Yes I trash the Catholic church, but I've done that for years now prior to coming to Islam, and I hold that as a special prerogative of those who have suffered through First Communion, confirmation and multiple long boring masses.

 

But to be fair, I can criticize elements within Islam as well.  To start with I go after the leaders, as I do with anything.  In reality the true fight of Muslims is not with Christianity, Judaism, America or Israel. The same way Americans have to stop wondering why the rest of the world is wrong, so Muslims must look internally first.  It is the mullahs, muftis, imams and 'learned' scholars that must be called to task.  The religious and political leaders in the Islamic world who oppress their own people for worldly power; Islam and Christianity are very similar in the admonishments of being tempted by things of this world and ignoring the world after.  A prime example is the first Surah delivered, which commands us to read.  Leaders in some parts of the Islamic world deny Muslims the ability to read, which means they are unable to read the Quran for themselves.  That means they must rely upon the words and interpretation of another, and I don't think I will get an argument from any one when I say humans are flawed and easily succumb to selfish desires and corruption.  They also say that only a select few can truly understand and interpret the Quran, and that most regular people can't fathom it.  The Quran is actually elegant in its simplicity, and it states that God made the Revelation clear in the Book, so I really don't understand how it is that only a select few can interpret the Quran.  One can see obvious parallels to the history of the Catholic church.  And the Shia Imamate?  Not much different from the papacy really - only the bloodline of Muhammed can interpret the Quran, and there were only 12 'visible' imams, but all others after are in some way, for lack of a better word 'incarnations' of legitimate heirs.  Sounds like 'spiritual heir to St. Peter' if you ask me.

 

Again I don't think I will get an argument when I say throughout history religion has been used as probably the most effective political tool to gain and hold power.  In the deepest darkest primitive jungles the witch doctor held more power than the chief, and an objective view of the world today will show that there isn't much difference.  Preachers like Billy Graham and Pat Robertson are asked for consultations by American presidents, and Harper used the backing of the Christian right in Canada.  The same way politics in the West panders to the lowest common denominator, Islamic leaders know that if they twist words they can gain control of the masses.

 

An irony within Islam, one which I am still working on.  Many are surprised to learn that Muslims believe in the Revelation of the Torah and the Gospel.  What Muslims believe however is that man corrupted those Revelations (the same way Jesus spoke against the way Jews practised) with the Talmud (religious laws written by men) and the Bible, in particular the words of Paul.  Side note, even when I was Christian I thought Paul a bitter and twisted man.  Here is the irony - in Islam, Sunni Islam, there is something called Sunna and Hadith, along with Madahbs which are books of law that form Sharia.  Sunna and Hadith are traditions of the Prophet, bascially Muhammed did this, Muhammed did that.  These writings are of man.  My issue is this, and I am sure that others will pick up on it too - what is the difference between Sunna, Sharia etc. and the Talmud?  Books written by men after the Revelation. 

 

Now let's talk about Jihad for a moment.  Would you like to see Jihad?  Well you are looking at it right now.  Jihad is first and foremost internal.  A struggle within one's self to be as God wants them to be, not a concept exclusive to Islam by any means.  In my opinion, next Jihad is within Islam itself, to fight against those who use the Words of God, and corrupt the Word of God, for their own benefit.  Then it goes external.  Fighting is allowed only in self defense and to fight oppression - and therein lies a problem.  Define self defense and oppression.  Is a Muslim living in Canada, the US, or Europe oppressed?  I say no.  If you can believe how you choose and practise your faith freely you are not oppressed.  Does intolerance mean oppression?  No.  Does ignorance of Islam mean oppression?  No.  The problem is that words like oppression and corruption can have very broad meanings, and radicals tend to broaden the definitions as much as possible.  There are two Muslim peoples where I can see that armed struggle is justified - Palestinians (for freedom, not the destruction of Israel) and the Uyghur Turks in Central Asia and China.

 

There is also no compulsion in Islam, no forced conversion, again something many Muslims forget.  It is impossible to make anyone believe anything by force and, for the same reason that Calvanism is not Christian, it removes the element of faith.  One must choose to live as God wants otherwise their actions are meaningless.  Living by the Quran should be done because you want to, not for fear of death or other punishments meted out by men. 

 

The Taliban and Al Qaeda are incredibly un-Islamic organizations.  Not only do they compel people to conform to Islam, the killing of innocents is prohibited by the Quran.  Suicide is a sin, going into battle with a high probability of death is one thing, but performing an action that guarantees your death is suicide.   Again we have men tempted by worldly power using religion as a tool.

 

Another thing I am having problems with is this:  The Quran states we pray five times a day at certain times, and that prior to prayer we perform ablutions and to pray as Abraham taught us.  Now somehow the Quranic instruction of washing your hands to your elbows, lightly wiping water over your head and washing your feet to the ankles became a convoluted process of which hand to wash first, how many times to circle the wrist, washing ears, mouth and so on.  Where did that all come from?  Apparently it is Hadith.  I still have yet to figure out why I need to be told how to wash my hands.  Oh and I know some would just lambast me for what I am saying, accusing me of disrespecting the Prophet.  I am not. 

 

This next paragraph may really get Muslims' backs up - the Quran says, and the entire basis of Islam is that there is no god but God.  In the write up I have about how Muslims are supposed to pray, one thing that is said is "All greetings blessings and prayers belong to Allah."  Yep no problem whatsoever with that.  Now for the very next sentence: "Peace be upon you O Prophet...".  Now I have a problem - if the first sentence says we only pray to God, why in a prayer are we addressing Muhammed?  I tell you I doubt I will ever find a masjid that will allow me in their mosque more than once.  Sunnis will accuse me of being too close to Shia, and Shias will say I am to much like a Sunni.  Truth is I am neither, just Muslim.

 

Now come guys - did you really expect that if I started believing in God and 'found religion' that I would stop asking questions and agitating?  I am the way I am, and I am that way for a reason.

 

And on a political side:  Groups like Hamas often do more damage than anything.  Yes they are elected by the people of Palestine, but there s a chance to form a unity government, to enter into dialogue with Israel that will stop people from dying, yet they refuse to recognize the existence of Israel.  The reality is, no matter how the modern state of Israel was formed, it isn't going away.  The same way the west must talk with groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah to achieve any semblance of peace, so must groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah talk with Israel.

 

You may have noticed something - I haven't used any direct quotes from the Quran.  I did that for a few reasons.  First, we all know that if you go to Scriptures of any faith and cherry pick you can make a quote mean almost anything, rather like using statistics.  Also, I would be using English transliterations, and that can cause problems.  An example: I have seen an argument that women being veiled is not in the Quran, and the translation used supported that.  Other translations actually do use the English term veil, or head coverings.  A bit of a dilemma until I can learn Arabic myself and go to the source document.

 

You will notice as well that I am not engaging in a debate of the validity of Islam over another faith.  I won't either.  I  am not trying to convert anyone.  Remember, the same way Judaism and Christianity consider Abraham the true founder, so does Islam.

 

So have no fear faithful readers, I can still find the contradictions, the abuses and the hypocrisy no matter where they may try to hide.

 

And yes yes, soon will be more India travel writing, I promise.

 

Now the football game started some time ago, so off I go.

Interestingly enough, and ironically enough, a comment was left on my previous blog relating to the 5 Pillars using a Hadith as reference.  Sometimes I do love how contradictions come together to make a point.

 

That was the conclusion I had come to regarding how to submit to God and live my life accordingly.

 

My way of thinking is this - if I go to the Quran with submission to God in my heart, I practise the Five Pillars as explained in the Quran, then all else will fall into place.  God is understanding, the most Beneficient and the Dispenser of Grace, God knows that you had submitted, God knows those that make mistakes with good intentions.  That understanding is noted throughout the Quran, and I have experienced it personally.  Willfully going against God is not the same.

 

If one does not go to the Quran submitting to God, then one starts to search for meanings that are not there, and the perversity becomes apparent.  If one has truly submitted to God, then as the Quran says the signs will be made visible to those with the understanding / knowledge.

 

I have said that Islam is so incredibly simple as it is in the Quran.  Ten minutes of reading from the beginning of the Holy Writ and you know what God wants.  That shows, to me anyway, that the Five Pillars are really all you need.  Once you accept those, the rest of the Quran will open up to you.

 

Some words from Surah 2:

 

158. Behold! Safa and Marwa are among the Symbols of Allah. So if those who visit the House in the Season or at other times, should compass them round, it is no sin in them. And if any one obeyeth his own impulse to good,- be sure that Allah is He Who recogniseth and knoweth. (Ali)

 

Note the last sentence.  Allah knows.  it reminds me of Goethe's Faust and what the angels said to Mephisto as they stole away Faust's soul - "He who struggles in ceaseless toil, him We may grant redemption."

 

159. Those who conceal the clear (Signs) We have sent down, and the Guidance, after We have made it clear for the people in the Book,-on them shall be Allah.s curse, and the curse of those entitled to curse,-

160. Except those who repent and make amends and openly declare (the Truth): To them I turn; for I am Oft-returning, Most Merciful. (Ali)

 

"After We have made it clear for the people in the Book."  Those two verses are quite self explanatory.

 

May God grant us good in this life and good in the life after.