What is Islam??????????????

[masriahmuslimah]

Asalam~O~Alykum

Islam

The religion of more than 500,000,000 people mainly based in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Mali, Chad, Egypt, Sudan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Many other countries have large Muslim communities also, making a widespread belief in Islam.

Their chosen representative on earth is Mohammed, their Prophet. They do not worship him personally, as Mohammed is their messenger to God, or Allah. The faith recognises Judaism and Christianity, but in the context of the insistence that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, preached and taught the Islamic faith. It is claimed the Islamic version that prevailed then and taught was changed into Christian and Judean versions. Only Mohammed's teaching being the true faith is the Islamic view.

It is a religion of reward and punishment; the day of reckoning (the Assessment) has to be answered with reward for the faithful, and Hell for the wicked. Islamic laws, the book of rules, are incorporated in the Koran.

This book, it is said, was revealed to Mohammed by Allah, in Arabic, and is clear, unmistakable, and decisive. It is the youngest of the world's religions in its present form, since Mohammed lived from about 570 AD - 632 AD. Although Arabic, the beliefs are open to anyone who wishes to practice them. The Brotherhood of Islam has no prejudice of colour, race, language, and status in life, just the close following of the Koran with its scriptures of worship, theology, and ethics.

As with other religions, sectarianism followed in the evolution of Islam due to individual interpretations. The largest group, the Sunnites, follows Mohammed implicitly. Shiites, the other main group, believe that Mohammed's son-in-law is the true spiritual leader; many sects were formed in this belief. A third, smaller group, the Sufis, whilst Muslims, show Christian and Buddhist influence. Ibadites are Sunnites, but reserve certain differences in interpretation.

Islam, the devout religion of the Middle East, the ‘youngest’ religion, and without prejudices the Middle Eastern interpretation of the then predominant religions of Christianity and Judaism. Similar to the effect of Hinduism for India, Islam was tuned and interpreted to suit the needs of that part of the world, together with parts of Asia. Subsequently the Islamic Empire of the 16th Century and the Ottoman Empire of Turkey threatened to engulf these two religions. Power is a strange bedfellow. The followers of Mohammed built an Empire as big as the Roman Empire was at the time of Jesus. The Koran is the supreme document of the Muslims. Precise, simple affirmations are given to believers, five in total: -

1. 'Allah is great, (greater than anyone)'.

2. 'The day of reckoning will be a terrible consummation'.

3. Mohammed is 'the last and seal of the Prophets'.

4. God revealed the Koran to Mohammed.

5. 'Reverence to Allah, his Prophet, Book, and the Day of Judgement'.

To the Western world, the Koran sets a tough set of rules. The pattern of behaviour, the constant five times a day prayer to Mecca, the severe punishments to the transgressors of its laws, etc. create a void between common ground for understanding.

Mention was made of the changes in Christianity. The rigidity of the basic framework of Islamic Law does not allow for changes under any circumstances. The changing social order throughout the world, which must create pressure, is ignored. There is no compromise at all.

Rigid codes that do not allow for any ambiguity in interpretation, together with abstinence from many temptations can only produce admiration and success. Such codes of discipline, when adhered to, must produce souls that are acceptable by the Assessment and laid to rest. Many differences span the interpretation on earth of religions looking at other religions, but that does not concern the requirements of the afterlife. Standards on earth vary, but not in the spiritual world. Now a set of rules is fixed and inflexible!

Like Judaism and Christianity, the Islamic faith does not subscribe to reincarnation. The pure soul is laid to rest to Eternity. The frequency link is there and the digital record of behaviour is set. Whether it is necessary to punish transgressors before assessment is a personal view, and not part of a critical theology in this context.

[Guest]

The further I look into Ilsam, the more uneasy I get. I am merely doing some research for my own purposes.

Where is the compassion in this religion ? The compassion for ones fellow man whether he be a Muslim or not ? All I have found so far are death threats to non believers, shun non believers, everybody HAS to be a Muslim or they are no good. I have spent a fair bit of time rummaging around here but I can honestly say, I find it all a bit disturbing. Chopping off hands, stoning, lashing etc.

Is there any chance Islam will go through some kind of reform to address these issues ?

[masriahmuslimah]

Asalam~O~Alykum

As we Muslims say. The first thing that i want 2 point out is that is Islam is not about killing our shopping off hands its about reaching Allah (God) without anyone interfering with that. Its one way connection. And about the stoning and lashing etc. These r the punishment for someone who committed a really great sin, but 2 prove that he/she did it there must be witnesses and other things 2. Also there other rules before they can chop off his/her hands or lashing them. So before u can judge on anything u must first know the rules form someone who really knows the religion so well or read a book that explains this religion in details. Also about saying that all non Muslims and evil is not one of our duties b/c only Allah (God) has the right 2 say who will go 2 heavens and who goes 2 hell. Also we never threatened any one b/c its a peaceful religion that don't require fighting only if it self defense. And if u studied history u would know. They teach it in public schools. I am sorry if ur research wasn't enough b/c u need 2 research more before u can judge. If ur looking for answers 2 some of ur questions. Look in to these web sites.

www.islamtomorrow.net/ yusuf.htm

www.islamfortoday.com/ history.htm

www.islam-guide.com/

[Guest]

Basicaly I am looking at the koran, after all this is the source right ? The koran or Qu'ran or however it is spelled is supposed to be simple enough for anyone to understand. As I said earlier, most of the stuff I have seen is harmless enough.

However, it is in there (Qu'ran) in black and white. You cannot dismiss these things as "oh it's not all about ...., look at all the good stuff". There are tons of web sites that paint a pretty picture of Islam, just as many that paint an ugly picture so I stick to the source. The Qu'ran is littered with messages of hate and revenge against non believers. It also ALL about the expansian of Islam with no tolerance for other belief systems.

Don't you think some of the things I brought up in my earlier post are due for some kind of reform ?

[SisterJennifer]

You cannot reform the religion, you can only reform the people. Reform of religion is something that the Christians have been doing for ages, which has done nothing but lead them further away from the original teaching, and caused social unrest within. This leads to the creation of new 'branches' of the faith with everyone thinking thier way is right, and all others are doomed. The message gets lost in the shuffle, and leads to ignorance. Once while at a Bible study, I was asked to go outside and ask the next person on the street what religion they were, and can they quote for me ONE verse fro the Bible.

I went out to find a Prespetrian (I don't know the spelling) and when I asked him to quote a verse, he could not. He did say 'Love your neighbor as yourself' which also is an Islamic principal, but he has no idea that the beginning of that verse warns to obey the law of Moses, also very similiar to Islaim principal.

As far as the Quran preaching hatred, I beg to differ. Insha Allah, I will post somthing on that shortly. I hope it will help.

[Muslimah]

as salam a`alamanitaba`al hoda HabibHibee

first off you are most welcome to our board. I see that masriamulimah and sisterjennifer already covered a lot. Further to explain regarding lashing and chopping off hands, don't u comply to traffic regulations paying fines when u violate them. Do u say oh no this is unfair or cruel. Does not a thief spend sometime in jail according to magnitude of crime. Well, punishments are punishments. we must comply to something. Dont u think so?

I suggest u read more Quran, Read Chapter 2, it is a long one though. just divide it and read it. Still we are more than ready to answer any questions u have. If u do have questions bring them here. Insh aAllah we shall answer.

[SisterJennifer]

Firstly I want to say that there is no compultion in of religion in Islam. The following are verses from the Quran:

Say, 'People of the Book! come to a proposition which is the same for us and you - that we should worship none but Allah and not associate any partners with Him and not take one another as lords besides Allah.' If they turn away, say, 'Bear witness that we are Muslims.'(Surah Al 'Imran: 64)

Among the people of the Book there are some who have iman in Allah and in what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and who are humble before Allah. They do not sell Allah's Signs for a paltry price. Such people will have their reward with their Lord. And Allah is swift at reckoning. (Surah Al 'Imran: 199)

Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and fair admonition, and argue with them in the kindest way. Your Lord knows best who is misguided from His way. And He knows best who are guided. (Surat an-Nahl: 125)

...You will find the people most affectionate to those who have iman are those who say, 'We are Christians.' That is because some of them are priests and monks and because they are not arrogant. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 82)

Only argue with the People of the Book in the kindest way - except in the case of those of them who do wrong - saying, 'We have iman in what has been sent down to us and what was sent down to you. Our God and your God are one and we submit to Him.'(Surat al-'Ankabut: 46)

...There is a community among the People of the Book who are upright. They recite Allah's Signs throughout the night, and they prostrate. They have iman in Allah and the Last Day, and enjoin the right and forbid the wrong, and compete in doing good. They are among the salihun. You will not be denied the reward for any good thing you do. Allah knows those who have taqwa. (Surah Al 'Imran: 113-115)

Those with iman, those who are Jews, and the Christians and Sabaeans, all who have iman in Allah and the Last Day and act rightly, will have their reward with their Lord. They will feel no fear and will know no sorrow. (Surat al-Baqara: 62)

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Finally, I would like to add to HabibHibee: Ask if you are in doubt about a paticular verse that seems disturbing. It may well be that you are not understanding fully, and bear in mind that some verses were written during the time of war and persecution by those of other faiths. Better to ask then to come to a conclusion that may not be correct.

And I have a qustion for you: You said that the Quran contains a message for the expansion of Islam. Isn't Christianity doing the exact same thing?

Well, I guess that is enough reading for now. Take care,

Jennifer

[Guest]

I didn't really want to get bogged down specifically on hand chopping, but in general, the punishments dictated seem a tad over the top in terms of brutality. Captial punishment in general does not appeal to me, not for religious reasons I just feel that killing someone is not the sign of a civilized person.

Sure we all must live within rules, pay our traffic tickets etc. But the punishments for a traffic violation should be what, chop off the persons right foot so they can't drive ? Is that the theory ?

How about the extaordinary punishment for a "crime" such as having sex outside of "marriage" ? Stone the person to death ? Let's suppose that some poor creature had been accused, "tried" and found guilty of such a "heinous crime" and that person was not Muslim, just happened to be in a Muslim/Islamic state on holiday perhaps. Would they be applicable for the punishment ?

You don't need to tell me there are good things in the Qu'ran, I can see that, I don't need to discuss that. I need to understand the mentality behind the bad stuff. Don't be posting the all merciful links etc. Just indulge me in what I need to know.

Thanks

[Guest]

<i>Originally posted by SisterJennifer </i><b></b>

And I have a qustion for you:  You said that the Quran contains a message for the expansion of Islam.  Isn't Christianity doing the exact same thing?  

Well, I guess that is enough reading for now.  Take care,

Jennifer

You think this is the only religous site I post on ? My goodness, you have a high opinion of yourself,



But I do notice you have not denied that.

[SisterJennifer]

You do not need to jump to unfounded conclusions, just answering my question would suffice. Thanks, and take care.