Questions about Islam

[gsa]

Because we got the free will.

I don't see how this can be squared with omniscience and omnipotence. Most Sunni at least believe in predestination, yes? Predestination forecloses free will.

 

[FearGod]

I don't see how this can be squared with omniscience and omnipotence. Most Sunni at least believe in predestination, yes? Predestination forecloses free will.

I believe predestination is misunderstood.
Our acts has nothing to do with predestination.
For example you don't choose where to born,it's predestination but your deeds has nothing to do with it.

 

[gsa]

I believe predestination is misunderstood.
Our acts has nothing to do with predestination.
For example you don't choose where to born,it's predestination but your deeds has nothing to do with it.

So Allah has no idea if we are heading to heaven or hell?

 

[FearGod]

So Allah has no idea if we are heading to heaven or hell?

If he knows then why the test.

 

[Deidre]

It's because you're ignorant of the world, quite frankly. The vase majority of Muslims are either brainwashed or ignorant or uneducated. Also many Muslims ignore the bad parts of the Quran, while cherry picking only the good. It doesn't mean that they're bad people, but the religion itself isn't the best.

I've given several examples of countries which are no different from terrorist states and organizations. Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan come to mind. All of these three have come about their fundamentalism without much U.S. intervention. Saudi Arabia regularly beheads people, recently they beheaded a Burmese woman while she screamed she's innocent.

I might be ignorant on some world issues, and not as knowledgeable as you are, about some of these regions' conflicts. I live in a rather protective bubble, in a country that gives me a lot of freedom, not only as a citizen, but as a woman. I never take any moments for granted living here in the U.S., and I'm well aware of the horrors in other countries. But, there are horrors throughout our world, even here everyday, that have nothing to do with religion at all. It is mankind that has the issues, and mankind that will use religion or whatever it can, to perpetuate its agendas. This is nothing new. Long before Islam, people were warring. People were raping and violent. Islam didn't create this, and I honestly believe that regions that support violence in the name of Islam, hurt Islam. I have Muslims friends who came to the states from Syria, and I've been around their families, and they treat me like family. I can't meet every Muslim on the planet, but I've met them, and they love me. Islam is a gift of love they have told me. There will always be horrors in the world, but just make sure you target the right monster, or it will never end. Islam is not the monster. That's all I'm saying. But, I respect your knowledge on this, too.

Deidre: That name is beautiful & typical of how you make meaning.

oh, thank you

The bird art you added to your posts? That is beautiful.

This is the description on a website I found with this artwork: It is a dove fashioned from the Arab words "Salaam" and "Houb" (Peace and Love). It was designed by Arab artist Mamoun Sakkal in response to the tragedy at the World Trade Center to honor the victims and encourage efforts for peace, tolerance and understanding.

I have seen it many times before (slightly different versions), and fell in love with it. You should look up some Arabic and Islam artwork....so beautiful.

I know too little about Arabic culture. Sadly I know too much about islam from what we
see sensationalized via the television media.

Even Al-Jazeera can be biased lol I watch it with my friends sometimes at their houses. Have you ever had middle eastern cuisine? OMG, I tell them this is the only reason I hang out with them.

The staff deleted one of my posts here as being "inflamitory", certainly a subjective
opinion but I must respect the staff. I can understand where it may have seemed inflamitory depending upon ones world view.

Oh, I didn't know that. I'm wondering what you said, now.

I find you a most beautiful woman and you have earned my respect tho we oft
disagree. It's o.k. to disagree.
I haven't a clue what you look like but I know how you look and how you mean.
You & I connected somehow, positive protons perhaps.
I feel the same for JayDeeDee in a bit of a different way.
There are some men here that I've electro-bonded with.
( Did I invent a new word just now? )

I'm blushing, you are very kind. Thank you, and you are not so bad yourself.

 

[jeager106]

Pakistan is not very Arabic in culture, yet it is a hotbed of fundamentalism. When Islam spread a lot of other cultures like Iraq, Egypt and Syria were not arabic. They were unique. Islamic expansion destroyed the indigenous cultures and replaced it with the bedouin mentality of Saudi Arabia.

And therein lays the main issue with violence and islam.
Anyone can google up the information so I won't belabor you with it all here.
The bedouin mentality is the root cause for Arabic/islam violence.

 

[gsa]

I might be ignorant on some world issues, and not as knowledgeable as you are, about some of these regions' conflicts. I live in a rather protective bubble, in a country that gives me a lot of freedom, not only as a citizen, but as a woman. I never take any moments for granted living here in the U.S., and I'm well aware of the horrors in other countries. But, there are horrors throughout our world, even here everyday, that have nothing to do with religion at all. It is mankind that has the issues, and mankind that will use religion or whatever it can, to perpetuate its agendas. This is nothing new. Long before Islam, people were warring. People were raping and violent. Islam didn't create this, and I honestly believe that regions that support violence in the name of Islam, hurt Islam. I have Muslims friends who came to the states from Syria, and I've been around their families, and they treat me like family. I can't meet every Muslim on the planet, but I've met them, and they love me. Islam is a gift of love they have told me. There will always be horrors in the world, but just make sure you target the right monster, or it will never end. Islam is not the monster. That's all I'm saying. But, I respect your knowledge on this, too.

I think it is important to remember that immigrants and refugees are usually not representative. I don't think that Islam is as responsible for the current political situation as, say, political repression, foreign intervention and the like. But it is foolish to believe that political Islam is not accompanied by its own particular brand of repression and violence. There are plenty of women, atheists and gays who will explain what life is like for minorities in an Islamist country, and their accounts are not anymore suggestive of a religion of peace than similar accounts would have been in per-Enlightenment Europe or in our islands of Christian fundamentalism today.

Hey, not all nationalists are fascists; not even all racists are fascists. But that doesn't mean nationalism and racism have no relationship to fascism.

 

[Deidre]

I think it is important to remember that immigrants and refugees are usually not representative. I don't think that Islam is as responsible for the current political situation as, say, political repression, foreign intervention and the like. But it is foolish to believe that political Islam is not accompanied by its own particular brand of repression and violence. There are plenty of women, atheists and gays who will explain what life is like for minorities in an Islamist country, and their accounts are not anymore suggestive of a religion of peace than similar accounts would have been in per-Enlightenment Europe or in our islands of Christian fundamentalism today.

Hey, not all nationalists are fascists; not even all racists are fascists. But that doesn't mean nationalism and racism have no relationship to fascism.

That was very well said. That, I will agree with.
I'm well aware too that if I lived in the middle of a war torn middle east, that my life would not look anything like it does now. I'm not naïve about that fact.

 

[jeager106]

Have you ever had middle eastern cuisine?
Yes indeed and I love it. It's where I learned what hummus with extra virgin olive oil.
I still snack on hummus, good oil, and dip flatbread.

 

[Deidre]

Have you ever had middle eastern cuisine?
Yes indeed and I love it. It's where I learned what hummus with extra virgin olive oil.
I still snack on hummus, good oil, and dip flatbread.

*mmm*
You have not lived, until you have eaten Fatteh. One of my friend's mothers makes this.

Fatteh (Pita with Chickpeas and Yogurt)

 

[Spiderman]

I’m a former Christian, and have identified as an atheist for the past two years, roughly. I’ve felt a void of sorts that I cannot explain, and so I’ve been on a path of exploring all types of religions. I doubt I will ever return to Christianity, for there is much that I just don’t believe about that faith.


Having said that, I feel drawn to Islam right now, and would like to know a few things from some here who follow Islam.


First, do you believe that everything Muhammed said is divinely inspired?


Second, do you fear God? One of the reasons I dislike some religions, is that fear seems to be a large factor.


Third, how do you (personally) atone for sins?

Fourth, can you reject certain tenets of the faith, but accept others? (Is there such a thing as a "lukewarm" Muslim?)


I’ve read the Qur’an, but I have never applied any of the principles of Islam into my life, but if I’m going to explore it, I want to learn more, now. I’m ready to learn more. I have more questions, but that’s it for now.


Thank you in advance for any insights you can offer to help me.

Deidre...Im so amazed that your questions are the questions I asked the Imam and Sufi bro's in buffalo New York.

You are full of Surprises Dee. You bring back memories of my great experience when I took that leap of faith and entered that mosque. I had been admiring the aarchitectureof the mosque for quite some time. It had a dome and a crescent.

It had once been a Polish Orthodox Church and then was converted into a mosque. I was so glad I made the choice to not just pray before it but enter it and pray with them.

Thank you for bringing me back to that experience. It was kind of embarrassing once because a Palestinian guy there smelled alcohol on my breath and said "it is forbidden in Islam, you are not a Muslim, pray in the back of the Mosque".

Anyway, I'm happy for you Deidre Marie.

((hugs))

 

[Gharib]

I’m a former Christian, and have identified as an atheist for the past two years, roughly. I’ve felt a void of sorts that I cannot explain, and so I’ve been on a path of exploring all types of religions. I doubt I will ever return to Christianity, for there is much that I just don’t believe about that faith.

Having said that, I feel drawn to Islam right now, and would like to know a few things from some here who follow Islam.

First, do you believe that everything Muhammed said is divinely inspired?

Second, do you fear God? One of the reasons I dislike some religions, is that fear seems to be a large factor.

Third, how do you (personally) atone for sins?

Fourth, can you reject certain tenets of the faith, but accept others? (Is there such a thing as a "lukewarm" Muslim?)

I’ve read the Qur’an, but I have never applied any of the principles of Islam into my life, but if I’m going to explore it, I want to learn more, now. I’m ready to learn more. I have more questions, but that’s it for now.

Thank you in advance for any insights you can offer to help me.

Hi and thanks for your questions.

1. There are things which do not relate to religion that our Prophet said which is not divinely inspired, however, the Qur'an and all else related to religion or the Islamic way of life is divinely inspired but in different forms from the revelation of the Qur'an.

2. We do fear God, but not in the same way as Christians. Our primary attitude towards Allah is to love Him first and foremost and to form a personal relationship so that we may reach the state of Ihsan (to worship Allah as though we see him although we don't. However, he sees us) A well regarded Scholar named Ibn Qayim Al Jawzie has given a very well example how our relationship with Allah should be. He has explained it in the form of a bird where love of Allah is the head of a bird, fear and hope being the two wings of the bird. If love is not there then a bird cannot exist as it's missing it's head, if hope and fear are imbalanced the bird will be deformed where one wing is bigger than the other, thus they too need balanced where one doesn't outweigh the other. We must fear Allah in doing something against what he has ordered for us, but if we do sin we must have hope in his forgiveness.

3. We do seek forgiveness for our sins, but unlike Christianity, we keep them private between ourselves and Allah. Islam teaches that all humans are sinners and the best of them are those who repent. We simply make Dua/suplication to Allah to forgive us either for a specific sin or for what we may have committed unknowingly.

4. Islam must be accepted as a whole, there cannot be any picking and choosing as Islam cannot be mixed with something else and then called Islam, it wouldn't be Islam that you would be following.

Hope this helps.

 

[Deidre]

Thank you so much for your replies!

As to #1 -- would you mind elaborating a bit more on that point. I believe I know what you mean, but just need clarity.
As to #4 -- you are right, I understand. It would be all or nothing, then.

Hi and thanks for your questions.

1. There are things which do not relate to religion that our Prophet said which is not divinely inspired, however, the Qur'an and all else related to religion or the Islamic way of life is divinely inspired but in different forms from the revelation of the Qur'an.

2. We do fear God, but not in the same way as Christians. Our primary attitude towards Allah is to love Him first and foremost and to form a personal relationship so that we may reach the state of Ihsan (to worship Allah as though we see him although we don't. However, he sees us) A well regarded Scholar named Ibn Qayim Al Jawzie has given a very well example how our relationship with Allah should be. He has explained it in the form of a bird where love of Allah is the head of a bird, fear and hope being the two wings of the bird. If love is not there then a bird cannot exist as it's missing it's head, if hope and fear are imbalanced the bird will be deformed where one wing is bigger than the other, thus they too need balanced where one doesn't outweigh the other. We must fear Allah in doing something against what he has ordered for us, but if we do sin we must have hope in his forgiveness.

3. We do seek forgiveness for our sins, but unlike Christianity, we keep them private between ourselves and Allah. Islam teaches that all humans are sinners and the best of them are those who repent. We simply make Dua/suplication to Allah to forgive us either for a specific sin or for what we may have committed unknowingly.

4. Islam must be accepted as a whole, there cannot be any picking and choosing as Islam cannot be mixed with something else and then called Islam, it wouldn't be Islam that you would be following.

Hope this helps.

 

[Gharib]

Oh one more question...
In Christianity, believers feel they are 'saved' from Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. But, there is still a way of life one should follow if a believer says he/she is a Christian. How does a Muslim know what awaits him/her in the afterlife? (I stopped believing in the afterlife when I left Christianity, however...but for the sake of exploring Islam, I want to open my mind to what it teaches for now.)

Muslims do not know what await's them. Our Prophet and ten of his companions were given news of having a place in Paradise while they were alive. Other than them the rest of us can only follow Islam as best as possible, seek forgiveness for our mistakes and hope for the Mercy of Allah as he loves more to forgive than to punish.

The smallest a person can do is believe wholeheartedly in the Islamic declaration of faith, that there is no God other than Allah and die upon this belief. However, due to the sins such a person who would not have followed Islamic teachings in other aspects would have made, they like all other Muslims who die with their sins outweighing their good deeds will spend a limited time in hell as punishment for their sins until they have served their punishment and taken to Paradise. Allah forgives all sins other than that of Shirk (worshipping someone or something other than Allah). So belief must be there first and foremost before anything else and belief cannot come unless there is love for Allah and his Prophet.

 

[Gharib]

Thank you so much for your replies!

As to #1 -- would you mind elaborating a bit more on that point. I believe I know what you mean, but just need clarity.
As to #4 -- you are right, I understand. It would be all or nothing, then.

No problem, you are welcome.

1. A hadith as an example:

The narration in Sahih Muslim is as follows:

After arriving in Medina, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) passed by some people who were fecundating some date palms, so he asked them what they were doing. When they told him, he said, “I don’t think that will provide any benefit,” or in another narration, “It would be better if you didn’t do that.”

So they refrained from doing it, and that year the crop was not as good. They mentioned it to him (peace and blessings be upon him), and he replied:

“I am only a human: if I command you to do something in your religion, then take it; but if I tell you to do something based on personal opinion, then [realize] that I am only human,” and in another narration, “Yet if I inform you of something from Allah, then do it, for indeed I will never convey an untruth on behalf of Allah Mighty and Majestic,” and in yet another narration, “You know better of your worldly affairs.”

As for the revelations, the Qur'an was the direct word of God through the Angel Gabriel. The hadith Qudsi, which were a revelation from Allah but in the words of Muhammed, revealed to him by Allah in his dreams, where Allah would peak to him with his own voice (ie Muhammed's voice) and then there are all the other revelations where Gabriel would descend and tell him what to say to people when they asked concerning Islam, be it beliefs, permissible and forbidden actions or matters of judgement based on Islamic teachings.

4. If there are things which trouble you or you do not fully understand, which have resulted in seeking the option of taking some leaving some then feel free to ask and I'll do my best to clarify.

 

[MD]

I might be ignorant on some world issues, and not as knowledgeable as you are, about some of these regions' conflicts. I live in a rather protective bubble, in a country that gives me a lot of freedom, not only as a citizen, but as a woman. I never take any moments for granted living here in the U.S., and I'm well aware of the horrors in other countries. But, there are horrors throughout our world, even here everyday, that have nothing to do with religion at all. It is mankind that has the issues, and mankind that will use religion or whatever it can, to perpetuate its agendas. This is nothing new. Long before Islam, people were warring. People were raping and violent. Islam didn't create this, and I honestly believe that regions that support violence in the name of Islam, hurt Islam. I have Muslims friends who came to the states from Syria, and I've been around their families, and they treat me like family. I can't meet every Muslim on the planet, but I've met them, and they love me. Islam is a gift of love they have told me. There will always be horrors in the world, but just make sure you target the right monster, or it will never end. Islam is not the monster. That's all I'm saying. But, I respect your knowledge on this, too.

I guess in the end it depends on whom you ask. I have Syrian friends who have become secret atheists and think Islam is backwards ideology. Some of them have been disowned by their families. The same can be said for Afghan and Iranian friends, especially the latter, who are becoming very secular. Many of these friends of mine have to keep their mouths shut out of fear and being cast out of their communities. That doesn't sound like a religion of love to me.

Different ideologies are inspired by different things. It is human nature to do evil, but it is also in our nature to do good. As a species I would say we are moving slowly, incrementally towards doing good. And I think the Abrahamic faiths are an anchor in the past which impedes our growth as a civilization. An ideology which justifies certain forms of evil can perpetuate more evil in the world. All Abrahamic faiths call for stoning, and if people followed this rule today people would be stoned all over the world and not just in Islamic countries. But thanks to liberal thought this is banned now. Have you ever seen a stoning? It's horrific. Any religion which condones that is not a true religion to me.

I don't care what you believe in the end as long as you don't become someone who wishes to enforce your beliefs on me. Unfortunately the very essence of Islam has an element of force associated with it, so I don't think true liberal thought is possible within Islam.

It is one thing to read of the horrors, it's another to know family members who have experienced them firsthand and still experience PTSD 30 years after.

 

[Gharib]

I don't care what you believe in the end as long as you don't become someone who wishes to enforce your beliefs on me. Unfortunately the very essence of Islam has an element of force associated with it, so I don't think true liberal thought is possible within Islam.

Can you elaborate on that?

Islam prohibits forcing beliefs on others.

 

[MD]

Can you elaborate on that?

Islam prohibits forcing beliefs on others.

Well history suggests otherwise. Also the fact that the punishment for leaving the faith is death penalty disproves that.

 

[MD]

If he knows then why the test.

So he's not omniscient?

 

[FearGod]

So he's not omniscient?

Yes God is omniscient on what is in your thought and my thought and for the events which is programmed by him.

For example the programer of a video game is omniscient about the events and the movements in his programmed game but he has no knowledge of how you'll play, but the difference is that God is able to change the events if he wished so and he is omnipotent over everything in this universe.