Messages

181

Islamic Duties / Re: Detaining witnesses after Salath

« on: November 03, 2013, 12:20:53 PM »

Salaam.

Prayer is a general word. Prayer may be formal or informal. In my last post it is prayer in my (borrowed) translation of 5:106.

The reason why it is not necessarily the formal, prescribed, time bound Salat, but only "sheer paying rapt attention to God", (please read my previous post) is that in the Arabic text, the word Salah is written without the letter waw in 5:106 as well as in 29:45, and also in many other places.

Such differences in the construction of the word Salah in different places in the Quran and their vital significance has been pointed out by Muhammed Shahrur in "Qur'an, Morals and Critical Reason", available in the Net.

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

182

Islamic Duties / Re: Detaining witnesses after Salath

« on: November 03, 2013, 03:41:47 AM »

Salaam.

It is a moment of great anxiety and expediency, when death approaches and the person who is dying is away from home and friends. In order to give witness to his will, he is constrained to call two strangers and pronounce his last testament to them.

The will is proclaimed to the two stranger-witnesses after the prayer. There is no need of waiting for the prescribed time of formal prayers to arrive. Here (in 5:106), sheer paying rapt attention to God is what is meant by the word Salah.

Salah is necessary here because it will - God willing - guard the witnesses against tampering with the will or giving false witness. (For, "....prayer restrains from shameful and evil deeds..." 29:45.)

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

183

General Discussions / Re: The Sura challenge.

« on: November 03, 2013, 02:24:50 AM »

Salaam.

The challenge was to those people in whose tongue the Quran was revealed so that they could understand it; who most arrogantly belied it, denied it; they even went to the extent of saying that the Qur'an was nothing but a human production (74:25).

It is my humble opinion that today such people don't exist. Whatever ruckus is created in the name of Qur'an by the media reporting about outrageous actions of isolated individuals of the other community today is due to the grave misunderstandings created by the words and actions of today's so called Muslims regarding Islam. 

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

184

General Discussions / Re: Is a reward in this life a test from god ?

« on: November 02, 2013, 02:12:38 AM »

Salaam.

If they had remained consistently on the right way, We should surely have bestowed on them water in abundance. (72:16)
That We might try them by that. ... (72:17)

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

185

General Discussions / Re: The Sura challenge.

« on: November 01, 2013, 06:44:29 PM »

Salaam.

The Qur'an is being presented as a guide to eternal bliss. (Read 2:2)

Since it is the best guidance in every respect (17:9),

the challenge is regarding Guidance (Read 28:49).

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

186

General Discussions / Re: is it permissible for men to have more than 1 wive(up 2 four)

« on: October 29, 2013, 11:56:58 AM »

Salaam.

What do you mean by "or whom you maintain by your oaths"?

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

187

Discussions / Re: relevance of religion

« on: October 26, 2013, 04:03:54 PM »

Salaam.

"Eclipse of religion" is due to the great lethargy of those who swear by the Qur'an - their utter sloth regarding the propagation of Al Qur'an.

“…when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion--its message becomes meaningless.”

In reply, to say the least,

"…who establish Salaath, and spend out of that which We have provided them…and it is they who are sure of the Judgment (to come). (2:1-4)

“…We sent after them Jesus the son of Mary, and bestowed on him the Gospel; and We ordained in the hearts of those who followed him compassion and mercy…” (57:27)

[Quran does not differentiate between God’s Prophets. For, all of them strived to propagate the Core (Cardinal, Basic) Values only. Therefore, he who follows any one of the Prophets invariably follows every one of the Prophets! (Allah’s Peace and Blessings be on them all.) In other words, those who follow - constantly, diligently, and consistently - the Core Values propagated by all the Prophets of God. Naturally, their hearts are brimming with compassion and mercy!]

“Then became one of those who believed, and enjoined patient perseverance (and constancy and self restraint), and enjoined deeds of kindness and compassion.” (90:17)

Seest thou one who denies the Judgment (to come)?

Then such is the one who repulses the orphan,

And encourages not the feeding of the indigent. 

So woe to the worshippers (musalleen or namaazees)

Who neglect (the spirit of) their Salaath. 

Those who (want to) show off (their religiousness), 

And refuse to supply even neighborly needs. (107:1-7)

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait

188

General Discussions / Re: Your wives, who are like my daughters, are permitted for you?????

« on: October 22, 2013, 03:28:57 AM »

Salaam.

At an extremely critical juncture, Lot tells them “O my people, these, my daughters – they are purer for you…”

It was his last ditch effort to point out the truth to them so that they may take heed:

Reconcile to the truth that God has created women for men!

That man should seek women by way of universal custom (marriage), is understood, and goes without saying.

As Optimist rightly points out, Lot is in no way risking the modesty of his dignified daughters!

Optimist proves this by (11:79)!

God bless Optimist, Joseph A Islam, all members, and this Forum itself!

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

189

Discussions / Re: killing in the name of God

« on: October 21, 2013, 02:25:21 AM »

Salaam.

I read the article twice. It reflects the great concern of the author especially regarding the ongoing killings in the Middle East in the name of God.

As a remedy, the author writes:

“… legislatively codifying Sharia law as a source for legislation is a step backward…Codes of behavior flow from secular humanism, law, and philosophical debate.”

In this context, we should consider the fact that the so called sharia law as it is generally understood is based on several sources, primarily, Qur’an, Hadees, and Fiqh.

The members of this forum are of the firm belief that the Qur’an alone must be considered as the only divine source for all legislation.

Since the Quran is inviolable, immutable, and unassailable, those who do full justice to its study (2:121), will be able to guide mankind to a better future.

Quran, with respect to the circumstances surrounding a given case should form the basis for passing a judgment in a given case. 

Naturally, the concerned judge must be well versed in the Quran, and also he should have a thorough understanding of the facts relating to and the circumstances surrounding the case.

This procedure will eliminate all irrational judgments and actions among Muslims the world over.

In order to be impartial, we must also consider the fact that people bent on being slaves to their desires will continue to kill and do all sorts of injustices in the name of God. Such people will do it even in the name of reason and rationality!

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.
 

190

Women / Re: Equality is a legal concept

« on: October 20, 2013, 04:30:02 PM »

Salaam.

That Eve was responsible for the original sin, is not there in the Qur'an.

Discrimination against the vulnerable by the powerful, has been the bane of humanity from time immemorial. 

Religion as such, is there to do justice.

Those who are committed to promote justice for women, should strive for women's rights. Not equal rights. This latter is self defeating. Because it entails equal responsibilities, and women are not equal to it, exceptions notwithstanding. 

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait. 

191

General Discussions / Re: proving the divine origin of the Quran to non- beleivers

« on: October 19, 2013, 11:28:00 PM »

Salaam.

With respect to the subject: proving the divine origin of the Qur'an, the best initiative will be to present a copy of the Qur'an to each of them.

For, the subject under consideration has two aspects:

One is the subjective aspect. For example, anything of divine origin evokes a certain solemn response in the beholder. Even a superficial examination of a tiny insect fills the beholder with unrivaled awe and admiration for the One who is responsible for its being.

Next is the objective aspect – that depends on the earnest efforts of the individual who studies it.

Presenting a copy of the Qur'an to a brother belonging to another community is not irrelevant in today’s world teeming with the ubiquitous Internet.

Printed copies of books have their own utility, and enjoy a unique and respectable place in modern man’s life.

What compelled me to write this piece is something I read a long while ago in the monthly journal Islamic Voice, published from Bangalore, India.   

In an article written by a new European convert to Islam, the author stated that it is not the image of the present day Muslims that is causing the educated people of the West to embrace Islam in large numbers, but it is the power of the Qur'an that is responsible for this. They diligently study the Qur'an, and are convinced of its veracity.

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

192

Islamic Duties / Re: The real purpose of ablution

« on: October 19, 2013, 08:49:19 PM »

Salaam.

Is a transcript of the video available?

Regards,
A Ismail Sait.

193

Discussions / Re: recovering from Jahaliyya

« on: October 19, 2013, 02:15:46 AM »

salaam.

Is a transcript of the talk available?

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

194

Discussions / Re: change

« on: October 18, 2013, 02:24:55 AM »

Salaam.

Change was wrought through the Qur'an.

Change will be wrought through the Qur'an.

The harbingers of change fourteen centuries ago knew very well that Muhammed the Messenger of God gave them no other book than Al Quran.

The harbingers of change then were people well versed in Qur'an, and who believed therein. They were people with integrity of character, charitable disposition, and constancy and consistency, who would join nothing at all with God. (For accurate details see 24:55.)

Any individual or society built on the above moorings is given a comely life in this world.

They are given everlasting bliss in the Hereafter.

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.

195

Islamic Duties / Re: The real purpose of ablution

« on: October 17, 2013, 09:10:32 AM »

Salaam.

No doubt, a true believer obeys God without questioning Him. See 2:131

But, questioning His motive or wisdom regarding His statement or work, and beseeching Him for an explanation regarding the same (or at least pondering over the same) in order to satisfy the heart are two quite different things. See 2:260

Regards,
A. Ismail Sait.