A Critical Analysis of 'Real Islam'. Its People ... - Bukti dan Saksi
A Critical Analysis of 'Real Islam'. Its People ... - Bukti dan Saksi
A Critical Analysis of 'Real Islam'. Its People ... - Bukti dan Saksi
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Chapter 8<br />
Islamic Honesty and Honor<br />
With regard to honesty and lying, Islam has some semblance to other religions. There are sections in<br />
the Qur’an where honesty is praised as a virtue, and in a general sense lying is forbidden. The Qur’an<br />
says, "Truly, Allah does not guide one who transgresses and lies."[Surah 40:28]. In the Hadith,<br />
Mohammed was quoted as saying: "Be honest because honesty leads to goodness, and goodness leads to<br />
Paradise. Beware <strong>of</strong> falsehood because it leads to immorality, and immorality leads to Hell." This<br />
approach to communication and ethics is laudable, but unfortunately for many in the world, that direction<br />
appears to be intended as a standard limited to Muslim-to-Muslim relations, and does not necessarily<br />
apply to non-believers, whom the Islamic God 'does not love'. Unlike most religions, within Islam there<br />
are certain provisions under which lying is not only tolerated, but actually encouraged. Bluntly stated,<br />
Islam permits Muslims to lie anytime that they perceive that their own well-being, or that <strong>of</strong> Islam, is<br />
threatened. The book "The spirit <strong>of</strong> Islam," by the Muslim scholar, Afif A. Tabbarah was written to<br />
promote Islam. On page 247, Tabbarah stated:<br />
"Lying is not always bad, to be sure; there are times when telling a lie is more pr<strong>of</strong>itable and better for the<br />
general welfare, and for the settlement <strong>of</strong> conciliation among people, than telling the truth. To this effect, the<br />
Prophet says: 'He is not a false person who (through lies) settles conciliation among people, supports good or<br />
says what is good."<br />
Outlined in the Qur’an and other Islamic sacred works is a description <strong>of</strong> the murder <strong>of</strong> one "Kab<br />
Ashraf" (see Chapter 4, Incident #4) . In this carefully chronicled event we learn that the Prophet<br />
Muhammad specifically sanctioned the use <strong>of</strong> deceit and lies to kill a troublesome opponent. For some<br />
time after his arrival in Medina, Muhammad continued to have problems with various people who refused<br />
to acknowledge his claim to prophethood, and had several critics murdered prior to this Kab Ashraf. Kab,<br />
a prominent local, made it known that he did not believe in Muhammad, yet never lifted a weapon against<br />
any Muslim. He only voiced his opinion against Muhammad, and allegedly made up some unsavory<br />
poems about Muslim women. Muhammad saw him as a threat, and had him killed in the night. When<br />
Kab’s volunteer assassins sought permission from the Prophet to speak falsely to gain the trust <strong>of</strong> their<br />
victim, Muhammad replied: "Yes. … You may say it." Ibn Ishaq quoted Him as answering, "Say what you<br />
like, for you are free in the matter".<br />
There are other events in the life <strong>of</strong> Mohammed where he lied and instructed his followers to do the<br />
same, rationalizing that the prospect <strong>of</strong> success in missions to extend <strong>Islam'</strong>s influence overrode Allah's<br />
initial prohibitions against lying. An example similar to the assassination <strong>of</strong> Kab Ashraf just referenced<br />
can be found in the story <strong>of</strong> the killing <strong>of</strong> Shaaban Ibn Khalid al-Hazly. It was rumored that Shaaban was<br />
gathering an army to wage war on Mohammed. Mohammed retaliated by ordering Abdullah Ibn Anis to<br />
kill Shaaban. Again, the would-be assassin asked the prophet's permission to lie. Mohammed agreed and<br />
then even told Abdullah exactly what lie to tell. He instructed him to lie by stating that he was a member<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Khazaa clan. So when Shaaban saw Abdullah coming, he asked him, "From what tribe are you?"<br />
Abdullah answered, "From Khazaa … I have heard that you are gathering an army to fight Mohammed<br />
and I came to join you." Abdullah then started walking with Shaaban telling him how Mohammed came<br />
to them with the heretical teachings <strong>of</strong> Islam, and complained how Mohammed badmouthed the Arab<br />
patriarchs and ruined the Arab's hopes. They continued in conversation until they arrived at Shaaban's<br />
tent. Shaaban's companions departed and Shaaban invited Abdullah to come inside and rest. Abdullah sat<br />
there until the atmosphere was quiet and he sensed that everyone was asleep. Abdullah severed Shaaban's<br />
head and carried it to Mohammed as a trophy. When Mohammed sighted Abdullah, he jubilantly shouted,<br />
"Your face has been triumphant (Aflaha al- wajho)." Abdullah returned the greeting by saying, "It is your<br />
face, Apostle <strong>of</strong> Allah, who has been triumphant. (Aflaha wajhoka, ye rasoul Allah)."<br />
Most Muslims are familiar with the principles and concepts <strong>of</strong> Islam that justify lying in situations<br />
where they sense the need to do so. Principals taught by Muhammad such as "War is deception", "The<br />
necessities justify the forbidden", and, "If faced by two evils, choose the lesser <strong>of</strong> the two", are derived<br />
from passages in the Qur’an and the Hadith. But when confronted with writings <strong>of</strong> their own revered