Cardinal Sins

Society Religion & Philosophy
1

Pope’s Apology:

“We forgive and ask forgiveness! We cannot not recognize the betrayals of the Gospel committed by some of our brothers, specially during the second millennium.”

             - Pope John Paul II

Pope delivered the apology yesterday at St. Peters. There’s a big disputation all over the world about whether or not he went far enough. In days to come, this will be debated and analyzed until the cows come home.

What do you think?

I think it is a good start. I think all other religious leaders should also issue similar apologies for crimes committed against humanity with religious blessings.

2

The apology was mainly directed towards the atrocities committed against the jews. Read the article in the newspaper in its entirety. The head jewish Rabi was fumed since the Pope did not specifically mention the holocaust. I do admit that there is 1/2 a line in the article that mentions the word muslims.

The pope later on will also visit the graveyard of the so-called schindler's jews and others that lost their lives in the Holocaust. The news did not say that the pope will also visit other muslim graveyards where the victims were consequences of the atrocities against the muslims by both the catholics and the jews.

I do agree with you that the muslim world also needs to reciprocate, but I think the POPE's apology apprently was directed towards the jews.

Somehow I already know what your rebuttal will be. Aint it cool, how I already know what you will write.

Best regards
Zman

3

Dear Zman,

I don’t know what you presumed my response to be (are you a Najomi?), but here is it anyway:

I have been following the work of Ron Balamuth (grandson of Yechiel Balamuth). The guy is a heavyweight in NY scene. He played a (minor) part in this “apology” proposition.

You are right to say that his apology in essence is directed against the crimes against the Jews. If we look at it from a different standpoint, it is not only crimes against Jews, but also a start in recognizing why there is no place for intolerance in today’s world. If there is some, then it is not sanctioned by the religion, as has been the case for the last 2000 years. In fact, others Catholic Cardinals have taken the lead and issued statements going even deeper than what Pope had imagined. E.g., Francis Arinze, in his sermons asks for forgiveness of sins against women and the unity of human race.

I believe that it is a good start. Others should show compassion in the same spirit. It is no way to suggest that Islam has committed any sins against people of other religions. The truth is that Islam has not. If any sins were ever committed in the Islamic world, they were certainly not endorsed by religion, but by personal motivation or tools for political objectives.

I just thought that it was a very nice gesture by the leader of over a billion people to come out and issue such a statement. It doesn’t makes the sins any less, not does it make the victims feel better, what it does is that it shows the eminence of humanity and of the human race. We all should strive for that in our lives.

I hope that this is what you thought my response will be like. If not, lets hear what you think my "real" response was going to be like. Man, you know me better than I know myself.

4

The apology is an expression of growing jewish economic clout in the west. Neither the pope or the born-again christians give a you-know-what for jewish sentiments. The moslems and Islam are being subjugated throughout the western world by Russia, Serbia and India yet when is it that Mr Pope will realize and say something against his fellow christians to stop this aggression? Never perhaps.

5

Muslims should apologize to Indians for destroying and disrespecting their places of worship mistreating them, using force to convert them and kidnapping and raping Indian women.

Following is the historical evidence of treatment of Christians by the followers of Islam

Here are the said conditions in full from the from the treaty of Umar, the second Caliph titled "RIGHTLY-GUIDED" (A.D. 634-44), WITH CHRISTIANS. The said gentleman was a companion of the Prophet himself in this account the Christians write to Umar Accepting his conditions and Agreeing to "PAY THE TAX IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SUPERIORITY." UMAR Makes some changes before ratifying the treaty. Here is the excerpt, including the Alterations, in Full
.

In the name of God, the Merciful and Compassionate. This is a letter to the servant of God, Umar [ibn al-Khattab], Commander of the Faithful, from the Christians. When you came against us, we asked you for safe-conduct (aman) for ourselves, our descendants, our property, and the people of our community, and we undertook the following obligations toward you:
1. We shall not build, in our cities or in their neighborhood, new monasteries, Churches, convents, or monks' cells, nor shall we repair, by day or by night, such of them as fall in ruins or are situated in the quarters of the Muslims.

  1. We shall keep our gates wide open for passersby and travelers. We shall give board and lodging to all Muslims who pass our way for three days.

  2. We shall not give shelter in our churches or in our dwellings to any spy, nor bide him from the Muslims.

  3. We shall not teach the Qur'an to our children.

  4. We shall not manifest our religion publicly nor convert anyone to it. We shall not prevent any of our kin from entering Islam if they wish it.

  5. We shall show respect toward the Muslims, and we shall rise from our seats when they wish to sit.

  6. We shall not seek to resemble the Muslims by imitating any of their garments, the qalansuwa, the turban, footwear, or the parting of the hair. We shall not speak as they do, nor shall we adopt their kunyas.

  7. We shall not mount on saddles, nor shall we gird swords nor bear any kind of arms nor carry them on our- persons.

  8. We shall not engrave Arabic inscriptions on our seals.

  9. We shall not sell fermented drinks.

  10. We shall clip the fronts of our heads.

  11. We shall always dress in the same way wherever we may be, and we shall bind the zunar round our waists

  12. We shall not display our crosses or our books in the roads or markets of the Muslims. We shall use only clappers in our churches very softly. We shall not raise our voices when following our dead. We shall not show lights on any of the roads of the Muslims or in their markets. We shall not bury our dead near the Muslims.

  13. We shall not take slaves who have been allotted to Muslims.

  14. We shall not build houses overtopping the houses of the Muslims. (When I brought the letter to Umar, may God be pleased with him, he added, "We shall not strike a Muslim.") We accept these conditions for ourselves and for the people of our community, and in return we receive safe-conduct.
    If we in any way violate these undertakings for which we ourselves stand surety, we forfeit our covenant [dhimma], and we become liable to the penalties for contumacy and sedition.

Umar ibn al-Khittab replied: Sign what they ask, but add two clauses and impose them in addition to those which they have undertaken. They are: "They shall not buy anyone made prisoner by the Muslims," and "Whoever strikes a Muslim with deliberate intent shall forfeit the protection of this pact."

Excerpted from Al-Turtushi, Siraj al-Muluk

6

Rani....There were positive aspects of Muslim rule as well in India. I don't think anyone needs to apologize to anyone here. We all know what the Portuguese did in Goa, but we can't expect them to apologize ever !! Like someone rightfully mentioned, the pope apologised because the Jews have the economic clout today. Are we even close ?!

7

Call me naive, but I don't think that the pope cares a hoot for economic clout. Could he be that in this instance he is merely doing the right thing?

And although part of his apology was meant to address jews, he also apologized to women and minorities. Have prominent Muslims ever apologized in such a way (and don't tell me we have never done anything to suppress others)? I think that it is a positive step, because he is reflecting on history and tradition, rather than blindly accepting it.
Zara

8

RANI : Where did india pop into this discussion. Rani, give it a rest, I really dont give a rats-a$$ about India. I would love it if you dont have anything to write or say so zip it.

NYA : You surprised me NYA, your reply was logical and decent and to top it off you did not take any pot shots at me - WOW. I've gotto admit, I was starting to play mind games with you. I agree with you at a very general / aesthetic sense, a good idea in theory.

The Holocaust, admittedly a heart wrenching historical event. Ever since the event the jews have been wanting apologies after apologies for that one event. On the other hand atrocities have been committeed against the muslims in all parts of the world, but no one really cares and no one is keeping count.
The only difference is that the jews are a tight community with economic power while the muslim nations who have power dont share or leverage it for other muslims all around the world. Once we(muslims) unite, then there will be no one to oppose us and I assure you we will get apologies times 100 for every wrong committed against muslims in the world.

9

Even though the Crusades and the forced conversions had “Catholic” backing and other historical atrocities committed were blessed by the Pope at the time, but Pope John Paul II has only asked for “forgiveness” for the crimes committed by the “Sons and Daughters” of the Catholic faith. He has not asked for “forgiveness” of the crimes “committed by the Church" itself. There is a distinct difference.

I don’t look at the Papa only as a leader of Catholic Church, but he also is a very shrewd Politician. He was a major player to speed up the demise of Communism, and more recently an opponent of out of control Capitalism. Although he is aged and is not in such a good health, but his mind is as healthy as they come. I like him as a Person, but I have lots of problems with the views of the Catholic faith.

If I were to complain about this apology thing, I will say that Pope did not go far enough apologize to women for Church’s opposition to abortion and birth control, discrimination against homosexuals, women in the priesthood, just to mention a few.

But I also think that this is a very bold step that he has taken and it was long overdue and it paves the way for future Popes to go even further to bridge the gaps.

Like Zara, I also believe that “Jewish” influence has very little to do with his apology, it does play very “minor” role. People forget that “Catholics” have bigger Economic and Political clout than Jews.

10

Zman

I would love it if you dont have anything to write or say so zip it. <<

I don't care what you love so give it a rest.
You should read the History of Indian subcontinent. Muslim invaders and also the rulers committed lot of autrocites toward Indians including women and children. In Northern India all the Hindu Temples were demolished and in there place Masjids were build using the material from dimolished Temples, most of the time the idol was buried in the middle of the door so that the followers of Islam can step on it.

In my opinion apologizing to others benefits the people who are apologizing more then the group they apologize to. It starts the healing process and forces the group (religious or political) to re-examine their behavior, usually as result of soul search the whole group becomes more tolerant toward each other. Groups that never indulge in soul searching or reflection fall on the way side . In the end only wise and strong people can recognize the wrong doing and apologize.

[This message has been edited by Rani (edited March 15, 2000).]

11

My mother has been keeping a file of large-scale apologies by world leaders since the early 90s. Several have included apologies to Muslims. You could see this as a sign of movement toward worldwide reconciliation between religions and nations. Sorry it's in bold, that's the way she typed it up for me.

1992/
-POPE APOLOGISED FOR CHURCH'S COMPLICITY IN THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE
-500 YEARS AFTER THE EXPULSION OF THE JEWS FROM SPAIN, HIS MAJESTY JUAN CARLOS, THE KING OF SPAIN AND HIS WIFE, QUEEN SOPHIA, PAID AN OFFICIAL VISIT TO BET YACOV SYNAGOGUE IN MADRID. HE ASKED FOR RECONCILIATION AND PRAISED THE COUNTRIES WHICH TOOK IN THE SEPHARDIM WHO HAD BEEN EXPELLED.

1993/
-US CONGRESS APOLOGISED FOR OVERTHROW OF HAWAIIAN MONARCHY IN 1893
-NELSON MANDELA FOR ATROCITIES COMMITTED BY THE AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS

1994/
-ON THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE WARSAW REBELLION THE GERMAN PRESIDENT, ROMAN HERZOG, ASKS THE POLES FOR FORGIVENESS

1995/ Fiftieth Anniversary of End of World War II
-PRESIDENT CLINTON FOR THE SECRET RADIATION TESTS PERFORMED DURING THE COLD WAR
-US SOUTHERN BAPTISTS APOLOGIZE TO BLACKS FOR CONDONING SLAVERY AND RACISM
-POPE PAUL II ASKS FOR FORGIVENESS FOR WARS AGAINST PROTESTANTS DURING THE COUNTER-REFORMATION
-GROUP OF PROTESTANT CHRISTIANS PLANS TO MEET IN EUROPE IN 1996 TO EXPRESS REMORSE FOR SLAUGHTER OF MUSLIMS AND JEWS DURING CRUSADES
-JAPAN'S PRIME MINISTER MURAYAMA GIVES 'HEARTFELT APOLOGY' FOR SUFFERING CAUSED BY JAPAN DURING WORLD WAR II, BOTH AT HOME AND ABROAD, INCLUDING THAT OF THE 300,OO0 KOREAN 'COMFORT WOMEN'.
-FRENCH PREMIER JACQUES CHIRAC WANTS TO ATONE FOR VICHY GOVERNMENT'S SIN OF HELPING THE NAZIS DEPORT THE FRENCH JEWS
-BORIS YELTSIN APOLOGISED FOR THE SOVIET ARMY'S MASSACRE OF 15,000 POLISH OFFICERS

1996/

-ON AUGUST 21, 1996, F. W. DE KLERK, SOUTH AFRICA'S LAST WHITE PRESIDENT, PUBLICLY REPENTED FOR APARTHEID. HE PRESENTED ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU AND THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION WITH A REPORT ON FIVE DECADES OF HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES
-FOREIGN MINISTERS OF GERMANY AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC WORKED ON
RECONCILIATION; NAZIS ANNEXED CZECHOSLOVAKIA IN 1938 AND CAUSED THE DEATHS OF 250,000 CZECHS, MOST OF THEM JEWS
-IN 1945 AND 1945, THE CZECHS RETALIATED BY DRIVING ETHNIC GERMANS ( 3 MILLION SUDETEN GERMANS), RECOGNISABLE BY ARM BANDS THEY HAD TO WEAR, OUT OF THEIR HOMES. THOUSANDS WERE EXECUTED OR DIED ON FORCED MARCHES. A BLANKET AMNESTY WAS PASSED BY THE CZECH GOVERNMENT FOR ANYONE PARTICIPATING. BOTH SIDES EXPRESSED REGRET

1997/
-US PRESIDENT CLINTON ISSUES APOLOGY TO MEN WHO, FOR FORTY YEARS, WERE PART OF A STUDY OF SYPHILIS. THEY DID NOT KNOW THEY WERE GUINEA PIGS BEING DENIED TREATMENT. THIS CAME TO LIGHT IN 1972
-SOUTH AFRICANS SEEK RECONCILIATION WITH THEIR BLACK MAJORITY THROUGH THE ONGOING HEARINGS OF THE 'TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION'.
-A GROUP OF WALLOWA, OREGON, CITIZENS APOLOGIZED TO THE NEZ PERCE INDIANS FOR THE FACT THAT THE US ARMY DROVE THEM OUT OF THE WALLOWA VALLEY, THEIR ANCESTRAL HOMELAND. THEY HAD RESCUED LEWIS AND CLARK FROM STARVATION AND GUIDED THE PIONEERS ON THE OREGON TRAIL. LAND HAS BEEN BOUGHT FOR THEM, AND THEY ARE BEING INVITED BACK
-BRITAIN'S PRIME MINISTER, TONY BLAIR, TO THE IRISH PEOPLE FOR BRITISH
INVOLVEMENT IN IRELAND'S GREAT FAMINE OF 1845-1850.
-BISHOPS IN FRANCE FOR ANTI-JEWISH TRADITION, WHICH CAUSED SILENCE OF THE CHURCH DURING THE HOLOCAUST

1998/
-CANADA FORMALLY APOLOGISES FOR PAST OPRESSION OF ITS NATIVE PEOPLE
-LATVIAN PRESIDENT , DURING VISIT TO ISRAEL, APOLOGISED FOR HIS COUNTRY'SROLE IN THE HOLOCAUST
-JAPAN FOR 35 YEARS (1910-1945) OF COLONIAL EXPLOITATION OF SOUTH KOREA

1999/
-ARMENIANS ARE STILL WAITING FOR AN APOLOGY FROM THE TURKS FOR THE 1915
GENOCIDE OF 1,5 MILLION ARMENIANS
-IN JULY, PRINCE ALBRECHT ZU CASTELL-CASTELL, A DESCENDANT OF ONE OF THE CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS WHO CONQUERED JERUSALEM NEARLY ONE THOUSAND YEARS AGO, AND MASSACRED MUSLIMS AND JEWS IN THE NAME OF GOD, APOLOGISED TO DESCENDANTS OF THE MUSLIM WARRIOR SALADIN, TO ISRAEL'S CHIEF RABBI MEIR ISRAEL LAU AND TO MUFTI IKREMA SABRI, THE TOP MUSLIM CLERIC AND ANYONE IN THE STREETS OF JERUSALEM WHO WOULD LISTEN. HE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY 500 CHRISTIANS FROM EUROPE, THE US AND AUSTRALIA WHO JOINED A RECONCILIATION WALK. THEY TOOK THREE YEARS TO WALK FROM COLOGNE, GERMANY, WHERE THE FIRST CRUSADE WAS LAUNCHED IN 1099, AND FOLLOWED THE PATH OF THE CRUSADERS. THEY HANDED OUT PAMPHLETS WITH APOLOGIES IN HEBREW AND ARABIC
-AUSTRALIA EXPRESSES REGRET FOR YEARS OF MISTREATMENT OF ITS ABORIGINAL POPULATION
-SPANISH PRIESTS, MONKS AND NUNS APOLOGISED FOR THE ROLE THEIR FOREBEARS PLAYED IN THE INQUISITION
-SOUTHERN BAPTISTS APOLOGISE TO HINDUS FOR THE LANGUAGE THEY USED IN A PRAYER GUIDE ABOUT THE HINDU FESTIVAL DIVALI
-MILWAUKEE ARCHBISHOP REMBERT WEAKLAND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT CENTURIES OF CATHOLIC PREACHING HARMED THE JEWS AND MADE THE HOLOCAUST POSSIBLE
-SOUTH KOREANS AND US VETERANS MEET TO TRY TO HEAL WOUNDS LEFT FROM KILLINGS AT NO GUN RI
-ABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY IN TEXAS EXPRESSED REGRET FOR RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, ISSUED A FORMAL APOLOGY AND ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS

2000/
-POPE CELEBRATES A PARDON MASS. ADMITS RESPONSIBLITY WITH REGARD TO THE HOLOCAUST, THE INQUISITION, THE CRUSADES, AND ACTS AGAINST OTHER CHRISTIANS IN WARS OF RELIGION IN THE COURSE OF 20 CENTURIES. HE INCLUDED WRONGS COMMITTED AGAINST WOMEN AND MINORITIES

Zara, and Zara's mom

12

Doesn't anyone have any thoughts on these apologies? I had thought that we could discuss this stuff a little more! Do you think that such statements are helpful? Do they promote reconciliation? Do Muslims have anything that we could apologize for?

Zara

13

Holocaust/ cardinal sin/ apology/ act of contrition/ bla bla bla/ rata tata ta...

This is all hum-buck, absolutely garbage.

1) Firstly, in this cascade of confessions, it should be noted that Hitler was not a Christian so I don't see any fairness in this genocidal apology on behalf of Christianity. Though he was born and raised in a Catholic family, for somehow, Catholics are not eager to claim Hitler.

Moreover The Jews were NOT persecuted on the basis of their religion but because of their scornful behavior. Like for example they use to buy houses at very low low price by mocking the owner that their house needs so many repair and worth pennies thereby deliberately lowering the value of the property after that they sell the same venue at very high prices by using the same deceitful tactics. Such attitude had become pretty much become intolerant at that time. I think that's why they were treated the same way by every nation.

2) Secondly, it should be vice-versa rather than Pope kneeling down in front of Jews. In the first place, the derisive Jews should admit and confess and place an apology in front of the world for putting the Jesus on cross and for persecuting his followers.

3) Thirdly, if Pope really have to apologies and feel guilty then he should first look at the present day atrocities by Christians for which the mass graves of Bosnia and Corsova are looking at.

I smell this as a deep conspiracy or something which time will reveal.

......

14

Shoving 6 million people in gas chambers because they wanted “cheap Houses”? Get a life Raajdulara. Hitler’s behavior had nothing to do with him being a Catholic or a Lutheran or of his religious convictions. The reason Pope apologized for the sins of children of the Catholic Church is because Pope Pais stood by, kept his mouth shut and did not issue any condemnation about the atrocities going on at that time. Pope’s apology, however late, is welcomed. It is people like you who are stuck up with your arrogance and everything you could find anti-Semitic or anti Jewish. That is a sad reason for your pathetic existence.

Muslim leadership (if there is such a body) could easily issue apologies to Kurds, to Armenians, to women, and to minority communities in Islamic nations that are systematically being persecuted. All of the wrong deeds may not be sanctioned by the religion, but when authorities keep their mouth shut that is not any different than those acts being blessed by the religion.

15

NYAhmadi,

Thanks, those are the possible apologies that I have thought of, too. Also, Muslims have taken advantag of the fact that the Quran allows slavery under certain circumstances to enslave millions throughout history. They ignored the fact that over and over God asks them to set slaves free. I think Muslims are too quick to see the bad that other nations have done and never look bad at our own deeds.

Rajdulara,
I’m not sure what I can say to someone with attitudes like yours. It’s obvious that your mind is clouded over with prejudice. If you think that the prejudice against jews throughout the world means that this prejudice is justified, then it would follow that the prejudice against Muslims is also justified and correct?

Please see this article published today in the Houston Chronicle detailing what the pope said in Palestine:
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/page1/500524

Here is a quote of what the pope said:

“No one can ignore how the Palestinian people have had to suffer in recent decades,” the pope told a gathering of Palestinian officials at an arrival ceremony at Bethlehem’s heliport. "Your torment is before the eyes of the world. And it has gone on too long.

“The Holy See has always recognized that the Palestinian people have the natural right to a homeland. My predecessors and I have repeatedly proclaimed that there would be no end to the sad conflict in the Holy Land without stable guarantees for the rights of all.”

Is this also humbug, or is it just humbug when such words are spoken on behalf on non-Muslims?

Zara

16

Am I talking about atrocities faced BY the Muslims or FROM the Muslims?

I am sorry, I thought this post is dedicated to confession made by the Pope to the Hebrew Nation only... though a good start to follow his foot steps. But moi only criticizing on his admission of guilt.

If his acknowledgment has a sincere heart, I accept his greatness, but it seems more political than compassionate.

In view of the comments I received, Sir n Madam, glimpse the other side of the picture too, what the Jews have done, and still doing (like filing claims against Mercedes for ill-treated sweat, manipulating swiss-accounts for wagaira wagaira and so on) You think this is absolutely evenhanded? If yea, than every nation owes a touch from the big-cheese. Lets start a surge of apologies and behind-back reach out for our rights.

PS: I am not biased on the bases of ones faith, but mocking innocents is definitely painful. Only the wearer know wear the shoe pinches.

excuse-moi for living

[This message has been edited by r@@jdulara (edited March 24, 2000).]

17

Dear Raajdularay,

You have your views, I see it somewhat differently:

Firstly, let’s talk about Pope’s apology (strictly in Jewish case). In my personal opinion, apologizing achieves shit (or does'nt achieve shit). It doesn’t do any thing. How can one apologize to the dead ones. What is the guaranty that those 6 million dead bodies will accept the apology? But on a human level, I think it is commendable. The real thing that needs to be done is that Vatican should open its archives to public scrutiny to see what involvement, if any, the Catholic Church had in this very tragic part of human history. That will be (to me) a lot more civil deed than a million apologies from this Pope, or even from God.

Second, you mention Lawsuits filed against German industry by Jews. (In my opinion) it is to set the record straight that there will be consequences for “enslaving” workers. There is no way in the hell that one can bring 6 million human beings back to life, but one can make sure that their lives were not lost in vain and those who took advantage of them will pay some sort of retribution. I have known 80 year old holocaust survivors who will donate “Millions of Dollars” to the Holocaust Legal Fund, just to have AIG or VW get on their knees, even to pay them 2 $ a piece, and to kneel on their knees and to ask forgiveness. If you think that they are doing it to get “money”, you, my friend, are misguided. No money in the world can compensate for what had happened. If you have any contact with any Holocaust Survivor, please go and talk to one, and listen to what they have to say. That might make you think.

18

Rani:

Ref: Your post Muslims should apologize (my foot) :)

One Question: GOT PROOF FOR FORCED CONVERSION???

Let me give you a reality check:

Noble Quran 2:256!

002.256
YUSUFALI: Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things.
PICKTHAL: There is no compulsion in religion. The right direction is henceforth distinct from error. And he who rejecteth false deities and believeth in Allah hath grasped a firm handhold which will never break. Allah is Hearer, Knower.
SHAKIR: There is no compulsion in religion; truly the right way has become clearly distinct from error; therefore, whoever disbelieves in the Shaitan and believes in Allah he indeed has laid hold on the firmest handle, which shall not break off, and Allah is Hearing, Knowing.

Fact of a matter is that Indian Hindu should thank to Muslims for civilizing them. Hindu and India owes everything to Muslims. Every landmark in India that you may be proud of has Muslims signatures on it. Get a life.

19

I would recommend reading some non-pakistani books on Indian history. Begin with encyclopedia britanica if that is all availble in ur library.

Every invader makes the same claim. Even British claim white man bringing civilization to India (which included both Hindus and Muslims.)

The fact of the matter was that India accounted for huge part of world gdp and trade in ancient times when agriculture was major economic stuff. Everyone from all parts of world was running to India, kinda US of old times. Even Columbus tried to come to India, ended up elsewhere and none of those who came to this uncivilized India wanted to go back to civilized deserts of Arabia.

20

Slavery:

I can sum up the attitude of Islam towards slavery fourteen centuries ago in a few words. Islam forbade slavery in general and only allowed the form which is still common in our day. Islam tried to abolish slavery in a way that humanity until now could not do anything better. Islam did not abolish it abruptly but in practical, steady and well planned procedures. The reason for these gradual steps are the following. 1. Treating the enemy in the same way in case of war when each side took prisoners and considered them as slaves. Let us now ask who pretend to be supporters of liberation in modern times. What would happen these days if exchanging prisoners of war was not agreed upon among nations? 2. Islam has its own philosophy in treating the affairs which are not basic ones. This philosophy tends to treat things patiently and peacefully until Islam reaches it goal, without making any trouble among its followers. Things like drinking wine, slavery and polygamy were settled gradually, but in the case of important matters, like monotheism and idolatry, Islam dealt with them directly and openly and was very decisive. Now how did Islam abolish slavery indirectly? Islam used two important criteria "narrowing" the input and enlarging the output, that is it blocked the sources of slavery and encouraged the ways of freeing slaves. 1. Narrowing the input or blocking the sources: Before Islam there were various ways of enslavement, such as selling or gambling, kidnapping, paying of a debt, wars, piracy and the class system. Islam abolished all these cases and only one remained. Islam tried also to narrow this source, till slavery was very, very rare. That source is Jihad Jihad was meant to face any aggression by the enemies of Islam and it was a provision that the prisoner was not already Muslim, even if he was on the enemy side. So there was no slavery, but in a justified war - which was a defensive war, the kind of slavery allowed by Islam was also allowed by the civilized nations who agreed to abolish slavery in the 18 th century. These nations allowed taking prisoners of war, keeping them or paying ransoms or fines. It is the same thing done by Islam , 14 centuries ago. Muslims jurisprudents said that if a boy was found and a Christian claimed that the boy was his son, and a Muslim claimed that it was his slave then the judge would give the boy to the Christian man so that the boy would not be a slave even if that would have led to making the boy non-Muslim. Islam also made some conditions to change prisoner-of-war into slaves. One of these conditions is that the Head of the State should decree that the prisoners are to be considered slaves and before that several things could be done. (a) Exchanging prisoners of war between Muslims and their enemies such as the exchange which took place on the banks of the river Lams. After the exchange ransoms were paid if any prisoners were left on either side. (b) Freeing the prisoners of war without any condition or payment of money following the example of the Prophet Muhammad who said: "Visit the sick, feed the hungry and free the prisoners of war". 2. Enlarging the output: Islam viewed slavery as a temporary thing and tried to finish it, so it opened all the doors to free the slaves by: (a) Manumission, which was encouraged by God in the Holy Quran: "But (Man) has made no haste on the path that is steep. And what will explain to you the path that is steep? It is freeing the bondsman (The Quran: Sura XC: Balads 11 - 13.) (b) Manumission was a way to redeem on oath made by a Muslim which he could not fulfill. Or it was an expiration for sins. God says in the Holy Quran "God will not call you to account for what is futile in your oaths. But He will call you to account for your deliberate oaths: for expiration, feed ten indigent persons, on a scale of the average for the food of your families; or clothe them, or give a slave his freedom" (The Quran: The Table 92.) And "If one kills a believer, it is ordained that he should free a believing slave" (The Quran: Women 92) Manumission then was the thing that Islam legislated while it forbade slavery which was considered legal before Islam. It went ahead of the international laws in obliging the state to free prisoners of war and manumit slaves, and encouraged that by individual ways when slaves are owned by their masters. We cannot say here that this work was great or not but we can at least say that it was the only way to free the slaves and that no other nation could do any better yet. (c) Manumission contracts are those made between slaves and their owners by which they could be freed if they paid a certain sum of money or if they worked for a certain period of time for their masters. Some jurisprudents believe that this work is obligatory if a slave asked his owner to do it because in the Quran one reads: "If any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing give them such a deed if you know any good in them" (The Quran: Light XXIV - 33) After this deed a slave has the right to trade or work and the right of ownership and working for his own benefit. So he does not work for his master but works to get the money to pay the installments to his master. Islam also made some part of Zakat to be paid to help slaves get their freedom from their masters. In the Quran we read. "Alms are for the poor and needy, and those employed to administer the funds, for those whose hearts have been recently reconciled to truth, for those in bondage ..." (Quran: Light XXIV - 33)

NOTE: There is a considerable number of Khaleefs who have slave mothers. If one like I can give more details with forensic and empirical reords that ISLAAM ABOLOSHED THE SLAVERY, and how slaves and slaves mother and their children prospered in Islaam being Muslim. Zaratiff please get your facts together. I am not sure that why a low blow always comes from within? may be the ignorance?