I bear witness to the eternal truth that Almighty GOD is One and the Only One. HE is Incomparable, Supreme, Unmatched, Unparallel and the Unchallengeable. I also testify that Muhammad s/o Abdullah Al-Hashmi, born in Makkah in Arab Land fourteen centuries ago, is the last of the Prophets, the last of the Messengers of GOD Almighty on whom The GOD revealed HIS Final Testament, the Holy Qur'an. May peace and blessings of Almighty GOD be upon Prophet Mohammed and all the Prophets and Messengers, Almighty God ever appointed anywhere in human history.

I testify that The Qur'an, a revelation from the heavens on Prophet Mohammed remains in its original form till date, and will remain till the end of this world as it is promised by Almighty GOD HIMself in verse 9 of chapter 15.

GOD Almighty says: "Indeed WE have bestowed from on high, step by step, this reminder: and WE shall truly guard it (from all corruption and alterations)."

Friends, I welcome you here in this fine evening with Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barkatuhu. I convey the best wishes from the bottom of my heart and soul. May The LORD bestow on all of us, and on the entire humanity, peace, prosperity, harmony, serenity and Salaams. PEACE is very essential for the humanity for the survival not only on this globe but for the eternal life also. Everybody is making efforts for peace in entire world irrespective of cast and religion but result seems to be eluding with every approach. If one can find out by assessing all the activities going on, he will come to the conclusion that until and unless mankind is not educated what their Lord wants from them, they will not get any substantial success. So in this regard our approach remains to get continuous guidance from the Lord through His heavenly revelations. Friends, on behalf of all of us I welcome Professor Herbert Hoefer, our guest by the same welcome and Salaam as instructed in The Qur'an Chapter 6 verse 54

"And when those who believe in OUR messages come unto you O Mohammed, greet them and say: "Peace and Salaams be upon you. You should know that your LORD has prescribed Mercy & Compassion for HIMself - so that if any of you does a bad deed out of ignorance, and thereafter repents and reforms, The LORD is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace."

Friends, as we know The Qur'an is the last Heavenly Book, the humanity has in its Original Godly Words. Many Revelations were bestowed by the ALMIGHTY in different times, in different area, in different era and in different languages throughout the human history. But the humanity failed to preserve it in its Original. Many of them are lost. We are thankful to GOD Almighty that three out of them still exist. Holy Torah, Holy Gospel and Holy Qur'an. But the Holy Torah and the Holy Gospel are having its translated versions, not in their original heavenly wordings. Therefore the humanity should be grateful to GOD Almighty that the Final Testament is in its original till date and for this reason one has to treat it as a human heritage.

Almighty GOD, our Creator, SUSTAINER and Nourisher bestowed the Final Revelation gradually in a time span of 23 years to provide the humanity a Divine Book as a ready reference for day-to-day guidance in all the affairs of humanity of all the time. Now it is on the humanity to resolve their problems, their differences and dilemmas. Let us here in this evening ponder on three points confronting the humanity today. They are:

1. Word Allah cannot be used by Non-Muslims.

2. Secularism is against Islam

3. Democracy is against Islam

On the first point, there is unrest in Malaysia and many Churches were torched. I condemn all such activities and ask The Lord to provide sense of responsibility and keep us away from such mindless activities. I also condemn the act strongly, only for the pleasure of The Lord Almighty as He warned us in Chapter 11 verse 116.

"So why there were not sensible & balanced persons among generations before you who tried to prohibit those people who try to disturb the Natural laws on the earth by their corrupt activities! Such were few only whom WE saved from OUR anger. But the affluent people followed the prevailing corrupt system for the sake of their vested interests and thus became guilty in OUR Law."

And there is an admonition for us in 8/25

"And beware of the afflictions which may not strike only to those of you in particular who are the wrong doers. And remember that Allah is severe in punishing."

As all of you know that there is a verse bearing the number 40 in Chapter 22 (22/40), I recite it here.

"... Does not ALLAH check one set of people by means of another, surely would have been pulled down Monasteries, Churches, Synagogues and Mosques in which ALLAH's name is abundantly extolled. And ALLAH will most certainly succour him who succours HIS cause: for, verily, ALLAH is Most Powerful, Almighty."

When such clear instructions are there, why people do not refer the Heavenly Revelation and why they blindly follow any one without cross-checking by the Devine Writ! Why many times they are washed away by big names of scholars! Why we are finding insanity and intolerance in the society to the level of torching the places of worships of not only others, but not even sparing the mosques of other school of thoughts! We just pray for them and make our minds clear on the issues the humanity is facing today.

I would request you to refer the dictionaries of repute for the word of Allah. I would like to mention the Arabic Urdu Dictionary of Maulana Mohammed Abdurrashid Nomani and Almawrid, Arabic/English/Arabic dictionaries compiled by Dr Rohi Ba'albaki and Dr Munir Ba'albaki printed from Darul Ilm Lil Malayeen Berut. Even the renowned scholar of his times Maulana Abul Kalam Azad also discussed the root of this word and its origin in his renowned great work, Tarjumanul Qur'an, which is his commentary on the Holy Qur'an. In the very first chapter of The Qur'an he has discussed the word Allah, its root and its origin.

Great linguistic experts from ancient times are agreed upon that Arabic is from Semitic family of languages and a dialect of Hebrew. According to almost all of them, before the revelation of The Qur'an, for deity, word ILAH was used, while for the super unseen Almighty God, AL was added as a definite article making it ALLAH used for The unseen God. Such was and is the pattern in Semitic languages like Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, Syrian, Kuldish, Ashuriyan, Kanyanic, Finic, Accadic, Finsic, Moabic,Amuriac, Nabatic. Most of them are not alive today except Hebrew, Arabic and Syrian.

The experts of languages also say that the three ancient languages of world, that are Sanskrit, Latin and Hebrew, the root of the word God is mostly the same. It is Eil or EILAH in Hebrew and Latin and in Sanskrit it is Eish which shows that the humanity was once a family of Adam and Eve and the word EILAH, Eish or Eil was in use for God.

As we are here only to get ourselves clear on the subject without going into arguments with others for which The Qur'an does not allow us, I will mention one point from myself with the reference of great scholar and commentator of Holy Qur'an, Mr Mohammed Asad that to establish the meanings of any word used in The Qur'an, we should not forget that its first addressees were the Arabs of Makkah who were Non-Muslims. When they listened it from the Prophet (s.a.w.s) in which sense and meaning they assumed it, should be the criteria. No doubt they were worshipping idols and were calling them gods while for the Supreme Lord they were using the word Allah. In this regard we find a command for us in 7/180

"And for ALLAH are the finest names and attributes. So invoke HIM by them. And leave them who dispute in His names. They will be requited for what they have been doing."

It is also noteworthy that every English translator of past and present translates the word ILAH as god and Allah by God with capital G.

Word ALLAH

"And your GOD is the One GOD: there is no deity save HIM, the Most Gracious, the Dispenser of Grace." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 2 verse 163)

"Your God is the ONE God: but because of their false pride, the hearts of those who do not believe in the life to come refuse to admit this (truth)." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 16 verse 22)

"Proclaim O Mohammed: "Actually I am a mortal man like you only. It has been revealed unto me that your GOD is the ONE and the ONLY GOD. Hence, whoever looks forward with hope and awe to meet his SUSTAINER on Judgment Day, he must do righteous deeds, and never ascribe any divinity to anyone other than Almighty GOD." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 18 verse 29)

"Say O Prophet (s.a.w.s): "It is revealed to me that your God is the ONE and ONLY God: will you, then, submit yourselves to HIM?"
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 21 verse 108)

"To every people WE made rites and rituals of sacrifice and act of worship, so that they might extol the name of ALLAH over the sustenance HE gave them from cattle. And always bear in mind that your ILAH is ONE ILAH: hence, surrender yourselves unto HIM..." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 22 verse 34)

"And do not argue with the People of the Book, and reply to their arguments only in the best way - even though for those of them who are bent on evildoing. And your proclamation should be that: 'We believe in the Revelation bestowed to us as well as that which has been bestowed upon you. Our ILAH and your ILAH is ONE only, and unto HIM we submit fully.'"
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 29 verse 46)

SECULARISM

Now let us ponder over a dialogue carelessly used. It is 'Secularism is anti Islam'. No one has the time to refer it with Almighty and His Commandments. Let us see what commandments we are getting on the topic. For us there should be one more criteria that whether The Almighty wants uniformity in religion i.e. one mono-religious society on the earth or it is His plan to let everything be on earth and let the choice be into the hands of individuals.

"There must not be any compulsion in religion. The right way has become distinct from the way of error. So, whoever rejects every kind of false-hood, vague, confusion and myths, and accepts the Supremacy, Power, Divinity and Almightiness of One and Only GOD, indeed he has grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold with no break in it. And ALLAH is all-hearing, all-knowing." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 2 verse 256)

"And if you find it hard to bear their avoidance (of truth) then if you can, seek out a tunnel in the earth or stairway into the sky and bring them a sign or miracle. If had ALLAH so willed, HE would indeed have united them upon guidance. So never be of the ignorant." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 6 verse 35)

"If it had been ALLAH's will, they would not have associated anything with HIM in worship. And neither have WE appointed you to be watchful over their deeds nor you have been assigned to dispose-off their affairs." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 6 verse 107)

"And if your LORD had so wished, everyone on earth would have believed, all of them together! So will you force mankind to become believers?" (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 10 verse 99)

"Yet most men will not become believers, no matter how ardently eager you may be." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 12 verse 103)

"And proclaim (O Prophet): 'The Ultimate Truth has come from your LORD: Now whoever wants to accept, let him believe in it, and whoever wills to reject, let him do so...." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 18 verse 29)

"Indeed WE showed man the way, it is for him either be grateful (by accepting the Truth) or be ungrateful (by disbelieving)." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 76 verse 3)

"Say: "O Kafirs, I do not worship that which you worship,"
"And neither do you worship that which I worship."
"And I will not worship that which you have (ever) worshipped,"
"And neither will you (ever) worship that which I worship."
"Unto you, your religion, and unto me, mine!" (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 109)

Going through the whole volume of The Qur'an and the Sunnah or the system of the Prophet (s.a.w.s), it is very much evident that there is no duty on him but to convey the messages of The Lord to the mankind. (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 88 verses 21, 22)

"So, (O Prophet,) remind them, you are only a one who reminds. You are not a dictator over them."

But the humanity never allowed any Messenger to convey peacefully the Messages of Almighty and became hostile. In such charged conditions, migration will be the last effort to let live the humanity in peace. But if there is still attack on the society of faithful, permission of war is given in

"To those against war is made, permission is given to fight war because they have been oppressed. Verily, ALLAH has indeed the power to succour them. They are those who have been driven from their homelands against all right for no other reason than their saying, "Our Sustainer is ALLAH....." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 22 verse 39, 40)

It seems evident that a multi-religious society will ever remain on the earth. In such conditions, allowance to others to survive peacefully remains only option which is given by The Creator of humanity. The Muslim history also tells us the infighting among them on issues related to their different school of thoughts. Once again, Secularism is the need of the Muslim world to survive peacefully with their Shia Islam or Sunni Islam or Wahabi Islam or anything like that.

However those who have power in their hands, many times twist the things in their favour and apply their own secularism with their own interpretation. This is also a human failing which cannot be the reason to reject secularism in one shot.

Today everyone among us is practically secular in his daily routine but we don't realise it. We have to keep ourselves secular in business, jobs, profession, and services rendering or seeking. When we are in the market for our needs, we don't consider nor it slightly clicks in our minds the religion and cast of our buyer or seller. We don't care for the religion of a Taxi-man, a Chemist, a Doctor, an Engineer when we are in need. We care for the quality of services, material and his loyalty to his profession. But alas! Plainly without using any logic behind, we simply declare that Secularism is against Islam.

Moreover in The Holy Qur'an, all the commands related to charities, we don't find any distinction of religion, cast, creed, colour, language and gender.

The contemporary Islamic nations are feeling the undercurrents of differences of 'School of Thoughts' and different sects among Muslim population. Sometimes it comes on the ground so violently in the shape of riots, bloodshed and torching the Mosques of each other. For today's Muslim countries I want to mention one verse of the Holy Qur'an and one Hadees to propagate largely in the public and to be adhered.

"O Muslims, when you go forth (even) to war in ALLAH's cause, use your discernment, and do not - out of a desire for the fleeting gains of this worldly life- say unto anyone who offers you Salaam (the greeting of peace), "You are not a Muslim": for with ALLAH there are gains abundant. You, too, were once in the same condition- but ALLAH has been gracious unto you. Use, therefore, your discernment: verily, Allah is always aware of what you do." (Holy Qur'an, Chap. 4 verse 94)

Only criterion is exchange of Salaam, which should be enough to treat the person next as a Muslim and behave secularly on the topic of difference of school of thoughts. Such verses should be propagated largely to counter bloodshed in Muslim societies. One specific Hadees of the Prophet (s.a.w.s) is mentioned here which is from the famous collections of Imam Bukhari in his book Saheeh Bukhari.

Anas Bin Malik narrates; said the Prophet (s.a.w.s): "one who prays like us, turns towards Qiblah for prayers, and consumes our slaughtered animal is Muslim in the shelter of Allah and His Messenger."

On the authority of the verse of Holy Qur'an quoted above and the saying of the Prophet (s.a.w.s) mentioned in Saheeh Bukhari Shareef, person of each and every sect and school of thoughts among Muslims is Muslim and he is under the protection of Allah and His Prophet (s.a.w.s). The hatred is preached and practiced by vested interests, political needs and religious bigotry. The only remedy is remains to let people be aware of the facts largely, to avoid ugly scenes amongst Muslims.

SECULARISM

Many times people for their convenience, mix up both the words like Secularism and Democracy. Let us check the meaning of both the words and proceed. According to Oxford Dictionary word Democracy is defined as a system of government by the whole population usually through elected representatives.

The Encarta Dictionary describes it as democratic governmental system: a system of government based on the principle of majority decision-making. One more commonly used dialogue used in the constitution of many secular democratic countries is "For the people by the people of the people."

While in Revelation we find no condemnation of any system like monarchy, hierarchy or any other. It stresses on the person and his moral and his fear of Almighty and accountability. Any system, if it is in corrupt hands, will not be fruitful for humanity.

In my opinion, in democracy, majority plays the vital role and many a times over-rule ethics, morality and even human values. But for the People of the Book, there must be some fundamentals to be taken into consideration.

The Principal directives and frame given in the Revelation should be taken into consideration while enacting laws. It is strange to accept that Democracy or majority will always be right. There should be some fundamentals checks on the majority-rulings also. Generally, in democratic society, a law is passed when voted by majority. Will it not be dangerous to the human existence if a law is passed on the basis of even absolute majority allowing legality for Relations out of Marriages, Relationship between same gender, Incest, Dacoity, Theft, Euthanasia, Suicide and many more for the sake of majority or democracy! Certainly there must be some heavenly limits and demarcations. People of the Book must refer the Heavenly Revelations.

"Proclaim: 'Evil and good cannot be equal, even though the abundance of evil may fascinate you. So remain conscious of ALLAH, O you who are endowed with insight, so that you might attain to a happy state!"
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 5 verse 100)

"WE bestowed from on high the Torah, full of Guidance and Divine Light. On its strength, did the Prophets deliver judgment on those who surrendered themselves to the law, from the people of Jewish faith, and so did the rabbis and godly persons, as they had been entrusted to be faithful with the Book of ALLAH, ... And those who do not judge according to the Commandments revealed by ALLAH are the deniers of the truth."
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 5 verse 44)

"And WE ordained for them in the Torah; a life for a life, and an eye for an eye, and a nose for a nose, and an ear for an ear, and a tooth for a tooth, and a similar retribution for wounds. But he who shall forgo it out of recognition of the truth of GOD's Supremacy, will atone thereby some of his past sins. And they who do not judge in accordance with what GOD ALMIGHTY has revealed, they, and they are the evil doers."
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 5 verse 45)

"And WE caused Eisa, the son of Maryam, to follow in the footsteps of those (earlier Prophets), confirming the truth of whatever there still remained of the Torah; and WE vouchsafed unto him Injeel (The Gospel), wherein there was guidance and light, confirming the truth of the Torah, and as a guidance and admonition unto the God-conscious."
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 5 verse 46)

"The followers of The Gospel should rule according to what ALMIGHTY GOD has revealed therein. And those who do not judge according to what ALMIGHTY GOD has revealed, they, they are perverse."
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 5 verse 47)

"And unto you (O Prophet) have WE bestowed this Divine BOOK (Qur'an), setting forth the truth, confirming the truth of earlier revelations and determining what is true therein. Judge, then, between the followers of revelation in accordance with what ALLAH has bestowed from on high, and do not follow their errant views forsaking the truth that has come unto you..."
(Holy Qur'an, Chap. 5 verse 48)

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