Why did Muslims set out to conquer the world?
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Peace G.Omar,
There were no Muslim empires. It was only later, during the Abbassid era when the word "muslim" lost its meaning and became a meaningless label that the empire was named "Muslim empire".
You don't have to take my word. If you are in London and you are walking down the street and suddenly you come across a bunch of half naked guys spinning around a black stone cube and kissing a black stone in one of its corners then you would surely think that you stumbled upon some weird pagan cult. This is your god-given natural instinctive reaction. What is the difference between this and what is going on in Mecca? Nothing!
As I said, we can sit back and speculate 1400 years later but certainly according to the great reading (see 929), "a substitution for military service" is not what it means. Here is my translation of 929 (and please feel free to provide your own translation)
- Fight those who don't have faith in the god nor in the ending day and do not restrict what the god and his messenger have restricted and do not obligate the true obligation from those who were given the book until they are given the retaliation with power while they are diminished.
The conquerors and empire builders took this word from 929 and twisted it to make it into a religious tax for their profit. Let?s not do the same by making it into "a substitution for military service" despite that ?substitution for military service" is not even implied by 929. In fact, no translation that I know of even remotely implies that it has anything to so with ?substitution for military service"
009.029
YUSUFALI Fight those who believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, nor hold that forbidden which hath been forbidden by Allah and His Messenger, nor acknowledge the religion of Truth, (even if they are) of the People of the Book, until they pay the Jizya with willing submission, and feel themselves subdued.
PICKTHAL Fight against such of those who have been given the Scripture as believe not in Allah nor the Last Day, and forbid not that which Allah hath forbidden by His messenger, and follow not the Religion of Truth, until they pay the tribute readily, being brought low.
SHAKIR Fight those who do not believe in Allah, nor in the latter day, nor do they prohibit what Allah and His Messenger have prohibited, nor follow the religion of truth, out of those who have been given the Book, until they pay the tax in acknowledgment of superiority and they are in a state of subjection.
KHALIFA You shall fight back against those who do not believe in GOD, nor in the Last Day, nor do they prohibit what GOD and His messenger have prohibited, nor do they abide by the religion of truth - among those who received the scripture - until they pay the due tax, willingly or unwillingly.Peace,
Ayman
Salaam Ayman
As I said earlier I am not as knowledgeable as many of you, in History especially. I have two questions here.
Historians refer to Abdul Rahman?s period as a truly Golden Era. He was sole survivor of the Abbasid slaughter of the Umayyads. His rule in Spain established the most modern way of life, which included not only introduction of musical instruments, dance and art but also research in science economics etc. Was he a follower of Qur?an only as he was criticised by fanatics later?
Seeing that it was sons of Hind who became the Umayyads I wonder if Hind was deliberately depicted as an evil woman????The term ?Muslim empire? is used by westerners when they talk of the different empires. Muslims had pockets of rule (with lots of differences), but to outsiders it may have appeared as one Muslim Empire?
Mu Openion
Regarding Jizya I tried to understand your explanation Ayman but it does not seem to make much sense to me. I have in front of me excellent Yaqb.org and different interpretation and with my limited knowledge of Arabic I believe that Jizya was introduced soon after Muslims were asked to bar idol worshpper from the Sacred Mosque 0928
In verse 0929 the people concerned were people of the book who were given commandment in their books to contribute Zakah in the community and if the people of the book failed to follow their Deen which they were suppose to establish then, in compensation they should pay Jizya ?yes it was not something in return for military service but the fact remains that whether we like it or not Jezya was to be paid if people of the books ignored their own just law and that is why many became Muslims and many who paid Jizya reached prominent position and enjoyed full protection from the state.
Today?s minorities appear to have equal human rights but this so called Civilised Era is the one where, although there are no apparent slaves, nations are enslaved and the poor work like slaves to provide luxuries from coca to designer clothes.
Best regards -
Peace,
Farida, whatever. You didn't even read what was on Wikipedia, because it was about the Arabs BEFORE Islam. It didn't even address Muslims. If you are not knowledgeable then please don't speak. And if you want to be then go read some books about the Arabs before Islam. Also you didn't even comment on the Street Mimbar page. You are going to believe what you want to believe. But I can tell you that the golden age of Islamic empire was due to the convergence of the expertise of many different cultures into one Islamic culture. When Islam flourished is when the leaders encouraged free-thought and research and development and when they fell, both back then and now is when they didn't promote free throught, research and development. Yes Moors were Muslims but that is not the name of the Muslims in Spain. The Moors were a conglomeration of Muslim Berbers tribes and Muslim upper West African tribes who cooperating with the Arabs conquered spain. Again we had a convergence of cultures in one place and a governance that encouraged free-throught, research and development that allowed for flourishing and civilization. When leadership becomes complacent about providing these three things a civilization stops growth. You can see now that Muslims are not big or research and development cultivating it everwhere (some Muslim countries are) and they are even worse when it comes to free-thought. The West has flourished because it has allowed these things. Their fear of Islam and darker peoples still has not kept them from trying to eradicate oppression in the words and dictates of their laws which has coincided with rapid development. Please do not fantasize a thing that you did not experience. There were many periods of intolerance in Islamic empires institutionalized and non-institutional.
Godbless,
Anwar -
You don't have to take my word. If you are in London and you are walking down the street and suddenly you come across a bunch of half naked guys spinning around a black stone cube and kissing a black stone in one of its corners then you would surely think that you stumbled upon some weird pagan cult. This is your god-given natural instinctive reaction. What is the difference between this and what is going on in Mecca? Nothing!
Only issue with that is that "ihram" is next to full cover.
As for these "Muslim" empires, the later ones were corrupt to the core. What's with the sultans having harems anyway?
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Peace,
Respect and truth are two different things. I wasn't being disrespectful, if so I would have insulted her. I did not do that, but people who are not knowledgeable and admittedly so should stop making judgements so quickly especially without weighing the evidence and reading carefully. Or taking their first impression of anyone, good or bad as their absolute opinion of anyone and everything they have to say, despite the pudding in the cake. Samia, i won't turn this into anything personal but if you have something to say to me you can send me a pm. Do not reproach or give me advice in front of anyone else. Otherwise with your track record with me I'll just take it as the same old combative attitude you've always taken with me. So take your sword and stick it in back in its sheath. I will not respond to you or anything you have to say just as when I talk to you my words bounce off your brain like a tennis ball thrown at a brick wall (with all due respect, and in all truth).
Godbless,
Anwar -
Peace,
Respect and truth are two different things. I wasn't being disrespectful, if so I would have insulted her. I did not do that, but people who are not knowledgeable and admittedly so should stop making judgements so quickly especially without weighing the evidence and reading carefully. Or taking their first impression of anyone, good or bad as their absolute opinion of anyone and everything they have to say, despite the pudding in the cake. Samia, i won't turn this into anything personal but if you have something to say to me you can send me a pm. Do not reproach or give me advice in front of anyone else. Otherwise with your track record with me I'll just take it as the same old combative attitude you've always taken with me. So take your sword and stick it in back in its sheath. I will not respond to you or anything you have to say just as when I talk to you my words bounce off your brain like a tennis ball thrown at a brick wall (with all due respect, and in all truth).
Godbless,
AnwarAnwar,
With all your knowledge you still have a thing or two to learn about how muslims should behave towards each other and how to handle anger. I suggest you study the Quran on the subject.
G.Omar
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Peace,
Truth doesn't necessarily equal 'doing (or saying) the right thing'. I can say that a certain empire goes around the world killing people or 'liberate', is this true? Yes. Is this Right? No. I have nothing against you, I respect your opinion. But what you said to her was disrespectful. If she agreed with your point of view, you wouldn't say the same thing would you?
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Peace,
That's find D. Argento and G.Omar, think what you like your opinions really mean nothing to me. Aboslutely nothing. I only hope that the intelligent can see the truth in what I write. I guess it is not what you say but how you say it, right? Well I still think that is a lack of retrospection. Oh, well. I really don't care, and I really was not angry, believe it or not. Usually when I get angry while reading the many idiotic and stubborn comments I read here I get a little bit of vertigo put both my hands on my head and usually let out a 'Why, Why Why'. or a 'No, no no.' or a 'What is wrong?' My comments were deserved. Thanks for the advice Omar. I'm quite familiar about al-kaadhimoona al-ghaidha. And believe me I do hold my anger or those who read my comments in honesty would never see my message because I would be constantly speaking of the idiocy, intellectual malaise, justified ingnorance and fabrication I see on this forum every time I visit it. Save your personal comments for PM's if you really care, both of you. Otherwise, hold your peace.
Godbless,
Anwar -
Peace,
That's find D. Argento and G.Omar, think what you like your opinions really mean nothing to me. Aboslutely nothing. I only hope that the intelligent can see the truth in what I write. I guess it is not what you say but how you say it, right? Well I still think that is a lack of retrospection. Oh, well. I really don't care, and I really was not angry, believe it or not. Usually when I get angry while reading the many idiotic and stubborn comments I read here I get a little bit of vertigo put both my hands on my head and usually let out a 'Why, Why Why'. or a 'No, no no.' or a 'What is wrong?' My comments were deserved. Thanks for the advice Omar. I'm quite familiar about al-kaadhimoona al-ghaidha. And believe me I do hold my anger or those who read my comments in honesty would never see my message because I would be constantly speaking of the idiocy, intellectual malaise, justified ingnorance and fabrication I see on this forum every time I visit it. Save your personal comments for PM's if you really care, both of you. Otherwise, hold your peace.
Godbless,
AnwarDear Anwar hmm
I'm a man of peace and believe me I would never have attacked you in public, if you hadn't first humiliated Farida, whom I know to be a good person and a believer. If you sting you should expect to be stung, right? Ever since I was a boy I have fought bullies and you strike me as a very arrogant member of that club. I hope i am wrong about you but time and your future posts will tell.
May God guide you!
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Salaam Anwar
Please have respect for other members. The forum is not exclusive to "knowledgeable" people, if we can even define who is knowledgeable. This is a learning group.
A woman was listening to an eloquent Mullah/Imam/Scholar telling that initially 50 prayers were ordered by Allah.swt
The woman being new to the sermon could not resist asking Imam I am not as knowledgeable as you and my Arabic is not that great but how come there were 50 prayers when there are only 24 hours in a day? Does that mean we?re supposed to do prayers every 27 minutes? Not much time left to eat, sleep, or have sex then.
Very annoyed with her remark the mullah shouted ?You woman-whatever!!! Do you think you know more than I? Don?t ask these silly questions when you know you don?t have enough knowledge. If you think I am talking nonsense then go and read wikipedia on hadith.
The woman said With all due respect; you are evading my question. Your reference to wikipedia of hedith is irrelevant here.?in other words you are asking me to get lost in a long list of reading whereas I?m only asking you a question of common knowledge.
The mullah replied What knowledge???? You have none? You do not read what I tell you to read and come and argue with me that we were not allowed to have Sext?Please do not fantasize a thing that you did not experience?.. - minutes not enough for you? rotfl
Raising his hand toward West he continued See here how they have established a society where not only sex, but everything flourished ...Fear of Islam and darker peoples still has not kept them away from Colonization
Sitting there S raised her objection Sir you are being disrespectful here.confused
The mullah shouted YOU starting again!!! How dare you question me in public? Only I have the right to publicly abuse others!!! If you have anything to say come and see me in my Hujraah(PM) or else tuck your tongue in.. Typical you never learned, You thick head...
Mullah walked out putting both my hands on his head 'Why, Why Why'?. 'No, no no. I don?t have to put up with these ignorant people they do not understand a civilised dialogue. brickwall
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Only issue with that is that "ihram" is next to full cover.
As for these "Muslim" empires, the later ones were corrupt to the core. What's with the sultans having harems anyway?
OPF
Read this
Tilka ummatun qad khalat laha ma kasabat walakum ma kasabtum wala tus-aloona AAamma kanoo yaAAmaloonaLiteral That (is) a nation had passed/expired for it what it earned/acquired , and for you what you earned/acquired , and you are not (to) be asked/questioned about what they were making/doing .
Free-Minds That was a nation that passed away, to them is what they earned and to you is what you have earned; you will not be asked about what they did.
Rashad Khalifa That was a community from the past. They are responsible for what they earned, and you are responsible for what you earned. You are not answerable for anything they did.
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Peace G.Omar,
I have no wish to quibble with you as I respect your learning too much. I base my interpretation of Jiziya not on a translation of the Quran but on texts by people of the book in Spain during the muslim era where those who served in the army were clearly exempt from paying this tax.
The meaning in the great reading itself is what matters. There is nothing inherent in the term "jizya" either in the quranic context or in Arabic dictionaries to indicate that it specifically has to do with military service. This is clearly a meaning dictated by the circumstances of the Moore rulers in Spain at the time (hundreds of years after the great reading was descended). Also, how about Muslims who don't serve in the army. Do they pay the tax?
Peace,
Ayman
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Peace Farida,
Regarding Jizya I tried to understand your explanation Ayman but it does not seem to make much sense to me. I have in front of me excellent Yaqb.org and different interpretation and with my limited knowledge of Arabic I believe that Jizya was introduced soon after Muslims were asked to bar idol worshpper from the Sacred Mosque 0928
In verse 0929 the people concerned were people of the book who were given commandment in their books to contribute Zakah in the community and if the people of the book failed to follow their Deen which they were suppose to establish then, in compensation they should pay Jizya ?yes it was not something in return for military service but the fact remains that whether we like it or not Jezya was to be paid if people of the books ignored their own just law and that is why many became Muslims and many who paid Jizya reached prominent position and enjoyed full protection from the state.
Today?s minorities appear to have equal human rights but this so called Civilised Era is the one where, although there are no apparent slaves, nations are enslaved and the poor work like slaves to provide luxuries from coca to designer clothes.The word "jizya" has to do with compensation or retaliation (when negative). There is nothing inherent in the word by itself to specifically imply a religious tax or a religious-military service tax. In fact, the word "yu3tu" can mean "they are given". So the direction of the "jizya" would be from the believers to the people of the book. Clearly the believers wouldn't be paying them money. So it is retaliation for an injustice that those specific people of the book in Chapter 9 have done.
Peace,
Ayman
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Peace OPF,
Only issue with that is that "ihram" is next to full cover.
I don't know about that. I pesonally would feel uncomfortable walking down the street wearing nothing but a towel around my waist and a towel over my shoulder. This could just be me. D
As for these "Muslim" empires, the later ones were corrupt to the core. What's with the sultans having harems anyway?
Are you implying that they were lucky? ;D The god gave them an empire and power and they wasted it and all they are remembered for is the "harems". The Sultans are a most unlucky bunch.
Peace,
Ayman
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Peace OPF,
I don't know about that. I pesonally would feel uncomfortable walking down the street wearing nothing but a towel around my waist and a towel over my shoulder. This could just be me. D
Are you implying that they were lucky? ;D The god gave them an empire and power and they wasted it and all they are remembered for is the "harems". The Sultans are a most unlucky bunch.
Peace,
Ayman
Salaam Ayman
Thank you for elaborating on the meaning of Jizya and I see that we are in agreement on this subject.
I agree with you that the Sultans + others were the unlucky ignorant ones, who were put to the test by the Almighty, but what ever they did were their deeds. Today many, like those Sultans waste their valuable time critising other. The Qur'an asks us to check ourselves how we are going through our tests and reflect.
On the last note thank GOd that I am a women I never had to imagine going around in two lose towels in a crowd though many do go around that way on the beech.
Best regards
Farida -
Peace G.Omar,
The meaning in the great reading itself is what matters. There is nothing inherent in the term "jizya" either in the quranic context or in Arabic dictionaries to indicate that it specifically has to do with military service. This is clearly a meaning dictated by the circumstances of the Moore rulers in Spain at the time (hundreds of years after the great reading was descended). Also, how about Muslims who don't serve in the army. Do they pay the tax?
Peace,
Ayman
I agree. if you want to understand the meaning of a Quranic term you need to find out what was intended. I have no information as to whether those Muslims who did not perform military service had to pay the Jizya. Given the very high level of equality btw. the religions I would expect a similar tax, not necessarily named Jizya though, was indeed levied on them. I will try to find out GW. !
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Peace Farida,
The word "jizya" has to do with compensation or retaliation (when negative). There is nothing inherent in the word by itself to specifically imply a religious tax or a religious-military service tax. In fact, the word "yu3tu" can mean "they are given". So the direction of the "jizya" would be from the believers to the people of the book. Clearly the believers wouldn't be paying them money. So it is retaliation for an injustice that those specific people of the book in Chapter 9 have done.
Peace,
Ayman
Having done further research into the matter of Jizya it appears it was indeed connected to military service or the exemption from such service. The evidence suggesting this is a)The tax was only imposed on able bodied non-Muslim men of military age. b) Dhimmis recruited for military operations were exempted from jizya for the year of service. Please read below
"In states ruled by Islamic law, jizya is a per capita tax imposed on able bodied non-Muslim men of military age. The tax was not levied on slaves, women, children, monks, the old, the sick, hermits and the poor. Non-Muslim citizens who pay the tax are permitted to practice their faith and to enjoy a measure of communal autonomy as well as being entitled to Muslim protection from outside aggression and being exempted from military service and numerous other exemptions to levies upon Muslim citizens.
Taxation from the perspective of people who came under the Muslim rule, was a concrete continuation of the taxes paid to earlier regimes but now lower under the Muslim rule and from the point of view of the Muslim conqueror was a material proof of the payer's subjection. In the border provinces, dhimmis were sometimes recruited for military operations. In such cases, they were exempted from jizya for the year of service."