1. Ramadan and Islam:How it relates to our life and the society we live in Few citations from the holy Quran

2. Most of the translations are by Abdullah Yusuf Ali

• A good resource for English translation of the Quran may be found at the site listed below. This site is maintained byThe Center for Religion and Civic Culture at the University of Southern California .

(http://www.usc.edu/schools/college/crcc/engagement/resources/texts/muslim/quran / )

• This site has English translations of each Quranic verse, translated bythree different scholars .

3. 4. What is Ramadan

• O you who believe!Fasting is prescribed to youas it wasprescribed to those before you , that you may(learn) self-restraint

2:183(Sura Bakarah)

• So, The Fasting is not unique to us. It has been prescribed by Allah and observed by others before Islam came to earth.

5. What is Ramadan (contd.)

• ....andeat and drink untilthe white thread becomes distinct to you from the black thread of thedawn .....

2:187(Sura Bakarah)

• (Fast) for a fixed number of days; butif any of you is ill, or on a journey , the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, thefeeding of one that is indigent . But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew.

2:184(Sura Bakarah)

6. This month is important to us for many reasons

• Ramadhanis the (month) in which theQuran was sent down, as a guide to mankind , also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong)....... 2:185(Sura Bakarah)

• We have indeed revealed this (Message) in theNight of Power( - )97:01 (Sura Al Qadr)

• The Night of Power isbetter than a thousand months .

• 97:03(Sura Al Qadr)

• .......... for men and women who give in Charity,for men and women who fast , for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage much in Allah's praise,- for them hasAllah prepared forgiveness and great reward .

• 33:35 ( Sura Al Ahzab)

7. In summary

• The month of Ramadan issupposed to train us(for the next 11 months)how to lead our lifein a way that isacce ptable to God .

• This month teaches us how to bekind, honest, generous, forgiving, humble and sympathetic to everyone, especially to those who are ill or needy .

• Arrogance and violence againstany human beinghas NO place in Islam.It is forbidden .

8. Islam and society: Attitude towards non Muslims

• • We mustbefriendly and respectfulto everyone, regardless of their faith or religion.

• And those who take as protectors others besides Him,- Allah watches over them; andyou are not the disposer of their affairs.

42:6 (Sura Ash-Shura)

9. Force is NOT allowed in establishing faith in Islam

• Let there beno compulsion in religion ...

2:256 (Sura Bakarah)

• Andhad your Lord so willed , all those who live on earth would surely have attained to faith,all of them ;do you then think that you could compel people to believe?

10:99 (Sura Yunus)

• God is telling us here that it is pointless to force someone into a faithIt simply does not work and, therefore, is forbidden.

10. Attitude towards non-Muslims

• We must not harm a non-Muslim person just because he is "not a Muslim. It isforbidden .

• Tell those who believe,toforgivethose who do not look forward to the Days of Allah :It is for Him to recompense(for good or ill) each People according to what they have earned.

• 45:014 (Sura Al Jathia)

11. Islamdoes notsupport violence by any means

• In consequence, We did ordain unto the children of Israel (and all believers who follow) thatif anyone kills a human being unless it be (in punishment) for murder or for spreading damage on earth it shall be as though he had killed all humankind: whereas, if anyonesaves a human life , it shall be as though he hadsavedthe lives of allhumankind .

• 5:32 (Sura Al Maeda)

12. Muslims should never initiate a war

• Muslims shouldnever initiate a war , and even if they are forced into one for theirself-defense , theymust return to peace , whenever it is possible.

• Andif they incline to peace, then incline to itand trust in Allah; surely He is the Hearing, the Knowing.

8:61( Sura Anfal)

13. Then how could we explain the verse that talks about fighting against the non believers? Please be aware! Unfortunately, this verse is frequentlytakenout of contextto promote terrorism in the name of Islam. As we have seen in the previous slides,Islam has no tolerance for violenceagainst mankind. 14. Here is the verse

• Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah does not love the transgressors. 2:190(Sura Al Bakarah)

• And slay them wherever you catch them, andturn them out from where they have Turned you out ; because persecution is worse than slaughter; butdo not fight them at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there ; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith.

• 2:191(Sura Al Bakarah)

• Butif they cease , Allah is forgiving, Most Merciful.

• 2:192(Sura Al Bakarah)

15. You must know thebackgroundof the verse to understand what it is referring to

• The Quran was not a printed textbook, sent by the God from heaven as one single entity.

• Rather, it was a dynamic process of revealing different verses, at different times (over 23 years), in response to the situations the Prophet was facing, while preaching the faith.

• This verse is neither directed, nor applicable, in any way, to the non-Muslims at other times, other than encountered during that particular situation.

16. The background of this verse: The Treaty of Hudaibiyah (http://www.cyberistan.org/islamic/treaty28.html)

• In the sixth year after his migration to Medina, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) decided to perform the Umrah (the pilgrimage).

• 1400 of the companions joined the Prophet for Mecca. He ordered themnot to carry any weapons of war , but allowed a sword, which was customary for the travelers to carry for protection against caravan raids.

• But he wasnot allowed to enter Meccaand perform the Umrah. The Qurayshtried to provokethe Prophets companions to start a battle, but did not succeed.

• After a prolong deliberation, they reached an agreement which is known as theTreaty of Hudaibiyah.

17. The Treaty of Hudaibiyah (contd.)

• The terms of the treaty were somewhathumiliatingto the Prophet. It included paragraphs like this:

• Both parties have agreed to lay down the burden of war for10 years .

• TheMuslims shall return this yearwithout performing Umrah (the pilgrimage).

• If a Quraysh person comes to Muhammad (i.e., after accepting Islam) without the permission of his guardian,Muhammad shall return him to them , but if one of the Muhammads people come to the Quraysh,he shall not be returned .

18. A:MakkahB:Medina (210 miles) 19. Bird's eye view from the sky Makkah Medina 20. Look at the rough terrain along the journey from Medina to Makkah. Imagine yourself riding on a camel for 210 miles in scorching heat! 21. The Treaty of Hudaibiyah (contd.)

• Despite the inclusion of these humiliating clauses, the Prophet accepted it andreturned to Medinawith his 1400 companions that year.

• The following year , the Prophet and his companions were preparing to come to Mecca again for the Pilgrimage. But hiscompanions were doubtful about the complianceof the Quryash people of Mecca with the treaty.

• They wanted to knowwhat to do if, the terms of the treaty were violated:if they werenot allowed to enter this yearandwere attacked by them , as fighting and killing is forbidden during pilgrimage.

• This verse was revealed at that time by Allah aboutwhat to dothis time,if the terms of the treaty were violated and they were attacked.

22. Now compare these two verses .....if anyone kills a human being unless it be (in punishment) for murder or for spreading damage on earth it shall be as though he had killed all humankind: whereas, if anyone saves a human life, it shall be as though he had saved the lives of all humankind . 5:32 (Sura Al Maeda) Clearly, the verse above on the left over-rides anything else, unless you have to fight "to protect yourself if you are attacked first".Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not transgress limits; for Allah does not love the transgressors. 2:190 And slay them wherever you catch them, andturn them out from where they have Turned you out ; because persecution is worse than slaughter; butdo not fight them at the Sacred Mosque, unless they (first) fight you there ; but if they fight you, slay them. Such is the reward of those who suppress faith. 2:191 Butif they cease , Allah is forgiving, Most Merciful. 2:192(Sura Al Bakarah) 23. Only God has the powerto judge a person, not us

• O you who believe!Do not let some men among you laugh at others : Itmay bethatthe (latter) are better than the (former) : Nor let some women laugh at others: It may be that the (latter are better than the (former):Neither defame, nor be sarcastic to each other, nor call each other by (offensive) nicknames :

• 49:11(Sura Al Hujrat)

24. We are NOT allowed to suspect each other or attempt to find their faults

• O you who believe!Avoid suspicionas much (as possible): becausesuspicion is a sinin some cases: Anddo not spy on each other behind their backs . Would any of you like toeat the flesh of his dead brother ? No, you would abhor it...But fear Allah: For Allah is relenting, Most Merciful.

• 49:12(Sura Al Hujrat)

25. We should repel the evil with good deeds: Rewards for having Patience

• And a requital for a wrong-doing is equal to it, butwhoever forgives and makes peace(with the other), his reward rests with God; Verily,He does not lovethetransgressors(those who go beyond the limits set by God)

• 42:40 (Sura Ash Shura)

26. We must know our limits

• And if you have to respond to an attack,respondonly to the extentof the attack leveled against you ; but to bear yourselves withpatience is indeed far betterfor those who are patient in adversity.

• 16:126 (Sura An Nahl)

• Surely Allah is with those whorestrain themselves , and those who do good.

• 16:128 (Sura An Nahl)

27. If we have enough patience, the enemy may become a friend!

• And it may well be thatGod will bring about affection between you and those whom you are facing now as enemies , and God is All-Powerful, and God is Much-Forgiving, Mercy-Giving.

• 60:7 (Sura Al Mumtahina)

• But good and evil cannot be equal,repel (evil) with what is better, and so the one between whom and yourself was enmity, (may then become) as though he would be a close friend.And no one will be granted such goodness except those who exercise patience and self-restraint.

• 41:34-35 (Sura Al Fussilat)

28. In the end, only God has the sole authority to judge what is right and what is wrong

• If any one does a righteous deed, it ensures to the benefit of his own soul; if he does evil, it works against (his own soul).In the end, you all will be brought back to your Lord .

• 045:015(Sura Al Jathya)

29. What do we learn from today's presentation

• Fasting in Ramadan was prescribed to us by God topurify our souls .

• We must have respect forevery human life , regardless of their faith/religion.

• Violence has no place in Islam. Wemust notinitiate a war or promote violence in any form,against anyone .

• Destroying any human life is considered by God as a sin; as bad as destroying the whole mankind.

• God is merciful, and He also prefers that we alsoforgive others .

• No one has the right to force someone into any faith or religion. Everyoneisfree to chosewhich faith they want to belong. In the end,God will decidewhat is acceptable to Him, Not us.

30. Thank You!