Thankis again for all the answers.
As for sex scenes they will hopefully not be a problem. Most of the scenes are today so 'blurry' and dark that nobody would notice if there was a body double instead of me. The exception would be if it was really graphic (like in the newly released Blue Valentine).

But what are your opinions on sex scenes where there's actually no intimacy or nudity (or kissing) involved, like in the movie 'The Town'? In this scene, the man is shown sitting on a chair face-to-face with the woman on his lap, while she goes up and down. The camera only shows waist-and-up, and they are fully dressed. It is not known whether their parts touch (shouldn't be a problem, there are many scenes where shy actors put several layers of pillows between them).

And therefore there is nothing wrong with dry humping - it's not forbidden.

Is there not a quranic verse stating that we won't be judged by our actions, but rather the intentions behind them? Your example would be quite different if that happens to be the case.

Thanks for all the answers. The reason I'm asking this is because I'm an actor(still an amateur at this stage, though).
I'm going to avoid scripts with kissing scenes for as long as possible, though I know that I will have to face this dilemma as soon as I land a lead.

to RA786 1732 seems to mention adultery, which is not related to the topic at hand, especially since I'm not married.

Sahih International
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way.
Muhsin Khan
And come not near to the unlawful sexual intercourse. Verily, it is a Fahishah , and an evil way (that leads one to Hell unless Allah forgives him).
Pickthall
And come not near unto adultery. Lo! it is an abomination and an evil way.
Yusuf Ali
Nor come nigh to adultery for it is a shameful (deed) and an evil, opening the road (to other evils).

From what I've gathered, you seem to think that Prophet Muhammed is the most honorable messenger because he was the only prophet sent to the whole humanity. And you back this up with the quranic verse saying that some messengers were more blessed than others, right? These would have been good arguments if there wouldn't have been a verse telling us clearly to not differentiate between them. A quick glance through the thread shows that you have yet to answer this verse directly. Since we know that the Quran doesn't itself... I would love it if you would explain how we can elevate Muhammed over. Other prophets without differentiating.

Awesome! it would have been better if you had read all the thread, and particularly the Ayats regarding the subject, before passing on your valuable comments!

You would look a lot less stupid if the post you just replied to would have contained some sort of argument or refutation. I asked you a simple question, and I do not intend to search through seven pages for something you can sum up in a couple of sentences.

Pro tip Drop the hostility. It makes you look insecure.

Peace.

The Quran doesn't speak of religious houses of worship at all.

Quran 9108

Since reasonable time has been passed, and No opposing comment was posted, therefore i take it for granted that we all agree that Allah has blessed some messangers more than others and has raised the ranks of some more than others.

And who are you to decide who Allah has blessed more? The Quran clearly states that we are not to differentiate between prophets. They are all the same to us.

THS, are you able to link to equallu thorough end notes that endorse a literal interpretation of 533? I would greatly appreciate it. Asad's arguments seem logical, but there's no way for me to confirm whatever he states as facts ( which is why I at this state prefer to compare opposing views to each other).

Well, the context of this verse implies that these punishments only can be carried out if the mischief is directed at a messenger of Allah, as no human can make wage war against Allah.

Or am I way off?

Peace,

Emil, I see your point. Regarding 434, I want you to read this website. This verse is a perfect example of an allegorical verse. )

I don't see anything wrong with 2258, though
Hast thou not Turned thy vision to one who disputed with Abraham About his Lord, because Allah had granted himpower? Abraham said "My Lord is He Who Giveth life and death." He said "I give life and death". Said Abraham "But it is Allah that causeth the sun to rise from the east Do thou then cause him to rise from the West." Thus was he confounded who (in arrogance) rejected faith. Nor doth Allah Give guidance to a people unjust.

This verse merely states that the Sun rises east by God's will, and that no one can make it rise from the west in order to prove their divinity.

Emil
This verse has been a great help in such discussions

Quran 37 Shakir
He it is Who has revealed the Book to you; some of its verses are decisive, they are the basis of the Book, and others are allegorical; then as for those in whose hearts there is perversity they follow the part of it which is allegorical, seeking to mislead and seeking to give it (their own) interpretation. but none knows its interpretation except Allah, and those who are firmly rooted in knowledge say We believe in it, it is all from our Lord; and none do mind except those having understanding.

Thank you, guys.

Hallo Captain Awesome and welcome!!!

I am, just as you, a resident of a Scandinavian country and I know, just as you, that people here are quite islamaphobic. Ironic because the scandies are in other instances very open to new ideas and concepts...I guess it is up to you and me and others like us to show them what islam is not as horrible as they think.
My journey to God Alone is a bit different than yours though. I was introduced to islam by my wife. I was a bit sceptical at first but the more I read of the Quran I realized that it was a book of love and understanding. It gives guidance in those areas where we need guidance, it gives the rules of morality and teaches us to respect one and another and never ever judge someone in the name of God.

It was not until I finished reading the Quran I started wondering why the Muslims were not following what the Quran said. Why is my wife not allowed to pray/fast when menstruating, why must she cover her hair, why am I not allowed to sit down with my family (non Muslims) for a nice dinner just because they enjoy a glass of wine, why do I have to think that my sister is a lesser/lower person than me just because she is homosexual.......some of the questions I had, there were a lot more.....

I went to the local mosque and asked the Imam. He gave me answers to all my questions, some good thoughtful answers, some in total contradiction to the Quran, and some so obviously connected to his country's traditions that it was not even close to the Quran or any Hadith.........Anyways we were discussing almost arguing, but what made me shun all Hadiths were the following;

I asked the Imam "So if a person comes to you and says he wants to learn about Islam, you give him the Quran and ask him to read it, right?"
The Imam said "Yes"
I asked "And then after he has read the Quran and says he wants to become a Muslim you will then give him the collection of Hadiths and ask him to use those to implement the rules of the Quran?"
The Imam said "Yes"
I asked "And then you will ask him to reject some of the Hadiths so he is able to choose side, right?"
The Imam said "What do you mean?"
I said "Well, he has to, since you are not allowed to do it for him, choose for himself which Hadith he wants to follow. If he believes in all he will be Sunni, Shia and Sufi all on the same time, and that is impossible since they contradict eachother in some areas. So in other words he must choose a side, Sunni, Shia or Sufi and then reject the Hadiths that must be rejected in order to follow that group"
The Imam said "Eh, you don't understand"
I said "Yepp, I don't understand. Why does this person have to segregate himself from others just because they do not follow what he follows? Isn't it enough that he only believes in the only thing that connects all us Muslims, namely the Quran?"
The Imam said "My brother, you have not understood what the Islamic way is all about. We cannot rely solely on the Quran, we need guidance from our Prophet and that guidance can be found in Sunnah and Hadith."
I asked "Even though it means that it will separate him from other believers, and those can even be his own family members"
The Imam said "Yes"
I said "Well then, I am sorry to say that I cannot do that, I refuse to build barriers between me and my brothers. I will believe in the core and if they so want they can reject me, but I will not reject them."
The Imam said "Then you cannot call yourself a Muslim."

This my path to God Alone.

I find this Imam's level of ignorance is unfortunately very common among Sunnis. Sometimes it seems like they simply won't approve of your opinion, no matter how strong your aguments might be. It is very unfortunate...
Out of curiosity Which country do you live in?

Salam, brothers and sisters,

Thanks for all the good answers. I'll certainly make good use of them.

Btw., welcome back, reformer.

I've lurked around here long enough to know who he is and what he stands for, so I can't help but feel a little bit insulted. confused

Ok, this rather trifling topic has been bugging me for a while...
Using the Quran as basis, how would you go forth in arguing for/against mslim acotrs doing kissing scenes? Plase keep in mind that the act itself is part of a scene where both parts are acting with an entire crew filming, so there is probably zero lust involved.

Peace O0

I'm sure most people here are familiar with the omnipotence paradoxes.
If your not, it goes something like this
Can God create something he cannot lift/control? If he can, He wouldn't be able to control/lift it, which renders Him as someone who's not capable of everything. If He cannot create it, then He is not omnipotent in the first place.

What's your thoughts o
n this? Is there any credibility behind this paradox?

OK, this has been bothering me for quite a while. I have yet to actually face an islamophobe, but they seem to be EVERYWHERE online, just check a random article on Islam with a comment section. My heart is filled with sorrow and anger whenever I see such comments, yet none of their arguments hold any value against my beliefs as a God Aloner.

What I would like to discuss is whether God Aloners are to be considered as collateral damage since most objections against Islam is based on Hadith and Quranic verses pulled out of context. And what can be done to educate people on the causes of barbarianism found in "Islamic" countries. I just HATE the very thought of me, or any true Muslim, being associated with the likes of the Iranian Government and even Taliban. The whole "Islam is as Islam does"-thing pisses me off.

Sometimes it just feels like the word "Muslim" bears nothing but bad connotations here in the West. It's sad. '(

OK, people, I'm kinda confused here. We know that there's no mandatory clothing article required to be worn by women.. but then what is the "Jilbab" this quranic versre is talking about?
Pickthall
O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks close round them (when they go abroad). That will be better, so that they may be recognised and not annoyed. Allah is ever Forgiving, Merciful.
Yusuf Ali
O Prophet! Tell thy wives and daughters, and the believing women, that they should cast their outer garments over their persons (when abroad) that is most convenient, that they should be known (as such) and not molested. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

Yo, it's about time I introduced myself. I'm a 17 year old guy who's been lurking around here for almost a month now.

My journey to to God Alone began two months ago, when I was told that music was haram. I was kinda surprised, but I stopped listening to music, and I even closed my ears sometimes whenever I heard music. But something felt wrong. It was very hard to believe that God would condemn music the same way He did with murder and shirk etc. And that's when my journey began. I came across an article on Wikipedia where this website was mentioned. The rest is pretty self-explanatory.

As of right now, nobody around me knows that I've left Sunni Islam. I live in Scandinavia, where Islamophobia is gaining momentum by the day. It's funny to see how all the arguments against Islam is related to the violent, mysogynist nature of the hadiths. I also find it quite impressive to see how no Sunni muslim has managed to completely discredit Quranists (I hate that word, but can't find an appropriate synonym).

I must also admit that I find a lot of members of this forum to be pretty well-versed with pop-culture references and the internet in general. That's awesome!