Messages

406

General Discussions / Re: Original Sanctuary, Masjid al-Haram and the Qibla Change

« on: January 16, 2012, 01:50:32 AM »

Salaam Chadiga,

I can see that you are researching deeply on this topic of whether the Kaaba is in Makkah or not.
Since the era of Islam, on a practical day to day basis, Muslims have been in unison regarding the direction of prayer.

I feel that God has stressed the importance of the Qibla change and also the Masjid al Haram to the Muslims. Because of the emphasis on praying and is importance, could God have allowed it to be that Muslims place their centre of worship and Hajj in the incorrect location and direction.
In my opinion, something as important as this would surely not be overlooked by God.


As far as my knowledge on this, I do not think that in the early years of Islam, Muslims were praying in a different direction or that their Kaaba was elsewhere.

Is it not possible that like the preservation of the Holy Quran, the Muslims preserved the direction of prayer and location of the Kaaba.

Thanks

407

Islamic Duties / Re: Tajweed

« on: January 04, 2012, 09:27:41 AM »

Salaam,

I think that when one is learning languages, pronunciation is one important aspect. It is always good to try and pronounce the words as correctly as possible.

However, I do feel that there might be an over emphasis on this, in respect to the Quran.

What is unusual in the case of Quranic arabic, is that unlike when one learns other languages, this one (in general) is learnt without understanding the meaning of the words in your own language, so you are effect learning without learning.

Although ideally, one should do both to get the full richness of its beauty, I would always favour learning the meanings over pronouncing the words.

And for Sardar Miyan, I can recommend going on YouTube and typing in 'Tajweed'. You will find many lessons on this staring from the alphabet onwards. I have found this very useful.

408

Islamic Duties / Re: Itikaaf

« on: January 02, 2012, 03:11:44 AM »

Salaam,

The word 'itikaaf' is mentioned in 2.187 with regards to retreating to the mosques in Ramadhan. As this month is spent with increased devotion to God, muslims indeed retreated to the mosques.

All the other details that you mention however are from the secondary sources and I find it difficult to comprehend why a person would leave personal cleanliness especially when they are devoting more time to worshipping God, indeed this is against the spirit of the Quran.

Once men want endless details, any spirituality is sucked out and you are left with extensive rules and regulations that needlessly weigh you down.

409

General Discussions / Re: Do angels teach magic/occult sciences/witchcraft/sorcery???

« on: December 27, 2011, 06:39:46 AM »

Salaam,

I see that some of the translations you have provided interpolate that the two angels and what they taught was just part of a 'myth'.

The arabic however is clear in that the verses deal with people who are corrupted and ignore the scripture, choosing to learn the 'dark arts'.

The angels mentioned  (Harut and Marut) are real and did indeed teach people such things, but if you read the verses as a whole, you can see that they are there for a 'test'. For people who wanted to learn magic that sowed discord between man and wife.

The most important thing to note is that the angels said to those that approached them:  ''Surely we are only a trial, therefore do not be a disbeliever."
A final chance has been given to them to take heed and turn back but those who were perverted proceeded and then they were taught.

This action taken by some men meant that they in effect had condemned themselves to hellfire (2.102):

"..and they learned what harmed them and did not profit them, and certainly they know that he who bought it should have no share of good in the hereafter and evil was the price for which they sold their souls, had they but known this."

The angels knew that these men, after having been told to stay away, would be condemned.

I don't see that the angels were going about 'offering' the magic to people. It seems that upon hearing about the magic, those who had 'corrupted hearts' approached the angels, who gave them an open disclaimer so to speak. They are clearly telling the people that they are a trial and if they proceed they would become disbelievers.

If after this they transgress, then so be it. On the Day of Judgement, they will not have any excuse.

410

Prophets and Messengers / Re: Did Jews kill some of their prophets or tried to kill them?

« on: December 21, 2011, 04:00:43 PM »

Salaam Mubashir

The question was asked as a matter of fact regarding the killing ('falima' in 2:91). So the first translation you have given is correct.  The fact they slew the prophets is also confirmed by other verses such as 2:61 and 4:155,.

This is confirmed by the Bible. Please see 1 Thessalonians 2:15 and Matthew 23:29-32.

Thanks.

411

Islamic Duties / Re: How to pray

« on: December 17, 2011, 10:52:05 AM »

Salaam,

Welcome to the forum and thank you for your post.

Regarding your question, I feel that the units of prayer that we have today originated from the practice of the people. There are no differences across all the denominations of Muslims as to the basic number of units to be read.

The people practised the prayers in such a way, normally in congregation, so future generations carried this method on.
 
The hadith do mention these units, however there is no single hadith that details all of the units. Therefore I feel that they are not the primary source of the units, as we know that the collection of hadith came hundreds of years after the death of the prophet, and even then, they were not available to the masses.

Looking at the current form of the salaat, these units fulfill the directive in the Quran to pray.
However because the Quran does not prescribe units, I feel that if a person reads more or less, it is fine. They are not set in stone and a variation cannot be a sin as the imams would have you believe.

412

General Discussions / Re: cut the hand and the feet

« on: December 14, 2011, 09:58:40 PM »

Salaam Chadiga,

I was reading your post and I think that what you are saying is that the verses are not literal.

Pharoah threatened his people as we see in 20.71 and also 7.124:

'Surely I shall have your hands and feet cut off upon alternate sides. Then I shall crucify you every one.'

Pharoah who has been described as a tyrant in the Quran, was also responsible for killing the males in the families and sparing the females:

28.4
'Surely Firon exalted himself in the land and made its people into parties, weakening one party from among them; he slaughtered their sons and let their women live; surely he was one of the mischiefmakers'.

I think that if Pharoah can impose such oppression on a nation and indiscriminately order the killing of innocent males, he surely means it literally when he threatens his opponents with cutting off their hands and feet and crucifying them.

The terms to me are therefore literal but the difference being that when God assigns this as a punishment, it is for those who themselves are tyrants and evil doers. In the Quran we note that they can be punished in this world and the next.

Thanks

413

Prophets and Messengers / Re: Messengers are Forever!

« on: December 14, 2011, 09:15:13 PM »

Salaam,

I don't think that they are interchangeable, as with Muslim and Mumin, these words have different remits.

A Mumin is a term specifically for those who follow the Quran and its laws and obviously believe in the previous scriptures and prophets/messengers.

I think the article posted by Abdul Fauq is interesting as it raises some important issues and the verses he provides are at odds concerning the 'traditional' understanding of what defines a nabi and rasool.

Thanks

414

General Discussions / Re: cut the hand and the feet

« on: December 12, 2011, 07:07:06 PM »

Salam Truth seeker,

Thanks for your response. How would you then understand 5:39 in this context?

005.039
YUSUFALI: But if the thief repents after his crime, and amends his conduct, Allah turneth to him in forgiveness; for Allah is Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.

Here it seems to be talking about repenting after the crime. But if the hands are cut off before he has a chance to repent, then is this not unfair or is there another explanation to the verse which I may not be seeing.

Thanks.
Saba

Salaam Saba,

I see this linked to 5.33 where repentance is mentioned before the person is overpowered.
Verse 5:39 mentions forgiveness again this time for the thief who repents and reforms ( wa aslaha ).

I see this practically being applied, for example when someone who did cause mischief and stole, regretted it afterwards then mended his ways.
The crimes he committed came to light after he reformed, therefore under this verse he would not have to be punished as before he was discovered, out of his own volition he decided correct himself.

I would even go so far as to say that because God knows what each soul will do even before they were created, He would know about the soul that would commit evil but afterwards sincerely repent and change his life. God would therefore ensure that this person's crimes would either never be made known to the authorities or if so, make it be known to them a long time after the crimes were committed, so that the persons efforts of reformation would be known to all.

This way God would ensure that he is not punished by way of cutting off the hands.

On the other hand, with those who God knows would never stop their criminal activities, He would either expose them in this world (therefore ensuring that a punishment is administered) or He may choose to conceal their crimes and deal with them only in the Hereafter.

415

General Discussions / Re: cut the hand and the feet

« on: December 11, 2011, 01:51:40 PM »

Salaam Sardar Miyan,

I think that the cutting of the hands is a punishment for someone who is constantly causing mischief in the land, without remorse.

Without a hand, it would be more difficult for him to commit such crimes but I think that the main reason is so that he is punished and then mends his ways. Also others would see this and it would act as a deterrent.

416

General Discussions / Re: 2:73 How was the murderer caught?

« on: December 11, 2011, 01:34:49 PM »

Salaam Mubashir,

Having looked at the verse in question, it seems that indeed a miracle had taken place in which the corpse was brought to life.

The people were disputing about a murder. God wanted to expose what they were hiding (in effect exposing the murderer/s)
Then a command was given to strike the corpse with 'part of it 'or more accurately 'part of her'. The arabic word is 'biba'diha'.

 'Ha' is the key here. It is linked to the heifer in 2.71 that was eventually slaughtered: 'fadhabahūhā' means 'so they slaughtered her'. Something miraculous happened to the corpse upon striking as immediately after we are told 'Like this revives Allah the dead and shows you his signs'

There is no mention of the corpse pointing out his murderer or speaking, that is an inference by translators. Whatever happened after the corpse came to life, led to the exposure of the truth.

This is another miracle recalled in the Quran amonst many others. They all took place for the previous generations and ceased when the Quran was revealed:

17:59 'Nothing prevents Us from sending signs, except the fact that previous peoples denied them ..'

417

General Discussions / Re: mooncalender

« on: November 29, 2011, 03:52:37 AM »

Salaam,

I am not sure what you are specifically asking. Are you saying that the Quran is telling us to follow the solar calendar?

418

Islamic Duties / Re: Shortening of Prayers

« on: November 28, 2011, 12:56:52 AM »

Salaam,

I read this thread with interest. I feel that the shortening is a change to the 'standard' form that had been adapted at the time. I don't think that prescribed prayers are so fluid in that there is no basic form.
 
At the time of the prophet, a basic form must have been followed as people read in congregation. This form consists of standing, bowing and prostrating.

It therefore follows that in danger, a person may not be able to commit fully to the basic elements.

However please note that in 4.102 the use of the word 'sajadu' (they have prostrated).The prophet is told to lead the prayer and in turns groups of men join and once they finish their prostration, move back. Even in this danger, they are trying to keep a physical form.

419

Islamic Duties / Re: Verse 5/106 - What is meant by Salat?

« on: November 25, 2011, 02:43:05 AM »

Salaam,

To me this verse refers to the 'funeral prayer'. Even today we perform this for the deceased. The whole topic is dealing with witnesses being present when a dying Muslim makes a will.

Believers are being told what to do in such a scenario. Salaat  is performed after death and then the witnesses are to be held back in order to discuss the will of the deceased.

I disagree that it is referring to 'dua' as that is more of a personal informal action. The Quran seems to be pointing to a customary congregational prayer that is standard practice as the Muslims are told to detain witnesses after it.

420

Islamic Duties / Re: Why Do We say 'Qul' (say) in our prayers?

« on: November 25, 2011, 02:09:25 AM »

Salaam,

I think that because from a young age, many of us have been taught 'set' prayers to recite, we overlook the actual words.

I agree with Wazir that a replacement word for 'kul' needs to be used when reciting Surah Ikhlas and others like it. We must pay attention to the words and only then can we make the 'connection' with God. Reciting it in a foreign tongue just takes us further away from that connection in my personal opinion.