Re: Questions from & to a non-Muslim (Questions & Answers thread)
-How was your day today?
It was fine but not so good when it comes to this thread, I would've posted yesterday but seems like the system doesn't like my post for some reason.
-Were you born into a Muslim family, or did you convert?
Born.
-Why do you believe that Islam is the right religion?
Logically it makes sense. I haven't found any far fetched claims or baseless assertions to make me think otherwise.
-What are your thoughts on the other Abrahamic religions, Judaism & Christianity? What do you think they have right? Where do you think they went wrong?
They are people of the book and therefore believe in the same God and thus a level above all the other religions who have pagan gods. Judaism is more close to Islam then Christianity, or rather Jews are more strict adherents to their faith then Christians, thus eating their food is more safer (ex: they slaughter their animal in accordance to God's commandment). Jews are also considered more devious and less trust worthy then Muslims. General belief among Muslims is that it's safer to eat at Jew's and safer to sleep at Christian's house. This isn't to generalize across the spectrum, just what many Muslims of the East believe based on the practices and history of the people of the book.
As to where they went wrong and where they are right. Quran being the last and latest testament sent down, what coincides with the Quran is what they have right, what contradicts the Quran is where they innovated and strayed.
-What is the name of the design/tattoo that I sometimes see on Muslim women’s hands? I don’t usually get a long look at them, but they look beautiful.
There isn't a specific design/tattoo that is used. It's more dependent on one's own creativity and art skills. Those who know, draw islamic calligraphy, others design whatever creative art they can think of. The material used is called henna, a plant based paste. It's important to get a pure henna product as these days there are shady ones out there too, that will have harmful chemicals in them.
-What is the significance behind praying 5 times a day? What happens if you miss any of the prayers, or don’t feel like doing them?
The 5 daily prayers are a form of worship. There are many ways to worship, this is one of the ways. Quran is literal word of God and thus He speaks to us via the Quran while prayer is considered our way of speaking to Him.
The story goes that the Prophet
saws
was at lowest point in his life with the life events that had transpired. God sent a mule/donkey size winged animal to him at night time that flew as fast as the eye could see and went to Jerusalem. There he led all the previous prophets in prayer in the mosque Al-Aqsa and from there rose up to the heaves to meet his Lord. In that meeting, he was gifted the prayers for his nation. Initially he was given 50 prayers and on his descent down he met Moses (peace be upon him) to whom he related the incident. Moses told him that his people were given 3 daily prayers and it was hard on them, so go back and ask the prayers to be reduced. This happened several times till the prayers were reduced to 5 daily prayers. While the number of prayers reduced, the reward did not. So the reward/deeds of the prayer is still that of the 50 prayers.
Prayers are one of the pillars of Islam. They must be performed, and made up if they are missed. Concessions are made for different situations, such as shortening the prayer for one who is traveling, combining certain prayers out of certain necessity, etc. If one abandons the prayer, they no longer are considered a Muslim as the Prophet
saws
said this is what separates us from them (non-Muslims) and whoever abandons it is not one of us.
Indeed, Prayer prohibits immorality and wrongding – Al Quran 29:45
-What is the difference between Shia and Sunni Islam? Are there any other sects/branches in Islam? What does they teach?
Historically, there wasn't any. It was a political division based on the differences of who should be the next Caliph after the assassination of the current one of that time. Overtime, shia started to deviated in their religious beliefs as well and thus who still followed the Sunnah (way of the Prophet) became to be called Sunni.
There is a hadith (prophet's saying) that the Jews were divided into 71 sects, Christians into 72 sects and Islam will be divided into 73 sects. So yes, there are many other sects as well, some that deviate slightly off to others that deviate enough to put them outside of the fold of Islam.
-Why do some women only cover their hair, while others also cover their face? Is there a special reason for this (more observant, different sects, etc.)?
The amount of covering is related to the amount of adherence and commitment one feels towards their Lord. Those who want to grow closer to their Lord and want to please Him more, adhere to the teaching more conservatively. The covering of the face was done by all the wives of the Prophet(S) as well as all the believing women up to colonial occupation of Muslim lands.
-What are some interesting facts about Islam that you would like for me know? Can be as interesting or random as you want it to be!
The basic beliefs one must have in order to be considered a Muslim include a belief in
1) the One God;
2) all the prophets of God;
3) the original scriptures revealed to Prophets Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad;
4) the angels;
5) the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter; and
6) the divine decree or destiny
The Islamic Golden Age, which is traditionally dated as being the 8th–13th centuries, was marked by the ascension of the Abbasid Caliphate. The Abbasids were influenced by the Quran’s injunction that “the ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.” During this time, the Arab world became an intellectual center for science, astronomy, chemistry, physics, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and education
A Muslim woman retains her own family name upon marriage, rather than taking the name of her husband. This symbolic act emphasizes that she remains her own person, with her own valid identity.
Muslims do not describe Islam as a religion. Rather it is a deen, which comes from the Arabic for “way of life.” Muslims believe that Islam is more than a religious belief—it is a way of living in accordance with one’s religious faith.
The pre-Islamic period in Arabia is commonly called Jahiliyyah, which means “the days of ignorance.” Before Islam, the main religion of the Arabian Peninsula was pagan idolatry
This is the book about which there is no doubt, A guidance for those conscious of Allah – Al-Quran 2:2
-Now is your turn to ask me some questions! Ask me anything, but be nice!
How is your day going?
What region of the world are you from?
what made you curious enough about Islam to learn more?
What convinced you to join this forum?
Where do you think you stand right now in terms of personal spirituality ?
Have you pondered over the true meaning of life and what comes after death?
- - - Updated - - -
-How was your day today?
It was fine but not so good when it comes to this thread, I would've posted yesterday but seems like the system doesn't like my post for some reason.
-Were you born into a Muslim family, or did you convert?
Born.
-Why do you believe that Islam is the right religion?
Logically it makes sense. I haven't found any far fetched claims or baseless assertions to make me think otherwise.
-What are your thoughts on the other Abrahamic religions, Judaism & Christianity? What do you think they have right? Where do you think they went wrong?
They are people of the book and therefore believe in the same God and thus a level above all the other religions who have pagan gods. Judaism is more close to Islam then Christianity, or rather Jews are more strict adherents to their faith then Christians, thus eating their food is more safer (ex: they slaughter their animal in accordance to God's commandment). Jews are also considered more devious and less trust worthy then Muslims. General belief among Muslims is that it's safer to eat at Jew's and safer to sleep at Christian's house. This isn't to generalize across the spectrum, just what many Muslims of the East believe based on the practices and history of the people of the book.
As to where they went wrong and where they are right. Quran being the last and latest testament sent down, what coincides with the Quran is what they have right, what contradicts the Quran is where they innovated and strayed.
-What is the name of the design/tattoo that I sometimes see on Muslim women’s hands? I don’t usually get a long look at them, but they look beautiful.
There isn't a specific design/tattoo that is used. It's more dependent on one's own creativity and art skills. Those who know, draw islamic calligraphy, others design whatever creative art they can think of. The material used is called henna, a plant based paste. It's important to get a pure henna product as these days there are shady ones out there too, that will have harmful chemicals in them.
-What is the significance behind praying 5 times a day? What happens if you miss any of the prayers, or don’t feel like doing them?
The 5 daily prayers are a form of worship. There are many ways to worship, this is one of the ways. Quran is literal word of God and thus He speaks to us via the Quran while prayer is considered our way of speaking to Him.
The story goes that the Prophet
saws
was at lowest point in his life with the life events that had transpired. God sent a mule/donkey size winged animal to him at night time that flew as fast as the eye could see and went to Jerusalem. There he led all the previous prophets in prayer in the mosque Al-Aqsa and from there rose up to the heaves to meet his Lord. In that meeting, he was gifted the prayers for his nation. Initially he was given 50 prayers and on his descent down he met Moses (peace be upon him) to whom he related the incident. Moses told him that his people were given 3 daily prayers and it was hard on them, so go back and ask the prayers to be reduced. This happened several times till the prayers were reduced to 5 daily prayers. While the number of prayers reduced, the reward did not. So the reward/deeds of the prayer is still that of the 50 prayers.
Prayers are one of the pillars of Islam. They must be performed, and made up if they are missed. Concessions are made for different situations, such as shortening the prayer for one who is traveling, combining certain prayers out of certain necessity, etc. If one abandons the prayer, they no longer are considered a Muslim as the Prophet
saws
said this is what separates us from them (non-Muslims) and whoever abandons it is not one of us.
Indeed, Prayer prohibits immorality and wrongding – Al Quran 29:45
-What is the difference between Shia and Sunni Islam? Are there any other sects/branches in Islam? What does they teach?
Historically, there wasn't any. It was a political division based on the differences of who should be the next Caliph after the assassination of the current one of that time. Overtime, shia started to deviated in their religious beliefs as well and thus who still followed the Sunnah (way of the Prophet) became to be called Sunni.
There is a hadith (prophet's saying) that the Jews were divided into 71 sects, Christians into 72 sects and Islam will be divided into 73 sects. So yes, there are many other sects as well, some that deviate slightly off to others that deviate enough to put them outside of the fold of Islam.
-Why do some women only cover their hair, while others also cover their face? Is there a special reason for this (more observant, different sects, etc.)?
The amount of covering is related to the amount of adherence and commitment one feels towards their Lord. Those who want to grow closer to their Lord and want to please Him more, adhere to the teaching more conservatively. The covering of the face was done by all the wives of the Prophet(S) as well as all the believing women up to colonial occupation of Muslim lands.
-What are some interesting facts about Islam that you would like for me know? Can be as interesting or random as you want it to be!
The basic beliefs one must have in order to be considered a Muslim include a belief in
1) the One God;
2) all the prophets of God;
3) the original scriptures revealed to Prophets Moses, David, Jesus, and Muhammad;
4) the angels;
5) the Day of Judgment and the Hereafter; and
6) the divine decree or destiny
The Islamic Golden Age, which is traditionally dated as being the 8th–13th centuries, was marked by the ascension of the Abbasid Caliphate. The Abbasids were influenced by the Quran’s injunction that “the ink of the scholar is more holy than the blood of the martyr.” During this time, the Arab world became an intellectual center for science, astronomy, chemistry, physics, mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and education
A Muslim woman retains her own family name upon marriage, rather than taking the name of her husband. This symbolic act emphasizes that she remains her own person, with her own valid identity.
Muslims do not describe Islam as a religion. Rather it is a deen, which comes from the Arabic for “way of life.” Muslims believe that Islam is more than a religious belief—it is a way of living in accordance with one’s religious faith.
The pre-Islamic period in Arabia is commonly called Jahiliyyah, which means “the days of ignorance.” Before Islam, the main religion of the Arabian Peninsula was pagan idolatry
This is the book about which there is no doubt, A guidance for those conscious of Allah – Al-Quran 2:2
-Now is your turn to ask me some questions! Ask me anything, but be nice!
How is your day going?
What region of the world are you from?
what made you curious enough about Islam to learn more?
What convinced you to join this forum?
Where do you think you stand right now in terms of personal spirituality ?
Have you pondered over the true meaning of life and what comes after death?
