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salaam alaykum brother Joseph,

I was just reading this http://muslimmatters.org/2010/12/07/the-month-of-allah-muharram/. can you plz tell me whether we have to fast other than the days in ramdaan?

I never knew about fasting in Muharram and so far i haven't found it in the Quran that it says to fast during these days. This site says so according to some hadith, but they also quote an ayah(the ayah doesn't seem to say anything about fasting though):

"Verily, the number of months with Allāh is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allāh on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein." (9:36)

Which r the sacred 4? I know one is Ramadaan and the other is the month of Hajj. right?

Jazakallah khair,

[Question:]

Related Article:

SHOULD WOMEN LEAD MIXED PRAYER CONGREGATIONS AS RELIGIOUS LEADERS?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/women%20and%20congregations%20FM3.htm

QM Forum Admin


Question:

Dear Brother Joseph,

Prophets of God have all been men: true.This fact, for me, does not in and of itself preclude women leading congregations. Rather, I view it through a sociological lens: only in recent history in some societies have women attained equality (including educational access) with men. Even during Prophet Mohammed's life, when women were being accorded more rights and freedoms due to Quranic revelation, it would have been a radical departure from societal norms for women to have stood in such authoritative positions. The fact that men have traditionally held this role is simply that: tradition. Prevailing custom must not be used as an argument for upholding tradition.

Regards.

[Question:]

Related Article:

WHAT DOES 'AMEN' MEAN IN THE CONTEXT OF PRAYER AND IS IT QURANIC?
http://quransmessage.com/articles/amen%20FM3.htm

QM Forum Admin


Question:


Dear Brother Joseph,

Thank you for these postings. Interestingly, I had just been pondering 'Amen'.


I have noted that the word 'Amen' is not present in all biblical editions of Matthew 6. I am not a biblical historian but am curious as to whether 'Amen' appears the oldest biblical translations. I agree with the common understanding of the meaning of Amen (truly, verily) but have read articles which tie the word's origin back to the Egyptian god Amen-Ra. What are your views on this?

[A sister in faith]

Assalam Joseph.

I wanted to know why Allah asked Prophet Abraham for a physical sacrifice by cutting the neck of his son?

Reference article:
http://quransmessage.com/articles/hijaab%20FM3.htm

QM Admin.


Dear Brother Joseph, salaam alaikum!

I have read your article on hijaab regarding head cover.

I have a question:

Is head cover necessary at all?

I am currently wearing head cover but i sometimes wear jilbab n sometimes not, but i do dress modestly like wear long and loose clothes with my head cover covering my chest area so i think i'm alright. i'm scared to take my head cover off becoz i'm not sure i should. i also feel comfortable in it. I don't want to go against Allah swt though. what should i do?

[A Sister in faith]

Salaam alaikum Joseph,

We took our daughter to see santa at the mall recently. We did this just for her fun but not in any way to celebrate Christmas or it's views. We've given that knowledge to our daughter that we don't do christmas and she understands, Alhumdulilah. but are we wrong in doing this? is this tying us in shirk at all?

[A sister in faith]

Salam Joseph


I have changed my salaah according to the Quran. I praise Him in my salaah with verses from the Quran praising Allah and my salaah is not like the traditional salaah. I don't say darood sharif or attahiatu. I testify Allah's oneness etc. i don't do salaam at the end too. I say the darood n attaahiyatu at the end as a du'a but it is not a part of my salaah. what is your view on this plz?

[A sister in faith]

[Genesis ch 16:15]

Reference article:

http://www.quransmessage.com/articles/ishmael%20or%20isaac%20FM3.htm


Salaam dear brother Joseph,

I  went through your article on Prophet Abraham and the other links. You feel that it was Isaac that was taken to be sacrificed and you feel that Surah 37:101-112  was referring to Isaac. I went through the ayats several times from many translations, and it seems to me that ayats 101 - 111 are referring to Abraham's first born son Ishmael though the name isn't mentioned. I feel this way for two reasons. First, while going through the above mentioned ayats Allah narrates how he answered Abraham's prayers by giving him a righteous and patient son, He then goes on to narrate how Abraham had a dream and then with his sons knowledge and submission takes him to be sacrificed. Then goes on to say how he stopped him from sacrificing his son and instead provides him with an animal. Then concludes the incident by praising Abraham for his faith and submission and says he will be remembered and blessed by generations to come. With this we can clearly see the story comes to an end. Then Allah in ayah 102 starts with the word 'And' and goes on to say that he blessed him with Isaac. I personally feel this is in reference to a second son.

My second reason is --- Even though I was born a Christian and grew up with the story about Abraham sacrificing Issac, I never bothered to check it out from the Bible. However, Just before embracing Islam and when going through many articles, I did read about the sacrificial son being Ishmael. This came as a surprise to me and motivated me to investigate the matter further in the Bible and I was surprised to find that what I read was in fact true. I'm sure you must be having knowledge of the Biblical account, but kindly allow me to share with you my thoughts on the topic. Kindly go through the following verses from the book of Genesis:   

Genesis  ch 16:15 'Later on Hagar bore to Abraham a son and Abraham called the name of his son whom Hagar bore Ishmael. 16-And Abraham was eighty six years old at Hagar's bearing  Ishmael to Abraham.'

Genesis ch 21:3 'Accordingly Abraham called the name of his son who had been born to him, whom Sarah had borne to him, Isaac. 4- And Abraham proceeded to circumcise Isaac his son when eight days old, just as God had commanded him. 5- And Abraham was a hundred years old when Isaac his son was born to him.'

Genesis ch 22:1 'Now after these things it came about the true God put Abraham to the test. Accordingly he said to him: 'Abraham!' to which he said: 'Here I am!' 2-And he went on to say: 'Take, please, your son, your only son whom you so love, Isaac, and make a trip to the land of Moriah and there offer him up as a burnt offering on one of the mountains that I shall designate to you.'

From the above verses it would be logical to come to the following conclusions:


     1. Abraham's first born son is Ishmael.

     2. His second son Isaac was born 14 years later.

     3. For God to tell Abraham to take his 'only son', to be sacrificed, it would have to be before Isaac was born, when he had only Ishmael.

     4. The name 'Isaac' appearing in Gen. 22:1 seems to be an error.


The argument that Christians put forward is that Ishmael was the illegitimate child of Abraham and cannot be counted as his first son is absolute nonsense to me because nothing on earth can change the fact that Ishmael was Abraham's first born son irrespective of the status of his mother. Further, God would never show such discrimination.

Kindly let me have your thoughts on the above issue.

Saalam brother,

[A sister in faith]

[nisa]

Salam Alaykum,

What is difference between nisa and zawja as used (in 33:32-33 & 33:59 - as both has been referred as wives of prophets)?

I have noted even Nisa are wives, women, old women , widows etc etc but what is meaning in Arabic as as per Quranic context.

- Some people argue that nisa does not mean women and may also include men.

Salam Joseph.


Surah Ala (87), talks of the previous books like the Torah having mention of the hereafter. But the Torah doesn't talk about the hereafter. I realize the Torah has been changed but it seems surprising that if there were many verses discussing the hereafter, would they all be erased from the Torah?

If the teachings of Prophets got twisted into something like the fantastic mythologies of Hind gods and goddesses, I guess I should not be surprised if there was a massive cutting and removing of many verses of the Torah.

Salam Joseph.


Surah Ala (87), talks of the previous books like the Torah having mention of the hereafter. But the Torah doesn't talk about the hereafter. I realize the Torah has been changed but it seems surprising that if there were many verses discussing the hereafter, would they all be erased from the Torah?

Can women lead mixed congregational prayers?

Can women pray and fast during menstruation?

[BY MEMBER: Wazir1961]

BY MEMBER: Wazir1961


We, Muslims, widely recite Sura Ikhlas in prayer, dua or at many other occasions. This and many other sura starts with word 'Qul' translated as 'Say'.

Please see analysis:

http://quransmessage.com/forum/members/wazir1961/qul.htm


Point raised:

In other words, we are requesting Allah SWT to say that 'Allah SWT (another one?)' is He who is One and so on.

Questions:

Isn't this scenario problematic?
What is solution to this problem?
We have other two conjugations: 'Aaqoolu' mean 'I say' and 'Naqoolu' mean 'We say'

So, will it not be appropriate to replace word 'Qul' with 'Aaqoolu' when reciting individually and 'Naqoolu' when reciting in congregation?
Note: I am not suggesting in any way to replace word in Quran, I am saying that when we recite this type of sura in namaz, dua or at any other occasion, Will it not proper to be mindful of language?

QM Forum Admin

Dear Joseph,


I was going through your article - BEATING WIFE and also  happened to go through several verses (having darb reference with different meaning) .  But  I feel " BEAT" is the only translation for DARB verb in verse 4:34 - Am I correct ? or is there are other verse/s , which has used DARB to mean BEAT. 

I also noted BEATING/WHIPPING has been used 24:2 / 24:4 with regard to Adultery.  I felt if you are punishing someone , you dont joke of (lightly beating) as translated in 4:34 but whipping, hence the word would have been FAJILDUHUM !!!! 

Correct me wherever possible.

[then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess]

Are the muslims as per the ayah below normally permitted to marry more than one wife? Please can you clarify.


4.003
"If you fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly with the orphans, marry women of your choice, two or three or four; but if you fear that you shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one, or (a captive) that your right hands possess, that will be more suitable, to prevent you from doing injustice" 


Thanks

Salam

In chapter 2:62 we read:

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 Sust; and no fear need they have, and neither shall they grieve.

Then in 98:6 chapter we read:

Verily, those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture and (from among) those who associate gods with God shall be consigned to the Fire of Gehenna. Therein they shall abide. It is they who are the worst of all creatures.

How do you reconcile the two? Moreover, does this not negate plurality of belief as we read in 5:48:

And unto thee [O Prophet] have We vouchsafed this divine writ, setting forth the truth, confirming the truth of whatever there still remains of earlier revelations and determining what is true therein. Judge, then, between the followers of earlier revelation in accordance with what God has bestowed from on high, and do not follow their errant views, forsaking the truth that has come unto thee. Unto every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life. And if God had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but [He willed it otherwise] in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto, you. Vie, then, with one another in doing good works! Unto God you all must return; and then He will make you truly understand all that on which you were wont to differ.

On a side note, some Muslims who believe in the theory of abrogation, are quick to defend the above as "Verse A contradicts verses B and C".

However, I am sure there must be a better explanation.

Regards,

Mubashir

Salaam alaikum brother Joseph,

I would like you to shed some light on the subject of Circumcision--- I am aware that circumcision is not mentioned in the Quran. But God commanded Prophet Abraham (PBUH) to have all males of his house hold circumcised and that they should continue doing that to time indefinite. Since we are told by Allah to follow the religion of Abraham(PBUH), does this have a bearing on us and should we circumcise our male children ?

I can't remember the ayat but I do remember reading in the Quran that we will not be questioned about not following the laws of a previous people or book but will be answerable for laws mentioned in the book handed to us only and vice verser. But at the same time we are asked to follow the religion of Abraham(PBUH)--- Does the following of the religion of Abraham(PBUH) mean worshiping only one God (monotheism) or does it mean to follow the method of prayer and all other rituals? Kindly shed some light brother.

Regards & Peace,

[sister in faith]

As-salam alaykum Joseph,
 
I wanted to get your take on the following.

The Qur'an refers to stories that are in the Mishna or Midrash. I heard Jonathan Brown categorize the Mishna as being analogous to hadith....

Please see http://www.islamic-awareness.org/Quran/Sources/

Please scroll down on certain stories like Cain and Abel, Abraham and the idols, etc. I think Cain and Abel is defintely in the Bible but I think some details in the Qur'an match up with some details in the extra Torah literature passed down amongst Jews.

So if the Qur'an is validating stories that were not in the Torah but were in what may be analgous to the hadith, then is not the Qur'an showing some validation of Jewish "hadith" as a source of knowledge and then can not that validation likewise show some validity of Islamic hadith as a source?