Is there anyone here that can highlight the finers points of giving “Respect” in their respective faiths?
I’d like to read what every religion has to say on the subject…Islam, Hindusim, Sikhism, Christianity, Judaism, etc. etc.
read the one below
[This message has been edited by Sherazz (edited October 24, 2000).]
Sherazz,
Thanks for replying.
Can I suggest that you edit your cut and pastes before you submit them. I get headaches trying to follow text that is not formatted properly.....and I give up before I even read it through.
Please.....edit your post so that it flows and is legible.
again for Muzna auntie
This is one example:
The following is a letter to one of his governors by Imam Ali. It speaks volumes about the ways of Divin Rule. It shows how Imam Ali (a) was training the Muslims to behave tolerantly towards other religions, how minority was to be treated and what should those who hold a different creed, expect of a Muslim ruler. ]
After invoking Allah and praising the Holy Prophet (s) be it known to you that villagers and farmers of the provinces under you, complain of your harshness, arrogance and cruelty. They complain that you consider them mean, humble and insignificant and treat them scornfully. I deliberated over their complaint and found that if, on account of their paganism they do not deserve any favourable treatment of extra privileges, they do not deserve to be treated cruelly and harshly either. They are governed by us, they have made certain agreements with us and we are obliged to respect and honour the terms of those agreements. Therefore, be kind to them in future, tolerate them and give them due respect, but at the same time keep your prestige and guard well the position and honour of the authority which you hold. Always govern with a soft but strong hand. Treat them as they individually deserve, kindly or harshly and with respect or with contempt.
i hope u finish it this time auntie ji
Acutally nephew-ji, I finished it the first time…it was so good, couldn’t drop it.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/wink.gif
But I thought I might ask you to fix it cuz there are others that will benefit from it too…
Thank you!
ankh maaray o auntie aankh maaray
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/wink.gif
like the word nephew ji. So what would you like sheeraz to be, your bhanja or bhateeja?
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
How about you sheeraz? What would you like Munza aunti to be? Your khala or phoppe?
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
mein shair to naheen.
And now ladies and gentlemen, we return you to originally scheduled programming......
This is such an important post Muzna, it is part of what defines us as muslims.
“Believers, remain steadfast for Allah bearing witness of justice. Do not allow your hatred for another nation to turn you away from justice. Deal justly, that is closer to true piety.”
(Al-Maaidah 5: 8)
This is a response from a scholar on the question on the type of relations a muslim can have with non-muslims. I hope you find it interesting. For your convenience the article is given below the link.
http://www.understanding-islam.com/rs/s-028.htm
Relations With non-Muslims
I am residing in Dubai in an apartment complex where all my neighbours are either Hindus or christians. Islam emphasises a lot on the rights of neighbours but due to our deep rooted hatered against Hindus specially, we do not understand how to keep any type of a contact with them.
If we totally cut them off then how can they ever know about Islam. Can we go to their place and eat with them etc.
I am sure that you understand my question.
Reply
There is nothing in the directives of Islam that stops us from making friends with people of other religions. We must show respect and kindness towards all mankind. I do agree with you that a friendly contact with people of other religions, whether they be Christians, Jews, Hindus or of any other faith can play a significant role in their understanding of Islam and vice versa. And there is absolutely no doubting the fact that it is primarily the understanding of the other person’s beliefs that makes one interested in considering its strong (as well as weak) points.
The Qur’an has very specifically directed us to act very kindly and nobly with our parents and relatives, with the orphans in the society, with the needy, with our neighbours, with our companions in a journey and with the way-farers (travelers), irrespective of their faith and belief. The Qur’an says:
“And worship Allah and do not associate any thing [as partner] with Him. And act righteously with parents, and also with your relatives and the orphans and the needy and the neighbours who are related to you and [also] the neighbours who are not related to you, and the companions by your side and the travelers…”
(Al-Nisa’ 4: 36)
It must be noted that the Qur’an has directed us to act righteously with all those that have been mentioned in the verse without any qualification of their religion or beliefs.
A number of Muslim scholars hold that the Qur’an has prohibited Muslims from developing friendly relations with the peoples of other religions and therefore we must not have a friendly relationship with Jews, Christians, Hindus or the people of any other religion. The relevant verses of the Qur’an from which this point of view has been derived are:
A’l `imra’n 3: 118;
Al-Nisa’ 4: 144;
Al-Ma’idah 5: 51;
Al-Ma’idah 5: 57; and
Al-Mumtahinah 60: 1
In these verses, the Muslims have been stopped from developing a relationship of trust and reliance with the Jews, Christians and all others who rejected the call of Islam - the Kuffar – or the infidels.
As I see it, the opinion of the Muslim scholars who, on the basis of these verses, prohibit the Muslims from developing friendly relations with peoples of other religions is highly questionable. If you look at all the above verses in their proper context, you shall see that all these verses pertain to those people, whether Jews, Christians or the Polytheists of Arabia, who had come into direct or hidden confrontation with Islam and the Muslims. The Qur’an, in effect, has directed the Muslims that in these circumstances (of confrontation and war), they must not give away their secrets (Bitanah) to these people and must not make them friends, preferring them over the Muslims (min duni’l-mumini’n). Obviously, the directive given in these circumstances cannot be generalized.
In my opinion, therefore, under normal circumstances, there is nothing wrong with making friends and having a comfortable relationship with people of other religions. It is only when this relationship can be harmful for the Muslims, in general, that it has been prohibited.
There is nothing wrong with eating at your friends’ places, provided that whatever is being eaten does not fall under the category of har’am (prohibited) food.
I hope this helps.
Regards.
The Learner
They shoot partypoopers, don’t they?
[This message has been edited by Mr Partypooper (edited October 24, 2000).]
Muzna ji...Among many passages, a very few of the passages in my holy book that pertain to this that I remember are:
Awal allah noor upayeya, qudrat ke sabh banday.
aik noor te sabh jagg uppajeya kaun bhallay kaun manday.
sabh mein joat joat hay soye.
tiss de chanan sabh mein chanan hoye
hum nahi changay bura nahi koye
aik pita aikas ke hum baarak
- MiThatt neewiN Nanaka gunn changeyeaN tatt*
Farida je toon aqal lateef hain, kaalay likh na lekh.
apnaRay girivaan mein sir neewaN kar dekh
Ofcourse being the faulty human being I am, most of the time I don't even remember these words but surely once in a while they do humble me down and encourage me to behave my self.
[This message has been edited by ChannMahi (edited October 24, 2000).]*
Thank you Partypooper and Chann-ji.
Can we read about some other faiths as well please.....
Come on people....I know there is much more.