Imperialist Character

P.R. Kundu

Anwar Shaikh a devout Muslim Scholar clearly says "In fact, Islam is the most effective tool of imperialism. Other nations usually acquire political and cultural glory through economic power or sword and fire, but Islam achieves this aim through the medium of faith-in-Muhammad, the only source of paradise, replete with beautiful virgins, pretty boys and rivers of wine, milk and honey. This lure of paradise has turned all non-Arab Muslims into moths eager to cremate themselves on the flame of the Arabian cultural hegemony" (Islam The Arab Imperialism p. 4).

     He further says "Owing to its deep rooted tendencies to benefit the Arabs at the expense of its followers belonging to the foreign lands, It is reasonable to conclude that the Islam is nothing but the tool of the Arab Imperialism" (ibid p. 5).

     Muhammad worked hard to establish the supremacy of Arab Nationalism including Mecca, Koraish race, Arabic language, Arabic culture etc.

     Regardinng Mecca, the Prophet said "O Mecca ! by Allah you are better than any part ot the earth and dearer to me than the rest of the world" "He who aggresses against Arabia, shall not win my love, nor will I intercede for him" (Jame Termze vol 2)

     Similary Hazrat Mohammad glorifies the Koraish race as below :

     "Of the two tribes that God chose as the best were the descendents of Ishmael and Isaac. God preferred the children of Ishmael (Arabs) to the children of Isaac (The jews). Then, God created Muhammed in the chosen tribe of Quresh (the descendents of Ishmael) and then He chose the best family among the Quresh and created Muhammad as the best-of-men" (Jame Tirmze Vol.2)

     "May Allah destroy those who intend to humiliate the Quresh" (Jame Tirmze vol.2)

     "The right to rule shall belong to the Quresh even if the two men existed" (Bokhari vol. 4).

     Hazrat Mohammad created a model to establish a divine Arab nation as said "You (the Arabs) are the best nation ever brought forth...bidding honour, and forbidding dishonour" (The House of Imran III, 105)

     Not only this, Koran originally expressed in Arabic language is meant only for Arabs and not for non-Arabs.

     "By the Clear Book, behold, we have made it an Arabic Koran; haply you will understand," (Ornaments XL III 1-4)

     The above references from Koran and Hadiths clearly reveal that Islam is meant for Arabs, being related to Mecca, Madina, Quresh and Arabic language etc. The non-Muslims especially the Indian Muslims should consider seriously the imperialist attitude of Arab Nationalism created by Hazrat Mohammad.

     I am convinced that P. R. Kundu's Koran based presentation in the following pages will further expose the true Arabic imperilalist character of Islam. Adoption of Arabic names, Arabic culture, praying towards Mecca etc. is self-searching and thought provoking for non-Arabic Muslims.

K.V. Paliwal   President (Hindu Writers Form)

1. Tarzama-E-Koran Majid (Bengali Translation) by Moulana Sayed Abul A'la Maududi. Bangla Islamic Prakashani Trust (Second Ed. 1988) 27 B Lenin Sarani, Calcutta-13.

2. Siratun Nabi by Allama Sibli No 'Mani and Allama Byed Sulaiman Nadvi Translated into Bengali by Moulana Muhiuddin Khan, (Editor) Monthly "Madina" of Dhaka, and (First Indian Edition 1999) M/s. Mullick Brothers 55, College Street, Calcutta-73.

ABBREVIATIONS USED

1. TEKM for Tarzama-E-Koran Majid.

2. S. N. for Siratun Nabi.

3. o/o First Number Indicates Sum and Second Number the Ayat.

FEW ARABIC WORDS USED

     This statement raised in my mind a big question mark 'Why'? What is the secret of Islam for which the Muslims are so much rigid in their approach and behaviour as well as not willing to compromise and co-exist with people belonging to other religions? This 'Why' and 'What' goaded me to enter into an indepth study of the Koran and of the life of Hazrat Mohammed. And like a devout Muslim I started reading both the books. After reading and re-reading them all that I have been able to glean, are noted in the following :

     Its central theme is sensuous enjoyment and pleasure that includes women too, whom they consider their tilth. Islam is an open invitation and a call to mankind to fall in line with them. They know it very well that it is very difficult, if not impossible, for any mortal being to resist and overcome the temptation of flesh and blood, especially when it is done under the garb of religion. This is the secret of Islam's existence and its expansion. In reality, it has nothing to offer for common good and for the development of any mental faculty of human race.

(i) It offecers all kinds of sensuous objects for consumption to the followers of Islam in this world; and

(ii) It promises the same, of course, made of superior quality, in their next lives i.e. in Jannat.

     "Ye faithfuls ! All pure things and articles which Allah has made halal (permitted) for you, don't make them haram (forbidden) and thus exceed your limit. Those who exceed their limits Allah dislikes them very much." (5/87).

     "There is no renunciation in Islam". (Abu Dawood). In this the following Ayat was revealed, "For you, in the month of Roja (fasting), intercourse with your wives is permitted.." (S. N. page 468).

C. That Islam is a totalitarian and militant doctrine

(i) It believes in regimentation of thought and action, the central theme of which is Jehad (waging war) against the non-Muslims for conversion or annihilation; and

(ii) In it there is no scope of independent and free thinking. "Oh Prophet ! Declare Jehad against Kafirs (non Muslims and idolators) and the hyprocrites in full strength and take harsh attitude towards them. Ultimately, their abode will Jahannam (Hell) and verily that place is a terrible dungeon" .(9/ 73)

D. That Islam demands total surrender to the faith as revealed by Allah to Hazrat Mohammed who codified them in a Book called the Koran

(i) None can question about the authority of any of its Ayats;

(ii) Nor to raise any doubt about the statements of Hazrat Mohammed.

     "Ye believers ! Don't put any question to Hazrat Mohammed lest his answer becomes unbearable to you....." (5/101). "Before you a group of people indulged in putting such questions and in consequence they fell in great distress." (5/102). "In reality, those who deny our Ayats, are all condemned ones." (29/49).

E. That no reformer of Islam is tolerated

(i) Any suggestion of improvement or otherwise of the age-old tenets of Islam is treated as heresy and blasphemy; and

(ii) Any speech or act from any reformer is considered as un-Islamic, and such person is liable to be incapacitated or liquidated.

     Before his death, Hazrat Mohammed said to his followers, "I am leaving with you a treasure. As long as you will be attached to it, you will not be derailed from your path. And that treasure is Allah-given Koran". (S. N. Page 497). Therefore any deviation from the tenets of the Koran does not arise. Muslims consider, each and every tenet of the Koran as the first and and last word of human behaviour.

F. That terror-tactics and cruelty are the Hallmark of Islam Let me cite here only three Ayats for example.

(i) O ye who believe ! Fight those non-believers who are near to you, and let them feel harshness in you, and know that Allah is with those who keep their duty (unto Him)." (9/123)

(ii) "Accursed, they (Kafirs) will be seized whenever found and slain a (fierce) slaughter". (33/61).

(iii) "Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the Idolaters wherever ye find them...." (9/5).

     Finally if any body asks me to summarise the whole Koran, 1 will ask him to go through only three consecutive Ayats viz., 2/23, 2/24, and 2/25 of Sura Al-Bakara. Let him amplify and elucidate them, he will get the complete Koran Shariff. The relevant Ayats are quoted here-in-below.

In this Allah promises all rewards (read sensuous objects of this world as well as world beyond i.e., in Jannat) for the followers of Islam. Does He not expose Himself here to be a partisan and one-eyed Allah? Are not the children of Iswar or God children of Allah as well? Are the identities of Iswar God and Allah separate? Are not they, in reality, One Authority and different only in names?

     At the juncture of history of Arab countries Hazrat Mohammed appeared in the scene with a doctrine of materialism from Allah and declared himself as His Rasul (worldly representative). The doctrine consists in two parts : (A) Benefits pertaining to worldly lives, and (B) Benefits pertaining to lives beyond this world.

A. Worldly benefits :

(i) In respect of food, everything, except carrion, flowing blood and flesh of swine, has been made halal (permitted); and

(ii) In respect of conjugal life men were permitted to take upto four women as their wives at a time and to maintain an unspecified number of slave-women or otherwise in their Harem for pleasure and enjoyment.

B. Benefits in the world beyond i .e. , in Jannat :

(i) Beautiful gardens having various types of fruits with delicious taste;

(ii) Beside these gardens will flow eternally the fountains of sweet water;

(iii) Palatial buildings decorated with heavenly furniture and fittings;

(iv) There the faithfuls will sit reclining on the coaches and face to face dressed with coarse and fine silken clothes;

(v) There they will be offered flesh of fowls beautifully cooked and served tasteful drinks by evergreen boys looking like pearls;

(vi) Innumerable deer-eyed Houries (beautiful damsels) having permanent youth will be there at their beck and call;

(vii) Each believer will get two gardens there-one for living and another for pleasure trips having all amenities of life as described here in above;

(viii) Believers will live there eternally. For them, there will be no birth and death.

     It is relevant here to note that the House of Kaba existed long before Hazrat Mohammed and was full of the images of different deities and their numbers were 360 (S. N. page 77). During the first thirteen years of Prophethood of Hazrat  Mohammed, a state of conflict and disagreement prevailed in  Mecca between him, the Messaih of Allah and the local people. At one time, it so happend, the Koraish people threatened Hazrat Mohammed to liquidate him physically, if he did not stop preaching his new doctrine. Finding no other alternative, one day, Hazrat Mohammed left Mecca accompanied by his most trusted friend Hazrat Abu Bakr and went to Madina, where some new converts to Islam had already taken refuge. This event of fleeing Mecca to Madina is know as Hizrat.

     Khadija was Hazrat Mohammed's cousin, much older than him. After her second widowhood, she asked Hazrat Mohammed to look after her big business. Accordingly Hazrat Mohammed accepted the offer and thus intimacy grew between them. And in an auspicious moment, they entered into wedlock. At the time of marriage Hazrat Mohammed's age was 25 years while Hazrat Khadija's was 40 years. Hazrat Khadija died at the age of 65 yrs. Another notable event of Prophet's life was his marriage, at Allah's instance (33/37-38), with Hazrat Jaynab, the divorced wife of his adopted son Hazrat Jayed, who was once his favourite servant. (TEKM. page 719). Yet another important landmark of Propher's life was his marriage with Hazart Ayesha, the daughter of Hazrat Abu Bakr, his trusted friend and first lieutenant. Hazrat Ayesha came to her husband's house at the age of 9 and led her conjugal life for 9 years. And when the Prophet died she was 18 years old, the youngest one of his nine wives who were left behind. ( S. N. page 713 & 730). According to Hazrat Ayesha "When Rasuley Karim took long tour for battle or otherwise and out of home for a considerable period he took one of his wives with him." Introductory note of Sura-Noor, TEKM. Page 592).

     The author of "Siratun Nabi" writes : "Hazrat Mohammed ..... was well aware of this mission. And to fulfil his mission he was well equipped with various weapons. According to a reliable report the details of weapons are given below :

     During the last Haj, Hazrat, Mohammed got his head shaved, his hair were distributed among his followers. Some hairs of the Prophet are kept in Hazratbal Mosque at Srinagar of Kashmir. And the Prophet died in the eleventh Hizri at the age of 63.

     Probably Hazrat Mohammed was the first and till today is the last Prophet who maintained a huge armoury for propagation of one's doctrine and personally waged and fought many bloody battles.

     Spiritualism demands sacrifice, self-control and service to others; whereas materialism means grabbing and gratification of all kinds of sensuous objects. And the Muslims believe in the latter view of life. Let us read what the Koran says in this respect.

     "Oh Ye who believe ! These pure articles and things (consumer goods) which Allah made Halal (permitted) unto you, don't make them Haram (forbidden) and thus transgress the limit. Those who exceed their limit Allah verify dislikes them." (5/87)^1. In connection with this Ayat—

     (i) the author of TEKM noted : Like Christian Saints, Hindu Yogis, Buddha Bhikkus (Mendicants) and Oriental Sannyasins (Ascetics) don't deprive yourselves from enjoying sensuous things i.e., earthly pleasures which have been made Halal (permitted) unto you by Allah. This is the inner meaning of this Ayat. (TEKM-page 218).

1. The inner meaning of this Ayat is that what Allah has permitted in respect of food, women, Ganimat (war booty) and circumcision Muslims have no right to make them discarded. This ordinance, like many others, is sacrosanct to each and every Muslim.

     (iv) Again he quotes in another place, 'Islam is not a religion of renunciation. It does not approve or believe in Asceticism.' (S. N. - page 645).

     Islam considers men the exclusive beneficiary of all worldly gains including women. To them women are nothing but an object of enjoyment like any other commodity. Hence Muslims are permitted to use their women as they like. The contents ofthe following Ayats will speak for themselves.

     (ii) The Koran says. Your women are your tilth for you (to cultivate), so go to your tilth as ye will......' (2/223).

     (iii) Allah has come to know that during the month of Ramjan you have sex with your wives and thus make treachery with yourselves. However, Allah has forgiven you and extended His pardon unto you. Henceforth, during the month of Ramjan, intercourse with your wives has been permitted. Now have the taste of pleasure that Allah has permitted for you.....' (2/187).

     The Koran goes on saying, 'Know it for certain that this worldly life is nothing but a play-full of attractions and glittering objects, here men enter into competition to surpass one another in showing their pomp and grandeur, acquiring wealth and family members......The opposite side of this is another world. It is such a place where provision of severe punishments as well as Allah's grace and mercy prevails. (And in comparison with that) the worldly life in nothing but a fraud and hoax.' (57/20).

     In the following Ayats, the Koran gives a lucid description of Jannat (Heaven) having shade-giving and various kinds of fruit-bearing gardens furnished with rich furniture and fittings, rich silks and brocades, goblets of wine that gives no hangover and regiments of 'bashful virgins whom neither man nor jinnee have touched before'. It is a unique and exciting place for the believers (Momins) who will live there eternally with youthful vigour and immeasurable luxury. Now let us have the original text.

2. This is a very important Ayat (revelation). The contents of this Ayat was repeated in innumerable revelations of the Koran. Even Khoda the Almighty could not provide His servants with gardens and water-fountains in the desert lands of Mecca & Madina. hence this promise, where there would be no dearth of gardens and fountains.

3. Soot. The author of TEKM writes : "In the then Arabia, wine mixed with soot compound, was a favourite drink. Hence the reference of soot was made while describing the quality of drinks in Jannat." (TEKM.- Page 1098).

BELIEVE THESE AND BE BLESSED : DENY THESE AND BE DAMNED.

4. More or less same promises were made in (55/62-77). The author of TEKivi. writes : Probably first two gardens were made for each Momin for habitation and second two gardens were made for pleasure trips.

     When Shri Anwar Shaikh, a noted Islamic Scholar-turned-rationalist of Cardiff, U.K. said, "Islam is no religion; but it represents Arab nationalism with an aspiration of world domination", I did not take it seriously and considered him to be a heretic. Because, in support of his statement, what he put forward before the world was not convincing, at least, in my estimation. However, I did not stop there and closed my mind; but simultaneously, I was in search of some authentic support to this uncommon observation of Shaikh. Unfortunately or fortunately and to my great astonishment, I heard an echo of the same in one of the statements of Hazrat, Mohammed himself.

     It was in the tenth or eleventh year of Nabuat (Prophethood) of Hazrat Mohammed. During those long ten years the Prophet made some headway in preaching his new doctrine among the Koraish-people who were idolaters. This achievement of Hazrat Mohammed enraged the Koraish-people, in general, and their chieftains were intrigued to see an end of the new phenomenon. Some fellow tribesmen were even inclined to attack Hazrat Mohammed physically, but the chieftains intervened and the matter could not proceed further. But with every passing day the tension mounted. Under these circumstances the chieftains decided to seek the mediation of Abu Talib, the uncle of Hazrat Mohammed, who was then ailing. They knew that Abu Talib was in death-bed and his days were numbered. So, before his death, if a rapproachment could be made between them and Hazrat Mohammed, it would be better. Otherwise, if any untoward incident occurred (and there was every possibility) after his death, people would blame saying that till Abu Talib was alive no harm was done to Mohammed, but as soon as he died 1 lis nephew was hurt physically or driven away from Mecca forcibly. This situation might have adverse repercussions.

     Now, let us hear the concluding part of the episode from the author of the TEKM. who recorded the same in his Introduction to Sura Sad (38) under caption 'Historical Background' of the Sura. He writes : When the Koraish chieftains decided to see Abu Talib, one day some twenty-five of them went to him. Abu jehel, Abu Sufain, Umaiya Ibne Khalaf, Ash Ibne Ayel, Aswad Ibnul Muttalib, Ukba Ibne Abu Muayat, Utba and Saiba were among them. After placing some general complaints against Hazrat Mohammed they specifically placed a proposal before Abu Talib to the effect that 'let Mohammed live with his new Deen (belief) and let us also live with our own Deen (belief). He must not henceforth abuse our idols, nor disturb us asking to forsake them'. On hearing this Abu Talib called Hazrat Mohammed and told him, 'Nephew! These people of your tribe have come to me. They want you, to come to an honourable settlement with them in respect of your attitude towards their method of worship and let whatever discord exists between you and them be ended with agreement'. And in reply Nabi Karim (Mohammed) said, 'Uncle! I have placed before them such a Kalema (doctrine), if they accept it, all Arabs will follow them and non-Arab countries will come under their feet". (TEKM. page 775). To bring home the spirit of the above statement of Mohammed the author of TEKM. explains in such a manner, as if Hazrat Mohammed was addressing his fellow countrymen in direct speech. They run as follows : "If I place before you a proposal the acceptance of which will mean not only the lordship of whole Arbia but also of the rest of the world, tell me then, whether it would be acceptable and beneficial to you, or it is better where you are now placed? Do your real wellbeing lie in acceptance of this Kalema, or in permitting yourselves to continue your present pattern of worship and standard of living?" (Ibid page 776).

     In this connection a very pertinent question will arise "What Hazrat Mohammed actually meant by his 'Kalema' about the success of which he was cock-sure?" For getting an answer to this question we are inclined to refer to the sections of this book under caption "Spiritualism has no place in Islam—It believes absolutely in materialism", "Kalema and Jehad—two special aspects of Islam" and The Koran and Ganimat (warbooty and spoils)". After going through all these chapters it is upto the reader to conclude whether Islam represents a doctrine of Arab Imperialism with materialistic approach or a religion in conventional term. The rift that was made between Hazrat Mohammed and the Koraish chieftains in the desert-town of Mecca that day, had its far-flung repercussions and a permanent battle-line was drawn between the future followers of Islam and the non-Islamites.

     It is common knowledge that every religion has some common rituals viz., Prayer, Fasting, Pilgrimage and Charity etc. Islam also practices these four rituals in different names viz., Namaz, Roza, Haz and Jakat respectively. Apart from these, Islam has two special aspects—kalema and Jehad. Kalema is theoretical part and the Jehad is operative part of Islam.

     Kalema—Anyone, while embracing Islam, must swear by saying : "I have every faith on Allah and His last Prophet Hazrat Mohammed. I also believe in teachings of the Koran and I will leave no stone unturned in propagating and executing its ordinances". This in short is the pledge.

     Jehad—Jehad is the operative part of Kalema (pledge) which each and every Muslim is duty-bound to execute i.e. to translate (the pledge into action. In short, Jehad means waging war, in (he name of Islam, against the Kafirs for forcible conversion to Islam. Is it the end in itself or has Islam any message extraordinary. Offer Namaz five times a day to Allah and in His name grab all sensuous objects of the world through any means for fulfilment of carnal desires. More or less, this, is the summun bonum of Islam. Besides this there is a bundle of "Dos and Don'ts" prescribed for the followers of Islam which have nothing to do with the humanity at large.

     According to the great design of Allah, humanity has been divided into two—believers i.e. those who believe in Allah (not In God or Iswar) and Mohammed as his prophet, and non-believers i.e. those who do not believe in Allah and to Allah's chosen Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (but believe in their respective God or Iswar). In Islamic lexicon Muslims are called believers and those who do not believe in Islam are called Kafirs. In those days the Jews and the Christians were known as Kafirs. But in later days i.e. today, non-Muslims in general, are known as Kafirs. Following the same track of Allah His Rasual Hazrat Mohammed also divided the world into two-Dar-ul-Islam i.e., the lands or countries which have already been islamised and Dar-ul-Harb i.e., lands or countries which have not yet been Islamised, but where a state of belligerency prevails between the Muslims and non-Muslims for respective paramountacy or supremacy. This state of belligerency continues for an unlimited period, till and until the issue is decided either way. But how long, actually, this state of affair will continue depends entirely on the subjective and objective conditions of the countries concerned as well as the sustaining power of Muslims and non-Muslims. However one must not loose sight of the fact that so long the Muslamans are there, Jehad will remain as its integral and essesntial part till those countries are transformed into Dar-ul-Islam, or they are driven out of those countries forcibly. It is more than an axiom that Muslims do never fall in line with the mainstream of any country where they are in minority. They always stick to their aspirations and make all sorts of endeavours to increase their numerical number. The moment they achieve their required numbers⁵, they wage Jehad.

     Let us now see, what duties and rewards are there for the Maiahideens i.e., the participants in the Jehad. There are innumerable Ayats (revelations) on the subject. I will quote only a few of them :

     (xix) Zimmis and Zijia—However the Kafirs may evade death penalty provided they pay Zijia personally, a tax charged for living in any Islamic country as third class citizens called 'Zimmis'. Exact wordings of the Koran read as "...Fight them relentlessly till they are prepared to pay 'Zijia' personally in their own hand and ready to live in humiliation." (9/29). Not only that, they must fulfil the following conditions as well, for such disgraceful living.

     In Islam Jehad and Ganimat are inseparable. They go hand in hand. Jehad is a unique device of Allah for Islamisation of the world. And Allah promises great reward for the Mujahideens (participants in Jehad) in Jannat (Heaven) on Roz Keyamat (the day of reckoning). At the same time He is not indifferent towards His servants in distributing material benefits of this world. Ganimat is one such benefit whichAllah made Halal (permitted) for the Prophet and the Mujahideens. At the end of each engagement with the Kafirs, if victory goes in favour of the Muslims, a good amount of moveable properties Including men, women, children (as slaves) and domestic animals come under the possession of the Muslims. And now, about their distribution procedure. In this aspect also Allah is very Judicious. According to the author of 'Siratun Nabi', one-fifth of the Ganimat will go to Allah's Rasul (Representative). He will utilise one portion of it for his own and his relatives, benefit; the rest will be distributed among the hapless children, the poor and travellers. Remaining fourfifth of the Ganimat will be distributed among the Mujahideens. (S. N.—page 383). The Koran says :

     (xiii) "Know it for certain that those who have rejected Our Ayats considering them false and have taken a combatant attitude, for them the door of Jannat will never be opened. As it is impossible for a camel to pass through a needle-hole, so also it is impossible for those people to enter Jannat And the offenders get My reprisal this way." (7/40).

     (x) "Forbidden unto you (for food) are carrion and blood and swineflesh, and that which had been dedicated unto any other than Allah, and the strangled, and the dead through beating, and the dead through falling from a height, and that which hath been killed by (the goring of) horns, and the devoured of wild-beasts, saving that which ye make lawful (by the death stroke), and that which hath been immolated unto idols And (forbidden is it) that ye swear by the divining arrows. This is an abomination. This day are those who disbelieve in despair of (ever harming) your religion; so fear them not, fear Me! This day have I perfected your religion for your and completed My favour unto you, and have chosen for you as religion Al Islam (surrender to Allah). Therefore, whatever restrictions imposed upon you about Halal (permitted) and Haram (forbidden), follow them strictly. Of course, who so is forced by hunger not by will, to sin (i.e., to eat the forbidden ones) : (for him) lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful." (5/3).

It is one kind of warning from Allah to His followers, meaning, 'if you believe Me, believe My Rasul also who is presently with you. Don't try to impose your collective opinion on my Rasul, rather follow his words as My words. Contrarily, if you press My Rasul to accept your majority opinion, you will be put into great trouble'. This is the inner meaning of the above Ayat.

C. Jummar Namaz (Friday's Prayer)

E. Badar War

Badar War was the turning point for Islam. The fate of Islam was decided in the battlefield of Badar. Accoridng to the author of TEKM, "One western writer wries : 'Before the battle of Baddar Islam was merely a religion and an ideal object for the state. But after Badar War (where Hazrat Mohammed won the field) Islam became a state-religion or transformed itself into a religion state'." (TEKM—page 305). On the other hand, if Hazrat Mohammed lost the battle, the history of Islam might have been written in a different way.

F. Hazrat Mohammed Maintained Harem

According to the author of TEKM, Hazrat Sofia and Hazrat Maria Kitbia belonged to Hazrat Mohammed's Harem. Both were married wives of Hazrat Mohammed, (page 1033).

And according to the author of "Siratun Nabi" Mukaokis, the ruler of Egypt once sent some presentations to Hazrat Mohammed that inlcuded two damsels, some clothes and a mule. The names of the damsels were Maria Kitbia and Shireen. Hazrat Mohammed kept the former in his Harem whom he married later on and the other was handed over to Hazrat Hassan. (S.N.—page 288).

G. Rasul's life was an Example

     (x) That he did not believe in spiritualism or idealism—he was out and out a devotee of material aspects of life.

      (i) "...those who do not settle their affairs following the revealed ordinances of Allah are Kafirs (non-believers)". (5/44).

     The author of 'Siratun Nabi' wrote in the very beginning of the biography under capition "Religions of Arab people before Hazrat Mohammad" that "at that time there were two types of religion—one Nature-worship and the other Idolatry. Nature-worshippers believed that in this world everything occurs following the Law of Nature in cyclic order. Others believed in idolatry and worshipped different deities of various denominations. That they worshipped the idols not considering litem as Allah (i.e. God), but as media between Him and themselves so that they can reach All in due course." (S.N. page 12).

      (a) Muslims believe that Hazrat Mohammed is the last Prophet and the Koran is the last Book.

     (a) They do not consider any Avatar (Prophet) and any Scripture as the last one. They believe in their continuity. When world becomes full of sinful men and matters, Iswar (God) comes in this world, taking human form, to destroy the evil-doers and protect the virtuous ones. And, in this process, they believe, Shri Ramkrishna Paramahansa is the latest incarnation of Iswar who appeared in this world in the nineteenth century A. D. Like previous Avatars of Aryavarta, he also, Inter alia, preached the doctrine of 'equality of all religions'. Each and every human being (of course, if he or she aspires) can reach God following his or her respective faith. To obtain God's grace nobody needs to relinquish his or her own faith. In addition to this Ramkrishna Dev preached, 'Those who cannot comprehend God, let them serve His creations'. To htm 'Service to humanity is the service to God'.

     (l) They neither believe in any final Day of Judgement, earmarked by Iswar (God) for their trial. They consider, life's journey is a continous process and at the end of their journey they reach the Godhead for which they aspired so long.

     Idol-worship is neither a sin, nor an anti-God act; rather it is the basis of all civilization and culture. "Idol-worship was an inseparable part of ancient, civilization of the world. It did not matter if the civilization belonged to Greece, India or Mesopotamia.... wherever there is an archaeological excavation the old civilizations throw up ancient statues.... In Arabia, where there is no idol-worship today, before the advent of Islam, it was very common there. Every clan had its own god. It is interesting to note that there are some similarities among different civilizations evolved at various places. For example, they all visualised a god or goddess for knowledge, wealth, beauty, rain, et. At places the shape and appearance of the idols is uncannily similar, the majority of statues discovered in the world are Ganapati (the god of success and wealth).... Lord Ganapati is the god of gods." (Courtesy- Organiser).

     (ii) "Men are incharge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the others, and because they spend their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge/beat them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is every High exalted Great". (4/34).

     (viii) "Forbidden unto you are your mothers, and your daughters, and sisters, and your father's sisters, and your mother's sisters, and your brothers's daughters, and your sister's daughters, and your foster-mothers, and step-daughters who are under your protection (born) of your women unto whom ye have gone in, but if ye have not gone in unto them, then it is not sin for you (to marry their daughters), and the wives of your sons who (spring) from your own loins. And (it is forbidden unto you) that ye should have two sisters together, except what hath already happened ( of that nature) in the past. Lo! Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Merciful" (4/23).

     (ix) "O Prophet! Tell unto your wives and daughters and tell unto the believing ladies to use Purdah⁸ (outer) garments) so that they can be identified as respectable ones and none disturbs them. This is the noblest way of Allah who is Kind and Merciful". (33/59).

     (iii) "Besides these no other woman is permissible for you, nor permissible for you to take other women as your wives, though their youth and beauty may be attractive to you, replacing your existing ones. Of course, slave women are permitted for you. Truely, Allah is vigilant in all matters." (33/52).

     (i) This is a Book. It has been revealed to you. Therefore, O Mohammed ! Do not have any doubt about it in your mind. The object of these revelations is two-fold—one, you will warn the Kafirs of consequences for their defiance and two, this Book will be reassuring to the believers." (7/2).

     (ii) "If you have any doubt in your mind about My revelations to you, then have a consultation with those people who have been reading such Book before you. Undoubtedly, the real truth had come to you from your Allah. Therefore, do not be one of them who are wavering ones." (10/94).

     We know, Allah is Ail-Powerful, All-Knowing and Merciful. But one should not loose sight of another important aspect of Allah's greatness—He is a great strategist too. There are many strategic revelations of Allah, of which we will cite only a few.

A. On Keyamat : When it will occur?

     (i) We are not making much delay for Keyamat; it is a matter of a few counted days only. (11/104).

     (ii) ........In occurring Keyamat there will be no delay; it is a matter of wink only or even less......(16/77).

C. The tone and texture of Ayats revealed In Mecca and Madina are different—Why?

     In my opinion, the answer to this question is not far to seek. In Mecca's life, Hazrat Mohammed was not at all safe. Every now and then, he was threatened with dire consequences by his own tribesmen. As they were idolaters they could not tolerate him. This way he had to pass this first thirteen years of Prophethood at Mecca. During this period, considering the plight of Hazrat Mohammed, Allah revealed to him soft Ayats for propagation. But the moment Hazrat Mohammed consolidated his position in Madina, especially after Badar War, Allah started revealing to His Prophet hard Ayats advising him to implement them in right earnest.

     Not even that. To have an answer to this question, the reader may please go through the following lines. In one place I read that the quarrel between the Muslims must not continue more than three days. In another place I read, "If any quarrel breaks out between two groups of Muslims, it must be settled by the Intervention of the leaders of the community. Even then, if one party does not relent and come to terms, fight them relentlessly till they submit to Allah's dictate. And after their submission, make a suitbale agreement executed between the two parties." (19/9). In another Ayat the Koran syas, "Mohammed is Allah's Rasul. And those who are with him are harsh to the Kafirs; but they are kind and friendly among themselves........." (48/29). Like this there are many Ayats bearing more or less the same meaning and content. It is needless to quote them all. Before his death the Prophet said unto his followers :

     This is a very important statement of the Prophet. According to the author of "Siratun Nabi", this was the last message of the Prophet to his followers. But alas ! this had little effect on them. The doctrine of Jehad and Ganimat which were permitted by Allah, in the name of religion, had their far-reaching repercussions. Once the weapons which were used against the Kafirs boomeranged on themselves. The seed that was sown by Hazrat Mohammed during his lifetime (of course, at the instance of Allah), began to beat fruits immediately after his death. With the demise of the Prophet a scramble for the post of Calif which is the repository of all power and authority, began between the followers of Hazrat Ali the son-in-law of the Prophet and the others. Ultimately it was settled by a council of prominent persons that Hazrat-i-Abubakr would be the first Calif Hazrat-i-Umar as the second, Hazrat-i-Usman as the third and Hazrat-i-Ali as the fourth Calif. Those who accepted this arrangement are known as Sunni Muslim. And those who did not accept this and accepted Hazrat Ali as the first Calif are known as Shia Muslim. Thus, the fratricidal feuds that started with the succession of Hazrat Mohammed, is still going on unabated. Narrating this Mr. Muzaffar Hussain, a noted columnist states, This Shia-Sunni conflict is a world-wide phenomenon. Among the 52 Islamic states only Iran follows the Shia denomination. But that does not mean that any Islamic Country is free from this conflict. Iraq has about 45 percent of its population belonging to the Shia sect. In Afghanistan Shias form about 14 percent of its population. Yet they are so powerful that no ruling group can survive without their support. The Kurds, waging a life-and-death struggle for Independence from Turkey, Syria and Iraq, are in fact fighting for their Shia faith. Bahrain has a major chunk of its population following the Shia sect; that is why it is a thorn in the Sunni Saudi Arabia's flesh". (Organiser 31.8.97).

     Before drawing curtain on this chapter I will draw a leaf from Indian History under the rule of Great Moghuls. Alamgir Aurangjib managed to kill his own three brothers and put his old father Shah Jehan under surveillance in Agra Fort till his death only to usurp the throne of Delhi. All these acts of Aurangjib undoubtedly prove that not only the Muslims are not brothers one to another, but also brothers having blood relation are bot brothers. In reality, the epicentre of Islam is power Ganimat that include power and all kinds of material objects of this world and of the promised next world, veering which every aspect of Muslim-life rotates. Otherwise, there is no point nor any meaning in waging such bloody wars amongst themselves. In this connection one fact should be kept in mind that here Muslims are not fighting the Kafirs for establishing their Allah-given faith, but fighting for material objects and political power.

     In one breath Allah reveals, 'Know if for certain, who will believe in Arabian Nabi or Yahudi, Christian or Sabi—he who will believe in Allah and the other world and perform good work; will get his reward from Khoda and for him there will be no cause of fear nor any anxiety." (2/62); and in another, He reveals Himself quite in a different manner viz., "And he who will make Allah, His Rasul and the believers as his friends and patrons, should know that only the followers of Allah will win." (5/56). Does it imply that the followers of other faiths i.e. of God or of Iswar will not win any time, anywhere? If so, did not Allah behave here like a partisan Patriarch?