Messages

46

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: Time understand for Salah and fasting in some countries where day is longer ?

« on: May 09, 2019, 07:47:05 AM »

Dear Beyond Tradition,

Wa alaikum assalam,

Ramadan Kareem to you too.

Believers must remember that the remit of any religious obligation is governed by 'istataat' (i.e. the best one can achieve / best endeavours / best ability whilst striving in the way of God).

064:016
“So keep your duty to God as best you can / what you are able (Arabic: ma is’tata’tum), and listen, and obey, and spend; that is better for your souls. And whoso is saved from his own greed, such are the successful”

If reasonable time regulation cannot be determined due to the extremities (anomalies) of geographical locales on the planet or outside (in space - e.g. on the International Space Station), then there are a few options that can be considered in the spirit of verse 64:16.

Please kindly appreciate, that the Quran allows for reasonable Ijtihad (intellectual endeavour with a view to form the best opinion), so such intellectual reasoning should not be considered outlandish, particularly if the Quran has not legislated a particular position on a matter.

Some examples that can be considered:

• Timings coordinated with the nearest country / region with a regulated night/day/ season variation
• Timings coordinated with the nearest perceived 'Muslim' country with a regulated night/day/ season variation
• Timings regulated with the Holy Sanctuary in Saudi Arabia
• Timings regulated with the Holy precincts in Jerusalem

Whatever method is taken (examples above or others), it is to be understood that these are exceptional circumstances and the intention is to serve Allah alone.

I hope this helps, God willing
Joseph

47

Posts on Facebook / The Jews and the Quran

« on: May 07, 2019, 07:15:53 AM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/1427354040735052


THE JEWS AND THE QURAN


1 - The Jews and Believers are under one ‘Deen’ [42:13]

2 - The Jews have their own Shariah [5:48 - Shir-atan]

3 - The Jews have their own ceremonial rites that they must follow [22:67]

4 - The Jews have been strongly instructed by the Quran to judge by the Torah [5:43-45, 5:8]

5 - The Jews have been instructed to stand firmly by the Torah [5:68 - Tuqimu]

6 - The Jews are instructed to keep the Sabbath [4:154 -Bound by covenant (mithaq) - never to be abrogated; 16:124; 2:65; 4:47; 7:163]

7 - The Jews have respite / salvation with God [2:62; 5:69]

8 - The Laws of Prophet Moses given to the Children of Israel are not abrogated for the Jews. The Quran also recognises their scriptures as a legitimate guide [28:49 - minhuma - both of them]

9 - The Jews have their own Qiblah [10:87; 2:144-45]

10 - There are Jews that guide and do justice in the light of the truth [7:159]

11 - There are Jews that believe in One God, the revelation to you and the revelation to them and they bow in humility to God [3:199]

12 - God's name is mentioned in synagogues [22:40]

13 - Prophet Muhammad was instructed not to be in any doubt coming face to face (liqaihi) with the Scripture given to Moses [32:23]

14 - The Jews are expected to accept the truth that is with them, and the truth that is revealed to us, the believers [28:52-53]

15 - Those Jews that have acknowledged the truth of the Quran are also known as believers [5:83 - amanna]

16 - The Jews are expected to carry out ritual practices of worship [2:43]


REFERENCES:

[1] PEOPLE OF THE BOOK (JEWS & CHRISTIANS)
http://quransmessage.com/…/people%20of%20the%20book%20FM3.h…
[2] THE QIBLA CHANGE
http://quransmessage.com/articles/qibla%20FM3.htm
[3] MARRIAGE WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE BOOK
http://quransmessage.com/…/marriage%20with%20people%20of%20…
[4] IS KOSHER MEAT PERMISSIBLE FOR CONSUMPTION?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/kosher%20FM3.htm
.

48

Discussions / Re: Ramadan Kareem 2019

« on: May 06, 2019, 05:49:57 PM »

Dear Brother Hamzeh

Wa alaikum assalam

Ameen.

Ramadan Kareem to you, your family and all on this forum too.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1426385464165243&id=100003814101226&__tn__=-R

49

Posts on Facebook / Ramadan Kareem 2019

« on: May 06, 2019, 05:43:19 PM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1426385464165243&id=100003814101226&__tn__=-R


As we remain blessed to be part of the incoming month of Ramadan once again, may the crescent-shaped moon wax and wane showering you with blessings and enlightenment throughout this month and beyond.

Ramadan Kareem!

Your brother in faith.

50

Posts on Facebook / Beware of the Teachers of the Law

« on: May 04, 2019, 01:09:49 PM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/1425184047618718


BEWARE OF THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW

"While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely." [Luke 20:45-47]

If Prophet Muhammad could walk the earth again today, one does wonder whether his observations would lead to similar sentiments against some of the Muslim teachers, which Prophet Jesus expressed, against the teachers of the law of his day.

51

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: What is Kolema ? or the Arabic words " La Ilaha Illalahu Mohammadur Rasulullah "

« on: May 04, 2019, 12:50:33 PM »

My simple question is , does Quran state same words adding Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in any of it’s verse ? Or it is just two separate part from the Quran and people assembled together .

Dear Beyond Tradition,

I answered your question in my point (1).

        1. With regards your statement 'La Ilaha Illalahu Mohammadur Rasulullah' and subsequent question, there is not a complete statement such as this in the Quran [1].

So the simple answer again is no. These are two different expressions found in different parts of the Quran and are assembled together to make a truthful expression.

Regards,
Joseph

52

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: What is Kolema ? or the Arabic words " La Ilaha Illalahu Mohammadur Rasulullah "

« on: May 03, 2019, 06:09:18 AM »

Dear Beyond Tradition,

Wa alaikum assalam,

Please kindly allow me to answer your questions in the points format below:

• With regards your statement 'La Ilaha Illalahu Mohammadur Rasulullah' and subsequent question, there is not a complete statement such as this in the Quran [1].
• There is nothing wrong with the statement in itself as the statement is true in much the same manner as the statement, 'There is no God but Allah and Jesus was His messenger' or 'There is no God but Allah and the Angels are His created beings[/i]'. These statements are true [2].
• If the belief is as per your statement "They think without added Prophet Mohammad ( PBUH) worship to God will not be perfect", then there is no support for this belief in the Quran.
• With regards your statement "If God added Phophet Mohammed (SM) [sic] then did God grade the position between messengers?", God did not provide this appendage in the Quran as compulsory. However, each of God's messengers do have separate ranks with Him - 2:253 (darajatin) which only He knows. However for a believer, they are to show no distinctions between any of His messengers [3]
• In the end, it all depends on intentions. If the words 'La Ilaha Illalahu Mohammadur Rasulullah' are uttered to show 'distinction', an 'elevation of status' or a form of 'human worship', then this would be unwarranted. However, if the statement is made simply to state a matter of truth, then that by itself is arguably not forbidden by the Quran's overarching guidance.

I hope this helps, God willing,

Regards,
Joseph


REFERENCES:

[1] SHAHADAH - THE TRUE TESTIMONY
http://quransmessage.com/articles/shahadah%20FM3.htm
[2] Ibid
[3] DO NOT MAKE ANY DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE MESSENGERS OF GOD
http://quransmessage.com/articles/do%20not%20make%20distinctions%20between%20messengers%20FM3.htm

53

Posts on Facebook / Choose Your Friends Wisely

« on: May 02, 2019, 01:01:34 AM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/1423377151132741


CHOOSE YOUR FRIENDS WISELY

If we were to mentally survey our friends, relatives and who we commonly associate with, how many of them keep us simply 'plugged-into' and focused on the ‘Duniya’ (world, temporal existence)? How many of them are oriented towards keeping us focused on another goal, our salvation in the ‘Akhirat’ (Hereafter)?

043:067
“Friends on the Day will be enemies one to another, except the righteous”

009:071 (part)
"And the believing men and the believing women are friends / allies / protectors (awliyaa) of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong..."

We should really know our friends, relatives and who we associate with.

54

Posts on Facebook / Reliable Prophetic Ahadith or Salvaged History?

« on: April 30, 2019, 09:25:51 PM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/joseph-abraham-islam/reliable-prophetic-ahadith-or-salvaged-history/1422522287884894/


RELIABLE PROPHETIC AHADITH OR SALVAGED HISTORY?

Do traditionalists really expect critical discerning minds to believe that allegedly, prophetic ahadith passed ‘word of mouth’ after the death of the Prophet through decades / centuries of wars, sectarian influences and political influences unscathed?

That these reports are not heavily influenced and tainted through the manipulations of their day?

55

Posts on Facebook / Time-Bound Sunna

« on: April 30, 2019, 12:50:54 AM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/joseph-abraham-islam/time-bound-sunna/1421957971274659/


TIME-BOUND SUNNA

A Prophetic Sunna by its own nature can only exist if it satisfies the presence of two very necessary components.

• The presentation of a specific set of circumstances for the Prophet to apply a judgement or impart an action.
• The application of such judgement based on Divinely guided principles that he received as part of Divine inspiration.

Some of those circumstances will be applicable today, some will not.

Keeping the above components of the Sunna in view, Prophet Muhammad applied a timeless Divine document (The Quran) with guiding principles to a particular set of circumstances that he was being presented with.

What resulted was a time specific 'Sunna'. Therefore, mode of transports (e.g. riding a camel), wearing a particular attire, culturally specific eating habits, specific tools used in maintaining hygiene, judgements based on particular circumstances etc. have a time specific component which much be appreciated.



If the Prophet applied the same timeless guidance (i.e. Quran) to a different situation in a different culture at a different time slice of history, the outcomes could potentially be very different with regards his ‘Sunna’.

In the much the same manner, every prophet / messenger applied their Divine guidance to their specific set of circumstances yielding their ‘Sunna’.


REFERENCE:

[1] TIME-BOUND SUNNA
http://quransmessage.com/articles/timebound%20sunna%20FM3.htm 

56

Posts on Facebook / The Same 'Deen' But Different Shariahs Prescribed

« on: April 29, 2019, 08:34:44 PM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1421791604624629&id=100003814101226&__tn__=-R


THE SAME 'DEEN' BUT DIFFERENT 'SHARIAHS' PRESCRIBED

SAME DEEN

042.013
"The same religion (Arabic: Deen) He has established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah and that which We have sent by inspiration to thee and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses and Jesus:  Namely, that you should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions in it: to those who worship other things than God, hard is the (way) to which you call them. God chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him)"

DIFFERENT SHARIAH

005.048 (part)
"...To each among you have We prescribed a law (Arabic: Shiraa'-atan) and an open way (Arabic: Waminhajan). If God had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He has given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to God; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute”

57

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: Human Evolution and Quranic teachings

« on: April 29, 2019, 01:53:22 AM »

peace,

Quote from the article,
"It is quite possible from the above verses that an 'insaan' is only complete once the spirit of God is blown into him. This is what would separate Adam (as a man and 'insaan') from his state as a 'bashar' or any physiological state that resembles a 'bashar'."

but,
18:110 says prophet Muhammad as bashar
19:17-18 angel took the shape of bashar seems Maryam was also bashar (or female pair of bashar), which confirms in 19:20
In 23:23-24 Qur’an mentions prophet Nooh as bashar

Dear Mohammed,

Peace,

I also stated:

"There is clearly a difference between a 'bashar' and 'insaan' and the terms refer to different aspects of a human being."

"This word is formed from the root 'Ba-Shiin-Ra' and refers to the more physical, physiological attributes of a human being. It refers to the skin, complexion, beauty, elegance of form, physical intimate relationships, contact of the skin etc. It also takes meanings such as rejoicing and good tidings."

Thus an 'insaan' can quite correctly be referred to as a 'bashar' when he has become an 'insaan'. However, from an evolutionary perspective, before the spirit of God (and human volition) is entered into the human form, it can arguably only be referred to as a 'bashar'.

Your appeal to verse 19:17 in particular, actually supports this point. The messenger that met Mary was not an 'insaan' but only took human form, hence was only referred to as a 'bashar' (19:17). When Mary spoke about no 'bashar' (mortal) touching her (19:20), she was referring to the physiological aspect of a man that would necessitate the act of procreation. As expected, the Quran remained very precise with the use of terms.

I hope this helps, God willing.

Regards,
Joseph

58

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: Human Evolution and Quranic teachings

« on: April 29, 2019, 01:36:52 AM »

Dear Amin,

Wa alaikum assalam

With a view to answer your overarching point of disagreement, I have responded to what I feel are your core contentions (in brown italics) on which your source of disagreement appears to rest on.

Firstly because I highly doubt the Arabs at the time of revelation could ever have understood it in such a way - this is something you’ve always said to consider when interpreting the Quran in your other articles.

You are correct; it is my general approach whilst interpreting the Quran that the Quran focuses foremost on the sensibilities and worldviews of the primary audience of the Quran. However, I also appreciate that we will never really know (or could possibly fathom) the full extent of their beliefs / understanding.

Thus in the main, we can only seek an interpretation that appears consistent with the overarching guidance / narratives of the Quran and one which remains 'internally coherent'.

For example, one could contend with the notion that the Arab communities or other bygone communities of antiquity were ever aware of the intricacies of human foetal development. But if one consults the Quranic narratives, this appears to be the case. With regards the latter, verse 10:37 further supports this. There is also the possibility that the Quran may have been presenting information in a manner that could be better appreciated by future generations of sufficient advancements.

Hence, it is also my belief that the Quran also presented its narratives in a manner to further cater for a secondary audience (wider communities) with a view to meet the needs of future (possibly far more advanced) diverse communities.

Secondly, critics of Islam would argue that the idea of mankind being made from clay isn’t only found in Islamic ideology and the idea that breathing life into something inanimate to make it living is known to be a myth from many ancient communities so it is not surprising it’s mentioned in the Quran thus, would be difficult to interpret Quran 15:26 in the way you have.

Just because the Quran provides vestiges of knowledge that may have been known to other communities in antiquity, doesn't imply that the information has been 'plagiarised' or 'adopted'.  I find this to be a lazy contention by the critic. Critics from previous scriptures have made similar claims. When the Quran agrees with narratives from the Bible, it is seen to be ‘plagiarising’ and when it disagrees, it is seen as being ‘errant’.

If the Quran solely relied on new information unknown to the primary audience, it would have arguably been rejected instantly as outlandish. The Quran arguably, had to appeal to the audience's worldviews if it was to remain comprehensible whilst retaining any semblance of credibility. Furthermore, the critic must answer the question, why is the Quran only criticised when it agrees with a well-established understanding and not when it departs from the views of the same community? Clearly the Quran is 'discerning' in its approach.

Finally, I thought whether or not the all the Quranic ayah about mankind being created form clay (which is of course in conflict with evolution) should be interpreted literally or not. Support for this question stems from Quran 03:07.

My focus in the article was not the earthly components from which mankind was created but rather the process of evolution. As to what 'sounding clay of altered black mud' (salsalin min hama-in masunin) may refer to ‘literally’ in detail, is possibly a discussion for another article or thread.

Suffice to say, I do not believe that the development of human form across time from earlier life forms and ‘earthly components’ is in conflict with the general views of evolution.

I hope this helps, God willing.

Regards,
Joseph

59

Posts on Facebook / Re: Was Ritual Prayer a Practice Invented Later?

« on: April 29, 2019, 12:44:05 AM »

Dear brother Wakas,

Peace

Without revisiting areas of our profound disagreements already (e.g. x5 prayer vs x2) and ritual prayers generally [1], I do concur with you that there appears to be certain aspects of the ritual prayer that may have become formalised later. How much later is difficult to ascertain even if one diligently sifted through the quagmire of Islamic secondary sources.

In my humble view. this is certainly the case with those actions that appear to be superfluous or not supported by the Quranic narratives directly. One example of the former is the extra rituals in the ablution process (5:6; 4:43) and an example of the latter is the complete silence during certain rakats of the prayer (17:110). Though I don't see them necessarily as a problem as being performed out of habit, I would find the claim that they are religiously ordained and thus compulsory, errant.

Furthermore, I am contending with the general assertion that the 'ritual process' as a whole was a later invention. That somehow, later generations invented this practice as a mass conspiracy of sorts and such a practice was never ordained by God. This claim I find unwarranted, outlandish and false.

Of course, the new Islamic community would have formulated a monotheistic prayer routine based on the guidance of the Quranic narratives [2], but I also believe it would have been heavily influenced by the ritual prayers of the People of the Book in situ. Thus, it is not by accident that even today, there are similarities between prayer routines between the People of the Book and Muslims. [3]

Also, in my humble view from the Quran, it is indisputable that the previous prophets and messengers prayed as part of some routine which seems to have been broadly formalised from the time of Prophet Abraham (2:128). The Quran's purpose was to confirm, clarify and provide broad boundaries of what was expected for the believers [4] as part of a routine that was already known. It was not inventing a new practice.

Finally, in general, I have huge concerns of modern day scholars (Muslim and non-Muslim), that no different from the traditionalist approach, oft infer much from Islamic secondary sources when espousing views.

Regards,
Joseph


REFERENCES:

[1] DISCUSSION-DEBATES WITH WAKAS
http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1272.0

[2] Aspects of monotheistic worship expected by the Quran

• The details of ablution (4:43; 5:6)
• A need for a direction - Qiblah, specific for the ‘believers’ (Mu'mins) (2.143-44)
• Garments (7:31)
• Allusion of times: (4:103; 11:114; 17:78; 24:58; 30:18; 2:238: 20:58)
• That prayers must be observed on time (4:103)
• Followers of the previous scripture to observe their Qiblah and the Believers (Mu’mins) their own Qiblah (2:145)
• Prayer involves prostration (Sujood - 4:102; 48:29)
• There is more than one prayer (Prayer in plural used - Salawat) (2:238)
• There is a general form to prayer (2:238-39)
• Standing position (3:39; 4:102)
• Bowing down and prostrating (4:102; 22:26; 38:24; 48:29)
• Form is not required during times of emergencies, fear, and unusual circumstances (2:239)
• A mention of a call to prayer and congregation prayer (62:9)
• A warning not to abandon prayer as was done by people before (19:58-59) but to establish prayer (Numerous references)
• The purpose of prayer - To remember God alone (6:162; 20:14)
• Prayer involves utterance (4:43)
• The purpose to protect from sins (29:45)
• What to do in danger and the shortening of prayer (4:101)
• Garments and mention of a Masjid, or a place of prayer (7:31)
• The tone of prayer (17:110)
• There is a leader of prayer (4:102)

[3] A JEWISH PRAYER IN COMPLETE RESONANCE WITH QURANIC VERSES ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF PRAYER
http://quransmessage.com/articles/jewish%20prayer%20FM3.htm

[4] See note [2]

60

Posts on Facebook / Avoiding Unnecessary Disputes / Arguments in Religion - Verse: 042:016

« on: April 28, 2019, 11:17:03 PM »

Direct Facebook Link:

https://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/1421098521360604


AVOIDING UNNECESSARY DISPUTES / ARGUMENTS IN MATTERS OF RELIGION

042:016
"And those who argue / dispute / concerning God after He has been acknowledged / accepted - their argument is invalid / void / has no weight with their Lord, and upon them is [His] wrath, and for them is a severe punishment."