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Jay Smith says no one wants to debate him because of the tough questions he is asking about Quran and Muhammad !!


https://youtu.be/fMJRsd8SrhU

Please watch and share your opinion. Thanks.

Salam friends

I am curious to learn what the term Islam means based on Arabic lexicons and relevant root words. Is it Submission [to Allah's guidance] or peace? Once we know, the next question would be who is a Muslim? One who submits or one who is peaceful?

Thanks.

Just read the following from someone who calls himself Quran-aloner. Please comment and point out where he may have gone wrong. Thanks.
Umar Farooq
May 15 at 5:15am ·

Proof from the Qur'an of offensive jihad and qital:

Let me begin by saying that if it werent for offensive qital, Islam would not have spread from Makkah to France.

Concerning offensive qital, this is the MAIN topic that distinguishes the believers from the kufar Hypocrites. But the Qur'an is very clear about this. As we know, the kufar are those who conceal what is in the Qur'an. In this case, they will only quote you the verses of defensive qital, such as:

Fight in the way of Allah those who fight you and do not transgress. Indeed. Allah does not like transgressors (Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayat 190).
When the kafirs use this verse to say, "There is only defensive qital in Islam," they have rejected the verses of offensive qital, which makes them kafirs. Allah azzawajal says:

So do you believe in part of the Scripture and disbelieve in part? Then what is the recompense for those who do that among you except disgrace in worldly life; and on the Day of Resurrection they will be sent back to the severest of punishment. And Allah is not unaware of what you do (Surah al-Baqarah: Ayat 85).

From the Qur'an we know that prophet Solomon (pbuh) attacked the powerful empire Sheba simply because it's people were not Muslimeen and were "worshipping the Sun." When Solomon (pbuh) sent a letter to the Queen in order to accept Islamic rule, she refused and instead wanted to send him gifts. Solomon however refused, and prepared to attack the empire with human beings, animals and jinns. However, the Queen decided to submit before this could ever happen and she not only submitted to Islamic rule but she even accepted Islam. What are you Hypocrites going to say now? Do you understand Islam better than the prophets of Allah?! Then for you is the punishment of blasphemy:

and if they (the disbelievers) defame your religion, then fight the leaders of disbelief, for indeed, there are no oaths [sacred] to them; [fight them that] they might cease (Surah 9: 12).

They (the Hypocrites) wish you would disbelieve (in the Qur'an) as they disbelieved so you would be alike. So do not take from among them allies until they emigrate for the cause of Allah. But if they turn away, then seize them and kill them wherever you find them and take not from among them any ally or helper (Surah 4: 89).

Another example from the Qur'an is dhul-Qurnayn. He was a powerful leader like Solomon who ruled an Islamic empire and conquered much of the Earth. What are you Hypocrites going to say now?

From the Qur'an we also know that Muhammad (pbuh) and those who came after him conquered land from the kufar. For example, Allah says:
See they (the disbelievers) not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders? Where Allah commands, there is none to put back His Command, and He is swift in calling to account. And those before them had plotted, but to Allah belongs the plan entirely (Surah ar-Rad: Ayat 41-41).
And He made you heirs of their lands, their houses, and their goods, and of a land which ye had not frequented before: and Allah has Power over all things (Surah al-Ahzab: Ayat 27).

And verily we have written in the Scripture, after the Reminder: "My righteous slaves will inherit the Earth." (Surah 21: Verse 105).
The Prophets and chosen leaders of Allah followed Islam, and the Sunnah of Allah does not change. Allah says:
You will never find in the Sunnah of Allah any change, and you will never find in the Sunnah of Allah any alteration (Qur'an, 35: 43).
This is why Allah revealed:

Fight those who do not believe in Allah or in the Last Day and who do not consider unlawful what Allah and His Messenger have made unlawful and who do not adopt the religion of Truth from those who were given the Scripture - until they give the jizyah willingly while they are humbled (Surah 9: Verse 29).

Conclusion:
Whoever says, "offensive qital is not part of Islam," has insulted the prophets of Allah and left the fold of Islam and became a kafir for rejecting the Qur'an. They have blasphemed.

Ablution in the Quran and the importance of Surah Fateha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C0Nq1vhh6w

Salam Friends. I recently read the following in an email exchange. Does that claim hold any water? It seems to be an old charge levelled against Islam:

"....Koran is a political book of Mohammed
and his companions, people of 7th century.
In politics soft language is adopted during
period of weakness and same people
change their tone when they get power.
Down below is an example from that
political book.

During weak period:
2:256 There is no compulsion in religion.
109:6 To you be your religion, and to me my.

Statements on the same subject during  powerful Period:

3:85 Whose desires another religion than Islam, it shall not be accepted of him; in the next world he shall be among the losers."
2:193 Fight them on until there is no more tumult and religion becomes that of Allah...."

22:34 [Asad]... And [thus it is:] unto every community [that has ever believed in Us] have We appointed [sacrifice as] an act of worship, so that they might extol the name of God over whatever heads of cattle He may have provided for them [to this end]. And (always bear in mind:) your God is the One and Only God: hence, surrender yourselves unto Him. And give thou the glad tiding [of God's acceptance] unto all who are humble –...":

Question: If we accept the usual translation, then we find that all communities don't observe animal sacrifice as an act of worship. Hindus don't eat meat at all. Perhaps the Buddhists don't either. Jews and Christians slaughter meat for consumption but not as a sacrificial rite. The Bible, however does speak of a rite of sacrifice at the Jewish temple, which has been suspended because the temple does not exists and needs to be rebuilt.

In view of the above, can we assume "every community" here means different ethnic communities who assemble for Hajj ? Most Muslims believe in sacrificing animals all over the world. Not sure if they do it in the memory of Abraham and his son or to join with the Hajjis who successfully and thankfully complete Hajj.

Kindly comment. Thanks.

Dear All, Salam


4:47 O you who have been granted revelation [aforetime]! Believe in what We have [now] bestowed from on high in confirmation of whatever [of the truth] you already possess, lest We efface your hopes and bring them to an end - just as We rejected those people who broke the Sabbath: for God's will is always done.

2:62 VERILY, those who have attained to faith [in this divine writ], as well as those who follow the Jewish faith, and the Christians, and the Sabians -all who believe in God and the Last Day and do righteous deeds-shall have their reward with their Sustainer; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.

-----------------------------------------
One seems to be commanding People of the Book to believe in the Quran lest they are visited by punishment.

The other says belief in God, last day and good deeds should be good enough for those who are not among those who have attained faith in [in this divine writ]

How do  you understand these verses? Have they been translated properly? Thanks.

 [The author says, based on understanding the Quran, Jesus is coming back and even people who know Arabic are mistaken]

Jesus - dead or alive?
Jesus is NOT dead and will come again

by Khurshid Imam

A. Introduction

Prophet Jesus is one of the messengers of Almighty God. He propagated teachings of God. Those who followed him were Muslims. His mother - Maryam - holds highest level of honor in Islam. Birth of Jesus was a miracle for people. Prophet Jesus was born without any male intervention. Like his birth - his departure also appears to be a miracle. Neither he was killed as planned by the Jews, nor did he DIE. He was raised up by almighty God.

However, some people have doubts regarding his departure. A few muslims (including very few scholars) believe that Jesus died!!! This belief is not because of any wrong intention, but because of some misunderstanding. With due respect to opinion holders of such belief - the following article will make it crystal clear that Jesus did not die and he will come again.

B. Quran clearly proves that Jesus is NOT dead.

Let's analyze those ayah which is used by people to prove that Jesus died.

1. Jesus did not die - Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:55

إِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يعِيسَى إِنِّي مُتَوَفِّيكَ وَرَافِعُكَ إِلَىَّ وَمُطَهِّرُكَ مِنَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ وَجَاعِلُ الَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوكَ فَوْقَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُواْ إِلَى يَوْمِ الْقِيَـمَةِ ثُمَّ إِلَيَّ مَرْجِعُكُمْ فَأَحْكُمُ بَيْنَكُمْ فِيمَا كُنتُمْ فِيهِ تَخْتَلِفُونَ

Ith qala Allahu ya AAeesa innee mutawaffeekawarafiAAuka .......

And (remember) when Allah said: "O 'Îsa (Jesus)! I will take you and raise you to Myself and clear you of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you superior to those who disbelieve till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to Me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute." Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:55

Note: probably - none of the Quran translation (English and urdu at least) gives the complete gist of the arabic word "mutawaffeeka" due to which the chaos.

Supporter of Jesus-is-dead say - "The verse in 3:55 Allah uses a word which means death or termination of life. ... "O Jesus! I shall cause you to die and I shall exalt you towards me..... In order to fulfill the prophecy, first death will happen, second, he will be raised. Allah did not say He will raise Isa in any manner before his death. This argument is based on the key word 'wafat'. The meaning of "wafat" is death, or takes away soul. If soul is taken away from a person, it is nothing but death. The problem arises when with regards to this verse; Muslims refuse to interpret the meaning of "wafat" as death. Irony is that all scholars who translated the Holy Quran do agree "wafat" means death. They translated the word "wafat" as death in at least 20 different instances. However, in this particular verse, they interpreted the meaning as 'take away' and insinuate physical ascension.."

Using above argument - that arabic word "wafaat" means death - some people say that Jesus is dead as per 3:55. Now this misunderstanding is because of not grasping the complete meaning of the arabic word "wafaat".

Secret of Wafaat and maut (death) revealed

Wafaat and maut (death) - are not identical terms. Quran has maintained difference between these two words. To be short and precise - let us see what Allah has told about wafaat.

اللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى الاٌّنفُسَ حِينَ مِوْتِـهَا وَالَّتِى لَمْ تَمُتْ فِى مَنَامِـهَا فَيُمْسِكُ الَّتِى قَضَى عَلَيْهَا الْمَوْتَ وَيُرْسِلُ الاٍّخْرَى إِلَى أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى إِنَّ فِى ذَلِكَ لاّيَـتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ

Allahu yatawaffa alanfusa heena mawtiha....................................

It is Allah Who takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply. Quran, Surah Zumur 39:42 (Ibn Kaseer Translation)

Please concentrate on arabic words; above translation may not give you the exact content of this ayah. Re-reading the above ayah -

"It is Allah Who causes WAFAAT (or give WAFAAT) to NAFS (plural of nafs is mentioned) at the time of their MAUT (death), and those that die (MAUT) not during their sleep. He keeps those (NAFS) for which He has ordained MAUT (death) and sends the rest for a term appointed. Verily, in this are signs for a people who think deeply"

The miracle and secrets of this ayah will be revealed - but the condition is we need to think deeply - as described at the end of this ayah.

Also-give a look at this ayah:

.......وَهُوَ الَّذِى يَتَوَفَّـكُم بِالَّيْلِ Wahuwa allathee yatawaffakum biallayli....

It is He, Who causes WAFAAT by night (referring to the sleep)..... (Quran, Surah An'am 6:60)

Pondering over these two ayah -
1. At death and during sleep - a nafs (or an individual being) undergoes WAFAAT. Allah takes NAFS of a person when he dies and when he sleeps.
2. When a person dies then NAFS is held back by Allah. When a person is sleeping then nafs is returned finally.
3. So maut or death is a TYPE of wafaat. Death is always a wafaat but all wafaat need not be death.

Wafaat is super set of maut (death). For example: Every banglorean is an indian but every indian need not be a banglorean. Similarly every death (maut) is wafaat but NOT every wafaat is death. There are wafaat in which a person does not die; for ex- Sleep.

Note: Skipping the difference of words NAFS and RUH. For details wait for the article: Difference between ruh and nafs.

With the better understanding of the word wafaat let us come back to 3:55. Please note - here also Allah has used the word wafaat and NOT maut (death). If word maut was used here then supporters of Jesus-is-dead were right, but see the wisdom of Quran - Allah has used word wafaat here and NOT maut.

Re-reading 3:55 - And (remember) when Allah said: "O 'Îsa (Jesus)! I will give you wafaat and raise you to myself and clear you of those who disbelieve, and I will make those who follow you superior to those who disbelieve till the Day of Resurrection. Then you will return to me and I will judge between you in the matters in which you used to dispute." Quran, Surah Al-Imran 3:55

So this ayah says:
1. Allah will give wafaat to Jesus. He will not die rather undergo wafaat.
2. And Allah will raise him.
3. Jesus will be clear of all wrong allegations against him; viz: he is God or son of God. When he will come second time on earth he will make clear to christians that he did not teach trinity or he is God or he is son of God.
4. After death - all will be returned to Allah (on Qiyamah) and on the Day of Judgment Allah will judge between those who truly believed and followed Jesus and those who made wrong belief regarding him.

2. Jesus is yet to die - Quran, Surah Nisa 4:157-159

A. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:157

.......وَقَوْلِهِمْ إِنَّا قَتَلْنَا الْمَسِيحَ عِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَمَا قَتَلُوهُ وَمَا صَلَبُوهُ وَلَـكِن شُبِّهَ لَهُمْ

Waqawlihim inna qatalna almaseeha AAeesa ibna maryama rasoola Allahi wama qataloohu wama salaboohu walakin shubbiha lahum.......

Due to some mistranslation this ayah tries to give another distorted picture.

Supporter of Jesus-is-dead says - "Hilali and Khan: "And because of their saying (in boast) "We killed Messiah Isa (Jesus) son of Maryam (Mary), the Messenger of Allah," -but they killed him not, nor crucified him, but the resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another man (and they killed that man)....Please note carefully, Hilali and Khan translated the Arabic wa lakin subbiha lahum as "but the resemblance of Isa (Jesus) was put over another man". In the Arabic text given above, where are the words "of Isa" and "another man"? Surprisingly Hilali and Khan put interpolated words inside the translation suggesting that these were "revealed text". This is nothing but gross corruption. Yusuf Ali, Pichthall, Shakir, Rodwell, and many others did not commit such extreme corruption."

It is true that some muslims have believed in the fiction's story that someone resembling with Jesus was put to die on cross. wa lakin subbiha lahum does NOT mean that someone resembling with Jesus was put to death. The arabic word shubbiha implies that those Jews thought / understood that they had killed Jesus. Details of this event are beyond the scope of this article. Without going into one thing for sure is that Jesus was not killed or crucified as planned by the Jews.

B. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:158

.........بَل رَّفَعَهُ اللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ Bal rafaAAahu Allahu ilayhi......

he was raised by Allah

C. Quran, Surah Nisa 4:159

وَإِن مِّنْ أَهْلِ الْكِتَـبِ إِلاَّ لَيُؤْمِنَنَّ بِهِ قَبْلَ مَوْتِهِ وَيَوْمَ الْقِيَـمَةِ يَكُونُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيداً

Wain min ahli alkitabi illa layuminanna bihi qabla mawtihi......

And there is none of the People of the Scripture, but surely he believes in him, before his death. And on the Day of Resurrection, he will be a witness against them

This Ayah acts as the last nail in the coffin of Jesus-is-dead theory. Reading 4:157-159 we see that Allah is talking about Jesus, his survival and he being raised up and then in 4:159 God says that "And there is none of the People of the Scripture, but must believe in him, before his death." It means that there will be no Jews / Christians left before the death of Jesus who will NOT believe in him, his real status, and his real teachings. In simple words all Christians will accept the real faith regarding Jesus i.e. real teachings of Jesus which is nothing but islam.
Here some people try to twist and say that "before his death" does not refer to death of Jesus rather death of Ahle kitab or Jews and Christians; hence Jesus is already dead. Ok! If this is true then it means every Jew and Christian - who lived during the time of Jesus (and as per you Jesus is dead) believed in Jesus!!! Is it true? No. We know that hardly a few followed him before his departure; most of them rejected him; Jews rejected him and tried to kill him. This ayah will hold true ONLY if Jesus is NOT dead and before his death there will be no ahle kitab left who will not have emaan (the real faith).

1. 4:159 makes clear that before the death of Jesus no jew/christian will be left who will be not momin. It means Jesus is yet to die.

2. Christians will believe in him and understand his real teachings; they will reject wrong faith viz: trinity, son of God and will accept real faith.

3. During that time only dajjal will appear for whom Jews have been waiting. Jews will accompany dajjal and in the subsequent fight jews and army of dajjal will be killed.

4. So we will have Christians as believers and Jews killed before the death of Jesus. This will prove "And there is none of the People of the Scripture, but must believe in him, before his death" true. This also explains that hadees of Bukhari (Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Book 43: Kitab-ul-`Ilm (Book of Knowledge), Hâdith Number 656:) which says that Jesus will abolish Jaziya. Jaziya will be abolished because there will be no one left for giving jazia as all will be momin.

C. Some clarifications

وَإِذْ قَالَ اللَّهُ يعِيسَى ابْنَ مَرْيَمَ أَءَنتَ قُلتَ لِلنَّاسِ اتَّخِذُونِى وَأُمِّىَ إِلَـهَيْنِ مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ قَالَ سُبْحَـنَكَ مَا يَكُونُ لِى أَنْ أَقُولَ مَا لَيْسَ لِى بِحَقٍّ إِن كُنتُ قُلْتُهُ فَقَدْ عَلِمْتَهُ تَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِى وَلاَ أَعْلَمُ مَا فِى نَفْسِكَ إِنَّكَ أَنتَ عَلَّـمُ الْغُيُوبِ - مَا قُلْتُ لَهُمْ إِلاَّ مَآ أَمَرْتَنِى بِهِ أَنِ اعْبُدُواْ اللَّهَ رَبِّى وَرَبَّكُمْ وَكُنتُ عَلَيْهِمْ شَهِيداً مَّا دُمْتُ فِيهِمْ فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّيْتَنِى

And (remember) when Allah will say (on the Day of Resurrection): "O `Isa, son of Maryam! Did you say unto men: `Worship me and my mother as two gods besides Allah''' He will say: "Glory be to You! It was not for me to say what I had no right (to say). Had I said such a thing, You would surely have known it. You know what is in my inner self though I do not know what is in Yours, truly, You, only You, are the Knower of all that is hidden and unseen.''. "Never did I say to them ought except what You (Allah) did command me to say: `Worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord.' And I was a witness over them while I dwelled amongst them, but when You took me up (when you gave me WAFAAT-look at the arabic word "tawaffaytanī"). , You were the Watcher over them, and you are a Witness to all things. Quran, Surah Maidah 5:116-117

This ayah is talking about the day of resurrection or judgement day. Supporters of Jesus-is-dead say - "If Jesus is alive today and will come before qiyamah then why:
His people will worship him (when he had recently come to earth) ?
Why he will tell that he did not command such thing, neither he know what wrong they have done?"

But supporters of Jesus-is-dead are mistaken. This ayah is referring to those Christians who worshipped him considering him God. For centuries Jesus will be worshipped by Christians and only when he will come second time that they will stop worshipping me. So this ayah is talking about those people who lived before his second coming and worshipped him. Also previously we have seen that before his death all Christians will become believer.

Please note "tawaffaytanī" at the end of ayah which is translated wrongly as "took me up". Here also - Allah did NOT mention that "when i gave you maut (death)"; rather ayah is speaking about WAFAAT. We have seen earlier that wafaat need not be maut or death. See the beauty of Quran, how carefully Allah has used each word in the Quran. This is one of the miracle fo Quran - choice of exact word!!!!!!!!

And Muhammad is no more than a messenger THE MESSENGERS HAVE ALREADY PASSED BEFOER HIM. if then he dies or is killed will you turn back upon your heels? And whoever turns back upon his heels!s, he will by no means do harm to Allah in the least and Allah will reward the grateful. Quran, Surah Al imran 3:144

Quoting this ayah some people try to prove that this ayah is referring that all messengers before Prophet Muhammad has DIED hence Jesus is also dead. But here also people are making mistake. Look at the Arabic word "khalat"; it means "passed away".It does not signify "messenegers are already DEAD". Allah has not used word MAUT or death. Of course even Jesus has passed away or left, but not died.

D. Last - but not least

We know that most of life of Jesus is unknown to the world. We know about his birth, childhood and then as youth before his departure. Clear account of most of his life is unknown. Some historians have tried to prove that jesus did come to india; especially kashmir. Bhawishya puran has very clear refernce of prophet Jesus in himalaya region. All this might be correct. These information do not contradict with anything that i mentioned above. He may or may not have come to india - but one thing is for sure i.e. he did not die.

I strictly believe that no one is prophet after Prophet Muhammad - so all others are bound to err. A few muslim; who hold the belief that Jesus is dead - may have good intention - but they are mistaken because Quran speaks against the theory of Jesus-is-dead.
He will come again before the qiyamah. However, his second coming will not look like mythological story or a plain magic. His second coming will be accepted by the people as a genuine possibility. I - Khurshid imam - say with the full conviction that science will advance to such level that time that it will be within the range of possibility that time that human body could be converted into energy and then brought back into human body after long time. I - khurshid imam - say that it will be possible in future to stop time for a human being under certain conditions and Jesus today may or may not be in that condition. Remember - second coming of Jesus will be before the end of time so science would have reached to its highest level by that time.

Coming of Jesus here and going of Jesus from here - both are miracles for people.

"Soon will we show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls (plural of NAFS), until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?" Quran, Surah Fusilat, 41:53

For more on the topic - Jesus: dead or alive - kindly read http://khurshidimam.blogspot.in/2012/06/jesus-is-not-dead-and-will-come-again.html

E. Conclusion

1. Prophet Jesus is one of the messeneger of Allah. We love him like we love Prophet Muhammad.

2. Jesus was not killed nor he died, rather he was raised up by Almighty god.

3. He will come again before the end of world and then he will die.

4. Quran makes it ample clear that Jesus has undergone wafaat and NOT death.

Note: * If you don't agree with the mail then instead of giving fatwa of deviation / kufr / shirk / biddat - have faith in Allah and leave it to him to judge.

* Author: Khurshid Imam is software engineer at Bangalore, India. For any criticism / feedback / suggestion feel free to mail – serviceforhumanity@gmail.com

The article can be found at: http://khurshidimam.blogspot.in/
The article can be downloaded as pdf from: http://www.scribd.com/KHURSHIDIMAM

Please watch a short 6 minute video. I was surprised to find a Saudi scholar with tolerant views! Oh well, live and learn!

Can Atheists Go To Heaven In Islam? A Surprising Answer!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj3JrYLYCQ8&feature=youtu.be

When this question is asked, we get two answers 1. Submission 2. Peace.

If this is true then is a Muslim is one who submits or one who is peaceful?

What exactly does the Arabic language say? How can a word have two meanings? Kindly comment.

Thanks.

Salam All,

From the Quran we lean that the blessed Messenger did not have knowledge of the unseen other than what Allah revealed to him and what has been preserved in the Quran.

However we find predictions in ahadith about sky scrapers, satellites, young millionaires, proliferation of music, etc. Kindly watch and comment. Thanks.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152360770361104&set=vb.207242941103&type=2&theater

[Salam Friends, Just read a great article which I thought I should share]

The Quran and Psychology

By Observer, New Age Islam

11 September, 2014

The Role of Cognitive Dissonance

Philosopher Alfred North Whitehead said in his 1925 book, Science and the Modern World: "It is easy enough to find a [self-consistent] theory . . . , provided that you are content to disregard half your evidence. The moral temper required for the pursuit of truth, includes an unflinching determination to take the whole evidence into account."

If you observe closely, you will notice that there are many people who show an unflinching determination to disregard half of the relevant evidence!

In Psychology this is called cognitive bias where we pay attention only to facts that support our prejudices. Uncomfortable evidence that contradicts our theory causes what is called cognitive dissonance. An honest way of dealing with cognitive dissonance is to revise our opinion/theory taking the full facts of the case into consideration. Dishonest ways are by way of discounting, falsifying, or by ignoring altogether the evidence that does not suit our purpose.

Not everyone feels cognitive dissonance to the same degree. People with a higher need for consistency and certainty in their lives usually feel the effects of cognitive dissonance more than those who have a lesser need for such consistency. People who have not trained themselves to deal honestly with cognitive dissonance become habitual liars and feel nothing. It is about these people that the Quran says:

(2:16) These are they who have bartered Guidance for error: But their traffic is profitless, and they have lost true direction,(17) Their similitude is that of a man who kindled a fire; when it lighted all around him, Allah took away their light and left them in utter darkness. So they could not see. (18) Deaf, dumb, and blind, they will not return (to the correct path). 

People who have learnt to suppress cognitive dissonance will rarely change their stand on any issue no matter even if they are proved wrong. This is so since their decision in the first place is not based on an objective analysis and the truth in any case is unimportant to such people. Pride and arrogance prevent such people from changing their stand even if proved wrong. The Quran says about such people:

(6:109) They swear their strongest oaths by Allah, that if a (special) sign came to them, by it they would believe. Say: "Certainly (all) signs are in the power of Allah: but what will make you (Muslims) realise that (even) if (special) signs came, they will not believe."?

(7:101) Such were the towns whose story We (thus) relate unto thee: There came indeed to them their messengers with clear (signs): But they would not believe what they had rejected before. Thus doth Allah seal up the hearts of those who reject faith.

(7:146) Those who behave arrogantly on the earth in defiance of right - them will I turn away from My signs: Even if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them; and if they see the way of right conduct, they will not adopt it as the way; but if they see the way of error, that is the way they will adopt. For they have rejected our signs, and failed to take warning from them.

Can A Person Suffering From The Disease Of Suppressing Cognitive Dissonance Change Himself?

A person has to first accept that there is a problem and make a moral choice to change and seek God's help for changing.

People must realize that refusing to learn to deal honestly with cognitive dissonance in its most basic form, is a lie to oneself and self-deception. Matz and his colleagues (2008) found that people who were extraverted were less likely to feel the negative impact of cognitive dissonance and were also less likely to change their mind. Introverts, on the other hand, deal more honestly with cognitive dissonance. This is hardly surprising since introverts are concerned with self-image and telling a lie to one self is more difficult and the extraverts are more concerned with what others say about them. The cronies, side-kicks and sycophants of the extraverts are there to heap praise on them whatever they say or do. If there are people who confront them with their lie and embarrass them, they will be conveniently categorized as belonging to the `enemy party' and drowned with more lies. These people will never change if they have people who support them in their lie. Politicians therefore are some of the most adept liars and practitioners of systematic deceit and the most shameless among all the liars.

Self-awareness and a desire to change is the key to changing oneself. You know when you are disregarding information that contradicts your stand on any issue. As Socrates said "An unexamined life is not worth living." Develop self-awareness which is the first step to change.

If there is a conflict between what you desire and what you consider right then consciously choose what is right. Learn to admit past mistakes, apologize for these and learn to move forward.

People who talk about morals speak about the 'conscience' or the inner voice which is nothing but the cognitive dissonance that we experience when our action does not match what we consider to be right.

Can Prayer Help?

Prayer is a form of self-conditioning or priming and is most effective in changing one's behaviour. Belief in God helps but it should work even without such belief if the prayer is changed to a daily resolution or pledge.

This prayer (of the Prophet) has formed my daily morning prayer for most of my life:

O Allah! Purge my heart of hypocrisy,

My conduct from dissimulation,

My tongue from falsehood,

And my eyes from treachery,

For You indeed know the treacherous glance of the eyes

And that which the heart conceals.

You will notice that the Quran describes the laws of human behaviour but puts the same across as what God does. This is so since these are nothing but the unchanging laws of God which work inexorably in the most consistent and unchanging fashion. If you notice, even the laws of nature are described as if God is actively doing something for example, holding a bird in flight and preventing it from falling. People take this literally and say that if God is allowing people to go astray or sealing up their hearts, or causing them to be "deaf, dumb and blind", how can they be blamed? This is again more of self-deception and inability to take responsibility for the moral choices they themselves make or for the path that they have chosen even though God constantly reminds them that:

(4:120) Satan makes them promises, and creates in them false desires; but Satan's promises are nothing but deception.

(35:5) O men! Certainly the promise of Allah is true. Let not then this present life deceive you, nor let the Chief Deceiver deceive you about Allah. (6) Verily Satan is an enemy to you: so treat him as an enemy. He only invites his adherents that they may become Companions of the Blazing Fire.

If the response to this article is encouraging, it could become a series covering more aspects.

http://newageislam.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?cm=sb&ID=99017#cm

East London teacher donates kidney to his pupil16 June 2014 Last updated at 18:59 BST

A teacher from east London who donated a kidney to one of his pupils says the pain of the operation was worth seeing her back in class and doing well.

Thirteen-year old Alya who studies at Royal Docks Community School was suffering from renal failure when Ray Coe offered to test as a donor.

Alya, Ray Coe and his daughter Abi Coe spoke to BBC London reporter Tarah Welsh.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-27876447

Question: Do people like these end up in hell?

Salam Dear All

A "contradiction" in the Quran has been pointed out on a Facbook page as follows:

4:48 VERILY, God does not forgive the ascribing of divinity to aught beside Him, although He forgives any lesser sin unto whomever He wills: for he who ascribes divinity to aught beside God has indeed contrived an awesome sin.

4:153 (part)...Yet they worshipped the calf even after clear signs had come to them; even so we forgave them; and gave Moses manifest proofs of authority.

Kindly comment. Thanks in advance.

A question has been asked at another forum. We accept Allah preserves the Quran by protecting it's words.  Why did Allah not choose to preserve it's meanings?

We have the issue of each sect interpreting the Quran i'ts own way. This is not limited to different sects alone. We even have Quran Centric believers arguing about meanings of different words, concepts, ayahs, etc.  For example, some say no to Salat the prayer. Others say yes, but limit it to three prayers. Some argue for 5 prayers. Some find the method to pray in an unbroken 1400 year old practice. Others find method of prayer in the Quran. Same is the case for proper definition of Zakat and Hajj.

On different Quran based forums, there are fierce debates going on over it's interpretation and the proper lexicon meaning of different terms.

How could we ever hope to come to an agreement and unite? When Allah's Messenger is with them, people are able to refer their differences to him. Once a Messenger passes on, things run fine for a while then differences and disputes over proper interpretation of Deen raise their head leading to accusations, conflicts, and even war [which continue to this day, whether it is Judaism, Christianity and Islam].

Following questions to followers of Quran alone have been raised by those who follow Hadith and Sunnah:

1. 9:36 BEHOLD, the number of months, in the sight of God, is twelve months, [laid down] in God's decree on the day when He created the heavens and the earth; [and] out of these, four are sacred: this is the ever-true law [of God]. Do not, then, sin against yourselves with regard to these [months]. And fight against those who ascribe divinity to aught beside God, all together-just as they fight against you, [O believers,] all together -and know that God is with those who are conscious of Him.

In the next verse, it is stated that intercalation is refusal to acknowledge the truth:

2. 9:37 The intercalation [of months] is but one more instance of [their] refusal to acknowledge the truth- [a means] by which those who are bent on denying the truth are led astray. They declare this [intercalation] to be permissible in one year and forbidden in [another] year, in order to conform [outwardly] to the number of months which God has hallowed: and thus they make allowable what God has forbidden. Goodly seems unto them the evil of their own doings, since God does not grace with His guidance people who refuse to acknowledge the truth.

Questions to those who reject Hadith:

- Where does the Quran gives the names of all the months in the proper order?
- What are the names of these months in the Quran?
- Which four are sacred months, so that their sanctity should be observed?
- How can we tell that till today, nobody has changed the order of these months and it is the correct one?

3. 59:05 Whatever [of their] palm trees you may have cut down, [O believers,] or left standing on their roots, was [done] by God's leave, and in order that He might confound the iniquitous.

- What is this incident? Which Palm trees are being discussed and why, give us the details
- Some were cut down some not? Where can we find more details about them?

4. 5:03 Today have I perfected your religious law for you, and have bestowed upon you the full measure of My blessings, and willed that self-surrender unto Me shall be your religion. As for him, however, who is driven [to what is forbidden] by dire necessity and not by an inclination to sinning -behold, God is much-forgiving, a dispenser of grace.

- What day was this? Was it the birthday of the Messenger of Allah? Was this when he died? Or was it some other day?
- Those who died before this Day, were they following complete Islam or an incomplete Islam?
- What other Deens was Islam preferred over? Because it is stated that it has been preferred/approve/chosen but it has not been declared that Islam is the only Deen. Give details from the Quran.

5. 48:15 As soon as you [O believers] are about to set forth on a war that promises booty, those who stayed behind [aforetime] will surely say, "Allow us to go with you" - [thus showing that] they would like to alter the Word of God. Say: "By no means shall you go with us: God has declared aforetime [to whom all spoils shall belong]." Thereupon they will [surely] answer, "Nay, but you begrudge us [our share of booty]!" Nay, they can grasp but so little of the truth!

- Which Word of Allah gets altered by those seeking permission to go with the believers?
- What is the reason this verse was revealed? What kind of lesson in Deen is in it for us?

The questioner puts all those who follow Quran alone by saying:

"...If you cannot give us the details, then admit you need to refer to hadith to find them. If you cannot reply to them then Let these question be an "Itmam e Hujjat" for you on the Day of Judgement

Dear All, Salam. A question has been asked at another forum. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Who were the first prophet and messenger of the Meccans? According to the Qur'an Muhammad was sent to a people who had had no 'warners' before him (cf. 28.46, 32.03, 34.44) that could either be interpreted as the Meccans or the Arabs in general.

But the last one would posit a problem cause we have several examples from the Qur'an itself that there were other prophets and/or messengers sent to Arab tribes (cf. Shoaib, Saleh, Hud). So are we to understand that it's only refering to the Meccans? Here we encounter yet a problem cause the Meccans did indeed recieve a prophet and messenger, Ishmael (cf. 19.54). He was the first prophet and messenger of the Meccans. So is there a discrepancy here?

It could be argued that Ishmael was no warner, but this has to be dismissed as every messenger and prophet implicitly also was a warner (cf. 6.48, 18.56, 67.8-9). It could be argued that there's a severe span of time between Ishmael (or Shoaib, Saleh and Hud) and Muhammad that when Muhammad begins his mission it is instigated infront a whole new people. But this in fact would imply to every people of the earth. There were Christians and Jews in Mecca (and spread out on the Arabian Peninsula) at the time of Muhammad, so the Arabs (or the Meccans) was in no different situation as the other people in the known world. Especially verse 34.44 becomes interesting: "But We had not given them Books which they could study, nor sent messengers to them before thee as Warners (trsl: Y. Ali). We are told that they received no books and were not sent any messengers before Muhammad. Surely the part about books is refering to all times and this implies that the part about messengers a doing likewise, but as we have already seen Ishmael had already been at Mecca and is regarded as a prophet and a messenger (!).

This is furthermore stipulated by the verses 36.3-6 "Thou art indeed one of the apostles, On a Straight Way. It is a Revelation sent down by (Him), the Exalted in Might, Most Merciful. In order that thou mayest admonish a people, whose fathers had received no admonition, and who therefore remain heedless (of the Signs of God). ". The fathers of the people had recieved no admonition, ie. no warning before. Thereby rejecting the Christians and Jews living among the Arabs and the Meccans and rejecting that Ishmael already had been a prophet of the Meccans (and Shoaib, Saleh and Hud of other Arab tribes).

Muhammad is furthermore according to the Qur'an said to be the messenger of all men, ie. the whole world. It doesn't seem necessary to point out the fact that this is not what the above verses a refering to. In that case it's still obviously a contradiction to other parts of the Qur'an since there was peoples among all men who had received books, and messenger, prophets and hence warners.

Is it a contradiction or is there a natural explanation for this, to me, seemingly discrepancy.
What do you say?

Salam,

We read much these days, about demands for Sharia law in countries like Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen, Syria. Presently the Taliban in Pakistan are negotiating with the government to implement Sharia without delay.

My question is what is meant by Sharia law? Is it not based on different schools of fiqh? How best could it be implemented in the modern nation state? What would be the form of government? Would there be an Amir al Momineen for each Muslim country or a Khalifa? How practical and realistic is that (One Khalifa of a certain sect may not be acceptable to people of other sects). How would the state machinery function? How about the rights of women? Would they be allowed to work? How will the state deal with it's non Muslim minorities? Would they be required to pay jizya? Some define jizya as war reparations!
Would the state force people to pray? Will polygamy be allowed? How about the minimum age of marriage for girls? What would be the dress code for men and women? How would Shias fare in a Sunni state and vice versa given the nature of their bitter disagreements? What about their respective interpretation of Islamic law?

Those who want Sharia, point to Islamic punishments, the need to establish an interest free society, social welfare projects, the rights of the poor for sustenance and justice and say that the Quran clearly states that those who do not rule/judge according to the Quran are deviants.

Kindly comment. Thanks.

Maldives Fiqh Academy VP Endorses Female Genital Mutilation

By Zaheena Rasheed | February 6th, 2014

Vice President of the Fiqh Academy Dr Mohamed Iyaz Abdul Latheef has endorsed female genital mutilation in response to a question posed by a reader on mvislamqa.com.

Iyaz said several credible Hadiths from the Prophet Mohamed demonstrated female circumcision is obligatory in Islam.

"The Prophet (PBUH) said: 'Five things are part of the Fitrah [nature] – circumcision, shaving the pubes, trimming the moustache, cutting the nails and plucking the armpit hairs.' The circumcision in this Hadith applies to both men and women," Iyaz said.

Today is international day of zero tolerance to female genital mutilation. Executive Director of the UNFPA Dr Babatunde Osotimehin said female genital mutilation threatens the lives and futures of women and girls and is "an affront to their human dignity, an assault on their health and an impediment to the well-being of their families, communities and countries."

"Human development cannot be fully achieved as long as women and girls continue to suffer from this human rights violation or live in fear of it," he added.
In 2011, then Vice President Dr Mohamed Waheed Hassan expressed concern over a reported increase in female circumcision in the Maldives.
"We are beginning to hear reports of this occurring, and I have heard on radio and television people justifying the practice. It is quite disheartening," he said at the time.

Obligatory or recommended

Islam calls for female circumcision, but there is dissent between scholars on whether circumcision is obligatory (farz) or highly recommended (Mustahab), Iyaz said.
"A Hadith relayed by Aisha [Prophet Mohamed's wife] says: 'A bath becomes obligatory if one sleeps with your wife and the circumcised parts touch each other.' The word circumcision has been applied to both men and women here.  The Hadith demonstrates that women must be circumcised as well," said Iyaz.

He also quoted Saudi Arabia's Fatwa Committee which expressed concern over the decline of female circumcision in Muslim countries.

"Circumcision of girls is a religious obligation that is slowly fading from many Muslim communities. It is an obligation or Sunnah that we must not let go of. It is the symbol that differentiates Muslims from non-Muslims."

The fatwa said female circumcision must be carried out by specialised doctors, and added: "In a woman, the small sliver of muscle and the surrounding skin above the urinary tract is cut during circumcision."

Iyaz said the Prophet Mohamed has ordered circumcision practitioners not to cut severely during circumcision.
Iyaz was elected as the VP of the Fiqh Academy in 2012. The organisation is a body established by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to advise the government on Islamic jurisprudence.

In early January, Iyaz condemned MPs for approving the sexual offenses bill which recognises marital rape, and advised MPs who voted for the bill to repent.
Zero tolerance

More than 125 million girls and women have been cut in the 29 countries in the Middle East and Africa where female genital mutilation is practiced, the UNFPA has said in a press release today.

The organisation is committed to work with partners to end harmful practices including violence against women and female genital mutilation, the UNFPA said.
"We strongly believe that when young people, especially young women claim their right to health, including sexual and reproductive health, education and decent work, they become powerful agents for social and economic development."

http://minivannews.com/politics/figh-academy-vp-endorses-female-genital-mutilation-77037
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Dear All

With my apologies for those who do not know the Urdu language, in view of recent Peshawar Church and Nairobi Mall killing, I cannot help sharing a clip from Ghamdi:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeg-kYhi4z4