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A Reply to Kathleen Parker:
MUSLIMS ARE NOT DOG HATERS
BY AMIR ABDALLAH YASIN
AMIR OF THE NATIONAL AMIRATE OF MASJID BAYTUL-KHALIQ, USA
On December 4th, 2002, the St. Croix Avis published a religiously
bigoted article written by Columnist Kathleen Parker entitled: "In
Islamic Countries, dogs dream of U.S." She states: "Our enemies
(meaning Muslims) are passionate dog haters". She says: "Those who
despise us are the nations of: Oh, boy, there is a cute little doggy.
Let's kill it!" It is my expectation the Avis Editor(s) will publish
this necessary response, in its entirety, as it would if Judaism or
Christianity had been so maligned. Kathleen Parker then takes,
possibly, "out of context", an (alleged) extreme remark of a supposed
Iranian leader and brands 1.5 billion people with it! She then speaks,
as with knowledge, of the Qur'aan, and with total ignorance of the
Sunnah of MuHammad (Blessings of Allah be upon him and Peace), which
she ignorantly declares are "the collection of sayings of the
followers of MuHammad that largely informs Islamic Law" (whatever that
means)! She then misstates a Hadeeth about a dog licking an eating
utensil. Next, after making a case against the Talibaan & Wahhabi
sects, which share a so-called "Salafi" dialectic (who comprise less
than 5% of the Muslim world), and Saddam Hussein, none of whom are
true representatives of Islam (according to The Qur'aan and/or the
Prophet's teachings) she unbelievably makes the stupid inference that
Muslims are mass murderers! Then she attempts to demonize the global
culture of Islam by claiming that it is a culture, which hates and
mistreats dogs! Finally she uses alleged sayings from some ignoble
Shi'ite Iranian (the Shi'ite sect comprises less than 5% of the Muslim
world), of dubious Islamic character and practice, to confirm her
bigotry and jingoist attitude against Islam and Muslims. Having spewed
her ignorance, learned from other ignorant people, God-willing, I wish
to set her and the record straight.
Muslims are legendary for their code of cleanliness. Muslims took
Greek thought (which was stolen from the Ethiopians) and existent
sciences and developed them to the level of excellence that has
brought the world to the technological level it has thus far achieved!
From the 8th century on, Muslims of Africa (a predominantly Muslim
continent), the Mid-East & Spain (Andalusia) taught Europeans (who
came in great numbers to study) the essentials of advanced sciences
AND hygiene! [Point of Interest: This era's Western scholars and
engineers, as they have in the past, have used every technological
resource (computers, etc.) to disprove the authenticity of the Qur'aan
being God' word. They have repeatedly failed. Some, thereafter, have
accepted Islam! In fact: Several times in The Qur'aan, Allah
challenges man to produce the like of it.]
Dogs are wonderful animals, but Islam teaches that their place is not
at the dinner table, nor wallowing in our beds, nor our living rooms.
Nor to be kissing human beings in the mouth, etc!
Dogs are unclean animals, which is why the Catholic Church, in 585 C.E.
forbade priests from keeping dogs. This was due to the dog's overt
expression of "sexual interest", their noise and their risk of
spreading disease. Although many European churches were initially made
to accommodate the presence of dogs during services, they were
eventually forbidden entry because dogs do not have the soul of
human-beings and therefore do not have the innate soulful qualities of
knowing right from wrong, good from bad, decency from indecency and
shame, etc. Dogs can only be trained and conditioned. Thus, with their
unfailing faithfulness to master and family, some have become great
companions, rescuers and generally helpful to humans.
The nearly eighteen Sunni/Orthodox (established) Schools of Islamic
Thought have been condensed over the centuries into Four. Named after
their extraordinary leaders, some of whom could recall from memory
over 500,000 individual Hadeeth. These existent Sunni Schools, which
make over 90% of the Muslim world, are the schools of Hanafi (b. 80
Hijra*, d. 150 Hijra*), Maaliki (b. 95 H, d. 179 H), Shaafi'i (b. 150
H, d. 204 H) and Hanbal (b. 164 H, d. 241 H). [* Hijra = Date of
Prophet's migration from Makkah to Madinah on Monday, 12th
Rabu`ul-awwal, 622 C.E. This date begins the Islamic Calendar.]There
are two sects of note: the primary Shi'ah sect of Ja`fari and the
so-called Salafiyya sect of the Talibaan and the Saudis, which
developed out of the Saudi Wahhabi doctrine. Before I make the
necessary corrections to Kathleen Parker's bigoted article, it is
necessary that I explain that the word Hadeeth literally means
communication, story, conversation: religious or secular, historical
or recent.
In Islam we have the Qur'aan, Hadeeth and Hadeeth Qudsi:
*The Qur'aan represents the exact unaltered word of God, Himself. It
cannot be translated. Therefore, The Qur'aan exists only in the Arabic
language, although its meaning has been rendered into other languages.
*A Hadeeth Qudsi (Holy Hadeeth) is like the text of the Bible, wherein
what God has said is transmitted to us, not in God's own words, but in
the words of the Prophet MuHammad or the words of the Biblical
Prophets or "inspired writers" of the Bible.
*General Hadeeth are basically transmissions of the Prophet MuHammad's
own words (which were inspired by Allah), his actions and what he
approved or disapproved from what his Companions did. These Hadeeths
represent the Prophet's Sunnah (his way, which provided guidance for
every facet of human life).
Therefore, "Hadeeth literature" means the literature which consists of
the narrations of the life of the Prophet (SAAWS) and the things
approved by him, literally: his way. Very rarely is the meaning
"broadened" to include the narrations of his Companions and/or their
Successors. It has never been so broadened, as ignorantly declared by
Kathleen Parker, to be a collection of sayings by the Prophet's (SAAWS)
followers.
The Science of Hadeeth literature was developed because "to err is
human". In reporting, narrating and recording the life and conduct of
the Prophet (SAAWS) some mistakes were committed even by the most
sincere scholars, not to speak of some unscrupulous men who
deliberately fabricated matters pretending to be associated with the
Prophet (SAAWS). Therefore, the Science of Hadeeth was developed to
evaluate every single statement ascribed to the Prophet (SAAWS). This
Science is extremely intricate. For example: If a man was ever known
to lie, nothing about the Prophet would ever be accepted from him. If
a Companion begin to lose his memory with age, that would be the
cutoff point for accepting anything, thereafter, from him. In Islamic
lands, there are great library buildings, catering only to Hadeeth
literature, which hold the detailed biographies of every person who
was ever connected, in any way, with a Hadeeth transmission. In this
way each and every Hadeeth is "graded" for authenticity, and each
grade has its stringent requirements by which they are accepted or
rejected. For example: Two such Accepted Groupings (maqbul) are:
SaHeeH (authentic); Hasan (agreeable). Each of these groups are
sub-divided into two sub-groups: SaHeeH li-dhaatihi (authentic by
itself) and SaHeeH li-ghairihi (authentic owing to the presence of
others; Hasan li-dhaatihi (agreeable by itself) and Hasan li-ghairihi
(agreeable owing to the presence of others). And this process
continues through many grades: authentic, sound, good, et cetera, to
weak and rejected, with detailed rationale throughout. This is a very
simple explanation of a very complex Science.
Therefore, the Hadeeth concerning the dog licking a utensil goes as
follows:
Abu Huraira reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAAWS) said: "The
purification of the utensil belonging to any one of you, after it has
been licked by a dog, lies in washing it seven times, using sand for
the first washing." (Recorded by Muslim) However, Imam Maalik
(historical teacher & titular head of the Maaliki School quotes the
Qur'aan: "They ask you what is lawful to them (as food). Say: Lawful
unto you are (all) things good and pure: and what you have taught your
trained hunting animals (dogs, hawks, falcons, etc., to catch) in the
manner directed to you by Allah. Eat what they catch for you, but
pronounce the name of God over it: and fear God; for Allah/God is
swift in taking account." (The Noble Qur`aan 5:5) Then, Imam Maalik
says: What are you to do when your hunting dog brings you your
catch?…wash it once with sand and six times with water? This does not
make sense." With that, Imam Maalik rejects this Hadeeth, not judging
it to be authentic!
Then there is the most excellently graded Hadeeth in which Abu
Sa'labah al-Khushani reported: "I inquired of the Prophet: ……We are in
the land of hunting where I hunt with my bow and with my untrained dog
and with my trained dog. What is proper for me? "He replied: " ……. Eat
what you hunted with your trained dog after the name of Allah was
taken; and then eat what you hunted with your untrained dog ….."
(Recorded by Imams Bukhari & Muslim).
Another excellently graded Hadeeth: Abu Hurairah reported that the
Messenger of Allah (SAAWS) said: A prostitute woman was forgiven. She
was passing by a dog, which was near a well panting, and hunger almost
killed it. Then she put off her socks and tied them with her
head-cloth and took water for it from the well. For that she was
forgiven her sins. It is said: We have got reward regarding our
treatment of beasts. He said: Regarding every thing having fresh
liver, there is reward." (Recorded by Imams Bukhari & Muslim)
The Sunnah of MuHammad (SAAWS) teaches kindness to animals. Even when
an animal is to be slaughtered for lawful food, the animal should not
be frightened. One is not to flash the blade in front of it, and the
cutting instrument must be sharp, and the slaughterer must be
proficient. Nor should the animal be kept waiting for slaughter. This
is certainly not how Kathleen Parker's last steak reached her table!
In much of the Islamic world certain dogs are very highly valued:
* The Sloughi, an Arabian Sighthound whose exact origins date too far
back to be completely known. They are found in North Africa (Morocco,
Algeria, Tunisia and Lybia). Sighthounds are among the oldest breeds
of dogs. Their origins are linked to the very beginnings of human
culture. The Sloughi is the highly treasured hunting hound of the
Bedouin. As a point of interest: For the Arab, the Sloughi is a noble
animal, high above other dogs. Due to its value, and in some deemed
necessary instances, is the only dog allowed into the tent. This is
illustrated by such expressions as "Laysa kalb; haadha Sloughi". This
is to say: "It is not a dog, this is a Sloughi"! There are reports in
the past that new born puppies were often breast fed by some Bedouin
women to assist nursing bitches, who may have been having
difficulties, and thus assure the survival of the litter. (Both
instances are un-Islamic, but never-the-less echo the title of this
article.) However, during French occupation of North Africa, the
French prohibited hunting with sighthounds and attempted to decimate
them by shooting them on sight. Morocco and Algeria are now exhibiting
great efforts in protecting this ancient breed.
*The Saluki, valued as is the Sloughi, is called "the oldest race of
hunting dogs in the world" and has been known in its Arab homeland
since 5,000 BC.
*The Spanish Mastiff, highly valued as a herding/guard/protection dog
until this day, and ever so valued during the near 800 years of
Moorish rule. (These were the dogs of the Conquistadors, which Balboa,
Columbus and Cortez brought to the "new world" and used to viciously
subdue the native inhabitants! This fact is purposely omitted from our
history books!)
*There is the African Wild Dog, also known as the Cape/African Hunting
Dog. Also the S.A. Boerboel. Africa is home of the Rhodesian
Ridgeback, the Azawakh of Mali the Aidi of Morocco, Muslim lands are
the native-home to many other breeds.
*The Pharaoh Hound was developed in Egypt, although Malta is now
considered its native home.
*The Turkish Anatolian Shepherd is another old
herding/guard/protection dog.
*The Afghan Hound comes from the mountain and plain regions of
Afghanistan.
*The Basenji has a long history as a hunting dog, from ancient Egypt
to the Congo.
The list goes on. However, this listing should be enough to make my
point to Kathleen Parker and any others!
Ibn Umar reported that the Messenger of Allah (blessings of Allah be
upon him and peace) ordered to kill dogs except hunting dogs, herding
dogs, guardian dogs or dogs of journey. (Recorded by Imams Bukhari &
Muslim)
A shepherd, taking a break in the field to eat his main meal, may very
well call his dog to his location for feeding so as not to eat alone.
But, they will not eat from the same plate!
Ibn Abbas reported that the Messenger of Allah (SAAWS) prohibited the
setting of animals to fight with each other. (Recorded by Tirmidhi &
Abu Daud)
With regard to angels not entering a house wherein is a dog: There is
the Hadeeth by Ibn Abbas, recorded by Imam Muslim, wherein the Angel
Jabril told the Prophet why he had not shown up when promised: The
Prophet said to Jabril: "You promised to meet me last night. Yes said
he, but we do not enter a house in which there is a dog or a picture."
Unbeknownst to the Prophet there had been a puppy under his tent.
Nearly every nation in the world has its native dogs. However, in
Muslim lands, dogs are not "pets". They must serve a purpose as a
"working dog", e.i.: Guardian, Protector (even as a traveling
companion), Herding, Rescue, etc. The Prophet MuHammad (SAAWS) has
taught us that a Muslim who owns a dog as a pet loses a great reward
(from God) for each day he owns it. Also, in Muslim lands stray dogs
are few. This being the effect of certain Hadeeths to curb stray dogs
as a means of curbing the many diseases and epidemics brought on by
dogs, and the general nuisance of strays. Besides, there are certain
spiritual matters concerning dogs that are outside Western
understanding.
Kathleen Parker, alleging the dog-hate of Muslims, 'puts us down' for
not recognizing that a man who walks a large fluffy white dog has an
automatic "chick magnet"! To her apparent "free-love" statement let me
say that in Islamic lands not only are there few stray dogs, there are
very few children born out of wed-lock. In the Musnad of Imam Ahmad,
our Prophet (SAAWS) is reported to have said that children born of
illicit sexual unions will bring destruction upon that society. !!! Is
this not so?
Therefore, if Kathleen Parker was speaking the truth, why have not
said dogs in Muslim lands been exterminated? Perhaps Kathleen Parker
can explain their continued existence in these few Muslim lands I have
mentioned, and the many I have not!
Kathleen Parker spoke in acute ignorance. The same ignorance spewed by
Pat Robertson, Franklin Graham, Jerry Falwell and K.C. Price. They,
and all other such Christian Extremists are playing right into the
hands of those who would see the U.S. of A. destroyed from without and
from within. These American Christian Extremists fear the phenomenal
growth of Islam in America, a growth they cannot stop. Yet, we see the
prophecy of Prophet MuHammad being fulfilled in the powerlessness of
Arab and Muslim lands around the world. The Ummah (nation) of MuHammad
and the Bani Israel have both "risen" twice. For the Muslims, as is
now happening for the Bani Israel, which, historically, has always
depended upon a foreign super-power, there will be the third and final
rise to power. "What will be will be." Which is why ALL extremists
must be identified and condemned.
For the record: Muslims are great contributors to American Society;
except for those who invite Allah's wrath such as those who willfully
sell Islamicly unlawful merchandise, etc. Never-the-less, while 99% of
Muslim Americans do not accept the doctrine espoused and acted out by
the such as Bin Laden nor Saddam Hussein, we are not intent on
murdering them as the Christian Unitarians were killed off by their
Trinitarian Brethren. [Read "The Decline and Fall of the Roman
Empire", it is all there. As a matter of fact, Constantine, who
politicized the religion of the Roman state with the Trinitarian
Christian (Pauline) philosophy took his "last rites" from the hands
and tongue of a Donatist priest (a Unitarian)!]
Most any educated Muslim can very easily attack Christian Doctrine, as
Kathleen Parker attempted to attack Islam. However, we do not, because
God repeatedly refers to Christians and Jews as People of the Book,
and we Muslims respect that. Additionally, Allah, The Most High, says
in His book, The Qur'aan: "They say: `None shall enter Paradise unless
he be a Jew or (according to the Christians) a Christian.' These are
their wishful fancies. Say to them: `Bring your proof, if you are
right in your claim.' The fact is that no one has any special claim to
Paradise; whoever surrenders himself to Allah in obedience and follows
the Right Way, shall get his reward from his Lord: there shall be
neither fear nor grief for such people.
"The Jews say that the Christians have nothing (of the Truth) and the
Christians say that the Jews have nothing of it, though both read the
(same) Scripture. And those who have no knowledge of the Scripture
also make similar claims. Allah will surely give His judgment on the
Day of Resurrection in all the matters they differ." (The Noble
Qur'aan: 2:111-113)
For "A Brief Guide to Understanding Islam", please go to:
www.islam-guide.com
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