Some New Questions About The Qur'an
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4 I know the Qur'an forbids marrying with polytheists (verse 2221), but what does the Qur'an say about marrying atheists? Are you allowed to marry an atheist or someone that doubts the existence of God?
I like this understanding which I quoted below (about an atheist).
Excellent understanding*, in my opinion.
*the bold part
Thank you for your message.
While the root of a word can give an idea, it is Allah who explains His Book. So maybe, you might like to see how Allah uses this word in various places of Quran. Here are the places where the similar words are used in Quran.
http//corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=$rk#(22213)
(Instead of clicking above, please copy and paste the full link to directly go to the related page)
Please analyze these and see if the noun form is used for different purposes like you mentioned.
Also note that,- there is "the" before the noun (al-mushrikati), so here it is not a mushrik, but the mushrik.
- and it is followed by "until they believe".
The meaning you provided should be fitting to those parts.
Congratulations for questioning. Please let me know about the result of your analysis.
Again for the definitions of the terms atheists, pagans, etc. , I would refer to how Quran uses them.
My understanding is,
You become kafir if you cover the truth. (38/74)
You become mushrik if you associate anything to Allah. However, nowadays nobody explicitly say that they do so including myself.
So we refer to Quran for setting our warning alarms. Quran teaches us how to identify possible act of sirk. My understanding from Quran is the secret lies on what sources you are using for guiding your life. Interestingly, Quran is so straightforward that it reveals this secret just at he beginning.This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah -
(Translation 2/2)There is the clear message(Quran) sent to us. It is a guidance for us (2/2). And more than that, the verse says "THE book", which implies that it is the only book about which there is no doubt.
One cannot live without guidance.
- "What am I going to do today/this week/this year?"
- "What should I expect from my life in 5/10/20... years?"
You need guidance for almost every decision in your life.
Some people uses their culture, they repeat the decisions given by their ancestors.
Some people find another people and let them decide for themselves.
Some people uses their intellect.
However, intellect needs knowledge to work on.
Remember angels used their intellect at 2/30, but without true knowledge.
Then, they realized their mistake and said 2/32.
Without knowledge, intellect cannot work. Thus, it starts produces fake knowledge, called assumptions.When I look at Quran, I can't see anyone like atheists, people who deny the existence of a god (or more)
But I see people doing assumptions, and act as if those assumptions are true knowledge.
Some people assume that angels are God's partner, some people assume that some Prophets are like that and some people assume that their desires are like that.
However, when you ask them, they claim that they believe in God (like explained in Chapter 29)What about me?
I also claim that I believe in God.
Then, how can I argue that I am different from those others on the Day of Judgment?The key is Quran.
I should follow myself, my decisions, my ideas about religion, my assumptions...
And question them...
If they are not supported by Quran, I should abandon those ideas.Why am I doing wudu like that?
- Oh, that should be around verse 5/6.
Why am I not eating pork? - Himm, that should be again at the beginning of Chapter 5
Let me ask a challenging one Why am I doing my daily prayers?
- because 29/45...
This way, you are giving a fight for carrying the message on your decisions. Please carefully analyze verse 5/44 how it starts and how it ends. Then, verse 5/45, 5/47, and 5/49. The order of giving decisions with Quran, not doing that, and how Quran calls that act of ignoring Quran.
Looking at how Quran uses the terms, I would call an atheist as
- a kafir since he covers the truth
- a mushrisk since he associates his desire to the message (45/23)
- a zalim since he does not puts God's orders in their intended place (His life)
My opinion is that it is impossible to prove that "God does not exist". The ultimate claim might be "God is not interested with this world anymore" An atheist can believe this sort of a god, however, he cannot get enough knowledge to say "I don't believe in the existence of a god".
What I see in Quran is
Quran does not talk about people who deny God's existence much less criticizing them.
This might be because there is no such people everybody believes in some sort of a god, even if they may not explicitly mention it.I see that, Quran criticizes people not for denying God, but for denying His message.
Please refer to Chapter 36 as an example.
People there deny the message in verse 36/15, but they acknowledge Ar-Rahman,They said, "You are not but human beings like us, and the Most Merciful has not revealed a thing. You are only telling lies." (36/15 translation)
You can see similar things in other verses. I would also suggest Chapter 29 in that respect. So if you deny the message, you do not believe in Allah (Quran's God) , but believe in a god (defined by you).
I guess on the Day of Judgment, everybody will claim that they believed in a god and they believed in a religion during their life, however, only some people will be able to prove
They believed in Quran's God, and Quran's religion.
We are here collecting data to prove this claim on that Day.
So it is very important that we keep close to the message and give our decisions with it.
The big decisions like marriage... Of course the smaller ones as well.All in all, I would suggest focusing on the message. Am I denying the message? How can I prove my answer on the Day of Judgment?
As an example, on that Day,
How can I claim that I believed in verse 2/221, if I did not strictly follow it?
With this challenging question in my mind- Can I use my intellect without using the knowledge (the message) sent to me?
- Can I dare to make assumptions and say like "Just marry without applying 2/221, and then teach Quran to your wife. This also should work." (Actually one of the secret assumptions in this last sentence is Quran can be taught by a human. In fact, 55/2 - Allah teaches the Quran. How can He teach it if you ignore His message at the first place?)
I am open to support any of my statements with Quran. Quran is a wonderful book and a blessing for us; please always refer to it for true guidance (2/2). Please kindly warn me with Quran (6/51) whereever I have made a mistake in this message.
Peace be upon you.
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1 Dreams. Some people claim they have the ability to interpret dreams. I used to believe a woman who also claims this (she is also a believer), because she is right almost all the time and because I thought "Who knows? Maybe she has this gift from God, just like prophet Yusuf had according to the Qur'an." But now I don't ask her anymore because I found out she is also committing shirk out of ignorance and because I just want to trust God Who knows all the unseen and I pray for the best. I feel comfortable that way, because trying to interpret dreams is driving me crazy.. I sometimes have the feeling that dreams contain an important message for me, but I never get the message... How do you guys experience this? What do you think?
I quite didn't understand her skill. Do you mean to say she was able to see the future in her dreams? Or is it like she was interpreting random things we see in them? I do have the ability to see the future in dreams. But it is never ongoing. It just happens occasionally and I truly hate it because its always about something bad. Some dreams, however, can be symbolic. For instance, seeing snake in a dream equals to coming across an enemy. But then there are some others that come from how the mind works. College students are prone to seeing failing in their classes. This is simply a response from anxiety about their academic performance.
If something is in the Quran and it has not been condemned by Allah then it means it is not shirk. But one has to be very careful about such things. I know of some sunnis who believe that doing some kind of ritual can get one to dream about the future. There are even "professionals" doing it for others. Unfortunately, what I have observed is that they create more conflicts for their clients. One of my friends got her home almost broken because the professional seer told her that her husband was betraying her. It turned out to be false. Thus, its better not to be too confident about these things.A dream about the future would always contain a voice saying that it would come true. Otherwise, its just something from the mind. I believe you have got addicted. This is a natural outcome and thus, does need attention.
2 I have been taught that the teachings of the Qur'an are 'universal', as in it can be applied at any place and any time. But what do you guys think about verse 242 "The adulteress and the adulterer, you shall lash each of them with one hundred lashes, and do not let any pity overtake you regarding the system of God if you believe in God and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment."
This has been talked about many times. The law can only be applied if witnesses can be found against those who are doing the fornication. How many people really take others to bedroom to see the act? Apparently, it can only be applied to those who are performing it in public. If you read the entire Surah you will notice its more about those who practice false accusations. In fact, it tells that if the fornicator repents then he or she should be left alone. Can we take the teaching universal? Oh well, in US, public sex get people arrested. And if the girl turns out to be below 18, the boy is charged with rape. Saying it was consensual won't save them. Such thing is not allowed even in public bathroom. Remember the case of George Michael?
533 "The recompense of those who fight God and His messenger, and seek to make corruption in the land, is that they will be killed or crucified or that their hands and feet be cut off from alternate sides or that they be banished from the land; that is a disgrace for them in this world and in the Hereafter they will have a great retribution."
Sura 5 is extremely interesting. It lays down the rules of how to be civilized. It also says that one should do nothing about those who disbelieve (541). We should no even regret it (554). That's freedom of religion. In some parts of this Surah Allah condemns those who kill the innocent to spread corruption. Do you think killing of innocent people and suppressing someone's right to believe in what he wants are right? Is it not cruel? Allah gives people the right to punish only them. Read the entire Sura . It will clear up many things.
3 Verse 1698 says "When you read the Qur'an, you shall seek refuge with God from the outcast devil." Does this mean we literally have to utter the words "I seek refuge with God from the outcast devil" before reading it, or does this verse simply mean that you are already seeking your refuge with God automatically by reading the Qur'an? What are your opinions?
Seeking refuge in God can mean asking him to guide you to truth. You can say it in your mind. Reading Quran won't get anyone automatically immune to devil. Sure many passages have healing effect, but there are also those that tell a story. Reading it won't get us shield against the evil.
4 I know the Qur'an forbids marrying with polytheists (verse 2221), but what does the Qur'an say about marrying atheists? Are you allowed to marry an atheist or someone that doubts the existence of God?
In verse 2221 what is that one thing that follows after do not marry the polytheists? Until they believe
5 Are we allowed to visit churches? I myself like to go to the church every christmas with a friend of mine because of the nice atmosphere (so not necessarily for praying). I notice all the shirk they commit, but I'm not participating in it. In my mind I am praying to God alone. Am I allowed to go to church every christmas, or does the Qur'an consider this as 'supporting the disbelievers/polytheists'? What are your opinions?
Why would it be wrong? Visiting a church is same as visiting a mosque in which messenger's name is written next to Allah's name.
6 Why is Moses called a 'messenger prophet' in verse 1951 in stead of just a prophet? (The same with Ishmael in verse 1954). What is the difference between a prophet and a messenger prophet?
This is still a topic debate among us.
7 In verse 4454 the free-minds translation of the Qur'an says "So it is, and We married them to wonderful companions."
According to Edip Yuksel, a better translation would be the word 'coupled' in stead of married, because the Qur'an makes no mentioning of any sexual relationship or literally getting married to women. He believes the companions mentioned here are simply pure 'friends' to have conversations with, because the rootword for the companions is also used to describe the apostles of Jesus in Arabic. What are your opinions? Do you guys believe we will have sexual partners in the Afterlife or not?Marrying is not mentioned in Quran?
Are friends only for conversation?
I don't exactly think in the land of heaven, sexual desire exists. I would like to know whether I am wrong.peace
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Marrying is not mentioned in Quran?
Are friends only for conversation?
I don't exactly think in the land of heaven, sexual desire exists. I would like to know whether I am wrong.No. It does not exist in the state called "Heaven" since you do not have to drag along with a Body. Sex drive is an instinct, of the animal you are within.
Be safe
Amenuel -
I don't exactly think in the land of heaven, sexual desire exists. I would like to know whether I am wrong.
peace
I thnk we are getting trapped in the "christian" concept of the body and the flesh as being sinful and something to be discarded. No qura'nic injunction upholds that.
Why would God call the physical uni?n ofmale and female s mithaq ghalith,if it was such a low thing and an animal response to the urge to reproduce?
Why would God put so many moral and emotional safguards on sex?
Sex is not low or base or "animal" devoid of mysticism and comunion. Quite the opposite, the "animal" part is the outward manifettion of the deeper part. If we miss that, no wonder that we see ourselves when in that as "animals" but it is not th fault of the thing itself but of our metal confusion as to what we are nd what we express.
In astrology, "sex" is placed in the same house as death. Is death the end of sex or is death the culmination of sex? Is sex a shallow dispppatching of "animal" urges? We can make it that, just as we can make money an object of worship.
Fesh, the body should be our temple, not our trap. If it becomes our trap we have lost track of ourselves completely. The body is holy just as everything is holy. It is not less holy than anyrhing else and therefore we should treat it with utmost respect it is not somethig straneous to us, but part of us, our destiny.
For example, we have children, they are us, part of us of our destiny for a while, then they go, but should we deal with them just as something cumbersome that distracts us from our "real" purpose"? No. they are our destiny, they are the mens by which we are and we become what God meant us to. As to what is aftet death and sex no sex. What is the surce of sex will contiue to exist and what is the source of everything will continue to exist, whether we "fuck"or not is secondary, it is like the surface of the sea, the fact that we only see the surface does not mean that underneath it there are not thousends of meters of deep waters... Or as the ripples in the skin of an orange. Is an orange just the ripples on its surface?
Are we so obtuse as not to go beyond appearances, however enticing they may be?
Separation of body ndmind is not qura'nic, but a certain strainn of Christianity which used to dispise flesh and women. It doesnot santify it divides, the capital sin gainst oneness. If we do not live through our bodies in this life we will forever have that pending. It is through our bodies that we will reach the next stage, therefore they are our friends and nto our enemies. They are us. Everyting is one.
Salaam
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Separation of body ndmind is not qura'nic,
It is more quranic than you think. In fact it is in Jinn and Nas, the words mean Body and Spirit. Quran speaks a lot about it including that Satan is from the Body. The problem is that you do not have a proper interpretation.
The Biblical Gospels are more true than you care to think, the whole concept is actually very accurate, except that they have the misconception that Jesus was the only "son" of God, which is not supported by the scripture they claim to adhere to.
Be safe
Amenuel -
Quote gthe qur'an. You do not to ush your body is evil thing.
On he other hnd it is clear that Inblis, is not a body as we understnd it, but he claimed he was notmde of flesh or earth but of fire, nd he did not need sex to perpetuate, gthat ismade very clear in the Qur'an. And iblis did mock God because He made man of mud with sex drive. The disdai for the body is a clear iblisazation of human kind.
Yoou who speak of the gospels, when youd isdain the body you are in fct corroborating the gospel when it says whoever wats to save his soul, will loose it.
Salaam
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No. It does not exist in the state called "Heaven" since you do not have to drag along with a Body. Sex drive is an instinct, of the animal you are within.
Be safe
AmenuelAlthough I kind of agree with your comment on astral bodies not having a sexual desire in the Hereafter, I would restrain myself from making a statement about it.
We can only talk about concepts and possibilities since we don't possess knowledge on the facts of afterlife.
This kind of mindset got Islam to where it is today. We have to accept our limitations, and search for more knowledge.
1736 Do not uphold what you have no knowledge of. For the hearing, eyesight, and mind, all these are held responsible for that.
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Although I kind of agree with your comment on astral bodies not having a sexual desire in the Hereafter, I would restrain myself from making a statement about it.
We can only talk about concepts and possibilities since we don't possess knowledge on the facts of afterlife.
This kind of mindset got Islam to where it is today. We have to accept our limitations, and search for more knowledge.
1736 Do not uphold what you have no knowledge of. For the hearing, eyesight, and mind, all these are held responsible for that.
That is right. Pure conjecture and speculation.
Salaam
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Ahmet,
Well, it is no secret without any scripture that the body will entice you to things. In addition, Quran has passages which clearly speaks against desirous drive. Satan is your instinctive drive and it will enslave you if you are not wary.
It is better to be spiritual and not let the body determine your actions and then I do not merely speak of sex drive but everything in human interaction.
Be safe
Amenuel -
The body hs its traps, the mind has its traps, the spirit has its traps. nd Ibles trap was not certainy the body.
The siritual trap may be is the worst because the person feels that he or she is above the rest because of his spiritual accomplishments. It is ilusory to think that the body has traps and the mind and the spirit do not. Anybody who has been around "spiritual people knows that and in fact knowledgeable and good spiritual people warn very very much about that.
Spirit is not he good one against the flesh, spirit can be as much separated from God s the flesh and the mind.
And then what is spirit? You seprate spirit and matter as if youknew. Where is tha separation? Matter is merely the perception in three dimensions, that is all, it is not something per se diffrent from what is not matter.
Salaam
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Ahmet,
Well, it is no secret without any scripture that the body will entice you to things. In addition, Quran has passages which clearly speaks against desirous drive. Satan is your instinctive drive and it will enslave you if you are not wary.
It is better to be spiritual and not let the body determine your actions and then I do not merely speak of sex drive but everything in human interaction.
Be safe
AmenuelAgain, I agree.
It would be an interesting world if everyone had a spiritual mind. We are confined in this hormone driven body, and hormones almost always have the upper hand. Excessive testosterone production is the reason the word "empire" exists. I think we have to be blessed with a properly functioning body to be able to make use of our minds for the greater good.
Reminds me of a quote from a man who spent his life fighting against tyranny voodoo, traditionalist idol worshipers hail , and ignorance hypno. He ended up being an idol against his will. brickwall
A healthy mind in a healthy body.
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It is not hormones, it is the mind that drives to covet things that are beyond our reach or benefit. And sex also mostly is in the mind, and entertained by the mind. Otherwise it would be ocmletely inocent like it happens with animals.
If we are going to divide ourselves into what is animal and what is not, it is what is non animal that turns us away from wht is good, not the animal part.
Salaam
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Huruf,
Verily it is the bodily functionality that covets things. You have to resist its craving.
Even if you do not want to eat or drink something tasty or have sex, your body will make it difficult for you to resist. Particularly it can be difficult to refrain from sex activity even if you truly like to. But you have perhaps never tried to resist?
Be safe
Amenuel -
You say so. May be that is your case, but most certainly that is not everybody's case. And certainly too, you cnnot say that you are immune to the temptations of the mind or the spirit. That I can gather even from what you write.
My feeling is that yo are shaped by certain "christian" and "spiritual" ideas which overdo the ascetic and think thaat sceticism is virtue.
And please, do not attempt to "confess" me (another seemingly christian trait) with that venomous "you have never tried to resist?". Is it your body which pushes youto such impertinence? I doubt it.
Salaam
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Atheists are actually polytheists. They ascribe their existence to matter. In order words, they believe in random chemical processes which changed non living matter into living things. They think the Earth created them. Thus they are polytheists. There is no such thing as an atheist if you really think about it.
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I just call them hedonistic. There are many hedonistic "monotheists" too. It is not the correct way of measuring things, if you ask me.
It is not appropriate to say an atheistic person is a polytheist, and if you hypothetically call their reverence to matter a kind of worship then this is monotheism since that is their god, but it is not possible to use "theist" terminology other than atheist.
I find hedonistic better. Another word is Pagan.
Be safe
Amenuel