Islam's Sharia Law and Women

Sharia law is the foundation of the legal system for Islam. It was developed over a 500 year period after the death of Muhammad. Sharia is based on both the Koran and the Hadith. The Hadith is comprised of other sayings and doings of Muhammad in addition to the Koran. However, it is considered to carry as much significance as the Koran. Sharia is an integral part of Islam and affects all aspects of Muslim life.

A significant difference between Islam and Christianity is how women are perceived, especially as they relate to men, to whom they are considered inferior by Islam. The Bible is very clear on the matter. Women and men are considered equal partners who have been assigned different roles to maintain order. Adam was created first and then his counterpart, Eve.

“And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.’” Genesis 2:18

Both Adam and Eve were created in the image of their Creator.

“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:27

Equality of men and women was confirmed in the New Testament.

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Approximately 500 years after the Bible was completed and the final warning given about adding to or taking away from it, Islam was born. Islam, however, claimed the Bible was corrupted and viewed the value of women very differently. It began with Muhammad who stated the following:

“O women! Give alms, as I have seen that the majority of the dwellers of Hell-fire were you (women)…I have not seen anyone more deficient in intelligence and religion than you…”

Muhammad’s thinking pervaded Islam’s Sharia law. Several examples of the perceived inferiority of women by Muslims include:

• A woman’s testimony is only counted as half of a man’s
• A woman can only have one husband while a man may have as many as four wives
• A woman should have no contact with men unless accompanied by a male relative
• A woman should be covered with the exception of her face and hands
• Muhammad said that a nation will never succeed that has a woman as a ruler, therefore, a woman cannot be a ruler or judge
• In some Islamic countries Muslim women are not allowed to drive
• The legal marriage age for Muslim women varies from country to country but the girl can be as young as 9 years old based on Muhammad’s example, i.e. he married 9 year old Aisha when he was 53
• The Koran allows Muslim men to hit their wives even if they only suspect highhandedness in them

There are attempts being made to incorporate portions of Sharia in several European nations as well as in Canada and the United States. Most Americans believe that Sharia should be rejected forthrightly as un-American, unconstitutional, uncivilized and counter-Biblical. Most notably and closest to home is SQ 755 which is currently being challenged on constitutional grounds by Muslims.

There are those who think Sharia law pertaining to a woman being stoned to death for adultery is akin to the Biblical Old Testament law concerning adultery.

“If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then both of them shall die – the man that lay with the woman, and the woman…” Deuteronomy 22:22

“If a young woman who is a virgin is betrothed to a husband, and a man finds her in the city and lies with her, then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones...” Deuteronomy 22:23-24

The key thought in the above is ‘both’ participants were found worthy of death, not just the woman.

It is very interesting that the National Organization for Women has been silent on the threat of Sharia. Their Statement of Purpose is totally contradictory to that part of Sharia pertaining to the rights and status of women.

“NOW’s purpose is to take action to bring women into full participation in the mainstream of American society now, exercising all privileges and responsibilities thereof in truly equal partnership with men. This purpose includes, but is not limited to, equal rights and responsibilities in all aspects of citizenship, public service, employment, education, and family life, and it includes freedom from discrimination because of race, ethnic origin, age, marital status, sexual preference/orientation, or parenthood.”

The NOW organization wholeheartedly endorsed Elana Kagan’s appointment to the Supreme Court. They also applauded the ruling on Proposition 8. It will be interesting to see if they exhibit the same vigor when confronted by the ‘sure to come’ threat of Sharia law in America inasmuch as they show no apparent concern for its implementation in other countries.

Next week we’ll examine in more detail the Biblical reference of death by stoning for those who commit adultery in this present era.

Google ‘women living under Sharia law’

The Islamic Tactic of Taqiyya

The Arabic term ‘taqiyya’ in general means ‘concealment of belief, i.e. deceit’. Muslims are allowed to use taqiyya when necessary to avoid death or injury to oneself or other Muslims. The contemporary significance of taqiyya focuses on the relationship between Muslims and non-Muslims.

Taqiyya is inspired by the example and sayings of the Prophet Mohammed described by Muslims in their Hadiths as ‘the greatest deceiver’ and praised in the Koran. Muslims have used taqiyya which they describe variously as precautionary or tactical dissimulation, religiously-sanctioned or holy deception, and/or keeping one’s conviction secret.

Koranic references addressing taqiyya include:

“God does not take you to task for any idle talk in your oath, but He does take you to task for whatever your hearts have earned. God is forgiving, lenient”. Koran 2.225

“The believers never ally themselves with the disbelievers, instead of the believers. Whoever does this is exiled from God. Exempted are those who are forced to do this to avoid persecution…” Koran 3.28

“Anyone who, after accepting faith in Allah, utters unbelief, except under compulsion, his heart remaining firm in faith…” Koran 16.106

Mohammed is also quoted as saying:

“Lying is wrong, except in three things: the lie of a man to his wife to make her content with him; a lie to an enemy, for war is deception; or a lie to settle trouble between people.”

Muslim scholars have paraphrased Mohammed’s words and the above Koranic verses for us in the following:

“We smile in the face of some people (non-Muslims) while our hearts curse them.”

“Whoever at any time or place fears their (infidel’s) evil may protect themselves through outward show.”
“If you (Muslims) are under their (non-Muslim’) authority, fearing for yourselves, behave loyally to them with your tongue while harboring inner animosity for them…(know that) God has forbidden believers from being friendly or on intimate terms with the infidels rather than other believers – except when infidels are above them (in authority). Should that be the case, let them act friendly towards them while preserving their religion.”

“Doing taqiyya is acceptable till the Day of Judgment.”

Mohammed’s words have been applied in nearly every facet of relations between Muslims and non-Muslims. It appears that Muslims, who are very zealous about their religion and cause, may use taqiyya to pursue their goals without being chastened by Allah. In reality the Koran states that Allah himself is the best deceiver or schemer.

“And they cheated/deceived and God cheated/deceived and God (is) the best (of) the cheaters/deceivers.” Koran 3:54

“Did they secure God’s scheme/deceit? So no (one) trusts God’s scheme/deceit except the nation of losers...” Koran 7:99

“And when those who disbelieved deceives/schemes at you...and God deceives/schemes and God (is) best (of) the deceivers/schemers.” Koran 8:30

“And those from before them had cheated/deceived/schemed, so to God (is) all the cheatery/deceit/schemes…” Koran 13:42

Considering Islam’s own literature it is difficult at times to know exactly where Muslims stand on certain issues. Recent reports have indicated that Imam Rauf, who is associated with the proposed ground zero mosque, was a master at taqiyya.

Needless to say, taqiyya requires careful examination of several major issues facing the United States and the world. Following are several positions statements that require diplomatic scrutiny due to Islam’s taqiyya doctrine.

“We are developing nuclear technology strictly for peaceful energy purposes.”

“We want to build a Mosque near ground zero to advance interfaith relations and show our respect for those lives that were lost on 9-11.”

“We simply want to mind our own business and practice our religion of peace within your country.”

“We want to be assimilated into your society and culture.”

“We condemn all acts of violence and terrorism against anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim.”

“We are like you, i.e. we want and are striving for a peaceful two-state solution to settle the Palestinian issue.”

The Islamic doctrine of taqiyya is obviously counter Biblical and is addressed very succinctly by the Apostle James in the New Testament which reaffirms the 9th commandment given to Moses.

“But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’, lest you fall into judgment.” James 5:12

However, beyond the religious aspect of taqiyya are monumental foreign policy issues. It’s difficult to deal with political entities when their true positions aren’t known. And there is so much at stake for America’s freedoms with the Muslim issue. Islam’s taqiyya is just one tactic being used to achieve their goal of world domination. As recently as last year a Saudi legal expert reaffirmed Islam’s international goal:

“As a member of the true religion, I have a greater right to invade (others) in order to impose a certain way of life (according to sharia), which history has proven to be the best and most just of all civilizations. This is the true meaning of offensive jihad. When we wage jihad, it is not in order to convert people to Islam, but in order to liberate them from the dark slavery in which they live.”

Google ‘IslamWatch.org – Understanding taqiyya’ and ‘Imam Rauf and taqiyya’

The Birth of the Muslim Brotherhood

On 11-11-1918 an armistice was signed by the western allies and Germany which signaled the end of WW I. Big losers in that war were Germany, Russia, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. In fact, the Ottoman Empire ceased to exist at that time. As a result western influence began to grow in the Arab world.

In between the end of WW I in 1918 and the beginning of WW II in 1939, a pious Muslim named Hassan al-Banna, concerned about the growth of western influence on the Arab world, founded what is now known as the Muslim Brotherhood in 1928 to combat such influence. It was time to revive the ‘Ottoman Empire’ which represented the political aspects of Islam and the goal of an Islamic caliphate. Al-Banna stated:

“We summon you to Islam, the teachings of Islam, the laws of Islam and the guidance of Islam…We believe that Islam is an all-embracing concept which regulates every aspect of life, adjudicating on every one of its concerns and prescribing for it a solid and rigorous order. It is the duty incumbent on every Muslim to struggle towards the aim of making every people Muslim and the whole world Islamic, so that the banner of Islam can flutter over the earth…”

Al-Banna forged a relationship with Hitler and Mussolini inasmuch as they shared Islam’s hatred of the Jews. Hitler had consolidated his racist and radical ideologies in a book entitled ‘Mein Kampf’. That book was subsequently translated into Arabic and entitled ‘My Jihad’. Therefore, the foundation for the Muslim Brotherhood was greatly influenced by Nazism.

The Muslim Brotherhood has grown and spread globally and is presently the largest Islamic organization in the world. Their charter and purpose includes:

“The Muslim Brotherhood must understand that their work in America is a kind of grand jihad in eliminating and destroying the Western civilization from within and sabotaging its miserable house by their hands and the hands of the believers so that it is eliminated and Allah’s religion is made victorious over all other religions.”

“Islam isn’t in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Koran should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth.”

It is quickly noted then that Islam’s political agenda cannot be separated from their basic religious beginnings.

In addition to spawning Hezbollah, Hamas, Taliban, and Al Qaeda, the Muslim Brotherhood has many other lesser known organizations under its wings including but not limited to the following:

• MSA Muslim Students Association
• MYNA Muslim Youth of North America
• NAIT North American Islamic Trust
• IMA Islamic Medical Association
• ISNA Islamic Society of North America
• MSA Muslim American Society
• AMC American Muslim Council
• MPAC Muslim Public Affairs Council
• CAIR Council on American Islamic Relations
• MAYA Muslim Arab Youth Association
• ICNA Islamic Circle of North America
• IIIT International Institute for Islamic Thought

The Muslim Brotherhood’s leader until early 2010, Mohammad Mahdi Akef, stated “The United States is a Satan that abuses the religion. I expect America to collapse soon. I have complete faith that Islam will invade Europe and America”.

The Brotherhood very recently elected a new ‘Supreme Guide’ named Muhammad Badi who also endorses anti-American jihad. In a sermon dated September 30th of this year (less than two months ago) Badi states “Waging jihad against both Israel and the United States is a commandment of Allah that cannot be disregarded”.

While the majority of Americans think of Islamic jihad in terms of such terrorists as the now infamous underwear bomber and his ilk, the real advancement of Islam in our homeland is far more subtle. In fact the Muslim Brotherhood will most likely openly renounce violence even though covertly supporting it which is a clear example of the Islamic tactic of ‘taqiyya’, i.e. deception. A major strategy of Islam is to use and abuse our laws such as religious freedom and civil rights legislation to pursue their agenda. They are fervently pursuing legislation to silence freedom of speech, at least any speech that places Islam in an unfavorable light, regardless of how true. Our political correctness serves as a catalyst to their agenda. It was encouraging to see state question 755 pass with such a wide margin. Notice how quickly CAIR responded with their challenge to squelch it before enactment.

An American born Muslim in a speech to a group of MSA (Muslim Student Association) members at a New York College stated:

“We reject the United Nations, reject America, reject all law and order…The only relationship you should have with America is to topple it…Eventually there will be a Muslim in the White House dictating the laws of sharia”.

There is no need for Islamophobia, only awareness. A wise thing for America to do is to listen to what Islamists are saying in order to get a glimpse of the magnitude of the threat that faces us and all western civilization. The threat against Israel goes without saying. Ishmael will continue to spar with Isaac until Isaac’s descendant Christ returns to put an end to it.

Google ‘The Muslim Brotherhood in America’ and ‘CAIR in America’

The Totality of Islam

‘Islam’ is Arabic and means submission to the will of God. And although that definition implies religion, Islam is an all-encompassing ideology that affects all facets of one’s personal, family and civic life. The founder of the Muslim Brotherhood defines Islam as ‘a comprehensive system which deals with all spheres of life. It is...government…conduct…culture and a law…And finally, it is true belief and correct worship.’ Islam was the name originally given to the religion of Mohammed in the 7th century AD. However, the odyssey really began approximately 4,000 years ago.

Muslims claim they are of the lineage of Abraham and that is true. Recall the promise God made to Abraham approximately 2,100 years before Christ.

“Now the LORD had said to Abram (Abraham): ...‘I will make you a great nation…and make your name great…and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’” Genesis 12:1-4

“I will make you (Abraham) exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations…” Genesis 17:6-7

We have previously established that the descendants which God referred to in the above scriptures was Abraham’s son Isaac, and then Jacob, and Judah. God made it very clear that Abraham’s son Ishmael was not the recipient of the covenant to Abraham. Ishmael would be blessed, however, as the progenitor of twelve Arab nations and the ancestor to Mohammed.

“Then God said…as for Ishmael…behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful…He shall beget twelve princes…but My covenant I will establish with Isaac…” Genesis 17:19-21

Therefore, before proceeding further, the Bible makes it very clear that the promises made to Abraham would subsequently apply to Israel. In other words the Arab nations were not the direct benefactors of the covenant God made with Abraham.

Building on the above facts Ishmael’s descendant Mohammed was born in Mecca in 570 AD. When he was approximately 25 years old he claimed to receive revelations from Allah through the angel Gabriel that superseded the Bible. Those revelations were the beginning of Islam. The religion of Islam and its accompanying comprehensive ideology would subsequently spread throughout the Arab nations into Europe.

The spread of Islam continued nearly unchecked until the Crusades which slowed their progress but didn’t put an end to it. Islam continued its growth as it spread to Western Europe and made several attempts to conquer the Austrian capital of Vienna. The Ottoman forces, however, suffered a humiliating defeat at Vienna on 9-11-1683. The date of 9-11 would certainly be remembered by Osama Bin Laden.

After the defeat at Vienna the Ottoman’s power, influence, and status began to steadily decline until the empire was dissolved after siding with Germany during World War I. But that is not the end of the story.

Shortly after WWI there began a resurgence of Islamic aspirations. Muslims believe very strongly in Islamic supremacism. They believe Allah’s plan is for there to be but one religion and government, i.e. Islam and it is every Muslim’s responsibility to pursue that objective via jihad at all levels wherever they happen to live around the world.

Following are several post WWI quotes by renowned Islamic scholars:

“Muslim nations are very special because they have a command from Allah to rule the entire world and to be over every nation in the world.”

“Islam is a revolutionary faith that comes to destroy any government made by man…the goal of Islam is to rule the entire world and submit all of mankind to the faith of Islam. Any nation or power that gets in the way of that goal, Islam will fight and destroy. In order to fulfill that goal, Islam can use every power available every way it can be used to bring worldwide revolution.”

“Nothing could be greater than this youthful, vigorous, and rich continent of North America turning away from its past evil and marching forward under the banner of Allahu Akbar.”

“Thanks to your democratic laws, we will invade you, thanks to our religious laws we will dominate you.”

There is absolutely no question that Islam has the goal of reestablishing global rule through a caliphate headquartered in Jerusalem. There is no question that they have their eyes on America, not only because of our friendship with Israel, but because of our anti-Islamic culture and form of government.

Some have reasoned that the demise of the Ottoman Empire and the resurgence of Islamic imperialism are alluded to in the following verses.

“There are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, and the other has not yet come. And when he comes, he must continue a short time. The beast that was, and is not, is himself also the eighth, and is of the seven…” Revelation 17:10-11

Those verses definitely stir apocalyptic curiosity. Regardless, it is pure naiveté to ignore Islam’s present global aspirations.

We’ll see in future columns how Islamic infrastructure is already well established within our borders on the way to achieving their goal.

For further enlightenment Google ‘The future Islamic Caliphate’

The Choice: Islam or Christianity

The choice in the present context considers only the religious aspects of Islam and Christianity. As we will learn in the coming weeks there is so much more to Islam than the religious aspect. The same applies to Christianity. The religious aspect of Christianity centers on the deity and incarnation of Christ, but the Bible reveals that in the future Christ will rule the nations with a rod of iron. He will be lawmaker, judge, and king.

Because of the vast theological and doctrinal differences between the religious aspects of Islam and Christianity they are profoundly irreconcilable. Thus an individual seeking a religion would need to adopt one or the other.

Each religion has the right to believe whatever they choose. For example Muslims have a right to believe:

• The Bible has been corrupted by Christians and Jews and is no longer reliable. Therefore, God revealed His revised word to Mohammed via the angel Gabriel 600 years after the Bible was completed.
• Jesus was not the Son of God, i.e. deity, but was rather one of the prophets and was superseded by the greater prophet Mohammed.
• Jesus was not crucified, and therefore could not have been buried and resurrected.
• Paradise is available only to Muslims and is earned by good performance during one’s lifetime.

Christians, on the other hand, have the right and do believe:

• The scriptures are as pure and holy as when they were written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
• Jesus was indeed a great prophet, but is also deity as the second person of the Holy Trinity, i.e. the only begotten Son of God the Father.
• Jesus was crucified for the sins of all mankind, was buried and resurrected and now sits at the right hand of the Father.
• Heaven is available to people of any race, ethnicity, etc. who accept the free gift of salvation based on the sacrificial death of Christ instead of individuals having to pay for their own sin debt.

The first amendment to the constitution provides for Muslims to have the right to practice their religion in more than 3000 mosques in the United States. They have the right to explain their religion to others with the hopes of converting them to Islam. But when others reject their religion Muslims do not have the right to force conversion by intimidation or jihad.

Interestingly, while Muslims have the right to practice their religion freely in America, Christians do not have that same right to practice their religion freely in Muslim countries such as Saudi Arabia for example. In fact due to excessive political correctness in America, the perception is growing that Muslims have more religious freedom in America than do Christians.

Based on that same first amendment Christians have a similar right as Muslims to tell others about Christianity but when their message is rejected Christians are to shake the dust off their feet and move on. And as Muslims have the right to reject the Bible and Christianity; Christians have the right to reject any and all parts of any religion that contradicts Biblical teachings without being labeled a blasphemer or a bigot. And we need to convince the present administration that it isn’t a hate crime to resist and reject other religions that defame Christianity.

It is becoming increasingly more difficult for Christians in America to practice their religion when the president, who refers to himself as Barack Hussein Obama when addressing Muslim audiences, states that “America is no longer a Christian nation” but is in fact “one of the largest Muslim countries in the world.” Fortunately in spite of such rhetoric approximately 75% of Americans refute his claims.

Christians must be as zealous about Christianity as Muslims are about their religion, holding fast to Jesus’ teachings.

“And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you…Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many’”. Matthew 24:4, 11

“…I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Revelation 22:13

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words…of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book…God shall take away his part from the Book of Life...” Revelation 22:18-19

The Bible is so clear on this subject that detailed justification shouldn’t even be necessary.

This is the last installment in the series about the religion of Islam. Next week we’ll begin discussion on the total ideology of Islam, their objectives, strategy, and tactics to achieve their objectives in the United States.

For excellent information, go to ‘FaithFreedom.Org’ and also Google the writings of Syed Kamran Mirza.

Comments welcome on http://bibleandcurrentevents.blogspot.com