Hmmm, if "not" can be construed to mean "not not" they have to be a politician.

Hi Bazz,

Today's random verses, from 'The Rock':

[15.87] And certainly We have given you seven of the oft-repeated (verses) and the grand Quran.

[15.88] Do not strain your eyes after what We have given certain classes of them to enjoy, and do not grieve for them, and make yourself gentle to the believers.

[15.89] And say: Surely I am the plain warner.

Fascinating: a book that refers to itself. A bit like Henry V exhorting his troops,

O my brave men of England, never need you to fear,
While you can peruse at leisure, the works of Shakespeare.
Set aside the doggerel of Webster, Jonson or even Milton:
Will's star bright shines while all those others are wiltin'.

Too anachronistic ?

Verses 88 and 89 have been abrogated by the 'Verse of the sword":

'But when the forbidden months are past, then fight and slay the Pagans wherever ye find them, and seize them, beleaguer them, and lie in wait for them in every stratagem (of war); but if they repent, and establish regular prayers and practise regular charity, then open the way for them: for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.'

I don't know how that abrogation works: the original Koran is supposed to be the unchangeable word from the mouth of Allah, yet can be abrogated. By 'learned scholars', I presume. But if these verses can, then why not others ?

The threat of more tomorrow, with the slightest encouragement.

Joe

Hi Joe,
You requested "early Islamic scholarship" in relation to "freedoms of expression and of belief, the universal brotherhood of all human beings regardless of belief, the universal equality of men and women, and of all people regardless of class, belief or ethnicity: what you might call, for short: liberty, fraternity and equality.

I apologies for my delayed response. The first thing that came to mind in this regard was the Prophet's Last Sermon and the Covenant of the Prophet Muhammad with the Monks of Mount Sinai.

The Last Sermon touched upon trust and accountability; financial obligations; riba (interest); treatment of wives; brotherhood; opposition to racial discrimination.

I've selected two of these:

Treatment of wives:

"O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you.  Remember that you have taken them as your wives only under a trust from God and with His permission.  If they abide by your right then to them belongs the right to be fed and clothed in kindness.  Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers.  And it is your right that they do not make friends with any one of whom you do not approve, as well as never to be unchaste."

From <http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/523/prophet-muhammad-s-last-sermon/>

Note: the right to be "fed and clothed" by the husband is irrespective of the wealth of the wife. She has no financial obligation toward the support of the household.

Superiority of one human over another is not base on race or skin but their closeness to Allah:

"All mankind is from Adam and Eve.  An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action."

From <http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/523/prophet-muhammad-s-last-sermon/

More to come...

The Prophet personally granted a Covenant to the Monks of Mount Sinai affirming rights and privileges to the monastery, including freedom of worship and movement, freedom to appoint their own judges and to own and maintain their property.

The covenant has been reaffirmed by Muslim rulers throughout history and recently confirmed by scholars (recent evidence: http://www.lastprophet.info/covenant-of-the-prophet-muhammad-with-the-monks-of-mt-sinai>)

Here is an English translation of the charter.

"This is a message from Muhammad ibn Abdullah, as a covenant to those who adopt Christianity, near and far, we are with them. Verily I, the servants, the helpers, and my followers defend them, because Christians are my citizens; and by Allah! I hold out against anything that displeases them.

No compulsion is to be on them. Neither are their judges to be removed from their jobs nor their monks from their monasteries. No one is to destroy a house of their religion, to damage it, or to carry anything from it to the Muslims' houses. Should anyone take any of these, he would spoil God's covenant and disobey His Prophet. Verily, they are my allies and have my secure charter against all that they hate. No one is to force them to travel or to oblige them to fight. The Muslims are to fight for them.

If a female Christian is married to a Muslim, it is not to take place without her approval. She is not to be prevented from visiting her church to pray. Their churches are to be respected. They are neither to be prevented from repairing them nor the sacredness of their covenants. No one of the nation (Muslims) is to disobey the covenant till the Last Day (end of the world)."

ISIS has violated every item of the the covenant! They are therefore not followers of the Prophet or Islam.

Joe wrote:

"The threat of more tomorrow, with the slightest encouragement. "

Please, i encourage you.

However, at least two issues that arise from your approach. Firstly, you are quoting the English which is itself an interpretation. Secondly, you are not offering evidence for interpretations or sources for any commentary you offer.

With more time I'll provide examples.

Thank you Grateful,

I have to admit that I was thinking about the Yazidi women of Sinjar, reading your quote about the treatment of women.

So I'm very relieved to read that you consider ISIS not to be following any of the teachings of the Koran. Of course, they may disagree with you, but that's a disagreement within Islam, and for Muslims to resolve. But I do like this verse, to the extent that I can understand it fully:

[5.32] For this reason did We prescribe to the children of Israel that whoever slays a soul, unless it be for manslaughter or for mischief in the land, it is as though he slew all men; and whoever keeps it alive, it is as though he kept alive all men;

I'm still a little worried:

"All mankind is from Adam and Eve. An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have any superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have any superiority over a white; [none have superiority over another] except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood."

Again, there doesn't seem to be any acknowledgement, not really, that all people, Muslim AND non-Muslim, deserve equal concern: what happens if one is 'outside' the brotherhood ?

I try to take the Good Samaritan as a true guide.

Cheers,

Joe