Islam thread

[*Account Closed*]

just wanted to start a thread about Islam. the basics for our brothers and sister who dont know. also to clear any misconceptions.

also ask yourself the question, why arent you a muslim? what is it that keeps you from being a muslim?

basics:

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad(aswell as belief in every other prophet, there are estimated to be around 120,000+ prophets. some of which include Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Solomon, David, Yusuf.);

2. Establishment of the daily prayers (5 a day)

3. Concern for and almsgiving to the needy. giving a certain % of your wealth to the poor every year, called Zakat.

4.Self-purification through fasting the month of Ramadan(the sick, elderly, the very young ...ect are excused)

5. The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

 

[Riverwolf]

I'm not a Muslim because I don't believe in only one God, I don't believe in an eternal punishment for people who are not bad, and Mecca is not a holy place for me. I've also heard something about pets being forbidden, and women not being allowed to sing. Screw both of those.

That said, for those who are Muslim, go for it. I have nothing against the religion itself, or the Qur'an, which is quite beautiful and powerful to read.

 

[Madhuri]

the Qur'an, which is quite beautiful and powerful to read.

Is it?
I tried reading parts of it but found it both difficult to understand due to terrible grammar and also incredibly boring and uninspiring. Maybe I read the wrong parts?

 

[Madhuri]

The reason I'm not a Muslim is very simple.
I found God in Hinduism. If you find God somewhere, why would you look elsewhere?

There are many aspects of Islam that I respect but there are also a number of rules in Islam that I think are silly and highly repressive. It isn't for me.

 

[Debater Slayer]

Is it?
I tried reading parts of it but found it both difficult to understand due to terrible grammar and also incredibly boring and uninspiring. Maybe I read the wrong parts?

I agree with Riverwolf; the Qur'an is by far the most beautiful book I've ever read in terms of language. I think the elements you mention may have been the result of a bad translation and/or just most of the beauty of its language being lost in translation.

 

[Madhuri]

I agree with Riverwolf; the Qur'an is by far the most beautiful book I've ever read in terms of language. I think the elements you mention may have been the result of a bad translation and/or just most of the beauty of its language being lost in translation.

That is probably true. When I see quotes on the forum from Muslim members I find it really difficult to understand the meaning because the grammar is so terrible. I almost always have to ask for clarification of meaning, unfortunately.

 

[jazzymom]

just wanted to start a thread about Islam. the basics for our brothers and sister who dont know. also to clear any misconceptions.

also ask yourself the question, why arent you a muslim? what is it that keeps you from being a muslim?

basics:

The 'Five Pillars' of Islam are the foundation of Muslim life:

1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad(aswell as belief in every other prophet, there are estimated to be around 120,000+ prophets. some of which include Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Solomon, David, Yusuf.);

2. Establishment of the daily prayers (5 a day)

3. Concern for and almsgiving to the needy. giving a certain % of your wealth to the poor every year, called Zakat.

4.Self-purification through fasting the month of Ramadan(the sick, elderly, the very young ...ect are excused)

5. The pilgrimage to Makkah for those who are able.

You ask folks what keeps them from being Muslim?

I don't believe Muhammad was a prophet. I have lots of issues with the violence I see in the name of Islam.

But the reality is that many of us have taken different spiritual/religious paths and are happy.

I think the world would be a better place if everyone who followed a religious path could just accept that many of us have a different path and that is OK.

 

[Pegg]

1. Faith or belief in the Oneness of God and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad(aswell as belief in every other prophet, there are estimated to be around 120,000+ prophets. some of which include Jesus, Moses, Abraham, Noah, Solomon, David, Yusuf.);

I think what a lot of muslims dont understand is that this teaching in particular makes it impossible for a Christian to become a muslim.

The reason is because to Christians, Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Messiah for all mankind. And because Jesus is the way to salvation, the way to God and the way to paradise...we would be silly to follow someone else.

Basically, a christian would have to give up their faith in the Messiah to become a follower of Mohammad.

 

[Satyamavejayanti]

Islamisthetruth;3246346]
also ask yourself the question, why arent you a muslim? what is it that keeps you from being a muslim?

it is just not made for me, and did not Allah put some kind of seal on my heart so i don't believe?
unless i have read incorrectly somewhere you can correct me.

but anyways, what is wrong if i don't believe and don't want to be Muslim?

 

[cocolia42]

I think what a lot of muslims dont understand is that this teaching in particular makes it impossible for a Christian to become a muslim.

The reason is because to Christians, Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Messiah for all mankind. And because Jesus is the way to salvation, the way to God and the way to paradise...we would be silly to follow someone else.

Basically, a christian would have to give up their faith in the Messiah to become a follower of Mohammad.

This is not at all true. Allah tells us through the Qur'an,

"[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ]." ('Ali 'Imran 3:45)
​

Jesus is the Messiah (the anointed one) to Muslims as well. He is a savior to the world because, as a Prophet of Allah, he brought the Message to all of humanity just like Prophet Muhammad did.
Is Jesus the way to salvation? Absolutely! If you follow the Message that he brought from the One True God. Unfortunately, this is not what many Christians are following.
Muhammad brought the same Message from the same One True God. This means Muhammad is also the way to salvation. The reason I (as a Christian) chose to revert to Islam is because the teachings of Muhammad and the Qur'an are truer to the Message than what we find in the modern Bible.
The bottom line is, it doesn't so much matter if you call yourself a Christian or Muslim or Jew. What matters is if you are worshiping ONE God.

 

[Pegg]

This is not at all true. Allah tells us through the Qur'an,

"[And mention] when the angels said, "O Mary, indeed Allah gives you good tidings of a word from Him, whose name will be the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary - distinguished in this world and the Hereafter and among those brought near [to Allah ]." ('Ali 'Imran 3:45)
​

Jesus is the Messiah (the anointed one) to Muslims as well. He is a savior to the world because, as a Prophet of Allah, he brought the Message to all of humanity just like Prophet Muhammad did.
Is Jesus the way to salvation? Absolutely! If you follow the Message that he brought from the One True God. Unfortunately, this is not what many Christians are following.
Muhammad brought the same Message from the same One True God. This means Muhammad is also the way to salvation. The reason I (as a Christian) chose to revert to Islam is because the teachings of Muhammad and the Qur'an are truer to the Message than what we find in the modern Bible.
The bottom line is, it doesn't so much matter if you call yourself a Christian or Muslim or Jew. What matters is if you are worshiping ONE God.

I agree with you that the worship of the 'one' true God is of utmost importance... but I can't say I agree that Islam has made the identity of that One True God very clear.

But besides that, Islam is founded on the Quran...a book by one man. The bible has been the work of 40 different prophets. How can the writings of the 40 be superceeded by the writings of one man? And while you may believe the bible is not 'accurate', no one in the Islamic world are able to come forth with any evidence that the bible is not as it should be..... so why would i discard it?

 

[Searching For Truth]

Basically, a christian would have to give up their faith in the Messiah to become a follower of Mohammad.

This is not at all true.

More to the point from the Christian standpoint I think by faith in the Messiah is to say the faith that salvation only comes through the blood of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

 

[Pegg]

More to the point from the Christian standpoint I think by faith in the Messiah is to say the faith that salvation only comes through the blood of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

yes, and not only that, Jesus presented a way of life that God wholly approves of. His example is very different to the example of Mohammad who chose to practice polygamy, carry on war and involve himself with political battles of his day.... Jesus told christians to stay away from all that and focus their lives on fulfilling Christs laws.

If we follow Mohammad, his example will lead us away from God imo.

 

[Madhuri]

yes, and not only that, Jesus presented a way of life that God wholly approves of. His example is very different to the example of Mohammad who chose to practice polygamy, carry on war and involve himself with political battles of his day.... Jesus told christians to stay away from all that and focus their lives on fulfilling Christs laws.

If we follow Mohammad, his example will lead us away from God imo.

I think essentially this difference is why I like Christianity more than Islam. As a Hindu, my values are more in line with the example shown by Jesus.

 

[Pegg]

I think essentially this difference is why I like Christianity more than Islam. As a Hindu, my values are more in line with the example shown by Jesus.

its lovely to hear you say that.

I agree, Jesus was about mercy, tolerance, love, mildness, kindness....he was not a harsh demanding person, nor did he ever try to force anyone to accept him. He did not look at the faults of his followers or put them down when they made mistakes. He was forgiving and tender... but when i read some verses of the Qur'an, i dont get that impression at all.

 

[Madhuri]

its lovely to hear you say that.

I agree, Jesus was about mercy, tolerance, love, mildness, kindness....he was not a harsh demanding person, nor did he ever try to force anyone to accept him. He did not look at the faults of his followers or put them down when they made mistakes. He was forgiving and tender... but when i read some verses of the Qur'an, i dont get that impression at all.

I also see Jesus the way you described above. However in a sense I think that Islam is more compatible with the Old Testament portrayal of God. It has always seemed to me that Jesus is goodness itself while the OT portrays and angry and vicious God. I'd actually really like your take on this matter, or how you reconcile the two 'characters'. Would you mind PMing me?

 

[Assad91]

its lovely to hear you say that.

I agree, Jesus was about mercy, tolerance, love, mildness, kindness....he was not a harsh demanding person, nor did he ever try to force anyone to accept him. He did not look at the faults of his followers or put them down when they made mistakes. He was forgiving and tender... but when i read some verses of the Qur'an, i dont get that impression at all.

Are you saying Prophet MuhammD (saws) did all that? He forced people to believe him and put his followers down? He wasnt forgiving nor tender? How many authentic hadiths have you read to get such an impression of Prophet Muhammad (saws)?

On side note, polygamy was practiced by many in bible.

 

[Assad91]

Its sad when christians put Quran ad Islam down. They qoute certain verses without looking at tafsir. When the verse was revealed. What was happening, etc. They dont look to see if it is still appliable.

They also seem to forget much of whats in the ot. Then they also cite many muslims doing certain bad things yet forget their own history by simply excusing it by saying, "oh they werent truee christians".

 

[cocolia42]

I agree, Jesus was about mercy, tolerance, love, mildness, kindness....he was not a harsh demanding person, nor did he ever try to force anyone to accept him. He did not look at the faults of his followers or put them down when they made mistakes. He was forgiving and tender... but when i read some verses of the Qur'an, i dont get that impression at all.

I also see Jesus the way you described above. However in a sense I think that Islam is more compatible with the Old Testament portrayal of God. It has always seemed to me that Jesus is goodness itself while the OT portrays and angry and vicious God.

I think there are some misconceptions here regarding the characteristics of Allah and Mohammed. I'd like to talk to both of you about this, but without taking over this thread. Perhaps we can have start a discussion on the one-on-one(-on-one?) forum?

 

[Riverwolf]

Is it?
I tried reading parts of it but found it both difficult to understand due to terrible grammar and also incredibly boring and uninspiring. Maybe I read the wrong parts?

Well, I read Yusuf Ali's translation. It is absolutely gorgeous.