Source: Muslim Sunrise, Winter 2013 volume
By Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
After my training of six years to be a physician, as a lung and critical care specialist, I needed to serve in a small village in an under privileged area, to become a naturalized resident in USA. Five years later, when I became eligible for USA citizenship, it was no small achievement, in my view, though insignificant it may appear in retrospect, now.
There is no denying that a lot of effort, planning and dreaming had gone into it.
About a million people become citizens of USA every year. The day I and my wife became USA citizens, in 2000, we took an oath:
I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform noncombatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.
Now, as good Muslims, are we supposed to forget it, ignore it, trivialize it or honor it as a binding promise and contract?
May be we should ignore it, as USA is not a Muslim majority country and at times we do not agree with the foreign policy of USA? But, did we think about it, when we so anxiously took the oath of allegiance and celebrated it as a life time achievement? Of course not!
I look at the peace and justice the country is providing me and my family. My three sons were born in USA, before I and my wife became citizens and so they became citizens before us, a privilege that would have been denied to us in many of the so called Muslim countries.
Being in USA, gives me the freedom to express myself, in writing, in blogs and in Twitter, even if I am critical of Christianity or USA’s foreign policy.
The same cannot be said for the country of my birth, where as an Ahmadi, if I say Salam, the Muslim greeting to anyone in public, I could be put in jail for three years, according to a draconian law in Pakistan, the notorious Ordinance XX of 1984.[i]
Zia H Shah MD
So, do I want “Shariah” or the Constitution of USA?
The answer is ridiculously obvious.
I have to honor my oath of allegiance. It is not only my moral duty, but also a religious one. The Holy Quran reminds me in several places to honor my promises and pledges and I quote three here:
It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but truly righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask for charity, and for ransoming the captives; and who observes Prayer and pays the Zakat; and those who fulfill their promise when they have made one. (Al Quran 2:178)
And:
Relate the story of Ishmael as mentioned in the Book. He was indeed strict in keeping his promise. And he was a Messenger, a Prophet. (Al Quran 19:55)
And:
Surely, success does come to the believers, Who are humble in their Prayers, And who shun all that which is vain, … And who are watchful of their trusts and their covenants. (Al Quran 23:2-9)
So, keeping my promises is my Shariah, my religion. Additionally, there is a well known Hadith, “Love of your country (patriotism) is a part of your faith.”
I joined Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, when I was in my medical school, in King Edward Medical College, in 1984. Many of my close relatives are still Sunni Muslims and when some of the zealot Sunni Muslims aspire for Shariah Law in one or the other Muslim country, I know, where they are coming from.
The zealot Muslims suggest that the Prophet Muhammad, may peace be on him, was the political leader in Madinah and therefore they want to pursue Shariah Law in their respective countries.
But, they conveniently forget that he ruled according to the Covenant of Madinah, rather than Shariah, among the different groups in Madinah.
They also conveniently forget that he did not prescribe a political system and each of the four righteous Khulafa, after him, came to office, through some what different procedures.
They also forget that unlike the Holy Quran, God did not choose to preserve the “Muslim political system” and it soon degenerated into kingship.
They also conveniently forget that the Holy Quran does not prescribe a political system or a theocracy, but, it does high light principles of religious freedom, justice, and consultation with those who are ruled. These and additional core principles should go into the development of any political system, which fulfills the need of the time.
The Holy Quran tells us:
There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allah, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. (Al Quran 2:257)
And:
Indeed, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice. And surely excellent is that with which Allah admonishes you! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Al Quran 4:59)
And:
O ye who believe! be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of what you do. (Al Quran 5:9)
And:
And those who hearken to their Lord, and observe Prayer, and whose affairs are decided by mutual consultation, and who spend out of what We have provided for them. (Al Quran 42:39)
The zealots conveniently forget that the Prophet himself said to acquire knowledge, even if one has to go to China.
So, we have no choice, but to benefit from the human experiences, in the sphere of political science, both in the Muslim and the non-Muslim world.
Just like science has progressed in the last 1400 years, so has the understanding of political, judicial and financial systems. As the Muslims cannot afford to throw away science and technology, all the other human learning of the last 1400 years cannot be thrown away in a zeal to pursue “Islam.”
The Holy Quran is certainly the literal word of God and the Holy Prophet is certainly the last Law bringing Prophet.
But, we have to understand and interpret their teachings in the present day context and not in the context of seventh century Arabia.
We now live in a Global village with its varied considerations.
In this day and age the Quranic perspective and the judgment of the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is that Separation of Mosque-Church and State, is the only recipe for peace and security.[ii] [iii] This is wisdom and Islam, rest is being penny wise and pound foolish or living in fool’s paradise.
I do not like the foreign policy of USA, when it, at times, kills innocent people in drone attacks and labels it as collateral damage. Lately, France, Germany and Spain are unhappy with USA as it was spying on phone communications in Europe. In other words my country, USA is no angel.
But, when I look at the foreign policy of other countries, I find that there is no utopia and the world is not black and white. When I look at Saudi Arabia, I find the rule by one royal family, completely defies the egalitarian principles of Islam. I look at their foreign policy and I am dismayed by their recent role in Syria. I do not approve of discriminatory practices of West Pakistan against East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.
I do not approve that USA does not allow polygamy, while same sex marriage is allowed. There are countless single mothers and millions of fatherless children, with numerous psychological setbacks for these children, as a result of broken homes. They could certainly benefit from a father figure in their homes.
Islam is a religion of middle course. I do not have to take extreme positions of being “for,” America or “against,” America. I can have a more nuanced position, a middle course. I can be patriotic, serve my fellow citizens in my profession and otherwise and where I think my country has gone on a wrong track, to work through the civic process to gradually rectify the wrong. Slavery was not abolished in USA, for several decades after the Declaration of Independence, despite the statement, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men.”
Nevertheless, we have seen, “gradual perfection of our union,” to borrow words from President Barack Obama and now race relations have tremendously improved in USA.
I recently happened to read the preamble of constitution of Ireland; it starts off with the following lines:
In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity, from Whom is all authority and to Whom, as our final end, all actions both of men and States must be referred, We, the people of Éire,
Humbly acknowledging all our obligations to our Divine Lord, Jesus Christ,
Who sustained our fathers through centuries of trial,
Gratefully remembering their heroic and unremitting struggle to regain the rightful independence of our Nation.
Now, if Trinity is strange, as all the Jews, Muslims, Unitarian Christians, Jehovah Witness and agnostics and atheists think, then Ireland has certainly started on the wrong foot.
The Constitution of USA does not commit any such folly. It may not be perfect, but, I think it is the best among the constitutions in vogue in the world and it has 225 years of successfully history behind it.
So, I have a framed copy of the Constitution hanging in my medical office and that is the only wall hanging in my office, for the last twelve years. Let me also share another content of my office. I always have a copy of the Holy Quran on one of my desks, in my office, with English translation by Sir Zafrulla Khan.
Utopia is not possible. We cannot have a perfect world or a perfect country. But, I find USA to be the best country to live in. So, I continue to be patriotic and love my country and will continue to honor my oath of allegiance.
References
[ii] http://www.alislam.org/egazette/press-release/true-khilafat-compatible-with-democracy-head-of-ahmadiyya-muslim-jamaat/
[iii] http://www.reviewofreligions.org/4179/is-islam-for-germany/
Shariah and Constitution: A Personal Journeyhttp://t.co/MvfiSvG1kG pic.twitter.com/mbKQEcaMld
— Zia H Shah (@ZiahShah1) September 22, 2015
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Categories: Americas, Law and Religion, Opinion, Secularism, Separation of Church and State, Sharia, Sharia Law
Beautifull, and very hounest and true comments,mashallah, may Allah bless you and your family.amen
“Allah karey zorey bayaan awr ziyada”
Very nice narration of the sentiments of most of the naturalized citizens.
I am very intrigued by your mention of accepting the ahmadiyyat in 1984. Would be nice to know the details of that change in your life sometime. Particularly interested to know what actually made you take such a huge step and problems you faced afterwards.
yes, indeed that will be a great cobtribution towards”Tabligh”
work, if you could write some of the highlights of your difficult
journy towards Ahmadiyyat.
Jazakallah
Thank you so much and Jazakallah for your kind words. I will write about 1980s, at some suitable time, God willing.
Nice article.
Respected Dr Sahib, As Salamo Alaikum this is a profound, and powerful testimonial in the “pursuit of happiness: the quest for the American dream! This article without question is a basis of an extraordinary book that you have inside of you ! You should share this with all of America! Please, find a way to unharness this book within you. Wa Salam Habeeb M. Shafeek Qaid Tabligh Anasarullah, USA. Love For All Hatred For None…
It is a good (excellent) post which guides us all towards right thinking. It is an honest description of what is in the mind.
Indeed, Allah never said that Muslims should rule by Shariah. Allah said “Rule by justice.” i.e. “an takhkumoo bi al Adl.” Al-Quran 4:59 quoted above.
Shah sahib has also reminded us that the prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s. ruled in Madinah not by Shariah but by principles based on justice, as agreed by approval of all involved communities.
I also felt that the prophet s.a.w.s. when he went to Madinah, he never said that he had come with a Shariah and to implement a Shariah on the people.
Many Muslims migrated from Makkah to Habshah at the advice of the prophet s.a.w.s. i.e. because there was a very peaceful, honorable Christian king ruling there. There was a good rule of law there.
Migration is the Sunnat of all (many) prophets. Ahmadis case is very much similar to the condition of the early Muslims of Makkah.
It is reported in books of history that the Muslim migrants in Habshah fought wars against the enemies of Habshah alongside local forces.
It all goes to prove the truth of Shah sahib’s writing and the superiority of the American constitution.
The Muslims in many Muslim majority countries are suffering due to extreme material poverty and spiritual degradation. There is very wide gap in the good understanding of the Ahmadis against the very bad (poor) religious knowledge of non-Ahmadis. May Allah reduce that gap by guiding the non-Ahmadis towards understanding and peace.
It is a shame for the autocratic ruling family of Arabia. They know that it is all wrong. Yet they are sitting on top trying to suppress the truth. There is no liberty. Nobody can openly speak the truth there.
The good example of the original Khulafa Rashideen was that they did not misuse even a penny from the Bait al Maal. They did not burn the oil during any unofficial work. The family of the Arab rulers are heedless. They spend millions (Billions) in gambling dens in western countries. Where is Shariah??
“I do not approve of discriminatory practices of West Pakistan against East Pakistan, now Bangladesh.” Little straightforward and forthcoming. as a Bangladeshi-American I felt that justice is not done when your empathetic concern for Bangladesh is kept in a ‘discriminatory’ connotation. It is just not merely ‘discriminatory practices’for Pak., in fact, as a nation, people of ‘Islamic’ Republic of Pakistan is still failed to understand of what atrocities has been done over with muslim Bangladesh,(the then E.PAK.)Today,Pakistan & the party abusing the very name of Islam,(i.e. Jamat-i-Islam) should be ashamed of committing genocide, rapes, and killing of 3million unarmed innocent civilians and countless other wrongdoing inflicted over its own brothers and sisters of Bangladesh. Pakistan is now becoming a failing nation, failed to understand why Pakistan is becoming a ‘pharisaical state’, and dangerously turning into ‘lost nation.’ even apology is not enough! May Allah forgive and have mercy on Pakistan.
Assalamu Alaikum. The article could not have been honest.
But I have a concern in relation to the following:
”Just like science has progressed in the last 1400 years, so has the understanding of political, judicial and financial systems. As the Muslims cannot afford to throw away science and technology, all the other human learning of the last 1400 years cannot be thrown away in a zeal to pursue “Islam.”
But, we have to understand and interpret their teachings in the present day context and not in the context of seventh century Arabia.”
In the context of above paragraphs, will it be Islamic for some form of interest to be taken or paid? It seems interest is very integral to the current form of money – fiat.
Alhassan Atta-Quayson: Are you a relative of Alhaji Hassan Josef Al-Atta of Ghana? (whom I met the first time in Jalsa Rabwah 1964?)
My dear Alhassan Atta-Quayson, please show me a country or create one, where there is genuine interest free economy and I promise, I will try my best to migrate there.
Or, at lease accept a lesser challenge, show us in an article, how you would create an interest free economy, in present day circumstances and sustain it for a period of time. I promise, even if it has some merit, rather than empty rhetoric, we will immediately publish it and propose your name for Nobel Prize in economics.
I am not approving of interest or usury, I just intend to pull people out of fool’s paradise.
As individuals we can choose, what we will, but, at national level, there is little choice about interest in economies, in the present context.
Many thanks Zia Sahib for responding to my comments. Jazakallah.
I have been trained in Economics (have bachelors and master’s in economics, and now teaching economics at university of education, winneba, Ghana).
I completely agree with you that there is NO country in the world where there is genuine interest free economy. And nearly all the Islamic finance being practiced is a TWIN of interest-based lending couched as shariah compliant financial intermediation.
It seems to me that the forbidding of RIBA in the holy Quran needs to be contextualized to be consistent and more importantly meaningful to the world we live in today. As I indicated earlier interest is very integral to the current money (which is completely different from the form of money during 7th century that consisted of precious metals). Consequently interpreting riba as any form of interest may render substantial amount of economic activities unislamic.
Rafiq A. Tschannen: Please I am not related to the person you mentioned. In fact I do not even know him. But I was born Ahmadi muslim and I have lived in Ghana all my life.
Alhassan: The person I mentioned was from Kumasi. He was later at the Embassy of Ghana in India (First Secretary, if I recall). I met him again in Ghana when I was working for UTC in 1972/3. (In 1964 he had 44 children. When I met him again in 1972 he still had 44 children. I asked him what happened!!!??? He whispered to me: “family planning”!!!!)
Regarding ‘Islamic Banking’: Of course brother Zia is correct that the present ‘Islamic Banks’ are not really fully ‘Islamic’, because they are working within the larger framework of the world economy. However, we should not ‘give up’ on it!!! May be members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at should make a real effort towards the real ‘Islamic economy’, starting with honesty of what is doable and what is not (yet). We would need to go ‘back to the basics’. For instance: (I am aware that this is just a minute example of the complex nature of economic life): In a village in Indonesia I have seen real ‘Islamic economics’ in operation: When planting rice there are several options given to the relationship between the land owner and the worker. The land owner can give the land to someone to work on and share with 50% of the crop. And then there are other options: help only in planting and harvesting but not caring for the crop during the growing: 25% of the crop. Whatever the arrangement it is depending on the success of the crop. In ‘Western Finance’ the farmer would take a loan to purchase the seeds. He will have to repay the loan with interest even if the crop fails. In ‘Islamic economy’ the result depends on the crop. If the crop fails the ‘investor’ also looses his investment and the farmers does NOT loose his land. Just some food for thoughts …
Alhassan Atta-Quayson is on to something. It is clear that there is no place in this world where we can see true interest free economy. But this may be because we are interpreting Qur’an in the context of 6th century Arabia. The world has changed. It is necessary to read the Qur’an once again in modern context!! All of it. We are tripping over the centuries old understandings and translations. We are refusing to accept the inherent flexibility and accommodation of God’s Word. Every time someone comes up with a new interpretation, we immediately check him with the centuries old concepts and reject him. We are stuck in the obedience of ancient scholars or religious leaders. Unless we can break that mold, nothing can change.
That is true. I had posted the generally stated version of a verse of the Quran (2:260/261) about Abraham a.s. asking Allah about how He give life to the dead….
The meaning is explained by the names of very old high level scholars that Abraham a.s. should take four birds, kill them, mix their meat and put the meat on few mountains. Then call the birds. They will come flying to him in full force. (This has been referred to be written in Tafseer Ibne Katheer. I am not a witness to it but it was shown to me by an Arab on his cell phone.)
Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Manmood Ahmad rz.a. has explained it correctly as:
” Abraham a.s. should take four birds, TAME THEM, and leave them on few mountains. Then call the birds. They will come flying to him in full force.”
The words TAME THEM mean to make them friendly with love and training.
I was surprised why old time scholars could not get to the right interpretation of the verse. Or, it could be that some one has been cooking those meaning in the name of famous scholars.
We have to be very careful about all old traditions.
Here, in the case of the explanation given by Zia Shah sahib, it does not mean that we fall blindly on all the works of the modern west. It means we can take careful guidance from the Quran in the light of new knowledge vouchsafed by the Promised Messiah a.s. and his Khulafa.
We know that interest (usury) is a great menace of these time. It is Haraam. Only a blind man will deny that. The poverty condition in the world is caused by the Usury. We need not adopt it. We can try to avoid it as much as we can. But if it is not possible to avoid it then it is a case of compulsion (Idhtiraab). Interest is Haraam. But there are conditions for the Haraam also. It is not an absolute clamp.
Interest was in effect till the last days of the prophets time, i.e. Hujjat ul Widah, the sermon of the last hajj. Prophet s.a.w.s. cancelled all dealings of interest on that day.
The best that the Ahmadi Muslim (or all Muslims) can do in these days (if they can do it easily) is to use their money in business and not to leave it in banks to take interest on it.
But not all can do business. So what they can do about their money! The objecting friend (here Alhassan Ata sahib) should tell; should please give a practical answer.
There is no need to be frightened. Some Muslim organisations are fighting hard to establish an Islamic government in order to establish an Islamic way of life. That is not necessary. That is illegal. Nobody need to start any war.
Even Imam Abu Hanifah Rh.a. had advised “Not to rise and destabilize any established government.” That principle of remaining peaceful should be adopted by all Muslims at all times, even in present times, where ever they live. Wassalam.
Assalamu Alaikum
Many thanks Ghulam Sarwar for the explanation.
”But not all can do business. So what they can do about their money! The objecting friend (here Alhassan Ata sahib) should tell; should please give a practical answer”.
In Ghana a few Ahmadis including myself are currently contemplating getting around this. A good number of Ahmadis in the country are clearly being duped my the existing financial system. The government’s treasury bills offer 20 percent in interest. Banks lend money a couple of percentage points beyond. Worst of all are so-called microfinance companies that have emerged with some lending between 5 and 10 per cent per month.
So what can we do. Groups of Ahmadis must emerge (loosely and sometimes through well thought out arrangement) to pool resources together to undertake joint economic activities and support other members of the jamat in a purely Islamic framework – profit/loss/risk sharing. Small venture funds can be established by members of these groups to support other members. investment funds may also be established to undertake joint activities.
The success of these arrangements can be boosted if these groups, if they are in developing countries, can link up with members of the jamat in developed countries to procure technology cheaply. There are vast opportunities in Ghana, if we can access technologies. Such arrangement can deal with mounting unemployment in the jamat and the country at large.
Rafiq Sahib, I do not know that man. But one of my own grandfathers had more than 30 children. He was not on family planning. I am sure if he were, he would have had more than 40, if not the 44!!!
Wassalam
Just one additional side-remark about the person I mentioned. His name was Mohammad Hassan Josef Al Atta. When questioned why ‘Josef’ (and not ‘Yusuf’) he mentioned that when he was a boy the only school around was a Christian Missionary School. The Christian Missionary would only allow Christian children in the school. The father of that Hassan was quick thinking and said: ‘ok, his name is Josef’. – Showing nicely why the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in Ghana opened schools!
Once again the above two comments do not challenge the existing view about “interest” and Islamic teachings. In fact they both are saying that we should follow the 1400 years old concept of interest as it existed in the economy of that time. Let me present few thoughts.
1) Qur’anic concept of interest is in the context of the poor and in the context of taking advantage of those who are stuck in a difficult situation. (usury might be a better term) I agree that the poor and destitute in the society should be helped with food, shelter and clothing. If this requires interest free loans, people or government should provide it. This is good for the larger society.
2) When Holy Prophet took loans he always returned by giving more. Hence he created an expectation in people that when you loan the money you can expect more in return. Of course in dire situations, one should be forgiven the loan altogether.
3) In business situation, if you want to borrow money from someone, there has to be an incentive for the lender to give you the money. You cannot expect to do business with someone’s money and get rich but do not give him anything in return. (Basic principal of justice will be violated.)
4) Some say that this should be dealt with profit and loss sharing agreements. I agree that whenever possible, we should do that. But it is not always possible. For example, you want to buy a car by borrowing money from a third party, such as a bank. Car is of benefit to you. You go to work or do business with it. How much money bank should get? Would it not be reasonable to give the bank a fixed amount to cover their costs and make some profit?
5) Some think that “interest” is fixed profit and there is no risk. That is also not true. We see that bad loans are written off as losses by the lenders all the time. Islam does not prohibit fixing the price by mutual consent for some future date.
6) Many Muslims blame interest for economic hardship. They never present any evidence. Such claims carry no weight. They only expose their own ignorance. So before we condemn the Western economic system, let us have something to replace it. Let us put some knowledge and proof behind it. I believe such efforts will be educational for those Muslims who claim that there is something called “Islamic Economic System.” I have never found one nor there is one mentioned in the Qur’an nor any Muslim King or Ruler has claimed as such. This cry comes mostly from religious zealots.
Dear Lutf sahib, The Quran forbids interest or Usury. Let us take an example, you or I have lot of money. We put that money in the bank and receive 15% interest on it. That will be an earning without effort. Say the money (Capital) is $10 Million.
We will be getting $125,000 monthly on our deposit. That is without any effort and no apparent danger / loss.
It will not benefit any one but us alone. i.e. the depositors.
If the same money was employed in some business, let us say a Roti plant or a dry cleaning business, it would be more beneficial to many persons, that is the laborers, workers and will surely bring us more profit than $125000/- monthly.
I have only given an example that money should be used in business enterprises whereby many can benefit. There is more employment, less suffering. What ever the case, Allah has strictly forbidden interest, even declared war against those who take interest.
The sinking of loans and bankruptcy is also due to interest based system.
The present day poverty and suffering of the poor is clearly because of interest based system. It is a blessing of the Quran that it has given the Muslims a better way of life which is against all types of evil i.e. adultery, drinking, gambling, usury.
It is long term policy of the Quran to forbid common or compound interest.
But there does not seem to be any way to avoid the interest based system unless by some sacrifice on the part of wealthy Muslims. Muslims are not the world leaders any more. They are on the receiving end now. i.e. receiving all problems and calamities.
Perhaps a lesson may be learnt by studying the internal system of Jews or Agha Khanis. Thereby a useful practical system could be evolved for the Ahmadi Community. The Ahmadis are capable to devise a good system themselves. Sacrifice and patience is necessary.
The Pakistan government under Nawaz Sharif (NS) in his last tenure provided yellow taxis to some persons on 16% interest rate. That was too much. The drivers could not pay back.
This time he (NS) is offering much cash to youngsters on easy terms (8%) interest payment starting after one year. That is a help for some towards betterment if people make use of that money for business.
Yet mankind has to get rid of that devil of interest. How beautiful life it would be if there is no interest and money is used to promote business activity only. People getting jobs and working for their (halaal) earnings. The rich will also be earning a lot legally. There will be abundance of goods and no shortage. Will the interest based systems allow that to flourish!
Also important: Nobody will normally give any loan to any one. If there is no benefit or return. Then what will happen?
Ghulam Sarwar: Interesting topic. Would you have a link to more information on the ‘internal system of Jews or Agha Khanis’? (that we could publish in TMT)?
Sir, I do not have any link to any one. I believe the Agha Khanis and Bohris have some internal loan (support) system. That may not be avoiding the world wide interest or usury. It would be concerning lending money to their own community members.
Jesus Christ is a prophet to the Muslims and the Son of God Saviour of all mankind from sin to Christians. If Muslims believe Jesus is a prophet therefore they have to believe everything he said. Firstly he said he is the SON OF GOD and secondly he said ‘I am THE way THE truth and THE life NO MAN comes to the father but by ME”. Either you choose to ignore his words or it is a lie that he is your prophet.
Which KING would leave his throne to come down to earth to suffer be tortured and nailed to a cross if it werent for his LOVE for his people. HE offered his life as a sacrifice for our sin. AT THE FOOT OF THE CROSS WE ARE ALL FORGIVEN OUR EVERY STAIN IS WASHED AWAY WE ARE NO LONGER LOST WITH HIS BLOOD HE HAS CLEANSED WHOEVER OPENS UP THEIR HEART TO HIM. With his RESURRECTION we are set free.
THAT IS ULTIMATE LOVE OF A GODLY LOVING FATHER TO HIS CHILDREN AND PEOPLE ON EARTH. Jesus defeated death and is back on his throne in heaven.
Let us all unite through love. Your search will continue until your hearts are filled with his HOLY SPIRIT then you will feel COMPLETE PEACE. Millions of Muslims have found the peace that Jesus Christ offers by accepting and opening their hearts to the MOST POWERFUL HOLY SPIRIT that engulfs all our lives and our minds and makes us COMPLETE and the doors of heaven open up to all those who have accepted this free gift that is offered to all mankind including you.
THIS IS THE ULTIMATE LOVE STORY.
1) Question to Mr. Ghulam Sarwar:
Let us be specific.
I want to buy a car and need 20,000 dollar loan for it. How will I get the money in an interest free economy (where we do not want to pay a profit to those who give loans). Please be specific. Give numbers, point out incentive and tell me how we can do this and improve the economy?
2) The person who loans the money, earned that money with effort. It is just as if a person rents a house and collects money every month from the renter, a fixed amount, and we start blaming him for having an easy time.
3) Once again, you have condemned the world economic system and declared it a cause for human suffering. But there are no facts, no solutions just blame. You have also sung praise of “Islamic economic system without interest.” And of course there is only a claim, no facts, no solutions.
4) Jamaat Ahmadiyya is now established for 125 years. Hadhrat Massih Maud has said in his writings that we need a new “ijtehad” for interest. Khalifah Rabey also said this and now present Huzur has also said this. It is time that we stop venting and start working. Or else we are in danger of looking like Taliban. Make tall claims that if Islamic Systems are established, suddenly there will be peace all over. But no one knows what exactly is the system!!
5) I agree that Quran prohibits interest, but some one has to define what is interest and what are the practical ways to avoid it. Remember how our opponents talk about, “khatim”, “murtad”, “tawaffi”, etc. Unless Qur’an is explained in practical ways, no good can come out of it.
Mr Lutf u say that the Promised Messiah has asked for ijtehad on interest. Can u pls provide reference of this statement of the Promised messiah?
Dear Lutf, Thank you. I am not economic specialist. Your plea is reasonable. I am not aware about the writing of the Promised Messiah a.s. suggesting a rewriting of Quranic meanings. Also, I am not aware of the advice of Khalifah rabi’i or Khamis on this subject.
Some one must be knowing how trade was done during the time of the Khilafat e Rashidah (0632 to 0660 A.D.). If they were doing business with interest and loans were being given on interest then I will give up and follow you as you wish.
I am sure there was no dealing in those days with interest. Some person of knowledge can guide us.
There is no need to lose hope. There must be a way to avoid interest based economy. If a LARGE fund is created and loans are dished out without interest to needy persons with some assurance, and there is some kind of exerting force for the recovery of the (capital) loan only, the matter can be solved easily.
There is no need to join the Taliban (who are wrong in another way) by indulging in interest. We will be as bad as them fellows.
I would be interested in knowing the reference for the writing of the Promised Messiah a.s. with thanks to you.
The Jama’at is pressing hard in the matter of segregation. If we can indulge in interest then we need not keep our ladies in complete separation. Some loophole can be found there too to succumb to the western way of life. I believe that we should never do that.
At present we have no choice about interest or money matters. It is indeed very difficult to do any business without it. So we can go along for some time. But to give in completely to interest will be wrong; quite against the teachings of the Quran.
If I am wrong, then please send gentle advice. Thanks.
P.S. I agree that a man cannot give hard earned money to any one without some return. But a major organisation can do it with some controls.
1) Please read the following reference of Hadhrat Massih Maud carefully.
A man came to Promised Messiah asking about permission to give money to a Sikh who wanted to do business with it. The Sikh promised a fixed return at the end of the year. For security’s sake the Sikh agreed to keep the money with the investor. Under this particular situation the Promised messiah permitted it. But at the end he said, “Almost in every type of trade, there is some element of interest. The whole system has become corrupted. Therefore a new “Ijtehad” is necessary.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 4 Page 165-166)
2) With all due respect and humility, I observe that Mr. Ghulam Sarwar continues to make assertions which are incorrect. Also he continues to profess his ignorance on this subject but does not stop giving out his opinions. Sir, you can have your opinions but they may run into facts. God says in the Holy Quran, “So let him perish who is condemned to perish by the verdict of manifest logic and let him survive who is worthy of survival by virtue of manifest logic.” (Ch. 8, V43)
3) Qur’an is word of God. Its meanings and explanations are infinite. It provides guidance under all circumstances. So a different translation or explanation of Qur’anic verses is not a “loop hole”.
4) Unless we read the Qur’an again in the context of today’s world, we will be stuck in 6th century Arabia. I am sure none of us (trying to be gentle!!) is traveling on camels.
The Article is good. People say that there is more
Islamic values in the West than in any Muslim country. As Pakistani-American I have studied the US Constitution. Please read the below link:
http://www.umaia.net/images/Commonwealth_Lecture_Islam_Constitution.doctution.
I see many similarities between the Quran and the Constitution.
Iftekhar Hai, President
UMA Interfaith Alliance
http://www.umaia.net
Read
Another verse stressing the importance of pacts and treaties:
Personal,journey stories are very forceful,peaceful way of address or writings. Deeds speak louder than words.People like late Sir Zafferulla Khan are truly amazing.His book my mother or maire walida shows that he was a::Honayhaar birwa kay chiknay chiknay paat.His respect for khilafut and his parents added to his achievement of this mortal world.Muslims are asked to pray to Allah to make them leaders .of the righteous people.For sure that needs a lot of hard work too.
You were doing so well until you compared same sex marriage and polygamy and indicated that allowing the latter somehow should mean you are entitled to the former.
Have you not learned anything about equality?
Well written. Enjoyed it. I think the writing expresses many of our feelings.
I am sure you have written on Shariah law itself and even though it was mentioned in the article few times there was nothing about what Shariah law is. I know it’s a whole different topic though but I would like a reader to get a summary of that.
I have to say, I started reading it thinking I will browse through it like most of the things I read but ended up reading it word to word and not only enjoyed but relate to it a similar to our family story at times.