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Thanks a lot for sharing brother.

Thanks. A very nice website by the way.

[does not]

SalamuAlikum - Peace be upon you

Questions regarding blasphemy have been discussed before on this forum however I want to ask from a slightly different perspective.

It is absolutely clear that Quran does not permit any violence or death penalty in response to blasphemy & mocking of religion.

And Quran states to say peace to the mockers.

And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk upon the earth easily, and when the ignorant address them [harshly], they say peace. (25:63)

However, some Muslims who have Quran centric approach claim on basis of following verses, that Quran states to tolerate mockery :-

And it has already come down to you in the Book that when you hear the verses of Allah [recited], they are denied [by them] and ridiculed; so do not sit with them until they enter into another conversation. Indeed, you would then be like them. Indeed, Allah will gather the hypocrites and disbelievers in Hell all together. (4:140)

And when you see those who engage in [offensive] discourse concerning Our verses, then turn away from them until they enter into another conversation. And if Satan should cause you to forget, then do not remain after the reminder with the wrongdoing people. (6:68)

These verses show Muslims must tolerate by avoiding being in such company temporarily.

Now of course this tolerance is not tolerance by happiness, however what if some sort of legal action is taken against blasphemers? Would that be a correct idea? or doing so would be wrong?

4:140 the context is regarding Hypocrites and God says in the verse that we would be like the hypocrites & disbelievers if we tolerate such community by being part of them when they are mocking our faith.

For example a group hostile to Islam, insults the Quran & has intentions to continue to do so, what should our reaction be?
Avoid & ignore, or take help from Law & judiciary?

Regards

As-Salaam alaikum,

About ayat 51 of Surat Shura quoted above, as I understand it, the verse/ayat states that all men do not have the faculty to talk to Allah, Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala, but some of His Special Servants do have it. Allah talks to them in 3 ways:--

(1) Revelation (Wahyi directly sent to Prophets).

(2) By sending some angel as a Messenger

(3) From behind the veil.

The first way above has ended upon the last Prophet Muhammad, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, and the second way also... but the third way is still continued through which Allah converses with His Friends (Awliya)..."from behind the veil". Here, veil means our physical body behind which the soul is always talking to Allah.

Just as an alive body is blessed with  5 senses and other outward powers, similarly an alive soul also has senses and powers; infact its senses and powers are stronger than the physical body but are dormant due to the ignorance of humans towards the reality of their souls. A case to prove this is shown in ayat 172 of Surat A'araf (7:172) where Allah asked our souls...

     "Alastu bee Rabbikum... AM I NOT YOU RAB..?"... all souls replied: - "Yes! You are"! meaning that the souls heard the words of Allah,
     analyzed them, thought about the answer and replied by speaking. That was a time when physical bodies were not created, and all the senses and powers of the soul were active.
Best Wishes.

I would disagree with somethings you said.
Revelation, wahi to Prophets includes the divine scriptures (Quran, Torah, Gospel & so on) but is not limited to this meaning only. As word Wahi has also been used for non-prophets in Quran & is used as reference to Inspiration. So wahi is both revelation & inspiration.

Inspiration can be in form of mental suggestion, intuition or maybe even dream or vision?
As we are informed in Quran, Prophet Moses's mother was inspired to leave Moses(pbuh) in stream (28:7) which mother has the heart to do this? It was inspiration from God to her. Similarly we are told Prophet Muhammad was informed by Allah about his wife telling his secret to other wife, she asked:

And when the Prophet confided to one of his wives a statement; and when she informed [another] of it and Allah showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part. And when he informed her about it, she said, "Who told you this?" He said, "I was informed by the Knowing, the Aware."


So this wahi-inspiration to the Prophet was not revelation (Quran) as it is not mentioned in Quran, neither does the verse indicate that.

This Wahi-inspiration is open & accessible to all humans acc to 42:51
But it cannot be substituted with Revelation-wahi (Quran & other scriptures)... and hence this cannot be argued as argument for support of hadith. Neither is it supported in Quran as that & Quran informs that there is inspiration from satan as well.
Hence criterion for guidance must be Quran to determine any spiritual experience is from God or something else.

So Wahi in sense of inspiration is not over and is open to ALL humans.
I spoke with Shaykh Ibrahim Gamrad who told me he converted to Islam after having spiritual experience in which he realized oneness of God.

Also the second point, contact through Angels has not ended either. No verse of Quran states that. And no verse states this contact is limited to Prophets only, on contrary 42:51 states that this contact is open to all humans.

Sorry I realized that you have given reference of 'Tubsihuna' in 11:114 & 24:58 ... I thought you meant exact wording/phrase in other verses.

Salamu Alikum -  Peace Be Upon You

Dear Brother Joseph,

You have stated in your article "THE FIVE PRAYERS FROM THE QURAN" that Dhuhr prayer is referenced in 30:18 & you made the wording used 30:17 as the basis for your claim.

You said:

Entering upon the evening is clearly a reference to the Isha prayer (prayer at night) and entering the morning prayer (Arabic - Tubsihuna) is a reference to Fajr prayers (dawn). These have been clearly indicated elsewhere in the Quran as times to 'establish prayer' (as in Maghrib - 11.114 and Fajr 24:58). The Arabic term 'Ashiyyan' in verse 30.18 is also mentioned as a time for prayer in verse 24:58. Therefore by virtue of 30:18 and the context given by 30:17, we note the reference of Noonday prayers (i.e. Dhuhr)

I could not find the arabic term 'Ashiyyan' in 24:58..... (sorry I can only read Arabic)

Can you also give some references to other verses where 'Tubsihuna' is referrance to Fajr prayer.

Thank You

[We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing. [12:76]]

First of all thank you very much for a very detailed answer.

The points you mentioned, I fully agree with them even before I posted the question.
I did mention before that I do not mean small or irrelevant details.
My question was in no way a support for following hadith collections, Quran is clear on that.

Your POINT 3 is what I also had in mind but I asked..

Now one reply I can think of to this could be that Quran is sole source of religion and history(to a limited extent, keeping in accordance with Quran) can be read & explained.... but then that would negate the sufficiency of Quran

Well I guess if we take the hadiths etc to be historical sources rather than religious source then that would not negate the sufficiency of Quran?

Yes I am aware of converts doubting Islam after reading hadiths.

Thanks a lot again.

We raise in degrees whom We will, but over every possessor of knowledge is one [more] knowing. [12:76]

[And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. [2:4]]

I agree.. Most of them are not...

but just knowing the simple thing that this book was revealed on a person named Prophet Muhammad is not possible by reading only Quran..

And I do think knowing a little bit about the person on whom this book was revealed is important.

EXAMPLE 1


For example a person unaware of any history of Islam read the Quran. They will come to the verse:

And who believe in what has been revealed to you, [O Muhammad], and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain [in faith]. [2:4]


Now.... without the parenthesis or a brief history or introduction of Islam... how would they know that this book was revealed on man named Muhammad..?

I am not talking about minor details... I agree if God didn't mention them then they must be insignificant.... but not knowing on whom this book was revealed is insignificant?

EXAMPLE 2

Only once is prophet Muhammad mentioned in Quran in reference to a revelation revealed upon him...

And those who believe and do righteous deeds and believe in what has been sent down upon Muhammad - and it is the truth from their Lord - He will remove from them their misdeeds and amend their condition. [47:2]


Why should we assume that the phrase ""those who believe.. in what has been sent down upon Muhammad" refers to the Quran? There are no verses before & after which explain this.

Peace

Salam Alikum / Peace be upon you

I don't really know how to put this... and subject I gave to this question was hard to put as well..
I hope this hasn't been addressed before... I did try to find it..

I have been following Quranic approach to Islam as mentioned in Quran since a year or so now.. However I have had this thought in my mind before & recently I read it in a Turkish writer's book as well.

Can we know anything about Islam without hadiths or historical sources apart from Quran? I mean everyone of us, who only follow Quran have been following or are knowledgeable about hadiths & history of Islam particularly of Prophet Muahammad.

But what if there is a non-muslim who is given only Quran... how will he/she know that Quran was revealed in period of 23 years & different circumstances which are also talked about in Quran like migration to madina, or different battles, treaties etc.
How will they know that Prophet Muhammad was a man of 40+ on whom this Quran was revealed.. whereas Quran only mentions his name 4 times.Quran starts by telling this book was revealed on a servant of his... who is he talking of..? Muhammad? I don't know he is mentioned only 4 times in Quran...  Can a person know about all of this from Quran alone? If Quran alone is sufficient..?

What if someone has only Quran & is left on an Island alone where no other sources of history or knowledge exist... the understanding he will derive from Quran will be very different.

What if all of us who follow Quran alone... our memories are erased... will we then able to understand Quran?

Now one reply I can think of to this could be that Quran is sole source of religion and history(to a limited extent, keeping in accordance with Quran) can be read & explained.... but then that would negate the sufficiency of Quran.. 

I hope I could express my question properly

Aliykum Salam

Thanks Truth Seeker,Beyond Tradition & Duster

I am rarely on the forum & I didn't know much how to use it so apologies for the late reply.

@Truth Seeker Thanks a lot for the reference.


Thank You
God Bless All
Peace

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq4tnsbW0KM&t=178s

[(1)Talking to God from behind Veil]

Peace be Upon All friends and readers. 

(1)Talking to God from behind Veil

I wanted to know that "talking with God from behind the veil" in Quran 42:51... what does it mean actually?

-> "And it is not for any human being that Allah should speak to him except by revelation(wahi) or from behind a partition or that He sends a messenger to reveal, by His permission, what He wills. Indeed, He is Most High and Wise". [Quran 42:51]

It definitely does not mean Wahi(inspiration by thoughts,knowledge,intuition or conscience) as it has been mentioned earlier in verse, so does that mean Allah literally talks with man, and he has a voice or something similar? from behind veil.

Prophet Moses(pbuh) talked to God from behind veil, so if I am not wrong this was literally a voice of God or something similar? I just want to be sure I am not mistaken regarding this.
God cannot be seen btw Quran 7:143

(2)Speaking to God through the Messenger

Obviously this does not limit to Messengers & Prophets of God, but could be a reference to Angels as well as Angels are also Messengers. Ref to 22:75

We already know Angels come and communicate in Human forms 2:102, 11:69-70, 11:77, 20:33-34 but I want to know has any Prophet or Messenger or any other Human in Quran talked with Angels who are not in human form but their original form?

p.s I think Question (2) can be a separate topic as well, whether Angels appear to humans in Angelic form or not.I could not find any thread so maybe it has not been discussed yet.

Thank You
God Bless All
Peace

Thanks friends @munir rana and @good logic for your insights.

I know this has been quite well discussed by Brother Joesph & on this forum, but I want to know that if there are and have been messengers who came after Prophet Muhammad & will come... do they know they are Messengers?
Or can this status of Messenger-hood attained? I mean, these messengers are not the same as 'prophets' so they are not messengers in a Prophetic sense, but due to their efforts for bringing people towards God & his scripture(Quran)...
So can We be Messengers in a sense..? in that way... because this seems the only explanation of this.


p.s: Sorry I am new to forum & dont know much how to use forum, apologies for any mistakes

[ONLY]

I disagree with Br Joseph.
Just because God did not mention dowry in Quran [33:49] does not mean that dowry is not a perquisite of marriage.

You who have iman! when you marry believing women and then divorce them before you have touched them, there is no ´idda for you to calculate for them, so give them a gift and let them go with kindness. [33:49]   

In the next verse [33:50] dowry is again mentioned, but as can be seen that ONLY the Prophet(pbuh) has been exempted from giving dowry if the woman he is about to marry says not to give her the dowry.

O Prophet! We have made halal for you: your wives to whom you have given dowries and any slavegirls you own from the booty Allah has allotted you and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who have made hijra with you and any mumin woman who gives herself to the Prophet if the Prophet desires to marry her: exclusively for you as opposed to the rest of the muminun — We know very well what We have prescribed for them regarding their wives and any slavegirls they possess — in order that there be no restriction on you. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.   

We know very well what We have prescribed for them regarding their wives and any slavegirls they possess — in order that there be no restriction on you
What does this mean?This is an indication towards "Dowry" and as can be seen, in the last part of verse the Prophet has been told that he is not obliged to give the dowry, but this is exclusively for him.Rest of the Muslims are obliged to give the dowries for marriage.

Importance of Dowry in Marriage in Islam:

Give women their dowry as an outright gift. But if they are happy to give you some of it, make use of it with pleasure and goodwill.   [4:4]

Mutual Attraction And Dowry Required

And also married women, except for those you have taken in war as slaves. This is what Allah has prescribed for you. Apart from that He has made all other women halal for you provided you seek them with your wealth in marriage and not in fornication. When you consummate your marriage with them give them their prescribed dowry. There is nothing wrong in any further agreement you might come to after the dowry has been given. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.   [4:24]

If any of you do not have the means to marry free women who are muminun, you may marry slavegirls who are muminun. Allah knows best about your iman; you are all the same in that respect. Marry them with their owners´ permission and give them their dowries correctly and courteously as married women, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. When they are married, if they commit fornication they should receive half the punishment of free women. This is for those of you who are afraid of committing fornication. But being patient is better for you. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.   [4:25]

Allah desires to make things clear to you and to guide you to the correct practices of those before you and to turn towards you. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.   [4:26]

Today all good things have been made halal for you. And the food of those given the Book is also halal for you and your food is halal for them. So are free women from among the muminun and free women of those given the Book before you, once you have given them their dowries in marriage, not in fornication or taking them as lovers. But as for anyone who rejects iman, his actions will come to nothing and in the Next World he will be among the losers.   [5:5]

O Prophet! We have made halal for you: your wives to whom you have given dowries and any slavegirls you own from the booty Allah has allotted you and the daughters of your paternal uncles and the daughters of your paternal aunts and the daughters of your maternal uncles and the daughters of your maternal aunts who have made hijra with you and any mumin woman who gives herself to the Prophet if the Prophet desires to marry her: exclusively for you as opposed to the rest of the muminun — We know very well what We have prescribed for them regarding their wives and any slavegirls they possess — in order that there be no restriction on you. Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful.   [33:50]

You who have iman! when women who have iman come to you as muhajirun, submit them to a test. Allah has best knowledge of their iman. If you know they are muminun, do not return them to the kuffar. They are not halal for the kuffar nor are the kuffar halal for them. Give the kuffar whatever dowry they paid. And there is nothing wrong in your marrying them provided you pay them their due. Do not hold to any marriage ties with women who are kafir. Ask for what you paid and let them ask for what they paid. That is Allah´s judgement. Allah will judge between them. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.   [60:10]

From the above we learn that:

-dowry is a pre-requisite for a marriage,
-is to be paid by husband to his wife,
-should be equitable,
-the husband and wife can mutually make any adjustment to the dowry,
-a woman's forfeiting of the dowry for the prophet does not automatically apply to other believers.

Although one cannot find in the Quran any direct support for payment of dowry in cash only, dowry cannot be something that does not have a monetary value. It cannot be love, honesty, being faithful, etc., which are anyway traits of righteous people. If it could be something that does not have monetary value, following and many other verses (including making adjustments to the dowry) would be rendered inapplicable:

If you divorce them before you have touched them but have already allotted them a dowry, they should have half the amount which you allotted, unless they forgo it or the one in charge of the marriage contract forgoes it. To forgo it is closer to taqwa. Do not forget to show generosity to one another. Allah sees what you do.   [2:237]

And there is nothing wrong in your marrying them provided you pay them their due. Do not hold to any marriage ties with women who are kafir. Ask for what you paid and let them ask for what they paid. That is Allah´s judgement. Allah will judge between them. Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise.   [60:10]

What is an equitable dowry is what one has to assess for oneself. It depends on case to case. The rich as he can afford and the poor as he can. This should not be abused for God will hold us responsible for our innermost intention. When we are committing our deeds with an intention to please Him, He will guide us to do the right thing.

Dowry is a pre-requisite for marriage throughout the Quran. Even when verse 4:4 says :Give women their dowry as an outright gift. But if they are happy to give you some of it, make use of it with pleasure and goodwill. A woman may choose to willingly forfeit anything; the believing man must offer dowry with sincere intentions.

Let us see some other relevant verses in this regard.
[2:229]
Divorce may be retracted twice. The divorced woman shall be allowed to live in the same home amicably, or leave it amicably. It is not lawful for the husband to take back anything he had given her. However, the couple may fear that they may transgress GOD's law. If there is fear that they may transgress GOD's law, they commit no error if the wife willingly gives back whatever she chooses. These are GOD's laws; do not transgress them. Those who transgress GOD's laws are the unjust.

Protection for Women

[4:20-21]
If you wish to marry another wife, in place of your present wife, and you had given any of them a great deal, you shall not take back anything you had given her. Would you take it fraudulently, maliciously, and sinfully? How could you take it back, after you have been intimate with each other, and they had taken from you a solemn pledge?

The above verses makes it abundantly clear that it is not righteous to take back the dowry unless one is completely overcome by certain circumstances.

An example of dowry from the Quran could be that of Moses.

[28:27-28]
He said, "I wish to offer one of my two daughters for you to marry, in return for working for me for eight pilgrimages; if you make them ten, it will be voluntary on your part. I do not wish to make this matter too difficult for you. You will find me, GOD willing, righteous." He said, "It is an agreement between me and you. Whichever period I fulfill, you will not be averse to either one. GOD is the guarantor of what we said."