Show Posts

This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.


Messages - Shahmatt

Pages: 1 ... 3 4 [5] 6 7
61
General Discussions / On the purpose of religion
« on: June 30, 2014, 12:56:29 PM »
Greetings to all,

I have the following questions and comments regarding religion.

1. According to the Quran there will not be any injustice (atom's weight/hair's breadth) on any soul:

Does this mean that paradise is given purely on the basis of those who have done good and forbidden evil by their own souls regardless of religion (i.e. following  God's teaching it of what is good for it and bad for it)?

2. The purpose of the religions of the book are to make clear the nature and reality of life and the universe, a means by which a soul may seek relief and guidance in navigating life, and a prescription for individual and social best practice. Would this be near to the mark?

3. Not following the prescribed acts of worship, e.g - prayer, fasting, performing Hajj, is not in itself a sin and presumably not injustice, but rather implies the absence of seeking God's relief and guidance. On this basis is it that not following prescribed acts of worship does not automatically preclude paradise?

4. Could it be that the prescribed praying five times in a day, Hajj being prescribed as once in a lifetime etc., be regarded as upper limits to acts of worship in seeking God's relief and guidance? That is, the absence of these limits causing a true believer to spend much more time in worship than what is necessary?

62
General Discussions / Typo in article "PARAKLETOS OR PERIKLYTOS?"
« on: May 28, 2014, 07:14:24 PM »
"All Biblical instances of the term are found as 'Parakletos' (comforter) and not Periklytos. The word 'Periklytos' does note appear anywhere in the Greek New Testament or the Old Testament in Greek (Septuagint)."

Just pointing out a minor typing error.

63
People are hard to change in their views, and general Muslim behavior does not really help. After reading the book "How to make friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie I realize that it is impossible to change any person unless that person wants that change. I guess therefore our approach as believers should be to identify individuals who want truth. A person who loves their non-believer lifestyle as it is would in all likelihood be a very hard effort, though I will not go so far as to say that we should not try.

From my limited understanding, the Quran asks us to ponder over its message and perceive the truth of what it says. It is the truth of the Quran that is ultimately what should be used to convince a non-believer into believing in it.

My personal approach would be to first bring up that feature of our souls where we are able to perceive what is good and what is bad in everything. I argue that most of humanity have this feature in common, wherever they are from, and whatever the background, and the Quran states this as fact.

I would continue by saying that God is fair and just, and we all will be judged on our actions whatever religion we outwardly proclaim. This is why there is no compulsion in religion according to the Quran.

Next I would say that the Quran describes humanity as it is, that it is a place of toil and struggle. Whatever our situation, be it wealthy, good health etc., we are all struggling. The Quran says is a relief from this life and a passage to a life free of struggle. This should give motivation to those who want answers to investigate the Quran by themselves and learn it for themselves. A reference to this website will of course help.

64
Islamic Duties / Re: On Jummah prayers
« on: August 25, 2013, 07:21:43 PM »
Surah Jumah does not say which prayer of the day we must congregate.

Surah Jumah also does not say if the call to prayer is a call specific to the congregational prayer (i.e. an additional prayer), or if it is a call for a regular prayer to be prayed in congregation. Though I feel that it must be the latter I would appreciate any further insight from someone who understands the Arabic.

65
Islamic Duties / On Jummah prayers
« on: August 16, 2013, 12:20:10 PM »
Greetings to all.
I have the following questions on the Jummah prayer.

1. It is common practice that the Jummah prayer replaces the Noon day prayer. Is this supported by the Quran? If no then would the Jummah prayer constitute a sixth prayer on the day of Jummah.

2. Is there any reason why the Jummah prayer is prayed at the time of the Noon day prayer? Would it be possible to pray the Jummah prayer at other times of the day?

66
General Discussions / Re: man is not 'successor'/ 'viceregent' of Allah
« on: August 07, 2013, 06:59:22 PM »
@ optimist,

Just to clarify: Does the use of "khalifa" give further credence to Adam having non-"human" family living along with him?

67
Islamic Duties / Re: On humans created out of clay
« on: July 22, 2013, 12:28:19 AM »
Thanks very much for the information.

68
Islamic Duties / On humans created out of clay
« on: July 18, 2013, 04:10:38 PM »
In 3:49 and in numerous other places the Quran refers to man being created out of clay.

My questions as follows.

1. Does the Arabic word used for "clay" literally interpret to that? Or can it also interpret to "something like clay"?

2. If a literal interpretation is what is intended, is the claim of humans being created from "clay" consistent with science? Clay, as I understand it, is primarily composed of Silicon, whilst humans are primarily Carbon based.

69
I suppose that even in the countries that experience no true day or night, the times of the day are still referred to as "day" and "night".  That is, it may be that the word "layl" may not always need to refer to the physical blackness of sky.

70
Joseph Islam, thanks very much for the references.

@ Waqas, that is an interesting interpretation, thanks very much!

71
Thank you for the reply.

Can you please point out to me another event during the prophet's lifetime where angels are alleged to have performed tasks?

72
Islamic Duties / Re: On the consumption of birds
« on: June 05, 2013, 12:56:23 PM »
Agreed that there is a difference between the diet of predatory birds and poultry.

Thank you for the clarification.

73
Dear Joseph Islam,

I refer to the article on the prophet's miracles:

http://quransmessage.com/articles/prophet%27s%20miracles%20FM3.htm

According to the Quran 3:123 to 128, the narrative seems to describe angels sent to assist the Apostle's force.

The Quran seems to suggest in 3:124, that the prophet had said: "Is it not enough For you that God should help you With three thousand angels (Specially) sent down?", i.e. pointing to a seemingly miraculous event.

Can you please explain if the angels of Badr described here constitute a miraculous event, and if so, how is this consistent with the argument that the prophet received no signs aside from the Quran itself?

74
Islamic Duties / On the consumption of birds
« on: June 01, 2013, 01:31:29 AM »
Dear Joseph Islam,

I refer to the following article, specifically the section on the consumption of Birds.

http://quransmessage.com/articles/food%20restrictions%20FM3.htm

I understand that there are no restrictions in the Quran on the eating of birds, and in fact the Quran also mentions fowl as a food in paradise.

You have also stated that the rule on general animal consumption, i.e. carnivorous and omnivorous animals may not be consumed, may be applied to birds.

However articles on the internet discussing the diet of birds seem to suggest that fowl such as chicken are in fact omnivorous. See random google link below:

http://www.westonaprice.org/farm-a-ranch/chickens-are-omnivores-its-no-dilemma

On this basis do you feel that fowl may not be eaten during our life on earth?

Or, based on the Quranic assertion that fowl is consumed in paradise, do you feel that omnivorous birds are allowable for consumption?

Your comments are greatly appreciated.

75
Islamic Duties / Re: On Wudhu
« on: June 01, 2013, 01:17:12 AM »
@ Wakas. Ah I see! Thank you for that info.

Pages: 1 ... 3 4 [5] 6 7