30 August 2015

Knowledge is Haram



Just like scientists in a lab don’t hold hands and pray for results, Muslims going to a mosque don’t put on lab coats and perform scientific experiments. Instead, they pray and worship their creator/god, collecting imaginary bonus points to achieve lots of virgins and wine in an imaginary afterlife. They listen to stories about evil spirits, demons and devils. And, speaking of which, non-believers.

They don’t go to a mosque to learn about nature but the super-natural. Not like atheists, who go to universities and develop TV’s, phones and medicine and then don’t even dedicate this to a god but to the well being of mankind. Muslims pray for the well being of themselves.

Atheists develop TV’s, phones and medicine because they have the education, experience and knowledge to do so. Half the Muslim population is illiterate.

An ideology based on religion in general loves a simple, static world. A world where a supreme being provides the only possible answer to problems and questions. A world where humans are the obedient slaves to their lord and master, embedded in simple rituals. A world where all there is to consider is a lone star and a moon orbiting a static, flat planet. A world without the complication of millions and billions of super-big galaxies each with millions and billions of stars, moons and planets. A world without the complication of quantum fluctuations and fields of the super-small components which are the building blocks of everything we currently know.

After a debate in Melbourne about religion in today’s world, several talking points remained.
One of them was the attempt at making a girl aged 9 having sex seem perfectly justifiable, which it is definitely not.


I think any normal human being on the planet today will agree that the mere thought of a  9-year-old girl, playing with dolls and then being called to have sex with a 54-year-old man is revolting. There is no need whatsoever to try and justify or even to discuss this.

Another contentious topic was a simple statement: knowledge is haram. The roaring laughter even woke up a guy in the first row who was peacefully sleeping.


At the time I thought the statement was odd and something too strong and not based on textual evidence and did not assign this off-the-cuff remark too much importance.

Hamza “The Liar” Tzortzis challenged “Mr.” – yeah he has always had a problem with academic titles – Dr. Perkins and accused him of lying and now wanted to teach Dr. Perkins manners.

Because Hamza – as does every Muslim apologist – always presents the evidence for the claims, he now demands not only evidence, but proof for the validity of Dr. Perkin’s statement.

So when apologists started complaining about it, I thought about it for a moment and then said to myself, no, hang on, there’s actually some truth here. When Dr. Perkins explained the reasoning behind it, Hamza flatly declared that a lie. He accused Dr. Perkins of never having read anything by al Ghazali and then made a comment which demonstrated his own obnoxious and condescending attitude: the “Incoherence of the Philosophers” you see it’s full of reason and rationality.

Hahaha, that is hardly the point or the central point of the book, but Muslim apologists like Hamza are such simpletons and too primitive to understand this. The entire book is about the inconsistency between reason and revelation and how revelation is superior in case of inconsistencies.

Dr. Perkins could not provide any sentences from the Koran which substantiated his assertion, even though Hamza demanded it and made a big deal out of it.

Knowing Hamza, I knew he was just making this up and was acting for the audience, which received the expected result. But this got me interested.

I decided not to take a guess or my first gut reaction, my quick recollection of the contents of the Koran, my instinct and intuition as ultimate result, but to take a harder look at this and then did a more systematic, fact-based investigation. I looked at the word “knowledge” and words, which would be considered similar - and the word “haram” and where they appear in the Koran and the hadiths. I went and scanned some commentaries in the form of scholarly tafsirs to see what others made of this.

I then put everything into a structure, analysed it and came to a conclusion.

I think you will agree that after I have presented the facts and done this in an orderly manner that the statement “knowledge is haram” is, indeed, somewhat justified, even if the words don’t appear as such in any Islamic texts.

Knowledge is haram. Knowledge about Islam, outside of Islam and without Islam is haram. So, first of all, what exactly is this “haram”?

Haram is ancient Arabic. Haram today means anything which is forbidden or a sin, which is deemed unwanted in Islam or against Islamic law. For example eating pork is called haram in 16:115.

“He only prohibits for you dead animals, blood, the meat of pigs, and food which is dedicated to other than GOD.”
Transliteration: Innama harrama AAalaykumu, where harrama is a verb - third person male singular past perfect, based on the root  حرم (ha-ra-mim)

Muslims will call a lot of things “haram” which are not really and literally labelled as such in the Koran, so you need to watch out for this. Alcohol or rather “khamr” is such an example, where the Koran nowhere declares it as being “haram”.

Also, it shouldn’t be confused with the word in “Al-Masjid al-Haram”, mentioned 16 times in the Koran and later defined as the holy mosque in Mecca.
The usage here is interesting and shows the complete and utter lack of clarity in Islamic texts. Al-Masjid-al-Haram actually means “forbidden place or site of worship”. So now it is up to the individual what they make of it and how they arrive at “mosque” and the holiest one in Islam at that.

Harām ( حَرَام) meaning “forbid”, “prohibit” as verb
Ḥaram (حرم) meaning "sanctuary" or "holy site" and even “wife” as adjective or noun

Harrama, has prohibited, Verb - perfect third person male singular verb ḥā rā mīm (ح ر م)
Ḥ-R-M (ح ر م) root of many Semitic words, many used as names.
Al-Bayt al-Haram — "The holy house" — the Kaaba
Haram ash-Sharif — "The greatly holy" — the Mosque in Jerusalem, and most importantly
Masjid al-Haram — "The holy mosque" — the mosque surrounding the Kaaba
Muharram — "The holy month" — the first month of the Islamic calendar
Haram as in “prohibited” apparently is pronounced with a deep Hāʾ (ه).
Haram in “masjid al-haram”, is pronounced with Ḥāʾ (ح)

There are 1000s of Islamic texts talking about this mosque, but very few tackle the etymological difficulty. Al-Masjid al-Haram literally means “the site of worship which is inviolable/restricted/forbidden/sacred” and where fighting is forbidden.

So even though a  word can have opposite meanings and is not as rare as you might think in ancient Arabic, in this case there is a differentiating factor in the grammar.

Truly amazing what languages are capable of. This demonstrates that ancient Arabic is anything but a precise language. It is totally dependent on study, context and interpretation.

Anyway, now that we all understand the different usage when used as a noun as in site and as a verb as in forbid/prohibit, let me concentrate on the forbidden or prohibited meaning and how it relates to knowledge.

Going through the Koran, the term “knowledge” is used more than 100 times in different forms and in different contexts. I will not list each occurrence, but will select a few and analyse their intended meaning as far as I can establish it in a concise manner.

2:32     Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us.

This is the typical context of what the word “knowledge” is used as.

knowledge
N - male accusative noun علم (ayn-lam-mim)

Now let’s look at the same word in the Sunnah

In Bukhari alone there are dozens of associations of the word “knowledge” with Islam, like “It is Religious knowledge”
Book 3 Hadith 17, "O Allah! Bestow on him the knowledge of the Book (Qur'an).
Book 96 Hadith 3, "O Allah! Teach him (the knowledge of) the Book (Qur'an)
Book 61 Hadith 5, “Those who were the best in the pre-lslamic period, are also the best in Islam if they comprehend religious knowledge.”
Book 97 Hadith 10, "None has the knowledge of the Unseen but Allah”
Book 65, Hadith 4589, “no one knows its hidden meanings but Allah. And those who are firmly grounded in knowledge say: "We believe in it (i.e. in the Qur'an) the whole of it (i.e. its clear and unclear Verses) are from our Lord”

And finally, the Tafsir.

Al-Jalalayn
They said, ‘Glory be to You!, exalting You above that any should object to You, We know not except what You have taught us. Surely You are (innaka anta emphasises the [preceding suffixed pronoun] kāf) the Knower, Wise’, from whose knowledge and wisdom nothing escapes.

The commentators such as the Jalalayns, ibn Abbas and Maududi completely agree, which is why I will not show them for each of the sentences I will be using as examples.

It signifies the submission to a god, an all-knowing god, who provides some knowledge for us lowly humans and I have not found any indication which would make the usage of this word encourage us to look any further.

Quite the opposite, the Jews and Christians are said to have suffered from further knowledge as is explained in 3:19.

3:19     Those who were given the Book were not at variance except after the knowledge came to them, being insolent one to another.

A little further down in this chapter, humans who have received some knowledge from their god should limit themselves to what they have been taught and not go any further.

3:66     why do you argue about that of which you have no knowledge? And Allah knows, while you know not.
We see again and again the link between knowledge and the Koran, nothing more.

7:52     We had brought to them a Book distinct, replete with knowledge, and guidance and grace for men who believe.

This shows quite clearly the intention to make the Koran the book which provides all necessary knowledge for humans. Believers are urged to learn about the contents of the Koran – but nothing else. Looking through the sentences I did not see a single usage where the alleged words of a creator/god tell people to look for anything outside his words in this book.

20:114 Be not in haste with the Qur'an before its revelation to thee is completed, but say, "O my Lord! advance me in knowledge."

The reference to knowledge here is in relation to the revelation of the Koran, which is deemed knowledge.

What this god wants to provide in the form of knowledge has been provided and nothing over and above what is in the Koran is required and is, indeed, discouraged to pursue.

Over and over we humans are advised that all knowledge “resides with Allah”. We are stupid and this god grants us some of the available knowledge, sufficient for worshipping this god and fighting for this god. But only some knowledge. This god has taught humans all they need and all they need to know.


In an attempt at countering this, apologists, who, like most Muslims lack critical thinking skills, comb the Koran for words which can mean something like use one’s intellect, acquire knowledge, learn, study, think, ponder, reflect and as far as I have been able to establish, only manage to come up with words which refer to their creator/god and nothing outside the Koran.

3:191   “they reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth”

The word “reflect” is one of the most commonly used examples cited. They show rows and rows of the word in its different forms, trying to impress the gullible with all the variations – but never show the actual usage of these words. If I do take a closer look at the usage it becomes painfully clear that the reader is instructed to reflect, consider or ponder the creation of the Islamic creator/god, nothing else, least of all nature.

Well, this was going to be a quick 6 minute video, but then it looked as though I was hasty and not thorough enough, not really covering all the possibilities in the required depth.

That's why I will take examples of the words and show exactly where and how the word is used so that I do not come across as superficial.

So let's run down the apologist’s favourite, the word “fakkaru”, ponder or reflect and its usage in the Koran.

Starting in chapter 2

219 says you need to ponder god's sentences, the Koran, clearly referencing a god and not thinking about general knowledge

266, only repeats what 219 says

chapter 3:191, think of god's creation of heavens and Earth.

6:50, think about what is revealed by a god via an angel

4:82, Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an?

7:176, think about the signs of a god

7:184, think about what the messenger told you

10:24, think about the signs by a god

13:3, again, think about the signs by a god

16:11, and again, think about the signs by a god

16:44, what do you know, think about the signs by a god

16:69, I know it gets boring, think about the signs by a god

30:8, think about what this god has created

30:21, yet another repeat of above, think about the signs by a god

34:46, defend your god and think - the same again about what the messenger told you

39:42, another one, think about the signs by a god

45:13, think about the signs by a god, It's not me who wrote this, I swear

47:24, Do they, then, not reflect on the Qur'an? Or are there locks on their hearts?

and finally, chapter 59:21, be afraid of this god and think about it


There you have it. They all refer to seeking knowledge and pondering the contents of the Koran and don't tell a believer they should go and learn about nature or anything outside of what this god says in the Koran.

So, what other words can I think of which would convey anything educational?

The Koran implores the reader to simply accept and if they blindly believe, they are considered intelligent, unlike all those untrusting, blind, dumb and deaf non-believers.

14:52   “they will know that He is One God and so that people of intelligence will pay heed”

Telling the reader that if they consider themselves intelligent they will blindly believe what is in the Koran and obey.

Some apologists come up with the various meanings of the word “understand”, which is used extensively in the Koran. But yet again, it is not intended for believers to stop and think but rather to make it seem as though the act of blindly believing the contents of the Koran is in itself a worthy approach to gaining knowledge.

For example, it says in
29:35   “We have left thereof a sign, a clear sign? unto a people who understand”
insinuating that “we in heaven know what we are doing and you will understand this – unless you are dumb”. So people nod, even though this does not make any sense at all.

This is repeated over and over and culminates in the condescending statement:

21:23   “None shall question Him about what He does”

In other words: now shut up and grovel. Don’t ask, don’t advance, don’t learn and stick to the knowledge provided in the Koran. Learn about the Koran, but nothing more. Don’t try and inject human explanations for the origin of species including humans but stay focussed on divine, manual creation.

Another word used frequently in the Koran is to “reflect”. Looking at the context, we see that, as is the case for “knowledge”, it is there to tell the followers to look at the Koran and god’s creation and now bloody well appreciate it.

This is repeated again and again.

As Abu Dawud says, “Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error”

Sahih Muslim echoes this, saying “every innovation is error”, or “He who did any act for which there is no sanction from our behalf, that is to be rejected” and “If somebody innovates something which is not in harmony with the principles of our religion, that thing is rejected”.

Hasan bin `Ali reported: I have retained these words of the Messenger of Allah , "Leave what causes you doubt and turn to what does not cause you doubt.'' These sentences explain why Muslims in general are so backwards and scientifically illiterate as well. Apologists notice this of course and try and make the situation look better than it is and instil a bit of remaining pride into their fellow brethren.

In their despair, Muslim apologists have turned to weak and even fabricated hadiths, like the one saying: “Seeking knowledge is a duty upon every Muslim”, which refers to Islamic sharia. Someone told me that Muhammad issued the command “Seek knowledge, even if you have to go to China”, but this is made up. The same goes for a saying comparing “ink of a scholar” with “blood of a martyr”.

After looking at different possibilities and options in Islamic texts, I have not found a single sentence in the Koran which asks Muslims to look for knowledge over and above or outside the Koran or Islamic texts for that matter.

All texts agree that knowledge refers to “the understanding of the knowledge of Qur'an”, nothing else.

I have, however, found hundreds of places where followers are encouraged to limit their endeavours to the Koran - that what was supplied by their god.

In summary, the Koran instructs its gullible followers to only think about what their creator/god has provided. Live and die for this god but don’t ask questions, simply obey!
                                                                                                                                    
5:101   “Ask not questions about things which, if made plain to you, may cause you trouble“

If you do this, you will be richly rewarded with food, drink and women – but if not, you will be severely punished by eternal torture in the hellfire.

And isn’t that exactly what you would want if you are expanding your empire and all you need is men who fight for you? Men focused on fighting for their lord, staying away from wine and women as long as they are alive and can fight! The pleasures of alcohol and women come later, when they are dead. Then they have time to enjoy. Here, in this life, they fight. Here they only need to know what the Koran gives them; the rest might just distract them.


Yes, for Muslims, real “knowledge is haram”, as it can harm your faith and introduce confusion and doubt into your primary objectives.

Thanks for your time.





Sources:

Debate Islam or Atheism which makes more sense
Dr John Perkins, Hamza Tzortzis, Ian Robinson, Faraz Nomani

MC: Shafiul Haq

Debate | Islam or Atheism: which makes more sense? Tzortzis/Nomani v Perkins/Robinson [Swinburne]


star, a planet and a moon, Rationaliser

Epistemology


h-r-m

Al-Masjid al-Haram

half the Muslim population is illiterate (because this is denied so often here are more than the usual handfull of links)

http://themuslimissue.wordpress.com/2012/10/20/islamabad-freelance-columnist-800-million-muslims-out-of-1-4-billion-are-illiterate/
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/af.html
http://www.worldliteracyfoundation.org/snapshot-of-illiteracy-in-pakistan/
http://www.wikiislam.net/wiki/Muslim_Statistics_-_Education_and_Employment
http://www.irfi.org/articles/articles_251_300/status_of_muslim_societies_aroun.htm
http://www.indexmundi.com/world/demographics_profile.html
http://www.academia.edu/4814925/Education_and_Development_of_Muslims_in_India_A_Comparative_Study
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/MI20Ak01.html
http://causelife.org/our-projects/
http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/daily/education/33459-nmec-and-fight-against-illiteracy
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_world#Education
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6938090.stm
http://thesouthasianidea.wordpress.com/2008/10/06/why-is-pakistan-half-illiterate/
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/books.htm?chapterid=1839698&show=pdf
http://m.harunyahya.com/tr/works/1002/The-Winter-Of-Islam-And-The-Spring-To-Come/chapter/272/The-oppression-of-Muslim-minorities
http://www.rohama.org/en/news/5359/%E2%80%9Cmuslim-world-problems-and-solutions%E2%80%9D-international-conference-in-mecca
http://www.icssr.org/Hardwar.pdf
http://themuslim500.com/2013-2/issues-of-the-day/a-just-and-lasting-peace-on-the-horizon
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13349398
http://iosminaret.org/vol-3/issue14/women_university.php
http://i-epistemology.net/attachments/356_V9N4%20Winter%2092%20-%20Haniff%20-%20Muslim%20Development%20at%20Risk.pdf
http://www.prb.org/Publications/Reports/2003/EmpoweringWomenDevelopingSocietyFemaleEducationintheMiddleEastandNorthAfrica.aspx