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Knowledge Test on Religion
10/23/2010 - Interfaith Opinion - Article Ref: IV1010-4325
Number of comments: 2
Opinion Summary: Agree:0 Disagree:0 Neutral:2
By: Dr. Habib Siddiqui
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In the New York Times, Nicholas Kristof asked 13 questions to test knowledge of his readers on religion ("Test Your Savvy on Religion," October 9, 2010). The questions are:

1. Which holy book stipulates that a girl who does not bleed on her wedding night should be stoned to death?
a. Koran
b. Old Testament
c. (Hindu) Upanishads

2. Which holy text declares: "Let there be no compulsion in religion"?
a. Koran
b. Gospel of Matthew
c. Letter of Paul to the Romans

3. The terrorists who pioneered the suicide vest in modern times, and the use of women in terror attacks, were affiliated with which major religion?
a. Islam
b. Christianity
c. Hinduism

4. "Every child is touched by the devil as soon as he is born and this contact makes him cry. Excepted are Mary and her Son." This verse is from:
a. Letters of Paul to the Corinthians
b. The Book of Revelation
c. An Islamic hadith, or religious tale

5. Which holy text is sympathetic to slavery?
a. Old Testament
b. New Testament
c. Koran

6. In the New Testament, Jesus' views of homosexuality are:
a. strongly condemnatory
b. forgiving
c. never mentioned

7. Which holy text urges responding to evil with kindness, saying: "repel the evil deed with one which is better."
a. Gospel of Luke
b. Book of Isaiah
c. Koran

8. Which religious figure preaches tolerance by suggesting that God looks after all peoples and leads them all to their promised lands?
a. Muhammad
b. Amos
c. Jesus

9. Which of these religious leaders was a polygamist?
a. Jacob
b. King David
c. Muhammad

10. What characterizes Muhammad's behavior toward the Jews of his time?
a. He killed them.
b. He married one.
c. He praised them as a chosen people.

11. Which holy scripture urges that the "little ones" of the enemy be dashed against the stones?
a. Book of Psalms
b. Koran
c. Leviticus

12. Which holy scripture suggests beating wives who misbehave?
a. Koran
b. Letters of Paul to the Corinthians
c. Book of Judges

13. Which religious leader is quoted as commanding women to be silent during services?
a. The first Dalai Lama
b. St. Paul
c. Muhammad

His answers are:
1. b. Deuteronomy 22:21.
2. a. Koran, 2:256. But other sections of the Koran do describe coercion.
3. c. Most early suicide bombings were by Tamil Hindus (some secular) in Sri Lanka and India.
4. c. Hadith. Islam teaches that Jesus was a prophet to be revered.
5. All of the above.
6. c. Other parts of the New and Old Testaments object to homosexuality, but there's no indication of Jesus' views.
7. c. Koran, 41:34. Jesus says much the same thing in different words.
8. b. Amos 9:7
9. all of them
10. all of these. Muhammad's Jewish wife was seized in battle, which undermines the spirit of the gesture. By some accounts he had a second Jewish wife as well.
11. a. Psalm 137
12. a. Koran 4:34
13. b. St. Paul, both in 1 Corinthians 14 and 1 Timothy 2, but many scholars believe that neither section was actually written by Paul.

While I am appreciative of Kristof's attempt to clear many such commonly held misconceptions, especially about Islam, he made some errors with his answers. Here are my corrections:

1. Muslims pronounce their Holy Scripture as the Qur'an, which should have been used by the author for better accuracy.

2. Contrary to his opinion about Q. 2 there is not a single verse in the Qur'an that prescribes coercion in matters of religion. Allah (God of the Qur'an) leaves the choice to either accept or reject Islam to human beings, although He warns those that reject Islam as the final revelation with dire consequences in the Hereafter.

3. Kristof's remarks on Q. 5 vis-a-vis Islam are not accurate. While the Qur'an, like both the so-called Old and New Testament, does not explicitly abolish slavery, it is unique in providing the basis for emancipation from and elimination of slavery. See, for instance, the Surah al-Balad (ch. 90), verses 12-18, in which Allah says, "Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Ascent (rising to higher status in Islam, a sure recipe for entering Paradise) is: It is to free a slave, and to feed in the day of hunger an orphan near of kin or some poor wretch in misery, and to be of those who believe and exhort one another to perseverance and exhort one another to the deeds of kindness and compassion." And there are many such verses (see, e.g., 4:92, 5:89, 58:3.) and prophetic hadith (sayings) that required believing Muslims to freeing slave as a remission of their sins. The verse 24:33 says, "And if any of your slaves ask for a deed in writing (for emancipation) give them such a deed if you know any good in them; yea, give them something yourselves out of the means which Allah has given to you."

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What is more revealing is that the Qur'an unequivocally makes it clear that no man, irrespective of his status (including a prophet), can enslave any other human being: "It is not (possible) for any human being unto whom Allah had given him the Scripture and wisdom and 'Nabuwah' (Prophethood) that he should afterwards have said unto mankind: Be slaves of me instead of Allah ..." [3:79] It is not difficult to understand why the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (S), not only freed his slaves from his wife's side (Khadija) but also encouraged his companions to win their freedom. Muhammad (S) bought freedom of 63 former slaves, A'isha (RA) 67, Abbas (RA) 70, Abdullah ibn Umar (RA) 1000 and Abdur Rahman ibn Awf 30,000. It was these freed slaves of Islam that became the flag-bearers of Islam. Bilal, the Abyssinian, became the first Mu'addhin (caller to prayer) in Islam, a position next only to the Imam during the salat, one of the most important pillars of Islam. To break the aristocratic arrogance of the pagan time the Prophet's own cousin sister, born to Quraysh aristocracy, was married to his freed slave, Zaid ibn Haritha (RA). In his deathbed, Muhammad (S) appointed Usama (RA), the son of Zaid (RA), to become the leader of the expedition against the Byzantine Empire that had gathered a large army to attack Muslim territories to the north in Syria. Muslim history is replete with examples of freed slaves that became the rulers and marrying into kings' daughters and sisters.

The interested reader may like to read my articles "Anatomy of Racism" and "Islam and the question of slavery" that were posted elsewhere in 2005 and 2006, respectively.

As to Kristof's answer to Q. 10, many scholars have dwelt upon the subject of Muhammad's (S) treatment of Jews. It is a highly controversial subject. Suffice it to say that the prophet Muhammad (S) was more merciful to the Jews of Madinah than the prophet Moses (AS) was to his own community when they rebelled against him and committed blasphemous activities. The interested reader may like to read Dr. Rafiq Zakaria's book - Muhammad and the Quran, Penguin Books (1992).

Kristof's answer to Q. 12 also shows his misreading of the Qur'anic verse. No, the Qur'an does not endorse beating wife for insubordination. If the wife shows disloyalty and ill-conduct towards her husband, the recommended steps in sequence are - (1) verbal advice or admonition, (2) separating bed so as to suspend sexual relation, (3) have sexual intercourse (so as to win her over), and if that too fails to reconcile, then (4) a family council that is comprised of two arbiters, one from each family with the intention of setting things aright (4:34-35). [See, e.g., Al-Qur'an: a Contemporary Translation by Ahmed Ali, Princeton University Press, 1993] [Note also: The Arabic root word "daraba" being taken from the prosaic example "the stud-camel covered the she-camel." (Raghib, Al-Mufridat fi Gharib Al-Qur'an)] These verses were revealed in relation to the wife of a Muslim who complained to the Prophet (S) that her husband had beaten her, and she wanted retaliation. If beating of wives were allowed in the Qur'an then it could not have prohibited it by saying, "If a wife fears cruelty or desertion on her husband's part, there is no blame on them if they arrange an amicable settlement between themselves; and such settlement is best; even though men's souls are swayed by greed. But if ye do good and practise self-restraint, God is well-acquainted with all that ye do." (Qur'an, 4:128) See also the verse: "Do not retain them (i.e., your wives) to harm them..." (Qur'an, 2:231)

I am, however, aware of the fact that because of a misinterpretation with the Arabic word Adribu in the Qur'an (derived from the word 'Daraba' which has multiple meanings, depending on the context) some translators have mistakenly assumed that the third option means scourge, or light beating.

This discussion once again demonstrates that relying on a mistranslation in English or other languages rather than the classical Arabic of the Qur'an, in which the Islamic scripture was revealed, can distort the actual meanings intended for the verse. This problem is also quite acute with many old scriptures that are open to so many interpretations. Little knowledge on religion can actually be dangerous!

Credința mea

Pe data de 30 iulie 2006, cu voia lui Allah Preainaltul, mi-am marturisit credinta. Si cred ca acesta este destinul meu, acela de a deveni musulman, de a reveni la religia mea adevarata. Povestea mea sta, asadar, in fata ochilor vostri, pentru a mi-o citi.

Nu am prea multe sa spun in legatura cu mediul religios in care am crescut. Desi am fost botezata ca si crestin ortodoxa, rar se intampla sa intru intr-o biserica. In Romania, in vremea cand eram mica, religia era mai mult un subiect tabuu si aceasta din cauza regulilor comuniste stricte. Dar in ciuda prabusirii acestui regim totalitar cand implinisem 11 ani si a faptului ca multi oameni si-au reintors fetele spre religie, parintii mei continuau sa nu-i ofere nicio o atentie. Si toate acestea in contextul mentinerii Secularismului in aproape toata tara.

Singurele momente cand mama frecventa biserica erau cele cand se oficia fie vreo casatorie religioasa, fie o slujba funerara, fie cand avea loc botezul unui nou-nascut. Se mai intampla sa ma ia la biserica pentru a aprinde o lumanare in memoria celor morti sau pentru cei vii. Poate sa va para ciudat, insa niciodata nu am suportat mirosul de lumanari arse, dar in general "atmosfera" dintr-o biserica ortodoxa imi displacea.

Intr-o biserica ortodoxa tipica, comuna, din tara mea, nu exista niciun paravan de protectie si cand sosea timpul predicii, enoriasii obisnuiau sa se ingramadeasca pentru a ocupa un loc cat mai aproape de altar. In perioada predicii, picioarele iti puteau fi ranite atat de mult, pana cand puteai sa ajungi in acel punct cand concentrarea asupra predicii devenea mai mult o chestiune de vointa. Pe scurt, niciodata nu mi-a placut cum suna predica; cei mai in varsta aveau obiceiul de a incepe sa barfeasca, toate pe fondul unei imbulzeli generale, atmosfera care nu m-a determinat vreodata sa simt cat de putin vreo "chemare" religioasa inspre Crestinism.

Acasa, doua dintre cele mai bune prietene ale mele erau musulmance, chiar daca nici ele nu erau practicante. Am mai luat parte si la cateva casatorii de-ale musulmanilor si, la una dintre ele, am fost chiar martorul din partea unei mirese musulmance ! Am trait atunci o experienta interesanta. Au urmat studiile universitare in Regatul Unit al Marii Britanii, unde am avut parte de colegi de pe toate meridianele Globului, cativa dintre ei fiind musulmani.

Si printr-o coincidenta, am fost atrasa mai mult de unul din Maroc si doi din Indonezia. Motivul era simplu : ei erau calmi, fericiti, cu picioarele pe pamant, aveau alte preocupari interesante si nu obisnuiau sa consume alcool, cum faceau majoritatea studentilor. Eu personal, rar am baut. Pot chiar sa numar pe degetele de la maini de cate ori am consumat alcool in cantitati infime.

In ultimele luni de master, am intalnit, printr-o pura coincidenta un barbat musulman minunat, care mai tarziu mi-a devenit si sot. Desigur, acum imi imaginez ca toti cei care vor citi acest aspect isi vor spune in sinea lor ca optiunea mea pentru Islam se datoreaza sotului meu. Eu nu as spune asta, ci mai degraba cred ca este vorba aici de caile nevazute ale lui Allah Preainaltul, Cel Care mi l-a scos pe acest om in viata mea pentru a ma ghida pe calea cea dreapta.

Sotul meu niciodata nu a facut vreo referire la Islam si niciodata nu a pus presiune pe mine in sensul de a ma converti. Odata chiar l-am intrebat care sunt motivele pentru care nu vorbeste despre Islam si mi-a raspuns ca alegerea religioasa a unei persoane trebuie sa vina din inima, nu sa fie convinsa sau fortata de altii. Si atat timp cat eu apartineam "Neamului Cartii" (cum sunt numiti crestinii si evreii in Coran), el se declara fericit.

In perioada cand ma simteam nesatisfacuta de Crestinism, cu precadere de ceea ce-mi oferea biserica ortodoxa, am continuat sa cred ca exista un Dumnezeu. Si am fost atrasa inspre Islam tocmai ca invataturile sale mi-au creionat un sens al directiei, mi-au oferit sentimentul apartenentei la ceva originar, la ceva pe care il simteam de multa vreme in adancul inimii. Pur si simplu am avut sentimentul ca Islamul era ceea ce lipsea vietii mele.

Ma aflam intr-un centru islamic local, o cladire cu un frumos minaret, chiar langa mare ! Si, in mod surprinzator, de cand ma mutasem in Qatar (unde locuiesc in prezent), mereu admirasem aceasta cladire; imi aduce atat de multa liniste. La inceput credeam ca este vorba de o singura moschee, dar mai tarziu am aflat ca ma aflam in prezenta unui centru islamic care era prezidat de o curte de jurisprudenta (Sharia) si mi-am facut o promisiune, ca daca vreodata voi rosti marturisirea de credinta (Shahada), acest lucru se va petrece in aceasta constructie minunata. Si Allah Preainaltul mi-a indeplinit dorinta.

In dimineata zilei de 30 iulie, fara a sta pe ganduri, mi-am luat masina si nu m-am oprit decat la centrul islamic, unde am spus Shahada. In tot acest timp, sotul meu nu aflase absolu nimic. A aflat mai tarziu, dupa ce l-am invitat in oras tocmai pentru a-i impartasi marea veste. La auzul ei, a ramas faca cuvinte.

Pot spune ca reactia familiei sotului m-a luat pe nepregatite. Ceea ce doream sa impartasesc cu sotul meu a ajuns mai departe la tata socru si la restul familiei. Fericirea si lacrimile de bucurie au constituit reactia lor spontana. In ceea ce priveste proprii parintii, in sha Allah, indiferent cand merg acasa, voi avea un timp alocat doar lor si nimanui altcineva, fara a-i neglija.

Imi doresc ca tot mai multi si mai multi oameni din tara mea sa poata vedea dincolo de zidul pe care mass-media il construieste zilnic in fata Islamului, imi doresc ca acesti oameni sa inceapa sa citeasca Sfantul Coran si sa inteleaga profunzimea acestei frumoase religii, numita Islam.

Pe Allah, daca vor face asta, vor inceta sa mai caute modalitati ilegale de a face tot mai multi si mai multi bani (uneori chiar in detrimentul prieteniei si integritatii morale). Pe Allah, daca vor face asta vor inceta sa se mai lupte si atunci va reveni pacea in lume. Pe Allah, oamenii trebuie sa inceapa sa caute ori sa continue sa raspunda chemarii lor launtrice catre religie.


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