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format_quote Originally Posted by
Ha55an
1) Can anyone provide me with articles for circumcision from non-muslim sources? This Sikh brother refers to it as "mutilation of babies". I'm been told on several occasions it is a hygienic healthy practice but have never actually read up on it
[Male] circumcision is a widely accepted and medically approved practice around the world, approximately one fifth of men in the world are circumcised, and over sixty percent in the US are circumcised. Thus, to label it "mutilation of babies", in spite of its acceptance amongst medical professionals, is just sheer ignorance. Medical doctors have always accepted circumcision as good penile hygiene as it prevents the collection of smegma under the foreskin as well as a number of other diseases. Here is a resource on the procedure:
http://www.circinfo.com/
http://www.circinfo.net/
http://medicirc.org/
The fact of the matter is that circumcision is simply a temporary procedure that occurs when the baby's nerves are not yet even fully developed. It leaves no long-term damage at all. It was a practice ordained by God, as the Jews practice it as well. Since any discomfort caused by the procedure is temporary, Muslims and Jews remain unconvinced by attempts to characterize circumcision as 'mutilation'.
2)Regarding alcohol, does anyone know the chain of events leading to the prohibition of alcohol. This Sikh brother is implying that Muhammed SAW only began to prohibit it when Sahabi RA used to come up to him and complain of drunks. Is this true? Or is there more to it than simply that
In Islam alcohol was prohibited gradually so that the people would be able to handle it. Had it been prohibited from day 1, Islam would have been very difficult for the arabs for whom alcohol was a staple of their diet. So just because something was revealed gradually does not mean that there is any inconsistency as your sikh opponent is suggesting. It is similar to a Professor who gives his students more and more difficult work as the course progresses. This is not a contradiction or inconsistency!
And many Qur'anic ayaat were revealed after a specific event. This does not mean that those verses were sent as a
reaction to the event, for Allah swt intended to send these verses from the start. But they were revealed at particulr events so that the Muslims could understand and appreciate the practical implications of such verses.
3) I don't quite know how to answer his allegation that we worship a rock by doing pilgrimage to it. He says this is nothing but idol worship
This is a common misconception amongst those who are ignorant of Islam's strict prohibition against any forms of idol worship. The pilgrimage unites all of humanity as people of all races journey from all different lands to a common place of worship solely for the sake of God. This does not mean that one can only worship God in such place, but they
unite human beings in their worship towards God. So when Muslims pray towards the Kaaba, it acts as a focal point directing all worship across the globe to God.
4)he goes on to say that Sikhs don't believe one place or city is holier than another and that you'd get more reward praying in one place.They believe the whole earth is there for us to pray on. again i didn't quite know how to explain this
Muslims also believe that the entire earth has been made a place of prayer for us. As the Prophet saws said, "The earth has been made for me, a masjid." (Sahih Bukhari, 323).
So the Masjids where Muslims go are not the only places of worship, but they are specific places
solely devoted to the worship of God. These are locations where Muslims gather together in the common worship of their Creator, which signifies a much stronger desire to seek God than those who have not dedicated any specific location solely for the worship of God.
5) Touching on this he says sikhs can pray to god at anytime.He says this is different in islam that we believe a women is dirty when she has had a period and at this time isn't allowed to pray to god.Is this true?
No, it is not true.
First, The english word 'prayer' is ambiguous and in Islam we have many different words that carry this overall meaning. There is
Dua (supplication),
Salat (ritual formal prayer), and there is also
Dhikr (contemplating on the Majesty of God). So yes, every can pray anywhere and at any time to God by making dua and dhikr. As for the formal Salah, this is a more involved practice, hence sick/disabled people and women having their period are excused from this practice. In these times of discomfort, Allah swt has made an exception for them. This does not mean that they are considered 'dirty', they simply are not in a state of ritual purity due to bleeding.
6)Why can't non-muslims go to Mecca
Why aren't Muslims entitled to a specific location reserved only for those who worship Allah swt? Many people woudn't let me enter their house, so why do Non-muslims make such a big deal of entering Makkah?
7)Why doesn't Qur'an provide date Adam and Eve were created
The Qur'an is not a historical textbook. Who on earth cares what date they were created? Is this going to benefit anyone in worshipping Allah?
Also, with regard to the issue of Islam being the fastest growing religion in the world, here is the evidence:
http://www.menj.org/fastest/
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