Disinformation about Islam

Everyone has the right to follow a particular faith and defend it against the opposite beliefs. But one should be honest in analyzing one's own faith and should not twist facts as a means to spread disinformation about other's faith and religions. For truth always stands tall and cannot be hidden from the audience.

Before proceeding further, let me differentiate between disinformation and misinformation: Disinformation is intentionally false or inaccurate information that is spread deliberately. It is an act of deception and false statements to convince someone of untruth. Disinformation should not be confused with misinformation, information that is unintentionally false.

I usually come across many sites maintained by Christians which in order to uphold their viewpoint on Christianity and let down the religion of Islam, take help of out of context verses from the Holy Qur'an with a view to spread disinformation not only in others' mind, but also to mislead their own Christian brethren by feeding them disinformation. Naturally the Christians will not cross check references and will believe for sure that the information given is correct and would thus remain disinformed for their lives, unless someone ventures to find the truth.

And those who find the truth, accept Islam!! 

Let me now insert here referees and disinformation as contained in one of the sites. However it may be borne in mind that the purpose here is not to refute what Bible says or what Christians believe in. The purpose here is to remove any disinformation which being felt from the sites and answer the quires in the light of information contained in the Holy Qur'an. It is up to the reader to find the truth:

Case 1

Christianity: God is One in Three Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Islam: Allah is One; he has no Son. The Holy Spirit does not exist.

Commentary:  Yes, we in Islam firmly believe in oneness of Allah and we denounce the notion that Allah could have a son and also believe that there is no concept of the Holy spirit.  In fact this is the main difference between Islam and Christianity. If this claim is accepted as false, then the whole concept of Christianity would crumble. 

• We Muslims do believe in the extra ordinary circumstances of the birth of Prophet Isa (Christ, peace be upon him). In fact complete chapters (Surah Aal e Imran, Surah Maryam and Surah Nuh) have been dedicated to this effect. I have already deliberated upon the extraordinary birth of Prophet Isa separately which explains in detail our view point.
• When Maryam (Mary, mother of Isa) was asked about the birth of a baby boy when she had not been married, she pointed towards her son who said: [Eesa] said, "Indeed, I am the servant of Allah . He has given me the Scripture and made me a prophet. (Al Quran Surah Noah, 19:30) And He has made me blessed wherever I am and has enjoined upon me prayer and zakah as long as I remain alive. And [made me] dutiful to my mother, and He has not made me a wretched tyrant. (Al Quran Surah Noah, 19:31-32)
• The above is the first answer as to the birth of Christ and acceptance of his being a prophet in his own words.
• As for he being son of God, the Holy Qur'an explicitly explains status of Allah: "Say (O'Muhammad), He is Allah, (the) One (Ahad - In Arabic Ahad means One). Allah, the Absolute.  He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.” [Chapter 112 Sūra al-Ikhlāṣ - The Declaration of Oneness of Allah]
• and if the words of Qur'an were not true, why every year so many Christians revert to Islam - it is because they find the word of Qur'an more convincing and carrying the ultimate truth.

Case 2

Christianity: God loves all people, including Muslims. Allah and God cannot possibly be one and the same.

Islam: Allah hates apostates and blasphemers.  Allah and God are one and the same.

Commentary: From the above said comparison an impression has been given as if Christianity is all love and Islam is region that "hates" and that Allah and God cannot possibly be one and the same thing. Here is my view point as a Muslim:

• Yes Allah is different from the Gods Christian worship. We Muslims believe that Allah is monotheist and so do all religions before Christianity believe so including the Jews. In fact including anyone in the domain of oneness of Allah is a great sin as far Islam is concerned. Thus concept of the Father, son and the Holy Ghost (which constitute God in Christianity) is simply unimaginable for Allah is not a human to have wife and son. 
• Therefore we Muslims believe that God and only He without inclusion of any humans into His Godly domain is our God. Allah is only the Arabic translation of the word God. It may be added that in all Arabic translated Bibles, the word Allah is sued for God.
• Yes in Islam we do renounce apostates and blasphemers, for there cannot be anyone equal to Allah nor can anyone claim to be so. 
• Islam like all religions is a religion of peace and does not in any way propagate violence. The islamophobia is creation of the sick people who have deliberately used Muslims to be become paid mercenaries and to disturb the world peace. No Muslim, except those "conditioned" to to play in hands of the disturbers of world peace, subscribe to the idea of terrorism. 
• The world has started to release that the terrorists like IS and Taliban are but puppets that play the tune of those who want to project Islam as violent and explosive.

Case 3

Christianity: God commands all people to love him and love one another, even their enemies.

Islam: Allah commands Muslims to “Fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah altogether and everywhere; but if they cease, verily Allah sees all that they do.” (Qur’an 8:39)

Commentary: 

• It is interesting to find this comparison. If God commands all people to love him and love one an other, even their enemies - how come there be any enemies among Christian world if this contention is taken as true? The two World Wars were fought between Christians that ended in killing of millions, all Christians. Then why didn't the Christians obey their God?
• Yes Allah commanded Muslims to fight when being oppressed. In the early years of Islam, Muslims in Makkah were oppressed and mocked, but there was no Divine order to fight back. And in the height of oppression, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) decided to migrate to Medina. It was then when the pagans of Makkah came laced with sinews of war that Muslims were allowed to fight back at the Battle of Badr. 
• Even after the Battle of Badr, those infidels who were captured were never harmed and instead were asked to teach Muslims and were then freed. This is how Muslims treat prisoners of war and not like what the Americans did at the Abu Gharib prison, where Muslims were stripped naked and were photographed - even women soldiers posed with them. How unfortunate. Is this the show of love as propagated?
• And this did not mean always to resort to war and killing if the opposing pagans gave in. The capture of Makkah is a classic example of restraint shown on the part of the Muslims when they asked Makkans to lay down their arms and they would be safe. And the world witnessed contingents of Muslims entering city of Makkah without anyone being hurt. In fact it was announced by the Prophet of Allah that anyone who sought refuge in the house of Abu Sufyan (an arch enemy of Muslims) will be safe.
• This is how Islam teaches tolerance, peace and patience.

Case 4

Christianity: All Biblical scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true. Abiding by its unchanging words brings peace of mind and heart.

Islam: Jews and Christians corrupted the Bible by removing verses that foretold Muhammad’s coming and adding verses to establish Jesus’ divinity.

Commentary: The very opener of the Christian view point above accepts that all holy scriptures are inspired by God - the only God. IF God is the originator of all holy scriptures, how can there be anyone else who can be called God too?

• If everyone abides by the teachings of Allah, as called God above, there would never been any disputes. The Jews would not have crucified the Christ and tolerated him as a prophet.
• But instead of targeting Jews for what they did to Christ, the Christians "move forward" to target Islam for Islam denounces the concept of Trinity.
• As for the Muslims' claim that Jes and Christians have corrupted the Bible be removing verses that foretold Prophet Muhammad's coming, this is not absolutely true. In fact we say there are signs which Christians desist to accept, which foretell the coming of a Prophet

There are several citations in the Bible prophesying the coming of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. 

Isaiah 42:4 says, "He will not fail nor be discouraged, till he has established justice in the earth." The Ministry of Jesus, peace be upon him, lasted only three years and at the time of his departure from this world it could not be truthfully said that 'he established justice in the earth'. However, Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, preached for 23 years and most certainly 'established justice in the earth' before he departed from the earth. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that verses 1-13 refer to the coming of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him.

Deuteronomy 18:18 "I will raise for them a Prophet like you (Moses) from among their brethren and will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak unto them, all that I command him."

New Testament: "15. If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another 'comforter' (helper in other versions), that he may abide with you forever." Also John 15:26-27, John 16:5-8 and John 16:12-14. 

Let us analyze the above mentions:

• Christians believe that this is a reference to Jesus, peace be upon him. One important word here is "Prophet". Christians believe Jesus is the son of God not a prophet of God. So if they accept Jesus as a prophet, why then create an innovation and assume him to be son of God? Something very misleading and because of this dichotomy why many Christians accept the Qur'anic version of Jesus being prophet of Allah and absolutely not Allah's son.
• Another important word is "brethren". If it were Jesus the word would have been "children" because Jesus, peace be upon him, came from the children of Isaac. Since Ishmael, peace be upon him, was the brother of Isaac, peace be upon him, the reference is therefore to the children of Prophet Ishmael, peace be upon him, who will be brethren to the children of Isaac, peace be upon him. 
• Again the only Prophet from the brethren of the Jews and the Christians was Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him. 
• The next important phrase is " ... like you (Moses)". Even a cursory comparison will show us that Jesus, peace be upon him, was very unlike Prophet Moses, peace be upon him. Prophet Moses' birth was natural whereas the birth of Jesus was miraculous without a father, to a virgin, peace be upon her. Prophet Moses married and had children, Jesus did not marry and of course did not have any children. The ministry of Jesus, peace be upon him, lasted three years and did not see the laws of God establish in his time. Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, preached the law of God for many decades and saw in his time, the law of God established. Comparing Prophet Moses, peace be upon him, with Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, brings out an amazing similarity. Muhammad's birth was natural, he was married and had children; preached the law of God for 23 years and saw in his own time God's Law established in his land.
• The phrase: "I will put My words in his mouth", takes on great significance because Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, was unlettered; he did not know how to read or write. Normally God would put the message in the Prophet's mind. In this case attention is drawn towards "words" being put into the "mouth". Prophet Muhammad's sayings as well as eye witness accounts describe his receiving the verses of the Holy Qur'an, and his tongue moving with the words being put in his mouth. [Read details of first five verses of Surah Al Alaq - the first verses ever revealed to Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him]

Case 5

Christianity: Jesus said, “Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7:1)

Islam: Allah gives Muslims the ability and authority to judge between men. (Qur’an 4:105; 5:49)

Commentary:

• Now this is simply absurd. The above verse of Qur'an should have been quoted in full to truly reveal its meaning intended.
• The complete verse reads: "Indeed, We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book in truth so you may judge between the people by that which Allah has shown you. So do not dispute on behalf of the dishonest." [Surah An Nisah 105]
• The matter of the fact is that this verse was raveled for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to decide the case on merit even if it entailed a decision in the favour of a non Muslim.
• The incident involved a person called Tu'mah or Bashir ibn Ubayriq of the Banu Zafar tribe of the Ansar (Muslims of Medina). This man stole an Ansari's coat of mail. While the investigation was in progress, he put the coat of mail in the house of a Jew. Its owner approached the Prophet (peace be on him) and expressed his suspicion about Tu'mah. But Tu'mah, his kinsmen and many of the Banu Zafar colluded to ascribe the guilt to the Jew. When the Jew concerned was asked about the matter he pleaded that he was not guilty. Tu'mah's supporters, on the other hand, waged a vigorous propaganda campaign to save Tu'mah's skin. They argued that the wicked Jew, who had denied the Truth and disbelieved in God and the Prophet (peace be on him), was absolutely untrustworthy, and his statement ought to be rejected outright. 
• It was at this point of decision that this verse was revealed to guide the Prophet (peace be on him) to judge the case on merit and not taking side of His own people. 
• False evidence is given in order to obtain wrong verdicts. The time when this case came up for decision was a time of severe conflict between Islam and unbelief. Had the Prophet (peace be on him) issued a wrong judgment on the basis of the evidence before him, it would have provided the opponents of Islam with an effective weapon against the Prophet (peace be on him) as well as against the entire Islamic community, and even Islam itself. They could have spread the word that the Prophet (peace be on him) and his followers were not concerned about right and justice: it would have been claimed that they were guilty of the same prejudice and chauvinism against which they had themselves been preaching. It was specifically to prevent this situation that God intervened in this particular case. 
• In this and the following verse the Muslims were strongly censured for supporting criminals for no other reason than either family or tribal solidarity and were told that they should not allow prejudice to interfere with the principle of equal justice for all. Man's instinctive honesty revolts against the idea of supporting one's own kin even when they are wrong, and denying others their legitimate rights.

Case 6

Christianity: Jews are God’s chosen people. God will never allow them to be destroyed.

Islam: Jews are descendants of apes and pigs. It is a sacred duty of Muslims to convert, enslave or murder every Jew.

Commentary:

• Quoting reference out of context always spreads disinformation. It is no where written in the Holy Qur'an that Jews are the descendants of monkeys and apes. However an incident is quoted through a verse in the Qur'an: “….those who incurred the curse of Allah and His wrath, and those of whom He transformed into monkeys and swine, and those who worshipped Taghoot….”
• In the above verse, there is a mention of people who were cursed by Allah because of the wrong things that they were doing. Being cursed by Allah means being deprived of His mercy. And the punishment is mentioned that they were inflicted with. They were transformed into monkeys and swine. Why were they given this punishment? We read earlier in Surah al-Baqarah, the incident of Sabbath.
• The main business of the Jews was fishery. They were forbidden to be occupied with their business on Saturday that was chosen as their religious day. To test them in their faith, this was also the day when most fish swam in the sea. The Jews couldn't let go of this opportunity. They saw profits. Therefore, in order to take benefit  they would lay their nets on Friday night while being away for their Saturday prayers. They were not physically conducting their business, but mentally they were occupied in something other than worship. 
• For their disobedience, Allah transformed them into monkeys. Monkeys are not actually humans, but they act like them. Similarly, a swine cannot differentiate between his need and lust. He eats everything including its children and its own filth. Thus their reward and punishment is similar to the act performed.
• They were cursed and transformed into monkeys and swine. And what is worst? That they worshiped Taghoot  - that is anything taken as deity other than Allah.
• Hence based on this one incident, the Jews cannot be described as descendants of apes and monkeys.

This is not the end - one can go on and on to list disinformation substance as spread by the Christians to mislead their own people about the truth which they tried to hide with deceit as mentioned above. I hope the explanations would be adequate to open the eyes of those who have wisdom and can differentiate between misinformation and disinformation, for latter is deceit intended to mislead.

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | Compare Christianity with Islam

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Surah Al Mursalat (The Winds Sent Forth - The Emissaries): Summary of 77th Chapter of the Holy Quran

Sūrat al-Mursalāt is one of the earliest surahs revered in Makkah with 50 verses and two rukus and is the last surah of the Chapter / Juz 29.

Sūrat al-Mursalāt is in fact is part of the five surahs, two before it (Surahs Al-Qiyamah and Ad-Dahr) and two following it (Surahs An-Naba and An-Naziat), with the similar theme affirming the Resurrection and Hereafter. There coming together is in fact is to stress upon the disbelievers that the world is their temporary abode and a day shall come when everything will cease to exist and those who denied the Prophet of Allah will come to know the truth he was trying to put across but deliverers mocked him.

The hallmark of this surah is: "Woe on that Day to those that give the lie to the Truth!" - this verse is repeated ten times at various places to tell the deniers that the day shall come which has been denied by them and the truth will be revealed.

Let us now read the segmented English translation of the Surah Al Mursalat and details provided where needed to understand its plain meaning / translation:

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ 

"In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful"

Sūrat al-Mursalāt takes its name of the word "al-Mursalāt" mentioned in the first verse of the surah, which means the winds: The winds that take clouds from one place to another as if working as emissaries of rains that would follow from the clouds blown ahead. Allah Almighty always mentions one of His great creations to show His power to tell the disbelievers about His might and mightiness. 

[1-7] By the (winds) which are sent in succession, which then blow tempestuously, and lift up (the clouds) and scatter them, then split (them) asunder, then infuse (the hearts) with the remembrance (of God), as an excuse or as a warning. That which you are being promised, must happen.

Thus here in the first seven verses, the system of winds has been mentioned to exhibit the power of All-Mighty Allah. Having asserted His power over winds and clouds, the message is given to the disbelievers that the One who created these winds can also bring the world to an end and resurrect what all he had earlier created and perished. So those mocking the Prophet of Allah when He forewarns them of the End Day, should know that they would one day know that what they heard was all true but they were unfortunate not to have listened to Allah's commandments and promise that He made while they were living under falsehood.

The pagans of Makkah when heard of the Day of Resurrections, exclaimed with extreme surprise, as people of earlier prophets had when they were warned of the severe consequences of the constantly disbelieving the commandments of Allah. And would often ask the Prophet of Allah as to when the End Day would come,both as a scorn and contempt. Thus in verses 8-15 Allah pains the picture of the day when the wordily life will come to an end and the light of stars and suns will fade away:

[8-15] Then, when the stars become dim and the heaven is rent asunder, and the mountains are thrashed into dust, and the time of the Messengers' appointment comes (that Day it shall happen). For what day has all this been deferred? For the Day of Decision. And what do you know what the Day of Decision is? Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)!

In the verse 11 above a few words about the Messengers' appointment:  At several places in the Quran it has been stated that when the case of mankind will be presented before Allah on the Day of Resurrection, the Messenger of every nation will be called upon to testify that he had conveyed Allah’s messages intact to his people. This will be Allah’s first and major argument against the culprits and the wicked people to prove that they were themselves responsible for their wrong attitude and conduct in life, for there had been no negligence on the part of Allah to show guidance and administer warnings .

Having painted the End Day picture, Allah tell the disbelievers that did not they know that people before them were destroyed for disobedience and that those who denied the Divine words and still shirk away the warnings will be taken to task.

[16-19] Did We not destroy the former peoples? Then We shall follow them up with those of latter day. Thus do We deal with the culprits. Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)!

This is an argument from history for the Hereafter, It means: Consider your own history in the world. Whichever nations denied the Hereafter and took this worldly life to be real life and based their moral attitude on the results appearing here regarding them as the criterion of good and evil, ultimately went to their doom without exception. This is a proof of the fact that the Hereafter is a reality overlooking and ignoring which causes the same kind of harm to a person which is caused when he chooses to close his eyes to the hard facts of life.” [4]

In verses 20-24 Allah tell the disbelievers how He had made them from the dirtiest of water and kept them safe in the womb of the mother and nourished them for almost nine months before they were born. The words "qadar im-malum" does not only mean that the term is appointed and fixed but contain the sense that it is known to Allah alone. About child, no one knows by any means how many months, days, hours, minutes and seconds it will remain in the mothers womb and what will be its exact and precise time of birth. Allah alone has fixed a specific term for every child and He alone knows it.

[20-24] Did We not create you out of a mean fluid, and kept it lodged in a secure place for an appointed term? Behold! We had power to do this, as We are excellent Possessors of power! Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)!

The 24th verse above is an express argument for the possibility of the life-after-death What is meant to be said is: When We had the power to shape and develop you into a perfect and complete man from an insignificant sperm-drop, how shall We be helpless to re-create you in some other way? Our this creation in consequence of which you exist as a living being, is a proof that We are excellent Possessors of power; We cannot be so helpless as to be unable to re-create you after having created you in the first instance. [4]

And yet again those not bringing faith on His bounties are asked that hadn't the world been made comfortable for their living, provided them countless things to eat, water to drink and still they don't find truth in all that has been surrounding them?

[25-28] Have We not made the earth a receptacle, both for the living and for the dead, and set in it high mountains, and given you sweet water to drink? Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)!

In verses 29-34, after giving proofs of the coming of the Hereafter, now it is being stated how the deniers will be dealt with when it has actually taken place. The disbelievers will be asked to walk towards hell which they used to deny. Here by shadow which has "three branches" it meant that when a big smoke arises it is divided into several parts at the top. That is, each spark will be like a castle, and when these huge sparks will rise and burst and fly about in all directions it will seem as though they were yellow camels running and jumping about ceaselessly.

[29-34] Go off now to the same that you used to deny. Go off to the shadow which has three branches. It neither gives coolness nor shelter from the flame of Fire. The Fire shall throw off sparks as huge as castles as though they were yellow camels. Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)!

That is, each spark will be like a castle, and when these huge sparks will rise and burst and fly about in all directions it will seem as though they were yellow camels running and jumping about ceaselessly. 

[35-37] That is the Day when they shall neither speak nor be given leave to offer excuses. Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth!)

The verses 35-37 explain the ultimate state of the deniers at the time they will be entering Hell. Before this in the plain of Resurrection they will be offering all sorts of excuses, blaming others for their errors and proving their own selves to be innocent, abusing their leaders and guides who led them astray; so much so that some of them will even disown their crimes shamelessly, as has been stated at several places in the Quran. But when their being criminals will have been established by every kind of evidence, and when their own hands and feet and limbs will have borne witness against them to prove their guilt fully, and when after fulfilling all requirements of justice rightly and truly, the sentence will be passed on them, they will be dumbfounded and no room will be left for them to offer any excuse. To refuse an opportunity or permission to offer an excuse, does not mean that judgment will be passed against them without giving them a chance for self defense, but it means that their guilt and crime will be proved to the fullest and they will not be able to offer any excuse after it. [4]

Verses 38-40 is a reminder to those who used every kind of deception and trick in self-interest. And warned that on the day when Allah will hold His court they will be asked, "Now, if you have any trick to escape My punishment, you may use it to defeat Me and My plan." 

[38-40] This is the Day of Decision. We have gathered both you and those who had gone before you together. Now, if you have a trick, use it against Me.  Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)!

While those who did not believe and will rot in hell, there tidings for those who affirmed their faith in whatever had been brought forth to them and endeavored to improve their Hereafter, and abstained from the evils of disbelief and thought, and acknowledged that that a day would come when they would be rewarded for they being on the righteous path:

[41-45] The righteous are today amidst shades and springs, and whatever fruits they desire (they shall have). "Eat and drink with relish as a reward for the deeds you have been doing." Thus do We recompense the doers of good. Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)!

But for those who prefer to enjoy the worldly charms and leisures  and did not bow down in gratitude for whatever had been blessed on them, they on the day will be losers and most condemned. Bowing down in fact means submission in gratitude which those denying the End Day refused to do. A similar warning has also been given in Surah Luqman: “We let them enjoy for a little while, then in the end We shall oblige them to (enter) a great torment” (31:24).

[46-50] "Eat and enjoy yourselves for a while. Indeed, you are culprits." Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)! When it is said to them: "Bow down (before Allah) they do not bow down." Woe on that Day to the deniers (of Truth)! Now, what message can there be after this (Qur'an) in which they will believe?

The losers are therefor been warned, like before and even after this: "Enjoy your short-lived worldly pleasure as you may, but your end will ultimately be disastrous." The discourse concludes with the assertion that the one who fails to obtain guidance from Book like the Qur'an, can have no ether source in the world to afford him Guidance.

The message is thus very clear: Those who want to enjoy the leisures and pleasures of this world, will have a rotting end in the hereafter. But those who endure hardships but remain steadfast in their faith in Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will be rewarded with never ending eternal rewards and blessings

We must have faith that Qur’an is the last Book of Allah explaining its message and wisdom most eloquently and its arguments are most convincing. Those do not believe in the last of the Holy Books, then for which word are they waiting? This is to express disappointment in them, the deniers, the discoverers and those trying to find faults with words of Allah for the justification of their own faith the foundations of which are constructed on deceit and ill will. 

You may now like to listen to Arabic recitation of Surah Al Mursalat with English subtitles:

You may refer to our post "114 Chapters (Sūrahs) of the Holy Qur'an" for translation, meaning and summary of other chapters (Though not complete but building up from 30th Part backwards for chapters in 30th Part are shorter and easier to understand). 

References: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs of the Holy Qur'an from authentic souses and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. However, the exegesis of the chapters of the Holy Quran are basically based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi. In addition the references of  other sources which have been explored have also been given above. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. 

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Finding the Ultimate Truth - A Born Atheist finds in Islam

Most of the Muslims or for that matter that of any religion are born with the religion of their parents, myself included in the long list too, and generally do not strive to learn more about our faith of birth. But lately I started wondering what makes it for followers of other faiths to "revert" to Islam. And it was this aim in my mind, I started this blog of mine to know "The Ultimate Decision" of such people leaving their religion of birth behind and entering into the fold of Islam.

I came across many sites, mostly by the Christians, condemning Islam and lamenting that Islam coerces Christians to embrace Islam. I will someday quote some of these sites, which have tried to spread disinformation about Islam by quoting out of context verses of the Holy Qur'an to support their view point - I am amazed at such efforts wherein even the translation of the verses of the Qur'an have been twisted to make a point.

Sometime back, I shared the embracing of Islam by an Atheist who was earlier a born Catholic, which clearly shows that when a born Catholic could not find an answer to his questions in Bible, he chose to be become an Atheist for it did not require of him bondage with any religion. But even after denouncing everything and disbelieving in the existence of God or gods, many atheists find their answers in Islam. [1]

Today I am once again sharing the self confession of an atheist who was born to a Catholic family, but his parents raised him as an atheist for they too did not felt satisfied what Christians believed in.

I came across this video on Facebook and was amazed to listen to this young man's confession of how he has been wondering around in search of truth and how finally found his answers in Islam. This man from Australia looks visibly enlightened and one can understand the glow on his face for he was able to find the truth.

The last portion of the video is really very revealing and motivating. He says that having made the decision to revert to Islam, he wanted God to show him some sign that would be his final push to Islam. He said he sat in a candle lit room, and repeatedly asking for a sign - but was disappointed to find none. And then in desperation when he turned over the next page of Qur'an, there it was: The sign he was waiting for. I wont tell what was the sign, for it will spoil the spell with which one listens to his self confession.

Watch the video below of journey from Atheism to Islam in his own words:

I wish those finding truth and find faults in Islam, see this video and find out for themselves how to reach the truth - not by misguidance but striving to find the truth where it is contained: The Holy Qur'an and not sites which mislead a person to stop them from leaving their original faith and embrace Islam. May Allah always guide us on the straight path, the path of those who were blessed, and not the path of those upon whom the wrath of Allah fell or those who strayed away from the truth. [ Surah Al Fateha ]

Source | References: | 1 |

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Court rules Insulting Prophet Muhammad not covered by freedom of expression

Freedom of speech and expression are good to air one's inner self so long these do not hurt a person,  a group or a community. It is often seen in the West, however, that this liberty has been misused when it comes to one's personal beliefs, faith and religion. And when it comes to religion, Islam is the most targeted religion around the world. The making of caricatures in France a few years ago, though had a protection of freedom of speech and expression ruling, it did hurt the Muslims all over the world,  but their protests were never registered, for the people of other faiths other than Islam find in convenient to take their inborn revenge against Islam under the protection of this ruling.

However, there has been a breeze of fresh air as a court has recently ruled that Insulting Prophet Muhammad not covered by freedom of expression and it is liable to punishment. And how so true this is as Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is more dearer to the Muslims than even their families. While the Christians and Jews may mock their prophets, the Muslims would never allow this at any cost.

The court ruling came in a case in which an Austrian national identified as Mrs. S. held two seminars in 2009, entitled “Basic Information on Islam,” in which she defamed the Prophet Muhammad’s marriage.

According to a statement released by the court on Thursday, the Vienna Regional Criminal Court found that these statements implied that Muhammad had pedophilic tendencies, and in February 2011 convicted Mrs. S. for disparaging religious doctrines.

A panel of seven-judges of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday, 25th October 2018,  ruled that: "Defaming the Prophet Muhammad “goes beyond the permissible limits of an objective debate" and "could stir up prejudice and put at risk religious peace” and thus exceeds the permissible limits of freedom of expression" and upheld the decision of a lower court decision. [1]

The court’s decision follows common sense and decency, yet will undoubtedly upset many on the far-right and so-called “liberals” that routinely appeal to “free speech” to spread falsehoods and attack disadvantaged minorities—ironically the very objectives for the introduction of free speech laws in the first place. [2]

It may be added that Austria is considered to be one of the most Islamophobic countries in Europe at present. The right-wing coalition came to power by promising to deal with the migrant crisis and stirring up anti-Muslim sentiment. And only in June this year, the chancellor Sebastian Kurz shut down seven mosques and expelled up to 60 imams, invoking the usual racist dog whistles of “parallel societies, political Islam and radicalization”. [2]

Photo | References: | 1 | 2 | 

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Muslims in Non Muslim Countries: Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a small (just 6.7 km2 (2.6 sq mi) British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered in the north by Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Gibraltar and Peninsular Spain in Europe from Morocco and Spain in Africa. The landscape is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar at the foot of which is a densely populated city area, home to over 30,000 people, primarily 

There is a very small population of Muslims living in Gibraltar, but am still sharing this because Gibraltar once assumed a critical importance in the Muslim rise in the Iberian Peninsula including Spain and Portugal.

Gibraltar was once known as Mons Calpe, a name of Phoenician origin and one of the Pillars of Hercules, till the time a strong Muslim army under Tariq Bin Ziyad landed here in 711 And thus this small place became the jumping pad for the rise of Islam in Spain and Portugal.

The Moorish Castle [Photo]

And this historical event changed the name Mons Calpe to its present name. In fact name "Gibraltar" is the Spanish derivation of the Arabic name Jabal Ṭāriq (جبل طارق), meaning "mountain of Ṭāriq." In 1160, the Muslim ruler Almohad Sultan Abd al-Mu'min ordered that a permanent settlement, including a castle, be built. It received the name of Medinat al-Fath (City of the Victory). The Tower of Homage of the Moorish Castle remains standing today.

From 711 ADd onward the city and the rest of Spain and parts of Portugal remained under Muslim domination. But by and by the Muslim rule came to and end and in 1462, Gibraltar was finally captured by Juan Alonso de Guzmán, 1st Duke of Medina Sidonia. Today, Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory, though its possession is often claimed by Spain from whom the territory was given to Great Britain in perpetuity under the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.

According to a 2009 Pew Research Center report, there are 1,000 Muslims in Gibraltar who constitute approximately 4% of the population. 

The majority of Moroccans arrived in Gibraltar after Franco closed the frontier in 1969, taking posts in public services that managed construction, property and service operations around the naval dockyard. Some established a number of interesting retail outlets which still sell Moroccan groceries and or handicrafts. Nowadays the Muslim population form part of Gibraltar’s diverse community. [1]

The Fortifications and some other Moorish architecture are still visible in Gibraltar today. Examples include Moorish baths, a mosque, which later converted into a Christian church, the Kasbah –  an area later called Villa Vieja old English town. Bab el-Granada became known as the Granada Gate, and the port area port which was built by the Moors was known by the Spanish as La Barca, but is believed to have derived from the Arabic word Sinha-Dar El. When the Spanish Castilians finally captured Gibraltar in 1462 the cities Muslim and Jewish cities population surrendered and was finally expelled and replaced by Spanish Christians. The Rock of Gibraltar had remained in Moorish control for over 751 years. [2]

Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque [Photo]

The presence of Muslims is felt in the southernmost mosque in Europe, and one of the largest outside a Muslim country, the Mosque of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques was built on Europa Point – right at the bottom of the peninsula – by King Fahd of Saudi Arabia in 1997 to serve Gibraltar’s one thousand Muslims. Europa Point apparently has views of Morocco, a few miles away across the Strait of Gibraltar, but – thanks to some haze – “not when we were there”. Also called Ibrahim-al-Ibrahim Mosque, it is one of the most beautiful buildings in the territory.

During Ramadan, the doors of the mosque are opened to all communities living in the city to break fast at the time of sunset. This fosters inter communities harmony and understanding of each others' faith and beliefs.

While looking for photos of Gibraltar, I came across photos of monkeys and I wondered why these monkeys are so special to the territory. But then a bit searching the net came as a surprise: These monkeys were introduced by the Moors which is one of the only wild monkey populations in the whole of Europe. There are around 300 of North African descent currently occupy the peninsula.[2]

You may like t watch a video showing the rise and fall of Muslims in the Iberian Peninsula including Spain and Portugal:

Photos | References: | The Moorish Gibraltar (Wikipedia) | Tariq Bin Ziyad | 1 | 2 | 3 |

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Sinead O'Connor takes her Ultimate Decision to Embrace Islam

Everyday when a non Muslim reverts to Islam, the truth contained in the last Divine religion of Islam solidifies and adds yet another fortunate and blessed Muslim into its fold. And when someone form the show business embraces Islam, it adds yet another feather to the religion of Islam as from the pomp and show of the show business, entering Islam is really a hard and big decision that one makes. There have many many such examples in the past when singers at the top of their popularity graph decided to revert to Islam. I remember when my favourite singer Cat Stevens embraced Islam many years ago.

And today is yet another blessed day. When Irish singer Sinead O'Connor's song "Nothing compares 2 You" became a hit in the 1990s, she or other would have never know that the mere name of the song would one day mean to her: Nothing Compares 2 Islam. 

And today this hidden meaning of the song have surfaced to her surprise, though she many not draw a comparison the way I am describing, but Islam has finally become a way of life for the 51 years old singer.

While announcing her "Ultimate decision" to  renounce Catholicism and embrace Islam, Sinead O'Connor says: "This is the natural conclusion of any intelligent theologian’s journey. All scripture study leads to Islam. Which makes all other scriptures redundant.” it may be added that O'Connor had changed her legal name to Magda Davitt last year. But now she has announced that henceforth she would be "Shuhada (which means ' martyrs' in Arabic) Davitt."

Connor's twitter message to her fans [3]

O'Connor was ordained a priest by a fringe Catholic group in 1990s and has been a devout Christian, has finally exhibited the truth that Islam is the way to be blessed, both in this world and in the hereafter. [1]

The revelation came twenty-six years after she made headlines around the world when she ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul the Second during an appearance on the Saturday Night Live show in October, 1992. [2]

In a video that has gone viral on the social media, Sinead O'Connor is seen trying the "adhan" - the Muslim call to pray (done five times a day). The video was captioned with: “Here is my 1st attempt at singing the adhan. I got some pronunciation (sic) wrong because emotions took me from my page… but there’ll be hundreds of others on stage to come …,” she wrote. And her effort is simply beautiful:

However, there has been a strong reaction from some of the Christians who have expressed shock over her decision and have rather condemned Islam "for taking advantage of a person with ill health and prevailing upon her." One person remarked: "Jesus Christ what a racket. She's really lost the plot this time." While another comments: "Notice she is wearing combat cammo," as if to show that with Islam comes militancy into her. And still one remarks: "One can see the insanity in her eyes." The last one I want to share here: "Lindsay Lohan and now Sinead O'Connor... oh noes! The west is losing all it's intellectuals to Islam!!!"

Embracing a new religion has never been easy and it takes real strength, conviction and guts to do it and Sinead O'Connor has done it very boldly and we really commend her. May Allah bless her.

To read personal accounts of many a celebrity who have reverted to Islam, please visit our page: Embracing Islam: Revert Experiences.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo | References: | 1  | 2 | 3 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on Social Media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Holy Qur'an - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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Muslims in Non Muslim Countries: China

China was once considered to be very far away place by the Arabs and that is why once stressing on the need of acquiring education, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said: "Seek knowledge, even if you have to go to China." And Muslims did reach China to enlighten the region with Islam. 

And since 7th century onward, Islam has made inroads to China through maritime and the famous Silk Route. Sa'ad ibn Abi Waqqas, one of the very elevated companion of the Prophet of Allah, is said to have reached China in 616-18 AD, while  Wahab Abu Kabcha reached Canton by sea in 629 CE. Sa`ad ibn Abi Waqqas returned to China from Arabia in 637 by the Yunan-Manipur-Chittagong route, then reached Arabia by sea. However, the Islam finally established in some parts of China in 650 AD upon the third sojourn of Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas, when he was sent as an official envoy to Emperor Gaozong during Caliph Uthman's reign. 

Mosque in Xian, China

Islam then spread and there is a long history of its traversing its journey through various Chinese dynasties. The Japanese seem to have taken a heavy toll of Muslims in China. In 1937, during the Battle of Beiping–Tianjin the Chinese government was notified by Muslim General Ma Bufang of the Ma clique that he was prepared to bring the fight to the Japanese in a telegram message. Immediately after the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, Ma Bufang arranged for a cavalry division under the Muslim General Ma Biao to be sent east to battle the Japanese. Ethnic Turkic Salar Muslims made up the majority of the first cavalry division which was sent by Ma Bufang.

During the Second Sino-Japanese war, the Japanese destroyed 220 mosques and killed countless Hui by April 1941. The Hui Muslim county of Dachang was subjected to slaughter by the Japanese.During the Rape of Nanking the Mosques in Nanjing were flowing with dead bodies after the Japanese slaughters. Japanese smeared Hui Mosques with pork fat, forcing Hui girls to serve as sex slaves and destroyed the cemeteries of the Hui. Many Hui, Turkic Salar, Dongxiang, and Bonan Muslims fought in the war against Japan.

However, the plight of Muslim after Mao's cultural revolution was no better either. During the Cultural Revolution, mosques along with other religious buildings were often defaced, destroyed or closed and copies of the Quran were destroyed along with temples, churches, Buddhist and Daoist monasteries, and cemeteries by the Red Guards.

In 1975, in what would be known as the *Shadian incident, there was a uprising among Hui in what was the only large scale ethnic rebellion during the Cultural Revolution. In crushing the rebellion, the PLA massacred 1,600 Hui with MiG fighter jets used to fire rockets onto the village. Following the fall of the Gang of Four, apologies and reparations were made. During that time, the government also constantly accused Muslims and other religious groups of holding "superstitious beliefs" and promoting "anti-socialist trends". The government began to relax its policies towards Muslims in 1978.

*The Shadian incident was a militarized separatist movement of religious Hui people, who sought to break away from the control of PRC's governance, that occurred in Shadian Town, Gejiu City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China in July 1975, during the Cultural Revolution. It ended with military intervention of the People's Liberation Army.

However, thereafter, there have been concession for the Muslims to show tolerance towards Islam and a large population under the fold of Islam. 

Restriction on religious freedom levied by the government can vary from region to region. In 1989, China banned a book titled "Xing Fengsu" ("Sexual Customs") which insulted Islam and placed its authors under arrest after protests in Lanzhou and Beijing by Chinese Hui Muslims, during which the Chinese police provided protection to the Hui Muslim protestors, and the Chinese government organized public burnings of the book. 

In 2007, anticipating the coming "Year of the Pig" in the Chinese calendar, depictions of pigs were banned from CCTV "to avoid conflicts with muslim minorities". This is believed to refer to China's population of 20 million Muslims (to whom pigs are considered "unclean").

Hui Muslims enjoy such freedoms, practicing their religion, building Mosques at which their children attend, while Uyghurs in Xinjiang experienced strict controls. Since the 1980s Islamic private schools (Sino-Arabic schools) have been supported and permitted by the Chinese government among Muslim areas. However restrictions are placed on Muslims in Xinjiang from allowing schools because of separatist sentiment there.

Hui Muslims employed by the state are allowed to fast during Ramadan unlike Uyghurs in the same positions. The number of Hui going on Hajj is expanding, and Hui women are allowed to wear veils, while Uyghur women are discouraged from wearing them and Uyghurs find it difficult to get passports to go on Hajj.

Uyghurs in Turpan are treated leniently and favourably by China with regards to religious policies, while Kashgar is subjected to controls by the government. In Turpan and Hami, religion is viewed more positively by China than religion in Kashgar and Khotan in southern Xinjiang.

Both Uyghur and Han Communist officials in Turpan turn a blind eye to the law and allow religious Islamic education for Uyghur children.

[Photo]

Muslim population in China was estimated as 20.32 million in 2012. It accounts for about 1.64% of China total population, 20% of Chinese ethnic population and 1.7% of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims. Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is where the most Chinese muslin population settled. With approximately 13.4 million Muslim population in Xinjiang region, its Muslim population accounts for 58.2% of its total population and nearly accounts for half of the muslin population in China. There are over 24000 great mosques in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. [1]

Muslims in China have over the centuries, developed an indigenous Chinese Islamic culture, often synthesizing elements of Chinese culture with their Islamic forms. Mosques in Western China have traditional minarets and other elements of mosque architecture seen in other parts of the world.  However mosques in Eastern China, resemble pagodas, and represent traditional Chinese architecture with its emphasis on symmetry, as can be seen in the header photo above.

The Uighur ethnicity resembles and overlaps with that of its Central Asian neighbours, such as Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and other countries populated with predominantly Turkic peoples. The region is still called East Turkistan by Uighur Muslims. In line with this nationalist imagining, Uighur Muslims also have their own language, Uighur, formerly known as Eastern Turki, which is only spoken by the Uighur inhabitants of Xinjiang and populations in the diaspora. [2]

Many Islamic branches in China have traditionally had links to Sufism. These branches had strong links to their founders and the philosophies and ideas embraced by the founders. Sometimes regarded as saints, these founders were not only spiritual leader, but also political leaders of the followers of the official branches. Followers not only revered these founders while were alive, they were worshiped at grand tombs and shrines built after their death.[4]

A beautiful masjid in Gansu, China [Photo]

A few words about Muslims festivals in China: [4]

Chines Muslims celebrate all major religious festivals of Islam, like fasting in month of Ramadan, and celebrating the two major Muslims fetivals of Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha. In fact the festival of Edi ul Adha is known as Corban.  The word Corban is seems to be derived from the Arabic word "Qurban" which means sacrifice. 

The Eid holidays are generally celebrated with horse racing, sheep snatching and wrestling.

In the "sheep snatching game" a sheep is placed in a designated area. Men on horseback ride to the area and try to grab the sheep, fighting off one another, and carry the sheep to another specified place. After its over the sheep is cooked into "Eating Happiness Mutton" and consumed. [The same game is known as Buz Kushi, played in Afghanistan and Northern Pakistan]

There is a concept of Women only mosques in some places in China.  Muslim schools for women enjoy a long history in China, having first been established during the latter half of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). They developed into women-only mosques, presided over by female imams, during the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). One of the famous Muslim Women only mosque is “Lulan women's mosque built in 1956 by a group of female Muslims who had relocated to Lanzhou from Henan province in central China. 

Celebrating at religious functions and going on Hajj to Makkah is encouraged by the Chinese government, for Uyghur members of the Communist party. In fact when this facility was opened to the Chinese Muslims, they used to come to Pakistan to catch direct flights to Saudi Arabia as there were no flighted then connecting China and Saudi Arabia. This practice continued for many years. 

You may now watch a short video on the life of Uighurs Muslims in China:

Recently there have been reports of suppression of Muslims in the troubled Xinjiang. A United Nations human rights panel has reported that up to one million Uighur Muslims were forced into grounds that resemble massive internment camps in Xinjiang. It has been claimed that up to two million Uighurs and other Muslim minorities were forced into "political camps for indoctrination". [2]

However, China has recently broken silence on the detention centers under mounting international criticism, and has given its most extensive defense yet of its sweeping campaign to detain and indoctrinate Muslims, with a senior official on Tuesday describing its network of camps in the far west as humane job-training centers. The chairman of Xinjiang’s government, Shohrat Zakir, himself an ethnic Uighur, called the camps a “humane” and lawful shield against terrorism in an interview published by China’s official Xinhua news agency. He said the facilities gave Uighurs and other Muslims courses in the Chinese language and taught them to be law-abiding citizens. They also receive training in job skills such as making clothes, e-commerce, hairdressing and cosmetology, Mr. Zakir said. [3]

To know more about life of Muslims in other non Muslim countries, please visit our page: Islam and Life of Muslims in Non Muslim Countries.

You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Quran.

Photo China Flag | References: | (Wikipedia) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook

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