General Issues / Questions

Peace be upon you Dell, okay-okay-okay lets pause || for a sec........... ok, so i believe for now that hell/heaven are allegorical, but if they are, then what happens to us when we die? No one can say with absolute certainty, but my faith leads me to the understanding that it will be like we are sleeping, we will be in our MIND STATES, some will have polluted minds, so it will be a torturing punishment, others will have purified thier minds, so they will be at peace, enjoying all that they wish. Have you heard of a LUCID DREAM? That is when one becomes aware while dreaming, and so they can control what happens. I have experienced this and was starting to fly in my dream. It was the best dream I ever had, along with the dreams where I was having sex and it seemed so real! Well its the truth! obviously our bodies aren't there, so neither would we benifit from the rivers with flowing wine and milk, nor would we suffer from the roasting of our skin because they are allegorical......then nothing happens even if you are good or bad? What happens to the soul? I translate "nafs" as MInd, not Soul. I think it helps us understand better. The milk honey and roasting skin are allegories to let us know how we will feel about our decisions. and btw ansar, i know you are gonna ask, "so, now idolfree1 is your MUFTI?" so here's an answer, no, I am just getting people opinions Please do not feed this persons ego any further than what it is already. We all know that each of us here is aware that we must listen to ALL Opinions, and follow the BEST as the God has instructed us, if he does not wish to follow the God, that is his decision, but we do not owe him continued explanation for what we do.

Salaam, It was a while since I visit this forum and what a mess! I think Br Shareef and his site is more thought provoking. http//www.freewebs.com/genuineislam Peace sister Majidah

Peace, It is astonishing all the words of the shahada are included in the word Allah = LA / there is no = ilah / god = illa / but/except = Hu / He. Marie

"If intellect was sufficient for the comprehension of the revealed truths, Then the rationalists, logicians and dialecticians would have also shared in the secrets of Religion. And if the intellect could discern the true way in this question, Then Fakhr-i-Razi would be an expert in Religious mysteries." -- Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi (rahmatullahi alayh) Peace all Do you mean to say intellect is insufficient to discern? Intellect is an endwment from Allah or not ? drfazl .

Salaams All Brothers Sisters, i think a very important law which i havn't pinpointed, may be i've overlooked IN THE QURAN,is CunCurrent for all time-from my understandings. Apart from Gods laws i have laid out below is . OBEY THE LAW - NOT JUST LAWS FOURTEEN CENTURIES OLD BUT CURRENT LAWS. FINAL ISLAMIC WAY-FOR SUCCESS WHO IS HEAVEN FOR? 082.013(loads and loads of other such verses) As for the Righteous, they will be in bliss; 085.011 For those who believe and do righteous deeds, will be Gardens; beneath which rivers flow That is the great Salvation, (the fulfilment of all desires),. AND WHO IS RIGHTEOUS? 002.177 It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces Towards east or West; but it is righteousness- to believe in Allah and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in The taking of and/or Giving of Good Advice, and practice regular charity; to fulfil the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the Allah-fearing. BE MORE RIGHTEOUS?COMPETITION? 005.048 To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute; WHAT ELSE?BY FACING ALL THAT IS GOOD? 002.148 To each is a goal to which Allah turns him; then strive together (as in a race) Towards all that is good. Wheresoever ye are, Allah will bring you Together. For Allah Hath power over all things. 002.150 So from whencesoever Thou startest forth, turn Thy face in the direction of the RESTRICTIONS; and wheresoever ye are, Turn your face thither that there be no ground of dispute against you among the people, except those of them that are bent on wickedness; so fear them not, but fear Me; and that I may complete My favours on you, and ye May (consent to) be guided; AND BY WARDING OFF ,EVIL? 002.183 O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil). RESTRICTIONS 005.090 O you who believe! intoxicants and games of chance and (sacrificing to) stones set up and (dividing by) arrows are only an uncleanness, the Shaitan's work; shun it therefore that you may be successful. 017.032 Nor come nigh to adultery for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils). 006.151 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. 006.152 And come not nigh to the orphan's property, except to improve it, until he attain the age of full strength; give measure and weight with (full) justice;- no burden do We place on any soul, but that which it can bear;- whenever ye speak, speak justly, even if a near relative is concerned; and fulfil the covenant of Allah thus doth He command you, that ye may remember. 002.221 Do not marry unbelieving women (idolaters), until they believe A slave woman who believes is better than an unbelieving woman, even though she allures you. Nor marry (your girls) to unbelievers until they believe A man slave who believes is better than an unbeliever, even though he allures you. Unbelievers do (but) beckon you to the Fire. But Allah beckons by His Grace to the Garden (of bliss) and forgiveness, and makes His Signs clear to mankind That they may celebrate His praise. 004.022 And marry not women whom your fathers married,- except what is past It was shameful and odious,- an abominable custom indeed. 004.023 Prohibited to you (For marriage) are- Your mothers, daughters, sisters; father's sisters, Mother's sisters; brother's daughters, sister's daughters; foster-mothers , foster-sisters; your wives' mothers; your step-daughters under your guardianship, wives of your sons ; and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time; Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful;- 024.003 Let no man guilty of adultery or fornication marry and but a woman similarly guilty, or an Unbeliever nor let any but such a man or an Unbeliever marry such a woman to the Believers such a thing is forbidden. 024.033 Let those who find not the wherewithal for marriage keep themselves chaste, until Allah gives them means out of His grace. OBEY THE LAW (if it is not in opposition to God of course). Salaams.

The broken chain The book generally explains the notion of 'Traditional' Scholarship and tries to demonstrate how this is being neglected today. It Traces back, from where the idea of 'modernism' began and what its consequences are for Muslims today. It also examines and seeks to define the classical notion of adab - and the lack of it displayed not only to one another - but also to our fuqaha. It examines how certain movements have compounded the problem of acknowledging traditional scholarship, by flooding the world with edited, censored and clumsily translated classical texts. It specifically focuses upon how from the very first generation, or from the time of the salaf, the Best of Creation had been venerated, and questions why today, praise of the prophet is looked as 'excessive' - or even a bid'a. It then concludes with a vast chapter on quotes and references from the first three generations and then from the scholars of sunna and jama'a - testifying to the greatness and magnanimity of the one who is the oft praised - Ahmad, Ta-Ha, Ya-Sin, Muhammad Ibn Abd Allah, May Allah bless him and grant him peace. Order here http//store.yahoo.com/islamicbookstore-com/b6652.html

May Allah protect us from the evil of that and awaken us from our sleep. Ameen

I enjoy Abdul Baset's recitation. D Too bad all recitors have nothing to do with the ideas of some people here huh?

Pece all, I hear a lot about this woman, Taslima Nasren who is from Bangladesh and is now living in Sweden, France, UK and studying at Harvard in US. I did a google search on her and all I could find was that she is a bangladeshi living in exile because there is a fatwa against her, she is an "islamic rebel" and studying at Harvard. The latest bit of info is that she is planning to product / direct a bollywood movie. Who is she? Is she against Islam as in against Quran and God or against Islam as in the customes/tradiations and abuses against Muslim women in Asian and Arab countries as her books claim? yes she is a Bangladeshi living in exile because of religious fatwa. She wrote some book and kinda bashed traditional islam for oppressing woman. She is more like a humanist. Her books became more controvirtial because she brought out many facts of her life and experiences in to public which kinda disturbed the so called scholars and also religious fanatics. Her writings are mostly based on real llife experiences of many oppressed women back home. Actualy the general ppl are not much bothered about it as the fanatics had made it a big issue and threatened to kill her. peace peace

Salam jol Hello Sabo, U made me curious. U understand him but u don,t agree with him. Can u explain this foe me? Greetings Jol Understanding means I know why his behaviour is like that .. briefly because many egyptians don't like when strangers look at their wives. Egyptians do look in a stupid way at foreigner women specially and I know it for sure. My wife is also european like you, but we don't live in Egypt. When we visit Cairo and wanna walk in peace there, then we must be "well prepared" I don't know how is it in other cities, especially the cities at the red sea, where people got used to see foreigners. agreeing means I don't agree to do the same, i.e. to forbid my wife to swim. There are always middle solutions between yes/no especially when these solutions don't violate the Quran, which I do respect. And as far as I can understand the Quran does not forbid swimming, and as far as I understand swimming must not be in a bikini . Best regards, sabo

Ah well... someday, u never know... but in the meantime, we hang out here! Peace!

Peace be upon you, Yes, the UNI-VERSE

Why did he marry more than one wife? He was poor. It wasn't as if he was a king who by marrying multiple wives was supporting these women. His life was just as much in jeaoperdy as the lives of several men who were dying by fighting the pagans, so if he died, more than one woman all of a sudden would become a widow. Why? What's the reason?

Peace, What a ridculous moronic tirade. Each statement you question is an ayyat of Qur'an. It's a waste of time discussing this any further with you. As for Madam Kim, did ya ever think that perhaps there are more writings by her where she states that she is not a "muslim" by your standards that is, then the small portion posted on this forum. Anyway, who cares? Will you not think?

Peace, Mines are the thoughts of a layman in this very interesting, informative and important discussion. I think we do God?s system a disservice when we purport that every ?dot and tittle? to borrow a phrase from the bible, is exactly as it always was in the Qur'aan. According to what I understand from the Reading is that God will preserve the message. He doesn?t say He will accomplish this in that manner. This manner of preservation requires infallibility from the honored scribes mentioned and those who came after them. Humans are not infallible, even with all good intentions. The Reading states that men changed the message that was given to previous messengers. But, it states that the words of God cannot be changed. Does that mean men were able to change His words before and now they are not? Wouldn?t that be a contradiction? We must be clear as to what is meant by the preservation of the message and the immutable, unchangeable Words of God. We must ask ourselves the hard questions and find the pragmatic answers. The easy answer is, ?It?s a miracle!? Much of the research mentioned in this discussion is way, way out of my purview but I do recognize the magnitude of its significance. I eagerly await the bottom line findings of those who are sincere in finding the truth. I hold on to the words in the reading that says God has made this EASY and that is what it would have to be for me to understand and to be a universal message for all mankind. What is hard is the unity, for those who put into practice shirk in any of its many forms. The real names and credentials of the researchers are of little import. God guides according to laws and I believe the only credentials that will really matter are intellect and a pure heart seeking guidance. Have you not considered how Allah sets forth a parable of a GOOD WORD (being) like a GOOD TREE, whose ROOT is firm and whose branches are in heaven,

Nice work Zenje, i thought there was something like that,but didn't know where about.But i think this is being said to them people then-but equally applicable to us now. My thoughts -it could be happening now.But may be it can happen every now and then in accordance with how we are living ourselves.Salaams.

Peace, I believe this verse is referring to when we are in war with the disbelievers (yea yea, obvious I know). I don't believe it is referring to any war that we'd be in today as bombs or guns would be used, and it seems "smiting necks" would be hand to hand combat with swords or something along those lines. Also remember that War is only incumbent on believers in self-defense, there is no other justification for war (muslims cannot go around kidnapping people and then decapitating them, this makes no sense according to the verse, plus its not self-defense). I therefore look at the situation in the following hypothetical manner, The believers are being attacked simply because they declare that their God is one God, assuming that they've bore the attacks with the utmost patience; they've exasperated all other diplomatic options, and now the Disbelievers have openly declared war upon them. They therefore, are permitted to defend themselves in combat ( I assume it would be hand to hand combat in the past). Thus, even if the verse did read necks (which it probably doesn't, I don't know arabic), the believers would be told to strike at the necks of those who are attacking them, which to me seems to be an efficient way of killing people in hand to hand combat. However, I don't believe this is what the verse is really saying as it doesnt make much sense with regards to the "release them" part, as they'd be dead. Oh Gosh, I'm rambling again. All in all, I look at the FM translation as being the most appealing to my logic. However, I dont see why beheading in actual combat wouldn't be justified, how is it any worse than dropping an incendiary bomb on a group of people? At least with beheading you're only killing the person attacking you, there are no Civilian casualties. Furthermore, even with the traditional translation, I dont see where it would justify capturing people, and then decapitating them. PEEAAAAAACE

And upon you be the Peace, Kyle, What did Carl say about it? It is just his captivating way of laying scientific facts of the eternal Cosmos! Taj

Peace AMS, all, God knows the truth and the truth is that you do not have a camel. First off, your logic doesn't hold. mmmh..thats my point. What I was trying to suggest, using your quote with subsititution God knows the truth and the trught is that the future does not exist. So, right, the logic doesn't hold. If the future does not exist, how can God know about it? What if you go and buy a camel tomorrow? Did you create a future where you have a camel? Of course not. Only The God creates. We don't create anything. We only make choices. When you are walking down a path and reach an intersection and you decide to take the road on the right. Does this mean that you created the road on the right and that the road on the left doesn't exist? The roads you are walking are exactly like time, except that the roads of time are one way, you can't make a U turn and go back to take the other road if you don't like what you found on the road you chose. Peace and all best wishes, Ayman.

Peace be upon you Jaguar, I am glad you brought this up. It is a simple matter of following the messenger. We are instructed to greet those who have faith inthis message of the God by saying"Peace be upon you". If you notice, I start all of my posts with thie greeting. From the responses that I have seen given to your question, I think we need to dig a little deeper. (58 Do you not see to those who were restricted from the confidential talk/secret conversation? Then they return to what they were restricted from it, and they interchange pleasurable conversation with the sin/crime, and the transgression/aggression , and disobedience (to) the messenger, and if they came to you, they greeted you with what God does not greet you with it, and they say in their minds "If only The God tortures us because (of) what we say." Enough for them Hell they roast/suffer (from) it , so how bad (is) the end/destination? Some say in thier minds that the God will not punish them for what they say out thier mouths, but indeed the WORD is the most powerful weapon, and when one realizes the PARADISE of the state of PEACE, they will TRULY wish for "PEace to be upon mankind". (654) And if those who have faith came to you with Our signs, so say "peace on you, your Lord decreed on Himself the mercy, truly who from you made/did bad/evil/harm with ignorance/foolishness, then he repented from after it, and corrected/repaired, so that He truly is a forgiver, merciful."