Drawing Pictures: Since when has it become offensive?

Over the last many decades, a large majority of the western Christian world has in practice stopped being Christian, thus reactions to insults and blasphemies have dimmed down to solitary voices here and there. Atheism is the fashion. No one wants to declare openly that they revere a person or deity because of their religious faith.


But this is not a question of existence of God. The question here is.. Can you force a group of people to change their values that you do not agree with? Aggressive atheists these days are happy to shout at every forum how religion has caused intolerance and bigotry in the society. But here is a test case.. UCL's atheist society publishing cartoons of Jesus and Muhammad (peace be upon them) and expecting this to go unnoticed!

Muslims do not draw human form; they do not build statues for religious purposes. Yes, there are Muslim artists who paint and draw human form, and there is nothing wrong with it. But this has to be kept strictly outside of religious sphere because of the express command of the founder of Islam (peace be upon him). This is a strong value that all practicing Muslims adhere to. No pictures are to be found in any Mosque around the world. A Billion Muslims hold this belief which safeguards the monotheistic basis of Islam. Yet a handful of atheists think that drawing a picture of Muhammad (peace be upon him) for whatever reason should be acceptable?

Atheists, born and brought up in the West (or influenced by European values) may think that drawing pictures is what humans have always done. What is wrong with that? European art galleries are full of depictions of religious figures on canvas and in stone and in metal. But Islam is not a European faith. Neither was Christianity. Regardless of what Greek and Roman art did to Christianity, Islam has not “traded in” its values for the sake of gaining adherents.

This is despite the fact that Islamic scholars re-discovered Greek philosophy and had decades of conflict with the Romans. Usually such interactions results in softening of certain closely held values, and they did. Early rationalist movement in Islam (Mu’tazillites) had deep roots in Greek logic. Yet, no Muslim ever thought of painting or sculpting a Holy figure or a saint. Enough proof that depiction of religious figures was an absolute taboo for Muslims.There are some very rare depictions of Holy personalities in Iranian Shia culture, but it has never been accepted by the wider Muslim world. Those paintings in which the prophet has been depicted can only be described as only limited to a particular era and was largely unknown by the Muslim majority. Most other depictions in Islamic minature arts show the prophet as a halo or a veiled figure.

All reasonable Humanists and Atheists will understand why Muslims take offense when someone tries to depict the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him). It is because drawing of a picture has never been an Islamic tradition. Yes, it has been a tradition in the conquered lands and Islam has not forbidden artistic representations of human form, but only as a secular art. It has become a Christian tradition, which is why even many Christians do not take offense when Jesus has been mocked at by cartoonists and comedians. People at this atheist society at UCL want practicing Muslims to “tolerate” their attempts at mocking Muslim values? Where is the sense in that?

Why should we not allow BNP and EDL to mock and vilify Islam and Muslims too? What is the difference? And what is wrong with a bit of holocaust denial and some “good-natured” anti-Semitism? Some "fact based" scientific racism.. anyone? Let us accept all this in the name of tolerance!! Updated: 28Jan2014

Why British Muslims should wear a Poppy?

War is the greatest injustice mankind can inflict on itself. Unfortunately, not a day has passed for centuries when somewhere and somehow one nation was not at war with the other. It appears that war is a natural state of being for our species. And as we are still learning to attain peace in our world, we sometimes have to take sides in such wars. Especially when our country, nation or way of life is under threat. It also becomes necessary to use moral judgement when taking sides in war. For example, one must not initiate a conflict or show aggression without a just cause. A just cause according to the principles of Islam is to defend one’s life, property, territory and freedom.

90 years ago, the Royal British Legion started to commemorate the war dead of the WW1. The poppy appeal, which collects funds to support war veterans and serving personnel of the British armed forces is in the noble tradition of being grateful for the “sacrifices of a few”. In essence, it is a very Islamic idea fulfilling our duties to be charitable, thankful and loyal to our country.

Many British Muslims do not feel obliged to participate in the appeal. One reason for this could be the fact that NATO contributes to so much misery in the Islamic world. I do not disagree with this criticism of our opportunistic foreign policy based on greed and make-belief sense of moral duty. But Poppy appeal is not to support our politicians or their allies in Brussels and Washington. This fund is to pay our respect to the courage which saved our country and the countries of our fathers twice. These red plastic flowers are not to show the world who was the victor; but to show that we respect our soldiers who risk their life and limb to serve our country. If these poppies are to be taken as a symbol of something more than this, then these are a symbol of defiance against aggression and totalitarian and fascist ideologies.

British Muslims should wear the poppy with pride to show their non-Muslim countrymen that close to 80,000 Muslim soldiers laid down their lives in both world wars. These soldiers were all volunteers who left their homeland to fight in the battlefields of Europe and Africa and died along with their comrades from the commonwealth.

We should wear the poppy with a renewed sense of duty to remind our fellow countrymen about the idea of sacrifice. That one must look for ways to contribute to the peace we have in today’s Britain.

We should wear the poppy with a feeling of gratitude for all the freedoms we have in this country. Freedom to worship, practice and preach our faith; and live without the fear of persecution and discrimination.

We should wear the poppy with a prayer for peace. Ameen

Pakistani Integrity and Self-respect Omelette:

I don’t think much about music. I enjoy it for what it is. A collection of pleasant sounding notes with some meaningful, decent lyrics usually does the trick. Music, like any other activity in human life should be meaningful and for the betterment of human condition.

Among this huge, ever growing, heap of rubbish that we call modern Pop/Rock music, sometimes you can spot real gems. A new Pakistani band called Begayrat Brigade, have released a new song, Aalu Anday. There is some guitar, a catchy tune, and three kids dancing like idiots in the video. My first impression after watching such videos is that rich kids in Lahore have nothing better to do. But then I hear the words “Mullah”, “Qadri”, and “Ajmal Kasab”.

There are many placards with various statements shown during the video. Most of them are humorous and liberal observations on Pakistani political scene. But these boys are challenging the very core of Pakistani reigio-fascist right-wing through a stupid song and dance. They are not happy that Qadri has been made a celebrity, Ajmal Kasab a hero. They also remind the listener that Mullah is an opportunist creature. A blasphemy of sorts. And on top of that, they mention the name of Abdus Salam, the Pakistani Ahmadi Nobel Laureate. And how fitting it was that his name was placed opposite the symbols of bigotry and hatred in modern day Pakistan.

Right.. Why would you invite the wrath of a very influential segment of Pakistani society while in pursuit of your showbiz dreams? The video ends with the lead singer holding up a placard displaying the words ”if you want a bullet through my head, like this video”. I admire their courage and hope that this song is only the start of a new wave of popular liberal expression in Pakistan.

Seal of Prophets (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him)

Finally, one the best books on Seerah (Biography) of Holy Prophet (saw) written in Urdu language has been translated into English. The first urdu volume was published in 1920.

http://www.alislam.org/holyprophet/Seal-of-Prophets-Vol-1.pdf

Written by Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad M. A. (r.a), son of the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (a.s.), this book reviews the historical accounts of Holy Prophet's (saw) life in the light of Quranic revelations. It also answers the criticisms raised by various orientalists whose opinions unfortunately still prevail among the western minds.

Idiots!

Here is an example of complete and utter idiotic behaviour. A bunch of EDL yobs, vandalizing a mosque.

Yes, I hear you say.. All these bigotted and racist wastrels need to get a life. They have to accept the truth about modern Britain.


This is a country of many colors and creeds, and Muslims are part of the fabric of British society.


Yes, and I also agree with you that these sad people, motivated not by any higher purpose, but by a sense of loss, can cause a lot of grief to their victims.


But here is the best bit about this story..The mosque they vandalized was not a mosque. The people who use this building aren't even Muslims.


Ask any muslim organization in Britain.. they will categorically confirm that Ahmadiyya community has nothing to do with Islam.


But those who burnt the poppies in London were true believers.

Ahmadiyya Muslim community, on the other hand, collected tens of thousands of pounds for the poppy appeal in the same year.


What a waste of paint and 12 months of your lives.. You Idiots!!

But you may still consider Ahmadiyya Muslims to be a threat to your national identity. In that case, you can still ask for help.

Contact any mainstream Islamic organization and they will be happy to support you. As some of them did in Walsall a couple of years ago.

Diveristy in EDL ranks!!

Who would have thought?

False prophets and a misplaced sense of history

Another common symptom of the cultist group's lack of wisdom is their misplaced sense of history; rather their weird interpretation of history. This also puts them in the same bracket as our common-place medievalist mullahs.

A seriers of articles on the cultist website have appeared regarding the four false prophets in early Islam. i.e., Mussaylimh, Sajjah, Aswad-al-Ansi and Tullayha.

It is my understanding that the author of these articles had no intention of educating the readers about early Islamic history and the wave of rebellion among Arab tribes soon after the demise of Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

The purpose of these articles was to

i) Use the misplaced sense of history to draw parallels between these false claimants and the claims of Promised Messiah (as) and

ii) To show that the main motive of these wars fought by Hadhrat Abu Bakr's (ra) armies were the claims of these people as prophets.

I have seen how throughout the history of Ahmadiyyat, from the early enemies of Promised Messiah (as) to the modern day religious organizations, references have been made to these early Islamic events to justify the murder of Ahmadis. A large number of Muslims also believe that apostates should be killed. I am not sure if the cultist bloggers think the same, but if they don't they will be going against the opinions of their patrons and role models.

Interspersed in these cultist articles are statements like

"Azaad is reported to have said, “Allah has not created any human being more hated to me than al-Aswad Al-’Ansi. I never hated anyone in my life than I hated this man. He does not do any good, and all of his actions are evil.” That flies in the face of “Love for All, Hatred for None” slogan, doesn’t it? Maybe she was influenced by the “Mullahs”…? But I digress."

The above is another good specimen on how one can drag into a discussion, a completely unrelated and illogical remark to feel good about themselves. A woman whose husband was killed by a man, can not harbour any positive feelings about this person. The motto of "love for all, hatred for none" is principle inspired by the love of humanity taught to us in Allah and his messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم). It is not a personal mantra replacing all other human emotions. Islam does not force people to feel contrary to what their natural instincts lead them to feel. Islam teaches us to harness these instincts and not be overcome by negative emtions like anger, hatred, jealousy etc.

We aspire to follow the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم), who forgave Hind, Wahshi and countless others who tormeneted him, caused deaths of his family members and persecuted his followers. We do not aspire to follow "Azaad", a random woman in history who had the misfortune of being widowed by Al-Anasi. But I will not stop any cultist to follow her.. whatever works for them!

There are yet other examples of misinterpreting history in these articles. I have notices that the writer has been careful enough not to declare an open fatwa of murder against the false prophets and their followers. But I am concerned when the author finishes the final "the most interesting" entry regarding Mussaylimah Kazzab like this..

"And with that, the last of the false prophets of Arabia was exterminated. Arabia became a launchpad for the rapid expansion of Islam over Persia, Rome and the rest is history… May Allah save us from the corruption of following a false prophet, and keep us upon the Islam of the Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم, the Sahaba, and those who followed them, and save us from joining fringe movements and false prophets. Ameen."

So it is all boiled down to the fact that Islam was in danger due to false prophets. Another blatant misinterpreation of history! Islam has never been, and will never be damaged by the lies and deceptions of any false prophet, because Allah has taken it upon Himself to terminate the life of such people.

Wars against Mussaylimah were fought because he was a political rebel. Hadhrat Chaudhary Zafrulla Khan (ra) has written a brilliant book on this subject. That neither apostasy nor claiming to be a prophet is a cause for war according to Islam.

It is worth noting here that both Mussaylimah and Aswad al-Anasi made their claims during the life time of Hoy Prophet (saw). Neither of them recieved a fatwa of being worthy of death. War was declared on them only when they caused rebellion and mischief.

So if history is to be interpreted correctly, the modern day equivalents of Mussaylimah and Al-Anasi are the relgious extremists who have killed countless civilians due to their words and actions. It is the Mullah cult!

Further reading:

For those interested in Ahmadiyya interpretation of early Islamic history, please read these books:

 Life of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم), by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)

Khilafate Rashida by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)

Punishment of Apostasy in Islam, by Sir Zafrulla Khan (ra)

Mujaddid Alif Thani (a.r.) and Khatme Nabuwwat

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

On the website, Let me Turn the Tables, a number of articles are being published in an attempt to respond to various references given in support of the claims of Promised Messiah (as). Most of these articles are focused on solitary references and the author makes every effort to ignore the context in which those excerpts of Ahadith and writings from various scholars were provided.

Mujaddid Alif Thani (a.r.) and the verse Khaataman Nabiyyeen:

 In Ahmadiyya literature concerning the issue of finality of prophethood, you will find a wealth of strong opinions from various saints and scholars which support the claims of Promised Messiah علیہ السلام to be a subordinate prophet in accordance with the prophecies of Quran and Hadith.

The author from “Turn the tables” quotes a reference presented in Ahmadiyya literature by Hadhrat Ahmad Sirhindi, Mujaddid Alif Thani (r.a.)

“'The rising of prophets after the Khatamar Rasul Hazrat Muhammad, the Chosen One, peace and blessings be upon him, from among his own followers and as a heritage, does not in any way run counter to his status as the Khatamar rasul. Therefore, O reader, do not be among those who doubt.' Maktubat Imam Rabbani, Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Thani “

 The same text has been translated by “turn-table” as

“So for the followers to attain the wonders of prophethood (kamalat nubuwwat) by way of following and inheritance after the coming of the Last Prophet –on him and his followers and all the prophets be the peace and salutations- is not in contradiction to his finality. So be not of those who doubt.”

According to the author, the words “the rising of prophets” should be translated as “for the followers to attain the wonders of prophethood”. Thus proving that Mujaddid Alif Thani (ar) was only alluding to minor blessings which come to those who follow the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.

So according to him, “kamaalat e nabuwwat” do not include being a subordinate prophet. The author himself quotes the passages from the same letter which mention the second coming of Jesus علیہ السلام and includes this event to be relevant to the subject being discussed. This letter is addressing the qualities of prophethood which include revelation, true dreams and visions as continuous phenomenon in the Muslim ummah since the time of Sahaba and the generations following them. Hadhrat Ahmad Sirhindi also sates “And the last of the times have been made akin to the earliest days.” i.e., the same qualities could be observed at the time of writing his letter.

Hadhrat Ahmad Sirhindi, also known as Imam Rabbani and Mujaddid Alif Thani lived during and after the time of Emperor Akbar. He was a great scholar who lived the life of a true saint. Receiving revelations and visions from Allah (swt), which he recorded in his writings extensively. He rejected the innovations being introduced into Islam by so-called Sufis and Mullahs of his day. His influence was so great that he spoke to King Akbar personally to explain the correct Islamic creed to him. He was also Jailed during Jehangir’s reign but the released and honored by the same king. Throughout his life, Imam Rabbani (a.r.) wrote letters to his friends, family and followers, explaining his world view and personal spiritual experiences. As a true saint, his experience of Divine Revelations seems to be the most striking topic in his Maktoobat. And this issue of prophecy, renovation of faith and appearance of Imam Mahdi recur in these writings.

Now, we know that is a fact that none of the recipients of “kamaalat e nabuwwat” claimed to be a subordinate prophet, (including Ibn Arabir and Mujaddi Alif Thani) but it is very common observation that both of them have discussed the second coming of Jesus علیہ السلام as an exception where a subordinate prophet will exist among Muslims. This is no coincidence that any discussion on finality of Prophethood can not be completed without mentioning the appearance of Eisa Ibn Maryam علیہ السلام. All great scholars have discussed this and all of them agree that Eisa ibn Maryam علیہ السلام will be a prophet, following the Shariah of Holy Prophet (saw). That is another argument that Ahmadiyyat has already won by proving that Jesus (as) passed away. (we can have another debate if you like..)

The Ahmadiyya stance on this matter is that Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم prophecised the coming of an Ummati Nabi in his Ummah. He called him Eisa Ibne-Maryam علیہ السلام and also Imam Mahdi. This person was to attain the highest spiritual rank in the Ummah by being immersed in the love of his master, the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم;a phenomenon not unknown to great saints like Ibne-Arabi and Imam Rabbani (a.r.). The only difference is that the title of Prophet is given to only one person.

Imam Rabbani, Mujaddid Alif Thani (a.r.) writes.. “Perfect followers of prophets (peace be upon them), due to their complete obedience and because of their immersion in their love, they (the followers) become colored with their (master’s) colors so much so that there is no difference between the follower and the one who is followed. i.e., between the Nabi and Ummati: Apart from being Asl and Tabe’ and beign awwal and aakhir”. (Maktoobat No. 248, Part 4, Vol 1, page 49, Published Mujaddadi press, Amritsar).

Mujaddid Alif Thani (a.r.) has left a wealth of knowledge for the right minded Muslims to accept the Promised Messiah علیہ السلام.One of the recurrent themes in his writings is his understanding of the concept of “Mujaddidyyat” and his own claim to be the Mujaddid of the 2nd millennium. He learnt this wisdom from Ibne Arabi (a.r.) and you can find in his writings a profound influence of Ibne Arabi’s thought.

On the subject of Imam Mahdi, Hadhrat Imam Rabbabi (a.r.) repeatedly mentions the fact that he will have the “ulema” of his time as his enemies. He is also acutely aware of the great spiritual status of Imam Mahdi. According to Ibne Arabi, Imam Mahdi will receive the Shariah of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم through revelation. (Imam Shu’rani explains this in his Al-Yawaqeetu wal Jawahir, Vol 2, while explaining Ibne Arabi’s thought)

Promised Messiah علیہ السلام writes: (Haqiatul Wahi, page 406)

"And another unwise thing they say to inflame the ignorant people that this man his claimed to be a prophet but this is an utter fabrication. I have not claimed to prophethood which has been known to be forbidden in Quran, the claim only is that in one respect I am an ummati and from one respect due to the prophetic blessing of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ), I am a prophet. And from prophet it is only meant that I receive frequent honor of revelation and words from Allah. Truth is as Mujaddid sahib of Sirhind has written in his maktoobat that even though some people from this ummat are destined to receive revelations and words from Allah and will remain so until the day of judgement, but the person who will receive the most frequent revelation and will be given news of the unseen in abundance is called a prophet. Let it be clear that the prophecy in Ahadith of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) have fortold that in the ummat of Holy Prophet (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ) a person will be born who will be called Eisa and Son of Mary. And he will be given the name of Nabi, that is, he will be given Divine revelation in abundance and matters of the Unseen will be reveated to him frequently which cannot be given to a non-prophet as Allah has said that Allah does not grant full knowledge and understanding of His Unseen (matters) with frequency and clarity unless to a person who is His honored prophet(Surah Al-Jin verse 27-28)”

Dear readers, it is clear that the critics of Ahmadiyyat have always tried their best to ignore the blatantly obvious hole in their own beliefs regarding the second coming of the Messiah علیہ السلام.They cannot hide behind vague statements and fairy-tales anymore. I invite them to ponder over the writings of great scholars like Ibne Arabi, Mujaddid Alif Thani and Shah Waliullah (peace be upon them all), and understand the true significance of the coming of Imam Mahdi علیہ السلام.

Wassalam,