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  4. What is Islam?

What is Islam?

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  • M Offline
    M Offline
    muslims
    wrote on last edited by
    #143

    Peace muslims,

    Thank you for your response, however, I personally prefer God's word over man's.
    God's word is true, whereas man's word can be taken with a grain of salt.

    God bless

    peace

    Salam hawk99,

    Very much respected, however, I personally prefer God's word and rational thoughts over dogma (<a href="http//quran.com/8/22">822</a&gt. There's so much more than the Qur'an (<a href="http//quran.com/24/35">2435</a> an introductory Book, Guidance or Manual.

    God bless. pr

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    • H Offline
      H Offline
      hawk99
      wrote on last edited by
      #144

      Salam hawk99,

      Very much respected, however, I personally prefer God's word and rational thoughts over dogma (<a href="http//quran.com/8/22">822</a&gt.

      God bless. pr

      Agreed

      Be careful, rational thought can be dependent on the speaker/audience. To some Adolph
      Hitler was rational! Whereas the word of God brings one to the ultimate goal.

      God bless

      peace

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      • M Offline
        M Offline
        muslims
        wrote on last edited by
        #145

        Agreed

        Be careful, rational thought can be dependent on the speaker/audience. To some Adolph
        Hitler was rational! Whereas the word of God brings one to the ultimate goal.

        God bless

        peace

        Salam hawk99,

        What happen to your belief that Allah will guide us?

        By the way, Adolph Hitler was not rational in a way suggested by the Qur'an.

        God bless.

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        • H Offline
          H Offline
          hawk99
          wrote on last edited by
          #146

          Peace muslims,

          Allah will surely guide the believers, for we hear and obey, but one must be careful
          because shaytayn also speaks.

          Adolph Hitler was far from rational, but many thought he was rational.

          If you ask them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they will say,
          "GOD." Say, "Why then do you set up idols beside GOD? If GOD willed any adversity
          for me, can they relieve such an adversity? And if He willed a blessing for me, can they
          prevent such a blessing?" Say, "GOD is sufficient for me." In Him the trusters shall trust.

          Quran = fire = not from God, then from who?

          God bless

          peace

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          • M Offline
            M Offline
            Man_of_Faith
            wrote on last edited by
            #147

            Salaam,

            We cannot ignore the fact that the age of the scripture has made it difficult to interpret properly. Bias, natural and deliberate changes of word meaning and all sorts of things affect the interpretation.

            It was already proven with 434 for example.

            God bless you

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            • M Offline
              M Offline
              muslims
              wrote on last edited by
              #148

              Peace muslims,

              Allah will surely guide the believers, for we hear and obey, but one must be careful
              because shaytayn also speaks.

              Adolph Hitler was far from rational, but many thought he was rational.

              If you ask them, "Who created the heavens and the earth?" they will say,
              "GOD." Say, "Why then do you set up idols beside GOD? If GOD willed any adversity
              for me, can they relieve such an adversity? And if He willed a blessing for me, can they
              prevent such a blessing?" Say, "GOD is sufficient for me." In Him the trusters shall trust.

              Quran = fire = not from God, then from who?

              God bless

              peace

              Salam hawk99,

              It is better to fully understand an argument before making an opposition.

              Secondly ... why "be careful"?

              Indeed, there is for him (Shaytan)
              no authority
              over those
              who have believed
              and rely upon their Lord
              (<a href="http//quran.com/16/99">1699</a&gt

              Thirdly, what is "rational" according to the Qur'an?

              For example, (<a href="http//quran.com/2/18">218</a&gt .. what does it mean to be deaf, dumb and blind?

              What does Allah refer to?

              God bless.

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              • M Offline
                M Offline
                muslims
                wrote on last edited by
                #149

                There's so much more than the Qur'an (<a href="http//quran.com/24/35">2435</a> an introductory Book, Guidance or Manual.

                Sunnatullah
                Just and Balance

                He created
                the heavens
                and earth
                in truth

                High is He above
                what they associate with Him

                He created man
                from a sperm-drop
                then at once
                he is a clear adversary

                And the grazing livestock
                He has created for you
                in them is warmth
                and benefits
                and from them you eat

                And for you in them
                is beauty
                when you bring them in
                and when you send them out

                And they carry your loads
                to a land
                you could not have reached
                except with difficulty to yourselves

                Indeed, your Lord is Kind and Merciful

                And
                the horses
                mules
                and donkeys
                for you to ride
                and adornment

                And He creates
                that which you do not know

                And upon Allah is the direction of the (right) way
                and among
                the various paths
                are those deviating

                And if He willed
                He could have guided you all <-- Guided to what? Qur'an or the sign in the Sunnatullah?

                It is He
                who sends down
                rain from the sky
                from it is drink
                and from it is foliage
                in which you pasture

                He causes to grow for you
                thereby the crops
                olives
                palm trees
                grapevines
                and from all the fruits

                Indeed in that
                is a sign
                for a people
                who give thought

                And He has subjected for you
                the night
                and day
                and the sun
                and moon
                and the stars
                are subjected
                by His command

                Indeed in that
                are signs
                for a people
                who reason

                And whatever
                He multiplied for you
                on the earth
                of varying colors

                Indeed in that
                is a sign
                for a people
                who remember

                And it is He
                who subjected the sea for you
                to eat from it
                tender meat
                and to extract from it ornaments
                which you wear

                And you see the ships
                plowing through it
                and that you may seek
                of His bounty
                and perhaps
                you will be grateful

                And He has cast into the earth
                firmly set mountains
                lest it shift with you
                and rivers
                and roads
                that you may be guided

                And landmarks
                And by the stars
                they are guided

                Then is He who creates like one who does not create?

                So will you not be reminded?

                <a href="http//quran.com/16/3-17">(163-17)</a>

                Indeed
                the worst of living creatures
                in the sight of Allah
                are the deaf
                and dumb
                who do not use reason
                (<a href="http//quran.com/8/22">822</a&gt

                The example of those
                who were entrusted with the Torah
                and then did not take it on
                is like that
                of a donkey
                who carries volumes
                Wretched is the example of the people
                who deny
                the signs of Allah
                And Allah does not guide
                the wrongdoing people
                (<a href="http//quran.com/62/5">625</a&gt

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                • H Offline
                  H Offline
                  hawk99
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #150

                  Peace Man of Faith,

                  The interpretation of scripture is not difficult at all. The main points of salvation are there in
                  Quran to insure that the adherent will have a safe journey to the ultimate goal.

                  Since I am not one to beat my wife, that portion of the ayat is of no need to me.

                  Peace muslims

                  Salam hawk99,

                  It is better to fully understand an argument before making an opposition.

                  Secondly ... why "be careful"?

                  Indeed, there is for him (Shaytan)
                  no authority
                  over those
                  who have believed
                  and rely upon their Lord
                  (<a href="http//quran.com/16/99">1699</a&gt

                  Thirdly, what is "rational" according to the Qur'an?

                  For example, (<a href="http//quran.com/2/18">218</a&gt .. what does it mean to be deaf, dumb and blind?

                  What does Allah refer to?

                  God bless.

                  2/18 is an allegorical directed at the hypocrites 2/8-19.

                  If you say Quran = fire you are not relying on your lord but something other than your lord.
                  Be careful of the "other" than your lord.

                  He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses?which
                  constitute the essence of the scripture?as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses.
                  Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to
                  create confusion, and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning
                  thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in
                  this?all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.

                  I expect you to say "that does not apply to me".

                  God bless

                  peace

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                  • M Offline
                    M Offline
                    muslims
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #151

                    Peace muslims

                    2/18 is an allegorical directed at the hypocrites 2/8-19.

                    If you say Quran = fire you are not relying on your lord but something other than your lord.
                    Be careful of the "other" than your lord.

                    He sent down to you this scripture, containing straightforward verses?which
                    constitute the essence of the scripture?as well as multiple-meaning or allegorical verses.
                    Those who harbor doubts in their hearts will pursue the multiple-meaning verses to
                    create confusion, and to extricate a certain meaning. None knows the true meaning
                    thereof except GOD and those well founded in knowledge. They say, "We believe in
                    this?all of it comes from our Lord." Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.

                    I expect you to say "that does not apply to me".

                    God bless

                    peace

                    Salam hawk99,

                    By the way, Adolph Hitler was not rational in a way suggested by the Qur'an.

                    Adolph Hitler was far from rational, but many thought he was rational.

                    Since you are saying 218 is allegorical ...

                    Then why you are inconsistently suggesting "rational thought according to the Qur'an" is equal to "rational thought of Adolf Hitler", and even far advance than the "rational thought according to the Qur'an"?

                    What is "rational thought according to the Qur'an"?

                    and

                    What is "rational thought of Adolf Hitler"?

                    Secondly, "Qur'an (fire)" does not equal to "Qur'an = fire"

                    It is also allegorical to assume "Qur'an (fire)" is "Qur'an = fire" since I'm a born Muslim, living in a Muslim's country, and understand the Qur'an is not Fire. Further, the composition and the context of "Qur'an (fire)" is not equal to "Qur'an = fire". What does in brackets mean?

                    Round brackets (also called parentheses) are mainly used to separate off information that isn?t essential to the meaning of the rest of the sentence. <a href="http//oxforddictionaries.com/words/brackets">Reference</a>

                    That's why it is better for you to fully understand an argument, its conclusion, premises and assumptions before making an opposition. This is critical thinking.

                    God bless. pr

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                    • H Offline
                      H Offline
                      hawk99
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #152

                      Peace muslims,

                      I apparently cannot get through to you, maybe we have a language barrier.

                      I make an easy sentences like "so and so is rational according to some" and you do not
                      understand such a simple sentence, how can that be?

                      Did you say Quran equals fire was allegorical? Your posts are long, meandering,
                      and contain pictures so I may have missed your point in that regard. Why can't
                      the Quran just be the word of God, what's with the esoterics anyway?

                      God bless

                      peace

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                      0
                      • M Offline
                        M Offline
                        muslims
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #153

                        Peace muslims,

                        I apparently cannot get through to you, maybe we have a language barrier.

                        I make an easy sentences like "so and so is rational according to some" and you do not
                        understand such a simple sentence, how can that be?

                        Did you say Quran equals fire was allegorical? Your posts are long, meandering,
                        and contain pictures so I may have missed your point in that regard. Why can't
                        the Quran just be the word of God, what's with the esoterics anyway?

                        God bless

                        peace

                        Salam hawk99,

                        Okay, maybe you do not understand what is a "bracket", and your objection is not so serious to be taken into consideration.

                        ( ) vs. =

                        God bless you. pr

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                        • B Offline
                          B Offline
                          Bender
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #154

                          The Heavens and the Earth shall obey Adam

                          Salam

                          He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth, and He directed Himself to the heaven, so He made them complete seven heavens, and He knows all things. And when your Lord said to the angels, I am going to place in the earth a khalif, who shall know the earth and heavens as taught by Allah.

                          Please note the bold parts above and write your ante to it.

                          Salaam,

                          RED If you refer to a verse then please give the verse numbers it makes it easy for the readers especially if you use a translation.
                          I guess you are referring here to 229 and part of 230

                          GREEN yes I know the bold part, it says A khalif and not MY khalif

                          BLUE I do not understand what you meant here.

                          And to your next doubt if I actually understand what I am saying, read below

                          GREEN Not sure what you think I am doubting, I am very certain of what I am saying.

                          BLUE typo?

                          And He taught adam all the names in the heavens and the earth. Then presented them to the angels - which knowledge they never possessed.

                          And when Allah said to the angels Make obeisance to adam; they did obeisance.

                          The angels shall obey adam's command by Allah's leave

                          BLUE I think you misunderstood.
                          Allah commands almalaikat to do sujud to Adam, that does not mean that Adam can command almalaikat.

                          Did you ever commanded an malaikat? If so I like to know how and what you commandd them.

                          even as the most powerful eight of them carry the entire domain of Allah's heavens and earth, the arsh. Allah created the domain of the earth and the heavens for adam and not for Himself, for He is needless of what we need or any of His own created things.

                          GREEN you did not give me an ayaat for this.

                          And ofcourse Allah is needless of any thing.

                          First we complete our understanding on this one, that the heavens and the earth shall obey adam, the possessor of its knowledge by the leave of Allah before going to your next part of the post.

                          They obey Allah and ONLY Allah. I really do not understand how you understand it.

                          Can you give me answer to this question
                          Allah commands the sun to rise from the east can you command it to rise from the west?

                          Besides this my initial comment was on "Allah has His khalifa on earth", do you still have the same understanding on this?

                          Salaam,
                          Bender

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                          • B Offline
                            B Offline
                            Bender
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #155

                            Salam Bender,

                            It is true, the specific words are not in the Qur'an, but it's descriptive definitions are everywhere in the Qur'an. Therefore, it is merely how human use their "rational thoughts" to understand how Allah represent Himself to human beings. To simplified for beginner students to understand Islam, and who are deaf, dumb and blind to understand reality. Is this wrong and are we prohibited from using our rational thoughts?

                            Salaamun alayka,

                            Sorry did not understand your point.

                            Salaam,
                            Bender

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                            • M Offline
                              M Offline
                              muslims
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #156

                              Salaamun alayka,

                              Sorry did not understand your point.

                              Salaam,
                              Bender

                              Salam Bender,

                              This is much like a Sunni Forum.

                              Peace

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                              • H Offline
                                H Offline
                                hawk99
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #157

                                Salam hawk99,

                                Okay, maybe you do not understand what is a "bracket", and your objection is not so serious to be taken into consideration.

                                ( ) vs. =

                                Apparently we have a barrier of some sort, symbols, numerology, hidden meanings and
                                mysterious esoteric communications have no value to me at this point in time. handshake

                                may God bless you

                                peace

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                                0
                                • M Offline
                                  M Offline
                                  muslims
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #158

                                  Apparently we have a barrier of some sort, symbols, numerology, hidden meanings and
                                  mysterious esoteric communications have no value to me at this point in time. handshake

                                  may God bless you

                                  peace

                                  Salam hawk99,

                                  Understood, I will try my best to avoid using the "(<a href="https//www.google.com/search?q=what+is+bracket&oq=what+is+bracket&aqs=chrome..69i57j0j69i60j0l2.467j0&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=what+is+a+bracket">bracket</a&gt".

                                  Should Muslims ignore the following signs?

                                  He causes to grow for you
                                  thereby the crops
                                  olives
                                  palm trees
                                  grapevines
                                  and from all the fruits

                                  Indeed in that
                                  is a sign
                                  for a people
                                  who give thought

                                  And He has subjected for you
                                  the night
                                  and day
                                  and the sun
                                  and moon
                                  and the stars
                                  are subjected
                                  by His command

                                  Indeed in that
                                  are signs
                                  for a people
                                  who reason

                                  And whatever
                                  He multiplied for you
                                  on the earth
                                  of varying colors

                                  Indeed in that
                                  is a sign
                                  for a people
                                  who remember

                                  Should Muslims ignore all the signs in <a href="http//quran.com/55/10-78">Sura ar-Rahman</a>?

                                  All the "<a href="http//corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=Ayy#(216441)">Signs</a>" in this link?

                                  Should Muslims ignore the implications of the following ayaat?

                                  None can dispute about the Signs of Allah but the Unbelievers.

                                  All the above might have some sort of symbols, numerology, hidden meanings and mysterious esoteric communications that have no value for some Muslims; at this point in time.

                                  Just asking. handshake

                                  God bless. pr

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                                  • M Offline
                                    M Offline
                                    Man_of_Faith
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #159

                                    Salaam brother hawk99,

                                    Basically you are right, the main points are there and all it takes is some rationality. However, it is still difficult to interpret the original meaning of certain passages from the Arabic script. Now, as you said, it may be irrelevant for our salvation as long as we use sensible thinking and acting. Like I have said many times before, the fundamental criteria for salvation are

                                    1. Belief in God
                                    2. The eternal existence
                                    3. Righteous living (definition easily understood from context)

                                    This is also what I consider Islam.
                                    God bless you

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                                    • M Offline
                                      M Offline
                                      muslims
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #160

                                      An open discussion on the issue of salvation

                                      This private relationship between man and his Creator is essentially founded on the idea of salvation. Salvation is common to all religions, even to Buddhism which does not acknowledge the existence of God. The idea of salvation was born out of the belief that man's sojourn on earth was one of bondage. How to extricate himself from that bondage thus became the main object of his life.

                                      Islam on the other hand, is neither such a relationship between man and God, nor is it characterized by the experience of an individual of a subjective nature, but is essentially a "Code of Life," regulating the conduct of affairs concerning the individual as well as the collective life of human beings. Secondly, it does not consider man?s life on earth a period of bondage in. which case the .idea of salvation does not arise.

                                      On the contrary, having assigned to man a very high position in the universe, Islam expects him to take up the challenge of life boldly in order to harness the forces of nature for the development of his own self and the larger community of mankind.

                                      The fallacy of considering Islam a religion springs from the fact that absolute "faith" in God is of fundamental importance to it, as it is supposed to be more or less so in all religions, past and present, but it is not only the " faith" in God that should serve as a criterion in arriving at a correct estimate of one or the other. The real question we should be concerned with is, what is the concept of God which is supposed to be the common factor?

                                      ...

                                      Comparison

                                      A comparative study of religion or madhhab, and din, should help us understand the vital and fundamental characteristics of each and the differences between the two

                                      1. Every follower of a madhhab is satisfied that he has established a communion with the Almighty, and the objective of each individual is his own salvation.

                                      The aim of din on the other hand is the welfare and progress of all mankind, and the character and constitution of a society indicates whether or not it is founded upon the Divine Law; <a href="http//www.tolueislam.org/Parwez/ICR/ICR_20.htm">Islam A Challenge To Religion</a>

                                      Other <a href="http//www.tolueislam.org/Parwez/ICR/ICR_9.htm">The Quranic Concept of Salvation</a>

                                      Moreover, in the Quran, the emphasis is on the positive content of salvation. It is not conceived as a negation of pain and liberation from evil. It consists in the sense of fulfilment, the feeling of realisation and the thrill of expansion. Man is endowed with a number of potentialities. By developing these he reaches his full stature and qualifies for still higher stages awaiting him. Man must discover in what direction his self can develop and then he must create the conditions, physical as well as social, which favour the development. His main task in this life is to develop his self by conquering the forces of nature and employing them for the development of mankind

                                      He is indeed successful who causeth his self to grow, and he is indeed a failure who stunteth it (91 9-10).

                                      The primary function of din is the development of human personality. It determines man's outlook on life and makes life meaningful to him. It aims at the transformation of man's character by organizing his desires into a harmonious system of living. To the extent that it succeeds in this aim, it eliminates the sources of internal conflict and enables man to live at peace with himself and at peace with his environment. Success and happiness are basically the fruits of a genuine personal conviction. But din has its social side as well. It is concerned with man as he exists in a network of social relationship. It does not isolate man from his social setting ; rather, it brings him closer to his fellow-beings. It has a meaning for man as an individual; but it has a far richer meaning for him as a member of a social group. Din leads man to the realization that he can develop his potentialities only by co-operating with his fellow men in the attainment of common ends.

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                                      • D Offline
                                        D Offline
                                        DrGm
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #161

                                        We do accept your comment. May Allah shower us His Blessing.

                                        Quote from DrGm on Yesterday at 123206 AM
                                        he last day.

                                        But I am looking for an answer for which I asked for Reoply # 104
                                        You Wrote
                                        <<<<<......>>>>>

                                        • Mohammed is a messenger and the seal of the prophets. moreover i do not believe, Adam.. Nuh.. Aad.. Ibrahim..Musa..Isa..Mohammed.. have any direct blood line, they are examples in the path of peace for humankind. every believer in the path of peace are the descendants of prophets, messengers, noblemen, witnesses, righteous, martyrs.. Allah is all knowing

                                        <<<....>>>>>

                                        Could you please explain further "moreover i do not believe, Adam.. Nuh.. Aad.. Ibrahim..Musa..Isa..Mohammed.. have any direct blood line, they are examples in the path of peace for humankind"...

                                        In fact those Prophets have lived and shown the Right Path right ?. Regarding blood line its agreed. There are some sects claims that their fore ...fore fathers..fore fathers belongs to prophet hood etc. That forms a kind of Hadith which you and I discard straightaway.

                                        I kindly asking whats your stand on "moreover i do not believe.. Adam....."

                                        peace brother,

                                        my stand? there is no more to add. or do not know whether i understand your question.

                                        peace.

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                                        • H Offline
                                          H Offline
                                          hawk99
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #162

                                          Salaam brother hawk99,

                                          Basically you are right, the main points are there and all it takes is some rationality. However, it is still difficult to interpret the original meaning of certain passages from the Arabic script. Now, as you said, it may be irrelevant for our salvation as long as we use sensible thinking and acting. Like I have said many things before, the fundamental criteria for salvation are

                                          1. Belief in God
                                          2. The eternal existence
                                          3. Righteous living (definition easily understood from context)

                                          This is also what I consider Islam.
                                          God bless you

                                          Peace Man of Faith,

                                          Your understanding and insight of what is required for salvation is well documented in this
                                          forum and is much appreciated and testament to your good character. I thank you.

                                          God bless

                                          peace

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