gt8145a@prism.gatech.edu (FADEL,AYMAN HOSSAM) (10/17/90)
>>2) There are numerous Ahadith mentioning the second coming of Prophet Isa, >> >>4) Sura Al-Imran, Verse 112 : > >>Jemshed Nawaz Many muslims have expressed views similar to what Brother Jemshed expressed, but only in the last forty years. Since it is a new interpretation which equates present-day Christians and Jews and Hindus with the Christians and Jews and polytheists of the time of the Prophet Muhammad salla allahu alaihi wa sallam, it must be recognized as ra'y or ijtihad, opinion or 'strugging to know what to do'. No ra'y or ijtihad can be considered authoritative belief ('aqiida) until it is confirmed by ijmaa' (consensus of the Muslim community.) Thus, to answer the question "Is this the view of many contemporary Muslims, I would say yes, although even most of these would prefer peaceful coexistence with non-Muslims if possible. I'm sure Brother Jehmshed is among them. To answer the question, "Was this the belief of the jurists whose beliefs can be considered normative Islam?", the answer is definitely no. I have perused through Ibn al-Jawzi's Tablis Iblis (The Deception of Satan), in which he has a chapter of the errors of the Jews, and there is no mention of them as a threat to the safety of God's religion. I have access to other authoritative works (al-Kashshaaf and al-bahr al-muhiit), so if there is demand I'll translate some of the more relevant passages. To Brother Jemshed: Please respect the efforts of past muslim jurists. What you have said is bid'a. Not every bid'a is bad, but it needs to be justified in a scholarly manner. Unless someone is educated in the shariah, it is impermissible for him to spread beliefs different from the consensus view. Wassalaam, Ayman