Salaam Sis Amina,

This is a discussion board so if we can't discuss and give our understanding then there will be no discussion.

There are many who quotes verses from Quran in their posts but they also explain their view of that verse, what's wrong with that?

Peace sis Maria

Walaikum asalaam ya ukhti,

I am not suggesting that dialogue is not a wonderful thing...I am just stating that saying "I heard" or "I think" is utterly irrevelent when it comes to stating what is haram or halal or what is prescribed for us or not...it's all found in the text. If people want to back up their point they must back it up with Qur'aanic text and sound, scholarly explinantion...the example of someone in another thread posting something ANTI-prostitution and then saying that he/she believes the Qur'aan supports prostitution is a good example of this being a problem.

As for dialogue and convo I'm all for it...

Insha'Allah your fast is going well and all is good in your life ukhti..

~Amina

peace Amina

...as is dating

No it is not. Not at all. How on earth would you meet a suitable partner and get to know that person if you werent allowed. You are not allowed to mix up dating and marriage wit each their individual rights and responsabilites.

I see so many people who try to change Islam to suit their needs...

Like those listening to hearsay and things wich simply just aren't true?

I dont take offend by words. dont worry.

Salaam,

Unfortunately it seems that you're taking what YOU think is a suitable way to find a mate and trying to apply it to the logic of Allah (swt)...dating, as in one man, alone with one woman out together, alone in one of their homes, etc..etc...certainly IS prohibited. Getting to know someone, having them come over to your house with your family there, talking to them in depth, spending time with them in group settings...is not prohibited. You will find countless references to this in the Quran, many ayats saying that non marhem men and woman are to be kept seperate...there are refernces to this over and over and over again...

Also, as I stated above "(Lawful to you in marriage) are chaste women from the believers and chaste women from those who were given the Scripture (Jews and Christians) before your time, when you have given their due Mahr (bridal-money given by the husband to his wife at the time of marriage), desiring chastity (i.e. taking them in legal wedlock) not committing illegal sexual intercourse, nor taking them as girlfriends. ... ? - Al-Ma'idah 55.

Doing this whole "GOD Alone" thing is wonderful...great...but to ignore the fact that knowing arabic, reading arabic, and consulting with Arabic/Qur'aanic scholars in order to fully UNDERSTAND the true ilm of the Qu'raan is negligent at best. Anyone can pick up a paper back, english translation of the "Koran" at their local bookstore and decide what they want it to mean to them, however this does not mean that they are understanding the true intention of the words...

Seems to me a lot of folks really just want to be able to live life however they feel like it and call it "Islam" stating that they believe in "GOD Alone"...that's well and good but it doesn't mean that they are living in a way that is truthful or prescribed by the Qur'aan.

There's little use in singling out a certain "group" or "sect" or school of thought...there is only one ummah. It's been said many times over that it is that which seperates us from fellow man which also seperates us from Allah (swt)...there are sunnis and shi'is and salafis and sufis who subscribe to bid'ah just as their are "God only" people who do as well...most ills are human conditions, not conditions only had by someone with a certain label...

As'salaamu Alaikum...

Please forgive me for not reading each and every reply to this thread...if what I say is redundant or incorrect may Allah (swt) as well as all those reading this please forgive my mistake.

Umm...the first page alone was kind of "scary"...I think it should really be reminded that lots and lots people lurk at websites like this and lots of people who may not really have a full, thorough understanding of the Qur'aan may be posting things that will appear to be parts of Islam, but really are not. All this "I heard" or "I think" or "It seems to me" should really have no place in any of this because if we believe in the Qur'aan then we should cite everything from the Qur'aan (as it relates to answering a question about Islam)..we shouldn't state that our opinion is fact, nor should we think that our understanding of a certain ayat is solid fact. The fact that ANYONE could think that prostitution was remotely supported much less PREMOTED in that ayat quoted just really boggles my mind. It is scary, actually.

We as humans who live in this dunya have many urges and many desires...the mere fact that we have said urge or desire is not proper justification for giving into those feelings. Just because someone likes sex or thinks sex is no big deal does not mean that this mindset is ideal or that it's supported in the Qur'aan or in any aspect of a truly Islamic lifestyle. This issue is very simple...sex before marriage is prohibitted in Islam, as is dating...prostitution is a no go...cheating is a no go...no matter how we try to explain our way out of these pure facts, doesn't change the reality. Islam is not a way of life for the weak hearted, it's not about having all the fun we want and la la la skipping down the lane doing whatever feels right in that moment...it's about a deeper ecstasy, a true connection with no deviation with the ONE, it's about strengthening the God (swt) qualities inside ourselves...

I see so many people who try to change Islam to suit their needs...the reality is that if we are true muslims we will change ourselves to suit Islam...

Forgive me if I've offended anyone, that was not my intent.

For those who doubt any of this they can check out Surah 55 in the Qur'aan, there are others I can quote as well.

Masalaama,

Amina

I am here because I am interested in open, forward thinking dialogue with other "progressive" minded muslims. I'm finding it difficult to find an online community that is moderate...it seems many are either extremely zealous and filled with bidah and fitnah...and others are so secular that they do not truly seem to understand the lifestyle and ultimate goals of true muslims. I'm hoping to find others with whom I share a similar perspective and to learn from those who hold different points of views. Ultimately everything is a quest for strengthened iman, thus I'm hoping that finding a comfortable place online among fellow ummah will help to strengthen my iman, insha'Allah.

It's nice to "meet" all of you...

Masalaama,

Amina