What is the essence of Islam

[AlShamms]

Peace...


No Muslimah, I cannot accept that.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


Alright AlShamms, now as I did my job in the eyes of Allah and offered you an invitation to accept Islam because you are entitled for this, since you are here, you read about it, you met Muslims, those points make it manadatory for me to offer u. Whether or not you accept is your own choice as per no compulation in religion.


Now to further expalin your inquiries and there nothing as late, the door is always for learning and understanding and as long as you take interest, your wish must be respected.


Insh aAllah I will do my best with Allah's Close guidance to respond to them point by point.

Peace...
I know I am very late in joining this thread but I saw a few things that confused me. I'll list them below for discussion:


In the beginning of this thread Muslimah you stated:


<i>"We learn that this life is not but a transit stop before we depart taking the same plane but the destination is what we work for all our lives."</i>


If this is the case, that this life is temporary, why is it obligatory for muslims to spread Islam by the sword? I'm not understanding how the two ideals are resolved with one another.


Where did I say that we are commanded to spread Islam by sowrd? When I speak about life being temporary, it is so for all of us. Muslims have to realise this and not lay emphasis on its affairs, get busy with it, worry about what they miss or gain in this world. I dont want to elaborate on this point in order to stay on topic. However, I will just give u one Ayah:



"And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew." (Quran 29:64)


Coupled with the following


"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (the Gaurded Tablet), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for Allah* In order that you may not be sad over matters that you fail to get, nor rejoice because of that which has been given to you. And Allah likes not prideful boasters." (Quran 57:22-23)<b></b>[/color][/b]


<b>A muslim should adopt the above mentioned as foundation for his/her life, not necessarily of course that we all do. This how we should perceive this short temporary life. We should work, making a living, provide for our families, but we must not really be focused on the worldly gains but rather use them as a ladder to get closer to Allah, since Allah Say:
</b>


"Say (O Muhammad): "Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.* "He has no partner. And of this I have been commanded, and I am the first of the Muslims." (Quran 6:162-163)


<b>As we established the foundation of our lives, now, this is how we think of this world and life. We should dedicate our intention in all of what we do, as you see, Salat, sacrifice, living including, among others, work, eating, sleeping, entertainment, interacting with others muslims or non muslim, marriage, child bearing.... name it. Life all aspects of life and then death should be also to Allah. How? by preparing for it, by living the life that should leade us thru to death as safe as possible.
</b>


As for non Muslims, I m ordained to invite them to Allah the One who Didnt beget no one neither was He begotten. In doing this, I should adopt a kind manner and use proper wording. I m also ordained to respond primarily to those who ask, who seek knoweldge. I should not impose or force them to listen to me, if they turn away, i should simply stop because Islam is a treasure, is an invaluable gift that must not be wasted or belittled by just throwing it even when others are not interested.


I'm seeing what appears to me to be a contradiction in teaching. In the beginning of this thread you stated:


<i>"For Muslims to fit the description given by Allah as the best people, we must enjoin good and forbid evil. But this does not mean doing so with non Muslims in a violent manner."</i>


<b>Exactly and I repeat.
</b>


However under the teaching of jihad we read:


<i>“And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism, i.e. worshipping others besides Allaah), and the religion (worship) will all be for Allaah Alone [in the whole of the world]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allaah), then certainly, Allaah is All-Seer of what they do”</i>


[al-Anfaal 8:39]


Shamms I think you just skimmed thru the thread and missed a few Ayahs associated with this one explaining the full context on how to understand it.


However, no problem I will say it again in my next post Insh a Allah.

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


as salam alykom Shamms


Sorry for taking that long to actually touoch upon the important point you brought here.


And fight them until there is no more Fitnah (disbelief and polytheism, i.e. worshipping others besides Allaah), and the religion (worship) will all be for Allaah Alone [in the whole of the world]. But if they cease (worshipping others besides Allaah), then certainly, Allaah is All-Seer of what they do”


[al-Anfaal 8:39]


With all due respect to the scholar who put down the Fatwa, this Ayah may actually cause some confusion as he explained it. His explanation appears like we are ordained to go around killing non Muslims. No Shamms, if u observed the Ayah say fight and did not say kill. Fighting is a reaction that comes out due to an act, transgression..etc. It is not logical for a Muslim for example to see his money, house, land being taken and stands and applauds the transgressor. The Aysh also prescribes that fighting will be for the objective of eliminating fitnah. Fintah here implies hindering Muslims from practicing their religion, or humiliating them, and by humiliating them Islam will appear weak. In such case we should not also stand still but fight those who fight us to prevent us from practicing our religion. As such, there is not contradiciton what so ever. We are not ordained to fight non Muslims to compel them to become Muslims. We are not ordained to fight Muslims haphazardoly, but the fight must be verified as I explained. But when they fight us we must fight back. The is what the refers to with all due respect to the scholar wallahu A`lam (and Allah Knows best), by Jihad. What is more important, if u actually pursue further info about the Islamic openings of countries during the Muslim State, I can give you one example. For instance, in the case of Egypt, Orthodox Copts who lived in Egypt sent to Omar Ibn Al Khattab (then Muslim Khalifa) seeking his help and rescue against the tyranny of then Roman Empror who was into forcing them to abandon their sect and turn into Catholisim. They were aware that Muslims compel no one to leave their religion. This is not part of Islamic teachings any way. Again, when the Muslim army arrived to the Egyptian borders, they sent with options, they didnt conquor or invade immediately, because they always tried to avoid fighting as much as possible. Not in one single case the sowrd was raised to compel someone to embrace Islam. No it was raised to defend the State, image of Islam and the like.


Again remember the difference between fighting and killing. I also advice you Shamms to read the original post in full including the three sections as divided.


Thank you for your question, it allowed me a chance to further explain this in detail to all.