Topics

16

General Discussions / Does each people judge by what they have been given?

« on: December 16, 2014, 06:20:13 PM »

Asalamu Alykum Dear Br. Joseph Islam

I have read your article "People of the Book" and found that you have pointed out that the Quran tells the Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) that to let the Jews and the Christians to judge by what they are given. (5:42-48)

Just to understand and referring back to the original text in Arabic. in verse 5:44 translations say:

Yusuf Ali
It was We who revealed the law (to Moses): therein was guidance and light.

is the"was" an accurate translation as I know "feeha"  means "in it" or "therein" and I can't find "was" in the Arabic.

I noticed the translation you used in the article also says "was"

005.044
It was We who revealed the Torah (to Moses): therein (Arabic: Fi-ha) was guidance and light.

Now what I'm trying to get it is that some people refer to this as a past tense. Or its somewhat sarcasm when verse 5:43 is explained. That they come to the Prophet for judgement because they dont have there books.

I honestly hate to waste your time and over mention something. I read your posts about the Torah and all the subcategories that have to do with it. I myself honestly feel that the verses are clear and agree with your views on them.

Its really a shocking news to some when they hear this. but I was really nervous today by how people react when you tell them you believe this. I feel like I'm the one going against the Quran. so its as if I just need to confirm. Because I feel like I'm denying that the Quran came to all humanity. And not everyone should follow the laws ordained in it.

Some argue that because the Torah was changed then God sent the Injeel. And then the Injeel was changed then thats the reason for the Quran. And God has protected it. And the justifications for this is that the Quran confirms that people tampered and changed the Torah and Bible.

However I incline to your views of the interpretations is because I do believe that just because people don't use what was given to them doesn't mean that they are no longer available by some others. And because of verses (5:42-48)

Does not the God mention somewhere in the Quran that his words are never lost or changed? I tried to search before but maybe I could be mistaken.

The only thing that I question out of good faith is verse 7:157 and 7:158. It seems like it is asking the Jews and Christians to follow Prophet Muhammad with the light(Quran) which was sent to him.

7:157.....(part)and follow the light which is sent down with him,- it is they who will prosper."
7:158 Say: "O men(mankind)! I am sent unto you all, as the Messenger of Allah...

Also isn't studying another book for religious guidance and law rebuked by the Quran, or is that just to the people or nation of the Prophet?

68:36-38
What is [the matter] with you? How do you judge?
Or do you have a scripture in which you learn
That indeed for you is whatever you choose?



The above verse is probably not relating to previous nations with scriptures as they did have scriptures but the rebuttal to that would be they no longer have them?



Also I am inclined to believe that the Quran is reminding the Children of Israel to fulfil the covenant they had. 2:40

I do recall that they were told to hold fast to their Book. 2:63. would that meant forever?

Also 2:44 "Do you order righteousness of the people and forget yourselves while you recite the Scripture? Then will you not reason?"

If the above verse was a present tense in the time of the prophet Muhammad to the Jews then one is inclined to think that amongst the Jews are reciting the Torah and was available in a form God has deemed it allowable for guidance.

I'm just looking for truth Insha'Allah. I don't want it my way. I feel this is a serious topic.

The way I see it, there is 2 ways:

1. the Jews and Christians not follow the Quranic laws but to believe in that the Quran is the word of God and to follow the scriptures that came to them.
2. to believe that the Quranic law is for all.

In the event that (1) is wrong, then the consequence of believing in this way seems worse than than (2)



And thats why I would like to be certain and its not just a small matter to me. Because if the case of number (1) is true and absolute, we also have no say in the matter and this is what God has ordained. And this is what we should be preaching as well.

I have taken up much of your time lately with my questions in the past couple days. And I honestly only intend for the best and the truth and not to exhaust you but to help you(something which I might not be able to do but Insha'Allah). Only reply if you find it a topic that will benefit others and not only myself as there is other important things going on.

Peace be upon you

17

General Discussions / The opening verses of Surah Al Baqarah

« on: December 13, 2014, 01:38:04 PM »

Asalamu Alykum

I was pondering over the opening verses of Surah Al Baqarah, and trying to understand them from the lens of a person who has no knowledge or history of the Quran or Islam.

2:2-6...
2.This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah;
3.Who believe in the Unseen, are steadfast in prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them
4.And who believe in the Revelation sent to thee, and sent before thy time, and (in their hearts) have the assurance of the Hereafter.
5.They are on (true) guidance, from their Lord, and it is these who will prosper.
6.As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them whether thou warn them or do not warn them; they will not believe.

It seems like this was how God has introduced the guidance to the people at the time of the prophet Muhammad who directly took the Book after him. To the people amongst the prophet who were to carry out the message to the world. As the prophet was a witness to them and they were a witness to the rest.

It seems every detail of how God carried out his plan to spread the Message was perfect and in perfect timing and all done through one divine Book. The superiority of the Quran did so much.

It introduced its self to the prophet himself and guided him and expected him to believe in what was coming to him.
It gave him the procedures and expectations to introduce himself to his community.
It showed the prophet how to take a covenant with his people before the Quran was fully revealed to them.
It brought them in measured time and through obstacles the truth from the Lord. And tested the people amongst him through patience and worldly pleasures and loses.
And finally after the Quran was fully revealed and placed in the order that we have it today, it assured the next generation of people after the Prophet who feared the Lord, who believed in the unseen, and performed prayer and gave zakat and believe in the Quran and what went before it and believe in the hereafter, that they are on true Guidance from the Lord, and that they are the ones that will prosper.

Does it make sense they way I can understand these verses? I would assume also one would need the above background knowledge if thats correct to take the opening verses to mean lots to the generation at the time of the Prophet who were entrusted with the Book. Im not limiting the interpretations to just that. But I can imagine how it speaks to them very much or in the first instance.

Just some thoughts

Any thoughts?

May God Bless Us All

Salam

18

General Discussions / Before or after resurrection 22:2

« on: December 11, 2014, 01:15:03 PM »

Asalamu Alykum Br. Joseph Islam

I was reading a response from you today which says

"However, the Quran is explicit that earthly relationships will be severed on the Day of Judgment. A nursing mother will forget what she was nursing; a pregnant mother will want to drop her own child in her womb and will want nothing to do with it (22:2)."

(22:1-2)
1.O mankind, fear your Lord. Indeed, the convulsion of the [final] Hour is a terrible thing.
2.On the Day you see it every nursing mother will be distracted from that [child] she was nursing, and every pregnant woman will abort her pregnancy, and you will see the people [appearing] intoxicated while they are not intoxicated; but the punishment of Allah is severe.

I have always been curious about when this actually happens, not the actually time of it( As only God knows when) but at what stage? is it the time that the last generation of people will witness and only God knows when? Or is it actually when every one dies and then gets resurrected again? As I noticed you mentioned Day of Judgment. Could it be that the Day of Judgement probably starts when the last generation of people witness the ending and since no good a person does will avail him so therefore Judgement has started at the point of the ending of the world or the earthquake mentioned in 99:01?

Curious because, if its after everyone dies and then gets resurrected then I imagine that women will be resurrected pregnant and/or nursing. So I would assume its before the resurrection that 22:2 would be implying, not sure?

your brother in faith

Peace

Hamzeh

19

General Discussions / Perfect and Flawless Quran

« on: November 19, 2014, 03:59:13 PM »

Asalamu Alykum

As I read today what Br. Joseph Islam replied to a sister about salat I was stunned at how the deeper the Quran is studied the more of its perfectness and light is illuminated. It struck me today.

Because I have no knowledge or a verse providing rakaat numbers (2,4,4,3,4). So if there is no rakaat numbers in Qur'an, what does the verse in the qur'an with regards to shortening prayer upon fear or danger mean? Because there is no qur'anic verse stating the length of the prayer .... correct? ... so how to shorten it, i don't know the length of it in the first place? Or does it mean, if you are in danger or fear, you are pardoned from prayer?  i'm confused in this aspect. In a state of danger or fear, it is left to the individual / congregation to make an appropriate judgment as to how short a prayer should be (4:101) and what form (4:103; 2:238-239) one needs to establish keeping in view the extent of fear /danger they are under. The Quran’s silence arguably intentionally provides a cue for sensible consideration and allows its silence to cater for the unique circumstances of any given situation. Every situation is arguably different.

However, the focus is clearly not to abandon worship, but to curtail normal form and duration (whatever that may be) in difficult circumstances. Otherwise, the Quran could have provided distinctive expressions such as ‘half’ or ‘quarter’ or even ‘a third’ whilst referring to the prayer with the implication that there was a ‘set’ form (with specific rakats) for normal prayer. This is clearly not the case. The Quran merely says ‘taqsuru - qasara ’ (shorten) which is left open to interpretation given the difficulty of the situation. It is noteworthy that expressions such as ‘half’, (nisf) ‘third’ (thulth) and ‘two-thirds’ (thuluthayi) are used by the Quran to denote durations of the night even in the case of worship. (73:20). Hence the Quran is not averse from using such expressions if it needs to.

In some situations it may only be appropriate to read one rakat, sitting down. In another, one may be able to worship a little longer, adding sparingly to their rakats. Sometimes, the situation is so dire, that one is left with the ability to only establish a very rudimentary form of worship or even resort to praying in the mind and to re-establish normal form when danger / difficulty has passed. Every situation is arguably different. Please see the article below of a real life experience that I encountered.

I have bolded the words

Masha'Allah brother. I found this to be put very well. Jazak Allah Khair. Thanks for sharing your efforts.

I ask myself that "if" the Quran did say for example half’, (nisf) ‘third’ (thulth) and ‘two-thirds’ (thuluthayi) in the context of shortening prayers, then one is also expected to find the amount of rukahs in the Quran just because of a single word used differently. And maybe has the right to ask about the amount prescribed. Which is not the case.

Another example that comes to mind is the precision and accuracy of the punishment prescribed for fornicators. And how it proves that no stoning is prescribed. If one takes the 2 verses below

004:025 (Part)
"...So marry them with the permission of their family, and give them their bridal due, according to what is reasonable: They should be chaste, not those that commit immorality, nor those that take secret lovers. Then when they are married, if they commit lewdness / adultery (Arabic: Bifahishatin), their punishment is half that of a free women..."

Yusuf Ali
The woman and the man guilty of adultery or fornication(WaZaniyatu wazani),- flog each of them with a hundred stripes: Let not compassion move you in their case, in a matter prescribed by Allah, if ye believe in Allah and the Last Day: and let a party of the Believers witness their punishment.

Note another translation how it refers to only the single or unmarried. But using verse 4:25 one sees the consistencies and flawless Verses.

Sahih International
The [unmarried] woman or [unmarried] man found guilty of sexual intercourse - lash each one of them with a hundred lashes, and do not be taken by pity for them in the religion of Allah , if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. And let a group of the believers witness their punishment.


Some Ayat worth pondering over Subhan'Allah Glory be to God


Pickthall
Will they not then ponder on the Qur'an? If it had been from other than Allah they would have found therein much incongruity.
Yusuf Ali
Do they not consider the Qur'an (with care)? Had it been from other Than Allah, they would surely have found therein Much discrepancy.


Yusuf Ali
Allah has revealed (from time to time) the most beautiful Message in the form of a Book, consistent with itself, (yet) repeating (its teaching in various aspects): the skins of those who fear their Lord tremble thereat; then their skins and their hearts do soften to the celebration of Allah's praises. Such is the guidance of Allah: He guides therewith whom He pleases, but such as Allah leaves to stray, can have none to guide.


I thought I share this as it my heart did soften Alhamdulila.

Salam

20

General Discussions / 40:46 Punishment in the grave or a time on the Day of Judgement?

« on: November 10, 2014, 05:45:37 PM »

Asalamu Alykum Br. Joseph Islam

I read your article PUNISHMENT OF THE GRAVE (AZAB-E-QABR).[1]
Although I agree with you on this topic, I was wondering if the Quran gives more information about the Day of Judgement and its time(atmosphere)? Will there be mornings and evenings? Is there any indication that there will be more than one day? Is the period of the Day of Judgement a set of days or years? Will there be light and darkness(night) or a sun and a moon?

I am curious because some say that on the Day of Judgement there is no mornings and evenings. And it can only be a reference to a time in the grave or a period from the time death starts till the time of the day of Judgement(barzakh). Since during those times the universe will continue to have days and nights, mornings and evenings. Despite the fact that the verse below does not mention anything about punishment in ones grave.To me this doesn't make any sense because I cannot see how in a grave or in a state of barzakh a one can have a feeling or a perception of mornings and evenings. However some still argue hard to prove their point so I thought I would ask all this.

verse 40:46
“In front of the Fire will they be brought, morning and evening: and (the sentence will be) on the Day that Judgment will be established: "Cast ye the People of Pharaoh into the severest Penalty”

The above verse is mentioning that the Fire will be brought near and the verse below is mentioning how Hell will be presented to the unbelievers. The question is; are these both on the Day of Judgement or the same Day? 

18:100
"And We shall present Hell that day for Unbelievers to see, all spread out,-"


I do recall on the Day of Resurrection(Qiyama) that the Sun and the Moon will be brought together. 75:6-9

"He questions: "When is the Day of Resurrection?"
At length, when the sight is dazed,
And the moon is buried in darkness.
And the sun and moon are joined together,-"

Does the above verses prove that the Sun and the Moon will still provide mornings and evenings or nights and days?


May Peace be with You Insha'Allah

[1]http://quransmessage.com/articles/grave%20punishment%20FM3.htm

21

General Discussions / Judgement before the revelation of the Quran to the Quraish?

« on: September 18, 2014, 11:06:09 AM »

Salamu Alikum

Brother Joseph, If you have some time, I would like to know your thoughts on how a nation in the past would be judged before they would receive revelation from God.

Was it that modesty fairness and belief in God should of been passed down from the father Adam. and then when nations would transgress beyond bounds that God deemed it necessary to guide them and follow what He revealed.

How would the people lets say the Arabs from the time after Jesus(pbuh) to the time before Muhammad(pbuh) who were not part of the Christians be judged? Those who lived with no guidance or Book( revelation and scripture)


Salam

22

Islamic Duties / Striving in the Cause of ALLAH

« on: July 23, 2014, 12:04:50 PM »

Salamun Alykum Br. Joseph

I read your last comments and I have actually thought of this a few times over the past couple of weeks about asking meaningless questions in a world that has far too much more concerns and worries. I stepped away from asking some questions of curiosity just because of that very point. Insha'Allah we remain cautious and alert of whats going on and the purpose of asking questions.


There are people who are muslims in land that there is no conflict and no wars. Some are borders with other Muslims that have wars and chaos in there land. And some are on the other side of the world. I can assume from a comment you made on Facebook that at least open the borders up to people in need and at least for women and children. Those leaders should take in people and open there borders.  For everyone in need there should be a ansar(helper) ready. I can't agree with that more. There is trial there for both. There is also people far away. there hearts are with all people who are being oppressed. Im not sure what they can possibly do or what can be asked of them in situations like this on the Day of Judgement.
And your right everyone is eventually going to die. The end results will take place on the Day of Judgement. whether people did what they are supposed to or not. everyone will get the fruits of what they earned. So if people did not do what they should do it will eventually all come back at us then.

Now the other scenario is the people living at war. Somehow it broke out. Everyone has there opinion of who's fault this is and all the stories to go alone with it. And there is good people living from every direction. No one is able to get out, no one wants to open its doors. At times both people or all people at war with each other claim they are fighting for the sake of GOD and fighting oppression of one another. There are others who sit from behind and wait to see the end result to say we were always with you. i understand  the verse below is referring to the prophet and his time. That some people from amongst the Prophets when they experience affliction they say this is from GOD when they shouldn't because these are the hypocrites.  What does one do who lives in those lands. There is no prophet amongst them.

You know brother i think its a scary situation. As believers we should be worried that we are missing the opportunity to be a helper and also should be watching out to NOT be a hypocrite. Because we will be questioned for our means. What i mean is that from a Qurans perspective those who did not fight with the Prophet are labelled disbelievers and hypocrites. And whats it seems like is from so many different sects of Islam this is what people are afraid of doing. Maybe they think they are fighting also in the name of Islam against each other. I don't know how to differentiate the situations. Who does one support. A Shia, A Sunni, A Quran centric, A Christian, A Believer etc. People are in groups that are hard to identify who is who. whats there real aim and mission? Are they say who they say they are? A person living in the midst of a war. He will probably just fight for he belongs to. Or the army that hired him.


there is one Aya(verse) that comes to mind 6:65 and i don't know if this is whats happening. or maybe we have to be careful of this as well 29:10-11

6:65
Say, "He is the [one] Able to send upon you affliction from above you or from beneath your feet or to confuse you [so you become] sects and make you taste the violence of one another." Look how We diversify the signs that they might understand.


29:10-11 Then there are among men such as say, "We believe in Allah"; but when they suffer affliction in (the cause of) Allah, they treat men's oppression as if it were the Wrath of Allah! And if help comes (to thee) from thy Lord, they are sure to say, "We have (always) been with you!" Does not Allah know best all that is in the hearts of all creation?
 

Just some thoughts if you wish to comment on. But I honestly don't expect you to.  I'm just confused and i noticed sometimes GOD shows us the signs as times goes by and the answers become clear.

Salam

23

General Discussions / alif lam meem, alif lam ra etc

« on: July 17, 2014, 07:39:10 AM »

Salamu Alaykum

Certain surahs (chapters) of the Quran begin with just certain letters like the alif lam meem or
alif lam ra
Ta ha
Saad
Ha miim
Ya seen

From what I know from translation is that it is kept the same
Or some say only GOD knows what they mean and not for us to know them

Any opinions on the matter

Thank you
Salam

24

Islamic Duties / fasting and relations with spouses

« on: July 12, 2014, 05:57:09 AM »

Salamu Alaykum brother Joseph

The kutba(lesson) at the friday prayer today was what a man or women can do with there spouses.  After hearing so much ahadith which I got used to even though over the past little while I just go there for the sake of praying to GOD and to attend the Congressional prayer. But today it really just made me think that every who was there should of questioned this.

I know sura 2:187 talks about you can have relations with the spouses after night or breaking fast.
Now what I was hearing is that the prophet used to touch kiss play with his wives during fasting but would control his self. And also heard many other hadith saying how his companions did the same and that you can do these things but just be careful not to reach you know.   may Allah forgive me for even listening to things like this.

there was little children sitting and it was kind of weird. The speech was that you may touch the private parts and kiss and touch which was pretty disturbing. What came to mind was doesn't that break the fast of the women. I mean would there be explicit verses from the Quran to prove you can't do this.   

Salam

25

Women / Also (prohibited are) women already married 4:24

« on: May 21, 2014, 06:13:59 PM »

Salamu Alykum

Dear brother Joseph

Can you help me out with understanding verse 4:24

Yusuf Ali
Also (prohibited are) women already married, except those whom your right hands possess: Thus hath Allah ordained (Prohibitions) against you: Except for these, all others are lawful, provided ye seek (them in marriage) with gifts from your property,- desiring chastity, not lust, seeing that ye derive benefit from them, give them their dowers (at least) as prescribed; but if, after a dower is prescribed, agree Mutually (to vary it), there is no blame on you, and Allah is All-knowing, All-wise.


I understand that "your right hand possess" can not be restricted to the same meaning through out the Quran and needs to be read within the context.

Verse 4:24 is a continuation of the prohibitions that believing men cannot marry. So women who are married are not to be married again to another man. Or a man cannot marry a women who is currently married or in other words a women cannot have more than 1 husband. Now the except part I am trying to look at it in many ways here. I can assume many situations. But some situations just seem to me out of the kilter.  Because Im not understanding it right. So the question is:

A man can marry which women who is already married ?
or in other words which women may marry while she is already married

And in which meaning is best to understand "your right hand posses" here which would probably explain the previous questions?

only way I can see it is that a non-believing married women who turned to be a believing women either after a war or she left or ran away from her previous life out of her own choice without declaring divorce and wanted to marry a believing man? which typically she is still married? Then are these are the exceptions?


Salam

26

General Discussions / 7:157

« on: March 08, 2014, 03:50:00 PM »

Asalamu Alaykum brother Jospeh

I was reading your article Ahmad

I would just like to know if I am understanding the article correctly and would like to know your humble best assumption because I am assuming that it can only be as best seen. I do believe that only Allah alone knows the whole Quran.

First according to verse 61:6 I am assuming that this statement you made below is probably what you think it means best?  I also find that your one of your main cause for the article was to prove to the people of the book and anyone that the Quran does not state that Ahmad is mention in the Bible?

"Equally, it is implausible to assume that the Bible writers captured every single conversation that Prophet Jesus (pbuh) was ever part of.

 
In this manner, the debate could well have been with regards messengership in general. This would explain the possible theological question as to why Prophet Jesus (pbuh) deemed it necessary to mention another messenger after him while the same audience was not prepared to instil faith in his own messengership."


I also would like to know a little more of what you mentioned below. I looked up viz a viz.  Not really sure what it means exactly.  Like face to face? Similar characteristics? I just couldn't understand the point. And also would you say viz a viz the Bible and the Torah also since 7:157 mentions both?

On the strength of verse 7:157 alone, what the Quran is likely referencing viz a viz the Bible are clear indications of the nature of a true Prophet such as Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) that should be followed and not a Prophet of a particular name.

Reason I am interested is because lots of talk about this subject and I seen videos that many muslims used to try to prove that Bible and Torah mentions the prophet Muhammad(pbuh). And it used to be convincing especially when I cant understand the people of the books language.  Im not saying that those doing the videos are doing it on purpose. Just maybe they feel thats the truth.


Take your time brother Joseph I know you very busy


Salam

27

General Discussions / which prophet is saying verse 11:31

« on: February 09, 2014, 04:23:34 PM »

Asalamun Alikum.

Dear brother Joseph Islam

As I was reading in the Quran and trying to focus on the audience and the speaker and who is narrating the story at times. I remembered you quoted a verse that was said by the prophet Muhammad(pbuh) in your article below


http://quransmessage.com/articles/prophetic%20assistance%20FM3.htm

As I been trying to follow the stories correctly, can you explain just briefly how its prophet Muhammad(pbuh) is saying this and not prophet Noah(pbuh)?

I been noticing the changes in when Allah(swt) is talking to someone or to the reader or the prophets(pbut)  and the changes of a person speaking from time to time to there people etc. Although the whole Quran is the word of Allah(swt). I am not noticing the change in verse 10:31 from Noah to Muhammad (pbut).


Just thought maybe something im not looking for or im missing that can help when reading Inshallah

Peace

Hamzeh

28

Women / after giving birth waiting period?

« on: October 15, 2013, 12:34:58 AM »

Salamun alikum

Is there any indication from the Quran on when a husband and wife can get back together after a women delivers a baby?

I heard its 40 days not sure if that's a Qurans perspective or ahadith

Thanks

Salam

29

Islamic Duties / mixed praying men and women?

« on: October 14, 2013, 11:16:51 PM »

Asalamun Alikum

Dear brother Joseph

I happened to read some of your articles and some discussions you made with certain people regarding "Women praying with men" website below

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=101.0

I was thinking about this. As I believe the Quran is complete for religious guidance and gives many examples that we can benefit from. The example the Quran gives regarding Mary bowing down with those that bow down still can be argued by others that its not clear whether its male or female. But it does not really say that it should not happen either.

I thought a little more and I wanted to share these two verses that I remembered about what a person should do when approaching prayer and when ablution(wudu) should be done.

Yusuf Ali (4:43)
O ye who believe! Approach not prayers with a mind befogged, until ye can understand all that ye say,- nor in a state of ceremonial impurity (Except when travelling on the road), until after washing your whole body. If ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins and forgive again and again.

Yusuf Ali (5:6)
O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete his favour to you, that ye may be grateful.

As we know that when we have congressional prayer many times we are in contact with each other. sometimes the feet, sometimes shoulders, or elbows, and sometimes as i seen people grabbing one another just to get closer etc 

from the 2 verses above if the word lamastumu means just touching women and not necessarily having any relations(sexual) with them because I see the 'ceremonial impurities' would include the sexual relationship. If lamastumu means just touching or contacting of non marriageable women in general. Then

Its difficult to see how man and women can pray together as they might touch each other but the Quran asks to make ablution(wudu) before approaching prayer if you become in contact with each other.  so pretty much one has to keep making ablution during the prayer and actually he or she can't even pray because soon as contact happens its time for ablution(wudu) again. Seems like the verses are suggesting a separation between men and women during prayer.

And also you mentioned " However, gender separation can still be maintained despite prayer being performed in the same prayer hall. I know of many women that would feel uncomfortable praying along with unknown men and vice versa. I don't think that one has to prove a point by intermingling both sexes as I'm sure you will agree."

I agree with that statement, and also it can be distracting for both genders if the right intentions are not there.

And taking the hajj for example that they have mixed intermingling men and women does not indicate that is correct though it might be, which im not saying that thats what you stated but just to point out another thought.


God knows best

and thank you my dear brother for all the hard and dedicated work that you continue to share with us. May Allah(swt) bless you and your family.

Jazak Allah Khair

Salam

30

Discussions / Immunization/vaccination?

« on: September 19, 2013, 08:28:28 AM »

Salamun Alikum

Dear brothers and sisters

What is your opinions from a Quranic point of view on Immunization and vaccinations such at the time of birth or through ones life?

I did a lot of reading about immunizations, and I just cant seem to get the right answers and make up my mind on such a topic. The opinions of doctors and patients seem very hard to tell whats right and whats wrong.

There is from some people who tell you through studies that immunization for children is harmful and caused lots of harm. And that the studies and testing of immunization is on this generation and its being test now. And the pandemics that happened was not cured by immunizations and it was by better hygiene and cleanliness. and after the use of immunization many peoples immune systems are getting weaker and also causes diseases and does not let the full development of the immune system to develop.

on the other hand, there are other doctors and people who stand up for immunizations and say this is what helped people all over the world to cure the sicknesses. And its been around for a very long time and dates back 1000's of years. And its so safe that you can inject a child with 100 needles and it wont harm them.

I know from the Quran, Allah(swt) tells us honey is a healing for men

Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and find with skill the spacious paths of its Lord: there issues from within their bodies a drink of varying colours, wherein is healing for men: verily in this is a Sign for those who give thought.  (16:69)

Also mentioned in the Quran is that

The One who has PERFECTED EVERYTHING HE HAS CREATED and began the creation of mankind from clay (32:7)

The Ayah above I can see it to mean about the form of humans and everything else. But also maybe that the human can have the capabilities of fighting things that are harmful in the world. That it has a defence system created with it.


I think from both point of views one can argue his views by people who have been harmed by them and people who maybe be helped by them.


I can understand that this might not be a religious question rather a medical question.
Its just that sometimes its seems like if someone doesn't take the vaccines its made to seem like its life threatening. And vice versa.

I know that some illnesses can be causes by ones self, by inflicting harm to his or her self. by eating bad, uncleanliness, bad substances etc.

And some are from the Allah(swt)

Also I am not against advancement in the world as the world is progressing and people are learning and developing new things. But I can also see things being for other peoples self interest and making money.

I know from generation to generation parents all line up to give their children the vaccines without question. They all assume its good and its just right. They have no idea what inside of them and the effects if any. They can be possibly safe, but I just got a bad feeling about them from reading many cases on the internet and peoples reviews.

Also I know the Quran states

And pursue not that of which thou hast no knowledge; for every act of hearing, or of seeing or of (feeling in) the heart will be enquired into (on the Day of Reckoning). (17:36)

I believe in depending on the creator always, and also He has given us knowledge and good things to use in this world.

I watched the movie "pursuit of happiness" and I remember the tale the son was telling his father

Hey dad, you wanna hear something funny? There was a man who was drowning, and a boat came, and the man on the boat said "Do you need help?" and the man said "God will save me". Then another boat came and he tried to help him, but he said "God will save me", then he drowned and went to Heaven. Then the man told God, "God, why didn't you save me?" and God said "I sent you two boats, you dummy!"

I would say it makes me think somewhat similar to something like vaccines if someone did not take them or give them to their kids. Like why didn't someone take them when they were available and it was a source of help if that is the case. I hope you get my point

Any help from the Quran's guidance would be very appreciated

Also would like to hear brother Joseph Islam perspective

Thank you

Salamun Alikum