Things in Islam I am curious about...

[YusufNoor]

Aalaamu Alaykum EVERYONE!!!

Gene, 2 items are mentioned in the Qur'an that are NOT thoroughly explained, Jesus' crucifixtion and referring to Ezra as the "son of G-d". we ARE NOT given the definitive explanation on either of these 2 issues, the latter, imho, being easier to understand. BECAUSE of that, we can't TRULY answer your question in a way the you would like it answered.

but to try a little:

if the purpose was souly to save Isa/Jesus(as), then only those present were decieved and there are Qur'anic references to deception as well as in stories about King David(as) [none springing to mind, but while he was on the run from Saul]. AND the story of Judah's daughter-in-law Tamar.

from a Muslim point of view, it's a very small audience AND it saved a Prophet(as). from our point of view, those that "created the crucifiction/resurrection myth" would be guilty of a MUCH LARGER and, from an Islamic point of view, MORE DASTARDLY deception or crime. that is the deifying of Jesus/Isa(as)! assigning of partners to Allah(SWT) is about the worst form of sin that there is in Islam. in which case, THAT would be deception by the arch enemy of mankind: Shaytan.

btw, i'm strongly inclined to believe that the Jesus/Isa(as) and the Ezra issue are meant to be stumbling blocks for those "considering" Islam but not quite ready to "fully submit". if that WASN'T the case, then BOTH issues would have been fully explain by the Messenger of Allah(pbuh)! wewould have lots of Ahadith or Tafseer resovling the issue.

to see where Islam and Christianity cross paths, look for the answer to the question, "am i my brothers keeper?"

i probably didn't help much, but anyone who expounds MORE than that would pretty much have to be making it up...

oh, and i didn't yell!



Yusuf

 

[Skillganon]

I think that the Crufixion and the Ezra being called the son of God has been covered, numerous time.

I don't see why they will be a stumbling block.

 

[YusufNoor]

I think that the Crufixion and the Ezra being called the son of God has been covered, numerous time.

I don't see why they will be a stumbling block.

a: it's Gene's thread

b: i meant for Christians and Jews...
1) were you EVER one of those?

 

[north_malaysian]

can we replace the term "deception" with "trick"?

 

[Grace Seeker]

OK. Everybody ready to move on to a new question, I hope.


I keep coming across something called "istikhara". At first I saw it in connection with marriage, and now I am seeing it with regard to a few other things. But I really have no idea what it is. Who can help?

 

[YusufNoor]

A`udhu Billahi mina Shaytanir Rajeem,

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Assalamu alaykum wa'rahma-tullahi, wa'barakatahu Gene!

how are you and the family? are you finished with the deception thingy?

i don't know/can't explain "istikhara", BUT i've had a burning question for about 3 weeks!

read:

Woodrow,


I've read enough of your posts that I think I can safely say you and I are on the same page on this one.

I would not want a non-Christian to be teaching Sunday school in my church. I wouldn't even want a nominal Christian (some one who was a Christian in name only, simply because of the cultue they were raised in) to be the one placed in the position of being responsible for teaching others about the Christian faith.

I while it would be his/her own decision, I would counsel against a Christian marrying a non-Christian, or even a non-practicing Christian, simply because of the closeness of that relationship and the choices they will have to make together on which they may find it impossible to agree.

But for all other things I would welcome you as a Muslim into my family without any reservation whatsoever. (And if my daughter would choose to marry you -- well I would just pray that it is my Muslim daughter not my Buddhist daughter who makes that decision. )

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last edited by Grace Seeker : 3 Weeks Ago at

care to enlighten us about that last little comment??? mg:



Yusuf

 

[Grace Seeker]

care to enlighten us about that last little comment??? mg:



Yusuf

Sure. I have a total of 8 kids. Not all biological. Among them is Asli who lived with us as an exchange student from Turkey several years ago. During the year we treated her as our daughter and she called us "Mom" and "Dad". Though she is back home in Turkey, none of that relationship has changed. And Asli happens to be Muslim.

I also have a Buddhist daughter from Thailand, if you are interested in the other reference.


If you want to get on my bad side quickly, ask me about my "real" children. ALL of my children are real. Some of them were not born to us and also have other parents. But all of them are real.


Of course, all of my kids are also probably a little too young for Woodrow. :statisfie

 

[Muslim Woman]

I seek refuge in Allah (The One God) from the Satan (devil) the cursed, the rejected

With the name of ALLAH (swt) -The Bestower Of Unlimited Mercy, The Continously Merciful


Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh (May the peace, mercy and blessings of Allah be upon you)

&&

I keep coming across something called "istikhara". At first I saw it in connection with marriage, and now I am seeing it with regard to a few other things. But I really have no idea what it is. Who can help?

---let me try

when we can't make any decision , then it's encouraged to offer 2 rakat ( sorry don't know the English word ) special salat/namaz/prayer . It's better to do the salat at night before sleeping.


We seek guidance from God ...the dua/supplication is like that , God , u know what is good , what is bad for me. so , if this work is good for my this life & the life hereafter , then grant it for me & make it easy for me ; if it's not good for me & my life hereafter , then keep me away from it & grant me what is good & keep me satisfied .


If we have a good dream , then we can do the work, bad dream indicates NO, it won't be good. If there is no dream , then we will do what seems right. It's good to offer the prayer minimum 3 times.

Insha Allah , i will try to collect more info ....if u want


** some more


Dua and Prayers Suggestions from God - Salah tul Istikhara




"Istikhara" means to seek goodness from Allah (Exalted is He), meaning when one intends to do an important task they do istikhara before the task.

The one who does the istikhara is as if they request Allah Almighty that, O the Knower of Unseen (Exalted is He) guide me if this task is better for me or not?


TRANSLATION:

"O Allah! I seek goodness from Your Knowledge and with Your Power (and Might) I seek strength, and I ask from You Your Great Blessings, because You have the Power and I do not have the power.


You Know everything and I do not know, and You have knowledge of the unseen.


Oh Allah! If in Your Knowledge this action ------------------------------------------------ (which I intend to do) is better for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then make it destined for me and make it easy for me and then add blessings [baraka'] in it, for me.


O Allah! In Your Knowledge if this action is bad for me, bad for my religion and faith, for my life and end [death], for here [in this world] and the hereafter then turn it away from me
and turn me away from it and whatever is better for me, ordain [destine] that for me and then make me satisfied with it."



Answer: If in the dream one sees whiteness (means any thing white in color, for example: milk, white paper, white sky, white clothes, white light etc.)

or greenness (means any thing green in color, for example: grass, plants, trees, green clothes, green light etc.) then understand that this task is better

and if one sees redness (means any thing red in color, for example: blood, red clothing, red fruit, red light etc.)

or blackness (means any thing black in color, for example: black water, black light, black clothings, black sky, black wall etc. ) then understand it is bad and avoid it.

[ wooowww, i did not know about that ...thanks Grace Seeker for asking . How Christians pray when in trouble ??? it's not the right thread to answer ; so when u r free , pl. answer it in related thread ....BTW , what about thread answered by Christians ....is that still closed ????]


If do not remember any dream or do not see any colors then follow your heart. Whatever intention grows stronger in your heart regarding your targated work follow it after seven days of Istakhara.


Islamic Academy
2200 Los Rois Blvd, Suite 130, Plano TX 75074 - Phone 972-423-2626
http://www.islamicacademy.org/html/Dua/How_to_do_Istakhara.htm

 

[Nσσя'υℓ Jαииαн]

Istikhara is a sort of seeking guidance from Allah(swt), when you are unable to decide about a lawful matter. Usually we should use our common sense and AQL/intellect and weigh things properly, to decide about them, However, for any reason or under any circumstances, if we are unable to make a decision, then we can seek the help of Allah(swt) by doing Istikhara.

 

[Grace Seeker]

hmmmm

This sort of reminds me of the idea of putting out a fleece. Are you familiar with that concept, practiced by many (but by no means all) Christians, and maybe Jews too, I don't know -- it's based on the story of Gideon from the Tanakh.


So, you only offer it when you need more help than the common sense and rational wisdom that God gave you, not for everything? I guess I wonder if having a pizza to late at night might be more the cause of a bad dream than Allah's directions. Maybe this is why it was suggested to offer it 3 times.

Ever have inconclusive results?

 

[Malaikah]

GraceSeeker,

You don't have to have a dream. I don't actually know of any hadiths that say you need to have a dream. Basically you just offer a short prayer, and at the end you read this supplication, and then do what ever you think is right and hope for the best, knowing that you asked Allah for his help, and knowing that whatever happens, even if it was bad, it is still better than the other option because this is what Allah guided you to asfter you asked him.

The supplication (it really explains a lot):

O Allah, I seek Your help in finding out the best course of action (in this matter) by invoking Your knowledge; I ask You to empower me, and I beseech Your favor. You alone have the absolute power, while I have no power. You alone know it all, while I do not. You are the One Who knows the hidden mysteries. O Allah, if You know this thing (I am embarking on) [here mention your case] is good for me in my religion, worldly life, and my ultimate destiny, then facilitate it for me, and then bless me in my action. If, on the other hand, You know this thing is detrimental for me in my religion, worldly life, and ultimate destiny, turn it away from me, and turn me away from it, and decree what is good for me, wherever it may be, and make me content with it.​

check out this thread, it has heaps of information on it:

http://www.islamicboard.com/cyber-c...ing-allaah-subhaanahu-wa-taaala-guidance.html

 

[north_malaysian]

Sure. I have a total of 8 kids. Not all biological. Among them is Asli who lived with us as an exchange student from Turkey several years ago. During the year we treated her as our daughter and she called us "Mom" and "Dad". Though she is back home in Turkey, none of that relationship has changed. And Asli happens to be Muslim.

I also have a Buddhist daughter from Thailand, if you are interested in the other reference.


If you want to get on my bad side quickly, ask me about my "real" children. ALL of my children are real. Some of them where not born to us and also have other parents. But all of them are real.

Are you Angelina Jolie? kay:

 

[bint abdulhamid]

to da sister who woz asakin 'bout back up regarding music 4rm da quraan & ahadeeth well eres a story which occured durin da tym of da prophet (s.a.w)
well...dis is wot happend '' once da slave of a companion of da prophet (s.a.w) went 2 da market to purchase something howeva music could b heard within da bazaar 4 dis reason the slave girl flee 4rm da bazaar terrified dat da azaab(punishment) of allah comes down and she b'comes involved in it. ''so it should b taken into consideration how fightend da companioms were afraid of museic entering their ears without it even bieng their fault. i hope dis helps fufil ur doubt in anyway........................................'''peace!!!!!!!!!!!!'''

 

[samah12]

Good grief. What is the benefit in art? In literature? In poetry? Like music, all of that is part of what makes life actually worth living. I'm fascinated as to the 'bad effects' as well.. rock music I could understand but Beethoven, Mozart or Mahler? Utter nonsense, and one of the more ridiculous 'interpretations' IMHO.

I like this comment. Of course there is music that should be avoided, drinking, carousing, etc is all a path to our destruction but are we not able to use our judgement as to what is good or bad. I would not permit my husband or sons to go drinking and watching belly dancers but when we listen to Sami Yusuf singing about supplication and our beloved Prophet (pbuh) it makes our hearts swell with love for Allah.

For those people that do not know of Sami Yusuf the following are some of the lyrics from a song called Supplication:

Oh my Lord my sins are like the highest mountain
my good deeds are very few they're like a small pebble
I turn to you my heart full of shame, my eyes full of tears
bestow your forgiveness and mercy upon me
Ye Allah send your peace and blessing on the final Prophet
and his family and companions and those who follow him.

What about Hesham Abass singing the 99 names of Allah, yes it does not have instrumentation, but he is singing and can you tell me anything more beautiful in the history of the world than the names of Allah?

Also and very importantly, there has been a song on Arabic television recently and the singer of this song can regularly be seen leading prayer in Mecca! (I have emailed my husband for his name because I don't remember it but I want you to be able to verify what I am saying, as soon as I get the name I will post it). If I translate the arabic correctly the song is inviting a return to brotherhood in Islam rather than Muslim fighting Muslim.

Please can someone tell me how this could lead me to sin or how these beautiful sentiments are the tools of the devil? Listening to this makes me want to pray, not commit adultery. Please forgive me, I am not trying to be antagonistic, I just really cannot see how this hadith is so strictlly interpreted.

 

[Grace Seeker]

Are you Angelina Jolie? kay:

See, I told Brad if we shared too much personal stuff we would eventually be found out. He said, "No. Brad and Angie are common names, no one will ever guess. But here you did, and I even used a different screen name. Well, it's been nice knowing you all, but you realize that I can't stay here now that the word is out. Maybe, I'll see you another time, another place, and (unfortunately) under another name."
Peace, Angie kay:









(Because we are not to impersonate others, please know I typed this with tongue firmly planted in cheek.)

 

[Grace Seeker]

Well, that was relatively easy. Why did you all say that "istikhara" was so hard to explain. It makes perfect sense to me. I see that there is NO ONE RIGHT WAY, but the principle seems basic to how I try to live my life everyday, that is when in doubt, seek God's guidance and trust that whatever way he leads you if you follow it, it will be better than any other you might have chosen, not because it is necessarily the one filled with blessings, but because it is the one God has chosen for you, and knowing that that is where one is is the greatest blessing of all.



So, I'm back with another question. And on this I think we may end up having to agree to disagree in the end. But I still want to discuss it if we may?


Below is a response from Fi_Sabilillah to a person who had just made the decision to convert to Islam. That person asked about the necessity of going public with the decision, especially as regard to sharing it with family and friends.

Wow kool! Praise be to Allaah. Just to go over it again, it's:


Ash hadu an laaa illaaha illAllaah, Muhammadur - Rasool Allaah.

I bear witness there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, (and) Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the Messenger of Allaah.


Inshaa Allaah that is the right way to say it. Do you want to make a new thread so the brothers and sisters on the forum know of your reversion? Do it only if you want to.

And no - you don't have to mention it to your family and friends until you feel it's best, we know from the lives of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah that they would hide it out of fear of persecution etc. So do it when you feel its best.


I'm really proud of ya! i hope Allaah makes the path to paradise easy for you and all the muslims, ameen.

Now, I didn't use Fi_Sabilillah's response to pick on him personally, but because I know he is well respected, and gives advice that comes from the core of Islam. I must also say, I have seen many other Muslims give similar advice to a few others. So, I take it that this is the standard answer to that question of whether or not to go public: there is no need, some of the companions kept it secret out of fear themselves, so you don't have to tell anyone if you don't want to.

Now, my question/statement: I don't get it.
What is the point of claiming something that one does not profess publically?

One begins with the statement: "I bear witness ...", but to bear witness is to testify to others. I'm not saying that I expect every new Muslim to get up and start proclaiming their faith from the rooftops over megaphones. I wouldn't expect this of any convert to any religion. But how does one show that Allah is the first place priority in one's life, crouched in fear and hiding it from others?

Like I said, I don't get it. To me, keeping it secret is the antithesis of bearing witness.

 

[samah12]

One begins with the statement: "I bear witness ...", but to bear witness is to testify to others. I'm not saying that I expect every new Muslim to get up and start proclaiming their faith from the rooftops over megaphones. I wouldn't expect this of any convert to any religion. But how does one show that Allah is the first place priority in one's life, crouched in fear and hiding it from others?

Like I said, I don't get it. To me, keeping it secret is the antithesis of bearing witness.

Firstly may I say as a convert/revert that it is very difficult to find the courage to announce your conversion because of the reputation Muslims have of being 'fanatics' or 'extremists'. It takes time but you get there in the end.

Secondly are you saying that your priority is to make sure people know (and therefore admire you) for your faith or is it more important that Allah recognises your love for him?

 

[rubiesand]

I think first we bear witness before God within our own soul. Then our verbal declaration is witnessed by the people who are present when we take it. Then the wider community witnesses our participation in the public expressions of our faith such as in congregational prayer and pilgrimage to the sacred house.

 

[Grace Seeker]

Firstly may I say as a convert/revert that it is very difficult to find the courage to announce your conversion because of the reputation Muslims have of being 'fanatics' or 'extremists'. It takes time but you get there in the end.

Secondly are you saying that your priority is to make sure people know (and therefore admire you) for your faith or is it more important that Allah recognises your love for him?

The second. I am not ashamed of the faith I have in God. Hiding it seems as if I am acting as if I am.

I trust that Muslims are not truly ashamed of their faith, but the descriptions people hae posted in other places on the forum sound this way.

I guess, if I was an Imam one of the lessons that I would probably feel led to give at Friday night prayers is to quit living in fear. Trust Allah. Be proud of your faith. If someone ridicules you, insults you, knocks you down or attacks you for it, give praise to Allah that he has given you the opportunity to bear witness to him even under those circumstances.

It seems weak to me to say, "Well, if you don't feel comfortable letting people know that you have faith in Allah, it is OK, as long as you have faith". I see too much of that sort of easy, lackluster faith among Christians. As a pastor I see this all the time among teenagers who act strong on Sundays, but put them in a non-Christian peer group the rest of the week and like a camelion they transform into what ever the group is into as it is the easiest thing for them to do. To won't stand up, they won't live up, they won't speak up for their faith. And here I sense permission being given for young Muslims to do nearly the same thing. I know no one has said that they can just copy kufr activitiy, but isn't being ashamed or afraid to recognize Allah as first place in your life, making Allah something less than first place in your life?

To me it cheapens the value of faith to say: "It's enough for me and God to know about my faith. No one else needs to know, because I'm afraid of what might happend if they did."

I translate that to be: "No one else needs to know, because I lack faith to believe God will given me the protection I need to live openly for him."


I don't want this to come across as if I am saying that you are wrong in this practice. It is not my place to say how a Muslim should live out his/her faith. I'm just saying that I don't get it.

 

[samah12]

The second. I am not ashamed of the faith I have in God. Hiding it seems as if I am acting as if I am.

I trust that Muslims are not truly ashamed of their faith, but the descriptions people hae posted in other places on the forum sound this way.

To me it cheapens the value of faith to say: "It's enough for me and God to know about my faith. No one else needs to know, because I'm afraid of what might happend if they did."

I translate that to be: "No one else needs to know, because I lack faith to believe God will given me the protection I need to live openly for him."
QUOTE]

Oh no, you misunderstand me. You are talking to a woman that never leaves the house without her head covered - how much of a declaration of my faith is that? Nothing short of a neon sign over my head saying Muslim can top that one. And I am very proud that my head cover lets people know of my faith. I do not wear it to impress people, I wear it to please Allah but it certainly denotes my faith.

I was suggesting that in the beginning, when you are unsure of yourself it is enough that Allah knows your true heart. In time when you become more confident you inevitably declare your faith. The issue of declaring faith in Islam is difficult purely because of the media and political retoric and the labels put on us - 'fanatics', 'extremists' and "all muslims are suicide bombers". We know that peer pressure is difficult for young people, I am not saying do whatever pleases your friends but you must accept that it can be difficult for young people to 'go against the grain'.

If these labels were attached to your faith what advise would you, as a pastor, give to young people?