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Azerbaijan Center for Religion and Democracy “Had not it been that God protects one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques wherein the name of God is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down…” (22, 40). Islam: Religion of Freedom, Democracy, Tolerance, Modernity Islam has a single and unshared written source: Holy Koran. The word “Koran” means “Reading”. Following our Lord’s order please read this Holy Writ which is quite readable and worthy reading. Fanaticism and ignorance have nothing to do with our religion because revelations and verses coming from All-mighty God are also called in Koran “knowledge”: “…Were you to follow their desires after the knowledge which has come to you, then you will not have any protector or defender against God” (13, 37). For fanaticism strips the human-being of his or her humanity our Lord says: “And among mankind is he who disputes concerning God without knowledge, and follows every rebellious Satan” (22, 3). Human-being has a free choice in religion: “There is no compulsion in religion” (2,256). Our Lord teaches us to be tolerant even towards those who are described as infidels. “Nor you worship what they worship neither they worship what you worship, they have their own religion and you have your own religion…” (109, 4-6) – reads Koran. The latter verses is excerpted form the chapter “Infidels” and even the infidelity is viewed as a religion and therefore should be set free to be practiced. Racial or national discrimination are unacceptable as closeness or intimacy to God are not to be identified by racial or national differences: “O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes so that you may know one another or you may network with one another. The most respectful one in the presence of God is who is the most pious…” (49, 13). Our Holy Book calls all the sacred persons in other religions as true messengers of God. in a very reverent way depicts and repeatedly mentions Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus are depicted and repeatedly mentioned in Koran in a very reverent way and equally prophets along with prophet Mohammad. This reverent attitude towards the believers from other religions comes from the very logic of the holy text: “…Had not it been that God protects one set of people by means of another, monasteries, churches, synagogues and mosques wherein the name of God is mentioned much would surely have been pulled down…(22, 40). Koran indicates that heavenly paradise is heralded also for believers of other religions like true Muslims surrendering to God: “Surely who believe, and those who are Jews, and the Christians, and the Sabians, whoever believes in God and the last day, they shall have their reward from their Lord…” (2, 62). As for inter-religious dialogue Our Lord sets a certain rule for this with a following instruction: “Do not argue with the People of the Book unless it is in the best manner, except for those of them who do wrong. Say "We believe in what has been sent down to us and what has been sent down to you. Our God and your God is One, and to Him we are surrendering” (29/46). Islam does not accept the “religious instructions” taken from other sources which aggravate and put certain burdens on life of human-being: “God wants to grant you easiness” (4, 28). Women rights get granted for sacredness in light of Holy values. One of the Koranic chapters is called “Women”, the others are “A woman tested” and “Maria”. “The believers, men and women are helpers, supporters, friends, protectors of one another; they enjoin good and forbid people from evil…” (9, 71). This verse shows that men and women are equally partners in social live as women have a say in governing societal and political issues along with men. It is wrong to think of Jihad as a “holy war” against non-believers. Steming from the verb ja-kha-da, meaning mainly striving, struggling, endeavor, strain, exertion, effort, diligence, in the Koranic context striving and struggling on the path of God for good deeds to be implemented, this notion in classification given by Mohammed the prophet was identified into 4 meanings: jihad against lust (struggle against lust, self-purification); jihad in words (struggle for freedom of speech); jihad in actions; and jihad with weapon. Mohammed the Prophet called jihad against lust as “the greatest jihad” and jihad with weapon on the path of defending the homeland as the “smallest jihad”. Islam is a Religion of Mercy, but not a Religion of Hatred, Terror 113 out of 114 chapters in Koran begin with the words “in the name of God, the most Gracious, the most Merciful”. “…He said: My punishment I afflict therewith whom I will, but as for My Mercy it embraces all things…” (7, 156). This verse clearly explains that God’s punishment, His hatred towards infidels are limited to certain circumstances, but His Mercy is unlimited. Our lord says about Mohammed the Prophet upon whom He sends down the revelations: “And We have sent you not but as a mercy for all creatures” (21, 107). “The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel (the evil) with one which is better, then verily he, between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend. But none is granted it except those who are patient – and none is granted it except the owner of the great portion in this world” (41, 34-35). This verse explains that only those of great soles or prophet-like brilliant personalities are destined to overcome the evil with the use of good deeds. Our Lord offers us to prefer to behave mercifully in order to reach the highest pillars of faith. Terror, unjustly shedding blood are a great sin. Our Lord says: “…We ordained for the children of Israel that is anyone killed a person not in retaliation of murder, or to spread mischief in the land – it would be as if he killed all mankind, and if anyone saved a life, it would be as if he saved all mankind…” (5, 32); “…Kill not unjustly whom God has forbidden…” (6, 151). Do those who commit terror or suicide in the name of Islam know that they are warned in Koran about absolute hell they are destined to go: “Do not kill yourselves. Surely god is Most Merciful to you. And whoever commits that through aggression and injustice We shall cast him into the fire…” (4, 29-30). Nariman Gasimoglu, |
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© 2011 Vasif Sadigli. All rights reserved. Bütün haqları qorunur.
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