The Ask Rashad About Islam Thread.

[TaraMaiden]

Quite frankly, everything I needed to know about Islam I learned on 9 11, and that is what I thought this thread was about, I did not know it was a Quran study.

That's like saying "everything I need to know about Catholicism, I learned on the Pope's stance on contraception." You really think what happened on 9/11 has actually anything to do with the true faith of Islam? I mean, really??

Do you expect to learn about Christianity without continuous reference to the Bible?

 

 

 

No where did I see it stated that there was hate towards you or anything except Christianity. That is what I addressed. I like how "you" is used...this is too weird, even for me, have fun.

 

"You" is generic, not specific. There used to be a distinction between you singular (thou, thee, thine) and you plural (you, ye) ....

 

The distinction still exists in European languages, like French, Italian and Spanish to name but three (Tu/Vous, Tu/Voi and Usted/Ustedes, respectively) but the English language has dropped the habit. Hence the confusion.

[desertIslandCactus]

I'd kindly like to request readers to follow the theme of the Thread, ask question and I'll attempt to answer them from the Quran. A few comments are welcome but lets not get out of topic.

 

 

The Quran: We will not be learning it.

 

Prior to 911 there was all the tolerance in the world. America's tolerance is out the window now. Expired!

[Dexter Morgan]

adulterers get 100 lashes.

 

Even better!!!!!

[TaraMaiden]

The Quran: We will not be learning it.

Nobody's asking you to learn, absorb and adopt.

But just open your heart and mind and listen.

There are 6billion people on the planet. If you prick every one of them, they all bleed the same.....

 

Prior to 911 there was all the tolerance in the world. America's tolerance is out the window now. Expired!

Are you speaking as a representative American or Christian?

[Rashad]

I'm glad that all of the posts that I don't want to address are being answered to by other members. Thank you TaraMaiden, flying and everybody else.

 

I'm actually encouraged by all the support that I'm getting here

[GooseChaser]

Not all of us judge all Muslims based on their most extreme, violent, and intolerant examples. It's a big world out there.

 

Do you enjoy the opportunity to teach people here about your religion?

[Rashad]

Not all of us judge all Muslims based on their most extreme, violent, and intolerant examples. It's a big world out there.

 

Do you enjoy the opportunity to teach people here about your religion?

Yeah actually the more people hate Muslims the more others sympathize with us.

Yeah I enjoy it very much. I'm learning a lot too. We believe that teaching people about Quran and Islam is a form of worshiping cause if a person doesn't love Allah then they wouldn't bother right? ... so yeah, I'm enjoying it.

Quran 16:125

125. Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and debate them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.

I think this is a good way of debating.

[Rashad]

Since surprisingly nobody asked.

 

Linguistic Meaning.

Jihad comes from the Arabic word "JUHD" which means EFFORT. To do Jihad literally means to exert effort or to strive.

Religious Meaning.

In Islam Jihad means to exert effort or strive in the cause of Allah.

 

Quran 05:35

35. O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means [of nearness] to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.

In the above verse, "do Jihad" which in Arabic is "Jahidu" is translated into "strive"

 

Forms of Jihad.

If a Muslim does anything (lawful) in the cause of Allah, it is considered Jihad. So me starting this, if I do it in the cause of Allah it is considered Jihad, if I do it wanting the praise of people it is NOT Jihad. So that's the whole concept of Jihad.

 

Quran 09:20

20. The ones who have believed, emigrated and striven in the cause of Allah with their wealth and theirselves are greater in rank in the sight of Allah. And it is those who are the attainers [of success].

Here "Jahadu" is translated into "striven".

 

Jihad with wealth, encompasses everything that is charitable, but again it has to be in the cause of Allah rather than seeking people's approval.

 

"nafs" is an Arabic word which means both self and life... here its translated into self.

 

Jihad with NAFS, is everything that you do in the cause of Allah with your physical self. Which includes, learning religion, teaching it, defending it (with you life), preaching it. In the cause of Allah not for worldly praises. Even though often times you get praised for doing all that, you can enjoy and let it encourage you but it shouldn't be your goal, and you should not stop Jihad if people stop praising you.

[GooseChaser]

If someone acts in the cause of Allah, is it important that they act in an honorable manner in taking action for their jihad, so that they do not disgrace the name of Allah with their poor actions? What are good forms of jihad, and what are bad ways to carry out jihad?

[Rashad]

If someone acts in the cause of Allah, is it important that they act in an honorable manner in taking action for their jihad, so that they do not disgrace the name of Allah with their poor actions? What are good forms of jihad, and what are bad ways to carry out jihad?

Quran 29:69

69. And those who strive for Us – We will surely guide them to Our ways. And indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.

For Jihad to be in the cause of Allah, it has to be good. If it's bad then it is not in the cause of Allah even if the doer claims so.

 

Quran 25:52

52. So do not obey the disbelievers, and strive against them with it [i.e., the Quran] a great striving.

Striving to share and teach the Quran is the best form of Jihad. And it doesn't really hurt anybody.

[GooseChaser]

Thank you for your answers! They are very enlightening! I especially like how you find good quotes from the Quran and cite them to help support your arguments!

[GooseChaser]

I'm really loving being able to ask questions that I'm curious about here! Hehe!

 

Would you say that most Muslims and mosques strive to be peaceful? What values and beliefs are most important to Muslims?

[Rashad]

I'm really loving being able to ask questions that I'm curious about here! Hehe!

 

Would you say that most Muslims and mosques strive to be peaceful? What values and beliefs are most important to Muslims?

lol, that's exactly what this thread is about

 

Quran 06:151-152

151. Say, "Come, I will recite what your Lord has prohibited to you. [He commands] that you not associate anything with Him, and to parents, good treatment, and do not kill your children out of poverty; We will provide for you and them. And do not approach immoralities – what is apparent of them and what is concealed. And do not kill the soul which Allah has forbidden [to be killed] except by [legal] right. This has He instructed you that you may use reason."

152. And do not approach the orphan's property except in a way that is best [i.e., intending improvement] until he reaches maturity. And give full measure and weight in justice. We do not charge any soul except [with that within] its capacity. And when you speak [i.e., testify], be just, even if [it concerns] a near relative. And the covenant of Allah fulfill. This has He instructed you that you may remember.

Quran 17:23-24

23. And your Lord has decreed that you not worship except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age [while] with you, say not to them [so much as], "ugh," and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.

24. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, "My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up [when I was] small."

Quran 02:177

177. Righteousness is not [merely] that you turn your faces toward the east or the west [during prayer], but [true] righteousness is [in] one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveler, those who ask [for help], and for freeing slaves; [and who] establishes prayer and gives zakah (alms); [those who] fulfill their promise when they promise; and [those who] are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous.

Quran 49:06

6. O you who have believed, if there comes to you a disobedient one with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful.

Quran 49:10-13

10. The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.

11. O you who have believed, let not a men ridicule [other] men; perhaps they may be better than them; nor let women ridicule [other] women; perhaps they may be better than them. And do not insult one another and do not call each other by [offensive] nicknames. Wretched is the name [i.e., mention] of disobedience after [one's] faith. And whoever does not repent –then it is those who are the wrongdoers.

12. O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of repentance and Merciful.

13. O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you nations and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted.

[TaraMaiden]

 

Linguistic Meaning.

Jihad comes from the Arabic word "JUHD" which means EFFORT. To do Jihad literally means to exert effort or to strive.

Religious Meaning.

In Islam Jihad means to exert effort or strive in the cause of Allah.

(. . .)

Forms of Jihad.

If a Muslim does anything (lawful) in the cause of Allah, it is considered Jihad. So me starting this, if I do it in the cause of Allah it is considered Jihad, if I do it wanting the praise of people it is NOT Jihad. So that's the whole concept of Jihad.

 

This strikes me as being very similar to the concept of The Eightfold path, in Buddhism.

I don't say this to hijack the thread... rather, I mention it because we can find many similarities between religions which I think should be celebrated.

Seeking differences is natural, and it's true, there are many. But this can be divisive. Seeking similarities is friendlier.

 

I was tempted to post links, but I will only do so in a PM if you'd like to know more, Rashad. but this thread is not the place. I do not wish to divert interest.

[Rashad]

This strikes me as being very similar to the concept of The Eightfold path, in Buddhism.

I don't say this to hijack the thread... rather, I mention it because we can find many similarities between religions which I think should be celebrated.

Seeking differences is natural, and it's true, there are many. But this can be divisive. Seeking similarities is friendlier.

 

I was tempted to post links, but I will only do so in a PM if you'd like to know more, Rashad. but this thread is not the place. I do not wish to divert interest.

I do not know much about Buddhism to be honest, but I googled the Eightfold path thingy, it's pretty interesting!

 

Where them questions at??

[Ariadne]

What does the Quran say about women being mothers and staying at home or working?

[Lovelybird]

Hi, I have a difficult question for you, I am trying to understand.

 

I read an article about Honor Killing in Islamic family in USA. If daughters or wife did something that disgraced the family, the man in the family will kill these women. According to this article, some mothers even helped her husband to kill her daughter because their daughter became Americanlized. sometimes the whole family will help to chase the black sheep down and kill them and report to police that those persons were missing.

 

So, my question is what is honor killing? is this true? if this is true, why a whole family would do such a terrible thing to their loved ones? they do this based on what values? what motivated them to do things like this?

[taiko]

Hi, I have a difficult question for you, I am trying to understand.

 

I read an article about Honor Killing in Islamic family in USA. If daughters or wife did something that disgraced the family, the man in the family will kill these women. According to this article, some mothers even helped her husband to kill her daughter because their daughter became Americanlized. sometimes the whole family will help to chase the black sheep down and kill them and report to police that those persons were missing.

 

So, my question is what is honor killing? is this true? if this is true, why a whole family would do such a terrible thing to their loved ones? they do this based on what values? what motivated them to do things like this?

 

you all ready know the answer, Islam has absolutely nothing to do with it. Its the Arab or Pakistani culture and for all practical purposes the only reason honor killing came to America was because the immigrants did not come to become American or dutch of French they came to get the money.

[Lovelybird]

So, can you experience freedom to choose religion in Islam country?

[D-Lish]

you all ready know the answer, Islam has absolutely nothing to do with it. Its the Arab or Pakistani culture and for all practical purposes the only reason honor killing came to America was because the immigrants did not come to become American or dutch of French they came to get the money.

 

How does Islam have nothing to do with a practice sanctioned by a culture that celebrates the subjugation of women because of said culture's religious affiliations??? It has everything to do with it.

 

Religion reflects culture and culture is affected by religion.

 

If a culture cites religion as its basis for law- and acts of subjugation or murder take place as a result- it IS as much a religious topic as much as it is a cultural topic. Honour killings are a cultural practice with roots stemming from religious justifications.

 

Such a thing isn't limited to a certain religious doctrine- you can find justification for stoning women to death in the Bible as well.

Edited September 19, 2010 by D-Lish

[taiko]

So, can you experience freedom to choose religion in Islam country?

 

Depends upon the nation, giving large enough majorities Sharia law can come into effect. In about half the nations with Islamic majorites Islam is the state religion which can go from the range of Church of England to Saudi Arabia/Afghanistan where no other religion is tolerated no matter what verse of the Qu'ran is pulled up. Then you have those in the middle were sectarian violence against outside faiths happen regularly for all kinds of reasons like the publishing of a political cartoon halfway around the world, using the Arabic word for God or being caught with a Muslim attempting to convert to another faith.

[Lovelybird]

Depends upon the nation, giving large enough majorities Sharia law can come into effect. In about half the nations with Islamic majorites Islam is the state religion which can go from the range of Church of England to Saudi Arabia/Afghanistan where no other religion is tolerated no matter what verse of the Qu'ran is pulled up. Then you have those in the middle were sectarian violence against outside faiths happen regularly for all kinds of reasons like the publishing of a political cartoon halfway around the world, using the Arabic word for God or being caught with a Muslim attempting to convert to another faith.

I see.

 

There is no point if one doesn't have freedom to choose a faith

[taiko]

I see.

 

There is no point if one doesn't have freedom to choose a faith

And of course there is no compulsion in religion with Islam. The religious and political leaders of Arabia, Afghanistan, etc..just have a different take on the verse then our friend Rashad

[TaraMaiden]

Just as some priests no doubt, have a different take on "Suffer the little children to come unto me....."

 

In the weave or religion with humanity, there will be weft threads, and many warped, as well....

 

Killing somebody is against the law, in most non-Islamic countries that I am aware of.

Where Islam is the predominant religion, they are a law unto themselves and as such either take diabolical liberties, or adhere to the strict letter of the Law, whichever side you see it from.

We may not condone the biblical practice of stoning a woman, because it is not compatible with our way of life.

Unfortunately, many people also take little or no notice of the 10 commandments, so cherry-picking what we will or will not do "in the name of religion" actually leaves Biblical Christians at a disadvantage.....

There is much in the Testaments that is foolish and questionable, and as such, carefully laid aside, but there is much in the Testaments that is skilful, appropriate, correct and desirable.

 

And we lay that aside, as well.....

[Rashad]

What does the Quran say about women being mothers and staying at home or working?

Well mothers ARE women of course... here is a verse concerning mothers.

 

Quran 02:233

233. Mothers may nurse [i.e., breastfeed] their children two complete years for whoever wishes to complete the nursing [period]. Upon the father is their [i.e., the mothers'] provision and their clothing according to what is acceptable. No person is charged with more than his capacity. No mother should be harmed through her child, and no father through his child. And upon the [father's] heir is [a duty] like that [of the father]. And if they both desire weaning through mutual consent from both of them and consultation, there is no blame upon either of them. And if you wish to have your children nursed by a substitute, there is no blame upon you as long as you give payment according to what is acceptable. And fear Allah and know that Allah is Seeing of what you do.

So from the verse, a mother may nurse her child for 2 complete years if she wishes to... during these years the father of the child has to provide for her clothing and food according to whats is acceptable i.e. a rich man should provide more than a poor man as it says No person is charged with more than his capacity.

A Quran does not prohibit women from working as far as I know, the prophet's wife Khadijah was a business woman, she was even richer than the prophet PBUH.