General Issues / Questions

assalaam let me quote from the self reference article up on the free-minds site just so you can get an idea of the subject before I relate it to this Bible verse "There was a fundamental crisis in mathematics about a hundred years ago, a basic disturbance that affected all of logic till it was repaired. Logicians realized that for centuries they had left out the concept of "Self-reference." For centuries, Aristotle?s rule of the "Excluded middle" had been used. This rule is a proposition that states, "Every proposition is either true or false." Somebody was smart enough to question that very proposition. What if that proposition that states that every proposition is either true or false is false? People had overlooked that for centuries. Not so the Koran. If the Koran is what it claims to be then it should be aware of self-reference, as applied to its own statements. Paul Davies, professor or Mathematical Physics at the University of Adelaide in Australia, in his book, The Mind of God (1992), talks about how Self-reference shook the very foundations of logic and how it was resolved (emphasis is mine) In spite of its superficial plausibility, the formalist interpretation of mathematics received a severe blow in 1931. In that year the Austrian mathematician and logician Kurt Godel proved a sweeping theorem to the effect that mathematical statements existed for which no systematic procedure could determine whether they are either true or false?. The fact that there exist undecidable propositions in mathematics came as a great shock, because it seemed to undermine the entire logical foundations of the subject. Godel?s theorem springs from a constellation of paradoxes that surround the subject of self-reference?The great mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell demonstrated that the existence of such paradoxes strikes at the very heart of logic, and undermines any straightforward attempt to construct mathematics rigorously on a logical foundation. Godel went on to adapt these difficulties of self-reference to the subject of mathematics in a brilliant and unusual manner. He considered the relationship between the description of mathematics and the mathematics itself?In this way, logical operations about mathematics can be made to correspond to the mathematical operations themselves. And this is the essence of the self-referential character of Godel?s proof. By identifying the subject with the object- mapping the description of the mathematics unto the mathematics- he uncovered a Russellian paradoxical loop that led directly to the inevitability of undecidable propositions. (Davies 1993100-101). Godel and Einstein Self-reference takes into consideration the "use" and the "mention" of words. When you "use" a word, it is the meaning of the word that is implied. When you "mention" a word, you are talking about the word and not its meaning. Every sentence can thus talk about the words it is using or the meaning of the word. As an example If I say, " Youth comes before manhood," it would be logically incorrect unless specified. The reason being that in the dictionary, "Manhood (the word and not its meaning)," comes before "Youth (the word)." Since the Koran talks about numerous things and uses many words sometimes repeating them many times, if the author of the Koran was a man or group of men we should find many opportunities to find such logical errors of self reference in the book. However we find something amazing when we apply the self-reference check. If I said, "There is a mistake in the Bible,"to a crowd of pastors, there would be a great uproar and people would respond with emotion, "No there is no mistake in the Bible. Show us a mistake." I could logically show a mistake in the book by reading a passage like, "David made a mistake?" See, the word "mistake" is in the Bible. Now if the Bible were to say, "There is NO mistake in this book," it would be falsified and disproved logically, by that example." BUT ON THE OTHERHAND 1 Corinthians 143 does say that "God is not the author of confusion" So according to the logic concept of self reference we must "take into consideration the "use" and the "mention" of words. When you "use" a word, it is the meaning of the word that is implied. When you "mention" a word, you are talking about the word and not its meaning. Every sentence can thus talk about the words it is using or the meaning of the word. " 1 Corinthians 143 can logically be proven contradictory to the Christian beliefs simply by using the laws of self reference Leviticus 1823 Neither shalt thou lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith neither shall any woman stand before a beast to lie down thereto it is confusion. (Whole Chapter Leviticus 18 In context Leviticus 1822-24) Leviticus 2012 And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them. (Whole Chapter Leviticus 20 In context Leviticus 2011-13) 1 Samuel 2030 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? (Whole Chapter 1 Samuel 20 In context 1 Samuel 2029-31) Ezra 97 Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day. (Whole Chapter Ezra 9 In context Ezra 96- Job 1015 If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction; (Whole Chapter Job 10 In context Job 1014-16) Psalm 354 Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. (Whole Chapter Psalm 35 In context Psalm 353-5) Psalm 3526 Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. (Whole Chapter Psalm 35 In context Psalm 3525-27) Psalm 4415 My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me, (Whole Chapter Psalm 44 In context Psalm 4414-16) Psalm 702 Let them be ashamed and confounded that seek after my soul let them be turned backward, and put to confusion, that desire my hurt. (Whole Chapter Psalm 70 In context Psalm 701-3) Psalm 711 In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust let me never be put to confusion. (Whole Chapter Psalm 71 In context Psalm 711-2) Psalm 10929 Let mine adversaries be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own confusion, as with a mantle. (Whole Chapter Psalm 109 In context Psalm 10928-30) Isaiah 2410 The city of confusion is broken down every house is shut up, that no man may come in. (Whole Chapter Isaiah 24 In context Isaiah 249-11) Isaiah 303 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion. (Whole Chapter Isaiah 30 In context Isaiah 302-4) Isaiah 3411 But the cormorant and the bittern shall possess it; the owl also and the raven shall dwell in it and he shall stretch out upon it the line of confusion, and the stones of emptiness. (Whole Chapter Isaiah 34 In context Isaiah 3410-12) Isaiah 4129 Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing their molten images are wind and confusion. (Whole Chapter Isaiah 41 In context Isaiah 4128-30) Isaiah 4516 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols. (Whole Chapter Isaiah 45 In context Isaiah 4515-17) Isaiah 617 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion therefore in their land they shall possess the double everlasting joy shall be unto them. (Whole Chapter Isaiah 61 In context Isaiah 616- Jeremiah 325 We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God. (Whole Chapter Jeremiah 3 In context Jeremiah 324-26) Jeremiah 719 Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? (Whole Chapter Jeremiah 7 In context Jeremiah 718-20) Jeremiah 2011 But the LORD is with me as a mighty terrible one therefore my persecutors shall stumble, and they shall not prevail they shall be greatly ashamed; for they shall not prosper their everlasting confusion shall never be forgotten. (Whole Chapter Jeremiah 20 In context Jeremiah 2010-12) Daniel 97 O LORD, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. (Whole Chapter Daniel 9 In context Daniel 96- Daniel 98 O Lord, to us belongeth confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. (Whole Chapter Daniel 9 In context Daniel 97-9) Acts 1929 And the whole city was filled with confusion and having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre. (Whole Chapter Acts 19 In context Acts 1928-30) James 316 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. (Whole Chapter James 3 In context James 315-17) and even the mention of the word itself in that verse is a logical fallacy, so faced with this evidence Christians either have to simply admit that Corinthians has been corrupted or is not inspired by God at all or that the Books of James, Acts, Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Psalms, Job, Ezra, Samuel, and Leviticus are corrupted and not inspired by God, it's there pick

Asalamu alaikum,I was just curious,as to what some of your thoughts are on the subject of Pre-destination..Just curious..Salaams

Salaam to everyone, the quistion is, is it the idol which is evil? is it the worship which is evil? or is it the worshipper who is evil? and why is it or they are, evil? Salaam

Asalamu alaikum,Yea I just have a question,does any one know where I can get a FULL on-line english translation of the refutation of Islam which was written By "Saint John of Damascus".....Salaams

Salamo Alaykom, I'm new to this site and have read a few of your articles. Well I believe since about five or six years that sunnah is no part of religion, but still, you confused me with your talk about mekka and jerusalem as well as months. It does make somehow sense and somehow it doesn't. First of all, we are getting into guessing again, and this would also divide the moslems. Besides, you are just erasing all what is agreed upon in the islamic world. I do not agree on Hadith, but nobody doubted that mekka was the place of pilgrimage. Anyway it does make more sense that it is jerusalem, but what about The Israa from the restricted mosque to the aqsaa mosque. What is the aqsaa mosque and what is the restricted mosque? It must have been from the place where the prophet lived. Besides where is the historical proof of any of what you claim? How about the pilgrimage of the prophet? Where was it supposed to have been? When did the prophet ever suppossed to have reached jerusalem? What language was spoken in that area so that it would make sense for the quran to be revealed in Arabic? How about all the historic figures? All invented? And why should the religion have been totally altered like that and when? And where is the evidance of any remains of the original faith? About ritual prayer, what is wrong about it? And why do we have to reinvent everything just because we do not believe that Sunnah is part of the religion? I just ignore the things that are based on the Sunnah, but the prayer and pilgrimage and the months are suppossed to be ok. And if they are not, how could u ever get to the truth? I don't want to just guess. The interpretations are fine, but they get too much into guessing, even if they are based on nice theories. I can always come to a very wrong conclusion using a totally logical path and very sound theories. We can never really know! So are we getting united like this? or will all that just end up in increasing the arguments?

peace, hello everyone...pls visit the site and make it active. post some topics in the forum and let it run. It would be more easier for me to update when its active, so that I can understand the lackings and fix it.........thanks everyone for you support.. http//www.thenaturalrepublic.org

A World Where Womanhood Reigns Supreme Mary Walker When I joined the team of "Living Islam" two years ago, my perception of Islam was dominated by prejudice and ignorance, and I found its treatment of women abhorrent. To me the veil symbolised the oppression of women, making them invisible, anonymous and voiceless, and the cause of this oppression lay in the will to perpetuate the family and maintain a patriarchal framework - the very basis of an Islamic Society. I thought women were entirely submerged by divine justification of their role as wife and mother. "Living Islam" was filmed over two years in 19 different countries and on location I was a lone female in an otherwise male team. I was aware that I especially should behave appropriately. In my mind, women were to be neither seen nor heard. My first trip took me to Mali - to an untypical Muslim community in the bush. Making sure to cover every bit of naked flesh while the men wandered around in short sleeves, I wondered what rooms I was permitted to enter and who I was permitted to talk to. But I also wondered whether my new-found meekness was not in part a reaction to the overpowering atmosphere of the patriarchal society I found my self in. Was this how Muslim women felt - resignation in the face of impossible odds? The first Muslim woman I met in Mali was far removed from my preconception about the Muslim female. She was the wife of a Shaikh dedicated to converting pagan villagers to Islam. A sophisticated, well-educated woman, previously married to a diplomat, she had renounced a Western lifestyle for a life in purdah. In my eyes she had sentenced herself to life imprisonment. But here was no prisoner, no poor downtrodden slave. A sharp intelligent and influential woman stood before me, clearly the one "who wore trousers" round here. Here seclusion gave her a status of honour and allowed her to exercise control from behind closed doors without confrontation. She was the bargainer, the head of the household, and the manager of her husbands affairs and schedule. The emancipated woman in the West faces the conflict between confirmation of her femininity and the privileges that she associates with it, and repudiation of the confines of her female role and all the limitations that men want her to assume. From where I stood, this woman had transformed those limitations into privileges. On my next trip to northern Nigeria I met two more women who would alter my views even further. These were two women from the household of Shaikh Zakzaky, a fervent preacher of Jihad who urges his supporters to follow the example of Iran and replace the imperialistic western regime with an Islamic state. Zeenah Ibraheem, Zakzaky's wife and Fatima Yunus, her friend, had agreed to be interviewed about the role of women in Islam. They were in purdah and would only speak to another woman. The producer asked me to interview them. I was nervous apart from the fact that I had never interviewed anyone before. I was worried that my feminist sympathies would antagonise the women. But it was precisely these sympathies that Zeenah and Fatima themselves were questioning. Once again, the women were educated and articulate. And once again they had rejected the Western lifestyle which I considered so superior to Islam in its treatment of women. As I took my seat on a carpet in the courtyard, the invisible boundary between men and women was a welcome partition, and within this boundary womanhood reigned supreme. This was a sharp contrast with the feelings from the previous days in locations where my presence had been acceptable only as an "honorary man". We had been filming the medieval theatrics of the 'Salla' celebrations that marked the end of Ramadan. Men, men, men everywhere 500,000 men gathered for prayer on the morning of the Salla, men pouring into the inner courtyard of the Emirof Kano's inner courtyard to pay homage - I was grateful to be allowed to witness these events but at what price? The complete annihilation of my female identity? But now. I was taking the reins because of my sex. No more the feeling of inferiority and exclusion, as a novice in things Islamic surrounded by a team of experts, as a woman in a patriarchal society. Now the men were excluded. Apart from the cameraman and sound recordist, they were encouraged to stand well back. The cameraman covered his head and the camera with a black cloth - his very own veil. I was now in a world where the men had no voice. The women talked and in their answers I saw the seeds of my own re-evalutions. They argued that the veil signified their rejection of an unacceptable system of values which debased women while Islam elevated women to a position of honour and respect. "It is not liberation where you say women should go naked. It is just oppression, because men want to see them naked." Just as to us the veil represents Muslim oppression, to them miniskirts and plunging necklines represent oppression. They said that men are cheating women in the West. They let us believe we're liberated but enslave us to the male gaze. However much I insist on the right to choose what I wear, I cannot deny that the choice is often dictated by what will make my body more attractive to men. Women cannot separate their identity from their appearance and so we remain trapped in the traditional feminine world, where the rules are written by men. By choosing to wear the veil, these women were making a conscious decision to define their role in society and their relationship with men. That relationship appeared to be based more on exchange and mutual respect (a respect that was often lacking in the personal relationships I saw in the West), than the master/servant scenario I had anticipated. The Veil to them signified visual confirmation of their religious commitment, in which men and women were united, and for Zeenah and Fatima an even stronger commitment to a political ideal. So were my notions of oppression in the form of the veil disqualified? If my definition of equality was free will then I could no longer define that oppression as a symptom of Islam. The women had all exercised their right to choose. To some extent, they were freer than me - I had less control over my destiny. I could no longer point at them and say they were oppressed and I was not. my life was influenced by male approval as theirs - but the element of choice had been taken out of mine. their situations and their arguments had, after all, served to highlight shortcomings in my view of my own liberty. Mary Walker was Production Coordinator on the BBC 2 series "Living Islam". ? Copyright 1998 News and Media Ltd. UK.

peace all, i would really appreciate if anyone could provide the text or a link to the argument raised against the 'inconsistency' of the inheritance shares in the Book! It seems that a solution to the subject is at hands by God's leave. peace all,

Peace family, I know it's been a long time since I've last posted here. In fact, I see a quite a few NEW names added on the list since I last been in here. As many of you may know, I have been self-employed for the past year. However, My wife and I have made some new goals and plans one of which is to re-locate to another city. Our target city, tentatively, is Atlanta, GA. Because of that, I have taken on a job to help speed things up and to keep my head above water while we try to stack up enough money to get out of here. Anyway, I just don't want you all to think that I've abandoned you or forgotten about you. I had to re-adjust to my new schedule and get used to actually punching in a time clock. This is very different for me. Also keep in mind, my wife is always occupying the computer. She's been spending alot of time on Paltalk arguing with the hadith and sunnah lovers so I hardly get a chance to get on the computer any how, except occasionally to check my e-mail. Until next time my family, Peace. Damon.

Asalamu alaikum,I have a question,for Albion and others whom may believe that the Gospels and such are correct.You seem to say you have some how determined their authenticity,and if this is the true case,then please ,If you might,enlighten me by reading the following and making sense of it all,as I wish to know how you have done it,and what is your postion on the following issueOk,lets get started,here are some basic factsNot all ancient Judeo-Christian texts made it into the Christian Bible. These ancient texts are called "outside books," "extrabiblical books," or "noncanonical books." CHRISTIAN CANONS EMERGED THROUGH A COMPLEX PROCESS in which some books were "chosen" and others were left out. A tradition of use, authority within the communities, antiquity or apostolicity, and orthodoxy were factors in deciding which books were "in" and which were "out." There are DIFFERENT biblical canons. For example, Roman Catholics have a larger canon than Protestants. This means that Roman Catholics have some inside books that Protestants consider outside. In terms of the Old Testament, Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, Ethiopian Orthodox, and other Eastern Christians claim more "inside books". The books of the "second canon" are considered "inside" by Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Ethiopic Christians; the latter group adds even more books beyond the deuterocanonicals. Protestants consider the same books "outside" however they give the Apocrypha high status, considering them valuable for instruction and spiritual edification. Some canons are smaller than the Protestant Bible; others are larger The smallest Bible is claimed by the Samaritans, who recognize only the first five books of the Bible (the Pentateuch). The largest Bible is that of the Ethiopian Orthodox church, which has 81 books The Ethiopian Orthodox church's narrower Old Testament canon includes the books of the Hebrew Bible, all of the Apocrypha, and "Jubilees, 1 Enoch, and Joseph ben Gurion's (Josippon's) medieval history of the Jews and other nations." 2 HERE ARE SOME REASONS WHY CERTAIN BOOKS FAILED TO MAKE THE CUT1]Some ancient texts were considered authoritative but were dropped before the canon was "closed." 2]Some well-regarded books were written too late and/or not believed to be apostolic, so they were not included. Nevertheless some outside books, such as the Didache, are as old or even older than some of the books that made the New Testament. 3]Other books were accepted by some Christian communities but not others. Sometimes they were labeled "heretical" by more powerful Christian groups like Rome they were not popular or known well enough by Greek-speaking Christians Still other books never came close to making it "inside.". In addition to heretical books that were excluded, other books were considered to be too outrageous, even though they were very popular. 4]A number of books were lost or destroyed.<<<<---END---OK,we just went over some basic facts ,And I would appreciate it if you could possibly answer the following questionsAs we can see,different sects/denominations use different canons,some less,some more.Which sect has the correct canon?Are they all correct?What do you think about the Ones which failed to make the cut altogether?Should we suppose that they were all indeed false as determined by the methodology/science of the compilers of the bibles? Gee,I just got an idea,If we accept the modern-day Bible/Torah,why not then accept the ahadeeth as well ?They too are full of words attributed to a Prophet,and are compiled,accepted,rejected using a methodology/science as wellAlso,here is a question which is not based on this articleHow do you explain away the REAL,PROVEN mistakes and errors -----------Well,Anyways these are just a FEW of the many questions I have,if you will answer them-Thanks..Salaams-

Lecture invitation on paltalk INTERANTIONAL ISLAMIC PROPAGATION CENTRE (IIPC) 110-A, BLOCK # 2, MASJID-E-REHMANIA ROAD, P.E.C.H. SOCIETY KARACHI-75400, PAKISTAN. TEL (92-21) 4528923-4528924 E-MAIL [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] Website www.the-quran.org Branch- SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 2 / 38 A Fairmount Street, Lakemba. 2195 PH- (02) 9759 6874. Mobile0402 231065 E-MAIL [email protected] " INVITE TO THE WAY OF YOUR LORD WITH WISDOM AND BEAUTIFUL PREACHING; AND REASON WITH THEM THE BEST WAY FOR YOUR LORD SURELY KNOWS BEST WHO STRAYS FROM HIS PATH AND HE KNOWS BETTER WHO RECEIVE GUIDANCE." 16125 Brothers and Sisters in Islam / To attain peace. Assalam-u-alaikum / peace be on to you We invite all brothers & sisters and family & friends to join for a discussion and active participation on the recorded lecture. Subject What AL-Quran says about Kabah and Qiblah?(Recording) will be played in two parts, the first part will be played on Friday 12th and second part on Friday 19th March 2004. Delivered by Br. Mohammad Shaikh (in English) The ayats will be Discussed in first part on Friday 12th March are as follow Aal-e-Imran 396 Al-Maida 597 Al-Baqara 2158 Al-Anam 675 to 79 Al-Baqara 2144 Al-Hajj 2226 Al-Baqara 2127 Ibraheem 1437 Aal-e-Imran 397 Al-Baqara 2125 Al-Baqara 2150 The ayats will be Discussed in second part on Friday 19th March are as follow Younus 1087 Al-Araf 729 Al-Anfal 834,35 Al-Fatihah 15,6 Al-Baqara 2.142,143,145,146,147 Ibraheem 1435,36 Al-Naml 2791,92,93 TIMINGS Time 930 PM Sydney Time 330 PM PST Pakistan Download www.paltalk.com Go category Islam Our Paltalk Room www.the-quran.org (iipc) Administrators Br Mukarrum Siddiqui(IIPC_SYD_M1) He will control the room, paste the ayats / signs / verses of the Quran during the lecture and will discuss the ayats / signs after the recorded lecture has been played. Br Mohammad Usman(IIPC_SYD_M4) He will play the recorded lecture of Br. Mohammad Shaikh, and will paste the ayats / signs / verses of the Quran during the discussion. Br Zahid Shaikh (IIPC_SYD_M6) Br Masroor Ali (IIPC_SYD_M9) Br Faisal Hussain (IIPC_SYD_M11) will paste the ayats / signs / verses of the Quran during the discussion No irrelevant question or personal discussion will be entertained. No unnecessary private messages permitted during the lecture . Wa Alaikum us Salam And peace be on to you Mukarrum Siddiqui IIPC_SYD_M1 Admin Sydney Australia [email protected] www.the-quran.org

Here is interesting question. Suppose I'm a non-muslim. I read quran whole-heartedly and determine it is true. Then I (truthfully) declare that I believe in all the statements made in Quran, except for one. It could be any statement. I could say that jesus is a son of God. Or that You can eat pork or anything even simpler and milder. My question to you is, am I a Muslim? PS This is a hypothetical discussion , not really my position. so pls dont bomb me personally with comments.

peace all, I was watching "The Truth About Killing" on channel 4, and some of the stuff I found most interesting was as follows... When in a high state of emotion (e.g. fear) its nearly impossible to reason logically/rationally with someone. The part of the brain that deals with higher thought shuts down, and reverts to the more "primitive" part to see things through. This may be interesting to those who think one must approach quran with a certain frame of mind to succeed. Also, it stated the vast majority of fighters in past wars (not very recent ones) found it extremely hard mentally to kill another human being. The figure quoted who found it relatively easy was about 2%. Interestingly, it further stated that half of that 2% would actually be considered psychopathic, clinically. The site is an interesting read... here is one quote Whatever the truth behind Marshall's statistics, the US military was so alarmed by his findings that they instigated an entirely new approach to combat training in an effort to overcome this apparent resistance to killing. Out went the traditional rifle practice with bullseye-style targets, and in came battlefield simulations, with man-shaped pop-up targets that fell when hit. Such psychological conditioning seemed to produce remarkable results. In the Korean War, for example, the firing rate had risen from 20 to 55%. By the time of the Vietnam War, the figure had shot up to 95%. Which goes to show that however reluctant we may be as killers, we can always find novel ways to overcome our limitations. ...But it says something tragic about the human condition that we are still looking for ways to improve upon these figures. Wakas

Salaam everyone, Just wanted to share this e-mail I received today... 'sad, but true'. **What do you call someone who explodes a bomb and kills innocent people? A terrorist. **What do you call someone who drops a bomb from a plane and kills innocent People? A brave American pilot. **What do you call the form of government where a small elite exploits and intimidates the citizens? -A dictatorship. **What do you call the form of government where a small elite exploits and intimidates the citizens, and the citizens can choose every few years which part of the elite should occupy the government buildings? A democracy. **What do you call it when a group of people take the law into their own hands and kill people without a fair trial? A lynching. **What do you call it when the US takes the law into its own hands and kills people without a fair trial? Operation Enduring Freedom. **What do you call a weapon that can kill thousands of people? A weapon of mass destruction. **What do you call a weapon that has killed 1.5 million Iraqis, including more than 500,000 children? Sanctions. **What do you call it when just over 3 thousand people were killed in the September 11 attack on the US? An atrocity. **What do you call it when nearly 5 million people were killed in the Vietnam war? A mistake. **What do you call it when very rich people exploit poor people? Greed and selfishness. **What do you call it when very rich countries exploit poor countries? Globalization. **What do you call a foreign oppressor in the last century that controlled the economical and social life of a country? A colonialist power. **What do you call a foreign oppressor in this century that controls the economical and social life of a country? The International Monetary Fund. **What do you call it when people are slaughtered? A massacre. **What do you call it when 100.000 to 200.000 Iraqi's are slaughtered by the US at a loss to American forces of 148 (46 of which were killed by friendly fire)? The Gulf War.

Salaam, I was just wondering whether or not anyone had any ideas as to how men and women are to behave towards each other outside of marriage, according to the Quranic basis. Would male and female friendship be allowed? One peice of evidence to support this is the story from the Quran of Soloman and the Queen of Sheba. As per Quranic principles, in a Quran-only state, male and female people would be equal and so I think under the Quran, contrary to common sunni thinking, free mixing would be allowed to an extent, . The main reason hadiths advocate segregation is to mainly keep women out of public society; we know this is wrong according to the Quran but does God advice us on the matter further? Peace

Peace be upon all, I would like to know how free women are when it comes to marriage issue. How much control does a parent hold on their daughter upon marriage? Does the girl have total freedom to disagree with her parent?s decision? Can parents arrange their daughter?s marriage without her agreement? Can anyone answer these questions from Quranic perspective? peace

Iraqi Shias Slaughtered on their holy day http//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39908000/jpg/_39908165_blast300bbc.jpg http//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39907000/jpg/_39907719_streetscene300bbc.jpg http//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39907000/jpg/_39907803_ambulance_300ap.jpg http//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39907000/jpg/_39907787_cart_300ap.jpg http//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39907000/jpg/_39907711_wounded300bbc.jpg http//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39907000/jpg/_39907975_headinhands_300ap.jpg http//newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39908000/jpg/_39908657_wounded_203bodyap.jpg http//news.bbc.co.uk/media/images/39907000/jpg/_39907717_smoke300bbc.jpg Where are the Arab and Muslim masses protesting in the streets of the Middle-East, America, Canada, Europe and the world?????? Only complicit silence that has become the heroine of this God-foresaken part of the world....This is disgusting, disgusting and disgusting! We don't want people just saying how bad and horrid the attacks were but Muslims and Arabs who will for once in their dreary existence have the courage and conscience to condemn such inhuman aberrations not only in words but action as well. On this day of Ashura may God remember the innocent men, women and children slaughtered by rabid monsters masquerading as "Muslims". Omari

One major criticism by anti-Quren people is that the Quren talks of Pharoah crucifying people as punishment. Apparently, this was not in use during the time of Pharoah and the claim by such people is that the Quren has made a 'mistake'. I have read Islamic Awareness response to this but there are rebuttals to it on another site which I can't seem to find at the moment http//www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Contrad/External/crucify.html Any ideas..? Is there some other understanding or can we say that there was crucifiction during those times?

Peace All Is the law of God's deen best for the believers or for mankind? Take care. Joe

peace be upon all, Tabligh is one of the most active movement now. As far as I know, they are promoting the traditional system, mostly sunnah and such. Most muslims are now turning towards them as most academically qualified peoples are involved in it. So what do you people think about this movement and how are they helping the muslim world..?? Peace