Nelson Mandela, revered statesman and anti-apartheid leader, dies at 95 http://news.y

^^ This is actually very possible.

Greetings,

We've had numerous discussions on the question of non-Muslims going to Hell, so there's no need to turn this thread into a repeat of former threads:
Mother Teresa- Heaven or Hell?
Talking to nonmuslims

Regarding the incident of when Nelson Mandela was released from prison and forgave his oppressors, it is an interesting event as it resonates with the example of the Prophet when he returned to his home city of Makkah, home to his bitterest enemies who had spared no effort in trying to harm him, asking God to forgive them and without desiring bloodshed. He too led the way for social reform and justice, such as changing attitudes to slavery and prohibiting practices such as infanticide.

format_quote Originally Posted by Pygoscelis

If not laugh, I'd have to cry. Here we have a thread about somebody who has done such great humanitarian work as Nelson Mandela and yet people here say he deserves eternal suffering, just because he doesn't share their particular world view.

Did I say he deserves hell? no, I didn't. What I said repeatedly is that only God knows his faith and what his end is.

And I don't see why doing humanitarian work should make any difference regarding the Hereafter. It doesn't make much difference as far as human-made boundaries are concerned. Illegal residents aren't allowed to stay in a country based on their humanitarian work so why should anyone be allowed to enter Heaven only on the basis of humanitarian work?

God requires a person to believe in His commandments. God said that the only religion He will accept is Islam. A person's entry to Heaven is based on his/her Islamic faith and actions. Just as a person's entry to a country is with a valid visa, so a person's entry to Heaven is with the Islamic faith. Is it okay to overlook boundaries set by God but not boundaries set by man? Is it all right to demand that God change His rules and allow all people to enter Heaven but it's not right to demand man to change his rules and allow every person to enter a particular country?

^^ I see your comments quite illogical. If you are atheist as you claim, "places" like Heaven or Hell shouldn´t even exist in your mind but still you are worry if others may wonder who goes to which places. Isn´t it just same to the atheist if someone talks about those "places" which should to be just a kind of example of wild imagination to you (reality to those whose believe)?

If people whose believe God, think that it is God and only God who makes decisions of others final destination and you think it is wrong way to believe by that way, then... Who should make that decision? Nobody as those "places" doesn´t even exist of mind of atheist? So whatś the problem of yours? Or do you really believe that Heaven and Hell exist? If yes, are you sure you really are atheist? Because then it seems you believe those places are real...

South Africa has lost one of its greatest personalities in our national history.

Personally, I take away the following from the life of Nelson Mandela:

1. His life represented, amongst other qualities: Complete and utter selflessness.
Its a quality that is in very short supply today, and so when we hear about someone, who sacrificed so much for the sake of others, it often takes our breathes away....
Nelson Mandela was a qualified attorney, married and with kids. Although he experienced the injustices of apartheid along with the rest of his people, one could appreciate that he was in a relatively more comfortable position than many others. Perhaps, he could have left the country for greener pastures, as he had the means to do so.

Yet, he willingly gave this all up - much for the benefit of others.
He lost almost 3 decades of the prime of his life behind bars.
In this time, he endured various forms of mental and physical torture (which resulted in permanent damage to his eyes and lungs, endured from the limestone mines on Robben Island). After imprisonment, his wife at the time, Winnie Mandela, was not allowed contact with him for 8 years, and thereafter was only allowed one family visit and letter every ~6 months. Prisoners were also not allowed to see children under the age of 16 - so he missed out on most of his children's lives, while being behind bars....

These are just some of the sacrifices that he made....it in no way does justice to all that he, as well as his comrades, sacrificed for this country and its people.

2. He struggled for a cause that was close to his heart - he believed in it, and he never sold out, or took the easier road even when he had the chance to do so.
(Not many people know, that during his imprisonment on Robben Island, he was offered numerous opportunities of freedom - in return of leaving behind military struggle against apartheid. He could have succumbed....he could have walked free. But, he refused each and every time!)

At the Rivonia trial, he concluded with these historic words:

"During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against White domination, and I have fought against Black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

I think that if we look into own lives, we should ask ourselves: Do we have a cause that we are fighting for so passionately?
As muslims, do we even use half of our energies in the path of Islam - for its dawah and development?
Is there even any 'worldly' good cause that we hold, that we are willing to put as much effort as possible to make a positive and enduring difference?

3. The challenges that come with life often seem insurmountable,
And we often think to ourselves - I'm too small to make a difference....or, This evil is too wide-spread, whats the point of even trying?...

In the words, and actions of the late Nelson Mandela: “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

So too, by the will of Allah, South Africa found liberation from minority white, oppressive rule - after decades of struggle, thousands of lives lost and even more, scarred for many generations by a lack of adequate education and basic needs of living.
It didnt seem possible, but it happened - by Allah's will, and by the efforts of those who knew that both individually, and collectively, change can happen.

It may not occur over-night.
And there may be much losses experienced in its path.

But nothing great ever happened - without a lot struggle.


3. The history of South Africa, and the story of Nelson Mandela highlights that:

a) A tyrannical rule will ALWAYS fall.....Its just a matter of time.

b) Allah can turn circumstances in such a way, that the oppressed become the rulers and the 'terrorist' becomes the hero, and is loved the world over. (Nelson Mandela was only removed from the United States list of 'terrorists' in 2008).

The Pharoahs of the past collapsed.....and they will continue to collapse!

^ And in a similar manner, we should always have hope that Allah can turn our own individual lives around - even when we cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel. Its a matter of us bearing patience, perserverance, making the necessary effort, and then trusting in His ultimate plan.


4. Over the course of yesterday, South African TV and radio stations shut down all productions and advertising, and dedicated every minute in 'Celebrating the life of Nelson Mandela'.

His home and many other landmarks were flooded by well-wishers, flowers, cards and other forms of greetings.
People from all colors, religions and backgrounds united by virtue of this iconic man and the legacy that he leaves behind, for the rest of us to enjoy.

And yet, somewhere through the broadcasts, I found myself crying for him.

Not because of his death and departure from this world (as this was expected for the past few months already).

But because, what matters more than ones accomplishments in life, is their accomplishment in the next life.
The world may be 'celebrating his life'.....but, does it matter at all if the actual purpose of this life has not been fulfilled?

If the King of Kings and the Judge of all Judges is ultimately not pleased - because He was not recognized in the process - then the judgements of the 'mini-judges' (ourselves), amounts to naught.

The tears stem from the fact that as muslims, we do not desire to see any other fellow human in the fires of jahannum.
(Even the prophet (sallalahu alaihi wasalam) was deeply saddened upon the demise of his uncle Abu Talib, as a non-muslim).

However, we believe that Allah is the BEST of all Judges - and He alone knows what was in the heart of the late Nelson Mandela.
In his later years, I am not aware of him ever proclaiming his following to a particular religion (even though he was born into a Christian family), and so, I think that we should leave it to Allah (subhanawataála) to judge his convictions and actions in the most fair and just manner that exists.


(Please allow this thread to be focused upon the life and contributions that the late Nelson Mandela made to society, rather than turning this into a discussion on the final abode of non-muslims.

As indicated by brother Muhammad, there are other threads that have served this purpose. And also to note that the decree of Allah is clear - it is not up for our limited intellects to debate its merits.)

format_quote Originally Posted by muslimah bird

It doesnt matter how good he is or what he does .If he chose to reject and believe in God , God will send them to hell. Simple as that

But we dont know if he did or didnt, so leave this case.

^ That is right. Allah knows their case and He will decide among such people on the Day of Judgment. We should be more worried about our own end instead of discussing the end of deceased people. Prophet Musa (AS) was asked by Pharaoh about Pharaoh's forefathers. Prophet Musa replied that their knowledge was with Allah and Allah never forgot and never erred. (Taha, verses 51 - 52)

A Comprehensive Look into the Life of Nelson Mandela and South Africa's struggle from Apartheid:

format_quote Originally Posted by Junon

Salaam
A good man has died, but the eulogising has been way over the top imo.

I agree.

To make matters worse, the memorial service itself, became a bit of circus - with key note speakers arriving over 2 hours late, poor sound quality in the stadium (which meant that the crowd often became unruly, and were singing during presidential speeches), current South African President Zuma being booed (while Obama, who carries more blood on his hands than many other presidents, receiving the loudest applause ).....and what could be more embarrassing than a sign language interpretor, signing complete nonsense (reportedly as a result of a psychotic episode related to schizophrenia. The organization responsible for hiring him, has however, since disappeared).

In a way, those few hours reflected the state of our country - chaos, corruption and a population that is largely 'asleep' to what is going on in the rest of the world.

format_quote Originally Posted by Junon

Here's an alternative view. Don't entirely agree with it but interesting nevertheless......

// He chose to adopt the path of violence. He did not have to. Apartheid South Africa was a political and moral slum, but many fought it without resorting to gun or bomb.

I have not had the chance to watch the video, but just wanted to make a few comments on the above article.

Unfortunately, it is a pretty shallow understanding of the political history of this country, and the road taken to reach the point of military tactics by the ANC.

The following extracts do not do justice in explaining this, but may provide a better understanding overall in shaa Allah:

In 1952, the ANC began preparation for a joint Defiance Campaign against apartheid with Indian and communist groups, founding a National Voluntary Board to recruit volunteers.

Deciding on a path of nonviolent resistance influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, some considered it the ethical option, but Mandela instead considered it pragmatic.^[75] At a Durban rally on 22 June, Mandela addressed an assembled crowd of 10,000, initiating the campaign protests, for which he was arrested and briefly interned in Marshall Square prison.^[76]

With further protests, the ANC's membership grew from 20,000 to 100,000; the government responded with mass arrests, introducing the Public Safety Act, 1953 to permit martial law.^[77]

One needs to recognize the level of oppression and police brutality at the time.

Is it possible to continue in passive resistance, when your own people are being falsely imprisoned, tortured and murdered?

There is no nation that will continue to watch in silence, or continue to adopt 'passive' means of protest in this instance.

Even in the history of the spread of Islam - there was a time for peaceful negotiations......and then too, there was a time for military battle in the path of truth, and for the sake of Allah.

Congress of the People and the Treason Trial: 1955–1961

Mandela came to the opinion that the ANC "had no alternative to armed and violent resistance" after taking part in the unsuccessful protest to prevent the demolition of the all-black Sophiatown suburb of Johannesburg in February 1955.^[86]

A summarized history of the military wing led by Nelson Mandela:

Inspired by Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement in the Cuban Revolution, in 1961 Mandela co-founded Umkhonto we Sizwe ("Spear of the Nation", abbreviated MK) with Sisulu and the communist Joe Slovo.

Becoming chairman of the militant group, he gained ideas from illegal literature on guerilla warfare by Mao and Che Guevara. Officially separate from the ANC, in later years MK became the group's armed wing.^[105] Most early MK members were white communists....

Operating through a cell structure, MK agreed to acts of sabotage to exert maximum pressure on the government with minimum casualties, bombing military installations, power plants, telephone lines and transport links at night, when civilians were not present.

Mandela himself stated that they chose sabotage not only because it was the least harmful action, but also "because it did not involve loss of life [and] it offered the best hope for reconciliation among the races afterward."

He noted that "strict instructions were given to members of MK that we would countenance no loss of life", but should these tactics fail, MK would resort to "guerilla warfare and terrorism".[110

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_...1.E2.80.931962

I found this description of Mandela to be as close as possible to the man that South Africans have known over these years:

"....Mandela is a diverse, multi-faceted and very complex individual. He was — and will continue to be — all things to all men, depending on what you want him to be at a particular point of your individual development.

Much as those who worship the first commander in chief of Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) wish to limit our understanding and interpretation of the Mandela we know to the violent revolutionary freedom fighter, Mandela was, above all, a man who was non-violently fighting for peace among all the people of the earth.


Perhaps what has, largely, been overlooked or deliberately underplayed by the media and commentators is the evidence of his life and history as a violent revolutionary freedom fighter. The focus and thrust has been to capture the essence of a meditative, non-violent forgiver, a reconciler, nation builder and, above all, peacemaker.


Given an option, we have every reason and right to highlight and celebrate Mandela the forgiver, reconciler and nation builder above the revolutionary fighter. In essence, as he grew older Mandela developed a character that would promote justice, equality, brotherhood and peace among men. If he was a revolutionary fighter who picked up arms, the purpose was to bring about love, peace and justice in the world.


The whole emphasis on his role in MK as a violent revolutionary freedom fighter is a bit blown out of proportion, methinks. In fact, liberation wars and their heroes have not delivered much for the African people they rule except for power, position, status and control of state resources for themselves.


The liberation war-hero approach has, largely, only resulted in substituting former colonialists with revolutionary fighters who have repeated the mistakes of their colonial masters by not improving the material conditions of the majority or sharing the wealth of the country. There is no point in the hero war image because in war, especially liberation wars, there are no winners.


The benefits or adventures of Mandela the liberation war hero are so few that they can be counted in one hand. He may have defied Nobel Peace Prize winner Chief Albert Luthuli to found and lead MK. He went through various countries in Africa in pursuit of military training and networks. When arrested he was in possession of a gun. There are very few other things that can be cited to concretise the image and profile of Mandela the violent revolutionary freedom fighter.


The essence of Mandela comes from the young man who was a smooth and suave lawyer. It rests most securely on leading the Defiance Campaign in a non-violent manner. He was a man with a very clear conscience, articulate and intelligent yet willing to be killed for his convictions.


Killing other people was not essential in many of the strategies he adopted.

Even if war was essential it is now an open secret that he pursued it to create love and peace in South Africa and the world.

The end justified the means but war was not an end in itself.

As a people we would not have gotten to where we are now — a peaceful nation in harmonious co-existence — without his intellectual and persuasive skills that espoused negotiation and non-violence. The image of Mandela the revolutionary fighter who stood for war may be part of his history but it does not explain the man in his totality. To make him a war hero of the stature of Che Guevara or Robert Mugabe is a distortion of his essence. In fact, it seems a myth.


It will serve some interests for Mandela to be a violent revolutionary hero who was willing to kill and shed the innocent blood of women and children in pursuit of the return of the land to its indigenous owners and the redistribution of wealth of the country among all the people who live and work in it. But this would not be the real Mandela who was glorified and celebrated by the world...."

http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/sandi...tion-war-hero/

Rare Video: Mandela Speaking on Palestine [Extracts]

What a man he was....Truly, what a man!