I was browsing through “howstuffworks.com” and searched for “Islam”. On this page, they quote references about Jews and Christians in the Quran:
"…
O you who believe! Take not the Jews and the Christians for friends. They are friends of each other. And whoever amongst you takes them for friends he indeed is one of them. Surely Allah does not guide the unjust people. [5:51]
But the message is also an ambiguous one, as seen in the comparison of the following verse with the previous ones:
Surely those who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good, they have their reward from their Lord, and there is no fear for them, nor shall they grieve. [2:62]"
Okay, what got me confused was the first and second verse. Dont the two verses contradict each other? I mean, the first one says not be friends with Jews and Christain, that they are unjust and you would become one of them, once becomng friends with them. Bad people. The second one says that these same people will get their reward, and they will need not to grieve or have fear. Good people.
What exactly does this mean? and how is this to be followed?
There are verses that have to deal with specific events or for specific times. many people may argue that all verses are timeless but that is not the case. One can take guidance from verses to see what is said and based on what context, at what time, under what circumstances and for which events. I would suggest that you read the sectiosn before the verses and maybe look at a book of tafsir which describes when were these verses said, and what was the political, military, social situation at that time, and what events were going on.
There is no contradicition. Qur'an claims to be a book with no discrepancies or contradicitons hence whenever there appears to be one, it's in the interepretation.
A quick look at the Arabic in 5:51. The word used is "Auliya", which means 'helper, guardian, protector etc.'. It will be a very loose interpretation if it's translated as 'friend'.
And yet further, I believe I have read that Muslims are told that amongst Christian's they will find soulmates or something like that. I suppose it would be those that do not attempt to convert Muslims and respect, instead of try to change them.
the verse which says that muslims shud not take AWLIYA (which means as PA has tranlated, protectors, not merely friends) was revealed at a time when muslims in Madina were surrounded by the pagan arabs and there were conspiracies from among the jews of Madina against the Muslims....
muslims were ordered not to take these jews and christians of Madina as protectors or helpers in the war, for fear that they might turn against them and help the pagans against the muslims....
i hope u understand....
Islam is a religion of peace, it teaches love for all (except where it wud be really wrong to love)....
Armughal, that explanation is the best and most logical I have heard to date. Thank you for it. One should still be wary of the non-Muslim world from your Islamic perspective, though.
Why the difference between the Medina and Mecca Phase. Are the people named in the letter valid. The reason I ask is because a lot of people arguing against Islam always bring up this difference between the commands in the earlier Mecca times and the later more strict Medina times.
I have been asking around and not only on this site, but no one seems to want give a serious answer.
As far as I can tell, verses in the later Medina period are a lot harsher towards the christians and the jews. So I am also confused about what is Islam’s views on christians and jews. I do know that at present, atleast in the area where I am, most muslims outright hate the jews, and are not willing to let rationality temper their hate. Those who do not and try to make a distinction between individuals are definately in the minority. Christians are not hated but there is not much respect either. I am sorry if people are offended, but it is the truth as I see it.
Hopefully, someone has a better insight and knowledge than I do.
Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the **Jews and Pagans; 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
Ok, so the Christians who are not worldy or arrogant and have a devotion to learning were considered as nearer amongst them in love to the believers. The wording is important. What of Muslims who are worldly, arrogant and intentionally ignorant?
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by TOMASSO: *
Ok, so the Christians who are not worldy or arrogant and have a devotion to learning were considered as nearer amongst them in love to the believers. The wording is important. What of Muslims who are worldly, arrogant and intentionally ignorant?
[/QUOTE]
They are earning demerits everyday for their actions, arrogance and intentional ignorance. humility, respect and education are very important in the religion..those who are not following that are not fulfilling their obligations and will be answerable for their deeds.
I watched with great interest the INSA conference broadcast in the States on Cspan over the weekend. I really appreciate Muslim intellectuals. Great talent there. I would like to see more of this.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by armughal: *
**Quran: Surah 5, verse 82*
Strongest among men in enmity to the believers wilt thou find the **Jews and Pagans; 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
[/QUOTE]
also statements refelcts the period . whoever stronger is accepted.
no mention of chinese and indians .
i think it is unwise to make a blanket wriiten statement and pre-judge
the whole gropup of people an earn potential enemies.
hinduism not created to oppose the christianity islam or other religen.
it was just there before these religens. but jewish islam and christianity
is mutually excluisve. technicallly only one prophet can be true out of the three or two?
LOL!
Tomasso, I hope you don’t think I am a Hindu hater for saying that.
Anyway, what I say might or might not be correct. I was told they fall under that category (mushrik).
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by rvikz: *
hinduism not created to oppose the christianity islam or other religen.
it was just there before these religens. but jewish islam and christianity
is mutually excluisve. technicallly only one prophet can be true out of the three or two?
[/QUOTE]
We believe Prophet Ibrahim (as), Prophet Musa (as), Prophet Ismail (as), Prophet Ishaq (as), Prophet Yaacob (as), Prophet Yusuf (as), Prophet Esa (as) and the Last Prophet Muhammad (saw). Actually there are 124K Messenger. We believe in all of them.
What we have now is The Latest version of the religion Al-Islam. The message has always been same since the first Prophet Adam (as). Over the year it started taking different shape and version. When that happened Allah swt out of mercy sent Prophet to bring people back to decency and the Ideal way of life.
It would seem to me that Islam does have a negative view towards polytheism and Hinduism would appear to be the most extreme example of this. But I have also read a Muslim state that at one time, the religion of "India" was more in line with a correct concept of the spiritual. Fascinating.
hindus do believe in One Supreme God and as i remmeber a scholar state that one of the hindu scriptures states "God is only one"....
so we can assume, reasonably, that hindus would have at a time believed in only One God but with the passage of time other idols were set up and worshiped beside Him....
just as the christians have associated Jesus and Mary with God, hindus might have associated some other noble or fictional characters....