ISLAM FOR BEGINNERS BRS 107.pdf - CUEA

were written on animal skin and other materials but the major part was in the memories ofthe Faithful. As the community continued waging war against the infidels, many Muslimswho had retained the Qur’an were killed. Uthman (644-656), the fourth orthodox Caliph,being afraid to lose everything, called his people, especially those who could remembersome verses for the editing. That was the first edition of the Qur’an. Copies were editedand sent to some prominent places such as Makka, Basra and Damascus.Nevertheless, how could we understand the contradictions -some verses are abrogated bysome others- found in the Qur’an with the teaching of divine origin of the Qur’an? Muslimtheologians responded in this way: As the very Word of God, it is said that Muhammadwould not change the Qur’an deliberately on his own authority; he did not change or omitanything in the Qur’an perhaps because of his forgetfulness. But God does initiatechanges in the Qur’an. So God initiated some abrogations of some verses.c. Muhammad and his succession“O ye believe! Do your duty to Allah, seek the means of approach unto Him, and strive inhis Cause: that ye may prosper.” (S.5:35)“And the servants of Allah Most gracious are who walk on the earth in humility, and whenthe ignorant address them, they say, peace.” (S.25:63)It is neither proper nor fitting -it is even an insult- to call the Muslims, Muhammadansbecause they are not followers of Muhammad but Servants of Allah. Though Muslimshighly respect Muhammad -he is part of the Shahada (Islamic profession of faith), they donot worship him; he is not God. Only God should be worshiped. However, many scholars,especially in the Middle Ages, made the mistake of calling them, Muhammadans. Ibelieve, this happened out of ignorance of the true Islamic doctrine or out of hatred thatnon-Muslims had towards them. The name “Muslims” goes in line with the Islamic doctrinein toto and gives respect due to them. Such lapses need to be corrected both for properappreciation of Islam and for sincere interreligious dialogue. “Muhammad is no more thana messenger: many were messengers that passed away before him. If he died or wereslain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the leastharm will he do Allah; but Allah will swiftly reward those who serve him with gratitude” (s.3:144). “Say: o men! I am sent unto you all, as the messenger of Allah, to whom belongedthe dominion of the heavens and the earth: there is no god but He that gave both life anddeath. So believe in Allah and his messenger, the unlettered prophet, who believeth inFrederic N. Mvumbi,OP Page 33 of 85