General Issues / Questions

Peace, according to quran, we are submitters(in english) but people here feel ashamed to be called submitters for fear of being associating to the ICS, Tucson. But somehow they are not ashamed of calling themselves 'muslims' despite of the confusion that this surely generates, confusion that will put them in the same basket as those who condemn anti-hadith ideology, as those who condone terrorism, prophet-worship, etc It makes no sense that animals will be slaughtered in heaven, the description of heaven is purely symbolic, it is a dimension that our minds cannot understand, therefore God uses analogy to make us understand. I have never tasted caviar before, so unless you describe it to me in comparison with things i already tasted, i would not know. Why would i seek to know more on muhammad? Why him only?

Doesn't it also remind us how valuable food is... Especially considering how many people go without food everyday. True House, Food is very valuable, and it says there are 'signs' in it, and God 'brought it forth' from the seed. It is miraculous life, and in addition to that many plant foods contain specific nutrients and medicines just for the bodies of those who consume. We should be very grateful, at the sustenance, and be strengthened by the genius signs of it's marvelous appearance from tiny strands of DNA. And yes, we should be especially grateful since not everyone has food, and that is test for us I think. That is an especially important thing you have said, we must remember to share it, and to use it in wise ways. To use the energy and health derived from it to spread faith, kindness, and to set a good example. So what did you have in mind?

So let us move on to point 3 of Layth, leaving the point 2 for a short while. Layth The restricted temple has been made off-limits to the idolworshippers since the time of the prophet (92 ? Yet, Mecca Arabia is infested with idolworshippers until today, while the temple mount in Jerusalem has not called the pilgrimage to it and therefore has not received anyone for just as long; As usual instead of quoting all the relevant verses only the one verse is quoted that leads to confusion O you who believe, the idol worshipers are polluted; they shall not be permitted to approach the Sacred Masjid after this year. If you fear loss of income, GOD will shower you with His provisions, in accordance with His will. GOD is Omniscient, Most Wise. You shall fight back against those who do not believe in GOD, nor in the Last Day, nor do they prohibit what GOD and His messenger have prohibited, nor do they abide by the religion of truth - among those who received the scripture - until they pay the due tax, willingly or unwillingly. The Jews said, "Ezra is the son of GOD," while the Christians said, "Jesus is the son of GOD!" These are blasphemies uttered by their mouths. They thus match the blasphemies of those who have disbelieved in the past. GOD condemns them. They have surely deviated. He is the One who sent His messenger with the guidance and the religion of truth, and will make it dominate all religions, in spite of the idol worshipers Now when you have read these verses in full; let us look at your claim This is not a logical claim at all you have for gotten the prayers of Abraham As Abraham raised the foundations of the shrine, together with Ismail they prayed "Our Lord, accept this from us. You are the Hearer, the Omniscient. "Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful Our Lord, and raise among them a messenger to recite to them Your revelations, teach them the scripture and wisdom, and purify them. You are the Almighty, Most Wise." We know that the Messanger was an Arab, and the Nation he was appointed to was Arab, and the language Quran used was Arabic, therefore there is not a slightest doubt that that Shrine/sanctuary was in Arab and not in Jerusalem. The examples of Idol worshipper in above verses are that of Christians calling "Jesus" as son of God, and Jews calling "Ezra" son of God. It can be extended to people who set up partners with Allah/God. dear Layth I am not aware of any one who goes to Hajj from anywhere to Makka, just because to Kiss a black stone to prostarte at Prophets tomb? or to Sujood at Abrahams foot print? each and every one goes there for Allah and to obey Allah's orders. Thus fullfilling Abraham's prayers. Now reagrding some corruptions which surely have been added in the rites performed during Hajj are due to the Saudi Government which is generating Billions of dollars from this and donot want to go into loss, and also due to many so called scholars of Islam who do not want to research and stick to 1000 years old research done. But the solution you have found is no solution at all this is very similar to what Ayman does, changes the House of Allah, without Allah's consent, You say since in Jerusalem no Hajj is been performed since 1400 years therefore it is the perfect place to be house of Allah because No Hajj performed = No dol Worshipper allowed, that is pathatic approach. You seem to have good command in english and Arabic with Excellent Knowldge, it should be your responsibility as it is for all of us to make people aware from the corruptions that have been added in the rites performed during Hajj, despite of telling them to stop Hajj because the way Hajj is performed is not exactly according to our interpretation of Quran. When Muhammad destroyed the Idols in Kaaba, and purified it, this meant that the place which Allah had ordained Abraham to purify and keep clean for those performing piligramage had become a place full of Idol worshippers and unclean, therefore Abraham failed in keeping his promise? is this what you mean? offcourse not, i hope not. SO DID ALLAH ASKED MUHAMMAD TO STOP THE PILIGRIMAGE? NO! instaed Muhammad tried to perform Hajj, which was not allowed by Kaffars and this is recorded in Quran, therefore your assertion is 100% wrong. Allah never ordered Muhammad to stop the Piligrimage beacuse it had became the house of all kinds of Idols; instead Allah ordered Muhammad to preach the people and call them to the religon of truth and remove the corruptions that had been added, Now again the corruptions have been added and we should remove them by preaching and by power if we have BUT WE CANNOT STOP THE PILIGRIMAGE as you have suggested. Allah Ho Akbar.

peace, I initially didn't reply to this because there is loads of info already out there on the questions, it just needs compiling. If someone wishes to complie them into one place, making it fairly comprehensive, easy to link to, then I think this is a good idea. The institution of hadith was agreed upon by the same people who transmitted the Quran. Why then do you accept the Quran but not the hadith? A commonly stated argument by those who wish to raise traditional heresay/ahadith to divine-status level is that its compilation was the same as The Quran. Is that really true? Lets look at the simple and obvious facts... The Quran = God's Word Ahadith = man's word The Quran = 100% fact/truth/perfect Ahadith = mix of truth and falsehood (hence weak and strong hadith) The Quran = recorded under the DIRECT supervision of prophet Muhammad Ahadith = not recorded under the DIRECT supervision of prophet Muhammad The Quran = written AND memorised word for word as soon as it was transmitted Ahadith = no-one ever claimed to record and memorise ahadith word for word as soon as it was transmitted The Quran = protected explicitly by God Himself as stated in The Quran Ahadith = no such explicit protection stated The Quran = no Muslim doubts its credibility Ahadith = each sect has its own versions, weak & strong ones etc The Quran = in-built verification mechanism, e.g. challenges others to find inconsistancy, bring a chapter like it etc. Ahadith = no such in-built mechanism, full of inconsistancies etc.

I think if we go deeper into the free-will concept. If we are given a spirit by God. Maybe that power of free-will is the most precious one. which made satan jealous to us children of Adam. Maybe satan is jealous because we have some part of God. If this case is true (i belief it s true), then we can decide anything we want and God will not interfere with our decision. God even let us make a covenant and oath with Him. I think it is truly the greatest honor to us as lowly and weak humans. The ability to think by oneself is truly the best blessing from Him. And it is one of Satan purpose to dominate and lure us to be it's followers to Hell. Maybe they wanted that ability, or want's us to misuse that ability, or maybe satan wants to prove to God that he's right. God knows best. So inspite of knowing the past and future of us, He will not interfere with our choices unless we ask and put our trust to Him. The guide that we got from torah, bible Quran is also because someone asked for it. Talk about time and space, try watching Deja Vu, Cool movie, i think there's a God sign in there. Like we always asked for God sign. I belief God can inspire people if someone truly wished for it. Believers or not it's his will to give to whom He wishes.

free-mind salaam, why was the dome of the rock built? Rajah It was Calif ?Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan who built the Dome of the Rock around 691 A.D. i.e 53-72 years after Hijrah. And Masjidu?l Aqsa was built on the Temple Mount by the end of the 7th century. This is reported in The Concise Encyclopedia of Islam, Harper & Row, 1989, p. 46 and 102. So why did Muslims waited 72 years after death of prophet to move towards Jerusalem? What was the reason of a conflict between Malik and Abdullah b. al-Zubayr? Was it religous over Kabah or was it politically motivated? The first inscription on the outside dome of rock is meant for all Muslims and the inner inscription is written for Christians ALONE. Jews are not even considered in the context of the inner (or even the outer) inscription. The analysis of these two inscriptions shows that Abd al-Malik built the Dome of the Rock t o satisfy Christian religious matters and it shows that the Dome of the Rock HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH JEWISH MATTERS WHATEVER! This clearly indicates this transfer of Hajj or Kabbah was nothing religous but politics! In actual fact, Omar (the Second Caliph and the first Muslim leader to enter Jerusalem) and Abd al-Malik about 50 years later actually honored the real site of the Jewish Temple that were shown to them on the southeast ridge and over the Gihon Spring (that is the very thing that Omar came to Jerusalem to accomplish) but these early Muslim leaders did NOT show the same type of reverence to the Rock now under the Dome of the Rock. The Dome was built by Muslims to wean Christians from the site, NOT to make it a more sanctified spot in Islam nor did the building of the Dome of the Rock have anything to do with Jewish religious matters or aspirations. Indeed, the "rock" underneath the Dome of the Rock was specifically and significantly of Christian importance and that the Jews up to the time of the Crusades showed no interest whatever in this former Christian spot that Abd al-Malik rebuilt as a Christian type of building (with its characteristic Byzantine dome) in order to wean Christians (who comprised at least 90% of the population of Jerusalem in the seventh century) from New Testament teachings and to win them over to the doctrines then being taught by Islam in and through the Koran. for any comments on this please post it in the thread "What Edip is trying to tell Us?" that will keep us focused on one thread for same topic.

Peace to all, I wanted to vote simple but I dont really understand what your asking, could you please clarify. Kurt Salaams Kurt, As we humans are basically built similarly and the whole of nature is open to us all more or less equally who provides or fulfills the needs/essentials for humanity, isn't it we humans doing for one another- in our everyday business of the day or not? God Bless.

"This video has been removed by the user." glad to see jonny_k is still posting his private messages to forums my hero

Here Leo, http//free-minds.org/articles/quranic/hajj.htm Here is the copy pasting of this site (location of pilgrimage) The first Sanctuary established for the people is the one in Bakk?a, blessed, and a guidance for the worlds. In it are clear signs the place of Abraham. And whoever enters it will be secure. And God is owed from mankind to make Pilgrimage to the Sanctuary, whoever can make a path to it. And whoever rejects, then God has no need of the worlds.? (Quran 396-97) Aerial Photograph of Mecca - Arabia The Quran identifies the first place for the Pilgrimage as ?Bakk?a?. Now, while Mecca and Bakk?a may rhyme, they are clearly not the same name. Many Muslims have claimed that Mecca used to be known as Bakk?a, but that its name was later changed. Now, this presents a problem to any student of the Scripture as no verification is able to be made that this was indeed the case of a ?name change?. Looking at ancient maps from the time of the Prophet (from Roman times or otherwise) there is no indication that what is today called ?Mecca? has ever carried the name ?Bakk?a?. Photograph of Jerusalem (Dome of the Rock) The mystery further deepens when we look to Islamic history itself and the claim that they (the Muslims) used to assemble towards Jerusalem for a number of years and then the focal point (Qibla) was changed to Mecca. Until today, the Muslims refer to Jerusalem as the ?first of the two Qiblas? (Uwla Al-Qiblatain). If Abraham had called people to Mecca in Arabia, and if he had established the first true monotheistic system/government in that location, then what would explain the reason that the Prophet and his early followers were facing Jerusalem and gave their backs to Mecca for many years. Even if we were to discount this history as being ?fabricated?, then why do we have Roman history recording that the man named ?Jesus? was preaching to Jerusalem and its inhabitants and not Mecca in Arabia?. Why also do we have the Jews giving priority to Jerusalem and not even recognizing or hearing of Mecca in their Scriptures (surely they were also performing Pilgrimage at one point in time, so have they forgotten?). Now, while many of Islam?s thinkers are willing to brush aside this historical ?anomaly?, we believe it is our duty to be more meticulous using the one source we have always relied on for truth ?Quran?. Would you please highlight the name of "name of Mt. of Zion" in it and its reference to some authenticated source? Thanks

Peace "AGNOSTIC", Do you want to say that Quran prohibits "conscious" persons not "unconscious" ones ?? JK- Beings which have ATTAINED CONSCIOUSNESS or AFTER having attained it still have a chance to retain it would be included in the list of NAFS possessing beings. GOD Bless!

I think that teaching people about death would have the reverse effect of what you want.

The truth is not even two persons can have exactly the same opinion over everything. So disagreement is completely healthy. The most important thing is that unlike the Shiahs and the Sunnists, we do not call those who disagree with us as kafir or unbelievers who deserve to die. As always on point handshake

I guess thats where we all get in to semantics. I would say that we should all have the freedom to interpet according to our own level of understanding /consciousness. That way I can open the Quran one day and know that it holds a particular meaning for that day - but if I return to it years later - my perspectives and ways of thinking have changed and so - the meaning may have a different slant - or cetainly I may be attracted to differnet parts/aspects. I do find that to be the case - particularly when I go back to the Quran after a very long time - like I just have done today! If I read about about worshiping God alone - for me this instantly means about staying true to one's self rather than swaying with for example cultural conditionings. E.g if I have a cold - then God has designed me to not feel like eating anything - so that the body can better heal - so I should obey this - but instead my mother may force me to eat thinking that it would be better for me. By staying true to myself I would be worshipping God. Also worshipping God means more to me about not worshipping other things than it is about a ritual of some sort.

I had limited time earlier to reply. See this article on chapter 9 http//free-minds.org/articles/quranic/salat_wakas.htm In it, the term akhw (commonly translated as 'brother' is examined) 'Dictionary of the Holy Quran' by Abdul Mannan Omar Male person having the same parents as another or a male only having one parent in common; person of the same descent/land/creed/faith with others; brother; friend; companion; match; fellow of a pair; kinsman; intimately acquainted. 'The Arabic English Lexicon' by Edward W. Lane A brother. Signifying the relation of a brother - brotherhood/fraternity. Act in a brotherly manner. An associate/fellow. Sister, female friend. When it does not relate to birth, it means conformity/similarity and combination/agreement or unison in action. Clearly, according to the dictionaries, akhw has a much wider meaning. In fact, 'the reading' itself confirms this understanding

Thanks I will go and look more in the Quran immediately. I didn't mean to say that I know for a fact that the typified dajjal movement is taking place. I really woudn't take things as so black and white - with the notion of dajjal - as I sadi in myfirst post - take whatresonates and leave waht does not. . But as far as I stand - The wisdom concerning satan the outcast as contained in the Quran is consistent with my own expereinces. I am not really concerned so much about the future as I am about my present expereinces. Only God knows what is in the future - I can only work with what I know to be true from my own experience. And there are a lot of mind programming and manipulative techniques out there in this society that are designed ot use you or take over or buy you in soem manner- it is not just in my mind. This thing is real and happening right now - forget about the coming of the mahdi or hell or heaven - focus on who is trying to do what at this time. I was also being sincere in my reasoning - I did not mean to put forward that it is there in the Quran - just that it is possibly there and is in need of further exploration. It was only a recent revelation that I came accross and so I have not had the time to explore it further yet - but I definitely felt the need to get my overall warning about not visiting that site out with great haste. Lets' forget about the dajjal tittle and lets just call it the satanic movement for simplicity's sake. Satans plan is to take you away from the Divine - this is referenced in the Quran - anything that falls in to that category we can call as the satanic movement. Jinns are referenced in the Quran as both good and bad, - these are what are the multi-dimensional beings that I beleive I have had experience of. In one translation of the Quran it is referenced how Allah is owner of ALL THE WORLDS. Hence - there may be other existences out ther unknwon to us. In terms of what I am talking about this is all we need to know from the Quran. As I said originally - you would need to dwelve in the occult and feel scared and not understand why you felt scared until you came accross the revelations which helped you join up the dots. So it is really the other way around - unexplained phenomena - then dajjal explanations came to make sense. The one eye phenomena and aliens is real in my own expereince. I will go in to greater reseach with the Quran - Though I know you may be right - when I was first researching years ago I did not find anything in the Quran. But in doing so - Lets not forget that the Quran has heavy empahsis on past history rather than current times. If there was a focus on current times it may have referenced how it might be be haram to eat sweets loaded with preservatieves, artificial colours, meat that has been injected with hormones, or even taking of drugs, smoking etc. Peace

Not in my opinion. The above is extreme and almost impossible. It is pretty strict, but I bascially derived it from "avert your eyes". I extended that to mean averting your imaginings too, because isn't staring at someone in your mind basically the same thing? All the other chastities happen automatically from that, and fasting makes it easier.

Salaam It really upsets me that the culture of forgiveness is not widespread among the followers of Al Qur?an. I earnestly pray that everyone will come to realise the value of forgiveness and exercise restraint in year 1429 and beyond. 4134 Not equal are the good and the bad response. You shall resort to the one which is better. Thus, the one who used to be your enemy, may become your best friend peace

I enjoyed it and thought it was well made. PEACE

Care to give us the context/references or do you want the reader to do all the legwork?

Peace Wakas That group is still going but things have slowed down the past year or so. I try to get into it, but I have other e-mail accounts where I recieve messages from other groups. Joe