Messages

46

General Discussions / What is the difference?

« on: December 01, 2014, 01:37:20 AM »

Salamun alaikum Sisters and Brothers!

What is the difference between 'Ahad' and 'Wahid'? or do the words have the same meaning/definition?

Wa'salaam!
Ijaz, A.

47

Prophets and Messengers / How many Prophets?

« on: November 24, 2014, 08:00:35 PM »

Salamun alaikum Br. Joseph & Co

I was contemplating the verses and information provided by you in your article End of Prophethood. I found a wikipedia page about the Prophets and Messengers. This website mentions Noah, Lot (pbut) etc. as Prophets, but does the Qur'an confirm that Noah and Lot were Prophets?

Many are mentioned in this list, but some can't be confirmed as Prophets. In your article you wrote that Prophets are given a book (kitab), but can God also send more Prophets in order to help the first one?

19:41   And recall in the Book, Abraham; he was a man of truth, a prophet.
19:42   When he said to his father: "O father, why do you serve what does not hear or see, nor help you in anything?"
19:43   "My father, knowledge has come to me which did not come to you. So follow me that I will guide you to a level path."
19:44   "My father, do not serve the devil. For the devil was ever disobedient to the Almighty."
19:45   "My father, I fear that a retribution will inflict you from the Almighty and that you will become an ally to the devil."
19:46   He said: "Have you abandoned my gods O Abraham? If you do not stop this, I will stone you; and let me be."
19:47   He said: "Peace be upon you, I will ask forgiveness for you from my Lord. He has been most kind to me."
19:48   "And I will abandon you and what you call on besides God. And I will implore my Lord, hoping that I will not be mischievous in imploring my Lord."
19:49   So when he abandoned them and what they served besides God, We granted him Isaac and Jacob, and each of them We made a prophet.

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were Prophets, does it mean that each one received a scripture or was it just one? - The suhuf of Abraham (pbuh) - 87:19

In your article, you said that Prophets are given a scripture, right? So why did not every Prophet receive a scripture? - Maybe it is not necessary? - What do you think?

How many Prophets exist in Islam and which of these were given a book?

Wa'salaam!
Ijaz, A.

48

General Discussions / Br. Joseph article: IS THE PUNISHMENT OF HELL ETERNAL?

« on: November 11, 2014, 03:34:14 AM »

Salamun alaika Br. Jospeh & Co


43: 74. Verily, the Mujrimûn (criminals, sinners, disbelievers, etc.) will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever.

2:81. Yes! Whosoever earns evil and his sin has surrounded him, they are dwellers of the Fire (i.e. Hell); they will dwell therein forever


You didn't include these two verses in your article, can you give an explanation for these two verses?

Wa 'alaykum as-salaam!
Ijaz, A.

49

Discussions / Criticism of Hadith

« on: November 08, 2014, 07:12:07 PM »

Early criticism of the Hadith predates the time of Al-Shafi'i (d. 204 AH/820 CE) and is found in a text that Muslim tradition holds to be a letter from the Kharijite Abd Allah Ibn Ibad to the Caliph Abd al-Malik in 76/695. Though the authorship and dating of this letter are in some dispute, it still predates al-Shafii and its importance as a challenge to the authority of the Hadith remains undented. A key passage of this letter criticizes the Kufans for taking “Hadiths” for their religion abandoning the Quran. “They believed in a book which was not from God, written by the hands of men; they then attributed it to the Messenger of God.”A group referred to as Ahl al-Kalam, who lived during the time of Al-Shafii and mentioned in his Kitab Jima al-Ilm rejected the Hadith on theological grounds. Their basic argument was that the Quran was an explanation of everything (16:89). They contended that obedience to the Prophet was contained in obeying only the Qur'an that God has sent down to him, and that when the Qur’an mentioned the Book together with Wisdom, the Wisdom was the specific rulings of the Book.”Daniel Brown notes that the principal argument of Ahl al-Kalam was that the Hadith does not accurately reflect the Prophetic example, as the transmission of Hadith reports was not reliable. The Prophetic example, they argued, “has to be found elsewhere – first and foremost in following the Qur’an.” And according to them, “the corpus of Hadith is filled with contradictory, blasphemous, and absurd traditions.”

Mutazilites, who represented one of the earliest rationalist Muslim theological schools, and are the later Ahl al-Kalam, also viewed the transmission of the Prophetic sunnah as not sufficiently reliable. The Hadith, according to them, was mere “guesswork and conjecture [… and] the Quran was complete and perfect, and did not require the Hadith or any other book to supplement or complement it.”

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Hadith

50

General Discussions / Cause thee to forget?

« on: November 05, 2014, 06:55:42 PM »

Salamun alaika Br. Joseph!

Are the following verses addressed to the blessed Messenger or mankind in general?

[Bilal]
87:6 By degrees We will teach you to declare the message, so you will not forget,
87:7 Except what God wills, for He knows what is manifest and what is hidden.

Many translators assume that they are addressed to Muhammad and while trying to explain it, end up with the theory of abrogation.

[Haleem]
87:6 [Prophet], We shall teach you [the Quran] and you will not forget––
87:7 unless God wishes; He knows both what is open and what is hidden––

Would appreciate a better and clear understanding. Thanks.

Wassalam,
Ijaz, A.

51

Islamic Duties / To Kneel or to Bow down?

« on: October 22, 2014, 02:45:14 AM »

Salamun Alaikum dear Brother Joseph! 

Some Muslims differ about whether it is to 'bow down' or to 'kneel' when it comes to salaat. But, what is it?

2:43 And hold the contact prayer, and contribute towards purification, and kneel with those who kneel.

2:125 And We have made the Sanctuary to be a model for the people and a security. And you shall take, from the station of Abraham, a place for making the contact. And We entrusted to Abraham and Ishmael: "You shall purify My Sanctuary for those who visit, and those who are devoted, and the kneeling, the prostrating."

3:43 "O Mary, be dutiful to your Lord and prostrate and kneel with those who kneel."

5:55 For your supporter are God and His messenger and those who believe; they hold the contact prayer and contribute towards purification, and they kneel.

9:112 They are the repenters, the worshipers, the thankful, the devout, the kneeling, the prostrating, the advocates of good and the prohibiters of vice, and the caretakers of the boundaries of God; and give good news to the believers.

22:26 And We have appointed to Abraham the location of the House: "Do not set up anyone with Me, and purify My House for those who visit, and those who are standing, and the kneeling, the prostrating."

22:77 O you who believe, kneel and prostrate and serve your Lord and do good that you may succeed.

Some help here? 

Wa 'alaykum as-salaam!
Ijaz, A.

52

Prophets and Messengers / Is Jesus a sign for the entire world or only for his people?

« on: October 14, 2014, 05:57:18 PM »

Salamun Br. Joseph!

I'm wondering if Jesus' was a sign for all mankind or only for his own people? Sadly, there are many Christians who tries to twist the verses of the Qur'aan. Christians use this verse to prove that Jesus' was sent for all mankind i.e., to preach.

Even if I provide evidence from the Qur'aan that he was sent only to his own people, they won't listen! 

Sahih International
He said, "Thus [it will be]; your Lord says, 'It is easy for Me, and We will make him a sign to the people and a mercy from Us. And it is a matter [already] decreed.' "

Muhsin Khan
He said: "So (it will be), your Lord said: 'That is easy for Me (Allah): And (We wish) to appoint him as a sign to mankind and a mercy from Us (Allah), and it is a matter (already) decreed, (by Allah).”

Pickthall
He said: So (it will be). Thy Lord saith: It is easy for Me. And (it will be) that We may make of him a revelation for mankind and a mercy from Us, and it is a thing ordained.

Different translations, and I'm weak in Arabic.

Secondly, the use the same verse 19:21 - They claim:

 In Mark 2:10 Jesus declared that as a prophet of God, he has the power to forgive sins. We then went to Quran 19:21 which quotes angel Gabriel speaking to Mary and referred to Jesus as mercy from God. Then to have a clearer understanding of what the Quran means by "mercy from God", we went to Quran 18:58 which describes the mercy of God as the forgiveness of sin.

Peace,
Ijaz, A.

53

General Discussions / Re: Is this a contradiction?

« on: October 13, 2014, 11:07:10 PM »

Thank you Br. Joseph God Bless!

Wasalaam!

54

General Discussions / Is this a contradiction?

« on: October 12, 2014, 03:15:44 AM »

Salamun Alaikum Br. Joseph!

This was written by a Facebook "friend" (I think he is an atheist)

In 21:47, Allah talks about 'mizan' (justice scale, to check 'wazan' of good and bad deeds, a kind of tarazu) at the judgement day, and Allah will not wrong any soul and even if there is deeds (good or bad) as small as weight of mustard seed , Allah will bring it into consideration. So, Allah will also judge deeds of disbelivers using mizan!

But, in 5:5, 3:22 and 2:217, Allah says : Deeds of all those humans will become useless/irrelevent, those who will deny Islam i.e., all those humans who will die in disbelief, whether good or bad will go down as waste this is clear cut contradiction with sura 21:47

Allah will take into consideration good and bad deeds of only those human who will die as Muslim and Mu'min, thus it means that mizan will work/activate only for Muslims and Mu'mins!

Now, if we read 6:160, Allah says that one good deed is 10 Points and 1 bad deed will be -1 point, am I right brother? For example: if a muslim commits 10 bad deeds and only 1 good deed then his/her mizan will indicate ZERO ( 10 - 10 = 0 ), if a muslim commits 9 bad deeds and only 1 Good Deed , then his/her mizan will indicate : +1 ( 10 - 9 = 1 ), Thus, he /she will get Paradise. In other words, a Muslim can get paradise even if he/she has committed just 10% good deeds and 90% bad deeds and a disbeliver (atheists , idol worshippers , jesus -worshippers) will get HELL even if he/she has committed 100% Good deeds and not a single bad deed

WHY ?

Because of DISBELIEF, his /her MIZAN will not be activated and he/she wil only get HELL.

NOTE : And what about those Muslims and Mu'mins, whose Mizan will indicate ZERO ( 10 bad deed and 1 good deed , or , 90;9 % bad deeds and 9.1 % good deeds )?? well, they will spend some time on ARAF ( sura 7 , verses 46-47-48-49 ) , vertical Walls separating Paradise and Hell) after that , Allah will send them into Paradise !!

UNJUST SYSTEM OF ALLAH !!


Wasalaam
Ijaz, A.

55

Prophets and Messengers / Re: Khatamunnabiyeen

« on: September 22, 2014, 07:11:05 PM »

Khatam means end, to end something, set a stamp, seal! Even in urdu the word Khatam means end. 'Yeh Khatam ho gaya?' - Thus, Prophet Muhammad (P) was the last Prophet, end of Prophethood! No Prophet will come after him, but Messengers will continue to come.

Peace 
Ijaz, A.

56

Prophets and Messengers / Followers of Jesus will be above those who reject!

« on: September 22, 2014, 07:05:47 PM »

Salamun Alaikum!

I don't understand part of this verse, Christians quote this verse to prove that they're followers of Jesus', thus they will be above those who reject.

003:055   
For God said: "O Jesus, I will terminate your life, and raise you to Me, and cleanse you of those who have rejected, and make those who have followed you above those who have rejected until the Day of Resurrection. Then to Me is your return, all of you,so I will judge between you in what it was that you disputed."

Does this verse speak about the followers of Jesus at his time/ministry?

Peace,
Ijaz. A

57

General Discussions / Are all types of Music allowed in Islam?

« on: September 09, 2014, 01:03:11 AM »

Salamun Alaikum dear Brother Joseph! 

First and foremost, I love your website and always will! Alhamdulillah, you have helped me a lot about Salat and other things, all your articles are 10/10. Keep doing this good job. - God bless.

Music is of course allowed, but what kind of Music is allowed according to Islam? I mean something that is allowed must also have some rules? So, can we get some hints from the Qur'an?

What are your opinions about this song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QARFZm_K97g  |  Now many Muslims (Quranists) say that this is shirk.

EDIT: In the above song, Muhammad (pbuh) is called the best creation, what is your opinion on this?

Wassalam!
Ijaz, A.

58

General Discussions / Prophet Muhammad's superiority - Greater than all the Prophets

« on: August 14, 2014, 05:50:36 AM »

Salamun Alaikum, Br. Joseph! 

I hope you're not irritated by me, I'm asking many questions today - Alhamdulillah! All your answers are always good/satisfying and to the point! God bless!

I found this from a Facebook group, so can you please make some comments on this:

Prophets, their authority and rank

According to the Holy Quran, all Prophets belong to God, and as such, in so far as their Divine authority is concerned, they exercise such authority with equal force and strength. No one has a right to discriminate between one Prophet and another.

[2:286] This Messenger of Ours believes in that which has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers: all of them believe in Allah, and in His angels, and in His Books, and in His Messengers, saying, ‘We make no distinction between any of His Messengers;’ and they say, ‘We hear, and we obey. We implore Thy forgiveness, O our Lord, and to Thee is the returning.’

As far as the authenticity of their message is concerned, all Prophets must be equal. But, if all Prophets are equal in authenticity must they also need be equal in rank? The same Holy Quran that declares that there is no difference as far as the authenticity of Messages from God are concerned between one Prophet of God and another, declares:

[2:254] These Messengers have We exalted, some of them above others: among them there are those to whom Allah spoke; and some of them He exalted by degrees of rank.

The Holy Quran admits that there are differences of status. Having accepted this proposition, one may wonder as to who should be considered as the highest in rank among the Prophets? It should be kept in mind that no religion other than
Islam recognizes the universality of prophet-hood. Anyway, the Holy Quran declares:

[33:41] Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (Arabic: Lakin) he is the Messenger of Allah and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allah has full knowledge of all things.

The Arabic word Khatam in this verse has many connotations but the essence of the title Khataman Nabiyyin is, without a shadow of doubt, to be the very best; the supreme; the final authority; the one who encompasses all and testifies to the truth of others.

Secondly, he uploaded a picture and it only had a text (about 33:41):

The Arabic word Lakin (but) has obviously been used as a word for rectification, which speaks of the fulfillment in a different form of something that has hitherto remained unfulfilled. In this context, the verse means that, though the holy Prophet (p) did not have any male offspring, he will have countless spiritual progeny, and that he is the 'seal of the Prophets', which means that no one will attain the exellence of prophethood unless he possesses the certificate of obedience to him. This is the connotation of this verse.

I've already read your articles:  Do Not Make Any Distinctions Between the Messengers of God and Exclusiveness of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). But, now the fellow Sunnis are making distinction among the Prophets through this verse (33:41). Can you comment on this "article". Thanks!

Wassalam!
Ijaz, A.

59

General Discussions / Why do Qur'anists have different and weird beliefs/interpretation of the Qur'an?

« on: August 14, 2014, 12:33:40 AM »

Salamun Alaikum Br. Jospeh!

Many Qur'anists have really weird beliefs and interpretations of the Qur'an (no offence intended to the Qur'anists). Many Muslims read the Qur'an, but why are everyone believing it/following it in a different way if the Qur'an is easy to understand? Some Qur'anists believe:

• There is no 'real' hell and heaven.
• They believe that Malaika are universal forces. This is from a Qur'anist website:
  When Allah says: “Jibrael (Malaika) brings down the revelation to your hearts” (2:97), it is NOT an angel with wings that does so. It is only a natural phenomenon that whenever you study the book with interest and conviction, the force Jibrael brings down the revelation to you. It is automatic! Just like a pen is bound to fall if it is dropped! No “angel brings it down”. Malaika praise Allah by carrying out his commands in the universe, not by humming his Praises. He is FAR above what we attribute to Him. He does not need our Praise. He only wants us to acknowledge His existence, follow his commands (to attain peace) and stay connected with Him (Salat) for our own betterment!
• Ka'ba is a pagan shrine and is shirk to bow towards it. (They say: Ka'ba means something else and the Qur'an does not say that Ka'ba is a cuboid structure in the desert.)
• Some believe that Salat is 'Establishing the commandments' or connection with God (without any ritualictic pagan robotic movement.) 

Do you have any rebuttals to the Qur'anists? And, what are your thoughts on the above points?
I think there is a verse in the Qur'an that says: 'This book (Qur'an) can guide and misguide' - Is there such a verse in the Qur'an?

Can you in the near future write rebuttals? So, we who have the Qur'an-centric approach may not be confused, their arguments are "good". I hope you understand  - I've a Qur'anist friend and she made me think that the Ka'ba is a pagan shrine and I don't anymore. .

Wassalam!
Ijaz, A.

60

General Discussions / Jabrail, Meekael, Bible and Ruh ul-Qudus

« on: August 13, 2014, 10:59:05 PM »

Salamun Alaikum Br. Joseph!

I read your wonderful article some weeks ago about Jabrail, and I agree! - There is not one single verse in the entire Qur'an that Jabrail is an angel. But, I have some questions . .

• Can Mikaeel be an another entity? ie distinct from Jabrail and the Malaika? Is this a possibility? or is he a Ruh with distinct power/attributes from Jabrail?

• Verse 77.5:
  
  Muhsin Khan
  And by the angels that bring the revelations to the Messengers,
  
  Pickthall
  By those who bring down the Reminder,
  
  Yusuf Ali
  Then spread abroad a Message,
  
  Free-Minds.org
  Then the remembrance that is found.
  
  What is the correct translation? According to your article, it is Jabrail who brings down the revelation which is of course mentioned in the Qur'an, but according Pickthall's translation (Those - Plural) - May refer to the angels and according to Mushin Khan the translation is (angels - plural).
  
  So, did also the angels bring down the revelation? and . . then does it mean that Jabrail can be an angel? - I was debating with my fellow 'Sunni' friend and he gave me this verse to prove that Jabrail is an angel and many angels can bring down the revelation(s). What is the correct translation and if you can, please explain the verse? [/i]
  

• What to do with Muslims who post tafsirs to prove that he is an angel?

• Christians believe in the holy spirit, but they believe that it is a part of God ie Trinity. But, in Islam, is it a creation of God? and when Allah says 'OUR SPIRIT' - Does it mean his or the holy spirit?

• I think the Bible says that it was an angel who came to Mary, but in the Qur'an it is the Spirit who became a man. Why this contradiction between the Bible and the Qur'an?

Wassalam - God bless
Ijaz, A.