"Honor" Killings.

In order to honor Taxy Driver's request for wanting to know more about "honor killing", whereby, today, is fast turning into a worrying culture amongst, mostly Muslims all around the world, (inapplicable to some UMNO members since one can't defend something that doesn't exist... I don't think anyone would complain if they take Timbaland's song "Kill Yourself" seriously) , although history tells us that there are other non Islamic cultures like the Japanese and Tahitians who would kill themselves to save dignity. In society of Samurai and the way of the warrior, better known as Bushido for example, death by "seppuku" , or vulgarly termed as "harakiri" (belly cutting), was regarded as an honorable death. Thank god the Sumos do not practice belly cutting.

"Honor killing" in current context is more applicable to Muslim women,mainly, who kill themselves, or are expected/forced by culture to take their own lives and declare the deed as an "honorable death", to escape the shame of being raped, or sometimes even when a man had broken the engagement and lay the blame on the women. It's rather unfortunate though these dishonorable men, (throw some stones and out of ten, three will hit them), refuse to kill themselves.

In some cases, there are rape victims who volunteered to become the infamous suicide bombers in order to cover up for the shame of being raped. I think the act of blasting oneself to pieces, killing innocent lives, not to mention children, in the name of God, is a thousand times more shameful than being raped, which in the first place is not even the women's fault, but that is another avenue altogether....


I am not going to depress myself or others on a beautiful Friday morning, the morning before Valentine's Day, citing all the miserable examples of "honor killings" (or any Quran verses on fornication) because frankly, I would like to enjoy my weekend without the images of these women hanging beside the image of my secret rendezvous with George Clooney (Brad Pitt use to in my dreams until he had to go get hooked with Angelina...it should have been me really...). So, one word for you, "Google" my friends...

What do I think about "honor killing"? Basically, there's nothing "honorable" about taking one's life, be it your own. Let me get the definition straight first before I resume;

For "honor" please press 1,
For "killing" please press 2
To exit, please press #

Unless you don't speak, read or write in English, by deciphering both definition, you will come to a conclusion, that killing a human being is not honorable. In Surah Al-An'am verse161, God said;

Say: "Come, I will rehearse what Allah hath (really) prohibited you from": join not anything as equal with Him; be good to your parents; kill not your children on a plea of want - We provide sustenance for you and for them - come not nigh to shameful deeds, whether open or secret; take not life, which Allah hath made sacred, except by way of justice and law: thus doth He command you, that ye may learn wisdom.

In fact, God doesn't take too kindly to those who kills others as evidenced in Surah An-Nisaa Verse 93;

"Whoever kill one who acknowledge intentionally, then his reward shall be hell, eternally abiding therein; God will be angry with him, curse him and for him, is prepared a great retribution."

Basically, killing is considered a reservation via speed dialing to Hotel Hell. Incidentally, oneself is also counted as a person, unless you consider yourself the Monalisa (mysterious but dead nevertheless). So for whatever reason to kill, others or yourself, the word "honor" cannot be associated with the word kill, because EVERY HUMAN LIFE IS SACRED ( in fact, to me, every life form on earth is sacred, including that of a fly, if you are a fly that is).
Before someone sends a Samurai to behead me with his sword, I have to add, you are allowed to take life "by way of justice and law" but nothing said about it being honorable, unless in the path of God. Okay, don't get freaked out too fast, and run to make a booking for circumcision, hold on, there's more. In the eyes of Islam, killing is permissible only if it is in self defense, against oppression.
For example:
"Nor take life - which Allah has made sacred - except for just cause. And if anyone is slain wrongfully, We have given his heir authority (to demand Qisas or to forgive): but let him not exceed bounds in the matter of taking life; for he is helped (by the law)." (17:33)

and in Al Anfal verse 60;
[8:60] Against them make ready your strength to the utmost of your power, including steeds of war, to strike terror into (the hearts of) the enemies, of Allah and your enemies, and others besides, whom ye may not know, but whom Allah doth know. Whatever ye shall spend in the Cause of Allah, shall be repaid unto you, and ye shall not be treated unjustly. [8:61] But if the enemy incline towards peace, do thou (also) incline towards peace, and trust in Allah: for He is the One that Heareth and Knoweth (all things).

Again in Al Baqarah:93

"And fight them on until there is no more tumult or oppression, and there prevail justice and faith in Allah; but if they cease, let there be no hostility except to those who practice oppression. "

However,having said all that, forgiveness is encouraged, for example in Surah Al Baqarah 178-179

[178] O ye who believe! The law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude. This is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this, whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty. [179] In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) Life to you, O ye men of understanding; that ye may restrain yourselves.

and in Al Maidah verse 27-28

[27] Recite to them the truth of the story of the two sons of Adam. Behold! they each presented a sacrifice (to Allah): it was accepted from one, but not from the other. Said the latter: "Be sure I will slay thee." "Surely," said the former, "Allah doth accept of the sacrifice of those who are righteous. [28] "If thou dost stretch thy hand against me, to slay me, it is not for me to stretch my hand against thee to slay thee: for I do fear Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds.

and again in Al Maidah 45

"We ordained therein for them: "Life for life, eye for eye, nose for nose, ear for ear, tooth for tooth, and wounds equal for equal." But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity, it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed, they are (no better than) wrong-doers."

By the way, I bumped into this site which I find amusing and irritating simultaneously, but to different parties, "CNN avoids mentioning Islam in segment in 'honor killing' ". (Oh, don't worry, there is no death sentence for those who digress, I've checked) Snort. So much for freedom of press. Can you blame them? Say something against Islam, even if you state the obvious, next thing you know, your neighbor will be Salman Rushdie. Some Muslims/Clerics can be so, what is that word I'm looking for....pedantic and parochial..(wow, think one get another free)

Al-Anfal verse 22
"Those worst creatures with God are the deaf and dumb who do not reason"

There are some who declares the suicide bombers as "Law of Equality" killing. Some were even bold enough to call the act "Jihad". In the west however the same word means this, which is basically a misconception, sometimes even by the Muslims who perpetrated the act of jihad by this misconception. Actually it means this. Let me emphasis on certain content of the text in the latter "this";

"In the classical manuals of Islamic jurisprudence, the rules associated with armed warfare are covered at great length.^[8] Such rules include not killing women, children and non-combatants, as well as not damaging cultivated or residential areas.^[9] More recently, modern Muslims have tried to re-interpret the Islamic sources, stressing that Jihad is essentially defensive warfare aimed at protecting Muslims and Islam.^[8] Although some Islamic scholars have differed on the implementation of Jihad, there is consensus amongst them that the concept of jihad will always include armed struggle against persecution and oppression.^[10]"

Consistent with what God said in Al Hajj verse 39-40; whereby He gave permission to retaliate when oppressed;

[39] To those against whom war is made, permission is given (to fight), because they are wronged; and verily, Allah is Most Powerful for their aid; [40] (They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right, (for no cause) except that they say, "Our Lord is Allah." Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. Allah will certainly aid those who aid His (cause); for verily Allah is Full of Strength, Exalted in Might, (able to enforce His Will).

And in Al Baqarah verse 178;
"O ye who believe! The law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder: the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude. This is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this, whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty. [179] In the Law of Equality there is (saving of) Life to you, O ye men of understanding; that ye may restrain yourselves ".

Now, tell me How exactly how does a suicide bomber, fit into the description of jihad, when most of the bombings involves innocent lives, not to mention those of children?
Back on track, there was a report on Lebanon's most senior Shiite Muslim cleric issued a fatwa, or religious edict, banning honor killings, calling the custom of murdering a female relative for sexual misconduct “a repulsive act.” The fatwa by Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah was a rare condemnation by a prominent cleric of the practice. Fadlallah's office said he issued the statement in alarm over reports on an increase in honor killings. Well, Muslim men should be alarmed when women blast themselves to pieces, otherwise, there will be shortage of women to keep up with the quota of 4 wives.

Life is sacred. Everything should be done to avoid loosing it. Honor, dignity, shame, etc are all but sentiments that can be adjusted if people get their priorities right. Let me reiterate the fact that there is no honor in taking away something that is sacred, even if that something belongs to you, when in actual fact, it doesn't because everything belongs to God, including your life. It is His to take, as evidenced in Al Baqarah verse255

"Allah! There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) Before or After or Behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory). "

This exploitation of life in the name of God should be stopped. The question to ask is, when will these people realize that they need to take the honor out of the killings? Indeed, life is sacred.
...Click here to find out how deep the rabbit hole goes.....