The Quran says "…and not But turn away from them and say "Salam" thus soon they will know" 43:88. 'Blessed is he who sends down the criterion to his servant that it may be an admonition to all creatures'' 25:1.

Please refer to your editorial reply in the 13th issue to my statement: Rashad Kalifa, Budha, 'Hadith', Sadam Hussein, John Major and lastly Salman Rushdie do make 'some valid points'. Your No. 12 issue should read 'Malaysia Economic Review', I hope you understand 25:1, I do agree that under the leadership of Dr. Mahathir, Malaysia had improved from leap and bound but at what expense?

Under his leadership, Malaysia saw, Mr. Samy Vellu Ministry in Charge of Telecommunication was involved in illegal share distribution to his kin, Ministry of Trade, Rafidah Aziz was subject to the same accusation. The former Malacca Chief Minister Rahim Tambik Chik was involved in corruption and rape. The former Chief Minister Taib was involved in currency regulation in Australia. Other former ministries were involve in corruption were Datuk Gaffar Baba Tenku Rithaudeen. But there is something strange about Mlaysian law, but asked to resign peacefully. But the most sensationalised and grisly was the decapitating of Umno Datak of Terangganu. He was practising black magic and visiting the Bomoh or the witch doctor to increase his wealth and position. The umno and the national election were dogged with vote buying. In penultimate, we can say Dr. Mahathir and his bandwagon of Qaroonies, certainly these Qaroonies bring Malaysia to a bad side of the world. Where in the world, where majorities of ministers were involved in illegal activities. Where was Sign Magazine then? Certainly you will say you are not going to involve in politics, but why did you print Mahathir Economic and Political Report? It seems that the Qaroonies are making 'Make the hay while the sun shine".

In search for greed, God's given environment were destroyed. In Selangor, the whole mountain was removed to make way for development. Forests were removed. Two disasters were struck at Cameroon Highland, a lot of people were killed. Soil erosion led to the collapse of highland condominium, hundreds of people were killed. One of the Muslim seemed to say, "Where is god protection'. "Mischief has appeared on land and sea because of that the hands men's have earned, that may give them a taste of some of their deeds in order that they may turn back". 30:41

You appointed Him 'Honourable Dr. Mahathir. Did God give this rank to Mahathir? Was you inspired? Perhaps you have another Hadith to support your decreed?
Aziz Kassim
Singapore
 
 

I received a faxed copy of Mr. Aziz Kassim's letter in response to your comment to his letter in the No. 13 issue.

Sign Magazine should not be under any obligation to publish any article to suit any individual taste and it should maintain this freedom. Readers are invited to give their comments on the subject matter if he or she finds the information to be incorrect then it can be disapproved with any Quranic proofs.

Mr. Aziz letter is full of accusations based on hearsay yet the Quran says:- "You reiterated the accusation with your tongues, thus uttering with your mouth what you did not know for sure. You also thought it was a simple matter, when it is a gross offence in the sight of God".
(Q 24:15)

There are many people who claim to believe the Quran but more often than not they do not submit to the Quranic commandments in their daily life.

As a Malaysian I trust the juridical system in my country and a person is innocent until proven guilty and for those who have been involved in wrongdoing were being prosecuted in this country irrespective of their status except for the syariah and the fatwa councils who will pass any judgement on any person without calling the accused person to defend himself.

I was residing in Singapore from 1960 to 1965 and there was so much of virgin jungle from Bukit Timah to Seletar and it stretched to changi and also there was plenty of jungles and hills from bukit Timah to Jurung. What do we see today in these areas? May Mr. Aziz should reflect on this: "O you who believe, you shall be absolutely equitable and observe God, when you serve as witnesses. Do not be provoked by the enmity of anyone into bearing false witness. You shall be equitable, for it is righteous and observe god. God is fully cognisant of everything you do". (5:8)

According to Mr. Aziz it is haram to remove some jungle and mountains in Selangor but it is halal then in Singapore.

Some time last year when Mr. Aziz addressed the judge who was conducting his case in court as 'Your Honor' and 'Your Lord' nobody questioned him "Did God give this rank to the Judge?  Was Aziz inspired? Perhaps Aziz had another 'Hadith' to support his decree? I supposed the difference is the same.
A. M. Harun
Malaysia
 
 

Going through your magazine I have clear vision that you have both, lack of knowledge in Islam and devious ambition to dent and falsify Islamic knowledge. May I increase your knowledge about Imam Al Bukhari (RA-May Allah be Pleased with Him). He devoted all his life to collect and correlate the traditions and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). He used to travel from country on foot or camel, just to make sure that the Hadith narrated by the Prophet (SAW) was correct to the word.

The hadith about women is right and correct. He also narrated that Paradise lies at the feet of the mother. So in fact women are more privileged than men and it is easier for women to enter paradise than men. The more I read the magazine, I cannot find a single name mentioned in any paragraph which gave me clear vision than signs magazine is total distortion of that particular fact.

As for the circumcision, we would like to confirm that it is one of the Jewish fundamental issued to be circumcised. Jesus (Peace be Upon Him) and his followers were all circumcised. Christianity does not forbid this. Islam encourages circumcision although mentioned in Hadith. It is done and the Prophet (SAW) did not object to it. Moreover it is more hygienic, clean and allows an increase in sexual pleasure. The Prophet (SAW) said "I left two things, if you follow them you will never go astray, the Quran and Sunnah".

May Allah guide you to the right way, if you really seek knowledge. Ameen.
Samir Elatar
Dar Al Taqwa Ltd.
London.

Your letter shows some contradictions. How can you say opposite to the hadith and at the same time assert that it is correct? How can women be more privileged? God says in verse 33:35 and 48:5 that men and women are equal in belief. Both Noah's and Lot's wives', who were also mother, are condemned to hell by God in the Quran (66:10) Does heaven lie at their feet? Perhaps you should read the Quran again. Editor
 
 

The recent issue of 'Signs' I found to be excellent, including the articles by Erick Torvall and the one about having the Quran as the basis for the economic and political organisation of society. I have also read the answers given by Abdul Wadud to the questions posed by the Rashadites in the book 'Pretenders' Mutual Tussle and the Quran'. I felt that Abdul Wadud had a convincing answer to some of the questions. It is indeed time that making number patterns does not help the human condition in any way. Surely it is the verses of the Book of God, which should be produced over very carefully by everyone, which is important.
Qais Aticha
Bolton, England

'Pretenders' Mutual Tussle and the Quran'. By Abdul Wadud is available from Signature Publications. Editor
 
 

Thank you for your magazine. I am so pleased to have found your magazine Allahamdollillah. I always believe that god works in mysterious ways.

I am a Muslim of many years ago. I originally came from a small island in the South Pacific north west of New Zealand. Western Samoa is predominantly a Christian country. I was brought up as a Presbyterian and was a very strong one too. There are many Christian denominations in where I came from but have never heard of Islam or Muslim as I was first introduced.

Looking back since I first became a Muslim, I was learning or adopting another culture. E.g. Women were forbidden to go to the Mosque. Men went to learn and women stayed to ensure business and homes were in order. Hundreds more other practices too great to mention.

I accepted the faith reluctantly because of the pressure from the man whom I was involved with. Nevertheless, my questions and curiosity were never satisfied. I had to find answers. I wrote off to South Africa and subscribed for the International Magazine "Yaqueen" and some booklets. I also wrote off to India for a copy of the Holy Quran. (The Muslims that first introduced me to Islam had not a single book about Islam in their possessions).

Ahmed Deedat's booklets and audio tapes were the breaking point in my becoming a proper Muslim. (Although I did not like his approach). They opened up a new horizon for me. My questions started to get answers and my new faith begin to make sense.

Over the years of practising, I encountered many difficulties with the Muslims and their practise. After reading the Holy Quran, it was so obvious the majority did not follow the teaching of the Holy Quran, but empathizes on the practise of sunnah and their cultures. My own study of Islam (all done at home) clearly identified with my suspicious. We are still facing these problems today.

I have learned to ignore these people and their narrow views and carry on with what I have found in the Quran and stick to it. I realised faith is a very personal individual thing. It is between God and I. Islam is very straight forward and simple.

Many of my convert sisters have gone to the extent of removing themselves from the community. They left jobs, hide behind closed doors and some of them also gave up on their Christian Families. They have been deeply indoctrinated by followers of these minutes outside things which are irrelevant to Islam.

I once again thank you for coming out and professing to the truth. I pray for the growth of this work and hope, Inshallah it will reach millions more and hopefully make some sense to them.

I would also like to subscribe for your Signs magazines and may I also request few more copies, so that I could distribute amongst my convert friends.
Assalamah Annie Aso
Auckland
New Zealand.
 
 

I just received your March 1997 issue (No. 13) or Signs. Maa-Shaa-Allah! It is usual high standard and excellence. The articles of lasting, absorbing interest. They are daring, challenging, eye-opening, thought-provoking. Your fearlessness, intrepidity, forthrightness, outspokenness is something I have not found in any other Muslim publication. While reading Signs, I thought that it was I who had written the articles! You and I, are IDENTICLES in our approach and in our love for the Holy Quran.

Keep your BRILLIANT work. May Allah bless you, grant you long life, excellent health and GREATER Berakat and prosperity in all your undertakings.
A.S.K. Joomal
Lenasia,
South Africa
 

 

Signs magazine presenting a Quranic perspective for discussion and debate. We would like to hear from you. If you have any news, views or questions please write to us. Signs Magazine Strathyre House P.O. Box 164 Glasgow G3 6LR. (U.K.) Fax No: +44 (0) 141-331 2861 or Can e-mail us at SignsEditor@netscape.net