Do Muslims worship only Allah

[unit]

shukran ;)


i hope to learn more about islam.. i will definantly try to be polite while here.. (i am a stranger in a strange land :P)


muslimah,


if you don't mind me asking.. i have just read the sticky thred essence of islam. inside is mentioned that (one of, if not the) main theme is to develop a relationship with Allah (the God) and learn detachment from the other things..


if you'll forgive my saying so.. this is very similar to other religious systems (buddhism comes to mind immediately, although that has no head deity per se) and there are some people who follow the bible faith along those lines also (worship of Jehovah only)


(there is a line in the bible where it says 'people have worshipped the creation rather than the creator'..)


also, forgive me if this seems a ignorant question.. but if worship (and i use that term loosely) of Allah is paramount why do muslims pray to 'the sun' several times a day (the sun is a creation, not the creator..? so i can see why bible people might have a hard time with that..)


thnx for the welcome :)

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


salam Unit


I will split this post and reply Insh a Allah on another thread.

[unit]

here's my post.. i thought i was on crack and didnt press send hehe.. umm ok i'll look for this other thred (if i can't find it i'll come back here)

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


Although your first point is not quite clear to me, however, I will try and address it. And certainly I dont mind u asking. :)


Muslims are commanded to worship only Allah, to maintain a sincere faith and devotion to only Allah. This devotion should not be casted or stained with the occupance of heart with wealth, position, power, spouse, children, house or any other material gains.


While doing so, they must also maintain full belief that devotion should be only to Allah without any intermediaries, incarnates, sons, delegates in any form or shape. This is the main and major pillar of monotheism in Islam.


However, because we are human beings, we constantly need to remind ourselves with this fact. It takes much work to develop this sense actually. In few words, submit yourself to only Allah.


Here is a verse from Quran that sums up all what a human being may be seeking or busy with in life:


"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are rebellious." (Quran 9:24).


If other religions share the same notion, well, because as we repeatedly said, simply because the only religion that was commanded to mankind by Allah is Islam. Nonetheless, mankind did distroty it all long the human history by innovating a need to insert this symbole or that god. Hope I was clear. To make it further clear, a Muslim should maintain a pure intention in all what he/she does to Allah. As per the following verse:


"Say (O Muhammad): "Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." (Quran 6:162)


To bring it closer to your understanding, suppose someone went out for jihad with a group of people, fought bravely, and killed. But his intention when he was going out was to create an image of bravery for himself, to be called a hero, to establish a reputation. In such case, Allah Shall not accept this deed. It all depends on the intention. and devotion to Allah only and only.


Second, Muslims dont pray to the sun at all. Matter of fact, there are certain hours during day time that we are striclty prohibited to pray on. Because those were the hourse when sun worshipers used to pray. Those times are after Fajr prayer (early morning before dawn) and after Asr (which is the time before sunset). We are commanded not to pray during those times at all. For example, when we enter into a masjed, usually according to the Messenger prayer and peace be upon him, traditions, we are encouraged to pray two units in greeting to the masjed. But we should not do so during those times I mentioned.

[unit]

Although your first point is not quite clear to me, however, I will try and address it. And certainly I dont mind u asking.
Muslims are commanded to worship only Allah, to maintain a sincere faith and devotion to only Allah. This devotion should not be casted or stained with the occupance of heart with wealth, position, power, spouse, children, house or any other material gains.

makes sense so far :) but who does this?

While doing so, they must also maintain full belief that devotion should be only to Allah without any intermediaries, incarnates, sons, delegates in any form or shape. This is the main and major pillar of monotheism in Islam.

so there are no muslim bishops, cardinals etc.. and there is not a muslim pope? where do sufi's fit in on this?

However, because we are human beings, we constantly need to remind ourselves with this fact. It takes much work to develop this sense actually. In few words, submit yourself to only Allah.

hmm.. it's difficult for the person in a spiritual system where there is no 'middlemen' to help the seeker reach the God, but i think it makes more sense this way although i'm sure God/Allah leads students to teachers.. having said that, i am sure the islam faith has at least 'teachers'

Here is a verse from Quran that sums up all what a human being may be seeking or busy with in life:
"Say: If your fathers, your sons, your brothers, your wives, your kindred, the wealth that you have gained, the commerce in which you fear a decline, and the dwellings in which you delight, are dearer to you than Allah and His Messenger, and striving hard and fighting in His Cause, then wait until Allah brings about His Decision (torment). And Allah guides not the people who are rebellious." (Quran 9:24).

if a man is rich with material wealth.. might he say that Allah/God blessed him with it? should he turn his back on it and seek a more mundane lifestyle? is that then offensive to Allah? would Allah impress on the mans heart and mind what to do with the wealth? is it a test?


commerce is mentioned, i take 'commerce' to be trading/business.. how does this square with the exhortation to surrender completely and just follow Allah? i have read in the bible 'friendship with the world is enmity to God' (since there are SOME similarities with the bible and the quran i assume the quran also requires that people do not immerse themselves in worldlyness) maybe i am an extremist but i don't like the idea if a human has no money then as far as society is concerned, they can starve..

Allah and his messenger

-- this implies that his messenger is infallible, Muhammed is accused of many things, i would need to do a lot of study on that to find out what is true and what is slander.. at this point in time i cannot make that decision based on a internet message board ;)

striving hard and fighting in His Cause

-- here is the fighting word again.. i have issue with this.. defence of self and home is fine, even to death, going abroad and attacking others is not.. what is this business about muslims going out to slay infidels and conquering by the sword?

wait until Allah brings about His Decision

-- to me implies Allah has not yet made up his mind?

If other religions share the same notion, well, because as we repeatedly said, simply because the only religion that was commanded to mankind by Allah is Islam.

not sure if i get this?? (bible makes the same claim..?)

Nonetheless, mankind did distroty it all long the human history by innovating a need to insert this symbole or that god.

yeh.. happens a lot

Hope I was clear. To make it further clear, a Muslim should maintain a pure intention in all what he/she does to Allah.

so it is not something to be taken lightly?

As per the following verse:
"Say (O Muhammad): "Verily, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living, and my dying are for Allah, the Lord of the Worlds." (Quran 6:162)


To bring it closer to your understanding, suppose someone went out for jihad with a group of people, fought bravely, and killed. But his intention when he was going out was to create an image of bravery for himself, to be called a hero, to establish a reputation. In such case, Allah Shall not accept this deed. It all depends on the intention. and devotion to Allah only and only.

hmm.. the bible says similar things.. forgive me, but i find it kinda disturbing that as an example you mention jihad (i know what that is)

Second, Muslims dont pray to the sun at all. Matter of fact, there are certain hours during day time that we are striclty prohibited to pray on. Because those were the hourse when sun worshipers used to pray.

i don't get this..? they face the sun but do not pray to it..? (why bother facing it then?) and changing the time doesn't really extricate it from sun worship? this does not make sense to me?

Those times are after Fajr prayer (early morning before dawn) and after Asr (which is the time before sunset). We are commanded not to pray during those times at all. For example, when we enter into a masjed, usually according to the Messenger prayer and peace be upon him, traditions, we are encouraged to pray two units in greeting to the masjed. But we should not do so during those times I mentioned.

reasons are fine.. i just don't understand them..?


sorry for brevity of some replies, pc here is playing up :mellow: thnx for taking the time to answer my initial questions..

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


salam


I will attend to the full post later, but just a quick note, I particularly picked up jihad, since it is the most debatable issue, and non muslims look upon this is a special manner.


For example, marriage must be attempted only for the sake of Allah, not because you cannt live without this man or woman, or because this woman is stunning or this man is dashing. If u know what I mean. This is a second exmple. I m just trying to be as focused and brief simultaneously.

[unit]

yep, i get you...


hehe ;) if the word 'attempted' was not up there (in regards to marriage) i'd be typing some more just now.. :)


thnx for reading..

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


Unit, I know i m lagging behind here. Pls bear with me. :blush:

[Muslimah]

Bismillah


salam Unit


I m not sure if u still visit, I know u havent since mid jan.


Any way.


If u want to learn about sufism:


http://islamsms.com/bb/index.php?showt...=1743&hl=Sufism


Certainly in Islam there are teachers, who are scholars, for example abu Hanifa, Ibn Hanbal, Shafei who founded schools of thoughts, all taken after the Messenger's prayer and peace be upon him teachings.


While no bishops, cardinals and so forth.


There is a mufti who must be formally educated to play this role, educated enough to give fatwa, not that they dont err. To err is human. The mufti is a position occupied by a well versed scholar in each Muslim country. But we dont consider him more than this, a human being a qualified one to fit this position. He does not enjoy any sanctity more than deserving our respect like any other Muslim human being, but more so, it is highly encouraged not to slander to talk bad about a scholar or even a muslim seeking knowledge. In islam knowledge is a highly ranked item.


Again, the mufti is not a middle man. We dont need anyone to grant us forgiveness, only Allah Is Entitled for this. We can seek this thru praying to Allah and only Allah. When I say praying, I mean physical, not to invoke. I mean the person prays two Raka (prayer unit) and then invokes upon Allah for repentence and forgiveness.


Hope u come back and read, we still have more to discuss here.


commerce is mentioned, i take 'commerce' to be trading/business.. how does this square with the exhortation to surrender completely and just follow Allah?


There is much difference between following Allah, and doing business, working, and learing, and doing the latte with full heart being attached to those items.


Certainly, in Islam we are encouraged to work, not to sit and worship Allah day and night.


We are commanded to work and earn our living, a man is commanded to work and support a family and so forth. But we are not to have our hearts set on those items. In other words, suppose a merchant (businessman) looses a deal, or even goes bankrupt, he/she should not collapse, suicide, or things on those lines. BUt rather accepts what Allah decreed, start again, say Inna lilahi wa inna ilayhee rajoun = to Allah we are and to Allah we shall return. This is a supplication in Quran we must use in cases of crisis or calamity. In such case, Allah Shall recompensate and Gives reward. See everything in Islam is well regulated, nothing happens haphazardly.

[unit]

thank you for taking the time to type to me.. i have read your replies and found 99% of them informative and helpful.. with all due respect i did not find any definitive information on why exactly muslims 'pray to the sun'