In Response
to Dr Syed Ijaz Ali’s Letter
By Bashir Ahmad, MD
Wildwood, MO
I am appalled
and saddened by reading the comments made by Dr
Ali on Irshad Manji’s book “The Trouble
with Islam” in his letter published in the
Pakistan Link dated December 10, 2004.
It is quite clear that this book has been written
with the intent to degrade and insult the Qur’an
and Islam. On reading this book one can very easily
conclude that Manji is totally ignorant of the
truths and beauties of the Holy Qur’an.
I am surprised that a well-educated Muslim has
been naively taken in by Manji’s gullibly
written falsehoods against the Qur’an and
Islam.
Dr Ali quite erroneously writes about Manji’s
book the following: “While her style and
approach is vitreous or acidic and confrontational,
the message is clear - there is an urgent need
for ijtehad”. In other words Dr Ali appears
to be agreeing with Manji’s writings and
wants various verses of Qur’an to be re-interpreted
urgently! How sad it is! MANJI’S BOOK IS
DISGRACEFUL.
In her book, page 46, without giving any reference,
Manji writes “Christopher Luxembourg is
a specialist in Middle East languages. He traces
Koran’s description of heaven to a Christian
work, written three centuries before Islam in
a form of aramic, the language Jesus likely spoke”.This
is an outrageous and contemptuous allegation.
The Qur’an is a record of
the verbal revelation vouchsafed to Muhammad (S.A.S.)
during a period of approximately twenty-two years
at Mecca (610-622) and Medina (622-632). The arrangement
of the text does not follow the chronological
order of the revelation. The first revelation
was 2-6 of chapter 96, the last chapter revealed
was chapter 10. When a verse or group of verses
was revealed the Prophet s.a.s announced the text
of the revelation and indicated its place in the
sequence of the Qur’an.
The Prophet himself was not conversant with reading
and writing (24/49). He selected half a dozen
companions as scribes for the revelation. The
principal and the most reliable method of preserving
the text was however to memorize it. Even today
in the Muslim world there are hundreds of thousand,
possibly in the millions Huffaz, who recite the
entire Qur’anic text from memory. The Qur’an
was compiled into a book form during the Khilafat
of Hazarat Osman - (may God be pleased with him).
The Qur’an has been kept in its original
form in which it was revealed to Prophet Muhammad
(S.A.S.). God has declared that the Qur’an
shall be safeguarded by Him. - “Surely we
ourselves have sent down this exhortation, and
we will, most surely, safeguard it”. 15/10
Some of the verses extolling the greatness of
the Qur’an as a supreme guide for the spiritual
uplift of the whole of mankind. “ A messenger
from Allah, reciting pure scriptures, where in
are lasting commandments.” 98/3-4 “It
is a revelation from the Lord of the worlds “.
69/44 “These are the verses of the perfect
book and of the perspicuous Qur’an.“
“The Qur’an is a decisive discourse
and is not vain talk.” 86/14-15 “Surely,
it is the true certainty.” 62/52 “It
is but a source of honor for all mankind.”
12/105
MENTION OF THE TORAH AND
GOSPEL IN THE QUR’AN
“He has sent down to thee
the book, comprising the truth, which fulfills
the revelation that preceded it; and he sent down
Torah and Gospel before this guidance for the
people, and he sent down the criterion ---”
3/4-5
“People of the book, there has come to you
our messenger who unfolds to you much of that
which you used to hide of the book, and pass over
much.There has come to you indeed from Allah a
light and a clear book”. 5/16
PROPHECY OF JESUS CHRIST
ABOUT PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.S.) AND THE QUR’AN
“How be it when he,
the spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you
unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself;
but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.” John
16/13 note
1. The Spirit of Truth, applies
solely to Prophet Muhammad (S.A.S.)who was called
“Sadiq and Ameen meaning truthful and honest
by everyone who knew him.
2. “Whatsoever he shall
hear, that shall he speak”. Clearly applies
to the revealed verses of the Qur’an. The
purpose of the Qur’an is to furnish guidance
to mankind so they may be led along the path that
would bring them in a state of complete submission.
The Qur’an draws attention to every type
of phenomenon and thereby reveals vast treasure
of profound truth.
For instance, the Qur’an makes numerous
statements based on historical fact to emphasize
different aspects of guidance it sets forth but
it is not a book of history. It draws attention
to the stages of creation of the universe.
“Do not the disbelievers realize that the
heaven and earth were a solid mass, hen we split
them asunder, and we made from water every living
being? Will they not then believe”. 21/31
This verse clearly describes the big bang that
created the universe. How truly it depicts water
as sustainer of life.
In my article, which shall follow this article,
I shall be quoting the Qur’anic verses,
which describe fully and in detail all the scientific
discoveries that so far have been made about this
universe, InshAllah.
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