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Salaam

I hope you are fine.

Lately, there's been a query in mind regarding the issue of polygamy in Islam. Well, I agree on this that societal circumstances in that era might not be easily appreciated if we strictly analyze them through modern lens.

However, there does appear a sense of injustice to women when the husband is permitted to share his love among wives.
Then there is this matter of self-constraint. What really makes a man to marry again? Fulfillment of urges?
Obviously there are other ways to help women apart from marrying them. Why isn't there emphasis on loyalty to one spouse for man? A person can live a sane life without having any intimacy with opposite gender then what's the need of polygamy and that too, just for males?

A second discussion is about your article on Marriage with the People of Book. Okay, I agree that there's a clear difference in their beliefs from ours. But I would like to highlight another aspect, and I am sure you also share this sentiment, that a majority of Muslims today don't really know about their own religion and we are somehow separated from People of the Book just by this 'label' of religion.

I still struggle with certain elements of faith even though I feel that I am getting closer. Now I am not at this point arguing about Muslim marrying a Christian. I am concerned about Muslim marrying a Muslim!!! I mean how can one be sure of another's faith? You are free to marry someone because he or she was born a Muslim and just this 'label' of Islam is sufficient for you to make him/her your spouse.   

I look forward to your response.

As salaam alaikum brother Joseph!! 

I hope you receive this message.

There is something troubling me n I was hoping you would help me understand it better.

Yesterday on a post of mine regarding the existence of God, an atheist friend of mine commented that we are all born as atheists and that we are told or tutored about the existence of God only after.

What I need to know is, what if one leads a life, from birth, not knowing about the existence of God... How different a life that would be? If there is a God (I do believe), HE would be watching over him/her any which way.

Dear Joseph Islam

Is it permissible to wear suede? I know the flesh of pork is forbidden as food so logically there would seem to be no reason to kill a pig and have its skin but I was just wondering. Tom's and Adidas shoes use suede.

Thank you.

As-Salaamu-alaikoem brother Joseph

I have recently come across your website and found your articles both interesting and fascinating. Thank You for your efforts.

The one topic that intrigues me the most is your explanation of there being no such thing as punishment in the grave according to the Quran.

When reading your explanation and the evidence produced from the holy verses, it made alot of sense, and was also frightening at the same time.

I'm hoping I could ask you just 2 questions on this topic:

1. If there is no mention in the Quran of this, then how does over 1 billion Muslims believe it as absolute truth...how did that come about?
2. Scientifically, does this mean that a "time-jump" takes place between the point of your material death to the point in the future when the 1st horn will be blown, signalling the Last Day ?

Shukran
Wa-Salaam

There is a little confusion in my mind regarding the requirement of 4 witnesses to prove the act of zina committed by someone, according to Quran. Nowadays, with forensic analysis, we can easily find out about the certainty of this crime and criminal.

However, why the need of 'four'? I know those times were different and I can't judge the circumstances of that era through my 'modern' lens but wouldn't the involved persons be doing zina in 'secrecy'?

Aslamunelikum Br. J.A. Islam,

I have two questions, if you could please provide guidance:

Q1. Is there any indication that suggests pregnancy of Maryam and delivery of Esa was in short time rather than normal 9 months.
[It seems like verse 15-16 and following verses, suggest Maryam's family was unaware of this event. verse 21 and 22 sound like it happened immediately]

2. There are verses (sorry for not providing references) that clearly suggest that God had sent warners/ messengers to every nation.  However, Sura Ya-sin (Chap. 36), verse 5, says "In order that you may warn a people, whose fathers had received no admonition, and who therefore remain heedless" suggests that they (nation) did not receive guidance from God through messengers. I think, I am missing something that is why it sounds like contradiction.

Please let me know what is the right explanation.

[REPEATEDLY ASKED ON FACEBOOK]

REPEATEDLY ASKED ON FACEBOOK


"And when you proclaim the call for As-Salat [call for the prayer (adhan )], they take it (but) as a mockery and fun; that is because they are a people who understand not. ??As per the above Quranic verse the Muslims proclaims the call for Salat ? Can you tell me what were the words they used to proclaim before Salat?"

"I asked you several times about a particular verse of Quran where it's mentioned "[ And when you proclaim the call for As-Salat [call for the prayer (adhan )], they take it (but) as a mockery and fun; that is because they are a people who understand not] . Could you provide me the details of how the Muslims used to proclaim the call before As-Salat and what are those words ??"

"As salam alaykum brother u didn't reply back I'm waiting for ur response brother."

"Can anybody tell me people who reject hadiths how do they proclaim the call for As-Salat??"

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Al-Baqarah 2:158

إِنَّ ٱلصَّفَا وَٱلْمَرْوَةَ مِن شَعَآئِرِ ٱللَّهِۖ فَمَنْ حَجَّ ٱلْبَيْتَ أَوِ ٱعْتَمَرَ فَلَا جُنَاحَ عَلَيْهِ أَن يَطَّوَّفَ بِهِمَاۚ وَمَن تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ شَاكِرٌ عَلِيمٌ

Indeed, as-Safa and al-Marwah are among the symbols of Allah . So whoever makes Hajj to the House or performs 'umrah - there is no blame upon him for walking between them. And whoever volunteers good - then indeed, Allah is appreciative and Knowing.

I would like to know from people who reject hadiths why does Allah tells in Quran to walk between safa and marwa the 2 mountains ??

As-Salaamu alaykum akhi,

I enjoy reading your articles.

I hear people argue that the word in Arabic for non-Muslims is "kuffar." Thus we generally treat non-Muslims as kuffar, but don't necessarily say "X person is a kaffir" until clear evidence shows this to be true.

What are your thoughts on this?

Jazak Allah khayr.

Assalam alaykum Brother Joseph.


I have read some of your articles and I think you have done a great job. I too am a muslim who based my beliefs using the Quran.

Anyways I was wondering on your thoughts on the traditional shahadah and tashahud and darood in salat. For me I dont find reciting the shahadah to be shirk at all even in salat I dont find the tashahud bad either although I replaced "...to you, O prophet..." to "...to the prophet.." and Yes I do ask God to bless Prophet Muhammad(pbuh) since I recognized the difference between praying for someone than praying to someone and I recalled a verse which Allah stated that we should send blessings to the noble prophet.

Anyways I was just wondering on yiur thoughts on the shahadah, tashahud and darood in salah since I am quite confuse considering that I am a muslim who trys base their beliefs using solely the Quran.

To: Joseph Islam
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Aslam o Alaikum!

I loved your articles and they were extremely helpful to me. I wanted to ask something which I couldn't find in your website: (quransmessage.com) about Beards, Anal Sex, and multiple verses saying: "obey the messenger" when he is already deceased(may he rest in peace). Could you explain them?

One more thing: I plan to study Arabic as a subject(includes: Classical Standard Arabic, Modern Standard Arabic, Literature, Linguistics and other related etc...) in the near future, In Shaa Allah; should I study Arabic language from an Imam or directly from an institution in which the professors have no connection to Islam because there are many conservative and biased Muslims nowadays and I don't want to fall into the trap of accepting their opinions which is not my strong point.

Thanks. Keep it up!

Salam brother Joseph,

I hope this reaches you well in this blessed month of Ramadan. I wanted to ask clarification as to why you translate the word "iqta" as cut off instead of cut. You often rely on the Quranic verse to follow the best of meanings. But the word iqta can clearly mean cut OR cut off, with the latter being much harsher. I understand your argument that the punishment would be reserved for the worst of thieves (as a general and specific deterrent), but I want to understand why you landed on "cut off" being the best of meaning (esp. in light of Surah Yusuf which also references the women cutting their hands).

Thanks,

[[Question for Brother Joseph]]

[Question for Brother Joseph]

Salaam

I'm reading surah Al -Zukhraf and verse 45 puzzles me. How could the last prophet question the messengers before him if they weren't alive. Does it mean they were still alive to be questioned.

It seems to me that way.

Shukran

[Question asked on Facebook thread below:]

To Joseph:

Question asked on Facebook thread below:

https://www.facebook.com/joseph.a.islam/posts/487157614754704

Many times I've faced one issue in traditional Muslim society - the head covering during the prayer, as it's not mentioned anywhere in the Quran. I pray without a head cover, which usually causes "finger pointing" on me by other muslim women and once even lead to a huge argument. In fact nobody of Muslimas say a word when they see non hijabi muslim, but they just get shocked to see a Muslim woman praying without a headscarf.

If the ritual of the prayer was transmitted by generations, does it mean we have to adopt things which are commonly practiced though there is no single word about it in the Quran? Or we can refer "garments" to a "head over"? then why for women only?

Salaam brother Joseph

Do Animals Have Any Sort of Accountability?

Salam Again brother Joseph,

This question has been bothering me for some time and I would like to ask if an atheist does much good in their lives why will they still not be given paradise? Why does God not admit people into paradise for not believing in Him? Why does He care at all if He is All-Powerful?(May God forgive me for saying this). These questions are rely troubling me,

Your Brother in faith,

Asalamualaikum brother Joseph

Can you help me with this. If adultery is so forbidden in Islam, then how does this work?

"In Islamic law (Sharia), Ma malakat aymanukum is the term for slaves or captives of war. According to Muslim theologians, it is lawful for male masters to have sexual relations with female captives and slaves,[50][51] regardless of whether or not the slave woman gave her consent.[52] The purchase of female slaves for sex was lawful from the perspective of Islamic law, and this was the most common motive for the purchase of slaves throughout Islamic history...  Slave women were required mainly as concubines and menials. A Muslim slaveholder was entitled by law to the sexual enjoyment of his slave women."

"And (also forbidden are) all married women except those whom your right hands possess (this is) Allah's ordinance to you" - The Quran, chapter 4 (An-Nisa), verse 24 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_views_on_slavery#Sexual_intercourse

Dear brother Joseph Islam, 

Hope everything is well with you.

I would like to know one thing from you.  It is true hadiths has nothing to do with Islam as a source. However, what is your opinion about using them as historical records? The Quran instructs us to travel through the earth and to learn from other people who lived before. So understanding people and history is needed to appreciate all facts.  Can you tell me short notes on the historical records or writing we should rely.  As you know Abu Lahab is mentioned in the Quran and my question is which source we should rely if we want to know who is Abu Lahab.  I am aware, even understanding who is Abu Lahab is not material as such for guidance.  How do you view the whole issue. Do you have any writing on this or can you throw some light on this point.

Many thanks

Kind regards

[Original Post:]

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.

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

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,