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| Feras Abdelkhaleq, 04-07-2006 |
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| Palestine has been a source of international debate for almost a century. People are taking various stances in their views towards the problem of Palestine. With the peace negotiations' turning point, we have started hearing a new tune amongst the Arab and Islamic circles which have shown some gradual cession of some the rights which the Muslims have, maybe because of trying to adapt to the winds of the new international wave which is fighting the real Islam in the name of fighting terrorism – bending in front of the wind, as some people like to say. Maybe they were trying to show some of the (tolerance) of Islam by preaching this soft language. Trying to demonstrate the "Tolerance in Islam" is not a problem itself because tolerance is a radical concept in Islam, but the problem emerges when it comes out of defeated spirit and trying to catch up with others on the basis of the fact that the "other" is more "developed and humane" and it's a perfect model even for understanding Islam! This soft rootless language has special vocabulary concerning Palestine like: Two-state solution and violence (instead of Jihad) etc… |
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| My contribution in this subject comes as an insider viewer, because I live in a small town nearby Jenin in the West Bank, in Arabic we say something like "The people of Mecca are better informed of its valleys". |
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| Facts & Questions |
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| Israelis are occupying Palestine and the Golan Heights after expelling the original inhabitants from their lands. Thus Israel is an occupying entity. And finding a solution on the basis of the status quo, the Two-state solution, is something that needs a second thought, a "status quo" which is not acceptable by us. |
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| I would be dishonest with myself if I tried to speak neutral language away from my beliefs. I wouldn't do that.I believe in Islam to be the solution and only solution to creatures' problems. Still, I don't claim to be a spokesman of Islam, but of my own understanding.Having said that… then how can this predicament of Israelis ruling an Islamic land be solved? Is there a sort of compromise that can resolve everything in a magical way? |
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| I believe that the Israelis don't have the right to have a state ruling Palestine, regardless of the status quo which was forced by occupation, massacres, expulsion and colonial abuse of the international laws and, the last but not least, weakness and inner defeat of Muslims. So, what about the Jews who already live in Palestine under the Israeli rule? After liberating Palestine, is Islam going to exterminate Jews, on the way of the crusaders who slaughtered more than 90 000 Muslims in one day after the crusaders had occupied Jerusalem? |
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| Answers: Examples Of Islam |
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| The gifted mercy to humanity, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him), has already answered the previous questions practically. When he entered Mecca victoriously, he declared a general amnesty in Mecca for those who had been fighting him for more than twenty years. The Muslim Kurdish leader Saladin, following in the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) also declared a general amnesty after he had liberated Jerusalem in 1187. He did not take revenge from those who had massacred 90 000 Muslims in one day. Forgiving our enemies comes from Islam: the mercy of God (may His Name be exalted), and that's the mercy which Islam preaches and calls upon. Our beloved examples demonstrated for us with their mercy and tolerance how to deal with our enemies. |
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| As for Jewish and Christian citizens who lived under the Islamic rule, they lived peacefully side by side with Muslims under the rules of "The People of the Book". They were treated fairly like any other Muslim citizens. And if they were ill-treated by some unjust rulers, as in some very few cases, the Muslim citizens themselves were also suffering from those unjust rulers who don't represent Islam. Jewish historians themselves recognize and demonstrate that the golden age of their people was situated geographically and historically in Muslim Spain. Modern democracy of Israel supported by the western colonial states has demonstrated to be a system that subjugates people instead of liberating them, and has proved to be a source of hatred and suffering not only for Muslims, but also for Jews and Christians. |
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| The World On Test |
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| Yet the battle for justice would not cease by a paralyzed United Nations' resolution. The Ordeal of Palestine tests not only the faithful Muslims who are supposed to implement justice on earth, but also the entire humanity. This humanity led by a modern materialistic civilization which went astray from God's merciful way, and gave us horrible results not limited in: two world wars, nuclear daily nightmare which can destroy the earth several times, AIDS, drugs, famine, atmosphere and mind pollution, violence surrounding the human body and soul. The list is long. That all happened and happens when man decides to embrace the loathsome religion of secularism and reconcile with the Devil. |
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| On Being A Weak Creature |
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| The emotional unity which the world lived during the sad tragedy of the Tsunami demonstrates how slight this life is. Our differences and hatreds vanish when we realize the very basic fact, which is that we are very weak creatures who were created by Our Great Merciful God (may His Name be exalted) to worship Him lovingly. The love of God is the essence of worship. Submission to God is His religion and is the way to deal with Him. This submission means being humble and peaceful with the creatures of the Great Merciful God. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) informed us that the true submitter (Muslim) is he whom the people are unharmed by his tongue and hands. |
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| Islam |
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| Advancing towards Islam (and not going BACK to Islam, because Islam is ahead of us) is not only the solution for Muslims' present problems, but also the solution for all the creatures' problems. |
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| By way of conclusion, I will cite holy verses of the Holy Qur’an which sum history, past, present and future: |
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| (We have honoured the sons of Adam, provided them with transport on land and sea, given them for sustenance things good and pure, and conferred on them special favours above a great part of our creation). 17:70. |
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| (And remember We took a covenant from the Children of Israel (to this effect): Worship none but God; treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practise regular charity. Then did you turn back, except a few among you, and you backslide (even now). 2:83 . |
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| (God has promised, to those among you who believe and work righteous deeds, that He will, of a surety, grant them in the land, inheritance (of power), as He granted it to those before them; that He will establish in authority their religion - the one which He has chosen for them; and that He will change (their state), after the fear in which they (lived), to one of security and peace: 'They will worship Me (alone) and not associate anyone with Me. 'If any do reject Faith after this, they are rebellious and wicked). 24:55. |
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| (And We sent down the Book to you for the express purpose, that you should make clear to them those things in which they differ, and that it should be a guide and a mercy to those who believe). 16:64. |
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| (God commands justice, the doing of good, and liberality to kith and kin, and He forbids all shameful deeds, and injustice and rebellion: He instructs you, that you may receive admonition). 16:90. |
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| We comply with Allah's instructions and pray to Him to help us actualize justice and do the good in the best of manners. Amen. |
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