Topics

16

Discussions / Is the Idea that the Bible was written by 40 inspired writers, Quranic ?

« on: August 03, 2017, 12:30:18 AM »

As-Salam Alaykum,

The Quran clearly sanctions the veracity of previous scriptures at the time of the prophet. But Christians today claim that the Bible has been written by 40 different authors over a span of 1500 years. They say they were inspired by the holy spirit. Is that the Quranic view of how the Bible was written ?

I am inclined to believe that the Quran refers to scriptures that are directly written by God (through prophets),  not by inspired men. For instance, why isn't there a Gospel according to Jesus ?

I would appreciate it if anyone could shed some light on this issue.

Regards,
Ahmed.

17

General Discussions / About ascribing purity to oneself

« on: July 20, 2017, 03:31:00 AM »

As-salam Alaykum,
Verse [53:32] tell us not to ascribe purity to ourselves yet in verse 12:90 prophet Joseph is talking about his own good deeds. How can we reconcile both verses ?

Thank you in advance.


[12:90]
They said, "Are you indeed Joseph?" He said "I am Joseph, and this is my brother. Allah has certainly favored us. Indeed, he who fears Allah and is patient, then indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good."

[53:32] Saheeh International
Those who avoid the major sins and immoralities, only [committing] slight ones. Indeed, your Lord is vast in forgiveness. He was most knowing of you when He produced you from the earth and when you were fetuses in the wombs of your mothers. So do not claim yourselves to be pure; He is most knowing of who fears Him.

18

General Discussions / Is God Omnipresent ?

« on: June 16, 2017, 06:48:57 AM »

As-Salam Alaykum,

I thought this issue would be straight forward, however, it turned out not to be. (For me at least). Anyway my question is: According to the Quran is God omnipresent ? I do not mean in terms of knowledge. There is no disagreement about God being All knowing. What I mean is, God's location. Is God present everywhere ? Or is he present in a specific location ? . From what I've read the traditional position differs. Some say that God cannot be contained in time and space therefore God has no location. Others have said that God exists on top of the seven heavens but he's power encompasses everything. Furthermore the verses below seem to advance two different concepts (at first sight, however deeper analysis is needed):

[67:16] Do ye feel secure that He Who is in heaven will not cause you to be swallowed up by the earth when it shakes (as in an earthquake)?
[67:17] Or do ye feel secure that He Who is in Heaven will not send against you a violent tornado (with showers of stones), so that ye shall know how (terrible) was My warning?

(God is located the heavens)

[30:11] It is Allah Who begins (the process of) creation; then repeats it; then shall ye be brought back to Him.

(If we are going to be brought back to God, does this mean that GOD is located somewhere specific away from us now ?)

[2:115] To Allah belong the east and the West: Whithersoever ye turn, there is the presence of Allah. For Allah is all-Pervading, all-Knowing.

[6:3] And He is Allah in the heavens and on earth. He knoweth what ye hide, and what ye reveal, and He knoweth the (recompense) which ye earn (by your deeds).

[57:4] He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and is moreover firmly established on the Throne (of Authority). He knows what enters within the earth and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven and what mounts up to it. And He is with you wheresoever ye may be. And Allah sees well all that ye do.

(These verses imply that God is present everywhere)

So What are your thoughts ? How can we reconcile the verses ?

19

Discussions / Similarity between a Bible verse and a Hadith

« on: March 22, 2017, 06:39:49 AM »

As-salam Alaykum,
I noticed a similarity between a verse in the Bible and a Hadith. Any Explanation for this ?


Sahl bin Sa'd (May Allah be pleased with him) said:
I was in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ). He gave a description of Jannah and concluded with these words, "There will be bounties which no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart has ever perceived." He (ﷺ) then recited this Verse: "Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Rubb in fear and hope, and they spend (in charity in Allah's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them. No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy..." (32:16,17)

------------------

1 Corinthians 2:9
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, and upon the heart of man has not come up that which God has prepared for those who love him.”

20

General Discussions / Reconciling verse 4:93

« on: March 07, 2017, 01:38:41 AM »

As-Salam Alaykum,

How can we reconcile the following two verses ? Can intentional murder be forgiven ? And why does verse 4:93 say whoever kills a believer instead of whoever kills any Human ?

[4:93]
But whoever kills a believer intentionally - his recompense is Hell, wherein he will abide eternally, and Allah has become angry with him and has cursed him and has prepared for him a great punishment.


[4:48]
Indeed, Allah does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allah has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin.

Thank you

21

Discussions / Did the people of the Book ever have 5 prayers ?

« on: December 17, 2016, 06:03:46 PM »

Did the Christians and jews ever have 5 prescribed prayers like Muslims ?
Is there a way to know how many prayers did Prophet Abaraham Pray ? Were they 5 prayers ?

Thanks.

22

Discussions / Is the story of Adam and Eve in the Bible accurate ?

« on: November 14, 2016, 06:31:07 AM »

Is the story of Adam and Eve in the bible accurate from a Quranic perspective ?

For example, why did a serpent deceive Adam and Eve and not the Devil like in the Quran ?

Does [4:1]
O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from one soul and created from it its mate

Refer to Eve being created from Adam's rib ?



Thank you in advance.

23

General Discussions / How to regard those who follow traditional Islam.

« on: October 26, 2016, 07:18:39 AM »

Traditional Muslims regard those who have a Quran centric view as disbelievers/misguided. What then should the stance of Quran centric folk towards traditional Muslims ? Should they be regarded as brothers in faith even when there are great differences in views ? Even if many of their convictions go against the Quran ? Even if they see Quran centric ideas as a  threat ?

What's your opinion on this ?


Thank you in advance.

24

Discussions / Why is the Bible different from the Quran ?

« on: August 05, 2016, 08:54:52 AM »

As-salam Alaykum,

Why is the style of writing of the Bible so different than the Quran. For example, In Quranic stories there is usually little details and the emphasis is on providing guidance. However in the Bible the stories are much more detailed to the extent that it may seem difficult to extract guidance from it. Why is this the case when both the Bible and the Quran are from the same author.

Thank you in advance

25

General Discussions / Spending on children with money gained from usury.

« on: April 20, 2015, 12:52:53 AM »

As salam alaykum,

Its been a while since I've posted anything. But still, I'm a regular visitor of the forums 

Anyway I have a question related to usury as a source of income.

If the main source of income of a family is from interest on bank savings (Usury). Should the children, upon reaching a certain age refuse to be supported by their parents because of the unlawful source of the income ? Or is it not their business where their parents get their money from ? And does this affect the legitimacy of the inheritance they get from their parents ?


Thank you

26

General Discussions / Gender roles according to the Quran ?

« on: December 22, 2014, 03:10:54 AM »

As salam alaykum,

Dear brothers and sisters,
I would like to know your thoughts about this increasingly confusing and controversial topic.

There are ideological, and cultural forces that are constantly shaping male and female roles in society. My questions is, what are the explicit boundaries set by the Quran concerning gender roles, the rules that should not be altered regardless of cultural changes. And in which areas does the Quran leave us free to adapt to societal/cultural changes regarding the same matter.

Thank you in advance.

27

General Discussions / Question about fulfilling contracts/ keeping promises

« on: December 07, 2014, 08:20:04 AM »

As salam alaykum,

My question is, if after agreeing on a contract or promising to do a certain thing, new information arises that if taken into consideration before the initial agreement, could have completely altered it. Do we in such a situation keep the initial promise or are we allowed to alter the agreement accordingly.

Here's a crude example:
X promises Y to deliver a package.
X realizes that this package contains an illegal material.
Therefore X does not deliver the package.

(I know that X's behavior is the obvious thing to do, but what I am looking for is a Quranic rule that governs such behavior)


Here's another one:
X promises Y to buy 10 apples for 10$
The price of apples in the market unexpectedly drops by 50%
X refuses to buy the 10 apples for 10$


Is it X's right to do so, from a Quranic perspective ?


Thank you in advance.

28

General Discussions / How does the Quranic law of retribution work ?

« on: November 18, 2014, 08:34:59 AM »

[2:178] Saheeh International
O you who have believed, prescribed for you is legal retribution for those murdered - the free for the free, the slave for the slave, and the female for the female. But whoever overlooks from his brother anything, then there should be a suitable follow-up and payment to him with good conduct. This is an alleviation from your Lord and a mercy. But whoever transgresses after that will have a painful punishment.

• Does this mean that if a free man murders another free man of another tribe/community then the retribution is to kill any other free man of the other tribe or is the just retribution only to kill the person who committed the crime ?
• What happens if a Free man murders a slave ? How will the issue be settled ?
• But whoever overlooks from his brother How can the verse include "brother" if it is clearly stated elsewhere in the Quran that believers are not to kill each other.
• Also according to verse 5:32 for instance, one cannot take a life of another human being except if it is a retribution for murder or corruption in the land. Its not stated "the free for the free" rather, its seems to be treating humans equally. (Any human can be executed for taking the life of any other human )
• Is this verse related to a specific context I am not aware of ?

This has been confusing me for some time, I would appreciate if anyone can shed some light on the matter.

Thank you in advance 

29

General Discussions / Quran and Green living.

« on: October 23, 2014, 02:35:21 AM »

[30:41] Saheeh International
Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].


As salam alaykum,
The Quran emphasizes that believers should be (Moslehoon - reformers) and not spread corruption in the land. I think that this can translate into what they call today green living or sustainable practices. So I wanted to know if you have adopted similar practices in your daily lives. If so please do share them

Thanks.

30

General Discussions / Regarding relationships with Parents.

« on: September 23, 2014, 02:25:30 AM »

As salam alaykum,

The Quran places great emphases on maintaining a good relationship with our parents. However, should this relationship be maintained unconditionally or is there exceptions where ending the relationship is the right thing to do ? 
(Like the situation of prophet Ibrahim or if they did not do their jobs (as parents) or abused their children)

Thank you