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| What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| ibnasabil |
| 12/04/03 at 22:47:00 |
| [slm] I'm in grad school in a college in Queens. It's called Queens College. There are a lot of Jewish students and faculty there. I would prefer to be studying at a prominent Islamic institution in Morocco or trying to put together a tent in Mauritania, but ALLAH jalla jalLA laHU has decreed that I study in Queens for the moment. Since I don't know much about Queens, or Jewish people, I feel kind of out of place. I even feel out of place amongst the Muslims here, probably because I'm around ten years older than the average undergrad; in fact, I AM out of place. But while I'm here, I figure I should maximize the learning opportunity, insh Allah. The segment of students and faculty that I'm referring to seem to be pro-Israeli intellectuals, and I feel that they look down upon me, and I have speculated that they perhaps even try to put me down in subtle ways or make me look bad, but I could be wrong about that. Some of them are orthodox with the little cap on their skull, and others are less visibly and culturally identifiable as Jewish but nonetheless are obviously Jewish. All seem to share some kind of a bond and common understanding as one might expect of people who share a religion, but I don't understand them myself, and don't want to resort to my gut reactions to their stance(s). So my first question to those who may have a handle on the subject is: What do these Jewish people (orthodox and otherwise) believe and what is their practice? If the question were asked about Sunni Muslims, it would be easy to break it down into aqeeda and pillars of faith, etc., mentioning the sacred sciences and traditional cultural expressions common to all Islamic societies. Can their paradigm be similarly described and explained? (I know that we're cautioned about the Jews and Christians in the Qur'an, but I haven't really looked into their religions because there is so much in my own that needs to be learned, and practiced!) I would run outside and hail the friendly neighborhood rightly guided scholar, but unfortunately, this isn't exactly Damascus or what have you. Jazakum Allahu khairan. I look forward to some insightful and enlightening replies insh Allah. bro. octagon :-X |
| 12/07/03 at 20:46:48 |
| ibnasabil |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| siddiqui |
| 12/04/03 at 23:46:41 |
| [slm] Dear Bro Octagon There is a lot mentioned about the Jews in the quraan (yes as a caution but with a lot of historical and contextual prespective) So the first step I would suggest is to please read that and you will get a very fair idea of them and yes reading the quraan is learning about our religion so it isnt a waste of time It would be a great help to all of us if you can share your perspectives having read researched and reflected on those references :) The second step would be to do a web search where you can fill in additional material from all spectrums of opinions Given their historical relationship with the prophets and their contemprorary opression of our Palestenian brothers and sisters in my opinion your question will evoke another slanging match between various people ,groupsand ideaologies esp when that time and web bandwith(since we are running short these days ;) ) can be used for other constructive purposes No offence meant Jazakallah khairan :) [wlm] |
| 12/04/03 at 23:49:16 |
| siddiqui |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| theOriginal |
| 12/05/03 at 23:34:33 |
| [slm] Get to know them. By all means don't befriend them, but maybe you have something to learn (or vice versa) from them. Don't approach it as if you guys are enemies, that's never healthy. Who knows what you might get out of it. And may Allah keep you safe... Wasalaam. |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| ltcorpest2 |
| 12/06/03 at 14:43:54 |
| i would just make friends with them. The worst thing that can happen is you make new friend |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| Nistar |
| 12/06/03 at 14:57:44 |
| [slm] Check out the table of contents: http://www.jewfaq.org/ You should be able to find plenty of common ground with your collegues. Judaism asks its believers to believe in and only worship the One God, adhere to a sytem of laws, believe in the books of scripture, the Day of Judgement, belief in Angels and the Prophets...etc... [wlm] Nistar |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| bhaloo |
| 12/06/03 at 20:53:56 |
| [slm] [quote author=Nistar link=board=madrasa;num=1070596020;start=0#4 date=12/06/03 at 14:57:44] Judaism asks its believers to believe in and only worship the One God, adhere to a sytem of laws, believe in the books of scripture, the Day of Judgement, belief in Angels and the Prophets...etc... [/quote] Christians also claim to worship One God, but both these groups have setup partners with Allah (SWT). In the Quran it says (interpretation of the meaning): “And the Jews say: ‘Uzair (Ezra) is the son of Allaah, and the Christians say: Messiah is the son of Allaah. That is their saying with their mouths, resembling the saying of those who disbelieved aforetime. Allaah’s Curse be on them, how they are deluded away from the truth!” [al-Tawbah 9:30] Sheikh Munajjid mentions that the Jews described Allaah as having shortcomings, and they killed the Prophets and Messengers of Allaah, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning from the Quran (bold parts are the refrence from the Quran)): “The Jews say: ‘Allaah’s Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not give and spend of His Bounty).’ Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they uttered. Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills” [al-Maa’idah 5:64] “Indeed, Allaah has heard the statement of those (Jews) who say: ‘Truly, Allaah is poor and we are rich!’ We shall record what they have said and their killing of the Prophets unjustly, and We shall say: ‘Taste you the torment of the burning (Fire).’” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:181] They distorted the word of Allaah, i.e., the Tawraat (Torah). Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “So, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places” [al-Maa’idah 5:13] “Then woe to those who write the Book with their own hands and then say, “This is from Allaah,” to purchase with it a little price! Woe to them for what their hands have written and woe to them for that they earn thereby” [al-Baqarah 2:79] They deserved the curse of Allaah, because of what Allaah has said about them. Allaah says: “Those among the Children of Israel who disbelieved were cursed by the tongue of Dawood (David) and ‘Eesa (Jesus), son of Maryam (Mary). That was because they disobeyed (Allaah and the Messengers) and were ever transgressing beyond bounds. They used not to forbid one another from Al-Munkar (wrong, evildoing, sins, polytheism, disbelief) which they committed. Vile indeed was what they used to do” [al-Maa’idah 5:78-79] The lies that they have fabricated against their Prophets are many, such as the following: 1. The Jews claimed that the Prophet of Allaah Sulayman (Solomon) was an apostate and that he worshipped idols, as mentioned in I Kings 11:5. 2. The Jews claimed that Loot (Lot) – peace be upon him – drank wine and committed incest with his two daughters, as mentioned in Genesis 19:30ff. 3. The Jews claimed that the Prophet of Allaah Ya’qoob (Jacob) committed theft, as mentioned in Genesis 31:12. 4. The Jews claim that the Prophet of Allaah Dawood (David) committed adultery, as a result of which Sulaymaan (Solomon) was born to him, as mentioned in II Samuel 11:4. -- and so on, may Allaah curse them and put them to shame. Allaah and His Messenger cursed them in numerous places in the Qur’aan and Sunnah because of their shameless actions. For example, Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings): “And they say, ‘Our hearts are wrapped (i.e. do not hear or understand Allaah’s Word).’ Nay, Allaah has cursed them for their disbelief, so little is that which they believe. And when there came to them (the Jews), a Book (this Qur’aan) from Allaah confirming what is with them [the Tawraat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)], although aforetime they had invoked Allaah (for coming of Muhammad) in order to gain victory over those who disbelieved, then when there came to them that which they had recognized, they disbelieved in it. So let the Curse of Allaah be on the disbelievers” [al-Baqarah 2:88-89] “Among those who are Jews, there are some who displace words from (their) right places and say: ‘We hear your word (O Muhammad) and disobey,’ and ‘Hear and let you (O Muhammad) hear nothing.’ And Raa‘ina [in Arabic, this means ‘Be careful, listen to us, and we listen to you’, whereas in Hebrew, it means ‘an insult’] with a twist of their tongues and as a mockery of the religion (Islam). And if only they had said: ‘We hear and obey’, and ‘Do make us understand,’ it would have been better for them, and more proper; but Allaah has cursed them for their disbelief, so they believe not except a few. O you who have been given the Scripture (Jews and Christians)! Believe in what We have revealed (to Muhammad) confirming what is (already) with you, before We efface faces (by making them like the back of necks; without nose, mouth and eyes) and turn them hindwards, or curse them as We cursed the Sabbath‑breakers. And the Commandment of Allaah is always executed.” [al-Nisaa’ 4:46-47] “So, because of their breach of their covenant, We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard. They change the words from their (right) places and have abandoned a good part of the Message that was sent to them. And you will not cease to discover deceit in them, except a few of them” [al-Maa’idah 5:13] “Say (O Muhammad to the people of the Scripture): ‘Shall I inform you of something worse than that, regarding the recompense from Allaah: those (Jews) who incurred the Curse of Allaah and His Wrath, and those of whom (some) He transformed into monkeys and swines, and those who worshipped Taaghoot (false deities); such are worse in rank (on the Day of Resurrection in the Hell‑fire), and far more astray from the Right Path (in the life of this world).” [al-Maa’idah 5:60] “The Jews say: ‘Allaah’s Hand is tied up (i.e. He does not give and spend of His Bounty).’ Be their hands tied up and be they accursed for what they uttered. Nay, both His Hands are widely outstretched. He spends (of His Bounty) as He wills. Verily, the Revelation that has come to you from your Lord (Allaah) increases in most of them (their) obstinate rebellion and disbelief. We have put enmity and hatred amongst them till the Day of Resurrection. Every time they kindled the fire of war, Allaah extinguished it; and they (ever) strive to make mischief on the earth. And Allaah does not like the Mufsidoon (mischief‑makers). [al-Maa’idah 5:64] ;================================================= Having said that, you should look for the common ground and focus there, instead of focusing on the differences (that was only put up there to serve as reference for you for their misguidance). |
| 12/06/03 at 20:59:59 |
| bhaloo |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| timbuktu |
| 12/06/03 at 21:31:09 |
| [slm] at my Hall of Residence, there was a Zionist student. very vocal, very active in Zionism. I am quiet, shy, with not much of a vocabulary, & not at all inclined to improve it. but hearing him about the virtues of Zionism made me want to do something. So, I talked to him. In one year he changed from an active Zionist to marching with us for Palestine. |
| 12/07/03 at 08:24:11 |
| timbuktu |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| se7en |
| 12/07/03 at 02:13:55 |
| as salaamu alaykum wa rahmatullah, Judaism is pretty complex because there are varying interpretations which are considered equally legitimate by Jewish religious authority. It is also not necessarily a 'religion' - you can be a Jewish atheist, a secular Jew, etc - but is more about a common identity. [url=http://judaism.about.com/library/3_intro/level1/bl_beliefs.htm]About.Com's Judaism Page[/url] is pretty straight forward and easy to comprehend. There is also a distinction between Zionism and Judaism. Check out the website [url=http://www.jewsnotzionists.org/differencejudzion.html]JewsNotZionists.Org[/url] for some more info about the differences between the religious beliefs and the political movement. The lines between the two are often times intentionally blurred, so that political issues - such as protests of the mistreatement of the Palestinian people - can be passed off as anti-'Semetic' and anti-Jewish rhetoric. I hope the links help insha'Allah. wasalaamu alaykum :-) ps - Hmm.. you know I think it's interesting -- I don't mean any offense to anyone by saying this -- but I think it's interesting that we live in a predominantly non-Muslim nation, but when it comes to the basic and foundational beliefs about Christianity and Judaism, I think that for the most part we know very little.. I personally know little more than what I've learned surfing on a few missionariy sites.. soo different than the wisdom and intelligent method of the prophet's daawa [saw].. he knew intimately the beliefs and mindset of the people he was working with, and appealed to them in a manner that was suitable for them. pps - NYC is home to a *huge* population of strongly Zionist Orthodox Jews.. it will definitely be a challenge to confront people when it comes to the issue of Palestine - may Allah make things easy for you and grant you a lot of sabr! Ameen. |
| 12/07/03 at 02:19:20 |
| se7en |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| ibnasabil |
| 12/10/03 at 07:01:08 |
| [slm] warahmatullahi wabarakatuh :-X I would like to express a big heartfelt thanks to everybody for sharing your thoughts, experiences, knowledge of the Qur'an, and urls on this topic. Alhamdolillah; I was able to visit some of the sites and learned just the sort of things that I was wondering about in a very shot timespan in a way that put things into a more comprehensible perspective for me. Jazakum Allahu khairan, wasalam. bro. octagon |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| humble_muslim |
| 12/10/03 at 07:09:51 |
| AA Timbuktu, that's awesome! Shows what is possible just by having a good intention. Br. Octagon, we should remember that our FIRST and FOREMOST duty towards ANY an LL non-muslims, be there Jewsih, Christian, Buddihst, Hindu, or whatever is to show them the message of Islam. This doesn't necessarily mean walking down the corridors with a Quran in one hand and shouting slogans, but it does mean acting in a way according to the Quran and the Sunnah as much as you can. Many people accepted Islam just by seeing the behaviour of the Prophet (SAW). And if you look at the way he interacted with people outside of war, he (SAW) was the most just and kind to everybody. SO my suggestion is to make it clear to them that you are a muslim, and then act accordingly. |
| NS |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| ibnasabil |
| 12/11/03 at 12:47:33 |
| [slm] Of course, I agree to an extent; the only thing is, if you don't know who you're dealing with, it's kind of difficult to deal with them. If I remember correctly, Prophet Muhammad [saw] advised us to speak to people in the manner that is most suited to them. In order to determine what that manner might be, it seems necessary to arrive at some understanding of the people themselves. This is a gap in my knowledge that I am hoping to remedy so that I can be more communicative when necessary and appropriate, insh Allah. Barak Allahu fik. bro. octagon :-X |
| 12/11/03 at 12:49:27 |
| ibnasabil |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| humble_muslim |
| 12/11/03 at 16:41:25 |
| AA My attitude is that other things being unknown, always act in a VERY polite manner with any non muslim. As Allah says in the Quran, He has not forbidden you from shoiwng kindness and justice to those who have NOT been aggressive towars you. And Allah loves the just. |
| NS |
| Re: What are these Jewish people all about? |
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| ibnasabil |
| 12/12/03 at 00:45:06 |
| [slm] Thank you for your advice, brother. I had been wondering ever since I read a certain hadith whether it is permissible from the fiqh perspective to greet a non-Muslim before he greets you, as in "Hey/Hi; how are you doing?" Today, I learned that "there is nothing wrong with this." That makes being "polite" much easier. Learning what a people are all about should make dealing with their aggressive instantiations, as I have had to do all semester long, more manageable as well, if Allah wills. :-X |
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