ICNA Canada refutes Trudeau: “Islam is totally incompatible with western democracy”

http://en.cijnews.com/?p=27451

Posted by: Jonathan D. Halevi February 25, 2016

ICNA (Islamic Circle of North America) Canada is an Islamic nationalwide organization striving “to build an Exemplary Canadian Muslim Community” by “total submission to Him [Allah] and through the propagation of true and universal message of Islam.”

Located at 391 Burnhamthorpe Rd., East, Oakville, Ontario, ICNA Canada emphasizes that “the propagation of true and universal message of Islam is only possible in Canada when whole Canadian Muslim Community transformed into a Dawah community by practicing and propagating the true Islamic Way of Life. With the vision of building an exemplary Canadian Muslim community it is very important to spread the word of Islam…”

Dr. Iqbal Massod Al-Nadvi is the Amir (President) of Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA) Canada and is also serving as Chairperson of Canadian Council of Imams. he also served as Director of Al-Falah Islamic School in Oakville, Ontario from 2004 to 2011, prior to which he served as Imam of Muslim Association of Calgary Islamic Center from 1998-2004 and as a member of the University of Calgary chaplaincy team.

Zunera Ishaq, the woman that stood at the centre of the “niqab debate” in the Canadian election campaign, works/ed for the Islamic Circle of North America (ICNA).

On its official website ICNA Canada shares with its members, followers and supporters the book “Riyad us Saliheen” (“The Gardens of the Righteous” رياض الصالحين) compiled by Imam Zakaruya Yahya Bin Sharaf An-Nawawi, a Sunni Shafi’ite jurist and hadith scholar who lived in 13^th century.
The Gardens of the Righteous (Arabic: Riyadh as-Salihin), is a compilation of verses from the Qur’an and hadith by Al-Nawawi. It contains a total of 1905 hadith divided across 372 chapters, many of which are introduced by verses of the Quran.

The book “Riyad us Saliheen” (“The Gardens of the Righteous”) which appears on ICNA Canada site adds modern commentary to the verses from the Qur’an and hadith.

The following are excerpts from the book which deal with the question whether Islam in compatible with the values of Western democracy.

“[Hadith]: 673. Abu Bakrah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, “He who insults the rulers Allah will insult him.”

[At-Tirmidhi].

“Commentary: To affront and degrade the ruler means to disobey him and to by-pass his orders. This impairs his power, honour and dignity.

“Believers have been told to obey and support rulers for the sake of national interest and welfare, understanding that they desist from committing an overt disbelief and maintain congregation Salat and other duties of religion.

“The political system of Islam is totally incompatible with western democracy.

“The concept of government party and the opposition is alien to Islam.

“All belong to one Ummah with only one goal and pursue the same aims and objects of Islamic guidelines!”

“[Hadith]: 668. `Abdullah bin `Amr (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: We accompanied Messenger of Allah (PBUH) on a journey. We halted at a place to take a rest. Some of us began to set right their tents, others began to graze their animals while others were engaged in competing with one another in archery when an announcer of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) announced that people should gather for Salat. We gathered around the Messenger of Allah and he ((PBUH)) addressed us, saying, “Every Prophet before me was under obligation to guide his followers to what he knew was good for them and to warn the evil thing which he knew. As for this Ummah, it will have sound state and in its early stage of existence; but the last phase of its existence, will be faced with trials and with things you do not recognize. There will be tremendous trials, one after the other, and to each the believer will say, `That is it’. Whenever a trial arrives the believer will say: `This is going to bring about my destruction.’ When this passes, another calamity will approach and he will say: `This surely is going to be my end.’ Whosoever wishes to be removed from the Fire (Hell) and admitted to Jannah should die with faith in Allah and the Last Day; and he should treat others as he wishes to be treated. He who swears allegiance to an Imam, he should give him the pledge in ratification and the sincerity of his heart. He should obey him to the best of his capacity. If another man comes forward as a claimant (when one has already been installed), behead the second.” [Muslim].

“Commentary: Here `its early stage’ means the period of the Companions, of the Successors (of the Companions), and of the Followers (of the Successors). In another Hadith, it has been called as the best era. In comparison with all the succeeding periods, this period is surpassingly good, peaceful and blessed. Later would emerge, it was prophesized, mischief after mischief, each being worse than the preceding one. Today, everybody sees the truth of this prophecy like the light of day. By predicting the emergence of mischief, Messenger of Allah (PBUH) wanted to warn his followers that they should keep themselves aloof from them. To them he further explained in advance the precautionary measures, that is, to keep faith in Allah, to remain firm-footed in the belief in the Hereafter and to deal with people fairly, attempting to be polite to them at the same time.

“Besides, prophecy has been made about the abundance of the power-hungry people with a remedial note. In the first instance believers are supposed to swear allegiance to the caliph, and by extending their cooperation to him they should kill another claimant to the caliphate because it is only in this way that the unity of the Muslim Ummah can be maintained, free of chaos and discord.

“Yet, unfortunately, the power-orientated groups have found a plaything in the shape of democracy, turning peace and unity into a legend of the past. What a pity that despite all that they seek stability and progress! Is it the miracle of time or the quirk of the vested interests that has reversed the whole scheme of things? There is little hope of the improvement of the Muslim world’s affairs. Indeed, it faces an ironical situation.

Trudeau insists: “Islam is not incompatible with Western secular democracy”

In two separate interviews to CBC during recent months, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau firmly maintained that Islam is compatible with Western open and secular democracy:

(November 24, 2015): “Canadians are quick to point out that ISIS is wrong, that Islam is not incompatible with the Western secular democracy, a free place like Canada.”

(January 31, 2016): “But on the other hand, we need to make sure that we’re working with communities like the Muslim community for example to demonstrate that Islam is not incompatible with free and open Western societies.”

Reviving the Islamic Spirit convention exemplifies “our shared beliefs”

In a video message to the annual Reviving the Islamic Spirit convention held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (December 25-27, 2015) in Toronto, Trudeau said:

“The Reviving the Islamic Spirit [RIS] convention… is also about celebrating our shared beliefs in justice, fairness, equality of opportunity and acceptance. The work you do in communities across the country is what builds the and strengthens our multicultural fabric.”

To read the entire transcript of the video message click here.

The values of Ramadan are the “principles upon which Canada is founded” and the “tenets of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms”

In his greeting for Ramadan (July 9, 2013), Trudeau wrote the following:
“During the holy month of Ramadan, Muslims in Canada and around the world fast and engage in deep spiritual reflection, recommit to a life guided by compassion and charity, and foster spiritual renewal of themselves and their communities.”
“Underlying the teachings of Ramadan are the values of empathy, generosity and discipline – principles upon which Canada is founded. They are tenets of our Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees those things sacred to you, to me and to all people with whom we share this great land.”

“I am proud to live in a country where people come together, where our common dreams crowd out the fears that would divide us. Canada is so greatly enriched by its diversity of cultures, languages and religions, and by our shared belief in respect, acceptance, understanding and friendship.”

We need to “separate the muslims from the terrorist”

In an interview (November 12, 2014) to Alameen Post magazine, based in Surrey, BC Trudeau addressing the local Muslim community, was quoted as saying the following:
“In reference to the Ottawa shooting and statementsTh given by the other two political leaders, especially when it comes to Canadian Muslims, he feels that they could have done a better job. He feels that in light of the 9/11 incidents and lessons learned from it, that any time such an incident does occur there has to be strong message needed to be sent to separate the muslims from the terrorist…”