Jewish Muslim Relationship - Essay Example

? JEWISH MUSLIMS RELATIONSHIP Submitted By: Teacher’s JEWISH MUSLIMS RELATIONSHIP Introduction In the 7th century CE Islamic–Jewish relations started with the origin and spread of Islam. The two religions share similar values, guidelines, and principles. Islam also incorporates Jewish history as a part of its own. Because of this similarity, there has been considerable and continued physical, theological, and political overlap between the two faiths. Judaism does not encourage conversion to Judaism; maintaining that all people have a covenant with God. Instead it encourages non-Jews to uphold the Seven Laws which it believes were given to Noah. Conversions to Judaism are therefore relatively rare, including those from the Islamic world. Islam accepts converts, and spreading Dawah to other religious adherents including Jews. Muslims Beliefs Muslim is an Arabic word meaning "one who submits to God". A Muslim is an adherent of Islam. The Qur'an is the holy book of Islam and Muslims believe that it is the verbatim word of ALLAH as revealed to the prophet Muhammad. Muslims also follow Hadith which has the teachings and practices of Muhammad. Muslims believe that Islam is the complete and universal version of a primordial faith that has been revealed before through many prophets. Muslims also believe that the Qur'an is the final unaltered revelation from God while previous messages and revelations have been partially changed or corrupted over time. Islam teaches Muslims to practice it in everyday’s life. They pray five times a day, fast during the Holy month of Ramadan, pay zaqaat. Most of all Islam tells people to be good with each others in every aspect Jewish Believes The basic laws and tenets of Judaism are derived from the Torah. This was the first written book sent to Hazarat Mossa to preach his nation. The most important teaching and tenet of Judaism is that there is one God, Who is incorporeal and eternal. All people are created in the image of God and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Much of Jewish religious observance is centered in the home. They pray daily three times a day, in the morning, the afternoon, and after sunset. Congregational prayers usually take place in the Jewish house of prayer and study called synagogue. The synagogue service includes readings in Hebrew from the Torah and the Prophets on special days like On Mondays, Thursdays, the Sabbath, festivals and High Holy Days (About the Jewish Religion). 2. Problems that Jewish Muslims relationship is facing The problem in jews muslims relationship arises because of the following factors: Differences in Religion Before the rise of Islam, every messenger was sent to Jews. They started believing that they were the only chosen and guided ones for possession of the Divine Law and Scriptures. They became arrogant and proud. They could not accept when Prophet Mohammad was selected among Arabs as final messenger. Differences in Beliefs Muslims accepting Islam as the last religion have contradictions with the belief of Jews. Muslims believe they have most authentic guidelines presented by Prophet Muhammad. So relationship between Jews and Muslims always remained stressful. Land Claim Land claim is also a factor disturbing Jews and Muslims relationship. It starts with the fact that when the British divided Palestine into parts, the Muslims got the vast majority of the land and the Jews were given only 22%. This started a war between the new Jewish State and the Arab. And since that time in 1948, the Arabs have been trying to rid Israel of the Jews. So there is always a conflict between Jews and Muslims (myjewishlearning). A political activist, blogger and a spokesperson Pirzada Hasaan Hashmi states that anti-Jewish and sentiment is deeply rooted in the Muslim society. Muslims countries are deeply influenced by their religious scholars. They teach them that Jews have occupied Muslims’ holiest lands and that the rightful owners of those lands are Palestinians. So politicians of Muslims country cannot do much to improve the situation of Jews and Muslims relations, because they fear to lose the support of their people (Could Israel and Pakistan become friends). 3. Effects Improving Jewish Muslims relationship The bilateral relations between the Muslims and Jews have been complex since the establishment of new religion Islam.Many effects have been made in many countries to bring Jews and Muslims together. United States has been trying to establish good relations between Jews and Muslims since 1980s. Dialogue groups sprang up, Muslims were invited to synagogues, Jews visited mosques, and joint business ventures were planned to cement ties in the "new" Middle East. Muslims approached Jewish groups that oversaw kashrut standards for advice on how to establish legal standards for hallal, Islam's religious dietary laws that in some regards mirror Judaism's. Jews and Muslims also came to together on such domestic political issues as religious freedom and immigration policy (Tritton). 4. Benefits of Jews Muslims Relations Jews and Muslims can cooperate in dealing with militant extremism, which is a common challenge. A fruitful and peaceful cooperation can be made in the field of agriculture. Israel’s land which is mostly dessert can use Muslims corporation to improve their agriculture. They can also help each other on the political and diplomatic levels. Jews have the strongest lobbying powers in the world. If Jews and Muslims are on good terms, Muslims can use this lobbying to foster healthy relationships with other countries (why Jews and Muslims are enemies) 5. Jewish Muslims relationship in the Present Era In the present time, it is not uncommon to hear harsh criticism about Muslims among some Jews. They consider all Muslims and the religion of Islam itself as being extremist, medieval in outlook, discriminatory toward women, and supportive of endless jihad, or religious warfare. This concept has become more common after the 9/11 attack, which made Muslims under more serious condition of suspects (the relationship of Islam and Judaism). For few decades ago, Jewish Muslims relationship seemed so much optimistic. Outside the United States, Jewish-Muslim relations sunk to an even worse state. Like relationship between Muslims of Asian country like Pakistan still do not accept Israel as separate country, because of the hatred feeling with Jews. In March 2011, the Middle East Media Research Institute, a Washington-based think tank reported that Pakistan’s mass media has also played a vital role in stirring anti-Jewish sentiment among people of Pakistan (Could Israel and Pakistan become friends). But with the involvement of many countries Jewish Muslims relations seems to be getting better. In this regard Oslo Accord agreement appeared as political breakthrough with the hope to end Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It would prompt hesitant Muslim governments to establish diplomatic relationships with the Jewish state, thereby fostering a new era of Jewish-Muslim cooperation and understanding. 6. Conclusion Islam and Judaism belong to the same group of religions known as Abraham’s religions. Both faiths believe Abraham was the first prophet to receive instructions from God. While modern-day conflicts between Jews and Muslims exist, the two religions both worship a monotheistic deity and share some central figures. Both Muslims and Jews believe their holy books that come directly from God. Judaism started around 2,000 B.C. and preceded both Christianity and Islam. Judaism distinguished itself from other faiths practiced at the time by focusing on a single, monotheistic deity. Islam was founded in the seventh century near Mecca when, Muslims believe, the Prophet Muhammad received messages from God. Islam also focused on a single deity. As every single prophet was sent to the nation of Jews, they believed themselves as the only right nation to get hold of Divine Law and Scriptures. This makes them arrogant and proud. They could not bear the reality of Mohammad as last messenger of God, who was among Arab not among them.Jews believe God gave Moses messages on Mount Sinai after he led the Israelites out of slavery, and that these revelations became the Torah. But they also believe that God had stopped sending prophet after Mossa. So they are not accepting Islam as final religion and Muslims as its nation. On the other hand, Muslims respect Torah equally and belief that it was revealed on Hazarat Mossa. Likewise they consider Christianity as one of the religion of same group, but believe that all the writings in these holy books are not in the same conditions as was instructed. But Quran as being in the same state as was revealed upon Prophet Mohammed by Allah is the most authentic source of guidelines. Based on these believes Muslims have conflicts with Jews, that made their relationship complicated. References: 1. About the Jewish Religion." GxMSDev, 2013. Web. 5 Dec 2013. . 2. "why Jews and Muslims are enemies? | Islamhelpline." Islamhelpline.com, 2013. Web. 5 Dec 2013. . 3. "Jews and Muslims - My Jewish Learning." Myjewishlearning.com, 2013. Web. 5 Dec 2013. . 4. Tritton, AS. "'DEBATE'BETWEEN A MUSLIM AND A JEW." Islamic Studies, 1. 2 (1962): 60--64. Print. 5. “the relationship of Islam and Judaism”, Opposingviews.com.2013 [Online] available at | [Accessed: 2 DEC 2013]. 6. “Could Israel and Pakistan become friends” Israeltoday.co.2013 [Online] available at | [Accessed: 2 DEC 2013]. Read More