MANNERS OF VISITING

If you enter a room, greet everyone inside. If you want to shake hands with those present, start with the most eminent, the most knowledgeable, the most pious, the oldest or those who have similar Islamic distinctions. Do not overlook the most distinguished or most eminent and start with the first person on your right. If you cannot decide who is the most reputable, or if those present happen to be of comparable status, then start with the elderly, for they are easier to recognize.

Al-Bukhari explained that the Prophet said, ‘The elder! The elder!’ In another version he said, ‘The elderly come first.’ ‘Abu Yalla and Al-Tabarany in Al-Awsat reported that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘Start with the elderly, or , he said, ‘with the notables.’ ‘

3.9 SITTING BETWEEN TWO PERSONS
If you enter a room do not sit between two persons. Instead, sit on their left or right side. Abu Dawood reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘No one is to sit between two people without their permission.’

Sometimes two persons will be kind enough to favour you by making room for you to sit between them. Acknowledge this kind gesture by accepting their offer. Do not sit crossed-legged to crowd them out. A sage said: ‘Two persons are considered immoderate: a person to whom you give advice and he arrogantly holds it in contempt against you, and a person who is favoured with a seat in a room and he sits crossed-legged.’

If you are seated between two people, do not eavesdrop and listen to what they say, lest their conversation be a confidential or private matter. Eavesdropping is a bad habit and a sin. Al-Bukhari reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: ‘Whoever listens to people’s
conversation against their wishes, will be punished by liquid lead being poured down their ears on the day of Judgment.’

You should seek to benefit from the company and wisdom of the elders who are described as ‘ a fruit at the end of the season.’ I would add, ‘a sun wearing the veil’ since it will leave us and disappear at night. Be keen to attend the gatherings of the elders whether scholars, pious persons, nobles, or relatives. Soon you may lament their departure and your loss.

It is an inappropriate Muslim manner to whisper to someone sitting next to you if you are in a group of three people. The third person will feel deserted and isolated and will think the worst of thoughts. The Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) hated this. Imam Malik and Abu Dawood reported that he said: ‘No two shall exchange whispers in the presence of a third person.’ That the Prophet used ‘No two…’ in an assertive negative form, indicates that such a mistake is not only inappropriate but an unimaginable and instinctively despicable. ‘Abdullah Bin Omar was asked, ‘What if they were four?’ ‘Then it does not matter,’ he answered, meaning it is not irritating then to whisper or to mutter. If a friend entrusted you with a secret, do not betray him or her. Do not tell it even to your best friend or closest relative.

3.10 THE HOST’S DUTIES AND THE GUESTS’ RIGHTS
If you are having a guest overnight, be hospitable and generous. But do not exaggerate when providing food and drink to your guest. Moderation without excess is the Sunnah. You should try your best to make your guest’s stay pleasant and comfortable during wake and sleep. Inform your guest of the direction of Qibla and show them the way to the bath.

Your guest will need to use towels after showers, ablution or washing hands before and after meals. Make sure that they are fresh and clean. Do not offer towels that you or your family members have used. It is also a nice idea to offer guests some perfume and a mirror. Make sure that the toiletries and bath accessories they will be using are clean and sanitized. Before leading your guest to the bathroom, inspect it and remove anything that you don’t want your guest to see.

Your guests will need rest and a quiet sleep. Spare them the noise of the children and the house as much as possible. Remove intimate clothing from their view. If the guest is a man, remove all women’s clothing and belongings. This is a desirable, decent practice that will leave you both feeling comfortable. When meeting your guests, serve them with tact and respect. Dress properly and look your best but do not overdo it. The close relationship between you is no excuse for negligence or indecency in your manner or look. Imam Bukhari in Al-Adab Al-Mufrad reported that our forefathers used to look their best when visiting each other. Be kind and generous to your guests. As a rule do not ask them to help you with house chores. Imam Shafie’ said ‘Gentlemen do not employ their visiting guests.’

If you visit a relative or a friend, you should be considerate of your host’s circumstances and work commitments. Shorten, as much as possible, the length of your visit, since every person has various duties, obligations and responsibilities. Be considerate of your hosts and help them with their business , house chores and obligations. While at your hosts’ house, do not inspect and examine every corner, especially when you are invited beyond the guest room, lest you see something you’re not supposed to notice. In addition, do not bother your hosts by asking too many questions.

Ahle Sunnat

In The Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful...

The day of Thursday, 15th Muharram, A.H. 1283 (May 30, 1866), was that blessed and auspicious day in the Islamic history of India when the foundation stone for the renaissance of Islamic sciences was laid in the land of Deoband. Seeing the simple and ordinary manner in which it had been started, it was difficult to visualize and decide that a Madrasah beginning so humbly, with utter lack of equipment's, was destined to become the center, within a couple of years, of the Islamic sciences in Asia.Accordingly, before long, students desirous of studying the Holy Book and the Sunnah, the Shari'ah and the Tariqah (the spiritual path), began to flock here in droves from this sub continent as well as from neighboring and distant countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Bukhara and Samarqand, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Turkey and the far off regions of the continent of Africa, and within a short-time the radiant rays of knowledge and wisdom illumined the heart and mind of the Muslims of the continent of Asia with the light of faith (Iman) and Islamic culture.

The time when the Darul Uloom Deoband, was established, the old Madaris in India had almost become extinct, and the condition of two or four that had survived the ravages of time was not better than that of a few glow-worms in a dark night. Apparently it so looked at that time as if the Islamic sciences had packed up their kit from India. Under these circumstances, some men of Allah and divine doctors, through their inner light, sensed the imminent dangers. They knew it too well that nations have attained their right status through knowledge only. So, without depending upon the government of the time, they founded the Darul Uloom, Deoband, with public contributions and co-operation. One of the principles that Hazrat Nanautavi (may his secret be sanctified) proposed for the Darul Uloom and other religious Madaris is also this that the Darul-Uloom should be run trusting in Allah and with public contributions for which the poor masses alone should be relied upon.

The Darul-Uloom, Deoband, is today a renowned religious and academic center in the Islamic world. In the sub-continent it is the largest institution for the dissemination and propagation of Islam and the biggest headspring of education in the Islamic sciences. Such accomplished scholars have come out from the Darul Uloom in every period that they, in accordance with the demands of religious needs of the time, have rendered valuable services in disseminating and spreading correct religious beliefs and religious sciences. These gentlemen, besides in this sub-continent, are busy in performing religions and academic services in various other countries also, and everywhere they have acquired a prominent status or religious guidance of the Muslims. The fact is that the Darul Uloom, Deoband, was a great religious, educational and reformative movement in the thirteenth century Hijri. It was such a crucial and crying need of the time that indifference to and connivance at it could cause Muslims to be confronted with inestimable dangers. The caravan that comprised only two souls on 15th Moharram, A-H. 1283, has today in its train individuals from many countries of Asia!

For the last one century, the Darul Uloom, Deoband, has been considered an incomparable teaching institution for the religious education of the Muslims not only in the sub-continent but also throughout the Islamic world. Besides the Jam'a-e Azhar, Cairo, there is no such institution any where in the Islamic world that may have acquired so much importance in point or antiquity, resorting, centrality and strength of students as the Darul Uloom, Deoband, has. The foundation of the Darul Uloom had been laid in this obscure, sleepy village of India at the hands of such sincere and august men that within a short time its academic greatness was established in the world of Islam. And it began to be looked upon as the most popular educational institution of the Islamic world, students from the Islamic countries flocking to it for the study and research of different arts and sciences. A large number of personalities, well-versed in the religions sciences, found today in the length and breadth of this sub-continent has quenched its thirst from this very great river of knowledge, and eminent religious doctors (Ulama) have been once the alumni of this very educational institution. It is a fact that as regards the worth of academic services not only in the sub-continent but also in other Islamic countries there is no other educational institution except one or two, that may have rendered such weighty and important religious and academic services to the Muslim community. The achievements of the Ulama of the Darul Uloom in the fields of religion, education, missionary-work and book writing have been acknowledged repeatedly. And the achievements not only in India but also in other Islamic lands, and in the fields especially of guidance and instruction, teaching and preaching they seem to be ahead of all others. In the Muslim society of the sub-continent, the command a high rank and a lofty position. With the tumult of the fame of the Darul Uloom even the academic assemblies of Afghanistan, Bukhara and Samarqand reverberated. Us graduates became deans and principals of great Madaris, and it is an authentic history. And a fact to assert that this spring of grace of the Darul Uloom, Deoband, by virtue of its ethos, has been busy for more than a century. In quenching the thirst of the seekers of knowledge of different sciences and the whole of Asia is redolent with the aroma of this prophetic garden. Among the hundreds of thousands of seminaries in the world of Islam today there are only two such institutions on which the Muslims have relied most of all: the one is Jam'a-e-Azhar, Cairo, and the other is Darul Uloom, Deoband. The religious services both these institutions of learning have rendered to the Muslims are sui generis. These very religious, academic and intellectual services of the Darul Uloom have made it a cynosure in the Islamic world. And what is more astonishing is that the Darul Uloom without being dependent on the government has made all these advancements. The blessings (Barakat) of the Darul Uloom and its universal beneficence are indicating that upon this academic institution a special theophany (Tajalli) of divine and prophetic knowledge has cast its light, which regularly continues to attract hearts towards it. What and how many great achievements the Darul Uloom, Deoband, made, what and how many renowned personalities it produced and how they imprinted the stamp of their service and utility in every field of religious life. All these things you will know by going through this history of the Darul Uloom, Deoband.

However much pride and joy the Muslims of the sub-continent express over the existence of the Darul Uloom Deoband, there can be no doubt about its being correct and justified. The history of the Darul Uloom in the present times is a bright chapter in the history of the Muslims effort and endeavor; this great struggle for the survival of religion and freedom of thought cannot be over looked in the history of Islam and the Muslims. Darul Uloom, Deoband, is in fact a shore less ocean from which, besides those of this sub-continent, the seekers of knowledge of the whole of Asia are benefiting. If the history of the Darul Uloom is studied minutely, a perspicacious reader will not fail to see the reality that it is not merely an old-type teaching institution; it is in fact a stupendous movement for the revival of Islam and the survival of the community.

The establishment of this seminary in the land of Deoband and its stability is the result of a concerted effort and endeavor of the Muslims of the sub-continent. Service to religion, support to Islam, renaissance of Islamic arts and sciences and their dissemination, and help to the students craving religious knowledge are the special and momentous achievements of the Darul Uloom Deoband. For one hundred and fourteen years it has been rendering, as per the pious predecessors tack, the right-type of academic and gnostic training to the Muslims. Even as Cairo, after the fall of Baghdad, became the center of Islamic arts and sciences, exactly in the same way, after the decline of Delhi, academic centrality fell to the lot of Deoband. And great illustrious personalities rose up from this teaching institution, innumerable scholars were fostered in its laps, and thousands of Ulama, Shaikhs, traditionists, jurisconsults, authors and experts of other arts and sciences were produced here. And, having become an adornment in the firmament of knowledge and action rendered and are still rendering services to religion in different manners in every nook and corner of the sub-continent.The history of the Darul Uloom, Deoband, is a historical chapter on an epoch-making period in the history of Islam as a whole. The long and short of this is that this overflowing ocean of arts and sciences has so far assuaged the thirst of a very large number of the seekers of knowledge, who having become the vernal air, have spread its academic aura in the four corners of the world. Those who benefited from the Darul Uloom are like a luxuriant free the green and fresh branches and foliage of which it is not easy to compute.

Darul Uloom Deoband, has been a center of both the Shariah and the Tariqa from the very day of its inception. All the moons and stars in the sky of the Shariah and the Tariqa and knowledge and action that are at the time shining in the sub-continent have been mostly illuminated by this very brilliant sun, and have come out assuaged from this very head spring of knowledge and gnosis. Every one knows that most of the great Ulama of the sub-continent has been the alumni of this very institution. And those who feasted at the dinner-cloth of Darul Uloom are now present in most of the Asian countries, where as well as in the sub-continent and certain other foreign lands. They have enkindled the lamps of the Holy Book and the Sunnah, and have imparted the grace of instruction and guidance to countless people. Darul Uloom, Deoband, has played a great part in investing the Muslims thoughts and views with freshness and sacredness, their hearts with ambition and courage, and their bodies with strength and energy. Its beneficence universal and countless men, to satisfy whose academic eagerness there were no means available, have quenched their thirst from it. At the same time, on the model of Darul.Uloom sprang up many religious and academic springs, each having its own particular many of circle of its benefit and grace. They are all the stars of this very solar system by the light of which every nook and corner of the religious and academic life of the Muslims of the sub-continent is radiant.

Very little attention has been paid to this benefit of these ýreligious schools that on account of them the condition of millions of Muslim families has been ameliorated. The Muslims inferiority complex was removed and that through these schools became available to the community innumerable such individuals, who, according to the conditions and time, guided the Muslims in the different aspects of life.

Besides their great services in the revival of Islam, they awakened political consciousness among the Muslims and took leading part in the struggle for freedom as a result of which the countries of the sub-continent acquired independence.

Even as in the past the Darul Uloom, Deoband, has rendered invaluable services to the cause of Islam, the Muslims and the religious sciences. It is hoped that in future too it will continue to discharge the obligation of inciting the Muslims power of action, of strengthening the faiths and of preaching and propagating Islam.

UNIVERSAL BROTHERHOOD

(Br. Moin Don) Alhamdulillahi Rabbil Aalamin ...(Arabic)… Good morning ladies and gentlemen – It is indeed a matter of great pleasure and pride for all the citizens of Bhiwandi, to have amongst us today, Dr. Zakir Naik. I take this opportunity to welcome Dr. Zakir Naik and the dignitaries from all the walks of the life, on behalf of the organisers... AQSA Educational Society. There has been another change in the programme – As it was announced, the Commissioner of the Police, Mr. Bohitay will be the President of the function – but because of some contingencies, he has sent his apologies. It is very kind of Mr. Hingorane, a senior Advocate, to have accepted to preside today’s function – I really thank him on behalf of Aqsa Educational Society. Friends, we are about to start our formal function – I hereby call upon Qari Abdus Salam to come on the desk, for recital of Qur’an – Qari Abdus Salam.

(Qari Abdus Salam) Assalamu Alaikum ...(Arabic)...

(Br. Moin Don) JazakAllah – Qari Abdus Salam has just recited the 1^st Verse, from Surah Nisa, from Holy Qur’an. For the benefit of all those who are present here, I would like to give the translation there of. Bismillah Hir Rahman Nir Rahim. In the Name of Allah Most Gracious Most Merciful. ...(Arabic)... ‘O, Mankind fear your Guardian, Lord who created you from a single person. ...(Arabic)... Created out of it, his mate, and from them twine, scattered like seeds, countless men and women. ...(Arabic)... Fear Allah, through Whom you are demand your mutual rights, and be heedful of wombs that bore you. ...(Arabic)... For Allah ever watches over you. That is the translation of the 1^st verse of Surah Nisa. Now I call upon the chairman of AQSA Educational Society, Mr. Javed Fareed, to give a brief introduction of AQSA Educational Society – Mr. Javed Fareed.

(Mr. Javed Fareed) ...(Arabic)... Respected President of this function, Advocate Hingorane Sahab, our chief uest of this function Advocate Prabhakar Hegde Sahab, Main speaker of this function Dr. Zakir Naik Saheb, Main organiser of this function, on behalf of AQSA Educational Society Mr Abdul Majid Narvel Saheb, our guest of honours, brothers and sisters, Assalamu Aalikum. On behalf of AQSA Educational Society, I welcome you all on this particular occasion and function. AQSA Educational Society was established in the year 1980, under the guidance and supervision, and thoughts, given by at that time, our Religious and spiritual guide, Maulana Abdus Samad Saifuddin Saheb. His idea was at that time, that the women of our society must get perfect and good education, so that as soon as they will get good education, they will prove themselves as good house wives, good mothers and then immediately they will be an asset to the society and of course they will just take care very gracefully – total problems of the families, and all that. And for that purpose and idea, in 1987 we started AQSA Girls’ High School, with just one hundred and twenty seven students at that time. Alhamdulillah by the grace of Allah, within 10 years, that is in 1998, this year, the strength of girls students has gone up to two thousand seven hundred, and InshaAllah in the year 1999 June, it is expected to go up to 3000 – Of course I know that you have come to listen not much to me, but to Dr. Naik – So please excuse me and listen to him – thank you.

(Br. Moin Don) Thank you Javed bhai. And as the protocol demands, I would like to introduce to you to, in a very brief manner, the distinguished guests, who are occupying the stage. As told to you earlier, Mr. K. R. Hingorane – he has kindly consented to preside over the function, in absence of Mr. Mohite. Mr. K. R. Hingorane, Advocate for last 45 years in Bhiwandi – he was President of Bhiwandi Bar Association for last six years, and he has in-depth studied comparative Religion. Our chief guest of the day, Prabhakar Hegde’s personality is well known to Bhiwandi people – He is a leading lawyer of state for last 50 years. He was also member of the Law Commission, and he is pioneer of ‘The Legal Aid and Lok Adalat’ which was first held in Bhiwandi. At the age of 75 years, he is still an active Advocate, an ideal for aspiring young Advocates. He has written books for the guidance of the junior practicing lawyers, on subjects like ‘Bail and Injunctions.’ As veteran Congress man, he was district Congress President, and also Vice President of MPCC – Presently he is busy defending TADA victims in Bombay. Our main speaker Dr. Zakir Naik, President of Islamic Research Foundation, is a dynamic international orator, on Islam and comparative Religion. He is the main driving spirit by, Alhamdulillah, behind the Islamic Research Foundation getting world wide acclaim for their proper presentation, understanding and clarification of Islam, as well as removing misconceptions about Islam. Though a medical doctor by professional training, he has turned around to spread the real truth of Islam, world wide, especially amongst millions of English speaking audience. At only 32 years, Dr. Zakir explains the teachings of Islam, and clears misconceptions convincingly, with the help of reason, logic and science. He has tremendous ability to quote extensively and verbatim, from Holy Qur’an and other Religions Scriptures. Dr. Zakir is renowned for his critical analysis and his spontaneous and convincing answers to challenging questions, posed by the audiences, and skeptics about his public talks, in open Question and Answer sessions. He has delivered more than 200 public talks in the last 2 years itself, in United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Singapore, in addition to many public talks in India. He has also participated in symposium with prominent personalities of all the other faiths. Dr. Zakir has appeared on various international TV programmes, and Satellite and TV Channel programmes in United States of America, Malaysia, in India, etc. He is regularly quizzed and interviewed by the Media, world wide, specially on – Why Islam conflicts with issue of Women’s rights?.… Human rights, Modern Science and Secularism. But his dynamic resolve to dispel media myths about Islam, with facts, specific references and proper context, stand out to rectify or neutralize the prejudice or media bias if any, based on unwarranted presumption or conclusion. More than a 100 of Dr. Zakir’s lectures, debates and symposia available on video and audio cassettes, are popular – He has authored books on Islam and comparative Religion Friends, there I end the introductory part – I welcome on behalf of the AQSA Educational Society, DCP Mr. Saxena, who has just arrived on the stage – And I request now, Brother Mohammed to take care of the rest of the session – Brother Muhammed.

(Dr. Muhammed) Jazakallah Khair, for your kind introduction. Our session would be as such, we would a talk on ‘Universal Brotherhood’, by Dr. Zakir Naik, which would be followed by the Question and Answer session, in which our audience, the press, the people present here, including our learned Chief Guest, the President, and our DCP of the area – they are welcome to question or cross examine, or put forward any queries they may have on the topic of ‘Universal Brotherhood’ – so all present here have a better understanding of the topic. We begin right away with the talk on ‘Universal Brotherhood’ by Dr. Zakir Naik.

(Dr. Zakir) Alhamdulillah ...(Arabic)... Respected Advocate Hegde, respected Advocate Hingorane, my respected elders, and my dear brothers and sisters, I welcome all of you with the Islamic greetings, Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barkatahu – May Peace, Blessings and Mercy of Allah (swt)… of Almighty God, be on all of you. The topic of this mornings’ talk is ‘Universal Brotherhood.’ There are various types of brotherhoods - For e.g. brotherhood based on blood relationships, brotherhood based on regions, on race, on caste, on creeds, etc. - But all these types of brotherhood – they are limited. Islam Alhamdulillah, believes in Universal Brotherhood. It does not believe that human beings have been created in castes or in different levels. And I started my talk by quoting a Verse from the Glorious Qur'an, from Surah Hujurat, Chapter No. 49, Verse No. 13, which describes the Islamic concept of Universal Brotherhood, in the best way. It says ...(Arabic)... Which means that… ‘O human kind, We have created you from a single pair of male and female, and have divided you into nations and tribes, so that you shall recognize each other, not that you shall despise each other, and the most honoured in the sight of Allah (swt) is the person who has Taqwa – and Allah is all knowing, full of knowledge, and well acquainted with all things.’ This Verse of the Glorious Qur’an says that…‘O humankind, We have created you from a single pair of male and female’ – that means the whole human race originates from a single pair of male and female. All the human beings in the world – they have a common grandparent. And Allah (swt) says that We have divided the human race into nations and tribes, so that they shall recognize each other, not that they shall despise and fight amongst themselves.’ And the criteria for judgment, in the sight of Allah (swt) – this verse says… ‘Does not depend on sex, caste, colour, creed or wealth – but it depends, on Taqwa – that is God consciousness, that is piety, that is righteousness. Anyone who is more righteous, who is more pious, who is more God-conscious, is honoured in the sight of Allah (swt) – and Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things. Further the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Ar-Rum, Ch. No. 30, V. No. 22, that… ‘And amongst His signs, is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variation in your languages, and your colours. Verily in that, is a sign for those who know.’ The Glorious Qur’an says that Allah (swt) has created various types of languages and different colours… black human being, white, brown, yellow – and these are signs. These variations in colour and language, is not to despise each other, because every language that you have on the face of the earth – it is a beautiful language. It may sound funny, if it is unique to you – you may not have heard that language before – it may sound funny – but those people who speak that language, for them it is the most beautiful language. So Allah says… ‘He has created various languages and colours, so that you may recognize, you may know each other. And the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Israa, Ch. No. 17, V. No. 70 ...(Arabic)... That… ‘Allah (swt)… Almighty God, has honoured the children of Adam.’ Allah does not say that He has honoured only the Arabs or the Americans or a particular race – but Almighty God has honoured all the children of Adam, irrespective of race, caste, colour, creed or sex .And there are many faiths, there are many religions, who believe that the humankind has originated from a single pair – that is Adam and Eve (peace be upon them). But there are some faiths which say, that it is because of the sin of the woman… that is Eve (May Allah be pleased with her), that the human beings are born in sin – And they put the blame only on the woman, that is Eve, for the downfall of human beings. In fact the Qur’an speaks about the story of Adam and Eve (peace be upon them) in several places – but in all the places, the blame is equally put on both of them – Adam and Eve (peace be upon them). And if you read Surah Araf, Ch. No. 7 : V, No. 19 to 27…‘Adam and Eve (peace be upon them), they are addressed more than a dozen of times’. And the Qur’an says that…‘Both of them disobeyed Allah (swt)… Almighty God – both of them repented, and both were forgiven’. Both are equally blamed for the mistake – there is not a single verse in the Glorious Qur’an, which puts the blame only on Eve (May Allah be pleased with her). But there is a Verse in the Glorious Qur’an in Surah Taha, Ch. No.20, V. No. 121, which says that Adam (pbuh) disobeyed Allah (swt). But if you read the Qur’an, both are equally blamed for not obeying Allah (swt) – they both repented and they both were forgiven. And certain faiths – they say that…‘Because Eve disobeyed Allah (swt) and is responsible for the sin of humankind’ – which Islam does not agree – ‘Allah (swt) cursed the woman, and said that she will bear labour pains.’ That means – Pregnancy is a curse, according to some people – which Islam does not agree at all. And the Qari recited the Verse from the Glorious Qur’an, from Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, V. No. 1, which says… ‘Respect the womb that bore you.’ In Islam, pregnancy does not degrade a woman – it uplifts a woman. And the Qur’an says in Surah Luqman, Ch. 31, V. No. 14, that… ‘O humankind, We have enjoined on you, to be good to your parents. In travail upon travail, did your mother bore him, and in years twain, was his weaning.’ The Qur’an says in Surah, Ahqaf, Ch. 46, V. No. 15…‘We have enjoined on the human beings to be kind to the parents. In pain did his mother bore him, and in pain did she give him birth.’ Pregnancy uplifts a woman – it does not degrade her. And in Islam, men and women are equal. And according to a Hadith which is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol.No. 8, in the Book of Adab, Ch. No. 2, H. No. 2… ‘A person came to the Prophet Mohammed (saw)… Mohammed (pbuh), and asked him that... ‘Who is the person who deserves the maximum love and championship in this world ?’ And the Prophet said…‘Your mother.’ The man asked…‘Who next?’ The Prophet said… ‘Your mother.’ The man asked… ‘After that who?’ The Prophet repeated for the third time… ‘Your mother.’ The man asked… ‘After that who?’ Then the Prophet said… ‘Your father.’ In short 75% , ¾ of the love and companionship of the children, are due to the mother. 25% , ¼ of the love and companionship goes to the father. In short, the mother gets the gold medal, she gets the silver medal, as well as the bronze medal – The father has to be satisfied with a mere consolation prize. These are the teachings of Islam. In Islam, men and women are equal – but equality does not mean identicality. There are many misconceptions – specially when women are concerned in Islam. Many Muslims and Non Muslims – they have a misconception, which can be removed if you understand the authentic sources – Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith, correctly. As I mentioned, men and women are overall equal – But equality does not mean identicality. Let me give you an example – that if in a class of students, two student – Student ‘A’ and ‘B’ – they came out first – and both acquire 80 marks out of 100. But if you analyze the answer sheet, there are 10 questions, each carrying 10 marks. In the first answer student ‘A’ gets 9 out of 10, student ‘B’ gets 7 out of 10, so in question 1 student ‘A’ has a degree of advantage, than student ‘B’. In question 2, student ‘B’ gets 9 out of 10, and student ‘A’ gets 7 out of 10 – In question 2, student ‘B’ has a degree of advantage, than student ‘A’. In the remaining 8 questions, both get 8 out of 10 – and if you total the marks of both the students, both get 80 out of 100. So if you analyse, both student ‘A’ and ‘B’ are over all equal. But in the answers to some questions, student ‘A’ has a degree of advantage – In answers to some questions, student ‘B’ has a degree of advantage – but overall, both are equal. Similarly in Islam, men and women are equal. Brotherhood in Islam, does not only mean that the same sexes are equal. The ‘Universal Brotherhood’ in Islam means, that besides race, caste, and creed, even the sex are overall equal. Men and women are equal in Islam – but in some aspects, the men have a degree of advantage – In some aspects, the women have a degree of advantage – but overall both are equal. For example, if a robber enters my house, I will not say that… ‘I believe in women’s right… I believe in women’s liberation – therefore my sister, my wife, my mother, should go and fight the robber.’ Because Allah says in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, V 34, that… ‘Allah has given men, more strength than the other’ – that is, men have more strength than the women.’ So where strength is concerned, the men have a degree of advantage – so since they have been given more strength, it is their duty to protect the women – Here the men have a degree of advantage. Where love and companionship is concerned, where children should give to their parents – the women have a degree of advantage – As I mentioned earlier, the mother gets three times more respect and companionship, than the father. Here the women have a degree of advantage – but overall if you analyze, men and women are equal in Islam. And for more details, you can refer to my video cassette – I have given a talk on ‘Women Rights in Islam – Modernizing or Outdated ? It is Part I – that is the lecture, and Part II which is the Question-Answer session. These discuss the issue in great detail, and many misconceptions which are there in the minds of the human being, have been removed here. And in this talk, I have divided the ‘Women’s Right in Islam’, under six broad headings… Spiritual rights, Economic rights, Social rights, Legal rights, Educational rights, and the Political rights. And I have described there, that overall, men and women are equal. The concept of Almighty God in Islam, of Allah (swt), is not that Almighty God… Allah (swt), is the deity of a particular race or a particular group of people. But the Qur’an says in Surah Fatihah, Ch. No.1, V. No. 2 ...(Arabic)... ‘Praise be to the Lord of worlds.’ Almighty God is referred to as ‘Rabbil Aalamin’ the Lord of the worlds.’ And the last Surah of the Glorious Qur’an, that is, Surah Nas, Ch. 114, V. No.1 ...(Arabic)... ‘That say: I Seek refuge with the Lord of humankind’. Almighty God… Allah (swt) is the Lord of the whole of humankind – not of a particular group of people, or a particular race.And there are various Verses in the Glorious Qur’an which begin by saying ...(Arabic)... ‘O humankind’ ...(Arabic)... ‘O humankind’ ...(Arabic)... ‘O humankind.’ And even the two Verses I quoted in the beginning of my talk – they began with …(Arabic)… ‘O humankind.’ And the Glorious Qur’an also says in Surah Baqarah, Ch. No. 2, V. No. 168 ...(Arabic)... ‘Oh humankind, eat of what is on the earth, good and lawful for you, and follow not the footsteps of the devil, for he is to you an avowed enemy.’ Islam - in order for Universal Brotherhood to prevail in the world, it has a moral code… it has a moral law, which helps in Universal Brotherhood prevailing throughout the world, throughout the Universe. The Qur’an says in Surah Maidah, Ch. No.5, V. No. 32, that…‘If anyone kills a person unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it is as though he has killed the whole nation – all the people. And if any person saves a life, it is as though he has saved the whole of humankind – all the people.’ The Qur’an says that if any person kills any human being – whether it be a Muslim or Non Muslim – it does not specify the race or caste or colour or creed – If any person kills any human being, unless it be for murder, or for spreading mischief in the land, it is as though he has killed the whole of humanity. And if any one saves an human being, whether it be a Muslim or Non Muslim, from any caste, colour or creed, it as though he has saved the whole of humankind. The Qur’an has various laws of moral conduct, so that Universal Brotherhood will prevail throughout the Universe. The Glorious Qur’an says that… ‘No one should ever rob – it is a crime, it is a sin.’ Islam has a system of Zakat – that is, any rich person who has a saving of more than the Nisab level, 85 grams of gold – he or she should give 2.5 percent of that saving, every lunar year in charity. If every human being in the world gives Zakat, poverty will be eradicated from this world – there will not be a single human being who will die of hunger. And the Glorious Qur’an says, that…‘You should love and help your neighbours.’ The Qur’an says in Surah Ma’un, Ch. No. 107, V. No. 1 to 7 ...(Arabic)... That… ‘Seeth thou not the person who denies the day of judgement, and deals the orphan with harshness, and encourages not the feeding of the indigent. Woe to those who are neglectful of their prayers, woe to those who pray only to be seen of men, who do not even provide neighbourly assistance.’ The Qur’an says that… ‘Woe to those people who do not even provide neighbourly assistance.’ And our beloved Prophet Mohammed (sws) said that…‘He is not a Muslim, who sleeps with his full stomach, while his neighbours are hungry.’ That means, any person who sleeps with his full stomach… that means… had a good meal, while his neighbours are hungry, is not following the commandments of Allah, and His Rasul. The Glorious Qur’an says that… ‘Do not be a spendthrift.’ The Qur’an says in Surah Israa, Ch. No. 17, V. No. 26 and 27, that… ‘Do not squander your wealth like that of a spendthrift, for verily spendthrifts are the brothers of the evil one… of the Satan.’ If you are a spendthrift, you are bound to disturb the Universal Brotherhood – because but natural, if a person squanders, it creates animosity, it creates enmity, it creates envy between the brothers. A person should not rob, a person should give charity, a person should provide neighbourly assistance – all these are moral conducts, mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an. The Qur’an further says that…‘You should not bribe.’ The Qur’an says in Surah Baqarah, Ch. No. 2, V. No. 188, that... ‘Spend not your wealth on vanities and do not use it as a bait for judges, in order that you may eat somebody else’s property.’ That means... ‘Do not use your wealth to bribe the people, so that you may eat up other people’s wealth’ – Islam does not agree in eating up your brother’s wealth. And the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Maidah, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 90…(Arabic)… ‘Oh you who believe …(Arabic)… Most certainly intoxicants and gambling …(Arabic)… dedication of stones, divination of arrows …(Arabic)… these are Satan’s handiwork …(Arabic)… Abstain from this handiwork, that you may proper.’ The Glorious Qur’an says that... ‘Abstain from having intoxicants, alcohol, drugs, from gambling, from dedication of stones, divination of arrows – all these are Satan’s handiwork.’ And we know that intoxicants is one root cause for various evils in the society – it prevents the Universal Brotherhood form prevailing. And according to statistics – it tells us that… ‘In America, on an average everyday, more than one thousand nine hundred cases of rape take place – and in most of the cases, either the victim or the rapist, is intoxicated.’ The statistics of America tell us that… ‘There is 8% of incest in America.’ That means, every 12^th or 13^th person you come across in America, he has committed incest – that is, having sexual relationship with close relatives – father and daughter, son and mother, brother and sister – and majority… almost all the cases, it is under the state of intoxication. AIDS is spreading in the world – one of the reason is intoxicants. Therefore the Qur’an says…‘Intoxicants and gambling – it is a Satan’s handiwork – Abstain form this handiwork, that you may prosper.’ If you abstain from these evil things, Universal Brotherhood will be helped in prevailing throughout the Universe. The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Israa, Ch. No.17 : V. No. 32… ‘Nor come close to adultery, for it is a shameful deed – It is an evil, opening other roads to evil.’ Islam is against adultery, The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Hujurat, Ch. 49 : V. No. 11 and 12 that …(Arabic)… ‘Oh ye who believe, let not some men among you laugh at the others – You may never know, that the latter may be better than the former. Let not some women among you, laugh at the other – You may never know, that the latter may be better than the former. Do not defame one another, nor be sarcastic or call each other with nicknames. Avoid suspicion, for in many cases suspicion is a sin. Do not spy on one another, do not backbite, do not speak ill of one another behind their backs. Are you ready to eat the dead meat of your brother ?’ The Qur’an says that...‘If you backbite, if you slander any one behind their backs, it is as though you are eating the meat of your dead brother.’ And eating the meat of your dead brother is a double sin – Eating dead meat itself is prohibited – eating meat of your dead brother is double crime. Even the cannibals who eat human beings, they do not eat the flesh of their brother. So if you backbite, if you speak ill about somebody else behind their back, it is a double crime – it is eating the meat of your dead brother. And the Qur’an, gives the answer... ‘Allah (swt) says... ‘Nay you will abhor it... No one would like it.’ The Qur’an says in Surah Humuzah, Ch. 104 : V. No. 1 …(Arabic)…‘Woe to every kind of scandal monger and backbiter.’ All these laws of moral conduct given in the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith – they promote Universal Brotherhood. Besides talking about Universal Brotherhood, the uniqueness about Islam is that, it practically demonstrates the Universal Brotherhood. The Muslims are supposed to demonstrate the Universal Brotherhood, five times a day in their Salah. When we offer Salah, we practically demonstrate the Universal Brotherhood. It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No.1, in the Book of Adhan, Ch. No.75, H. No. 692 that... ‘Hazrat Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) – he said that when we stood for Salah, the shoulder of the companions touched with the shoulder of the companion – our feet touched with the feet of a companion.’ The beloved Prophet said – it is mentioned in Sunnah Abu Dawood, Volume No. 1, in the Book of Salah Ch. No.245, H. No.666, our beloved Prophet said...‘Before starting the Salah... that straighten your rows, stand shoulder to shoulder, and do not leave any gap or opening, for the devil.’ The Prophet said... ‘Stand close to each other during Salah, and do not leave any opening for the devil.’ The Prophet was not referring to the devil which you see in the Onida TV Ad - You know the Onida TV Ad... the devil with the two horns and a tail. The Prophet was not referring to that devil – he was referring to devil of Racism, of Caste, of Colour, of Wealth. Irrespective whether rich or poor, whether king or pauper, when you stand for prayers... when you stand for Salah, stand shoulder to shoulder, so that the brotherhood increases – The devil of Racism, of Caste, of Colour, of Creed, of Wealth, does not came in between you. And the best example of International Brotherhood, is in the pilgrimage of Islam - that is, during Haj. About two and a half million people from various parts of the world – they come to Mecca to perform Haj. People from various parts of the world – from America, from Canada, from U.K, from Singapore, from Malaysia, from India, from Pakistan, from Indonesia – from various parts of the world they come. And the men they are dressed up in two pieces of unsewn cloth – that is preferably white. You cannot identify that the person standing next to you – whether he is a King or a pauper – It is the best example of International Brotherhood. It is the biggest annual gathering of the world. Two and a half million people gather every year – and the person standing next to you – You cannot make out whether he is a King or a pauper. Irrespective whether you are rich or poor, black or white – from whichever part of the world you are coming, you are dressed in the same attire. And our beloved Prophet Mohammed (SAW) said in the speech of his farewell pilgrimage as he said that... ‘There is only one God, and no Arab is superior to a Non-Arab; nor is a Non-Arab superior to an Arab; a White is not superior to a Black, nor a Black is over the White. The only criteria for superiority is taqwa... it is righteousness, it is piety, it is God consciousness. Irrespective whichever race you belong to, whichever colour you have – that does not make you superior – In the sight of Allah, all are equal. Only if you are more pious, more God-conscious, more righteous, can you be superior to the other human being. And when the Haj is performed, every person – he recites... ‘Lab baik Allah humma lab baik …(Arabic)… They keep on repeating ...(Arabic)... Even when he comes back from Haj – that always remains in his mind …(Arabic)… which means ... ‘Here I am O my Lord; here I am. …(Arabic)… Here I am – You have no partners – here I am. …(Arabic)… All praises are due to You – all bounties are yours. …(Arabic)… To You belongs the whole dominion, the whole Universe, and You have no partners.’ It is engrained in his mind, that …(Arabic)… ‘Here I am O my Lord, here I am.’ And the corner stone of the Islamic faith is, the belief in one and only sole Creator and Sustainer of the entire universe – He alone deserves worship. And it is because of belief in one God, that there can be Universal Brotherhood. That means, the same God has created all the human beings, irrespective whether you are rich or poor, whether a male or female, whether black or white, whichever caste, colour, creed you belong to all of them are equal – because they are created by one and only sole Creator, Almighty God. Only if you believe in one God, can you practice Universal Brotherhood. That is the reason that, all the major Religions which believe in the concept of God – On a higher level they believe in the existence of one Almighty God. And according to Oxford Dictionary, Religion means... ‘A belief in a super human controlling power – A God, or Gods, that deserve worship and obedience’ So in short, if you want to analyze any Religion, you have to understand the concept of God in that Religion. And the best way to analyze the concept of God in any Religion, is not by looking at what the followers are doing – because many of the followers themselves do not know what their Religious Scriptures speak about Almighty God. The best way is, to analyze what the Scripture of that Religion has to speak about Almighty God. And the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Al Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 64 …(Arabic)… ‘Say: Oh people of the Book. …(Arabic)… that come to common terms as between us and you.’ Which is the first term? …Arabic)… ‘that we worship none, but Allah. …(Arabic)… that we associate no partners with Him. …(Arabic)… that we erect not among ourselves, Lords and patrons other than Allah. …(Arabic)… if then they turn back …(Arabic)… Say ye: ‘Bear witness …(Arabic)… that we are Muslims, bowing our will to Allah (swt).’ Allah shows you a way how to speak with different people. It says …(Arabic)… ‘that come to common terms as between us and you.’ Which is the first term? …(Arabic)… ‘that we worship none but Allah.’ …(Arabic)… ‘that we associate no partners with Him.’ So in order to understand the concept of God, in any Religion, we have to understand what that Scripture has to speak about Almighty God. If you understand the concept of God, you will understand the Religion. Let us first analyse the concept of God in Hinduism. If you ask a common Hindu, who is a layman, that... ‘How many Gods are there? Some may say... ‘Three’ – Some may say... ‘Hundred’ – Some may say... ‘Thousand’ – While others may say... ‘Thirty three Crores’... – Three hundred and thirty million. But if you ask a learned person who is well versed with the Hindu Scriptures, he will tell you that... ‘The Hindus should, actually worship only one God, and they should believe only in one God.’ But the common Hindu, he believes in a philosophy known as ‘Pantheism.’ What the common Hindu says that…‘Everything is God – The tree is God, the sun is God, the moon is God, the monkey is God, the human being is God, the snake is God.’ What we Muslims say that…‘Everything is God’s – ‘G. O. D.’ with an apostrophy ‘S’. Everything belongs to God – the tree belongs to God, the sun belong to God, the moon belongs to God, the monkey belongs to God, the human belongs to God, the snake belongs to God.’ So the major difference between the Hindus and the Muslims is, that the common Hindu says…‘Everything is God’ – We Muslims say…‘Everything is God’s – G.O.D. with apostrophe ‘S’. The only difference is apostrophe ‘S’. If we can solve this difference of apostrophe ‘S’ – the Hindus and the Muslims – we will be united. How do we do it ? Qur’an says …(Arabic)… ‘that come to common terms as between us and you.’ Which is the first term? …(Arabic)… ‘that we worship none but Allah.’ The most common Scriptures, which is the most widely read by the Hindus, is the Bhagvad Geeta. If you read Bhagvad Geeta, Ch. 7, V. No. 20, it says that… ‘All those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires, they worship demi gods. That means those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires – they worship gods, besides the one true God. And if you read the Upanishads, which is the another scared Scripture of the Hindus – it is mentioned in the Chandogya Upanishad, Ch. 6, Sec. No. 2, V. No. 1 …(Sanskrit)… ‘There is only one God, without a second.’ It is mentioned in the Svetasvatara Upanishad, Ch. No. 6, V. No. 9, …(Sanskrit)… which means… ‘Of Him… of Almighty God there are no Lords, neither does He have any parents.’ It is mentioned in the Svetasvatara Upanishad, Ch. No. 4, V. No. 19, …(Sanskrit)… ‘Of Him there is no likeness.’ It is mentioned in the Svetasvetara Upanishad, Ch. No. 4, V. No. 20, that… ‘He has got of no form… no one can see Him with the eyes.’ Among the Scriptures of the Hindus, the most sacred are the Vedas. There are basically four Vedas – the Rigveda, the Yajurveda, the Samved and the Atharvaved. If you read the Yajurved it is mentioned in Ch. No. 32, V. No. 3 …(Sanskrit)… ‘Of Him there is no image’ – Almighty God has got no image. It is mentioned in the Yajurveda Ch. No. 40, V. No. 8 that… ‘Almighty God is bodiless and pure’. And the next verse of Yajurveda, Ch. No. 40, V. No. 9, …(Sanskrit)… ‘That they are entering darkness – those who worship the Asambhooti’ - Asambhooti means the natural things like air, water, fire. And the verse continues… ‘They are entering more in darkness -those who worship the Sambhoot’ – Sambhooti are the created things like chairs, tables, idols, etc. Who says that?… Yajurveda Ch. No. 40, V. No. 9. Further if you read, it is mentioned in the Atharvaved, Ch. No. 20, Hymn No. 58, V. No. 3 …(Sanskrit)… ‘Verily great, is Almighty God.’ Amongst the Vedas, the most sacred is the Rigved. It is mentioned in Rigved, Book No. 1, Hymn No. 164, V. No. 46, that… ‘Sages and saintly people call Almighty God, by various names.’ And if you read Rigved, Book No. 2, Hymn No. 1, there are various attributes given to Almighty God – One amongst them – It is mentioned in Rigved, Book No. 2, Hymn No. 1, V. No. 3, ‘Brahma.’ If you translate ‘Brahma’ into English, one of it’s meaning is ‘The Creator’ - If you translate into Arabic, it means ‘Khaliq.’ We Muslims have got no objection, if someone calls Almighty God as Khaliq or Creator, or Brahma. But if someone says that Brahma is Almighty God, who has got four heads, and on each head, is a crown – we Muslims take strong objection to it. Moreover you are going against Svetasvatara Upanishad, Ch. No. 6, V. No. 9, which says …(Sanskrit)… ‘Of Him there is no likeness.’ – You are giving an image to Almighty God. Another beautiful attribute given in Rigveda Book No. 2, Hymn No. 1, V. No. 3, is ‘Vishnu.’ If you translate Vishnu into English – one of it is meaning is ‘The Sustainer,’ the Cherished if you translate into Arabic it means Rabb. We Muslims have no objection if someone calls Almighty God, as ‘Rabb,’ or ‘Sustainer’, or ‘Cherisher’ or ‘Vishnu’ – But if someone says that ‘Vishnu’ as Almighty God, who has got four hands, and in one of his hands is a chakra… the discus, and in one of his hands is a lotus, we Muslims take strong objection to it. Moreover you are giving an image to Almighty God – You are going against Yajurved, Ch. No. 32, V. No. 3, which says …(Sanskrit)… ‘Of Him there is no image.’ It is mentioned in Rigved, Vol. No. 8, Ch. No. 1, V. No.1 …(Sanskrit)… ‘All praises are due to Him alone, worship Him alone.’ It is mentioned in Rigved, Vol. No. 6, Hymn No. 45, V. No. 16, …(Sanskrit)… ‘There is only one God – Worship Him alone . And the Brahmasutra, the fundamental creed of Hinduism is …(Sanskrit)… ‘Bhagwan Ek hi hai, dusra nahi hai, nahi hai, nahi hai, zara bhi, nahi hai.’ ‘There is only one God, not a second one, not at all, not of all, not in the least bit.’ So if you read the Hindu Scriptures, you should understand the concept of God in Hinduism. Let us analyse the concept of God in Judaism. It is mentioned in the Book of Deuteronomy, in the Old Testament, Ch. No. 6, V. No. 4 Moses (pbuh) he says that …(Hebrew)… It is a Hebrew quotation which means… ‘Hear O Israel the lord our God, is one Lord.’ It is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah, Ch. No. 43, V. No. 11… ‘I, Even I, am Lord and besides Me, there is no Saviour.’ It is mentioned in the Book of Isaiah, Ch. No. 45, V. No. 5… ‘I am Lord, and there is none else – there is no God besides Me.’ It is mentioned in the book of Isaiah, Ch. 46, V.9…‘I am God and there is none else; I am God and there is none like Me.’ It is mentioned in the Book of Exodus, Ch. No. 20, V. No. 3 and 5, as well as in the Book of Deuteronomy, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 7 to 9, it says that… ‘Thou shall have none other gods besides Me.’ Almighty God is speaking here that…‘Thou shall have none other gods besides Me. Thou shall not make unto thee any graven image, of any likeness, of anything in the heavens above, in the earth beneath, and in the water beneath the earth. Thou shall not serve them, nor bow down to them, for I thy God, is a jealous God. So if you read the Old Testament, we should understand the concept of God, in Judaism. Before I discuss the concept of God in Christianity, I would like to make a few points clear – that Islam is the only Non-Christian faith, which makes it certain article of faith, to believe in Jesus (pbuh). No Muslim is a Muslim, if he does not believe in Jesus (pbuh). We believe that he was one of the mightiest Messengers of Allah (swt), of Almighty God. We believe that he was the Messiah… translated ‘Christ.’ We believe that he was born miraculously, without any male intervention, which many modern day Christians today, do not believe. We believe that he healed those born blind, and lepers, with God’s permission. We believe that he gave life to the dead, with God’s permission. The Muslims and the Christians we are going together – But there are some Christians who say… that Jesus Christ (pbuh), he claimed Divinity.’ In fact if you read the Bible, there is not a single unequivocal statement in the complete Bible, where Jesus (pbuh) himself says that he is God, or where he says… ‘Worship me.’ In fact if you read the Bible Jesus (pbuh) himself says – it mentioned in the Gospel of John, Ch. No. 14, V. No. 28, ‘My father is greater than I’; Gospel of John, Ch. No. 10, V. No. 29, ‘My father is greater than all’; Gospel of Mathew, Ch. No. 12, V. No. 28, ‘I cast out devil with the spirit of God’; Gospel of Luke, Ch. No. 11, V. No. 20, ‘I cast out devil with the finger of God’; Gospel of John, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 30, ‘I can of my own self do nothing, as I hear I judge, and my judgment is just, for I seek not my will, but the will of my Father.’ Anyone who says that… ‘I seek not my will, but God’s will’ – it means ‘Submitting his will to Almighty God.’ And if you translate into Arabic it means ‘Islam’ – and anyone who submits his will to Almighty God, is called as a ‘Muslim’. Jesus (pbuh) – he never came to destroy the law or the Prophets – In fact he came to confirm them. And Jesus (pbuh) he says – it mentioned in the Gospel of Mathew, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 17 to 20, he says that… ‘Think not that I am came to destroy the law or the Prophets’ – All these quotations are from the Bible, from the King James Version. Jesus (pbuh) says that… ‘Think not that I am come to destroy the Law and the Prophets. I am come not to destroy, but to fulfill; for verily till the heaven and the earth pass, not one jot or title shall pass away form the law, until all be fulfilled. And whosoever shall break one of the least commandments and teach men to do so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; and whosoever shall keep them, and teach the same, shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the Scribes and the Pharisees, in no way shall you enter the Kingdom of Heaven.’ Jesus (pbuh) says, that if you want to go to Paradise, you have to follow each and every law of the Old Testament – including that… ‘God is one; He has got no partners; you cannot create any images of God.’ And Jesus (pbuh), he never claimed that he was Almighty God – In fact he says that he was sent by God. It is mentioned in the Gospel of John, Ch. No. 14, V. No. 24, Jesus (pbuh) says that… ‘The words that you hear are not mine, but my Father’s, who has sent me.’ It is mentioned in the Gospel of John Ch. No. 17, V. No. 3… ‘This is life eternal; so that you may know there is only one God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou has sent.’ It is mentioned in the Book of Acts Ch. No. 2, V. No. 22. that… ‘Hear O Israel, hear these words – Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God amongst you, by wonders and miracles, which God did by him, and you are witness to it.’ It says… ‘Jesus of Nazareth (pbuh), a man approved of God by wonders and miracles which God did by him, and you are witness to it.’ And When Jesus (pbuh) was asked that…‘Which is the first of the commandment?’ – he repeated what was earlier said by Moses (pbuh). It is mentioned in the Gospel of Mark, Ch. No. 12, V. No. 29… (Hebrew)… ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, is one Lord.’ So if you read the Bible, you shall understand the concept of God in Christianity. Let us analyse the concept of God in Islam. The best reply that any person can give you regarding the concept of God in Islam, is quote to you Surah Al Ikhlas, Ch. No. 112, V. No. 1 to 4, which says …(Arabic)… ‘Say: He is Allah, One and only. …(Arabic)… Allah the Absolute and Eternal. …(Arabic)… He begets not, nor is He begotten. … (Arabic)… There is nothing like Him.’ This is a four line definition of Almighty God… of Allah (swt) - Any person saying that he is Almighty God – if that person fits in this four line definition, we Muslims have got no objection in accepting that person as Almighty God. The first is …(Arabic)… ‘Say: He is Allah, One and only. Second is ..(Arabic)… Allah the Absolute and Eternal. …(Arabic)… He begets not, nor is He begotten. and the fourth is …(Arabic)… And there is nothing like Him.’ This Surah Ikhlas, Ch. No. 112, is the touchstone of theology. ‘Theo’ means ‘God’ – ‘logy’ means ‘Study’. Surah Ikhlas, Ch. No. 112, of the Glorious Qur’an, is the touchstone of Theology. Anyone claiming to be Almighty God – if that candidate fits in this four line definition, we accept him to be Almighty God. And for the Universal Brotherhood to prevail, it is compulsory that you believe and worship only one Almighty God. So anyone claiming to be Almighty God – If that person fits in this four line definition, we have no objection in accepting that candidate, as Almighty God. You know there are many false people who claim to be Almighty God – Let us analyse whether they pass the test or not. And one among such persons, is Bhagwan Rajnish – You know there are some people who claim that he was Almighty God. During one of my lectures…Question-Answer time, there was a Hindu friend of ours, who told that…‘The Hindus do not believe in Bhagwan Rajnish, as God.’ I told him…‘I do agree, and I have read the Hindu Scriptures – No where does the Hindu Scriptures say that Bhagwan Rajnish is God’ – What I said… ‘Some people say that Bhagwan Rajnish is God.’ I know very well that Hinduism does not consider Bhagwan Rajnish, to be God. Let us analyse the claim of such people who way that Bhagwan Rajnish is Almighty God. The first test is …(Arabic)… ‘Say: He is Allah one and only ?’ Is Bhagwan Rajnish, one and only? We know that are several human beings who claim to be Almighty God, specially in this country – there are several such people claming to be Almighty God. Is he one and only? But his followers, they say…‘No, he is one and only.’ Let us go to the next test …(Arabic)… ‘Allah the Absolute and Eternal.’ Was Bhagwan Rajnish, ‘Absolute and Eternal?’ We know from his Biography that he was suffering form Asthma, from chronic Backache, from Diabetes, Malitis. And he says that… ‘The American government, when they arrested him – they gave him slow poisoning’ – Imagine, Almighty God being slow poisoned. The third test is …(Arabic)… ‘He begets not nor is He begotten.’ And we know from his biography, that Rajnish was born in Madhya Pradesh, he had parents… mother and father, who later on became his own disciples. And in the year 1981, Rajnish goes to America, and takes thousands of Americans for a ride. And in the state of origin, he starts his own village, known as Rajnishpuram – Later on the American Government, they arrest him and they put him behind bars – and in 1985 he is deported… he is sent out of the country. He comes back to India in 1985, and in the city of Poona, he starts his own center – the Osho Commune. And if you go there, it is mentioned on the stone there, that… ‘Bhagwan Rajnish, Osho Rajnish never born, never died – But, visited the earth from the 11^th of December 1931, to the 19^th of January 1990.’ They forgot to mention that he was not given visas to 21 different countries in the world – Imagine Almighty God – He is visiting the earth, and He requires visas. And the last test …(Arabic)… ‘There is nothing like Him’ – It is so stringent that no one besides Allah (swt)… Almighty God can pass. The moment you can compare Almighty God to anyone in the world… to anything in the world, he is not God. For e.g. if suppose someone says that…‘Almighty God is a thousand times as strong as Arnold Schwazzenegar’ – You know Arnold Schwazzenegger – the person who was given the title ‘Mr. Universe’ – the strongest man in the Universe – If someone says at the ‘Almighty God is a thousand times as strong as Arnold Schwazzenegar.’ The moment you can compare Almighty God to anything in this world – whether it be Arnold Schwazzenegger, or King Kong, or Dara Singh – whether it be a thousand times, or million times – the moment you can compare Almighty God to anything in this world, He is not Almighty God. …(Arabic)… ‘There is nothing like Him.’ This is a four line definition of Almighty God, given in the ‘Glorious Qur’an, which is the touchstone of theology. Otherwise the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Isra Ch. No. 17 : V. No. 110 …(Arabic)… ‘Say call upon Him by Allah, or by Rehman - by whichever name you call upon Him, to Him belongs the most beautiful names.’ You can call Allah (swt) by any name – but it should be a beautiful name – it should not conjure up a mental picture. And there are no less than 99 attributes given in the Glorious Qur’an, for Allah (swt) – Ar-Rahman, Ar-Rahim, Most Merciful, Most Beneficent – no less than 99. We Muslims, we call Almighty God, by the Arabic name ‘Allah’ – and the reason we prefer calling Almighty God, by the Arabic name ‘Allah’, instead of the English word ‘God’, is because the English word ‘God’ – you can play mischief with that word. For eg. If you add ‘S’ to God – it becomes ‘Gods’ – plural of God – There is no plural of Allah. …(Arabic)… ‘Say… He is Allah one and only ?’ If you add ‘dess’ to God…it becomes ‘Goddess’…that means a ‘female God.’ There is no gender to Allah (swt) – He is neither male neither female… Allah (swt) has got no gender…Allah is a unique word. If you add a ‘father’ to ‘God’…it becomes ‘God-father’ – he is my ‘God – father’, he is my ‘guardian’ – There is nothing like ‘Allah-father’ or ‘Allah-Abba’ in Islam. If you add a ‘mother’ to ‘God’, it becomes ‘God-mother’. There is nothing like ‘Allah-mother’ or ‘Allah-Ammi’ in Islam – ‘Allah’ is a unique word. If you prefix ‘Tin’ before ‘God’…it becomes ‘Tin-God’…meaning ‘fake-God’ – There is nothing like tin-Allah in Islam. That is the reason, we Muslims – we prefer calling Allah (swt) by the Arabic word ‘Allah’, instead of the English word…‘God.’ But if some people, some Muslims, use the word ‘God’ for ‘Allah (swt)’, so that those who do not know the concept of ‘Allah (swt)’ – if they can understand, I have got no objection – But the appropriate word is ‘Allah’… it is much more preferred than the English word ‘God.’ In Islam, the Universal Brotherhood does not only spread horizontally – i.e. it does not only cover all the regions and all the people of the whole world and universe – it even goes vertically. The Universal Brotherhood in Islam… the Universal Brotherhood of faith, includes vertically, even the generation that came before you, that went in the past. The Universal Brotherhood in Islam, includes the people living, and the people of past – You are a single race… or a single people. This Universal Brotherhood… that is the Brotherhood of faith – it spreads horizontally as well as vertically – and the corner stone of this faith in all the Religions, if you analyse – it is the belief in One Creator… one Almighty God. It is only because of this that Universal Brotherhood can prevail in the whole Universe – and this Universal Brotherhood of faith…it is far superior to the Brotherhood of blood relationship. The Qur’an says as I mentioned… ‘You should respect your parents’. The Qur’an says in Surah Isra Ch. No. 17, V. No. 23 and 24, that… ‘Allah (swt) has ordained for you, that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. And if any of them or both of them reach old age, do not say a word of contempt – do not even say ‘uff’ to them; But lower to them your wing of humility, and address them with honour. And pray to thy Lord: that cherish them, as they cherished me in childhood.’ That means, you have to love and respect your parents – and give them all honour and respect. But at the same time the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Luqman, Ch. 31, V. No. 15 – After saying that ‘you have respect the parents’ – the Qur’an says… ‘But if they strive in making thee join partners with Me – who you have no knowledge of – that means of your parents force you to join partners with Almighty God, you do not obey them – but in this world deal with them with justice and compassion.’ That means your parents – you have to obey them, as long as they do not go against Almighty God… against the commandment of Allah (swt) – we have to obey them. If they go against the Commandment Allah (swt) – Almighty is more Superior. The Brotherhood of faith is Universal – It is for superior than Brotherhood of blood relationship. And the Qur’an says in Surah Al Tawbah, Ch. 9, V. 24, …(Arabic)… ‘Say whether it be for your father …(Arabic)… or your sons …(Arabic)… or your brothers …(Arabic)… or your spouses, your husbands and wives …(Arabic)… or your relatives.’ Allah is asking ‘What are your considerations? – Is it your fathers, are they your sons, your brothers, your spouses, husbands and wives, are they your relatives – of all these things for example, your fathers, or your sons, or your brothers, or your spouses, or your relatives ? And Allah continues …(Arabic)… ‘The wealth that you have amassed, the business in which you deal, the houses in which you live.’ Allah says… ‘What are your consideration? What are your consideration?’ And Allah continues …(Arabic)… If you love all these eight things more than Allah, His Rasul and doing Jihad… striving in the way of Allah – Allah says… ‘If your parents tell you to go against Allah (swt) – they may tell you to rob, they may tell you to cheat, they may tell you to bribe, they may tell you to kill people unnecessarily – if your parents give you guidance against the commandments of Allah (swt) – whether it be your sons, whether it be your brothers of your spouses, or your relatives, or you do deeds against Allah (swt), for the wealth that you are collecting, the businesses in which you deal, the houses in which you delight … Allah says…‘If you love all these eight things more than Allah, His Messenger, and striving in the way of Allah – Allah says …(Arabic)… ‘Wait’ …(Arabic)…‘Wait until Allah brings about His decision unto you, until Allah brings about destruction unto you …(Arabic)… and Allah guides not the perverted transgressors.’ When it comes to brotherhood of faith, it is far superior to brotherhood of relationship. And further the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, V. No. 135, that …(Arabic)… ‘O ye who believe, stand out firmly for justice, as witness to Allah (swt), even if it be against your self, against your parents, against your relatives, whether it be rich or poor, for Allah protects both.’ That means, if you have to stand for justice, as giving Shahadah, as giving witness to Allah (swt) – Allah says… ‘Stand for justice even if you have to speak against your self, against your parents, against your relatives, irrespective whether the people are rich or poor, for Allah protects all? That means where it comes to justice, where it comes to truth… justice is far superior to blood relationship. The brotherhood of faith supersedes all the other brotherhoods – And the brotherhood of faith… the Universal Brotherhood is based on the basic concept of belief in One Creator… One Almighty God… One Allah (swt), which is preached by all the Religions. And the Qur’an says, as I mentioned earlier in Surah Imran, Ch.3, V. No. 64, that …(Arabic)… ‘Come to common terms as between us and you.’Which is the first term? …(Arabic)… ‘that we worship none but Allah.’ Only believing in One Almighty God, is not sufficient - You should also worship only One Almighty God. And only if you believe and worship Almighty God, Who is One, will Universal Brotherhood prevail. Without the concept of one Almighty God, brotherhood and humanity cannot prevail, in the full world. And the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Anam, Ch. No. 6, V.108 that… ‘Revile not those people, abuse not those people who worship gods besides Allah, lest in their ignorance, they will revile Allah (swt).’ I would like to end my talk by the giving quotation of the Glorious Qur’an, from Surah Nisa, Ch. No. 4, V. No. 1 which says …(Arabic)… That… ‘O human kind reverence your guardian Lord, Who has created you from a single person, and created like nature his mate, and has scattered like seeds countless men and women.’ …(Arabic)…

(Dr. Mohammed) Now we would have the presumably more interesting session… the Question-Answer session. Advocate Prabhakar Rao Hegde, Advocate Hingorane, DCP Saxena, distinguished guests present here today, our elders, brothers and sisters – We would after the Question and Answer session, request our distinguished guests to present their impressions on the topic, and their comments. Advocate Hegde, Advocate Hingorane, and DSP Saxena are kindly requested after the Question and Answer session, to pass your comments, so we have a better interaction of the session. To derive more benefit for all of us present here today, in the limited time we have available, we would like you to follow the following rules, in the Question-Answer session. Questions asked should be on the topic, Universal Brotherhood only, or on Islam and Comparative Religion, in context. Kindly state your question briefly, and to the point – This is a Question-Answer time, and not a lecture time .Only one question at a time, may be put forward to the speakers at your designated mike – for your second question, you would have queue up again at the mike for your second chance. Three mikes have been provided in the auditorium for the questions, two just next to the stage for the brothers – one on my right, and one on the left, and one up above in the balcony, for the sisters. Written questions on slip papers, would be given secondary preference after the questions on the mike have been handled. The volunteers would be having slips of papers – If you do not have them with you, you could ask them for it – and pass on the slips right upto the stage through the volunteers. Kindly state your name and profession before putting forward your question, to get a more appropriate response. Non-Muslim guests would be given first preference in putting forward their questions – I would request the volunteers at the mike to kindly handle that aspect. We will allow one question on each of the mikes, in clockwise rotation – one here, the mike below the stage, next that side, one on the sisters side, and so on.

(Dr. Mohammed) Yes brother.

(Q) Thank you Dr. Naik for your lucid explanation of Islam’s – ‘Concept of God.’ My simple question is – you have talked about racial brotherhood, linguistic brotherhood, blood brotherhood, and so on – and they are the disturbance of the concept of the Universal Brotherhood. But you have not talked on the concept of Kafir – I think which is one of most important disturbance of Universal Brotherhood in the world.

(Dr. Zakir) Can I have your name brother – so that I can answer you in a better way – Yes.

(Qtn. Contd…) Professor Nigad, from Bhiwnadi College.

(Dr. Zakir) The professor has asked a question, that I have spoken about various concept – I have explained the concept of Universal Brotherhood, and spoken that the concept of brotherhood based on blood relationship, on race, on caste, and creed, etc… they cause disturbance – I have not spoken on the concept of Kafir. Brother, Kafir is an Arabic word, which comes from the root word Kufr – which means ‘to conceal’… ‘to conceal’, ‘to hide’. It also means ‘to reject’, ‘to conceal’, and in context… in Islamic context, it means that… ‘Any person who conceals or rejects the truth of Islam’ – anyone who rejects the truth of Islam is called as a Kafir. Means anyone who rejects the truth of Islam – that there is one God, and Allah (swt), all that I spoke – he is a Kafir. Any Brotherhood besides the brotherhood of Universal Brotherhood of faith, and the Islamic Brotherhood – if it falls in other brotherhood, based on anything – there can be a hundred types of Brotherhood. Brotherhood based on particular region – whether it be India, whether it be Pakistan, whether it be America – all these other brotherhoods, that is not in the per view of the brotherhood of faith… believing in the concept of one God – disturbs the Universal Brotherhood, including if you say that the Kafirs... the Brotherhood of Kafirs. Do they disturb?… Yes they disturb. What is the meaning of Kafir ? – Anyone who rejects the truth of Islam. There are some Non-Muslims who ask me questions – and during Question-Answer, in one of the cassette, he said that…‘Why do the Muslims abuse us by calling… Kafir – and people say that their ego is hurt’. I said… ‘See Kafir is a Arabic word which means…‘A person who rejects the truth of Islam’ – It is a Arabic word. For a person who rejects the truth of Islam – in English, if I have to translate – He becomes a ‘Non-Muslim.’ So a person is a ‘Non-Muslim’, who rejects the truth of Islam – he is called as a Kafir. It is just a translation of the English word ‘Non Muslim.’ So if you say that…‘Do not call a Non-Muslim a Kafir’ – how can I do that? So if a person says…‘Why do you call me a Kafir ? Do not call me a Kafir’. So I can say that…‘You accept Islam – I will stop calling you a Kafir’. It is only a Arabic word for a Non-Muslim – Hope that answers the question.

(Q) Dr. Naik, I am Advocate Madhav Phadhke – you said in your speech that God is alive, imageless and formless, as stated in Hinduism. Then why you Muslims doing Haj Pilgrim – they worship Holy shrine, as the Hindus they worship ?

(Dr. Zakir) That is a very good question the brother has posed – that if Almighty God has got no image in Islam – Allah (swt) no form…then why do the Muslims – they worship the Holy Shrine…referring to the Kabah - in Haj Pilgrimage ? Brother, it is a misconception – No Muslim ever worships the Kaba – It is a misconception among the Non-Muslims, that we Muslims, we worship the Kabah. No Muslim worships the Kabah – we only worship Allah (swt), Who we cannot see in this world. What we do is, the Kabah is the Qibla – Qibla in Arabic means ‘The direction.’ Kabah is the Qibla, because we Muslims – We believe in unity, always unity. For example, if we want to pray to Almighty God... Allah (swt) – If we have to offer Salaah, some may say... ‘Let us face the North ; some may say...‘Let us face South’ ; some may say...‘East’ ; some say...‘West’. Where do we face? We believe in unity – So for unity, all the Muslims throughout the world, they are asked to face in the direction of the Qibla, that...is the Kabah – it is our direction – We do not worship it. And the first people who drew the world map, were the Muslims – and when the Muslims drew the world map, they drew with the South pole on top, and North pole down – and Kabah was in the center. The Westerners came and they turned the map upside down – North pole on top, South pole down. Alhamdulillah, yet the Kabah is in the center – Mecca is in the center. And since Mecca is in the center, any Muslim in any part of the world – if he is staying in North of Kabah, he faces towards the South; If he is staying in the South of Kabah, he faces towards the North. All the Muslims throughout the world, they face in one direction. Kabah is the Qibla… it is the direction – No Muslim ever worships it – No Muslim ever worships it. And when we go for Haj… to the pilgrimage, we circumambulate round the Kabah. We circumambulate around the Kabah, because everyone knows, that all circles have only one center – So we circumambulate round the Kabah, to testify that there is only one God – not because we worship it. And the statement of the second Khalifa of Islam, Hazrat Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, he said – it is mentioned in Sahih Muslim, in the book of Haj, Volume No. 2 – he said, Hazrat Umar may Allah be pleased with him, that... ‘I am kissing the black stone, that is the Kabah... Sange Aswad, only because my Prophet kissed it – otherwise this black stone can neither harm me, neither can it benefit me’. The second Khalifa of Islam... Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar, may Allah be pleased with him – he made it clear for eternity, that no Muslim ever worships the black stone – it can neither benefits us, neither can it harm us. And the best example is that, during the time of the Prophet – the Sahabas... the companions of the Prophet, they even stood on the Kabah, and gave the Adhan – Adhan is the call for prayers. People stood on the Kabah, and gave the Adhan. I am asking you...‘Which idol worshipper, will ever stand on the idol he worships.’So these are sufficient proofs, that no Muslim ever worships the Kabah. Kabah is the Qibla – and we worship only Allah (swt), Who we cannot see with the eyes. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) Yes brother.

(Q). I am Dr. Vyas – a medical practitioner. We came here for having views on Universal Brotherhood – We did not come here for a Bhauddik on Islam. I would request you to tell us about brotherhood in this world. Now this is Universal Brotherhood – I would like to know whether there are brothers in other parts of the Universe ? We have brothers in India, so we talk of Indian brotherhood – and how brotherhood in this country, has affected the history of this country, during last one hundred years ?

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has asked a very good question, a very relevant question. He said that…‘You know, he has come here to hear about Universal Brotherhood – and what I spoke is about the brotherhood of the world only – and are there brothers in other parts of the Universe? Brother is a doctor Alhamdulillah – and if you heard my talk, if you paid attention to it brother, I said that...‘We believe in Almighty God, Who is the Lord of the worlds. Rabbul Aalamin...Lord of the worlds, means...‘Lord of the Universe, besides this world’.

(Qtn. Interruption…) Talk about brotherhood of this Universe, or Indian Brotherhood.

(Audience Interruption…) Ek do batein mai apke samne.

(Dr. Zakir) Bhaisab zara pehla main unko answer kar du… I will reply to him, and then I will come to your question – You are most welcome – I am here – I will reply to everyone – InshaAllah. First I will just reply to the elderly gentleman – he has asked a question – it is my pleasure to reply. He said...‘Talk about Brotherhood – that is the brotherhood.’ And Universal Brotherhood means, not only brotherhood of this world, but of the worlds, of the whole Universe. And according to the Glorious Qur’an, in Surah Shura, Ch. No. 42 V. No. 29, it says that...‘Allah (swt) has created the heavens and the earth, and has put creatures between them.’ That means, the Qur’an says that…‘There are living creatures besides this world.’ There are living creatures besides this world – Science has not reached that far, to prove that there is life besides this earth. You know Scientists – they are sending rockets and satellites and spaceships, to try and prove there is life on Mars, etc. It is not established – they say… ‘There are high chances.’ But the Qur’an says…‘There is life besides this earth’ – and I believe in it. So Universal Brotherhood does not only mean brotherhood in this world – it means brotherhood, even in the other worlds, as you rightly said – even brotherhood in India – even brotherhood in India – throughout the world. And for this brotherhood to prevail – if you heard my talk – I do not want to repeat the full talk again – that there should be a moral conduct – that no human being should kill any other human being, he should not rob, he should give charity, he should love his neighbours, he should not backbite, he should see to it that when he sleeps with a full stomach, even his neighbour is fed well, he should see to it that he does not have Alcohol – Alcohol prevents the brotherhood to prevail in the world, he should not backbite, he should not slander anyone. All this things promotes Universal Brotherhood not only in India, not only in the world, in the full Universe – May be possible that you did not pay attention to some portions of my talk. My talk Alhamdulillah, was focussed on the topic – and it did cover India, America, full world, as well as the Universe. And this can only take place – and all the Religions, if you believe in the concept that the Creator of all the human beings, of all the creatures – whether in India, or whether in America, or whether outside this world, is one Almighty God. And all the Religions basically speak in belief of one God, which I discussed in detail. For more details about ‘Concept of God’ – I have given this talk ‘Concept of God in Major Religions.’ It speaks more about the concept of God in other Religions, like Sikhism, and Parsism, etc. – and it deals in detail. If a person wants to have more knowledge on how it can prevail, you can avail of my cassette ‘Concept of God in Major Religions’ – It is available for sale outside in the foyer… brother.

(Q) Sabkatal Malani, Ulhas Nagar – I think Dr. Zakir is playing with words – It is jugglery of words only. Islam divides people of the whole world, in two – ‘one is Momin and the other is Kafir.’ Definitely we do not believe and trust in many things, which Islam says – So this brotherhood of Universal Brotherhood, is not possible, what Islam wants to enjoin in upon us. Islam only creates divisional forces – Even we can know Shias, Sunnis and seventy other castes in Islam itself.

(Volunteer) Please, question please.

(Qtn. contd…) Ha, I am putting the question.

(Dr. Zakir) No problem.

(Qtn. Contd…) Islam cannot give ‘Universal Brotherhood’ – It is only Hinduism, which can give Universal Brotherhood …(Sanskrit)... which you have just quoted. Islam does not recognize – Killing the cows, killing the Kafirs, talking their properties, loot, women folk... Islam tells. How brotherhood can come? And you talk of brotherhood – It is a jugglery of words only – Really speaking, you are talking Hinduism, in the name of Islam.

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has made several comments. And Islam says…(Arabic)…‘For verily Allah is with those who are patient.’ For brotherhood to prevail, you should be patient – If I am not patient, there will be a fight between me and my brother. Islam says in Surah Baqrah, Ch. No. 2, V. No. 153 …(Arabic)…‘For verily Allah is with those who are patient.’ -And for brotherhood to prevail, you should be patient. And, I respect my elderly brother out here – He may be having a good study of Hinduism, but I am sorry that I disagree with him – his study of Islam is a bit weak – I would say. And I do agree with him, that Islam – there are two, types of people – one is a believer, Momin – and the other he said is a Kafir, according to him. In every Religion there are two types of people – even in Hinduism... A Hindu and a Non-Hindu; In Christianity... Christian and a Non-Christian ; In Judaism... a Jew and a Non-Jew ; In Islam... a Muslim and a Non-Muslim ; So where does Islam differ. And I am not here to criticize Hinduism – I am not here to criticize Hinduism. But since you are a learned speaker, I would like to speak on Hinduism, because I am a student of Comparative Studies. I have read the Vedas, I have read the Upanishads – but if just for a small comment... According to Vedas, it is mentioned that…‘The humankind have been created from four parts of Almighty God – from the head, it is the Brahmin; from the chest, is the Kshatriya; from the thigh, it is the Vayshyas, the business class; and from the feet is the Shudra – Caste system. I am not here to comment on these brother… I would not like to, I would not like to hurt the feelings of my Hindu brothers – Islam does not agree with that. I did not comment on those things – I did not criticize any religion, I did not criticize any religion – I did not say that this religion is wrong. But you, if you know your Veda very well, you should testify to the audience – Does not the Veda say that…‘From the head you have the Brahmins; from the chest you have the Kashtriya; from the thigh you have the Vayshyas, the business class, learned class, warrior class, business class? Shudras... the Shudras are supposed to be the downtrodden – And there are books written by Dr. Ambedkar – I do not want to go into the details, brother. Hinduism…I have learnt very well – I respect many aspects of Hinduism – certain aspect I do not agree – I have to say… because you have forced me to say. Qur’an says in Surah Anam, Ch 6, V. No. 108…‘Revile not those who worship gods besides Allah, lest in their ignorance, they will revile Allah (swt).’ What I spoke is the positive aspect of Hinduism – that is, they believe in the concept of one God. Regarding your question...‘That you know, the Muslims – they keep on killing people, they keep on killing Cows’... You said – Correct? You said that. See, every allegation requires an answer – the time does not permit – I will just pick up a few. Any other, you can come next and ask – I am here to clarify the misconception – it is my pleasure. Only if I clarify the misconception, will the person understand Islam better – Therefore in our sessions, we always have a Question-Answer session, and we welcome – and any one criticize us, I love it – More a person criticizes and more he is logically convinced, will he understand Islam better. That is what I do – Islam says spread the message of truth, with hiqmat. The Qur’an says in Surah, Nahl, Ch. 16, V.125 …(Arabic)… That is…‘Invite all to the way of thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them, and reason with them, in ways that are best and most gracious’. Regarding the concept of... ‘Can we have Non-Veg?’ – Talking about killing cows, etc. And there are many Non-Muslims who say…‘You know, you Muslims, you all are ruthless people, you all kill animals.’ Just for your information brother, a Muslim can be a very good Muslim, even by being a pure vegetarian. It is not compulsory that he should have Non-Veg, to be a good Muslim. But since the Qur’an says in several places… ‘You can have the cattle’ – Why we should not have ? The Qur’an says in Surah Maidah, Ch. No.5, V. No. 1 – It says that …(Arabic)… ‘Fulfil all your obligation – and lawful for you are all four footed animals, with exceptions named.’ Qur’an says in Surah Nahl, Ch. No. 16, V. No. 5, that… ‘Allah has created for you cattle, which are the signs – From it you derive warmth, and there are various benefits in it, and of their meat, you can eat.’ Qur’an repeats this in Surah Mominun Ch. 23, V. 21... ‘You can eat the meat of the cattle’. You know in Non-Veg – there are doctors available here – even I am a medical doctor – It is rich in protein, it is rich in iron, and it is very nutritious. In the other foods, the level of protein which get, in Non-Veg. – you cannot get in any other vegetarian food. Soya bean which is supposed to be the best form of protein in vegetable – it comes no where to close to the Non-Veg. protein. And regarding the concept of killing of cows – If you read the Hindu Scriptures – I am not here to criticize any Religion – the brother asked a question, I have to speak the truth – it permits a person to have Non-Veg. If you read the Hindu Scriptures, the Sages and Sants…they had Non-Veg… They even had beef. It is later on, due to the influence of the other Religions like Jainism, etc. that people were being influenced in the philosophy of Ahimsa...of not to kill animals – that they accepted this philosophy in the way of life. Otherwise, Islam is also for animal rights -I can give a talk only on animal rights. Islam is the Religion which says that...‘Do not overburden the animals, treat them nicely, give them food – But when required, they are even created for food.’ If you analyze the other Religions which believe in this philosophy…‘That you should not have Non-Veg.’ – This philosophy was based on the concept that…‘You should not kill animals, because they are living creatures – Therefore having Non-Veg. is a sin.’ I do agree with them – If any human being can live in this world without killing a single living creature, I would be the first one. The Universal Brotherhood in Hinduism, is that…‘Every living creature is your brother – every living creature, irrespective whether he is a animal or a bird or an insect.’ I am asking a simple question that…‘How can a person even survive for five minutes, without killing millions of his brothers?’ Those who know medical science, will understand what I am saying. That, whenever you breathe, there are millions of germs you are inhaling, and you are killing – that means in this Religion, you are killing your brothers to survive. The Universal Brotherhood in Islam is, every human being is your brother – brotherhood in faith is, every Muslim is a brother. Every living creature is not my brother – but we have to protect the living creature, should not harm them, should not unnecessarily torture them – but when required, you can have them for food. So when this philosophy says that…‘Having Non-Veg. is a sin, because you kill living creature’ – Today science tells us that…‘Even the plants have life’ – Do you know that? So the logic that…‘Killing living creatures is a sin’, has failed. So now they change the logic, and they say that...‘See plants have got life, but plants cannot feel pain – therefore killing the animals is a greater sin, as compared to killing plants. Do you know today science is advanced, and we have come to know, even the plants can feel pain – the plants can even cry, the plants even feel happy – so the logic that plants cannot feel pain, has failed. What is the thing – the cry of the plant cannot be heard by the human ear, because the human ear has a frequency of twenty cycles per second, to twenty thousand cycles per second. Anything between this, the human ear can hear – anything below or above, the human ear can not hear. For example, if a master blows a dog whistle – you know there are dog whistles – It is called as a silent dog whistle – It blows the whistle, which has a frequency of above twenty thousand cycles, and below forty thousand cycles, per second. The dog can hear upto forty thousand cycles per second – So when the master blows the whistle, the dog hears the whistle, but the human beings do not hear – It is called as a silent dog whistle. Similarly, the cry given out by the plant cannot be heard by the human being – but they also cry, they also feel pain. There was a brother of ours who argued with maximum, and he told me that...‘Brother Zakir, I agree with you, that the plants have got life, they can feel pain – but you know, the plants have got two senses less. They only have three senses – the animals have got five senses – therefore killing an animal is a greater sin, as compared to killing a plant. So I told him...‘Brother suppose you have a younger brother, who is born deaf and dumb – two senses less. After he grows up, if someone goes and kills him, will you tell the Judge: O me lord give the murderer a less punishment because my brother had two senses less? Will you say that? You will say: ‘Me lord give him double punishment because he killed a person who was innocent’. So in Islam the logic does not work like that – two senses or three senses. Islam says in Surah Baqarah, Ch. 2, V. 168…‘Eat of the good things that We have provided for you’ – That means, whatever is good and lawful, you can have. And that is the reason if you analyze, the cattle in the world – Allah (swt) has His way – Almighty God – the reproduction of the cattle is very fast, as compared to reproduction of the other animals and the human beings – they reproduce very fast. If I agree with you that no human beings should have any cattle, then we will have over population of cattle in the world. And regarding killing of cows, there is a book written by Maulana Abdul Karim Parikh ‘Gauhatya’… ‘Cow slaughter – Who is to blame?’ And if you analyze the people that deal in leather…leather of cows – more Non-Muslims, than Muslims. Leathers – the Jains…they deal in that – So the people who are responsible to benefit from the cow slaughter, are not the Muslims – the more of them are Non-Muslims. So if you know history well, and if you know logic also well, you will understand that Allah says...‘Eat of the good things We have provided for you’ – If you can have, there is no problem. And besides that if you analyze, the set of teeth of the herbivorous animals…the cow, the goat, the sheep – they only eat vegetables – they have a flat set of teeth. If you have analyze the set of teeth of the carnivorous animal – the lion, the tiger, the leopard, they have got sharp pointed teeth – they can only have Non-Veg. If you analyze the set of teeth of the human beings – if you go in the mirror and look at your teeth – we have pointed teeth, as well as flat teeth. If Almighty God wanted us to have only vegetables, why did He give us these pointed teeth? …For what? To have Non-Veg. If you analyze the digestive system of the herbivorous animal…the cow, the goat, the sheep – they have digestive system which can only digest vegetables. The digestive system of the carnivorous animal…the lion, the tiger, the leopard – they can only digest Non-Veg. The digestive system of the human being can digest both Non-Veg. and Veg. If Almighty God wanted us to have only Vegetables, why did He give us a digestive system that can digest both Veg. and Non-Veg. So scientifically if you analyze, Almighty God wanted us to have both, Veg. as well as Non-Veg. – Hope that answers the question. If you have any queries, any other misconception brother, it is my pleasure to reply. One misconception at a time – So that I can do justice to each of the misconception - Thank you brother.

(Dr Mohammed) Yes brother.

(Q) Hello Dr Naik Saheb – Yahan par jitni bhi batein hui, most probably English mein hui, aur yahan par sab itne padhe likkhe log nahi hai, ke wo ab sirf English samajh sake. Most probably to jo bhi apke lecture ya bhashan hone chahiye the na, wo yahan par logo ke bhashan mein hone chahi the.

(Dr. Mohammed) Excuse me, excuse me brother, excuse me brother, excuse me – let me coordinate. We have been called here – Zakir have been invited by the organizers here, to give a talk in English, and have a Question-Answer. That what questions you have to address, that I would request you to kindly after the program, address to the organizers.

(Qtn. Contd…) Question mera baki hai… question mera baki hai.

(Dr. Mohammed) Ha… then you put forward your question. Urdu mein bhi agar aap question put forward karege, Insha Allah agar speaker ko… he will explain it and answer it.

(Qtn. Contd…) Nahi bura hai Ved aur Shastra, nahi Qur’an bura hai. Bina samjhi batein, aur be samjha vyakhyan bura hai, samjho tum apni bato, aur sab ka dhyan bura hai, apne apne hisab se socho, ke us uska Prabhu ka samman nahi bura hai. Aur Universal Brotherhood ke pahle se, jaha bhi koi batein honi chahiye wahan per mazhab ki koi baat nahi honi chahiye. Mazhab se uper oothkar baat honi chahiye, kyon mazhab se upar utna hi, oos Allah taala ko pana hai – Oos Parmatma ko pana hai – Aur pehle, God ka meaning samjho, ke God ka meaning kya hai – God, Godess kuch nahi hota hai. G – O – D…that super power is controlling our nature. And that nature is having three parts…G-O-D, ‘G’ for Generator, ‘O’ for Operator, ‘D’ for Destroyer. That Nature is Generating us, that Nature is Operating us, that Nature is Destroying us. We are being Generated, we are being Operated, we are being Destroyed. Is mein Godess aur God ka meaning kuch bhi nahi hai, aur God ka assli meaning kuch bhi nahi hai. Allah taala god se ooper hai, Parmeshwar god se ooper hai, Parmeshwar god se ooper hai.

(Dr. Zakir) Thank you very much brother. The brother has summarized my lecture is a very short way – Alhamdulillah – I thank him. He rightly said there is no god and goddess – that is what I explained. He explained in Hindi, so that those who do not understand English, can understand – I would like to thank this brother. He explained very well – There is no god, there is no goddess – Allahtaala…Allah (swt) is Superior – and I agree with him – Thank you brother. And he rightly said, that there should not be different Religions. I agree with you – there should not be different Religions. Because Qur’an says in Surah Al Imran, Ch.3, V. No.19 …(Arabic)… ‘The only way of life acceptable, is the person who submits his will to Allah (swt).’ And I agree with you brother, that if you fight amongst yourself in Religion, there is bound to be differences – and there should be no differences. And the brother also made certain comments that Shias, etc., and different Religions, and there are seventy three firkas. I can give that answer – it requires time – If you want to know the answer, you can pose it – I will give you the reply for that also – Why…talking about different firkas, etc. But the brother rightly said that there should be only one Religion – One way of life – and that is submitting your will to Allah (swt). If you believe in that, there has to be Universal Brotherhood – if you do not believe in that, there is bound to be disharmony. Thank you very much brother.

(Dr. Mohammed) What we will start – We will start asking one question on the slip. And if anyone would like to ask questions, I would request them – Kindly stand on the mike, so you can put forward the question – Okay we will allow the gentleman there to ask the question. Any sister would like to ask some question, I would request you to kindly stand at the mike. If no one is standing at the time, I assume the question is not going to come from the mike, and I move forward to the next clockwise question. One question from the mike, one from the slips – Yes brother.

(Q) Zakir Bhai, I have a very simple question.

(Dr. Zakir) Your name ?

(Qtn. Contd…) Professor Devray – I have not studied any Religion – I do not believe in any Religion. And I my simple question is – Do you believe that there are different Religions, and there have to be different Religions ? Because in your lecture you said that…‘The Allah…The God Almighty, created all the people in the world, men and women, and He purposely divided them into different Religions, different regions, etc., etc., so that, they should not fight with each other, but they should understand each other. Will you kindly explain to me the purpose of the Crusades, and will you kindly explain to me your own statement, that the difference between Hinduism and the Islam Religion ? You said that it is ‘Hinduism’, and it is ‘Islam Religion’ – you never said that Hinduism is a Religion. The difference which you stated between Hinduism and Islam Religion was, that Hindus believe that everything is god, while Muslims believe that everything is God’s. If everything is God’s, why there is so much of killing, either in India or in any other part of the whole world…even in the Muslim countries also – Thank you very much.

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has asked a very good question, and he said that I said in my talk, that…‘The Almighty God has created the human beings, from a single pair…male and female, and have divided into different Religions.’ Brother never did I say that…‘Almighty God divided the people into different Religions?’ It is being recorded – I never said…‘Different Religions’. I said…‘Into different nations, and tribes – races and colours’ – not Religions. Allah says…‘There is only one Religion’. Almighty God never divides the people into different Religions – There is only one Religion. Into different nations and colours and variations in languages – So that you may recognize each other – that okay, this person comes from this particular race, from this region - Not Religion …Region – It is not Religion. So your statement of ‘Religion’ is not correct – other things is fine …different languages, different colours, different nations, I agree with that – so that they may recognize each other; not that they shall fight amongst each other. You said that…‘I never mentioned that Hinduism is a Religion.’ I again disagree with you. I said…‘Religion is a belief in Almighty God, according to Oxford dictionary. To understand Hinduism, to understand the Religion of Hinduism, you have to understand the concept of God. To understand the Religion of Judaism, you have to understand the concept of God, in Judaism. To understand the Religion of Christianity, you have to understand the concept of God, in Christianity. To understand the Religion of Islam, you have to understand the concept of God, in Islam’ – That is what I said. Regarding differences…Who has created? – Not Almighty God. Allah clearly say in Surah Anam, Ch. 6, V. 159. ‘Anyone who breaks the Religion into sects, Allah has nothing to do with him.’ You cannot divide the Religion – Anyone who divides, is in the wrong. You asked me…‘Why are people killing each other?’ That you have to ask them. Suppose as a teacher you tell the pupil…‘Do not copy.’ And yet they copy…who is to blame – the teacher or the student? The student. Here, Almighty God has given a free will to the human being, that you can do what you want – I have given you Guidance. The last and final Guidance, the last and final Revelation, is the Glorious Qur’an – the dos and do nots is mentioned here. And Allah says – and I mentioned in my talk in Surah Maidah, Ch. 5, V. 32…‘If anyone kills a human being – whether it be a Muslim or a Non Muslims, whether it be Hindu, Jew, Christian, Sikh, anyone – unless it be for murder or for spreading mischief in the land, it is as though he has killed the whole of human race.’ ‘If he saves any human being, it as though he has saved the whole of humanity.’ So God Almighty does not like people killing each other – but if human beings do not want to follow, who is to blame? The human being.‘So this world’, the Qur’an says in Surah Mulk, Ch 16, V. No. 2, that… ‘This world – Allah has creates death and life, to test which of you is good in deeds.’ Allah has created death and life, to test which of you is good in deeds – Allah does not interfere – If He wants, He can. The Qur’an says…‘If Allah wanted, He could have made all the people believe’ – but then where is the test. If the teacher wants, he can easily pass all the students, irrespective whether they fail – Teacher can…But that will be bad. Then where is the free will of the student? If they are undergoing a test, and if someone does not give a right answer – yet the teacher passes…then a person who has studied hard, will object– that… ‘I slogged so much for the examination – this person, he is copying and he is cheating – he writes wrong answer, and he passes’. So the next batch, if the people release, that teacher passes every one, irrespective whether he gives right answer or wrong answer, then everyone will stop studying. Then you may get a degree…a medical degree, but that doctor when he passes in medical, when he comes out, he will not cure the people – he will kill the people. So therefore Allah (swt) has given the guidelines in the Glorious Qur’an… ‘Do not kill, do not harm others, love people, love your neighbour’ – All that, I said in my talk. But if people do not do, that means they are not following the Qur’an – let it be any one…Let it be anyone – whether it be America, whether it be Pakistan, whether it be any country in the world. People may say…‘See just by calling yourself a Muslim name, Abdullah or Zakir or Mohammed, you do not get ticket to Jannah. Just by saying that you are a Muslim, does not make you a Muslim. ‘Muslim’ is not a label – that okay, if I say…‘I am a Muslim’ – I am a Muslim. Muslim means…‘A person who submits his will to Allah (swt).’ Just by calling a person Zakir, Abdullah, Mohammed, Shakir…these people – if they act, if they submit their will to Allah, then they are Muslims. By calling themselves Muslims, as the Qur’an says…‘There are some people whose are lip service Muslims.’ So if people are killing, they are not following the guidance of the Qur’an. If they follow the guidance of the Qur’an, peace will prevail throughout the world – Hope that answers the question.

(Qtn. Contd…) So Zakir Bhai, if a Hindu follows the principles of Qur’an, which are very similar to the principles given in the various Hindu Religious books, can a Hindu call himself as a Muslim – or on the other hand, can a Muslim call himself as a Hindu, because the very topic of your lecture is Universal Brotherhood ? I properly understood Dr. Vyas, when he asked his question.

(Dr. Zakir) Very good question – brother has asked a very good question - If you ask a clear question, I can give a reply – Alhamdulillah. Brother has asked a very good question – Can a Hindu following the principles of Islam in the Qur’an – and Hinduism, be called as a Muslim, and can a Muslim be called as a Hindu – Very good. Let us understand the definition of the word ‘Muslim’ and a ‘Hindu.’ As I said… ‘Muslim is a person who submits his will to Allah (swt)’… Almighty God. What is the definition of the word ‘Hindu’ – Do you know? Hindu is a geographical definition – Any one living in India, anyone living on this side of the Indus valley civilization – he is a Hindu. By definition, I am Hindu – do you know that? Hindu is a geographical definition – You ask anyone – According to Swami Vivekananda, ‘Hindu is a Misnoma’. Geographically I am an Indian – I am a Hindu, geographically. But Swami Vivekananda said that…‘They should be called as Vedantist – They should not be called Hindus – Vedantist. If so you ask me ‘Am I geographically ‘Hindu’ ? Yes I am geographically Hindu – I am. But if you ask me… ‘Am I a Vedantist, following the Vedas?’ I said that… “ ‘Those parts of the Vedas which conciliates with the Glorious Qur’an – I have got no objection in following those parts – for example, ‘That there is one God.’ ” But if you say…‘I believe that Almighty God created the Brahmins from the head, a different caste which are superior caste, the Kshatriyas from the chest’. It is Veda I am quoting. If you do not believe in the Veda, it is your problem brother – but this is the Veda, I am quoting. You can ask the scholars… of Vedic scholars – they are sitting here… they are sitting here – Vedas say that – Not I. ‘The Vyashyas from the thighs, and the Shudras from the feet.’ I do not agree with this concept – that is right. So if you ask me…‘Do you believe in this philosophy of Veda’ – I say… ‘No’. This particular philosophy…

(Qtn. Contd…) According to you, anybody who inhabits this land, is a Hindu ?

(Dr. Zakir) Yes.

(Qtn. Contd…) According to you.

(Dr. Zakir) Yes, yes… Geographically I… I said that – Yes. The brother has rightly said that… ‘Anybody who inhabits India, has to be a Hindu’ – but naturally. Any one living in America, is a citizen of America – he has to be American. Very good – Alhamdulillah – so anyone… living…...

(Audience) Everyone is a Hindu here.

(Audience) Ye real brotherhood hai.

(Dr. Zakir) Yes, that is it. I agree with you brother – Geographically, everyone living in India, is a Hindu – So I completely agree with it. By the geographical definition if you say... if you say, that… ‘Anyone who lives in India is a Hindu’ – it is correct. Any scholar will agree­…Anyone living in India is a Hindu…Geographically I am Hindu. But because I stay in India… can I be a Muslim? – Yes.

(Audience) Please maintain it.

(Dr. Zakir) Of course. So a person – Can a Muslim be a Hindu ? Yes – If the Muslim is living in India, he can be a Hindu – but if a so called Hindu lives in America, he is not a Hindu – Do you know that? – he is an American. So ‘Hinduism’ cannot be called a Universal Religion…according to scholars – Hindu is a Religion of India only – it is not a Religion – it is a geographical definition. According to Swami Vivekananda who is a great scholar – he is said... ‘Hinduism is a Misnoma.’ You know ‘Misnoma’ ? – Misnoma means a wrong label given – They should be called as Vedantist. So if you ask me... ‘Am I a Hindu’? I will tell you... ‘If Hindu is a person living in India, by all means I am a Hindu – But if you say ‘Hindu’ is a person who worships... as the person said you know – that if you believe in so and so gods, who have got forms, etc., and have got heads and hands, etc., then I am not a ‘Hindu.’ But if you mean a geographical definition – ‘Yes I am a Hindu.’ Similarly, ‘Can a Hindu be a Muslim’? Yes, an Indian can be a Muslim – A Hindu can be a Muslim. But if that Indian... if that Indian does idol worship, he cannot be a Muslim - Because the Qur’an says in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, V. 48, and Surah Nisa, Ch. 4 V, 116, that ‘Allah (swt) never forgives the sin of committing shirk, associating partners’. Any other sin, if He wishes, He may forgive, but shirk He will never forgive.’ So an Indian, living in India – ‘Geographical Hindu’... can be a Muslim. But if that ‘Geographical Hindu’...‘Indian’, breaks any commandments… that is the basics of concept of God… believe in Prophet Mohammed (SAWS) – then he cannot be a Muslim. Any Muslim who follows the Qur’an and lives in India – he is an Indian Muslim. Hope it is very clear for you.

(Qtn. Contd…) Two things I want to make very clear – First, you might not have properly heard me.

(Dr. Mohammed) Brother… I thing as far as the Question-Answer session goes, we will allow normally one question. You put your question completely as a question, rather than lecture – and let the speaker answer. After the Question-Answer session is over… after the program is over – And when others who might not be interested in discussion – we will welcome discussion after the program…So every one else is not blocked up one question – and we give opportunities to many other people – Yes Advocate Hegde.

(Advocate Hegde) This is a Question-Answer session, and not a debate – What you are doing, is like a debate. If anybody has a question, the speaker will give the answer.

(Qtn. Contd…) We got the answer to our questions – But we are got not satisfied.

(Advocate Hegde) Then you can sit down and let someone else ask a question.

(Brother) Yes, it is alright … We do not mind – But, another question is.

(Dr. Mohammed) Brother, Brother excuse me, I will put forward the question on the slip – Mr. Mehta’s…

(Q) Why are most of the Muslims, fundamentalists and terrorists?

(Dr. Zakir) The question posed is, by brother Mehta…‘Why are most of the Muslims fundamentalists and terrorist?’ The question is posed… I give the answer – If you like it you take it, if you do not like it, leave it. Qur’an says in Surah Baqarah, Ch. 2, V. No. 256 …(Arabic)… ‘There is no compulsion in Religion - Truth stands out clear from error’. I have to present the truth to you – If you like it, you take…if you do not like it, reject it – No problem. ‘There is no compulsion is Religion’ …(Arabic)… Surah Baqarah Ch. 2, V. 256. Brother Mehta has asked a question, that...‘Why are most of the Muslim fundamentalist, why are they terrorist ? What is the meaning of the word…‘fundamentalist’? ‘Fundamentalist’ is a person who follows the fundamentals. For example… a person to be a good mathematician, he should know, he should follow, and practice the fundamentals of Maths. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of Maths, to be a good ‘Mathematician’. For a person to be good Scientist... he should know, he should follow, and practice the fundamentals of ‘Science’. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of Science, to be a good Scientist. For a person to be a good Doctor, he should know, he should follow and practice the fundamentals of medicine. He should be a fundamentalist in the field of medicine, to be a good Doctor. You cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. You cannot say...‘All fundamentalists are bad’ or ‘All fundamentalists are good’. For example, you are fundamentalist robber, who is expert in the field of robbing. But, he is harmful for the society – he robs the people, and does not promote brotherhood – he is not a good human being. On the other, hand you a fundamentalist doctor – who follows and practices the fundamentals of medicine, and he cures the sickness of human beings – he is a good person, he helps the human being. So you cannot paint all fundamentalists with the same brush. Regarding...‘Muslims are fundamentalist’ – I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim, because I know, I follow and Alhamdulillah strive to practice the fundamentals of Islam – I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim. And every Muslim to be a good Muslim, should be a fundamentalist Muslim – otherwise he cannot be a good Muslim. Every Hindu to be a good Hindu, he should be a fundamentalist Hindu... otherwise he will not be a good Hindu. Every Christian, to be a good Christian, he should be fundamentalist Christian – otherwise he won’t be a good Christian. Regarding...‘Is a fundamentalist Muslim, good or bad?’ – That is the question. Alhamdulillah, the fundamentals of Islam – There is not a single fundamental of Islam, which is against humanity. So far, many of the brothers posed certain questions, because of the misconceptions – Because of the misconceptions you may think, that this teaching of Islam is wrong. Like brother said that... ‘Having cow is wrong’ – And I gave the answer – Brother said about certain thing, and I gave the answer. So a person who has lack of knowledge, he may think that there are certain fundamentals of Islam, which are wrong. But if anyone who has the knowledge of Islam – there is not a single teaching of Islam, which goes against humanity, goes against society. I challenge anyone – Not only this audience, in the full universe – to point out to me a single – a single teaching of Islam, which is against the basics of humanity – A single. Some people may feel bad, but as a whole the teaching of Islam is best for Universal Brotherhood, to promote humanity. There is not a single teaching, and I challenge again…anyone from the audience – they can ask me questions – I will clarify the misconception, Insha-Allah when the time comes. Brother, next question you can pose. One question at a time – when your turn was there you don’t reply. See the thing is that you have to follow certain rules – the mike was empty for half an hour – no one come up. I told the brother, you most welcome – you stand on the mike – No one comes – You can keep on asking one – one question – Every third question will be your question. No problem…You can ask as many… as much as the time, as the auditorium has been hired for – there is no problem – so I am proud to be a fundamentalist Muslim. But if you read the definition of ‘fundamentalism’ in the Webster’s dictionary, it says that... ‘Fundamentalism was a movement which was started in the early twentieth century, by a group of Christians... the Protestants in America, who protested and said that…‘Not only is the Bible... the teachings of Bible is, the word of God – but every letter of the Bible, is verbatim, the word of God’. So ‘Fundamentalism’ was first used for a group of Protestant Christians in America, who protested and said that…‘Every letter, word, of the Bible is the word of God’. If any human being who can prove that every word of the Bible is the word of God, then the movement is good. But if someone can prove that every word of the Bible is not the word of God, then the movement is not a good movement. But if you read the Oxford dictionary – What is the meaning of the word ‘Fundamentalist?’ ‘Fundamentalism’ according to Oxford dictionary means...‘Strictly adhering to ancient laws of any Religion, especially Islam’. In Oxford dictionary they write... ‘Especially Islam’. The word ‘Especially Islam’ is there in the latest edition of Oxford dictionary. That means...‘Fundamentalist’ – Immediately you think of a ‘Muslim’ – Why? The media is bombarding people that...‘You know… that these Muslims – they are fundamentalists, they are terrorists’. The moment you think of a ‘fundamentalist’ – immediately the people starting thinking of a ‘Muslim’ – Start thinking of the word ‘terrorist’. What is the meaning of the word ‘terrorist’? A ‘terrorist’ is a person who causes terror… who cause terror – And sometimes for peace to prevail, you may have to cause terror. When a robber sees the police, he is terrified – so for the robber, the police is the terrorist – Right or wrong? I am speaking English – I am not playing around with words – I am speaking English. ‘Terrorist’ is a person who causes terror. So for the robber, for the criminal, for the anti-social element, the police is a terrorist. In this context, every Muslim should be a terrorist – In context… Should be a terrorist, for the anti-social element. Whenever an anti-social element sees a Muslim, he should be terrified – Any robber sees a Muslim, he should be terrified, any rapist sees a Muslim, he should be terrified. But I do agree that ‘terrorist’ is a word normally used for terrorizing the common people, the innocent, people. In that context, no Muslim should be a terrorist – he should not terrorise innocent people. But where anti-social elements are concerned, where robbers are concerned, where criminals are concerned – as policemen are terrorists to the criminals – even the Muslim should be a terrorist to the criminal. And if you analyse, many a time, two different labels are given to the same person, for his same activity. For example, you know there were many Indians who fought for the freedom of India – When the Britishers ruled India, there were many Indians who fought for the freedom of India. The Britishers called them as ‘Terrorists… these people are terrorists’ – But we Indians, we call these freedom fighters, as ‘Patriots’ – Right or wrong? ‘Patriots’ – they fought for the freedom of the country. Same people, same activity – two different labels. The Britishers called them as ‘Terrorist’ – the Indian citizens call them as ‘Patriots’... ‘Freedom fighters’. Same activity, same person – two different labels. So before you give a label, you should first analyse, that which view do you adhere to. If you agree with the British view, that the British government had a right to rule over India, then you would call these people as ‘terrorists’. But if you agree with the Indian citizens, that the Britishers – they came to do business, and they started ruling us unlawfully, then you will call these people as freedom fighters. So before you give any label to any particular person, you should analyse which view do you have. Same people can be given two different views, by different people. In this context I would say…‘Every Muslim should be a fundamentalist, where Islam is concerned – because every teaching of Islam promotes human values, and humanity, and Universal Brotherhood’. Hope that answers the question.

(Q) I am doctor Devery, from Bhiwandi College. Well, every Religion is a supreme science of life. Nothing is wrong, so far as the principles of Religions are concerned – but the formulation of principles is a different thing, and execution of these principles, is a different thing. Actually where there is no relationship of blood – the relationship is to established by the Religions. Actually what we find – I quote …(Sanskrit)… Ees sansar mein shanti prastapit honein ke baad, ashanti mat phaylaon – yeh paygaam hamein mila hai. But actually what we find, what we realize, what we experience is this – the maximum blood is wasted only on account of the conflicts in the Religions. So where is the wrong? – I mean , what are your views about this? How would you reconcile the principles of Religion, and this chaos which arises on account of Religion? What are your views on this particular aspect – Thank you.

(Dr. Zakir) The Professor has asked a very good question, that in all Religions basically speak good things, but the implementation may be different – they teach good things. But today you see in the world – many people are fighting on the name of Religion – How can you solve this problem? It is a very good question – and part of the answer I gave in my talk. And I said that as far as Islam is concerned, we should not kill any human being – Surah Maidah, Ch. 5, V. 32. How can you see to it that we can come to common terms? – How can we solve the differences? That I also, I mentioned in my talk, in Surah Imran, Ch. 3, V. 64 which says that …(Arabic)… ‘that come to common terms as between us and you’. If suppose you have ten points, and I have got ten points – If out of those ten points, if five points are common, and five are different – I at least agree with those five points which are common – the differences, we will come to it later on. Qur’an says …(Arabic)…‘that come to common terms as between us and you’. Which is the first term? …(Arabic)… ‘that we worship none, but Allah’. …(Arabic)… ‘that we associate no partners with Him’. Say you rightly said…‘How to solve ?’ And I have given the methodology, how to solve…‘That come to common terms’. But the point to be noted here is, that many people who follow Religions, they do not know what their own Religious Scripture speaks – that is the problem. Many Muslims do not know what the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith speak; many Hindus do not know what Hindu Scriptures say; many Christians and Jews do not know what the Bible says. Who is to blame ? – Followers. Therefore I tell the people...‘You read your Scriptures’ The point of differences, we will come to it later on – at least come to the communalities. I have given a talk on ‘Similarities between Islam and Christianity’. I say...‘The things which we differ, we will come to it later on’. At least what your Bible and my Qur’an says – let us agree with those things which are common – Fight will be solved. What I am doing now – In my talk, did I ever criticize any religion? I was forced to reply, when certain brothers tried to ask certain questions – which I have to speak the truth. Other wise in my talk... you can take the video cassette – I did not criticize a single point on any Religion – I never spoke about the differences – I only came to common terms. Differences...I can give a talk on…‘Differences between Islam and Hinduism’; ‘Differences between Islam and Christianity’. I am a student of Comparative Religion – I can quote verses, Alhamdulillah from the various World Scriptures, talking about differences. I keep that when required…when someone tries to disturb the programme – We have to be well aware of these things. But I never use it in my talks – I never use it with the common man. I tell the common man... ‘You read your Scriptures – you will come closer to your Scriptures, and to Universal Brotherhood – Read your Scriptures. At least first believe in one God – the differences we will come to later on... the differences we will came to later on. Judaism says that, Christianity says that, Hinduism says that, Islam says that, Sikhism says that, Parsism says that…‘Believe in one God, and worship Him Alone’. Why do you worship other gods ? Come to that point… then come to other points. If we solve this problem of commonalities – If, even if there are three points common out of ten, at least agree on those common points – the other points we can agree to disagree – we will come to it later on. So if we come on the common points first, coming on the comparative studies, believe me most of the problems will be solved – Believe me… and that is what I am doing. I am going throughout the world, and I address audiences from Non-Muslims…and many of them, because they are not aware of their Scriptures... of our Scriptures, many people pose questions. Even Muslims are not aware of their Scriptures – So they pose questions which they are not aware of. So I educate them – I educate them about Qur’an, about Hadith... about Vedas, about Bible. And I quote – when I quote, I give the reference number – So no one can say... ‘Oh Zakir is pulling a fast one’. And all these Scriptures I quoted – it is available in the Islamic Research Foundation. Our library has the various translations of Vedas. We have hundreds of types of Bibles – more than thirty different versions of the Bible… we have – Alhamdulillah. So whichever sect you belong to – whether you are Jehovah’s Witness or Protestants or Catholics – I speak from their Scriptures. So if you say that...‘Zakir is wrong’ – You have to say that...‘the Holy Scripture is wrong’. I quote… and most of my talks are quotations – Quotations from various Scriptures. If you disagree with the Scriptures – that is your choice. If you want to disagree, you are most welcome to disagree – because Qur’an says …(Arabic)… There is no compulsion in Religion – Truth stands out clear from error. So I am presenting the truth of Hinduism to you – So if you want to agree... agree – Do not want to agree, do not agree. There is a Symposium... the third cassette from there – Symposium on ‘Concept of God on Islam, Hinduism, and Christianity’. People may call it a debate – A Hindu Pundit from Kerala and Calicut; A Christian father of Calicut; I myself presented the Islam’s view. Four and a half hours debate… it is available outside – Scholars of Hinduism, of Christianity – I am just a student…I am presenting my view – and it is for the audience to judge. I am talking about ‘Similarities’ – quoting their Scriptures – Chapter number, Verse number, Chapter number, Verse number. The best way to call all the human beings to unite, is find the commonalities – Speak about the differences later on. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question would be from the slip – Then if the sister will allow, there is one Raj Malhotra – he is asking…‘If Islam is a Religion of peace, then how come it was spread by the sword ?’

(Dr. Zakir) The question posed was…‘If Islam is a Religion of peace… how come it was spread by the sword.?’ Islam comes from the root word ‘Salam’, which means ‘Peace’. It also means ‘Submitting your will to Allah (swt)... Almighty God’. In short, Islam means… ‘Peace, acquired by submitting your will to Allah (swt)’. But as I mentioned earlier, everyone in the world does not want peace to prevail in the world. There are certain anti-social elements... for their own benefit, they do not want peace to prevail… the robbers, the criminals – If peace will prevail, they will go out of business – So for their own benefits, there are certain human beings, who do not want peace to prevail. So for such type of people, force may have to be used – therefore we have police, etc. So, Islam is for peace – but sometimes you may have to use force, to put the anti social elements in their place. And the best answer to this question…‘That Islam was spread by the sword’, is given by Delay See Olary – He is a Non-Muslim historian, of great repute. In his book – ‘Islam at the Cross Roads’, on page number eight, he says that… ‘History makes it clear, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping across the world, forcing Islam at the point of the sword, over conquered races, is the most fantastic absurd myth, that historians have ever repeated’ – Delay See Olary, page number eight – Book…‘Islam at the Cross Roads’. I am asking you a question that...‘We Muslims, we ruled Spain for about eight hundred years – later on the Crusaders came, and they wiped out the Muslims. There was not a Muslim who could openly give the Adhan... the call for prayers – We did not use any force. You know, we Muslims, we ruled the Arab lands for about fourteen hundred years – for a few years the Britishers came, for a few years the French came – but overall the Muslims were the lordship of the Arab land, for fourteen hundred years. Do you know, today there are fourteen million Arabs, who are Coptic Christians? ‘Coptic Christian’ means, they are Christians through generations since generations. If the Muslims wanted, they could have converted every Non-Muslim at the point of the sword – we did not do it. The fourteen million Arabs who were Coptic Christians, are giving witness, that Islam was not spread by the sword. You know India – India was ruled for hundreds of years by the Muslims – We did not use the sword... we did not use the sword. If few people do a wrong thing, you cannot catch up those people, and blame the Religion for that… If few people do not follow the Religion. You cannot say that Christianity is bad, because Hitler insinuated six million Jews. If Hitler insinuated six million Jews, burnt six million Jews, you can not blame Christianity for that – There may be black sheep in every community. But we Muslims, we ruled India for hundreds of years – If we wanted, we could have forced every Non-Muslim to convert, at the point of the sword. We did not do it – The Non-Muslims of India today... more than eighty percent – they are giving Shahada, they are giving witness – you Non-Muslims present here, are giving witness that Islam was not spread by the sword. You are giving witness – we had the power… we did not do it – Islam does not believe in that. Today the country which has the maximum number of Muslims, is Indonesia – Which Muslim army went to Indonesia? Which Muslim army went to Malaysia… which has fifty five percent of population of Muslims? Which Muslim army went to the east coast of Africa? – Which Muslim army? Which sword? Thomas Carlye gives the reply – Thomas Carlye… he writes in his book… ‘Heroes and Hero worship’ that... ‘You have to get this sword – Little good will it do, that he should spread with the sword. Every new opinion initially begins in the mind of one – One man in the whole world – One man against all the human beings. It will do little good, that he picks up a sword and propagates it.’ – Which sword? Even if we had the sword, we cannot use it – Even if we had the mental sword, we cannot use it. Qur’an says in Surah Baqarah, Ch. 2, V. 256 …(Arabic)… ‘There is no compulsion in Religion – Truth stands out clear from error’. Anyone who grasps the hands of Allah (swt) and rejects the evil, he has held the most strong hand hold, that never breaks. Anyone who believes in Allah... Allah will take him from darkness to light. Anyone who believes in the satan the evil one, he will take him from lightness to dark.’ Which sword? – Sword of the intellect. Qur’an says in Surah Nahl Ch. 16, V. 125 …(Arabic)… ‘Invite all to the way to thy Lord, with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them, and reason with them, in the ways that are best and most gracious.’ There was a article that came in the ‘Plain Truth’ Magazine - It was a reproduction of ‘The Readers Digest Al Manager Book’ 1986. It gave the statistics of the increase of the world Religions, between 1934 to 1984. In the 50 years, number one increase in major Religion’s was Islam; two hundred and thirty five percent; 235%. I am asking you... ‘Which war took place between 1934 and 1984, which converted millions of Non-Muslims to Islam? Which war? Do you know, today the fastest growing Religion in America, is Islam? – Who is forcing the Americans to convert at the point of the sword? The fastest growing Religion in Europe, is Islam – Who is forcing them at the point of the sword? Qur’an gives the answer in no less than three different places, in Surah Tawbah, Ch. 9, V. No. 33; In Surah As Saff, Ch. 61, V. No. 9; and Surah Fath, Ch. 48, V. 28, the Glorious Qur’an says …(Arabic)… Allah says that... ‘Allah has send His messenger with Truth, and with Guidance, so that it will prevail over all the other ways of life, over all the other religions.’ Islam is destined to supersede all, master them all, overcome them all. …(Arabic)… ‘Enough is Allah as a Witness’. And I would like to end this answer, by the giving the quotation of Adam Peirson. Dr Adam Peirson said that...‘People who fear that one day nuclear weaponry will fall in the hands of the Arabs; they fail to realize that the Islamic bomb has already been dropped – It fell the day Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was born.’

(Dr. Mohammed) There is question from brother Sunil – he asks...‘When Islam preaches Universal Brotherhood, then how come Muslims themselves are divided into sects.’

(Dr. Zakir) The question posed is that, when Islam preaches Universal Brotherhood, how come Muslims are divided into various sects ? The answer is given in the Glorious Qur’an, in Surah Al Imran, Ch. No. 3, V. No. 103, it says …(Arabic)… ‘Hold to the rope of Allah strongly, and be not divided’. Which is the rope of Allah? The Glorious Qur’an, is the rope of Allah (swt). It says that the Muslims should hold to the rope of Allah… the Glorious Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith, and they should not be divided. And the Qur’an says as I mentioned earlier, in Surah Anam, Ch. 6, V. 159, that... ‘Anyone who divides the Religion into sects – you have nothing to do with him. Allah will tell him about their affairs, on the day of judgment’. That means, it is prohibited for anyone to make sects in the Religion of Islam. But when you ask, certain Muslims...‘What are you?’ Some say...‘I am a Hanifi’, some say...‘I am Shafi’, some say...‘I am a Hambli’, some say... ‘I am a Maliki’. What was our beloved Prophet ? Was he Shafi ?… was he Hambli ?… Was he Maliki ?… What was he ? He was a Muslim. The Qur’an says in Surah Al Imran, Ch. 3, V. 52 that... ‘Jesus (pbuh) was a Muslim.’ The Qur’an says in Surah Al Imran, Ch. 3, V. No. 67 that... ‘Abraham (pbuh) was a Muslim’. And what was our beloved Prophet? – He was a Muslim. The Qur’an says in Surah Fussilat, Ch. 41, V. No. 33 …(Arabic)… ‘Who is better in speech, than one who invites people to the way of thy Lord, works righteousness, and says I am if those who bow to the will Allah’. Those who way say...‘I am a Muslim’. So when anyone poses a question...‘What are you ?’ – You should say...‘I am a Muslim’. I have no objection if someone says...‘I believe in certain verdicts, certain views given by great scholars like Abu Hanifah, Imam Shafi, Imam Malik, Ahmed Ibn Hambal – May Allah be pleased with them all – I respect all these great scholars. If someone agrees with certain views of Imam Shafi sometimes, (may Allah be pleased with him) – Sometimes Abu Hanifah, (may Allah be pleased with him) – I have got no objection. But if anyone poses a question…‘What are you ?’ – You should say...‘You are a Muslim’. And as the brother said earlier, that Qur’an says – ‘There will be seventy three sects’. What he was referring to, is a saying of our beloved Prophet – It is mentioned in Abu Dawood, Hadith number 4579 – it says that...‘The Religion of Islam will be divided into seventy-three sects. But if you note the wordings of Prophet Muhammed (saws)... Muhammed (pbuh), he said that… ‘The Religion will be divided’ – He did not say… ‘You should divide the Religion’. He is prophesing – though the Qur’an says.. ‘Do not be divided’ – the Muslims are bound to divide. And there is another Hadith which is mentioned in Trimidi H. No. 171 – the beloved Prophet said...‘There will be seventy three firkas...Seventy three sects, and all will go to hell, except for one’. And the companions asked... ‘Which one?’ The Prophet said... ‘The one that is on the path of the Prophet, and the companions – One that follows the Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. So anyone who follows the Qur’an and the Hadith, is on the true path – Islam does not believe in division. Every person… he is a Muslim – Anyone who follows the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith, is a Muslim – And Islam is against dividing the Religion into sects and divisions. So if you read the Qur’an and Sahih Hadith – Muslims should be united on the basis of Qur’an and Sahih Hadith. Hope that answer the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) Yes brother – We will allow two questions before we have the impressions of our chief guest, and the Presidential address by Advocate Hingorane – Yes brother.

(Q) I am a retired teacher…Laxman Dokras Guruji – I want to ask…‘What is the exact remedy to increase the Universal Brotherhood?’ For which subjects we have to give priority – either for Religion, or Sociology, or Politics – Will you please tell me... please kindly, what is?

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has asked a question that, what is the priority to spread Universal Brother – Is it Religion, is it Sociology, is it dealing with Politics? Brother I have given a talk based on that full topic – I do not have to repeat the same thing – My answer will be the same. The priority to spread Universal Brotherhood, in all the Religions, is…‘To believe in one God, and worship Him alone’ – that is the basic priority. I have repeated that in the talk, I have repeated in answers to several questions, and I am repeating it again. The basic priority is not Sociology or Politics – that come later on. Politics deals with ‘Brotherhood’ which is limited, Sociology...which is limited. Belief in one God, is Universal – He is the one who created all human beings, whether male or female, whether black or white, whether rich or poor. So if you believe in one God, and worship Him alone, then there will only be Universal Brotherhood – Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) The next question is something connected – One brother Prabhu is asking... ‘All the Religions basically preach good things – thus a person can follow any one of the Religions - it is one and the same?

(Dr. Zakir) The question posed is that…‘All the Religions basically teach good things – So you can follow any Religion – it is one and the same ?’ And I do agree with him in the first part of the question – that all Religions do basically preach good things. For example all Religions say...‘You should not rob, you should not molest a woman, you should not rape her’ – Hinduism says that, Christianity says that, Islam says that. But the difference between Islam and the other Religions is, that Islam – besides speaking of good things, it shows you a way how to implement those good things. Like all Religions speak about ‘Brotherhood’ – but Islam practically shows you – it demonstrates how to practice it in your day to day life – Salah, Hajj, etc. So Islam, besides speaking theoretically, it shows you a way how to practice it in your life. For example, Hinduism says…‘You should not rob’; Christianity says… ‘You should not rob’ ; Islam says…‘You should not rob’ – So what is the difference between Islam and the other Religions. Islam shows you a way how to achieve that state, in which people will not rob. Islam has a system of Zakat – that is, every rich person who has a saving of more than the Nisab level, 85 grams of gold – he or she should give 2.5% of that excess wealth, in charity, every lunar year. If every rich human being gives charity, poverty will be eradicated from this world – There will not be a single human being who will die of hunger. After this, the Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Maidah, Ch. No. 5, V. No. 38... ‘As to the thief, be it a man or a woman – chop of his of her hand, as a punishment from Allah (swt)’. Some people may say...‘Chopping of the hands…in this age of twentieth century – Islam is a barbaric Religion…It is a ruthless law’. And I know, that there are thousands of people who rob – So if you chop off all the people, then many people will lose their hands. But the law is so strict, that the moment you implement it, and if a person comes to know that his hands will be chopped off if he robs, immediately the thought of robbing will go away from his mind. Do you know, today America which happens to be one of the most advanced country in the world – Unfortunately it also has one of the highest rates of crime – Highest rate of robbery and theft. I am asking you a question…‘If you implement the Islamic Shariah in America – that is every rich person gives Zakat, 2.5% of his excess wealth in charity, and after that, if any man or woman robs – Chop off his or her hands’. I am asking you a question...‘Will the rate of robbery and theft in America – will it increase, will it remain the same, or will it decrease?’ It will decrease – It is a practical law. You implement the Shariah, and you get results. Let me give you another example – that most of the major Religions say that...‘You should not molest a woman, that you should not rape a woman’ – Hinduism says that, Christianity says that, Islam says the same. But Islam shows you a way how to achieve that state, in which people will not… men will not molest or rape a woman – Islam has a system of Hijab. People normally talk about Hijab for the woman – but Allah (swt) in the Glorious Qur’an first speaks about the Hijab for the man, and then for the women. The Glorious Qur’an says in Surah Nur Ch. No. 24, V. No. 30. that...‘Say to the believing man, that he should lower his gaze, and guard his modesty’. Whenever a man looks at a woman, and any brazen thought comes in his mind... any unashamed thought comes in his mind, he should lower his gaze. There was once a friend of mine, who was a Muslim friend, who was staring at a girl, for a long time. So I told him ‘Brother what are you doing? – It is prohibited in Islam to stare at a girl’. So he told me...‘Our beloved Prophet said that…‘The first glance is allowed – the second is prohibited’ – I have not yet completed half my glance. What did the, Prophet mean by saying ‘The first glance is allowed – the second is prohibited’. He did not mean that you could look at a woman, and stare continuously at her for twenty minutes, without blinking – What the Prophet meant…‘that if you look at a woman unintentionally’. ‘Intentionally do not look at her again…Do not feast on her’ – that is what the Prophet meant. The next verse speaks about the Hijab for the women – Surah Nur, Ch. 24, V. 31, says that...‘Say to the believing women, that she should lower her gaze and guard her modesty, and display not her beauty, except what appears ordinarily off, and to draw a head covering over the bosom. And display not her beauty, except in front of her husband, her father, her sons…’ etc. and a big list of mehram the close relatives, who she cannot marry, is given. And there are basically six criteria for Hijab. The first is the extent, which differs between the man and the woman. For the man, the extent is from the navel to the knee; for the woman, the complete body should be covered – the only part that can be seen, are the face and the hands, upto the wrist. Some scholars say...‘Even these should be covered’. The remaining five criteria are the same. The second is, the clothes they wear – it should not be so tight, that it reveals the figure. Third – it should not be transparent, so that you could see through. Fourth – it should not be so glamorous, that it attracts the opposite sex. Fifth – it should not resemble that of the unbeliever. Sixth – it should not resemble that of the opposite sex. These are basically six criteria for Hijab, mentioned in the Qur’an and the Sahih Hadith. And the Qur’an says in Surah Ahzab, Ch. 33, V. No. 59 – giving the reasons for Hijab. It says... ‘O Prophet, tell your wives and the believing women, that when they go abroad, they should put on the cloak – So that they shall be recognized, and it will prevent them from being molested.’ Qur’an says...‘Hijab has been prescribed for the women, so that it will prevent them from being molested’. And the Islamic Shariah says...‘If anyone rapes any women, he gets capital punishment’. People may say…‘Capital punishment, in this twentieth century – Islam is a barbaric Religion, it is a ruthless law…It is a barbaric Religion’. Do you know…America which happens to be the country which is supposed to be most advanced – it has one of the highest rate of rape? According to the statistics, it says that… ‘On an average, every day more than one thousand, nine hundred females are being raped everyday – Every 1.3 minutes, one female is raped.’ Since the time I am in this auditorium…it is more than two and half hours – How many rapes may have taken place... how many? More than a hundred, in America. I am asking you a question…‘If you implement the Islamic Shariah in America – that is, every man when he looks at a woman, he should lower his gaze – the woman should be properly dressed up in the Hijab – and after that, if any man rapes – Capital punishment’. I am asking you a question…‘Will the rape increase, will it remain the same, or will it decrease?’ It will decrease – it is a practical law – you implement the Shariah, and you and get results. And I have been asking this questions to Non-Muslims that…‘Suppose someone rapes unfortunately... your wife, or your mother, and if you are made the Judge – and if the rapist is brought in front of you – what punishment will you give?’ And believe me all of them said...‘We will put him to death’. Some went to the extent of saying...‘We will torture him to death’. So why do you have these double standards? Someone rapes somebody else’s wife... Capital punishment is barbaric law – Someone rapes your wife... You want to give him Capital punishment. Why these double standards? And do you know – In India, according to the statistics of Crime Bureau… It says that...‘Every 54 minutes, one case of rape is reported in India’. How many taking place?…Every few minutes – may be one case. And no wonder, if you have read the papers of about ten days back, on the 20^th of October, the Home Minister of India, L. K. Advani – you know what he said? It came in headlines of ‘Times of India’... headlines – What it says, that... ‘Advani...Advani puts a death rap for rapes, and recommends an amendment in the law’ – Headline in ‘Times of India’, 20^th of October – 10 days back. On Tuesday, one day before, 27^th of October 1998, he said that...‘He wants death penalty for the rapist’. Alhamdulillah – What Islam has said 1400 years ago, L.K. Advani is saying that, and I am congratulate him for that – I am not here to promote any political party. I am not a Politician – but if someone speaks the truth, I have to appreciate it. And if you implement this, surely the rate of rape will diminish. May be the next Home Minister may implement the Islamic Hijab here also. So InshaAllah the rapes will be completely abolished. They are coming closer to Islam – I appreciate it. …(Arabic)…‘Come to common terms as between us and you’. Mr L.K. Advani realized that rape is increase in India – and he rightly recommended that the law should be amended – and death penalty should be put for the rapist – And I am for it – I am the first person Indian to support it. So if you analyse – Islam…besides speaking good things, it shows you a way how to achieve that state of goodness. Therefore I say, that Islam unlike other Religions which speak good things – it shows you a way how to achieve goodness. So therefore if I have to follow any Religion, I would follow a Religion which speaks good things and shows you a way how to achieve that good thing. Therefore it is rightly said in Surah Al Imran Ch. 3, V. No. 19 …(Arabic)… The only Religion acceptable in the sight of Allah (swt) is the person who submits his will to Allah (swt).

(Dr.Mohammed) Excuse me, we will not allow any further questions. Just one the basis of organisers, I have asked – Okay, he has requested that person also should be allowed – and two, three very brief questions - Yes you can put forward your question.

(Q) My name is, Manoj Raicha – my first question is under the name ‘Universal Brotherhood’, you are advertising Islam… and on the basis of that, please define your terms, when you are saying that ‘Universal Brotherhood’. You should – under the name ‘Universal Brotherhood’... you should accept brotherhood to all – whether ‘Muslims’... that is followers of Islam, and Non-Muslims... which you say ‘Kafir’, who do not – Otherwise for the term ‘Muslim brotherhood’ – it will be okay.

(Dr. Zakir) The brother has asked a question – that in the name of ‘Universal Brotherhood’, I am promoting Islam. Suppose if I have to say, that…‘You know the best cloth… I am promoting the best cloth in market.’ And suppose Raymonds, has to be the best cloth – So it is a fact, I am promoting Raymonds, if Raymond’s company is best.’ Any way I do not get any cut from Raymond – it is just an example…I am not a dealer of Raymonds. But if I say...‘The best cloth is Raymond’ – and if the talk is… ‘Which is the best cloth?’ I have to speak about that. Suppose I am giving a talk on...‘Who is the best doctor in the world ?’ – and if I have to take a person named ‘XYZ’ – and if he is a best doctor…I am promoting him... Yes. I am telling you that Islam is a Religion which speaks about ‘Universal Brotherhood’, and shows you a way how to achieve it. Regarding your question that – in ‘Universal Brotherhood’, can you call a Muslims and Non-Muslims as brothers – or only Muslim as brother? The ‘Universal Brotherhood’ of Islam is...‘All human beings are your brothers’ – I made it very clear in my talk – I am not mincing with words. I am very clear – may be, it may have slipped… you may not have heard it. I started my talk in Surah Hujurat, Ch. 49, V. 13. …(Arabic)… that... ‘O human kind, We have created you from a single pair of male and female, and I have divided you into nations and tribes, so that you shall recognise each other, not that you shall despise each other, and the most honoured in the sight of Allah, is the person who has takwa, who has righteousness, who has piety, who has God consciousness.’ In the Universal Brotherhood, all human beings – the person who as got piety, is one who has got takwah, righteousness. I have got two brothers – one is a good person – actually I have got one brother only – But suppose I have two brothers. One is a medical doctor – like this brother, and treating the patients, etc., curing – And the other brother is a drunkard, he is a rapist. Both are my brothers – Who is a better brother? A brother who is a doctor and treats the people, and does not cause harm to the society – the other brother…he is my brother, but he is not a good brother of mine. Similarly all human beings are my brothers – but those who are closer to me, are those who have takwa, who has righteousness, who has piety. Anyone who has piety, who has righteousness, who has God consciousness, is closer to me – It is very clear. I have said in my talk, and I repeat it – Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) Connected?

(Q) You have deferential Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. In all three Religions, there is good things for brotherhood – You have not explained brotherhood in Hinduism, brotherhood in Christianity?

(Dr. Zakir) The brother said that I have spoken good things about Islam... Universal Brotherhood – I have not spoken good things about Hinduism and Christianity. I did speak certain good things – I did not speak everything about brotherhood in Hinduism and Christianity, because people may not be able to digest it here. These things what I am saying, people cannot digest – I have to be patient. I know Christianity, I have studied the Bible; I have studied the Hindu Scripture ; if I speak on that – I am not here to create a rift. What I am here, to talk about the communalities – so what is common I spoke. Hinduism says...‘Do not rob’ – Christianity says...‘Do not rob’ – do not molest... do not rape’ – fine. Other things on Brotherhood – do you know, just a sample I am giving you – Jesus Christ (pbuh) said – it is mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew, Ch. No. 10, V. No. 5 to 6 – It says...I am quoting Chapter No., Verse No., quoting – there is no two doubts about it. He told the Apostles that…‘Go ye not in the way of the Gentiles – But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. Who are the Gentiles? The Non Jews, the Hindus, the Christians… they are the Gentiles. ‘Do not throw pearls before pigs’... he calls us a pig – And you want me to speak about that? Jesus Christ (pbuh) says in the Gospel of Matthew, Ch. No. 15, V. No. 24 – he says that...‘I have not been sent but, to the lost sheep of the house of Israel’. I am quoting – Chapter No., Verse Number. So this means that, Religion is meant for the Jews – not for the whole Universe. In other Religions, the believe in monasticism… in monasticism. If you have to come closer to God, you have to renounce the world... you have to renounce the world – Most of the Major Religions… Hinduism says that...Christianity says that…‘To come closer to God, you have to renounce the world’. Qur’an says in Surah Hadith, Ch. 57, V. No. 27, that…‘It is against Monasticism’. Monasticism is not allowed in Islam – Our beloved Prophet said…‘There is no Monasticism’. It is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. No. 7, in the Book of Nikah, Ch. No. 3, H. No. 4…‘O young people, whoever has the means to get married, should get married’ – Hadith says that. If I agree, that if you renounce the world, you came closer to Almighty God – and if every human being renounces the world today, then within a span of 100 to 150 years, there will not be a single human being alive in this world. If every one practices this law throughout the world, where is the Universal Brotherhood? Therefore brother, I am only come to talk about the good points – Unless you want to have knowledge about other Religions – it is my job – I have to speak the truth. Qur’an says in Surah Isra, Ch. No. 17, V. No. 81 …(Arabic)… ‘When truth is hurled against falsehood, falsehood perishes, for falsehood is by its nature, bound to perish’. Hope that answers the question.

(Dr. Mohammed) The chief guest has requested…‘Do not allow any further questions – nor from the mikes, neither from here’ – We now go into the next session. Now we will have the respected – Advocate Prabhakar Rao Hegde, presenting his impression – as a chief guest.

(Prabhaker Rao Hegde) Dr. Zakir Naik and friends – I limit my privilege to be here this morning, to hear this talk by Dr. Zakir Naik, the President of the Islamic Research Foundation – and I was really impressed by it. I am a Hindu, but do not go to the temple – neither introduce Religion in my politics – I belong to the Congress. Here, those who came to here Dr. Zakir Naik should have seen and realized that he is a person who has to do with Islam Religion – and he is asked to speak only on Islam Religion – and I feel it very unhappy, that some of the people who introduce Religion in politics, tried to obstruct his speech, by asking inconvenient questions ? May I ask them a question...‘Have they read Vedas, have they read Upanishads, have they read any of the Religious Scripts – or because it is convenient to be a Hindu, to come in power, they want to canvas Religion? My submission is… mostly respectful submission is…‘Here, I came to hear a Muslim scholar on the topic – what his Religion wants to convey – whether I accept or I do not accept, is another thing. But I will tell you, that the Hindu Religion is there for thousands of years, and Islam Religion has come fourteen hundred years back. It is a Religion which has come up, after seeing this torture done by other Religions, of the people of the world – And therefore that is the Religion which is more Socialistic – and has given the method also, how to implement. I remember in 1978, when I contested from Thane , from this Bhiwandi, I met my friend Ishaq Narbe…Advocate – and he gave me the translation of Qur’an in English, which I had gone through, before I contested election. I still remember that I read the contribution of the Muslims in the freedom movement of India – a book written by author. And I have to tell my friends here, who are talking about the Religion in Hinduism – that it was the Wahabis, who first stood against the British in 1833. It was not the Hindus that collected together to fight the battle of Independence – It was the Muslims who fought the battle of independence. It is unfortunate that we do not – both of us do not go together – It is unfortunate for this country that – But it is really equally unfortunate, that some persons want to canvas it, and make it a point in politics to introduce Religion. I am really impressed by the speech…I have learnt a lot – Not that I agree with whatever he has said. It is a way of thinking, and certainly deserves a serious consideration, and I am thankful to him – I thank you all.

(Dr. Mohammed) May I now request, respected Advocate K.R. Hingorane, to present his presidential address.

(K. R. Hingorane) Dr. Naik, Hegde Saheb, my friends, I am really honoured to have been asked to preside over this function – though ofcourse in a vacancy filling manner. But even then, I am really proud to be here, and associated with the thoughts which are expressed by Dr. Naik. I am not an expert on any Religion…either mine or of Dr. Zakir’s – but one thing I can claim, that I was born in a place, where Islam was first brought in to the shores of India – I come from Province known as Sind. For the first time in my life, I have heard a Muslim scholar – though I have heard so many Muslim Maulanas – who can understand and really read the things comparatively, not only from an exclusive point of view – as normally it is misunderstood by us…‘that Islam is a exclusive Religion, only meant for compartmental people, who believe in certain things – and who disbelieve in other things. When he said that...‘We should bring out the communalities, the common things between the different Religions first, and then disagree upon the points, which we do not agree upon’ – I think this one of the best statement that I have heard in my life. Once I have heard Dr. Radhakrshnan speaking in the same manner, on the comparative Religions of India – and after that, after about 50 years, I heard Dr. Naik’s speech – that there are certain common things. And really there are certain common things...and really there are certain common things, because when he spoke about the Taqwa – it is a Arabic word – I think that is the pronunciation, and he is said…‘It is God-consciousness’ – I was reminded of my own Shivaism…Kashmiri Shivaism, which also talks about the ‘God-consciousness, as being the fundamental force in life – that everything emanates from it; It is not born, it is not created, it is not come out of a womb of a woman, it is self evident swambho, it is there in existence since time immemorial – When the time has not started, Shiva was there’ – And when he talked about ‘God-consciousness’, I was reminded of that. Hinduism as such, is not restricted only to Vedanta’ or – The four Vedas are also very difficult to understand – Of course he has studied them – I bow before his scholarliness, and I feel that what he says is correct. And I quite agree with him, that Hindu word is a geographical connotation, and I am proud to say that it came into existence, because of the Sindh. When the foreigners came to India, they tried to cross the Indus River – specially Sikandar – and he said that ‘it is Sindhus’. It is... it was… it was told to him, that the name of this river was ‘Sindhu’ – and being an Iranian or a Unani, he could not pronounce ‘Sindhu’ – he said... ‘It is Hindu’. After ‘Hindu’, they called ‘Seven rivers’ – as after Hindu…‘Seven rivers’ – So I am proud that the word ‘Hindu’ has come, because the ‘Sindh’ was there. And really in India, we need this type of thing, because much misconception has gone there, that…‘Muslims are terrorists’ – Somebody asked the question. I mean, I think, this is the most reprehensible statement that was ever made, that...‘Muslims are terrorists’. This is all nonsense, and it should be curbed – and it is because of this, that we feel that we are so insecure in this country. You cannot read a Muslim as a ‘terrorist’, because he is a Muslim – he is a ‘fundamentalist’ – If he is a fundamentalist of the colour of Dr. Naik, I welcome him – I welcome him to my house. And you must also know – Of course, I have to talk about these things, which I never wanted… which I never wanted – because when I came, I have done some spiritual experience by his talk. But then recently, two three days back, there was news in the paper, that the front man for the person in Dubai, is a Hindu. I am referring to Dr. Ramesh Sharma – he is the man, who they claim to be the person who coordinated all the works of Dawood sitting in…Now whom will you say…‘A Hindu is a terrorist, or a Muslim is a terrorist’. Therefore please forget these things – forget about Muslims have been there – Bad things from Muslims were there – Bad things from Hindus were there – and they need to be improved. But you cannot say, or hold anything against Dr. Naik, for what Alauddin Khilji did in his time, or what Aurangzeb did to his brothers, or what Akbar did – These things are nonsense…These are facts of History, which you have to glance over. You want to live in this country – try to understand the common things between the party – bring them out. I request Dr. Naik to go into Hindu congregations, and try to make them understand what Islam stands for. And as per my personal belief is concerned, I think Islam is one of the greatest things that have happened to this world. Thank you very much for giving me this honour, and hearing me out.

(Dr. Mohammed) Now we will conclude with the vote of thanks by Maulana Ataullah.

(Maulana Ataullah). Assalamualaikum wa Rahmatullah wa barkatahu. Main zyada waqt na lete huain, Aqsa Educational Society ke janib se, aap sabhi hazrat ka beshumal shajre jalsa, mehman e khusasi, mukkarrery aur digre aye huan mahmano ka aur tamam samaeen ka Aqsa Educational Society ki janib se shukhriyaan ada karta hoon, aur Allah se dua karta hoon ke Allah tabaraka wa taala hamein nadir ayse mauke muhaiya kare, ke ham ek dusre ke saat mil karke baythe, aur ek doosre ko samaj ne ki koshish karein. Dr. Saheb ki takreer ka oonwan dakawlein Allama hali ke zuban wohi tha, ke yen pahela sabika tha Kitabe Huda ka… Ke makluk kumba hai sari Khuda ka – Khalaiq se rishte ho jisko, weli ka, who mahboob hai Khaiqe doosra ka’. Ab main phir ek bar mazid main, deedar hazrat ka shukriya karte huen aapse rukhsat hota hoon.