The Web Link:

http://apostasyandislam.blogspot.com/2007/03/signatories-to-statement-about-islam.html

Apostasy and Islam

" ... Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error ..." [2:256]

This is Islam's unambiguous affirmation of freedom of faith, which also applies to changing of faith. The Qur'an illuminates before the humanity the two highways [90:10], one of which leads to salvation. Islam is an invitation to the highway toward salvation, but it is based on FREEDOM OF CHOICE.

Friday, March 30, 2007

100 Signatories to the Statement about Islam and Apostasy

100+ Signatories to the Statement

We the undersigned Muslims from diverse backgrounds affirm:

The freedom of faith and the freedom of changing one's faith.

In light of the Qur'anic guidance and the Prophetic legacy,

the principle of freedom of faith does not lend itself

to impose in this world any punishment or retribution solely for apostasy;

thus there ought not to be any punishment

in the name of Islam or fatwa calling for the same.

=====================================================
Disclaimer:
The endorsement of the signatories listed here does not
necessarily represent the institution they are affiliated with.

=====================================================

Dr. Omar Afzal
[retired from South Asian Collection, Cornell University; USA]
Dr. Ahrar Ahmad
[Professor of Political Science, Black Hills State University; USA]
Dr. Mohammad Fadel
[Faculty of Law, University of Toronto; Canada]
Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq
[Associate Professor of Economics and Finance, Upper Iowa University; USA]
Dr. Layla al-Marayati
[Muslim Women's League; USA]
Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina
[Professor, University of Virginia; USA]
Mike Mohamed Ghouse
[President, World Muslim Congress; USA]
Dawn Ross
[New Product Launch Planning Manager in the Orthopedic Industry; USA]
Dr. Mohammed Fahmy
[Professor, University of Northern Iowa; and Islamic Center, Waterloo, Iowa; USA]
Dr. Khaleel Mohammed
[Professor, Religious Studies, San Diego State University; USA]
Dr. Badrul Haque
[Economist, and Chair, Board of Trustees The Bangladeshi-American Foundation; USA]
Dr. Salim Rashid
[Professor of Economics, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign; USA]
Nurjahan Ruby Amatulla
[CEO, GNL-USA]
Syed Abdul Hamid
[Head Of Information Technology, an Islamic Bank; Pakistan]
Ris Rizqullah
[Indonesian Society for Islamic Economy; Indonesia]
Mirza A. Beg
[Geologist and columnist; USA]
M. Basheer Ahmed
[M.D., Former Professor of Psychiatry, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas, Texas; USA]
Haseeb Muhammad
[Operations Officer (CAD) at a local Bank and graduate Student at International Islamic University, Islamabad; PAKISTAN]
Ghulam Yusuf
[Retired Director General of Govt. of Pakistan; CANADA]
Dr. Fahim Quadir
[Associate Professor of the Division of Social Science and Graduate Program Director in Development Studies, York University, Toronto; CANADA]
Dr. Thomas Hamza Mohammed Haidon
[International Qur'anic Center, Free Muslim Coalition, Jurisdoctorate, International Law; NEW ZEALAND]
Dr. Najah Kadhim
[Executive Director, International Forum for Islam Dialogue (IFID), London, and a Senior Lecturer-University of Hertfordshire; UK]
Walid Zafar
[Student, International Political Economy, University of Puget Sound; USA]
Sheila Musaji
[Editor, The American Muslim; USA]
Omar Ali, M.D.
[Assistant Professor of Pediatric Endocrinology, Medical College of Wisconsin; USA]
Dr. Radwan Masmoudi
[Founder, member of the Board, and President of the Center of the Study of Islam & Democracy (CSID)]
Dr. Fatima Zohra
[Obstetrician/Gynaecologist; AUSTRALIA]
Dr. M. A. Muqtedar Khan
[Assistant Professor, University of Delaware; Senior Nonresident Fellow, Brookings Institution; Fellow, Alwaleed center, Georgetown University; http://www.ijtihad.orgl/ USA]
Kamal Yassin, M.D.
[Physician; Islamic foundation of Greater St. Louis; USA]
Bahar Bastani, M.D.
[Professor of Medicine - Nephrology, Saint Louis University; USA]
Maqsud Sobhani
[Manager, Customer Service, Paxar; BANGLADESH]
Levent Akbarut
[Aerospace Software Engineering Manager; Islamic Congregation of La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles County, California; USA]
Dr. Miah Muhammad Adel
[Professor, Space Physics, Environmental Physics, Water Sciences, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; USA]
Dr. A. Rashied Omar
[Research Scholar of Islamic Ethics and Peacebuilding, Joan B. Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame; USA]
Na'eem Jeenah
[Coordinator, Masjidul Islam, Johannesburg, South Africa; Ex-President, Muslim Youth Movement of South Africa; MA (Religious Studies); University of the Witwatersrand; SOUTH AFRICA]
Dr. Stephen N. Connolly
[Lecturer in organic chemistry, School of Science & Technology, University of Teesside; UK]
Dr. Mohammad Yusuf Siddiq
[Professor, Dept. of History & Islamic Civilization, Sharjah University; UAE]
Hesham A. Hassaballa, M.D.
[Physician, Author, and Columnist, God, Faith, and a Pen; USA]
Dr. Javed Jamil
[Executive Chairman, International Centre for Applied Islamics, Saharanpur; INDIA]
Dr. Abusaleh Shariff
[Ph. D., Development Economics and Demography, National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi, INDIA]
Dr. Syed Nawab Haider Naqvi
[M.A. (Yale); PhD (Princeton); HEC Distinguished National Professor and Director General, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science and Technology, Islamabad, PAKASITAN]
Dr. Ashraf M. Abbasi
[Chairman, Pakistani American Congress-Council of Presidents; Houston, USA]
Dr. Shafique Pathan
[MBBS, FRSH (England), DCCP; Obesity, Diet Consultant; Bandar West, Mumbai; INDIA]
Zaid Shakur
[Staff Writer, InFocus News; USA]
Dr. Hasan Zillur Rahim
[Freelance writer on Islamic issues, blog: http://reachforsky.blogspot.com/; former Editor of IQRA, magazine of South Bay Islamic Association of San Jose, California; USA]
Faroque Khan, M.B., M.A.C.P
[Chair, Board of Trustees. Islamic Cenmter of Long Island, New York; ex-President, Islamic Medical Association of North America (IMANA): 1986-1988; USA]
T. O. Shanavas, MD
[Pediatrician; Author, "Creation And/Or Evolution: An Islamic Perspective", Xlibris Corporation; USA]
Shahed Amanullah
[MBA, Technology Consulting; Editor-in-chief, altmuslim.com; USA]
Dr. Mohammed Nazrul Islam Khan
[Chemist; Vice-President and Director, FRC Chemical Technology, Inc.; Islamic Society of Cerro Gordo, Mason City, Iowa; USA]
Dr. Asma Afsaruddin
[Associate Professor, Arabic & Islamic Studies, University of Notre Dame, Indiana; USA]
Dr. Aslam Abdullah
[Ph.D, Islamic Studies and Communiations; Director, Islamic Society of Nevada and Editor, Muslim Observer; USA]
Imam Kamara AbdilHaqq Muhammad
[Islamic Teacher and Associate Imam at ADAMS Center of Northern Va.; USA]
Nayyer Zaman Ali, MD
[also, Columnist, Pakistan Link Newspaper; USA]
Dr. Sulayman Nyang
[Professor, African Studies Department, Howard University; USA]
Mrs. Sarwat Husain
[Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, Al-Ittihaad News, San Antonio, Texas; USA]
Dr. Samer Kantakji
PhD in Islamic Accountancy; http://www.kantakji.com/; SYRIA]
Dr. Anisa Abd el Fattah
[Founder and Chairwoman, National Association of Muslim American Women (NAMAW)]
Shaheryar Azhar
[M.B.A; Retired banker (Senior Vice President) from a major bank in New York; Moderator, The Forum, an e-discussion forum; USA]
Aijaz Husain
[Retired civil servant (Specialized field: Economics & social welfare); M.A. (Economics); M.S.W. (McGill); CANADA]
Shah Abdul Hannan
[Chairman, Islamic Economic Research Bureau; former Chairman, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd., former deputy governor, Bangladesh Bank; Author/Scholar; BANGLADESH]
Aderemi Taofiq Adeseun
[Nasfat (Nasrullahi faith society); Pharmacist, Retired Country Manager of Janssen-Cilag in Nigeria; NIGERIA]
Farzana Hassan
[President: Muslim Canadian Congress; Author of "Islam, women and the challenges of Today"; Master from the University of Massachusetts; Currently enrolled in a doctoral program in Educational Leadership; CANADA]
Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad
[President/Director, Minaret of Freedom Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; USA]
M. Saiful Islam
[Senior Programmer Analyst, DST Systems; MBA; Kansas City; USA]
Robert Salaam
[Government Contractor; Host, The American Muslim Blog Radio Show; USA]
Dr. Farid Islam
[Associate Professor, Department of Finance & Economics, Utah Valley State College, Orem, Utah; USA]
Ahmed M. Rehab
[Executive Director, Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Chicago); M.S. Software Engineering; USA]
Dr. Fawzia Afzal-Khan
[Dept of English, Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ; Phd. English Literature, Tufts University, Medford, Mass; USA]
Dr. Jeffrey Lang
[Mathematics Department, University of Kansas; Ph.D. in Mathematics, Purdue University; USA]
Ahmed Bedier
[Executive Director, Tampa Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations and President of the Tampa/Hillsborough Human Rights Council; USA]
Dr. Mohammad A. Auwal
[Professor, Dept. of Communication Studies, California State University, Los Angeles; USA]
Dr. A. F. M. Anwar
[Dean, School of Engineering, University of Connecticut; Electrical Engineering; USA]
Mohammed Abdul Aleem
[CEO, IslamiCity.com; MBA/Management Information Systems; Culver City, CA; USA]
Dr. Amir Hussain
[Department of Theological Studies, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles; PhD in Religious Studies from the University of Toronto; Los Angeles, California, USA]
Dr. Laury Silvers
[Assistant Professor of Religious Studies, Skidmore College, USA]
Dr. M. Kabir Hassan
[Professor of Finance, University of New Orleans; USA]
Dr. Mahdi Tourage
[Book Review Editor, American Journal of Islamic Social Scinces (AJISS); Visiting Assistant Prof. of Islam, Department of Religion, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY; USA]
Professor Mehnaz M. Afridi
[ABD, Antioch University, specialty - Judaism and Islam; Interfaith Activist, Los Angeles, California; USA]
Dr. Ahmet T. Karamustafa
[Professor of History and Religious Studies, Washington University in St. Louis; PhD in Islamic Studies; USA]
Prof. Seval Yildirim
[Assistant Professor, Whittier Law School, California; USA]
Dr. Vernon James Schubel
[Professor, Department of Religious Studies, Kenyon College; Ph.D. History of Religions; USA]
Aslam Rana
[degree in Architecture; Director, Building Inspection Services, City of Dothan, Alabama; USA]
Azhar Azeez
[Member of ISNA executive council; MBA in Marketing; USA]
Jean-Mathieu Potvin
[Lawyer, Doctoral candidate, McGill Institute of Islamic Studies, Montreal; Master of Laws (Islamic Law), SOAS, University of London; CANADA]
Asmaa Ibnouzahir
[Member of Presence Musulmane Montreal; Masters in Nutrition; CANADA]
Enamul Hoque
[Engineer; Master of Science in Electrical Engineering; USA]
Huma Dar
[PhD Candidate, Department of South & South East Asian Studies, University of California at Berkeley; USA]
Dr. Shifa Naeem
[Psychiatrist; FCPS in Psychiatry; Karachi, PAKISTAN]
Dr. Shahjahan Khan
[University of Southern Queensland, PhD in Statistics from Canada; Chief Editor: Journal of Applied Probabiliy and Statistics (USA), and President: Islamic Countries Society of Statistical Sciences (ISOSS), AUSTRALIA]
Dr. Amin U. Sarkar
[Dean & Professor of Economics, College of Business & Technolgy, Black Hills State University, South Dakota, USA; Ph.D. Resource Economics; USA]
Mohammed Ahsan Rial
[CEO, Dishari Management International; BS Engineering, MBA; CANADA]
Dr. Habib Siddiqui
[PhD; Anti-war and peace activist; Columnist and author of books "Islamic Wisdom", "Book of Devotional Stories"; Chairman of the Board of Directors, Bangladesh Expatriate Council, USA]
Dr. Abdullah al-Ahsan
[Professor, Department of History and Civilization, International Islamic University Malaysia; Vice President, JUST; MALAYSIA]
Dr. Mahmood Ahmed
[Ph.D. in Economics; Senior Vice President, Research Planning and Development Division, Islami Bank Bangladesh Limited; BANGLADESH]
Dr. Aslam H. Chowdhury
[PhD in Physics; University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff; Muslim Association of Arkansas; USA]
Garba I. Malumfashi
[Research Student, LL.B., B.L. PhD (on-going), University of Dundee, Scotland, UK]
Dr. Chandra Muzaffar
[Professor of Global Studies, Universiti Sains Malaysia and President, International Movement for a Just World (JUST); PhD in Political Science; MALAYSIA]
Dr. Muhammad Hashim Kamali
[International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilisation, International Islamic University Malaysia; PhD in Islamic and Middle Eastern Law, currently Professorof Islamic law and jurisprudence at IIUM; MALAYSIA]
Dr. Mustafa Kamal Sherwani
[LL.M. (Alig.) LL.D. (Lucknow); Dean, Faculty of Law and Shariah, Zanzibar University,
Mohamed M. Karim
[Sales & Marketing, D.R. Components, an Independent Distributor for Electronic Components for BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Honeywell; BBA/Sales & Marketing; Florida, USA]
Jibril Abdullah
[Laborer/musician; USA]
Lisa Newlin
[DHom (UK), BA (USA - Indiana University), Diploma in Biochemic Therapy (Germany) Homeopath; United Arab Emirates]
Dr. Mohja Kahf
[Associate Professor of Comparative Literature, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas ; USA]
Dr. Salahuddin Ayyub
[PhD, Economics; Research Executive, New Concept Information System Pvt Ltd, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi]
Dr. S.M. Ghazanfar
[PhD, Economics (Washington State University), University of Idaho faculty, 1968-2002]
Carl Julien
[B.A. Graphic Designer, Muslim, USA]

Your name is not on the above list of signatories?
To add your name, please send an email to islambychoice@gmail.com with your name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, and country of residence.

Is the name of the Imam or the Leader
of your community not on the above list?
Ask them if they unequivocally affirm the freedom of faith in Islam, and if they do, encourage/urge them to add their voices by sending an email to islambychoice@gmail.com with their name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, and country of residence.

Posted by MuslimUniverse at 2:10 AM

1 comments:

Shah Abdul Hannan said...

Assalamu Alaikum.

I am one of those persons who were consulted in drafting the Statement about Apostasy.

I was a member of the Editorial Board of Bidhiboddho Islami Ain (Codified Islamic Law) published by Islamic Foundation of Bangladesh. This book is an up-to-date compilation of Hanafi Fiqh. Since it is all too well-known that it is the traditional opinion, including of Hanafi Fiqh, that apostasy is punishable by death, this position is included in that book. Thus, those who are familiar with that book and are aware that I was a member of the editorial board, it might be thought that I also hold the same position on punishment of apostasy as it is stated there.

I want to take this opportunity to clarify that Bidhiboddho Islami Ain, produced and published by Islamic Foundation, Dhaka, is basically a codification of Hanafi views on fiqh. At places it has taken other fiqh views as well. It has also expanded the law where Hanafi or classical fiqh have not elaborated. One can say that it is a modern day Fatwae Alamgiri with a sort of modern system of chapter planning, arranging them section-wise or article-wise. It was not possible for the group of authors ( in fact compilers/editors ) to depart drastically from classical position on any issue. This book is useful as an easy reference of classical position and some new views where the authors agreed.

I have never written in any of my own writings that apostasy is punishable by death. On this issue of punisment of apostasy I hold the same view as that of Dr. Jamal Badawi, Dr. Hashim Kamali, Dr. AbdulHamid AbuSulayman and such scholars. Those who are familiar with my activities have seen how I have forwarded all the articles/interviews of scholars who hold that apostasy has no punishment unless in conjunction with rebellion or violence. This is my view.

Shah Abdul Hannan
Former Chairman, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd

May 6, 2007 4:58 PM

STATEMENT: Muslims Uphold the Freedom of Faith

While affirming Islam as the way to Salvation, Muslims also affirm the Freedom of Faith, because Islam is by CHOICE. Recently, Muslims of diverse background issued a statement upholding the Freedom of Faith.

* The Statement [see the Archive]
* The Signatories [see the Archive]

To add your name to the signatories, send an email to islambychoice@gmail.com with your name, affiliation/occupation, highest degree/field, country of residence.

Islam is by Choice

THOSE WHO WERE CONSULTED IN PREPARING THE STATEMENT [partial list]

[In alphabetical order of the last name]

1. Dr. Asma Afsaruddin [Associate Professor, Arabic & Islamic Studies, University of Notre Dame]

2. Dr. Omar Afzal [retired from South Asian Collection, Cornell University]

3. Dr. Ahrar Ahmad [Professor of Political Science, Black Hills State University]

4. Dr. Imad-ad-Dean Ahmad [President/Director, Minaret of Freedom Institute, Bethesda, Maryland; USA]

5. Dr. Mohammad Fadel [Faculty of Law, University of Toronto]

6. Dr. Mohammad Omar Farooq [Upper Iowa University]

7. Mike Mohamed Ghouse [President, Muslim World Congress]

8. Shah Abdul Hannan [Chairman of Islamic Economic Research Bureau; Director, Islamic Bank Bangladesh Ltd; Bangladesh]

9. Dr. Layla al-Marayati [Muslim Women's League]

10. Dr. Sulayman Nyang [Professor, African Studies Department, Howard University]

11. Dr. Abdulaziz Sachedina [Professor, University of Virginia]

Resources: Apostasy and Freedom of Faith

Newswatch: Apostasy (section under development)

Countries with Apostasy Law

Currently, the following countries in the Muslim World have Apostasy Law:

Afghanistan;
Iran;
Mauritania;
Pakistan;
Qatar;
Saudia Arabia;
Sudan;
Yemen.

Source: Link

Resources: Islam by Choice

Comment/Posting Guidelines

Comments/feedbacks are welcome. Please note that anonymous comments, or postings that resort to abuse or vulgarism are not posted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question #1: Aren't there other scholars who have a different position about punishment of apostasy?

Yes, there are scholars who hold the traditional position of either capital punishment (hadd) or some form of punishment (ta'zir - discretionary) for apostasy. However, as the compilation of 100+ notable voices indicate that the position is tilting away from the traditional position.

Question #2: How can the traditional scholarship be wrong on this for so long?

This is an important question. However, as explained by many contemporary scholars, the traditional position failed to separate the issue of simple apostasy from treason. The real question is that Muslims are supposed to follow the Qur'an and the legacy of the Prophet.

While considering apostasy as a major sin, there is nothing in the Qur'an that suggests or specifies any punishment for simple apostasy (merely changing one's faith) in this world. Also, there is no incontrovertible hadith that informs us that during the time of the Prophet (s), there was any case of simple apostasy where worldly punishment was given.

Instead of asking the question how the traditional scholarship could be wrong for so long, the real question is whether we are supposed to uphold the Qur'an and the legacy of the Prophet. Furthemore, do we as Muslims affirm the freedom of faith, which includes the freedom to change one's faith? That's the crux of the issue.

Question #3: Why does this blog focus only on apostasy? Aren't there other pressing problems?

Yes, there are other pressing problems or issues. However, this is just a focused approach, where resources addressing one particular issue or problem are being presented. Such focused presentations can be helpful for those who want to understand a particular problem or issue.

Furthermore, apostasy issue is related to a fundamental principle of freedom, which is central to Islam and it has many other ramifications. It is also indicative and test of our attitude of tolerance. There is also abuse of this apostasy law or rules. While the issue of apostasy should pertain primarily to those who abandons Islam and publicly avow so, it is undeniable that apostasy law has been also wrongfully directed against even fellow Muslims.

Question #4: Is this a fatwa?

No. Fatwa is issued by competent religious scholars/authorities. This is an initiative to raise our collective awareness at the broader level. However, the 100+ opinions/views presented at this blog also include some specific fatwas, for examples, from Shaikh Mahmuf al-Shaltut [former and late Grand Mufti of al-Azhar], Shaikh Al-Tantawi [Grand Mufti of Al-Azhar], Dr. Sheikh Mohammed Ali Al-Hanooti [Mufti of Greater Washington], and so on.

Question #5: What is the relevance of non-expert/non-scholarly endorsements of this Statement?

We all will stand before Allah for our own accountability. We as Muslims are supposed to understand and know our faith and also take stand on fundamental matters as part of affirming our faith. Indeed, on such matters, where are collective awareness and understanding are at stake, it is vitally important that such broadbased expression of views are on the record for the humanity. On fundamental matters of principles, it cannot be left to a selected or privileged view to exclusively speak for all of us. More importantly, in a world, where there is so much confusion about Islam both among Muslims and non-Muslims, and also with so much prejudicial propaganda against Islam, we must clearly let the world know that we value, cherish and uphold Islam, but Islam that is by choice, as per the sublime values of the Qur'an and the legacy of the Prophet Muhammad (p). The bottom line is that since it is a collective awareness-raising initiative, it requires broader participation from both experts/scholars as well as non-experts/non-scholars.

Qur'anic Verse of the Month [December/2008]

To be a Muslim or Believer is to stand for justice for ALL

"O you who believe! Stand out firmly for justice, as witnesses to God, even as against yourselves, or your parents, or your kin, and whether it be (against) rich or poor: for Allah can best protect both. Follow not the lusts (of your hearts), lest you swerve, and if you distort (justice) or decline to do justice, verily God is well-acquainted with all that you do." [4/an-Nisa/135]

Blog Archive

▼ 2007 (3)
- ▼ March (2)
  - Statement: Muslims Uphold the Freedom of Faith
  - 100 Signatories to the Statement about Islam and A...
- ► April (1)
  - On Apostasy and Islam: 100+ Notable Islamic Voices...

Accountability for Injustice and Wrongful Violence

The Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "God will definitely enforce the settlement of all the dues to those entitled to receive them on the Day of Judgment, even the wrong done to a hornless goat by a horned goat will be addressed." [Sahih Muslim, #6252]

Islam and You

Know Islam
Understand Islam
Experience Islam
Live Islam
Cherish Islam
Enjoy Islam
Share Islam

The Qur'an: Recommended Resources

Must Read Books on Islam

Ka'ba in Makkah

A place of assembly for mankind (an-Nas) and a safe sanctuary [The Qur'an/2:125]

Madinah al-Munawara, the resting place of the Prophet Muhammad (p)

"You have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day" [Al-Qur'an/33:21]

The Mercy and Grace (Rahmah) of God

The Prophet Muhammad said: "There are one hundred (parts of) mercy for Allah and He has sent down out of these one part of mercy upon the jinn and human beings and the insects and it is because of this (one part) that they love one another, show kindness to one another and even the beast treats its young one with affection, and Allah has reserved ninetynine parts of mercy with which He would treat His servants on the Day of Resurrection." [Sahih Muslim, #6631]

More Illustrations of God's Grace flowing through His Creations

The Prophet Muhammad (p) said: "God is Kind and he likes kindness in everything." [Sunan Ibn Majah, #3684]

"Let there be no hostility except against those who practice Zulm (oppression)" [al-Qur'an/2:193]

Peaceful coexistence of the humanity. It can be learnt by all of us.

Qur'anic verse of the Month [May/2007]

Seeking common grounds is an Islamic imperative

"Say: 'O people of the Book! come to common terms as between us and you: that we worship none but God; that we associate no partners with Him; that we erect not, from among ourselves, lords and patrons other than God.' If then they turn back, say: 'Bear witness that we (at least) are Muslims (bowing to God's Will).'" [3/Ale Imran/64]

Qur'anic verse of the Month [April/2007]

Islam is not a new religion that began with the Prophet Muhammad (p)

"The same religion (deen) has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him)." [42/ash-Shura/13]

From God: Nature's Beauty and Bounty

"Who has created the heavens and the earth, and Who sends you down rain from the sky? Yea, with it We cause to grow well-planted orchards full of beauty of delight: it is not in your power to cause the growth of the trees in them. (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Nay, they are a people who swerve from justice." [Al-Qur'an/27:60]

More beauties from God

"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky, and forthwith the earth becomes green? For Allah is He Who understands the finest mysteries, and is well-acquainted (with them)." [al-Qur'an: 22:63]

"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? ... And in the mountains are tracts white and red, of various shades of colour, and black intense in hue." [al-Qur'an/35:27]

More Bounties from God

"See you not that Allah sends down rain from the sky? With it We then bring out produce of various colors" [al-Qur'an/35:27]

POEM: Love - Falling and Flying into Freedom

Jalaluddin Rumi

The way of love is not a subtle argument.
The door there is devastation.
Birds make great sky-
circles of their freedom.
How do they learn it?
They fall, and
falling they’re given wings.

From The Essential Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks with John Moyne, A.J. Arberry, Reynold Nicholson. Castle Books, 1995.

POEM: A New World

Hafiz

Let's offer flowers, pour a cup of libation,
split open the skies and start anew on creation.

If the forces of grief invade our lovers' veins,
cupbearer and I will wash away this temptation.

With rose water we'll mellow crimson wine's bitter cup;
we'll sugar the fire to sweeten smoke's emanation.

Take this fine lyre, musician, strike up a love song;
let's dance, sing all night, go wild in celebration.

As dust, 0 West Wind, let us rise to the Heavens,
floating free in Creator's glow of elation.

If mind desires to return while heart cries to stay,
here's a quarrel for love's deliberation.

Alas, these words and songs go for naught in this land;
come, Hafez, let's create a new generation.

Courtesy: The Spiritual Wisdom of Hafez: Teachings of the Philosopher of Love, by Haleh Pourafzal / Roger Montgomery Amazon.com

POEM: The Choice is Yours

Allamah Muhammad Iqbal

If the kings know not their Sustainer,
they are beggars,
And if the beggars do
they are Darius and Jamshed;
Freedom of the heart is sovereignity;
stomach is death,
The choice is yours;
heart or stomach?

Source: Link

Poem: Forgive Us, O Prophet!

Kazi Nazrul Islam
(translated from Bangla by Mohammad Omar Farooq)

We haven't embraced your message,
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
We have forgotten your ideals
And the path for us that you did set.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

You trampled like dust
Luxury and wealth, O master!*
You never dreamed that
We will be kings or lords of disaster!*

In this world's resource and treasure
Everyone has right of due measure;*
You proclaimed, on this earth,
Equal son's treatment all will get.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

In your religion, toward the unbelievers
You did not direct any hate;*
You served them as your fellows,
For all of them was open your hospitable gate.*

To demolish temples of others anywhere on land,
O valiant, you did not ever command;*
Now even difference in opinion from others
We can't bear or tolerate.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

You did not seek in the name of faith
Meaningless and shameful killing or fight;*
You did not place sword in our hand,
Rather gave us guidance, so noble and upright.*

Ignoring your tolerance and Magnanimity,
We have elevated fanaticism to a warped nobility;*
Is that why, from the heavenly fountain,
Does not flow that mercy, so divine and great?*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

We haven't embraced your message
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*
We have forgotten your ideals
And the path for us that you did set.*
Please forgive us, O Prophet!*

Courtesy: Kazi Nazrul Islam Page

POEM: Bloom Like A Rose

Hakim Sanai

Your heartrending fire
made me bloom like a rose.

I died at your feet
and returned fast to life.

My inborn freedom
offered nothing in profit;
but now I am free,
since becoming your slave.

Courtesy: -- from Love's Alchemy: Poems from the Sufi Tradition, Translated by David Fideler / Translated by Sabrineh Fideler

This Blog is developed and maintained by Team Islam-by-Choice. We are Muslims from a diverse background, who believe in Islam and, as per Islamic principles, uphold the freedom of faith. This blog is dedicated to presenting issues pertaining to freedom in general and apostasy in particular from the Islamic perspective. [April 2007]

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