Hello there,

I need a little help with the words "despair" and "strayers" in these verses, could any one of you offer any comments please?

The Quran says

He said, "None despairs of his Lord's mercy, except the strayers."

"O my sons, go fetch Joseph and his brother, and never despair of GOD's grace. None despairs of GOD's grace except the disbelieving people."

They said, "The good news we give you is true; do not despair."

He said, "My Lord, the bones have turned brittle in my body, and my hair is aflame with gray. As I implore You, my Lord, I never despair.

Now, I have just two questions regarding this

1.) Who exactly are the "strayers" in these verses? Are they the idol worshippers who have lost all hope in the real God as they implore a bunch of idols that don't even exists OR are these "strayers" anyone who simply do not believe that God will not do this/that for them?

2.) On a personal note, I have kind of lost all hope when it comes to some matters, right (meaning I don't think God's going to do any thing to help me out with them. I am on my own and there's even no need to bother and ask God to help me out with them.) Now, does it mean I belong with the "strayers" just because I've lost hope in one single thing eventhough I am following all the commandments and doing all the things I must be doing as a believer?

Thanks all for your time,
RL

Hi,

This topic is in response to the polygamy/multiple wives thread. However, its slightly off the subjects of those topics so I thought it'd be best to post a new one here.

Polygamy is something I've never quite understood in the faith of Islam and to be honest its a pretty depressing topic for me to think about because based on my understanding, I kind of get a feeling that the Quran allowed polygamy and forbade polyandry (not that I am interesed wink ). I am not sure if God allows polygamy just because a man can or if it is completly not allowed....

Anyway, for now my question is, as far as I know most (if not all) prophets/messengers were married to more than one woman at a time. If polygamy is not allowed, then why were the messenger (who were supposed to be role models for us) granted several wives?

Since we are on the topic, does anyone know how many wives Muhammed had? Based on my research, he was married to his first wife (Kahdijah) for 20 years where he remained monogomous. Then, by the time he passed away, at the age of 60/65, he was married to 12 women. Is this correct?

Thanks!

Hello there,

Recently in the US, a person won about 300 million US Dollars in a lottery.

Although I never play it, I am just wondering if playing the lottery a sin because the traditional Muslims that I know say it is an unearned income and is thus a sin.

Thanks,

Hello everyone,

I read this chapter (22) for the first time today and I am not understanding the real meaning behind these verses, could you offer any opinions?

The animal offerings are among the rites decreed by GOD for your own good. You shall mention GOD's name on them while they are standing in line. Once they are offered for sacrifice, you shall eat therefrom and feed the poor and the needy. This is why we subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation.

Neither their meat, nor their blood reaches GOD. What reaches Him is your righteousness. He has subdued them for you, that you may show your appreciation by glorifying GOD for guiding you. Give good news to the charitable.

Is God telling us that animals were soley created to serve as food for us?

The reason I am asking is because I support several anti-animal cruelty programs in my state and elsewhere like www.anticruelty.org and though this verse does not say be cruel to animals or kill them just because you can (nor does it say this anywhere else in the Quran), I am not sure if God is telling here that sacrifies must be made to display righteousness or animals are to be used for food and that's the reason for their creation.

Thanks

Peace,

According to the official website of Jordan's King Abudallh II (current king), he is the 43rd direct descendant of prophet Muhammad. Do any of you believe so?

I actually meet several Sunni's from countires like India and Pakistan and some claim that they are "Sayeed" which means they are directly related to the prophet's family and can thus only marry to other "Sayeed's". Is this true?

Also, wasn't someone by the name of Queen Noor his wife, his site says his wife is Queen Rania, or does he have two?

http//www.queenrania.jo

http//www.kingabdullah.jo/main.php?main_page=0&lang_hmka1=1

Peace,

I was reading this verse today and am not sure what exactly it means by the word 'carefree' here

"You shall not treat the people with arrogance, nor shall you roam the earth carefree. GOD does not like the arrogant showoffs." 3118

Does it mean don't be idle (don't be without a job or just stay home with nothing to do - no idle hand's in God's kingdom)?

Or

Does it mean don't NOT care about others in the world?

Thanks!

Peace,

I am not sure what the Quran says, but can we give charity to non-Muslims? Would it count as charity or is it gone to waste?

Hello,

Would cloning be okay?

Would choosing a baby's gender to okay?

Would being an organ and tissue donor by okay?

Hello, I pray but in Arabic - a language i hardly understand. Is it okay if we pray in English using the same verses and all. Is it also okay if we simply just communicate with God saying how we feel, what we want etc in prayer?

Just a silly question Why didn't God protect the animals by forbidding us to kill/eat them? (because as humans they feel pain too when we slaughter them simply to have a nice meal). cry

Peace,

I have never personally seen a ghost, but my gran' mama says she saw a ghost. shock I know and believe that satan exists (because God says so) and his descendents (jinns) too, but are there ghosts - you know the main characters of horror movies with scarry faces, awesome powers and a hearbroken story behind their evilness.

Oh, speaking of which, people say souls that had "unfinished business" on this earth, never leave it even after dying and become ghosts to seek revenge. But isn't this stupid though, because once a person dies, God has full control of their souls, God is not going to tell them to live on the earth and scare the earthings, right?

Peace all,

Here's a "controversial" topic Can a Muslim woman marry a Christian or Jewish man? Many Muslims I've spoken to said No, true?

Bonjour,

I am new here...and I'd like to see a topic where people just come in and say "Ciao!" and tell a bit (truth, of course wink ) about themseleves so we know them better.

Now that I've started this post, just wondering to what age group do the people on this site belong to?

Hi all,

This is my first post, so I thought why not start with something fun! Here's a poll with those who are living...I'm just wondering what you all might think their eternal fate would be like.

D (