Human Relations Human Relations in Islamin Islam

Dr. Ishaq ZahidDr. Ishaq ZahidMarch 08, 2009March 08, 2009

Unitarian ChurchUnitarian Church

OutlineOutline

PreamblePreamble The Prophet (pbuh) with Jews and The Prophet (pbuh) with Jews and

ChristiansChristians Selections from Quran and HadithSelections from Quran and Hadith * Our World Today!* Our World Today! Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks Q/AQ/A

American MuslimsAmerican Muslims

6 million 6 million (The New York Times, (The New York Times, Feb. 21, 1989)Feb. 21, 1989)

About 40% Afro-AmericanAbout 40% Afro-American Not all Muslims are Arabs, Not Not all Muslims are Arabs, Not

all Arabs are Muslims all Arabs are Muslims

The Message of the The Message of the ProphetsProphets There is no god, but God.There is no god, but God.(Allah is the Arabic name for God)(Allah is the Arabic name for God)

Worship and obey God as taught Worship and obey God as taught by His Messengersby His Messengers

……and that is Islam!and that is Islam!

One Nation Under One Nation Under GodGod

“ “Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Mankind was one single nation, and God sent Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and Messengers with glad tidings and warnings; and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed; between people in matters wherein they differed; but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs but the People of the Book, after the clear Signs came to them, did not differ among themselves, came to them, did not differ among themselves, except through selfish contumacy. God by His except through selfish contumacy. God by His Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, Grace Guided the believers to the Truth, concerning that wherein they differed. For God concerning that wherein they differed. For God guided whom He will to a path that is straight.”guided whom He will to a path that is straight.” (The Quran, 2:213 )(The Quran, 2:213 )

Abraham Builds K’abaAbraham Builds K’aba

Abraham’s Prayer, Abraham’s Prayer, God’s Response God’s Response And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make And remember Abraham said: "My Lord, make

this (Mecca) a City of Peace, and feed its this (Mecca) a City of Peace, and feed its people with fruits,-such of them as believe in people with fruits,-such of them as believe in God and the Last Day." God and the Last Day."

He (God) said: He (God) said: "(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while "(Yea), and such as reject Faith,-for a while

will I grant them their pleasurewill I grant them their pleasure, but will soon , but will soon drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil drive them to the torment of Fire,- an evil destination (indeed)!" (Quran, 2.126)destination (indeed)!" (Quran, 2.126)

No Compulsion in No Compulsion in Religion Religion Let there be no compulsion in religion: Let there be no compulsion in religion:

Truth stands out clear from Error: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in God whoever rejects evil and believes in God has grasped the most trustworthy hand-has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And God hears hold, that never breaks. And God hears and knows all things. (and knows all things. (Quran, 2.256Quran, 2.256))

Respect for others’ Respect for others’ beliefsbeliefs

Islam forbids its followers (Muslims) to Islam forbids its followers (Muslims) to insult anything that is viewed as a deity insult anything that is viewed as a deity by any religion, regardless of what that by any religion, regardless of what that is.is.

Safeguarding Houses Safeguarding Houses of Worshipof Worship

022.039 To those against whom war is made, permission 022.039 To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and is given (to fight), because they are wronged;- and verily, God is most powerful for their aid;-verily, God is most powerful for their aid;-

022.040 (They are) those who have been expelled from 022.040 (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is God". that they say, "our Lord is God". Did not God check Did not God check one set of people by means of another, there would one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of God is commemorated in abundant name of God is commemorated in abundant measure.measure. God will certainly aid those who aid his God will certainly aid those who aid his (cause);- for verily God is full of Strength, Exalted in (cause);- for verily God is full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).Might, (able to enforce His Will).

The Prophet The Prophet and a Christian Kingand a Christian King

King Negus of Ethopia King Negus of Ethopia gives Protection to gives Protection to migrated Muslimsmigrated Muslims

First Muslim-Christian First Muslim-Christian Governmental InteractionGovernmental Interaction

The Prophet & The Prophet & the Jews of Madinah the Jews of Madinah A miraculous escape of the Prophet from A miraculous escape of the Prophet from

a murder plot and migration to Madinah. a murder plot and migration to Madinah. A great event in the history of Islam.A great event in the history of Islam.

He signs a peace treaty with the Jews of He signs a peace treaty with the Jews of MadinahMadinah

The Jews of Bani ‘Awf are one community with The Jews of Bani ‘Awf are one community with the believers. The Jews will profess their the believers. The Jews will profess their religion, and the Muslims theirs. religion, and the Muslims theirs.

The Jews shall be responsible for their The Jews shall be responsible for their expenditure, and the Muslims for theirs. expenditure, and the Muslims for theirs.

If attacked by a third party, each shall come to If attacked by a third party, each shall come to the assistance of the other. the assistance of the other.

Each party shall hold counsel with the other. Each party shall hold counsel with the other. Mutual relation shall be founded on Mutual relation shall be founded on righteousness; sin is totally excluded. righteousness; sin is totally excluded.

Neither shall commit sins to the prejudice of the Neither shall commit sins to the prejudice of the other. other.

The wronged party shall be aided. The wronged party shall be aided.

The Jews shall contribute to the cost of war so long as The Jews shall contribute to the cost of war so long as they are fighting alongside the believers. they are fighting alongside the believers.

Madinah shall remain sacred and inviolable for all that Madinah shall remain sacred and inviolable for all that join this treaty. join this treaty.

Should any disagreement arise between the Should any disagreement arise between the signatories to this treaty, then Allâh, the All-High and signatories to this treaty, then Allâh, the All-High and His Messenger shall settle the dispute. His Messenger shall settle the dispute.

The signatories to this treaty shall boycott Quraish The signatories to this treaty shall boycott Quraish commercially; they shall also abstain from extending commercially; they shall also abstain from extending any support to them. any support to them.

Each shall contribute to defending Madinah, in case of Each shall contribute to defending Madinah, in case of a foreign attack, in its respective area. a foreign attack, in its respective area.

This treaty shall not hinder either party from seeking This treaty shall not hinder either party from seeking lawful revenge. lawful revenge.

The Prophet and the MonksThe Prophet and the Monks The Prophet sent a message to the monks of The Prophet sent a message to the monks of

Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai:Saint Catherine in Mount Sinai: "This is a message written by Muhammad "This is a message written by Muhammad

ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, far and near, we are adopt Christianity, far and near, we are behind them. behind them.

Verily, I defend them by myself, the servants, Verily, I defend them by myself, the servants, the helpers, and my followers, because the helpers, and my followers, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases hold out against anything that displeases them. No compulsion is to be on them. them. No compulsion is to be on them.

… … Letter for the MonksLetter for the Monks

No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet.

Verily, they (Christians) are my allies and have my Verily, they (Christians) are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. secure charter against all that they hate.

If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, this is not If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, this is not to take place without her own wish. She is not to be to take place without her own wish. She is not to be prevented from going to her church to pray. prevented from going to her church to pray.

No one of the nation is to disobey this covenant till the No one of the nation is to disobey this covenant till the Day of Judgment and the end of the world."Day of Judgment and the end of the world."

The Prophet and the The Prophet and the Christians of NajranChristians of Najran

A Christian delegation from the city of A Christian delegation from the city of Najran, South Arabia, came to visit the Najran, South Arabia, came to visit the Prophet in Madinah. During the visit, the Prophet in Madinah. During the visit, the Christians prayed in the Mosque of the Christians prayed in the Mosque of the Prophet, the second holiest mosque of Prophet, the second holiest mosque of Islam! Islam!

Selections From Quran Selections From Quran and Hadithand Hadith

The Holy Quran contains 23 Years of Revelations (610 The Holy Quran contains 23 Years of Revelations (610 - 632 C.E.)- 632 C.E.)

Original intact as given by the Prophet in ArabicOriginal intact as given by the Prophet in Arabic 114 Chapters: Most Chapters contain Multiple 114 Chapters: Most Chapters contain Multiple

RevelationsRevelations Chapter names are based on a word in the ChapterChapter names are based on a word in the Chapter Historic Context matters: Quran was a living, dynamic, Historic Context matters: Quran was a living, dynamic,

in-time guidance for the Prophet and his community.in-time guidance for the Prophet and his community. Basic principles are clear.Basic principles are clear. Others should be understood in the light of Hadith and Others should be understood in the light of Hadith and

the 23 years of Historythe 23 years of History

Sunnah and HadithSunnah and Hadith

Approvals, disapprovals of the Approvals, disapprovals of the ProphetProphet

Compiled in separate books, Compiled in separate books, known as Hadith books, after the known as Hadith books, after the death of the Prophetdeath of the Prophet

Classified from authentic to false.Classified from authentic to false.

Respect For ParentsRespect For Parents

The Qur'an elevates kindness to parents The Qur'an elevates kindness to parents (especially mothers) to a status second only (especially mothers) to a status second only to the worship of Allah. to the worship of Allah.

“ “Your Lord has decreed that you worship Your Lord has decreed that you worship none but Him and that you be kind to none but Him and that you be kind to parents. Whether one or both of them attain parents. Whether one or both of them attain old age in your life, say not to them a word old age in your life, say not to them a word of contempt nor repel them, but address of contempt nor repel them, but address them in terms of honor.” (Qur'an 17:23) them in terms of honor.” (Qur'an 17:23)

Human Equality in Human Equality in IslamIslam

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:"No Arab has any superiority over a non-"No Arab has any superiority over a non-

Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab. Nor does a superiority over an Arab. Nor does a white man have any superiority over a white man have any superiority over a black man, or the black man any black man, or the black man any superiority over the white man. You are superiority over the white man. You are all the children of Adam, and Adam was all the children of Adam, and Adam was created from clay."created from clay."

Justice in IslamJustice in Islam

"Do not let your hatred of a people incite "Do not let your hatred of a people incite you to aggression."you to aggression." (Quran 5:2) (Quran 5:2)

"And do not let ill-will towards any folk "And do not let ill-will towards any folk incite you so that you swerve from incite you so that you swerve from dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to dealing justly. Be just; that is nearest to heedfulness."heedfulness." (Quran 5:8) (Quran 5:8)

Be Just, even if …Be Just, even if …

Oh you who believe, stand up firmly for Oh you who believe, stand up firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even if it be justice, as witnesses to God, even if it be against yourselves, or your parents, or against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be against rich or your kin, and whether it be against rich or poor; for God can best protect both. Do poor; for God can best protect both. Do not follow any passion, lest you not be not follow any passion, lest you not be just. And if you distort or decline to do just. And if you distort or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do.’all that you do.’” (Quran 4:135)” (Quran 4:135)

Repel Evil with Repel Evil with GoodnessGoodness 041.034 Nor can goodness and Evil be 041.034 Nor can goodness and Evil be

equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: equal. Repel (Evil) with what is better: Then will he between whom and thee Then will he between whom and thee was hatred become as it were thy friend was hatred become as it were thy friend and intimate!and intimate!

003.134 Those who spend (freely), 003.134 Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men; for God loves those who do good.for God loves those who do good.

Suicide is a Grave Suicide is a Grave SinSin

O ye who believe! Eat not up your O ye who believe! Eat not up your property among yourselves in property among yourselves in vanities: But let there be amongst vanities: But let there be amongst you traffic and trade by mutual good-you traffic and trade by mutual good-will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: will: Nor kill (or destroy) yourselves: for verily God has been to you Most for verily God has been to you Most Merciful! (Quran, 4:29)Merciful! (Quran, 4:29)

One=AllOne=All

……if any one slew a person - unless it be for if any one slew a person - unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the murder or for spreading mischief in the land - it would be as if he slew the whole land - it would be as if he slew the whole people: and if any one saved a life, it people: and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of the would be as if he saved the life of the whole people….(Quran, 5.32)whole people….(Quran, 5.32)

Quran: Verse 8:12Quran: Verse 8:12

Often misinterpreted Verse by Islam bashers:Often misinterpreted Verse by Islam bashers:Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the Remember thy Lord inspired the angels (with the

message): "I am with you: give firmness to the message): "I am with you: give firmness to the Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of Believers: I will instill terror into the hearts of the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks the Unbelievers: smite ye above their necks and smite all their finger-tips off them." and smite all their finger-tips off them."

(The Quran, 8.12)(The Quran, 8.12)Read for an explanation:Read for an explanation:http://www.islam101.com/terror/verse8_12.htmhttp://www.islam101.com/terror/verse8_12.htm

Quran: Verse 8:61, …Quran: Verse 8:61, …008.061 But if the enemy incline towards peace, do 008.061 But if the enemy incline towards peace, do

thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in God: thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in God: for He is One that hears and knows (all things).for He is One that hears and knows (all things).

060.008 God forbids you not, with regard to those 060.008 God forbids you not, with regard to those who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out who fight you not for (your) Faith nor drive you out of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with of your homes, from dealing kindly and justly with them: for God loves those who are just. them: for God loves those who are just.

060.009 God only forbids you, with regard to those 060.009 God only forbids you, with regard to those who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of who fight you for (your) Faith, and drive you out of your homes, and support (others) in driving you your homes, and support (others) in driving you out, from turning to them (for friendship and out, from turning to them (for friendship and protection). It is such as turn to them (in these protection). It is such as turn to them (in these circumstances), that do wrong.circumstances), that do wrong.

A Few Sayings of the A Few Sayings of the ProphetProphet “ “The Muslim is that one from whose tongue The Muslim is that one from whose tongue

and hand the Muslims are safe.” and hand the Muslims are safe.” And said: And said: ““None amongst you believes (truly) till one likes None amongst you believes (truly) till one likes

for his brother that which he loves for himself.” for his brother that which he loves for himself.” And said: And said: ““He will not enter Paradise, he whose neighbor He will not enter Paradise, he whose neighbor

is not secure from his wrongful conduct.” is not secure from his wrongful conduct.”

““He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him be kind to his neighbor; and he who him be kind to his neighbor; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him show hospitality to his guest; and he who show hospitality to his guest; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him either speak good or remain silent". (Hadith)either speak good or remain silent". (Hadith)

And said: And said: ““He is not a perfect believer, who goes to bed He is not a perfect believer, who goes to bed

full and knows that his neighbor is hungry.” full and knows that his neighbor is hungry.”

And said: And said: ““To remove something harmful from the To remove something harmful from the

road, is charity.” road, is charity.” And said: And said: ““Charity erases sins just as water Charity erases sins just as water

extinguishes fire.”extinguishes fire.”

And said: And said: ““Show mercy to people on earth so that Show mercy to people on earth so that

Allâh will have mercy on you in heaven.” Allâh will have mercy on you in heaven.” And said: And said: ““Try to avert fire even by half a date (in Try to avert fire even by half a date (in

charity) if not by tendering a good word.” charity) if not by tendering a good word.”

Our World Today!Our World Today!

A Word on TerrorismA Word on Terrorism

There are no ISLAMIC TERRORISTS!There are no ISLAMIC TERRORISTS!

(There are a few among a billion Muslims (There are a few among a billion Muslims who are terrorists.)who are terrorists.)

Using “Islam” or “Islamic” associates evil Using “Islam” or “Islamic” associates evil acts to the teachings of Islam. And that is acts to the teachings of Islam. And that is WRONG!WRONG!

Let us STOP associating Islam with evil.Let us STOP associating Islam with evil.

Speak Good or Be Speak Good or Be QuietQuiet The Prophet said: “…He who believes in The Prophet said: “…He who believes in

Allah and the Last Day, let him either Allah and the Last Day, let him either speak good or remain silent". speak good or remain silent".

see no evil, hear no see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evilevil, speak no evil

• Shutdown on bad media, …, Radio Talk Shutdown on bad media, …, Radio Talk Shows,…?Shows,…?

Work together for Work together for Justice and peace for Justice and peace for AllAll

QuestionQuestions and s and AnswersAnswers

Surah Al-FatehahSurah Al-Fatehah(Chapter 1: The Opening)(Chapter 1: The Opening)

1.1. In the name of Allah, Most In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Gracious, Most Merciful.

2.2. Praise be to Allah, the Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds; the worlds;

3.3. Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Most Gracious, Most Merciful;

4.4. Master of the Day of Master of the Day of Judgment. Judgment.

5.5. Thee do we worship, and Thee do we worship, and Thine help we seek. Thine help we seek.

6.6. Show us the straight way, Show us the straight way,

7.7. The way of those on whom The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, those whose (portion) Grace, those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not is not wrath, and who go not astray.astray.