there is not just "2 exempted conditions", except maybe, in your head.

Fine, ?maybe? you are aware of those Ayat(s) where other conditions are explicated. Kindly direct me to them, I will be thankful.

It says, I believe, fasting is prescribed but if you experience 'hardship' you can do it other days or pay the charity. It is for them to decide not you. How do you know people are not experiencing a hardship that you do not understand? Why do you get to decide if they are sufficiently ill - are you a doctor and have you examined them? Maybe a woman is in the early stages of pregnancy and is not showing yet and is yet to tell anyone, fasting may make her morning sickness worse, it may be sensible to delay it til after the birth, even if to you it just looks like she is being lazy or something. Open your mind man!

Kindly read the post again, specially the last paragraph and do not assume/speculate.

Hint It is about those able people who skip fasts without any valid reasons.

Salaamun alaika,

I still practice the way it is written here. Please check it out. And I try not to ignore anything with the help of my Lord, Allah.

May Allah increase our knowledge and guide us on His path pr
mmKhan

Salaam MM Khan,

Your link includes below mentioned,

1926 So eat and drink and be contented. And if you see from among humanity anyone, say, 'Indeed, I
have vowed to the Most Merciful abstention, so I will not speak today to human.' "

• How 1926 describes us what Saum really means?

• It is very very clearly mentioned in 1926 that during Saum you can eat and drink and DO NOT TALK TO ANYONE. This is how it was prescribed to Maryam who was before us as mentioned in 2183

The entire premise of your interpretation is based on 1926.

May I ask, what makes you conclude that it is not a ?specific command? prescribed to Maryam (AS) alone?

2.194 makes no sense if it is understood as a punishment for "murder". To start with it does not say "for murder", it says "in the killed" where it is not sid that killed is murdered, it may be accidental and from the whole text of the aya we can see that inf act it cannot be speaking about murder, because the fact that a slave is murdered, how can you pursue another slave even if he or she is not the murderer? Does not make sense. The dead person may have been killed accidentally in which case the person who may have caused the death should indemnify the survivors for the loss of the dead, so then it makes sense that the amount for the indemnisation should be fixed in accordance with the loss for the survivors, like if it is were a man that maintained a big household, for instance, then the andemnisation should be accordingly, and so on.

Since there is no murder, there is no question that what is being spoen about is not to retaliate killing somebody else, but making up for the loss of the survivors. A life for a life, should not depend of somebody being slave, free, or man or woman... and nobody should pay except the author of a crime, so qisas for followers of the Qur'an should be understood as in this aya, where there is no murder but somebody that results killed even though iut may not have been by any willful intent of anybody. If the dead is result of murder, that should be another matter in the sense that there should be a punishment for murder, IN ADDITION to the compensation for loss to the survivors which logically should still apply.

Salaam

Salaam, I think you meant 2178 and not 2194. You have made a valid point, makes sense. 'Qatl' indeed mean killing.

But the point is, how to differentiate between intentional and unintentional killing, do you think 545 answers that?

Peace,

He would be put to death until or unless negotiation is done with each and every effected family.

2178 O ye who believe! the law of equality is prescribed to you in cases of murder the free for the free, the slave for the slave, the woman for the woman. But if any remission is made by the brother of the slain, then grant any reasonable demand, and compensate him with handsome gratitude, this is a concession and a Mercy from your Lord. After this whoever exceeds the limits shall be in grave penalty.

545 And therein We prescribed for them 'A life for a life, an eye for an eye, a nose for a nose, an ear for an ear, a tooth for a tooth, and for wounds retaliation';.......

The verse would make sense if the change is behavioural in nature. "Converting" the unbelievers only to ask them to pray 5 times a day only reinforces the perception that Islam spread by the sword!

Good observation

Evidence is simplest, yet not being taken. "Conversion" means change something's character; change somebody's beliefs.
its synonyms are also

change, adapt, alter, transform,

switch, change, change over, transfer, go over, move

The first meanings given in lexicons quoted is To return, repentence. Both these mean to regret the present course and adopt --- switch over to other belief -idea- course. This is nothing but conversion, the word which you think appropriate for becoming a believer from earlier state of polytheism.

To Repent do not necessarily mean to believe or convert.
Quran is a consistent book, usage of any word has to be consistent throughout.

7153 But those who committed misdeeds and then repented after them and believed - indeed your Lord, thereafter, is Forgiving and Merciful.

In above verse "repentance" was the first activity followed by conversion.

Salam free minds,

Can someon explain to me
What is "Um al-Kitab" (the root/foundation/essence of the Book) in the Qur'an?
And what are the "ayat Muhkamat" (the precise or locked verses) which ALLAH (SWT) called by the name "Um al-Kitab"?

Peace.

Peace,

I discussed this on another form. Find the link below.

http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9605223.0

Good question.

I wrote a detailed article on this issue HERE (click).

Peace Wakas,

Thanks for the link. I just read it briefly and would read it thoroughly later. Whatever little I have read, it looks logical.

Assalamo alaikum,

The first condition is

Translation of perfect verb in Jussive state as verb of condition by English word "repent" is giving problem only because its meanings are restrictively perceived as recognizing the wrong in something and be sorry about it. But the true meanings here are "to feel regret about a sin or past actions and change your ways or habits". The discourse is about the polytheists. The verb signifies returning from polytheism to monotheism. And then are the two physical acts which demonstrate the state of having returned to monotheism and be the associates of Deen-Islam.

Lane has also this entry

The time of returning from the belief in a plurality of gods. (A.) A poet says,
?

? ;

Salaamun Aliqum Mazhar,

Refer to red part.

Does that mean, all those Muslims who do not pray traditionally are doubtful monotheists?

Say, "We believe in GOD, and in what was sent down to us, and in what was sent down to Abraham, Ismail, Isaac, Jacob, and the Patriarchs; and in what was given to Moses and Jesus, and all the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction among any of them. To Him alone we are submitters."

The Arabs said, "We are Mu'mens (believers)." Say, "You have not believed; what you should say is, 'We are Muslims (submitters),' until belief is established in your hearts." If you obey GOD and His messenger, He will not put any of your works to waste. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.

Who can utter better words than one who invites to GOD, works righteousness, and says, "I am one of the submitters"?

Peace

So is the verse 4914 implying being Muslim is a belief less status?

Peace Wakas,

Yes one must strive to attain the highest level before death, and all believers would be tested time and again. But it does not mean that Mumin would not be rewarded,

82-4 The believers are those whom, when God is mentioned, their hearts reverence; and when His revelations are recited to them, it increases their faith; and they put their trust in their Lord. They honor the connection, and from Our provisions to them they spend. These are the true believers; they will have grades with their Lord and a forgiveness and a generous provision.

So in case we consider Mumin to be entry level, the reward is mentioned for them too.

@ johan -
you are correct to refer to that verse which indicates a different between a muslim and a momin. Muslim is clearly "entry-level" as compared to being 'Momin'.

One with faith/belief is called a MUMIN.
MUSLIM, on other hand means one who submits to Allah. The state of Muslim requires action of obedience, not just belief alone.

If we consider Muslim to be entry level then how would you explain this verse,

3102 O you who have believed/man, fear Allah as He should be feared and do not die except as Muslims.

.....those of you who witness the shahr shall abstain therein.....

You dont witness it, you dont abstain/sawm.

Re 20130
It is in the singular address, not plural. See http//corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=20&verse=130#(201301)

936 Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the register of Allah the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them....

So people residing in those areas do not get full twelve months?

As for your reply to 20130

Do you mean, its a specific command not meant for all?

Salaam Karimah,

Allah commanded Prophet to judge only by Quran,

548 And We have revealed to you, , the Book in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So JUDGE BETWEEN THEM BY WHAT ALLAH HAS REVEALED and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth?.

And judge, , between them by WHAT ALLAH HAS REVEALED and do not follow their inclinations and beware of them, lest they tempt you away from some of what Allah has revealed to you.

Hope it helps.

Salaam,
I chanced upon this article.

https//www.answering-islam.org/authors/oskar/palimpsest.html

Although it clearly suggests one of those missionary efforts, I am keen to know if anyone has any further knowledge on the topic.

Salaamun alequm,

I am trying to understand why lot of people skip fasting during Ramadan without being ill or on journey, the two exempted conditions. In return they feed a needy for each missed fast and justify their action as being permitted by God in 2184.

Below is the mentioned Ayat, (Monotheist Translation)

2184 A few number of days; however, if any of you is ill or traveling, then the same number from different days; and as for those who can do so but with difficulty, they may redeem by feeding the needy. And whoever does good voluntarily, then it is better for him. And if you fast it is better for you if only you knew.

Their assumption is based on red part of the Ayat, totally ignoring the context. I think the ?fidya? or redemption is allowed in case one find it difficult, even later, to make up for the missed fasts due to illness or traveling during the month of Ramadan.

Kindly post your thoughts.

Salaam friends,

A close study of the Verses 91-11 further establishes my belief that SALAAT is beyond being just a mere ritual. Praying 5, 3 or 2 times is only one part of Salaat, it is a more broader concept.

Verses 91-11 talks about peace treaties between Believers and Mushrikun and their violation by Mushrikun. A four months notice period was served by Allah and His Messenger after which action was allowed against them.

To shorten the post I am posting, just the two concerned verses.

95 So when the restricted months have passed, then you may kill the polytheists wherever you find them, and take them, and surround them, and stand against them at every point. If they repent, and they hold the CONTACT PRAYER AND THEY CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS PURIFICATION, then you shall leave them alone. God is Forgiving, Merciful.

911 If they repent, and they hold the CONTACT PRAYER AND THEY CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS PURIFICATION, then they are your brothers alddeeni (in the system). We explain the revelations for a people who know.

The usual meaning of "Salaat" and "Zakat" in verses 95 and 911 conveys, that if they start praying five times a day and start giving 2.5% zakat per year, then they become your brothers in Islam.

So few points to ponder on

a) Does in 95 Allah mean that do not harm the Mushrikun and leave them as soon as they wish and start the physical act of praying?

b) How would they have prayed by the way as they were idolaters/polytheists who were unaware of what to recite in prayers? Check the verse below,

96 And if any of the polytheists seeks your protection, then you may protect him so that he may hear the WORDS OF GOD (QUR?AN)....

c) Were Believers instructed to take them AS THEIR BROTHERS IN FAITH in 911 ?once? they start their Salaat then and there without knowing their true intentions? Though Allah says,

910 They do not respect those who are believers, nor a kinship, nor a pledge. These are the transgressors.

Kindly post your thoughts.

2187 It has been made lawful for you during the night of fasting to approach your women sexually. They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them. God knows that you used to betray you souls so He has accepted your repentance, and forgiven you; now you may approach them and seek what God has written for you. And you may eat and drink until the white thread is distinct from the black thread of dawn; then you shall complete the fast until night; and do not approach them while you are devoted in the temples. These are the boundaries of God, so do not transgress them. It is thus that God clarifies His revelations to the people who they may be righteous.

20130 So be patient to what they are saying and glorify the grace of your Lord before the rising of the sun, and before its setting, and at the approach of the night - you shall glorify - at the parts of the day, perhaps you may be content.

How does one pray or fast in regions of the earth where there is daylight for long periods such as 30 days?

My question is GOD?S SYSTEM is a JUST system and it will never change and Al-Qur'an is a Universal book, then what is the solution for people living in those regions?