Prison Chaplain Busts Fear Tactic

WHEN the consistent assault on Islam entered jailhouse doors, prison chaplain Imam Khalil Akbar responded with logic and truth. Referring to a circulated report, Chaplain Khalil called the critique “a fabrication” and said that such publications “are used by some people who feel that they must demonize Islam to prevent people from coming to Islam.” He stated, “I do not think that this tactic would be approved by Jesus Christ, may peace be upon him.”

Rick Mathes, reportedly “a well-known leader in prison ministry,” circulated a testimony under the title “Allah or the Lord Jesus Christ?” Mathes explained, “…I attended my annual training session that's required for maintaining my state prison security clearance. During the training session there was a presentation by three speakers representing the Roman Catholic, Protestant, and Muslim faiths, who explained each of their beliefs. I was particularly interested in what the Islamic Imam had to say. The Imam gave a great presentation of the basics of Islam, complete with a video.”

The imam to whom Mathes refered was an inmate who was only acting as an imam in that he led other inmates in prayer, according to sources. He reportedly had no training and qualifications as an imam.

Mathes responded to the question and answer session with questions directed to the acting imam. “Please correct me if I'm wrong,” Mathes said, “but I understand that most Imams and clerics of Islam have declared a holy jihad [holy war] against the infidels of the world, and that, by killing an infidel (which is a command to all Muslims), they are assured of a place in heaven. If that's the case, can you give me the definition of an infidel?”

Mathes claimed, “There was no disagreement with my statements and, without hesitation, he [the imam] replied, ‘Non-believers!’”

Mathes continued, “So, let me make sure I have this straight. All followers of Allah have been commanded to kill everyone who is not of your faith so they can have a place in heaven. Is that correct?”

Mathes wrote, “The expression on his face changed from one of authority and command to that of a little boy who had just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar. He sheepishly replied, ‘Yes.’ I then stated, ‘Well sir, I have a real problem trying to imagine Pope Benedict commanding all Catholics to kill those of your faith or Dr. Charles Stanley ordering all Protestants to do the same in order to guarantee them a place in heaven!’ The Imam was speechless!” Mathes said. “I also have problem with being your ‘friend’ when you and your brother clerics are telling your followers to kill me! Let me ask you a question. Would you rather have your Allah, who tells you to kill me in order for you to go to heaven, or my Jesus who tells me to love you because I am going to heaven and He wants you to be there with me?’” Mathes claimed, “You could have heard a pin drop as the Imam hung his head.”

Imam Khalil Akbar is a chaplain for the State of North Carolina (USA) and is well known and respected for his work with prison ministry. Imam Khalil stated that “even a lay person in Islam, who understands a little about the religion, would have been competent enough to dispel the untruth that this [report] is seeking to convey. The Qur’an never refers to Christians and Jews as infidels or non-believers. When addressing them, a special term ‘People of the Book’ is used. Why ‘People of the Book’? Because the Muslims make a clear distinction between polytheists or atheists and those who follow the prophets who originally received Revelations from Allah. [‘Allah’ is the Arabic word for the One God]. Even though a Muslim might point out areas of theological differences, we still believe in the divine origin of those Revelations.”

Imam Khalil said that “those who are interpreting the Qur’an as being hostile to nonbelievers where it deals with fighting are guilty of either intentionally or ignorantly taking these verses out of context.” He explained, “The first problem is that the term ‘kafir’ is Arabic for non-believers, or, as the article states, ‘infidel.’ I think if one examines any dictionary, he will see that ‘infidel’ was a term coined during the Crusades to characterize Muslims. The word ‘kafir,’ which refers to an atheist or polytheist, is not the same as ‘ahlil kitab’ (‘people of the Book’).” Imam Khalil reminded of this verse from the Qur’an: “Surely those who believe in this Revelation and those who are Jews and Christians and Sabians who believe in Allah and the final day –their reward is with their Lord, and neither is there fear upon them nor are they grieved” (Surah 2: 62).

Imam Khalil stated, “There is not a single trace of evidence in the Qur’an which directly or indirectly insinuates the alternative of death or Islam for non-Muslims. The Qur’an states, ‘Let there be no compulsion in religion’ (Surah 2: 256). This command is absolutely positive and admits no exceptions. The misuse of the Qur’an to further devious ends by some so-called Muslims is no different from the misuse of the Bible by some so-called Christians to validate and justify oppression of women, slavery, and racial supremacy, etc. The best way to learn about one’s faith is to talk to a practitioner of the faith and not to those whose hearts are tainted with prejudice and bias attitudes toward that faith.”

As for the truth about how Muslims are to deal with non-believers, Imam Khalil said, “The Muslim is taught to be tolerant towards them. The proof of this is that, for the first thirteen years of his mission, Mohammed (peace upon him) refused to pick up a sword and did not allow any of his followers to do so even though the pagans of Mecca, who believed in 360 gods, were constantly abusing and physically attacking Muslims. The Muslims’ only crime was that they enraged the Meccans by preaching that there was only one God.” Imam Khalil explained that, in order to escape persecution, Mohammed (peace upon him) finally sent a band of his followers to Ethiopia, which was governed by a Christian king. After hearing of the Muslims’ belief, particularly the verses concerning Mary and Jesus (peace upon them), the Christian king stated that the difference between the Christian faith and the Muslim faith was no more than a line, which he drew in the sand with his staff. He then granted asylum to the Muslims. Imam Khalil continued, “Later all the Muslims who remained in Mecca, including Mohammed, were forced to leave, and they migrated to Medina. But even after they migrated to escape the persecution, the Meccans continued their mistreatment of Muslims. They wanted to destroy this new community that they perceived was threatening their old tribal gods, customs, and religion. It was in Medina when the first verses permitting fighting were revealed. While the verses permitted fighting, it was to be only in self defense.”

The Qur’an states, “Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you, but do not be the aggressors, for Allah does not love transgressors” (Surah 2: 190).

Finally, Imam Khalil said that, if people that write and circulate such reports “are seeking converts or hoping to scare people away from Islam through lies and deceitfulness, then they are condemned by their own religions traditions. This will never work. In fact, it will only raise the curiosity of others who will wonder why anyone would take it upon himself to pretend to be an expert on a religion other than his own. This tactic has led many to study Islam for themselves and, as a result, embrace it.”

The anti-Islamic acts of ‘irhad’ (‘terrorism’), which the media has falsely called ‘jihad’ (‘struggle’), have understandably caused fear and hate among non-Muslims. When irhad is done in the name of Islam, it is done by those who have created a false religion of their own. Muslims proclaim the truth in words and deeds, but the darkness of fear and ignorance is a mighty deep pit to enlighten.