Dr. Shabbir's Blog

January 31st, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

The teen-age anonymous callers have contacted me again, saying, (the summary in my words): Dr. Shabbir Al-Muhtaram, May Allah reward you for showing us the Right Path! We checked the Qur’an and surely we find in it the Message of love and peace, even that Mankind is all one community or brotherhood.

Our Sheikh thought long and hard and said that truly there is no injunction in the Qur’an and Hadith supporting suicide bombing. On the contrary, we find numerous commands to save human lives. We are only allowed to fight the aggressors in self-defense. Suicide bombing is particularly deplorable since it kills people indiscriminately. Much of our indoctrination is misguided and politically motivated.

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Dear youngsters, Salamun alaikum! I am grateful to Allah that all of you could reflect and reach the right conclusions. What could be a greater crime than Terrorism which is the total antithesis of the central themes of the Qur’an: universal peace and fulfilling human rights?

Thanks and may Allah bless you!

Dr. Shabbir

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January 29th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Respected friends, I have received messages from two “Islamic radicals” supporting suicide bombings! I should be able to post the messages and their rebuttal within 24 hours. Thanks for waiting! -SA
Both messages were received on phone anonymously from overseas. The callers sounded like teen-age boys and spoke Arabic.
Caller # 1: Doctor Shabbir al-Muhtaram, Please listen to me with respect since I am calling you with respect. You are a Muslim scholar but you criticize Islam and Muslims. You denounce suicide bombing, the gateway to Paradise.
Dr. Shabbir: Salamun alaik! Anything else?
Caller # 2: Salamun alaik! Sir, please answer his questions honestly. A suicide bomber is a sure martyr.
Dr. Shabbir: Wa Salamun alaik! What else?
Caller # 2: This is enough for today, Sir.
Dr. Shabbir: Dear youngsters!
It’s good that you speak clearly and to the point. I will always listen to you patiently. If you read my books and study this website carefully, you will agree that we only criticize the Islam distorted by our “Imams”, and the harmful actions of Muslims. Please give me a reference from the Quran that suicide bombing is the gateway to Paradise.
Caller # 1: Our Sheikh says that.
Caller # 2: And a few other Sheikhs say that Sir.
Dr. Shabbir: Dear youngsters, ask these Sheikhs with respect, ‘Haatoo burhaanakum in kuntum saadiqeen’ (Bring your evidence if you are truthful) as the Quran commands in 2:111 and 27:64. If they can bring one verse supporting suicide bombing, or even a Hadith, please let me know. Please note down and reflect on these verses and get back with me if you have any questions: 2:190-191, 5:2, 5:8, 5:32, 13:17, 41:34. In-Sha-Allah, you will agree that suicide bombing is only A GATEWAY to Hell.

YOU KNOW that Prophet Muhammad (S) had to fight many battles in self-defense but NOT A SINGLE non-combatant among the aggressors was harmed at all.
May Allah bless you, Ma’Assalameh!
Both callers: Ma’Assalameh, Fi Amanillah, Ya Muhtaram! We will check out.
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2:111 —. Say, “Bring your proof if you are truthful.”
2:190 .— God does not love aggressors. —.
2:191 — persecution, (terror, torture, oppression) is a crime more grievous than killing.
5:2 Let not the hatred of a people lead you to transgression … Help one another in acts of collective benefit and righteousness, and do not help one another in deeds that hurt humanity and in creating a wedge between people …
5:8 … Be upholders of justice for the sake of God as witnesses to the truth. Let not the hatred of any people move you away from justice. Deal justly. That is closer to being upright …
5:32 —. And whoever saves the life of one human being it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind. —.
13:17 The real existence on earth is of the person or the system that benefits humanity. (Paraphrased)
41:34 Since good and evil cannot be alike, repel evil with what is decent. Then he, between whom and you there was enmity, may become close friends.

Dr. Shabbir

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January 28th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Dear Dr SA, “All Tickey Doo!”

Your good friend Steve Marker of Birmingham gave me a copy of “Who Wrote the Quran?” while I had just finished the first ten Surahs of “The Qur’an As It Explains Itself” gifted to me by your loyal reader, John Bolton of Cardiff.

The preface to your rendition of the Qur’an serves as the master key to the Book and opens the doors to its best understanding and then the rendition itself engages the reader’s mind and captures the heart. Sir Winston Churchill said, “If you can get people to laugh you can tell them anything.” Similarly if an author engages the reader’s mind he wins the heart. I became an instant fan but I was not sure whether it was the Qur’an or the author. But it was “All Tickey Doo.”

Steve’s gift came at the most appropriate time and it assured me that the author of the Qur’an could be none but our Almighty Creator.

Consider me and my family avid students of the Glorious Book.

Two questions:

First you write Qur’an with an apostrophe and later without it - Quran.

Second, do you understand “All Tickey Doo”? or was it unfair on my part?

If possible, please post my email on the blog to allow me company with the fortunate ones.

Laura (and Mike, Sylvia and Alfred)

Worcestershire

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Respected Laura, “All Tickey Doo!”

I should be able to post my response in some hours.

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Here we are, respected Laura Smith! Greetings of Salam,

I am delighted at your lovely email. Thank you!

Not many people outside the UK, and even the youngsters in that country, would know “All Tickey Doo!” today. I learned it from some senior generals in my youth. Lord Earl Mountbatten, commander of the British navy fleet during the WWII, later the last Viceroy of India (1946-1947), invented this expression and for some reason it became very popular. In a hilarious way it means: All is well, no casualties, no problems.

I switched over from the word “Qur’an” to “Quran” upon the advice of some discerning readers. They believe that the word “Quran” is easier to find through search functions.

May God bless you all!

A life-long student, Shabbir

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January 27th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Q: After having an interview with the ISNA President Dr. Ingrid Mattson, a few good men have asked me to confirm whether Muslim men are religiously bound to grow beards. They had been told that the beard is a Sunnah muakkada of the exalted Prophet. [Sunnah muakkada = A tradition that is obligatory for Muslims to follow]

A: Nay! It was a part of the Arab culture even before the exalted prophet. Then, the most vehement Qureshite enemies of Islam, Abu Jahl, Abi Lahab, Waleed bin ‘Atbah, ‘Aaas bin Waael, ‘Atbah bin Rabee’, Waleed bin Mugheerah as well as Jews and Christians of Arabia all kept beards. Think of the men who, for racial or other reasons, cannot grow beards. Most importantly, keeping beard is not ordained anywhere in the Quran.
-SA

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January 27th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Dear friends, Peace & blessings unto you!

The Internet experts, Saleem Adam and Rishma Adam of Minnesota, are the most selfless couple I have known. While my son Fawad had initiated the website, Saleem and Rishma have been managing it with amazing efficiency and dedication for many years. In fact, they have practically owned this website.

Considering my health situation, the gracious couple will take over my work whenever I am unable to carry on any longer. Both of them are Quran-oriented and experienced in Internet dialog. Saleem is the director of a local Masjid as well. So, we can expect the best from them. I will continue to work on the website as much and as long as I can.

With thanks to the Almighty, eternal gratitude to them and best regards to you all,

A life-long student, Shabbir

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January 27th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

OUR RESPECTED BROTHER HOSSEIN KOWSARI COMPLETES THE AUDIO RENDITION OF THE ENTIRE QURAN (QXPiv) ON 24 CDs. Respected brother Kowsari, AA

It was like conquering the Himalayas. Only God can reward you for undertaking and completing the formidable task.

Anyone can contact us for the complete set for a voluntary contribution.

With a million dua’s,
Your brother,
Shabbir

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January 26th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

All Praise to the Almighty God - the Silversteins, the Harrisons and seven of their friends have found ourbeacon.com answering their questions and curiosities about Islam to their satisfaction.

May Allah guide us all and strengthen our Faith!

With best regards and prayers,

Dr. Shabbir

PS: Viewers are invited to participate in the open Forum.

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January 24th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Dear Mr. Harrison, Peace and blessings! The Quran does not ordain cutting of hands for theft. It is indeed barbaric, and peddled by the ignorant ‘Imams’ and Mullahs. Yes, it is a manmade atrocity. A duty-bound, agonized, young Dr. Shabbir saw that happen in Arabia. I asked the Chief Mullah in a stern voice why he had ordered the cutting of one hand only while, literally, the Book says two hands and, surely, he had no answer. However, he did say that I was a kid
5:38 (Theft is a crime that steals away the sense of security from a society). A habitual thief, male or female both, must have their ability (to steal) cut off. This is the reward for their doings, and a deterrent from Allah. Allah is Almighty, Wise.
[For QAT’A YADDAIN the so-called cutting of hands, please see 12:31. ‘Yadd’ = Hand = Ability. ‘Allah’s hand’ at many places in the Quran, of course, denotes His Power and Authority. So, consider all circumstances with wisdom, and take measures to prevent this crime in the society]
5:39 Whoever repents after the crime and makes amends, God grants him pardon. God is Forgiving, Merciful. [If the hand is cut off, what about making amends, pardon and mercy?]
12:31 When she heard their gossip, she invited them, and prepared comfortable couches for them, and they schemed. She gave a knife to each of the women. Then, she called Joseph, “Come out unto them!” And when they saw him they flattered him and ‘cut their hands’. They exclaimed in their flattery, “Good Lord! This is no mortal man! This is but an angel!” [The governor’s wife and her friends had planned to incriminate Joseph, and they were just buying time. They made marks on their hands to feign self-defense. There is absolutely no mention of the supposed “beauty’ of Joseph, a fabrication adopted by most commentators from the Bible! Secondly, the root word QAT’A in this verse is of very special significance. Did these women chop off their hands? Must the thieves get their hands chopped off? Please see 5:38-39]
Here is the Biblical reference. Mathew Chapter 18, verses 8-9 “And if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire.” [Can anyone cut off his hand or foot or pluck out his own eye? Is it possible that Muslim translators of the Quran rendered Qat’a literally under Biblical influence?]
With respects, I am sending you some complimentary books. God willing, you will have a good understanding of Islam, and decision making will become easy for you. Stay in touch and please do not hesitate to ask any questions on phone or email.
Dr. Shabbir, a life-long student

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January 23rd, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

(For the benefit of all, the email is being posted with due permission. SA)

*I spent most of my career with ARAMCO in Dhahran and Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia. I loved many (not all) religious and cultural practices in the Middle East. I found most people very hospitable, honest, sincere and helpful although I could not agree with their vain rituals. People were compelled to pray five times a day. The shop keepers were forced to put the shutters down at prayer times and people tried to show off or prove that they were praying. Men and women who refused to enter a mosque with the Azan were regularly beaten with canes by the religious police. Even women with babies in their arms whose head cover slipped or ankles showed were regularly caned. Women could neither drive nor travel in a cab without a man from the family. All restaurants were forcibly closed during the days of Ramdan. Obviously all this violated human rights. Paradoxically I saw the *Golden Rule in practice only among Muslims and most of them truly believe in the accountability of the hereafter. We would leave our homes and cars unlocked without any fear. I suspected that much of the vain ritualism, irrationality and barbarism going on could not be of divine origin. When I came close to embracing the enlightening Koran, a terrible thing happened.
I saw a convicted thief’s right hand mercilessly chopped off outside the Central Friday Mosque in Al-Khobar. Ten years since that day I have been hanging between Islam and Atheism. I had discarded Christianity in youth for it being irrational. All Muslim scholars in the KSA and USA insist that the verses in the Koran about the cutting of hands must be obeyed since there is no other choice.
Nothing drains our energies more than indecision. Please help.
Don Harrison, Toronto

*Dear Sir, Peace and blessings unto you, and to your searching mind! With thanks for contacting me, I will post my response tonight or tomorrow.

*[The Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Mathew 7:12]

Dr. Shabbir

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January 22nd, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Email from Mr. & Mrs. Silverstein presented on the Blog at their request.
Dear Doc, Greetings of peace and grace.
We are a successful 45 year young business couple in Los Angeles. Having lived
unfulfilled intellectual lives, belonging to a conservative Jewish family, we had been wetting our feet in the Islamic pool for the last three years. Our research began with five popular translations of the Quran but it would end quickly with the first few pages. The Book seemed to be broken and unclear. Islamic scholars complicated even the simple. How could they help? So, never was there a dive. O God, how can we thank you enough for the Day when, through a search engine, we landed on ‘The Qur’an As It Explains Itself’ by Dr. Shabbir Ahmed!
The phrase that instantly captured our minds and hearts was: O You who have chosen to be graced with belief! … “O you who believe,” always turned us off since belief has to be an active process and a matter of choice. Then the Right Faith is indeed a blessing of blessings.
To make a long story short, we soon found ourselves glued to your QXP. We have three boys, 20, 19, and 18. Now all of us take pride in calling ourselves Muslims and try to live by the Book.
We know you send complimentary books to Non-Muslims but we are, by the grace of God, Muslims already. So kindly send us five sets of all your English books and CDS and triple charge the account.
May God bless you for showing us the Lighted Road that we will share with family and friends.
Most gratefully,
Sarah and Jeremy

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