Topics

1

General Discussions / 39:53-54 and the limits of forgiveness

« on: June 28, 2017, 09:43:09 PM »

Assalamu alaikum everyone, especially brother Joseph,
I hope you are in good health inshallah
There was this post of brother Joseph in fb a few days ago regarding the verses 53 and 54 of surah Az-Zumar
https://web.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/965397073597420 , i commented a question and he stated that he'd be happy to discuss it further in the forum, rather than in post comments
What made me worried and a bit confused was on of brother Joseph's answers regarding the impossibility of reaching God's forgiveness after sealing of the hearts, even if you repent afterwards. I quote a part of his answer that i'm talking about: "If God has sealed the heart of a disbeliever IN THEIR LIFETIME because proof was completed on them and they REJECTED IT, they will arguably not be subject to God's mercy even if they continue to live long lives and accept the truth later."
Can a truth still enter a heart sealed by God? Even if it does, how can God not forgive them if they repented during their lifetime? To me it just doesn't resonate with his mercy and justice. If we take a look in the glorious Quran for example, God says 'dislikes'/'doesnt love'. The word ''God hates'' is only used for one kind of sinners: hypocrites, i.e the ones who know the truth and secretly plot against it. Yet, He states that if they repent He will forgive them.
Can you please elaborate it further brother Joseph?
Any input from other members is highly appreciated!
May Allah forgive us all,
Seraphina

2

Women / Love/being in love from quranic perspective

« on: March 30, 2017, 04:23:14 AM »

Assalamu alaikum everyone
Long time no see i wish youre all in good health and matters inshallah.
I wish I could get more knowledge on a subject hardly discussed. We hear people discus the requirements of marriage but we hardly hear them discuss love. Considering Quran is fully detailed, what does Allah say regarding love? Is love what makes us get married, or is getting married that gets us love? How do we know we are in love with someone and we wont regret in marrying him? does Allah give women any advice as to what to look for in a man and how do we know we are in love with him?
I think informing ourselves regarding these would save us a lot of unnecessary heartache in this world and from hellfire in the next one.
I expect opinions/advice from brother Joseph and all of you,
May God bless you all,
Sera

3

General Discussions / Jinn and hell

« on: November 12, 2016, 02:16:49 AM »

Salam to everyone,
I had a question for brother Joseph (and all of you), asked to me by another brother that wants to know better. If Jinn are created of fire and hell is also a place of fire, how can they be punished in hell? Bcs both people and jinn who go after Iblis will go to hell. Jinns are creatures of fire, so how can fire torment them?

May Allah protect you always
Your sister Seraphina

4

General Discussions / Prohibition of non muslims from entering Mecca

« on: October 22, 2016, 01:45:47 AM »

Assalamu alaikum everyone, I hope youre all fine,
Can anyone answer me why are non muslims forbidden from entering Mecca? I mean, i am aware of 9:28, but I didnt know Masjid-al-Haram includes all of Mecca! Has anyone been in Saudi Arabia? Is it true that saudis forbid non muslims from entering in Mecca?
Can brother Joseph or/and anyone please explain if this restriction in the Quran includes only Kaaba or all of Mecca, and if yes then is it only during hajj periods or during all year? As for Madina some say anyone can visit it, some say it is same as Mecca. What's the Quran's word on it?
God bless you all,
Your sister Seraphina

5

General Discussions / Eid mubarak, Allah bless you all!

« on: July 05, 2016, 06:33:38 PM »

My dear family in faith, br.Joseph & moderators,
Eid mubarak to all of you! May Allah shower his blessings on you all in both worlds inshallah!
Your sister in faith, Sera

6

Discussions / Ramadan mubarak! (tips for easier fasting)

« on: June 06, 2016, 12:09:41 AM »

Assalamu alaykum everyone,
Ramadan mubarak everyone, brothers and sisters, brother Joseph and moderators, may Allah grant us his mercy and bounties in this world and hereafter inshallah!
Tomorrow we start the fast, God willing. But due to hot weather or poor health, some of us might find it difficult.
So i thought you might benefit from these great tips for easier fasting

http://www.nestle-family.com/my-ramadan/ramadan-tips/english/

Your sister Seraphina

7

General Discussions / Alleged errors in 23:12-14 and 79:30 - clarification needed

« on: January 23, 2016, 04:11:36 AM »

Assalamu alaykum everyone,
Im being assaulted a lot lately regarding these 'errors' in Quran, and as a non arabic speaker i need help from brother Joseph and/or anyone of you familiar with arabic.

First one concerns 23:12-14 regarding the formation of bones and muscles. In those verses we read "We made (from the lump) bones, and we covered bones with flesh". And I've come accross many sites who say that bones and muscles develop at the same time, simultaneously. God states in the Quran that it contains no errors, and the creator of mankind would never state anything false about the way He creates mankind. So, could you explain the verse or share your knowledge on this issue please? (especially on terms mughdah and lahm)

Second one concerns the 79:30. Some say it is "After that He spread the earth", and some say "After that He made the earth egg-shaped". The word in question is ''dahaha''. What is its accurrate meaning to be applied in this verse?

Thank you in advance,
your sister Seraphina

8

Discussions / The amazing Quran!

« on: January 18, 2016, 03:04:59 AM »

Assalamu alaykum everyone,
I dont know if you ever heard of Gary Miller, the canadian mathematician and christian missionary who took a duty upon himself to study the Quran so he can find historical, scientific and logical errors on it so he could use these findings while preaching to non christians. He examined the way prophet Muhammad is adressed at, the way he is described there, scientific and historic datas, and much more. And what happened next? His name is now Abdul-Ahad Omar!
Here is his book with his studies which i enjoyed reading a lot, and i thought you would like it too.
http://d1.islamhouse.com/data/en/ih_books/single/en_The_Amazing_Quran.pdf
God bless you all,
Seraphina

9

Women / Validity of Nikaah

« on: October 12, 2015, 02:11:30 AM »

Peace be with you dear brothers and sisters,
I haven't been able to be here for a long time, so I pray you're all fine
I would like to ask you (and brother Joseph) regarding nikaah and its validity under some unusual circumstances.
1) Is nikaah valid if ceremony of nikaah between two adults is completed without parents being informed, or are informed but don't approve the union of their children?
2) Is nikaah valid if due to these familiar (and economic) issues the couple can't move in together immediately (meaning they will have to wait for sometime after nikaah before moving in together)?
2) If the couple decides not to consummate the marriage until they are able to move in together, is the marriage still valid? During these times, do they have the liberty to hang out, be alone, etc. from time to time?
To summarize the question: Is their union in nikaah sanctioned by God's law if their parents were not informed/didn't give consent, and have no intimate relations yet until they can move in together?
Looking forward to your answers,
Your sister,
Seraphina

10

Discussions / A Ramadan with ease and blessings

« on: June 17, 2015, 11:41:38 PM »

Dear brother Joseph, moderators, and the rest of brothers and sisters,
I know I'm probably not allowed to post anything other than questions/answers, but I just felt it in my heart to congratulate my family in faith for starting the Ramadan and wish you an easy fasting with many, many blessings. God is my witness that you're in my prayers and I thank Him all the time for guiding me here among you.
May God bless you all and accept and ease your fasting,
Your sister,
Seraphina Rosa

11

General Discussions / Was Adam created mortal?Or he lost immortality after disobeying God?

« on: January 11, 2015, 11:32:31 PM »

Quran, 7:20 (Yusuf Ali) :"Then began Satan to whisper suggestions to them, bringing openly before their minds all their shame that was hidden from them (before): he said: "Your Lord only forbade you this tree, lest ye should become angels or such beings as live for ever."
This verse popped into my sight during my daily Quran reading/studying. This insinuation of the Devil is something to reflect upon, and very thought-provoking. Here's why.
As we are aware, this conversation took place during Adam and Eve's sinless condition, while they hadn't approached the forbidden fruit yet, and were living in Paradise. Paradise, as we know, is an eternal abode - whoever enters there, dwells there forever. Why would Satan tempt them with eternity if they already had the eternity? Weren't Adam and Eve created to abide eternally in Paradise, but after they disobeyed their Lord they were sent down to earth to live ''for an appointed (limited) time''? It just doesn't make sense to me that they would be created to live in Paradise for a limited time as mortals, and after their death what would they be rewarded with? Paradise? Furthermore, if they were mortals, why would God punish their disobedience with something they already had-mortality?
I would be so thankful if brother Joseph would give us an opinion on this matter, although I'm aware of his busy schedule and limited time. May Allah ease your works and tasks,and give you health and strength, brother Joseph
Your sister Seraphina Rosa.

12

Discussions / Is there Quranic support for bad dreams foretelling terrible future events?

« on: January 07, 2015, 06:28:54 PM »

Salam to all,
There's an issue upon which I'd like to know more. I almost never had bad dreams, but ever since I started to study the Quran and perform the 5 daily prayers, I've been having bad dreams and nightmares. Those of you who are familiar with Islamic Secondary Sources may have heard of dream interpretations according to Prophet's traditions. According to these interpretations, my dreams foretell terrible events taking place - possibly death of beloved ones.
I always pray to God to give me strength and not to let me sink in despair and fear that usually bad dreams bring with them. But sometimes, it's stronger than me, and I'm finding myself afraid to go to sleep because of what I might see there, and the lack of sleep causes problems in daily life and overall health. And the worst part is that every-time I wake up screaming from a nightmare, my family members are like "that's what happens when you go to deep in religion. You never slept well eversince you started praying and studying. Hey, many people have even gone insane after reading religious scriptures". (''going too deep in religion" means praying salat and striving to apply Quran in your life. Some people think having a good heart it's enough to earn God's pleasure.).
My question is: According to the Quran, where do the bad dreams/nightmares come from? Just because the bad dream of Pharaoh's servant (surah Yusuf) became true, does it mean that bad dreams always come true? Is there a Quranic dua or action to protect ourselves from having them, or at least prevent them from becoming reality or disturbing our inner peace?
Brother Joseph and others, what is your opinion on these issues?
God bless,
Your sister Seraphina.

13

Women / Can a woman get the child custody in case of divorce?

« on: December 14, 2014, 05:19:10 PM »

Salamun alaikum, brothers and sisters! I hope you're having a great Sunday!
My family is not familiar with Islam (as portrayed in the Quran), they have only seen some tv talk shows with mullahs or scholars, so you can imagine they have many misconceptions about Islam, and they often come up with questions. Yesterday in a tv show a religious clerk was stating that "prophet Muhammad pbuh said that a woman can keep the custody of her children after divorce for as long as she doesn't remarry. And, almost always a father is favored regarding the custody, because he's the one charged from God to provide provisions for his children (for his family in general). Even if the father dies, and the widow has to remarry someday, someone from father's family takes care of children (grandfathers, uncle, aunt...)".
I have some issues with this theory. First of all, I'm not a scholar but I have known Quranic laws well enough to know that this theory has no basis in it. Second of all, when God gave the divorced and widowed woman the right to remarry, He never put such conditions on them . Besides, take the verse 23 of surah Nisa: "Prohibited to you (For marriage) are:- Your mothers, daughters, sisters; father's sisters, Mother's sisters; brother's daughters, sister's daughters; foster-mothers (Who gave you suck), foster-sisters; your wives' mothers; your step-daughters under your guardianship, born of your wives to whom ye have gone in,- no prohibition if ye have not gone in;- (Those who have been) wives of your sons proceeding from your loins; and two sisters in wedlock at one and the same time, except for what is past; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful."(Yusuf Ali translation). How can it be forbidden for a woman to take her children with her if she remarries, when God clearly recognizes that a man can have (at least) the daughters of his wife under his guardianship?
Even if we'd take hadith and sunnah as authority (as most of muslims do), we have arguments to prove them wrong. Prophet Muhammad himself was born an orphan and his mother raised him, until she died as well. Ramla bint Abu Sufian got divorced (and later widowed) from first husband and married prophet and had her daughter living with her, when her husband was alive, and after he died. Hind bint Abu Umeya was widowed, and had three children, the fourth being born in prophet's house after he married her, and he (prophet) raised them as his own. There were attempts to take at least one of her children from her, but in the end she had them with her.
What is your view on this issue? I believe it's important for every woman to know her rights on this matter, because we never know what will tomorrow bring.
Sorry if I made it too long,
Your sister Seraphina

14

General Discussions / Surah Ahzab sanctions death penalty! Really?!

« on: December 07, 2014, 07:45:47 PM »

Salam alaikoum everyone, I hope you're having a great Sunday
This question was made to me today regarding the death penalty for insulting the prophet Muhammad pbuh.
Of course, I am a Quran-centric muslim who upholds the view that there is no death penalty for blasphemy (or apostasy) in the Quran. I've read the brother Joseph's articles regarding this subject, and I became completely convinced. But during the discussion I was shown these verses from surah Ahzab:
"Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace. Indeed, those who abuse Allah and His Messenger - Allah has cursed them in this world and the Hereafter and prepared for them a humiliating punishment. If the hypocrites and those in whose hearts is disease and those who spread rumors in al-Madinah do not cease, We will surely incite you against them; then they will not remain your neighbors therein except for a little. Accursed wherever they are found, [being] seized and massacred completely." (Sahih International).
I haven't seen these verses in the articles of brother Joseph regarding this subject, neither have I ever considered them as basis for death penalty for blasphemy, to me they have always been a warning of the hypocrites of Madinah during prophet's lifetime, that if they don't stop their harm against prophet, they will be exposed by God, and they will be executed. It's not that I argue with God's laws (eudhubilah), if prophet was ordered so from God, then so be it. But I can't understand how would a prophet who forgave the jewish women who tried to poison him, or meccan leaders who had fought and tortured him for years, would kill someone just for a spoken word, and furthermore ask us to do the same if someone mocks him in front of us.
Could you brothers and sisters enlighten me about these verses? Do they still prevail in our time, or were they only prevalent during prophet's days in Madinah? I know my posts these days have been very frequent, but I'm working hard and studying a lot to understand Quran better, and this is always the right place to look for the right answers
Thank you in advance,
Your sister Seraphina

15

Prophets and Messengers / Was Prophet Muhammad pbuh also a KhalilAllah?

« on: November 24, 2014, 05:44:15 AM »

Selam to everyone,
First of all, I apologize if I'm bringing up a subject which is over-treated. It's not my intention to waste anyone's time and effort. But, since this forum is the only place where I am given a clear, logical, Quran-based answer, I thought I will treat this subject here.
I've been reading the books of Amr Khaled for a while now, and, although I've noticed him being heavily-influenced from secondary sources, I like his books up to a certain point. Recently, I've been reading the "Stories of the prophets". There are many things which I disagree with, but I will focus on only one. During the story of prophet Ibrahim pbuh, he says that after reaching the rank of the Allah's beloved slave, then there is the rank of Allah's friend, but we (ordinary people) can't reach it, because that grade was only reached from prophet Ibrahim and prophet Muhammad pbut.
Now, I have read the articles of brother Joseph regarding the ranks of messengers, and I agree with him 100% (Ibrahim is the only prophet mentioned in the Quran as 'friend of Allah'), but still, I wonder if there's something I've missed. On what basis would a well-learned person like Amr Khaled make such a statement? Only on secondary sources? Would it be too much if I asked for your opinions, dear brothers/sisters?
Yazakallah in advance,
Selam alaikoum
Sorry if I disturbed