Messages

331

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: 'Khula' and Woman's Right to Seek Divorce

« on: May 14, 2012, 01:02:54 AM »

Further comments

4:19 - It is agreed that you can not inherit woman against her will or force her for what you have given her as dowry.  But later the phrase says 'stay with her in kindness'? How can one then deal with her on equal terms?

I ask this as here, the discussion is not to force her or to inherit woman

As 65:6 requesting them (HUSBAND/WIFE) for mutual counsel together as to what should reasonable / equal term? 2:228 to deal reasonable or equally?

Also 4:20 says if you wish to change your wife? (something unilateral like change of cloth?). There seems to be scope for polygamy here - but up to what numbers is one allowed to change? 

This is something I am unable to grasp - please can you assist.  How do I reconcile my understanding?

332

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / 'Khula' and Woman's Right to Seek Divorce

« on: May 14, 2012, 12:53:59 AM »

Dear Mr. Joseph,

Does 4:19 gives woman right to seek divorce like a man does?

What is the meaning of Tarisu-nnisa? Is it 'property of woman' or 'woman taken as inherited property' i.e. taken for granted.

Rgds

333

Discussions / Dr. Shabbir's Views on Graven Images

« on: May 14, 2012, 12:20:00 AM »

Salam, What does 'graven images' mean in the post below by Dr. Shabbir? Is it meant to be general or specific? Also, is it true that Muslim scholars used Jewish traditions into hadith. thanks.

http://ourbeaconforum.com/cgi-bin/bbs60x/webbbs_config.pl/page/1/md/read/id/314123119176993

334

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / How Can Quran-Only Muslims Pray?

« on: May 11, 2012, 08:31:59 AM »

Sir,

How can we pray in congregation on friday if there is not a particular way of salah? Suppose all the quran alone muslims gather tomorrow for prayer, how will we pray?

335

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Does a Woman Have a Right to Seek Divorce Based on 4:19?

« on: May 11, 2012, 06:37:43 AM »

Dear Mr. Joseph,

Does 4:19 gives woman right to seek divorce like man does?

what is meaning of Tarisu-nnisa ( property of woman) or ( woman taken as inherited property i.e. taken for granted ).

Rgds

336

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Difference Between Categories of Women (Free and Right Hands Possess)

« on: May 11, 2012, 06:35:34 AM »

Peace brother Joseph,

I would like to get a better understanding of the verse 23:6 .

23:6 (Picktall) Save from their wives or the (slaves) that their right hands possess, for then they are not blameworthy,
23:6 (Y. Ali) Except with those joined to them in the marriage bond, or (the captives) whom their right hands possess,- for (in their case) they are free from blame, 
23:6 (Asad) [not giving way to their desires] with any but their spouses - that is, those whom they rightfully possess [through wedlock]: [3] for then, behold, they are free of all blame,

This is in the context of permissible category of sex also defines what constitutes adultery(zina) according to Quran


•  23:5 (Asad) and who are mindful of their chastity,
•  23:5 (Y. Ali) Who abstain from sex, 
•  23:5 (Picktall) And who guard their modesty

Now as I know from your following article  you mentioned the different meaning of the idiom "those that your right hands possess"  also sex is prohibited without marriage.

http://quransmessage.com/articles/sex%20with%20slave%20girls%20FM3.htm

So what should be the proper meaning of this idiom in the context of 23:6 which gives the permission of sex with mates (azwajihim )  OR "those that your right hands possess". It does not mention explicitly  that it required to marry these category of "those that your right hands possess"   .

This verse is often quoted by people wrongly translating the idiom "those that your right hands possess" as slaves  also to point out that Quran  is actually permitting to have sex with slave girls without marriage.

I have found some explanation of this verse regarding what should be the proper meaning of "those that your right hands possess"   in this context. For example as follows it says this category was concubines before revelation of Quran so it was not required to marry them after revelation of Quran. How appropriate is this explanation ?  Also does this applies to modern day?

Edip-Layth - End Note 1 (23:6)
It refers to those who were concubines before the revelation that prohibited slavery and gave them freedom. Though the Quran prohibited slavery for muslims, at that time, slavery and wars were the reality of the polytheistic world. Prohibited relationships that started before the revelation of the Quran, were not asked to be voided, since that would create bigger psychological, economic and social problems. In other words, the laws of the Quran in the sphere of marriage relationships was not applied retroactively (4:22-23). Also, see 4:3,25; 90:1-20.

337

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Aad People - Improved in Creation

« on: May 06, 2012, 10:23:53 AM »

Peace brother Joseph,

Is the following translation correct "He improved you in creation"?

Does it imply some linkage with evolution / large stature?

7:69 “Are you surprised that a reminder has come to you from your Lord through a man from amongst you to warn you? Recall that he made you successors after the people of Noah, and He improved you in creation. So recall God’s blessings that you may succeed.”

Regards,

338

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Meaning of 'Khalifa'

« on: May 06, 2012, 10:17:27 AM »

Peace brother Joseph,

I have another question in regards to verse 2:30. Here a Human being is mentioned as a successor ( khalifa) of God or successor of previous species in the line of evolution as mentioned in the following article?

http://19.org/816/islamic-theory-evolution/

Please can you explain.

Regards,

339

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Regarding Salat in Quran - 5 or 3 times

« on: May 06, 2012, 07:15:24 AM »

Salamun alikum Brother,

In your article you have explained about 5 Prayers in Quran with references but in Quran by name 3 prayers has mentioned and 2 by periods.
   
In your article you have mentioned 5 times prayers and in that 3 prayers (Fajr,Wusta, Isha) has mentioned by name as Salat, but remaining Asr, Magrib is mentioned to Glorify or Praise the Lord and not as word Salat.

God has used the word Glorify or Praise the Lord and not as Salat for the periods (Asr, Magrib)

Asr Prayer

050:039           
“Therefore be patient of what they say, and sing the praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before the setting”

020.130
“Therefore be patient with what they say, and celebrate (constantly) the praises of thy Lord, before the rising of the sun (Arabic: Qabla taluhe- Shams - i.e. Fajr), and before its setting (Arabic: Qabla gharubiha - i.e. Asr); yea, celebrate them for part of the hours of the night, and at the sides of the day (Arabic: Watarafa l-nahari - i.e. Fajr and Isha): that you may have (spiritual) joy”

In the above two verses you have pointed out for Asr Prayer, in these verses the word Salat not mentioned instead it say us to Praise or Glorify our Lord.

Magrib Prayer

011:114
“And establish regular prayers at the two ends (Arabic: Salata Tarafa) of the day and at the approaches of the night (Arabic: wa-zulafan mina al-layl): For those things, that are good remove those that are evil: Be that the word of remembrance to those who remember (their Lord)”
 
In the above verse you have pointed out for Magrib prayer.

In the above verse you have taken the word {two ends (Arabic: Salata Tarafa) of the day} to refer Fajr and Magrib and taken the word {and at the approaches of the night (Arabic: wa-zulafan mina al-layl)} to refer Isha.

Some other scholars defines “two ends of the day” in the verses refers to Fajr and Isha prayers but you are referring to Fajr and Magrib, and you are pointing out the word {and at the approaches of the night (Arabic: wa-zulafan mina al-layl)} referring to Isha prayer.

You have taken “WA” (and) a conjunction as a separator and pointed out to Isha prayer.
The “WA” comes in the verse (wa-zulafan mina al-layl) meaning “and” a conjunction plays a crucial role

Please see the below paragraphs explaining about function of “WA” in Arabic

The function of 'wa' in Arabic and its role in the Quran
 
When we hear the word 'wa', otherwise translated as the conjunction 'and' we tend to think of it as something additional. This is especially true of those who are English-speaking. While the conjunction does serve this function, it also has an explicatory role in classical Arabic as pointed out by Javed Ghamidi, meaning the grammatical role of 'adding' is not present. 'Wa' becomes essentially a case of 'defining' and 'clarifying'. This point needs to be understood especially in regards to the Quran, because often time’s commentaries miss this point and translations almost never capture this reality and one loses out in the subtleties of the Quranic rhetoric.

The following is an example of what is meant by the above 'explanatory' role:
 
Believers! Fear God as you rightly should, WA when you leave this world leave it as followers of Islam...(3:102)

Many commentators take this as two separate injunctions, not attempting to connect the two.

But the second phrase is defining the first phrase of the verse and not separating the phrases.

So the function of “WA” in Arabic play many roles to define and it raised a question in the way you have explained in your article THE FIVE PRAYERS FROM THE QURAN

And also in Old Testament we can find the prophets prayed three times a day.

"As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice." (Psalms 55:16-17) (PS: crying aloud apparently means praying with passion).

"Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." (Daniel 6:10)

The followers of Shiite sect observe 5 prayers in 3 times: morning, noon and evening.

These findings regarding prayers from different books, sects, scholars thoughts makes us think more deeply that why not the medieval traditionalist might have changed the 3 prayers in to 5 prayers to show off more devotion to God.

Please give a vivid description regarding times of prayer.

Thank You

340

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Determining Times of Prayer (Example: Asr)

« on: May 06, 2012, 04:36:11 AM »

Salaam,

I'm trying to understand the start/ end times (not times as in clock times) of prayers. For example today Shafi jurists say asr prayer is at 17.05 whereas Hanafi jurists say it is around 18.00. It seems odd to me that there could be such a large difference for the same prayer.

Now I feel that these are possibly both suitable times to pray, but what would be a cut off time from the zuhr prayer? Or in general the cut off times for each prayer becoming time for the next?

Clearly there were no clocks to determine these in those times, and I also acknowledge that advances in technology can be used to help determine this. However, I have a feeling that this also may be unnecessary, as it is possible to determine the period of prayer just from looking outside and having an estimate of the period of the day.

Regards,

341

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Alleged Contradiction in the Quran

« on: May 06, 2012, 04:29:26 AM »

Question by Mubashir

Thanks Bhai, here is another one for you for a quick comment ...

Contradiction found in the Quran

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYaLBBhwtQI&feature=youtube_gdata_player

342

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Evolution - Did Adam Evolve from a Different Species?

« on: May 06, 2012, 03:57:16 AM »

Peace brother,

I was reading the support of theory of evolution from Quran from the following article.

http://quransmessage.com/articles/evolution%20FM3.htm

One Question arises then. Was there a first human called Adam?  Did Adam evolve from another species? Did he have parents from earlier species?

And how do we understand the similarity between Jesus and Adam in the case below?

3:59 The example of Jesus with God is similar to that of Adam; He created him from dust, then He said to him, "Be," and he became.

Regards,

343

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Can we Sell or Handle Alcohol?

« on: May 06, 2012, 03:45:39 AM »

Salaam Brother joseph
 
I know this is a subject you have written on but I wanted to ask is it allowed/haram/discouraged to Sell Alcohol or even handle it? Suppose for example, one is working in a bar as a waiter or in a shop etc.

I was having a discussion with a freind and this topic came up. I have a fairly good understanding but wanted to know with regards to the above (highlighted parts)
 
Many thanks

344

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Was Adam the First Prophet or Messenger?

« on: May 06, 2012, 03:00:13 AM »

Sallam Joseph
 
I tried to do a little research but could not find the correct information or one that which I was happy with.
 
According to Quran, did Adam (first man) have a role to play? i.e. was he considered a Messenger or even a Prophet?

I know many Muslims refer to him as one or both of these but I wanted more information on this please.  I also understand that the Quran mentioned Prophet hood and/or ? messengership  started from Prophet Abraham? Verse 27 but cannot locate the chapter.
 
Thank you in advance.

345

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / The Difference between 'Jihad' and 'Ijtihad'

« on: April 29, 2012, 07:32:54 AM »

Dear Mr. Joseph,

S/Alaykum,

Can you guide me as to the difference between Jihad and Ijtihad , as I read following:

Quote:

The word derives from the three-letter Arabic verbal root of ج-ه-د J-H-D (jahada, "struggle"): the "t" is inserted because the word is a derived stem VIII verb.

Unquote
in wikipaedia.

Rgds