Post by pitbull on Nov 10, 2008 7:13:23 GMT -5
DAILY WISDOM
“Treasures of wickedness profit nothing: but righteousness delivereth from death.” [Proverbs 10:2]
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
FOLLOWERS OF THE BEAST
Revelation 13:1-18
Why would anyone follow the Anti-Christ or Beast?
1. Massive confusion (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12)
2. Mandatory compliance (Revelation 13:15-17; 20:4)
3. Many conveniences (Revelation 13:16-17)
RELIGIOUS AWARENESS
Here's the "skinny" right from the Islamic websites. www.islam-qa.com
Without changing a word, I have copied directly from the Muslim site these questions and answers. Where you see the word "Question" you are seeing the inquiry of a faithful Muslim seeking doctrinal information from his teacher. The teacher writing the "Answer"signs his name under each answer. The bold type contains my words.
("Jihaad," means "Holy War.")
1. Holy War is a "pinacle" of religion and it requires careful preparation and coordination.
Question: Can we really participate in Jihaad when we don't have any khalifa to organise us, or we don't have the strength to fight them? Do we behave like the Prophet (SM) did having patience and trust in Allah (S) before gaining the strength to fight the kuffar?
Answer: Praise be to Allaah.
Jihaad for the sake of Allaah is the pinnacle of Islam, and is one of the principles of the religion. It does not depend on there being an imaam (khaleefah or ruler).[sic] But obviously jihaad requires preparation and organization, and the existence of a leader of the army who can weigh up the pros and cons. This strikes the balance between those who are reckless and pay no attention to the regulations of sharee'ah, and those who neglect this duty and ignore it completely.
It is obligatory to follow the example of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in all his affairs, which includes preparation and equipping oneself.
Shaykh Muhammad Aal 'Abd al-Lateef (www.islam-qa.com)
2. Holy War must be coordinated by a leader. Individual action is scorned as chaotic, but everyone should participate.
Question: Is jihaad considered to be fard 'ayn [obligatory on all individuals] now, when the rights of Muslims have been violated by foreign invasions and in other ways? What is the ruling on those who are not engaged in jihaad, who cannot do anything, but if they were called upon they would respond and fight in jihaad for the sake of Allaah, but they are prevented by the current circumstances of the ummah, such as the lack of rule according to sharee'ah? Please respond, with evidence (daleel).
Answer: Praise be to Allaah.
Jihaad to make the word of Allaah supreme, to protect the religion of Islam, to enable spreading the faith and to protect the things it holds sacred, is an obligation upon everyone who is able to do it. But this necessitates organizing and sending armies, lest it result in chaos leading to bad consequences. So initiating it is one of the tasks of the Muslim ruler, and the 'ulamaa' should encourage it. If jihaad begins and the Muslims are mobilized, then everyone who is able should answer the call, sincerely for the sake of Allaah, hoping for truth to prevail and to protect Islam. Whoever holds back from that when the call has been made, with no valid excuse, is a sinner.
And Allaah is the source of strength. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions, and grant them peace.
Fataawaa al-Lajnah al-Daa'imah, 12/12 (www.islam-qa.com)
3. "Muslims are commanded to kill" "non-Muslims who are at war with the Muslims," but only under leadership.
Question: I've read that in Islam it is a greater sin to kill a Muslim than a non-Muslim. However, on death a Muslim will be in Paradise whereas the non-Muslim will be in Hell. To kill a non-Muslim is to deny them forever the chance of becoming a Muslim, and condemns them to Hell. Is this not then a greater sin?
Answer: Praise be to Allaah.
Killing a non-Muslim when he is a mu'aahid (one of those who have a peace treaty with the Muslims) is a sin, one of the major sins. Al-Bukhaari narrated that 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas (may Allaah be pleased with them both) said: "The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: 'Whoever kills a mu'aahid will not smell the fragrance of Paradise, even though its fragrance may detected from a distance of forty days.'" But with regard to non-Muslims who are at war with the Muslims and do not have a peace treaty with the Muslims or are not living under Muslim rule, then Muslims are commanded to kill them, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"Fight those of the disbelievers who are close to you, and let them find harshness in you" [al-Tawbah 9:123]
But this should be in the case of jihaad under the leadership of one of the leaders of the Muslims, or his deputy.
Shaykh 'Abd al-Kareem al-Khudayr . (www.islam-qa.com)
4. Bonus: This is part of an answer from a very long question from one of four brothers. He complains that marriage has spoiled the brothers' former cordial relationship.
Answer: (in part)... Women have small minds and limited intellects. We are still brothers, and we should not let our wives' differences, jealousy, excessive talk or criticism of one another stir up anything. Our relationship should be the same as it always was, strong and solid, not shaken by the women's storms and waffle. Each and every one of us has to turn his back on his wife's talk and not let her get carried away with criticizing his brothers. He should look at the relationship between her and his brothers' wives as their own personal matter, so that our hearts will be free of rancour towards one another.
I do not say that I am without blame as far as this devilish episode is concerned. I am not a prophet and my wife is not perfect believer. But I promise that I will start with myself in resolving this awful matter and freeing myself from this prison, out of respect towards my father's great age, for he brought us up to love one another so that we would be a good example. So let each one of us promise to start with those of whom he is in charge.
Al-Da'wah magazine, issue # 1752, p. 54
Summary: The people who terrorized us September 11, followed deeply held religious beliefs, under leadership, killing non-Muslims and themselves in hope of the reward of Paradise. Not all Arabs are Muslims, but all Muslims are obligated to kill non-Muslims on command. All Muslims! This set of principles could NOT be said of the Japanese citizens our government imprisoned at the outset of World War II. Because of present-day disdain for Roosevelt's crime against the Japanese, our genuine enemies among the Muslim populace today will NOT be restricted in their movements. Muslim teachers who say the Koran does not promote the killing of non-Muslims are denying the teachings of their own religion. Further, faithful Muslims have a low view of women.
Commentary: So, what should our attitude be toward the millions of Muslims in the U.S.? We should love them as individuals. The Arabs who serve us at convenience markets and who house us in their motels should be viewed as friends, and we should seek to show them the power of the God of Love whom we worship, demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of Biblical scripture. If we fail to dissuade them from following their hateful teachers they can easily turn upon us some day to fulfill the tenants of their hateful religious teachings. Our state and federal governments have recently made hatred illegal. Will they enforce hate crime legislation when it applies to Muslims?
Arabs and Hebrews are both part of the house of Abraham. The Lord Jesus taught, "A house divided against itself cannot stand." What we are seeing today may be the beginning of the fall of this house of Abraham. Many Arabs view the European element within the United States as their hated half brothers. The Arabs are children of Abraham through his servant Hagar. Whereas, Abraham's wife Sarah is the mother of Hebrews. Hatred has existed between the two bloodlines for centuries. That hatred has now manifested itself in sheer terror. The terrorists view their action as a strike by Hagar's children against the children of Sarah.
This terror will escalate unless the leaders of the United States are given a miraculous gift of wisdom.