{"id":254,"date":"2012-05-24T23:49:53","date_gmt":"2012-05-25T03:49:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/commonwordcommonlord\/?p=254"},"modified":"2012-05-24T23:49:53","modified_gmt":"2012-05-25T03:49:53","slug":"the-heart-of-the-matter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/commonwordcommonlord\/the-heart-of-the-matter\/","title":{"rendered":"The Heart of the Matter"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the Name of God, the Compassionate and Infinitely Merciful<\/em><\/p>\n

With so much talk and banter about “Sharia law” and how Muslims in America are trying to supplant the U.S. Constitution with Islamic law, I came across this passage of the Qur’an that is relevant to this silly discussion. Let me say again that Muslims are not trying to supplant US law with Sharia. In fact, Sharia law dictates that we follow US law as US citizens.<\/p>\n

But, underlying the claim that Muslims are somehow trying to “take over” America, is a false assertion that Islam must dominate all other faiths, that Islam sees no room for a multifaith society and world. Nothing could be further from the truth:<\/p>\n

UNTO every community have We appointed [different] ways of worship,\u00a0which they ought to observe. Hence, [O believer,] do not let those [who follow ways other than thine] draw thee into disputes on this score,\u00a0but summon [them all] unto thy Sustainer: for, behold, thou art indeed on the right way.\u00a0\u00a0And if they [try to] argue with thee, say [only]: \u201cGod knows best what you are doing.”\u00a0[For, indeed,] God will judge between you [all] on Resurrection Day with regard to all on which you were wont to differ. (22:67-69)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is very similar to this passage:<\/p>\n

Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life.\u00a0And if God had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but [He willed it otherwise] in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto, you.\u00a0Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto God you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ.” (5:48)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In fact, the Qur’an itself tells us that most will not believe in it:<\/p>\n

And so,\u00a0be\u00a0not\u00a0in doubt about this [revelation]: behold, it is the truth from thy Sustainer, even though\u00a0most\u00a0people\u00a0will\u00a0not\u00a0believe in it. (11:17)<\/p>\n

In this, behold, there is a message [unto humanity], even though most of them will not believe [in it.] (26:8)<\/p>\n

Yet – however strongly thou may desire it – most\u00a0people\u00a0will\u00a0not\u00a0believe [in this revelation] (12:103)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

But, it does not say, “kill them all,” as some would have you believe. It says: “in the end, God will judge between all of you over what you were wont to differ.” Further, it says that we should compete with each other in doing good works on earth (5:48), and that we should not get into disputes with those who follow other faiths and ways of life (22:67). Islam teaches to live and let live.<\/p>\n

Do some Muslims preach otherwise? Yes. Do some Muslims practice otherwise? Yes. Does it make it right? No. Does it mean that their actions reflect the truth? No.<\/p>\n

In fact, those that seek to kill and destroy all those of other faiths – or even Muslims who don’t ascribe to their own wicked beliefs – are criminals and are defying all that Islam teaches and stands for. Their crimes cannot be projected upon the whole body of Muslims worldwide.<\/p>\n

The heart of the matter is this: it is a reality that there will be different faiths and faith groups; it is, in fact, part of God’s plan. And the Muslim response to this should be: “vie with one another in doing good works”; work together to make God’s earth that much greener, that much safer, that much more peaceful. Those that seek otherwise twist God’s words and defame His way.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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Hassaballa","description":"Hesham A. Hassaballa is a Chicago doctor and writer. He has written extensively on a freelance basis, being published in newspapers across the country and around the world. He has been a Beliefnet columnist since 2001, and has written for the Religion News Service. He is also a columnist for Patheos. His articles have been distributed worldwide by Agence Global, and he was also a guest blogger for The Chicago Tribune and has blogged on ChicagoNow\" . In addition, Dr. Hassaballa has appeared as a guest on WTTW (Channel 11) in Chicago, CNN, Fox News, BBC, and National Public Radio. Dr. Hassaballa is co-author of The Beliefnet Guide to Islam (Doubleday), and his essay, \u201cWhy I Love the Ten Commandments,\u201d was published in the award-winning book Taking Back Islam (Rodale). His latest book, Noble Brother, is the story of the Prophet Muhammad told entirely in poetry, and it is now published in its second edition. 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