Misleads of Free-Minds Teachings--Positive Criticism
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Salaam.
The Quran allows one to use dirt in place of running water, if it is not ...say "available",
in the same way that many people surround themselves with burning sage or sweet grass smoke when they pray.There is a message in this that falls outside of simple, literal translation.
I think what the person meant, who said that one can pray in the nude if they choose to do so,
is that we are not bound to the sort of malignant, ritualistic behaviour which takes the breath
out of the words left for us by the Messenger through his close Companions.We are to be clean, we are to be modest.
We are to pray as we were taught and regularly, according to the movement of the day.Imagine a place where the sun shines constantly for much of the year....
It's best to reach for the essence of the teachings, to read them in your own light,
to apply them to your own life, while giving others room to find and apply their own understanding,
as Al Lah reveals it to them personally.We forget that Shaykh was often there, in the distant past, for a vast number of people
who couldn't even read. To teach them to read, even. My shaykh lives on the other side of the world and he would be ashamed of me if I were not able to figure it out for myself. )Times change. That is not bi'dah. That is time.
P e a c e .
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Salaam
Very nice words, and welcome! If I may share my opinion, since I do not totally agree with you. Please do not see my post as "arguing", I just want to share my opinion with you.
- In discussing how Hadiths are basically worthless and complete blasphemy, the Free Minds tells Muslims that the Holy Qur'an does not provide specific way to pray salat/contact prayers and that if one wishes he/she could pray naked. That statement floored me as I view it as an invitation for people to show no respect to Allah SWT. If one is encouraged to dress appropriately when in community, and when praying with others, then why not show even better respect to the One who created us all by dressing appropriately in private as well?
I agree with you, but I think you have to see it in the angle of "will no clothes stop me from praying?". I do not think many would take the active choice of taking off their clothes before prayer, but the Quran does not stop you from prayer just because you happen to be naked. I do however agree with you that it is a little misguiding to say "pray naked if you so wish". Not wrong, but misguiding.
- While discussing menstrual cycle, the Free Minds states that the Holy Qur'an allows women to pray while menstruating. Really? It makes no sense then that Allah SWT would require of women to take a bath prior to sexual intercourse with their husbands. That in itself shows that after menstruation ablution is required for prayer as well. After all, prayer is one a higher level of chastity, worship than procreation. Sexual intercourse is there for human need, not Allah's SWT as He is not dependent on anyone.
Have you thought about the physical versus spiritual cleanliness? Allah asks us all to wash before prayer, no matter if we need it or not. The only logical explanation to this is the guidance to perform a spiritual cleansing that make us ready for prayer. To Allah this cleansing is quite important, he is even asking us to use sand or dirt if we do not have access to water.
Taking a bath after sex but before prayer has to do with washing "away" the feeling of arousal before commencing your bond with Allah. This is the spiritual cleansing.
Physical cleansing has to do with what you wrote about menstruation. I do think they are two different things.- Free Minds is too worried in eliminating anything in Islamic Community related to hadiths and less focused on promoting common human reason. Like I said earlier in other post, not all Hadiths are evil. Free Minds itself states that ancient Arabs/pre-Qur'an Arabs already knew concepts and customs relating to Hajj, fasting, zekat, Abraham's religous practices. Isn't it, then, awesome that there are Hadiths to help us understand those as well since the Holy Qur'an instructs Prophet Muhammad savs himself to follow the religion of Abraham savs? By completely rejecting Hadiths, you are also rejecting those important teachings that help us understand how to perform certain religious duties, the religious duties of the religion of Abraham savs (Islam).
I agree with you, but there is a difference between rejecting hadith as an integral part of the Quran or rejecting hadith totally. I do not reject Hadith totally, but I reject them as divine guidance. By divine I mean the word of Allah.
The rest of your post, I really like.
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There is not a single verse in the Quran that forbids a person from praying naked. So why should there be a dispute in what God has not forbidden??? Anything that is not in the Quran should be left for the believer to decide. If he or she decides to wear or not wear clothing during the contact prayer then that is his or her choice.
The only time I personally believe this practice will be conceive as indecent (according to the Quran and not by most of our standards) is when you and I pray in front of other people who ought not to see our nakedness by law. Read Sura 2431 .
Also take note that the best garment is the garment of awareness/righteousness.
726 O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you garments to cover your bodies, as well as ornaments; and the garment of awareness is the best. That is from God's signs, perhaps they will remember.I cannot concieve that God would punish a person just because he (or she) chooses to pray naked (except only in front of other people who ought not to see his or her nakedness). Also again there is not single verse that forbids the act of praying nude. This choice is left to the believer.
Peace,
Kevin
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Salaam--
I do not claim to know it all. No one does, but Allah SWT. I do not claim to understand Islam 100%, as I personally believe that Islam is a way of life that is acquired and always unfolding before me a path to the Truth. Also, I do not claim that I 100%understand the Holy Qur'an, nor do I 100% know all of the Hadiths that exist. I do, however, believe that Hadiths require reform and revision as many, that I personally have heard of and read, have lead the Muslim Ummah astray (ie. some Muslims engage in behaviors that are unislamic, such as stoning of adulterers). I also believe that it is the Holy Qur'an that should explain our basic and most important believes and it is the Holy Qur'an that should be the backbone of any other additional religious teachings/inspirations.
Having said all of that, I must say that many of the things mentioned by Free Minds makes sense to me. But, I could not help but notice some diviatory teachings that threaten to open hellgates for Muslims. For example
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In discussing how Hadiths are basically worthless and complete blasphemy, the Free Minds tells Muslims that the Holy Qur'an does not provide specific way to pray salat/contact prayers and that if one wishes he/she could pray naked. That statement floored me as I view it as an invitation for people to show no respect to Allah SWT. If one is encouraged to dress appropriately when in community, and when praying with others, then why not show even better respect to the One who created us all by dressing appropriately in private as well?
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While discussing menstrual cycle, the Free Minds states that the Holy Qur'an allows women to pray while menstruating. Really? It makes no sense then that Allah SWT would require of women to take a bath prior to sexual intercourse with their husbands. That in itself shows that after menstruation ablution is required for prayer as well. After all, prayer is one a higher level of chastity, worship than procreation. Sexual intercourse is there for human need, not Allah's SWT as He is not dependent on anyone.
Peace
Are you talking about salat/dua?
To most long term members, I am pretty sure, salat is not necessarily prayer in the sectarian way, but then again, nor is dua.
Personally, I believe I can call on God (dua) anytime I want. I see no prohibition of this and bearing in mind God sees everything and creates us naked, what is the big deal here.
With regards to salat, why not search the Quran yourself on openburhan.com to see for yourself.
It seems that you are superimposing your own opinions over the Quran.
Right now, you are Alice looking down the rabbit hole.
Do you want to know how deep it really goes?
Roshan
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It seems that you are superimposing your own opinions over the Quran.
Right now, you are Alice looking down the rabbit hole.
Do you want to know how deep it really goes?
This has got to be the most epic comment I have read on this forum.
tips hat
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Dear Amica
After reading your post again, I must say you are quickly becoming one of my favourite posters. I think you have a VERY good point that it is no use to alienate, the way to go is to discover the similarities.....
Amica, please do not disappear. By reading the responses you got on this thread you cannot escape the fact that all these individuals that do not know anything about eachother have individually come to the same conclusion to your positive remarks. That counts for something, doesnt it? You are by far the first person who has actually given constructive critism to the QA movement. Even if you never respond I want to thank you and I hope you will prosper, you are in my prayers tonight
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Peace
The issue of praying naked has been discussed before and I noticed this being mentioned few posts above.
If we look at 2458 it looks quite obvious the time of taking off clothes is before and after the prayer timings and not during.
2458 O ye who believe! let those whom your right hands possess, and the (children) among you who have not come of age ask your permission (before they come to your presence), on three occasions before morning prayer; the while ye doff your clothes for the noonday heat; and after the late-night prayer these are your three times of undress outside those times it is not wrong for you or for them to move about attending to each other Thus does Allah make clear the Signs to you for Allah is full of knowledge and wisdom.
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Is praying naked prohibited in the Qur'an? I don't know, logically it would seem fine seeing as we were, after ll, created butt naked, no?
Is there any verse adhering to it? (probably not, because it's such a silly question. and so we should probably use our logic and I can't understand why you would think it is not allowed.)
Could someone clarify?
http//www.haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/007.%20Al%20Airaaf/Temp%2001%207.031a.gif
O You the posterity of Adam! you people adopt/take your adornments/beautiful apparel at each and every place of physical demonstrative prayer-refer 731
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Finally, remember, when our parents were in the blessed paradise, they were completely naked - and were happily serving and worshiipng God in that state. It was only when they ate from the tree of awareness did they panic over their bodies being exposed and run to cover them... Layeth
I could never expect such an erroneous statement from a person like Layeth who has translated Qur'aan.
http//www.haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/007.%20Al%20Airaaf/Temp%2001%207.027e.gif
he caused to strip off/remove from them their dress so that their bodies may become visible to each other.727
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I could never expect such an erroneous statement from a person like Layeth who has translated Qur'aan.
http//www.haqeeqat.org.pk/English%20Tafsir%20e%20Haqeeqat/00.Arabic%20Text/007.%20Al%20Airaaf/Temp%2001%207.027e.gif
he caused to strip off/remove from them their dress so that their bodies may become visible to each other.727
And furtherly explained in
"Then they both ate from it, and so their 'shame' appeared to them, and they began to stick on themselves the leaves from Paradise. Thus did Adam disobey his Lord, so he went astray." (20120)And on 727
The root word "Lam Ba Sin" doesn't mean "human dress", although it could mean 'human dress' by its 'functionality'...For example on 2547
And it is He who has made the night for you as covering (Lam Ba Sin) and sleep (for) rest and has made the day a resurrection.However the exact meaning of what's happening here could be
- Adam and his pair did not wear any clothing/dress however they were previously not shameful of anything on their body.
- Adam and his pair did have some 'covering' although it might not be a dress as we know today and the actual form is unknown.
But after "eating the eternal fruit", Adam and his pair start to feel ashamed of their body (perhaps specifically their genital part).
The definition of 'naked' by itself varied among human culture.. a polynesian women wearing only a skirt to cover their vagina or a polynesian men wearing only a 'hollow wood' to cover their penis might still be considered 'naked' by people from other culture.
http//www.papuatrekking.com/uploads/images/fotky/Papua_Yali_(9).JPG
http//www.papuatrekking.com/uploads/images/fotky/Papua_Yali_(2).JPGAre they 'naked'? Well it depends... but nevertheless they're the progeny of "Adam and his pair".
Salam / Peace
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Salaam to all of you--
Thank you for responses. Currently, I am taking a short break at work so I cannot write a longer post. Emil, I certainly do not plan to leave. I think that Muslim Ummah has been long overdue for some rational thinking, if you know what I mean
Anyway, someone commented that they also do not reject all of the Hadiths but does not consider them divine in origin. I, too, am of the same mind. The way I view Hadiths is a useful reference to give us an idea of what the first Muslims were like, what our Prophet pbuh might have been like, etc. It's a history. But, when it comes to anything we might look for as Divine, I believe that is the Noble Qur'an. No question about it!
I grew up in fairly unreligious environment, but the Muslims who were pious around me did not put so much emphasis on the Hadiths as they did on the Noble Qur'an. It is in my later twenties that I came in touch with the way majority of the Arab Muslims approach Islam. In some ways it saddened me to see how much people can be obsessed with Hadiths, how much they are afraid to question it. Even when some of the hadiths are straight out anti-Qur'an in their teachings.
When I started coming back to Islam (I was born a Muslim, always believed in Allah SWT, but was not very good about practicing) someone gave me some books to read. I thought, ok. But I got to tell you that the books scared the living lights out of me!! It's from a Saudi-style "Islam" and I felt like crying like a baby reading those. Why? Because they portraid our Prophet pbuh as a "merciless murderer, child marrier" etc. Everything contrary from what I have heard about Prophet Muhammad pbuh from my childhood, everything contrary from what the Noble Qur'an told me about about him.
Also, some of the hadiths are bluntly rediculous, illogical, etc. One quotes a person seeing a "he-monkey stoning a she-monkey." I was like, what? Are you kidding me? Or another when where someone reported Prophet Muhammad pbuh taking a sip of water and then spitting into another person's mouth. I was floored! To this day I cannot believe that someone, a Muslim believer, would want to believe that kind of c**p.
Anyway. I will try to make it back as soon as I can. Wasalaam to all.
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Salam Amica,
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for taking the time to share your views and criticism.
I think, I have something to share with you too ) Regarding Salat when you are naked
726 O Children of Adam, We have sent down for you garments to alleviate your bodies, and feathers; and the garment of righteousness is the best. That is from the signs of God, perhaps they will remember.
727 O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; he removes from them their garments to show them their bodies. He and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not believe.
If I have no other options, I would not mind praying when I am naked. But, under normal circumstances, I would not take off my clothes and try to remind God of what Satan caused to happen to Adam/Eve in the garden. That is a very deep spiritual moment for me, I respect it more than I respect the interviewer in a job interview.
PLEASE DO NOT READ THE FOLLOWING IF YOU ARE TOO SENSITIVE
I noticed someone using the argument that we are all born naked, well , in that case, one should be allowed to pray with his/her head up his mother's "you know what". After all, that is the place where you were born.
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Its safe to read the following even if you are sensitiveAfter all, people have different interpretations and sense of normality and formality. Why are you mad at Rashad Khalifa so much ??? The guy threw away 2 ayaats, and the traditional muslims do not follow many many verses. Rashad Khalifa and his people threw them away for good, but those traditionalists are such hypocrites, they keep the ayaats and will oppose you strongly if you ask them to follow the ayaat. In my humble opinion, Rashad and his people have to be the best creatures of God if those traditionalist Bukhari worshippers are even considered muslim. God forgive me, I am going out of control, should stop here.
Peace be on you, May Allah be pleased with you.
-------------------------------------------------------------- Student of Allah
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Salaam to all of you--
Thank you for responses. Currently, I am taking a short break at work so I cannot write a longer post. Emil, I certainly do not plan to leave. I think that Muslim Ummah has been long overdue for some rational thinking, if you know what I mean
Anyway, someone commented that they also do not reject all of the Hadiths but does not consider them divine in origin. I, too, am of the same mind. The way I view Hadiths is a useful reference to give us an idea of what the first Muslims were like, what our Prophet pbuh might have been like, etc. It's a history. But, when it comes to anything we might look for as Divine, I believe that is the Noble Qur'an. No question about it!
I grew up in fairly unreligious environment, but the Muslims who were pious around me did not put so much emphasis on the Hadiths as they did on the Noble Qur'an. It is in my later twenties that I came in touch with the way majority of the Arab Muslims approach Islam. In some ways it saddened me to see how much people can be obsessed with Hadiths, how much they are afraid to question it. Even when some of the hadiths are straight out anti-Qur'an in their teachings.
When I started coming back to Islam (I was born a Muslim, always believed in Allah SWT, but was not very good about practicing) someone gave me some books to read. I thought, ok. But I got to tell you that the books scared the living lights out of me!! It's from a Saudi-style "Islam" and I felt like crying like a baby reading those. Why? Because they portraid our Prophet pbuh as a "merciless murderer, child marrier" etc. Everything contrary from what I have heard about Prophet Muhammad pbuh from my childhood, everything contrary from what the Noble Qur'an told me about about him.
Also, some of the hadiths are bluntly rediculous, illogical, etc. One quotes a person seeing a "he-monkey stoning a she-monkey." I was like, what? Are you kidding me? Or another when where someone reported Prophet Muhammad pbuh taking a sip of water and then spitting into another person's mouth. I was floored! To this day I cannot believe that someone, a Muslim believer, would want to believe that kind of c**p.
Anyway. I will try to make it back as soon as I can. Wasalaam to all.
Amica, I need a Verse from alQuran that forbids Obeying Jesus.
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Say, "Obey Allah and the Messenger." But if they turn away - then indeed, Allah does not like the disbelievers.616
And when Jesus, the son of Mary, said, "O children of Israel, indeed I am the messenger of Allah"4363
And when Jesus brought clear proofs, he said, "I have come to you with wisdom and to make clear to you some of that over which you differ, so fear Allah and obey me.2285
The Messenger has believed in what was revealed to him from his Lord, and the believers. All of them have believed in Allah and His angels and His books and His messengers, , "We make no distinction between any of His messengers." And they say, "We hear and we obey. Your forgiveness, our Lord, and to You is the destination."Just a Verse from Quran, nothing more.
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Assalamu alaikum--
Once again, a very short reply. Student of Allah, thank you for your post. Student of Allah, may Allah SWT bless you forever, because you just hit the nail on the head by reminding us all of the ayat you quoted from the Noble Qur'an 727 O Children of Adam, do not let the devil afflict you as he evicted your parents from the paradise; he removes from them their garments to show them their bodies. He and his tribe see you from where you do not see them. We have made the devils as allies for those who do not believe.
Precisely the point I tried to make, but this ayat articulates it way better than I ever will.
Regarding Rashad Khalifa, like I said, I agree with most of his "submitters" arguments but I do not accept the fact that he was a Prophet pbuh. I believe the Last, the Seal of Prophethood, was Prophet Muhammad pbuh. I do see what Khalifa attempted to do, to some degree.
Producer, you keep asking me about a verse from the Noble Qur'an stating where does it state not to follow Jesus pbuh. I have to go back to my previous post, to see what I initially wrote.
In regards to Jesus pbuh, I think the Noble Qur'an is very clear that Jesus pbuh was a Muslim, just like all the Prophets of Allah. One being a Muslim today follows Jesus pbuh, then, as well as Muhammad pbuh and any other Prophets pbut all that came before Jesus pbuh and Muhammad pbuh.
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Salaam Producer,
I am not understanding why are you bugging me about Jesus' Bible? Allah SWT states in the Qur'an that the Holy Bible is previous revelation. Muslims are to respect it and believe it to be one of the Revelations. Now, where the Noble Qur'an states that the Bible has been amended by some Jews and Christians, the Noble Qur'an corrects a lot of it.
So, why are you bugging me about Jesus pbuh and the Holy Bible? You do not believe Bible to be Allah's SWT Revelation or?... ???
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Salam Amica.
Salaam Producer,
I am not understanding why are you bugging me about Jesus' Bible? Allah SWT states in the Qur'an that the Holy Bible is previous revelation. Muslims are to respect it and believe it to be one of the Revelations. Now, where the Noble Qur'an states that the Bible has been amended by some Jews and Christians, the Noble Qur'an corrects a lot of it.
So, why are you bugging me about Jesus pbuh and the Holy Bible? You do not believe Bible to be Allah's SWT Revelation or?... ???
Do you Follow & Obey the Bible or Do not Follow & Do you Disobey the Bible?
- Yes (Follow & Obey the Bible)
- No (Do not Follow & Disobey the Bible)
If you Do not Follow & Disobey the Bible, show a Verse from Quran, why you cannot Obey and Follow the Bible.
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Salaam Producer,
If you are thinking of the Bible as it is, then I am probably disobeying much of it. Why? Well, here is the truth. The word "Bible" is not mentioned in the Noble Qur'an. What Noble Qur'an mentions is
- The Book of Abraham (no where found in today's Bible),
- the Book of Moses or Taurat (which is not the 39 books of today's Old Testament and they are NOT the first five of them called Pentateuch as those have more than one written source),
- Zabur of David pbuh (In the Old Testament of the Bible, there are Five Books of Psalms comprising of 150 Psalms. Out of these 150, a total of 73 Psalms are ascribed to Prophet David; 51 to anonymous writers, 12 to Asaph or his descendants; 9 to the sons of Korah -temple assistants; 2 to King Solomon and one each to Heman, Ethan (a musician) and Prophet Moses.
- Injeel/Gospel revealed to Jesus pbuh (which is different from the Gospels from the four apostles because Injeel confirmed Taurat and I already mentioned that Taurat is not all that is written in today's Old Testament)
- The Revelations to other prophets as stated in this ayat "Say ye "We believe in Allah and the revelation given to us and to Abraham, Ismai'l, Isaac, Jacob and the Tribes and that given to Moses and Jesus and that given to (all) Prophets from their Lord we make no difference between one and another of them and we bow to Allah (in Islam)." 2 136. Today's Bible has no books ascribed to Ismai'l, Isaac, Jacob or the Tribes.
- The Noble Qur'an Revelation.
The Holy Qur'an states "But because of their breach of their Covenant We cursed them and made their hearts grow hard they change the words from their (right) places and forget a good part of the Message that was sent them nor wilt thou cease to find them barring a few ever bent on (new) deceits but forgive them and overlook (their misdeeds) for Allah loveth those who are kind." 5 13