Houri (Heavenly Virgin): Difference between revisions

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==Virgins or Raisins?==
==Virgins or Raisins?==


This false myth of "white raisins" originated from Christoph Luxenberg, a modern author writing under a pseudonym.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Luxenberg|2=2012-02-19}} Christoph Luxenberg] - Wikipedia, accessed February 19, 2012</ref> His anti-Islamic claim,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syro-Aramaic_Reading_of_the_Koran|2=2012-02-19}} The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran] - Wikipedia, accessed February 19, 2012</ref> which has been accused of having a "Christian apologetic agenda",<ref>Richard Kroes - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.livius.org/opinion/Luxenberg.htm|2=2012-02-19}} Missionary, dilettante or visionary? A review of Ch. Luxenberg, Die Syro-Aramäische Lesart des Qur'an] - Livius, accessed February 19, 2012</ref> is that the Qur'an was drawn from [[Islam and the People of the Book|Christian]] Syro-Aramaic texts in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century, in order to evangelize the Arabs,<ref>Sandro Magister - [{{Reference archive|1=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/7025?eng=y|2=2012-02-19}} The Virgins and the Grapes: the Christian Origins of the Koran] - Chiesa press, March 17, 2004</ref> and that the Aramaic word 'hur' (white raisin) had been [[Mistranslated Verses|mistranslated]] by later Arab commentators into the Arabic word 'houri' (virgin).<ref>Alexander Stille - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/03/02/MN128985.DTL|2=2012-02-19}} Revisionist historians argue Koran has been mistranslated] - New York Times, March 2, 2002</ref>
This false myth of "white raisins" originated from Christoph Luxenberg, a modern author writing under a pseudonym.<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christoph_Luxenberg|2=2012-02-19}} Christoph Luxenberg] - Wikipedia, accessed February 19, 2012</ref> His anti-Islamic claim,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Syro-Aramaic_Reading_of_the_Koran|2=2012-02-19}} The Syro-Aramaic Reading of the Koran] - Wikipedia, accessed February 19, 2012</ref> which has been accused of having a "Christian apologetic agenda",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.livius.org/opinion/Luxenberg.htm|title=Missionary, dilettante or visionary? A review of Ch. Luxenberg, Die Syro-Aramäische Lesart des Qur'an|publisher=|author=Richard Kroes|date=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.livius.org/opinion/Luxenberg.htm&date=2012-02-19|old-ra-templatetext=Livius, accessed February 19, 2012|deadurl=no}}</ref> is that the Qur'an was drawn from [[Islam and the People of the Book|Christian]] Syro-Aramaic texts in the early 8<sup>th</sup> century, in order to evangelize the Arabs,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/7025?eng=y|title=The Virgins and the Grapes: the Christian Origins of the Koran|publisher=|author=Sandro Magister|date=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://chiesa.espresso.repubblica.it/articolo/7025?eng=y&date=2012-02-19|old-ra-templatetext=Chiesa press, March 17, 2004|deadurl=no}}</ref> and that the Aramaic word 'hur' (white raisin) had been [[Mistranslated Verses|mistranslated]] by later Arab commentators into the Arabic word 'houri' (virgin).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/03/02/MN128985.DTL|title=Revisionist historians argue Koran has been mistranslated|publisher=|author=Alexander Stille|date=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/03/02/MN128985.DTL&date=2012-02-19|old-ra-templatetext=New York Times, March 2, 2002|deadurl=no}}</ref>


The Qur'an describes the physical characteristics of the houri in many places, and a reading of relevant verses show that Luxenberg's theory regarding heavenly white raisins is in error.  
The Qur'an describes the physical characteristics of the houri in many places, and a reading of relevant verses show that Luxenberg's theory regarding heavenly white raisins is in error.  
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[[Suicide]] is clearly forbidden in Islam, but the [[The Islamic Ruling on the Permissibility of Martyrdom Operations|permissibility of martyrdom operations]] (Istishhad) is an altogether different topic, with scholars being split on the issue.
[[Suicide]] is clearly forbidden in Islam, but the [[The Islamic Ruling on the Permissibility of Martyrdom Operations|permissibility of martyrdom operations]] (Istishhad) is an altogether different topic, with scholars being split on the issue.


Notable scholars and apologists such as Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the world's most quoted independent Islamic jurist,<ref name="Faisal">Faisal Bodi - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/aug/28/comment.israelandthepalestinians|2=2012-02-21}} Bombing for God (Special report: Israel and the Middle East)] - The Guardian, August 28, 2001</ref> [[Dr.]] [[Zakir Naik]], known for his advocacy of "[[Islam and Science|Qur'anic science]]", and Tahir Ashrafi, the Chairman of the [[All Pakistan Ulema Council]], have justified the use of suicide bombing in Islam.<ref>Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi - [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545134 Palestinian Women Carrying Out Martyr Operations] - Islam Online, November 6, 2006</ref><ref>[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZxNqxpb8s Is Suicide Bombing allowed in Islam? By Dr. Zakir Naik] (a YouTube video posted by PeaceTVUK on September 20, 2008</ref><ref>Abdul Haq Omari - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks|2=2013-03-05}} Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks] - TOLOnews, March 2, 2013</ref> Opinion polls have further shown that an [[Muslim Statistics (Terrorism)‎|extremely large number]] of Muslims from around the world support the practice.<ref name="Faisal"></ref><ref name="JP">Michael Freund - [http://web.archive.org/web/20070210015156/http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467849587&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Right On: The straightforward arithmetic of jihad] - The Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2007</ref><ref>Khalid A-H Ansari - [{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20040412010339/http://web.mid-day.com/news/world/2004/march/79639.htm|2=2012-02-11}} 65% Pakistanis support Osama, says report] - Mid Day, March 27, 2004</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.scotsman.com/news/international/one_in_eight_uk_muslims_support_terrorist_attacks_1_517610|2=2012-02-04}} One in eight UK Muslims 'support terrorist attacks'] - Scotsman.com, March 15, 2004</ref>
Notable scholars and apologists such as Shaykh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi, the world's most quoted independent Islamic jurist,<ref name="Faisal">Faisal Bodi - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2001/aug/28/comment.israelandthepalestinians|2=2012-02-21}} Bombing for God (Special report: Israel and the Middle East)] - The Guardian, August 28, 2001</ref> [[Dr.]] [[Zakir Naik]], known for his advocacy of "[[Islam and Science|Qur'anic science]]", and Tahir Ashrafi, the Chairman of the [[All Pakistan Ulema Council]], have justified the use of suicide bombing in Islam.<ref>Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi - [http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar/FatwaE/FatwaE&cid=1119503545134 Palestinian Women Carrying Out Martyr Operations] - Islam Online, November 6, 2006</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks|title=Pakistan Ulema Permits Suicide Attacks|publisher=|author=[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtZxNqxpb8s Is Suicide Bombing allowed in Islam? By Dr. Zakir Naik] (a YouTube video posted by PeaceTVUK on September 20, 2008</ref><ref>Abdul Haq Omari|date=|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http://www.tolonews.com/en/afghanistan/9627-pakistan-ulema-permits-suicide-attacks&date=2013-03-05|old-ra-templatetext=TOLOnews, March 2, 2013|deadurl=no}}</ref> Opinion polls have further shown that an [[Muslim Statistics (Terrorism)‎|extremely large number]] of Muslims from around the world support the practice.<ref name="Faisal"></ref><ref name="JP">Michael Freund - [http://web.archive.org/web/20070210015156/http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1167467849587&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull Right On: The straightforward arithmetic of jihad] - The Jerusalem Post, January 31, 2007</ref><ref>Khalid A-H Ansari - [{{Reference archive|1=http://web.archive.org/web/20040412010339/http://web.mid-day.com/news/world/2004/march/79639.htm|2=2012-02-11}} 65% Pakistanis support Osama, says report] - Mid Day, March 27, 2004</ref><ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.scotsman.com/news/international/one_in_eight_uk_muslims_support_terrorist_attacks_1_517610|2=2012-02-04}} One in eight UK Muslims 'support terrorist attacks'] - Scotsman.com, March 15, 2004</ref>


The Qur'an states that all Muslim males, not only martyrs, will be rewarded with virgins.<ref name="q56_36">"''Then We have made them virgins''" - {{Quran|56|36}}</ref> However, the Qur'an does also mention that those who [[The Meaning of Qatal|fight]] in the way of Allah ([[jihad]]) and get killed will be given a "great reward",<ref name="Sura4 74">"''Let those (believers) Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter fight in the cause of Allah and whoso fights in the cause of Allah, - and is slain or gets victory, We shall bestow on him a great reward.''" - {{Quran|4|74}}</ref> and there are also hasan (good) hadith<ref name="QA 8511"></ref> which refer to 72 virgins as one of the "seven blessings from Allah" to the martyr.<ref name="alMiqdaam"></ref> This has lead to the 72 virgins concept being widely used as a way to entice other Muslims into carrying out "martyrdom operations" for Islam.  
The Qur'an states that all Muslim males, not only martyrs, will be rewarded with virgins.<ref name="q56_36">"''Then We have made them virgins''" - {{Quran|56|36}}</ref> However, the Qur'an does also mention that those who [[The Meaning of Qatal|fight]] in the way of Allah ([[jihad]]) and get killed will be given a "great reward",<ref name="Sura4 74">"''Let those (believers) Who sell the life of this world for the hereafter fight in the cause of Allah and whoso fights in the cause of Allah, - and is slain or gets victory, We shall bestow on him a great reward.''" - {{Quran|4|74}}</ref> and there are also hasan (good) hadith<ref name="QA 8511"></ref> which refer to 72 virgins as one of the "seven blessings from Allah" to the martyr.<ref name="alMiqdaam"></ref> This has lead to the 72 virgins concept being widely used as a way to entice other Muslims into carrying out "martyrdom operations" for Islam.  
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