tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13734046.post114420662951866894..comments2023-11-02T06:55:33.598-07:00Comments on Kassim Ahmad: Kassim Ahmadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08059909735396467315noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13734046.post-7026277231665214752008-06-12T13:14:00.000-07:002008-06-12T13:14:00.000-07:00Dear Zeynab, Further to what I said above, Rashad...Dear Zeynab,<BR/> Further to what I said above, Rashad's reputation in most of the Muslim world crashed AFTER he wrote a book TOTALLY rejecting the so-called Hadith/Sunnah. Yet the true Hadith is the Quran, the Quran being described by God Himslef as "the word of an honourable messenger." (See Quran, 69:40 & 81: 19)<BR/> Regards,<BR/> KassimKassim Ahmadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059909735396467315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13734046.post-457810472600136192008-06-08T14:37:00.000-07:002008-06-08T14:37:00.000-07:00Dear respected Zeynab, Salam. I do not know why ...Dear respected Zeynab,<BR/><BR/> Salam.<BR/> I do not know why you chose to make your appreciative comments on my book on the Hadith on this topic.<BR/> Anyway, that is a small matter.<BR/> I must express my thanks for you appreciative comments <BR/> As you can see, I differ from Rashd Khalifah and the "Quran alone" group, because their position neither logical, nor consistent with the Quran. There have been numerous prophets, Muhammad being only THE LAST of the series. God did say he is the greatest, nor did He say that he is the last messenger, their core teaching being the same: "There is only One God, and serve Him alone."<BR/> One must distinguish between a prophet and a messenger: a prophet receives Divine revelation (and do not have to spread it: Prophet Khidir is an example); a messenger is the one whose mission is to spread the message: Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad are examples of prophet-messengers).<BR/> Rashid claims to be "The Mesenger of the Covenant". Whether he is, or not is another question altogether.<BR/> If you reject the so-called Hadith TOTALLY, what about other sources, both within and without Muslim civilisation, like modern philosophy? You would have to reject that too. This is totally illogical. <BR/> Rashid was a scientist, with some leanings to sufism, handed down from his father. But I consider his call back to the Quran as most important call. His translation is also the best in the English language. I disagree with him in some parts. The Quran is also a book of wisdom, and Rashad is not a philosopher. <BR/> I aslo find him nowhere belittling the role of Prophet Muhammad.<BR/> As to the orthodox Muslims in Malaysia and elsewhere, what more can I do, as I written enough to enlighten them and to get them back on the right track.<BR/> Regards.<BR/> Kassim AhmadKassim Ahmadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08059909735396467315noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13734046.post-24810663065573226902007-06-04T11:49:00.000-07:002007-06-04T11:49:00.000-07:00Dear Kasim Ahmed. Salaam Alaikum.I am an ardent s...Dear Kasim Ahmed. Salaam Alaikum.<BR/><BR/>I am an ardent supporter of your thoughts on Hadith. I have partly read your excellent works on 'Hadith Re-evaluation' (English translation) and InshAllah, hope to read all 5 chapters in due course of time.<BR/><BR/>The only thing that worries me is that I wish you didn't involve the name of Rashid Khalifa into your wonderful works. It maybe true that you find Khalifa's English Quraan translations comprehensive, the fact is that his overall ideology clashes with the Quraan. Whether discreetly or openly, Khalifa does not recognize the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the final Messenger and seal of the prophets. Though I know that your works have paid a lot of respect to the Prophet Muhammad, with the name of Khalifa lurking around, people misunderstand the purity of your thoughts. And your work is so beautiful, I don't think it is worth being tarnished because of it's association with Khalifa's name as one of the reasons. I realize that this is just one of the reasons why the mainstream turn away from your writings. Generally, anything against the Hadith annoys them. However, to clarify yourself that your Hadith criticizm is not to attack the status of the Prophet, on the contrary to uphold his status, would create greater chances of attracting more people for analysing the guile of the Hadith institution.<BR/><BR/>I have interacted with many followers of the Khalifite group. To make a long story short, one doesn't require to be a genius to perceive that they deridingly reject every reference to the Prophet Muhammad in the Glorious Quraan .. and hence, inadvertently rejecting the Quraan. Certainly this amounts to rejecting the Quraan because they're accepting the Quraan partly and selectively, and not in its entirety. The Quraan in its entirety includes loving and respecting the Prophet .. and again, this does NOT mean accepting Hadith. The man-written Hadith is NOT the words of the Prophet.<BR/><BR/>I would like to clarify my position too. I have read enough of Hadith and am extremely disappointed by its contents. It contradicts and mocks the Glorious Quraan, and clearly contradicts and ridicules the exemplary character of the Prophet (pbuh). Thus, my purpose for rejecting the Hadith is to defend the Prophet, NOT ignoring his status. Of course, there are other reasons that go with it too. Primarily, as Muslims, we aren't supposed to put any collection of writings at par with the Glorious Quraan. That goes without saying. <BR/><BR/>I very recently started an online discussion board on 'Quraan alone and Sunnah within the Quraan.' Feel welcomed to visit it and give your feedback if you like. Personally, I find it very important to clarify that my motive to reject Hadith is not to ignore the Prophet but to protect him. After all, how can rejection of Hadith be taken as being anti-Prophet when I don't even consider Hadith to be the words of the Prophet? Sunnah is important and it's constituted within the Quraan itself. <BR/><BR/>I must say, myself, as a Quraan alone Muslim who upholds the Prophet and thus rejects the Hadith, I find myself at odds with both the traditionalists and the Hadith rejectors. Both seem to go to two opposite extremes of the boat and thus topple into the river. But I DO NOT say this about you. Like I mentioned, your works are great .. spiritually & practically compatible with the Noble Quraan, respectful toward the Prophet and rationally correct. It's only the mention of "Rashid Khalifa" periodically that distracts some genuine readers. <BR/><BR/>Thank you for enlightening many of us with your wonderful thoughts. May the Almighty Allah bless you for the sincerity of your intent and your endeavours, ameen. <BR/><BR/>My site: 'Muslim Villa'<BR/>htt://muslimvilla.smfforfree.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com