veiled4allah

theological musings

Just to follow up on the previous entry, in case this isn't clear. The only real grounds on which Christians can say that Muslims don't believe in the same God is if they insist that the Trinitarian conception of God is the only valid conception. And let's be really clear about this: the Trinity is not a "Judeo-Christian" concept. Last I heard, Jews do not believe in the Trinity. Anybody who says that Muslims have a false religion because they don't believe in the Trinity must necessarily also be saying that Jews have a false religion because they don't believe in the Trinity. Ask these Christian Right leaders what they think of Judaism and make sure to mention that Jews don't believe in the Trinity. You might find their answer a bit hard to take, even though you don't blink at their saying the same thing about Islam. To be honest, I find it very strange for people who consider themselves monotheists to insist that the Unitarian conception of God is somehow "wrong" or "false". I don't really understand this view. I could understand it from polytheists or non-theists or atheists, but it doesn't make sense to me for monotheists to say it. Do other people find this as odd as I do? Added: Just to get it all out of my system, there was one other part of this story that really made me wonder. The president of the National Association of Evangelicals is quoted as saying: "Muhammad's central message was submission; Jesus' central message was love". Um, hello? This is comparing apples and oranges. The submission in Islam refers to the attitude of the human being towards God, that is, submission to God's will. If Rev. Haggard doesn't believe that the proper attitude of people towards God is submission to His will, what exactly does he think is the right attitude? Defiance? I doubt it. I'm sure he agrees that people should submit to God's will. And the love in Christianity that he mentions is (I assume) a reference to God's love for people. So is Haggard saying that in Islamic teaching, God doesn't love people? Does he have any basis for what he's saying or is he just talking out his orifice? C'mon. The stuff that people like him are saying doesn't even make sense! Are we not engaging in any critical thinking skills in this country anymore? In case you do need evidence that in Islam, God loves people, see here

bringing you last week's news today

I meant to blog about this earlier but didn't get around to it. I could blame the holiday week, or maybe I'm just being lazy. Also, I don't really have much to add that hasn't already been said elsewhere. Well, maybe I do. The Christian Right attacks Bush for saying that Christians and Muslims worship the same God. Jesse of Pandagon gives the Christian Right a good hard fisking. Jack Cluth at Open Source Politics points out that the Christian Right are acting like children on the playground ("my dad can beat up your dad"). Allen Brill (tagline: "it's time for the Christian Right to meet the Right Christians") says the Christian Right have got it wrong here even in the small details. What can I add to all of this except to say that every time this happens, the U.S. has that much more trouble trying to take the moral high ground in criticizing other countries for religious intolerance. Oh, and one more thing: And do not dispute with the People of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) except in the best way, except for those who do wrong among them. And say: We believe in that which was revealed to us (the Quran) and in what was revealed to you (the Torah and the Gospel). And our God and your God is one. And we submit to Him. (Quran 29:46)

cynicism and sarcasm seem to be the best response

It appears that the case against Captain James Yee, the Muslim chaplain at Guantanamo, has degenerated into farce. Far from being a spy or a traitor, it now appears that the "great threat" he poses to America is that he allegedly committed adultery and downloaded pornographic materials on his computer. While other countries (see, Nigeria) attempt to put such people to death, here in the U.S. we only arrest them and hold them in maximum security solitary confinement for these crimes (Yee has since been released). God bless America! Truly a shining light to the nations. No, that sound you hear is not other countries laughing. What makes you think that? CAIR, whom some accuse of seeing prejudice behind every tree (an accusation that of course has never been made against parallel groups like the NAACP, ADL, etc - no sir) wonders cynically if these charges are intended to separate Yee from his Muslim supporters, putting them in the difficult position of defending an alleged adulterer. Muslims may, however, take heart in the Quran, which provides guidance. First, as a general rule, one should never blindly accept accusations from a source with questionable motives: O you, those who have faith! If a corrupt person brings you tidings, verify it, lest you attack some folk in ignorance and afterward repent of what you did. (Quran 49:6). Second, and specifically dealing with accusations of adultery, proper proof is required (note: as I have said previously, Nigeria and Afghanistan and similar places should be the first to follow this rule; see also the links in that entry and my responses in the comments): Why, when they heard this, did the faithful men and the faithful women not think better among themselves and say: This is a clear lie? Why do they not bring four witnesses? Whoever does not bring witnesses, such people are liars in Allah's sight. (Quran 24:12-13) I await the four witnesses. I am sure that I will be waiting a very long time. In the meantime, I do consider these charges baseless and without merit and I do believe that the government is acting in a dishonest and shameful manner. And I think that everybody should question the effectiveness of our anti-terrorism policies if this is the best that the government can come up with. It's not Muslim Americans who have strange priorities, but the Bush Administration.

Eid mubarak!

Eid mubarak to all my Muslim readers!! :invasion: May you have a blessed and joyous holiday and may your deeds and worship be pleasing to Allah. Song for the day: Takbir: Days of Eid Note: This was for Eid al-Fitr 1424 in November 2003. Eid al-Fitr 1425 is scheduled to be on November 14, 2004

Betty Crocker, Not Bin Laden

Doris Bittar calls for people to move beyond stereotypes and sweeping generalizations about women in the Middle East. An excerpt:

The majority of Arab women are not the oppressed subjects of Afghanistan or the ridiculously restricted of Saudi Arabia. The majority of Arab women, as with most women of the world, are struggling with familiar issues, not alien ones. They are balancing hectic lives of caring for their families and working. Yet, the relentless stereotyped assumptions day in and day out make Arab American women feel like the task to educate and have an honest discussion is nearly impossible. At this time the exchange of ideas between Arabs, Muslims and Americans of all backgrounds is of the utmost importance. It may even help us forge better strategies on how to improve the lives of women and their families here in the US.

Ramadan blogging, day 29

Today's posts at Ramadan Journal Commandment for women to come out for Eid prayer - A link to an article about purifying Muslim practice from sexism Al-Muhajabah's Ayahs of the Day - Verses from the last two sections of the Quran, one about the true spirit of giving and the other about monotheism And that's a wrap... - Successful conclusion of the "Ayah of the Day" project, al-hamdulillah The annual Eid dispute - The need to get communities more involved in the decision-making process

Ramadan blogging, days 25, 27, and 28

Some recent posts to Ramadan Journal Day 25: Iftar and a little activism - About an event I attended last Thursday Day 27: Al-Muhajabah's Ayahs of Previous Days - Some various interesting verses from the Quran Thoughts inspired by yesterday's khutbah - On being a good example and on the benefits of prayer Day 28: Al-Muhajabah's Ayah of the Previous Day - About the rewards of faith Al-Muhajabah's Ayah of the Day - An often overlooked verse about friendship with non-Muslims Looking back - Some thoughts as Ramadan draws to a close

Ramadan blogging, day 24

Today's posts at Ramadan Journal The anxiety of the job interview - Before the interview When you'd like to have some comfort good - After the interview Al-Muhajabah's Ayah of the Day - Another reason for feeling insignificant?

al-hamdulillah ala kulli hal

The job interview went fairly well in itself, I think, but the interviewer in Human Resources told me that they had not one but two internal candidates for the position, one of whom works in the same department and is already familiar with much of it. I couldn't help but have the feeling after this that they were interviewing me and other external candidates just to be complete. Al-hamdulillah ala kulli hal. Praise is due to Allah in every circumstance (even the depressing ones).

Ramadan blogging, days 22 and 23

I'm getting way behind on my posting here, lol. From Ramadan Journal Al-Muhajabah's Ayah of the Previous Day - Meant to be posted on day 21; a nice verse about diversity Al-Muhajabah's Ayah of the Previous Day - Meant to be posted on day 22; a politically correct verse Al-Muhajabah's Ayah of the Day - Finally back on track with day 23; about the effects of the Quran on the pious