MUMBAI: Islamic preacher Zakir Naik is in the eye of a storm for the laudatory remarks he made about a controversial Islamic figure during the recent peace conference in the city. Muslim scholars, both Shias and Sunnis, are threatening an agitation if Naik doesn't apologise and retract his controversial utterances soon. At the concluding session of the 10-day Islamic peace conference at Somaiya Ground in Sion on December 2, Naik shocked many in the audience when he addressed Yazid as "Raziallah tala anho"(May Allah be pleased with him). He also reportedly called the battle of Karbala a political battle. Yazid has been historically condemned for having killed 72 Muslims, including Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein and his close relatives, at the battle of Karbala in the 7th century on the banks of the Tigris (present day Iraq). The Shias consider it Yazid's unpardonable sin and commemorate the martyrdom with a 10-day mourning, culminating into Ashura (10th day) in Muharram. "Naik's irresponsible remarks have hurt the sentiments of both the Shias and the Sunnis. The honorifics are reserved for the Prophet's companions, not for someone like Yazid, the butcher of Karbala. And he can't call Karbala a political battle as it was essentially a religious battle,"protested Shia scholar Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi. Naik, who returned from Haj on Wednesday, conveyed his reaction through his brother Mohammed Naik: "At the peace conference, while replying to a question, I neither condemned nor lauded Yazid. I did say 'May Allah be pleased with him' while mentioning Yazid. I can show the fatwas from seminaries like Darul Uloom Deoband supporting my stand."
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Row over Zakir Naik's remarks
MUMBAI: Islamic preacher Zakir Naik is in the eye of a storm for the laudatory remarks he made about a controversial Islamic figure during the recent peace conference in the city. Muslim scholars, both Shias and Sunnis, are threatening an agitation if Naik doesn't apologise and retract his controversial utterances soon. At the concluding session of the 10-day Islamic peace conference at Somaiya Ground in Sion on December 2, Naik shocked many in the audience when he addressed Yazid as "Raziallah tala anho"(May Allah be pleased with him). He also reportedly called the battle of Karbala a political battle. Yazid has been historically condemned for having killed 72 Muslims, including Prophet Mohammed's grandson Imam Hussein and his close relatives, at the battle of Karbala in the 7th century on the banks of the Tigris (present day Iraq). The Shias consider it Yazid's unpardonable sin and commemorate the martyrdom with a 10-day mourning, culminating into Ashura (10th day) in Muharram. "Naik's irresponsible remarks have hurt the sentiments of both the Shias and the Sunnis. The honorifics are reserved for the Prophet's companions, not for someone like Yazid, the butcher of Karbala. And he can't call Karbala a political battle as it was essentially a religious battle,"protested Shia scholar Maulana Zaheer Abbas Rizvi. Naik, who returned from Haj on Wednesday, conveyed his reaction through his brother Mohammed Naik: "At the peace conference, while replying to a question, I neither condemned nor lauded Yazid. I did say 'May Allah be pleased with him' while mentioning Yazid. I can show the fatwas from seminaries like Darul Uloom Deoband supporting my stand."
Friday, August 3, 2007
Fatwa against Wahid-ud-Din Khan
from NDTV
Fayaz Bukhari
Saturday, August 4, 2007 (Srinagar)
Bashir-ud-Din, the grand mufti of Kashmir, has issued a fatwa against well-known Islamic scholar Wahid-ud-Din Khan. The Mufti, seen by many as a moderate, has said Khan's remarks on the Prophet not being a perfect human being amounts to blasphemy and cannot be forgiven.This comes after Khan in the recent issue of his home publication Al-Risala wrote that role models are subject to change.''There is unanimous opinion about Prophet Mohammad being a perfect human being and there is no second opinion about it. Even if someone says that he is not a perfect human being, it's not worth to be forgiven,'' says Mufti Bashir-ud-Din.After the fatwa was issued on Thursday, the magazine was withdrawn from stalls in Srinagar. But the author argues it's not a fatwa, but a strong statement. He says this could be a move to ban his publication, as his writings on jihad have always irked radical clerics.Furthermore, Wahid-ud-Din Khan insists he wrote nothing anything against the prophet.''I have written nothing blasphemous,'' he says.Wahid-ud-Din Khan's writings against Jihad have always been criticised by radical Muslim clerks here.But this is the first time that moderate Ulmas not only criticised his writing, but declared that he ceases to be a Muslim.
Fayaz Bukhari
Saturday, August 4, 2007 (Srinagar)
Bashir-ud-Din, the grand mufti of Kashmir, has issued a fatwa against well-known Islamic scholar Wahid-ud-Din Khan. The Mufti, seen by many as a moderate, has said Khan's remarks on the Prophet not being a perfect human being amounts to blasphemy and cannot be forgiven.This comes after Khan in the recent issue of his home publication Al-Risala wrote that role models are subject to change.''There is unanimous opinion about Prophet Mohammad being a perfect human being and there is no second opinion about it. Even if someone says that he is not a perfect human being, it's not worth to be forgiven,'' says Mufti Bashir-ud-Din.After the fatwa was issued on Thursday, the magazine was withdrawn from stalls in Srinagar. But the author argues it's not a fatwa, but a strong statement. He says this could be a move to ban his publication, as his writings on jihad have always irked radical clerics.Furthermore, Wahid-ud-Din Khan insists he wrote nothing anything against the prophet.''I have written nothing blasphemous,'' he says.Wahid-ud-Din Khan's writings against Jihad have always been criticised by radical Muslim clerks here.But this is the first time that moderate Ulmas not only criticised his writing, but declared that he ceases to be a Muslim.
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Kashmir Watch.com
Srinagar, August 2: The controversy generated by an article published in a magazine Al-risala by a renowned scholar Maula Wahidudin Khan saw Kashmiri Ulema (religious scholars) coming together under the chairmanship of Mufti Bashir-ud-Din and issuing a statement denouncing the contents of the article and issuing a decree that one who doesn’t see Prophet Mohammed (SAW) as the final role model, ceases to be a Muslim.
In a statement issued by Mir Bashir Ahmed Kant, Secretary Muslim Personal Law Board, J&K, it was said that the meeting besides the office bearers of the Board was attended by Ulema and scholars of different schools of thought.
The meeting passed a resolution saying Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is the last prophet and final and complete role model.
“By challenging the finality of Mohammed (SAW) as a role model, Wahidudin Khan has exposed his intentions,” the statement said, adding, “One who tries to find faults in Mohammed’s being a final role model, should be treated outside the circle of Islam.”
The meeting observed that the write up has hurt the sentiments of Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire world and asked government to ban the publication of Al-risala.
However, when contacted, Maulana Wahidudin Khan told Kashmir Images that what has been circulated to the media by the Ulema is not a Fatwa by any standards.
“It is simply an abusive statement. There are no specific allegations against me,” said Khan, adding, “These Ulema too believe that their stand is weak otherwise while issuing the Fatwa they should have referred to the relevant laws of Sharia.”
Khan said that he has been extensively writing about Islam and Prophet Mohammed (SAW). “Through my writings I have scientifically proved that Mohammed (SAW) is the last prophet. And even in the article under debate I have talked about belief, Ibada, moral values and stressed that Mohammed (SAW) is the role model,” Khan said.
“Yes, when I talk about methodology, I say it is situational and subject to change,” he said.
Elaborating, Khan said that Prophet Mohammed (SAW) used sword during holy wars but in today’s world using sword against sophisticated weapons would be suicidal.
“Ask these Ulema that isn’t faxing Fatwa to newspaper offices change in the methodology. In earlier times they would have used Masjids to pronounce the decree. [Kashmir Images]
Geelani sharply reacts to Maulana’s comments
Srinagar, August 2: Commenting on the remarks of Maulana Wahid-ud-Din in ‘Al-Risala’, chairman of Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani Thursday said the Maulana hasn’t done this mistake for first time.
“For long he (Maulana Wahid-ud-Din) has been indulging in misinterpretation of Islam and also has been trying to present his defeatist mentality as a discourse,” Geelani said in a statement.
The statement said that Geelani will address a Friday congregation at Masjid Sharief in Saraf Kadal on August 3 at 12: 30 AM.” [Greater Kashmir]
In a statement issued by Mir Bashir Ahmed Kant, Secretary Muslim Personal Law Board, J&K, it was said that the meeting besides the office bearers of the Board was attended by Ulema and scholars of different schools of thought.
The meeting passed a resolution saying Prophet Mohammed (SAW) is the last prophet and final and complete role model.
“By challenging the finality of Mohammed (SAW) as a role model, Wahidudin Khan has exposed his intentions,” the statement said, adding, “One who tries to find faults in Mohammed’s being a final role model, should be treated outside the circle of Islam.”
The meeting observed that the write up has hurt the sentiments of Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir and the entire world and asked government to ban the publication of Al-risala.
However, when contacted, Maulana Wahidudin Khan told Kashmir Images that what has been circulated to the media by the Ulema is not a Fatwa by any standards.
“It is simply an abusive statement. There are no specific allegations against me,” said Khan, adding, “These Ulema too believe that their stand is weak otherwise while issuing the Fatwa they should have referred to the relevant laws of Sharia.”
Khan said that he has been extensively writing about Islam and Prophet Mohammed (SAW). “Through my writings I have scientifically proved that Mohammed (SAW) is the last prophet. And even in the article under debate I have talked about belief, Ibada, moral values and stressed that Mohammed (SAW) is the role model,” Khan said.
“Yes, when I talk about methodology, I say it is situational and subject to change,” he said.
Elaborating, Khan said that Prophet Mohammed (SAW) used sword during holy wars but in today’s world using sword against sophisticated weapons would be suicidal.
“Ask these Ulema that isn’t faxing Fatwa to newspaper offices change in the methodology. In earlier times they would have used Masjids to pronounce the decree. [Kashmir Images]
Geelani sharply reacts to Maulana’s comments
Srinagar, August 2: Commenting on the remarks of Maulana Wahid-ud-Din in ‘Al-Risala’, chairman of Hurriyat (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani Thursday said the Maulana hasn’t done this mistake for first time.
“For long he (Maulana Wahid-ud-Din) has been indulging in misinterpretation of Islam and also has been trying to present his defeatist mentality as a discourse,” Geelani said in a statement.
The statement said that Geelani will address a Friday congregation at Masjid Sharief in Saraf Kadal on August 3 at 12: 30 AM.” [Greater Kashmir]
Posted on 03 Aug 2007 by Webmaster
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