True, God cannot die or be killed (thankfully, praise God). but is there any kind of sacrifice of this kind in Islam that happened with Christ which stands out? Some great divine act that is nothing short of miraculous.
Put aside whether or not it happened with Christ.
All of Allah's Messengers risked their life, property, wealth, and prosperity to preach God's Message. We believe in all of the Prophets, and many of the sacrifices narrated are the same as in your Judeo-Christian stories, including the story of Prophet Abraham (as) and his son.
I'm sorry if this has been asked before but where are you from Salah-al-Din. I don't want to wade through the whole thread to find the answer.
Hehe, yes it's been asked a million times, so I just updated my profile to reflect my location. I am currently in the USA. However, I plan on relocating to Dubai after my medical residency/training is over, Allah Willing.
What are the historical reasons for the laws against the consumption of alcahol(I know why these make sense) But where did they originate?
I do not know about what the historical reasons are. I can only assume that they are the same as the reasons that alcohol is scorned in today's society. Allah says in the Quran:
"They ask you about drinking and gambling. Say: 'There is great harm in both, although there is some benefit for men, but their sin is greater than their benefit.'" (Quran, 2:219)
It should be noted that we abstain from alcohol not because it is unhealthy but rather only because it is forbidden by Allah. There is always a reason Allah forbids things: sometimes we know it and other times we don't. Sometimes the benefit of the law is manifested before our eyes and other times it is more subtle or the benefit is in the Unseen realm. Allah says that He never enjoins anything on us unless it is for our own good, and that none of the Laws benefit Him but rather they benefit us. But the reasons are always secondary in any case, and the prohibition stems from Allah saying so and the justifications for this are secondary, used only to boost our faith in the Command and nothing else.
Do you think it's right that a Muslim can judge another Muslim as being heretical or not correct in his beliefs?
If a person claims to be Muslim and spreads heresy and incorrect beliefs in the name of Islam, then it becomes
Wajib (obligatory) to correct him and to refute his misguidance so that people not be misguided. It is not an option to do so, but rather an obligation.
Do you therefore think their is a good basis for the speration of Shea and Sunni and for their animosity?
People mistakenly think that it's half and half, Sunni and Shia. No. Sunnis constitute 90% of the people who claim to be Muslims. On the other hand, the (12er) Shia are only 8%.
The orthodox Muslims, who make up a 90% majority, disassociate themselves from the break away sects, just like mainstream Christians distance themselves (rightfully or wrongfully) from the Church of Latter Day Saints or the Yehova's Witnesesses, etc. [Note: I am not passing judgment on the rightness or wrongness of either.]
In regards to animosity, I do not support animosity between the orthodox Muslims and the sects. I believe that they are two different faiths, but that Muslims are advised to be soft and kind to people of all faiths, so why shouldn't the Shia be included in this softness and kindness?
Neither do I support sectararian violence. I support the right to disagree, and agree to disagree. As Martin Luther King said, we should not be violently disagreeable, or something like that.
In the Christian faith there were some very good reasons for seperating from the Catholic church, but in Islam they seem more a matter of semantics than real dispute?
I believe that the differences between Sunni and Shia is just as great as between Catholicism and Protestantism. However, I do not think the analogy is applicable because Catholics and Protestants are both major groups. On the other hand, the Shia are only 8% of the total, and therefore I do not see it in the same way.
Nonetheless, just like Catholics should respect Protestants (and the other way around), I believe that Sunnis should respect Shia (and the other way around).
Actually, so long as a woman is not dressed completely skankily, I think most people would be understanding towards non-Muslims. Even wearing short sleeves or something like that wouldn't be a big deal, but I am just saying what to wear if you are trying to be extra cautious here.
(Simpsons quote)
