Messages

16

General Discussions / symbolism in Religion.

« on: February 14, 2015, 09:05:13 AM »

Do symbols have any significance in religion? Almost every religion including satanism and other secret societies have incorporated symbols as part of their faith. Would there be any harm in having these symbols around us even if we did not associate with their meanings?

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General Discussions / Hunting by shooting: Halaal?

« on: February 05, 2015, 12:26:46 PM »

According to the article http://quransmessage.com/articles/slaughtering%20of%20animals%20-%20the%20correct%20method%20of%20sacrifice%20FM3.htm
the only lawful way to kill an animal for food is by slaughter. Can anyone confirm whether shooting the animal or even using a bow and arrow can be halaal? Thanks

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General Discussions / Re: The Evil Eye

« on: January 27, 2015, 06:09:34 AM »

Thanks Hope

Interesting quote from the article

"In its most basic form, the evil eye is thought of as a look given to inflict harm, suffering, or some form of bad luck on those that it is cast upon. It is a look which clearly states that one intends for something bad to happen to the object of one’s focus, either out of jealousy or pure malice. The superstition of the evil eye holds that the malicious look is powerful enough to bring about actual disaster for the unfortunate person that is the receiver of the glare.

The earliest known evidence for belief in the evil eye goes back to ancient Greece and Rome……… A belief in the evil eye is widespread on every continent. The Middle East, Asia, Europe, and Central America all fear the evil eye."

The article shows that this superstition is wide spread and like you said its a human construct. So without any Quranic evidence to support this, how can you believe its real?

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General Discussions / Re: The Evil Eye

« on: January 27, 2015, 04:50:40 AM »

Salaam  Hope

Have you got any verse in the Quran (other than 113 or 114) that can be used to support the idea? Also where is "ayn al hasad" mentioned in the Quran

Thanks

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General Discussions / Re: The Evil Eye

« on: January 26, 2015, 08:35:36 AM »

113:1       Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn
113:2       From the mischief of created things;
113:3       From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads;
113:4       From the mischief of those who practise secret arts;
113:5       And from the mischief of the envious one as he practises envy.


The translation above by Yusuf Ali gives a better picture of the jealousy referred to in 113:5 than other translations. Here it seems the protection from the jealous ones is seeking protection from their mischief ...that is there physical efforts to cause harm....and not merely causing harm by looking at you with jealousy, as is commonly understood.

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General Discussions / Re: The Evil Eye

« on: December 17, 2014, 03:49:02 PM »

Thanks for the replies. I find it hard to believe that evil can befall you simply from the jealousy of another person. Could Quran 113:5 refer to the envious one as the devil....and not simply another jealous human being? Is there any other verse that ca add to this one? Thanks

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General Discussions / The Evil Eye

« on: December 10, 2014, 09:53:11 AM »

What is it? Is it real?

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General Discussions / Joining family or loved one in heaven

« on: September 29, 2014, 03:02:16 PM »

Quran says we get all our hearts desires....but what if ones desire is to be with loved ones ....and those loved ones don't make it to heaven?? I guess this is open to anyone not only Joseph. Thanks

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General Discussions / Re: On Changing Churches to Mosques

« on: August 28, 2014, 05:12:11 PM »

All places of worship belong to Allah.....Mosques, Churches, Synagogues, Monasteries  etc. So it doesn't matter if one is converted to another...as long as no other name is mentioned besides Allahs.

"And the places of worship are for Allah (alone): So do not invoke anyone beside Allah (in them)." (Qur'an 72:18)

"(They are) those who have been expelled from their homes in defiance of right,- (for no cause) except that they say, "our Lord is Allah". Did not Allah check one set of people by means of another, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries, churches, synagogues, and mosques, in which the name of Allah is commemorated in abundant measure. ..." (Quran 22:40)

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General Discussions / Quran alone/centric community

« on: August 21, 2014, 08:40:00 AM »

The Quran alone online community is getting bigger by the day. Would it be wise to encourage local meetings and community groups? Do any of you belong to some of these local (not online) communities? Any advice appreciated...thanks

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Islamic Duties / Re: Best time for dua: Times Dua is more likely to be answered

« on: July 20, 2014, 06:50:07 PM »

Another case is the best place for prayer. According to secondary sources is this....

"THE THREE SACRED MASAAJID (MOSQUES) AND A REWARD FOR A SINGLE PRAYER PERFORMED IN THEM
Masjid al-Haraam (Makkah) =========100,000
Masjid al-Nabaawi (Madinah)==========1,000
Masjid Al-Aqsa (Jerusalem)=============500,
And for congregational (Jamma'a) Prayer performed in local Masjid is the reward of==========================27 or 25"

Am trying to look for the best way to address these claims. Any input would be appreciated. thanks

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General Discussions / Re: Can the dead continue to benefit from their deeds?

« on: July 17, 2014, 05:13:00 PM »

Some examples commonly quoted include:

• Planting a tree; you are rewarded for whoever eats from eat or enjoys its shed
• teaching children Quran/Deen; rewards obtained from righteous children etc etc

Does the Quran state that our deeds are sealed on death?

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General Discussions / Can the dead continue to benefit from their deeds?

« on: July 17, 2014, 05:09:53 PM »

Common belief for Muslims is that the dead can continue to benefit from deeds they did while still alive or from deeds others do because of them. Hadith such as these are commonly quoted:

The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w) says " When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: sadaqah jaariyah (ongoing charity, e.g. a waqf or endowment), beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for him."
[Ref: Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no 1376; he said this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth, Sahih Muslim 1631]

However, some Quran verses seem not to support this idea
53:39 "And that there is not for man except that for which he strives",

45:15 "Whoever does a good deed - it is for himself; and whoever does evil - it is against the self. Then to your Lord you will be returned".

6:164 "And nobody does anything but to his own account, and no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another".

And other Quran verses seem to support it
36:12 "We record that (deeds) which they have put forward and their traces (that which they have left behind)."

Can the footprints "waāthārahum" in 36:12 refer to the deeds such as sadaqah jaariyah as described in hadiths? Thanks

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Islamic Duties / Re: Best time for dua: Times Dua is more likely to be answered

« on: July 17, 2014, 09:49:15 AM »

A case in point is verse 17:78 "Establish worship at the going down of the sun until the dark of night, and (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn. Lo! (the recital of) the Qur'an at dawn is ever witnessed."

Why is their emphasis on the timing of prayer in the morning here? The traditionalists insist that morning prayers are the best time for duas to be accepted from hadith and Quran verse such as above. I believe that the timings of prayer is for our own benefit and is definitely not the "working hours" of Allah or the angels as hadith claim. Am I missing something here?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxDBeXfdQnk

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Islamic Duties / Best time for dua: Times Dua is more likely to be answered

« on: July 14, 2014, 06:23:21 AM »

It is very common among Muslims to cite hadiths stating the best time for duas, in which there is a higher chance of them being accepted. These conversations come up especially during ramadhan like we are in right now. 

For example this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEHG2HYhDW4

and this: http://www.islamawareness.net/Dua/best.html

I am aware of verses in Quran that can refute this such as ....."God being nearer to us than our jugular veins and another saying He answers the prayers of every supplicant when they call"...however it would be nice if brother Joseph would write an article on this. This is only a article suggestion as I know Brother Joseph has a lot on his plate. Thanks