Ask a Muslim

[shahreevar]

but i think they all reacted to one man's opinion/belief, i.e. they reacted to salah's point of view. remember that he doesnt represnt all muslims, or islam in general.

 

[Nick Garai]

True. But he did try. That is appreciated. He tried to answer some questions.

 

[Homie]

which people? why? i agree salahoddin gave honest answers, but i just dont agree with him. it's that simple.

You, for one. Not for disagreeing with Sal-Ah-Din (I don't agree with him either), but for slandering other members, acting all high and mighty as if you know any better, which you clearly don't. Calling winner brainwashed just shows that you don't even know what brainwashed means. Calling him opionated and controversial would be more appropriate, brainwashed he is not, neither are you, Sal-Ah-Din, Sidhe or myself. I hate when people use terms loosely. Then they lose their meanings and language has lost something, and communication deteriorates.

 

[shahreevar]

You, for one. Not for disagreeing with Sal-Ah-Din (I don't agree with him either), but for slandering other members, acting all high and mighty as if you know any better, which you clearly don't. Calling winner brainwashed just shows that you don't even know what brainwashed means. Calling him opionated and controversial would be more appropriate, brainwashed he is not, neither are you, Sal-Ah-Din, Sidhe or myself. I hate when people use terms loosely. Then they lose their meanings and language has lost something, and communication deteriorates.

first of all, i didn't slander "other members", just one, and it wasn't really a slander. if you knew me (which of course you dont, nor do i expect you to) you would know that i wasnt trying to be mean, or condescending. it was just an observation, and i think a valid one, since all i hear from Winner is how he thinks all Arabs/muslim are inferior, bad, ugly, mean, blah blah blah. just replace Arab mulim with any other race/religion and you may be able to see what i mean. but i guess you dont want to, and that too is fine . i just think that this much hate, and bias, can not be logical.
oh and i know what "brainwashed" means, thank you very much. in fact we all are brainwashed to some extent. i guess i did use that term loosly. what i mean to say was the winner is influenced, and so follows, a sort of idealogy which preaches hate, and mistrust. you, and others may think that that is an insult, but i do not mean it as such. i guess you have to take my word for it, or not!

and btw the so called communication has deteriorated to some extent if you believe that the opposite would entail a purely polite conversation, free of prejudice.
and finally if i sounded all high and mighty, then i guess you have to forgive me, i really didnt mean too since i was simply stating my disagreement.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Remember:

The only viewpoints that end up being represented here are the viewpoints of those courageous enough to answer.

 

[aneeshm]

This is Sania Mirza, an Indian muslim tennis player:

She's quite controversial in India, you know. Muslim clerics in India raised a huge fuss about her dress, and told her not to wear revealing clothing. She told them to piss off . For that alone, I admire her tremendously.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

I have a feeling he's not coming back soon. Both Muslims are gone now, don't expect your questions answered anytime soon.

Hi, Brother Trajan.

No, I'm still here, at least for another two weeks, after which I will probably be too busy to post.

Islam must suppress the radical, conservative side of the religion and become more liberal and "western". It will solve a lot of problems.

There is one extremist element within the Muslim Ummah which are the Khawaarij, a deviant sect of heretics who promote the killing of innocent civilians. They are a very small minority of the conservative Muslims; for every one Khawaarij, there are hundreds if not thousands of conservative Islamists who oppose and condemn the Khawaarij. I am one such example.

The solution to every problem is *not* "become like us" as the Westerners think. "Be western." It is such a chauvenistic approach, quite literally the West saying "be like us" as if it to implicitly say that the Easterners are barbarians.

and why not? "LA EKRAHA FIDDIN" remember?

Your statement makes no sense. La Ekraha Fiddin means "let there be no compulsion in religion." I agree with you on this. Nobody can force Islam upon somebody else, as this violates the Quranic commandment. So people have the right to go against Islam and what the Islamic canon says. However, this doesn't mean that what they are doing is Islamic. They have the right to be un-Islamic, but that doesn't make what they are doing Islamic. Wearing a bikini may be a right you have, but if you do that, then don't say it is Islamic.

YOU DO NOT REPRESENT ISLAM. YOU DO NOT REPRESENT MUSLIMS.and last but not least (drum rrrrrrrroll) YOU DO NOT REPRESENT THE ARABS.

I only claimed to represent Islamists. I am a conservative Muslim fundamentalist who follows the Islamic canon.

to me it's pure arrogance and bigotry when one subjects a woman to being a sentiment , a tool, that is respected as holy, and divine ("cover up sister lest the evil horny men gaze upon your flesh") and yet confined to her roles as wifes, mothers, sisters, and considered and treated like second class creture (i dare not say citizen).

Prophet Muhammad (s) told us that the best of us are those who are best to their women and wives. Therefore, I believe that Islam teaches a softness and chivalry towards women that is not at all arrogance or bigotry as you contend.

As for covering up, this is a part of our faith, and it includes not only women but also men. Men are asked to grow out their beards, and this is considered a sign of modesty and piety, just like the Hijab is considered a sign of modesty and piety.

As for being "confined" to the role of wife or mother, I think that men are also "confined" to the role of husband and father. Allah has decreed a position for all, and I find nothing wrong with that.

oh btw, your arguement of marrying wom"e"n out of charity doesn't cut it here. you may be well intentioned, but the reality is that people are not perfect, and humans make mistakes, and can be greedy. if you wish to enforce Islam on all, and expect everyone to be modest, and rightous, well, guess what again? humans tend to be selfish, greedy, and stupid.

Of course people can be all those things and more. But we are enjoined in the Quran:

"Let there be a community amongst you inviting to all that is good, and to command that which is just, and forbid that which is evil; and they shall be the successful." (Quran, 3:104)

Don't use islam politically inorder to bring change, and improvement.

Islam came for the very express intent of bringing about change and improvement, social justice, and to help the poor, the needy, the oppressed, and the marginalized.

when you politicize religion, you rob it of its mystery, and you make it so impersonal. let islam be a guiding force, but more importantly let it be a personal choice.

I don't think I've ever advocated forcibly converting people to Islam. I think I've heard this accusation again and again on this forum, and it is steeped in peoples' pre-concieved notions of Islam, nothing else.

The arrogance and ignorance of you people, dispicable.

Thanks to Salah-Al-Din for his honest answers. But no thanks to certain members for their self-righteousness.

Wow, I really appreciate your kind words. Thank you very much. You are very kind indeed, sir.

Actually, for the Muslims who did stand up and answer the questions and some posts made towards them, good for you. That took courage even though we don't agree or necessarily accept the views you gave.



Shalom!!!

Thank you very much, sir. This is very nice of you to say. I appreciate it.

but i think they all reacted to one man's opinion/belief, i.e. they reacted to salah's point of view. remember that he doesnt represnt all muslims, or islam in general.

My opinions are based in the Islamic canon: the Quran and the Prophetic Sayings. If I ever say anything against the Islamic canon, then I would appreciate being corrected, and in fact, this would be your duty to correct me if I made a mistake in this manner. However, if what I say is based in the Islamic canon, and if your counter-opinions are based in violation of the Islamic canon (and are only your personal opinion on this matter), then this is not representative of Islam at all.

However, we are all human and I am not above making mistakes. All credit for anything correct or good which I have said belongs to Allah and Allah alone; only the mistakes have been mine.

 

[aneeshm]

@ Salah-al-Din

I must thank you for your honest answers. You are not afraid to stick to the truth as you see it. You're one of the few who don't seek to justify Islam using the yardstick of the West.

Though my disagreement with you is complete, I must still concede that you are true to your religion as you see it, and to yourself. For that, thank you.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

@ Salah-al-Din

I must thank you for your honest answers. You are not afraid to stick to the truth as you see it. You're one of the few who don't seek to justify Islam using the yardstick of the West.

Though my disagreement with you is complete, I must still concede that you are true to your religion as you see it, and to yourself. For that, thank you.

Hi Anseeshm.

Thank you for your kind words.

 

[zenspiderz]

@ Salah-al-Din

You are the best of us on CFC forums; courteous, knowledgeable and forgiving of the often obnoxious and ignorant comments of the least of us. You are a great advertisment for your faith! I have often found muslims even 'heretical' shia to be of exeptional good character compared to people I met from other faiths and non-faiths (myself included).

As I grow older I find myself more and more conscious of my faults and sins and wish to correct them and become a more virtuous person. Perhaps I can find some good advice from the quran. Could you then recommend a good translation (in english) of the quran? I know it is best to read the quran in its original language but I am not yet ready or able to learn arabic.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

Another question: many Muslims see pigs as unclean animals, based on prohibitions in the Qur'an of eating their flesh, and some go so far as to prohibit depictions of pigs in culture and the like. Now, I can understand how one may wish to prohibit eating pig products, but is viewing them as unclean consistent with the idea that nothing Allah creates can of itself be evil? And is that even a Muslim belief?

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

@ Salah-al-Din

You are the best of us on CFC forums; courteous, knowledgeable and forgiving of the often obnoxious and ignorant comments of the least of us. You are a great advertisment for your faith! I have often found muslims even 'heretical' shia to be of exeptional good character compared to people I met from other faiths and non-faiths (myself included).

Hi, Brother ZenSpiderz.

Thank you for your kind words. Unfortunately, I think your kind words are uncalled for. I have lost my temper far too many times in this forum, and I need to learn to control that. It's just very hard for me to deal with the anti-Muslim sentiment by many posters on this forum, and to tell you the truth, it actually hurts a lot. You get really jaded when your beliefs and faith are constantly under attack by others. Nonetheless, this does not give me an excuse for reacting harshly towards anyone, as Allah says in the Quran:

"Believers, never let the hatred of a people toward you move you to commit injustice." (Quran, 5:8)

I apologize to all those whom I offended, and ask your forgiveness, including Sister Bast, Brother Winner, and others. I said some things against you that I regret now, and it was said in a moment of weakness (anger is a great weakness).

As I grow older I find myself more and more conscious of my faults and sins and wish to correct them and become a more virtuous person.

Wow, Masha-Allah. All Praise is due to Allah. In Islam, we are taught that there are different levels of self, and the lowest level people can be at is that they sin and they do not feel guilty for it. We believe that (metaphorically and spiritually) your Qulb (heart) emanates light, but every sin you do adds one black dot on your heart. If you accumulate too many sins, then your heart is so blackened and becomes a stone, through which no light emanates, and your heart is dead. This is the point in which a person sins and does not feel guilty for it.

On the other hand, the highest level of self is the "self-reproaching self." This is like how you feel, in which you feel conscious of your faults and sins, wishing to correct them. In Islam, this is a very laudable position to be in.

Perhaps I can find some good advice from the quran. Could you then recommend a good translation (in english) of the quran? I know it is best to read the quran in its original language but I am not yet ready or able to learn arabic.

May Allah reward your efforts and guide you to the truth.

As for English translations of the Quran, I don't like any of the ones on the internet, mostly because they use arcane old English and have awkward translations. The one translation that I highly recommend is currently not available online, but you can buy it from Amazon.com : it is the translation by Thomas Cleary. Here is the URL from where you can purchase it for $12:

http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Koran-Heart-Islam/dp/0062501984

You can get a used copy for $2 at this URL:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/0062501984/ref=dp_olp_2/002-3485721-8137610

It is the only translation I recommend right now, and I strongly encourage you to buy it.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

Another question: many Muslims see pigs as unclean animals, based on prohibitions in the Qur'an of eating their flesh, and some go so far as to prohibit depictions of pigs in culture and the like. Now, I can understand how one may wish to prohibit eating pig products, but is viewing them as unclean consistent with the idea that nothing Allah creates can of itself be evil? And is that even a Muslim belief?

The prohibition in Islam is only of eating pigs. There is no harm in touching them. (Reference: Imam Shafii )

As for the abhorrence of people from certain cultures towards pigs, I can only imagine that this arises from misunderstanding of the Islamic Law.

is viewing them as unclean consistent with the idea that nothing Allah creates can of itself be evil? And is that even a Muslim belief?

Allah is the one who created Satan, the epitome of evil. So no, it is not an Islamic belief that Allah does not create or allow evil. On the other hand, the Islamic belief is that Allah creates what He wills as part of His Grand Plan. For example, Allah created Satan in order to test humans, expose the evil amongst us, and strengthen the believers. I do not wish to get in a protracted and endless debate with athiests on this issue, but yes, this is the Islamic belief.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

I can certainly understand the idea that Allah creates, or at least allows, evil (to my mind, this implies limits on His power, but not necessarily on His glory or goodness). It's just that an aversion to pigs seems to be fairly common, enough so in a lot of cultures, that it was worth noting. Like there are rumors that in Turkey they banned Winnie the Pooh because one of the characters is a pig. Of course, there are a lot of false rumors, but still.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

I can certainly understand the idea that Allah creates, or at least allows, evil (to my mind, this implies limits on His power, but not necessarily on His glory or goodness). It's just that an aversion to pigs seems to be fairly common, enough so in a lot of cultures, that it was worth noting. Like there are rumors that in Turkey they banned Winnie the Pooh because one of the characters is a pig. Of course, there are a lot of false rumors, but still.

Shrug. What can I say?

There are a lot of misconceptions, myths, and superstitions that run rampant in Muslim dominated societies. Things which find no basis in the Islamic canon. For example, there is the false notion amongst some South Asian Muslims that facing your feet in the direction of Mecca (or the Ka'abah) is sinful or direspectful, when this is not the case at all. Or there is the myth that you must pray with your shoes off, and many other things.

 

[Trajan12]

Ah that's great that your back. I have a few more questions that I'll need to think up.

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

Ah that's great that your back. I have a few more questions that I'll need to think up.

At your service, good sir.

 

[Homie]

There is only *one* situation in which Islam allows a man to "check out" a woman and vice/versa, and that is if he has the sincere intention of marriage. Under a certain Islamic protocol, a man is allowed to talk to a woman to see if they are compatible for marriage, so long as this and this alone is the intention. However, this "courtship" period has some severe restrictions on it, including that the two can never be in a room alone together, cannot touch each other at all (not even shake hands), and ideally they should have parental blessing. Furthermore, the "courtship" period should be as short as possible, and only long enough so that the two know that they are compatible or not. If they deem that they are compatible and are happy with each other, then they should hasten to get married and not delay in this.

It should also be noted that all of these things are only permissible because the two have a sincere intention to get to know each other to see if they are compatible in marriage. Otherwise, such inter-gender mixing is not allowed.

But this is my point. With the situation you described, the man and woman already know each other and are only entering this courtship to see if they are compatible as husband and wife. But how did these two hypothetical individuals come to know of one another in the first place? Do you understand my question? With gender seperation, how will the men and women come to know of one another, and then decide to enter into courtship? Surely you just don't walk up to a random woman and ask to court her to see if she would be a good wife?
In summary: How are muslim singles suppose to meet each other without breaking the muslim canon? (discounting the possibility of arranged marriage)

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Finally I did think of a question.

What's wrong with pigs? Why are they unclean? Just because they roll around in mud to get rid of parasites?

 

[Salah-Al-Din]

But this is my point. With the situation you described, the man and woman already know each other and are only entering this courtship to see if they are compatible as husband and wife. But how did these two hypothetical individuals come to know of one another in the first place? Do you understand my question? With gender seperation, how will the men and women come to know of one another, and then decide to enter into courtship? Surely you just don't walk up to a random woman and ask to court her to see if she would be a good wife?
In summary: How are muslim singles suppose to meet each other without breaking the muslim canon? (discounting the possibility of arranged marriage)

If I saw a girl who I was interested in who went to my school, I would tell my parents who would contact her parents. They would arrange a meeting and I could get to know her.

This is just one example.