The 1979 film The Message, directed by Moustapha Akkad, tells the story of the inception and eventual rise of Islam. It has many poignant scenes, but one that stands out is when a Yemeni merchant makes his way into Medina only to find the streets empty, with all the shops open and their goods freely on display. He turns to his slave and greedily says: “You could fill your pockets very nicely here, no merchant is minding his shop.”
Fiction, you might say – it’s only a movie. Yet in 1998, I saw the very same phenomenon of empty streets with my own eyes, in a district called Beir-a-Baid on the outskirts of Sana’a in Yemen.
Islam has received a lot of bad press as of late, and in the thick of this negativity it may be difficult for non-Muslims to see the good in this religion. But good there is, and you don’t have to delve too deeply to find it. One very positive aspect is that which I alluded too above: under Islam, societal security is paramount.
Nobody likes to live in fear, but 21st-century Ireland is such a fearful place for many. The elderly are petrified of leaving their homes; women are stalked, abused and raped; and crime is rampant. The crime lords and drug barons thrive, and there isn’t a thing that can be done under the present system.
But under Islam, this would simply not happen. For we do not follow a system that is based on the shifting and often subjective opinion of the majority; instead, we follow the immutable law of Allah. Something that was deemed a criminal offence 1,400 years ago is still considered criminal today. Under Islam, the security alluded to in that film is not only a possibility – it’s a reality.
Capitalism – a system that sees the poor squeezed dry for the benefit of the rich – is also something that Islam would change. In this time of recession, where ordinary Irish people are being burdened with taxes to salvage the bankers who got us into this mess in the first place, many are witnessing the evil of capitalism.
Islam is far more egalitarian; under Islam the taxes paid into the system would be used for the benefit of everyone. One need only look into Islamic history for evidence of this working. During the time of Caliphs Umar and Ma’moon, the wealth was freely distributed to the point where no poor person was found. Imagine what that would be like today, and you have Islam.
However, for a system like this to work, there needs to be fair and just governance. Can we as Irish people say that of Ireland today? Can we say that our leaders care more for their electorate than they do for their own nepotistic circles?
The Prophet Muhammad said in an authentic hadith: “If there is any man that I have taken anything from his wealth, then here is my wealth, take from it what I took from you. If I abused anyone’s honour, then this is my honour, take from it in retaliation. The best among you is the man who has something he deserves from me. He can take it from me or forgive it.” Can you picture the former, present or any Taoiseach saying this?
It is also narrated in Bukhari, Muslim and Tirmizi that the Prophet said: “The best among you is the best in judging and returning rights to people.”
You see, Islam really does have a lot to offer, but you can also clearly see why it’s in the interests of some people to keep that from you. I encourage you to investigate yourselves.
Source: MetroEireann
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الخميس 25 ذو القعدة 1430 at 9:11 pm
What was it about Muhammed demanding 20% of the war booty others took from people they raped and pillaged???
الخميس 25 ذو القعدة 1430 at 9:59 pm
‘Raping and pillaging’ – is that journalistic license Ross?
Look, you’ve claimed to be an intelligent individual, so why resort to infantile, unsubstantiated silliness – debate like a man or not at all.
الجمعة 26 ذو القعدة 1430 at 2:16 pm
ok sorry just take the point on 20% of the booty then
الجمعة 26 ذو القعدة 1430 at 9:15 pm
I’m surprised he published your post Ross. The Islamonazis are turning into moderatornazis.
الجمعة 26 ذو القعدة 1430 at 9:25 pm
“Islam is great because….”
Ok, is it 20 words or less and what prize would I get if I won?
الجمعة 26 ذو القعدة 1430 at 11:57 pm
Ross: Not sure where you got the 20% from, but in the absence of the bait-ul-mal the Prophet would distribute money to the poor. There was no hoarding or funds stashed away for a rainy day, in fact he lived a meager existence. The Prophet once borrowed some money from a Jew. After a few days the Jew came to demand payment of his debt. The Prophet told him that at that moment he had nothing to pay him with. The Jew said that he wouldn’t let him go until he had paid him back. And so the Jew stayed there, from morning till night, holding the Prophet captive. At that time the Prophet was the established ruler of Madinah and could have easily taken action against him. His Companions naturally wanted to rebuke the man and chase him away. But the Prophet forbade this, saying, “The Lord has forbidden us to wrong anyone.” The Jew continued to hold the Prophet captive until the following morning. But with the first light of dawn, the Jew was moved by the Prophet’s tolerance, and he thereupon embraced Islam. In spite of being a rich man, he had detained the Prophet the day before on account of a few pence. But now the Prophet’s noble conduct had had such an impact on him that he was willing to give all his wealth to the Prophet, saying, “Spend it as you please.” In another hadith the Prophet said, “If a believer is not able to benefit others, he must at least do them no harm.”
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 12:18 am
So not only did he not repay the debt but he got the rest of his cash as well. These are the tactics of manipulative demagogues. And what debt could the “Ruler of Medina” not service to a random Jew? Crashing scenery noises yet again
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 12:23 am
Sorry Garland – we don’t deal with speculation here, the facts repudiate your infantile jibe.
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 1:07 am
What facts are these? You took a very dubious and self serving interpretation of what these acts entailed in an attempt to make it look righteous (assuming that this took place at all). You have still failed to square the circle. How is it that the Ruler of Medina could not repay his debt to a random Jew
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 8:35 am
Mujaahid,
Sura 8.41 says that Allah’s apostle gets one fifth of the booty.
So every time Muslims raided innocent villages, killing the men, raping the women and stealing booty, one fifth went to Mohammed.
Women were also part of that booty and were handed around to Mohammed’s followers.
Yes, Ireland under Sharia. Imagine that.
The 57 countries presently “Islamic” are the most impoverished and have the worst Human Rights abuses. Saudi Arabia is 130 out of 134.
Would Ireland be better off. In your dreams.
Imagine the public beheadings, chopping off hands and feet in Grafton street on Fridays after the mosque.
St Stephen’s Green would host the stoning to death of women in adultery and hangings of homosexuals.
And the Moore street “fresh” markets become the Moore street “flesh’ markets.
No longer fresh produce, but slave trading, Islamic style.
Want another wife, or trade in the current wife? No Problem.
Or pick up a concubine cheap.
Why not an infidel slave to do the hard work.
And of course, don’t go to a Celtic Woman concert at Slane Castle.
Allah will pour molten lead in your ear for listening to a songstress (Hadith Qudsi). And Irish music and dancing is banned. The Irish Guinness business is destroyed along with the Pork industry. (about 2.4 billion euro alone).
And Irish tourism is DEAD. Who wants to visit Ireland to see women in black tents and listen to the wailing of the call to prayer.
Vale Ireland.
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 12:11 pm
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had ONE cushion in his house and it was only for guests, He(SAW) also slept on a bed of palm fibres, which left marks in his back.
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 12:42 pm
It might not be 20% but he always took something. Yeah I’m sure he lead a meager existence with all of his however many wives.
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 1:04 pm
he did indeed take something from the booty, as all the companions did Ross. But again I don’t understand your contention, are you saying it was wrong?
Regarding his wives there is an occurrence where his wives lost their focus and were unhappy with the fact that they had so little and complained, to which Allah said, “O Prophet, say to your wives: ‘If you desire the life of this world and its glitter, then come! I will provide for your enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner. But if you seek God, His Messenger, and the Home of the Hereafter, verily God has prepared for you, the well-doers among you, a great reward.”(Al-Ahzab 33:29)
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 1:25 pm
Daniel: the raping and pillaging you speak of were Jewish and Christian predilections, not Muslim. Simply look at Numbers 13: 17-18 for evidence of Jewish crimes and the crusades and every other war for evidence of Christian crimes.
In a time of war, the Muslims simply did not leave the defeated enemy’s women to starve and die, instead they took them in and afforded them rights and privileges not since before or since.
Saudi Arabia and other states are not bound by man-made ideas of human rights, we believe Islamic rights trump all. Human Rights condemn execution, we don’t as we believe it is an Islamic right. This and other differences explain the rating.
As for your vision of Ireland under Islamic rule, simply consider the present malaise (rape, pedophilia, homosexuality,drunkenness, greed, crime, murder, drugs, capitalism, etc)and it seems positively compelling (all aside from your childish misrepresentations).
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 1:31 pm
Garland you can’t pick and choose what you deem historical fact, anyone who has studied the hadith literature (non-Muslims) has positively verified the stringency involved. I’d encourage you to study this field before highlighting your ignorance here. On you go.
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 2:39 pm
On I go. My argument stands even it what you said is taken at face value. How could the ruler of Medina not repay the debt owed to a random Jew? And did he not end up with all the Jews wealth including the initial loan. I mean this is laughable stuff
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 3:48 pm
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had ONE cushion in his house and it was only for guests, He(SAW) also slept on a bed of palm fibres, which left marks in his back. ”
Prophet Muhammed should have went to Harvey Norman and got himself a bed.
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 4:59 pm
Garland: for a country that boasts former taoiseachs who live in the lap of luxury you protest too much. But anyway, the Prophet gave his money as charity to the poor and needy. The Jew in question sought his money back before the time allotted, so he simply didn’t have it.
The issue of one fifth of the booty going to Allah and His messenger is correctly understood as monies paid to the governing authorities, nothing unusual in that, except of course in distribution – in Ireland it goes into the pockets of politicians and their friends, in the Islamic state it goes to the poor and needy.
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 5:56 pm
I didn’t protest I simply asked a question for which it took three attempts for you to mount any kind of an answer. I have never yet met a politic which does not pretend that it collects for the benefit of redistribution to the poor. It’s a populist game that has been tried on by every (edit) person from Muhammed to Lenin.
Having said all that your sort of attempt at an answer simply begs another question. How had the unfortunate Jew who had have been cheated out of what was owed to him because of what would now be called probably “statute of limitations” then felt so devoted to the (edit) person that cheated him to give him the rest of what he owned?
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 9:03 pm
Garland, try discuss the topic without being unnecessarily provocative.
Again your point fails on one crucial element – fact. Whereas there have been many attempts by Irish politicians and others to dupe people into giving away their money, these have usually been exposed for the charlatans that they are and were. The facts regarding Muhammad stand in stark contrast, he led a meager life, died with nothing and only left knowledge as his legacy.
How an individual volunteering his wealth constitutes cheating is anyone’s guess, there was no compulsion upon that individual or others to do so and statements to the contrary are devoid of any evidence. Try not measure others according to your own standards Garland, there are nice people in the world
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 9:35 pm
Mujaahid,
Just for you we are sending you a Christmas present.
The book is by MA Khan and is called “Islamic Jihad: A legacy of Forced Conversion, Imperialism and Slavery”.
You can read about the invasion, mass killing, forced conversion, slavery and dhimmitude.
There is much also about Islamic slavery in Africa which you dispute.
Mohammed of course had NO slaves before coming a Muslim and when he died he had 59 slaves. Don’t Muslims follow the prophet’s example?
Enjoy the book!
السبت 27 ذو القعدة 1430 at 11:25 pm
And yet you have still failed to answer the question you’ve been asked. This is attempt no.4. Why couldn’t he the ruler of Medina pay back the random Jew and when he didn’t what was the watershed that convinced the Jew to not only forgive the the debt owed but to throw his belongings over to this peasant?
And don’t try the “Because he was amazing line on”
The Jew would have cottened on to that in the middle of Medina long before I would think
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 8:47 am
Mujaahid,
Yes, the drunken youth of Ireland emerge from Temple Bar after midnight and create a ruckus down Millenium Walk on their way to catch transport home.
And the SOBER muslims of Denmark see a cartoon of Mohammed and smash shops, burn property and cars, kill innocent bystanders and rape infidel women.
Which is worse, Mujaahid?
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 1:08 pm
The former, because the drunken youth are a reality and the Muslims of Denmark scenario are a figment of your imagination.
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 1:14 pm
It was conviction Garland, the Jew became convinced of the Prophethood of Muhammad, like billions since. There is obviously nothing in your character that is compelling and as you measure everything based on your own abject and miserable existence then I can understand your difficulty in seeing this, time to look outside that little box that is you Garland.
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 2:35 pm
I like ny box. It sparkles.
However you have again failed to answer the question and have gone down the “Because he was amazing line ” as I predicted. How could the Ruler of Medina not pay his debt to a random Jew? (That’s attempt number 5). Oh and refusing to pay a debt to someone when you have an army and they have none is not conviction
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 2:52 pm
The question has been answered Garland Points Out, you’re not happy with the answer, that’s all. As Mujaahid and others have said, the debt wasn’t due to the Jew when it was requested, so the money wasn’t available. The Jew hounded the Prophet and was so impressed by his honesty and dealings (he’d obviously not experienced that among his own) that he gave up the debt, embraced Islam and gave his wealth to the Muslims.
You might not like the ‘amazing line’ but it’s one that has moved hundreds and millions of people.
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 3:00 pm
Why wasn’t it due when requested? Because the 7th century >>>>>>>>>>>>>>said so. I think not
What Jew would hound someone with an Army? If this was a story of righteousness he would have paid the money despite the fact that time had expired and let the jew desseminate the proceeds to some cause if he saw fit to do so
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 4:14 pm
mujahid, must anger you to only have daughters, bet they will not uphold your faith.
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 4:56 pm
No Steve, it honours me to have daughters. While I understand it was considered ignoble to bear a daughter in Christianity and Judaism, to have a daughter in Islam is a great thing. The Prophet said that any man who has daughters and brings them up faithfully in the religion, then paradise is his abode. Allah willing my daughters will bring forth the scholars, leaders and defenders of this faith.
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 5:01 pm
No Garland, it’s a little thing called a contract. Islam dictates that contracts be drawn up when money is involved. This holds both parties to the contract.
Actually, at the time the Muslims were only growing in strength, the Jews still had a substantial force behind them Garland. It certainly wasn’t the case of one man against the Muslims…
But I’m glad to see you advocate minority causes, can we expect your support now?
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 6:17 pm
I wouldn’t uphold the rights of minorities because their minorities I’d uphold the rights of a minority or a majority because their right. If the 7th century *************couldn’t uphold his end of the contract then why did he make it? That’s not very honourable is it
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 6:25 pm
Garland, you’re boring to the point of silliness. You have no argument son – move on.
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 6:32 pm
You can’t answer the question can you. You thought that it would be enough to tell a story of how he swindled a Jew and then say that we should feel grateful that when he amassed an army that he didn’t slaughter the poor unfortunate when he asked the scoundrel to repay his debt. It’s a symptom of Islamonarcism that you would actually think that that story would make us all go dewy eyed instead of aknowledging the appalling swindle that it was
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 6:49 pm
Sigh:
Muhammad and Jew make a contract regarding loan
Jew breaks contract, wants money early
Muhammad unable to pay money back before agreed time
Jew hounds the Prophet for the cash, and stays with him to ensure payment
Muhammad grants the Jew the right to accompany him
Jew is overwhelmed at the greatness of the Prophet
Jew reverts to Islam and dedicates his wealth to the Muslims
You’ve introduced speculation, conjecture and a touch of your own Garland narcissism to the issue and think you have a point. In quaint Irish parlance, get over yourself!
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 6:59 pm
Did he pay it back at the agreed time?
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 7:01 pm
The former Jew, now a righteous Muslim renounced the repayment of the loan, a legitimate right of the contractor.
الأحد 28 ذو القعدة 1430 at 9:07 pm
Thank you
الخميس 02 ذو الحجة 1430 at 10:56 pm
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الأربعاء 16 ذو الحجة 1430 at 10:27 pm
Most of the misunderstanding between the political romantics of the World of Islam is nostalgia for the self policing pre-industrial village or small town where everybody knew each other. “Romantics” because there were thieves and disputes as all law codes and court systems started in the pre-industrial subsistence age, if not even in the neolithic.
Similarly with obsessions about the role of women, their turn-out and social position; in which all clerics of all stripes are a bit daft.
The problems of the World are not going to be solved with distracting arguments about religious practice instead of investing in food and health. The Arab Golden Age was one of peace and relative tolerance permitting free trade in goods and ideas. Carping narrowness and inciting mob violence against anybody some local power or bully boy does not like will just close people’s mouths and brains – which is why Catholic Spain and the World of Islam dragged behind when the West opened up as a result of the Reformation and the Revolutionary era.
Rebellion is NOT revolution. Revolution creates new attitudes and methods.
At 68 I have not seen any Moslem ruler since Nasser inclusive create a new idea or theory of government nor the economy – though they have made use – often poorly of the ideas of the French and US Revolutions and imported the industrial age inclusive Socialism without improving finances and social distribution.
When the imams and muftis can review and extend the Koran and Hadith to cover labour legislation, health and safety, psychology (which ayatollahs are good at!) companies acts and much else; then Islam and religions generally might regain intellectual respect; but mere stick, prayer and no carrot will founder on its inner contradictions.
الأربعاء 16 ذو الحجة 1430 at 11:26 pm
But surely you agree Frank that every nation has its lull. For us this is a testimony to prophesy for it was stated over 1430yrs ago that a revival would occur every century bringing the religion back to its core principals – we are in the midst of that revival now and for us the future looks very bright. These are exciting times.
الخميس 17 ذو الحجة 1430 at 12:02 am
Scum.
الجمعة 18 ذو الحجة 1430 at 6:26 pm
First maybe Mujaahid could clarify whether Islam/ Moslems is/ are a nation or religion or both, because from the answer flows the margin for tolerance and social/ legal compromises.
Secondly peoples do have their ups and downs but anybody trying to palm off the idea of a perfect society without any criminals is not a serious citizen, let alone a practical politician – even if they are a serious prophet.
Third what are the core principals of Islam beyond personal piety? The lead weakness of the government of Moslem states now and in the past is personal tyranny and lack of consensual peaceful means of changing government.
Finally – and I have seen this within my own family – the migration to Western Europe or the Americas is not just an international move intothe permanent handicap of second languages, but for most the move from village to [big] towns and it upsets the social context in several ways that leads many to fall back on a traditional religious practice that is lacking in how to cope – with being on the level rather than supremacy; with machinery (& effects) not foreseen in traditonal texts; and with different social norms about authority and women. Just throwing a riot and book burning just adds to difficulties; where are the ideas beyond obsessional prayer?
الجمعة 18 ذو الحجة 1430 at 6:42 pm
Hi Frank,
Muslims are a nation built upon the religion of Islam.
When we speak of perfection we do so relative to the Kuffar societies. True perfection will only be found in the hereafter.
The core principles of Islam inform every action that a Muslim undertakes, that tyranny exists in Muslim lands no one will deny – that those who practice tyranny have departed from aspects of Islam everyone must accept. Our current predicament is part and parcel of the humiliation Allah has sent down upon us. Only when we return to our religion fully, on an individual and collective level, will this be lifted.
I agree, many do fall back on the comfort and security that a culture brings, unfortunately more often than not it is not Islamic culture, hence the anomalies. It is true that there has been a lull, but Islam has seen this before and there is a safety mechanism built into the religion to safeguard it from such moments. Besides, it’s all part of the big plan, we knew this was coming and we know it will end.
الثلاثاء 22 ذو الحجة 1430 at 11:30 pm
A religion of peace? That’s a joke. Listen up, Moslem dogs. You are treading on very dangerous ground. Ypu are not wanted here, and we will not tolerate your antics.
الثلاثاء 22 ذو الحجة 1430 at 11:32 pm
Mohammed was a terrorist
الأربعاء 23 ذو الحجة 1430 at 12:37 am
how many Jews are killed by Christians. in eu
but i will not say that Jesus(as) is responsible for this, when jesus (as) claim to be the promised meshia, Jews try to kill him, its not mean that prophet Moses (as) is responsible for them.
Can (I hate Moslems ) tell me the name of just one human being killed with the hand of holy prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
don’t send any bad name to my beloved one because of misguided Muslims.
Peace and blessing of Allah to him
السبت 26 ذو الحجة 1430 at 5:56 pm
The problems of the present do not hang on what Jesus, Mohammed or Moses were up to, nor whether they were paragons. The problems of the present are logjammed by people who are too full of their particularities, too uncritical of their historic texts to negotiate with the changes in knowledge or the fashions of clothing and manners, and too arrogant and violent, to deal with those not in their congregation on the level as equal citizens. All the precedents are scattered across history and geography and it is tragic that so many – who are not uneducated nor illogical in their jobs and theology – are all the same too rigid and imperialist to pipe down and negotiate as mutually recognisant equals.
الأحد 27 ذو الحجة 1430 at 1:59 am
What should Islam be and what is Islam as a practical reality today. My belief is that what Islam should be, is an exploration of one’s relationship in faith with Allah the merciful and the compassionate, mediated through the noble koran and the ahaidth of the Prophet Mohammad PBUH. And what is Islam today in the main part, it is dusty books of which all development of and exploration of have been shut down and closed off, used to tyranize the weak and the defencless by those in comfort and power.
الأحد 27 ذو الحجة 1430 at 2:15 am
” John Kavanagh Says:
November 14th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
“Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had ONE cushion in his house and it was only for guests, He(SAW) also slept on a bed of palm fibres, which left marks in his back. ”
Prophet Muhammed should have went to Harvey Norman and got himself a bed. ”
Had they a branch in Mecca in the 7th century, perhaps Dermot Ahern TD Minister for Justice would know, this is a serious issue, like if the Household of the Prophet Mohammad PBUH did buy their bedding there, would Harvey Norman be protected under Sheik Dermot Ahern’s, make jokes about Islam and get fined 25,000 Euros, legislation ?
الأحد 27 ذو الحجة 1430 at 5:56 pm
”True perfection will only be found in the hereafter” I agree wholeheartedly, there is no such thing as true perfection.
السبت 11 محرم 1431 at 9:57 am
Was the face of the Prophet Mohammad PBUH, shown in that film ?