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peace dear believing brothers and sisters,

When God let us to do slaughter for food, i.e. when we are doing it with His permission(The Merciful/the Creator of the animal), why to worry about suffering, if we do it as prophets did?
I have witnessed both, natural death and slaughter of birds, in both cases they had almost same kind of expressions/movements/signs.
We can't believe the scientists always(if they say stunning reduces suffering) because sometime they will find it wrong in the future.

See preparing animal for slaughter without harm,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=quhVxLUwiBw
[For anyone who sees this video : in this video the person says Allahuakbar, meaning Allah is greater -may be he wouldn't have thought about it. Because how can Allah be greater than Himself? Allah calls Himself as Al-Kabeer (the Great). Akbar = greater]

[and the chaste women from among those who have been given the Book before you; when you have given them their bridal due]

peace brother Joseph,

You say
"Marriage between Muslim men and women from the Book is clearly sanctioned by the Quran with clear provisos."
http://quransmessage.com/articles/marriage%20with%20people%20of%20the%20book%20FM3.htm

but I think this is only applicable for that time i.e. for marriages that are fixed(given the bridal due) before the revelation of Qur'an.

here's the translation of 5:5 as I understand the verse,
"This day (all) the good things are made lawful for you; and the food of those who have been given the Book is lawful for you and your food is lawful for them; and the chaste women from among the believers and the chaste women from among those who have been given the Book before you; when you have given them their bridal due, marrying not fornicating nor taking them for secret concubines; and whoever denies faith, his work indeed is of no account, and in the hereafter he shall be one of the losers"

And the Qur'an says,
"O you who believe, do not take the Jews and the Nazarenes/Christians as allies, for they are allies to one another; and whoever takes them as such from among you is one of them. God does not guide the wicked people." [5:51]

[You alone we worship and You alone we seek for help.]

Peace,

Do you really believe in GOD?

Then why you go to the doctor when you are ill? While GOD can heal all your illnesses?
Why you ask someone for a job? While GOD is capable of doing everything?

And you say,
You alone we worship and You alone we seek for help. [1:5]

Qur'an says,

Did the people think that they be left that they say: "We believed." And they are not being tested? [29:2]
##
Do you order the people with the righteousness and you forget yourselves, while you are reciting the Book? Do you not comprehend? [2:44]
And seek help through patience and through the prayers. And that it truly is a great/burden except on the humble. [2:45]
##
And most of them will not believe in God except while setting up partners. [12:106]
##
...Anyone who puts his trust in God, then He suffices him. The commands of God will be done. God has decreed for everything a measure. [65:3]

Peace and best wishes

Dear All,
Assalamu 'alaikum

I  request you to watch these videos before you purchase any animal products which are produced commercially. (or products which contain animal products)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u80_IrSILI4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utPkDP3T7R4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrGQTyrIFLA

[sheep and goats]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'Alaikum.

I would like to share some of my understanding about Zakat from the Qur'an.

[Al Qur'an 20:18] He said: "It is my stick/cane, I lean on/support myself on it, and I hit/move/shake with it on my sheep and goats, and for me in it others needs/purposes."

Here, the root gh-n-m denotes sheeps and goats.
Since, in the ancient times, cultivation or livestock farming were the major sources of income, gh-n-m may denote the property/income.

So, the verse 8:41 can be an explanation for the Zakat that an individual have to pay (Since same root gh-n-m used there)

[Al Qur'an 8:41] "And know that what you acquired/ gained/ obtained, from a thing, that to God its fifth and to the messenger and (those) of the relations/near, and the orphans, and the poorest of poor/poor oppressed, and the traveler/stranded traveler... "

Many exegetes interpret as, the root gh-n-m denotes booty/spoils of war, but The Quran itself declared that the spoils from war belonged entirely to Allah and the messenger.
[Al Qur'an 8:1] " They ask/question you about the spoils/gifts (n-f-l), Say: "The spoils/gifts (are) to God and the messenger..." [59:6&7 further explanation]

So 20% from any gain of an individual is for the society (for the mentioned categories) and the spoils of war is also for the society (for the mentioned categories).
And Allah knows best.

["And what struck/hit you from a disaster so (it is) because (of) what your hands gathered/acquired, and He forgives/pardons on much."]

Assalaamu 'alaikum All,

Can we kill animals/birds/pests/rodents/insects etc. when they attack us/our cultivation ?.
Qur'an says "And what struck/hit you from a disaster so (it is) because (of) what your hands gathered/acquired, and He forgives/pardons on much." (42:30)
All organisms helps in the survival of human beings directly or indirectly by stabilizing the ecosystem. So ultimately they all are created to help us only (in my knowledge), hence is it right/just to kill/destroy them ?

[لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'Alaikum

Does these verses says that any change in Allah's creation (such as circumcision, ear/nose piercing or puncturing of any body parts) was not allowed even at the time of the Prophet Abraham and warns against such practices ?

The interesting fact is that the verses are from Surah An-Nisa' /The Women (compared to men, women are more conditioned to the practice of body piercing, regardless of religion) and from Surah Ar-Rum/ The Romans.

[4:118] Allah cursed him, and he (the devil) said: "I will take from your worshippers/slaves a specified share."

[4:119] "And I will misguide them, and I will make them desire, and I will order/command them, so they will cut the animals'/livestock's ears, and I will order/command them, so they will change Allah's creation." And who takes the devil (as) a guardian/ally from other than Allah, so he had lost an evident loss.

[4:120] He promises them and he makes them wish/desire, and the devil does not promise them except deceit/temptation.

[4:121] Those, their shelter/refuge (is) Hell, and they do not find from it an escape/diversion.

[4:123] (It is) not your wishes/desires (Believers) nor The Book's people's (Jewish/Chritians) wishes/desires, who makes/does bad/evil/harm (he) will be rewarded with it, and he does not find for him from other than Allah a guardian/ally, and nor a victorious/savior.

[4:124] And who makes/does from the correct/righteous deeds from a male or a female, and he is believing, so those enter the Paradise, and they are not being caused injustice/oppression to (in the amount of) a peck in a seed/stone.

[4:125] وَمَنْ أَحْسَنُ دِينًا مِّمَّنْ أَسْلَمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلَّهِ وَهُوَ مُحْسِنٌ وَاتَّبَعَ مِلَّةَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ حَنِيفًا وَاتَّخَذَ اللَّهُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ خَلِيلًا
[4:125] And who (is in) a better religion from (than) who submitted/surrendered his face to Allah, and he is (a) good doer, and he followed Abraham's religion/faith, upright/Unifier of God ? And Allah took Abraham (as) a faithful/close friend.

[30:30] فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَتَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لَا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
[30:30] So keep up your face/front to the religion, (as) a submitter/upright/Unifier of God, Allah's nature/manner/religion which He created/originated the people on it, (there is/let there be) no replacement/substitution to Allah's creation, that (is) the religion the straight/valuable, and but most of the people do not know.

[4:26] Allah wants to clarify/show/explain to you and (He) guides you (to) those who (were) before you's laws/ways, and He forgives on you, and Allah (is) knowledgeable, wise/judicious.

[Ilaah = God/deity]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaikum

Many of the non-Arabs translating the Qur'anic term 'Allah' in to 'God'. Can we translate it in the same way as we are translating other attributes of Allah (for example, Al-Rahamn = The Merciful, Al-Raheem = The compassionate, Rabb = Lord, Ilaah = God/deity etc). How can we replace the term 'Allah' with any other term from any language?

[remembrance/ bear in mind]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaikum

In all the places where the slaughtering of animals are mentioned in the Qur'an, the root dh-k-r is used (as I observed), and which basically means remembrance/ bear in mind. The word used for the Swalah in Qur'an also having the same root (e.g. 20:14).
In many translations/ articles it is said mention /utter /pronounce the name of Allah before slaughtering. But I doubt that Is simple mentioning or pronouncement or utterance enough during slaughtering?, while one can mention/ pronounce words even without the involvement of mind. Is it the proper way of Islamic slaughtering ?
Also, the term 'Halal meat' is wide spread nowadays and the product is available in different brand names, but when the criterion followed by majority to make the meat halal is just pronouncing/mentioning the name of Allah, How can we accept such products?

[junubi]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaikum

Many exegetists translated the term 'Junub' as ceremonial impurity.

In my humble view, the term refers no any specific impurity but it represents the state of being impure (any impurity which should be washed).

From Qur'an itself we will get the meaning of the term. In 4:36, the term 'Wal jaari-l-junubi' means 'the neighbour (who is) distant/not close/farther away'

Since the verses 4:43 and 5:6 say about purification prior to Swalah, here the term may refers 'a state of being impure (being distant from pure state)/ a state of being distant from Allah' (because- "He loves/likes the pure/clean", 2:222)

So, in 4:43 Qur'an says, "Walaa junuban illaa 'aabiree sabeelin hataa taghta'siluu" (And nor distant (impure/unclean), except crossing/passing a road/way, until you wash yourselves) and in 5:6 "Wa-inkunthum junuban fatwahharoo" (and if you were impure/unclean so be purified/cleaned).

So it tells the importance of being clean, we have to wash quickly if we came in contact with any impurity. "Walaa junuban illaa 'aabiree sabeelin hataa taghta'siluu" (4:43) tells that we should not be in a state of 'being impure' except the time of crossing/passing the way to wash/clean it (to reach at water).

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaikum.

What is the reason behind illnesses/ diseases ? Why such painful condition happens to/with mankind ? Why some babies born handicapped ? Is it true the claim that these are part of the 'Trials' ??

[timed practice of worship]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaikum

What about the funeral prayer (Janaza prayer), which is followed by majority of the people. Is it agreeable ?

Remembering,
1. Swalah is a timed practice of worship,  And Allah has already given the times for Swalah. So no point of performing Swalah other than the mentioned times.
2. Swalah is always to remember Allah.

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaikum

The verse (9:99) mentions 'Swalawaati rrasool' is 'spending' (Swadaqa).
Does this means the command in verse 33:56 is for giving Swadaqa ?

[at (the) two ends/edges (of) the daytime and the two approaches from the night]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'Alaikum,

Firstly, my humble suggestion is that whenever we are reading a verse/ part of a verse(with a complete meaning) from the Qur'an (whether we are reading it as a reminder/ reading as a part of analyzing the verse/ reading it as a part of an article etc.) we should seek refuge with Allah from shaitha'n, the cursed (16:98). And we should start reading it with the name of Allah, The Merciful, The Compassionate (96:1).

Now let us come to the topic,
I saw the article in QM website 'The Five Prayers from The Qur'an, I found some differences in it and I am sharing it here for your consideration.

In the Fajr Prayer section the author stated as follows:-
"The end of the night can be perfectly reconciled with the actual moment at which the sun starts to lighten the sky whilst remaining well below the horizon. The end of the day would be the point at which the sun's rays no longer illuminate the sky."

But how one can determine the end point of day or night precisely ?,
Allah says to the Prophet and believers;
"...and God predestines/evaluates the night and the daytime, He knew that you (will) not count/compute it..."(73:20)

i.e. even the Prophet is not given with such information.

Consider the verse 10:67, It says that the sign of day is being able to see

"He is who made/created for you the night to be tranquil/quiet in it, and the daytime to see, that in that (are) evidences/signs to a nation hearing/listening".

If end of the day is as the author stated, then the point just before the complete disappearance of sun's rays is part of day time, but at this moment we will not be able to see anything, it will be dark. i.e. the above statement will be against the verse (10:67)

Let us analyse some other verses,

1. "And an evidence/sign for them (is) the night, We skin off/uncover from it the daytime, so then they are darkened/in darkness". (36:37)
-i.e. darkness is sign of night.

2. The term "Wazulafan mina llaili" (and two approaches from the night)[11:114] indicates that night includes a part of the twilight period i.e. even though the sun's rays are illuminating the sky, if the location(land) we stand is dark, then it is part of the night (from both sides of night). So we cannot measure when night/day starts/ends precisely.
*in the above mentioned article the word 'two' is absent in translation for the Arabic term 'zulafan' , since the term having an 'alif' at the end, it represents dual (this is my interpretation with my limited knowledge in Arabic grammar), and Al Mawarid dictionary also gives the same.

So the portion of the twilight in which we are able to see is part of day and the remaining is part of night and this night's part from the twilight represents the term 'zulafan mina llaili' (two approaches from the night) i.e. from both the ends, but in the article the term is mistranslated.

Now, let us consider the two verses in which the periods for the Swalah are mentioned. Note that these are the only verses I found which starts with the term 'Aqimisswalatha' (which means keep up the Prayer) and mentioning the periods of the Prayer.

"And keep up the prayers at (the) two ends/edges (of) the daytime and the two approaches from the night; that the goodnesses wipe off/eliminate the sins/crimes, that (is) a remembrance/reminder to the praising/glorifying".(11:114)

"Start/keep up the prayers for the sun's rubbing(with the horizon) /setting to(till) the night's darkness, and the dawn's  Qur'an, that the dawn's Qur'an was/is being witnessed".(17:78)

from the above two verses we can connect the periods like this,

1. Sunset to night's darkness (17:78) equivalent to, one end of the day + one approaching part from the night (11:114)
2. Fajr (17:78) equivalent to, another end of the day + another approaching part from the night (11:114)

So the verse 17:78 gives a better explanation for the verse 11:114.

With this understanding if we are examining the verses 11:114 and 17:78 we can observe that the two verses are repeatedly saying about two prayers (Fajr and Isha') at two periods (dawn, to sunrise + sunset to full night/complete darkness).

So many translations say that the arabic term 'wa' used in 11:114 ('Wazulafan') is, as an indication of separation of time, but when we are analysing Qur'anic texts we can find so many places where the term 'wa' is used as an approachment of simultaneous action, for example see the Surah 113,

1. 'Say: "I seek protection with/by Lord/master/owner (of) the daybreak/creation."
2. "From bad/evil/harm (of) what He created."
3. "And from bad/evil/harm (of an) intense dark night/moon, when/if (it) penetrated through body pores/spread/approached."
4. "And from bad/evil/harm (of) the female magicians/sorceresses/dischargers in the knots."
5. "And from bad/evil/harm (of) an envious with jealousy, when/if he envied with jealousy."

Here, the first two verses itself covers the whole creation, still the 3rd, 4th and 5th verses starts with 'wa' which doesn't mean the mentioned things in 3-5 verses are separate things out of creation.

So  in a day for a believer, the time for the prayers starts from the fajr (i.e. when sunlight first begins to appear)and ends at the complete darkness; more clearly, from the appearance of first ray of light to the disappearance of last ray of light.

In traditional system of Prayers, the time of Isha prayer starts from the complete darkness. This I believe, is not Quranic, because Qur'an says us to pray till night's darkness (17:78) and not from night's darkness.

And the verse 2:238,

"Observe/guard on the prayers, and the prayer the middle, and stand/call to God obeying/worshiping humbly".

Here the verse tells to observe some prayers + the middle prayer, this may be because the prayers other than the middle prayer already mentioned in the verse 24:58 and their periods in 11:114 and 17:78.
Also as the term wusthwa (mid most/justly balanced) is used here, this more likely seems, to perform at the midst of other prayers, i.e. at midday. But when we are considering the traditional system of 5 prayers, we cannot find a justly balanced time for Swalatul wusthwa.
And Allah knows the best.

I request you to share your kind suggestions on my thoughts.
Regards,

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaykum

Is it right to act in movie and drama or to watch them?

[And shortening of the Prayer is,]

Dear All,
Assalaamu 'alaykum

I would like to share my understanding about Swalah and it's shortened form.

The main intention of Swalah is clear from The Verse 20:14 and many other Verses are also telling about the purpose and benefits of 'The Swalah' (17:111, 11:114, 29:45, 6:162 etc.)
And when we look through the Verses 100 to 103 from the Surah 'Nisa''(No.4) we can understand that the Verses 100 & 101 are an order/command to the Believers but not for the Prophet (since it mentions about the Believers who gets out from their homes emigrating to Allah and His Messenger), and the next Verse starting with the term 'Wa idhaa kuntha feehim...'which is exclusively for the Prophet, which may indicates that the shortening of the Prayer is applicable only for Believers and not for the Prophet. So, what the Prophet performed at that place may be the real form/structure of the Prayer and not a shortened form of the Prayer. Thus from the Verse 102, we can interpret that, the Swalah contains two units, each unit involves Standing and Prostrating. And bowing is not a separate step rather it is an act of humbleness throughout the Swalah (2:43, 3:43, 77:48). i.e. we may have to bend our head with complete submission and a cognition that we are in contact with our Creator. In Qur'an the verses 3:113 & 50:40 mention what to say/do during standing and prostrating, some other verses (like 32:15) also indicates the glorification in prostration, but nowhere had I found in Qur'an what to say/ do during bowing (so it may not be a separate step in Swalah). And many verses are there which mention bowing and prostration together (9:112, 48:29, 22:77) while some verses mention standing and prostration together(3:113, 4:102, 39:9), but standing and bowing together nowhere I found. And only in one verse I found all the three terms came together (22:26) but here the term r-k-'a expressed as rukka' as an attachment to the term s-j-d and not as a separate act. i.e. here it means, kneeling down to/ bowing to (prostration), otherwise it can come in the form 'Raaki'een' like the the other two terms in the same verse thwaa'efeen and Qaa'emeen. You can connect this verse with 9:112 to get what I am trying to say. [I am trying my best to share my thoughts with you and am sorry that my knowledge in english is limited. I know only few words and a little grammer in english, hope you will manage it.]
And after directing ourselves towards Ka'bah, we can start the Swalah. I think the verses 17:110 & 111 help us to understand what to say and how to say in Swalah better. And nowhere it is mentioned raising the hands and/ or placing it on stomach or saying Allahu Akbar (which is not Quranic), instead Allah tells us to call Him Allah or Al Rahman (17:110). And the verse 4 :102 mention to take weapons/arms during the Swalah in that particular situation, so if the practices like placing hand on the stomach is there in Swalah, then it would have mentioned there, I believe.

And shortening of the Prayer is, performing single unit instead of two (as the Believers did at that situation, 4:101-102 ), but only if, fear the attack/torture from the disbelievers.
And Allah knows the best.

Kindly request you all to share your thoughts.
Regards,

Dear all,
Assalaamu 'alaykum.

Most of the people (including the Illustration of Joseph Islam) telling that divorce is three times and/but if the third divorce is initiated then it is irreversible (i.e. two reversible and one irreversible).
So in such case the couple have to repeat the Iddat period twice to end the marriage bond, but in Qur'an the term used for the iddat period is 'Ajalahunna' (2:231, 232 65:2) which is in singular form, i.e. no repeating of iddat period happens according to Qur'an.

I would like to share my understanding about divorce from the Qur'an.

If any quarrel/indifference arise among couples the first step is admonition(if husband fears nushuz from wife-4:34) or mutual reconciliation (if wife fears nushuz from husband-4:128). After this, if quarrel persists then the husband can decide for abstention of 4 months (4:34-wahjuroohunna fil ma'laji'hi, 2:226) and by this time it is better to reconcile (2:226). If even by the end of the 4 month period they did not return to normal relations then that is the first decision of separation or first divorce [2: 226,227, 4:34-wadhriboohunna; I interpret the term 'wadhriboohunna'in 4:34 refers the first decision of separation. And if needed/ fear any dissension, two just persons from both sides can help for reconciliation/ can witness the first divorce. (here the witnesses are not necessary if things are normal, 4:35).

So I interpret the second part of the verse 4:34 is a mentioning/ a brief description of the divorce process (i.e. till the first decision of separation).
The divorced(first divorce) women have to wait for 3 monthly courses (for those whose periods are regular. And for other women including pregnant s refer-65:4) and during this waiting period also they should try mutual reconciliation (2:228). And so when they reach the end of the waiting period (Iddat period) and reconciliation did not happen, then that is the second and final decision of separation or confirmation of separation i.e., now the individual cannot continue marital life unless the woman marries another spouse. This decision should be witnessed by two just persons from both of their relations/community. (whether they separating or reuniting, here the witnesses are necessary, 65:2). So within the waiting period (iddat period) they have to take the decision, if they want to live together as before.

So for a normal couple the divorce will be as follows (if reconciliation fails in all stages):-
Admonition/mutual reconciliation--> 4 month abstention--> first decision of separation (first divorce) and it will be with or without the presence of two just people from both family (4:35)--> Iddat period of 3 monthly courses--> 2nd/final decision of separation/confirmation of separation (2nd divorce) and it should be only with the presence of two just persons from both family) i.e. avg 7 months for the whole process. i.e. by the iddat period itself the final decision is made, and there is no repeating of Iddat period.
It will be more easy to understand if you are replacing the the word 'divorce' with the term 'decision of separation'.
"The divorce (decision of separation) is two times/twice, so, holding/clinging/refraining (the marriage) with kindness/generosity or divorcing/releasing with goodness". (2:229)

More clearly, the first divorce or first decision of separation is by the end of 4 month abstention period or before the starting of Iddat period and the 2nd divorce or confirmation of separation or 2nd and final decision of separation is by the end of the Iddat period.
And Allah knows the best.

I kindly request you all to share your thoughts.
Regards,

[perform the Prayer when the time is reached/ called.]

Salaam All,
I wish to bring your kind attention here
The verse (62:9-10), commanding that
"If it was called to the Prayer from the Friday/gathering's day, so hasten to Allah's reminder..."
But what actually following by the people are against this, they are conducting a speech/religious speech and the content of the speech are usually from sources other than the Qur'an. How can we sit and listen for such things when Qur'an commanding us to hasten to perform the Prayer when the time is reached/ called. I feel it will be better if people want, they can conduct the speech either before the time starts for the Prayer or after the Prayer.
Thanks.