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Foreign Student Discusses Religion
The Islam Religion—Their Attiinde Toward War
Editor’s note: The following article by Mohamed A. Khan,
graduate student from Pakistan, was written to give you a picture
of the Islamic religion and its attitudes toward war, as told by a
native of that country, Khan will be remembered by many readers
who followed the series of articles; he wrote on Pakistan earlier
this Summer.)
By MAHAMED A. KHAN
OEOPLE unfamiliar with the teachings of Islam are apt to confuse
l an Islamic State with a theocracy. This tendency is more
marked today than before. Before dwelling on the main topic, it is
necessary to describe in detail what is meant by an Islamic State.
A theocracy is a kingdom of God where authority vests in spec
ially ordained priests who exercise this authority on behalf of God.
Islam does not recognize priesthood and there is no place in Islamic
society of special “agents” of God to administer laws which express His
wilL ,ll;| <\
Sovereignty in an Islamic State is vested in the Moslem people
guided by teachings of Islam. No particular class of people has been
given the authority to interpret the teachings of Islam. The reason
for this is that the growth of a class vested with sacredotal authority
or religious sanctity discourages the mass of people from acquiring
the true knowledge of the Faith.
In the past, Moslem people elected a high executive called the
Caliph to carry on business of the state on their behalf. This executive
was only an agent to carry out the will of the people. The people being
Moslems, naturally demanded that their affairs be conducted in ac
cordance with their Islamic beliefs and convictions. In this context the
people are the political sovereign in an Islamic state.
“Shar” Is Legal Sovereign
The legal sovereign in an Islamic state is the law of Islam called
the ”Shar” which consists of three main principles—two immutable
and one mutable. The immuntable principles are the Koran—the holy
book of the Moslems, and “Hadith,” of the Prophet—the interpreta
tion given by the Prophet to religious injunctions revealed in the
Koran to him by God.
The mutable factor in Islamic law is the interpretation of the
principles of Islam by the application of human reason in different
conditions. Thus, while the two immutable factors have remained con
stant in the course of Islamic history, the one mutable factor has re
sulted in a corpus of man-made law varying in some degrees in dif
ferent parts of the Moslem world.
The immutable principles about war do not teach aggression nor
do they preach the believers to “turn the other cheek” on one hand
and “sell their clothes to buy a sv/ord” on the other. The teachings of
Islam fit into the natural instincts of man, and promote peace in the
only possible way. Islam forbids aggression, but it urges us to fight
if failure to fight jeopardizes peace and promotes war.
If failure to fight means the extirpation of free belief and of the
search of truth, it is our duty to fight. With clear-cut words the Koran
lays down the distinctive characteristics of the lawful and unlawful
wars. This is says:
“Allah Loves Not Transgressors
“And fight in the cause of Allah against those who fight you,
but do not transgress. Surely, Allah loves not transgressors.” (2:190)
“If they (opponents) give up the fight, refrain from repressions which
should be visited only upon the wicked.” (2:192-193) “If they (people)
remain neutral without attacking you and give you every security,
God does not allow you to disturb their peace.” (4:90)
“God does not forbid you to be kind and fair toward those who
do not attack you on account of your religion and do not drive you
away from your home. God loves the just and the fair.” (9:8). Pur
pose of the war to which the Koran exhorts the faithfuls is still more
precisely defined in the following passage:
“Would you hesitate to make war on a people that have violated
their pledges and who planned to banish the Apostle? Besides, it is
these very people who were the first to rise up against you. Do you
fear them? God is still more dreadful if you are true believers.” (4:13)
Self-explanatory as they are, from the above quotations and many
others we may safely conclude that only defensive wars are lawful,
provided, however, they fall into one of these two categories speci
fically mentioned in the Koran:
® First in self-defense, perpetuation of free belief and search of
truth.
® Secondly, to help a defenseless ally or brother “would you not
fight in the way of God to help the weak; the men, women and chil
dren who cry out, “Oh Lord! deliver us from this city of tyranny; send
us an ally or a protector.” (4:75).
Rules for Prisoners of War
It goes without saying that in both cases the adversary is sup
posed to have assumed a bellicose attitude that he had taken the ini
tiative or at least has indicated to do so.
Of prisoners of war, the Koran teaches:
“It does not behove a Prophet that he should have captives until
he engages in a regular fighting in the land.” (8:68) At the same time
rules for the release of prisoners are laid down. Thus we have:
“Then afterwards either release them as at favor or by taking ran
som—until the war lays down its burdens.” (47.5)
There is provision for prisoners of war who are unable themselves
to pay and who have none who can or will pay for their release. This
provision in the Koran reads:
“And such as desire a deed of manumission from among those
(prisoners) whom your right hand posses, write it for them, if you
know any good in them; and give them out of the wealth of Allah
which He has bestowed upon you.” (24:34)
In simple words, it means that prisoners neither able to pay
ransom and nor deserving to be set free without it, can obtain re
lease by signing an undertaking that if allowed to work and earn,
they will pay their ransom. If their competence is proved, they should
even have financial help from Moslems in their (prisoners) effort to
work and earn.
With regard to armistice in 8:62-63 we have:
“And if they (opponents) incline towards peace incline thou also
towards it, and put thy trust in Allah. Surely, it is He Who is All-
Tearing-, All-Knowing. And if they intend to deceive thee, then surely
Allah is sufficient for thee. He it is Who has strengthened thee with
His help and with the believer's.”
That is to say, if in the course of a battle the opponents at any
time incline towards peace, Moslems are to accept the offer at once
and to make peace. Moslems are told to do so even at the risk of being
deceived.
The passages quoted from the Koran, above, contain the teachings
of Islam on the subject of war and peace. They indicate in what cir
cumstances is it right to go to war and what limits have to be observed
by Moslems when they make war.
These teachings do not consist only of precepts laid down in the
Koran, but also include the precepts and example of the Prophet-
Mohammed. What he did or what he taught in concrete situations is
also an essential part of the Islamic teaching. A few sayings of the
Prophet pertinent on the subject under discussion are listed below:
Moslem Teachings
1. Moslems are forbidden altogether to mutilate the dead.
2. Children are not to be killed, nor women, old and decrepit. The
possibility of peace should always be high in view.
3. Priests and religious functionaries and religious leaders are
not to be interferred with. Emissaries and delegates from other coun
tries should be held in great respect. Any mistake or discourtesies,
they commit, should be ignored.
4. The least possible loss should be inflicted upon the enemy.
When Moslems enter enemy territory, they should not strike terror
into the general population. They should permit no ill treatment of
common folk.
5. A Moslem army should not camp in a place where it causes
inconvenience to the general public. When it marches, it should take
care not to block the road nor cause discomfort to other wayfarers.
6. When prisoners-of-war are put under guai’d, those closely re
lated should be placed together. Prisoners should live in peace. Mos
lems should care more for the comfort of their prisoners than for
their own. If a Moslem ill-treats a prisoner-of-war, atonement is to be
made by releasing the prisoner without ransom. The prisoner-of-war
should be fed and clothed in the same way as he, who takes his charge,
does himself.
It is evident that Islam has instituted steps which have the ef
fect of preventing or stopping a war or reducing its evil. The princi
ples are not pious precepts only, but they have their practical illustra
tion in the example of the Prophet and those who succeeded him.
Battalion Editorials
Page 2
TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1951
Mexico Youth Is
Good Neighbor’
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Improving Farmer Services
TTIE U. S. Department of Agriculture re-
-*• cently put out a 121-page booklet entitled
“Family Farm Policy Review” dated June 11,
1951. The booklet was sent to all County Ag
ricultural Mobilization Committees.
It is a provisional report with certain
recommendations as to how the various
agencies within the Department of Agricul
ture can improve their programs in serving
farmers.
The publication has this to say about cre
dit facilities: “Special credit facilities under
the Defense Production Act apparently are
not well adapted to finance family farms or
farm production generally.” The booklet also
says the Department of Agriculture should
assume the responsibility for extending cre
dit necessary to encourage defense produc
tion of food.”
By MAC ROY RASOR
AP News Staff
jyiEXICO CITY, Aug. 14—GP)—A
*■ 19-year-old Mexico youth has
taken the “good neighbor” prob
lem into his own hands.
Texas tourists who happen to
Editor, The Battallion: manently attached themselves to life up here has given us some
T , ... , , , them. Anticipating your come- strange ideas though,
r 7’ , wa .l Y Jt 1 gie ^ disgust and “they paid for the uni- In conclusion, the boys who lost
distate that we read of the action forms,” the corps’-forty-four out- clothing in Austin were repaid for
taken by the student with regard to fj ts s t ron g—paid five dollars per about half what they lost. And the
me sip arownout. ihe tact that ou tfit to help pay for the boots, sips paid about a half this amount.
table, a shiny flint image souvenir this supreme body has seen fit to ca p S blouses, and other items “mis-
ot the pyramids—all were his express their feelings and repre- pi ace d ”
“pleasure.” sent them as the feelings of the ' Honinvori
He translated for us, bargained entire student body in amazing, to That, with the aid of a trusty +Vio f i . ^ uri
in the markets to get our pur- say the least. Judging by the feel- slip-stick, adds up to some $220.
chases for- half the tourist price, ings expressed in the letter printed So why not say that that sips
steered us to the best of Mexico last Thursday, our own feelings, have $28 coming and call it quits?
City and away from the tourist and those of the students to whom
cross paths with him are leam- traps. Early one morning he round- we have spoke, to say that the
ers
The second point we would like
, , , , » , , . ^ ^ to make is that it seems strange
mg about a brand of super hos- ed up a troop of “manachis” to senators had represented a cross after so long a time up here to
The American Bankers Association now pitaiity that^even the Texas Good serenade us with familiar Mexican section of the student body leads hear a person moan about water.
“It Is Nothing” includes anyone except H and E reac h for a mop and not a crying
ramps of Walton Hall. Perhaps towel followimr water
“De nada,” he would say—“It is the unwillingness of the remainder
nothing.” , ‘ of the students to accept this action
As we started to leave, he pre- can be attributed to two things,
sented us with an autographed
print of his high school graduation
years picture.
, TT ,, in eignnornooa uommissioi
has this obligation. Here are three reasons hardly dare dream about.
why we think that the ABA should continue
as the official lending agency for the farm-
r
Mexico Citizen
He js Carlos Huesca, citizen of
Mexico but football player-grad
uate of Huntington, Ind., high
(1) The record of farm credit in 1950 sc h 0 oi. His studies in the United
which shows that banks and not PCA’s are States for the past four
doing the job in taking care of the credit S' 7 thc tH governments ^thTTw^
needs of farmers.
(2) That banks are committed to serve S™ fLTfTradc!' 86 t0 ^ ”
the credit requirements of all worthy farm
ers for production with the defense effort.
“I hope I have helped you a
little to have a more enjoyable
countries. This fall he plans to re- visit,” he told us. “I only wish I
turn to enter collesre to studv in- could help more tourists.”
We could not help but ponder
such good neighborliness. T '
First, we would like to men
tion a little item of uniforms
stolen during the last Austin
Corps-trip. Yes, our little friends
betrayed the faith of the Senate
and took such a liking to certain
articles of clothing that they per-
I first met . Carlos at breakfast
in the dining room of a small hotel
off the beaten tourist path. He
Brya
n’s
Street Cleaning
BRYAN’S Chief of Police, H. W. “Rip” Col-
** lins, has issued an order that will clear
the Bryan sidewalks of weight machines,
popcorn and peanut stands and other similar
obstructions.
The fundamental reason is that the side
walks are the property of the city and the
city would be responsible in case of any acci
dent that might be traced to the vending
machine obstructions.
We doubt the likelihood of anyone seri
ously injuring himself because of the pres
ence of these various machines. Unless, of
course, some dieting lady would have heart
failure as a result of putting a penny in one
of the weight machines only to find that she
had gained five pounds.
However, no matter how whimsical the
reasons for removing these obstructions, the
result should prove invaluable. The city
realizes very little, if any, rental from the
machines and the neatness of sidewalks will
be improved many fold due to the absence
of these monstrosities.
Hot Enough
For One Day
The Battalion
Lawrence Sullivan Ross, Founder of Aggie Traditions
"Soldier, Statesman, Knightly Gentleman"
(3) That loans to farmers for produc- was visiting, I learned kter, with
tion purposes are normally exempt from the ^ a^nearby Apartment, llis pa^
workings of the Voluntary Credit Restraint ents are dead.
Program With the politeness of an old-
° ‘ time southern colone, he approach-
^ ed our table and inquired if my
wife and I were planning to go to
Xochimilco. It was Sunday and
all tourists go to Xochimilco on
Sunday to i-ide flower-decked can
oes through ga,rden-like lagoons.
“Had An Angle”
Suspicious, like most Americans,
]VO LONGER can the West Texas cowboy We w a f u t 7 d d
1 " or the South Texas rancher “brag” about would go later in the morning but
the heat in those far away places they call ^oukhtt nTed^ny help. ^ and
home. “You do not understand,’ he
College Station tagged along with the “1^ homTbut^l'htv^ken
rest of the state and tied Fort Worth for going to school in the United
the day’s high of 105 degrees yesterday. ?“p e0 pi 0 r t £ have btnVwent
Not that this East-Central Texas haven derful to me, I made up my mind
on the Brazos is to be compared with such Ltek'erewhtnevCT I coild® wmt
far away spots—that would offend the lo- no payment. It will be my pleasure
calities as well as the foreigners. ‘“iKh wire hfpieasure,
But if College Station and Bryan must he was undoubtedly supremely hap-
find a way to out do these places in some- fo ^ the ne ? t day fr s ‘ He
, 1 showed every sign of being so.
thing, the heat would be the best answer— From early m t - he morning until
for a day or so maybe. Who would want late at night and even into small
more dust and sand and rain-less days than Sekco^ohXrinto^pitrihtteTs!
West Texas or more mesquite and cactus Had 0wn Convertible
than South Texas. jj e own y e q ow conver-
We’ll take the publicity and proudly tible and insisted on using it,
boost about “How hot is was in College Sta- Se U bekhing U tra7fk to "the' 1 py ra
tion”—but just for one day. to chines, markets, restaurants,
night clubs.
At every turn he made it more
impossible ever to pay or repay
him. A corsage for my wife, a
bright table cloth for our dining
Entered aa second-class matter at Post
Office at College Station, Texas, under
he Act of Congress of March 3, 1870.
Member of
The Associated Press
Represented nationally by National Ad
vertising Service Inc., at New York City,
Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco,
The Associated Press is entitled exclusively to the use for republication of all news dispatches cred
ited to it or not otherwise credited in the paper and local news of spontaneous origin published herein.
Rights of republication of all other matter herein are also reserved.
JOEL AUSTIN Editor
Andy Anderson Associate Editor and Sports Editor
Pat Morley Women’s Editor
William Dickens Feature Editor
Frank Davis City Editor
Frank Price. ,
Ira Vail
John Lancaster
Owen Lee....
Editorialist
Photographer
R. D. Witter. Charles McCullough. Jim Thompson
..." Photo, Engravers
Advertising Manager
Allen Pengelly, B. F. Roland, Frank Davis, William Dickens
Staff News Writers
Ray Rushing, Tom Rountree, Gus Becker, Ray Holbrook
Sports News Writers
: ■ Picture File Clerk
Calvin Janak
T"
Students From 10
Countries at A&M
Seventeen students from 10 for
eign countries are attending the
Summer session of the graduate
school at A&M. Egypt, Pakistan
and Indit with three students each
lead the list.
China has two students in the
school, and Mexico, Paraguay,
Venezuela, Iraq, Lebanon and Peru
have one each.
Chemistry, animal husbandry,
horticulture, geology, agronomy,
civil engineering, genetics, chemi
cal engineering and biochemistry
and nutrition are studies being
taken by the foreign students.
It was
the sort of thing that has been
urged consistently during the ten-
year existence of the Texas Good
Neighbor Commission—but in re
verse !
4 fl o
HT!
m\
EVERY MONDAY
KORA
8:00 P.M.
AMERICAN LAUNDRY
& DRY CLEANERS
'P
VOLLAND
G/fiTHMy GRCETWCr
vtVUplZeJ <*t mc/is 1
THE
Exchange Store
“Serving Texas Aggies”
Perhaps
So at most, the future coal miners ,
have about one fourth the amount \
. if
their own reasoning may be ap
plied.
Reuben D. Cook ’52
James Broussard ’54 *
Wm. R. Harris ’51
Bill Dishman ’54
Lem Lockhart ’54
Louie McFeron ’51
C. H. LeBlanc ’54
Lewis Jarrrett ’52
Andy Anderson ’52
^ 1
* - i
—
Ill
f!
Ill
We’ve Moved... Right on the Campus
EASTERWOOD
HELD
New Home for PIONEER FLIGHTS
Beginning August 15th, improved Pioneer service
will be yours—right from your own campus at
Easterwood Field. Pioneer Liners will take off and
land from Easterwood, conveniently located 2 Fa
miles west of A&M College. Pioneer’s new home
will be nearer to you—save you valuable time.
Pioneer offers you the same superb transportation
—4 Fast Flights Daily. Morning and afternoon
nights to Dallas and West Texas with connections
to Chicago, Washington and New York. Noon and
evening flights to Houston with connections to
South and East Coast.
NEW TELEPHONE NUMBER
for information and reservations call 4-5054
III
BAYLOR WATCHES—OFFICIAL TIMEPIECE FOR PIONEER
PIONEER
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VOODOO JAN
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Mind Over Matter
EF THIS NEWS GITS AROUND,
US CORNPONES WILL BE SOSHUL
LEOPARDS, ALL THROUGH TH'
SOUTH — ON ACCOUNT WE.
GOT TH' g B'LOsHy
\^NKEE CHll.L.y
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By A1 Capp
GIT OtmWFAKEtf P-' CANT v
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