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Salam,

I was hoping to get a quranic perspective about the role of religion in government. If for instance a country is started by a muslim community but is welcome to others, what kinds of rights and freedom should be granted to everyone in the country and should religious prohibitions be prohibited for all by the government through laws or should the government play a small role in that aspect and leave it to individual freedom... an example that came to mind was should gay practise or marriage be condemned by the government or should it be left to individuals and there be no government involvement that neither supports nor condemns it.

salam allaykum,

eid mubarak Jospeh and everyone on this forum inshallah lifetime of blessings and good health and happiness and may allah bestow upon us his guidance and mercy and patience.

Salam 3allaykum brothers and sisters,

Alhamdillah discovering this website and reading and pondering the quran has allowed me to clear many misconceptions that I grew up with, with that being said; the quran repeatedly mentions that we do righteous deeds and I personally feel that I should be doing more, so I was just wondering what are some examples of good deeds that we could go and do in our communities in order that inshallah we get closer to god. could volunteering places or simply picking up trash that we see for example be a righteous deed?

May allah reward you my brothers and sisters 

Salam 3allaykum brothers and sisters,   

It was by the mercy of Allah that thou wast lenient with them (O Muhammad), for if thou hadst been stern and fierce of heart they would have dispersed from round about thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them and consult with them upon the conduct of affairs. And when thou art resolved, then put thy trust in Allah. Lo! Allah loveth those who put their trust (in Him). (3:159)

I was wondering what is meant by "they would have dispersed from round thee". Would they have become disbelievers? Or literally just leave the presence of the prophet?

Salam 3allaykum,

Just surfing through youtube and came across this video..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYAG9dAfy8U

Thought it was pretty intriguing! When he talked about disruptive powers and weird events, some things such as miracles and god destroying disbelieving nations popped to mind.

PS. I don't agree with what he's saying per se(only god knows), but having a bit of a science background(&enthusiasm) things of this nature just tend to arouse my curiosity!

Also realized that might be posting under wrong section?? Maybe better suited under general? Anyways my apologies

Saalam 3allaykum brothers and sisters, 

Was just reading some quran when came about these verses..

And there came a company of travelers; then they sent their water drawer, and he let down his bucket. He said, "Good news! Here is a boy." And they concealed him, [taking him] as merchandise; and Allah was knowing of what they did.(12:19)

And they sold him for a reduced price - a few dirhams - and they were, concerning him, of those content with little.(12:20)

And if those who disbelieve join battle with you they will take to flight, and afterward they will find no protecting friend nor helper.(48:22)

It is the law of Allah which hath taken course aforetime. Thou wilt not find for the law of Allah aught of power to change. (48:23)

While I was reading I pondered about something I have previously heard of called the butterfly effect where...

The butterfly effect is the idea that small things can have non-linear impacts on a complex system. The concept is imagined with a butterfly flapping its wings and causing a typhoon. (possibly hundreds of years later)

Of course, a single act like the butterfly flapping its wings cannot cause a typhoon. Small events can, however, serve as catalysts that act on starting conditions. https://www.fs.blog/2017/08/the-butterfly-effect/

Of course only god knows however, just something interesting to wonder that if some disasters that had inflicted people can be attributed to something like this. Or for example, if the back story of the travellers that rescued Joseph that had caused them to be there is due to possibly something like the butterfly effect. and of course god is not bound by time so it could possibly be that god being the best of planners has implemented something such as this effect and it also could be not where god has directly intervened nonetheless just something that I thought about and would liked to have share.

Also, the story when Moses(PBUH) companion(?) forgot the fish comes to mind; when moses met the guy that put a whole in the boat and killed the kid could also possibly relate to this in a way, where the killing of the kid stopped him from being a tyrant and the hole in the boat stopped the boat being seized which possibly stopped such affect??(also realize patience aspect of the story)

Just things that I pondered about that I found intriguing(only god knows best), if I completely stepped out of some boundaries or am missing some type of info(being that I have only recently started reading quran and may not be knowledgable), id love to hear some thoughts or other perspectives.

May god guide us to the truth inshallah.

Salam 3allaykum Bros and sisters,

First I would like to mention how amazing it was to find this website, it has been truly an eye opener, and would like to thank Joseph and people on this forum for all the insight and knowledge and different perspectives that have been so kindly shared. Inshallah god guides us and allows us to continue to learn and be able to distinguish truth from falsehood.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. inshallah

Ok so just a little story/experience/concept I would like to share and hear your guys thoughts and experiences about.

God tells us in the quran that we should..

Restrain your anger and forgive others (3:134)

                    And..
Speak a gentle word, even to your enemies (20:44)

This is something that I have personally struggled with and possibly others, as I believe that as humans some of us are more prone than others to rage; thus, people with anger issues and such. Some reasons people get angry may be because of criticism, or what others say whereas some might be angry about their circumstance or people not understanding their perspective and countless other reasons. I consider this to be jihad and/or a way that god tests our patience, so that being said I think it is very significant to try our best to restrain. Now I would love to hear about how you guys deal with anger, and would like to share how I have come to cope with it.

I recently read this book(7 Habits Of Highly Effective People)which mentions this concept of self-awareness, where we have the ability to think about our thought process. So when we are presented with a stimulus, we have the ability to think and decide about what is happening and how we are going to let it affect us(choice). This is what he mentions as being PROACTIVE rather than REACTIVE, where when something happens(stimulus) we immediately REACT with feeling and emotion instead of using that middle process of choice(he describes most people as being reactive not proactive). This resonated with me and made me become aware that when someone made me angry or a situation made me angry, I am CHOOSING to be angry. I have no(or little) control of the persons words/feelings, I can only CONTROL my thoughts and feelings and either learn from what is being said or ignore it or whatever I end up CHOOSING to do. I am taking that middle step to THINK and DECIDE about how it could affect me or if I could maybe learn from what has happened instead. In my humble opinion this is especially true about criticism; where if someone criticizes someone else(especially in a not so polite fashion) about something, no matter how right the person might be, the natural REACTION of a person is to go on the defensive and justify theirselves so their pride is not hurt. This could also result in someone rejecting truth or wisdom or advice because of their pride and arrogance (hmm..any names come to mind). So this concept along with just asking god to give me patience and help me inshallah has allowed me to restrain from anger and make it much much easier to forgive and also not let my pride get in way of truth inshallah. (which was significant for me)

"Not so Iblis: he refused and was haughty: He was of those who reject faith"  002:034



Now, on the other hand, now that i was aware of it, I realized that if I could show kindness to people and speak a gentle word I wouldn't arouse this defensive attitude where people are trying to protect their pride. This could help others open up and be willing to let go of traditions when something BETTER(truth) is being presented god willing.

This was just something that has helped me along with always asking god for guidance, patients, wisdom, knowledge because every piece of wisdom, guidance, knowledge comes from him if he wills. I'd love to hear your thoughts, and any advice or things you would like to share.

At all times, keep a subdued voice and don't communicate in a harsh or loud voice (31:19)

016.125

"Invite (all) to the Way of thy Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching; and argue with them in ways that are best and most gracious: for thy Lord knows best, who have strayed from His Path, and who receive guidance"



017:053

"And say to My servants (that) they speak that which is best; surely Satan sows dissensions among them; surely the Satan is an open enemy to man"


Also, I'd recommend that book to anyone who's interested, and also How to win friends and influence people by Dale Carnegie.
The latter might sound like a shallow book, but it is rather good, the jist of it is be kind and a decent human to others and people will like you.