Q and A's

[Pastek]

Some even go and change their names to Arabic names. Is all of this necessary?

Arabs have also hebrew names.
Many arabs living abroad use non arabic names to have less problem (for finding a job for exemple), and also some of them now use turkish names because of some turkish series.

As long as the name is correct, there's no problem.
Plus, an arabic name doesn't mean a muslim name.

 

[Shiranui117]

1: What rights do us People of the Book have under Sharia Law? Are we allowed to have bells and crosses on our churches, can we do processions around our churches for certain holy days? Are we permitted to accept Muslim converts to our religion, if they so choose? Are we free to worship openly and live our lives and our faith without any oppression or persecution from the Muslims?

2: Can we People of the Book be admitted by Allah into Paradise, or must we become Muslim to be saved, or is there some other condition, such as having respect for Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and living peacefully with the Muslims, without having to become Muslims ourselves?

3: How difficult was it for any converts here to learn how to pray, to learn the Qur'an, and adjust to an entirely new religion?

 

[MatthiasGould]

1: What rights do us People of the Book have under Sharia Law? Are we allowed to have bells and crosses on our churches, can we do processions around our churches for certain holy days? Are we permitted to accept Muslim converts to our religion, if they so choose? Are we free to worship openly and live our lives and our faith without any oppression or persecution from the Muslims?

I cannot comment on the theology or shariah aspect of this, but it is worth mentioning that there exist Muslim communities and even Muslim countries where there exist side by side churches, synagogues and other places of worship which have their processions, bells, crosses and which have legal protections under that country's laws.

You might find the following helpful: http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/374/
There's 13 parts to this, the links to each part being at the bottom of the article.

Here's a picture of Jakarta Cathedral, from Indonesia. Note the crosses on the top:

2: Can we People of the Book be admitted by Allah into Paradise, or must we become Muslim to be saved, or is there some other condition, such as having respect for Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and living peacefully with the Muslims, without having to become Muslims ourselves?

I can't comment on this fully, but my understanding is that Islam is the only religion accepted by Allah after the revelation of the Qur'an. However I could be wrong and I ask if some more knowledgeable person can help me.

3: How difficult was it for any converts here to learn how to pray, to learn the Qur'an, and adjust to an entirely new religion?

I'm in the process of conversion, and I'm finding there's good times and bad times. I'm naturally good with languages so learning Arabic and how to read Qur'an was very easy for me, whilst learning to pray was more difficult. Probably the hardest thing for me has been dealing with other people- Islam is a way of life as well as a belief system and so has meant my life has become very different, often to the bafflement of others who are often not particularly well-educated about Islam as I am.

That said, I've got many a non-Muslim friend who has given me support, and so this helps a lot.

 

[muiz.sg]

"And the correct ruling on this is that first we offer people to accept Islam, if they reject it we offer them to accept our rule over them and if they reject this also then we fight them."


With this kind of mindset, no wonder people are afraid of Islam/Muslims. Where in the Koran does it say that God has bestowed the right to rule the Earth to Muslims?

Looking at the state of affairs of the 'Muslim' countries around the world( mind you, not just talking about the Arabs), I'd rather have my 'secular' government to take care of my country over an 'Islamic' government any day.

Oh, and get back to me once the whole muslim community has unanimously agreed on what 'Shariah' rulings are. And who's to decide which version of Islam will rule over the earth?

Tsk, we can't even remain amicable with different beliefs in our own community, you want us to take over the world?

Wow.

 

[Rational_Mind]

"And the correct ruling on this is that first we offer people to accept Islam, if they reject it we offer them to accept our rule over them and if they reject this also then we fight them."


With this kind of mindset, no wonder people are afraid of Islam/Muslims. Where in the Koran does it say that God has bestowed the right to rule the Earth to Muslims?

Looking at the state of affairs of the 'Muslim' countries around the world( mind you, not just talking about the Arabs), I'd rather have my 'secular' government to take care of my country over an 'Islamic' government any day.

Oh, and get back to me once the whole muslim community has unanimously agreed on what 'Shariah' rulings are. And who's to decide which version of Islam will rule over the earth?

Tsk, we can't even remain amicable with different beliefs in our own community, you want us to take over the world?

Wow.

I second this!! For any reasonable person can understand this clear point.

 

[Rational_Mind]

1: What rights do us People of the Book have under Sharia Law? Are we allowed to have bells and crosses on our churches, can we do processions around our churches for certain holy days? Are we permitted to accept Muslim converts to our religion, if they so choose? Are we free to worship openly and live our lives and our faith without any oppression or persecution from the Muslims?

Yes, Yes, Yes. Under the practice of the Holy Prophet (saw) all of the above stated was done. Also in practice in the Spain era where many Christians and Jews felt most comfortable to live.

2: Can we People of the Book be admitted by Allah into Paradise, or must we become Muslim to be saved, or is there some other condition, such as having respect for Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and living peacefully with the Muslims, without having to become Muslims ourselves?

The Holy Quran has clearly stated that nobody has an exclusive right on heaven.

[2:112] And they say, ‘None shall ever enter Heaven unless he be a Jew or a Christian.’ These are their vain desires. Say, ‘Produce your proof, if you are truthful.’

[2:113] Nay, whoever submits himself completely to Allah, and is the doer of good, shall have his reward with his Lord. No fear shall come upon such, neither shall they grieve.

[4:124] It shall not be according to your desires, nor according to the desires of the People of the Book. Whoso does evil shall be rewarded for it; and he shall find for himself no friend or helper beside Allah.

[4:125] But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter Heaven, and shall not be wronged even as much as the little hollow in the back of a date-stone.

Clearly if Allah (swt) judges anyone under this then he/she would be able to enter heaven. But this does not mean that it is okay to follow any Religion. As Allah (swt) has said that Islam is the religion chosen for you and can provide the best guidance. Hence it is the easiest path to attain righteousness that brings a path to heaven. But just accepting Islam is not enough, righteousness is needed.

 

[F0uad]

"And the correct ruling on this is that first we offer people to accept Islam, if they reject it we offer them to accept our rule over them and if they reject this also then we fight them."


With this kind of mindset, no wonder people are afraid of Islam/Muslims. Where in the Koran does it say that God has bestowed the right to rule the Earth to Muslims?

Looking at the state of affairs of the 'Muslim' countries around the world( mind you, not just talking about the Arabs), I'd rather have my 'secular' government to take care of my country over an 'Islamic' government any day.

Oh, and get back to me once the whole muslim community has unanimously agreed on what 'Shariah' rulings are. And who's to decide which version of Islam will rule over the earth?

Tsk, we can't even remain amicable with different beliefs in our own community, you want us to take over the world?

Wow.

Maybe you could mention your sect or branch of Islam next time?
Just a advice look at the Islamic history that lived under a Sharia that had many diversities and your problems are solved.

 

[F0uad]

Yes, Yes, Yes. Under the practice of the Holy Prophet (saw) all of the above stated was done. Also in practice in the Spain era where many Christians and Jews felt most comfortable to live.



The Holy Quran has clearly stated that nobody has an exclusive right on heaven.



Clearly if Allah (swt) judges anyone under this then he/she would be able to enter heaven. But this does not mean that it is okay to follow any Religion. As Allah (swt) has said that Islam is the religion chosen for you and can provide the best guidance. Hence it is the easiest path to attain righteousness that brings a path to heaven. But just accepting Islam is not enough, righteousness is needed.

Mention your branch of sect please?


I would like to point out to the audience that this topic is based on personal and different religious interpretations so any differences you have please debate them outside this topic.

 

[Rational_Mind]

Mention your branch of sect please?


I would like to point out to the audience that this topic is based on personal and different religious interpretations so any differences you have please debate them outside this topic.

In short I am an Ahmadi Muslim. I have edited this post as a precaution. I will clarify with a mod before putting it back.

 

[Assad91]

Did you really just take that as an oppurtunity to prosyltize your own religion? Is that really appropriate?

 

[Assad91]

There was no promise of another Messiah or prophet. That is a clear deviation and is outside of Islam

 

[Rational_Mind]

Did you really just take that as an oppurtunity to prosyltize your own religion? Is that really appropriate?

I did not. He simply asked who I am. Because some people feel that someone is less than the other due to their "sect" so to speak.

(I PM a Islam DIR mod. If they feel it is I will remove it instantly. I am a bit confused of how it is taken)

 

[Rational_Mind]

There was no promise of another Messiah or prophet. That is a clear deviation and is outside of Islam

This is not the discussion of the thread. But for your reference I am referring to the second coming of Jesus (as).

 

[Assad91]

This is not the discussion of the thread. But for your reference I am referring to the second coming of Jesus (as).

I apologize then. I misunderstood you.

 

[tumbleweed41]

MOD POST

The DIR's are not to be used for debate, nor are they to be used to denigrate other belief systems or sects within the DIR's general religion. In this case, Islam.



Questions or comments about this MOD POST should be directed to the Site Feedback forum.
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[Matemkar]

Salam.. Reading the comments, I'm guessing Muslims brethren here worry about fatwas (rulings) of each other, just because they don't wholly agree on the outlook of other branches than theirs..
I understand the op. asking a member to mention his branch before commenting and I can understand the reason.. Same goes for him and all else..
But, at the same time, I think brothers should not worry too much about it.. Reading the "disclaimer" in the signature of brother Shiranui, you can deduce that he does not and teaches not to judge a religion or its branches by the "silliness" of their subscribers..
Ok.. I also want to share my view upon the questions.. Not the third one, as it is not directed to me; [I'm not a "revert"]

1- There are different interpretations of Sharia law practiced in different countries.. See: Countries with Sharia rule KSA, Bahrain etc. (wahabi version); Iran (shia islamic version).. There's no sunni version (brethren, correct me if I am wrong.. I said that because, before the iranian revolution, seculars always told us we believed in utopia.. Because, there was no country we could show as a model.. But, for brothers who does not accept Islamic Iran, they should know that we pray Egypt goes the way you (and all of us) will be pleased inshaAllah..) Well, that's why our sunni muslim brethren here are worried that you might judge sharia by the laws of the countries they believe don't represent islam. And, I think they should focus on your sign and be not worried..

Ok.. As for the rights of non-moslems in shia islamic states, I think these short videos can be useful..

Jews and Christians in Islamic Iran.. (Sorry, I'm just sharing info about Armenian Christians in Iran..
There are also Assyrian Christians.. But, that documentary I found is not in English..)

Jews in Iran

[youtube]Rn4ZX99Fbxs[/youtube]
Jews in Iran - YouTube

Christians in Iran

[youtube]gEUX-T7ST8I[/youtube]
Isfahan's Minorities-Iran-06-03-2012 - YouTube

2- I think brother Rational_Mind clarified it a bit.. But just to add, in shia islam, there's not only heaven and hell.. There are levels of ascention and discention.. Heavens and Hells and Araf (something between both).. And, no muslim is guaranteed heaven (as there's concept of greater sins) and no non-muslim is guaranteed hell (as there's concept of mustadhafin)..

And, I repeat what it says in your signature.. "stupidity on my part.."

Thanks.. Ma salam..

 

[cocolia42]

3: How difficult was it for any converts here to learn how to pray, to learn the Qur'an, and adjust to an entirely new religion?

Learning how to pray was not difficult at all. You'd be amazed at how easy it is to learn (even in a different language) when you do something 5 times a day every single day.

As for learning the Qur'an, it really isn't much different from the Bible (I can feel the comments coming already). But the basics are the same as Judaism and Christianity. One God, His Prophets, His Angels, His Books, His Message to worship Him alone, to enjoin what is good, to forbid what is evil, to trust in His Promise, to fear His Judgement...

Adjusting to the religion is easy on a personal level, but adjusting to the people in your life is not as easy. I've lost some friends and family because of my choice and, even though I shouldn't be bothered by someone who won't accept me as a Muslim, it's still difficult to wake up one day with significantly less people in your life. I did get over it though and I've made some amazing new friends :yes:

 

[cocolia42]

I have a question. I'd like to know what your understanding of Taqwa is? I'm hoping to get answers from all branches/sects of Islam.

(btw, I am Sunni)

 

[Assad91]

" KSA, Bahrain etc. (wahabi version); Iran (shia islamic version).. There's no sunni version (brethren, correct me if I am wrong.. "

"Wahabi" aka Salafiyyah is Sunni.

 

[dantech]

Greetings,
I'm curious to know what the major differences are between the different Islam branches.