Ask a Muslim

[Salah-Al-Din]

i love rumi, or as we call him Molana. i am sure he is not loved by orthodox muslims, since he does sound blasphemus. i wish muslims were more like him, or like hafez, another great poet. btw, molana Rumi was a persian from Balkh. his family migrated to anatolia (city of Konya) possibly because of the Mongol invasion.

In regards to Rumi, there are two views amongst the scholars of the Islamic orthodoxy. One group believes that he is a deviant, heretic, and extremist Sufi. The other group passionately believes that he was none of these things and they say that Rumi has been misrepresented intentionally and willfully by anti-Islam elements who translate his poetry in a deceptive and selective manner. The former view is taken primarily by Salafis and the latter view is taken primarily by Deobandis.

The truth is that it doesn't matter. Rumi will face His Lord just like we all must. As for us, we should take from his work that which conforms to Islam, and anything that is accredited to him (rightfully or wrongfully) that contradicts Islam should be ignored. Take the good and leave the bad.

 

[FriendlyFire]

Do you know if the homage of MARY is still very strong in turkey ?
That women still pray to mary and tie white ribbons on a tree in her homage.

Are tempary marrages permissable or do they amount to protitution?

----

My main point about the number of caliphats was that many have a distorted view of history. There were ethnic divides and poltical realities of the time which tend to get swept under

 

[knigh+]

Do you know if the homage of MARY is still very strong in turkey ?
That women still pray to mary and tie white ribbons on a tree in her homage.

"still" ?
There was never a homage in the worshipful way you imply in Turkey.
We have the final home of her, though. (home > homage ? )
And Muslims respect her as she is mother of Jesus, and a character in Quran.

Tying ribbons is an old tradition with flock psychology
One person ties a ribbon/rope/handkerchief to a tree, the next day you'll see a hundred more. People make a wish, tie a ribbon. It is akin to making a wish and throwing a coin into a small body of water. These aren't associated to religion.

This can happen anywhere, everywhere. It is not limited to Virgin Mary's house. It is more common around the tombs of muslim saint-equivalents. I've seen the heaps of ribbons near Mary's house on TV, and it is more then other such occurances I have seen in other parts of Turkey.

We don't pray to Virgin Mary as a deity, we pray to her at her home (and at the tombs of other important islamic figures, such as Rumi) similar to the way we pray at our grandfather's grave. (Al-Fatiha to their souls)

Are tempary marrages permissable or do they amount to protitution?

What is a temporary marriage?
Well, muslim couples are allowed to divorce, does that count as temporary?

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

Are tempary marrages permissable or do they amount to protitution?

Temporary marriage is referred to as Mutah in Arabic. Prophet Muhammad (s) forbade it in over a dozen Prophetic Sayings. I have posted these before in this very thread, so please refer to that post for a detailed answer of mine.

It is only the Shia who believe in Mutah, and they are considered heretics for that. The Sunnis--who constitute 90% of the Muslims--believe Mutah is prostitution.

 

[GenMarshall]

I have just noticed this, but is it normal that Muslims address other people, including non-Muslims, "Brother" or "Sister"?

Just wondering since I am used to hearing Mr. X Ms. X Mrs. X in the English Language and Xさん　(Xsan) in the Japanese language.

 

[Elrohir]

The verse you quoted says "unbelievers among People of the Book" therefore not all of them. See below for some verses other than the one Salah-Al-Din quoted above.

And what about the verse saying "Do not take them to be your friends"? Shouldn't you disassociate yourself from all Christians and Jews and not be friends with any of them if you take that verse literally?

 

[knigh+]

I have just noticed this, but is it normal that Muslims address other people, including non-Muslims, "Brother" or "Sister"?

Just wondering since I am used to hearing Mr. X Ms. X Mrs. X in the English Language and Xさん　(Xsan) in the Japanese language.

Depends on the language and tradition more than religion in my opinion.
Besides, we don't substitute Mr. with Brother, the latter is the informal one you use with friends. You won't see someone calling brother in a business document.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

"still" ?
There was never a homage in the worshipful way you imply in Turkey.
We have the final home of her, though. (home > homage ? )
And Muslims respect her as she is mother of Jesus, and a character in Quran.

Tying ribbons is an old tradition with flock psychology
One person ties a ribbon/rope/handkerchief to a tree, the next day you'll see a hundred more. People make a wish, tie a ribbon. It is akin to making a wish and throwing a coin into a small body of water. These aren't associated to religion.

This can happen anywhere, everywhere. It is not limited to Virgin Mary's house. It is more common around the tombs of muslim saint-equivalents. I've seen the heaps of ribbons near Mary's house on TV, and it is more then other such occurances I have seen in other parts of Turkey.

We don't pray to Virgin Mary as a deity, we pray to her at her home (and at the tombs of other important islamic figures, such as Rumi) similar to the way we pray at our grandfather's grave. (Al-Fatiha to their souls)

These are all practises of misguided Muslims who do not know the Islamic Scriptures properly. Such deviant heresies such as tying ribbons and making wishes are condemned in the harshest tones, and is referred to as Bidah. As for visiting graves of so-called "saints" and other such things, these are acts of grave-worshipping and condemned severely in the Islamic canon. Unfortunately, these practises have become widespread amongst ignorant Muslims, and it is our duty to educate them and teach them about the Islamic canon and the fundamentals of the faith.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

And what about the verse saying "Do not take them to be your friends"? Shouldn't you disassociate yourself from all Christians and Jews and not be friends with any of them if you take that verse literally?

I already answered your question/accusation. I shall copy and paste it below:

You gave a very poor translation of the verse. The verse says:

"O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for Awliyah; they are Awliyah of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for an Awliyah, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people." (Quran, 5:51)

The word Awliyah does *not* mean "friend." The word for friend in Arabic is "Khaleel" and not "Awliyah." Awliyah is most closely translated as 'patron', or even better as "friendly protecting patron and savior". So what is forbidden is for a Muslim to take a Non-Muslim as a patron and to be at the mercy of him as a vassal. This is the humiliating status of Muslim countries today: they are all vassal states and they have taken the Western countries as patrons. This is considered Haram (forbidden) because Allah does not want us at the mercy and whim at Non-Muslims, because then they can if they want oppress us, which they do routinely evidenced by the status of the Muslim world today. They can prevent us from practising our faith and enforce their religion upon us.

This command of not taking non-Muslims as Awliyah was passed to the Muslims when they entered the second phase of the Prophetic Mission and were to no longer be subservient or dependant on any other group.

Muslims are allowed to be friends with Non-Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (s) was very good friends with Abu Talib, who was a pagan. And there are many other examples. Muslims are even allowed to marry Christians and Jews, so how could it be said that we can't be friends with them? Marrying them is a higher degree of love than simple friendship.

Once again, the tiresome campaign of disinformation against Islam is what causes confusion about the faith of Allah, and no doubt as more and more people become aware of this campaign of lies, they will come to realize the Truth in Islam.

Take care, brother.

 

[knigh+]

And what about the verse saying "Do not take them to be your friends"? Shouldn't you disassociate yourself from all Christians and Jews and not be friends with any of them if you take that verse literally?

Mr. Salah-al-din replied to that in detail in post 758.

see CivGeneral, it is awkward, brother fits better here in a messageboard

edit: oops I was late

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

I have just noticed this, but is it normal that Muslims address other people, including non-Muslims, "Brother" or "Sister"?

Just wondering since I am used to hearing Mr. X Ms. X Mrs. X in the English Language and Xさん　(Xsan) in the Japanese language.

Yes, it is common practise for Muslims to address others as "Ya Akhi" (O Brother) and "Ya Ukthi" (O Sister). In reference to Muslims, this means brother and sister in the faith. We believe that the Muslims constitute one big brotherhood/sisterhood, and there are many Prophetic Sayings that urge us to care for them just as our own brothers/sisters.

In reference to Non-Muslims, this means brother and sister in humanity (i.e. children of Adam [as]).

 

[knigh+]

These are all practises of misguided Muslims who do not know the Islamic Scriptures properly. Such deviant heresies such as tying ribbons and making wishes are condemned in the harshest tones, and is referred to as Bidah. As for visiting graves of so-called "saints" and other such things, these are acts of grave-worshipping and condemned severely in the Islamic canon. Unfortunately, these practises have become widespread amongst ignorant Muslims, and it is our duty to educate them and teach them about the Islamic canon and the fundamentals of the faith.

I totally agree that such traditions are followed by uneducated people (and in Virgin Mary's case, mostly christian tourists actually - thanx to flock psychology). But still I don't think it counts as grave-worshipping. You go to a mosque to pray, but you don't worship either the mosque or the imam. Similarly there is no big heresy to pray in a tomb, as long as you are praying to Allah (yes, some misguided ones might be praying to the dead guy instead of Allah, which is heresy as you say).

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

I totally agree that such traditions are followed by uneducated people (and in Virgin Mary's case, mostly christian tourists actually - thanx to flock psychology). But still I don't think it counts as grave-worshipping. You go to a mosque to pray, but you don't worship either the mosque or the imam. Similarly there is no big heresy to pray in a tomb, as long as you are praying to Allah (yes, some misguided ones might be praying to the dead guy instead of Allah, which is heresy as you say).

Prophet Muhammad (s) said: "Do not take graves as places of worship, for I forbid you to do that." (Saheeh Muslim)

And it was also narrated by the Prophet (s) that it is forbidden to construct buildings above graves (i.e. to make shrines).

The Prophet (s) said: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.”

If we cannot take the graves of the Prophets as places of worship, and the Prophets were the best of people, then what right do we have to take the graves of these so-called "saints" as places of worship?

These are all acts of Jahiliyyah (Time of Ignorance) and are pagan practises far removed from Islam.

 

[emzie]

First Salah-Al-Din, I want to thank you for posting here and offering a different view of Islam.

Now to my question! In Islam, men are allowed to marry Christians and Jews but women are not. "Nor marry your girls to unbelievers until they believe." 2.221

My understanding of this is that men could marry outside of Islam because his family would become Muslims. If a woman married outside of Islam, she would be forced to convert to that man's religion.

How do you feel about my wife marrying me (an agnostic) -- someone who is not forcing his religion (or lack there of) on his wife and would allow his (hypothetical!) children to be raised Muslims?

Is birth control forbidden in Islam like in Catholicism?

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

First Salah-Al-Din, I want to thank you for posting here and offering a different view of Islam.

Now to my question! In Islam, men are allowed to marry Christians and Jews but women are not. "Nor marry your girls to unbelievers until they believe." 2.221

My understanding of this is that men could marry outside of Islam because his family would become Muslims. If a woman married outside of Islam, she would be forced to convert to that man's religion.

How do you feel about my wife marrying me (an agnostic) -- someone who is not forcing his religion (or lack there of) on his wife and would allow his (hypothetical!) children to be raised Muslims?

Hi, Brother Augery!

Although I do not condone a Muslim woman marrying a Non-Muslim man, I do not blame a Non-Muslim man for allowing that. What blame does he have for that? You are probably a very nice man! My advice to such a couple would only be that both should hasten to Islam because it is the Light and a Guidance for mankind.

Take care, Brother.

Is birth control forbidden in Islam like in Catholicism?

Birth control is not categorically forbidden in Islam and it is permissible in most situations.

 

[knigh+]

Is birth control forbidden in Islam like in Catholicism?

Not at all.

Abortion is also allowed in the first 4 months of pregnancy, as Allah puts the baby's soul in at that time.

 

[Elrohir]

I already answered your question/accusation. I shall copy and paste it below:

You gave a very poor translation of the verse. The verse says:

"O you who believe! do not take the Jews and the Christians for Awliyah; they are Awliyah of each other; and whoever amongst you takes them for an Awliyah, then surely he is one of them; surely Allah does not guide the unjust people." (Quran, 5:51)

The word Awliyah does *not* mean "friend." The word for friend in Arabic is "Khaleel" and not "Awliyah." Awliyah is most closely translated as 'patron', or even better as "friendly protecting patron and savior". So what is forbidden is for a Muslim to take a Non-Muslim as a patron and to be at the mercy of him as a vassal. This is the humiliating status of Muslim countries today: they are all vassal states and they have taken the Western countries as patrons. This is considered Haram (forbidden) because Allah does not want us at the mercy and whim at Non-Muslims, because then they can if they want oppress us, which they do routinely evidenced by the status of the Muslim world today. They can prevent us from practising our faith and enforce their religion upon us.

This command of not taking non-Muslims as Awliyah was passed to the Muslims when they entered the second phase of the Prophetic Mission and were to no longer be subservient or dependant on any other group.

Muslims are allowed to be friends with Non-Muslims. Prophet Muhammad (s) was very good friends with Abu Talib, who was a pagan. And there are many other examples. Muslims are even allowed to marry Christians and Jews, so how could it be said that we can't be friends with them? Marrying them is a higher degree of love than simple friendship.

Once again, the tiresome campaign of disinformation against Islam is what causes confusion about the faith of Allah, and no doubt as more and more people become aware of this campaign of lies, they will come to realize the Truth in Islam.

Take care, brother.

I'm not accusing you of anything, I'm just asking questions. These are good answers, by the way, very interesting.

Have you been asked about Mohammed's wife, Aisha, yet? I would think that you would have by now, as that's a common question, but I haven't seen it so far. (If you did, you can direct me to the post or page instead of answering again, that's fine.) So, do you think Aisha really was 6 when Mohammed married her, and 9 when they consummated their marriage? If so, do you think this was a mistake Mohammed made, or do you think that's an acceptable practice?

 

[knigh+]

Prophet Muhammad (s) said: "Do not take graves as places of worship, for I forbid you to do that." (Saheeh Muslim)

And it was also narrated by the Prophet (s) that it is forbidden to construct buildings above graves (i.e. to make shrines).

The Prophet (s) said: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.”

If we cannot take the graves of the Prophets as places of worship, and the Prophets were the best of people, then what right do we have to take the graves of these so-called "saints" as places of worship?

These are all acts of Jahiliyyah (Time of Ignorance) and are pagan practises far removed from Islam.

That's interesting, given that Muhammad's tomb is also within a huge mosque built in early 8th century (Masjid-e-Nabavi). I suppose it took muslims only 80 years to forget these hadiths.

 

[GenMarshall]

The Prophet (s) said: “May Allah curse the Jews and Christians, for they took the graves of their Prophets as places of worship.”

Wait?! God curses Christians in Muslim Theology?!

 

[knigh+]

Have you been asked about Mohammed's wife, Aisha, yet? I would think that you would have by now, as that's a common question, but I haven't seen it so far. (If you did, you can direct me to the post or page instead of answering again, that's fine.) So, do you think Aisha really was 6 when Mohammed married her, and 9 when they consummated their marriage? If so, do you think this was a mistake Mohammed made, or do you think that's an acceptable practice?

There are many different views on that, and scholars cite sources/hadiths claiming numbers between 15-20 for her age at marriage. The numbers you pointed out are the lowest numbers ever cited, and they are believed to be 16 and 19, due to Arabic language's ability to drop the context, if the context is already known. If a man is known by all chatters to be in his twenties, he can be said to be 4 years old to indicate he is 24.

This pedophilia accusation is called strictly by non-muslims who wish to denounce Islam by staining Muhammad's ethical image.