Messages

46

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / What are Prophets?

« on: December 02, 2014, 03:36:34 AM »

Original Post: http://quransmessage.com/forum/index.php?topic=1453

Salamun alaikum Br. Joseph

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.

47

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / The Quran as Divine and Why Are Strong Drinks Prohibited?

« on: November 29, 2014, 03:18:22 AM »

Salaam Brother,

I received the following questions from a friend. Please can you kindly assist.

1) How do we know that the Quran is divinely inspired?

2) Why is wine now forbidden when Jesus PBUH is known to have drunk it?

Thanks

48

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Re: Questions About Prayer / Salaat

« on: November 18, 2014, 01:37:23 AM »

Thank you brother Joseph for the sources you have provided. I truly appreciate it. So i just want to get this straight and make sure I comprehend the articles i have read correctly and ask you more further questions if you don't mind. I apologize if my questions are long, so I hope i'm not bothering you with all of this. I truly respect and understand if you don't have the time to answer me.

Here are the questions below in case you can

1) The traditional sunni prayer is ok to perform since it fulfills the rules of the qur'an.
However also, even if I don't do the traditional sunni prayer but still fufilll the rules of the qur'an (the points you made in the X guideline), is also ok?
__________

in the past i used to pray like a robot. Repeat the suras like a parrot, and do the rakaats and get the prayer over with. I then thought to myself. what's the point? I started trying to pray a little bit slower, trying to understand the words that i utter, and try to have a more meaningful prayer.
__________

2) Are there certain rules for how many rakat in a prayer? Or is there a minimum ? Or is the Quran silent in that matter?

Because I have no knowledge or a verse providing rakaat numbers (2,4,4,3,4). So if there is no rakaat numbers in Qur'an, what does the verse in the qur'an with regards to shortening prayer upon fear or danger mean? Because there is no qur'anic verse stating the length of the prayer .... correct? ... so how to shorten it, i don't know the length of it in the first place? Or does it mean, if you are in danger or fear, you are pardoned from prayer?  i'm confused in this aspect.
__________

3) Am I able to say what i want during prayer? like Dua? Sunnis say that i have to make Dua AFTER the prayer has been finished.
__________

4) What about prayer and fasting during my period? I realize that the qur'an doesn't mention this at all. (or so i believe) Even though there are hadiths that prohibit prayer during a woman's period, i came to find out there are other hadiths saying that women used to pray with it. (this is one of the main reasons i find it very hard to trust hadiths as it is so contradictory.)

Bukhari Volume 1, Book 6, Number 307:
Narrated 'Aisha:
"One of the wives of Allah's Apostle joined him in l'tikaf and she noticed blood and yellowish discharge (from her private parts) and put a dish under her when she prayed."


I don't know if i'm reading it correctly. But isn't it indicating that one of the wives of the prophet prayed while she was on her period?  So where do Sunnis and others justify the prohibition of women praying while they are on their period?

The reason I ask, is because if it is indeed in the qur'an, and i missed it, I would like to know. I do feel unclean when i'm on my period, but i don't know if i truly feel that way because its a real fact or just because society made me feel that way. So i really want to know if being on my period, does that truly annuls my wudhu and my prayer, and my fasting for that matter?
__________

Thank you again for your time and efforts.
Regards,

49

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Questions About Prayer / Salaat

« on: November 18, 2014, 01:33:12 AM »

First of all I would like to thank you for your work. I have stumbled upon your website before two weeks, and i must say that I have been very blessed. I have been thinking the same way for several years even though my beliefs differ from the majority of muslims around me. After reading a few articles of yours, I was relieved and happy and a rush of emotions came to me and found myself addicted to your articles and wanting to learn more and more. Everything made sense to me. I seriously can't be any happier.

I wanted to email you to thank you and also ask you a question. I'm born sunni (but now prefer to be just called a muslim and not affiliate myself with any sect) and have been praying like a sunni all my life. However the tahiyat part didn't make sense to me at all. It wasn't logical that the prophet said that in his prayer. And I really want to pray how the qur'an tell us how to pray.
I tried searching for a detailed instruction of how to pray according to the qur'an but I didn't find it.

Can you please share that with me? I find myself lost with regards to this issue. So i would truly appreciate it if you would be so kind and give me detailed steps of prayer according to the qur'an.

Thank you in advance,
Regards,

50

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / How Do I Repent?

« on: November 18, 2014, 01:30:14 AM »

Sir I have a question to ask you? How do I repent?

51

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / The Sabbath Breakers

« on: November 18, 2014, 01:25:39 AM »

As-salaam-u-alaykum brother

I have seen your website and may Allah bless you and help you more in the achieving His Pleasure

There is one thing I would like to ask - it is regarding the Sabbath Breakers that was mentioned in the Quran. I feel bit confused. It has been said by scholars that the fish would appear on the Sabbath, and not on the other days. But how else would those Israelites catch fish if those fish only appeared on the Sabbath? Unless they appeared more often during the Sabbath Day compared to other days then I can appreciate that, but if they only appeared on Sabbath Day, then any person would be tempted right? But because this incident is mentioned in the Quran, then we know that something must have happened - it is very unlikely that Allah would rob them off their livelihood (as they were fisherman) for the rest of the week but the Sabbath; but more likely that the Israelites in that particular community were too greedy for their own good, and wanted more than they were allowed to, and the fact they put up nets the day before the Sabbath, in order to catch the fish, was a way of trying to twist Allah's Rule for their own gains, but instead they received the His Anger.

I hope you could clarify for me thanks

52

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Are Multiple Marriages for Men Permissible Only in a Specific Context?

« on: November 01, 2014, 02:10:13 AM »

As salamo Alaikum brother Joseph

In response to the article 'is polygyny a religious sanction?' You mentioned the following:

Indeed the verse you mention (4:3) is dealing with orphans but there is nothing explicit in the verse which suggests that polygyny is only for orphan related matters.

However i think it can be argued that the intentions of marrying (more than one wife) should be orphan related,  as the following is translated in Sahih International (4:3):

'And if you fear you will not deal justly with the orphans, then marry those that please you of (other) women...'

The permissibility of marrying (more than one wife) is given to those who QUALIFY the first part of the sentence which mentions ' and IF you fear you will not deal justly with the orphans' It then continues with 'THEN marry those that please you...' The words 'if' and 'then' are crucial as they give away the requirements of being given the right of marrying more than one wife.

Assume an individual says 'if you pay £10,000, then the business is yours.' The 'then' only applies if the individual fulfills the requirement of agreeing to pay £10,000. Thus, the offer is CONDITIONAL based on whether the buyer agrees to pay £10,000. Similarly, it can therefore be concluded that the right of marrying more than one wife is CONDITIONAL, directed to those who's intention suits this particular category (orphan related matters).

However, because my argument is based on a translation of this verse and not the actual Arabic version, the crucial words 'if' and 'then' may not even be a part of the verse.

I would very much appreciate your response brother Joseph.

Thank you,

53

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / The Concept of Free Will and One's Fate Fastened to One's Neck

« on: November 01, 2014, 02:07:36 AM »

Salamun Alaikum,

Thanks to Allah S.W.T because I recently found your website. Your deep understanding regarding the word of Allah had made me realize that I should keep try and try to ponder Qur'an more in order to further my understanding regarding Allah mercy and amnesty.

For your information I'm in the way to search the concrete truth even I was born as a MUSLIM.

I have one question regarding Surah Al-Isra' (17:13):

And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open.

This ayah seems to contradict the free will concept or human volition as you mentioned in your articles. Please clarify this based on your understanding.

Regards,

54

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Verse 22:36 and Sacrificial Camels

« on: November 01, 2014, 02:06:02 AM »

May Allah's peace and blessing be upon you Brother.
 
I was reading verse 22:36. Does bud'na mean only camels? Does this verse only apply to hajj or does it have general application?
 
If 22:36 requires the mentioning of Allah's name at the time of slaughter only for camels, does this mean I can eat KFC and Big Mac because mentioning Allah's name at the time of slaughter is not required for chicken, lamb and beef?
 
William

55

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Islam and Family Conflicts

« on: November 01, 2014, 02:05:29 AM »

Dear Joseph,

Thank you so much for your excellent website! May God bless  and reward you for providing so much helpful and interesting information about Islam. It has helped me to see Islam much more clearly and to reinforce my desire to convert to Islam.

Regarding conversion to Islam, I have a problem and I wonder if you might have any advice. My wife is very upset that I want to become a Muslim. She hates Islam (more accurately, she hates what she mistakenly perceives Islam to be), and doesn't want to talk about it or let me explain anything. We love each other dearly and I don't want this to be a problem in our marriage, but I fear it will. We have struck a truce on the matter-I will keep Islam out of her sight, never pray in her presence or read the Quran where she can see me reading it. I am willing to do this for the present to satisfy her, but I don't see it as a long-term solution.

I am hopeful because my attitude to Islam was once identical to hers, so I know it is possible to change one's mind completely about Islam. I pray that God will open her eyes and heart.

If you have any advice or if you know of any similar cases to mine and how they were handled, please let me know. Any advice or insights would be very welcome and appreciated.

Thank you so much and may God bless you always.

Best regards,

56

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / How to Interpret Verse 3:7 and Those of Sound Knowledge

« on: November 01, 2014, 01:57:03 AM »

Salaamun Àlaikum Sir,

Isn't there a controversy over the sentence break in 3:7? Some make the break between "those of sound instruction" and "say", thus making the former sentence into "None knows its explanation save God and those of sound instruction".

57

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / (Atheist) Need serious help!! - Life After Death

« on: October 01, 2014, 10:17:13 AM »

Hello brother Joseph, 

Thank you so much for your website. I have been desperately fighting for an answer to this question.

I was an Atheist for most of my life and I hate to say it, but I found it more comforting than Islam. I suffer from social anxiety and on Atheism, I found relief in it. My psychologist also helped me with it. On Atheism, I didn't care about anyone's judgement of me because I believed that the universe will cease to exist and all will be forgotten. That means my fear is irrational and I shouldn't care about anyone judging me pathetic because I am a socially nervous freak who stutters, shakes and blushes. This is because everyone will die, turn into dust and bones and the universe will case to exist and all will be forgotten. I have found so much relief in this and my psychologist has told me that I was cured. It was true, I was confident and cured of Social Anxiety because of this atheist belief. I didn't care so I wasn't anxious. 

Unfortunately, Islam has brought the social anxiety back. I'm not sure if this is Allah testing me, but I really need help with this. I know that Allah expects me to patiently persevere. Now while hearing of Islam, I am no longer comfortable as everyone will not cease to exist (like on Atheism) and they will still remember me and how pathetic I was if I do act pathetically (socially anxious).

Can you show me some verses in the Quran that may show that ALL will STILL be forgotten (like on atheism) and the only thing that matters are my religious deeds. Will I be judged negatively if I go to paradise (not just verbally, but mentally) for being pathetic in this life. Will people remember my faults in this world and how ridiculous I was? It appears Quran supports that people will remember everyone's life in this world as Quran 52:25-28 state. So as you can see, I am back to my socially anxious self and my psychologist is trying to also look up Islam to find reason to think rationally and not be nervous--but even she is struggling as she isn't a Muslim. I'm struggling too, can you please help me out. Sunni's can not help me as they post too much hadiths (which I believe are unreliable) to explain this away.

So according to the Quran, if I go to paradise, will EVERYTHING except my religious deeds be forgotten by everyone? Will no one judge me negatively and will it be forgotten like on Atheism.

I believe this may be something beneficial to put on your forums so that you may explain to others the life on paradise.

I've asked Allah for guidance on this and I really hope I can find peace in Islam as I did on Atheism. Atheism was just so simple, everyone was cured. I cared less about any negative judgement as everyone will die and all will cease to exist. I hope I could see something similar to this on Islam.

Thanks,

58

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Questions Regarding Trials & Forgiveness

« on: September 21, 2014, 03:50:20 AM »

• How will I know if my adversity or my suffering is being meted out to me because I have wronged another soul? How can I distinguish?
• Can my children be punished or adverse circumstances afflict them because of the wrongs I have committed?
• If I have wronged another soul, how do I go about seeking forgiveness? Do I ask God alone or do I have to seek forgiveness from the person I have wronged as well? What actions do I need to undertake?
• Do we only receive our punishment in this life, or are our transgressions only judged collectively in the Hereafter?
• If you have asked God for forgiveness, do you still have to ask the person who you may have wronged? Does the person have to forgive you in order for God to forgive you?

59

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / Nikaah for the Purposes of Courting

« on: September 17, 2014, 11:57:07 PM »

Assalaamu alaykum Joseph,

There is a new trend in our community regarding nikaah. Boy meets girl, they like one another but  would like to get to know one another better.

The Ulema says that courting is haraam so they are encouraged to make nikaah instead of an engagement so that they can "court" without consummating the marriage.

If they then decide not to live together  they then get divorce but there is no iddat.

I think something about this new arrangement is not right.

Why can't they do the same thing without nikaah?

what is your opinion?

thanks

60

Q&As with Joseph Islam - Information Only / 'Mu'min' (Believer) & 'Muslim' - The Difference

« on: September 17, 2014, 11:53:21 PM »

Salamu aleikum dear Joseph,

I know you get tons of messages, but I hope you will find the time to read this at one point (whenever that may be). I read your 2 articles on the definitions of 'Muslim' and Mu'min'... I first understood Muslim as someone who simply surrenders himself to Allah, without this being attached to acknowledge a certain prophet, as many people are described as Muslims in the Quran without knowing Prophet Mohamed.

The 'Mu'min' I thought would be the one who believes in the angels, messengers, books etc. But as you also mention, Ibrahim and Musa are mentioned as Mu'mineen in the Quran. How is that possible then? Am I missing something here?

Thank you for clarifying this point for me if you find the time. May Allah bless you, you make guidance for knowledge and spirituality accessible in a wonderful way! Salam and greetings from Germany, Your sister.