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Salaam,

As you know there is much controversy around the term bidah. It appears to be much quoted yet appears to be implemented to either extremes. Either almost everything is a bidah or any strange practice is added. Sometimes you think we may as well be 'riding camels'..!

What is the Quranic context of bidah?

Salaam,

Please see below:

Q. Is it obligatory to make up missed prayers? Or can an individual give Kaffara (atonement) for their missed prayers?

A. There is NO quick fix solution. As a result, it is obligatory to make up ALL missed "obligatory prayers" of previous years from the moment an individual became a mukallaf (religiously accountable). In this sense, Kaffara cannot be given as a substitute for any missed obligatory prayers. This is the ruling according to all Shi'ite jurists, and genereally the Sunni madhabs.
It is, however, according to the Shi'ite jurists, permissible when one has died for the eldest son to make up any missed "obligatory prayers"...

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Quran's perspective?

Regards,

Salaam,

The concept of 'wajib', any Quranic reference?

Regards,

Salaam,

Can anyone explain the witr prayer please? Is this something specifically stated, or would be just another 'supererogatory' prayer?

Regards,

Salaam,

I know this comes from hadith, and also to me makes sense in times where it may not be easy to wash your feet each time for wudu. Would this be permissible from the Quran's perspective?

Regards,

Salaam,

I recently went to a sunni wal jamaa 'mawlid an nabee', and learnt of some very new and interesting beliefs some of which I was not aware of. Some of the points brought up:

- Prophet Ibrahim made dua to ask that Muhammad was of his lineage.
- Your umrah/ hajj is not complete until you visit makaamam Ibrahim and u must run safa and marwa as an honour to them
- Fahisha- and it's word forms- as to what it refers to, which can be either for adultery or sins in general.
- Um salamah would keep a hair of the prophet and use it as shifaa by dipping it in water.
- The Prophet had a dream which led to the marriage of Aisha
- There are hadiths which state that Khadija was the 'favourite' wife of the Prophet. From what I am aware of their is also hadith to say that Aisha was the 'favourite'.
- There was a story that Salman Farsi was instructed by a priest to search for the signs of a Prophet.
- One extraordinary point made was that there are evidences to state that the Prophet prayed to God to revive his parents so that they could accept Islam.

Just some interesting points I thought you may be interested in.

Regards,

Salaam all,

In light of this verse:

'O you who believe, do not approach the Salat while you are intoxicated, until you know what you are saying. Nor if you have had intercourse, unless traveling, until you bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or one of you has excreted feces, or you had sexual contact with the women, and could not find water, then you shall select from the clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and hands. God is Pardoning, Forgiving.' (Qur'an 4:43)

...it is quite commonly found that other factors are said to 'nullify' purity where wudhu has to be performed as a prerequisite for prayer. E.g. passing wind, whistling, listening to music, a man seeing a woman who isn't in hijab nullifies the purity of the woman...

Is there anything to warrant these claims?

Salaam,

I have always been intrigued with regards to Jesus' crucifixion and I'm not too sure why. I have read the article and found it very interesting, however, I would like to know what your thoughts are regarding this. What was the point of this whole episode? Why did he suffer so much? Why would he not have been crucified according to common Islamic thought? What does common islamic viewpoint seek to prove by stating he was not crucified and was 'swapped' by someone else?

I have always thought that actual crucifixion would make more sense as it simply proves he was NOT God, as it would not be fitting for God to 'kill' himself.

This would appear to be of high importance as this is a point where Christians tend to be confused (as well as Muslims!).

Your views please.

Salaam upon my people,

There are statements that suggest Dhul Qarnain was Alexander the Great, how consistent is this with Quranic narratives?

Regards,

Salaam,

I'm not sure if this has been posted already sorry if it has.

Many non- Muslims use the 'Verse of the Sword' as a rebuttal when Muslims proclaim their peacefulness and Muslims state that this is contextual.


Chapter 9, verse 5:

"Then, when the sacred months have passed, slay the idolaters wherever ye find them, and take them (captive), and besiege them, and prepare for them each ambush. But if they repent and establish worship and pay the jizya (a tax for non-Muslims), then leave their way free. Lo! Allah is Forgiving, Merciful."

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From Quranic analysis, how is this verse interpreted?

Regards,

Salaam,

Could someone kindly enlighten me with regards to Prophet Yahya please? From what I understand this is through Christian discourse this is also John the Baptist. What is the Quranic perspective regarding 'John the Baptist', and the ritual of Baptism? I'm not sure if this is mentioned in the Quran itself, however, if this was a practice known to Islam via the Quran, and Yeshua ben Yosef was baptised, why is baptism not found in Islamic ritual practice?

Regards,

Salaam people!

What is the importance of 'tajweed' in Quranic recitation? I understand that it is good to recite the verses in a pleasant tone, and also that correct pronunciation allows one to make less errors whilst reciting. However, is tajweed an actual Quranic concept or is it something that was added? Wouldn't it be more practical to study the actual language itself whereby gaining understanding of the words you are reciting as well as mere pronunciation?

Thought?

Regards, 

Salaam people!

You are probably aware of the views of various sects regarding revolutionary action. Some sunni sects state that it is forbidden to conduct in revolutionary action such as deposing an unjust tyrant/ dictator (based on hadith narrations), whereas other sects do not prohibit this (with conditions applying).

Now from what I can gather it's simply a case of doing what's right and necessary at the time. I would expect it to be justifiable to depose a criminal dictator if need be in order to stop oppression or as a defence. Some sects say that even if you are being oppressed you must comply and wait for the decree of God to chance the situation, and continue to pray for mercy in hope.

What would be the Quranic position regarding revolution? What springs to mind is the Quranic narration of Jalut being confronted by Dawud in respect to this.

Your views kindly appreciated.

Regards,

Salaam people!

Itikaaf is commonly practiced by Muslims in particular during the last 10 days of Ramadan. I'm not sure how this specific act is detailed within the Quran (it appears to be detailed within hadith narrations), but from what i am aware of this is not a conceptual practice. I understand that it is in the Quran that the Prophet would meditate (possibly in a cave).

Now I don't feel there is nothing implicitly wrong in spending 10 days in Ramadan in seclusion meditating and engaging in worship, but it appears that it has been reduced to just that. I have spent 10 days in Ramadan in itikaaf and found it to be very rewarding personally, but I expect that this can be done at any time. In addition, all these rules and regulations appear pertaining to the ritual of itikaaf such as it not being permissible to shower, brush your teeth, go outside the Masjid etc. I find these to be very pedantic and unnecessarily rigid, whereby if you go outside the masjid your itikaaf is void... You find that there is also 'sunnah' itikaaf and 'nafil' itikaaf...

Views please!

Regards, 

Salaam people me again!

I have been thinking about this topic a lot recently. I see so many sects spouting that 'your aqeedah is wrong, ours is right', (holier than thou nonsense) rather than respectfully discussing their differences in opinions and coming together on common grounds. This is obviously due to the 'being part of a club' sectarian approach people assume. I would like to know from a Quranic perspective if there is any support for the word 'AQEEDAH' (in separation to 'sects' as we know this is forbidden Quranically). This is used to substantiate their claims:

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Aqidah linguistically is derived from the term aqada. In Arabic, one states, "Aqada the rope" when the rope is tied firmly. And, "Aqada the sale" or "He settled the sale" when the person ratifies and contracts a sale or agreement. And Allah says in the Quran, "And as for those whom your right hands have made a covenant (Ar., aqadat)" [Al-Nisa 33]. And Allah also says, "But He will take you to task for the oaths which you swear in earnest (Ar., aqadtum) [Al-Maida, 89] which means asserted and adhered to, as proven in the verse, "And break not oaths after the assertion of them" [An-Nahl, 91]. If one says, "Aqadtu such and such," it means his heart is firm upon such and such.

Therefore, Aqidah or I'tiqad according to the scholars of Islam is: The firm creed that one's heart is fixed upon without any wavering or doubt. It excludes any supposition, doubt or suspicion...

Source: http://www.kalamullah.com/aqeedah.html

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It seems to me that people are making 1+1= 3 (humbly speaking) and enforcing a concept not necessarily emphasised by God.

Your views please!

Regards,

Salaam people,

I'm on a roll today :0)

My next issue is with 'Khatams'. I'm not sure where this word comes from, if it is arabic or not but this is how I know it by. I don't know what it means but I can gather that it would be seen as an 'Islamic gathering'.

Many Muslims have 'Khatams' whereby they invite people to their houses and Quran is recited by each person, a small talk may be given, and a dua may be conducted. It may also include a dinner or something similar. Frequently these are done to mark an occasion e.g. a death,

Now this appeared to be fairly common a while back but seems to have fizzled out...from my humble view due to the increasing influence of 'wahaabi' style Islam (no offence to anyone). Again is it stated by those who condemn it, that this was not a practice of the Prophet (not found in hadith) to conduct collective recitations. However, I don't personally see that this is sufficient reason to condemn them. I find it very difficult to believe that gathering people with the intention of Zikrullah can be wrong. I don't find any support to condemn it in the Quran, however, I do find support for it in hadith where it is narrated along the lines..."Wherever there is a gathering and Allah is being remembered much, the Angels..." (maybe someone can provide the reference). So why is it they contradict their own views?

Your thought please )

Regards,

Salaam people,

Please let me know your views regarding the commemoration of certain dates e.g. birthdays, death days etc. As you are probably aware one camp says that these are totally forbidden and make no remembrance whatsoever as they were pagan practices, and the other say that this is OK and go all out to celebrate the Prophet's birthday, Imam Hussein's martyrdom and so on.

The general notion I find is that there is no real prohibition, however there is no need for an all out party! BUT I do find no real harm in the remembrance of specific dates. I don't see nothing too wrong with going to Karbala in Ashura as a token gesture of remembrance of Imam Hussein just as people in Bosnia conduct a remembrance procession in remembrance of the Srebrenica massacre.

With regards to birthdays, I'm not too sure how much of a pagan practice this is, but I don't see nothing too wrong in having a nice day (within the boundaries of Islam) and being thankful to God for the day you were given life.

Your views will be appreciated.

Regards,

Salaam,

In connection to the other political post, I would like to know your views and the Quranic perspective on other form of political engagement such as, lobbying, demonstrating/ protesting, becoming party members etc.

I was once told by a Muslim brother that Lobbying and demonstrating were not a practice of the Prophet (garnered from hadith sources), therefore we should not participate.

My humble view would suggest that just because the Prophet did not specifically participate in them is not is not a sufficient reason to not do something, as long as it is bounds with Quranic limits.

I think of the analogy: The Prophet did not use guns and tanks in those times, so it would not be haraam to use guns and tanks nowadays as this would severely inhibit military activity. Seeing as there is psychological warfare upon Muslims now, modern tools of utilisation would be of benefit.

Your views would be appreciated.

Regards,

Salaam people,

I would like to know what your views are on various political issues and their status within Islam. There appears to be a wide range of conflicting views which seems to be part of the failures of current Islamic countries (apart from being puppets).

I think the main issue is regarding voting.

One side will state that it's haraam to vote as this is not a practice found within Islam and therefore you will be establishing a non Islamic governance contrary to the sovereignty of God.

The other side will state that is is OK to vote as we are in a non Muslim country and we need to vote in order to elect an authority that will benefit the Muslims most.

I see fair points in both sides and I am unsure of the Quranic perspective regarding this. I also possibly see that it is not necessarily haraam to vote itself, but rather it's who you are voting for. So for example if in an Islamic country there were Islamic parties, you can vote for your preferred party.

Your views would be appreciated )

Regards, 

Salaam people,

Just wondering what your views are on salaatul istikhaarah. Is this found in the Quran? If I not mistaken I don't think it is. Therefore, it is found in secondary sources. While praying for guidance in itself is not wrong (maybe all prayers are for guidance anyhow), but it's what people attach to it that is of concern E.g. when they do this prayer they expect some sort of sign, if not a sign some sort of divine inclination to make a decision. My humble understanding wherever it stems from, is that a prayer for guidance will not give you an answer, it will just enforce the decision you make with the remembrance of Allah so whatever the outcome. What do you all think?

Regards,