Greetings
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Peace and greetings, brothers and sisters.
I have been reading the forum, and felt it time to register. I am a recent convert to Islam, and, from my studies, have always found myself fitting into the Qur'an-Only aspect of Islam, as I feel that a person should look to a religion's scripture, rather than the practices and dogma of it's contemporary followers, many of which, are of practices never mentioned in the original scripture.
I have never been a particularly religious person, but I have always been a spritual one, and, when I started reading the Holy Qur'an several months ago, I found myself agreeing with the message within, and strove to incorporate that into my everyday life. It was not long after that, that I experienced ihsan, and realized that I should be a Muslim, and live my life as the Holy Qur'an dictates, so that is what I have done, and have felt incredible peace and benefit from it.
I chose this forum name(s) as they describe me as a person. I have not changed my name to an Islamic one, but for such a forum, I felt it appropriate to use an Islamic name, and one which described me seemed the best way to go, rather than to simply choose something I liked, or at random, or even the closest equivelent to my own name.
One aspect of my lifestyle which others might not agree with, is that I occasionally drink alcohol. My reading of the Holy Qur'an, is that there is no passage which specifically forbids the consumption of alcohol, as there are passages which specifically forbid the consumption of flesh of swine. There are, however, passages which state not to come to prayer while intoxicated (which in itself would require the drinking of alcohol) but to wait until one can understand what one utters, so indeed, as is only correct and respectful, I do not pray while drunk (infact, I never drink enough to become intoxicated) Other passages point out there being more sin than profit in wine and games of chance, but, they do not specifically forbid them They simply point out the issue, and then allows people to make their own choice, as indeed, Allah grants us all free will to make our own choices. My choice is that I occasionally drink alcohol (never to excess) as there is no commandment specifically forbidding it. I have never particularly enjoyed pork products, so that is not a difficult thing to give up, and, thanks to the guidance of brother Muslims at my local kebab shop, I am able to eat halal food daily. Indeed, these brothers were instromental in my decision to convert, as they were the ones who, upon learning that I had started reading the Holy Qur'an, encouraged my studies, and treated me like a brother.
My conversion came just before Ramadan, and I observed it fully, breaking only one fast, and that was to attend a dinner for my mother in law's birthday in early October. Initially, I felt like I had let myself and Allah down, by not sticking to the fast, but, my brother in the kebab shop pointed out that there are many Muslims who do not keep to the fasts at all, and, that I had eaten out of social politeness, not because I wanted to break the fast, so that greatly lifted my spirits, and I made up the fast as soon as was permissable afterwards.
I look forward to learning more from everyone here.
Peace be upon you. -
Peace,
welcome to our forum!
I do also drink alcohol occasionally but not to intoxicant myself.
I agree with your understanding of that Quran guide us but then still leave it open for us to follow it. Why else the need of a free will!?Maria
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Peace and welcome
Re Alcohol
In 733 we are told that The God "hurima" any "ithm"
In 2219 , we are told there is "ithm kabeer" (BIG ithm) in khamr/intoxicants.
Peace, and thanks )
Indeed, we are told that. As mentioned, there is not a specific commandment not to consume them, as there is specific commandments not to eat flesh of swine, or anything which died by goring, strangled, in a fall etc. Those are specific commands not to do something. With intoxicants, there is simply warning that there is more sin than profit in them. It is the person's own choice if they choose to indulge in them. The only command which would then apply, is the command not to come to pray while intoxicated (which I would never do).
Peace
Peace,
welcome to our forum!
I do also drink alcohol occasionally but not to intoxicant myself.
I agree with your understanding of that Quran guide us but then still leave it open for us to follow it. Why else the need of a free will!?Maria
Peace, and thanks )
I'm glad I am not the only person who understands the Holy Qur'an thus ) Indeed, I see the issue is two-fold It is primarily, one of free will, allowing us to make our own choice, and also, a test of self-discipline. It is much easier to totally abstain from something (could be anything) and never do it, than it is to have a small amount of something, and then say "enough's enough" and have no more. Even before my conversion to Islam, I never drank excessively. It just leads to anti-social behaviour and feeling ill, so I never indulged to that extent, and now, I just follow the same pattern, in that I may drink occasionally, and only ever socially, but never much, and never to the point of intoxication.
Something I have recently encountered, following my conversion, was rather negative reactions from some of my in-laws. Much of it, I put down to ignorance of Islam, and, as it occured over christmas, it was not the place to make waves, so I simply pointed out the sura stating that people can believe what they want, and that they can have their religion, and I can have mine. That rather defused the situation, and hopefully, my continued example will serve to correct many of their misconceptions about Islam )
Peace, and thanks for the warm welcomes.
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Peace,
You are welcome!
It's soon 18 years since I convert to Islam. I never regret it even if i have walked the long path to reach my goal. I was first involved many years with sunnism and didn't had a computer so, I was stuck really. Eight years after my conversion we bought an computer and I could browse internet and a whole new world opened up infront of me. I found sites based on God Alone Quran Alone and I became curious and became members there. And when br Layth created this site I joined it. Well that was a short version of how I came in contact with islam and Quran Alone movement.Hope you will like it here, but here are many different kind of muslims but we are responsible for our own acts.
Peace
Maria -
As Salaam Alaikum
welcome I am so impressed with what you have managed to achieve in a short time and, Insha? Allah, as time goes by, you would get a better and better understanding of the Quran. I really respect you for your Taqwa and for the efforts you are putting into adapting.
I would like to say two things , the Qur?an is for all humanity and is not limited to race or names, so you do not need to change your name, in fact your in-laws? will be surprised to know that you do not need to change your identity, or culture but only adapt your views, in line with the Qur?an.
Secondly I hope you don?t get confused by over-enthusiastic free minders; some of them are very different from your brothers at the kebab shop, so don?t let them get to you. ;DBest regards
farida -
Peace,
welcome to our forum!
I do also drink alcohol occasionally but not to intoxicant myself.
I agree with your understanding of that Quran guide us but then still leave it open for us to follow it. Why else the need of a free will!?Maria
590
(590) Believers! Intoxicants, games of chance, idolatrous sacrifices at altars, and divining arrows *108 are all abominations, the handiwork of Satan. So turn wholly away from it that you may attain to true success -
Peace,
You are welcome!
It's soon 18 years since I convert to Islam. I never regret it even if i have walked the long path to reach my goal. I was first involved many years with sunnism and didn't had a computer so, I was stuck really. Eight years after my conversion we bought an computer and I could browse internet and a whole new world opened up infront of me. I found sites based on God Alone Quran Alone and I became curious and became members there. And when br Layth created this site I joined it. Well that was a short version of how I came in contact with islam and Quran Alone movement.Hope you will like it here, but here are many different kind of muslims but we are responsible for our own acts.
Peace
MariaPeace Maria
Indeed, I am sure I will enjoy the community here, and learn much from people. It has taken me a long time to choose to read the Holy Qur'an, but, once I did so with an open heart and mind, it was not long until I realized that it was the way I should be living my life.
Peace
As Salaam Alaikum
welcome I am so impressed with what you have managed to achieve in a short time and, Insha? Allah, as time goes by, you would get a better and better understanding of the Quran. I really respect you for your Taqwa and for the efforts you are putting into adapting.
I would like to say two things , the Qur?an is for all humanity and is not limited to race or names, so you do not need to change your name, in fact your in-laws? will be surprised to know that you do not need to change your identity, or culture but only adapt your views, in line with the Qur?an.
Secondly I hope you don?t get confused by over-enthusiastic free minders; some of them are very different from your brothers at the kebab shop, so don?t let them get to you. ;DBest regards
faridaAlaikum Salaam Farida,
Thankyou, and indeed, Allah speaks to all, regardless of race or ethnicity. If only more people could understand this, the demonization of Islam, spread by the media, would cease, and people would understand Islam for what it truly is.Indeed, there are many opinions, but, opinions are only opinions, they are not facts. Facts are in the Holy Qur'an
Peace
590
(590) Believers! Intoxicants, games of chance, idolatrous sacrifices at altars, and divining arrows *108 are all abominations, the handiwork of Satan. So turn wholly away from it that you may attain to true successPeace
Someone still has the free will to not do so. That passage still does not specify that intoxicants are forbidden. Blood and flesh of swine is forbidden. The passage which refers to not coming to prayer while intoxicated implies that a Muslim must consume the intoxicant to begin with, or they would not be intoxicated. The command is not to come to prayer while intoxicated. It is not not to consume intoxicants to begin with. As with all things, Allah grants us the free will to make our own choices, and forgives us for our failings, as Allah knows best.
Peace
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Someone still has the free will to not do so. That passage still does not specify that intoxicants are forbidden. Blood and flesh of swine is forbidden. The passage which refers to not coming to prayer while intoxicated implies that a Muslim must consume the intoxicant to begin with, or they would not be intoxicated. The command is not to come to prayer while intoxicated. It is not not to consume intoxicants to begin with. As with all things, Allah grants us the free will to make our own choices, and forgives us for our failings, as Allah knows best.
Peace
Thank you very much.I am learning a lot from your input.
Would you please translate this aya literally and then explain it ,particularly highlighted words.
590 -
Peace and greetings, brothers and sisters.
I have been reading the forum, and felt it time to register. I am a recent convert to Islam, and, from my studies, have always found myself fitting into the Qur'an-Only aspect of Islam, as I feel that a person should look to a religion's scripture, rather than the practices and dogma of it's contemporary followers, many of which, are of practices never mentioned in the original scripture.
I have never been a particularly religious person, but I have always been a spritual one, and, when I started reading the Holy Qur'an several months ago, I found myself agreeing with the message within, and strove to incorporate that into my everyday life. It was not long after that, that I experienced ihsan, and realized that I should be a Muslim, and live my life as the Holy Qur'an dictates, so that is what I have done, and have felt incredible peace and benefit from it.
I chose this forum name(s) as they describe me as a person. I have not changed my name to an Islamic one, but for such a forum, I felt it appropriate to use an Islamic name, and one which described me seemed the best way to go, rather than to simply choose something I liked, or at random, or even the closest equivelent to my own name.
One aspect of my lifestyle which others might not agree with, is that I occasionally drink alcohol. My reading of the Holy Qur'an, is that there is no passage which specifically forbids the consumption of alcohol, as there are passages which specifically forbid the consumption of flesh of swine. There are, however, passages which state not to come to prayer while intoxicated (which in itself would require the drinking of alcohol) but to wait until one can understand what one utters, so indeed, as is only correct and respectful, I do not pray while drunk (infact, I never drink enough to become intoxicated) Other passages point out there being more sin than profit in wine and games of chance, but, they do not specifically forbid them They simply point out the issue, and then allows people to make their own choice, as indeed, Allah grants us all free will to make our own choices. My choice is that I occasionally drink alcohol (never to excess) as there is no commandment specifically forbidding it. I have never particularly enjoyed pork products, so that is not a difficult thing to give up, and, thanks to the guidance of brother Muslims at my local kebab shop, I am able to eat halal food daily. Indeed, these brothers were instromental in my decision to convert, as they were the ones who, upon learning that I had started reading the Holy Qur'an, encouraged my studies, and treated me like a brother.
My conversion came just before Ramadan, and I observed it fully, breaking only one fast, and that was to attend a dinner for my mother in law's birthday in early October. Initially, I felt like I had let myself and Allah down, by not sticking to the fast, but, my brother in the kebab shop pointed out that there are many Muslims who do not keep to the fasts at all, and, that I had eaten out of social politeness, not because I wanted to break the fast, so that greatly lifted my spirits, and I made up the fast as soon as was permissable afterwards.
I look forward to learning more from everyone here.
Peace be upon you.welcome
I don't understand where you got the idea of an 'Islamic name' from, it seems you chose an Arab name to log in here. There is no quranic commandment telling anyone to change their name from Bob Davidson to al-Hakeem Abu Dawud or whatever else.
My conversion came just before Ramadan, and I observed it fully, breaking only one fast, and that was to attend a dinner for my mother in law's birthday in early October. Initially, I felt like I had let myself and Allah down, by not sticking to the fast, but, my brother in the kebab shop pointed out that there are many Muslims who do not keep to the fasts at all, and, that I had eaten out of social politeness, not because I wanted to break the fast, so that greatly lifted my spirits, and I made up the fast as soon as was permissable afterwards.
The thing is that islam not being an organized religion does not mean that you can appeal to the masses to justify your own lack of commitment to something, in this case, fasting. Just because others don't hold it together means nothing, the quran endorses active belief (see 3104). The question is, however, how do the fasts work since there is no defined calendar in the quran, only a time measuring system based on the sun and moon (105). That gives us a lot of flexibility but it doesn't really prove a 30 day thing. Any attempt to pull out a calendar seems to involve placing a square peg into a circular hole somewhere along.
As with all things, Allah grants us the free will to make our own choices, and forgives us for our failings, as Allah knows best.
That in the bold is not always true because one has to be in ignorance of the failing for 'forgiveness' or whatever else to apply.
Thank you very much.I am learning a lot from your input.
Would you please translate this aya literally and then explain it ,particularly highlighted words.
590Handiwork of satan =/= explicitly forbidden. Not only that but the quranic path of action commands us to take refuge in god (surah 114) which then obviously must include abstaining from the aforementioned deeds. The sheer mention of the mention that it should be abstained from when approaching the salat proves logically and wholesale that the quran does not forbid alcohol, otherwise that verse would be redundant/abrogated and I have slightly more sense and faith in an omnipotent god. Of course the traditionalist fraudsters cooked up a lovely fabrication to say god spent a good 20 years weaning the jahili arabs off alcohol to justify this simple discrepancy and their ban on alcohol but that helps nobody.
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salam,
Welcome to the family
On the alcohol issue. You are advised not to apporach Salat if intoxicated, also, you should keep your guard up when drinking as the devil uses intociants as an opportunity to influence actions.
With regards to the comments on 2219 and its correlation to 733 (ithm being forbidden), this is the same issue as above. Intoxicants in themselves are not
ithim, but within them may be containedithim- hence the caution/warning label. -
Thank you very much.I am learning a lot from your input.
Would you please translate this aya literally and then explain it ,particularly highlighted words.
590Peace
I cannot translate it literally, as I have not yet learned Arabic.
If you would care to translate it, I would be most interested to read it, and your interperetation of it.Peace
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welcome
I don't understand where you got the idea of an 'Islamic name' from, it seems you chose an Arab name to log in here. There is no quranic commandment telling anyone to change their name from Bob Davidson to al-Hakeem Abu Dawud or whatever else.
Peace and thanks.
Indeed, there is no commandment telling someone to change their name, and this is why I have not done so. However, historically, some Muslim converts have adopted Arabic names, and I felt it would be appropriate to use such a name, in this instance. As mentioned before, the names I chose represent who I am and what I do.The thing is that islam not being an organized religion does not mean that you can appeal to the masses to justify your own lack of commitment to something, in this case, fasting. Just because others don't hold it together means nothing, the quran endorses active belief (see 3104).
"Lack of commitment" is an ugly phrase, and certainly does not apply to the situation where I broke my fast. Had I not broken my fast, I would have been the only person in the restaurant not eating. I would have been the only person at the table not eating. That would have created an incredibly noticeable, and uncomfortable situation for everyone else. It was easier, to eat a small amount of food, and make up the fast afterwards. Allah will know that it was my intention to fast, and that I did not choose to eat out of desire for food, but so as someone else, would not feel uncomfortable. The Holy Qur'an allows people to make up fasts as necessary. It may be sunnah/hadith rather than sura, but I have since read in a book about Islam, that if someone who is fasting is offered food, they should accept it (as to refuse would be rude, and because they are not eating because they choose to do so) and make up the fast afterwards. That may only be sunnah/hadith, and, as a Qur'an Alone Muslim, I do not follow the sunnah/hadith of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and indeed, I was not aware of that text at the time when I broke my fast, but, it would certainly make sense for Allah to forgive someone breaking a fast for such a reason, as Allah forgives Muslims who are forced to eat flesh of swine (either out of starvation, or by being literally force-fed) and flesh of swine, is something which is utterly forbidden.
I do not think my brother was trying to suggest that people can choose to follow or not, afterall, as Muslims, we submit ourselves to Allah's will, I believe he was simply trying to point out, that there are people who have been raised as Muslims, who do not keep to the fasts, yet as a convert, I had already fasted completely for almost all of Ramadan, so should not be overly hard on myself, when there were other Muslims who had not kept to the fasts as much, or for as long, as I had.The question is, however, how do the fasts work since there is no defined calendar in the quran, only a time measuring system based on the sun and moon (105). That gives us a lot of flexibility but it doesn't really prove a 30 day thing. Any attempt to pull out a calendar seems to involve placing a square peg into a circular hole somewhere along.
The Holy Qur'an states the month for fasting, and the times where fast should be observed. If that knowledge is to then be applied to the existing Arabic calender, then that would make perfect sense. It does not have to be specifically 30 days by the Gregorian calender, it is a month as measured by the phases of the moon.
That in the bold is not always true because one has to be in ignorance of the failing for 'forgiveness' or whatever else to apply.
That is true.
Handiwork of satan =/= explicitly forbidden. Not only that but the quranic path of action commands us to take refuge in god (surah 114) which then obviously must include abstaining from the aforementioned deeds. The sheer mention of the mention that it should be abstained from when approaching the salat proves logically and wholesale that the quran does not forbid alcohol, otherwise that verse would be redundant/abrogated and I have slightly more sense and faith in an omnipotent god. Of course the traditionalist fraudsters cooked up a lovely fabrication to say god spent a good 20 years weaning the jahili arabs off alcohol to justify this simple discrepancy and their ban on alcohol but that helps nobody.
The boldened text, I agree entirely, as I agree with the fabrication being a facrication. In a book I read about Islam, it tried to suggest that the text (of 20 years later) was proof of outright prohibition. Of course, it was no such thing, as outright prohibition, would have been stated thus, as the outright prohibition of flesh of swine is thus stated, with the word 'forbidden'
Peace
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Peace and welcome, RaseemNaqqaash.
Peace and thanks, Tay )
It seems Raseem's mind and mine are one. LOL
I am sure that can only be a good thing )
brother~ i also came to Islam via social Ramadan fasting. yay
it is good to meet you, Raseem. may God bless you and keep you well, brother.
Greetings, sister. It would seem that we were both 'thrown in at the deep end' when we came to Islam. I found it a thoroughly enlightening experience, and one I look forward to in the coming year ) May peace be upon you, sister.
salam,
Welcome to the family )
On the alcohol issue. You are advised not to apporach Salat if intoxicated, also, you should keep your guard up when drinking as the devil uses intociants as an opportunity to influence actions.
With regards to the comments on 2219 and its correlation to 733 (ithm being forbidden), this is the same issue as above. Intoxicants in themselves are not
ithim, but within them may be containedithim- hence the caution/warning label.Salam and thanks )
Indeed, that is the reason why I never drink excessively. And indeed, the caution is there, but allows the person to make their own choice. My choice is to drink responsibly, never to the point of excess or intoxication, and absolutely never consume alcohol near the time for prayer. Others choices may vary, of course )
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Greetings, sister. It would seem that we were both 'thrown in at the deep end' when we came to Islam. I found it a thoroughly enlightening experience, and one I look forward to in the coming year May peace be upon you, sister.
me too, brother. Ramadan is wonderful, especially with other Muslims. may God's peace and guidance be with you too, Raseem. peace
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me too, brother. Ramadan is wonderful, especially with other Muslims. may God's peace and guidance be with you too, Raseem. peace
Peace sister
When Ramadan approached, I was initially concerned about feeling hungry and uncomfortable & eat
but, that was certainly not the case at all, and, for the first few days, until my body adapted to the different intakes, I felt truly euphoric. sun I had not felt so... alive... for many years, it was a truly remarkable feeling, and one that only increased my decision to follow Islam ) sunPeace
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Peace
I cannot translate it literally, as I have not yet learned Arabic.
If you would care to translate it, I would be most interested to read it, and your interperetation of it.Peace
Peace,
Dear Brother,
I will only in a friendly way tell you that some members like to ridicule and make ironic comments to others, but don't fell in their trap, they have just problem with their big EGO. Raise above that. Why you need his translations of the verse when there are already many translations. I bet he will only confuse you with his sunni interpretations.Maria
