Recitation of surah al-Ankabut by Shaykh Maher al-Muiaqly
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZhC20P2qO8
THE SURAH IDENTIFIES TWO DISTINCT reactions from the People of the Book towards Islam and the Muslims. The first reaction is to recognize Islam and tolerate the Muslim way of life; to these the Muslims are instructed to reciprocate the respect and tolerance shown them. The second reaction is antagonism and the Muslims are taught to beware such aggressive attitudes to Islam and to take care in dealing with those who hold them, not taking their sincerity and trust for granted. The surah gives the Muslims a general direction as to how to deal with these two groups. It says:
And argue not with the People of the Scripture unless it be in (a way) that is better, save with such of them as do wrong; and say: We believe in that which hath been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender. (46) In like manner We have revealed unto thee the Scripture, and those unto whom We gave the Scripture aforetime will believe therein; and of these (also) there are some who believe therein. And none deny Our revelations save the disbelievers. (47)
Any objective and fair study of the relationship between the world of Islam and the world of the Judeo-Christian religions over the last fourteen centuries should be able to identify the causes of the hostilities and bloody confrontation that have existed between them. It should be possible to apportion blame for the antagonistic and aggressive realities that have dogged their relationship. Before the emergence of Islam, the Romans , as bearers of the Cross, had swept across the lands of western Asia and north Africa. However, on learning of Islam, large parts of the same area came under its influence with very little resistance. Four centuries later, the Crusaders of south western Europe initiated fresh hostilities against the Muslim world, prosecuting a futile campaign which ran for more than two centuries.
In modern times, it was Christian Europe again which embarked on a large scale colonization of Muslims lands and territories, bringing about the destruction of the Islamic nation and fragmentation of the Muslim world. This began with the British domination of the Indian sub-Continent, followed by the French invasion of Egypt and Algeria [ to be followed later by the rest of the Arab Maghrib ] in the early nineteenth century. By the turn of the twentieth century, Britain was occupying Iraq, the eastern and southern Arabian coasts, Palestine, and Egypt whilst Italy had invaded Libya and Abbyssinia. Well into the twentieth century the European domination of the Muslim world was complete. Who has been the aggressor and who has been the victim in all these unfortunate and deplorable confrontations? Which has been the aggrieved party?
Today Muslims are reasserting themselves and are striving to rediscover and establish their true Islamic identity. Why should they be deprived of their rights or prevented from determining their own future? Why should they be labeled 'militant' or 'fundamentalist' , 'retrogressive or 'terrorist'?
Muslims believe that the words of the Qur'an are the literal words of God and convey the truth. They wish to abide by God's rules and laws as expounded by the Qur'an and Prophet Muhammad. Why should this be a cause of concern or alarm to any other group or society? There is no justification for the vilification of Islam and the derision and abuse that is directed at the Qur'an and the Prophet both in the West and by its "comrades" and "supporters" in the Muslim world. God says to Muhammad:
And thou (O Muhammad) wast not a reader of any scripture before it, nor didst thou write it with thy right hand, for then might those have doubted, who follow falsehood. (48) But it is clear revelations in the hearts of those who have been given knowledge, and none deny Our revelations save wrong-doers. (49)
Islam is again today the target of much misunderstanding, misinterpretation, and opposition. The is no doubt that there are powers in the world today that do not wish for Islam to prosper or spread, but spread it will !
" A Thematic Commentary On The Qur'an "
Shaykh Muhammad al-Ghazali
[ 1917 - 1998 ]
Tafseer and commentary by Mufti Menk [ part 4 ]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhenbskUKp8
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