The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement Blog

How the clergy wanted Sir Syed Ahmad Khan beheaded

Submitted by Rashid Jahangiri.

How the clergy wanted Sir Syed beheaded

A must read for young members of Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement and our opponents.
This article will help readers get a glimpse of decaying condition of Muslims, in every sphere of life, in Indian subcontinent preceding and during times of PM-HMGA.
Copied from ‘Pak Tea House’ blog.
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How the clergy wanted Sir Syed beheaded

Published in The Times of India

Arif Mohammed Khan is a former Union minister

Sir Syed Ahmad Khan was the first Muslim voice of reform in India. He emerged on the scene at a time when Indian Muslim society was sunk in obscurantism and inertia and showed no desire to struggle out of its medieval grooves. The unwholesome influence of clergy had made them view modern education as incompatible with and hostile to religion.

The abortive uprising of 1857 and the cleric call to jihad made Muslims target of British wrath and reprisals. Sir Syed as a judicial officer served the government during the crisis but the aftermath of disturbances deeply impacted him.

He wrote: “I reflected about the decadence of the Muslim community, and came to the conclusion that modern education alone is the remedy of the ills they are suffering from. I decided on a strategy to disabuse their minds of strong communal belief that the study of European literature and science is anti-religion and promotes disbelief”.

The objectives of Sir Syed, born in early 19th century (October 17, 1817), were educational and social reforms; he had no desire to dabble in religion. But all his initiatives were opposed in the name of religion.

Describing his dilemma, Sir Syed said: “We were keen to avoid any discussion of religion, but the problem is that our behaviours, social practices and religious beliefs are so mixed up that no discussion of social reform is possible without provoking a religious controversy”. Frustrated with the clergy, he added, “When urged to give up something harmful, they say it has religious merit and when asked to do something positive they assert it is prohibited by religion. So we have no options but discuss the religious context to push our agenda forward”

With this objective, he launched the Mohammedan Social Reformer journal in July 1884. To use his own words, the journal “played crucial role in fighting the fanaticism that has pushed the community into abyss of ignorance”. The journal focused on modern education and social and religious reforms.

The school at Aligarh was launched in 1875. For its success, this project depended wholly on public donations. Sir Syed made notable personal contributions and went overboard in his fund collection drive. He organized lotteries, staged drama and felt no hesitation to visit any place, including red light areas, to collect money. He gratefully acknowledged the help he received and made special mention of Hindus who gave money and material support and did a great favour to the whole (Muslim) community.

The college finally emerged as a University in 1920, 22 years after Sir Syed had breathed his last in 1898. It was a living testimony of the success of Aligarh movement. However, the story shall remain incomplete if no mention is made of the hostility and opposition of the Muslim clergy that Sir Syed faced till he died and still persists in certain quarters.

The intensity of opposition can be understood from the comments of Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi in his book “Islamiat aur Maghribiat ki Kashmakash”written more than 60 years after Sir Syed’s death. Maulana says: “The education mission of Sir Syed and his advocacy of Western civilization became correlatives and caused apprehensions and doubts in the minds of people. A wave of opposition took hold of the religious circles and his movement met with a simultaneous call for its boycott”

First Sir Syed was targeted when he shared food with the British and defended his action in a signed article. The opposition became fierce during his stay in London. Sir Syed responded through a memorandum saying: “The terrifying call of Kanpur, the lyrical satire of Lucknow, the idle tattle of Agra and Allahabad, the fatwas of Rampur and Bareilly and the snide remarks of holy men of Delhi grieve me not. My heart is overflowing with the idea of welfare of my people and there is no room in it for any anger or rancor”

Conscious of cleric hostility Sir Syed offered not to have any role in matters of religious instruction in the college and invited leading clerics to prepare the syllabus. Maulana Qasim Nanotvi and Maulana Yaqoob of Deoband shot down the proposal saying they cannot associate with an institution which will have Shia students on the campus.

Maulana Hali in his biography of Sir Syed says that 60 maulvis and alims had signed fatwas accusing Sir Syed of disbelief and apostasy. There was total consensus among the Indian clerics, only divine approval was missing. Maulvi Ali Bakhsh did the needful and travelled to Mecca and Medina on the pretext of pilgrimage and secured a fatwa calling for beheading of Sir Syed if he repented not and persisted with his plan to establish the college.

Sir Syed was a visionary who pursued his dream ignoring all opposition and aptly remarked, “I know what they know not and I understand what they understand not”. History has proved that he was right and the clergy, as always, utterly wrong.

Does the sunna abrogate the Koran?

Submitted by Bashir.

Chapter 4 Does the sunna abrogate the Koran?

1. Imam Shafi vehemently denied that the Koran had ever abrogated the sunna, or that the sunna had ever abrogated the Koran (see Burton).

2. Imam Shafi argued that the Koran only abrogated the Koran and the sunna only abrogated the sunna (see Burton).

Burton writes: We have heard that the death penalty for adultery allegedly introduced by Muhammad still formed part of the Islamic Law. Shafi’s contemporaries continued to argue, as their teachers had argued, that that is but one instance of the of the abrogation of the Koran by the sunna…..But the stubborn fact remained obvious to everyone with eyes to see : that earlier punishment had been established by the Koran:24:2—

“The adulteress and the adulterer, flog each of them (with) a hundred stripes, and let not pity for them detain you from obedience to Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day, and let a party of believers witness their chastisement.”

Burton writes: Imam shafi was driven to accept the there were some koranic verses that were no longer in the Koran.

Note: In early Islam all the judges(qazis) that were present in Islamic nations, they ruled based on the Koran. Their day to day modus operandi was based on the Koran and the sunna (this is pre-Bukhari).

Conversation with Dr. Shabbir Ahmad, and his reply

The earlier post by Rashid Jahangiri of August 2009 in this blog is repeated below, followed by the reply he has received.

In April 2009 I talked on telephone with Dr. Shabbir Ahmad sahib. We talked about 20 minutes. I thanked him for publishing a rational and modern translation and interpretation of Holy Quran. I specifically informed him that when I present his translation of Holy Quran to fellow Muslims, I don’t get accused of presenting Lahori-Ahmadiyya translation. And how this has made my life easy.

Dr. Shabbir sahib informed me, he has mashAllah converted over 16000 (sixteen thousand) non-Muslims, including couple of members of JihadWatch. I purchased his translation of Holy Quran and couple of other books.

Dr. Shabbir sahib was highly respectful of late Abdul Mannan Omar sahib, Khawaja Kamal Ud Din sahib, and Maulana Muhammad Ali sahib. He was highly appreciative of their works on Holy Quran and Islam. Dr. Shabbir also informed me that he talked to Mannan sahib few years ago.

I asked Dr. Shabbir sahib, in life we see a healthy tree of sweet mangos, which is capable of producing sweet mangos, but its fruit can get infected by insects and is totally wasted. As we see in case of prophet Noah’s son. But it is not possible for a sweet mango to grow on a tree, which produces some other kind of bitter fruit. So, keeping this reasoning, how is it possible that people like Mannan sahib, Kamal ud Din sahib, and Muhammad Ali sahib, towards whom you showed so much respect because of their works on Islam and knew religion so well, they not only get attracted to, rather become staunch followers of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad sahib of Qadian? Dr. Shabir sahib was quiet and did not answer.

We talked about 1974, 2nd constitutional amendment that declared Ahmadis (both Lahori and Qadiani) a non-Muslim. Dr. shabbir sahib was of opinion that there was no need of this amendment, because it was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad sahib who “first” declared Muslims as kafir so per hadith ‘fatwah takfir’ fell back on him. I informed him that in reality it was about 200 Muslim Ulama in India who issued a joint fatwah declaring Mirza Ghulam Ahmad sahib a kafir. And Mirza sahib only applied hadith to point out to these opponent ulama that per hadith ‘fatwah takfir’ falls back on them and they subsequently become kafir. Dr. Shabbir sahib was quiet, and did not comment.

Dr. Shabbir sahib brought Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad sahib writings into question.
I replied Mirza sahib had five kinds of audiences, i.e. Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sufia, and Atheists. So if we keep in our minds to what kind of audiences Mirza sahib is addressing, we are better able to understand him. Unfortunately, Muslim readers do not pay attention, while reading his books i.e. to which he is addressing and that’s were confusion originates. I gave him few examples.

I brought to Dr. Shabbir sahib attention that we see good percentage of Muslims, especially those living in Europe and Americas, are practically following Mirza sahib even if verbally they use abusive words for him. I told him, in my opinion, following 6 were Mirza sahib’s mission:
1- All reciters of Kalama-Shahada are Muslims.
2- No part of Holy Quran, not even a dot, is abrogated.
3- Allah SWT is living God. He has communicated with his chosen ones even after Rasul Allah SAWS. And this will continue.
4- Islam does not allow jihad with sword for its propagation.
5- Isa A.S. is physically dead. And will not return to earth.
6- Yajooj-Majooj and Dajjal is not supernatural animal.
Dr. Shabbir sahib did not object to any of above 6 points.

Dr. Shabir Ahmad wrote ‘Hashish From Qadian’. Dr Zahid Aziz sahib has written an article referring to this book, in ‘The Light—UK edition, May 2009’. See link here.

Based on my conversation with Dr. Shabbir sahib, I very much doubt if he has read Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad sahib’s books. And even if he did, he did not read them carefully. And it is very likely his opinion of Hazrat Mirza sahib is based on his teacher’s opinion. I don’t know, as Shabbir sahib never mentioned to me, but this is what I have heard that he is student of Ghulam Ahmad Pervaiz sahib. And it is known fact that Pervaiz sahib was opponent of Mirza sahib and he has used strong language for him.

I will email this blog post to Dr. Shabbir Ahmad sahib. I would like to read his comments.

Link to Dr Shabbir Ahmad’s website.

The reply:

On October 11, 2009 Dr. Shabbir Ahmed called to inform publication of his Holy Quran Translation with Tafseer. I requested one copy. In conversation he acknowledged his appreciation of Maulana Abdul Haq Vidyarthi sahib, and Maulana Muhammad Ali sahib. He also informed me he has English Translation of Holy Quran and Bayan Ul Quran by Maulana Muhammad Ali sahib. He expressed his believe that Isa (AS) is buried in Kashmir.

During conversation I explained to Dr. Shabbir sahib reason for HMGA to have believe that Isa (AS) was not fathered by a human, and why Maulana Noor Ud Din sahib and LAM members (unlike Qadiani Jamaat) believe that Isa (AS) was fathered by a human.

Dr. Shabbir sahib also liked my idea to start a project on his website to collect funds to send copies of his Holy Quran Translation with Tafseer to members of US Senate and House of representatives and other politicians in the country. He agreed we need to get at least two “Lord Headley” in US Senate to help US foreign policy to become fair.

I sent him copy of my earlier email with link to my post on LAM blog and Dr. Zahid Aziz sahib’s article in The Light-UK issue of May 2009. He replied to my email:

Dear Dr. Saheb, AA

I read the letter and attachment. Thanks for sending it to me! It is very interesting indeed. Also, that we humans are probably given to divergent views by the Almighty.

5:48 (O Messenger) We have sent to you this Divine Writ, setting forth the truth. It confirms the remaining truth in the earlier scriptures since it is a Watcher over them. So, judge between them by what God has revealed, and do not follow their desires diverging from the truth that has come to you. For each community among you We have appointed certain rites and a traced-out way. If God had willed, He could have made you all one single community. But He decided to let you test yourselves by what (potentials) He has granted you. So, outdo one another in doing good to the society. To God you will all return, and He will then make you understand wherein you differed. [2:101, 2:148, 3:78, 21:92-93, 23:52. Muhaimin = Watcher. Shari’ah = Rites = Usual, diverse trends of a community. Minhaaj = A traced-out way = A set of laws]

I respect Maulvi Muhammad Ali, but never kept any translations before me while I was doing QXP.

Thanks again!
Sincerely,
Dr. Shabbir

Compilation of Fatawa of Takfir

Submitted by Rashid.

Fatawa Ka Bazar
(Compilation of Fatawa of Takfir)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X01htQUvKcQ

Note by Zahid Aziz: This really is a very unpleasant spectacle, of so-called ulama vehemently spouting hatred against fellow-Muslims at the tops of their voices in a most undignified way. They obviously have no realisation that their role should be that of moral leaders in society.

Dilution of Hudood Punishments

Submitted by Rashid Jahangiri.

In the era where news spread in world with lightening speed, and presenting good image of a society and country is given high priority, Pakistan is making efforts not to look barbaric in dealing with social crimes.
In an article ‘From Lashes to Strokes’ author points out Pakistan’s Federal Shariat Court decision that has diluted punishment in Hadood Crimes.
http://pakteahouse.wordpress.com/2009/09/25/from-lashes-to-strokes/#more-5840

I would like to know Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement position on punishment of Hadood Crimes.

Medical News supports Hazrat Mirza sahib’s statement

Submitted by Rashid Jahangiri.

HMGA in his book Arya Darham refers to British Medical Journal ‘The Lancet’ in his support, and replies to a Hindu author, and makes the statement that a pregnant woman can become pregnant and this conception is new.

This kind of phenomenon is extremely rare, but it can happen.

ABC TV (USA) program Good Morning America has a report on one such recent case in its September 24th show. Two babies are about 2.5 weeks apart. Link is below:

Expecting Two, but Not Twins

The theory of abrogation in the Quran

Submitted by Bashir.

INTRODUCTION

In the light of certain hadith from Muslim and Bukhari I would like to re-open the theory of NASKH. As we all know, ahmadis(q and L) do not believe in this theory. The main reason why ahmadis dont believe in this is in terms of Jihad as well as the theory that the KOran is perfect and without contradictory material.

Muslims have always believed that the tone of language that was used in chapter 9 superseceded all previous announcements on the subject of Jihad. Ahmadis dont believe this at all. Ahmadis believe that the Koran is to be understood collectively and situationally. Again, if the ahmadis believed in the abrogation theory, then they would be forced to believe that the Jihad in Chapter 9, supercedes the level of jihad as written before that.

In this introdution I will only post 1 or 2 traditions from Muslim and Bukhari. I would appreciate it if some scholars would give me their insight on the matter in the light of the data presented. Chapter 1 will be written by me very soon.

Here is the first chunk of data to be examined by all.

Sahih Muslim

Book 003, Number 0675:
Abu al. ‘Ala’ b. al-Shikhkhir said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) abrogated some of his commands by others, just as the Qur’an abrogates some part with the other.

Sahih Muslim

Book 004, Number 1317:
Al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib reported: This verse was revealed (in this way):” Guard the prayers and the ‘Asr prayer.” We recited it (in this very way) so long as Allah desired. Allah, then, abrogated it and it was revealed:” Guard the prayers, and the middle prayer.” A person who was sitting with Shaqiq (one of the narrators in the chain of transmitters) said: Now it implies the ‘Asr prayer. Upon this al-Bara’ said: I have already informed you how this (verse) was revealed and how Allah abrogated it, and Allah knows best. Imam Muslim said: Ashja’i narrated it from Sufyan al-Thauri, who narrated it from al-Aswad b. Qais, who narrated it from ‘Uqba, who narrated it from al-Bara’ b. ‘Azib who said: We recited with the Prophet (may peace be upon him) (the above-mentioned verse like this, i. e. instead of Salat al- Wusta, Salat al-‘Asr

Sahih Bukhari

Volume 6, Book 60, Number 68:
Narrated Ibn ‘Umar:

This Verse:–“Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it..” (2.284) was abrogated.

——————————————————————————–
Volume 6, Book 60, Number 69:
Narrated Marwan Al-Asghar:

A man from the companions of Allah’s Apostle who I think, was Ibn ‘Umar said, “The Verse:–“Whether you show what is in your minds or conceal it….” was abrogated by the Verse following it.”

People Not Celebrating Eid with Saudis are Qadiani-ANP Leader

Submitted by Rashid Jahangiri.

PESHAWAR: Minister for Railways Ghulam Ahmad Bilour has said those who are fasting on Sunday stand by the side of Qadianis and ‘we’ can only be Muslims if we celebrate Eid with Saudi Arabia.

He said this while talking after offering Eid prayers on Sunday, according to a private TV channel.
‘Some Ulemas have made Eid a matter of their ego while this is not in any way a question of someone’s prestige. This is a religious matter, as the Eid moon was sighted in Lahore and Karachi and later the NWFP government announced to celebrate Eid,’ he underlined.
‘We should celebrate Eid ul Fitr with Saudi Arabia and this way no conflict or dispute would emerge. Those who are not celebrating Eid on Sunday are politicking. When there are no differences over Eid-ul-Azha then why it does arise on Eid-ul-Fitr’, he questioned.

He was of the view it was a grave sin to fast on Eid Day, adding those who observed fasting on Sunday they were on the side of Qadianiat.
‘Muslims all over the world should have to associate themselves with Makkah and Madinah,’ he stressed. –Online

My comment:
I do not know when Qadianis celebrated their Eid ul-Fitar this year, but we members of Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement (LAM) in USA celebrated our Eid on Sunday September 20, 2009.
I am somewhat disappointed with ANP leader. Their founder Wali Khan did not sign 2nd constitutional Amendment in 1974 that declared both LAM and Qadianis a non-Muslim.

Readers may like to read comments that followed above news item:
http://pkpolitics.com/2009/09/20/people-not-celebrating-eid-with-sauids-are-qadianis-anp-leader/

Eid-ul-Fitr 2009

I would like to wish all our readers and contributors a very happy Eid. May Allah keep us all safe and well, spiritually and physically, ameen.

Here is a link to the Eid-ul-Fitr message of Dr A.K. Saeed, Head of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement.

Zahid Aziz

Blasphemy: An Editorial…

Submitted by Ikram:

Blasphemy: An Editorial…

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009/09/18/story_18-9-2009_pg3_1