Messages

1

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: Divorce

« on: January 20, 2024, 02:41:24 AM »

The Quran has ordained equal rights and obligations for a husband and a wife. Let us look what Quran instructs. It says: (4:35) "If you fear a breach between them (the couple), the concerned authority should constitute a board of arbitration consisting of two members, one from his family and the other from hers. Thus if the husband and the wife make up their minds for reconciliation, the two arbiters should attempt to bring them close to each other. The Divine Law shall bring about reconciliation because the law is based on Allah's Knowledge, Who is acquainted with all things."

Here the term includes both man and woman, i.e, the complainant may be the man or the woman; in both cases it is the duty of society to appoint an arbitration board.

If the woman feels an excess or disinclination from her husband, even then they try to patch up their differences amongst themselves or ask for a board of arbitration to be appointed. Thus it said: (4:128) "And if a woman fears ill-usage from her husband or desertion, no blame is on them if they effect a reconciliation between them for amicable settlement is always good", (or otherwise ask for the appointment of a board of arbitration).

In Surah 'Al-Mujaadilah' (58th Chapter of the Quran) it is said: (58:1)

"Allah has indeed heard the woman who was disputing with you concerning her husband, and complaining to Allah (about the maltreatment she was receiving at the hands of her husband) and Allah was hearing the contentions of both of you. Surely Allah hears and sees (all things)."

This also makes it clear that a woman can take her case to a court of law and has full right to apply for divorce; however, the first priority of the court of arbitration shall be to bring about reconciliation between them.

2

General Discussions / Re: Question for Brother Joseph Islam (or anyone else on here) regarding Quran 10:39

« on: October 06, 2023, 02:29:50 AM »

Assalamu Alaykum

Inshallah everyone is doing well.  I have a question for Brother Joseph Islam or anyone else who knows the answer, regarding Surah 10 Ayah 38-39.   This is in regards to brother Joseph's article "Produce a Surah like it" :

http://quransmessage.com/articles/produce%20a%20surah%20FM3.htm

In the article, he mentions that :

As is clear from the above verse, the reason that the challenge could never be met was not because the language of the Quran was far too superior for the them to emulate but because the 'bi'ilmihi walama yatihiim tawiluh' (knowledge of its interpretation) had not yet been completed nor could they yet encompass it's knowledge (bima lam yuhitu bi'ilmihi).

If possible, please provide more clarification on how the lack of knowledge of the interpretation of the Quran or the lack of being able to encompass the knowledge of the Quran, lead the Pagan Arabs to fail at meeting the challenge of the Quran?   What is the ayah referring to when it mentions "knowledge of the interpretation of the Quran and being able to encompass its knowledge"?

Do we have enough knowledge of the interpretation of the Quran today and are we able to encompass its knowledge today so the Quranic challenge can be met?   If not, doesn't that imply that the Quran is a miracle?


Thank you

May Allah Bless you all Insha Allah

*Source: 'Quran with Lughat' - free app for Android & iPhones*

بَلْ كَذَّبُوْا بِمَا لَمْ يُحِيْطُوْا بِعِلْمِهٖ وَلَمَّا يَاْتِهِمْ تَاْوِيْلُهٗ ۭ كَذٰلِكَ كَذَّبَ الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِهِمْ فَانْظُرْ كَيْفَ كَانَ عَاقِبَةُ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ(سورة يونس , آیت 39)

In principle, the contents of the Quran may be understood by the following means:-
1. Through human knowledge reaching such a point of advancement that it can comprehend its contents;
2. Through the results produced by a system based upon Quranic laws and values; and
3. Through historical evidence showing what kind of results were produced by various systems in the past.)
 These people do not resort to any of the above means but still go on discrediting the Quran. It is simply Zulm. If they were to apply any of the above means it is possible that at least some of them may come to believe. The rest will be those who are bent upon creating Fas’ad.

3

Women / Re: Divorce

« on: June 30, 2023, 01:30:49 PM »

Sorry my bad. So I’ll list the questions below

1) for Khula or ransoming out of the marriage does wife need the husbands agreement? If she does then what happens when the husband forces her to stay when she doesn’t want to?
2) in case of abuse by the husband does she still have to pay the mahr back if she wants to leave him?
3) a man can divorce without any reason but a woman cannot?

Assalamu alaikum dear sister,

The divorce process in the Quran is actually very simple.   The terms like khulh and Fasq are not mentioned in the Quran.  They are developed later by the clergy to unfairly support men.  The Quranic direction in 4:35 is that, "If you fear a breach between them (the couple), the concerned authority should constitute a board of arbitration consisting of two members, one from his family and the other from hers”. Here, the focus is strained 'husband and wife relationship' where the parties find it difficult continue the relationship, and this by default means the complainant may be the man or the woman; in both cases, as per the Quran, it is the duty of society to appoint an arbitration board.  This right is not exclusively for man.  Those who say otherwise in fact challenging the Laws of Allah stipulated in the Quran.   Same like a husband can initiate divorce, a woman has also the same right. 

Moreover, in verse 4:128 it says if a wife fears cruelty or desertion, both parties should try to reach 'sulhu', again the focus here is  mediation. If mediation not successful the natural consequence will be divorce.  The wife has the authority to handle the situation through a mediator suggested by her from her family and a mediator appointed from husband's family in a dignified manner.  If no solution they can seperate (divorce)

The Quran doesn't consider divorce as a crime.  If there is any problem (be it anything) a woman can demand the qadi or court to appoint arbitrators. Quran does recognise personal likes and dislikes of both man and woman, but tries maximum to keep the marriage relationship going. The Quran earnestly requests both parties to respect each other,  reconcile and find solutions to their problems.  In 4:19 Allah says *"...live with them honourably. If you dislike something about them do not resolve immediately to separate from them. It is possible that something you dislike may bring about abundant good for you."*

4

Islamic Duties / Re: When is Ramadan, and when are the other 3 Holy months of Pilgrimage?

« on: December 03, 2019, 10:55:08 PM »

The problem is more deeper.  Rajab being one among the sacred months itself could well be a conspiracy. 

The Quran states the following about the scared months.

Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah's ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them 9:36.   The very next verse  9:37 also warns us about altering the sacred months and mentioned it as a sign of kufr.  The Quran mentions in the very same verse  the habit of Mushriks altering the months and makes strong objection to their action saying that ‘the evil of their doings is made fair-seeming to them’.

So there are 12 months and 4 of them are sacred.  Muslims are supposed to meticulously respect this period, allow freedom of movement for everyone, and not supposed to wage war during scared months (unless they are attacked).   Now let us focus on verse 9:1-3 for a closer understanding.

بَرَاءَةٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى الَّذِينَ عَاهَدْتُمْ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ فَسِيحُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ أَرْبَعَةَ أَشْهُرٍ

[This is a declaration of] disassociation, from Allah and His Messenger, to those with whom you had made a treaty among the polytheists. [Announce unto them:] "Go, then, freely about the earth for four months"

It is clear that it is the very same 4 sacred months which is mentioned in the above verse.  The Muslims were directed to respect the free movement of their enemies.   The next verse goes on to state another declaration which is made on the ‘yamul hajjul akbar’. 

وَأَذَانٌ مِنَ اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ إِلَى النَّاسِ يَوْمَ الْحَجِّ الْأَكْبَرِ

"And [it is] an announcement from Allah and His Messenger to the people on the day of the greater pilgrimage"

We can conclude that the above these;

1.     Since Mushriqeen are free to roam freely on the earth for four months, naturally they are to be four consecutive months, considering also that, it states in verse 9:5;  “Then when the Hurum Months have “insalakha” (passed in succession), you may kill the Mushrikeen wherever you find them. Seize them and besiege them and lie in wait for them at every point.” 9:5.   The key word in the above verse and which is relevant to this matter is the word “insalakha”. The word literally means “skinned”. This is the sense of how we skin a snake for example. The movement of skinning a snake means we would remove the skin gradually from one end to the other, or in other words; a gradual and consecutive movement.  Allah could have simply said: when the (hurum) months have passed. So why did Allah deliberately uses this word?  It is because the word “insalakha” indicates a consecutive meaning, or in other words it tells us that the 4 hurum months are consecutive months.

2.     Mushriks are prohibited to approach the Sacred Mosque after this year of theirs…” [9:28] and therefore, the permission granted for free movement does not include Muharram, Safer and Rahihul Awwal and Akhir.   

Based on the above, Yamul hajjul akbar is the annoucement made on the first day of Ramadan.  It is pertinent to note that Quran has mentioned al hajj shahrun (three or more months) malomat  (2:197) The Hajj shall be observed during the well-known months.  It may be that Hajj involves great effort during those times, those who undertakes the Hajj during that time may try to reach before the advent of Ramadan.   

While we under Yamul hajjul akbar is the first day of Ramadan the 4 consecutive months ends after Dul Hajj, which is the end of the year (Ramadan, Shawwal, Dul Qadah and Dul Hajj).  There is no logical explanation why the month of Ramadan is not a scared month. 

May Allah show us the right path.  Alhamduillah always

5

General Discussions / Re: Can a person donate his parts before he expired ?

« on: December 03, 2019, 03:52:57 AM »

it's a 'religious' matter in the sense it will be highly rewarded by Allah

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Islamic Duties / Re: "Wasiyah" distribution in one's lifetime?

« on: December 02, 2019, 11:14:46 AM »

I don't think there is any restriction imposed by the quran to give "equal measure to each children".  During lifetime if one gives money to his children it will be based on need and several factors.  It can be that his one child is richer than the other child, one child is disabled and so and so. The Quran does not impose a retriction how money should be spent on children.  It is one's choice. 

The inheritors have right ONLY what is LEFT BEHIND by the testator without specifying anything as wasiyah.  Here also restriction imposed on a testator not to do wasiyah more than 1/3 of his wealth or not to make wasiyah for his legal inheritors is quranically incorrect in my view.  If a testator believes it as fair to divide his wealth in a particular manner CONSIDERING THE NEEDS, WELLBEING AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS CHILDREN, PARENTS AND WIFE it is still his choice.  The inheritors have right only on what is left behind and what is left behind is only to be divided according to the shares prescribed in the quran.

7

Discussions / Re: The use of 33:36 to authorize Hadees

« on: December 02, 2019, 02:49:01 AM »

Obedience to Rasool *does not* mean some people collect hadiths of the prophet, based on their personal preference, and start to follow them.   There are a number of verses throw light to the fact it is abiding by the laws of Allah contained in the Quran imposed by a central authority which is implied when obedience to Allah and His Rasool is mentioned. The prophet represented the central authority during his lifetime.  After his death the system continued through khalifat. 

Firstly, we can notice that the first directive to obey the messenger was clearly to the contemporaries of the Prophet who were the direct addressees. They were being instructed to trust in the Prophet’s authority in the message he was delivering and acting on.

4:59
"O ye who believe! Obey God, and obey the Messenger, and those charged with authority among you. Then if you disagree in anything among yourselves, refer it to God and His Messenger, if ye do believe in God and the Last Day: That is best, and most suitable for final determination".   

The obedience to Allah and messenger is clearly linked to the authority and the system established (the Islamic state) and the role of the prophet being the head of the state.  Those in authority refers to those who are appointed by the state to manage the affairs of the state.  It is pertinent to note that the verse goes on to state that if you differ something bring back the issue to Allah and the messenger, meaning the administrative authority of the state established based on the Quran.  This answers the reason why ‘those in authority’ is excluded because ‘those in authority’ are only supposed to carry out the duties entrusted to them (they are not decision maker) by the state. 

These verses clarifies Allah and His Rasool means the state/ central authority.  The prophet represented the central authority during his lifetime.

09:03
‘And a proclamation from Allah and His Apostle is herewith made unto all mankind on this day of the Greatest Pilgrimage…”.  This is a reference to authority announcement.


05:33
“The retribution for those who fight Allah and His messenger, and spread mischief in the land, is to be killed…..”     Maulana Maudoodi writes in his Tafheem:  "To fight against Allah and His Messengermeans waging war against the system which the Islamic government has established." (Tafheemul Qur'an vol. I, page 465)

02:279
About usury the Quran warns, "if you do not desist from this take notice of war from Allah and His Messenger”.  Here also it means the government established based on the Quranic principles will take strong action.

08:01
In Sura Anfal, the first verse "they ask you about booty, tell them it is for Allah and His Rasool. 
It does not mean some part of booty belongs to Allah and some part belongs to the prophet  in his individual capacity.  Here it clearly means that the booty belongs to State.

33:36
When Allah and His Messenger have decided something, no believing man or woman has a choice about [following or not following] it. Anyone who disobeys Allah and His Messenger is clearly misguided.

Again the focus here is a system implemented based on the Quran, i.e the decisions taken by an Islamic state, and the Quran being its constitution.   The prophet represented islamic state while he was alive. 

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General Discussions / Re: Can a person donate his parts before he expired ?

« on: December 02, 2019, 02:37:17 AM »

Assalamu alaikum
The quran considers saving the life of someone as saving the whole mankind
Allah has purchased the lives and wealth from the believers in return for heaven
if someone donates his/her kidney during lifetime or after death it is saving another human being

9

Islamic Duties / Re: Al-Kalalah

« on: January 02, 2017, 05:03:40 PM »

Assalamu alaikum.  I have come across a different interpretation for Kalala.  I would like any group members to respond.   Kalala refers to a case where someone dies and none of his direct inheritors alive (his/her father, mother, wife/husband and son) EXCEPT female child or children are alive.  In verse  4:12 it clearly refers division of the share with female children alive and in 4:176 Quran mentions about Kalala with no female child or children alive (no inheritors at all). 

10

General Discussions / Re: Is Allah referring to Prophet Mohammad in this Ayah?

« on: May 23, 2015, 03:20:58 AM »

عَبَسَ وَتَوَلَّىٰ

He frowned and turned (his) back,
Is Allah referring to prophet Mohammad SA ?

The logical deduction from this verse would be this.   The man who frowned was the Quraishi man with whom the prophet was having a meeting.  The only wrong the prophet did was this. In spite of witnessing to this action from the Quraishi man, the prophet continued to concentrate on him.

11

General Discussions / Re: Do the Animals have language?

« on: May 22, 2015, 08:04:53 PM »

Salam,

What is mentioned in the Quran is "we have been taught the language of 'birds", and the verse does not say only prophet Soloman was having this knowledge.  Al Tair means "the flying one" or bird,  which could refer to Solomon's army mastering the knowledge of how to tame the horses to fly like birds.  Prophet Solomon's love of horses was famous (38:33) and think how come horses are missed when Allah talks about his army in 27:17 (and strangely birds are included in the army!!!).  Mentioning 'birds' (to refer to his (flying) horses) is a poetic paraphrase.  And about his fleet of boats also Quran narrates in a poetic paraphrase when it says;

34:وَلِسُلَيْمَانَ الرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ (12  (Interpreted meaning:  Solomon had full knowledge of the direction of winds.  As a result, in one day or even the earlier part of the day, his fleet of boats covered distances that other boats would travel in a month.  Similar long distances were covered in the later part of the day.)

Wassalam

12

General Discussions / Re: JIN O Ins

« on: May 22, 2015, 07:01:32 PM »

6:130يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ أَلَمْ يَأْتِكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِّنكُمْ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِي وَيُنذِرُونَكُمْ لِقَاءَ يَوْمِكُمْ هَٰذَا قَالُوا شَهِدْنَا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِنَا وَغَرَّتْهُمُ الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا وَشَهِدُوا عَلَىٰ أَنفُسِهِمْ أَنَّهُمْ كَانُوا كَافِرِينَ
6:130
O assembly of jinn and men! did there not come to you apostles from among you, relating to you My communications and warning you of the meeting of this day of yours? They shall say: We bear witness against ourselves; and this world's life deceived them, and they shall bear witness against their own souls that they were unbelievers.
--------------------------------------------------
Salam All, The above quoted Ayah confirms that Jinn & Ins are different categories as against the belief of some that Jinns are Nomads.

Wassalam,

1.   The above verse mentions about messengers to Jinn and men.  There is no evidence in the Quran to show that at any time a Jinn was also a Rasool, On the contrary, it is clarified that Rasool was always from Bani-Adam and were sent towards them only.


يَا بَنِي آدَمَ إِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ رُسُلٌ مِنْكُمْ يَقُصُّونَ عَلَيْكُمْ آيَاتِي فَمَنِ اتَّقَىٰ وَأَصْلَحَ فَلَا خَوْفٌ عَلَيْهِمْ وَلَا هُمْ يَحْزَنُونَ
O CHILDREN of Adam! Whenever there come unto you apostles of your own, conveying My messages unto you, then all who are conscious of Me and live righteously – no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve; (7:35)

2.   The verse 17:95 states;  Say: "If angels were walking about on earth as their natural abode, We would indeed have sent down unto them an angel out of heaven as Our apostle".

Based on the above verse, if the word Jinn referred to a non-human species, then Allah would have definitely sent down to earth a messenger who was  a Jinn, specifically for them.  In fact, the few of the Jinn who listened to the Quran understood that the prophet (a human being) is the messenger to them.  They said;

"They said, "O our people! We have heard a Book revealed after Moses, confirming what came before it: it guides (men) to the Truth and to a Straight Path" (46:30).  They further says;

"O our people! Respond to God's call, and have faith in Him: He will forgive you [whatever is past] of your sins, and deliver you from grievous suffering [in the life to come" (46:31)

3.   Allah says in the Quran, verse 72:6; 

"And there were men (Rijal) among Al Ins who sought refuge in men (Rijal) from the Jinn, so they only increased them in burden".

What we can conclude from this Ayat the followings;

1. Jinn and Ins have men (Rijal) among them
2. The men from the Ins sought refuge in the men from the Jinn and it only lead them to their downfall.

The Quranic usage of the word Rajul (pl. Rijal)

MEN (RIJAL) SHALL have a share in what parents and kinsfolk leave behind, and women shall have a share in what parents and kinsfolk leave behind, whether it be little or much – a share ordained [by God]. (4:7)

Nor did We send before thee (as messengers) any but men (Rijal), whom we did inspire,- (men) living in human habitations (12:109)

16:43 & 21:7 And we sent not before you except men (Rijal) to whom we revealed.....

From the fact that Allah uses the same word RIJAL to refer to men and jinn, therefore, Rijal used in reference to jinn means that the jinn are no more than mortal human beings on earth.

4.   Here are some clues to study the subject in detail;

1.  The word used to refer to all HUMANS is Bashar in the QUran.  It includes both Ins and Jinn. 
2.  All ins are Bashar (human), but not all Bashar are Ins
3.  All Jinn are Bashar (Human), but not all Bashar are Jinn

Regards

Optimist

13

Resources and Information Portal / Lughat-ul-Quran BY G.A PARWEZ

« on: January 23, 2015, 02:16:48 AM »

Lughat-ul-Quran  Vol. 1 of 2 (BY G.A PARWEZ)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/150539497X/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_T46Vub17J739F

Lughat-ul-Quran  Vol. 2 of 2 (BY G.A PARWEZ)
http://www.amazon.com/dp/1506147461/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_n46Vub1QNVXRX

In order to understand the true message and spirit of the Holy Quran, it is essential to know the language it has been revealed in. The first step is to understand the meaning of individual words. One needs to understand how words were used by the ancient Arabs by the time of Quranic revelation, and not depend on anyone's explanation or understanding as to what they mean today. Along with proper understanding of Arabic grammar, the true meanings of Quranic words, and their use with respect to the context in which they have been revealed in, one student of Quran may get closer to the Truth. The task of creating a Quranic dictionary or encyclopedia that would explain the classical meanings of Quranic words and their use along with significance was undertaken by Allama Ghulam Ahmed Parwez in 1960, where he compiled Lughat-ul-Quran in Urdu language. Now this dictionary has been translated to English by Quranic Education Society in Norway, in order to appeal to a larger audience worldwide and to inspire modern Quranic students.

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General Discussions / Re: Anti-Islamic site testifies the truth of Quran code 19

« on: October 14, 2014, 09:10:46 PM »

Dear Lobotomize94

As-salam alaykum

Some may be inclined to argue that an anti-islamic website, innately designed to dismiss the Quran being of Divine origin and prove false the messengership of Muhammad, would only likely to affirm the 'wayward doctrines' of some Muslim proponents to lead mankind further astray from the truth.

However, irrespective of one's claim, please see the article below where I have discussed Code 19 in particular, the comments:

"The majestic Quran exhibits linguistic and thematic coherency in multifaceted ways. There may also be a strong semblance of a numerical structure in the Quran. However, the contention is solely based on the fact that the Quran provides no instruction for believers to explain the number 19. Believers are clearly taught by the Quran to rely on clear matters which form the substance of the Book (3:7, 18:22)"

Furthermore, a doctrine or claim that requires the removal of two verses from the Quran to succeed would appear to many, highly suspect.

CODE 19 AND THE REMOVAL OF TWO VERSES FROM THE QURAN - A PROBLEMATIC THEORY
http://quransmessage.com/articles/19%20FM3.htm

Regards,
Joseph

Assalamu alaikum

Thank you for this comment brother Joseph Islam with full of wisdom!  May God bless you!

Kind regards

Optimist

15

General Discussions / Re: a "sahih" hadith!!

« on: June 08, 2014, 01:04:53 PM »

The hadith does tell us.  The reason being neither she fasted the day before nor she plans to fast the next day.