Holocaust Denial Undermines Islam

Category: Americas, Nature & Science Values: Education Channel: Opinion Views: 11094
11094

Epistemology is a branch of philosophy that studies the nature and basis of knowledge. How do we know things? It also studies the veracity of "truth." How do we know the difference between belief, knowledge, opinion, fact, reality and fantasy? The Greek philosopher, Carneades, believed that knowledge of reality, of what is true or false, is impossible, that nothing can be known with certainty; his philosophy is known as skepticism. It does not reject belief altogether; Carneades felt that our belief about any given matter should be subjected to intense scrutiny and then, using a scale of probability, we should accept or reject the likelihood of its truth or falsehood. But we must make no absolute claims to it. Another Greek skeptic, Cratylus, however, was more radical in his approach and believed that nothing could be known at all, and thus no statements could convey anything true or meaningful. He finally gave up talking altogether. 

Most of us are neither moderate nor extreme skeptics; we believe what our teachers told us. Although some of us learned later that perhaps a little skepticism was indeed warranted, we survived with our grasp of reality reasonably intact. We live in a world where facts are meaningful and opinions can be assessed, at least to the degree that we deem them sound or unsound. When it comes to religion, those of us who are raised in traditions often reject such assessments and simply believe what we were taught. For many religious people, skepticism is anathema, the work of the devil. However, our Abrahamic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam have always been concerned with and seriously interested in epistemology, because each of these faiths have profound truth claims that need substantiation or "believability." 

Islam, at its advent, developed a sophisticated methodology for the validation of truth claims. One of the greatest achievements of the Islamic scholastic tradition is 'ilm ar-rijaal, the science of narrators. It is the study of reports of events in the life of the Prophet, especially of his sayings and deeds. Its formulators established a rigid set of criteria to validate the truth claims of those who asserted they saw or heard the Prophet do or say such-and-such. Reports were grouped into two categories: ahad, or solitary reports in which one or a few people claimed to have heard or seen something, and mutawatir, or multiply-transmitted reports narrated in numbers large enough to preclude collusive fabrication. The solitary reports must meet many criteria before being accepted as sound statements that nonetheless contain, depending upon the degree to which the criteria were met, a certain probability of error. On the other hand, firmly established multiply-transmitted reports, in numbers that rule out collusion, are taken as uncontestable fact. 

The Quran, the seventh century book narrated by Muhammad, is considered mutawatir, and thus epistemologically undeniable. Whether one believes it is from God or not is another matter, but the Quran in its current form is the same Quran the Prophet taught to his companions more than 1,400 years ago; untold numbers in each generation of Muslims have transmitted the same recitation, making it infallible in its historicity and accuracy. Islamic scholars accepted multiply-transmitted reports from Muslims and people of other faiths. Upon this epistemological foundation rests the Muslim faith. Creedal matters are deemed valid only if they are buttressed by multiply-transmitted traditions that can be traced back to the Prophet. Although Islamic jurisprudence is largely based upon solitary evidence (hence the differences of opinion in the various schools), the Quran and the creed of Islam are both founded upon multiple narratives that achieve an undeniable status. Early Muslim scholars would certainly consider much of our current knowledge of history to have achieved such status. For instance, there is consensus among historians that the Normans invaded England in 1066; too many accounts of this momentous event exist and have been recounted in each generation through multiple sources. In the case of any solitary original source, healthy skepticism is warranted. When Lee Harvey Oswald claimed to be a patsy, it led to an entire field of conspiracy studies among Kennedy assassination buffs. Did he act alone or didn't he? That aspect of the event is debatable. But was John F. Kennedy shot on November, 22, 1963 in a motorcade at Dealey Plaza in Dallas? Far too many accounts of that tragic event exist; to deny it is simply to deny reality and have one's sanity questioned. 

Much of what we know about the world and what we accept as truth comes from multiply-transmitted accounts. Let's say I claim that Australia doesn't exist and is merely a figment of our imagination, that its origins lie in a whimsical cartographer in the Middle Ages who decided that such a large ocean needed a land mass. And, when confronted with people who claim to be from Australia and can prove it, I dismiss them as part of a conspiracy of cartographers who wish to perpetuate the myth of their forbearer. I would be laughed at, or ignored, or deemed "certifiable." While this example seems absurd, many people actually believe things just as fatuous and far-fetched. 

Holocaust denial is one such example. As one who has read some Holocaust denial literature, with the poorly reproduced pictures and claims of the orchestration of these scenes in collusion with the U.S. government, I can attest to the tragic gullibility of people who take such literature as historical truth. To return to the Kennedy assassination, if one reads Mark Lane's version that a rogue element within the CIA killed Kennedy, the "facts" seem overwhelming. But if one reads another version that the Mafia killed Kennedy because of his failure to return Cuba to the gambling lords of Italian America, the "facts" also seem overwhelming. Finally, one can read the version that Mossad killed Kennedy because he wanted to force nuclear inspections in Israel, and again the "facts" seem conclusive. Each of these accounts is presented with utter certainty by the "researchers." In the end, reality is manipulated to meet the needs of the mythologist. 

Indeed, we are each entitled to our own opinions, but not to our own facts. And those who present alternative versions of "reality" tend to reject everything that does not suit their theory, and cherry-pick and interpret everything-facts, innuendos or "coincidences"-that does. 

In the case of the Holocaust, the facts are clear and transmitted from multiple sources. Tens of thousands of Jewish and other individuals who survived the death camps and other horrors of Nazi Germany lived to tell of it. Nazis were brought to trial, evidence was presented in court, and they were convicted. Mass graves were found, and gas chambers were discovered, which were clearly not delicing rooms as some callously claimed. The ovens exist and cannot be reduced to an efficient way of preventing cholera outbreaks or disposing of victims of starvation. I have personally met many Holocaust survivors and their children. I have seen tattoos. I have also heard firsthand accounts of the horrific events. The numbers and details of such events may be legitimate areas of research and inquiry for scholars, but questioning whether the events took place at all undermines the epistemological basis of our collective knowledge. Muslims, of all people, should be conscious of this as their religion is predicated on the same epistemological premises as many major events in history, such as the Holocaust. To deny such things is to undermine Islam as an historical event. That a "conference" examining the historicity of the Holocaust should take place in a Muslim country hosted by a Muslim head of state is particularly tragic and, in my estimation, undermines the historicity of the faith of the people of that state. 

In our inherent contradictions as humans, and in order to validate our own pain, we deny the pain of others. But it is in acknowledging the pain of others that we achieve fully our humanity. A close friend of mine, a professor of religion in a Muslim country for many years, recently told me that his wife, an English teacher in that country, had wanted to use Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl as a text for her Muslim pupils. But the school administrators repeatedly denied her request because they deemed it inappropriate reading for young Muslims. It is sad that the current political morass in the Middle East has led to this intolerable refusal to confront a people's collective suffering. Perhaps in acknowledging that immense past of Jewish suffering, in which the Holocaust is only the most heinous chapter, Muslims can better help the Jewish community to understand the current Muslim pain in Palestine, Iraq and other places. In finding out about others, we encourage others to find out about us. It would greatly help our Jewish brethren to know the historical facts of Jewish experience in the Muslim world, which are often heartening and humanizing and very different from their European experience. In our mutual edification, we grow together. 

Hamza Yusuf is a Muslim scholar, lecturer and author, and the co-founder of the Zaytuna Institute in California, which is dedicated to reviving the traditions of classical Islamic scholarship


  Category: Americas, Nature & Science  Values: Education  Channel: Opinion
Views: 11094

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Older Comments:
KRIS MACPHERSON FROM MALAYSIA said:
Assalamualaikum wrbt and greetings,

Sister Linda, I'm grateful to ALLAH that you are a Muslim revert. And I appreciate your views on this subject.

But then again, the issue here is not on the denial of holocaust. I am yet to meet and find any of my Muslim brothes and sisters who denied this tragic event in history. Is it heinous crime and barbaric ? Yes, it is.

But then again, the real point that most of my Muslim brothers and sisters are driving here is that this holocaust had been magnified beyond leaps and bounds in order to incite continous sympathy to the Zionist regime and their policies of oppressing the Palestinians.

Who is actually in denial and who is actually being denied ? The fact of the matter in today's world is that the Zionist regime is the one that continues to deny the rights of the Palestinians of a self dignified rule and a denial of the territories that were seized in the 1967 war. It is the Palestinians of today that is being denied.

Look, Islam is a religion that upholds the truth. No Muslims will deny any event which is true but to allow it to be magnified and use as a justification for oppression of the living Muslims of today is completely unacceptable.

Even in the Quran at the Chapter of Al-Baqarah, it mentions of Moses ( Moses - peace be upon him ) saving the Jews from the oppression and brutality of the Pharoah, Ramses the 2nd. That is history. But then having been saved by Prophet Moses ( a.s ) what then happened ? What did the Jews do next ? Read the Quran Sister, to find out more.

May your Ramadhan and that of all our fellow Muslims be full of Baraqah from Allah, the Most Merciful and Most Compassionate.

Wassalam,
2007-09-19

LINDA R. FROM UNITED STATES said:
I don't usually have comments, but your article so impressed me. I am a new muslim revert, & born & raised in America. it is important to note that i consider myself a muslimah first, humanitarian second & us citizen third. If we are ever to bridge the gap that divides so many of us, i believe we have to always seek & accept truth & understand there are all forms of prejudices in the world. One of the greatest things we can learn from the prophets of old is compassion & understanding. And if we fail in this, we are missing Allah's purpose for us.
2007-09-18

NAJJAR - AND AGAIN- FROM MOROCCO said:
Brother Saif, Brother Jawad, just like you and me only expressed his own opinion, that's all, as I stated before, this great human tragedy is part of history and is over 60 years ago, it's past, it's over, and it's BASTA, this does not mean carelessness, or hate, spare us this word, we hate what people do, not the people themselves, as a good Muslim, you must know. deep in your heart, that it is true. But again it high time to adjust our clocks. Regarding that Ann Frank thing, here's a scenario right from out current history: You have thousands of funerals taking place every months in our community, yours and mine, therefore be concerned with the current "holocausting" of your own brothers and sisters around the world thanks precisely to the descendant of the Frank, the Cohen, Myers, Goldsmiths. The famous diary is very appropriate to the European students to learn from their parents mistakes, we have our people's diary to study first, don't you think so? But here, let me know if it would be appropriate using Ann Frank diary in a Arab Muslim school after you entertain yourself with this http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3611375425903413887 then
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=341600202419569830 and the list is still too long to post here. Ramadan Karim
2007-08-27

NAJJAR - AGAIN- FROM MOROCCO said:
Brother Saif Assalamou Alaikoum, the article talks about examination, please read again, or better yet, peruse again this paragraph: "That a "conference" examining the historicity of the Holocaust should take place in a Muslim country hosted by a Muslim head of state is particularly tragic and, in my estimation, undermines the historicity of the faith of the people of that state" Now where is it stated that a Muslim country is denying anything? I assume that you and the author think of Iran, am I wrong? Doesn't the author states that this "conference" in that Muslim country is to EXAMINE the historicity of the Holocaust. According to an English dictionary; examine = to inspect or scrutinize carefully, deny =to state that (something declared or believed to be true) is not true:. Now tell us, who has the right to stop you or me or stop a whole country from examining anything there is to examine, is that also a crime for you too? Maybe it is for brother Hamza and for the very same nations who committed the unimaginable crimes against humanity over 60 years ago, perhaps this great sin of theirs is erased by making this freedom of speech, a crime, or so they think. You are correct, one of the great virtues of Islam is that it is a completely reason-based religion, but to prevent or to blame someone from examining or scrutinizing absolutely anything there is, especially when it comes to history, it is not what we can qualify as an Islamic virtue either.
2007-08-27

SALMAN FROM USA said:
This article is garbage pure and simple. It is an attempt to appease zionist critics (and former associates of his such as Hisham Kabbani and Stephen Schwarz). Holocaust is well disputed and even a crime to deny in Europe already (notice the treatment of historian David Irving) yet ridiculing the Prophet via cartoons is acceptable. Moreover, 5-6 years ago, U.S. multinational firms (GE, Ford, Boeing, McDonnel Douglass, etc) were found to have sold goods and weapons to the Nazi war machine. Jewish groups smelling an opportunity pressed for "war reparations" yet in court it was found that the historical accuracy of the Holocaust was "disputed" and that "many sides took part in the arming and killing of the conflict" hence corporate America was/is not guilty. To compare this disputed historical episode to the authenticity and universality of the Quran is an insult to Islam and Muslims and something that every neo-orientalist wishes they could do themselves, although Hamza has done it for his masters. Moreoever, this quote is telling here:

"If I were an Arab leader, I would never sign an agreement with Israel. It is normal; we have taken their country. It is true God promised it to us, but how could that interest them? Our God is not theirs. There has been Anti-Semitism, the Nazis, Hitler, Auschwitz, but was that their fault? They see but one thing: we have come and we have stolen their country. Why would they accept that?"
David Ben Gurion, founder of Israel,
(Quoted by Nahum Goldmann in Le Paraddoxe Juif (The Jewish Paradox), pg 121)
2007-08-26

SYLVIA HORTON FROM CANADA said:
Salam alaikum,
I would like to say that Dr. Edriss last statement was deep. Surely it is something all of us Muslims need to think about. It is definitely on point. May Allah truely guide us all.

Sister Fatimah
2007-08-24

NAJJAR FROM MOROCCO said:
Assalamou Alaikoum, The more I peruse this excerpt, the more I try to make sense out of the author's point. Yusuf, I believe you need to stay 5 to 10 years away from the mass media, and especially as far away as possible from any politician, be it American or Arab from the ME or from the Maghreb, and most importantly stay away from writing pointless literature. I would not say you are being paid by Zionists to throw such propaganda, at your target who happens to be the very current "holocausted" population and who happens to be a Muslim population. The Jewish holocaust, has already past, it's finished, basta, and it's definitely over, more than 60 years ago, so it is time to synchronize your clock, and give us a break with that Ann Frank thing. Yusuf, you are maybe a scholarly person, but you definitely present yourself as just another mediocre product of your Uncle Sam. I could care less if you are Muslim or not, wrong is wrong. Still I am very convinced you are a very sincere Muslim, but please stay away from the Presidents, Kings and other heads of states, they are only bad company, because I am sure you know the advice the great Imam Abu Hanifah radi Allah 'anhou gave us all. "if you see a scholar at the gates of a ruler, question him in his deen", and no one wants to be forced to do that. Allah guides us all. Ramadan Karim
2007-08-24

SAIF FROM USA said:
jawad:
you say that this article is not relevant because muslims in general have other fundamental issues to deal with? if you read this article closely, we have a certain muslim population that denies the atrocity of the jewish holocaust. how can this be, if we are certain that this event occurred? this is because many muslims these days harbor great hate towards others, including jews. the end of this article has the author talking of a professor who was denied permission to use the diary of anne frank in a university class in a muslim country. the reason specified is that it was deemed "inappropriate" for the muslim students. why is this? one of the great virtues of islam is that it is a completely reason-based religion that emphasizes control over base emotions and prejudices, in the case of this article, hate and prejudice. only those who have this hate and prejudice can deny the holocaust of the jews, and many muslims fall under this category. therefore, your insistence that this article is unnecessary just proves your comment: muslims need to go to the basics of islam; your denial of the need for the kind of discourse present in this article highlights the need for muslims to overcome there hates and prejudices, as a true adherent of islam and the prophet's examples. please consider what I have to say with objectivity. assalamu alaikum,
saif
2007-08-23

HAJI PROF. MUHAMED NYAMATHULLAH FROM INDIA said:
Surae Ikhlas insists that Muslims not only stick to truth, but also exhort others to do so as regards 'truth'and patience.So Muslims first duty is to ascertain the truth.
A number of independent researcher have found that the "Holocaust" drama has been overdone by te zionists to win world sympathy and let many
zionist get into Palestine.
Israelites captured one 'Ivan the Terrible' and held him in prison in Israel for 10 years and
ultimately acqitted him for "want of evidence"!
By calling a spade a spade the Muslims do not weaken their case.
2007-08-23

IMRAN FROM US said:
I think Hamza Yusuf needs to concentrate on building the Ummah and not on writing about issues that are irrelevant to Islam.

Pitiful how our leaders fail to see the poverty, the lack of civic sense (as in spitting, living in a dirty environment, poor personal hygiene), the turning away from religion within the Ummah and are becoming experts in international affairs while their brothers and sisters are turning to shaytaan for pleasure!

Shame on us all!

2007-08-23

SAIF FROM USA said:
jawad:
you say that this article is not relevant because muslims in general have other fundamental issues to deal with? if you read this article closely, we have a certain muslim population that denies the atrocity of the jewish holocaust. how can this be, if we are certain that this event occurred? this is because many muslims these days harbor great hate towards others, including jews. the end of this article has the author talking of a professor who was denied permission to use the diary of anne frank in a university class in a muslim country. the reason specified is that it was deemed "inappropriate" for the muslim students. why is this? one of the great virtues of islam is that it is a completely reason-based religion that emphasizes control over base emotions and prejudices, in the case of this article, hate and prejudice. only those who have this hate and prejudice can deny the holocaust of the jews, and many muslims fall under this category. therefore, your insistence that this article is unnecessary just proves your comment: muslims need to go to the basics of islam; your denial of the need for the kind of discourse present in this article highlights the need for muslims to overcome there hates and prejudices, as a true adherent of islam and the prophet's examples. please consider what I have to say with objectivity. assalamu alaikum,
saif
2007-08-22

SAIF FROM USA said:
jawad:
you say that this article is not relevant because muslims in general have other fundamental issues to deal with? if you read this article closely, we have a certain muslim population that denies the atrocity of the jewish holocaust. how can this be, if we are certain that this event occurred? this is because many muslims these days harbor great hate towards others, including jews. the end of this article has the author talking of a professor who was denied permission to use the diary of anne frank in a university class in a muslim country. the reason specified is that it was deemed "inappropriate" for the muslim students. why is this? one of the great virtues of islam is that it is a completely reason-based religion that emphasizes control over base emotions and prejudices, in the case of this article, hate and prejudice. only those who have this hate and prejudice can deny the holocaust of the jews, and many muslims fall under this category. therefore, your insistence that this article is unnecessary just proves your comment: muslims need to go to the basics of islam; your denial of the need for the kind of discourse present in this article highlights the need for muslims to overcome there hates and prejudices, as a true adherent of islam and the prophet's examples. please consider what I have to say with objectivity. assalamu alaikum,
saif
2007-08-22

KRIS MACPHERSON FROM MALAYSIA said:
Assalamualaikum and greetings.

Don't put any iota of blame on the Muslims for the holocaust. They were not responsible for the genocide. Why did author seems to force down the throats of all Muslims the need to admit those events, which some facts are also dubious at the out set as well ?

To be a Muslim, one recites the " Syahadah " and believe ( and performs too, please ) in all the 5 pillars of faith. And holds to his or her Syahadah for the rest of their lives.

And a Muslim believes staunchly in the 6 articles of faith particularly the belief in the Oneness of ALLAH, and all HIS messengers, all holy scriptures ( not the tainted and falsified ones of course ). And the belief in the rest of the articles of faith.

All along in his journey in life, a Muslim must not ascribe any " objects of worship " of any nature. He only believe in ALLAH as the Al Mighty God. Even though the rest of the unbelievers rejects.

Please, I am telling the author of this article, don't force Muslims to admit something that they have no part in at all.

This article is highly misplaced in not putting perspective to order. Wassalam and may ALLAH guide us always.
2007-08-22

KRIS MACPHERSON FROM MALAYSIA said:
Assalamualaikum and greetings.

Holocaust is an event in history. That certainly is not the issue. But why make it as if it is the " holy cow " for everything ? Why is it that this portion of history keeps on being repeated all over again ? Why is it that when somebody choose to disbelieve in it, then he is deem as committing a serious crime against humanity ?

Sometimes, it is not the denial of the holocaust but the magnifying of it in ridiculous leaps and proportions that have hidden the present day issues affecting humanity at large.

Are the Palestinians to be punished for the holocaust which was committed by the Nazis ? And the Nazis who happened to be Christians ? Does it then justify the robbing of Palestinian land, the plundering of their country, the tearing down of their homes, the looting of their belongings and property ?

And as a food for thought, when the holocaust happened the then Pope ( Pope Pius ) had choosen to remain silent and there were even views that the Vatican had sanctioned then. Then why are the Muslims now punished for all these ? Why are the Muslims forced to admit on the existence of the holocaust when they have no hand at all in those heinous acts ? Was it not the Christians themselves who committed those barbaric murders ?

And I would like to put a question to the author, " HOW DOES THE DENIAL OF THE HOLOCAUST UNDERMINES ISLAM ? " Tell us how, please.

If anyone is so obssess with the holocaust, then please go after the remains of whatever and whom ever Nazis had left, the ones that they can still find then. Just go, track them down and satisfy the vengeance and vendetta, please go do it.

The real issues of today has nothing to do with the holocaust. Besides where is the evidence that 6 million Jews had died, tell me where ?
2007-08-22

DR EDRISS FROM US said:

Assalam Alaikom Brothers and sisters in Islam,

Subhana Allah we always face among humans who love some people to the death without a real reason. they become brainwashed to them and whatever come from their mouth they consider it PERFECT.

this problem already resolved 1400 years ago in the last authentic revelation sent to the prophet Mohammad Salla Allah alaih wa sallam:

?????? ???????? ???? ????????? ???? ????? ??????? ?????????? ?????????????? ??????? ??????? ??????????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????????? ???????? ???? ???????? ?????????? ????? ?????????? ??????? ???????? ??????? ??????? ??????? ??????????

2:165 Yet there are men who take others besides Allah, as equal (with Allah) They love them as they should love Allah. But those of Faith are overflowing in their love for Allah. If only the unrighteous could see, behold, they would see the penalty: that to Allah belongs all power, and Allah will strongly enforce the penalty.

from the mistakes done in the nations before us, they loved some people to the level they end it putting status for them. which lead at the end to worship them by the generation who came after: that's how the idol worship started (as explained by the prophet Sallah Allah alaih wa sallam in some hadiths).

the most amazing thing is when you see some brothers do nothing when the kuffar been mocking Allah and the Prophet Mohammad Salla Allah alaih wa sallam but they stand like heros to defend unknown person who speaks in the name of Islam.

Arrassoul Salla Allah alaih wa sallam said "the moslem doesn't become a real moslem untill he loves Allah and His messenger more than he loves himself"
unfortunatly, some of us today, pretend Islam and love ather people more than they love Allah and His messenger. they rush to defend others and they critisize who defend Allah and His messenger from kuffar mockery...

may Allah guides us. Ameen
2007-08-21

FRANCISCO MAZOY ASSAM FROM MEXICO D.F. said:
hey listen the zionists has 60 years denied the palestinian people for acomplish his objetives, 60 years denied al nakba, 60 years to kill inocent people, to grab your land your identity, your soul, WHO'S DENIED WHAT?
2007-08-21

KHADIJAH FROM USA said:
Salaams to All: If we want to discuss the denial of a holocaust let's look at the 180 million slaves that died over the years. If you think this figure is excessive, look at your Almanac. 300 men in a village, 200 hundred slaughtered, of the remaining 100, maybe 50 made it to the boat, 35% of those died in middle passage. Years later there are maybe 6 of the original 300 that survived. The others died of disease or the overseers hand. Multiply this by the number of years and amount of illegal voyages and see how many you come up with. Now let's get to the one before that. The original numbers of NativeAmerican Indians dead were maybe a couple million in text books but go to their museum and learn the truth of over 20 million Native Americans murdered by the deceit of freindship - here are blankets to keep you warm. All the blankets were infected with small pox. A quick and efficient holocaust. Even though both of these incidents destroyed many times the people of the Nazi holocaust against the Jews, it does not get the media coverage, nor have their relatives been compensated to the extent the Jewish people have. Even in death all people are not created equal by the laws of man. As Muslims, we should not expect any fair treatment. Lies will be continually told about us and our beliefs. When we fall onto the bandwagon ourselves they we have truly become lost. Muslims do not deny the holocaust, but we also know that the Jewish loss of lives was not the only or the worst one in history. I touched on non-religious murders, there is not enough space left for me to introduce all the religious holocausts throughout history. We can not live in the past, only learn from it and move on. Let's talk about some real issues, Hamza.
2007-08-21

JAWAD FROM USA said:
You know What?!! It's funny to hear
Muslims discuss or debate about a
holocaust of a people whom Allah has
cursed in the Quran....When we see
and know Muslims who follow culture
& opinion when it clearly opposes the
Sunnah...Many Muslims don't know
there own Deen... How to make wudhu
, pray, dhikr, fast or hajj according to
the authentic sunnah....This topic is
worthless with no benefit... Remember
your day with Allah and fear him....
That's what we the Muslims should be
talking about..Something beneficial.....
Salam
2007-08-20

ABU RAHIM FROM USA said:
Did the Soviets not march into Berlin and find records on the Holocaust? Did not the Nazis keep detail records of their blunders in human engineering? Did not their lawyers argue that some of them were just following orders? And this was not an admission nor denial; but an establishment of facts.

Did not the Ottomans think there were little left to learn? Did not a Western philosopher say that our thoughts were the product of the time in which we live; therefore everything we think is wrong for as time changes so does ideals?

The only people who would deny the Holocaust are political extremist who have very little desire to strive toward Allah. There are also those who lack proper education of the world around us. The so-called golden years of Islam is gone. We have competition for all sides. Jihad within and without. We are living in the period of the inspired, educated, forward think Muslim. If we are to survive as a people we can't look to the Saudis to think and decide for us when they produce nothing but oil nor the Iranians because the revolution is over nor any country who claim itself guided by Islam. Allah will show us and guild us to the right path.
2007-08-20

JAWAD FROM US said:
You know What?!! It's funny to hear Muslims discuss or debate about a holocaust of a people
whom Allah has cursed in the Quran....When we see and know Muslims who follow culture & opinion when it clearly opposes the Sunnah...Many Muslims don't know there own Deen... How to make wudhu, pray, dhikr, fast or hajj according to the authentic sunnah....This topic is worthless with no benefit... Remember your day with Allah and fear him....That's what we the Muslims should be talking about..Something beneficial.....Salam
2007-08-20

MICHELLE HERNANDEZ FROM VENEZUELA said:
I do not see any issue at all with debating the issue of the Holocaust even if it is to question the number of dead or the causes that led to the incident. We hear Ad Nauseam rubbish Hollywood trumped up news stories of how 'Muslims" are massacring the locals "Africans" in Darfur, yet no one debated the point that there is very little evidence to implicate Muslims and the accusation is especially ironic and entirely fabricated when these news stories are careful to omit the fact that those whom they accuse are themselves 'Black African Muslims" whom they have labeled "Arabs" and even more ironic the apparent victims are also "Black African Muslims". It's crystal clear that this is another attempt by the US/Zionist through its entertainment industry to create dissention and strife by pitting Africans against Arabs. I think what Ahmedinajad is doing is wonderful and to underscore my belief it is a fact that even orthodox Jews attended that conference. I say free speech, debate and dissent is good. Let it flourish. The good author need not try to appease Western sensibilities. I say shake them to their very foundation instead.
2007-08-20

SYLVIA HORTON FROM CANADA said:
Salam Alaikum to all,
All I can say is, I do believe in the Holocaust. But, what about other Holocaust beginning with the Crusades? African Americans experienced a Holocaust as well. Definitely, the South Africans under the aparathide system experienced a Holocaust. In other words, everyone has some type of hardships, not only the Jews.
One more thing I would like to say, because my ancestors went through the Holocaust called the Slavery system in the U.S. it has made me more compassionate towards others who are having hard times now. I could careless wether anyone accepts me or not, I still would never wish the harsh system of slavery upon anyone else.
As far as Anne Franks diary, I did have the opportunity to read this as a child. Honestly, I sure wished that I could have read more about the Civil Rights struggles, Malcom X, SCLC, and the things that affected me, as a African-American during that period.

Salam Alaikum to all,
Sister Fatimah
2007-08-20

SARAH FROM USA said:
I dont think you can blame jews for all the killings it is the christians which are unleashing this third and final crusade. yes the jews do want ahomeland of their own just like every other people and with the help of zionist and the mossad have unleashed this false war of terrorism against the muslims to build their temple of antichrist so that the black pope can rule over the world as dajjal or antichrist.this is a war between Islam and shirk there is no point in abusing scholars because they deeply study everyhting and come to apoint . most muslims dont even know that this war is for forming greater Israel and the masonic temple of antichrist it is ashame. they dont have courage to go and spread Islam even to their neighbours fearing their own lives and property but are easily able to criticize scholars by just looking at things from the surface.if only muslims would have propogated their deen to the kuffar then nobody could have blamed them for being terrorist. because people would already know what Islam is about. in one way it is apunishment for all muslims from allah taala . for muslims to wake up and reform themselves , do not divide yourselves based on nationalism and personal interests.
2007-08-20

ANONYMOUS FROM UNITED STATES said:
A epistomological look at the holocaust is a step that should be not be taken. However energy needs to be spent in acquiring a connection and understanding of your lord for certainly without a doubt on the day of judgement you will not be asked as to what was the situation around oneself, however you will be asked about what you have done whether you have completed all required components or more precisely ,required facets of your Deen.

Commenting about the holocaust is not going t aid in that. The HOLOCAUST was a loss of life and ISLAM is totatally against such acts. Furthermore Muslims all over the world are digusted at such ethnic pregidouses.

The piece written is great step towards good interfaith relations and hope to see more such acts.

Our Prophet was sent as a mercy to all the worlds and we should act as such .
2007-08-20

AHMED ASGHER FROM BAHRAIN said:
Firstly, I Have not met any Muslim who denied Holocaust. What many question, including Iranian PM, is whether 6 million is a true figure. Now given that America does not want to keep Iraqi casualties and many rely on extrapolated figures, and knowing that Iraq is current affair, then how come some 50 years ago we have to swear that 6 million is the exact figure? This is the bee in the bonnet of Holocaust deniers. I think the term denier is exaggerated because Ahmedinejad is not denying the fact but only the figures.

Secondly, the other bee in the bonnet of most Muslims is the fact that the very people who have been wronged by Nazi Germany are continually inflicting similar fate upon innocent Palestinians, as if their suffering has not taught them that pain is pain even if another person is experiencing it. In other words their 'never-again" has hardened their hearts instead of making their hearts more sensitive to another persons pain.

If a child is murdered the parents of that child can do the following: a) either murder someone else's child, or b) form a community whereby everyone ensures that NO child is murdered.

Any sane person would opt for b). It seems that Zionism has no compassion. I believe many Muslims believe the same which again repeats this vicious cycle of hate. Just as Muslims need to look inwardly to arrive at this conclusion, so do those Jews who support Zionism and the Sate of Israel which inflicts daily collective punishment of Palestinians. They bear the responsibility for addressing those wrongs and for a just reconcilliation.
2007-08-20

PONCHO FROM USA said:
Assalamu alaykum,
Lets remember also that due to the holocaust and the never-ending talk about it from the jews; they have gained so much power and taken over Palestine and whenever the oppressed people in Palestine call for help no one does anything because they don't want to be labeled anti-Semitic. They say they remember the holocaust; saying "never again" yet they are the first to be torturing Palestinians in a very similar fashion as the Germans did with them. What good is it to build museums to the holocaust when you yourself are part of implementing one? The writer of this article should stop kissing up to western society and start defending his brothers and sisters in Islam.
2007-08-20

NAJJAR FROM MOROCCO said:
Mike Assalamou Alaikoum, I have to disagree you with you brother; Sheikh Hamza Youssef is a respected Scholar. He does not claim to be right or that you must agree with everything he writes; he is only helping the society get better, and showing his good and gentle human qualities through his work. As with any scholar, we can agree or disagree with them, but we cannot just throw assumptions which can be very detrimental to our own self. Please think that the honest efforts of our scholars may be accepted Insha Allah by Allah as an intercession for them the Day of Judgment. What do you and I have so far? Thank you for your understanding. Ramadan Karim.
2007-08-20

NAJJAR - 3- FROM MOROCCO said:
"Islam, at its advent, developed a sophisticated methodology for the validation of truth claims".
We may also refer to an excellent small book "The Authority of Sunnah" from the respected Pakistani Judge Muhammad Taqi Uthmani , more work of other respected scholars can be found on the Internet regarding this sophisticated methodology.
Also the first part of this article reminds us of the monumental work of Ibn Khaldoun rahimahoullah.
2007-08-20

KHADIJAH FROM USA said:
With my husband being an Imam, I have had the great pleasure of experiencing the company of women from Saudi, Kashmir, Iraq, Kuwait, Jordan, Seria, etc. Never have any of them denied the holocost. Who is it this article is about, surely not most Muslims/Muslimahs I know. The correlation put forth here concerning the Kennedy murder is like comparing apples and oranges. I would think that this article is a part of a comedy scene if it weren't for the people that actually agree and believe - just another way to bash Islam. I have never heard the holocost denied, but I have heard the state of Israel denied - it was the British that wanted Judiasm out of its country, so they decided to give them a place right on top of the Philistines that have lived there from the beginning of time. Philistines have worshipped idols, cats, people, and even denied the hereafter at one point, until the truth came to them through the prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him). It is articles like these that make people believe bad things about Islam. It makes it harder on the rest of us to spread the truth (dawah). But for the true believers, we will keep on keeping on because no amount of propaganda can detour us.
2007-08-20

NAJJAR - 2- FROM MOROCCO said:
There are hundreds of young Palestinian kids diaries or books to use as text for the Muslim students to debate over, charity starts at home, remember? That English teacher may need to learn that. Out of all other published diaries she had no other choice but to pick Ann Frank story? I understand and respect brother Hamza point, but please keep in mind that, as normal human beings, we don't only acknowledge the pain of other human beings, we also feel it, hence the reason the doors of Muslim countries were always wide open for the Jewish people fleeing Europe, every time crimes against them were committed in the name of Europeanized Christianity or in the name of European Fascism. We are now seeing how the Jewish are thanking us. The Egyptian administrators did what they thought was the right and fair thing, because they are convinced that charity begins at home, considering the crimes the Zionists, the Europeans and Americans, are perpetrating against their Muslims brothers and sisters. I was given the diary of Ann Frank when I was twelve by my very pious brother-in-law, who warned me that I will feel the pain of that young girl and her family hiding in the attic and committed no crimes, expect being just regular people living in the hell that was Europe at that time, I read it and felt what any decent person would feel. Still I have never seen or heard any school, be it a school in Morocco (where by the way, brother Hamza is always very welcome), or a catechism or Lacit schools in France using Ann Frank diary as a text. In many countries the diary of Ann Frank was deemed inappropriate due to different reasons, in many schools in Europe and around the world, including in your own country
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. Anne Frank. Modern Library. Challenged in Wise County, Va. (1982) due to "sexually offensive" passages. Four members of the Alabama State Textbook Committee (1983) called for the rejection of this book because it is a "real downer."
2007-08-20

NAJJAR FROM MOROCCO said:
Assalamou Alaikoum. As citizens of the World, we all have seen the irrefutable proofs of the occurrence Jewish holocaust; it is after all the most extensively documented period in modern history. Opposite irrefutable proofs are yet to be presented to us. We do not have to accept what is written by revisionists, or by evolutionists for that matter, but we are still free to read them and scrutinize every sentence they contain, furthermore I personally do not see anything wrong with having conferences to re-examine any historical event whatsoever, be it a Holocaust, the three Punic wars, or even the evolution of human being. Examining anything means nothing else but an examination, no more no less. If revisionism and examination of historical events are considered crimes in Europe, despite their loud mouths about the sacrosanct "freedom of speech", they do not have to be considered crimes in Asia, Africa or anywhere else on Earth. It is a 100% European ugly page of history, the irrefutable facts are there. We have to always keep in the records of history, that the greatest crimes against humanity were committed in Europe, the greatest crimes against sciences and human intellect were committed by the Europeans, a society who happened to be an amalgam of Europeanized Christianity, Materialistic Philosophy and Darwinist 'Natural Selection' racist nonsense. Muslims or anyone else have absolutely nothing to do with these ugly things. We condemned bad actions, prevented crimes, and when possible defended our fellow humans. But it is also our duty to examine anything there is to examine.
2007-08-20

SHAMEEM FROM USA said:
hamza yausf does make sense there may be somethings which you may find controversial but you have to analyse everything very closely before you blame him and accuse him.he is speaking out of sound Islamic knowledge . I think he is agood scholar whatever the reasons for the holocaust it did harm the innocents in the most cruel way and the same thing is being carried out by the christians for muslims holocaust of muslims . if we deny the holocaust then the christians will also justify the killings of so many thousands of muslims as terrorist for acts which were committed by someon else in the name of Islam taking place in the world as we speak.
2007-08-20

DR. ASAD U KHAN FROM CANADA said:
Editor Islamicity Salam; How strange and sad that when ever some one writes something constructive and sensible, you unleash rabbid dogs on him, on the name of free speach.
2007-08-19

DR EDRISS FROM US said:


blah blah like always, in the name of Islam. reading too many books without understanding them is a big problem to.

this article is like a market of junk where everything mixed. he mixed what the so called shia claim, with phylosophy and christianity, end it by scratching the back of jew with some Islamic flavor in it.

this dumb talk is under the name of suffism!!! I was born and raised a suffi and I doubt you find one real suffi, in Islamic land, who accept to hear Al_qur'aan Al Kareem mutawatir.

brother, may Allah guides you, get you some real scholars to teach you what you read before you try to write books about it?

what is mutawatir in Al_Qur'aan is Alkir'aa'aat: the way of reading it.

Alqur'aan Alkareem was wrote in Sohof the time of the Prophet, Salla Allah alaih wa sallam, and wrote in one book in time of Abu Bakr, radiya Allah anh, and Laaaaaaater was broadcasted by Othman to the ummah, to make sure that the ummah has 100% authentic full Holy Qur'aan.

there is no tawaato'r in Alqur'aan. but there is tawaator in the way of reciting it...

and what all of this has to do with your holocaust? that's like living in America and trying to order chinese food from china. or in American way: what's that has to do with the price of coffee in china? :)

may Allah guides us all to the right path and help us seek money in the right way. Ameen.

people in our time, look just to make money but they don't ask themselves: "do Allah accept us to make money anyway?"
2007-08-19

ZAHEER FROM USA said:
We have a tendency of shifting to the right in order to try to balance out the forces that would otherwise shift us to the left. This attitude seems to prevail not only in secular or non-Muslim people but also amongst Muslims unfortunately. No one is exempt from this natural tendency unless conscious care is made.

While siding for the sufferings of the Palestinian and other Muslims we unconsciously program our minds to deny any sufferings the Jewish people had to face in the past at the hands of the aggressor Nazis.

I am glad that someone in the Muslim community had a conscience to address that. It may be true that the majority of the Jewish people today may be in the denial of the current sufferings of Palestinian Muslims but that should not distract Muslims to be in denial of genuine Jewish sufferings.

Before pointing out the weakness or imperfection of Brother Hamza's institute Brother Saleem must evaluate whether what he pointed out is correct or not. It is a fallacy to not argue the argument and instead attack the person who presented the argument.

Ask yourself a simple question:

Is there any truth to the article? I believe there is. In order for us to emerge as a vibrant alive nation with conscience we need to adhere to the truth irrespective of whom it may benefit. We quote examples of the profit when he made the decision in favor of the Jew only because he was a just man. Are we his followers? Who amongst us Muslims would make a judgment like that today
2007-08-19

CYBILL JOIA FROM USA said:
being a american i can remember being in middle school and having assignments to read about the holocust it was something that i could never forget and would never wish that for my worst enemy and with all the proof out their i can't beleive people still deny this tragic event in history i was born into a strict catholic family and the holocust was described to me a punishment from God for being jewish and being responsible for the death of jesus but still i never understood why would people be punished for something they had nothing to do with even if it was their fore fathers fault so if my dad was a God fearing man and was going to heaven then i can do anything kill, steal, sin and i would still go to heaven because i was responsible for my father's good deed's when i turned 28 i discovered Islam and through the grace of God i became a beleiver a muslim every thing in islam makes the perfect sense that each of us are all born with it is in our soul's to woreship the one and only God and having compassion for people is our duty for all mankind no matter what their religion is because God has compassion for all his creations so we are commanded to do so also. may God's forgiveness and mercy be with all of us salem
2007-08-19

ROMESH CHANDER FROM USA said:
The author writes "Islam, at its advent, developed a sophisticated methodology for the validation of truth claims.".

The above is true for some obscure and very old occurrences. But holocaust is a very recent occurrence for which extensive records are available; so even a non sophisticated and even a crude methodology cannot deny holocaust.

Now what does holocaust has to do with Islam? Nothing. What it has to do with is with muslims. Islam does not know anything about holocaust; it is the muslims who know it and deny it for political reasons, not for religious reasons. So denial of holocaust does not harm Islam, only the political character of muslims in the international community.

If tomorrow, Pope called up a conference regarding the denial of Inquisition. Will that harm Christianity? No, because Christianity has nothing to do with Inquisition; it is the christians who were resposnsible for Inquisition. But christians (and especially Catholic Church) will lose credibility.

This is the most riduculous argument I have come across. I wonder Hamza Yusuf can be called a scholar of any kind.

By the way, Holocaust definitely happended, and so did Inquisition.

What will muslims think if Catholic Church denied the occurrence of Crusades? They will laugh themselves to death.
2007-08-19

ZAINON FROM USA said:
Several verses in The Holy Qur'an tells me to refrain from being suspicious. Yet I can't help but be suspicious of Hamza Yusuf and the Zaytuna Institute as being run by the same people as the Olive Tree Ministries.
2007-08-19

GEORGE FROM USA said:
Very well said. Now mail this to the president of Iran and others who will not see the truth.

The same people who believe the Jews are responsible for 9/11 fall into the same category.

Virulent hatred of any race or religion results in just such denials of truth.

Speak the truth always.
2007-08-19

REDHERRING FROM US said:
ASA.

This is probably one of the best arguments made by a Muslim intellectual and one of our great thinkers of modern times.

Whenever Mr. Yusuf talks or writes, he has my full attention, because essentially he makes sense.

thanks.

May peace and blessings of Allah be on the brother.
2007-08-19

MIKE FROM USA said:
I am wondering how much the Zionists have paid for this article?
2007-08-19

SALEEM FROM USA said:
Brother Hamza Yousuf, should also mention what to those hadiths which comes from people who have lied or their reputation is mis leading. Does Islam kept those saying or regarded it false, the source needs to be from a reputable person.

Now to say an islamic state is not educated enough in islamic teaching to hold an investigation of any more finding regarding Holocoust, is insane.

Brother Hamza needs to educate himself. Rather then teaching others who is entitled to do what and how to hold confernce and we have all seen his conference Clara, CA. Where women in hijab with make ups were working as security volunteers.
And people clapping praising Brother Hamza's parents on the stage. And unmarried girls staying overnight in Zaytuna school of his without mahrem.
Brother Hamza should know better, All praise to Allah, and no praise to people.
2007-08-18