Messages

181

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Why Does it Only Apply to Men?

« on: March 12, 2013, 10:41:34 AM »

Salaam Big Brother,

I hope you could help me again.
 
It is about 2:245

Sahih International:
2:245 Who is it that would loan Allah a goodly loan so He may multiply it for him many times over? And it is Allah who withholds and grants abundance, and to Him you will be returned.
 
I also check in corpus.quran.com http://corpus.quran.com/wordbyword.jsp?chapter=2&verse=245
 
It contains words which are masculine singular like laHU
 
Is this verse only for man? What about woman?
 
I just wonder why this verse seems targeted at a man only. Honestly, I feel rather sad because of this. Please help me understand this verse.

Salaam. Thank you.

 

182

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Hunting Fish in Makkah?

« on: March 12, 2013, 10:32:39 AM »

Dear Joseph,

In Surah Maida (5): Allah says that during hajj hunting is forbidden except sea hunting. How can this be possible when there is no fish to be found in Makkah? Why would anyone be hunting fish in Makkah?

183

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Astaana and other Quranist Misinformation

« on: March 12, 2013, 10:16:41 AM »

Dear br. Joseph

Ass'alama- alaykum

There are many qu'ranists that are making a mess of the qu'ran's language and words. They are putting out ridiculous claims. Its now even more difficult than before to recognize them as they dont go by names and just qu'ranists. Some groups are well known to do this as astaana who I think are not Arabs but from pakistan where their language is not Arabic.

There are lots of claims. I have a few to share with you so you can see for yourself and would like your opinion pls on them.

(1) THE QURAN IS A BOOK OF HAQ, RIGHTS, 2:176... IT IS FREE FROM SUPER NATURAL BASELESS STORIES. IT IS PURE KNOWLEDGE AND A METHOD TO LEAD HUMANITY OUT FROM DARKNESS TO THE LIGHT 14:1-5

(2) And what is that in your right hand, O Moses?" 20:17
The word biyamīnika /is translated to right hand, whereas in Arabic the word for right hand should be yad yameeni.
Yameen with the root   yā mīm nūn means prosperous/fortunate, lead to the right, be a cause of blessing,
There is NO word for hand in this verse
The word BI is attached which means WITH, IT IS NOT FI which means in.

(3) Another thing is that the word Yameen is under the paradigm of fael, other words under the same paradigm:-
 
Qadeer = the one who is able to qadr
Aleem = the one who posess  ilm
Nazeer= the one who is able to warn
 
This is why, YAMEEN is the person who is able to: LEAD TO THE RIGHT, BE A CAUSE OF BLESSING,
 
The question: And what is WITH YOUR YAMEEN, O Moses?"

184

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Are Light Intoxicants Permissible on the Basis of 16:67 & 4:43?

« on: March 12, 2013, 09:39:30 AM »

Salaam 'Alaykum Joseph,

In light of 16:67 and and 4:43 Is it not conceivable that light intoxicants are allowed in Islam?

Thanks

185

General Discussions / Injustice & Suffering

« on: March 11, 2013, 09:39:06 AM »

QUESTION ASKED ON FACEBOOK

Related post:
http://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/546523048715013

By: Mubashir Inayet


Dear Brother Joseph,

Peace.

According to your study, how would you explain the way Quran deals with injustice and suffering in this world (in spite of an All Powerful God fully in control)? There is suffering which is man made by which man reaps what he sows, but things happen to people and nations (like famine, natural disasters, disease, tsunamis, birth of crippled children, death of infants and mothers or fathers of infants) etc. etc.

186

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Is Vegetarianism Haraam?

« on: March 09, 2013, 10:05:19 PM »

Salaam-o-laikum brother Joseph.

Please can you give me your opinion on the claim that being a vegetarian is harraam in Islam. Is this the case?

JZK

187

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Is it Permissible to use Donor Eggs?

« on: March 08, 2013, 08:46:03 AM »

Salamu Alaikum,

Hi, my name is [name removed] and I have a question i need to ask. It's related to my brother who is married and his wife isn't able to get pregnant by her own eggs. As a result, they are thinking of having her sister as an egg donor. We were told that this is haram and I need to know if there is anything in the Quran that supports this conclusion.

I don't know if its one those categories that's just simply quickly concluded as haram without any proof from the Quran. It may just be based on secondary Islamic sources. We don't know what to think or what to do. It would be greatly appreciated if you can help us with your knowledge and advise if you can. Thank you so much We will be waiting for your response. Have a blessed day!

188

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / What is the Best Tafsir?

« on: February 22, 2013, 03:17:04 AM »

Salams brother

What would be the best tafsir for the Quran?

jzk

189

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / What Promise Was Made in Verse 8:7?

« on: February 17, 2013, 01:54:23 AM »

As salaam u alaikum

In verse 8:7, God seems to have made a promise to the believers. However, looking in the Quran, I find no such promise. Please can you help me understand this verse please?

Thanks

190

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: Can We Eat All Animals - Food Restrictions?

« on: January 30, 2013, 12:48:30 AM »

BROTHER JOSEPH'S FOLLOW-UP RESPONSE

May peace be with you.

In my humble view, any astute student of the Quran must be familiar with its primary addressees. One only needs to read Chapter 2 (Surah Baqarah) to realise that a wide contingent of the addressees also included those from the People of the Book. (e.g. Jews and Christians).

If the following verse is to stand, then an overlap of the food categories has to be assumed.

005:005
"...and the food of those who were given the Book is lawful for you, and your food is lawful for them...""

Where does one know of readers of the previous scriptures to eat animals other than grazing livestock with the same exception of swine?

Finally, there is an explicit verse in the Quran which confirms a category (grazing livestock 5:1) as lawful. In all humility, I do not find it plausible to expect the Quran to name every single animal that it deems unlawful.

Furthermore, to allow the consumption of other animals especially not in the scriptural tradition of previous monotheistic followers who the Quran also addresses, would require in my humble view, an explicit verse, not implicit deductions.

I hope that helps, God willing.
Joseph.

191

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: Can We Eat All Animals - Food Restrictions?

« on: January 30, 2013, 12:44:25 AM »

BROTHER JOSEPH'S RESPONSE


May peace be with you.

Thanks for the link and the question. Please see my response below.

(1) Verse 5:1 makes it absolutely clear that only ‘grazing livestock’ (bahimatu-l'anaami) is made 'halal' (lawful). This excludes all other animals that do not fall in the definition of 'grazing livestock' (bahimatu-l'anaami). For an understanding of the expression ‘bahimatu-l'anaami’, please see Note 1 below.

(2) Verse 5:1 provides a cue for exceptions within the category of 'grazing livestock' and not an exception from ‘all animals’. Verses 5:1 and 5:3-4 are connected.

(3) Verses 5:3-4 explicitly provide those exceptions within the category of 'grazing livestock' which includes the swine.

(4) Verse 6:145 cannot be read out of context. It is a clear response to the unwarranted claims in the previous verses (6:143-44) where some have forbidden certain animals within the category of grazing livestock (bahimatul-anaam). Please read the preceding verses (6:143-44) which are connected and note the mention of sheep (da’n), goats (ma’z), camels (ibil), cow, kine, ox (baqarah) etc. It is to counter these unwarranted, self imposed restrictions WITHIN the category of ‘grazing livestock’ that verse 6:145 responds. i.e. The Quran asks, who are you to prohibit this cattle and that cattle? Verse 6:145 is not to be understood as a response addressing the exception from 'all animals'. I would strongly advise verses 6:142-145 to be read together. Verse 6:145 only serves to corroborate the instructions in verses 5:1-4

I am generally unavailable at present, so my apologies if there is a delay in any future responses. However I thought, I’d quickly answer your question as it is often asked.

Please convey my deepest respects to brother Jawaid and all on the forum.

I hope that helps, God willing.

Regards,
Joseph.


NOTE 1

It has always been clearly understood by the classical usage of the Arabic term ‘bahimatu-l'anaami’ that beasts of pasture or grazing are implied. Lands of pasture normally include tracts of farmland which domesticated livestock such as cattle, sheep, horses and swine graze upon.

Therefore, it is only reasonable to deduce that by virtue of the swine flesh being mentioned as an exception, it is within the category of ‘bahimatu-l'anaami’ (i.e. animals that pasture / grazing animals or beasts) that the exception is intended and not the animal kingdom as a whole.

Horses, mules, donkeys etc also pasture, but they have not been included as ‘food’ but as animals of transportation. (See verses 6:142, 16:. It is interesting to note that the mention of camel is missing from the list of animals used for transportation in 16:8 which implies that it has a dual purpose (food and transportation, i.e. it can also be eaten).


REFERENCES:

[1] DOES THE QURAN ALLOW THE EATING OF LIONS, DOGS, CATS, RATS ETC?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/does%20the%20quran%20allow%20the%20eating%20of%20all%20animals%20FM3.htm
[2] FOOD PERMISSIBILITY AND PROHIBITIONS
http://quransmessage.com/articles/food%20restrictions%20FM3.htm

192

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Can We Eat All Animals - Food Restrictions?

« on: January 30, 2013, 12:39:03 AM »

Dear Brother Joe. please can you help with the following question from another brother in special reference to 6.145? It’s a long discussed thread. I posted your articles as I thought they may help. Any input will be welcomed.

http://www.ourbeacon.com/cgi-bin/bbs60x/webbbs_config.pl/page/1/md/read/id/314123119185695

193

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: What Does 'Salaam' Mean? Peace or Surrender?

« on: January 28, 2013, 08:20:00 AM »

RESPONSE PROVIDED BY JOSEPH ISLAM ON ANOTHER THREAD

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=703.msg2623#msg2623

Dear All,

Salamun Alaikum.

The primary meaning of the root SLM means to become safe, secure, and free from fault or blemish [1]. Even in the act of salutation in the form of a greeting, one implies a prayer for another's safety, security and freedom from any kind of evil or strife to the person. In other words, to be safe and sound or in a state of peace.

Although the root SLM can be nuanced given context, a central theme running through its meaning is one of peace. For example, the noun ‘salam’ can mean peace as in 4:90-91 or to surrender as in verse 16:28. The noun 'salim' can mean pure / secure / unimpaired or sound as in verses 26:89 and 37:84 or the derivative verb 'musallamah' can have further shades of meaning such as in verses 2:71, and 4:92.

As many will already know, Arabic nouns have two genders (masculine and feminine). Nouns in the 'main' take a male form unless a female is the subject of the noun or there is a feminine suffix ending such as 'ah'. (e.g. muslim'ah). Exceptions to the rule do exist such as 'sama' which although is a feminine noun, it isn't attributed to a female subject nor does it have a suffix such as 'ah' or 'at' which would make it feminine.

There are some nouns such as 'silm' (genitive masculine) but can be treated as either masculine or feminine or known as a 'common gender'. Other examples of common genders would include words such as 'ankabut' (spider), 'sultan' (authority / power), 'zawj' (can apply to husband or wife), 'imad' (column or a pillar) etc.

The genitive noun 'salm' is also best rendered as 'peace' as can be clearly noted in verses such 8:61 and 47:35. Linguistically, 'silm' also means peace (state of peace) or a reconciliation as shown in the following excerpt [2] (salm / silm), both of which are derivatives of the same root.

However, in verse 2:208 either meaning of 'peace' or 'submission' can be inferred or theologically derived. For example, one attains a state of 'peace' once they have 'submitted' (in submission) to the true religion of God. Hence, why I feel different commentators capture the nuance of the word differently in this verse.

Even in the somewhat related Semitic stock such as Hebrew, the related word carries similar meanings to the Arabic root SLM.

For example, according to Hebrew Concordances (7965) Shalom can mean:

1) completeness, soundness, welfare, peace
    1a) completeness (in number)
    1b) safety, soundness (in body)
    1c) welfare, health, prosperity
    1d) peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment
    1e) peace, friendship
        1e1) of human relationships
        1e2) with God especially in covenant relationship
    1f) peace (from war)
    1g) peace (as adjective) [3]


I hope that helps, God willing.
Joseph.


REFERENCES:

[1] http://quransmessage.com/images/slm1
Source: LANE. E.W, Edward Lanes Lexicon, Williams and Norgate 1863; Librairie du Liban Beirut-Lebanon 1968, Volume 4, Page 1412
[2] http://quransmessage.com/images/slm2
Source: LANE. E.W, Edward Lanes Lexicon, Williams and Norgate 1863; Librairie du Liban Beirut-Lebanon 1968, Volume 4, Page 1414
[3] Hebrew Dictionary (Lexicon-Concordance), [online] http://lexiconcordance.com/hebrew/7965.html, [Accessed] 21st January 2012.

194

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / What Does 'Salaam' Mean? Peace or Surrender?

« on: January 28, 2013, 08:17:54 AM »

Brother Joseph - Salam!

There seems to be a difference of opinion on the meaning of salam. Some say it means surrender and others peace. Can you pls clarify?

195

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Is Rule By Democracy Shirk?

« on: January 21, 2013, 03:57:21 AM »

Dear brother Joseph,

I would like to know your views about democracy. I searched through out your website but couldn't find any article on politics and democracy in Islam.

There is a growing number of people who say that democracy is "shirk"because it violates the Quranic verse Inil Hukmu illa lillah. This group negate all forms of democracy, and they call the governments of Muslim countries like Pakistan, mushrik. This group wants to establish "Khilafat".

I would like to know your views on this issue. Is democracy really shirk? If yes, then how do we interpret this verse of Quran: Wa Amruhum Shura Bainahum

Further, does Islam even gives us a political system to follow, or is it left of mankind's intellectual to come up with a political system based on trial and error and collective intellect....?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks for reading.

Looking forward to hear from you