This series in meant to increase openness, understanding, and personal reflection.
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This is a series focused on understanding, on a deeper level, Islam and the Muslim world from a Westerner’s point of view. It’s clear to all who follow news and current events that most of what shows up on the topic of Islam is negative. It’s not hard to find stories about Islamist extremists threatening the West or engaging in abhorrent violence. It’s also not difficult, at least in the West, to find commentators decrying the incompatibility of Islam with modern social and political norms.
But is this the entire story? I think not. There’s more to the overall narrative than just what makes the news, yet we rarely see it. Enter Esma Ali.
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Esma Ali is a Muslim woman born in India and raised primarily in the US. She lives in Southern California and runs a successful real estate business. She is also firmly dedicated to breaking down the barriers of ignorance and mistrust that separate much of the Muslim world and the West. Esma is trained in conflict resolution and is a member of the following organizations: Mediators Beyond Borders, the US-China Friendship Association, the League of Women Voters, and the Building Bridges Foundation. See more about her at: www.esmaali.com.
She lists on her website a Q&A forum for understanding more deeply–and from a Muslim person’s perspective–Islam. Here is the first installment of the series. More posts to follow on the topic in the coming weeks.
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What is Jihad?
Jihad means struggle, that one may undergo in trying to bring people towards the message of God. Jihad could be a simple action, such as speaking up against oppression. It may also take the form of reminding people of their Islamic duties and motivating them to conduct their lives according to Islam. Jihad could comprise of removing peer pressure from Muslims, who get ridiculed for praying. Migration could be a form of Jihad to move to a place where one can practice freely.
Example: In the Chinese town of Shin Jiang, Muslims are oppressed and cannot practice their religion. They are watched constantly, especially in Ramadan to test whether or not they are Muslims, by who is eating. Best case scenario, they lose their jobs. Worst case, they may get fined or imprisoned. In either case, they lose their livelihood.
In this case, Jihad may involve organizing peacefully and protesting to the mayor. One may write letters to the editor. If all else fails, then warfare is the final resort. Sitting on one’s ass and doing nothing does not earn respect in the eyes of God. God says fight bravely in the cause of betterment of religious freedom even if there is chance that you may be killed. If you die in such a cause as a martyr, then God promises great reward in Heaven. However, an outright suicide mission will earn one HELL. Suicide is a grave sin. Islam does not permit, condone or promote violence. Just the opposite, it abhors violence and allows it only in self-defense. Engaging in warfare for the control of another’s wealth or resources, such as oil, contradicts the message of Islam. This type of warfare is NOT Jihad.
Jihad in a way is to defend yourself, family and country against any invasion or enemy. The key word here is DEFEND, not to do any pre-emptive attack against helpless civilians.
Why do Muslims hate us Westerners: freedom-loving people?
Muslims’ ‘hatred” of the West is just rhetoric of the Western leaders. We all need to look into reasons how our actions may have caused anger in others. I recommend that people read Failed States by Naom Chomsky. Also, people should listen to news from independent sources like NPR. Jimmy Carter’s book, We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land, describes the plight of the Palestinians, which can drive anyone to desperate measures.
Guess who controls our news? One needs to gain a clear idea of what is really happening around the world. When you watch the news you get a controlled-limited view through colored contact lenses. Try removing the contact lenses: Watch Aljazeera, and other news sources.
Does Islam promote suicide and the killing of others, with the promise of virgins awaiting in Paradise?
Suicide is NOT allowed in Islam, under ANY circumstance. The religion says fight bravely in the cause of Islam, even if there is a chance you may get killed. However, an outright suicide mission, when one knows that he will be killed is totally a repugnant act, forbidden by Islam. Islam condemns Killing of innocent civilians. God promises that all sorts of good things await in Paradise for those who practice righteous deeds and engage in charity. “Promise of Virgins” is a speculation regarding the unknowns of Paradise.
I even heard rumors that there are 72 gorgeous men in heaven, awaiting my arrival!! If that is the case, then Heaven would feel like HELL!! I can hardly handle the ONE gorgeous man that I do have in my life!! (Now, I can’t stop laughing!!!)
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This series in meant to increase openness, understanding, and personal reflection. The goal is not to ignore challenges or change anyone’s mind; rather, the goal is to promote individual decision making based on thoughtful consideration.
Take time. Think through all that you’ve heard, read, and seen. Think about what kind of world you want to live in.
Thank you, Esma, for your courageous efforts to stand for understanding.
Photo credit: Flickr/Alexanyan
If you want to know about Islam, read the qur’an, Hadith (sayings of muhammed), Sunna (deeds of muhammed), as well as muhammed’s life story instead of reading a sanitized version of Islam designed for western consumption! Shari’a law is based on the dictates in the quran, Hadith and Sunna. There are over 130 “offences” punishable by death under shari’a law including adultery, apostasy (leaving Islam), blasphemy, speaking against the prophet muhammed, being gay, being an infidel (non-Muslim), etc. Shari’a family law is also problematic. Females receive half the inheritance of a man, a raped victim needs four male witnesses, a… Read more »
Amy, I appreciate your deep and detailed comment. I truly hope that you don’t perceive anything about the article as an apology or excuse for the acts of violent extremists who use their religious beliefs to carry out barbaric acts of murder. I do genuinely hope that a broader understanding of the myriad interpretations of Islam’s religious texts facilitates a more harmonious relationship between different groups in the West and around the world.
I hope so too, for the sake of less worldwide terrorism as well as more human rights in Islamic countries. There are too many terrorist organizations wreaking havoc around the world whether we are talking about Boko Haram in Nigeria burning marketplaces full of crowds, kidnapping, and murdering boys, men, and girls, or Anser al Sharia in Libya, or Al Shabbaz in Somalia, or the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, or Al Qaida in Yemen and throughout the Middle East, or AQAP, or ISIS in Iraq and Syria, or Hezbollah in Lebanon, or Hamas in the Gaza Strip. They are comprised… Read more »
Amy,
Thank you for your response. I have addressed most of your concerns in the Islam Q/A tab on my website, http://www.esmaali.com
I wonder if you in US see films like this from the UK
http://dbtv.no/4052808939001?dbtvl=1#Londonistan:_Religionskrig_i_Londons_bakgater
“Guess who controls our news?” Good question. I’d be interested in hearing the author’s answer.
ODIrony, I personally don’t spend a lot of time focusing on who literally owns the news from a control perspective. I do think, however, that much of our mainstream news in the US is superficial and sensationalistic in nature, which makes understanding important issues difficult to do. Thanks for the comment.
What is Muslims view ,values and attitudes to the porn that can be found on the internet today?
Is it haram?
Do Muslims watch it as often as non Muslims does?
Hi David
you ignore my question.
Why?
Silke, I apologize for not answering your question. Thankfully, Esma, the expert in Islam, answered it. I was hoping she would. I honestly did not have the answer for you. I hope that her answer helps.
Engaging in Porn or watching it constitutes a sin.
Thank you Esma,I will take a look at your website.
Right now Scandinavians are in shock after two terrorist attacks in Denmark.
I have looked up the drawings of Lars Wilks to see how they can be a cause for death penalty. And I am horrified that Jews are killed simply because they are Jews.
Typo
his name is Lars Vilks
Jews have been treated MUCH better in Muslim lands than in Russia, Poland, Germany and ALL of Europe and other places. Bernard Lewis said that Jews prospered copiously in the Islamic world. Things started changing as of 1946 upon the creation of the state of Israel.
nicely written article. A sincere attempt to reach others .
There are 1.5 billion muslims (followers of islam) around the world ., of different culture , color , race , education back ground , mental capacity , financial situation , security and to actually believe What Allah sent & Prophets practiced are flawed , because not all of us are on same level , is like being … obtuse !
Sorry David, but if we are hearing mostly bad things about Muslims, it is probably because they commit a lot of bad deeds. Islam means “to obey the world of God (Allah)”. It also means that there is no authority other than Allah (Sharia law). Also there is no need for other thinkers/prophets beyond Mohammed so there is no impetus for change and progress. TThennenenennenenneh The