Ask a Muslim

[CaptainF]

I notice that a lot of our traditional Anti-Islam flame warriors aren't asking many questions...

 

[Homie]

Hey, and welcome to the forum

1. Do you know any arabic?
2. Isn't it sort of a muslim rule that the Koran should be read in its original language, Arabic? That it should not be translated because that would corrupt its words?
3. What is Swedenborgist?
4. How can you avoid following some of the rules of your religion? Isn't that unwise? I mean, if you actually believe Islam to be the true faith.
5. What is your favorite surah? Mine is this (roughly paraphrased): Women are like your fields. Go into them as you please.

I mess with conservative ignorant Christian girls on campus, by telling them that "verse" is in "The Holy Book" . Naturally they assume I mean the Bible, and they are a little offended by the verse, but at the same time they won't critisize it because they think they'd be critisizing the Bible, the word of God. Hehe, I love the expression on their face.

 

[Katheryn]

Thanks for starting this thread, incantrix, and welcome.

I admit, I am very frustrated by Islam, and have a difficult time understanding why a woman would put herself into such a system that allows such things as polygamy, easy divorce for men, child custody to go always to the man, and other sexist rules in the Koran that control women. Did you purposely marry outside the faith to circumvent these controls?

Since you don't allow the rules of the religion to bind you, and you don't agree with many of the tenets (you said you think Sharia is revolting) and seeing you do many of the forbidden practices, which you would hide from the people at the mosque, I don't understand what defines you as a Muslim. Is it where you were born? Do you consider it a race, or Is it a family/clan type identity? Are there tenets in Islam that you do agree with? What are they, if they do not include Sharia?

 

[Tee Kay]

Hi Incantrix welcome to CFC (I know it's been a few pages...)

Anyway have some questions:

1) How do you see the recent conflict between Israel and Lebanon? Is Hezbollah's action before and during the war justified?

2) Personally, how do you see the role of a Muslim woman?

3) Generally, what do Muslims think of non-monotheistic religions eg Hinduism and Buddhism?

4) Are you happy with how Muslims are treated in the West? How would you like to see Muslims treated?

5) Lastly (for now), do you play any of the Civ titles? If so, who is your favourite leaders, and why?

Additional question: (I use the edit button or else others will yell at me) There's consistant reports of "honour killings" in Muslim countries eg Pakistan. The targets are mostly women. Now are honour killings justified in Islam? If so, in what situation.

 

[Stylesjl]

Whats up with the fixation on executing apostates? Do you beleive that those who leave Islam and turn their backs on Allah should be punished by human authorities?

 

[aneeshm]

A more controversial question now:

In India, historically, Islam was spread by the sword, using the most brutal of methods. The period of Muslim rule was also responsible for a lot of social problems and impoverishment, because the rulers did not consider themselves part of India, they thought of themselves as superior foreign occupiers. How, then, should the Muslim convert in India view himself?

Also, in the areas where there was a consolidation of Muslim rule (in the north of the country), not a single major Indic institution (temples, universities, the gurukul system of school education, Buddhist monasteries, and many others) survived, due to the iconoclasm of the Muslim rulers of that time period. Given such a scenario, how do you think the Hindu populace of India should react when some fundamentalist Muslim Mullah, say from the Darul Uloom, goes around preaching that before the coming of the Muslims, India was just a wasteland and that the people living there has built nothing, and when such preachers treat the majority Hindu community with outright contempt, and treat India's non-Hindu past as separated from themselves? How should we react when the premier body in the country for training Muslim clerics and mullahs, the Darul Uloom in Deoband, treats all non-Muslims as dirty and unclean, and teaches the same to its students?

I have a third question. Muslim rulers, specially the Mughals, demolished thousands of temples wherever they went and built mosques on top of them. This fact is not in dispute. There are, however, three temples which are almost central to the Hindu faith, and are the birthplaces of the people we consider incarnations of God. Unfortunately, during the Mughal or Sultanate period, these were demolished, and mosques were constructed on them. Are the Hindus justified in asking for these three (and only these three) places of worship back, so that the Mosque may be shifted somewhere else and a temple built on that spot? These three temples are as important to us as the Kaba is to Muslims.

 

[GenMarshall]

Do Muslims have to pray in Arabic or can they pray in any language they want?

 

[viz]

Welcome aboard,

Do you consider a world with multiple, competing religions (and competing views within each religion) to be good or bad for humanity as a whole when only one can be correct? (I would argue that none are correct but that's another matter )

Would you rather everyone followed your faith and no other?

Do you believe that western society has lead to your lack of regard for certain parts of Islam thus leading to your views including increased freedom of speech (particularly from a womans perspective), married a non-Muslim, drink alcohol, veil usage etc? Do you consider this a good thing?

Have you ever questioned the validity of any religious claims including any made in the koran?

Finally, if I may:

Have you ever questioned the existence of god and if not why is that so?

 

[incantrix]

How do you feel about the way that Muhammad spread Islam?

Of course, I mean by the sword. I know that Muslims generally revere Muhammad as the greatest prophet. Can you, therefore, truly condemn the extremists of your faith in the Middle-East when they appear to be following by example the legacy left behind by the greatest prophet of God?

I do not like violence, but I don't believe our history is any more violent than any other in humanity. Just because Christ said to turn the other cheek and Christians ignored this doesn't excuse Christianity.

What do you think of the Dhimmi status applied to non-Muslims (historically) living in Muslim countries? Should it still be used today? What do you think was its purpose originally?

Historically, I think it's rather kind. I'm a secularist and it shouldn't have a place in today's world.

Why do you think Allah exists?

Having faith helps me in life

Do you really think Muhammed was taken up in a chariot of fire?

I don't know. How he got to Heaven isn't really important to me.

Do you think that Muhammed acted in such a way that he should be mimicked? Do muslim men feel that they may act like him?

I believe Muhammed acted on God's will and I find it hard to believe God is violent. I do not believe Muhammed wanted to be mimicked.

Do you carry a compass around with you? Or have you developed an 'internal compass' so you always know roughly which direction to face when praying?

Outside, I can tell. Indoors, I pray at home and at work, so I only had to figure it out once for each location

1. Do you know any arabic?

A little.

2. Isn't it sort of a muslim rule that the Koran should be read in its original language, Arabic? That it should not be translated because that would corrupt its words?

The attempt should be made, yes. There are millions of illiterate Muslims.

3. What is Swedenborgist?

A small mystic Christian faith.

4. How can you avoid following some of the rules of your religion? Isn't that unwise? I mean, if you actually believe Islam to be the true faith.

I believe many rules were intended for a different time and different culture. Islam was founded in an Arabic culture. I don't see why it has to be limited to that culture.

 

[El_Machinae]

Does the Qu'ran imply or state (obliquely or not) that Allah will work obvious miracles through some believers?

 

[incantrix]

Thanks for starting this thread, incantrix, and welcome.

I admit, I am very frustrated by Islam, and have a difficult time understanding why a woman would put herself into such a system that allows such things as polygamy, easy divorce for men, child custody to go always to the man, and other sexist rules in the Koran that control women. Did you purposely marry outside the faith to circumvent these controls?

I married who I fell in love with. There are many Muslim men who treat their marriage on equal terms.

Since you don't allow the rules of the religion to bind you, and you don't agree with many of the tenets (you said you think Sharia is revolting) and seeing you do many of the forbidden practices, which you would hide from the people at the mosque, I don't understand what defines you as a Muslim. Is it where you were born? Do you consider it a race, or Is it a family/clan type identity? Are there tenets in Islam that you do agree with? What are they, if they do not include Sharia?

Being born in Alberta would make me a... well... JohnnyB is from there so I need to be nice

I define me as a Muslim. Is something forbidden as a means of control or what God thought was best for us? I believe the latter and do not consider myself perfect.

1) How do you see the recent conflict between Israel and Lebanon? Is Hezbollah's action before and during the war justified?

Hezbollah is a great organization. You must understand there are two sides to it, military and humanitarian. Even the EU defines only Hezbollah's military wing as terrorist. I find it very hard to condemn one when the other has brought my family hospitals, doctors and schools.

Kidnapping Israeli soldiers was beyond stupid.

2) Personally, how do you see the role of a Muslim woman?

To live as equals in a relationship. If I ever have children this may change.

3) Generally, what do Muslims think of non-monotheistic religions eg Hinduism and Buddhism?

Generally, unkindly (which is kind in my saying).

4) Are you happy with how Muslims are treated in the West? How would you like to see Muslims treated?

I can't say that I'm unhappy, but I've never lived anywhere but Canada.

I wish to be treated as a person.

5) Lastly (for now), do you play any of the Civ titles? If so, who is your favourite leaders, and why?

I tried to learn C3C but it was too complex I liked the French though

Additional question: (I use the edit button or else others will yell at me) There's consistant reports of "honour killings" in Muslim countries eg Pakistan. The targets are mostly women. Now are honour killings justified in Islam? If so, in what situation.

Maybe in how those men see Islam, it is justified. It is completely unjustifiable to myself.

Whats up with the fixation on executing apostates? Do you beleive that those who leave Islam and turn their backs on Allah should be punished by human authorities?

How have heretics been treated in Western history I don't believe there should be punishment by human authorities. I'm a secularist.

Further, I believe these people can still reconcile with God after death, like anyone else.

Do Muslims have to pray in Arabic or can they pray in any language they want?

Well I sure hope God knows English

Do you consider a world with multiple, competing religions (and competing views within each religion) to be good or bad for humanity as a whole when only one can be correct? (I would argue that none are correct but that's another matter )

Would you rather everyone followed your faith and no other?

Your first question is a loaded one. I believe the world would be peaceful if everyone believed the same thing to the letter. I also believe it stagnates humanity (the renaissance came after the Protestant split). I like the world as it is, but in my heart, I believe it is in people's best interest to follow my faith. I would only encourage conversion if someone came to me.

Do you believe that western society has lead to your lack of regard for certain parts of Islam thus leading to your views including increased freedom of speech (particularly from a womans perspective), married a non-Muslim, drink alcohol, veil usage etc? Do you consider this a good thing?

Yes. Had I been born and raised in Saudi Arabia, I don't think I would have these views

I do not believe western society influencing my beliefs is a bad thing. Islam extends from Morocco to Indonesia, but there are different cultures throughout. What is believed in Afghanistan about women doesn't hold up next door in Iran (in Iran, women can wear makeup, vote, file for divorce...).

Have you ever questioned the validity of any religious claims including any made in the koran?

Certainly. Without questioning, I believe I deny part of my humanity.

Finally, if I may:

Have you ever questioned the existence of god and if not why is that so?

Yes I have. I was an atheist for a long time but I'm happier as I am now. I don't blame anyone but myself for falling away (and maybe my biology teacher )

 

[GenMarshall]

Well I sure hope God knows English

Well, I hope God knows both English and Japanese (I am currently a beguinner in this second language)

 

[incantrix]

Does the Qu'ran imply or state (obliquely or not) that Allah will work obvious miracles through some believers?

I'd have to ask someone else

I believe that God does work miracles through not only Muslims, but through everyone.

 

[El_Machinae]

Ah, I should be very specific then; does the Qu'ran imply (note: I'm looking for even oblique interpretations) that the truely faithful (or saintly) could have access to more supernatural 'might' than normal people?

I honestly cannot imagine switching from believing in no god to Allah. In what way does it make you happier? What was it about the faith that made it seem more 'true' to you than a materialist explanation?

 

[ironduck]

The rennaissance started well before the protestant split (Luther's thesis were in 1517 or so), not that it matters for the discussion.

I'm still interested in my questions from before..

(I didn't get the joke about your biology teacher making you 'fall away'..?)

 

[HannibalBarka]

Does the Qu'ran imply or state (obliquely or not) that Allah will work obvious miracles through some believers?

I'll answer that, if I may incantrix, I was raised muslim before becoming atheist
In the Quran, it is explicitly said that Allah performed miracle through some believers: Abraham not burnig in a fire, the virgin birth of Jesus and the different miracle performed by Moses (the stick becoming snake and the opening of the Red sea to allow the Hebrews to cross it). Mohammad himself performed some miracle, the most famous is his trip to Eden.
I don't think however that the Quran says Allah will work obvious miracles through some believers after Mohammad's death

 

[ironduck]

I honestly cannot imagine switching from believing in no god to Allah. In what way does it make you happier? What was it about the faith that made it seem more 'true' to you than a materialist explanation?

I don't believe in any gods (I don't know any), that doesn't mean I'm a materialist. There are other options.

 

[incantrix]

A more controversial question now:

In India, historically, Islam was spread by the sword, using the most brutal of methods. The period of Muslim rule was also responsible for a lot of social problems and impoverishment, because the rulers did not consider themselves part of India, they thought of themselves as superior foreign occupiers. How, then, should the Muslim convert in India view himself?

Pakistani?

Islam has had a violent past, just like other religions. If other religions have matured (or fallen away, in the eyes of a fundamentalist) I don't see why Islam cannot.

Didn't Christians see themselves as superior? How should those converts think of themselves?

Also, in the areas where there was a consolidation of Muslim rule (in the north of the country), not a single major Indic institution (temples, universities, the gurukul system of school education, Buddhist monasteries, and many others) survived, due to the iconoclasm of the Muslim rulers of that time period. Given such a scenario, how do you think the Hindu populace of India should react when some fundamentalist Muslim Mullah, say from the Darul Uloom, goes around preaching that before the coming of the Muslims, India was just a wasteland and that the people living there has built nothing, and when such preachers treat the majority Hindu community with outright contempt, and treat India's non-Hindu past as separated from themselves?

I would be highly offended if I were in your position. I know I find it offensive when I hear Islam had nothing before the west came. Sure, the Saudis were in tents but we already had one amazing Golden Age.

How should we react when the premier body in the country for training Muslim clerics and mullahs, the Darul Uloom in Deoband, treats all non-Muslims as dirty and unclean, and teaches the same to its students?

React with outrage. The Mosque I attend is both Sunni and Shi'a, so none of us are fundimental. I imagine there are people like that here in Canada though

I have a third question. Muslim rulers, specially the Mughals, demolished thousands of temples wherever they went and built mosques on top of them. This fact is not in dispute. There are, however, three temples which are almost central to the Hindu faith, and are the birthplaces of the people we consider incarnations of God. Unfortunately, during the Mughal or Sultanate period, these were demolished, and mosques were constructed on them. Are the Hindus justified in asking for these three (and only these three) places of worship back, so that the Mosque may be shifted somewhere else and a temple built on that spot? These three temples are as important to us as the Kaba is to Muslims.

I see no reason why Hindus shouldn't be allowed to build a temple there. A mosque is but a building. Buildings can be moved or rebuilt. Sacred ground cannot be.

I don't know a lot about India, but I can't imagine that happening soon.

 

[aneeshm]

Generally, unkindly (which is kind in my saying).

I do not understand this sentence. Could you elaborate a little?

 

[incantrix]

Ah, I should be very specific then; does the Qu'ran imply (note: I'm looking for even oblique interpretations) that the truely faithful (or saintly) could have access to more supernatural 'might' than normal people?

As HannibalBarka said, there's cases of those God chose doing the supernatural. I don't see why that cannot happen again. I don't believe such 'power' is a reward for piety though.

I honestly cannot imagine switching from believing in no god to Allah. In what way does it make you happier? What was it about the faith that made it seem more 'true' to you than a materialist explanation?

A psychologist might say that it's just chemical reactions in my head, but I'm happier now than then. I might just say that God caused those chemical reactions

I don't believe that evolution as I believe in it is contradictory to my faith. Before anyone asks, I don't believe intelligent design should be taught in public schools. I do believe in it though

I'm still interested in my questions from before..

Which? I must have missed it These threads are hard to do!

(I didn't get the joke about your biology teacher making you 'fall away'..?)

I thought everything in life could be answered in science and that God was but a myth invented in the absence of science.