Messages

It is truly sad watching the situation we have today regarding animal welfare. More about this is being highlighted to the public so awareness is increasing.

When you mention the poultry farms, the overcrowded conditions are atrocious like you mentioned how the chickens are kept in indoors throughout their existence.

Because of these farms, I made a decision many years back to only buy free range eggs just to do my small part.

I think that more attention does need to be given on how they are looked after to improve their living conditions but unfortunately it is a supply game.

This is a difficult one to answer because we will never know for sure what the animal feels when they are stunned. In Europe there is a standard procedure to stun and there exceptions for religious groups such as Jews and Muslims.

There may be a case for stunning when it comes to large animals such as sheep /cows etc because they can be difficult to hold down especially because the abattoirs are just a huge assembly lines and animals get very distressed watching their fellow kind being slaughtered.

Salaam all,

Here is an article that may be of help:

THE 'LOST' MONTHS OF HAJJ
http://quransmessage.com/articles/zakah%20FM3.htm

[only if the meat is certified halal]

Salaam,

You can eat meat from the outlets you mention only if the meat is certified halal. In the U.K there are some major food outlets that offer halal meat only in certain branches, for example KFC or Nando's,  others offer it nationwide.

Salaam Beyond Tradition,

There is an article that may help you with this:

WHAT IS THE CONCEPT OF ZAKAT FROM THE QURAN?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/zakah%20FM3.htm

Salaam Ahmad,

There was a similar discussion on this forum before which may be of use to you:

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=5.0


Also some articles here:

DO NOT MAKE ANY DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN THE MESSENGERS OF GOD

http://quransmessage.com/articles/do%20not%20make%20distinctions%20between%20messengers%20FM3.htm

EXCLUSIVENESS OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD (pbuh)

http://quransmessage.com/articles/exclusiveness%20of%20prophet%20muhammad%20FM3.htm

Salaam all,

I personally fast during menstruation if I am not having any side effects such as those Sleepysoul mentioned. However I have not extended that to praying as I do not feel comfortable in doing so just because I feel 'unclean' but that is just my personal take on it.

I don't see an issue with women touching the Quran during menstruation. This article may help:

http://quransmessage.com/articles/wudu%20before%20touching%20the%20quran%20FM3.htm

[they have absolutely no right to enter.]

I would just like to add some thoughts on this. Nothing can ever be a fool proof deterrent against an individual who wishes to harm, you can only do your best. As an example, when protecting your home, you could leave the doors unlocked and expect that no one should come in because they have absolutely no right to enter.

Yet I don't think that anyone would be that naive as to leave their home unsecured. You would take the best precautions to lock the door/windows but if a burglar is determined to enter, he will; some only if they saw an open window, others even if they see deterrents such as an alarm or CCTV. It does not mean therefore that securing your property is not working because you still got burgled. It may in fact have thwarted the 'opportunistic' burglar.

An example regarding when women go for a night out, here the police advice them to make sure they leave nightclubs etc together or inform someone of where they are going and to walk in well lit areas. They also advise that they use licensed taxis  because there have been cases where 'drivers' have raped women upon picking them up.

The above does not mean that it is the woman's fault is she is attacked but clearly there is a case to be made to take 'sensible precautions'. Yet I see certain feminists crying out against this advice, saying that men should control themselves. So let them take the no precautions and gamble their safety.

[3 months]

Dear Truth Seeker / Beyond Tradition,

As-salamu alaykum to you both.

It is correct that in my humble view of the Quranic narratives, I have posited that the point at which the nafs / soul is possibly recognised, is approximately 3 months after conception.

However, it is also important to remember the Quran's focus on the preservation of innocent human life in all its forms which would arguably encompass both the mother and a child. Therefore, a mother's welfare should also be of paramount importance / consideration as part of any medical decision that is undertaken.

Indeed, God is most merciful.

Regards,
Joseph

Salaam Joseph,

Thank you for the additional comments.  Much appreciated. 

In brief, a human soul/life starts approximately 3 months after conception according to the Quran. Joseph Islam has commented on this topic, which may be helpful to you:

http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=551.msg1839#msg1839

Also a point to note though is at the moment of death, a person will be aware of the truth if he was a sinner or disbeliever during his life. His/her punishment though will be given on the Day Of Judgement.


"And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: 'Now I repent' Nor of those who die while they are disbeliever's. For them we have prepared a painful torment." [Quran 4:18]


"When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: "In what (plight) Were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed Were we in the earth." They say: "Was not the earth of Allah spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (From evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell,- What an evil refuge!" [Quran 4:97]

[only authority]

Salaam,

My question actually is that why death pain will have grade ? I never hear from Quran such type of grading of pain.  I believe according to Quran before Day of Judgement nobody will not be declared
Rightious or wrong doers so why God will apply the pain to a person less or severe . Hope you got my point .

You are right when you say that there is nothing in the Quran regarding the examples you gave about severe pain etc at the time of death.
If you take the Quran as being the only authority, then it makes life so much simpler as you will not see any contradictions. The hadith you mention will obviously cause confusion in this matter because they are at odds with what the Quran says.

It is God's will and only He has the wisdom behind what type and severity of death a person will receive.

[before entering marriage]

Salaam,

As there will be differing views on marrying more than one wife depending on a persons own standpoint, I have a solution for those women who would be absolutely opposed to the idea of their husband taking another wife and they should do it before entering marriage.

Apart from discussing the issue with her future husband, she should make it clear in the marriage contract that she has a right to request that during their marriage he agrees not to marry another woman.

The marriage contract is surprisingly overlooked amongst Muslims, who could save a lot of heartache later on in their lives, if only they discussed their viewpoint openly. That is why it is called a contract.

Dear Athman,

Thank you for your comments. There are other moderators on this forum, who also post like I do and those who prefer just to moderate and they are known as 'QM Moderators Team'.

Salaam Beyond Tradition,

My question in earthly capacity men can die within a second like in explosive , in gun point etc... so how this life suffer severe pain at the point of death. Moreover , why God will give  someone severe pain based on his bad deeds in the earth. If so then without trial how God can apply severe death pain to a men ? Pls input your thought .

To clarify, are you asking that if a person is to die in a severely painful way, why God did that to them because it seems like a punishment before they have even reached judgement?