

given to any apostates from Islam. For now we will simply look at

how the Koran emphasizes God's severe punishment of any apostate in

the next life.

 

One example is in Surah 2:217: " . . . and if any of you

turn back from their faith and die in unbelief, their works will

bear no fruit in this life and in the Hereafter; they will be

Companions of the Fire and will abide therein. "

 

Going through the Koran numerically, we next come to

Surah 3, verses 86-91: " How shall Allah guide those who reject faith

after they accepted it and bore witness that the Messenger was true

and that Clear Signs had come unto them? But Allah guides not a

people unjust. (86) Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the

curse of Allah, of His angels and of all mankind. (87) In that will

they dwell; Nor will their penalty be lightened, nor respite be

their (lot). (88) Except for those that repent (even) after that and

make amends: for verily Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. (89)

But those who reject faith after they accepted it, and then go on

adding to their defiance of faith--Never will their repentance be

accepted; for they are those who have (of set purpose) gone astray.

(90) As to those who reject faith and die rejecting--Never would be

accepted from any such as much gold as the earth contains, though

they should offer it for ransom. For such is (in store) a penalty

grievous, and they will find no helpers. " (91) Herein it becomes

obvious that for one who does not repent and return to Islam, their

fate after death cannot be changed even if they offer all the gold

of the earth.

 

The Curse of Allah and Punishment for those who Give Up the Faith

(Apostates)

 

The Koran repeats: " But those who reject Faith and belie

Our Signs--they shall be companions of hell-fire. " (5:86) " Those who

reject faith and deny Our signs will be companions of Hell-fire. "

(5:10) " But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs, they shall

be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein. " (2:39)

 

Not only are they destined for suffering, but Allah is

not as merciful as He is proclaimed to be. In this next verse it is

declared that even if one gives up Islam and then repents, they will

be shown no mercy. " For those who reject faith after they accepted

it, and then go on adding to their defiance of Faith--never will

their repentance be accepted; for they are those who have (of set

purpose) gone astray. " (3:90)

 

" Those who believe, then reject Faith, then believe

(again) and (again) reject Faith, and go on increasing in unbelief--

Allah will not forgive them nor guide them on the Way. " (4:137)

 

" Anyone who after accepting Faith in Allah, utters

Unbelief--Except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith-

-but such as open their breast to Unbelief--on them is wrath from

Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful penalty. " (16:106)

 

" But those who reject Our signs and treat them with

arrogance--they are companions of the Fire, to dwell therein

(forever). " (7:36)

 

" Those who break Allah's Covenant after it is ratified,

and who sunder what Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief

on earth: These cause loss (only) to themselves. " (2.27)

 

" Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected Faith after ye had

accepted it. If We pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst

you, for that they are in sin. " (9:66)

 

" They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but

indeed they uttered blasphemy, and they did it after accepting

Islam; and they meditated a plot which they were unable to carry

out: this revenge of theirs was (their) only return for the bounty

with which Allah and His Messenger had enriched them! If they

repent, it will be best for them; but if they turn back (to their

evil ways), Allah will punish them with a grievous penalty in this

life and in the Hereafter: They shall have none on earth to protect

or help them. " (9:74)

 

" Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was

clearly shown to them, the Evil One has instigated them and busied

them up with false hopes. (47:25)

 

 

Treatment of Apostates According to the Koran

 

However, for those Muslims who may find such apostates

who have left Islam, how they should be treated is made quite clear.

Herein it is said that they should even be taken and killed, as

explained in Surah 4: 88-89: " Why should ye be divided into two

parties about the Hypocrites? Allah hath upset them for their

(evil) deeds. Would ye guide those whom Allah hath thrown out of the

Way? For those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way, never shalt

thou find the Way. They but wish that ye should reject the Faith, as

they do, and thus be on the same footing (as they): but take not

friends from their ranks until they flee in the way of God (from

what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and slay

them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or

helpers from their ranks. "

 

Even war may be waged against the leaders of those who

have left Islam, which is indicated in Surah 9:11-12: " But (even

so), if they repent, establish regular prayers, and practise regular

charity, --they are your brethren in Faith: (thus) do We explain the

Signs in detail, for those who understand. But if they violate their

oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith, --fight ye

the chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that

thus they may be restrained. " Thus, there are those who accept this

as definite proof that the Koran calls for the death penalty on

apostates.

 

Even if one merely cannot accept Islam to the full

because of the basic human weakness to be attracted to the world,

then they are referred to as being destined to perish after death.

This is explained in Surah 16:106-107, 109: " Anyone who after

accepting faith in Allah utters unbelief except under Compulsion,

his heart remaining firm in faith but such as open their Breast to

unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah and theirs will be a Dreadful

Penalty. (106) This because they love the life of this world better

than the Hereafter: and Allah will not guide those who reject faith.

(107) Without doubt, in the hereafter they will perish. " (109)

 

Finally, we find that if anyone simply turns away from

Allah, He will give them the fierce punishment, as found in Surah

88:23-4: " But if any turns away and rejects Allah. Allah will punish

him with a mighty Punishment. "

 

If we search the hadiths, there seems to be even more

references to the way those who leave Islam should be punished by

death, even if they are women. The point these verses make is that

apostates are meant to face a terrible punishment and there is no

clear implication that the fate of apostates is other than eternal

damnation. Once they reject or do not accept the faith, their fate

is permanent. As previously mentioned, the connotation is that Islam

must be accepted or you die, or are eternally damned. This seems to

be the ultimate process of controlling people through the use of

fear, rather than drawing people to God by the promise of an all-

attractive loving relationship with the Supreme Being, which merely

needs to be reawakened. Now which of these would you prefer?

 

 

There is no Freedom of Religion

 

Ultimately, in the eyes of the Koran and under the

dictates of Allah, there is no freedom to pick your own spiritual

path. This is clarified in this next example, which says: " 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). " (3:85)

 

 

The Koranic Views on Women

 

In the following verse we find that men are given

priority in the process of spiritual development. The following

verses indicate that the inspiration to understand the message of

Allah is given to men more than women. " Nor did We send before thee

(as messengers) any but men, whom We did inspire--(men) living in

human habitations. " (12:109) Also, " And before thee also the

messengers We sent were but men, to whom we granted inspiration: if

ye realize this not, ask of those who possess the Message. " (16:43)

 

Inheritance is also favored toward men. " Allah (thus)

directs you as regards your children's (inheritance): to the male, a

portion equal to that of two females. " (4:11-12)

 

Allah's specific directions about marriage are also

provided, in which men are highly favored: " Marry women of your

choice, two or three or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be

able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that

your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you

from doing injustice. " (4:3)

 

There are also restrictions in what kind of women can be

married. " Prohibited to you (for marriage) are--your mothers,

daughters, sisters; father's sisters, mother's sisters, brother's

daughters, sister's daughters; foster-mothers (who gave you suck),

foster-sisters; Your wive's mothers; your step-daughters under your

guardianship, born of your wives to whom you have gone in--No

prohibition if ye have not gone in--(those who have been) wives of

your sons proceeding from your loins; and two sisters in wedlock at

one and the same time, except for what is past; for Allah is oft-

giving, Most Merciful--Also (prohibited are) women already married,

except those whom your right hands possess [meaning those who have

been taken captive]; Thus hath Allah ordained (prohibition) against

you: except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them

in marriage) with gifts from your property--desiring chastity, not

lust. Seeing that you derive benefit from them, give them Their

dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if , after a dower is

prescribed, ye agree mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on

you, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. " (4:23-24) Thus, we find

prohibitions to marrying one's mother, sister, or daughter, etc.

This means that there must have been such things taking place to the

extent that there was a need to establish rules against it.

 

 

The Basis of Muslim Brotherhood

 

In the Koran there are several ayats (verses) that

dictate the basis of Muslim brotherhood and how they should view one

another. For example: " Verily, this Brotherhood of yours is a single

brotherhood, and I am your Lord and cherisher. Therefore, serve Me

(and no other). " (Surah 21:92) " To each is a goal to which Allah

turns him; then strive together (as a race) towards all that is

good. Whosoever ye are, Allah will bring you together. For Allah

hath power over all things. " (Surah 2:148) " Those who believe, and

adopt exile and fight for the Faith, in the cause of Allah as well

as those who give (them) asylum and aid--these are (all) in very

truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of sins and a

provision most generous. " (Surah 8:74)

 

In this way, the Koran establishes the basis of a Muslim

Brotherhood in which they serve and support each other and their

activities that are considered to be for the cause of Allah, or for

Islam in general. Thus, they are motivated to work to help one

another, which is natural in any faith. However, this is most

favorably viewed while under the dictates of the Koranic law, which

takes priority over the civil or state law of the local country.

This is the foundation of what is called the " Islamic Nation " , which

Muslims call the general Islamic community that consists of Muslims

throughout the world. Furthermore, few outsiders are allowed to be

part of this brotherhood. It tends to divide Muslims from all others

who are non-Muslims, who are considered non-believers in view of the

Koranic verses quoted above.

 

The Koran describes how the fellowship and brotherhood

of mankind should exist only within the Muslim community, the Islam

Nation, and not with any outsiders, including Jews and Christians.

This sort of vision will certainly keep the divisive nature existing

between religious and cultural communities. How can there be peace

in the world if any religion advocates such an attitude of one

people toward another? Yet the following verses clearly indicate

that Muslims should make no friends with non-Muslims.

 

" O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those

outside your ranks: They will not fail to corrupt you. They only

desire your ruin: Rank hatred has already appeared from their

mouths: What their hearts conceal is far worse. We have made plain

to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom. " (3:118)

 

" O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians

for your friends and protectors; They are but friends and protectors

to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for

friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust. "

(5:51)

 

" Let not the Believers take for friends or helpers

Unbelievers rather than Believers; if any do that, in nothing will

there be help from Allah: except by way of precaution, that ye may

guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions you (to remember)

Himself; for the final goal is to Allah. " (3:28) " O ye who believe!

Take not for protection your fathers and your brothers if they love

infidelity above Faith: If any of you do so, they do wrong. " (9:23)

 

" Remember who the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to

keep thee in bonds, or slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home).

They plot and plan, and Allah too plans, but the best of planners is

Allah. " (8:30)

 

" But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and

transgress His limits will be admitted to a fire, to abide therein:

and they shall have a humiliating punishment. " (4:14)

 

A few additional verses that help clarify this include

the following: " The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make

peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; And

fear Allah, that ye may receive mercy. " (Surah 49.10) " Muhammad is

the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him are strong

against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. " (Surah

48.29)

 

The problem with this sort of brotherhood has been noted

by numerous people. In a lecture in California in January of 1900,

Vivekananda said: " Mohammedans talk of universal brotherhood, but

what comes out of that in reality? Why, anybody who is not a

Mohammedan will not be admitted into the brotherhood; he will more

likely have his throat cut. "

 

Another example is from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who formed

the Indian Constitution. He could see the dangers of what is the

Islamic brotherhood. In his book, " Thoughts on Pakistan " , published

in 1940, he explains: " Hinduism is said to divide people and in

contrast Islam is said to bind people together. But this is only a

half truth. For Islam divides as inexorably as it binds. Islam is a

close corporation and the distinction that it makes between Muslims

and non-Muslims is a very real, very positive and very alienating

distinction. The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal

brotherhood of man. It is the brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims

only. There is a fraternity but its benefit is confined to those

within that corporation. For those who are outside the corporation

there is nothing but contempt and enmity. "

 

In 1941, Ambedkar spoke further about the effects of the

Islamic brotherhood, at least in India. However, it reflects an

attitude in Muslims that is found in numerous other areas as

well. " It is this which leads every Mussalman in India to say that

he is a Muslim first and Indian afterwards. It is this sentiment

which explains why the Indian Muslim has taken so small a part in

the advancement of India but has spent himself to exhaustion by

taking up the cause of Muslim countries and why Muslim countries

occupy the first place and India occupies the second place in his

thoughts. "

 

However, now there is also an increasing number of wars

amongst the Islamic denominations. In a recent edition of the

Washington Post (June 25, 2003, Page A23) there was an article

titled " Radical Muslims Killing Muslims " by Zahir Janmohamed. In

that he mentioned: " There is a tendency to view the Muslim

population as a monolith, with a uniform agenda and little dissent.

This outlook on Islam has prompted a slew of articles with titles

like " Why Do They Hate Us. " But in Pakistan, many Islamic radicals

hold equal (and sometimes more) animosity toward dissenting Muslims

(particularly Shiites) than toward westerners. The Sipah-i-Sahaba

have even killed many of their own Sunni clerics, because the

clerics rejected their divisive agenda. Often, implementing a skewed

understanding of Islamic sharia (religious law) -- and not hatred of

the West -- is their prime motivation. "

 

This is my case in point: That as long as anyone

utilizes " a skewed understanding of Islamic religious law " regarding

any of the numerous above-mentioned Koranic verses, they have all

the ammunition they need to justify their own radical ideas and

methods of engaging in " the Cause of Allah " . In conclusion, if any

of the above information and Koranic references are taught to young

Muslims in such places as the thousands of madarsas (Islamic

schools) in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other places; and say

that the 880 million fellow citizens of India, or others elsewhere

in the world, are but kafirs and infidels who deserve or are

ultimately going to be thrown into the hellfire; and that their

primary allegiance is not to the country of their residence but to

the State of Islam; and that the Koran justifies them to engage in

Jihad against all non-Muslims; then their spiritual well-being,

along with the peace of the world and the safety of anyone else, and

the existence of any religion outside Islam, is in jeopardy. This is

what must be recognized.

 

For this reason it may behoove Muslims to remove the

teachings in the Koran that are often interpreted as hateful by

Westerners and toward Westerners, or are used by Muslims as the

basis of hatred and resentment towards all those who are not

Muslims. Certainly it would provide for a more peaceful world. There

must come a time when it is understood that we are all children of

the same God. There may be differences in the way we recognize and

worship God, but this should be a natural difference in the varying

sentiments of respect and veneration and love for God. It should not

be misconstrued that only one way is indeed the only way. This will

keep the world bound in religious dictatorial views and ambitions,

as well as quarrels and wars, without end. This is not the way God

wanted it.

 

The Seeds of Islamic Fundamentalism

Stephen Knapp, September, 2003

 

(Verses were taken from " The Holy Qur'an: Text,

Translation and Commentary " by `Abdullah Yusuf `Ali, published by

Amana Corporation, Brentwood, Maryland, USA, in cooperation with the

International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).

[Guest guest]

, " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

> >

> > So whether you recognize the Primordial Mother as Tao or Shakti

> > or Holy Spirit or Ruh or Aykaa Mayee is immaterial as all

> > religions, holy scriptures and prophets are in harmony with Her.

> > What really matters is one's unconditional belief and acceptance

> > of Her Divine Message to humankind.

> >

> > Jai Shri Mataji,

> >

> >

> > jagbir

> >

>

> , " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

>

> So despite unsurpassable knowledge of Shakti why do Hindus fear

> and fret? What do Hindus think the Sanatanna Dharma is all about?

> Do these presentday fears reflect their ignorance and corruption

> of the Eternal Dharma? Who can rouse and awaken them up from this

> deep spiritual slumber of Kali Yuga?

>

> They will till they get their self-realization and allow the

> Mother Kundalini to enlighten them with the priceless knowledge

> and universal harmony of the Divine Message of the Shakti brought

> by Her incarnation Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. All religions triumph

> in collective harmony in Sahaja Yoga, a far cry from those

> battling each other for supremacy.

>

>

 

Introduction

 

Max Muller, in his book In History of Ancient Sanskrit Literature'

(p. 557) observed: " In the Rig-Veda we shall have before us more

real antiquity than in all the inscriptions of Egypt or

Ninevah....the Veda is the oldest book in existence.... "

 

Louis Jacolliot (1837-1890), who worked in French India as a

government official and was at one time President of the Court in

Chandranagar, translated numerous Vedic hymns, the Manusmriti, and

the Tamil work, Kural His masterpiece, La Bible dans l'Inde, stirred

a storm of controversy. He praised the Vedas in his Sons of God, and

said,:

 

" The Hindu revelation, which proclaims the slow and gradual

formation of worlds, is of all revelations the only one whose ideas

are in complete harmony with modern science. "

 

Jacolliot feels India has given to the West much more than she is

credited with when he says:

 

" Besides the discoverers of geometry and algebra, the constructors

of human speech, the parents of philosophy, the primal expounders of

religion, the adepts in psychological and physical science, how even

the greatest of our biological and theologians seem dwarfed! Name of

us any modern discovery, and we venture to say that Indian history

need not long be searched before the prototype will be found on

record. Here we are with the transit of science half accomplished,

and all our Vedic ideas in process of readjustment to the theories

of force correlation, natural selection, atomic polarity and

evolution. And here, to mock our conceit, our apprehension, and our

despair, we may read what Manu said, perhaps 10,000 years before the

birth of Christ:

 

'The first germ of life was developed by water and heat.'

(Manusmriti - Book I, sloka 8,9)

 

'Water ascends towards the sky in vapors; from the sun it descends

in rain, from the rains are born the plants, and from the plants,

animals.' (Manusmriti - Book III, sloka 76)

 

(source: Krishna and Christ - By Louis Jacolliot p. 15).

 

 

Sir John Woodroffe (1865-1936) the well known scholar, Advocate-

General of Bengal and sometime Legal Member of the Government of

India. He served with competence for eighteen years and in 1915

officiated as Chief Justice. He has said:

 

" Ages before Lamarck and Darwin it was held in India that man has

passed through 84 lakhs (8,400,000) of birth as plants, animals, as

an " inferior species of man " and then as the ancestor of the

developed type existing to-day. The theory was not, like modern

doctrine of evolution, based wholly on observation and a scientific

enquiry into fact but was a rather (as some other matters) an act of

brilliant intuition in which observation may also have had some

part. "

 

(source: Is India Civilized - Essays on Indian Culture - By Sir John

Woodroffe Ganesh & Co. Publishers Date of Publication: 1922 p. 22).

 

 

" To the philosophers of India, however, Relativity is no new

discovery, just as the concept of light years is no matter for

astonishment to people used to thinking of time in millions of

kalpas, (A kalpa is about 4,320,000 years). The fact that the wise

men of India have not been concerned with technological applications

of this knowledge arises from the circumstance that technology is

but one of innumerable ways of applying it. "

 

It is, indeed, a remarkable circumstance that when Western

civilization discovers Relativity it applies it to the manufacture

of atom-bombs, whereas Oriental civilization applies it to the

development of new states of consciousness. "

 

(source: Spiritual Practices of India - By Frederic Spiegelberg

Introduction by Alan Watts p. 8-9).

 

 

Mr. Thorton, in his book History of British India, states: " Hindus

are indisputably entitled to rank among the most ancient of existing

nations, as well as among those most early and most rapidly

civilized....ere yet the Pyramids looked down upon the Valley of the

Nile... when Greece and Italy, these cradles of modern civilization,

housed only the tenants of the wilderness, India was the seat of

wealth and grandeur... "

 

(source: Proof of Vedic Culture's Global Existence - By Stepehn

Knapp p. 7).

 

 

Count Maurice Maeterlinck (1862-1949) was a Belgian writer of

poetry, a wide variety of essays. He won the 1911 Nobel Prize for

literature. In his book Mountain Paths, says:

 

" he falls back upon the earliest and greatest of Revelations, those

of the Sacred Books of India with a Cosmogony which no European

conception has ever surpassed. "

 

(source: Mountain Paths - By Maurice Maeterlinck).

 

 

Huston Smith born in China to Methodist missionaries, a philosopher,

most eloquent writer, world-famous religion scholar who practices

Hatha Yoga. He has said in Hinduism:

 

" The invisible excludes nothing, the invisible that excludes nothing

is the infinite – the soul of India is the infinite. "

 

" Philosophers tell us that the Indians were the first ones to

conceive of a true infinite from which nothing is excluded. The West

shied away from this notion. The West likes form, boundaries that

distinguish and demarcate. The trouble is that boundaries also

imprison – they restrict and confine. "

 

" India saw this clearly and turned her face to that which has no

boundary or whatever. " " India anchored her soul in the infinite

seeing the things of the world as masks of the infinite assumes –

there can be no end to these masks, of course. If they express a

true infinity. " And It is here that India's mind boggling variety

links up to her infinite soul. "

 

" India includes so much because her soul being infinite excludes

nothing. " It goes without saying that the universe that India saw

emerging from the infinite was stupendous. "

 

While the West was still thinking, perhaps, of 6,000 years old

universe – India was already envisioning ages and eons and galaxies

as numerous as the sands of the Ganges. The Universe so vast that

modern astronomy slips into its folds without a ripple. "

 

(source: The Mystic's Journey - India and the Infinite: The Soul of

a People – By Huston Smith).

 

 

Dick Teresi author and coauthor of several books about science and

technology, including The God Particle. He is cofounder of Omni

magazine and has written for Discover, The New York Times Magazine,

and The Atlantic Monthly.

 

" The big bang is the biggest-budget universe ever, with mind-

boggling numbers to dazzle us – a technique pioneered by fifth-

century A.D. Indian cosmologists, the first to estimate the age of

the earth at more than 4 billion years.

 

The cycle of creation and destruction continues forever, manifested

in the Hindu deity Shiva, Lord of the Dance, who holds the drum that

sounds the universe's creation in his right hand and the flame that,

billions of years later, will destroy the universe in his left.

Meanwhile Brahma is but one of untold numbers of other gods dreaming

their own universes.

 

The 8.64 billion years that mark a full day-and-night cycle in

Brahma's life is about half the modern estimate for the age of the

universe. The ancient Hindus believed that each Brahma day and each

Brahma night lasted a kalpa, 4.32 billion years, with 72,000 kalpas

equaling a Brahma century, 311,040 billion years in all. That the

Hindus could conceive of the universe in terms of billions.

 

The similarities between Indian and modern cosmology do not seem

accidental. Perhaps ideas of creation from nothing, or alternating

cycles of creation and destruction are hardwired in the human

psyche. Certainly Shiva's percussive drumbeat suggests the sudden

energetic impulse that could have propelled the big bang. And if, as

some theorists have proposed, the big bang is merely the prelude to

the big crunch and the universe is caught in an infinite cycle of

expansion and contraction, then ancient Indian cosmology is clearly

cutting edge compared to the one-directional vision of the big bang.

The infinite number of Hindu universes is currently called the many

world hypothesis, which is no less undocumentable nor unthinkable.

 

The Indians came closest to modern ideas of atomism, quantum

physics, and other current theories. India developed very early,

enduring atomist theories of matter. Possibly Greek atomistic

thought was influenced by India, via the Persian civilization. The

Rig-Veda, is the first Indian literature to set down ideas

resembling universal natural laws. Cosmic law is connected with

cosmic light, with gods, and, later, specifically with Brahman. It

was the Vedic Aryans... who gave the world some of the earliest

philosophical texts on the makeup of matter and the theoretical

underpinnings for the chemical makeup of minerals. Sanskrit Vedas

from thousands of years before Christ implied that matter could not

be created, and that the universe had created itself. Reflecting

this, in his Vaiseshika philosophy, Kanada (600 B. C) claimed that

elements could not be destroyed. Kanada's life is somewhat a

mysterious, but his name is said to mean " one who eats particle or

grain " likely referring to his theory that basic particles mix

together as the building blocks for all matter. Two, three, four, or

more of these elements would combine, just as we conceive of atoms

doing. The Greeks would not stumble on this concept for another

century. "

 

" In India, we see the beginning of theoretical speculation of the

size and nature of the earth. Some one thousand years before

Aristotle, the Vedic Aryans asserted that the earth was round and

circled the sun. A translation of the Rig Veda goes: " In the

prescribed daily prayers to the Sun we find..the Sun is at the

center of the solar system. ..The student ask, " What is the nature

of the entity that holds the Earth? The teacher answers, " Rishi

Vatsa holds the view that the Earth is held in space by the Sun. "

 

" Two thousand years before Pythagoras, philosophers in northern

India had understood that gravitation held the solar system

together, and that therefore the sun, the most massive object, had

to be at its center. " " Twenty-four centuries before Isaac Newton,

the Hindu Rig-Veda asserted that gravitation held the universe

together. The Sanskrit speaking Aryans d to the idea of a

spherical earth in an era when the Greeks believed in a flat one.

The Indians of the fifth century A.D. calculated the age of the

earth as 4.3 billion years; scientists in 19th century England were

convinced it was 100 million years. "

 

According to Romain Rolland, (1866-1944) French Nobel laureate,

professor of the history of music at the Sorbonne and thinker. He

authored a book on the " Life of Ramakrishna " .

 

" Religious faith in the case of the Hindus has never been allowed to

run counter to scientific laws, moreover the former is never made a

condition for the knowledge they teach, but there are always

scrupulously careful to take into consideration the possibility that

by reason both the agnostic and atheist may attain truth in their

own way. Such tolerance may be surprising to religious believers in

the West, but it is an integral part of Vedantic belief. "

 

 

http://www.atributetohinduism.com/Advanced_Concepts.htm

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

 

i believe that Martin Luther King, a realized soul, had the right idea about the

need for people of all races, cultures, and religions to respect and love each

other, rather than hate each other. He states that this 'chain reaction of the

evil of hate must be broken, or else we will be plunged into annihilation'.

 

Shri Mataji has also said that we must spread this Message of the Resurrection

very quickly and help people to connect within themselves to the Holy Spirit

(Christians), the Ruh of Allah (Muslims), the Adi Shakti (Hindus), the Maitreya

(Buddhists), the Eykaa Mayee (Sikhs), the Ruach (Judaism) and the Great Mother

(Taoism).

 

It is useles to expect that any external religious institution can connect us to

the Divine within. Only the Divine Mother Herself, the Holy Spirit, an Internal

Institution, you could say, can do this for us. However, we have to desire to

meet Her. We can do so by taking the Journey into our Individual Spiritual

Temple Within where we can meet with the Golden Goddess who is the Power of God

Almighty.

 

She is the Divine Mother who gives us our Spiritual Birth into the Kingdom of

Heaven. Only a Mother (not a Father) can give birth in the natural order of

things and it is no different with our Spiritual Birth. When we have our

Spiritual Birth, we are born into the Kingdom of God, which Jesus also referred

to as being within human beings. Jesus, the Christ, opened the Door to the

Kingdom of God within at the Agnya Centre, which leads to the Sahasrara Centre,

also called the 1000-petalled Lotus where the Golden Goddess resides.

 

When She gives us our Spiritual Birth, we become new Beings. We receive a step

up in our evolution from being a Human Being to Becoming the Spirit. We get

connected to the Light of the Spirit and that is why we are then said to be

'en-light-ened'. When we have this Light Within, we can see and understand many

things we never saw or understood before.

 

World Transformation is the special gift that this Resurrection Time brings.

This is a very Special Time, a Blossom Time, when all who desire it, regardless

of education, culture, race or religion.... can unite as brothers and sisters,

children of God in Sahaja Yoga. Sahaja Yoga means " spontaneous union with the

Divine " .

 

It is very important now for many people to evolve to become the Spirit, so that

the forces of destruction can be transformed by the Light of the Spirit. It is

the Holy Spirit Within that unites us all. However, we all need to take

responsibility for this task. We all need to shine the Light that we have to all

with whom we come in contact, wherever it may be. It may only be your loving

presence, a quiet word, a prayer for someone, or helping someone to connect with

the Divine through the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Light of Love of the connection with the Divine is a light that gives and

does not take. It flows, transforms, heals, gives knowledge, inspires and loves

us. This is the Eternal Light of God that will save the individual and the

nations and the world and this Eternal Light of the Golden Goddess will usher in

a new Age.... a Golden Age, such as has never before existed on Earth. She, the

Light of Love has come to Earth to stay and to transform all of humanity.

 

Violet

 

" Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive

out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies

violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of

destruction....The chain reaction of evil -- hate begetting hate, wars producing

more wars -- must be broken, or we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of

annihilation " .

 

--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968)

(http://home.att.net/~quotesabout/drmartinlutherkingjr.html)

 

In , " jagbir singh "

adishakti_org> wrote:

 

So whether you recognize the Primordial Mother as Tao or Shakti or Holy Spirit

or Ruh or Aykaa Mayee is immaterial as all religions, holy scriptures and

prophets are in harmony with Her. What really matters is one's unconditional

belief and acceptance of Her Divine Message to humankind.

 

Jai Shri Mataji,

 

jagbir

 

In , " jagbir singh "

<adishakti_org> wrote:

 

So despite unsurpassable knowledge of Shakti why do Hindus fear and fret? What

do Hindus think the Sanatanna Dharma is all about? Do these presentday fears

reflect their ignorance and corruption of the Eternal Dharma? Who can rouse and

awaken them up from this deep spiritual slumber of Kali Yuga?

 

They will till they get their self-realization and allow the Mother Kundalini to

enlighten them with the priceless knowledge and universal harmony of the Divine

Message of the Shakti brought by Her incarnation Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. All

religions triumph in collective harmony in Sahaja Yoga, a far cry from those

battling each other for supremacy.

 

 

The Seeds of Islamic Fundamentalism

Compiled by Stephen Knapp, September, 2003

 

We all know that most Muslims are not terrorists, nor do they want to quarrel

with others. The majority of them simply want to worship God in their way and

live a peaceful life. So why does there seem to be friction and difficulties

that often involve Muslims? And why are there so many terrorists in the world

who, indeed, call themselves followers of Islam? Where do we find the seeds of

their motivation?

 

As we uncover these verses in the Koran to see what it really says, bear in mind

that these are not mistranslations into English as some people will suggest. All

these verses are derived from " The Holy Qur'an: Text, Translation and

Commentary "

 

by 'Abdullah Yusuf 'Ali, published by Amana Corporation, Brentwood, Maryland,

USA, in cooperation with the International Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).

So this edition of the Koran is approved and sanctioned by this Muslim

organization. So there should be no argument that these verses mean something

other than what they say as follows.

 

 

The Koranic References for the Sword Against Non-Muslims

 

Does the Koran itself give credence to strike against kafirs and infidels, those

who are non-Muslims, or to conduct a holy war to protect and expand the faith?

When we study the Koran, particular verses of it certainly seem to provide such

viewpoints.

 

The fact is that there are numerous ayats (verses) in the Koran that confirm the

ways for Muslims to view and treat non-Muslims. For example: " O Prophet! Rouse

the believers to the fight. If there are twenty amongst you, patient and

persevering, they will vanquish two hundred: if a hundred, they will vanquish a

thousand of the Unbelievers: for these are a people without understanding. "

(Surah 8:65)

 

" Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the message): `I am with you: give

firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the

Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their fingertips off

them. " (Surah 8:12) " Truly Allah loves those who fight in His cause in battle

array, as if they were a solid cemented structure. " (Surah 61:4)

 

These verses certainly seem to give a harsh view of non-Muslims in the way it

prescribes treatment of them. When it comes to the attitude that the Koran

displays for those who are not Muslims, the verses make it clear what is to be

done. This is not merely in a few sparse verses, as if we are misunderstanding

what is being said, but in several. For example, in the following verses,

perpetual war and divisiveness for the destruction of non-Muslims and their

religion is recommended until the whole world becomes converted to Islam. " Say

to the unbelievers, if (now) they desist (from Unbelief), their past would be

forgiven them; But if they persist, the punishment of those before them is

already (a matter of warning for them). And fight them on until there is no more

tumult or oppression, and there prevails justice and faith in Allah altogether

and everywhere; But if they cease, verily Allah doth see all that they do. "

(8.38-39)

 

Furthermore, if the Koran specifically relates a harsh view toward infidels,

non-Muslims, then that would make it even easier for militant Muslims to feel

there is little harm in ill-treating or even killing those who are participants

of other religions. In this regard we find the following verses in the Koran:

 

" Verily ye (unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye worship besides Allah,

are (but) fuel for Hell! To it will ye (surely) come! " (Surah 21:98)

 

" (The sentence will be:) Throw, throw into Hell every contumacious Rejector (of

Allah)!; Who forbade what was good, transgressed all bounds, cast doubts and

suspicions; who set up another god beside Allah: throw him into a severe

penalty. " (Surah 50:24)

 

" Therefore, when ye meet the unbelievers (in fight), smite at their necks [cut

off their heads]; At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind a bond

firmly (on them): thereafter (is the time for) either generosity or ransom:

until the war lays down its burdens. Thus (are ye commanded): but if it had been

Allah's Will, He could certainly have exacted retribution from them (Himself);

But (He lets you fight) in order to test you, some with others, but those who

are slain in the way of Allah [for the cause of Allah]--He will never let their

deeds be lost. Soon He will guide them and improve their condition, and admit

them to the Garden which He has announced for them. " (Surah 47:4-6) " Those who

reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be

in Hell-fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst creatures. Those

who have faith and do righteous deeds--they are the best of creatures. " (Surah

98:6 and 7) This last verse seems to refer directly to the Jews (People of the

Book) and Hindus (polytheists) as future residents of hell.

 

These verses seem to give justification to expanding the faith not necessarily

with spiritual knowledge, or understanding and purity, but by what would be

military strength under the Will of Allah. In light of recent discussions about

what is or is not Islamic Jihad, referring to the holy war of Muslims overcoming

evil, does this mean that there also should be war or the use of terror against

non-Muslims? Are non-Muslims viewed as evil within the verses of the Koran?

 

The following verses (Surah 9:5,6) sheds light on the Prophet's idea of what

really is Jihad, and whether it includes war against the infidels: " But when the

forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the pagans wherever ye find them,

and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in ever stratagem (of

war); But if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practice regular

charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is oft-forgiving, most merciful. "

So this would indicate that the Koran's version of the " Mercy of God " offers

unbelievers the " choice " to convert to Islam or die.

 

Even though the words of the Koran were written many years ago, and pertained to

a different set of circumstances, they are still applied today with the same

seriousness by many. When the Koran mentions that Muslims should " fight and slay

the pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in

wait for them in ever stratagem (of war), " the idea seems to indicate the means

to make the enemy live in a state of perpetual terror. Since Islam is also

called " din-e-Ghalib, " which means the religion of dominance by God's will,

Muslim minorities in non-Islamic countries may feel that they can do everything

possible to harass and harangue the host countries to practice their faith or

culture, or to allow Muslims to have special privileges based on following their

faith over and above abiding by the local national laws.

 

The basis for this concept could also be justified within the Koran (Surah

Anfal, 8:59-60) where it says: " Let not the unbelievers think that they can get

the better (of the godly). They will never frustrate (them). Against them make

ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to

strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies of Allah and your enemies, and

others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. " This seems to

be saying that even if others die in the process, " whom ye may not know, " Allah

will judge whether they are believers or pagans--those who have accepted Gods

other than Allah. And then the soldiers of Allah are assured that they will be

properly recognized for whatever sacrifice they make to Him, as stated here in

the remainder of the verse: " Whatever ye shall spend in the cause of Allah,

shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly. "

 

It is also said: " O ye who believe! Fight the Unbelievers who gird you about and

let them find firmness [hardness] in you; and know that Allah is with those who

fear Him. " (Surah 9.123) " Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day,

nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger,

nor acknowledge the Religion of Truth, from among The People of the Book (the

Jews], until they pay the Jizyah, and feel themselves subdued. " (Surah 9.29) The

Jizyah means to pay tribute or compensation, or the tax that was levied against

those who did not accept Islam.

 

So, it would seem that on the basis of the above verses, infidels and all

non-Muslims may actually be fit to be subdued, crushed, or even exterminated,

and that it could even be considered a favor to Allah to rid the world of them.

After all, they are believed to be going to hell anyway. Furthermore, these

verses also show that those who die for Allah or the cause of Islam will be

recognized and even delivered to the garden of paradise. With the basis of

verses like these, it is no wonder that it is not difficult to arouse young

Muslims for the Islamic cause in the training camps of Al-Qaida, Taliban, and

other militant and fundamentalist groups.

 

It is inestimable how much bloodshed has already been shed throughout history

because of this teaching. So it should not be surprising that the radical

Islamic leader Abdullah Shah Mazhar recently got 5,000 volunteers to take the

" oath of death " and commit themselves to suicide squads in attacks against the

U.S. and other " infidel forces " . The fact is that many Muslims feel that one day

Islam will dominate the world, and there are those who are specifically working

to bring that about as soon as possible, and sometimes in whatever way they feel

works best.

 

However, this is not new. Swami Vivekananda in a lecture in California in

January of 1900 said regarding this aspect of Islam: " Every step forward was

made with the sword--the Quran in one hand and the sword in the other: Take the

Quran, or you must die; there is no alternative! "

 

Mahatma Gandhi also spoke about this aspect of Islam. After the assassination of

Swami Shraddhanand by a Muslim fanatic in December, 1926, he said: " Mussalmans

have an ordeal to pass through. There can be no doubt that they are too free

with the knife and the pistol. The sword is no emblem of Islam. But Islam was

born in an environment where the sword was, and still remains, the supreme law.

The message of Jesus has proved ineffective because the environment was unready

to receive it. So with the message of the Prophet. The sword is yet too much in

evidence among the Mussalmans. It must be sheathed if Islam is to be what it

means--peace. "

 

Allah's Call For War, or Else

 

In the mood for achieving dominance, as we have seen, many Islamic terrorists

are ready to give up their lives for the cause. They engage in suicide attacks

wherein it is part of the plan that they will give up their lives, often

believing that by doing so they automatically go to heaven. So does the Koran

justify this idea as well? In this respect we find the following verses:

 

" Think not of those who are slain in Allah's way as dead. Nay, they live,

finding their sustenance in the presence of their Lord. " (Surah 3:169) " O ye who

believe! What is the matter with you, that when you are asked to go forth in the

Cause of Allah, ye cling heavily to the earth? Do ye prefer the life of this

world to the ereafter? But little is the comfort of this life, as compared with

the Hereafter. " (Surah 9:38) So, herein we find the Koran practically

encouraging the anticipation for reaching the next life, even if it means giving

up your own for " the Cause of Allah. "

 

The odd thing is that the Koran advocates war against non-believers, at least

according to the verses that have been listed herein, and now it also advocates

punishment for those believers (Muslims) that do not fight against those

unbelievers when they are called to do so. And those that do take up war will be

rewarded into the Garden. The verse that clarifies this reads as such: " Say to

the desert Arabs who lagged behind: `Ye shall be summoned (to fight) against a

people given to vehement war: then shall ye fight, or they shall submit. Then if

ye show obedience, Allah will grant you a goodly reward, but if ye turn back as

ye did before, He will punish you with a grievous penalty. No blame is there on

the blind, nor is there blame on one ill (if he joins not the war): But he that

obeys Allah and His Messenger--(Allah) will admit him to Gardens beneath which

rivers flow; And he who turns back (Allah) will punish him with a grievous

penalty. " (48:16-17)

 

" O ye who believe! When ye meet the Unbelievers in hostile array, never turn

your backs to them. If any do turn his back to them on such a day--unless it be

in a stratagem of war, or to retreat to a troop (of his own)--he draws on

himself the wrath of Allah, and his abode is Hell--an evil refuge (indeed)! "

(8:15-16)

 

Kill the Unbelievers

 

The Koran goes on to order: " And slay them wherever ye catch them and turn them

out from where they have turned you out; For tumult and oppression are worse

than slaughter; but fight them not at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first)

fight you there; but if they fight you slay them. Such is the reward of those

who suppress faith. " (2:191) Let us point out that to " suppress faith " in this

case means not only curbing Islam but to advocate faith in God by any other

path.

 

" And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there

prevail Justice and faith in Allah; But if they cease, let here be no hostility

except to those who practice oppression. " (2:193)

 

" The punishment of those who wage war against Allah and His messenger, and

strive with might and main for mischief through the land is: execution, or

crucifixion, or the cutting off of hands and feet from opposites sides, or exile

from the land: that is their disgrace in this world, and a heavy punishment is

theirs in the Hereafter. " (5:33)

 

" Fight them, and Allah will punish them by your hands, cover them with shame,

help you (to victory) over them, heal the breasts of Believers. " (9:14)

 

" O ye who believe! Truly the pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this

year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque. " (9:28)

 

" O Prophet! Strive hard against the unbelievers and the hypocrites, and be firm

against them. Their abode is Hell, an evil refuge indeed. " (9:73)

 

" (Disdainfully) bending his side, in order to lead (men) astray from the Path of

Allah: for him there is disgrace in this life, and on the Day of Judgement We

shall make him taste the Penalty of burning (Fire). " (22.9)

 

" So obey not the disbelievers, but strive against them herewith with a great

endeavor. " (25:52)

 

" And if any believe not in Allah and His Messenger, We have prepared for those

who reject Allah a blazing Fire! " (48:13)

 

" `Bring yet up', it shall be said, `The wrong-doers and their wives, and the

things they worshipped--Besides Allah, and lead them to the Way to the (Fierce)

Fire! " (37:22-23)

 

The Rewards and Punishments in the Koran

 

What makes the idea of who is saved and who is worthy of hell more clear is that

there are specific rewards given by Allah for the believers and punishments for

the non-believers that are related in the Koran. Some of these are as follows:

 

" As to the righteous (they will be) in a position of Security. Among gardens and

springs. Dressed in fine silk and in rich brocade, they will face each other;

Moreover, We shall join them to Companions with big, beautiful and lustrous

eyes. There can they call for every kind of fruit in peace and security; Nor

will they there taste death, except the first death; and He will preserve them

from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire--As a bounty from thy Lord! That will be

the supreme achievement! Verily, We have made this (Quran) easy, in thy tongue,

in order that they may give heed. " (44:43-58)

 

" To Him will be your return--of all of you. The promise of Allah is true and

sure. It is He who beginneth the process of creation, and repeateth it, that He

may reward with justice those who believe and work righteousness; But those who

reject Him will have draughts of boiling fluids, and a penalty grievous because

they did reject him. " (10:4)

 

" These two antagonists dispute with each other about their Lord: But those who

deny (their Lord)--For them will be cut out a garment of fire: over their heads

will be poured out boiling water. With it will be scalded what is within their

bodies as well as (their) skins. In addition there will be maces of iron (to

punish) them. Every time they wish to get away therefrom, from anguish, they

will be forced back therein, and (it will be said), `Taste ye the penalty of

burning! " (22:19-22)

 

" Unless I proclaim what I receive from Allah and His Messages: For any that

disobey Allah and His Messenger--for them is hell: they shall dwell therein

forever. " (72.23)

 

" And to those who believe not in the Hereafter, (it announceth) that We have

prepared for them a Penalty grievous (indeed). " (17:10)

 

" For the Rejectors We have prepared chains, yokes, and a blazing fire. As to the

righteous, they shall drink of a cup (of wine) mixed with Kafur. A fountain

where the devotees of Allah do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance. "

(Surah 76: 4-6) " Verily the (judgement] day of sorting out is a thing appointed.

The day that the trumpet shall be sounded, and ye shall come forth in crowds;

and the heavens shall be opened as if there were doors, and the mountains shall

vanish, as if they were a mirage. Truly Hell is a place of ambush--for the

transgressors a place of destination: They will dwell therein for ages. Nothing

cool shall they taste therein, nor any drink, save a boiling fluid and a fluid,

dark, murky, intensely cold--a fitting recompense (for them). " (Surah 78:17-26)

" As to those who reject faith I will punish them with terrible agony in this

world and in the Hereafter, nor will they have anyone for help. " (Surah 3.56)

" Verily Allah has cursed the Unbelievers and prepared for them a blazing

fire--to dwell therein forever: No protection will they find, nor helper. "

(Surah 33.64-65) " And when there comes to them A Book from Allah, confirming

what is with them--although from of old they had prayed for victory against

those without faith--when there comes to them that which they (should) have

recognized. They refuse to believe in it but the curse of Allah is on those

without faith. " (Surah 2.89)

 

" Those who reject (Truth) among the People of the Book and among the

polytheists, were not going to depart (from their ways) until there should come

to them clear evidence. . . Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the

Book and among the polytheists, will be in Hellfire, to dwell therein (for aye),

they are the worst of creatures. [but] those who have faith and do righteous

deeds--they are the best of creatures. Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of

Eternity, beneath which rivers flow, they will dwell therein forever; Allah well

pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and

cherisher. " (Surah 98:1, 6-8) " Allah will deliver them from the evil of that

day, and will shed over them a light of beauty and a (blissful) joy. And because

they were patient and constant, He will reward them with a garden and (garments

of) silk. Reclining in the (garden) of raised thrones, they will see there

neither the sun's (excessive heat) nor (the moon's) excessive cold. And the

shades of the (garden) will come low over them, and the bunches (of fruit),

there will hang low in humility. And among them will be passed round vessels of

silver and goblets of crystal. " (Surah 76:11-15)

 

Allah Guides Those to Heaven or Hell as He Likes

 

The Koran explains in numerous verses that those who reject Allah is sent to

hell by Him. However, in several verses it is described how Allah will guide

those He wants in order that they go the proper way, and will leave astray those

He chooses, who are then left to go to hell. So how can there be blame by Allah

for those who become unbelievers (non-Muslims) if Allah Himself decides not to

guide one properly? The verses read as follows: " Of them there are some who

(pretend to) listen to thee; but We have thrown Veils on their hearts, so they

understand it not, and deafness in their ears; If they saw every one of the

Signs, they will not believe in them; in so much that when they come to thee;

the unbelievers say; `These are nothing but tales of the ancients.' " (6:25)

 

To make this more clear, this next verse also explains how this takes place: " We

(too) shall turn to (confusion) their hearts and their eyes, even as they

refused to believe in this in the first instance: We shall leave them in their

trespasses, to wander in distraction. " (6:110)

 

" When thou dost recite the Quran, We put between thee and those who believe not

in the hereafter, a veil invisible. And We put coverings over their hearts (and

minds) lest they should understand the Quran, and deafness into their ears; when

thou dost commemorate thy Lord--and Him alone--in the Quran, they turn on their

backs, fleeing (from the Truth). (17:45-46)

 

" We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people,

in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He

pleases. And He is exalted in Power, Full of Wisdom. " (14.4)

 

" If Allah so willed, He could make you all one people: But He leaves straying

whom He pleases, and He guides whom He pleases: but ye shall certainly be called

to account for all your actions. " (16.93)

 

" Whom Allah doth guide--he is on the right path: Whom He rejects from His

guidance--Such are the persons who perish. " (7:178) Now what is the reason why

Allah rejects one and not the other? And why does He not bring people together

as one people if He could, only to leave them in divisions and quarreling with

each other? Every other God in any other culture always seems to come with a

message in an attempt to unite people and establish peace. Why does Allah not do

the same if He is God? This is not clearly answered, but another verse still

explains the prerogative that Allah takes on those He has created. " It is he

whom Allah guides, that is on true guidance; but he whom He leaves astray--for

such wilt thou find no protector besides Him. On the Day of Judgement we shall

gather them together, prone on their faces, blind, dumb and deaf: their abode

will be Hell: every time it shows abatement, we shall increase for them the

fierceness of the Fire. " (17:97)

 

Hypocrites Do Not Reach Allah

 

We also find that the Koran states that even Muslims who do not properly

remember Allah are but hypocrites. And they do not reach Allah. " The

hypocrites--they think they are over-reaching Allah but He will over-reach them:

When they stand up to prayer, they stand without earnestness, to be seen of men,

but little do they hold Allah in remembrance. " (4:142) Thus they may also reach

the punishment of hell.

 

The Punishment of Hell the Destination for all Non-Muslims

 

The hellish conditions described in the Koran evolve around being cast into

hellfire and being forced to drink and be bathed in boiling water. " (They will

be) in the midst of a fierce blast of fire and in boiling water, and in the

shades of black smoke. Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please. "

(56:42-44)

 

The Koran makes it clear that all non-Muslims, unbelievers, will go to eternal

hell. There is no second chance or allowance for any alternative to the Muslim

religion in the eyes of the Koran. Yet, the hell that is described is not merely

suffering forever, but is the entrance to a hellfire that roasts one's skin

eternally. " Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast into the fire; As

often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins,

that they may taste the Penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise. " (4:56)

 

" Verily the tree of Zaqqum will be the food of the sinful--like molten brass; It

will boil in their insides, like the boiling of scalding water. A voice will

cry: " Seize ye him and drag him into the midst of the Blazing Fire! Then pour

over his head the Penalty of Boiling Water. Taste thou (this)! Truly wast thou

mighty, full of honour! Truly this is what ye used to doubt! (44: 43-50)

 

The Koran's Views of Jews and Christians

 

There are verses in the Koran that describe the Jewish people and the Christians

in both favorable and unfavorable terms. In one place it explains that even

those of other religions who believe in Allah have nothing to fear. " Those who

believe (in the Quran), and those who follow the Jewish (scriptures), and the

Christians and the Sabians--Any who believe in Allah and the Last Day, and work

in righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord; on them shall be no

fear, nor shall they grieve. " (This verse is found in both 2:62 & 5.69)

 

However, the Koran goes on to place the Jews in the same category as the pagans

as having enmity toward the believers, who are of course the followers of Islam:

" Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the Jews and

Pagans. " Then the same verse in the Koran goes on to praise the Christians: " And

nearest among them in love to the Believers wilt thou find those who say, `We

are Christians': Because amongst these are men devoted to learning and men who

have renounced the world, and they are not arrogant. And when they listen to the

revelation received by the Messenger, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with

tears, for they recognize the truth. They pray: `Our Lord! We believe; write us

down among the witnesses. " (5:82-83)

 

Another verse with a similar sentiment is, " We believe in Allah, and in what has

been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il; Isaac, Jacob, and

the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from

their Lord: We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to

Allah do we bow our will (in Islam). " (3.84)

 

So here is another verse which indicates the possible unity or cooperation and

respect between Islam and other religions. This begins to sound a little

reasonable. It is a rare verse in the Koran that proclaims respect for other

religions, and it would be good if Muslims would focus more on such verses. Yet

right after this verse we find it said, " 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). "

(3.85)

 

We could say that yes, the ultimate religion is surrender to God, and Allah is a

name for God, so we may agree with this principle. But in Islam there is only

one way to surrender and that is to Allah alone. To surrender to another, or to

use or respect any other name for God is a blasphemy in Islam.

 

Furthermore, any cooperation between Christianity and Islam is a fine line

because Christians say that Jesus is the son of God. This is a view that the

Koran condemns. In the following verses we find that the infidels include those

who think that God begot a son, meaning the Christians. " (Those) who say (Allah)

Most Gracious (Lord] has begotten a son! Indeed ye have put forth a thing most

monstrous! As if the skies are ready to burst, the earth to split asunder, and

the mountains to fall down in utter ruin. That they should invoke a son for

(Allah) Most Gracious. For it is not constant with the majesty of (Allah) Most

Gracious that He should beget a son. " (Surah 19:88-92) " Further, that He may

warn those (also) who say, `Allah hath begotten a son'; No knowledge have they

of such a thing, nor had their fathers. It is a grievous thing that issues from

their mouths as a saying. What they say is nothing but falsehood! " (Surah

18:4-5)

 

The Koran also strongly rejects the idea of combining or identifying other Gods

with Allah, as related in the following verse. Muslims are often not so liberal

as other religions in this regard. In fact, the Koran says that even Jesus

recommended that Christians take up the worship of Allah, and that anyone who

identifies Allah with any other god will go to the eternal fire: " They do

blaspheme who say: 'Allah is Christ the son of Mary.' But said Christ: `O

Children of Israel! Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' Whoever joins other

Gods with Allah–Allah will forbid him the Garden, and the Fire will be his

abode. There will for the wrongdoers be no one to help. " (5.72)

 

Another point to consider is that not only does the Koran not consider Jesus the

son of God, but it also offers little more respect to Jesus than one would for a

mere messenger. This would not bode well with most Christians, wherein it is

stated in the Koran: " Christ, the son of Mary, was no more than a messenger;

many were the Messengers that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of

truth. They had both to eat their (daily) food. See how Allah doth make His

signs clear to them; Yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth! "

(5.75)

 

The Koran further elaborates that, " In blasphemy indeed are those that say that

Allah is Christ the son of Mary. Say: `Who then has the least power against

Allah, if His will were to destroy Christ the son of Mary, his mother and

all–everyone that is on the earth? For to Allah belongeth the dominion of the

heavens and the earth, and all that is between. He createth what He pleaseth.

For Allah hath power over all things.' " (Surah 5.17)

 

With these views toward the Jews and Christians, the advice that the Koran gives

to the Believers, meaning the Muslims, is that they must avoid the friendship of

such people or be considered the same as they are, in which case they will lose

the favor of Allah. " O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for

your friends and protectors; they are but friends and protectors to each other.

And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah

guideth not a people unjust. " (Surah 5.51) This leads to additional

exclusiveness amongst Muslims and separateness from all others. This has obvious

repercussions in creating a deeper lack of respect and lack of cooperation

amongst the various religious cultures and sects in the world. And this is

exactly the opposite of what the world needs to attain peace amongst all people.

 

The Punishment for Losing Faith in Islam

 

In most religions the right to religious freedom, or to change one's religious

affiliation, is taken for granted. However, in Islam all schools of law

(madhhahib) agree that any adult male apostate from Islam should be killed. Most

Muslim jurists also claim that leaving Islam is a crime which carries the

penalty of death as recommended by God. Therefore, while conversion from other

religions to Islam is welcomed and actively encouraged, Muslims who leave Islam

for any other religion must be sentenced to death (unless they repent and return

to Islam).

 

As we shall see, the Koran supplies references which would make it seem that

death is a just sentence for one who leaves Islam. However, the hadiths (the

traditional sayings and deeds of Muhammad) are much more pronounced in the

punishment that must be given to any apostates from Islam. For now we will

simply look at how the Koran emphasizes God's severe punishment of any apostate

in the next life.

 

One example is in Surah 2:217: " . . . and if any of you turn back from their

faith and die in unbelief, their works will bear no fruit in this life and in

the Hereafter; they will be Companions of the Fire and will abide therein. "

 

Going through the Koran numerically, we next come to Surah 3, verses 86-91: " How

shall Allah guide those who reject faith after they accepted it and bore witness

that the Messenger was true and that Clear Signs had come unto them? But Allah

guides not a people unjust. (86) Of such the reward is that on them (rests) the

curse of Allah, of His angels and of all mankind. (87) In that will they dwell;

Nor will their penalty be lightened, nor respite be their (lot). (88) Except for

those that repent (even) after that and make amends: for verily Allah is

Oft-Forgiving Most Merciful. (89) But those who reject faith after they accepted

it, and then go on adding to their defiance of faith--Never will their

repentance be accepted; for they are those who have (of set purpose) gone

astray. (90) As to those who reject faith and die rejecting--Never would be

accepted from any such as much gold as the earth contains, though they should

offer it for ransom. For such is (in store) a penalty grievous, and they will

find no helpers. " (91) Herein it becomes obvious that for one who does not

repent and return to Islam, their fate after death cannot be changed even if

they offer all the gold of the earth.

 

The Curse of Allah and Punishment for those who Give Up the Faith (Apostates)

 

The Koran repeats: " But those who reject Faith and belie Our Signs--they shall

be companions of hell-fire. " (5:86) " Those who reject faith and deny Our signs

will be companions of Hell-fire. " (5:10) " But those who reject Faith and belie

Our Signs, they shall be companions of the Fire; they shall abide therein. "

(2:39)

 

Not only are they destined for suffering, but Allah is not as merciful as He is

proclaimed to be. In this next verse it is declared that even if one gives up

Islam and then repents, they will be shown no mercy. " For those who reject faith

after they accepted it, and then go on adding to their defiance of Faith--never

will their repentance be accepted; for they are those who have (of set purpose)

gone astray. " (3:90)

 

" Those who believe, then reject Faith, then believe (again) and (again) reject

Faith, and go on increasing in unbelief--Allah will not forgive them nor guide

them on the Way. " (4:137)

 

" Anyone who after accepting Faith in Allah, utters Unbelief--Except under

compulsion, his heart remaining firm in Faith--but such as open their breast to

Unbelief--on them is wrath from Allah, and theirs will be a dreadful penalty. "

(16:106)

 

" But those who reject Our signs and treat them with arrogance--they are

companions of the Fire, to dwell therein (forever). " (7:36)

 

" Those who break Allah's Covenant after it is ratified, and who sunder what

Allah has ordered to be joined, and do mischief on earth: These cause loss

(only) to themselves. " (2.27)

 

" Make ye no excuses: ye have rejected Faith after ye had accepted it. If We

pardon some of you, We will punish others amongst you, for that they are in

sin. " (9:66)

 

" They swear by Allah that they said nothing (evil), but indeed they uttered

blasphemy, and they did it after accepting Islam; and they meditated a plot

which they were unable to carry out: this revenge of theirs was (their) only

return for the bounty with which Allah and His Messenger had enriched them! If

they repent, it will be best for them; but if they turn back (to their evil

ways), Allah will punish them with a grievous penalty in this life and in the

hereafter: They shall have none on earth to protect or help them. " (9:74)

 

" Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them, the

Evil One has instigated them and busied them up with false hopes. (47:25)

 

Treatment of Apostates According to the Koran

 

However, for those Muslims who may find such apostates who have left Islam, how

they should be treated is made quite clear. Herein it is said that they should

even be taken and killed, as explained in Surah 4: 88-89: " Why should ye be

divided into two parties about the Hypocrites? Allah hath upset them for their

(evil) deeds. Would ye guide those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way? For

those whom Allah hath thrown out of the Way, never shalt thou find the Way. They

but wish that ye should reject the Faith, as they do, and thus be on the same

footing (as they): but take not friends from their ranks until they flee in the

way of God (from what is forbidden). But if they turn renegades, seize them and

slay them wherever ye find them; and (in any case) take no friends or helpers

from their ranks. "

 

Even war may be waged against the leaders of those who have left Islam, which is

indicated in Surah 9:11-12: " But (even so), if they repent, establish regular

prayers, and practise regular charity, --they are your brethren in Faith: (thus)

do We explain the Signs in detail, for those who understand. But if they violate

their oaths after their covenant, and taunt you for your Faith, --fight ye the

chiefs of Unfaith: for their oaths are nothing to them: that thus they may be

restrained. " Thus, there are those who accept this as definite proof that the

Koran calls for the death penalty on apostates.

 

Even if one merely cannot accept Islam to the full because of the basic human

weakness to be attracted to the world, then they are referred to as being

destined to perish after death. This is explained in Surah 16:106-107, 109:

" Anyone who after accepting faith in Allah utters unbelief except under

Compulsion, his heart remaining firm in faith but such as open their Breast to

unbelief, on them is Wrath from Allah and theirs will be a Dreadful Penalty.

(106) This because they love the life of this world better than the Hereafter:

and Allah will not guide those who reject faith. (107) Without doubt, in the

hereafter they will perish. " (109)

 

Finally, we find that if anyone simply turns away from Allah, He will give them

the fierce punishment, as found in Surah 88:23-4: " But if any turns away and

rejects Allah. Allah will punish him with a mighty Punishment. "

 

If we search the hadiths, there seems to be even more references to the way

those who leave Islam should be punished by death, even if they are women. The

point these verses make is that apostates are meant to face a terrible

punishment and there is no clear implication that the fate of apostates is other

than eternal damnation. Once they reject or do not accept the faith, their fate

is permanent. As previously mentioned, the connotation is that Islam must be

accepted or you die, or are eternally damned. This seems to be the ultimate

process of controlling people through the use of fear, rather than drawing

people to God by the promise of an all-attractive loving relationship with the

Supreme Being, which merely needs to be reawakened. Now which of these would you

prefer?

 

There is no Freedom of Religion

 

Ultimately, in the eyes of the Koran and under the dictates of Allah, there is

no freedom to pick your own spiritual path. This is clarified in this next

example, which says: " 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). " (3:85)

 

The Koranic Views on Women

 

In the following verse we find that men are given priority in the process of

spiritual development. The following verses indicate that the inspiration to

understand the message of Allah is given to men more than women. " Nor did We

send before thee (as messengers) any but men, whom We did inspire--(men) living

in human habitations. " (12:109) Also, " And before thee also the messengers We

sent were but men, to whom we granted inspiration: if ye realize this not, ask

of those who possess the Message. " (16:43)

 

Inheritance is also favored toward men. " Allah (thus) directs you as regards

your children's (inheritance): to the male, a portion equal to that of two

females. " (4:11-12)

 

Allah's specific directions about marriage are also provided, in which men are

highly favored: " Marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if ye

fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a

captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent

you from doing injustice. " (4:3)

 

There are also restrictions in what kind of women can be married. " Prohibited to

you (for marriage) are--your mothers, daughters, sisters; father's sisters,

mother's sisters, brother's daughters, sister's daughters; foster-mothers (who

gave you suck), foster-sisters; Your wive's mothers; your step-daughters under

your guardianship, born of your wives to whom you have gone in--No prohibition

if ye have not gone in--(those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from

your loins; and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time, except for what

is past; for Allah is oft-giving, Most Merciful--Also (prohibited are) women

already married, except those whom your right hands possess [meaning those who

have been taken captive]; Thus hath Allah ordained (prohibition) against you:

except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage)

with gifts from your property--desiring chastity, not lust. Seeing that you

derive benefit from them, give them Their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but

if , after a dower is prescribed, ye agree mutually (to vary it), there is no

blame on you, and Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise. " (4:23-24) Thus, we find

prohibitions to marrying one's mother, sister, or daughter, etc. This means that

there must have been such things taking place to the extent that there was a

need to establish rules against it.

 

The Basis of Muslim Brotherhood

 

In the Koran there are several ayats (verses) that dictate the basis of Muslim

brotherhood and how they should view one another. For example: " Verily, this

Brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and cherisher.

Therefore, serve Me (and no other). " (Surah 21:92) " To each is a goal to which

Allah turns him; then strive together (as a race) towards all that is good.

Whosoever ye are, Allah will bring you together. For Allah hath power over all

things. " (Surah 2:148) " Those who believe, and adopt exile and fight for the

Faith, in the cause of Allah as well as those who give (them) asylum and

aid--these are (all) in very truth the Believers: for them is the forgiveness of

sins and a provision most generous. " (Surah 8:74)

 

In this way, the Koran establishes the basis of a Muslim Brotherhood in which

they serve and support each other and their activities that are considered to be

for the cause of Allah, or for Islam in general. Thus, they are motivated to

work to help one another, which is natural in any faith. However, this is most

favorably viewed while under the dictates of the Koranic law, which takes

priority over the civil or state law of the local country. This is the

foundation of what is called the " Islamic Nation " , which Muslims call the

general Islamic community that consists of Muslims throughout the world.

Furthermore, few outsiders are allowed to be part of this brotherhood. It tends

to divide Muslims from all others who are non-Muslims, who are considered

non-believers in view of the Koranic verses quoted above.

 

The Koran describes how the fellowship and brotherhood of mankind should exist

only within the Muslim community, the Islam Nation, and not with any outsiders,

including Jews and Christians. This sort of vision will certainly keep the

divisive nature existing between religious and cultural communities. How can

there be peace in the world if any religion advocates such an attitude of one

people toward another? Yet the following verses clearly indicate that Muslims

should make no friends with non-Muslims.

 

" O ye who believe! Take not into your intimacy those outside your ranks: They

will not fail to corrupt you. They only desire your ruin: Rank hatred has

already appeared from their mouths: What their hearts conceal is far worse. We

have made plain to you the Signs, if ye have wisdom. " (3:118)

 

" O ye who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and

protectors; They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst

you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a

people unjust. " (5:51)

 

" Let not the Believers take for friends or helpers Unbelievers rather than

Believers; if any do that, in nothing will there be help from Allah: except by

way of precaution, that ye may guard yourselves from them. But Allah cautions

you (to remember)Himself; for the final goal is to Allah. " (3:28) " O ye who

believe! Take not for protection your fathers and your brothers if they love

infidelity above Faith: If any of you do so, they do wrong. " (9:23)

 

" Remember who the Unbelievers plotted against thee, to keep thee in bonds, or

slay thee, or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan, and Allah too

plans, but the best of planners is Allah. " (8:30)

 

" But those who disobey Allah and His Messenger and transgress His limits will be

admitted to a fire, to abide therein: and they shall have a humiliating

punishment. " (4:14)

 

A few additional verses that help clarify this include the following: " The

Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between

your two (contending) brothers; And fear Allah, that ye may receive mercy. "

(Surah 49.10) " Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah; and those who are with him

are strong against Unbelievers, (but) compassionate amongst each other. " (Surah

48.29)

 

The problem with this sort of brotherhood has been noted by numerous people. In

a lecture in California in January of 1900, Vivekananda said: " Mohammedans talk

of universal brotherhood, but what comes out of that in reality? Why, anybody

who is not a Mohammedan will not be admitted into the brotherhood; he will more

likely have his throat cut. "

 

Another example is from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who formed the Indian Constitution.

He could see the dangers of what is the Islamic brotherhood. In his book,

" Thoughts on Pakistan " , published in 1940, he explains: " Hinduism is said to

divide people and in contrast Islam is said to bind people together. But this is

only a half truth. For Islam divides as inexorably as it binds. Islam is a close

corporation and the distinction that it makes between Muslims and non-Muslims is

a very real, very positive and very alienating distinction. The brotherhood of

Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is the brotherhood of Muslims

for Muslims only. There is a fraternity but its benefit is confined to those

within that corporation. For those who are outside the corporation there is

nothing but contempt and enmity. "

 

In 1941, Ambedkar spoke further about the effects of the Islamic brotherhood, at

least in India. However, it reflects an attitude in Muslims that is found in

numerous other areas as well. " It is this which leads every Mussalman in India

to say that he is a Muslim first and Indian afterwards. It is this sentiment

which explains why the Indian Muslim has taken so small a part in the

advancement of India but has spent himself to exhaustion by taking up the cause

of Muslim countries and why Muslim countries occupy the first place and India

occupies the second place in his thoughts. "

 

However, now there is also an increasing number of wars amongst the Islamic

denominations. In a recent edition of the Washington Post (June 25, 2003, Page

A23) there was an article titled " Radical Muslims Killing Muslims " by Zahir

Janmohamed. In that he mentioned: " There is a tendency to view the Muslim

population as a monolith, with a uniform agenda and little dissent. This outlook

on Islam has prompted a slew of articles with titles like " Why Do They Hate Us. "

But in Pakistan, many Islamic radicals hold equal (and sometimes more) animosity

toward dissenting Muslims (particularly Shiites) than toward westerners. The

Sipah-i-Sahaba have even killed many of their own Sunni clerics, because the

clerics rejected their divisive agenda. Often, implementing a skewed

understanding of Islamic sharia (religious law) -- and not hatred of the West --

is their prime motivation. "

 

This is my case in point: That as long as anyone utilizes " a skewed

understanding of Islamic religious law " regarding any of the numerous

above-mentioned Koranic verses, they have all the ammunition they need to

justify their own radical ideas and methods of engaging in " the Cause of Allah " .

In conclusion, if any of the above information and Koranic references are taught

to young Muslims in such places as the thousands of madarsas (Islamic schools)

in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and other places; and say that the 880 million

fellow citizens of India, or others elsewhere in the world, are but kafirs and

infidels who deserve or are ultimately going to be thrown into the hellfire; and

that their primary allegiance is not to the country of their residence but to

the State of Islam; and that the Koran justifies them to engage in Jihad against

all non-Muslims; then their spiritual well-being, along with the peace of the

world and the safety of anyone else, and the existence of any religion outside

Islam, is in jeopardy. This is what must be recognized.

 

For this reason it may behoove Muslims to remove the teachings in the Koran that

are often interpreted as hateful by Westerners and toward Westerners, or are

used by Muslims as the basis of hatred and resentment towards all those who are

not Muslims. Certainly it would provide for a more peaceful world. There must

come a time when it is understood that we are all children of the same God.

There may be differences in the way we recognize and worship God, but this

should be a natural difference in the varying sentiments of respect and

veneration and love for God. It should not be misconstrued that only one way is

indeed the only way. This will keep the world bound in religious dictatorial

views and ambitions, as well as quarrels and wars, without end. This is not the

way God wanted it.

 

The Seeds of Islamic Fundamentalism

Stephen Knapp, September, 2003

 

(Verses were taken from " The Holy Qur'an: Text,

Translation and Commentary " by `Abdullah Yusuf `Ali, published by Amana

Corporation, Brentwood, Maryland, USA, in cooperation with the International

Institute of Islamic Thought (IIIT).