Mr Obama’s middle name is Hussein which is a Muslim name. Since his stepfather was an Indonesian Muslim, it is natural for the son to adopt the religion of the father (especially in Islam). Adopting something from your father does not mean you have to believe in it. However, in Islam it is not the case. If at any time in one’s life were to ever be a Muslim – you are a Muslim.
Was Obama ever a Muslim? He says he is a “Christian” but does that mean he has denied and recant from being a Muslim? If he was, he is an apostate of Islam. The consequences of apostasy is severe in Islam. I hope that this issue will get the necessary coverage so that the issue of apostasy in Islam will be exposed.
Daniel Pipes wrote an interesting article regarding Obama’s Islam,
- “Interviews with dozens of former classmates, teachers, neighbors and friends show that Obama was not a regular practicing Muslim when he was in Indonesia” – implying he was an irregularly practicing Muslim.
- “Obama occasionally followed his stepfather to the mosque for Friday prayers, a few neighbors said” – confirming that he did pray in the mosque.
- “Obama’s 3rd-grade teacher at the Catholic school, who lived near the family [said that] ‘Rarely, Barry went to the mosque with Lolo'” – confirming that Obama attended mosque services.
A few verses from the Hadith on apostasy in Islam,
- Muslim 623 The Prophet said: “It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim except in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for a life (if the person is Muslim), and the deserter of Islam.”
- Bukhari 9:89:271 A man embraced Islam and then reverted back to Judaism Mu’adh said: “I will not sit down unless you kill him as it is the verdict of Allah and His Apostle”
There is no single verse in the Qur’an that prescribes a worldly punishment for apostasy. The Qur’an states the punishment only in the Hereafter. However, numerous verses in the Qur’an affirm freedom of religion and reject compulsion or coercion in religion; for example, see Chapter 2, verse 256.
In hadith, however, there are some texts signifying capital punishment for apostasy. However, scholars differed about the interpretation of these texts. Some made a distinction between apostasy which coupled with fighting against Muslims, committing a capital crime or committing an act of “high treason” against the state. According to this interpretation, capital punishment is because of these crimes, not mere leaving Islam. Other scholars made no such distinction. However, the first interpretation is supported by a number of other sound hadiths which show that when a man in Madinah apostated from Islam, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) neither ordered his execution nor punished him in any other way, and when the man finally left Madinah, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never sent anyone to arrest him or punish him because of his apostasy.
If indeed the capital punishment for apostasy is a hadd (specified mandatory punishment) one would expect that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) would be the first one to implement the law of Allah.
These hadiths are reported in Al-Bukhari, the most authentic collection of hadith, in the book of Al-Ahkaam which is found in the English translation by M. Mohsen Khan, Volume 9, hadith number 316, 318, and 323, pages 241, 242, and 246. They are also reported in Fath Al-Bari, volume 13 under Kitab Al-Ahkam, hadith number 7209, 7211, and 7216.
When quoting hadiths, it is very important to take them in context to what the Qu’ran also says. The Qur’an as the Word of God always supercedes the hadith. Please read the following post from my blog which clarifies the Muslim position on apostates and choice of one’s religion (as stated in the Qur’an): http://makkah.wordpress.com/2007/07/26/egypts-grand-mufti-comes-out-against-the-killing-of-apostates/
Referring to the above hadiths cited above, I would also like you to tell me how many people were killed only for being apostates during the time of the time of the Prophet (s).
Mr. Rafik is more eloquent in his description than me, but it is a core methodological issue when, what I call, “whistle-blowers” pick and choose ahadith and ayat to justify their already misinformed ideology. http://speculative.wordpress.com/2008/01/01/who-needs-sound-methodology-and-rigor-waitaaah/
Rafik,
You are incorrect about there is no verse in the Quran regarding punishment in this life.
The Quran says in 9:73-74 O Prophet, strive hard against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be adamant and stern with them . . . they did utter the words of unbelief. Thus, they were guilty of unbelief after they professed Islam . . . If even now they repent of their misbehavior, it will be good for their own selves, but if they do not repent, Allah will chastise them with a painful chastisement in this world and the Hereafter . . . . (Maududi, vol. 2, p. 213)
In Sura 4:88-89 Allah tells the prophet how to deal with these particular hypocrites. Then what is the matter with you that you are divided into two parties about the hypocrites? Allah has cast them back (to disbelief) because of what they have earned. Do you want to guide him whom Allah has made go astray? And he whom Allah has made to go astray, you will never find for him any way (of guidance) 89 They wish that you reject (Faith), and thus that you all become equal (like one another). So, take not Auliya (protectors or friends) from them, till they emigrate in the way of Allah (to Muhammad). But if they turn back (from Islam), take (hold of) them and kill them wherever you find them . . . . (Al-Hilali and Khan)
Anyhow, your argument fails because there are verses in the Quran. Many Muslim countries still prescribe capital punishment for apostasy. Look at Pakistan – death to apostates. Even countries such as Malaysia, they practice rehabilitation then imprisonment (with canning) for apostasy. If there is no compulsion why not let them choose whatever religion they want?
I don’t see any interaction with the Hadith mentioned specifically in this post with Muslim 623 that Andy posted.
For instructional purposes, I shall cite it again:
Muslim 623 The Prophet said: “It is not permissible to take the life of a Muslim except in one of the three cases: the married adulterer, a life for a life (if the person is Muslim), and the deserter of Islam.”
The closest thing is a comment that others interpret it differently. Now, on what basis then would one ‘interpret’ it differently? Is it Textual criticism, lexicon or grammatically?
“Referring to the above hadiths cited above, I would also like you to tell me how many people were killed only for being apostates during the time of the time of the Prophet (s).”
I think this is an interesting issue you bring up, one that I question whether it’s legitimate or not.
It is not an issue as the whether the Prophet of Islam or anyone during his era practice the killing of apostate, but whether this is a Principle in the Hadiths.
In other words, we are not talking about historical decription but whether it is Islamic prescription to kill apostates.
Here are some quotes concerning apostasy in Islam:
http://www.answering-islam.org/Hahn/Mawdudi/#appb
He has never been an apostate because he’s never been part of any religion by Christianity.
This whole article is a continuation of the smear email. Naming your article as you did, putting examples to question his integrity, then saying, “He says he is a ‘Christian’ “, as if you are disputing it.
Terrible.
Miostone,
Your comment is nothing more than a smear comment. Please read the entry before you comment, as this is not wise.
THe entry did not talk about Obama being an apostate of Christianity.
Miostone,
The post is about “whether Obama was a MUSLIM?”
But, let’s assume your comment for a second,
>>He has never been an apostate because he’s never been part of any religion by Christianity.
All the nominees for Pres. claimed to be a Christian even the Democrats.
Including Mr Obama who is a member of Trinity United Church of Christ since 1988 which is a United Church of Christ where Rev Jeremiah Wright is the pastor.
I have a question. Is it possible a muslim can deny being a muslim for polictical reasons and then admit later being a muslim after “mission accomplished?”
Dear mea,
If you’re asking if a muslim can justify denying their faith, the answer depends on which muslim you ask. I’m not sure how likely a muslim would deny their faith to be voted in office or how acceptable it would be, however, I do know that generally a muslim denying their faith for Jihad is acceptable.
In cases related to Jihad, it would not be unusual for undercover muslims waging Jihad to profess in another faith or do other things normally unacceptable as a muslim such as shaving their beard, eating or dressing differently, listening to western music or watching tv, and cursing.
Just listening to this rattle, my heart goes out to that Muslim American child somewhere in that country, with dreams of becoming a president when he grows up.
Just wondering. Keep up the smear! :p Obama’s won!
=)
yaamyn,
do you want a rational dialogue or just “hit and run?”
what has some muslim american kid got to do with Obama?
i want to ask you this important question, what was the smear that you are alluding to?
yaamyn uses the word smear to discredit the articles he or she probably didn’t even read. The comment only dicredits yaamyn since the article analyzes “History of schooling distorted,” by Kim Barker in the Chicago Tribune on March 25, which was correcting the Los Angeles Times. But then, yaamyn would only know that if he or she actually read the article.
Where is a smear? An example of one is yaamyn’s comment.
Andy, can you please quote any reference from Quran, because this is the main book of muslims
Adeel,
dude, there are so many verses from the Quran listed already. deal with the quoted ones first.
I don’t know. But he has plenty of “Muslim Faith”
http://www.fireandreamitchell.com