Topics

346

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Abd-u-llah - The Prophet's Father

« on: February 04, 2012, 11:02:52 AM »

Dear Mr. Joseph,

Can you clarify on following:

The father of Prophet Mohammad was ABD-U-ALLAH, which I understand to mean servant of Allah. This means he was worshipper of Allah instead of Al-Lat, Uzza and Manat deities.  Does this means that he was pre-Muhammad, a monotheist?

Best Regards.

347

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Immoral Acts and Punishment

« on: February 04, 2012, 10:47:57 AM »

Dear Brother Salam
 
Would we be right to judge, from the verses 4:15-16 below, that immoral acts between two women or two men are punishable?
 
"As to those of your women who commit sexual perversity, call in four of you to witness against them, and if they bear witness then confine them to their houses, until death overtakes them or Allah makes for them a way out"
 
"And if two of your males commit the same (act of indecency), then punish them both, so if they repent and amend (keeping their conduct good) then turn aside from them, verily Allah is Oft-Returning (with compassion), Ever Merciful."
 

In the West, offences such as these are considered a personal business and the state does not regard them as decent or indecent. The state, however, is quick to act when an adult involves children in their pervert acts.
 
Thanks.
 
Mubashir

348

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Salaat Practices / Ritual

« on: January 31, 2012, 01:33:49 PM »

Related Article:

PRAY AS WE HAVE TAUGHT YOU HOW TO PRAY - USING VERSE 2.239 AS SUPPORT FOR A FIXED FORM OF PRAYER
http://quransmessage.com/articles/pray%20as%20we%20have%20taught%20you%20how%20to%20pray%20-%20using%20a%20verse%20to%20support%20a%20fixed%20form%20of%20prayer%20FM3.htm

QM Forum Moderator.


Dear Mr. Joseph,

As regards to clarification 2:239 you say: 

"Therefore, it is clear from the above verse that the 'mushrikeen' (pagans) did practice 'salat' (prayers), but it amounted to nothing more than 'mukaan' (whistling) and 'tasdiyatah' (clapping).
 
What the ex-pagans (i.e. new believers) had been 'taught' was a new form of monotheistic 'dhikr' which also encompassed 'salat' and not a specific form"

My query is :

1)  It is noted that chapter 73 is third in  Quran revealing order. In 73:20 Prophet is ordained to establish Salaat. Which salat he is ordained to establish at initial stage of ministry/revelation of Qur'an, as he has no idea of previous scripture or Millat Abraham ( which initiated bow/prostrate as part of salaat on Muslims).
 
Does this mean the salaat at initial stage was - any ritual  or Salaat has different meaning as far as this verse is concerned. I also noted Allah ( ST) will accept any call as long as He is remembered in morning and evening (6:52) irrespective of form of ritual/prayer. 

2) Does Zikr means repeating /remembering  Allah's name (encompassing salat) or exploring signs of Allah as
 
a) we have been instructed to use our AQL / reason otherwise we will be treated as cattle or creature worst than beast.
b)we have been advised to travel throughout the world to check the end of people due to not thinking over the signs of Allah ( natural events and its observation).

I also note  Zikr has been given advantage over ritual prayer hence what will be meaning of Zikr?

And my understanding of  calling/repeating /present form of slaat where reading verses without understanding will be like cattle who  hears the soud but not call ( 2:171)

I hope you got my queries and hope to receive your thoughts.

Best Regards.

349

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Quran Preservation and Mutawatir Transmission

« on: January 31, 2012, 01:05:54 AM »

Referenced Article:

How Do We Know that the Quran was Fully Preserved? - Is it Not the Ahadith That Informs Us?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/how%20do%20we%20know%20the%20quran%20was%20preserved%20if%20nor%20for%20ahadith%20FM3.htm

QM Forum Moderator


Dear Mr. Joseph,

I read in one of your article: preservation of Quran following:

"The Quran in contrast has not reached us by 'Ahad' witnesses, but rather, it has been transmitted in its entirety by a consensus of the community (mutawwatir) long before any Ahadith works were compiled or canonized"

To the best of understanding, Quran  is directly written by scribes at the time around Muhammad (pbuh) as dictated by Prophet as revealed to him Gabriel or  other version is that it is written by Prophet himself as revealed to him Gabriel.

I believe mutawatir means series of verbal tranmission like Hadith - transmitted by alleged transmitters.

Please can you clarify.

Regards.

350

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Asking for Verification

« on: January 30, 2012, 01:22:00 PM »

Dear Mr. Joseph,

S/Alaykum,

- 2:260  - From various translation, I get two meanings -  Either ALLAH ( ST), has informed Abraham to take four birds , train them to fly from four hills OR  four pieces from one bird which will fly back to Abraham , which was not clear to me.  Which one is correct translation so that Abraham gets his reply clearly to his queries/proof  from Allah (ST)? 

16:43 / 2:260 - From various translation, I get two meanings - Either ALLAH tells Prophet Muhammad to ask people of previous scripture to clarify his doubts of his messenger-ship OR  Unbelievers to ask people of previous scripture of any doubts.  Which one is correct translation so that Prophet Muhammad too required to get proof of his messenger-ship?

(as some translators have put their understanding in brackets, which has made different meanings to me)

Please assist to clarify what do you make out from these verses (pertaining to proof?)

Best Regards

351

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / About Missed Prayers

« on: January 26, 2012, 09:48:29 PM »

Salaam alaikum brother,

InshaAllah all's well with you.

I wanted to ask about missing prayers when we're outside or may have just forgotten one waqt for that day. Alhumdulilah, so far I have maintained my prayers regularly but there have been occasions I've missed one or 2 because i was outside/had forgotten/environment issue.

I was wondering, when God mentions the times for the prayers e.g. 5 or more does it mean that we must do prayers during those times of the day every single day of our lives ritually and to maintain regularity (as per God saying "regular prayers") or if i'm engaged in some activity for which I may not have the time to pray during that specific time, it's ok to pass it and move on to the next one?
 
For e.g., tomorrow I have a class at 5:30pm and maghrib prayer starts at around 5:35pm and my class continues for an hour. what should i do? i'm asking because (yes, am guilty for missing yesterday's prayer!) it seems that as long as we maintain all/most of our daily prayers & the middle prayer it would be ok if e.g. i'd have to pass on one(but God knows best of course).

Please help.

Thank you.

Sister

352

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Code 19 and asking for Proof

« on: January 24, 2012, 09:10:45 AM »

Peace Brother Joseph
 
I hope you well Inshallah.
 
Whilst I believe Rashad Khailfa was a good man (from what i have read and heard what he has said) like so many of us, he was not without fault and probably made some mistake in some accounts of his Code 19, which other supporters do NOT include, so  what i am saying is that, just because Rashad Khalifa made some mistakes, or even exaggerated? the Code 19, does Not mean it does not exist .
 
On code 19.
 
I do  believe that their is an intricate code, based on the number 19.
 
Please correct me where i am wrong!
 
Verse 15.9 is one where GOD very strongly emphasises that is HE ( 'we' three times ) that will protect the Quran, NOT people who may know the Quran by heart etc. How does GOD Protect it??
 
The other Verse (which i cannot remember) also states the Quran is 'protected in a tablet' , we do not find anywhere in the Quran a statement that the BOOK (ie paper) is protected, rather a 'tablet' If a person wanted to , GOD Forbid, one could add verses/delete verses with relative ease.
 
From my reading, i do not believe the number 19 (over it/on it are nineteen) has anything to do with the number of Angels, the verse does not imply this and it does not make sense, why 19 Angels? How does it 'remove someone's suspicions or doubts' once they are in the Hell fire?!
 
You will know that RK first discovered the code 19, when he was looking into the random letters in many of the chapters. Many of these result in division of 19.
 
Verse 128. I accept i have not examined every verse of the Quran, but i get a good understanding of the 'theme' running thru it. 128 to me, seems to be 'out of sync' it does not seem to be part of the Quranic language/style both in arabic and when translated.
 
We know form history, that there were problems once Prophet Muhammad passed away. Probably from that time, right upto this evening, there is so much distortion about the religion, most people are utterly clueless, have no idea why or what they are following, the Glorious Quran is only good for the top shelf, kept dust free, whilst (as you know my brother) Bukhair and co is what muslims believe /follow knowingly or unknowingly.
 
What is to say, that these could not have been inserted soon after the prophets demise when so much untruth has come into the faith?
 
You will be aware that 19.org (as well as some other sites) have some incredible facts on the code 19 (similar to older books) , for example, the word ''they say'' and ''say'' are BOTH equally mentioned 322 times each (you will know of the incredible mathematical symmetry in the Quran ), IF verse 129 was there, it would be 322 and 323, clearly not a mathematical miracle. There are of course, other facts.
 
I received some time back, emails from other brothers, 'warning that many Qurans are now being tampered with and taking words out, adding words in to tamper with this Glorious Scripture, no reason why this would not have been done 100's years ago.
 
There is, i believe overwhelming evidence that the code 19 exists, and much more evidence (as a result) that the 128 and 129 could have been added in.

You thoughts welcome my brother!
 
Peace

353

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Divorce - 3 Times in One Go

« on: January 20, 2012, 06:04:17 PM »

Brother Joseph,

Salam.

I have two questions:

1 - Does a divorce become final if it is said three times in one sitting?
2 - If only 1 divorce is made and the couples separate but live separately, can they get back together again for marriage? How many times can this happen?

Thanks.

354

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Predestination, Afflictions and Trials

« on: January 17, 2012, 02:43:02 PM »

Salaamun Alaikum Br. Joseph,

Brother, I need to ask a question to you. Is EVERYTHING comes from God and EVERYTHING happens according to God's plan or permission. I do not believe in destiny nor I think everything comes from God, good or bad. It's our actions that produce results and Allah (SWT) gave us power to do good or bad and as such we are responsible for our actions. There is no destiny.

Some even suggest that ANYTHING bad happen to us is a reminder from God. I don't believe in it. Please advise of your thoughts.

God bless.

355

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / How Many Deaths?

« on: January 14, 2012, 12:19:24 AM »

Dear brother Joseph Islam

As I read these verses i am confused. Is my death in this world the first death or the second? How would you explain these verses?

040.011
YUSUFALI: They will say: "Our Lord! twice hast Thou made us without life, and twice hast Thou given us Life! Now have we recognised our sins: Is there any way out (of this)?"
PICKTHAL: They say: Our Lord! Twice hast Thou made us die, and twice hast Thou made us live. Now we confess our sins. Is there any way to go out?
SHAKIR: They shall say: Our Lord! twice didst Thou make us subject to death, and twice hast Thou given us life, so we do confess our faults; is there then a way to get out?

022.066
YUSUFALI: It is He Who gave you life, will cause you to die, and will again give you life: Truly man is a most ungrateful creature!
PICKTHAL: And He it is Who gave you life, then He will cause you to die, and then will give you life (again). Lo! man is verily an ingrate.
SHAKIR: And He it is Who has brought you to life, then He will cause you to die, then bring you to life (again); most surely man is ungrateful.

002.28
SHAKIR: How do you deny Allah and you were dead and He gave you life? Again He will cause you to die and again bring you to life, then you shall be brought back to Him.

044.056
YUSUFALI: Nor will they there taste Death, except the first death; and He will preserve them from the Penalty of the Blazing Fire,-
PICKTHAL: They taste not death therein, save the first death. And He hath saved them from the doom of hell,
SHAKIR: They shall not taste therein death except the first death, and He will save them from the punishment of the hell.

Thanks

356

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / What Does Obey the Messenger Mean in 9:71?

« on: January 10, 2012, 04:57:44 PM »

Dear Brother Joseph,
 
Salaam alaikum

Brother i have read your article about obeying the Messenger and i agree we should follow him by just following and obeying the Quran, but what does obey the Messenger in the following ayah mean? And why doesn't the ayah simply say follow the Quran instead of saying follow the rasool?

Surah Al-Tawba
The Believers men and women, are protectors one of another: they enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil: they observe regular prayers, practice regular charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. On them will Allah pour His mercy: for Allah is Exalted in power, Wise. (71)

Thank you.

357

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / What Does Idle Talk Mean in 9:69?

« on: January 10, 2012, 04:53:20 PM »

Dear Brother Joseph,
 
Salaam alaikum,
 
In the following ayah what does "idle talk" mean?:
 
Surah Al-Tawba
As in the case of those before you: they were mightier than you in power, and more flourishing in wealth and children. They had their enjoyment of their portion: and ye have of yours, as did those before you; and ye indulge in idle talk as they did. They!― their works are fruitless in this world and in the Hereafter and they will lose (all spiritual good). (69)

Thank you.

358

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Clarification of Verse 4:3 and 4:127 and Multiple Marriages

« on: January 10, 2012, 04:44:12 PM »

Dear Mr. Joseph,

I have some queries and the issue of multiple marriages:
 
1)     In 4:3, it is orphan (yateem only) who can be BOY/GIRL without a father who will be  supported marrying their widowed mother (and  their property if any can be delivered after they mature)?
2)     In 4:127, it is orphaned woman (yateem nisa) -  (which can be assumed as widow without children who must be given marriage /Ujoor)
 
4:3 = 4:127 seems to be inter-related to me but really unable to arrive at firm understanding.

Please can you assist my understanding further, if possible.

Regards.

359

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Is Polygyny a Religious Sanction?

« on: January 10, 2012, 04:25:16 PM »

Dear Joseph,

I agree that there is provision of polygyny is Islam as evidenced in Quran but it is more towards circumstance arising. The Quran being strongly PRO-ORPHANS (4:10, 107:2), it was advised to marry multiples of widows/divorcees to support as social cause and not as general rule. (4:3). 
 
And man will not be able to justice with more than one wife, however he tries (4:129) i.e jealousy between Prophet Abraham's wives (Sarah/Hajar).   
 
Noting that prophet Muhammad had multiple wives but all of them except one were either widows or divorces.  It was more as SOCIAL CAUSE than lust/power/beauty. Hence to my perception Polygyny should not be applied as religious sanction but social cause .
 
Such cause was also applied in Hindu culture/mytheology where Darupadi (of Mahabharatha) had five husbands at a time or still Polyandry  being applied to some extent  in Masai and Todai people. To the best of my understanding Polygamy  cannot be Quranic injunctions.
 
As Wealth/Children are prime sources of boasting/ego (which is tantamount to idolatry) Accumulation of wealth with  sadaqa/charity will serve religious as well social cause similarly marrying second wife with coaxing  first wife (for overall family cause) will do Justice as ordained.

Please correct me if my above understanding is flawed.
 
Best Regards
 

360

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Naming Children

« on: January 08, 2012, 09:52:46 AM »

Salam

What is the true Islamic practice of naming children? Should they have common surnames, known by their mothers or fathers?

Regards.