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ORIENTALISTSMEANING AND SCOPE
‘Orient’ derived form Latin word ‘orien’ which mean East. Now,
the orientalists consider the East from Morocco until Japan, even
though Morocco located in more Western in latitude compared
to many European countries.
"Orientalism” is a way of seeing that imagines, emphasizes,
exaggerates and distorts differences of Eastern peoples or Arabs
in specific compared to that of Europe and the U.S. It often
involves seeing East cultures as exotic, backward, uncivilized, and
at times dangerous.
The specialists in the field of orientalism that weigh against the
East are called orientalists.MEA
NIN
G:
Orientalism dates from after the Crusade war to the period of
European Enlightenment and colonization of the Arab World.
Orientalism evolved from the goal to topple Muslims power
until it provided a rationalization for European colonialism
based on a self-serving history in which “the West” constructed
“the East” as extremely different and inferior, and therefore in
need of Western intervention or “rescue”. At the same time,
they aimed to demoralized the spirit of the Easterners to go
against the West or to be dependence from the colonization.
They drew pictures of Eastern social cultures and recreated the
history of Eastern civilizations according to their version.
BRIE
F HI
STO
RY
According to Edward Said, the orientalists
defined East qualities as lazy, irrational,
uncivilized, crudeness were related to the
orientals, and automatically the Europeans
became active, rational, civilized,
sophisticated. His reports regarding the
orientalists’ schemes awaken the Muslims and
academicians.
There are two kinds of orientalists. The first is the one who
attached to the Western governmental institution and their
role is to give the necessary advice related with their policies
toward the Muslim world.
For example, Christian Snouck Hurgronje. He went to Mecca
to study Islam and Arab language. He later lived in Indonesia
and married 3 daughters of influential Muslim figures in
Indonesia . Through his empirical study, he proposed to the
Netherland colonial power, “Imperial power should avoid
from preventing Muslims from doing their rituals (prayer,
fasting, pilgrimage, etc.). On contrary, make them busy with
the rituals in order to avoid them from involving Islam in
politic and human issues”.
Hugronje pictures form top: After return to Holland, in Mecca, in Indonesia.
The second, are those who study about Islam for the own
purposes to seek the weaknesses aspects with the use of
rational or logical approaches. Those who do not attach to any
Western governmental institution there is possibility to accept
Islam after the long process and objectivity in their studies.
The example can be referred to the work of Muhammad Asad
(formerly he was Jew), and Tofian Tiufa who is a member of the
American Association of Orientalism and the Association of the
Middle East Studies. The second embraced Islam after
translating the Qur’an into Bulgarian.
SCO
PE 1
: WAH
Y- The orientalists defy the existence of revelation. This is due
to the solitude Muslims’ stand that perceive the revelation as always the best and it is beyond human capability to judge on the revelation.
- The orientalists say that the revelation states experienced by Prophet (s.a.w.) may due to being tranced.
- The examples can be referred to the exclusion of the Prophet in the cave of hira not for the cause of seeking the power or reflection rather to avoid from the heat of the sun. Thereby, he suffered delusion.
- When Prophet (s.a.w.) told the companions to migrate to Abyssinia, it was not based on revelation. Instead, he actually read some records about the well-being of the King of Abyssinia.
They also try to make contradiction between different
verses of the Qur’an and hadith of the Prophet (pbuh).
For example, 5 daily prayers were mentioned by hadith in
which the Qur’an never mentioned it. Qur’an also never
say anything about the stone punishment in hudud.
Their approach have been followed by some heretical
sects like a group who name themselvers as Qur’aniyyun
(the people of Qur’an). One of their figures in Malaysia is
Kasim Ahmad.
They also condemn the trustworthiness of the
narrative code in Islam which lead to doubting the
purity of Qur’an (especially the structure of the
Qur’an) and authenticity of hadith.
This is due to the fact that even until the modern
time, they are incapable to apply the code in any
discipline other than Islamic studies.
Ibnu Mubarak said, “Isnad is a part of Islam. If there is
no isnad, everybody can says what he want to say.”
Muhammad bin Ahmad said, “This ummah have
three privileges that none others have them: isnad,
ansab and I’rab.
SCO
PE 2
: QU
R’AN
In most of the part, the orientalists repeat what the jahiliyyah
idolaters came up with like the accusation of the Qur’an as a
compilation of knowledge from Jews, Christians, or some
wisemen. However, they also stated that many stories in the
Qur’an was narrated in a wrong way.
They also try to make contradiction between different verses of
the Qur’an. For example, they said about the divergence in iddah
for a widow who lost her husband between a year and four
months and 10 days. Those however, have been discussed in the
discipline of nasikh and mansukh.
They also try to corrupt people perception towards the Qur’an by
promoting tafsir quotes from heretical sects like Shi’ah, grave-
worshipers, etc.
They also promote the Shites perception that doubting the
originality of the Qur’an why doubting the trustworthiness of
companions.
They aim to put Muslims in distance from the Qur’an by
promoting the use of Arab Ammiyyah (Arab slangs) as the
element of originality and nationality to let people away from
standard Arabic language which is used by the Qur’an. Nowadays,
many literal Arabs are unable to read the Qur’an.
When British took Egypt from Ottoman in 1882, with the help of
a betrayer ruler of Egypt, Taufiq Pasha, who revolted against
Ottoman in the name of Arab/ Egypt nationalist, the Prime
Minister of British, William Edward Gladstone visited Egypt and
said, “As long as the Quran is in the hands of Egyptians, we shall
have no future in this land” . Thus, the orientalists work to fulfill
the ambition mainly by promoting the Arab Ammiyyah .
Anglo-Egyptian warWilliam Edward Gladstone
On the other hand, they promote the Muslims
races other than Arab to perceive Arab language is
for Arab, and not as a language that allow Muslims
to unite and communicate with each other. That
was the reason why the orientalists work hard to
dismiss the usage of Arabic letters in other
languages while promoting the Latin letters. They
succeed for languages like Malay and Turk, but yet
to success for languages like Urdu and Persia.
Thus, all Muslims, Arab and nor-Arab have been
driven away from understanding the Qur’an.
SCO
PE 3
: MIS
SIO
NThey said Islam is a cruel /terrorist religion and spread by
force due to many battles took place in Muslims’ history
especially during the age of Prophet (s.a.w).
They support this deception by several verses of the
Qur’an and hadiths that promote jihad. The propaganda ad
misinterpretation of the word jihad have been answered
before.
They also use some hadith to support their claim at Islam
promotes violance especially the hadith, “Known that paradise is
under the shed of the swords” (Narrated by Bukhari).
However, the objective of the hadith is encourage Muslims to not
be afraid of getting into the battle, not to promote or initiate the
war.
This can be understood when in another hadith, Prophet (s.a.w.)
said, “Don’t wish to engage the enemy”. (Narrated by Bukhari:
2966 & Muslim: 1742)
This can clearly be seen that Prophet (s.a.w.) only stroke those who
attacked Muslims or Muslims’ ally, or already in motion to attack
Muslims.
They also say that the reason the Arabs eagerness for jihad was
due to the fact that they grew up in a barren and poor land and
longed for a green and rich one.
The very same has been thrown by the Persian general, Rustum,
who asked that question to Muslim’s commander, Rib’I bin Amir.
However, Rib’I answere, “We actually came to free human from
worshiping creature to worshiping the Creator of the creatures.
From feeling oppressed in this into freedom. From the
exploitation of religions into justice of Islam”. (al-Bidayah wa al-
Nihayah ).
The messenger of Qutaibah bin Muslim was also asked by the
same question by the Emperor of China when he reach with his
army at China’s boarder. But he answered, “If we seek for the
fortunes and green land, then we should just stop at the
country that we just subjugated (like Kashmir) since it is greener
than your country. Furthermore, we should not leave them to
go against your huge army where the possibility for us to lose is
very high. But we come to spread the message of Islam and
justice”.
Thus, Islam was never recorded as attacking a country if their
ruler was a just and fair one.
The orientalists try to put more violence image on Islam by
biasly discussed about the cruelty of the implementation of
Islamic law (huduh and ta’zir) such beheading, cutting the body
parts, lashing, etc.
However, it is very obvious that they try to ignore the fact that
following the Western rule is clearly allow the crime figures to
escalate from time to time, just as they work hard to defy the
Qur’anic saying, “There is a (peace) life for you in Qisas, O you
the people of wisdom, may you will refrain”. (al-Baqarah: 179)
This verse clearly states that only people of wisdom who will
able to appreciate the Islamic law system.
The records following that shows the cruelest genocides were
carried by non-Muslims may clear some misunderstanding about
Islam and Muslims. For example:
1) "Hitler“ who killed more that 10 millions people in only less
than a decade.
2) "Joseph Stalin called as Uncle Joe". He has killed 20 million
human beings including 14.5 million were starved to death.
3) "Mao Tse Tsung (China)“. He has killed 14 to 20 million human
beings.
4) "Benito Mussolini (Italy)“. He has killed 400 thousand human
beings.
5) "Ashoka" In Kalinga Battle. He has killed 100 thousand human
beings.
6) Embargo put by George Bush in Iraq. 1/2 million children
has been killed in Iraq alone!!!
7) Nagasaki atomic bombs 200000 dead caused by America.
8) The War in Vietnam, over 5 million dead, caused by America.
9) The War in Bosnia/Kosovo, over 5,00,000 dead, caused by
serbia.
10) The War in Iraq, 12,000,000 deaths, killed by America/Shiah.
11) In Cambodia 1975-1979, almost 3 million deaths, caused by
Communist.
12) In Afghanistan, at least 2 millions killed by Soviet witihin few
years.
13) More than 100 million missing Africans people during the
transatlantic slave trade were caused by Anglo-Saxon.
14) In Baghdad, 1.5 million Muslims killed by the Mongolians.
15) In Iraq, Palestine, Burma, etc. many massacred happened
and they were caused by non-Muslim.
SCO
PE 4
: MAR
RIAG
EMainly, the orientalists attacked the Prophet (s.a.w.) regarding his
marriage as:
1) Womanizer by having may wives
The reasons behind each of Prophet’s marriage have been
discussed before. The marriages carried out for higher causes, and
not for mere lust.
Many current academic studies suggest polygamy as a resolve for: -
Spinsters: which defy many women from enjoying the happiness
life of legal wedlock.
- Illegitimate child: which normally the woman shall be the only
side that need to take the burden.
- Adultery: which is the main cause for the marriage institutional.
- Woman exploitation: due to small number of real competent
males to take responsibility to manage a family. Etc.
Some studies have conducted survey studies on Western women
regarding the polygamy and the most finding shows that they rather
to share a competent and responsible man with other women than
being left without a male spouse, or live with a single blood-sucking
single male.
The prejudice against polygamy made most good and responsible
men did not prefer polygamy, leaving the opposite type practicing
this out. This resulting in the bad perception towards the system in
overall.
2) Pedophile by marrying Aishah when she was still 6 years old
and consummated her when she was 9 years old.
The reason behind the marriage between Prophet (s.a.w.) and
Aishah has been discussed in different topic.
The marriage actually promote how Islam appreciates human
biological change and how Islam gave them freedom to fulfil their
need.
Biologically, human, especially the female have a stronger desire
to be loved since a small, and have desire and readiness to involve
in sex intercourse once they reach the puberty. The reality can
clearly be seen from female students nowadays starting from the
elementary level.
3) Stealing other’s wife.
The orientalists promote a shi’te record saying that once Prophet
(s.a.w.) intended to visit his foster son, Zaid bin Harithah. Since it
was his foster son’s house, he just entered the house. Thereby he
saw Zaid’ s wife, Zainab bint Jahsh in nude position. Zainab was
his cousin and known by her beauty and noble status. He also the
one who asked Zainab to marry Zaid. Through the incident, he
was really captured by the beauty of Zainab and later ask Zainab
to ask divorcement from Zaid so he may marry her.
Actually, this is one of the fabricated story invented by Shities
scholars against Prophet (s.a.w.) and Islam. Thus, it is a rejected
record according to specialists of Prophetic Traditions (ahl al-
Hadith).
4) He did not allow his wives to marry anyone after his
death. This is a sign of his selfishness and he preferred to
follow the law of former rulers in this matters.
There are many evidences to answer this accusation.
A- The wives of Prophet (s.a.w.) were considered as mothers
of believers. The position of a mother is higher to a man than
a position of his wife. They will downgraded the mothers of
believers if they took them as wives. Qur’an says, “The
Prophet is closer to the believers than their own selves, and
his wives are their mothers;” (al-Ahzab: 6)
They will remain the wives of the Prophet (s.a.w.) even in the
Hereafter, and the Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “I asked Allah that I
marry none of my people but she be with me in the Heaven and I
was granted.” (Mustadrik Al-Hakim, Hadith 4650. Hakim termed
it as Sahih); and:
“[In the Paradise,] a woman will be with her last husband.”
(Tabaqaat Abu Shaikh p.270. Albani classified it as Sahih in Silsala
Sahiha H. 1281).
Thus, companion like Abu Huzaifah said to his wives, “If you wish
to be my wife in the Heaven do not marry anyone after me for a
woman will be with last of his husbands and for this reason Allah
forbade it for the wives of the Messenger (s.a.w.) to remarry after
him.” (Mushkil Al-Athaar 2/147 Hadith 552)”
C- His wives never showed any will to remarry after him:
And above all, never did anyone of his wives show any
desire to remarry after him. Infact there are many of
their statements which show that they understood and
made claim to their motherly right over the Believers.
Moreover those who had been the wives of the Best of
Humankind must have willed to enjoy the same status in
eternity and thus no idea of remarriage would have ever
hit them (Recall above narrations).
SCO
PE 5
: PER
SON
Regarding the personality of Prophet (s.a.w.), the orientalists
accused his as:
a. Lying when he said he was an illiteral prophet. This is because
they want to claim that Qur’an was actually written by Prophet
(s.a.w.) and not revealed by Allah.
They try to use the record of al-Bukhari during the writing of
Hudaibiyyah Treaty, “The Prophet (s.a.w.) took the paper and wrote,
“This is between Muhammad bin Abdillah”. (Narrated by al-Bukhari:
2699).
However, this is answered within the same hadith, in which it was
stated, “and he could write”. Thus it’s mean he asked someone else
to write for him. That’s why it was also narrated, “He asked, “Where
is the place” before he wiped to word, ‘Apostle of Allah’.
b. Arrogance and could not accept critics. They use the
story of Dhu al-Huwaisirah who said, “Be fair O
Muhammad”. Prophet (s.a.w.) answered, “Woe be upon
you. Who would do justice if I do not do justice?”
(Narrated by al-Bukhari: 6163).
However, this ruction was due to the threat possess by Dhu
al-Huwaisirah’s group to Islam, just as dangerous and the
hypocrites. Thus, Prophet (s.a.w.) used this kind of
approach.
c. Very cruel in his punishment. For example, his punishment
upon the Bani Quraizah.
However, this can be answered that Prophet (s.a.w.) already
gave them a chance to select their own judge among
thousands of Muslims, and they chose Sa’d bin Mu’adz, and
he was the one who gave them the judgement.
d. Bias to the Quraish like giving them the loots from the
Battle of Hunain while gave nothing for the Ansar, and
privileging the Quraish to be the his successor in rule.
The answer for the first is the allocation was because they
were muallaf. The answer for the second is due to the more
tests and challenges faced by the Muhajirun.